Food Poisoning Law Blog

Texas Salmonella Outbreak; Cause Unknown

2009-07-04T09:24:00.005-05:00

The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella that has infected at least 25 people in Caldwell County.

At this point, the cause is not known. Doug McBride, a spokesman for the agency, told the Austin American-Statesman that a few of the victims has been hospitalized. The cluster of illnesses compares to the normal rate of seven to nine cases of Salmonellosis in a year in Caldwell County. Most of the cases are in and around Lockhart.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is representing Salmonella victims nationwide. The firm is involved in practically all major outbreaks of foodborne illness and has collected tens of millions of dollars on behalf of victims of food poisoning. To contact a Salmonella attorney at our firm, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or write to us online for a free case consultation from an attorney.

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and sometimes vomiting. These symptoms may go away after a few days, but the sick person may be able to pass the disease to others for up to two months.

Salmonellosis is spread by eating contaminated foods, drinking contaminated water or having hand to mouth contact with the feces of an infected person or animal. Most healthy adults can withstand the disease without medical treatment, but it can cause serious injury, even death, to small children, the elderly and all people with compromised immune systems.

JBS Swift Beef E. coli Recall

2009-06-26T07:32:00.008-05:00

Beef recall alert for consumers throughout the United States, and particularly in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin, where at least 18 cases of E. coli O157 may be associated with consuming JBS Swift beef products.

In response to this E. coli outbreak, JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colorado establishment, has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This June 28, 2009 recall is an expansion of a June 24 recall of 41,280 pounds of JBS Swift beef products.

If you or a loved one is part of this outbreak, your state department may have advised you to contact a lawyer. Our law firm has a national reputation in the area of E. coli litigation. Please contact our lawyers for a free consultation. We do not get paid unless you win.

Anyone experiencing bloody diarrhea should suspect an E. coli infection and seek medical attention immediately. You should request an E. coli O157:H7 test. This is critical for preserving your legal rights. Contact our lawyers if you have any questions.

The recalled JBS Swift Beef products were produced on April 21, 2009 and were distributed both nationally and internationally. The June 24 JBS Swift Beef recall announcement involved beef distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as the identifying package date of "042109" and a time stamp ranging from "0618" to "1130." However, these products were sent to establishments and retail stores nationwide for further processing and will likely not bear the establishment number "EST. 969" on products available for direct consumer purchase. Customers with concerns should contact their point of purchase.

The recalled products include intact cuts of beef, such as primals, sub-primals, or boxed beef typically used for steaks and roasts rather than ground beef. FSIS is aware that some of these products may have been further processed into ground products by other companies. The highest risk products for consumers are raw ground product, trim or other non-intact product made from the products subject to the recall.

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS ABOUT E. COLI VICTIM COMPENSATION >>

Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is one of the most experienced and trusted food safety law firm in the United States and has represented foodborne illness survivors in virtually every major E. coli O157:H7 outbreak.

Nestle E. coli Outbreak Lawsuit Information

2009-06-23T21:54:00.005-05:00

We are receiving hundreds of calls and emails from people concerned about E. coli O157:H7 exposure from Nestlé® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough products.

Our lawyers have provided the following information about E. coli O157:H7 and protecting your legal rights:

E. coli symptoms vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/less than 38.5˚C).
These symptoms may represent a life threatening infection. If you have symptoms, especially bloody diarrhea, you should get immediate medical attention.
The only practical way to diagnose E. coli O157:H7 is by stool sample. Without a stool sample confirming the presence of E. coli O157:H7, it is difficult to prove you are part of this outbreak. Therefore, if you believe you have symptoms related to E. coli O157:H7, you need to receive medical attention and get a stool test.
You need to get a stool test as soon as possible after your symptoms commence. If you wait too long, the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria may be shed from your body and the test will be negative even though you had an E. coli O157:H7 infection. Also, if you are prescribed antibiotics, the medication may kill off the E. coli O157:H7. In which case, your test will be negative.
This is important: Non-specific supportive therapy, including hydration, is important. Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection. There is no evidence that treatment with antibiotics is helpful, and taking antibiotics may increase the risk of HUS. Antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® may also increase that risk. Thus, if you receive antibiotics, it may cause you harm and make it impossible to detect the E. coli O157:H7.
If you have remaining Nestlé® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough products that have been recalled in this outbreak, do not throw them out or return them to the grocery store. Here’s why: lab testing of the product may confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Thus, if your stool is not tested or if the test is negative, it still may be possible to link your symptoms to the outbreak if the product tests positive for E. coli O157:H7. Therefore, seal the unused Nestlé® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough products in a plastic bag, mark the bag so it is not used or consumed accidentally, and continue to store it in your refrigerator until it is tested.
Call us right away (1-888-377-8900 toll free) if 1) you have E. coli O157:H7 symptoms and you test positive for E. coli O157:H7 or 2) you have strong reason to believe a negative test does not rule out E. coli O157:H7 (i.e. you were put on antibiotics before stool testing was done).

PritzkerOlsen, P.A. is one of the most experienced and trusted food safety law firm in the United States and has represented foodborne illness survivors in virtually every major E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Please contact us for Nestle lawsuit information.

Nestle Toll House E. coli Outbreak

2009-06-19T15:32:00.005-05:00

Pritzker Olsen attorneys are continuing to investigate the cause of a national E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that resulted in a Toll House cookie dough recall.

Throughout the day more and more state and federal health agencies are coming out with a conclusive link between the outbreak and Toll House cookie dough. We now have our first clue as to what the source may be. The Danville News in Danville, Virginia is reporting that Nestle has stopped production in the plant that makes a majority of the Toll House cookie dough.

The Danville News:

“Nestle USA has stopped production in half of its Danville plant following a Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration investigation that the company’s cookie dough may be connected to a recent E. coli outbreak “The Danville facility makes the majority of our Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough,” said Roz O’Hearn, spokeswoman for the company.”

CONTACT OUR ATTORNEYS ABOUT E. COLI VICTIM COMPENSATION >>

Please contact us for Nestle lawsuit information.

Toll House Cookie Dough Recall

2009-06-19T10:14:00.005-05:00

The Toll House cookie dough recall involves the risk of serious illness and death. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat recalled Toll House cookie dough. If you suspect that someone has been sickened by Toll House cookie dough in your possession, do not throw it away. It will be valuable evidence in a Toll House lawsuit. Contact our law firm immediately for information on protecting your legal rights: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Recall Information

Nestle USA's Baking Division is initiating a voluntary recall of Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products because of possible contamination of E. coli O157:H7. (See list of recalled products below.) The FDA, CDC and state health investigators are reporting that at least 66 people in 28 states have likely fallen ill from contaminated Toll House cookie dough.

CONTACT PRITZKER OLSEN ATTORNEYS ABOUT E. COLI VICTIM COMPENSATION AND WRONGFUL DEATH COMPENSATION FOR FAMILIES >>

If you think you are part of this outbreak:

1) Keep all receipts, used packaging, or unused packaging of any Toll House cookie dough products you may have;

2) DO NOT eat any leftover Toll House cookie dough products;

3) If you are currently suffering from cramping and diarrhea, and have recently eaten or may have come into contact with Toll House cookie dough, go to the doctor for treatment and request a test for E. coli O157:H7. Contact our law firm.

It is critical that your doctor get a stool sample and have it tested for E. coli O157:H7. If positive, the E. coli O157:H7 must be tested again to see if the specific strain of the bacteria matches the outbreak strain. This is the best way to prove you are part of this outbreak. All information should be shared with your state department of health. Please contact one of our experienced attorneys for more information.

If you are contacted by any health department official, cooperate with them fully, they are trying to help solve this outbreak.

Contact Pritzker Olsen Attorneys to discuss your potential case: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form. Pritzker Olsen attorneys are nationally known in the area of food safety litigation and represent victims of foodborne outbreaks across America.

Recalled Toll House Products



                                                          Consumer
                    Description                         Unit Code (UPC)
        Nestle Toll House Cookie & Brownie Dough
COOKIE & BROWNIE DOUGH BAR
Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                                 0 50000 62231 3
Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                                 0 50000 11308 8
Chocolate Chunk bar 16.5oz                                0 50000 62235 1
Walnut Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                          0 50000 62233 7
Jumbo Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                           0 50000 62237 5
Oatmeal Raisin bar 16.5oz                                 0 50000 06219 5
Sugar Cookies bar 16.5oz                                  0 50000 62244 3
Sugar Cookies bar 16.5oz                                  0 50000 12178 6
Mini Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                            0 50000 62242 9
Mini Chocolate Chip bar 16.5oz                            0 50000 12188 5
Mini Brownie Bites bar 16oz                               0 50000 62227 6
Fudgy Brownie With Peanut Butter Filling 19oz             0 50000 00820 9

COOKIE DOUGH TUB
Chocolate Chip tub 40oz                                   0 50000 62246 7
Chocolate Chip tub 80oz (5 lb)                            0 50000 00934 3
Sugar tub 40oz.                                           0 50000 62253 5
Gingerbread tub 40oz                                      0 50000 44060 3
Peanut Butter tub 40oz                                    0 50000 44062 7

TUBE (CHUB) DOUGH
Chocolate Chip tube 16.5oz                                0 50000 62239 9
Chocolate Chip tube 32oz                                  0 50000 00400 3

ULTIMATES COOKIE BAR DOUGH
Ultimates Peanut Butter Cups, Chips & Chocolate
Chunks bar 16oz                                          0 50000 00922 0
Ultimates White Chip Macadamia Nut bar 16oz               0 50000 00923 7
Ultimates Chocolate Chip & Chunks with Pecans bar 16oz    0 50000 00925 1
Ultimates Chocolate Chip Lovers 16oz                      0 50000 00926 8
Ultimates Turtles bar 16oz                                0 50000 00928 2
Ultimates Peanut Butter Lovers bar 16oz                   0 50000 00507 9
Ultimates Chocolate Chip with Caramel Filling bar 16oz    0 50000 44066 5
Ultimates Chocolate Chip with Chocolate Filling bar 16oz  0 50000 44069 6

SEASONAL COOKIE & BROWNIE DOUGH
Valentine Hearts Sugar Cookie Shapes 15.5oz               0 50000 12009 3
Valentine Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz                 0 50000 00931 2
Fudgy Brownies With Raspberry Filling 19oz                0 50000 20090 0
Easter Eggs Sugar Cookie Shapes 15.5oz                    0 50000 52009 1
Easter Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz                    0 50000 00932 9
Easter Swirled Mini Brownie Bites bar 18 oz               0 50000 20093 1
Red, White & Blue Swirled Choc Chip bar 16oz              0 50000 00937 4
Halloween Pumpkin Pals Sugar Cookies 13.5oz               0 50000 06217 1
Halloween Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz                 0 50000 00929 9
Halloween Swirled Fudgy Brownies bar 18oz                 0 50000 00088 3
Christmas Shapes Sugar Cookies 15.5oz                     0 50000 00505 5
Christmas Swirled Chocolate Chip bar 16oz                 0 50000 00930 5
Christmas Swirled Fudgy Brownies bar 18oz                 0 50000 00089 0
Limited Edition Mint Swirled Chocolate Chip 16oz          0 50000 00827 8

Discontinued Varieties
Valentine Hearts Sugar Cookies 13.5oz                     0 50000 44056 6
Easter Brownie Bar 18oz                                   0 50000 00518 5
Easter Bunnies Sugar Cookies 13.5oz                       0 50000 44058 0
Halloween Sugar Shapes 15.5oz                             0 50000 00829 2
Christmas Sugar Cookie Tube 16oz                          0 50000 00448 5
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie Tub 48 oz.                       0 50000 62229 0

Mexican Cheese Recall In 10 States

2009-06-13T22:12:00.012-05:00

A Michigan company that distributes Mexican-style cheese in 10 states has announced a recall of five types of cheeses that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall, announced in a press release posted on the Food and Drug Administration's website, applies to all lots and all expiration dates of five different cheeses made by Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese of Reading, Mich.

The products were distributed to retail stores and delis in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The products were sold under the name 'Aguas Calientes' as follows:

Queso Asadero -- 12 oz and 10 lb ball

Queso Oaxaca -- 10 lb ball

Queso Fresco -- 1lb and 8 oz

Queso Requeson -- 1 gallon pail and 3 gallon pail

Morral Adobera -- 3 lb packages

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recalled products, but Listeria monocytogenes is a potentially deadly pathogen that carries risks of stillbirth and miscarriage in pregnant women. Healthy adults usually recover from a case of Listeriosis without medical attention, but the disease is dangerous for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

If you or someone you know has been sickened with cheese contaminated by Listeria monocyctogenes, contact a food poisoning lawyer Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Pritzker Olsen is a national food safety law firm that has recovered millions for victims of foodborne illness. It is one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Call or write to us online for a free case consultation.

New York Company's Salmon Recalled

2009-06-08T23:23:00.009-05:00

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of a New York fish company found Listeria monocytogenes, prompting the recall of I ♥ NY Fish brand Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon.

The FDA said no there have been no confirmed illnesses "to date.''

The recall notice, published in conjunction with the FDA, said the salmon is in vacuum packed 3 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, and whole side “to be weighed at time of sale” sizes of lots starting with # 142 xxxx. The notice did not specify the volume of product subject to recall.

The product is packed sliced or whole sides on aluminum coated cardboard in a clear plastic vacuum packed bag with a red, black, and gold sticker label with gold lettering and a small white sticker label identifying the lot code. The first three digits are the Lot Code followed by a four digit “packaging” date. The firm is recalling all lots that begin with code 142 (for example: 142 0525, 142 0526, 142 0527, 142 0528).

Listeria monocytogenes is a potentially deadly bacterium that is known to cause still birth and miscarriage in pregnant women. Healthy adults usually recover without medical attention, but the pathogen is a dangerous health threat to young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms are flu-like muscle aches and fever, sometimes coupled with nausea and diarrhea. An infection can bring on stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Listeriosis, contact a Listeria attorney at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. The firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and has collected millions for victims of all types of food poisoning. On behalf of millions of victims of food poisoning, PritzkerOlsen has been a steadfast critic of ineffective food safety laws and one of its clients recently testified before a Congressional panel about the personal loss that accompanies lethal cases of contamination.

To contact a food poisoning lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or complete one of our online forms for a free case consultation.

Beef Trimmings Recalled by Processor

2009-06-08T22:58:00.004-05:00

Seventy-five pounds of fresh beef trim that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 has been recalled by its producer, Snow Creek Meat Processing of Seneca, South Carolina.

According to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), these fresh beef trim products were produced on June 2, 2009, and were distributed to retail establishments for further processing in North Carolina and South Carolina. The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician and call a food safety lawyer if an E. coli O157:H7 infection is confirmed.

National food poisoning law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., currently represents victims of E. coli O157:H7 from recent outbreaks. The firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and has collected millions for victims. To contact an E. coli lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete one of our forms for a free case consultation.

The Snow Creek recall pertains to various sizes of cryovac bags of beef trimmings stamped with USDA Establishment No. 20478 and a "sell-by'' date of 6/02/09.

Ready-to-eat Meats Recalled

2009-06-06T13:34:00.009-05:00

Cameco, Inc., a Verona, N.J., establishment is recalling approximately 79,312 pounds of various fully cooked, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products because the products may contain under-processed ham components after contacting surfaces of equipment.

The recall anouncement was made today in conjunction with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Sold under many different brands, the meat and poultry products were produced on May 29 and June 1. They were distributed to wholesale distributors in Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The distribution of the products was limited to wholesale distributors.

The products in question bear one of two USDA establishment numbers: 1583 and P-18209. They include cooked ham with water added, turkey ham, white turkey, honey ham, sliced turkey breast, luncheon loaf, and cotto salami.

The brands involved include Valu Time, Thank You by Cameco, Quality Meats, Red Osgood, Pro's Ranch, Mrs Stratton's, Meijer Brand, Lay's Classic Meats, IGA Brand, Food Club, Fas Chek, El Primero, Clear Valu, Bridgeford and Appleton.

Click here to see the complete recall list.

E. coli Victim Still Battling One Year Later

2009-06-06T09:09:00.007-05:00

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is involved in practially every major outbreak of foodborne illness, recovering millions for victims of food poisoning. One year ago, the outbreak was E. coli O157:H7 and the victims were patrons of a popular barbeque restaurant in Moultrie, Georgia. PritzkerOlson founder and president Fred Pritzker takes note of the anniversary through the eyes of a client who is still suffering the effects.

By Fred Pritzker

Twelve months ago, Faye Bryant had just turned 60 and was about to begin her retirement. She was healthy, strong and was looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and working in her large garden.

Faye and her husband, John, live in the small town of Moultrie, Georgia. They often ate at a local restaurant, the Barbeque Pit. Unbeknownst to them, the Barbeque Pit sold beef products produced by Nebraska Beef, Ltd. The beef was adulterated with E. coli O157:H7. On the day Faye was about to begin her retirement, she developed symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning. Her illness nearly killed her.

After months of hospitalization and ongoing rehabilitation, Faye is still
recovering. She’s been left with life-long residuals that profoundly affect
virtually every aspect of her life.

In the year since Faye was sickened, thousands of other Americans have become victims of foodborne illness. Many, like her, owe their illnesses to companies that repeatedly violate food safety regulations or ignore them altogether. For example, our firm is involved in the nationwide Salmonella outbreak caused by Peanut Corporation of America. In that case, the processor knowingly distributed and sold peanut products that tested positive for Salmonella. Three of our client families lost loved ones in that outbreak.

Another Salmonella outbreak, involving pistachio nuts produced at the Setton Pistachio plant in Terra Bella, Calif., includes allegations that the company knowingly shipped pistachios that were potentially contaminated with salmonella (although the company is on record as denying that claim). Nebraska Beef, the producer of the product that sickened Faye Bryant, has been implicated in previous E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks.

As a result of these outbreaks and others, it appears there will finally be some long overdue changes to our food safety laws. As needed as they are, all the laws and regulations will not prevent greedy or incompetent companies (or both) from selling adulterated food. Sadly, the only thing available to foodborne illness survivors that really causes companies to change (or go out of business) is forcing them to pay for the harms and losses they cause people like Faye Bryant.

This is one anniversary that people like Faye Bryant will not be celebrating.

Listeria Found in Duck Leg and Kolbase

2009-06-05T07:35:00.004-05:00

Listeria monocytogenes was detected in duck and sausage products made by a company in Long Island, New York, prompting a recall of 564 pounds of the meat, which was produced May 13 and sold to restaurants and distributors in the East and Northeast.

Schaller Mfg. Corp. announced the recall yesterday in conjuction with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The regulator said it had not received any reports of illness in association with the contamination, which was found in company testing.

Consuming Listeria monocytogenes can cause an uncommon but potentially fatal disease -- listeriosis. Symptoms can include high fever, neck stiffness, severe headache and nausea. Listeriosis is a particular threat to pregnant women, causing stillbirth and miscarriage.

The duck products were sent to distributors and restaurants in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The sausage products were sent to distributors and restaurants in New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia as well as the company's retail store in New York City. The problem was discovered through the firm's microbiological sampling program. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

If you or someone you know has contracted listeriosis from eating meats involved in this recall, call Pritzker Olsen attorneys, a national food safety law firm that has recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning. For more information, contact a listeria monocyctogenes lawer at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or write to us online for a free case consultation.

Maine Reports 4 Matching E. coli Cases

2009-06-03T22:00:00.011-05:00

State health investigators in Maine say that four E. coli O157:H7 illnesses are considered part of a national cluster of infections that share the same genetic fingerprint.

But Dr. Dora Anne Mills, the director of Maine's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said there are currently no answers about what is causing the outbreak. Nor did she say how many cases outside Maine involve the same strain of E. coli O157:H7.

Mills wrote a public health alert late last week reminding school-based health centers, local health departments and physicians in the state to be on the lookout for E. coli O157:H7 in patients with diarrheal illness. Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramping and sometimes nausea or vomiting.

The four matching E. coli cases found in Maine were among seven total E. coli O157:H7 illnesses confirmed to have started in the state between April 17 and May 17. All the cases were in Cumberland or York counties.

National food poisoning and food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is monitoring the outbreak in Maine and tracking whether it could be part of a larger emerging pattern of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

The firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and has collected tens of millions of dollars over the years for victims of E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other pathogens in food.

Pritzker Olsen is one of the few law firms in the country that is extensively involved in foodborne illness litigation. The firm, led by founder and President Fred Pritzker, also has criticized current food safety laws, saying they don't go far enough to prevent pathogens from contaminating our food in the first place.

If you or someone you know has injuries, questions or information about the Maine E. coli outbreak, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our form that is available online for a free case consultation.

E. coli Prompts Oregon Beef Recall

2009-06-02T23:58:00.005-05:00

An Oregon meat processor that sells loose ground beef, hamburger patties and "chili grind'' ground beef to restaurants, hotels and other institutions has recalled 39,973 pounds of product because random sampling found the presence of E. coli O157:H7.

The recall was announced late Tuesday, June 2, in conjunction with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recall was classified as "Class I Health Risk High,' but the FSIS said it had not received any complaints of illnesses tied to the contamination.

The company recalling the ground beef is Portland-based SP Provisions, which sold some product under the SP Provisions brand and other product under Cascade Natural Beef brand. It was sold in Washington and Oregon.

E. coli O157:H7 is a deadly pathogen that is particularly dangerous to young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In healthy adults, an infection may not require treatment. But the risk of serious illness includes Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a complication of an E. coli infection that can cause kidney failure and is the leading cause of E. coli deaths.

If you or someone you know has been sickened by ground beef consumed recently at a restaurant, cafeteria, hotel or other institutional kitchen in Washington or Oregon, see a physician. In addition, call an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, a national food safety law firm that has collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.

Pritzker Olsen is involved in virtually all major outbreaks of foodborne illness and is one of the few law firms in the country practicing extensively in foodborne illness litigation. Our lawyers can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact us by completing a free case consultation form.

Here is the recall list provided by FSIS: Cascade Natural Beef Brand 5-pound and 10-pound bags of ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016G."

SP Provisions Brand: 5-pound and 10-pound bags of ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136." Five-pound and 10-pound bags of chili grind. Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136C." Fifteen-pound boxes of ground beef patties. Each package bears the identifying case code "01-136P."
Each identifying case code is preceded by the date code "040809" through "052809," signifying the production date in "month/date/year" format, i.e. April 8, 2009 through May 28. Additionally, each product bears the establishment number "EST. 2866" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These ground beef products were produced on various dates from April 8, 2009 through May 28, 2009.

"What We Don't Know Will Hurt Us"

2009-05-31T22:26:00.005-05:00

Fred Pritzker, founder and president of national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, has cast a critical eye on the results of a report produced by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infections Program. While the report's central message is that we as a society aren't getting any better at controlling food poisoning, Pritzker found data that suggests the problem runs deeper. Here is his report:

The Federal government’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) recently released preliminary data about the frequency of certain foodborne illnesses in 10 monitoring states for the year 2008. This is the equivalent of the government’s report card for food safety. The scores, as they say, leave much room for improvement.

The “take away” point from this data is that “progress toward the national health objectives [for foodborne pathogens] has plateaued, suggesting that fundamental problems with bacterial and parasitic contamination are not being resolved.”

My comment [and their goal] is simply: “No Shit.”

Stripped of its “journal speak,” the data shows that after making progress for a few years, efforts to safeguard our food have gone nowhere.

"The lack of recent progress toward the national health objective targets and the occurrence of large multistate outbreaks points to gaps in the current food safety system and the need to continue to develop and evaluate food safety practices as food moves from the farm to the table."

A closer reading of the data actually points to more serious problems. For example, in just one year (from 2007 to 2008), test samples of ground beef yielding E. coli O157:H7 nearly doubled from 0.24% to 0.47%. This is really quite shocking.

It was also interesting to note that only 25.7% of E. coli O157:H7 infections and 7.4% of Salmonella cases are associated with outbreaks. In other words, in the vast majority of human illness associated with these two pathogens, the source is never identified.

In a way, this is even more shocking. It shows we’re still very inadequate when it comes to testing for and analyzing foodborne pathogens – in other words, what we don’t know will hurt us.

Recall: Ground Beef With Metal Clips

2009-05-29T23:34:00.004-05:00

An Illinois meat processing plant has recalled 241,000 pounds of ground beef because some of its institutional customers complained of finding metal packaging clips in the hamburger.

The recall was announced by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, which designated it a Class III event: "Health Risk Low.''

According to the FSIS notice, the ground beef in question was sold in 20-pound cases that each contained four five-pound "casing chubs.'' The same type of clips fastened to the chubs were found in some ground beef.

FSIS said it had not received any consumer complaints.

The recalled beef was made between January 2009 and May 2009, distributed in Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

If you or someone you know was recently injured from metal found in hamburger, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys. Lawyers at the firm can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or by submitting a free case consultation form.

Bean and Soy Sprouts Recalled Over Listeria

2009-05-28T21:26:00.017-05:00

More sprouts are being recalled, this time for the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The action was announced Thursday by Chang Farm of Whatley, Massachusetts.

In a press release placed on the Food and Drug Administration's food safety website, the company said its bean and soy sprouts may be contaminated with Listeria but that no illnesses have been reported.

The produce -- packed in 10-pound bulk bags and 12-ounce plastic bags for retail, are distributed to retail stores and restaurants throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

Sold under the Chang Farm label, the soy sprouts have a “Sell By” date of May 23, 2009, or May 24, 2009. Bean sprouts have a “Use By” date of May 23, 2009, or May 24, 2009.

The contamination was discovered in a test sample taken at a retail store in New York, the company said.

Listeria can cause potentially deadly infections in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. A Listeria outbreak in Canada last year killed 22 people. For pregnant women, Listeria carries the additional threat of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Earlier this spring, the FDA and Centers for Disease Control advised consumers not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella that infected seeds at various growers.

National food poisoning law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is currently representing clents in a variety of foodborne illness outbreaks and has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Minnesota for the family of a woman who died in the peanut product Salmonella outbreak that started last fall.

Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Olsen welcome your call and can be reached for more information by phone at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). To receive a free case consultation, complete one of our online forms and an attorney will get back to you.

Food Safety Lawyer Says Wrongdoers Should Be Held Accountable

2009-05-28T07:20:00.004-05:00

by Attorney Fred Pritzker

On May 21, 2009 Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Illinois, establishment, recalled approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This action followed an investigation by Cleveland, OH health officials that identified two eateries that possibly served burgers tainted with E. coli O157:H7. Three Cleveland area residents who became ill in April apparently had eaten at the two establishments, the VFW Hall in North Olmstead and Deekers Side Tracks in Mentor, OH.

A 7- year-old Cleveland girl died from E. coli O157:H7-related complications—hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that caused kidney failure and then a stroke. (Note: Friends of the girl’s family have set up a memorial fund and a fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, May 29. This family needs support.)

This devastating loss was utterly preventable and points to a food safety system breakdown on many levels.

Federal, state and local law prohibits the sale of adulterated food. If Valley Meats LLC distributed and sold meat products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 it means the company violated laws that have been on the books for more than a hundred years and failed to properly test and detect lethal pathogens before the products left its facility.

It also means the restaurants that served this poisoned food similarly violated the law. Whether the meat was adulterated when it entered the restaurant, there is no question and no doubt that with proper cooking and handling, any pathogen in the food could and should have been killed off before it caused harm.

Coincidental to this tragedy and illustrative of it, preliminary data published on May 27, 2009 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that the estimated incidence of E. coli O157:H7 infections did not change significantly when compared with the preceding 3 years. In fact, the percentage of ground beef samples yielding E. coli O157:H7 actually doubled in 2008 compared to 2007. What’s more, none of the targets established by the federal government in its food safety initiative, Healthy People 2010 were met.

I have represented foodborne illness survivors in virtually every major foodborne illness outbreak during the last several years. In virtually every one of those cases, people were sickened or killed not because laws were lacking or technology was insufficient, but rather because of three primal deficiencies: ignorance, sloth and greed. As the Cleveland case illustrates, the companies responsible for this outbreak were either too stupid, too lazy or too greedy or a combination of all three, to prevent the lifelong losses that occurred.

It is only fitting that such wrongdoers be held accountable for the harms and losses they caused. But in these cases that means more than just collection of insurance proceeds. It means actual accountability – the kind that comes from criminal prosecution and payment of punitive damages that actually punish wrongdoers and serves as a deterrent to prevent future outbreaks. Without such deterrence, we can expect more of the same.

To contact attorney Fred Pritzker, please call 1-888-377-8900 or submit our contact form for Fred's review.

E coli Outbreak in Cleveland, Ohio

2009-05-21T23:08:00.004-05:00

An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with ground beef has sickened 3 people and may have killed a seven-year-old girl in Cleveland, Ohio. People in Illinois and Pennsylvania were also sickened in this outbreak.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the three people sickened in Cleveland were a 3-year-old girl, a 24-year-old man and a 71-year-old man. Two were hospitalized. Health officials did not reveal the name of the girl who died or whether she had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a deadly complication of E. coli poisoning.

