"Food borne disease outbreak" ; 3 dead, several sickened after Thanksgiving dinner at American Legion Hall

 Did a holiday dinner sicken eight people and kill three? Maybe, but health officials caution, maybe not.



Contra Costa County held a news conference Monday evening and cast doubt on the possibility of food poisoning at the charity dinner held in Antioch November 25.



They noted, more than 800 people were served, and only eight became ill, and that all eight were elderly residents of the same assisted living facility.



"They could have gotten sick from food they prepared at their living facility rather than the Thanksgiving event," noted Dr. Marilyn Underwood, Environmental Health Director.



"So at this point, we are not calling this a food borne disease outbreak."



Golden Hills Community Church hosts the annual feast for people without family, or the means, to make their own Thanksgiving dinner.



Some of the food is prepared and brought from homes, some is donated by stores or restaurants, and some is cooked at Antioch's American Legion Hall, where the buffet is served.



The facility has a county permit for food preparation.



Monday, another non-profit went on with its daily lunch for the needy as scheduled.