Still considered a rare infection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Listeria is the third most common cause of food poisoning fatalities in the United States. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 people are infected by Listeria annually, out of which 260 die, making up 1 in 6 Americans. Listeria Monocytogenes is a germ that contaminates food and causes a serious infection in people of all ages, especially older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weak immune systems. The foodborne illness can last from days to weeks, and the symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the infection. Keep reading to learn more about Listeria Monocytogenes food poisoning.

What Is the Listeria Infection?

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by the germ Listeria Monocytogenes, usually found in groundwater, soil, animal feces, and rotting vegetation. People get Listeria from eating contaminated food like hotdogs, deli meals, fresh vegetables, soft cheeses, cantaloupes, fresh fruits, and unpasteurized dairy products. L. monocytogenes is a rare form of bacteria that can reproduce even in low temperatures. Not only this, but the strangest part is that the food contaminated with the bacteria doesn't develop a strange taste, smell, or changes texture, making it impossible to know if the food or beverage is safe to consume or not.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 50 million Americans suffer from some type of foodborne illness or food poisoning in an average year. Of course, foodborne illnesses are also a problem throughout the rest of the world as well.

Consider the example of a British couple who planned to celebrate their wedding and enjoy a honeymoon trip to the United States—complete with a Hawaiian cruise, a visit to Disneyland, and a few days in sunny Los Angeles. Everything was coming together nicely for the bride and groom until she—along with more than two dozen wedding guests—fell ill following the reception at a well-known wedding venue in London.

The Background

The couple got married in March 2018 after more than two years of planning and finding the right venue. They selected a particular venue based on recommendations and favorable reviews. However, following the reception, the bride plus a staggering 28 of the 180 guests reported suffering from food poisoning. A report by Public Health England would eventually determine that a campylobacter outbreak occurred that day, most likely caused by contaminated chicken liver pâté that the guests were served.

Despite laws and regulations that require manufacturers to follow the proper safety protocols, contaminated foods are sold to consumers on a regular basis. People who consume these products may experience food poisoning due to the presence of harmful bacteria such as salmonella. Recently, people in Illinois were affected by leafy greens that were contaminated with salmonella, and Newland & Newland, LLP has filed a complaint against the manufacturer of these products on behalf of a food poisoning victim.

Hillard vs. BrightFarms, Inc.

In July of 2021, the FDA and the CDC began investigating a multi-state outbreak of salmonella food poisoning. While nine people in Illinois and Wisconsin reported infections, the actual number of people who were affected is likely much higher, and people in other states may have been affected as well. Some people may have been able to recover without receiving medical care, and other illnesses may not yet have been reported, since it may take three to four weeks to determine whether an infection is related to this specific outbreak.

The investigation found that all nine victims reported eating leafy greens, and most of the victims ate prepackaged salads manufactured by BrightFarms. The FDA traced the infection to a greenhouse farm operated by this company located in Rochelle, IL. This led BrightFarms to conduct a recall of multiple products, including those sold under the product names of Baby Spinach, 50/50 Spring & Spinach, Butter Crisp, Harvest Crunch, Sunny Crunch, Spring Mix, Mighty Romaine, and Nutrigreens.

Going out to eat should be an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, some restaurant-goers find themselves suffering from debilitating symptoms after the meal. If you or a loved one contracted food positioning after eating at a restaurant, diner, pub, or fast food establishment, you may be curious about your legal options. You may wonder whether you can pursue financial compensation through a lawsuit. While bringing a successful food poisoning lawsuit can be challenging, it is possible under certain circumstances.

What You Need to Prove in a Food Poisoning Case

Food poisoning can be caused by bacterial contamination, viruses, and parasites. Many of these pathogens can cause symptoms like painful cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Sometimes, food poisoning can lead to severe, long-term health consequences, including kidney failure, arthritis, and even brain damage. These symptoms can lead to lost income, medical bills, and other expenses. Through a food poisoning lawsuit, an individual may be able to recover compensation for these and other damages.

To recover compensation through a food poisoning lawsuit, you will need to prove that:

Laws and regulations in the United States exist to ensure that the food people eat is safe. Unfortunately, businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, or food product manufacturers do not always follow these regulations, and this can result in serious cases of food poisoning. Recently, approximately 40 people claimed to have food poisoning after eating at an Arby's restaurant in Springfield, Illinois. Starting on February 15, 2021, the Sangamon County health department began receiving reports that people who had eaten at the restaurant had become ill. Over the following days, 40 cases were reported, causing the restaurant to shut down. After a deep cleaning, the Arby’s has reopened. An investigation is being performed, but the source of the foodborne illness has not yet been identified.

Potential Causes of Food Poisoning at Restaurants

Workers at restaurants should be trained on the proper methods of handling and preparing food to prevent dishes from being contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or toxins. If employees do not receive the proper training or do not follow the correct procedures, customers may contract food poisoning due to contaminated food. Some ways that foodborne illnesses can be spread by restaurant workers include: