Do Buffets Carry a Greater Risk of Food Poisoning? | IL

 Posted on January 31, 2026 in Food Poisoning

Many restaurants or catering establishments use buffets to get customers in the door with the promise of all-you-can-eat food. However, the same things that make buffets so enticing are often the biggest risk factors to your health. You should know that buffets can be a major hotspot for food poisoning, especially when establishments don’t take safety precautions seriously.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, our Illinois food poisoning injury attorneys can investigate an illness that originated from a buffet. We have represented clients throughout the greater Chicago area and Illinois for over 20 years, so you can trust that your case will be handled by a highly qualified team of attorneys.

The Main Risk Factor for Food Poisoning at Buffets

Buffets have one big problem that regular restaurants do not have — the food sits out. Staff may refill the servings, but the old food might remain mixed with the new food. The longer food sits at room temperature, the more germs can grow. That risk goes up even faster when the dining room is warm, the food pans are shallow, or the buffet is busy and lids stay off. 

A buffet can be safe when staff rotate trays often, track time, and throw food out when it has been out too long. Problems start when a business tries to stretch food, avoid waste, or keep the line looking full.

Poor Temperature Control Can Cause Food Poisoning at Buffets

Temperature control is supposed to be the safety net. Hot food should stay hot. Cold food should stay cold. When a buffet does not keep food at safe temperatures, bacteria can multiply quickly.

Hot holding units can fail. Sternos can run out. Heating elements can be uneven. A tray might be placed too high above the heat source, or too deep for heat to reach the center. On the cold side, ice can melt, and pans can sit in water that is no longer cold. A lid might be left open so guests can reach food faster. All of these issues can push food into the "danger zone," where germs grow quickly.

Even small temperature lapses matter. A dish that goes lukewarm for an hour, then gets reheated, can still be unsafe. Reheating does not always fix the problem, especially if toxins formed while the food sat out.

Cross-Contamination in Buffet Food

Cross-contamination happens when germs move from one surface or food to another. Buffets create more opportunities for that to happen because so many people share the same space and tools.

A common example is shared utensils. A serving spoon can fall into one tray, get picked up, and then get used in another tray. Guests may touch handles after touching their mouth, their phone, their child, or the sneeze guard. Tongs can touch raw foods at a carving station, then touch cooked foods.

Another issue is drips and spills. Sauces splash. Guests drop food back into the tray. Children may use the wrong utensil or reach directly into food. Staff might also contaminate food if gloves are not changed, hands are not washed, or cutting boards are reused without proper cleaning. None of this means every buffet is unsafe. Rather, it means buffets need safeguards to avoid spreading illness.

Can You Get Salmonella From a Buffet?

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. It can be linked to undercooked poultry, eggs, raw or undercooked meat, and contaminated produce. A buffet can raise the risk of Salmonella when foods are not cooked fully, kept at unsafe temperatures, or become contaminated after cooking.

Salmonella symptoms often include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Some people recover in a few days. Others get hit hard, especially older adults, young children, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Severe cases can require hospitalization and can lead to long-term complications.

After contracting Salmonella, people sometimes assume they "caught a bug" and move on. That is one reason food poisoning stays underreported. It’s easy to forget that Salmonella cases and similar outbreaks happen on a large scale. The CDC estimates that 128,000 people are hospitalized from foodborne illness each year.

Can You Sue After Getting Sick From Buffet Food?

It is possible to sue an establishment after a buffet made you sick, but it depends on the facts. In Illinois, these cases often focus on negligence. The main question is whether the restaurant acted reasonably and followed basic food safety rules.

Strong proof can make a major difference for your claim. Medical records can show your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Lab testing can identify the pathogen. Receipts, credit card statements, and witness accounts can help confirm where and when you ate. A report to the local health department can also support your claim, especially if other people became sick after eating at the same location.

Timing is also important. Illinois has deadlines for filing many injury claims. A common limit for personal injury cases is two years, although exceptions can apply depending on the situation (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Taking urgent action is important, since evidence may be harder to recover over time.

What Can You Be Paid for in a 2026 Food Poisoning Claim?

If you have a valid claim, compensation is meant to cover what the illness cost you. Some costs show up in the form of bills and expenses, while other losses may be less tangible.

A food poisoning claim may include payment for medical care, such as ER visits, hospital stays, lab tests, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments. A claim can also include reimbursement for lost wages. Some people miss hourly pay, commissions, shifts, or even job opportunities.

Food poisoning claims also recognize pain and suffering caused by the illness. An individual incident can involve severe cramps, dehydration, fever, and weakness. Some people develop ongoing digestive issues after the infection. Others deal with anxiety about eating out again, especially if the illness was severe.

In rare cases, a claim may involve longer-term harm, like organ complications, dangerous infections, or the worsening of a prior health condition. Those cases often require thorough documentation and medical records.

Contact an Illinois Food Poisoning Attorney

Food poisoning can feel embarrassing. Many people try to tough it out, then realize the symptoms are not improving. If you believe a buffet caused your illness, you can speak with a lawyer about what happened, what evidence may exist, and what options you have.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we can review the facts, gather records, and help determine your next steps. Call 312-981-0409 or contact our Illinois food poisoning lawyers to arrange a free consultation.