Press Release: Recalls of Ground Beef Underscore Need for Regulatory Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fred Pritzker
Pritzker| Ruohonen & Associates, P.A.
612-338-0202
info@pritzkerlaw.com
http://www.pritzkerlaw.com
http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com

Regulatory Action Needed to Prevent E. coli from Contaminating Ground Beef

E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Although most strains are harmless, this strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children under 5 are particularly at risk for developing HUS, and these young victims become seriously ill, often spending weeks or months in the hospital. Many of the estimated 61 deaths per year attributable to E. coli O157:H7 are children under 5.

Most E. coli O157:H7 infections have been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef at restaurants and in homes. E. coli O157:H7 lives in the intestines of healthy cattle and is present in their manure. When these cattle go to slaughter, unsanitary conditions in the slaughterhouse can lead to contamination of meat with the cattle manure. Sometimes the intestines of an animal are accidentally cut open, allowing the contents to contaminate exposed meat.

E. coli O157:H7 that has contaminated the outside of meat during slaughter can become thoroughly mixed within meat during grinding. Even a small amount of E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate hundreds of pounds of ground beef.

In the last month, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) announced two (2) separate recalls of ground beef. In both cases possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing. The recalls involved approximately 120 pounds of ground beef distributed in Georgia and approximately 315 pounds of ground beef distributed in Baltimore, Maryland.

“The dangers of E. coli are well known in the food industry, but this knowledge does not mean our food is safe. These recalls remind consumers that decisive regulatory action matters more than words,” commented Fred Pritzker, a leading food safety attorney. “The legal and regulatory communities must work together with consumers to ensure that the industry upholds its obligation to produce safe food products.”

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. The firm successfully represented several E. coli O157:H7 victims in the 2000 outbreak involving hamburger purchased at Minnesota Cub Food Stores and is lead counsel for victims of the 2002 Northeast United States listeriosis outbreak that killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli O157:H7 and other foodborne illnesses. For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com, http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com, or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202 or info@pritzkerlaw.com.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
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