Product Defect Liability Lawyer Blog

New updates in the salmonella egg contamination outbreak was announced. Yesterday, the ABC World News reported a shocking update regarding the federal inspection of an Iowa farm for possible salmonella contaminated eggs. After two weeks of inspections, the FDA released a report of their findings which included live mice, flies (dead & alive), and maggots that were too numerous to count. While testing the water used to clean the eggs before they are packaged, laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Salmonealla enteritidis, according to Jeff Farrar, FDA associate commissioner for food protection. Salmonella contaminated eggs has been linked to feed but these disgusting conditions certainly add some insight as to why these eggs may have been recalled. The Los Angeles Times noted that conditions described in the reports are some of the worst food safety experts have seen in decades.

Continue reading "Mice, Files and Maggots Found by FDA Inspections at Egg Farms" »

A Los Angeles based meat company has expanded its recall of ground beef and veal to include about 4.9 million additional pounds of meat products because of food poisoning concerns. According to an Associated Press news report, the recall includes meat products by Montebello-based Huntington Meat Packing Inc. because of concerns that the products may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The original recall was announced January 18, 2010 and was for 864,000 pounds of meat. So far, there have been no reports of illnesses or fatalities associated with these recalled beef and veal products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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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.

Continue reading "Salmonella Tainted California Beef Causes Food Poisoning Concerns" »

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.

Continue reading "Food Poisoning From Contaminated Beef Causes Deaths, Illnesses" »

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.

Continue reading "Food Poisoning Alert: Cases of Salmonella Contaminated Parsley Recalled" »

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.

Continue reading "Thousands of Pounds of Recalled Beef Sent to California" »

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.

Continue reading "Food Poisoning: Federal Government Tightens Food Safety Standards" »

Kowalke Family Sprouts has voluntarily issued a product recall of its brand of alfalfa sprouts and related products made in California because of possible salmonella contamination and risk of food poisoning. According to an Associated Press news report, the California Health Department says Kowalke Organics' sprouts were mostly distributed at Gelson's and Whole Foods markets in Southern California.

These recalled products had sell-by dates from June 18 to June 30. Kowalke Family Sprouts also voluntarily recalled related products such as packaged dinner salad and onion mix. Apparently, only one package of sprouts tested positive for salmonella, but the company decided to go ahead with the recall anyway.

Continue reading "Product Recall of Alfalfa Sprouts for Possible Salmonella Contamination" »

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.

Continue reading "Salmonella Poisoning: Tainted Pistachios Shipped to Los Angeles Recalled " »

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.

Continue reading "E. Coli Food Borne Illness Found In Beef Linked to Child's Death" »

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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Los Angeles food-borne illness attorneys have received word of an alfalfa recall. A Los Angeles County based company has recalled alfalfa sprouts that are believed to be contaminated with salmonella. Los Angeles Calco, Inc, based in Arcadia, announced that it is recalling 4-ounce containers of sprouts that it distributed to three wholesalers in Los Angeles and Costa Mesa. The containers have "sell-by" dates of April 23 and May 2. A Company official has apparently said that the sprouts were sold to local restaurants, but has not yet hit retail markets. Calco officials said that they detected the salmonella contamination in the sprouts during routine testing. No Salmonella illnesses have been reported so far.

Salmonella infection could cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after the person has been infected. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, salmonella infection could last four to seven days. In some patients, hospitalization may be necessary and if left untreated the infection could become fatal. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to contract this fatal salmonella infection.

Continue reading "Salmonella-Contaminated Sprouts Recalled in Los Angeles and Orange Counties" »

More companies are pulling peanut butter products from their shelves as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to eat peanut butter only from jars because of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The FDA has issued a warning asking consumers to avoid products containing peanut butter and peanut butter paste including sauce, crackers, cookies, cookie dough and ice-cream. Our source for this blog is this news report in HealthDay.

So far, 470 people have been sickened by this outbreak in 43 states. Six deaths have been linked to this food-borne illness. California has the highest number of cases so far in the country. FDA officials say that the peanut butter in jars is the only kind that is safe to eat. Products and brands included in the salmonella recall include:

1. Clif Bar & Co. (Luna brand bars made with peanut butter)
2. ZonePerfect bars
3. Private Selection Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream
4. Food Lion and Wal-Mart Bakery brands of peanut butter cookies, peanut butter no-bake cookies and peanut butter fudge no-bake cookies.
5. Meijer Inc.’s crackers and two types of ice cream
6. The South Bend Chocolate Co. is recalling assorted chocolates, valentine hearts, peanut butter fudge and peanut butter chocolate fudge.
7. General Mills recalling Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie and JamFrakas Peanut Butter Blisscrisp snack bars
8. Perry’s Ice Cream recalled products containing peanut butter sauce
9. Kellogg’s peanut butter crackers

Kellogg also issued a major peanut butter recall last week for 16 of its products made with peanut butter including Keebler cheese and peanut butter sandwich crackers and Keebler and Famous Amos peanut butter cookies. U.S. health officials confirmed the presence of salmonella in a packet of Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter.

