Jack In The Box
Food poisoning outbreak at JITB

On 10-16-08, I purchased a 'sausage/gravy biscuit' at the above listed JITB via the drive-thru. 5 minutes later I arrived home and began to eat it. Believe me, their 'sausage/gravy biscuits' are nothing like any I've eaten before. (I prefer McDonald's & Bojangles and will eat from there in the future.) The biscuit appeared to be from a can (couldn't swear to that) and the sausage pieces looked to be like 'rabbit turds', not being gross but, again, I'm used to 'whole chunks' of fresh sausage and not something that 'appeared' to be sausage-like.

Being unable to eat all of the biscuit, I refrigerated it and my daughter finished it off that afternoon upon returning from work. (This was a Thursday.)
Approximately 7 hours after I ate it (and before she did), I became extremely ill; i.E., profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, severe diarrhea and horrid abdominal cramps. At first, I didn't 'equate' my 'breakfast' to the symptoms, thinking I merely had the flu or another 'ailment'.

On Friday, the diarrhea & nausea 'checked up' but I still had horrible stomach cramps and was unable to eat. (I take blood pressure meds & had to eat something... On Friday I swallowed a few saltine crackers and Saturday AM a few bites of mac & cheese just to get my meds down.) Yes, even these few bites were excruciating in my stomach. After two nights of little to no sleep, horrible stomach pains, I went to the ER Saturday AM.

*My daughter experienced severe diarrhea & abdominal cramps but no nausea and took Pepto-Bismol. She stated on Saturday evening (after learning I had went to the hospital) that, 'I spent most of the day in the restroom at work... The diarrhea was that bad.'*

The ER physician diagnosed me with 'acute abdominal pain and acute inflammatory colitis' after performing numerous tests (Ultrasound of my gallbladder, CT scan with contrast of my pelvis, numerous blood tests, urinalysis, etc.) His report stated 'possible food poisoning' after he reviewed all symptoms (time of onset, duration, etc.) and receiving/reviewing all tests as they came in. I was given a strong pain medicine and sent home that night with instructions to follow up with my doctor, which I did the following week. *This doctor concurred with the ER doctor, using diagnosis code 'gastroentitis' which, translated, means 'inflammation of the small and large intestines'.*

Upon returning from the ER Saturday night, my husband contacted the above store, asking for the manager and advised what had happened. She stated an 'incident report' would be filed and she'd be back in touch. About an hour later, we received a call from her; home office wanted the biscuit container & receipt if we still had it. She was told we did (daughter had just ate it) and we'd bring it in on Monday. Apparently 'home office was sending a special envelope for her to ship said container to them'.

We refrigerated the 'almost empty' container and I delivered it to the manager on Monday. I asked for and received a signed note from her stating she had it 'in custody'.

About a week later I began to feel better and started eating small portions of 'regular food'... No problems.
I recieved a letter from a claims specialist in San Diego, CA, including an 'incident report' to fill out and medical release forms. All were filled in & mailed back promptly.in mid-November, after not hearing back from her, I called the above 800 number. I was told 'the paperwork hasn't been received by me'. I promptly faxed every document I had (including the physician's report) and mailed a hard copy, 'signature required' to receive.

A few days later I called and she had received my paperwork. I was assured my 'claim would be investigated fully'. The 'container' they had asked me to return to the store location was thrown away. Apparently, they only need the containers if 'a foreign object' is found inside... Her words. I advised her that I had kept part of the container for my own 'analysis', which is currently in my freezer.

Moving forward, just yesterday I received a letter from her, dated 1/9/09.in short, my claim was denied. And, I quote, 'Due to the presentation of your illness symptoms and lack of vomiting the only possible etiological agent that would have made you ill was a virus. Such viruses have an incubation period of 24-48 hours. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this incident may have caused you, but we must respectfully deny your claim.'

I am extremely upset with them/her/JITB for many reasons; mainly the extreme agony I underwent for almost a week. She lied to me on more than one occasion and I personally feel they should have stayed on top of this and kept me up to date on what was going on. Now, in her 'infinite wisdom' she has concluded that I had a 'virus'.

My plans are to pursue this. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Company: Jack In The Box
Country: USA
State: North Carolina
City: Charlotte
Address: 7000 West WT Harris Blvd
Phone: 8009555225

  <     >