Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 13, 2026
Have you eaten at China Buffet in Tampa, Florida since March? Your gastrointestinal illness might have been food poisoning related to a Listeria outbreak.
Several people sickened with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes bacterial infection consumed food from the same restaurant.
China Buffet in Tampa, Florida.
Here’s what we know about the situation so far and what to do if you have become sick!
The Florida Department of Health is working with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to investigate a Listeria outbreak associated with a Hillsborough County restaurant.
China Buffet.
The restaurant, located at 1245 E. Fowler Avenue in Tampa, Florida has been linked to four of the five recorded individuals in the outbreak. Four reported that they consumed food from China Buffet between March 2026 and June 2026.
Following initial assessment of epidemiological data, Florida Department of Health visited China Buffet in Tampa. While there, environmental samples were taken and several observations were made. Resulting in “multiple onsite assessments” and “required remediation measures,” according to a Department of Health Press Release.
In addition to observed violations, samples obtained at the restaurant tested positive for the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes that sickened outbreak patients.
Some of the violations have been problems observed in previous inspections since 2025.
China Buffet in Tampa has had many recurring food safety violations dating back to March 2025. Many could contribute to food poisoning events.
On their March 17, 2025 inspection, the most notable violations included raw meat being stored above ready to eat food, bare hand contact with food, improper food transfer tool (bowl to scoop flour without handle), and employee eating/drinking at food preparation station.
This inspection warranted a follow-up visit, where problems were corrected by April.
Months later, another inspection was carried out. Some of the more notable violations included mold in the ice machine, employee beverages stored in raw meat container in preparation area, improper food storage, time/temperature control issues, and no soap at the handwashing sink.
The next year, some of the same issues were still observed. Inspectors may not have been aware of it at the time, but this was around the time people began falling sick.
Several food safety violations were observed. Including many that could have contributed to illnesses.
Some of which included the same improper dispensing tool (repeat violation), employee observed eating in food preparation area (repeat violation), problems with dish cleaning, fly paper hanging over food/food preparation area, improper food storage (repeat violation), raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation, improper sanitation procedures (sanitation towels not stored in disinfection solution), mold in the ice machine (repeat violation), dirty dishes placed in handwashing sink.
While not noted as a follow-up inspection, by this time outbreak patient interviews may have pointed investigators to China Buffet. The inspection took place June 5, 2026.
Some of the more serious (and repeated violations) include:
A follow-up was required after this inspection, which took place on June 26, 2026. Most of the issues in the previous inspection were not resolved. Resulting in an order to temporarily close.
By June 29, 2026 and inspection report showed that most of the issues were resolved. However, a few new facility and license issues not addressed in previous inspections were noted.
It appears the restaurant was allowed to reopen after this last visit.
Some of the noted food safety observations have serious risk factors, which may contribute to Listeria contamination and subsequent illnesses.
Poor temperature control allows germs to reproduce to infections numbers.
Improper food storage allows potentially contaminated food transfer germs onto ready-to-eat food that is not heat treated prior to consumption.
Bare hand contact, improper handwashing facilities, employees eating/drinking/storing personal food and drink in food preparation areas, and pests in the kitchen can spread illness-causing germs.
Food safety rules are in place for a reason.
To help keep people safe and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
When these rules are not followed, people can get sick. People like those sickened in this Listeria outbreak and those likely not reported due to milder illness.
Listeria infections are rather tricky. Their symptoms present differently depending on your type of infection and whether or not you are pregnant. While infection during pregnancy often presents milder symptoms than those who are not, there are serious risks to the pregnancy that cannot be ignored.
The only way to know for sure if you have a Listeria infection is to see your healthcare provider and have a specialized laboratory test performed. This is why outbreak statistics are often only a fraction of the true number of people who are actually sick from a contamination event. Without being tested for Listeria, those illnesses are not reported.
Listeria infections start out as “intestinal infections” and can progress to “invasive infections.”
One of the most common symptom profiles of Listeria illness involves intestinal illness. Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms often resolve within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Invasive listeriosis affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature deliver, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have become sick after eating at China Buffet in Tampa, Florida between April 9, 2026 and June 28, 2026, the Florida Department of Health recommends contacting your health care provider.
It is also a good idea to get advice from an experienced Listeria Outbreak Lawyer. A Listeria Lawyer can answer your questions, gather evidence on your behalf, hire expert witnesses, and represent you as needed.
If you have fallen sick from eating at China Buffet in Tampa, Florida, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illnesses. When restaurants are negligent, people become sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)