According to Food Safety News, the number confirmed ill in an E. coli outbreak linked to a Seattle Ethiopian restaurant has risen to three. The health agency forced the closure of Ambassel Ethiopian Cuisine & Bar on March 6 after connecting the establishment to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, along with finding a variety of violations.  During the March 6 inspection, health officials found:

• surfaces in contact with raw meat not properly cleaned

• inadequate handwashing facilities for workers,

• improper methods used to prevent bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

In its history of six other inspections dating back to April 2010, Ambassel was dinged for:

• inadequate handwashing stations four times

• workers not carrying food handlers permits during the most recent inspection

The most recent inspection also found:

• food being prepared without protection from cross-contamination

• food contact surfaces not being properly maintained and sanitized

• the uncontrolled presence of insects and rodents.