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Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. Press Release: E. coli Outbreak Associated with Lettuce Prompts Call for Better Sanitation
MINNEAPOLIS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Ten cases of E. coli O157:H7 in the state of Washington have been associated with the consumption of lettuce. Based on interviews of those sickened, health officials believe the source of the outbreak is bagged, commercial romaine lettuce.
Six of the people sickened were Pierce County residents. Five of them had laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. The sixth person had symptoms identical with those of the other five, but a lab test was not done to confirm E. coli O157:H7. The cases may be associated with a restaurant and an educational institution. Because the outbreak is deemed over, health officials are not releasing the names of either, but Internet accounts of the outbreak indicate that some of those sickened may have eaten salads at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
Four of the people sickened were Thurston County residents. All four had laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. Three of them attend Capital High School in Olympia and ate salads in the school cafeteria. The fourth person attends Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Olympia and ate a salad there.
"This is yet another example of contaminated lettuce causing illness,” stated Pritzker. “At the bottom of every E. coli outbreak is bad sanitation. It is up to the lettuce industry to clean up its act and use good sanitation practices on every farm, every day.”
Cattle are the principal source of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Cattle manure containing E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate water that flows through lettuce fields and that is used for irrigation, pesticide application, and/or washing lettuce. Therefore, it is imperative that lettuce not be planted near cattle operations.
In addition, Pritzker and other food safety advocates have been pushing for regulations requiring the lettuce industry to do the following: 1) frequently test irrigation water; 2) frequently test bags of lettuce and salad before they reach the consumer; 3) educate workers throughout the industry about the importance of hand washing and not coming to work if they are sick; 4) and prevent animals, both domestic and wild, from wandering on to lettuce fields.
Because a number of E. coli outbreaks have been linked to bagged lettuce and spinach, federal and state regulators should frequently inspect processing plants.
“The lettuce industry and state and federal governments have to work together to ensure the safety of lettuce. A mother should not have to worry if the salad she is serving her children will make them sick,” stated Pritzker.
Pritzker | Olsen, 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 has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli outbreaks. For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202. Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. has offices are located at Plaza VII, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
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Foodborne Outbreaks
- Nestle Lawsuit: Several people have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak associated with Nestle Toll House cookie dough.
- Toll House Cookie Dough Recall: Nestle has recalled refrigerated Toll House cookie dough.
- Toll House Lawsuit: Lawyer to fight for E. coli victim compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress.
- Cruise Ship Salmonella Lawsuit: Several persons were sickened by a severe strain of Salmonella.
- Alfalfa Sprout Salmonella Lawsuit and Lawyer: A multistate outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to alfalfa sprouts.
- Alfalfa Sprout Listeria Lawsuit and Lawyer: A multistate outbreak of listeriosis has been linked to alfalfa sprouts.
- Union International Food White Pepper Suit: A multistate outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to white pepper.
- Cantaloupe Recall
- Kinikin Corner Dairy Campylobacter Lawsuit: Colorado Campylobacter outbreak associated with raw milk.
- Salmonella Pistachio Outbreak: A multistate outbreak has been linked to pistachios.
- Chipotle Lawsuit: Several people were sickened by Campylobacter.
- Western National Stock Show Denver E. coli: Attorney Fred Pritzker provides outbreak and compensation information.
- Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: King Nut Peanut Butter has been genetically linked to this outbreak.
- 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