Clostridium perfringens outbreak associated with roast beef supper fundraising event

Epidemiological, environmental, and microbiological investigations were conducted to investigate the source of a gastrointestinal illness from a community take-out church supper related outbreak in Prince Edward Island in April 2012. There were 209 probable cases that met the case definition and 85 controls. Although the majority of cases and controls consumed the roast beef, the cases more likely picked up their meals later in the day than the controls. Clostridium perfringens was lab confirmed in 3 stool samples. Food samples contained elevated levels of C. perfringens in addition to other pathogens. Clostridium perfringens was the most likely etiology of the church fundraiser outbreak. The reheating temperature was not sufficient to destroy any toxin producing spores in the large volume of meat on the trays. This organism has been implicated as a common source of foodborne outbreaks, especially when large amounts of food are not properly prepared in advance. Volunteers require adequate training before preparing, cooking, or reheating potentially hazardous foods served at community organized events. Proper education, inspection, and licensing must be reinforced for these types of events, so that meals are not prepared in contraction with the Public Health Act.