Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on June 23, 2026
A recent Montgomery County Public Health inspection led to Wintzell’s Oyster House being forced to close. The popular Montgomery, Alabama seafood restaurant located on Commerce Street at the Renaissance Hotel and Montgomery Convention Center complex was closed due to serious health concerns which could lead to foodborne illness. The restaurant is required to resolve certain violations prior to reopening.
Many people may have become sick due to refrigeration issues, rodent infestation, and mold.
Are you one of them?
What kinds of foodborne illness is possible? What are the requirements for reopening? Have you fallen sick after eating at Wintzell’s Oyster House?
So, what kinds of violations were observed?
Wintzell’s Oyster House was inspected on June 15, 2026. Initial closure notice cited “lack of adequate refrigeration, and rodent infestation.” However, more information has become available.
In addition to minor violations like “employee drinks were not properly stored in designated areas away from food preparation,” more serious issues were observed.
For example, “the establishment did not have adequate refrigeration for operation,” and “fish, crab, and chicken were between 45°F to 50°F in the walk-in cooler.”
Another big issue was that “there were rodents in the establishment.”
Mold and other adulterations were observed. “The soda guns contained mold,” “several pieces of produce were moldy in the walk-in cooler,” and “bread crumbs were ‘adulterated’.”
Overall, Wintzell’s Oyster House was given a failing score of 65.
Cross-contamination concerns, sick food workers, and receiving contaminated ingredients is a concern for all restaurants. However, the major health violations involving refrigeration (specifically temperatures left within the “danger zone.”) and rodent infestation are some big foodborne illness sources.
Cold foods should be kept cold and hot foods should be kept hot. Food dipping into the in-between zone 40° F to 140° F presents a prime opportunity for germs to multiply into infectious numbers. Food left in the danger zone should be discarded within two hours (one hour if ambient temperatures are over 90° F).
Rodents carry germs and track them everywhere they travel. At night, when the restaurant is quiet, the ones hiding come out and crawl all over things. From the bathroom floor, drains, to utensils, and ingredients. Nothing is safe from their little paws.
So, what kinds of germs are we talking about?
Another common cause of foodborne illness related to poor refrigeration and rodent infestation is campylobacteriosis. An illness caused by Campylobacter bacterial infections.
Common Campylobacter symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), cramps, and/or fever.
Escherichia coli or E. coli for short, is a germ that can live in the intestines of humans and animals. Poor refrigeration and rodent infestation leave a restaurant at risk for spreading E. coli germs to other food, utensils, and ultimately their unsuspecting patrons.
Common E. coli symptoms involve vomiting, severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and/or if present, a fever less than 101° F. Some people may experience a serious complication impacting the kidneys call hemolytic uremic syndrome, which requires hospitalization to recover.
Listeria is another germ associated with refrigeration issues. It is known to survive at refrigeration temperatures, so cold food can come to the restaurant with small amounts of the germ. A rise in temperature can allow the germ to grow to infectious numbers and cause foodborne illness.
Intestinal illness involves nausea, vomiting, aches, fever, and sometimes diarrhea.
Invasive illness can be deadly. This happens when the infection extends beyond the digestive system and enters the blood stream. The germ can breach capillaries in the intestinal wall and cause serious illness. Invasive Listeria infections can cause blood infections, meningitis, and other fatal illnesses. In pregnant women, Listeria infections can impact the pregnancy. Leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, and/or severe illness or death in the newborn.
Norovirus is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. It often results from contaminated food or water. Rodents can track those germs from restrooms or sewage pipes, transferring it to utensils and other food, leading to foodborne illness.
Common norovirus symptoms include projectile vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, headaches, mild fever, and/or muscle aches.
Salmonella can be caused by both refrigeration issues and rodent infestation. Food with very small amounts of Salmonella bacteria can grow to infectious numbers when not properly refrigerated.
Common Salmonella symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and/or fever. More serious infections can result in high fever, diarrhea or constipation, aches, headaches, and/or drowsiness.
What will it take for Wintzell’s Oyster House to Reopen?
At the time of closure, the health department issued the following statement:
“The establishment will contact the health department once it has worked with a pest control company to develop and implement a formal plan addressing the treatment and prevention of rodent activity. The establishment will also have to make repairs to their refrigeration equipment prior to reopening.”
The Montgomery County Health Department requires the pest control company to document “three days of no rodent activity” prior to reopening.
Recent reports indicate that the refrigeration problem has been resolved. A phone call to the establishment requesting reservations indicates that all requirements have been met and the restaurant has been given the all-clear to reopen.
Have you recently become sick after eating at Wintzell’s Oyster House? You are likely not alone. But what should you do?
If you are seriously ill, seek medical attention. Some foodborne illnesses can be quite serious. Complications can go from bad to worse very quickly. A proper diagnosis and evaluation of your specific health situation can make a world of difference in your treatment and recovery.
Many people with foodborne illness are healthy enough to ride out their symptoms without medical intervention. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. It is important to report your illness if you believe you have contracted food poisoning. An elderly person or pregnant individual may not be so lucky.
If you have fallen ill after eating at Wintzell’s Oyster House, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced food poisoning lawyer. They can answer your questions, gather evidence, and represent you as needed.
If you became sick after eating food from Wintzell’s Oyster House and wish to file a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.
Who is responsible for medical bills, lost work, and the other burdens associated with foodborne illness or caring for a loved one suffering from it?
The experienced food poisoning lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have won millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability cases. Many with the same situation you have experienced.
Call (833) 330-3663 for you free, no obligation consultation or fill out the online submission form to email your information.
Don’t wait. Reach out today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)