NORTH READING, MA (WBZ-AM) -- The owners of a popular North Reading restaurant say they’re working with Town and State Health officials and trying to reopen their restaurant after a salmonella outbreak closed it.
Town officials closed kitty’s restaurant and lounge after nine confirmed cases of salmonella were traced back to the restaurant.
That’s not all. There are 39 more suspected cases and a dozen more being investigated.
The restaurant was closed last week after the salmonella was first reported so kitty’s could be closed and employees retrained.
Some employees were not supposed to come back right away says North Reading Town Administrator Michael P. Gilleberto.
“Several employees who were prohibited from working pending testing results were observed on site and were preparing food,” Gilleberto said.
The owners Scott White and Debbie Burkmaker tell WBZ NewsRadio1030 that they’ve followed all rules and are trying to get reopened.
“Never ever has this happened…we’re shocked, ” Burkmaker said.
North Reading Director of Public Health Robert Bracy says the outbreak appears to have started on June 23rd, likely from antipasto salad dressing.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports.