PROVIDENCE – Twenty-five people who consumed zeppole, a baked cream puff traditionally consumed for St. Joseph’s Day, from bakeries and catered events around the state have become sick, the R.I. Department of Health said on Sunday.
Thirteen of the reported sick people have tested positive for salmonella and 10 people have been hospitalized.
Many bought the pastries from DeFusco’s Bakery locations in Johnston (DeFusco’s Bakery, Focaccia World), Narragansett (Colvitto’s Bistro) and Providence (Sal’s Bakery).
Crugnale Bakery also sold the zeppole from DeFusco’s from March 16 through March 20 at five locations in Providence, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston and Cumberland.
American Bakery Supplies bought the zeppole from DeFusco’s and distributed them to Roch’s Market in West Warwick, Meal Works in Coventry and a Touch of Class Catering in West Warwick.
Meal Works served the pastries at events at the West Warwick Manor Senior Center, St. John and Paul Church in Coventry, Sparrow Point senior facility in West Warwick and Crescent Park Manor in East Providence.
The state health department also discovered unsafe food storage practices at Buono’s Bakery in Providence during the investigation, and customers are advised to throw away zeppole, cream puffs and éclairs from the bakery.
The most likely cause of the illness is that the zeppole pastries were stored in used egg crates and could have come in contact with infected raw eggs, health officials said.
Anyone who has eaten any of the above-mentioned products and has gotten sick, especially with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their healthcare provider immediately, the health department said.
