Posted on September 13, 2015 in Food Poisoning

Over the past three years, more than 600 people in the United States have become ill with Salmonella Poona after consuming cucumbers grown and packed in Mexico by Rancho Don Juanito and distributed in the United States by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. The victims hailed from 30 states. As of September 4, 2015, 70 victims have been hospitalized and two have died.

In response to the outbreak, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce has recalled all of the cucumbers that were released with the contaminated crops. Recalls serve as a way for companies to remove their harmful products from the marketplace to protect consumers from falling ill or being injured. If you have been affected by a recalled product, you could potentially have grounds for a product liability claim. When that product is a type of food or food product, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced food poisoning attorney to file and pursue your claim.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 07, 2015 in Food Poisoning

Earlier this summer, 17 people became ill after eating at a golf course lunch buffet in Elgin, Illinois known as The Grumpy Goat Tavern. The individuals affected experienced flu-like symptoms including nausea, sweating, body aches, runny nose, dehydration, and fatigue. One of the victims contacted the city health department to conduct an investigation of the restaurant. Once the investigation was complete, the health department declared The Grumpy Goat Tavern to meet sanitation and safety standards. There was no conclusive ruling about whether the food from the buffet actually caused the gastrointestinal disruptions in the individual who became ill because there was no food leftover from the meal in question for the health department to inspect.

Food poisoning can have serious consequences, especially for individuals with weak immune systems. If you experience food poisoning after eating in a restaurant or other public place, you could potentially recover damages for your losses by working with an experienced food poisoning attorney to file and pursue a personal injury claim.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 03, 2015 in Food Poisoning

Earlier this summer, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a product recall for barbecued whole hogs produced by Kapowsin Meats after its inspectors discovered Salmonella in a sample of the product. Since the recall, Salmonella has been discovered in other products made by Kapowsin Meats. The USDA responded to this further discovery by recalling all products by Kapowsin Meats and those from other companies that came from the same sources as the tainted meat. Examples of these other products include pork offal products, pork blood, and pork trimmings.

Kapowsin Meats voluntarily suspended its operations.

Salmonella refers to two species of bacteria: Salmonella bongori and Salmonella enteria. Both types of Salmonella can be found in a variety of animal species. Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can cause food poisoning, typhoid fever, and paratyphoid fever. If you become ill after consuming food contaminated with Salmonella, you could potentially have grounds for a food poisoning claim. This is a type of personal injury claim, which means that you may be able to recover your economic damages through a claim against the party responsible for your exposure to Salmonella.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 01, 2015 in Food Poisoning

A recent outbreak of Legionnaires Disease at the Illinois Veterans' Home has left 23 residents suffering its symptoms. These symptoms include fatigue, body aches, fever, coughing, and lung inflammation. The cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) are working together closely with the Adams County Health Department to determine how the disease was brought into the facility.

Individuals who suffer from food poisoning may be able to recover economic damages through a food poisoning claim. Food poisoning claims are a type of personal injury claim that are made by a victim to recover money from the party responsible for his or her illness or injury.

What is Legionnaires Disease?

Legionnaires Disease is a form of pneumonia that is caused by the Legionella bacteria. It is transmitted through the inhalation of contaminated water or soil in aerosol form. For example, when contaminated water passes through shower heads, faucets, swimming pools, or humidifiers, individuals who inhale the water vapor can be exposed to the bacteria and put at risk for developing Legionnaires Disease.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 10, 2015 in Foodborne illness

A cyclospora outbreak traced to cilantro has infected 218 people so far this summer, making it the third consecutive summer that the parasite has travelled to the United States.

The 2013 Outbreak

In 2013, 631 people in 25 states were sickened from multiple cyclospora outbreaks beginning in June and ending in December. The outbreaks were traced to multiple food sources but the majority of illnesses were related to tainted produce from Mexico. 80% of the cases ocurred in Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas.

The 227 cases in Iowa and Nebraska were linked to commercial bagged salad mix produced by Taylor Farms, originating in Mexico. The salads were served at restaurants such as Olive Garden and Red Lobster.

The 270 Texas cases were traced to contaminated cilantro that was imported from the Puebla region of Mexico.

The 2014 Outbreak

In 2014, contaminated cilantro from the Puebla region of Mexico was again the source of a cyclospora outbreak. This particular outbreak infected over 120 people in Texas who ingested the cilantro that was either sold at grocery stores or served in restaurants.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 04, 2015 in Foodborne illness

Who is Stewart Parnell?

Stewart Parnell, 61, is the former CEO of the Peanut Corporation of America (“PCA”), a peanut butter manufacturer. As a result of a salmonella outbreak tied to PCA products, Parnell has been found guilty on 71 counts of various crimes such as conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and wire fraud. Parnell's sentencing will take place on September 21.

The Salmonella Outbreak

Between 2008 and 2009 there was a salmonella outbreak from PCA products. PCA sold contaminated peanut butter from its southwest Georgia plant after salmonella was found in the factory. As a result of the salmonella outbreak, nine people died and over 700 fell ill from the tainted peanut products.

Parnell knew the product was tainted and proceeded to ship out truckloads of peanut butter to food brokers. PCA manufactured the peanut butter then sold it through brokers, which means that the contamination spread throughout the entire food supply. Even products that merely use peanut butter as an ingredient were contaminated. Parnell's brother was a food broker, which made tracing the outbreak even tougher.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 29, 2015 in Food Poisoning

The Garden Fresh Steakhouse Potato Salad that is sold at Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois has been recalled for possible listeria contamination in the Chicago area. Although there have not been any reported illnesses, the possibly contaminated potato salad was sold between May 30 and June 9 of this year.

After being notified by Garden Fresh of the possible outbreak, Jewel stores removed and destroyed any possibly contaminated products. Garden Fresh health officials identified the possible presence of Listeria through internal testing as part of the company's robust testing protocols. No other Garden Fresh brand products or potato salads sold at Jewel stores were part of this recall.

Health officials have urged any person that purchased Garden Fresh Potato Salad between the May 30 to June 9 time frame to dispose of it immediately and return to the local Jewel store for a refund.

What is Listeria?

Listeria is a serious bacteria that can cause infection. People usually become infected by eating food that is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. However, Listeria can also grow in a refrigerator if food is not stored at an appropriate temperature.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 29, 2015 in Food Poisoning

Staphylococcus bacteria was found in the meals of those staying at a Salt Lake City homeless shelter, causing food poisoning in a total of fifty-five people last weekend. Road Home homeless shelter officials say that the shelter did not serve meals over the weekend but that many who stay overnight at the shelter eat at the same nearby kitchens and dining halls. However, no disciplinary action has been taken at this time, as the only violation found in Road Home by the Health Department was water in a sink used for washing hands that did not reach the appropriate temperature within 30 seconds.

All victims of the food poisoning were hospitalized when they exhibited signs of illness at the shelter. Salt Lake County Health Department officials said that the tests pointed to the cause of the food poisoning as a staph bacterium commonly found on skin. This type of bacteria can be introduced when food is prepared with bare, unsanitized hands or if food is not properly heated or cooled.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 21, 2015 in Food Poisoning

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety & Inspection Service recently announced a recall of chicken nuggets due to positive testing for Staphylococcal enterotoxin. Murry's Inc., a Pennsylvania food manufacturer, recalled over 20,000 pounds of gluten-free breaded chicken nuggets. The presence of bacteria in the nuggets was discovered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture during routine testing and sampling.

What is Staphylococcal Enterotoxin?

Staphylococcal aureus is a pathogen that produces a wide array of toxins and can cause many types of illnesses, including food poisoning. Staphylococcal enterotoxin is one type of toxin that is also a leading cause of gastrointestinal illness and therefore major cause of food poisoning.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 21, 2015 in Foodborne illness

A recent food poisoning outbreak from a batch of candy sent nearly 2,000 children to the hospital in the Philippines. Nearly all of the children that were affected by the poisoning have recovered. Health Secretary Janette Garin indicated that preliminary lab results found that human skin and hair were likely the source of contamination in the candy. The contamination could be because the candy makers did not wash their hands or did not wear proper gear, such as gloves and hairnets, and as a result sweat and hair follicles dripped into the candy ingredients. Garin also noted that further tests had to be done to check for the presence of pesticides and toxic chemicals.

The company, Wendy's Durian Candy, has been ordered to stop manufacturing candy to avoid further complications. The company's suspension will be cleared pending the results of an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration.

Continue Reading ››