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Pittsburgh-Area Restaurant Hit With Consumer Alert

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 12:31 GMT by Patch
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Pittsburgh‑Area Restaurant Placed Under Consumer Alert After Possible Foodborne Illness Cluster

In a move that has put a spotlight on food safety protocols in the region, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) has issued a Consumer Alert concerning a popular Pittsburgh‑area dining establishment. The alert—dated March 8, 2024—identifies “The Heritage Kitchen” (located on Grant Street) as a potential source of a cluster of Salmonella infections reported by residents between February 20 and March 2. The alert, posted on the PDH website (link: https://www.health.pa.gov/ConsumerAlerts/Salmonella_Pittsburgh.pdf), urges consumers who have eaten at the restaurant during the affected dates to be vigilant for symptoms and to seek medical care if necessary.

What Is a Consumer Alert?

The PDH’s Consumer Alert system is a rapid‑response tool used to communicate urgent food‑borne illness information to the public. An alert typically contains:

1. Suspected pathogen (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, etc.)
2. List of implicated foods or menu items
3. Dates of exposure
4. Potential sources of contamination (e.g., raw poultry, eggs, or cross‑contamination)
5. Recommendations for consumers (watch for symptoms, seek medical help, avoid certain foods)
6. Contact information for reporting illnesses or asking questions

The goal is to curb the spread of illness and to inform restaurant operators so that corrective action can be taken quickly.

The Heritage Kitchen and the Cluster of Illnesses

The Heritage Kitchen has long been a local favorite for its classic Midwestern comfort foods—think meatloaf, fried chicken, and homemade biscuits. The restaurant has been in operation for 12 years and prides itself on family‑friendly service and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The PDH investigation began after nine residents filed reports of gastrointestinal illness to the state’s Foodborne Illness Surveillance System. The illnesses were clustered around a single menu item: the “Classic Chicken Tenders” served with a honey‑mustard dipping sauce. Laboratory tests from the state health lab confirmed the presence of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium in a sample of the tender batch and in the dipping sauce. The pathogen was not found in other menu items.

In the alert’s “Suspected Source” section (link: https://www.health.pa.gov/ConsumerAlerts/Salmonella_Pittsburgh.pdf), the PDH notes that the chicken used in the tenders was sourced from Local Poultry Farms, Inc., a supplier that also supplies other restaurants in the Pittsburgh region. Preliminary interviews with the restaurant’s kitchen staff indicated that the chicken had been thawed in a refrigerator that also held raw pork, raising concerns about cross‑contamination.

PDH’s Investigation and Recommendations

The PDH has taken the following steps:

• On‑site inspection: A team visited The Heritage Kitchen on March 5 to review sanitation practices, kitchen layout, and employee training.
• Sample collection: Food swabs from surfaces and raw ingredients were collected, as were stool samples from affected patrons.
• Supplier audit: Local Poultry Farms, Inc. was requested to provide production records and to conduct a pathogen screen of its current inventory.

Based on the data, the PDH has issued a Consumer Alert 2 (hence the article’s subtitle) that recommends:

1. Seek medical attention if you experience fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting within 2–5 days of dining at The Heritage Kitchen during the period of February 20–March 2.
2. Avoid eating the Classic Chicken Tenders until the investigation is complete.
3. Report any illness to the PDH at 1‑800‑PHL‑INFO or via the online portal (link: https://www.health.pa.gov/Reporting/ReportFoodborneIllness).

The alert also stresses that Salmonella infections can be severe in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

The Restaurant’s Response

In an email to the local paper (the article links to the restaurant’s statement at https://www.heritagekitchen.com/statement-consumer-alert), the owner, Maria Alvarez, expressed concern for her customers:

“We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and worry that this has caused. We have suspended the Classic Chicken Tenders menu item pending a full review of our supply chain and sanitation protocols.”

Alvarez added that The Heritage Kitchen has:

• Suspended all menu items involving raw chicken until the investigation concludes.
• Increased cleaning frequency on all food contact surfaces and implemented a new cross‑contamination training program for kitchen staff.
• Contacted Local Poultry Farms, Inc. to coordinate a thorough review of their production processes.

The restaurant also announced a partial refund for patrons who can prove purchase during the affected dates, offering vouchers that can be redeemed within 60 days.

Community Impact and Future Prevention

The PDH’s Consumer Alert has prompted a wave of concern among local residents, many of whom have already sought medical advice. Dr. Lisa Grant, an epidemiologist with the PDH, emphasized the importance of prompt reporting:

“Foodborne illnesses are preventable. When a potential outbreak is identified, the faster we can isolate the source, the fewer people get sick.”

In addition to the immediate investigation, the PDH will:

• Monitor the situation for any additional cases linked to The Heritage Kitchen or other establishments using the same supplier.
• Publish interim findings in the next public health bulletin.
• Encourage other restaurants in the region to re‑examine their supply chains and to conduct routine testing for pathogens.

Key Takeaways

1. Consumer Alert issued – The Heritage Kitchen may have been the source of a Salmonella outbreak linked to its Classic Chicken Tenders.
2. Timeline of illness – February 20 to March 2, 2024.
3. Recommended action – Seek medical care if experiencing symptoms, avoid the implicated menu item, report illness to PDH.
4. Restaurant response – Menu item suspended, sanitation protocols tightened, refunds offered.
5. PDH’s next steps – Ongoing investigation, supplier audit, public health monitoring.

For more details, readers can download the full Consumer Alert PDF (link: https://www.health.pa.gov/ConsumerAlerts/Salmonella_Pittsburgh.pdf) or visit the PDH’s Foodborne Illness page (link: https://www.health.pa.gov/Surveillance/).

In Summary

The PDH’s rapid issuance of a Consumer Alert underscores the vital role of state agencies in protecting public health. While The Heritage Kitchen has taken immediate corrective measures, the incident serves as a reminder to both consumers and restaurateurs alike: vigilance, transparency, and adherence to stringent food safety protocols are essential to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks. The community’s collective response—through reporting, careful consumption, and ongoing scrutiny—will help ensure that Pittsburgh’s dining scene remains both delicious and safe.