Prevention

E. coli: Lawyer Provides Prevention Information

The following information on the E. coli prevention is provided by Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., a nationally-recognized law firm in the area of foodborne illness lawsuits. Lawyer Fred Pritzker has 29 years of experience and is currently lead attorney in a major food poisoning case involving victims from several states. He has been selected by other lawyers for inclusion in the 2005-2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. To learn more about Fred Pritzker, please see E. coli: Lawyer and Attorney.

E. coli Prevention Measures

Cook meat thoroughly
Keep a clean kitchen
Drink pasteurized beverages
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
Wash your hands

E. coli O157:H7 infection will be an important public health issue as long as it contaminates the meat that we eat. Preventive measures by the meat industry may reduce the number of cattle that carry E. coli and the frequency of contamination of meat during processing. But since research into such prevention measures is just beginning, it is important that you understand the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

E. coli Prevention in Your Kitchen
You can take steps to avoid spreading harmful bacteria in your kitchen. You should keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash your hands, counters and utensils with hot, soapy water after they touch raw meat. You should never place cooked hamburgers or ground beef on the unwashed plate that held the raw patties. Wash your meat thermometer between testings of ground beef patties that require further cooking.

Prevention of E. coli in Meat, Milk, Juice, Cider and Produce

Meat: People are often infected with E. coli 0157:H7 by eating undercooked ground beef. Therefore, your family should cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly. Use a digital instant-read meat thermometer because ground beef can turn brown before disease-causing bacteria are killed. As you cook hamburgers, insert the thermometer into several parts of the patties, especially the thickest parts. Make sure it reads at least 160º F for each patty. If you do not use a thermometer, you can decrease the risk of illness from E. coli 0157:H7 to yourself and your family by ensuring that ground beef patties are not pink in the middle.

If a restaurant serves your family an undercooked hamburger or other ground beef product, send it back for thorough cooking. Don't hesitate to ask for a new bun and a clean plate, as well. Remember E. coli in meat can contaminate other food.

Milk, Juice and Cider: You should drink only pasteurized milk, juice or cider. Commercial juice in boxes and vacuum-sealed juice in glass containers have been pasteurized, although it may not say on the label. Juice concentrates are heated sufficiently enough to kill pathogens.

Fruits and Vegetables: You should wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if they will not be cooked before eating. Fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with E. coli and cause an E. coli outbreak. To provide additional information on the prevention of E. coli, lawyer Fred Pritzker has provided tips and links about E. coli and fresh produce.

The elderly, people with fragile immune systems (immunocompromised) and children under 5 years of age should not eat alfalfa sprouts. Research is underway to devise methods to decontaminate alfalfa seeds and sprouts.

E. coli Prevention While Swimming
Find out if your municipal water has been treated with chlorine or other effective disinfectants. When swimming, avoid swallowing lake or pool water.

E. coli Prevention in Your Family
You can help protect your family from E. coli by taking a few simple preventative measures. You can reduce the risk of spreading infection by ensuring that people with diarrhea (especially children) wash their hands carefully with soap after bowel movements. You should always wash your hands after changing soiled diapers. Anyone with diarrhea should not swim in public pools or lakes, share baths with others, or prepare food for others.

Food Safety Prevention Links
CDC Video: Handle and prepare food safely
CDC Video: Wash your hands often
USDA Video: Thermy in Action - A public service announcement on the use of food thermometers

E. coli: Lawyer and Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has become seriously ill from E. coli bacteria, contact us for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and remedies. You can reach a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen by calling toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or filling in our online consultation form.

Learn about E. coli treatments.

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Firm News

Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Taste of Chicago

Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).

E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement

We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.

Attorney Rich Ruohonen Has Article Published

Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.

Foodborne Outbreaks

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