Epidemiological evidence has linked this E. coli outbreak in Cleveland with ground beef products produced by Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Illinois. On March 21, 2009, Valley Meats recalled almost 96,000 pounds of frozen patties and refrigerated ground beef produced on March 10. The recalled meat was sold to restaurants and food service accounts.

Two restaurants are part of the investigation in Cleveland, and people would like to know which restaurants they are. We received a comment on our food poisoning blog from a woman who knows the seven-year-old who died:

The 7 yr old that died attended my daughters school. Of course they did not release the information surrounding her death. My concern is as follows, the lunches at the elementary school are catered by a local restaurant. Since the names of the restaurants being investigated are not being released I fear there is a possibility it could be the one supplying lunches to the school. It is inconceivable that not only would the school but also the health department put more children at risk by not disclosing such important information

We agree that the names of the restaurants should be disclosed. If these restaurants had followed USDA guidelines for cooking the ground beef, it is likely no one would have become sick because E. coli can be killed with heat. Consumers should know that these restaurants served under-cooked ground beef. Moreover, E. coli can have a long incubation period. There may be people who ate contaminated ground beef at the restaurant and need to watch for symptoms of E. coli poisoning.

Victims of this outbreak and their families may seek compensation from Valley Meats LLC, the restaurants where they ate the contaminated ground beef, and others.

If you have been sickened by E. coli or lost a loved one to E. coli, please contact our law firm for a free consultation with an attorney by calling 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or completing our free case consultation form. We have represented E. coli victims from most major outbreaks and are currently representing the family of a person who died in Ohio from Salmonella poisoning.

48 Tons of Ground Beef Recalled

2009-05-21T22:11:00.020-05:00

Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Illinois, recalled 95,898 pounds of ground beef Thursday as state and federal health officials announced that the meat may be associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Ohio.

Authorities are investigating whether the E. coli death of a 7-year-old Cleveland girl is part of the outbreak.

The recall by Valley Meats, announced by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), included frozen beef patties and refrigerated loose ground beef packaged under various labels. The hamburger was produced March 10 and the Ohio Department of Health first reported the state's cluster of E. coli illnesses on May 13, FSIS said.

Of the three Ohio E. coli O157:H7 infections that match each other, two of the victims were hospitalized but all three recovered. One was a 3-year-old girl, another was a 24-year-old man and the third was a 71-year-old man.

National food poisoning and food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is monitoring the outbreak and advising anyone who believes they may be sick from eating contaminated ground beef from Valley Meats to see a physician immediately. The firm has extensive experience representing victims of E. coli 0157:H7 and is currently representing the Ohio family of Nellie Napier, an 80-year-old woman from Medina County who died of Salmonella poisoning in the peanut butter

To reach an E. coli lawyer at our firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 or write to us online to receive a free case consultation.

The 48 tons of potentially tainted hamburger were distributed nationwide to restaurants and food service accounts, mostly in 10-pound cases. But some packages weighed as much as 40 lbs.

All the packages contain a USDA establishment number of 5712. At least a dozen of the ground beef packages were shipped as generics, without a specified brand name. Other packages of ground beef included in the recall include the following brand names: 3S, Grillmaster, J&B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate.

For a complete list of the recalled items click here.

Lettuce, E. coli and HUS

2009-05-18T12:14:00.005-05:00

In recent years, a number of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been linked to lettuce. Our lawyers have represented victims of these lettuce-E. coli outbreaks. We are currently investigating a possible lettuce-E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact our national food safety lawyers for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Several of the lettuce E. coli outbreak cases have involved the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that causes organ failure, brain damage and death. HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States, and about 10% of children who contract E. coli infections develop HUS.

HUS is characterized by three main features: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure (kidney failure) (1). Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia means that red blood cells (carry oxygen) are destroyed in damaged small blood vessels, resulting in a low red blood cell count. Thrombocytopenia indicates a low platelet count and results from entrapment of the platelets in organs (1). Acute renal failure means that the kidney function is severely impaired. Many E. coli-HUS patients undergo hemodialysis and plasmapherisis.

If you have a child, spouse or other loved one who has lettuce-E. coli-associated HUS, the following information may be helpful:

Make sure your loved one is tested for E. coli O157:H7 as soon as possible. This generally involves getting a stool sample. A positive test for E. coli O157:H7 is critical to determining what party or parties are liable (legally responsible) for the illness. If you have questions about E. coli testing, please contact our law firm to speak with one of our E. coli lawyers.
If you have left over lettuce that you know or suspect caused the E. coli infection, DO NOT THROW IT AWAY. In the last lettuce-E. coli outbreak, a bag of leftover lettuce in a victim’s refrigerator cracked the case. Again, contact our law firm about this important evidence.
You probably know by now that medical expenses related to lettuce-E. coli associated HUS are astronomical. Contact our law firm for information on how to collect medical expenses from responsible parties (a processor of bagged lettuce, a grower, distributors and others). Do not take any money from a responsible party without contacting our law firm. You may give up the right to seek future medical expenses, pain and suffering compensation and other damages.

We are food safety lawyers, and we view our job as twofold: 1) To make sure that victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to lettuce are fully and adequately compensated and 2) to prevent future lettuce-E. coli outbreaks by making the responsible parties pay enough to make it hurt. We also seek policy and law changes that will help prevent future outbreaks. Our clients have appeared before Congress. Contact our lawyers.

Source: 1. Razzaq S. 2006. Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an emerging health risk. Am Fam Phys. 74:6:991-996.

Posted May 2009.

Renal Failure and E. coli Testing

2009-05-18T10:12:00.004-05:00

Our law firm actively investigates most E. coli outbreaks in the United States, fighting for victim compensation. One of the issues we run into is testing for E. coli O157:H7 long after onset of symptoms. Patients often experience renal failure (E. coli kidney failure) before a stool sample has been tested for E. coli. By that time, any E. coli may have cleared from the body, making a positive test for E. coli impossible.

