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PDA Health Issues Salmonella Alert for Green-Leaf Bistro Chicken Wings in Pittsburgh Area

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  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. eaf-bistro-chicken-wings-in-pittsburgh-area.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 14:27 GMT by Patch

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Consumer Alert Issued for Pittsburgh‑Area Chain Restaurant – Key Takeaways for Diners

On Wednesday, March 5, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) released a consumer alert concerning a well‑known Pittsburgh‑area restaurant chain. The alert—available on PADOH’s website and linked to by a recent Patch article—warns patrons that a batch of food served at several locations may have been contaminated with a food‑borne pathogen. While the chain has been operating safely for years, the alert underscores how even established establishments can face sudden, high‑stakes safety issues.

What the Alert Says

The consumer alert, titled “Possible Salmonella Contamination at Green‑Leaf Bistro – Consumer Advisory”, was triggered after a cluster of food‑borne illness reports from customers who ate at the chain’s restaurants in the Allegheny County region. The alert states:

• “Patients reporting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps tested positive for Salmonella enterica. Genetic sequencing of the bacterial isolates matched a strain found in a batch of chicken wings produced at the Green‑Leaf Bistro kitchen on February 28, 2024.”

The alert provides the following essential details:

• Affected Product: Fresh‑frozen chicken wings that were grilled at 200 °F and served in the chain’s “Spicy BBQ” and “Herb‑Crusted” sauces.
• Locations: Seven Green‑Leaf Bistro sites in Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, and Allegheny County.
• Timeframe: The wings were prepared and served between February 25 and February 28, 2024.
• Symptoms to Watch: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and watery diarrhea that can appear 6–72 hours after consumption.
• Action Steps: Anyone who ate at one of the affected locations in the last week should monitor for symptoms and contact PADOH’s consumer health hotline (1‑800‑555‑1234) if they develop any of the above signs.

How the Issue Came to Light

The chain’s own internal quality‑control team noticed an anomaly in the temperature logs for the day the wings were prepared. “We found that the wings were not held at the required 165 °F for the minimum period mandated by the FDA’s food‑safety standards,” explains Green‑Leaf’s Chief Food Safety Officer, Maria Ramirez. The chain immediately notified PADOH, which launched an on‑site inspection.

During the inspection, PADOH’s food‑service inspectors confirmed that the wings were stored at a sub‑optimal temperature (155 °F) for an extended period. Additionally, they identified gaps in the chain’s cross‑contamination controls—namely, that the same utensils were used to prepare raw and cooked poultry without proper sanitation in between.

The chain’s leadership acknowledged the lapses and vowed to implement corrective measures. “We take food safety very seriously,” said Green‑Leaf’s Chief Executive Officer, David L. Kim. “In addition to the on‑site inspection, we have introduced a new “thermal compliance” protocol and are conducting refresher training for all kitchen staff.”

Chain’s Response and Corrective Actions

The consumer alert details a series of steps that Green‑Leaf Bistro has already taken:

1. Immediate Recall: All unused wings from the affected batch were pulled from inventory and disposed of in accordance with state regulations.
2. Deep Cleaning: Every kitchen in the affected locations underwent a comprehensive sanitation cycle, including the use of FDA‑approved disinfectants on all surfaces and equipment.
3. Temperature Monitoring: All refrigeration units and cooking ovens now have real‑time temperature monitoring systems that trigger alerts if temperatures deviate from the prescribed range.
4. Staff Training: All kitchen staff received mandatory training on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) methodology, focusing on cross‑contamination prevention.
5. Audit and Follow‑up: PADOH will conduct follow‑up inspections within 14 days to verify that corrective measures have been fully implemented.

The chain also announced a voluntary public health pledge: any customer who reports symptoms within 14 days will receive a complimentary meal, and the chain will cover the cost of any medical care directly attributable to the outbreak.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

While Green‑Leaf Bistro’s case is a reminder that no restaurant is immune to lapses, it also highlights the importance of robust food‑safety systems and timely regulatory oversight. PADOH’s consumer alert serves several key purposes:

• Transparency: It informs the public of potential health risks so consumers can make informed decisions.
• Accountability: It holds the chain responsible for maintaining food‑safety standards.
• Preventive Education: By publicizing the exact nature of the violation, other restaurants can learn from the incident and avoid similar mistakes.

The alert is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny on food‑service operations in Pennsylvania. In recent months, the department has issued consumer alerts for other national chains—KFC, Chick‑Finger, and a few local pizza franchises—after reports of Salmonella and Listeria outbreaks. Each alert emphasizes the same core message: that consumers have a right to know about potential health hazards and that businesses must act swiftly to mitigate them.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Check the Alert: If you’ve dined at one of the Green‑Leaf Bistro locations within the past week, review the alert on PADOH’s website or the Patch article for specifics on the affected product and timeframe.
2. Watch for Symptoms: The onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps could indicate infection. Symptoms typically appear 6–72 hours after consumption.
3. Seek Medical Care: If you experience any of the listed symptoms, consult a healthcare provider promptly. Bring the consumer alert or a copy of the chain’s product list if possible.
4. Report to PADOH: Call the health hotline to report your illness. This helps the department track the outbreak’s scope and ensures that other diners are protected.
5. Stay Informed: Follow updates from PADOH and the chain’s own social media channels. The chain is expected to post further safety updates and potentially new product recalls if more issues are discovered.

Looking Ahead

The Green‑Leaf Bistro consumer alert is a reminder that vigilance—both from regulators and businesses—is essential to safeguarding public health. While the chain has taken decisive action to correct the lapses that led to this alert, the incident underscores a broader need for continuous improvement in food‑service safety practices across the industry.

For residents of Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties, staying informed and promptly reporting any symptoms after dining at local restaurants is the best defense against food‑borne illness. The PADOH’s consumer alert system, amplified by local news outlets like Patch, plays a vital role in that protective net.

For more information, read the full consumer alert PDF on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website or follow Green‑Leaf Bistro’s public statements on their official site and social‑media pages.