logo
Saskatoon Farm customers experience "flu-like symptoms" following water quality issues last week

Saskatoon Farm customers experience "flu-like symptoms" following water quality issues last week

Calgary Herald4 days ago
Water quality issues at Saskatoon Farm left several customers who dined at the farm's restaurant on July 15 and 16 with flu-like symptoms, the farm said in a statement on Facebook, calling the situation 'unprecedented.'
Article content
'We would like to extend our sincere apologies to anyone who has experienced — or is currently experiencing — flu-like symptoms after dining with us,' the statement said.
Article content
Article content
Article content
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Saskatoon Farm (@saskatoonfarm)
Article content
The problem was brought to the farm's attention on July 17, and has since been resolved. The farm immediately switched to an alternate water source approved by Alberta Health Services (AHS), and only bottled and canned beverages and store-bought ice has been served at the farm since the incident.
Article content
Article content
'We take this matter very seriously and are working closely with AHS as part of their investigation,' the statement said. 'At their direction, we are following all necessary protocols and will continue to cooperate fully.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation
MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation

Edmonton Journal

time5 hours ago

  • Edmonton Journal

MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation

Edmonton-based MHCare Medical Corporation renewed its call this week for the government to release an external audit report initiated by the since-fired head of Alberta Health Services (AHS) that it believes could exonerate the company and its CEO Sam Mraiche. Article content In a news release, MHCare says its lawyers have new questions about the audit which it claims was provided to former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos before she was fired in early January. Article content Article content Article content The following month, Mentzelopoulos launched a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit, claiming she was fired after she investigated health procurement practices and contracts for private surgical facilities. Article content Article content Her lawsuit does not list MHCare as defendant, though it is mentioned in her statement of claim, with the company claiming those those references have resulted in ongoing reputable harm for itself and Mraiche. Article content MHCare's lawyers released copies of correspondence with a government of Alberta lawyer where they repeat their request for the audit to be released, saying it could help clear the company's name or lead it to pursue future litigation. Article content 'This information in particular is important for our client to obtain as they expect evidence and information to be available that will support a lawsuit against other currently unknown third parties, or will support our client's defence to any potential lawsuits against them,' the July 10 letter reads. Article content Article content It poses six questions to the government's lawyer, asking why a Toronto-led law firm and private investigator were chosen to lead the audit as well as additional queries around the cost and mandate of that audit. Article content It adds that details from the audit could be used by MHCare staff in potential questioning as part of ongoing investigations by the auditor general and the province's own inquiry led by retired Manitoba chief judge Raymond Wyant. Article content Wyant's was scheduled to report back this past spring but his initial report is now due Sept. 24 ahead of the final report on Oct. 15. The RCMP is also investigating. Article content On July 16, the government lawyer replied to MHCare's letter, saying the report could not be released as it was subject to legal privilege. Article content 'I am not in a position to respond to the various questions in your letter as they involve specific matters relating to the litigation and are subject to various privileges as well as the deemed undertaking under the rules,' the correspondence released by MHCare reads.

MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation
MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation

Calgary Herald

time5 hours ago

  • Calgary Herald

MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation

Edmonton-based MHCare Medical Corporation renewed its call this week for the government to release an external audit report initiated by the since-fired head of Alberta Health Services (AHS) that it believes could exonerate the company and its CEO Sam Mraiche. Article content In a news release, MHCare says its lawyers have new questions about the audit which it claims was provided to former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos before she was fired in early January. Article content Article content Article content The following month, Mentzelopoulos launched a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit, claiming she was fired after she investigated health procurement practices and contracts for private surgical facilities. Article content Article content Her lawsuit does not list MHCare as defendant, though it is mentioned in her statement of claim, with the company claiming those those references have resulted in ongoing reputable harm for itself and Mraiche. Article content MHCare's lawyers released copies of correspondence with a government of Alberta lawyer where they repeat their request for the audit to be released, saying it could help clear the company's name or lead it to pursue future litigation. Article content 'This information in particular is important for our client to obtain as they expect evidence and information to be available that will support a lawsuit against other currently unknown third parties, or will support our client's defence to any potential lawsuits against them,' the July 10 letter reads. Article content Article content It poses six questions to the government's lawyer, asking why a Toronto-led law firm and private investigator were chosen to lead the audit as well as additional queries around the cost and mandate of that audit. Article content It adds that details from the audit could be used by MHCare staff in potential questioning as part of ongoing investigations by the auditor general and the province's own inquiry led by retired Manitoba chief judge Raymond Wyant. Article content Wyant's was scheduled to report back this past spring but his initial report is now due Sept. 24 ahead of the final report on Oct. 15. The RCMP is also investigating. Article content On July 16, the government lawyer replied to MHCare's letter, saying the report could not be released as it was subject to legal privilege. Article content 'I am not in a position to respond to the various questions in your letter as they involve specific matters relating to the litigation and are subject to various privileges as well as the deemed undertaking under the rules,' the correspondence released by MHCare reads.

Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified
Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified

Edmonton Journal

timea day ago

  • Edmonton Journal

Saskatoon Farm water warning turns full gastrointestinal outbreak, 235 patients identified

Article content The 'unprecedented changes' to the water quality at Saskatoon Farm, south of Calgary, that caused flu-like symptoms among a number of guests has been officially identified by Alberta Health Services as a gastrointestinal outbreak, 'presumed to be E. coli and amoebiasis.' Article content In a statement issued Friday, AHS officials confirmed there have been 18 lab-identified cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis. 235 symptomatic individuals have been connected to the outbreak, along with two recent hospitalizations. One of the patients had since been discharged. Article content Article content Article content While the E. coli strain identified is said to generally go away without treatment, amoebiasis can 'cause gastrointestinal illness and, more rarely, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain,' even without previous symptoms indicating its presence. Article content Article content It is believed that Saskatoon Farm's water system was the source of the outbreak. AHS is asking anybody who dined on the premises between July 1 and 16 to follow established guidelines. After July 17, the farm changed water sources and singularly sold canned or bottled beverages in the wake of the issue. Article content Individuals without symptoms are stilled asked to call Health Link at 811 'on or after July 30 for amoebiasis screening.' Those who are experiencing symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are recommended to make that call for screening right away. Article content The farm is still selling produce including their Saskatoon berry namesake. Farm officials say that they have worked closely with AHS to ensure their customers' safety. Article content Article content 'Our berries are irrigated using well water and rainfall, which is not connected to the water system that led to the current restaurant closure,' they said in a Facebook reply. 'The water used for rinsing our produce is non-potable, but it has been tested and approved by AHS as a satisfactory water source.' Article content They still encourage those who purchase produce to give a secondary wash thoroughly at home before consumption. Article content The restaurant on site was closed on July 23, and will remain so until 'public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen,' AHS said. The front office, gift store, and farmers' market stand remain open.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store