It is critical to an E. coli case to get a positive test for E. coli O157:H7 and then to further test the sample of E. coli to obtain a genetic fingerprint of the bacteria that can be matched to other victims and food sources.

Below is a description of a complex process taken to obtain a positive test for E. coli O157:H7 on a stool sample taken on day 30 of illness--an unusually long time for E. coli bacteria to remain in the body. The patient was a 40-year-old male who presented with several days of abdominal cramps, vomiting, and loose stool with interspersed blood. The patient’s medical condition continued to deteriorate, and he experienced renal failure. On day 9 of his hospitalization, he commenced hemodialysis and plasmapherisis. The working diagnosis was thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Several days later, doctors suspected that the patient had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is generally caused by an E. coli O157:H7 infection. By the time doctors reached this determination, finding E. coli in the stools was questionable, but persistence resulted in a positive test:

On the day the fecal sample was referred to our laboratory, it was screened for the presence of preformed Shiga toxin by the Vero cell cytotoxicity assay (4, 11). In addition, an investigational 10-min chromatographic immunoassay for Stx1 or Stx2 detection was performed. This handheld Shiga toxin detection (HHSTD) system, manufactured at the Naval Medical Research Center (Silver Spring, Md.), incorporates rabbit polyclonal anti-Stx1 or anti-Stx2 antibody immobilized on filter paper to capture Stx-Stx1 or Stx2 and Stx2 toxin variants, respectively, as they migrate across the membrane in sample buffer. Colloidal-gold-labeled toxin-specific monoclonal antibodies (described elsewhere [10, 12]) were also used to impregnate the filter paper but not immobilized. The monoclonal antibodies bind the antigen, if it is present, and form a visible band where the capture antibodies are fixed to the filter paper. We tested the sensitivity of the kits with purified toxin and stool specimens seeded with known numbers of toxin-producing organisms.

The level of detection was 3 to 6 ng of toxin (for Stx2 and Stx1, respectively) or approximately 107 CFU of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The Stx2 kit was less sensitive for the Stx2 variant Stx2c or Stx2d and detected 20 ng of toxin or 108 CFU. The kits were specific for toxin type and showed no cross-reactivity between Stx1 or Stx2 and its variants or with negative human stool components in our trials.

The results of the HHSTD immunoassays and the conventional cytotoxicity assay of the primary stool sample were negative. However, we reasoned that very low numbers of STEC bacteria would be shed at this late point after disease onset. We also suspected that if O157:H7 organisms were present, their appearance would be masked by the predominant normal flora seen when stool is plated directly onto sorbitol MacConkey (SMAC) agar (3). Similarly, toxin production would be below detectable levels. Two approaches were used to enhance STEC recovery and increase toxin detection.

First, in order to observe greater numbers of organisms in the stool, we suspended approximately 1 ml of sample in 10 ml of brain heart infusion broth (Remel, Lenexa, Kans.) and incubated the mixture overnight at room temperature to slow the growth of normal fecal flora, as is done when culturing Yersinia enterocolitica. The enrichment broth was diluted in serial 10-fold increments on the next day, and 100 _l of each dilution was spread plated onto Difco Luria-Bertani (LB) agar and SMAC agar (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md.) and incubated overnight. Clearly discernible individual sorbitol-negative and –positive colonies were seen in the 10_6 and 10_7 dilutions plated on SMAC agar.

Sweeps of growth from the corresponding dilutions of overnight broth plated on LB agar were collected with a sterile cotton swab and mixed in 1 ml of the HHSTD kit buffer, and 300 _l was tested for toxin (isolates from SMAC agar were not used owing to the concern that false-positive reactions in the HHSTD kit might occur because of carryover of neutral red from the MacConkey base).

The HHSTD kit gave positive reactions for Stx1 and Stx2 on the mixed bacterial sweeps, which prompted us then to screen the sorbitol-positive and -negative colonies on SMAC agar for toxin production. A Shiga toxin gene probe was used to identify individual toxin-producing organisms by colony blot hybridization. One hundred fifty colonies of both the sorbitol-positive and –negative phenotypes were transferred with sterile toothpicks onto three LB agar plates (50 colonies each) in a grid pattern. The colonies were blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes after overnight incubation.

The membrane-bound colonies were lysed, and the DNA was denatured by saturation with 0.5 N NaOH. The nitrocellulose membranes were then dried at 80°C in a vacuum oven overnight and probed with PCR-amplified DNA of the Stx2-encoding gene (14). The colony blots were screened for hybridization with the Enhanced Chemiluminescence nucleic acid detection kit (Amersham Life Science, Buckinghamshire, England) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The sorbitol-negative phenotype correlated 100% with hybridization to the Stx2 gene probe. The sorbitol-negative colonies were identified as E. coli with an API 20E strip (BioMe´rieux, Durham, N.C.), and the serotype was determined by agglutination with O157 and H7 antisera (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.). Clarified overnight culture lysates of the E. coli O157:H7 isolate (designated WR30) produced 106 50% cytotoxic doses/ml by Vero cell assay and were positive for both Stx1 and Stx2 when tested with the HHSTD kit.

At the same time that the broth enrichment stool culture was inoculated, a second broth culture was prepared to enhance toxin expression by induction of lysogenic toxin-converting bacteriophages. One milliliter of the fecal sample was diluted in 10 ml of brain heart infusion broth to which 5 _l of mitomycin C (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), an alkylating agent known to induce the lytic cycle of lambdoid phages, was added (1, 6). After overnight incubation at 37°C with shaking, the broth culture supernatant was tested for Shiga toxin with the investigational test kit. A weak positive reaction for Stx2 was obtained, whereas a similarly prepared mitomycin-free broth culture was negative.

