Citation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1958; 7(35): 2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1958, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The California Department of Public Health has supplied information on an outbreak of food poisoning following the consumption of a punch drink served in a coffee shop. Fourteen of 25 persons who drank the punch became ill with symptoms of cramps and diarrhea from 15 to 45 minutes after drinking the suspect beverage. Average duration of symptoms was from 2 to 3 hours. The punch, consisting of a commercial mix, fresh and bottled lemon juice, sugar, and water, was prepared in a galvanized iron container and then stored in a refrigerator. Ice was added at the time of serving. The cans were new and had been used for mixing the punch on the 3 previous days. The lining of the cans had been extensively corroded by the punch. Chemical analysis of a sample of the punch showed zinc present in the proportion of 184 parts per million. No other toxic heavy metals were found.