State Health Department officials have met with the unlicensed caterer linked to three separate incidents of salmonella food poisoning that sickened more than 75 people and hospitalized nine.

Kenan Bullinger, director of the Health Department's Food and Lodging Division, said he, along with others, met with Aggie Jennings of rural McLean County on Wednesday.

Bullinger said the interview with Jennings was two-fold: a sit-down interview at a local health district office, followed by an inspection of her residence.

The first two outbreaks came the weekend of June 13 at a family reunion in Wilton and a wedding in Washburn, and the second on Saturday at a wedding in McClusky.

He said the interview covered menu items, where foods were purchased, preparation, handling and delivery.

The on-site inspection included taking samples at Jennings' home.

The salmonella strain in all three instances has been linked to a bacteria commonly associated with baby chickens.

Bullinger said Jennings raises chickens at her rural residence, and they are contained in a structure.

He said it's still unclear how the cross-contamination may have occurred.

"At this point, it's still under investigation," Bullinger said. He said until lab results are completed, it's not known if the salmonella bacteria is present at her home.

He said leftover food from the McClusky wedding has been taken to the state lab for testing, as well as swab samples and water samples from Jennings' home.

"The majority of it now rests with the lab … and this is a priority for them," Bullinger said. He said Jennings' kitchen is not a separate area from the home, which is required under state law to obtain a catering license.

He said nothing seemed out of the ordinary to the eye during the inspection, and added that Jennings has been cooperating fully with the investigation.

"She has been very cooperative, and she is as concerned as anyone else," Bullinger said.

He said it would likely be next week before lab tests are completed.

From there, Bullinger said a complaint will be filed with the McLean County state's attorney.

"She violated state law by operating without a license," he said.

Operating a catering business without a license is a Class B misdemeanor.

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring at 250-8254 or brian.gehring@;bismarcktribune.com.)