Zeppoles sold across Rhode Island linked to Salmonella outbreak

Rhode Island health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak among people who ate zeppoles from DeFusco Bakery.

According to a release from Rhode Island Dept. of Health, at least 25 people may be victims of the outbreak already. Thirteen of the 25 people have tested positive for Salmonella after eating zeppoles from DeFusco’s Bakery. Ten of those victims have been hospitalized.

An investigation has revealed that DeFusco’s stored pastry shells in used egg crates. These crates may have exposed the pastry shells to raw eggs, which carry Salmonella bacteria.

DeFusco’s is a bakery distributor and Rhode Island officials are working with the company to identify all retail locations which sold the potentially contaminated zeppoles. So far, it’s known that DeFusco’s sold zeppoles to American Bakery Supplies, of West Warwick, R.I., which then sold them to Roch’s Market in West Warwick; Meal Works in Coventry; and Touch of Class Catering in West Warwick.

Meal Works, a catering company, served the contaminated zeppoles at several senior living facilities and a church social event earlier this month.

The zeppoles were also sold at DeFusco’s locations: Colvitto’s Bistro in Narragansett, Sal’s Bakery in Providence; and Focaccia World in Johnston. Crunagle Bakery also sold the products at its stores in Providence, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston, and Cumberland from March 16-20.

Health officials are urging consumers to discard any baked goods from DeFusco’s, and zeppoles, cream puffs and eclairs from Buono’s Bakery, in Providence, R.I.

Symptoms of Salmonella include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If untreated, symptoms of Salmonella poisoning could require hospitalization. Salmonella poisoning affects the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems most seriously.