On April 18, 2011, the Rhode Island health authorities updated information related to the zeppole Salmonella outbreak, announcing that 79 people throughout Rhode Island (78) and Massachusetts (1) had become ill with Salmonellosis after eating zeppoles made by DeFusco's Bakery. 30 have been hospitalized, and 2 have died so far.
Health officials believe zeppole pastry shells from deFusco's were stored in used egg crates, which could have exposed shells to Salmonella-contaminated raw eggs.
The Salmonella-contaminated zeppoles were distributed by American Bakery Supplies, a distributor in West Warwick, which purchased zeppoles from DeFusco's. The company then distributed the pastries to Roch's Market in West Warwick; Meal Works in Coventry; and Touch of Class Catering in West Warwick. Meal Works (a catering company) served these zeppoles at events on March 17 and 18 at West Warwick Manor Senior Center, St John and Paul Church in Coventry, Sparrow Point (senior facility) in West Warwick, and Crescent Park Manor in Riverside.
Zeppoles from DeFusco’s Johnston store were also sold at all DeFusco’s locations; Colvitto’s Bistro in Narragansett (note, yesterday's press release incorrectly listed the bakery's name as Calvitto's in Narragansett); Sal’s Bakery in Providence; and Focaccia World in Johnston. All five Crugnale Bakery locations in Providence, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston, and Cumberland also sold DeFusco’s zeppoles from March 16 through March 20.