Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

Trader Joe's Company, based in Monrovia, California, has recalled chewy granola bars over food poisoning concerns. According to an Associated Press news report, the specialty foods store is recalling select lots of 7.4-ounce boxes of chocolate chip chewy coated granola bars because they could be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled bars were manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings Inc. So far, no illnesses have been reported as a result of these recalled granola bars.

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A company in Rhode Island has recalled about 1.2 million pounds of Daniele brand pepper-coated salami and other sausage meats after numerous cases of salmonella food poisoning across the country. According to an ABC news report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there were 184 potentially outbreak-associated cases across 38 sates. Thirty of those cases were reported in California, including six from Los Angeles. Nationally, more than 35 people have been hospitalized. So far, no fatalities have been reported relating to the salmonella outbreak.

The recalled salami and ready-to-eat sausages were sold at grocery stores, warehouse stores and online, including Costco, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Amazon, and other locations. Most of these recalled products were sold under the Daniele brand name, but several items under the labels of Boar's Head, Black Bear, and Dietz & Watson are also part of this recall. The earliest cases of salmonella poisoning involving these products were noticed in July 2009.

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A California meat packing company has recalled about 864,000 pounds of beef products over food poisoning concerns, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website. Huntington Meat Packing Inc. of Montebello, California, issued the recall over fears that the products may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced this week. The problem was apparently discovered during a food safety assessment that was done by FSIS personnel. The recalled products were produced at the Los Angeles-area plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010. USDA has classified this as a "Class I" recall, which means that the risk of contamination and illness is high.

Each of the recalled boxes of beef has the establishment number "EST. 17967." The products were apparently shipped to several distribution centers, restaurants and hotels in California. So far, federal officials have not received any reports of illnesses associated with this batch of recalled meat.

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E. coli-contaminated beef, which was recalled in December over food poisoning concerns, has sickened 21 people in 16 states including California, according to a news article in Consumer Reports. Out of the 21 food poisoning victims, nine have been hospitalized and there is at least one reported case of hemolytic uremic syndrome or HUS, a dangerous condition that could lead to kidney damage or even death.

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Whole Foods Market is issuing a product recall for several batches of organic raw hazelnuts after a salmonella food poisoning concern. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, these raw hazelnuts, also known as "filberts," were sold in bulk in several states including California, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Oregon, New Mexico and Washington. The hazelnuts are being recalled because of a possible salmonella contamination.

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A California beef company has recalled more than 20,000 pounds of ground beef over serious food poisoning concerns. All Headline News reports that this is the company's second beef recall this year. This time they are warning about beef contaminated with a deadly, drug-resistant strain of salmonella. The meat has apparently sickened two people in Arizona who have tested positive for "Salmonella Newport." This strain of salmonella is resistant to several commonly prescribed drugs, increasing the risk of hospitalization, ineffective treatment or death.

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San Miguel Produce of Oxnard has issued a food poisoning alert for its bagged kale because the produce tested positive for listeria. According to a news report in The Suburbanite, the kale was tested by the state of Ohio's Department of Agriculture. Their tests indicated a positive test of listeria. The products involved in this recall are 10-ounce packages with the label "Cut'n'Clean Greens." No illnesses have been reported as a result of these products. San Miguel Produce is now performing an independent assessment of these products. Company officials say they cannot confirm the presence of the bacteria in their produce. San Miguel has recalled all kale products with the "use by" date of November 9, 2009 with the lot code of 14398 to be discarded.

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At least two people have died and 26 people have become ill as a result of an E. coli food poisoning outbreak involving contaminated ground beef, the Associated Press reports. The complaints prompted a product recall involving 546,000 pounds of ground beef sold by Fairbank Farms in New York. The two reported deaths were in New York and New Hampshire, according to officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The recalled beef products were reportedly packaged between September 15 and September 16 and may have been labeled with sell-by dates from September 19-28. The beef was sold under various labels at B.J's Wholesale, Trader Joe's, Price Shopper and other large retailers.

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Plum Organics of Emeryville, California is issuing a baby food recall over California food poisoning concerns, according to a CBS News report. The company is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food over concerns of botulism contamination. The recalled products were sold individually throughout the country in 4.22-ounce pouches at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores. The company apparently determined that the baby food products did not meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for proper acidity level, thereby leaving it vulnerable to botulism contamination.

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Muranaka Farm Inc. is recalling 1,005 cases of parsley distributed in 10 states including California over food poisoning concerns. The Moorpark, California, company says it is issuing the voluntary recall because the parsley may be contaminated with salmonella, according to an Associated Press news report. The recall involves cases of 60-count fresh bunched parsley. Apparently, a sampling conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), showed bacteria in the parsley. The contaminated parsley cases were distributed mostly in California, but were also sent to Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

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Brookstone Pharmaceuticals is recalling all lots of its Concentrated Acetaminophen Drops that come in 16-ounce bulk containers because of misleading packaging. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the container is comparable to the size generally used to package regular strength acetaminophen liquid preparation. That along with the absence of an integrated dosage delivery device is contributing to dosing errors among consumers. An overdose of acetaminophen could result in dangerous drug injury including liver toxicity, kidney damage and blood disorders.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has apparently received several medication error reports that document personal injuries and fatalities in children less than 3 years of age. However Brookstone officials say that they have not heard about any of these adverse effects. Customers who have this medication are asked to stop using it immediately.

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A major nationwide beef recall prompted by E. Coli food poisoning also involves 47,615 pounds of beef triangle tri tip sent to Costco warehouses in Los Angeles and the rest of California. About 380,000 pounds of potentially E. Coli-contaminated beef that has been recalled were produced by Colorado-based JBS Swift Beef Co. Los Angeles Public Health officials say their department launched an informational campaign as soon as they found out about the food recall. Officials say most of the stores contacted were aware of the E. Coli beef recall and that all of the affected products had been removed from store shelves. So far no cases have been reported in Los Angeles of people becoming ill from the recalled meat. Costco officials apparently destroyed all of the recalled beef by June 19.

The recalled beef products were distributed under the name of Morton's of Omaha Steakhouse Classic Tri Tip and Morton's of Omaha Rosemary, Garlic and Chardonnay Seasoned Tri Trip. Heath officials said that their follow-up calls to Costco confirmed that none of the Los Angeles stores had any of the recalled beef on their shelves.

E. Coli is a large and diverse group of bacteria mostly transmitted through contaminated food. Some kinds of E. Coli can cause diarrhea while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia. The most common symptoms of E. Coli food poisoning include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and fever. In some rare cases, an E. Coli infection can result in kidney damage or even death.

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Federal officials have announced new rules aimed at reducing food poisoning outbreaks--especially salmonella and E. Coli infections that have been commonly occurring in the United States over the last two years or so. According to an Associated Press news report, a food safety panel established by President Obama has developed new safety standards for foods such as eggs, poultry, beef, leafy greens, melons and tomatoes, as well as for better coordination and communication among the agencies that oversee the nation's food supply. The recent string of breakdowns in our country's food safety system led to a surge in food poisoning cases.

Thousands of Americans were sickened and many killed as a result of these outbreaks involving spinach, peanut butter, pistachio nuts, beef and other contaminated food products. Earlier this year, a massive salmonella outbreak in peanut products sickened hundreds nationwide and led to nine deaths. Just this last month, Nestle Toll House cookie dough and 380,000 pounds of beef produced by Colorado-based JBS Swift Co. were recalled because of E. Coli contamination.

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California-based Season Produce Inc. has recalled its Roasted & Salted Pistachios and Raw Shelled 80 percent Whole Pistachios for possible salmonella poisoning. According to Consumeraffair.com, the salmonella-tainted pistachios were shipped from Setton Pistachios of Terra Bella, which was at the center of a massive product recall of the salmonella contaminated nuts. The recalled pistachios were available from Season Produce for cash and carry and shipped to food service distributors in Los Angeles. The affected products include: 5-pound Roasted & Salted Shelled Pistachios in a Wild Rose Label Box (lot numbers 775 and 6990). It also includes lot numbers 3672, 3399, 3288, 3905, 4421, 4536, 5970 and 6010.

These pistachios are possibly contaminated with salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious and potentially fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. However, Bisnar | Chase has represented victims of salmonella poisoning, who were perfectly strong and healthy before the onset of the infection and then suffered the debilitating effects of the poisoning. Healthy people can certainly get infected with salmonella. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. In rare cases, the bacteria can get into the body's blood stream affecting the vital organs.

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The E. coli food borne illness death of a 7-year-old girl in Cleveland has been linked to E. coli-tainted beef, which was recalled about a week ago. Valley Meats of Coal Valley recalled close to 100,000 pounds of ground beef patties tainted with E. coli last week. The recalled brands involve 3S, Grillmaster, J & B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate. Three people in the Cleveland area are said to be recovering from food poisoning illnesses linked to the same E. coli contaminated beef. Health department investigators are looking into whether the beef was distributed to grocery stores or exclusively to restaurants. Many reports of illnesses have also come from Pennsylvania and Illinois, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site.

This food-borne illness was initially discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. Officials were alerted on May 13, 2009 to a cluster of E. coli O157: H7 infections in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. This particular strain of E. coli bacteria is a potentially lethal bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. Very young people, persons with a weak immune system and the elderly are the most susceptible to food-borne illnesses.

