Airbus Christmas dinner leaves hundreds ill
Airbus’ holiday celebration took an unexpected turn as the Christmas dinner organized for 2,600 workers at its Montoir-de-Bretagne site in western France resulted in a gastroenteritis outbreak affecting hundreds of employees.
Despite the intention for a joyous occasion, the gourmet Christmas dinner led to approximately 700 employees experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis. An affected employee described suffering from colic and headaches worse than those experienced during childbirth. However, an Airbus spokesperson assured that no one was severely affected.
Following the incident, health authorities have initiated an investigation into the outbreak, as reported by The Guardian. The Christmas dinner feast, hosted by Airbus Atlantic, involved collaboration with local suppliers, a tradition upheld by the company each year, according to the Airbus Atlantic works committee secretary.
The menu boasted delicacies such as scallops, lobster, foie gras, tournedos, and desserts like ice-cream logs and hazelnut-chocolate mousse, priced at 15 euros per person. Many individuals who partook in the meal reported falling ill within 24 to 48 hours, exhibiting clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhea.
As of now, health officials are working to identify the cause of the mass poisoning. They are investigating whether it resulted from a bacterium in the food or an exceptionally contagious gastroenteritis virus. The ongoing investigation includes the distribution of a questionnaire to all attendees of the dinner.
An Airbus spokesperson cautioned against hasty conclusions, stating that samples of every product served in the restaurant are retained and will be analyzed by health authorities (ARS). The spokesperson emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and results are expected within the next week.