Source: Teel, Louise D., et. al, Shiga Toxin-Producting Escherichia coli-Associated Kidney Failure in a 40-Year_old Patient and Late Diagnosis by Novel Bacteriologic and Toxin Detection Methods, Journal of Clinican Microbiology, July 2003, Vol. 41, No. 7, p. 3438-3440.

Lettuce E. coli Science Projects

2009-05-17T21:45:00.006-05:00

The Center for Produce Safety has teamed with the California Leafy Green Research Program on a grant initiative that has awarded a total of $500,000 to seven "business focused'' scientific projects aimed at lowering the frequency of lettuce E. coli recalls and outbreaks.

Five of the seven projects specifically target E. coli O157:H7 and the research will run through March 2010.

The lettuce E. coli lawyers at national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys are all too familiar with the problem. For more than 15 years, bagged lettuce, head lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens have been repeatedly linked to E. coli 0157:H7 deaths and injuries.

Just last fall there was a multi-state outbreak linked to lettuce from California that was processed, bagged and distributed by Michigan-based Aunt Mid's.

While the industry has tried to self-police the problem, the changes haven't been as effective as stronger food safety legislation would be.

If you or someone you know has been recently sickened with E. coli, possibly in connection with bagged lettuce, head lettuce or other leafy green vegetables, please contact our firm as soon as possible. The toll-free number is 1-888-377-8900 or write to us online for a free case consultation.

E. coli 0157:H7 is a serious health threat, especially to young children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems. Especially among those populations, infection can lead to hospitalization and kidney malfunction. And patients who are given antibiotics for an E. coli infection are at greater risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of E. coli deaths.

Other health risks of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning include abnormal kidney function, blindness, Hemorrhagic Colitis, high blood pressure, paralysis, seizures and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a disease in adults that carries the risk of stroke, seizures and central nervous system deterioration.

Pritzker Olsen has years of experience representing E. coli victims and their families. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for its food poisoning clients and is dedicated to educating the public about food safety issues, while lobbying for more effective legislation to protect the U.S. food supply from deadly pathogens. It is one of the few law firms in the country that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Cantaloupe Recall: Wal-Mart Stores

2009-05-16T08:51:00.005-05:00

L & M Companies has recalled cantaloupe sold at Wal-Mart stores across North Carolina, South Carolina and South Hill, Virginia because the cantaloupe may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The cantaloupe recall was prompted by a positive test for Salmonella at a small farm where the cantaloupe were grown.

We checked both the L & M Companies website and the Wal-Mart website, and there was no mention of the recall. We typed in “cantaloupe recall” in the search box on walmart.com and got a list of “Total Recall” videos. Perhaps Wal-Mart should put a little more effort into informing its customers of recalls affecting its products.

If you have been diagnosed with Salmonella poisoning (salmonellosis) after eating cantaloupe, you may have a claim for compensation from the grower, distributor(s) a retailer (for example, Wal-Mart) and others. Compensation may include medical expenses, pain, emotional distress, disability, lost income, and other damages.

Past cantaloupe recalls have resulted in hospitalizations, serious organ damage and death. Our lawyers represent victims of Salmonella outbreaks nationwide.

Salmonella Outbreak - Pepper: Law Firm Representing Victim

2009-05-15T23:02:00.004-05:00

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is representing Shirley Jane Schultz, one of the victims of a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to white pepper manufactured by Union International Food Company, according to news reports.

Ms. Schultz, a 77-year-old from Nevada, was severely sickened and spent over a week in the hospital. Loved ones feared she would not survive when her kidneys temporarily shut down. She continues to suffer the effects of the illness.

“While we are still gathering information about what caused the spices made by Union International Food Company to become contaminated with Salmonella, our client’s illness just highlights the ongoing problems in our food safety system,” stated Eric Hageman, Ms. Schultz’s attorney. “People shouldn’t have to guess whether the food they are eating is safe. We should all feel that our food is safe. But that didn’t happen here and, as a result, Shirley Shultz ended up in the hospital. And someone needs to be held accountable.”

Union International Food issued the first spice and pepper recall on March 30, 2009. The recall included Lian How white pepper. Ms. Schultz was diagnosed with Salmonella poisoning on April 9, 2009.

Prior to the March 30 recall, Salmonella was isolated from an open container of Lian How White Pepper, which was found at a restaurant where some outbreak victims ate. Since March 30, additional Union International Food Company products have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination. The entire recalled products list is available on the FDA’s website.

Pritzker Olsen has considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing Salmonella outbreak victims and their families. The firm has been involved in virtually every national foodborne illness outbreak and has collected large sums on behalf of people injured or killed by adulterated food. In addition, the firm is devoted to educating the public about food safety issues and advocating for badly needed food safety legislation and increased funding for the federal, state and local agencies charged with protecting our food and enforcing food safety laws.

Pritzker Olsen attorneys are frequent guests and commentators about food safety issues and have been interviewed by and profiled in a number of media sources including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and CNN.

If you have been sickened in this Salmonella outbreak linked to pepper, please contact Pritzker Olsen law firm: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Salmonella Outbreak Pepper Posted May 2009.

Bob's Food City Ground Beef Recall

2009-05-14T11:11:00.003-05:00

On May 12, 2009 the USDA-FSIS announced a ground beef recall. Bob's Food City, a Hot Springs, Arkansas, retailer is recalling approximately 375 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The following ground beef products subject to recall were sold as tray packs of varying weights bearing a "Sell By" date of "05/09/09." The products subject to recall include:

1-pound through 5-pound tray packs of "GROUND BEEF CHUCK," "GROUND ROUND" or "REGULAR GROUND BEEF." Each pack bears a sell by date of "05/09/09." There is no USDA mark of inspection on the tray packs.

These ground beef products were produced on May 7, 2009, and were sold to customers of the Bob's Food City retail store located at 800 Malvern Avenue, in Hot Springs, Arkansas

The problem was discovered through FSIS sampling procedures. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these ground beef products. This does not mean that were no illnesses due to consumption of these products. If you were sickened after eating ground beef, please contact our law firm.