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The family of 78-year-old Clifford Tousignant of Minneapolis has filed a lawsuit against an Ohio company in connection with his death from a salmonella-contaminated peanut butter. According to an Associated Press news report, Tousignant's family has filed the lawsuit against Kanan Enterprises, owner of King Nut peanut butter brand, in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

According to the complaint Tousignant ate the defective King Nut peanut butter while in a nursing home in December. He apparently tested positive for a salmonella infection a short time later and died on January 12, 2009. Hundreds of people have been sickened across the country as a result of this salmonella outbreak involving King Nut peanut butter.

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California-based Union International Food Co. is expanding its Asian spice and sauce recall after their salmonella-tainted products have sickened 33 people throughout northern and central California and nine others in Nevada, Oregon and Washington. According to a news report in10news, the company had previously recalled Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand dry spices. Because of the possibility of food-borne illness the brand will recall Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand sauces, oil and oil blends in various size packages. These products may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella infection, whose symptoms include diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, can be fatal. But so far, no deaths have been reported in connection with these recalled food products. Officials say most people sickened by the salmonella appeared to have been exposed to the bacteria while eating at Asian restaurants that used the company's spices. The company said the salmonella was isolated from an open container of Lian How white pepper.

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California Rite Aid Stores Recall Pistachio Ice Cream after Salmonella Scare

Rite Aid stores in California have recalled two Thrifty brand ice-cream products that were identified as containing pistachios, which U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials believe may be contaminated with deadly salmonella bacteria. Rite Aid announced its voluntary recall on April 2, 2009. Rite Aid officials say they are not aware of any reported cases of salmonella infection related to these products. The California stores are removing these pistachio ice cream products from their shelves as a precautionary measure. The recalled items include Thrifty 1/2 –gallon Pistachio Nut (UPC 08032891929) and Thrifty 3-gallon Pistachio Nut (UPC 08032849278).

Those who have purchased these recalled products are asked to stop consuming them immediately and return the items or a receipt to a Rite Aid Pharmacy for a full refund. For more information, please call Rite Aid at 1-800-RITEAID (748-3243).

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause severe diarrheal illness in humans. There are many different kinds of salmonella bacteria. The type most commonly found in the United States is Typhimurium. Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps. Laboratory tests are almost always required to diagnose a salmonella infection. Once the presence of salmonella has been determined, further testing can determine its specific type.

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The salmonella-tainted peanut butter, which has so far sickened 500 people and killed eight nationwide, was distributed to at least 10 agencies in Orange County, state health officials have announced. The recipients of these contaminated products apparently include special education schools, juvenile detention centers and school districts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an expanded recall of all products processed at the Peanut Corporation of America’s plant in Georgia, which they say, is the source of this lethal salmonella outbreak. Our source for this blog was this news report in The Orange County Register.

Lawmakers have called for criminal probes of the facility owned by The Peanut Corporation of America that had manufactured the peanut butter after FDA officials found evidence of salmonella, and continued to ship the products knowing that they were contaminated. According to this news article an FDA report states that the plant not only shipped products that failed lab tests, but that it never cleaned parts in the plant that were under suspicion. Prior FDA inspection reports showed 10 violations of federal food safety standards at the Georgia plant. The company found salmonella in its products seven times in 2008 and five times in 2007, but shipped them out anyway after a second test “cleared” the product.

This information, unfortunately, comes too late for those who have suffered and those who continue to suffer from the horrible effects of this potentially lethal food-borne illness. As we have seen, salmonella infection can kill and this outbreak has killed seven people so far in the United States. To find out now that this company knew its products were contaminated and still sent them and made no effort to clean up, is appalling to say the least. It is absolutely unacceptable. If this report is accurate, they knowingly poisoned the nation’s population. They should be held criminally and civilly responsible for their negligence and utter disregard for the safety and well-being of their consumers.

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Ohio-based food distributor, King Nut Company, has recalled two brands of peanut butter after the deadly salmonella bacteria was found in an open five-pound tub sold under the King Nut label. The company has also recalled its Parnell’s Pride brand. The salmonella-tainted peanut butter was not sold in retail stores, but it was distributed to hospitals, schools, restaurants and nursing homes through food service companies. Our source for this blog was this Reuters news report.

Minnesota health officials issued a product safety alert on January 9, 2009 after finding a King Nut peanut butter jar contaminated with the strain of salmonella linked to a salmonella outbreak across the United States. Since September the salmonella food poisoning has sickened at least 399 people in 42 states and has sent at least 70 people to the hospital, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

This is not the first time that Americans have been sickened by salmonella tainted peanut butter. In 2007 a similar outbreak was linked to Peter Pan peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra Foods Inc. That outbreak sickened more than 300 people. ConAgra closed a Georgia plant where the contamination was said to have occurred. The current salmonella outbreak has most affected California. So far 55 cases have been reported here.

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