12 fall ill at Toronto’s CNE after eating ‘cronut burger’ and other midway meals
Mild nausea is commonplace on the midway. Food poisoning? Less so. Although it appears something sold at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition may have made a dozen people sick last night.
Newstalk 1010 reports that 12 people were assessed with gastro-intestinal symptoms Tuesday evening, five of whom were taken to hospital for treatment.
Newstalk's John Downs says it hasn't been confirmed what caused the illnesses. “The one thing that they all seem to have in common, was that they had eaten the cronut burger," he said.
To those of you who haven't heard of the cronut burger. First, congratulations. You are going to live long, healthy lives. Second, what is the matter with you?
First, you take croissant doughnuts (which are all the rage in New York these days) and slam the contents of a cheeseburger between them.
That gives you two glazed croissants, a beef patty, processed cheese, lettuce, yada yada yada.
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Many on Twitter have also fingered the novelty nosh for the illnesses.
Was definitely one of those people with #foodpoisoning after eating a #cronutburger from #epicburgers at the #cne #toronto. Don't do it!
— Syl & Sam of L&B (@lipgloss_black) August 21, 2013
Family got food poisoning after eating at the CNE had Cronut burger, lobster roll, tiny tims. :-( @LetsGoToTheEX might want check. — Ryan White (@ryantology) August 21, 2013
Another person says his wife, but not him, was sick after Cronut burger, seafood chowder fries, ice cream waffle and a smoothie at the CNE
— Trevor Dunn (@trevorjdunn) August 21, 2013
NYC's cronut has lineups at the bakery, Toronto's cronut burger has lineups at the ER. … That got real dark real fast — Claire Kerr (@snotforprofit) August 21, 2013
Toronto's CNE has become well known for its eclectic menu options, which tend to look more like dares than meals, when taken out of the context of the fair.
Doughnut hamburgers have become commonplace, as have deep fried cola and chili fries.
Other options this year include Éclair hot dogs, deep fried Oreos and sweet potato fries with Nutella topping.
So perhaps it is unfair to blame the cronut burger. The "binge factor" might play a role in the sudden spate of illnesses.
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The cronut itself – the version without a hamburger mashed inside – appeared on the New York food scene earlier this year as the celebrated creation of chef Dominique Ansel, who has been litigious regarding the use of the "cronut" moniker.
Said a press release from CNE cronut burger provider Le Dolci earlier this month: "The cronut craze is sure to hit the next level with the sinfully delicious Cronut Burger!"
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