In April 2013 the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services (ACCHES) investigated an outbreak of foodborne illness among inmates at a prison located in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. In total there were 28 ill inmates. Stool specimens submitted by four inmates were positive for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A. Cases occurred primarily among inmates living in two units with attack rates of 100% and 79%. The suspected meal date was April 10. Foods served that day included sausage gravy, biscuits, beef chow mein with rice and broccoli, and meat lasagna. Leftover rice and meat lasagna tested negative for C. perfringens at the MDH Public Health Laboratory.

ACCHES sanitarians conducted an environmental assessment at the prison on April 12. Although the kitchen staff stated that there was no hot or cold holding of foods prior to service, several large containers of rice and lasagna each 8 inches deep were found in the walk in cooler. Additionally, HACCP production monitoring forms indicated that rice served on April 10 was still at 65 degrees four hours after it was made.