Allegheny County officials might know by week’s end whether bacteria sickened 20 people attending a Nov. 18 birthday party at the Hoss’s Steak and Sea House in Pleasant Hills.

The health department is testing a cake taken to the restaurant for the party, as well as vegetables — such as broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and green peppers — similar to those served that day, spokesman Dave Zazac said. The restaurant passed a food safety inspection the department conducted Nov. 22.

"The facility was clean," Zazac said. "No condition was found at that time that would lend itself to a food-borne (illness) outbreak."

Health officials are testing stool specimens from three people who complained of gastrointestinal distress, Zazac said. Other reported symptoms, which Zazac said were not major, included vomiting and diarrhea.