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Salmonella Food Poisoning Linked to Chicken Continues to Affect People in the U.S.
Of the different types of toxic substances that can lead to food poisoning, salmonella is one of the most common. This bacteria is often spread through raw poultry, and unfortunately, agricultural practices in the United States can significantly increase the risks of chicken being contaminated. Government agencies often lack the power and resources to enforce regulations and ensure that food product manufacturers are following the correct safety procedures, and this has caused thousands of people to contract dangerous infections and suffer serious injuries.
Industry Practices Lead to the Spread of Salmonella
In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning that affected more than 100 people in 32 different states. This particular strain of salmonella was known as multidrug-resistant infantis. It caused people to suffer serious illnesses, and it was not affected by the antibiotics usually used to treat these types of infections. The CDC closed the investigation in 2019, but people continued to be infected, and this strain of salmonella is still present in the food supply in the United States. In fact, the CDC has noted that it is responsible for between 11,000 and 17,000 illnesses every year.
Salmonella Outbreak Affecting Hundreds of People Linked to Onions
There are multiple types of food products that may become contaminated, leading to food poisoning. While government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitor food products in the United States for safety, there are many cases where foods that are contaminated with harmful bacteria or viruses are sold to consumers. In one of the most recent food poisoning outbreaks, onions imported from Mexico have caused hundreds of people to become infected with salmonella.
Recalls of Onions and Related Products Due to Salmonella Contamination
Starting in September of 2021, the CDC identified an outbreak of infections of the Salmonella Oranienburg bacteria. This outbreak was linked to whole, fresh onions that were imported to the United States from Mexico. As of October 28, 2021, more than 800 infections have been reported in 37 states and Puerto Rico, and these infections have resulted in at least 137 hospitalizations. Illinois has been one of the most affected states, with 47 cases reported so far. Since the investigation is ongoing, and determining whether an illness is related to this outbreak may take multiple weeks, it is likely that many more people will be affected by this outbreak.
Can Baby Formula Cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborns?
Newborn infants are very vulnerable, and they may suffer harm due to infections or other health issues. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one issue that can affect children who are born prematurely or who have a low birth weight. This intestinal illness can be incredibly harmful, and it may threaten an infant’s life or lead to life-long medical conditions. In some cases, it may be caused by an E. coli infection or the use of baby formula in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Symptoms of NEC
Necrotizing enterocolitis affects the lining of the small or large intestine, and it may cause intestinal tissue to die. In some cases, a hole may develop in the intestinal wall, causing foods and liquids to leak into the abdomen and leading to widespread infections or sepsis. Dead intestinal tissue may need to be removed, or a child may experience intestinal blockages or other issues that will affect their ability to digest food throughout the rest of their lifetime.
When Can Food Poisoning Cause Reactive Arthritis?
When a person contracts food poisoning after eating foods that are contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other toxins, they may experience multiple types of health issues. In addition to suffering from the effects of a foodborne illness, a person may experience other complications that can affect their health and well-being. Reactive arthritis is one of the most serious of these complications, and it can cause significant pain and discomfort while affecting a person’s ability to work and manage their daily activities.
What Is Reactive Arthritis?
While the causes of reactive arthritis are not fully understood, it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder that occurs because the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. While reactive arthritis is relatively rare, it can occur as part of the body’s response to gastrointestinal infections, including foodborne illnesses that occur because of salmonella, campylobacter, shigella, and yersinia.
McHenry County Mexican Restaurant Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Food served to customers at restaurants can become contaminated in multiple ways, and in these cases, people can suffer serious illnesses due to food poisoning. While there are many different types of bacteria, viruses, or other substances that can make foods dangerous, salmonella is one of the most common sources of foodborne illnesses. People may become infected with this type of bacteria if they eat meat that is not cooked properly, and the bacteria may also be spread if a restaurant employee does not wash their hands, if preparation surfaces and utensils are not sanitized correctly, or if food is not refrigerated or stored properly. Recently, multiple people in McHenry County contracted food poisoning due to salmonella, and this outbreak was linked to a Mexican restaurant in Fox River Grove.
El Sombrero Restaurant Closed Due to Salmonella Outbreak
Over the 2021 Labor Day weekend, several people in McHenry County received treatment for salmonella-related illnesses, and the county’s health department traced these infections back to El Sombrero, a restaurant in Fox River Grove. The restaurant has remained closed while this outbreak is being investigated. While the health department did not specify the number of people who contracted infections, it asked anyone who ate at the restaurant between August 23 and September 3 to complete a survey to provide information about their health, regardless of whether they had experienced any symptoms of food poisoning. The results of this survey provided officials with a picture of how the outbreak may have spread and affected people throughout the area.
Salmonella Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Italian-Style Meats
Foodborne illnesses are an ongoing concern for people in the United States. Multiple types of diseases may be spread through contaminated foods, and products are often recalled because they have been found to contain harmful viruses, bacteria, or other toxic substances. Salmonella is one of the most common sources of food poisoning, and it can cause serious health issues for those who are infected. One of the most recent outbreaks of food poisoning due to salmonella involved prepackaged Italian-style meats.
Fratelli Beretta Meats Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination
From May to July of 2021, people in multiple states reported salmonella infections after eating meats in products manufactured by Fratelli Beretta. Illnesses were reported in 17 states, with the most cases occurring in Illinois, California, and Arizona. After an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Fratelli Beretta issued a recall of Uncured Antipasto trays.
Can Drinking Wine Lead to Arsenic Poisoning?
There are a variety of ways that foods and beverages can become contaminated with toxic substances. While food poisoning often occurs because of the presence of harmful viruses or bacteria, consumers may also suffer harm due to dangerous chemicals. One issue that may affect people is the presence of arsenic in wine or other foods and beverages. Those who are concerned about arsenic poisoning should be sure to understand how they may be affected. A person who has been exposed to toxic levels of arsenic can work with an attorney to determine their legal options.
High Levels of Arsenic in Certain Wines
Arsenic is a substance that occurs naturally, and it is found in soil, rock, and water. The concentration of arsenic is higher in certain regions, including areas where mining has occurred or where pesticides have been used on crops. Studies have looked at the arsenic concentration in certain types of wines, and they have found that some wines produced in California have contained dangerously high levels of arsenic. In many cases, these were inexpensive wines that were available for purchase throughout the United States.
Complaint Filed Against BrightFarms, Inc. for Salmonella Food Poisoning
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.
Can You Sue a Restaurant for Food Poisoning?
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.
Tyson Chicken Products Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination
Food products that are sold to people in the United States should be safe to eat. Unfortunately, there are many ways that foods can become contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or other toxins that can cause harm to people. When outbreaks of foodborne illnesses occur, government organizations may require food product manufacturers to recall to ensure that unsafe foods are removed from the market. These types of recalls occur more frequently than most people realize, and one recent recall involved ready-to-eat chicken products manufactured by Tyson Foods that had been contaminated with listeria.
Millions of Pounds of Food Products Recalled From Stores and Institutions
After being notified of multiple cases of listeria infections in June of 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated food products that may have caused these illnesses. Inspectors found the presence of listeria bacteria in a number of frozen, fully-cooked chicken products. Following this discovery, Tyson Foods, Inc. initiated a recall of a wide variety of these products.
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