Continue reading "Peanut Butter Products Recalled In Connection With Salmonella Outbreak" »

A nationwide salmonella outbreak has struck 42 states including California, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Apparently, 400 people have become ill and one person has died as a result of this salmonella infection. In fact, Ohio and California reported the most, with 51 cases each. Our source for this blog was this Associated Press news report.

Reports of these illnesses began between September 3, 2008 and Dec. 29, 2008. But a majority of victims became sick after Oct. 1. Symptoms widely reported were diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness is said to last anywhere between four and seven days. One out of five victims had to be hospitalized, officials say. Health officials have not yet been able to pinpoint what is causing this food-borne illness. That is even more frightening because not knowing what food is responsible for this salmonella outbreak means federal officials cannot track the original source of contamination.

Continue reading "Salmonella Infection Sickens Hundreds Nationwide" »

A Boy Scout has filed a lawsuit against Southern California-based meat producer, S & S Foods, alleging that their E. Coli-tainted hamburger meat made him sick while attending Boy Scout camp in Goshen, Virginia. According to a news report by WDBJ-TV, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of the boy, Zachary Yost, by his mother Devon Drew Sept. 5 in the Circuit Court of Rockbridge County.

Nearly 85 people were infected with a highly toxic strain of E. Coli in August 2008 during their stay at the Boy Scout camp. The outbreak was attributed to hamburger meat made and distributed by Azusa-based S & S Foods. Zachary was at the camp July20-26. He reportedly ate the contaminated meat while staying at the camp and on July 26, experienced all the classic symptoms of E. Coli poisoning – cramping, bloody diarrhea, and nausea. He tested positive for E. Coli 0157:H7, the same strain that the hamburger meat also tested positive for. S & S eventually recalled 150,000 pounds of their hamburger meat.

Continue reading "California Meat Producer Sued by Boy Scout for E. Coli Infection" »

Whole Foods, the upscale grocery store chain, which has a number of stores in California (one of which my wife shops at regularly), has recalled fresh ground beef from all its stores nationwide after finding out that the meat could be tainted by E. Coli, according to a report in Consumeraffairs.com. The E. Coli-tainted meat purchased from Whole Foods stores in Massachusetts has sickened six people so far.

The contaminated meat was purchased from Coleman Natural Foods, but was processed at Nebraska Beef, which recalled more than 5 million pounds of ground beef in May and June. Nebraska Beef reportedly recalled an additional 1.2 million pounds of beef produced in June and July, and that beef is included in a batch of meat that found its way back to Whole Foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already been closely scrutinizing Nebraska Beef. Now, the plant is under investigation for possible food safety violations.

USDA officials have criticized Nebraska Beef’s operation, calling the conditions unsanitary and stating that the plant’s production practices are not good enough to effectively control E. Coli 0157:H7 in their beef products intended for grinding.

Continue reading "Beef Recalled from All Whole Foods Stores" »

More than 1300 people across the United States have been infected by foodborne illness from salmonella bacteria after consuming tainted peppers and/or tomatoes. But health officials have still not been able to determine the source of the infections. All they know is that the salmonella came from jalapenos, Serrano peppers and possibly tomatoes grown on several farms in Mexico.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than 1 million people in the United States are hit by various strains of salmonella each year, causing more than 500 documented deaths annually. This particular outbreak has now stretched over four months and has been the most challenging for the Food and Drug Administration to sort out.

Salmonella is among those foodborne illnesses that can not only make victims suffer long-term, but could end up being lethal. Salmonella is the most common foodborne illness in the United States. The bacteria grow in the intestine and cause the illness. How severe the infection becomes depends on the amount of bacteria in the system, the strain of organism and the resistance level of the affected persons. Infants and the elderly are considered high-risk. Most common symptoms for salmonella infection include headache, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and fatigue.

Continue reading "Foodborne Illness Outbreak: Salmonella Sickens More Than 1,300 People" »