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Foodborne Illness
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FDA Consumer Alert Due to Risk of E. Coli
FDA Consumer Alert Due to Risk of E. coli in Lettuce
Every month the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes recalls of numerous food products that can cause serious injuries or death. The FDA also issues alerts, like the one below for Dole lettuce salad bags, which were potentially contaminated with E. coli. An E. coli infection can cause serious, long-term injury.
If you or a loved one has been infected with E. coli, contact Fred Pritzker, an attorney with 29 years of experience who focuses his practice on food poisoning cases. He has successfully represented food poisoning victims throughout the United States, and his offices are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been named a Minnesota Super Lawyer and has been selected 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.
Contact Fred Pritzker regarding the following Dole lettuce alert or if you have been harmed by any E. coli infection. You can reach him toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, email him at info@pritzkerlaw.com, or submit your situation for review by Fred Pritzker with our online consultation form. Consultations are free.
FDA Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Dole Pre-Packaged Salads
October 2, 2005--The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a nationwide warning to consumers against eating certain pre-packaged Dole salad products because these products have been associated with an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in
Illnesses have been associated with consumption of Dole salad products purchased from a single grocery store chain, Rainbow Foods, in its Minnesota locations. However, salad products containing the affected production codes are also distributed nationwide.
The three prepackaged salad products involved are:
- Classic Romaine - with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."
- American Blend - with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."
- Greener Selection - with a "best-if-used-by (BIUB)" date of September 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with "B250."
The "best-if-used-by" code date can be located in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag. While it is unlikely that stores still have this product on their shelves, consumers may have product in their refrigerators. Consumers who have any of the three packaged salads listed should dispose of the product.
"Given the severity of this illness, FDA believes an urgent warning to consumers is needed. FDA is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our state partners to further identify the source of the problem and its scope," said Dr. Robert Brackett, Director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
At this time, no other Dole salad products are involved and Dole Food Company has issued a recall for the implicated salad products. Dole is working cooperatively with the FDA to minimize any further risk to consumers.
E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea or no symptoms. Usually little or no fever is present, and the illness resolves in five to ten days. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, in some persons, particularly children under five years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
To date there have been reports of eleven cases of illness attributed to E. coli O157 in
Individuals who may have experienced any of the above symptoms after eating these salad products should contact their physician or local department of health.
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Foodbourne Illness Featured Topics
New York E. coli Outbreak
The Stew Leonard’s store in Yonkers, New York, has recalled 96% lean ground round because three people from one family have confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with consuming ground beef sold at the store. Read the press release regarding the Stew Leonard's ground beef recall and E. coli lawsuit information.
Oregon and Washington E. coli Outbreak
Pritzker | Ruohonen is monitoring an E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef sold at Safeway, QFC, and Fred Meyer stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Idaho under the "Northwest Finest" brand name. There are 8 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Oregon and Washington.
Dole Recall of Bagged Lettuce Salad
Dole Fresh Vegetables, a division of Dole Food Company, Inc., has announced a recall of "Dole Hearts Delight" salad sold in the U.S. and Canada with a "best if used by (BIUB)" date of September 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B" stamped on the package.
Shaw's Ground Beef Recall
The FSIS has announced a recall involving about 884 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The ground beef was sold at Shaw's grocery stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Listeria: Jensen's Smoked Salmon Spread Recall
On September 8, 2007, Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. recalled two smoked salmon spread products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria: Organic Raw Cream Recall
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced an organic raw cream recall due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Read more about the organic raw cream recall.
Kroger Potato Salad Recall
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is advising consumers not to consume Kroger brand Mustard or Southern-Style potato salad with a "Best If Used By" date of Sept. 5, 2007, because it may contain E. coli O157:H7.
Metz Fresh Spinach Recalled - Salmonella Risk
Metz Fresh, LLC has recalled bagged spinach as a result of a positive test for Salmonella found during routine company testing. The recalled Metz Fresh spinach bears the tracking codes 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314. It was distributed in the continental United States and Canada.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Arby's
Grant County Health District and their regional epidemiologist, with cooperation from the Washington Department of Health, have linked some of the reported 17 cases of Salmonella Senftenberg in the county to the Arby’s Restaurant on Stratford Road in Moses Lake, Washington.
Souplantation Shigella Outbreak
Pritzker | Ruohonen is investigation a Shigella outbreak that, according to health officials, is associated with the Souplantation restaurant in Pasadena, California. At least 44 people may have been sickened. Additional reported cases are awaiting confirmation and are still being investigated.
Baby Carrots Recalled - Possible Shigella
Los Angeles Salad Company has recalled baby carrots that were distributed and sold in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. The recalled baby carrots may be contaminated with Shigella.
Acme Smoked Salmon Recall
Acme Smoked Fish Corporation has recalled 132 lbs of 4 oz. Smoked Salmon (Acme NY Original) and 114 lbs of 8 oz. Smoked Salmon (Acme NY Original) due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This product was distributed to retail stores in the South Florida Region.
Listeria Recall: Regal King Seafood Dips
The FDA has announced the recall of Regal King seafood dips due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The seafood dips were sent to A & P warehouses in 5-pound packages, repackaged, and sold at A & P stores in clear plastic containers with a Regal King label.
Listeria in Neparovana Smoked Sausage
The New York State Department of Agriculture is warning consumers that Neparovana smoked sausage may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The potentially-contaminated Neparovana smoked sausage was sold in bulk at Muncan Food Corp, 676 Seneca Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens.