Officials with the Port Arthur Health Department believe that cross contamination during meal preparation may be responsible for a massive outbreak of suspected food poisoning. The incident occurred following an employee appreciation breakfast held last Wednesday at Golden Pass LNG in Sabine Pass, where hundreds of workers fell ill shortly after eating.
The scale of the medical emergency was significant, with reports indicating that between 200 and 350 employees required urgent care. Many victims were transported via ambulances and buses to Prime Occupational Medicine, Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, and The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. Patients reported suffering from severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. According to Golden Pass, those affected were employed by McDermott Construction, a contractor on site.
Investigators have focused their attention on El Refu, a restaurant located on Memorial Boulevard in Port Arthur that prepared the breakfast spread. A spokesperson for the health department confirmed that the establishment currently remains closed while the investigation continues. While officials requested the closure, they noted that the restaurant agreed to shut its doors voluntarily and has been cooperating fully with authorities.
Health officials are now awaiting formal laboratory test results to definitively confirm whether food poisoning caused the illness. Although there is strong suspicion that cross contamination took place during the cooking process, investigators are still working to determine exactly how the lapse in safety occurred. For now, El Refu will remain shuttered until further notice as the city seeks answers for the hundreds of sickened workers.
