Food Poisoning Law Firm
Pritzker Olsen Law Firm Food Safety Blog

Pritzker Olsen attorneys have appeared on CBS News, Fox news, and numerous local television stations throughout the country. They have recovered millions for victims of food poisoning outbreaks. To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

South Shore Meats Recall

On October 26, 2009, Crocetti's Oakdale Packing Co., doing business as, South Shore Meats, Inc. in Brockton, Massachusetts recalled about 1,039 pounds of fresh ground beef patties derived from bench trim as well as mechanically tenderized beef cuts based on confirmed laboratory evidence of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in leftover ground beef samples obtained from Camp Bournedale, a nature camp in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Suspect patties were collected and tested by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) after more than 20 school children and adults from Lincoln Middle School in Rhode Island, who had visited Camp Bournedale the week of October 13th, became ill with gastrointestinal symptoms. Read more about the Lincoln Middle School E. coli outbreak linked to Camp Bournedale.

In a recent press release, E. coli Lawyer Fred Pritzker stated:

More resources must be devoted to federal food safety. The current system is undermined by too much fragmentation of responsibility and not enough coordination between federal, state and local agencies.

One also has to wonder if microbiological testing is lax. Ground beef and other meat products should not be allowed to leave the manufacturer unless their safety is confirmed. Eating a hamburger should not be a high-risk activity.

DPH is continuing to investigate the outbreak in cooperation with the Rhode Island Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is now laboratory evidence that the ground beef collected at the camp is the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 confirmed in two of the Lincoln Middle School students who attended Camp Bournedale.

DPH is continuing to work with United States Department of Agriculture to identify all affected beef products that will need to be recalled. To date, the following South Shore Meats Company products have been recalled:
  • 10-pound boxes containing 40, 4-ounce packages of "Beef Sirloin Patties."
  • 7.5-pound boxes containing 12, 10-ounce packages of "Beef Teres Major Steaks Seasoned."
  • Boxes of 24, 5-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style)."
  • 9-pound boxes containing 12, 12-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (sirloin style)."
  • 9-pound boxes containing 12, 12-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (filet style)."
  • 6.75-pound boxes containing 12, 9-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (sirloin style)."
  • Boxes of 16, 10-ounce packages of "Beef Top Butt Steaks Sirloin Style."
  • Boxes of 20, 8-ounce packages of "Beef Butt Steaks Club Style."
  • Boxes of 26, 6-ounce packages of "Beef Top Butt Steaks Sirloin Style."
  • Boxes of 12, 10-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style)."
  • 6-pound boxes containing 16, 6-ounce packages of "Beef Filet Of Sirloin, Executive Cut."
  • Boxes of 12, 8-ounce packages of "BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style)."
Each box of recalled beef bears the establishment number "EST. 6336" inside the USDA mark of inspection and may also bear a date code of "281." The beef products were produced on October 8, 2009, and were distributed to wholesale distributors and institutions in Massachusetts.

If your child has been diagnosed with E. coli O157, contact Pritzker Olsen Attorneys. Our law firm is representing people sickened by E. coli O157, including people who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). E. coli HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States.

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Culebra Meat Market Beef Recall

Culebra Meat Market has recalled about 4000 pounds of beef products it produced and distributed in the San Antonio area because of possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The Texas Department of State Health Services laboratory testing detected E. coli O157:H7 in samples collected from the meat company.

Products included in the recall are beef stew meat, carne asada and ground beef produced by the company from Oct. 2 through Oct. 17, 2009. Products were sold to some San Antonio-area restaurants and in the company’s retail store, 2800 Culebra Road in San Antonio.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating whether the products also were sold at other Culebra retail store locations in San Antonio.

Products sold to consumers at the company’s retail store were packaged in various weights and wrapped in white butcher paper with no markings. Products sold to restaurants were packed in 10-pound boxes labeled with the company and product names and lot codes 100209 through 101709. The boxes have the inspection label “TEXAS INSP. & PSD. 740” located inside an outline of the state of Texas.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is not aware of any illnesses associated with the recalled product.

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 illness include bloody diarrhea and stomach pains. People with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms typically occur two to nine days after exposure.

Infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause E. coli kidney failure or death.

For a free consultation with an E. coli lawyer about an E. coli lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online consultation form.

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Beef Trimmings Recalled by Processor

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.

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Ready-to-eat Meats Recalled

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.

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E. coli Prompts Oregon Beef Recall

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."
  • Five-pound and 10-pound bags of chili grind. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016C." Fifteen-pound boxes of ground beef patties. Each package bears the identifying case code "13-016GP."
  • 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.

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Recall: Ground Beef With Metal Clips

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.

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48 Tons of Ground Beef Recalled

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.

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Ground Beef Recall Lawsuit

A ground beef recall usually means one of the following:
  • The USDA-FSIS has tested a sample of the ground beef and found E. coli contamination
  • A processor or distributor of ground beef has tested a sample of ground beef and found E. coli contamination
  • Health officials have received reports of illness that may be associated with the ground beef
Because ground beef is usually processed in huge quantities, ground beef recalls involve hundreds or thousands of pounds. Some recent recalls have involved millions of pounds.

E. coli contamination is preventable with good sanitation measures. Contaminated ground beef should never be distributed, but it is because there is not adequate testing and some companies disregard a positive test and distribute the ground beef anyway.

The bottom line is that serious injury and death from E. coli-contaminated ground is preventable, but certain companies are more interested in profits than people.

Suing the Bad Guys

Our attorneys are in the business of suing the bad guys who are responsible for serious injury and death resulting from the consumption of E. coli-contaminated ground beef. We also fight for changes in policy and law that will help prevent E. coli outbreaks.

We have recovered millions for E. coli victims and their families.

In each case, we establish a causal link between the illness and the ground beef with both epidemiological and microbiological evidence. This process may reveal a number of parties that can be sued for compensation. Even when a ground beef recall is involved, numerous parties in addition to the party initiating the recall may be liable.

Our attorneys take the time to thoroughly interview the victim and his or her family to determine how much compensation to seek. To do this, we fly all over the country. In a recent case, Attorney Fred Pritzker spent two days in an intensive care unit with an E. coli victim and her family. The E. coli victim had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was close to death. Fred got to know the family well and better understood what our client meant to them and the community. This personal approach makes us better attorneys and provides families with a measure of peace because they feel like they can trust us.

Compensation for E. coli victims and their families may include the following:
  • Medical expenses
  • Cost of care
  • Loss of income
  • Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering in an E. coli case may include physical pain, emotional distress and disability. Contact our lawyers for a free consultation.

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A & G Brand Ground Beef Recall in NY

Alex & George Wholesale, Inc., a Rochester, New York firm, is recalling approximately 4,663 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The recalled ground beef products were produced on April 29 and distributed to restaurants in western New York.

If anyone is sickened by the recalled meat, they may have claims against Alex & George Wholesale, Inc., the restaurant where they ate the contaminated ground beef, and other parties for the following damages:
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability
E. coli bacteria have an incubation period as long as 10 days, but it is usually between 3 and 8 days. Because this potentially-contaminated meat was produced on April 29, people may not experience symptoms of E. coli for a few more days.

Contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen if you or a loved one is diagnosed with E. coli food poisoning.

The following products are subject to recall:
  • 10-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
  • 10-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand 'HOT SAUCE' SPECIAL BLEND"
  • 25-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
  • 30-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
  • 10-pound case of (3-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • 10-pound case of (5-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • 10-pound case of "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • 10-pound case of (6-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • Cases containing 48, 4.25-ounce"A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES 'PUCKS'"
  • Cases containing 48, 5-ounce "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • Cases containing 48, 5-ounce (4-1) "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
  • Cases containing 48, 5-ounce "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES 'PUCKS.'"
Most E. coli outbreaks involve undercooked hamburgers.

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Food Poisoning Lawyer Fred Pritzker has appeared on national television and has been quoted by national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press and Lawyers USA. He has been named a "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics magazine. He is also listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America. To contact Fred Pritzker about a food poisoning lawsuit or food safety advocacy, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit the firm's free consultation form.

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