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How Should Schools Prevent Injuries to Children With Food Allergies?
Allergies can affect people in many different ways, and food allergies can be especially dangerous. Some of the most common foods that can cause allergic reactions include nuts, shellfish, dairy, wheat, and soy. Many allergies can be life-threatening if a person consumes or is exposed to certain types of foods. Children are especially susceptible to these types of issues, and they may suffer serious harm if they are exposed to allergens while at school. In these cases, parents will need to understand the steps they can take to pursue compensation from a school district whose officials did not take the proper measures to prevent these issues.
Requirements for Schools Regarding Children’s Food Allergies
Food allergies are considered disabilities under the laws of the United States, and schools are prohibited from discriminating against students who have these types of health issues. This means that students who have food allergies should be able to receive the same forms of education and participate in the same activities as other students without being placed at risk of serious injury.
Salmonella Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Frozen Chicken Products
There are multiple types of food products that may become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors outbreaks of food poisoning. It regularly issues warnings to consumers when contaminated foods cause illnesses and injuries for large numbers of people. Recently, the CDC announced that there has been an outbreak of salmonella infections that may be linked to raw frozen chicken products that were breaded and stuffed.
Details of the Salmonella Outbreak
The CDC reports that as of June 2, 2021, people in six states reported salmonella infections, with the majority of the cases occurring in Illinois. These illnesses were reported between February and May of 2021, but in addition to the reported cases, it is likely that many more infections went unreported. Since it can take two to four weeks to determine whether an illness is related to a food poisoning outbreak, there may be additional infections that have occurred recently.
How Hepatitis A Can Be Spread Through Contaminated Foods
There are many different types of viruses, bacteria, or toxic chemicals that can lead to food poisoning outbreaks. Hepatitis A is one of the less common foodborne illnesses, but it still affects tens of thousands of people each year in the United States. This disease can be very dangerous, and those who have been affected will want to consult with an attorney to determine their options for recovering financial compensation from the person or establishment that was responsible.
What Makes Hepatitis A Different From Other Foodborne Illnesses?
Most foodborne illnesses affect the gastrointestinal system, and people will often begin experiencing symptoms within a few hours after eating contaminated foods. However, Hepatitis A attacks the liver, and symptoms will take longer to appear. Usually, a person will begin experiencing symptoms between 15 and 50 days after the contamination occurred. This can sometimes make it difficult to identify the source of the contamination.
McLean County Food Poisoning Cases Linked to Jimmy John’s Restaurant
There are many reasons why foods served at restaurants can become contaminated by infectious diseases or other toxic substances. Workers may not follow the correct sanitary procedures, such as fully washing their hands, cleaning surfaces where foods are prepared, and ensuring that food is stored properly. These issues can result in contaminations that may cause food poisoning, and foodborne illnesses can also occur if foods are not fully cooked. The risks of food poisoning were illustrated recently in a case that took place in Bloomington, Illinois.
At Least 16 People Affected by Foodborne Illness
On April 7, 2021, the McLean County Health Department (MCHD) received reports from personnel at Illinois State University that a number of people had symptoms indicating food poisoning. The MCHD did not state how many people were affected or where the infections were believed to have occurred. However, later reports stated that at least 16 people were affected, and 15 of those were members of the university’s lacrosse team. The reports also identified a Jimmy John’s restaurant in Bloomington as the probable source of food poisoning, and this restaurant has closed while the investigation is ongoing.
Recent Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Ground Turkey and Brie Cheese
Many different types of foodborne illnesses can affect people who eat foods contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning, and outbreaks of this disease occur more frequently than many people realize. The dangers of this disease were demonstrated recently in two cases where products contaminated with salmonella caused people in multiple states to suffer illnesses and hospitalizations.
Foods Contaminated With Salmonella
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has investigated two separate salmonella outbreaks in recent months. The first was related to ground turkey produced and sold by Plainville Brands, LLC, a company located in Pennsylvania. Products with the brand names of Nature’s Promise, Wegman, and Plainville Farms were found to be contaminated. The specific products that were affected were produced in December of 2020 and distributed with expiration dates between January 1 and January 10, 2021. Consumers who purchased products during those dates may have frozen them for later use. Freezing does not kill salmonella, so consumers are still at risk of infection when thawing and eating or handling these products.
What Are the Most Common Causes of E. Coli Food Poisoning?
Unfortunately, food poisoning is all too common in the United States. Foods can become contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or other toxins at different points in the supply chain, including when they are grown or produced, shipped, or served or sold to customers. E. coli is one of the most common pathogens that leads to food poisoning injuries, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s health. Those who have contracted E. coli will want to understand the potential sources of the infection and determine whether they can pursue compensation from the person or company that was responsible.
Sources of E. Coli Infections
Escherichia coli, which is commonly abbreviated as E. coli, is a bacteria that is found in the intestines of many humans and animals. E. coli infections can occur through:
Listeria Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Queso Fresco Cheese
There are a wide variety of pathogens that can lead to food poisoning. While most people are aware of the dangers of salmonella or E. coli, they may not know about listeria. Food poisoning cases involving this bacteria are less common, but they are often more serious, and an infection can result in severe illness or death. Recently, a significant number of listeria infections were linked to several different cheese products sold by the company El Abuelito, Inc.
Contaminated Cheese Products
Beginning in October of 2020 and continuing through March of 2021, multiple cases of listeria infections were reported across four states by people who had eaten Hispanic-style cheese products. As a result, El Abuelito, Inc. has recalled a number of products, including queso fresco cheeses with sell-by dates through March 28, 2021, quesillo and Oaxaca cheeses with sell-by dates through April 16, 2021, and requeson (ricotta) cheeses with sell-by dates through March 14, 2021. The recalled brands included:
40 People Suffer Food Poisoning After Eating at Springfield Arby’s
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:
Can I Receive Compensation for Injuries Caused by Food Allergies?
There are multiple ways that people can suffer injuries after consuming foods or food products. In many cases, injuries occur because of foodborne illnesses that cause food poisoning. However, people can also suffer serious harm if they have an allergic reaction to certain foods. It may be possible to hold a restaurant, grocery store, or manufacturer of food products liable for these types of injuries if it can be demonstrated that they acted negligently or did not take the proper measures to protect people’s safety. For example, a person may suffer an allergic reaction if they were not informed that a dish or product contained ingredients that could cause them harm, or cross-contamination may occur at a restaurant or grocery store, causing a person to be exposed to a harmful allergen.
Common Food Allergies and Allergic Reactions
While there are many different types of foods that can cause allergic reactions, some food allergies that commonly affect people in the United States include:
What Are the Symptoms and Effects of E. Coli Food Poisoning?
There are a wide variety of foodborne illnesses that affect people in the United States. Typically, food poisoning occurs because harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins are present in foods that are made available to consumers, including items sold at grocery stores, dishes served at restaurants, and food products sold or provided at other locations. E. coli is one of the most common foodborne pathogens. It is estimated that 265,000 people in the U.S. are infected with this bacteria every year, and these infections result in 3,600 hospitalizations and 30 deaths.
Shiga Toxin-Producing E. Coli
The most dangerous strains of E. coli produce a substance known as a Shiga toxin, which can cause serious harm to the human body. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is often present in the intestines of livestock and other animals, and it may be spread to crops or other plants by these animals. It can also infect food products during the process of packaging, shipping, or preparation.
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