Maple bacon jam topping on burgers blamed for food poisoning at Toronto’s CNE

TORONTO – Toronto’s public health department says a food poisoning outbreak at the Canadian National Exhibition was caused by a contaminated topping put on cronut burgers.

An investigation into the outbreak that sickened more than 220 people last week found samples of the cronut burger — a cheeseburger with a hybrid croissant-donut bun — were contaminated by a bacterium.

Officials say lab results show the staphylococcus aureus toxin — a recognized cause of food-borne illness — was found in the maple bacon jam put on top of the burgers.

Symptoms of food-borne illness were first reported Aug. 20 when paramedics treated 12 people at the CNE, sending five of them to hospital.

Epic Burger and Waffles, the vendor that sold the cronuts, closed on Aug. 21 while Toronto Public Health conducted an investigation.

The public health investigation is focusing on Le Dolci, the supplier of the bacon jam, to determine how the contamination occurred.

The vendor will be allowed to reopen at the CNE as long as it does not serve the maple bacon jam from that supplier and all food safety requirements are met.

Public health officials say Le Dolci has stopped production of the product voluntarily and its food products will not be distributed until further investigation.

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s medical officer of health, says officials have now ensured the contaminated product is no longer being served and there is “no risk to the public.”