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Foodborne Illness

Fisher's Dairy Listeria Risk

Raw milk from Fisher’s Dairy in Portersville, Pennsylvania, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In 2006, Fisher's Dairy gave up its raw milk permit, but state inspectors found that the dairy had begun selling raw milk again without a permit.

“During an investigation of the dairy, inspectors purchased raw milk which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes," said Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from this farm, they should discard it immediately."

No illnesses have been reported as a result of the potential Listeria contamination, but if people who consumed the raw milk become ill, they should consult their physicians.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has detained all milk products at the farm. Samples were taken from the farm on March 6, and tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes on March 10.

Symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. (Read about Listeria/listeriosis miscarriage.)

Symptoms of listeriosis can appear in four days to two months. To date, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has not received any reports of illness related to the Fisher's Dairy Listeria risk.

Posted March 2008.

Labels: Fisher's Dairy, Listeria, raw milk

Gourmet Boutique Chicken Recall Due to Listeria Risk

Gourmet Boutique, L.L.C., a New York firm, has recalled approximately 6,970 pounds of meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the USDA-FSIS Gourmet Boutique recall announcement, the following products are subject to recall: [View Labels, PDF Only]

6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE HONEY CHICKEN SALAD." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN MARSALA." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST IN TERIYAKI SAUCE, PORTION CONTROL." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL, Keep Frozen." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Home Style Chicken Salad." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
4-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Grilled Chicken B&E PRET A MANGER." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3.5-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Breaded and Fried Chicken Cutlet." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3.125-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE ITALIAN STALLION TWISTER." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
8-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Meatloaf with Gravy KIT." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
4.6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN BURRITO." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3.125-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE TURKEYCLUB TWISTER." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The recalled products bear the production code of "GBD 08058" on the package. The meat and poultry products were produced on Feb. 26 and 27, 2008, and were sent to retail establishments in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and distribution centers in New York.

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product, which is no surprise because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days. Pregnant women who ate the above products should contact their medical provider, particularly if they experience flu-like symptoms. About one third of the cases of Listeria infection (listeriosis) in the United States involve pregnancies. Read about Listeria pregnancy and Listeria/listeriosis miscarriage.

Posted March 2008.

Labels: chicken recall, Gourmet Boutique recall, Listeria

Stop and Shop Recall: Deli Chicken Entrees and Listeria Risk

There have been a rash of related chicken entrée recalls due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This is a multi-state problem involving a number of retail grocers. The following is from a press release issued by The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, which recalled four types of prepared chicken:

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is voluntarily recalling four types of prepared chicken because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected products were sold at the deli counter, both in bulk and prepackaged in various weights. The recall covers all of the following items sold on or after Feb. 26, 2008:

-- Breaded Chicken Cutlet (labeled GB BRD CHIX CUTLETS or GB BR CHIX
CUTLTS)
-- Chicken Marsala (labeled GB CHIX MARSALA)
-- Grilled Lemon Chicken (labeled GB GR LEMON CHIX or GB GR LNI CHCKN)
-- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (labeled GB GR TERIYKI CHIX or GB GR TRYKI
CHICKN)

Upon being notified of the recall by the supplier, Stop & Shop immediately removed all recalled products from sale. To date, Stop & Shop has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. [ Note from Pritzker | Ruohonen: This is no surprise because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days. Pregnant women who ate the above products should contact their medical provider, particularly if they experience flu-like symptoms. About one third of the cases of Listeria infection (listeriosis) in the United States involve pregnancies. Read about Listeria pregnancy and Listeria/listeriosis miscarriage.]

Labels: chicken recall, Listeria, stop and shop recall

Press Release: Pritzker Calls on Whittier Farms to Pay Medical Bills and Funeral Expenses

Contact: Fred Pritzker
Phone number: 612-338-0202 or toll-free at 1-888-377-8900

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--MINNEAPOLIS--Fred Pritzker, a food safety lawyer with extensive experience with Listeria cases, called today on Whittier Farms of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, to pay the medical bills of the people who were sickened by Listeria after consuming Whittier Farms milk products and the funeral expenses of the two victims who died. DNA fingerprinting has determined that the four people were sickened by the same source, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has associated Whittier Farms milk with the illnesses and deaths, according to a department statement.

"It is only fair that Whittier Farms pay for the medical bills and the funeral expenses while other legal issues, including compensation for pain and suffering, are pending. The families deserve that peace of mind," stated Pritzker.

Pritzker recently litigated and ultimately settled a Listeria case in which he represented two women who had been pregnant at the time they contracted Listeria infections and the family of an elderly man who died. “These people and their families suffered immeasurably. No amount of money could fully compensate them for their loss but pursuing the companies responsible brought some comfort to the families. This was their way of helping to prevent anyone else from going through what they did.”

Pritzker Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202. Pritzker Ruohonen has offices are located at Plaza VII, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.

Labels: Listeria, Listeria lawyer, Massachusetts Listeria outbreak, Whittier Farms

Listeria Recall: Double B Foods Sausage Rolls

UDSA-FSIS has announced a Double B Foods sausage roll recall involving about 98,000 pounds of frozen sausage roll products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The frozen sausage roll products were produced by Double B Foods on various dates between Oct. 25 and Nov. 6, and were distributed to retail establishments in Texas, and institutions, catalogue sales and distribution centers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. The recalled sausage rolls were sold under a number of brands and may have been repackaged. The brands named in the FSIS announcement of the frozen sausage roll recall are Double B Foods, H-E-B, Smokey’s, Southern Heritage, and Wheeler. Read more about the Double B Foods sausage roll recall.

Labels: Listeria, sausage roll recall

Sale of Listeria-Contaminated Food Results in 15 Month Sentence

Timothy Delong, former president of Atlantis Foods, Inc., has plead guilty to charges of engaging in a scheme to defraud through the sale of adulterated food (food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes), and a scheme to introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 1341, and 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a), 333(a)(2), and 343. R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, and Lee Huttenbach, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southeast Region, Office of Inspector General, announce that Mr. Delong was sentenced yesterday to fifteen (15) months in prison.

U. S. District Court Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley imposed the 15-month sentence and also ordered Delong to pay a fine of $5,000 and to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000 to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to be used to support its programs in the area of food safety. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.

Count 1 of the Information charged Delong with engaging in a scheme to defraud the customers of Atlantis Foods, Inc., where Delong served as president, through the sale of adulterated prepared foods. Delong, through Atlantis, sold chicken salad, Maine lobster dip, salmon cream cheese, salmon spread, chicken salad with almonds and cranberries, and crab stuffing which contained the harmful bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Delong was president of Atlantis Foods, which on six occasions in 2003, allegedly produced and distributed food products containing Listeria monocytogenes. Delong failed to notify his customers after learning of the contamination and did not initiate a recall of the products.

Count 2 of the Information charged Delong with the introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded food, namely "Smoked Rainbow Trout Spread," between January 2002 and December 2003. According to court records, the spread, which listed trout as the first ingredient, was false and misleading in that the product in fact did not contain trout, but instead was made with tuna.

A copy of the press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov/.

Mr. Delong's sentence seems light considering that he endangered the lives of thousands of people. Sentencing in these cases should serve to adequately punish the guilty individual and deter similar behavior. This sentence did neither.

Labels: fraud, Listeria, sentence

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Foodborne Outbreaks

University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit