3 Dead, 3 Hospitalized From Listeria in Shakes at Tacoma Frugals

Frugals Listeria Outbreak

Three people are dead and three are hospitalized from Listeria in shakes prepared at a Tacoma Frugals. Health officials found Listeria in the shake machines of the restaurant located at 10727 Pacific Ave. S. in Tacoma, WA. The machines were not cleaned properly, according to the Washington State Department of Health  All milkshake flavors sold at that Frugals restaurant were contaminated with Listeria, the health department stated.

The illnesses occurred among customers from Pierce (5) and Thurston (1) counties who visited the restaurant between February 27, 2023, and July 22, 2023. Two of the patients, who range in age from 40 -79,  are female. Four are male. All patients had weakened immune systems rendering them less able to fight disease.

Because ice cream is a common source of Listeria outbreaks, health officials collected samples from the shake machines during an August 8 visit to the restaurant. The restaurant stopped selling shakes that day and will not be allowed to sell them again until health officials determine that the machines are no longer contaminated.

Genetic fingerprinting tests were performed on Listeria samples collected from the machines. On August 18, results of those tests revealed the Listeria strain from the machines matched the outbreak strain cultured from the patients.