Letters to Editor: July 1, 2010

Accident Victim Thanks Rescuers

Dear Editor,

I wanted to send my deepest thank you to the Pana Fire Department and EMTs, Christian Co. Sheriff’s Department, and to the people that called the rescue squad when I had my accident in Rosamond.

Sincerely,

Jacob Banning and Family

Tower Hill

Subway Owner Responds To Health Issues

Dear Editor,

I would like to use this forum to inform the people of Pana of the facts surrounding Subway and some of the recent developments in the reporting of the salmonella outbreak. Subway did receive some product that was suspected to be contaminated at the source. Whether it was contaminated in the field, at the producer or at the distributor is still unknown and may never be known. Upon notice from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the suspected product was removed immediately.

To help prevent a secondary outbreak, the health department is requiring food handlers in some Subway restaurants to undergo testing for Salmonella. This is a routine part of an investigation like this, and it should be noted that the food handlers are not considered to be the source of the illness. They are customers as well. The Subway brand has stringent hand washing and sanitation procedures, as well as requirements for all store staff to use gloves during food preparation and handling.

All Subway restaurants are locally owned and operated and provide many jobs for the local job market. Subway restaurants, for many years, have also been great community partners and participate with countless charitable organizations. While we are committed to work with the health department to pin down the specific cause, people should know we are confident that it is safe to eat in our restaurants.

Thank you for your loyalty and support.

Sincerely,

Mark Dust

Mattoon