Port Arthur’s El Refu 4 cleared to reopen after Golden Pass LNG incident
El Refu 4 in Port Arthur has been cleared by the Port Arthur Health Department to reopen following a food poisoning incident tied to an employee appreciation breakfast at Golden Pass LNG in Sabine Pass.
In a message posted by the restaurant, El Refu 4 apologized for “the worry and difficult moments caused by the recent situation,” adding, “Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we truly hope everyone is feeling better and recovering well.” The restaurant said that after meeting with the Port Arthur Health Department, it “was cleared to move forward, and no findings were identified at our restaurant related to this situation.”
The restaurant also thanked the health department “for their guidance, support, and professionalism throughout this process,” and told “our customers, employees, families, and our entire Golden Triangle community — thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your patience, understanding, and continued support.”
KFDM spoke with Port Arthur Health Director Judith Smith. She confirms the Port Arthur Health Department cleared the restaurant to reopen. She says they’re still working to determine the source of the suspected food poisoning.
The event was an employee appreciation breakfast held last Wednesday morning at Golden Pass LNG in Sabine Pass. A worker showed KFDM a taco from the breakfast after a large number of employees sought treatment at Prime Occupational Medicine.
About 200 workers — and up to 350 — were taken by ambulance and buses for treatment at the clinic, as well as Baptist Hospital in Beaumont and The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and severe stomach cramps.