Catering Business Shut Down After Football Team Suffers Food Poisoning Before Game
An unlicensed home-based catering business in Illinois has been ordered to cease operations after dozens of people were sickened at a football team dinner.
Details:
- Location: Rock Island, Illinois
- Date: September 24, 2026
- Event: Football team dinner at the school cafeteria
- Caterer: Sunshine and Spice (unlicensed home-based business)
- Menu: Fajita chicken, seasoned taco beef, cheese, flour taco shells, cheesy pepper beans, cilantro corn rice, and Pico de Gallo salsa.
- Attendees: Approximately 75 people (players, coaches, and parents)
- Sick Individuals: At least 45 reported sick, with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. No hospitalizations.
Aftermath:
The Rock Island Health Department was notified of the foodborne illness outbreak and traced it back to the catering business. Sunshine and Spice was found to be unlicensed and not food-safety certified. As a result, the health department ordered the business to shut down while they have the option to get properly certified.
Owner's Statement:
"First, Sunshine and Spice wants to sincerely apologize... We provided a taco bar-style potluck... All of the food purchased from Walmart was fully cooked... We have no reason ever to provide a sub-standard meal or purposely attempt any tampering shenanigans. We are saddened by this whole situation." - Joshua Harris, owner of Sunshine and Spice.
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