Posted on April 26, 2022 in Food Poisoning

Just over a week ago, families throughout the country and around the world celebrated the Christian holiday of Easter. Of course, chocolate and candy are big parts of this celebration in many, if not most, households, and many still include hard-boiled eggs as part of their traditions as well. In fact, coloring Easter eggs is a highly anticipated family event in a large number of American homes. These dyed eggs often find their way into Easter baskets and onto the buffet table on Easter Sunday, but waiting too long to eat them can lead to spoiled eggs, bacterial contamination, and foodborne illness.

Refrigeration is Key

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hard-boiled eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Temperatures between 40 and 140°F are considered the “danger zone.” At these temps, dangerous bacteria can grow and reproduce very quickly.

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 Posted on April 12, 2022 in Food poisoning claim

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.

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 Posted on March 15, 2022 in Food Poisoning

We have all been there. In the hours after a good meal—or maybe the next day—you might start feeling a little off. Maybe your stomach begins to bother you, or you are feeling dizzy and cannot explain why. You might wonder if you are coming down with a gastrointestinal bug, and you might even start trying to figure out if anyone around you seemed sick in the last couple of days. At some point, you might start wondering if you are feeling ill because of something you ate.

The reality is that thousands of people are affected by food poisoning or a foodborne illness in the United States each year. The vast majority of victims suffer at home, as their symptoms are not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. However, it is important to recognize when you should seek medical attention to ensure that your health and your right to compensation, in certain cases, are fully protected.

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 Posted on March 08, 2022 in Food Poisoning

The season of Lent is upon us, which means that practicing Christians have started their religious preparations for Easter. For many, this includes abstaining from eating meat on Fridays. However, even those who do not observe the religious nature of the season may be affected by it, especially from a culinary perspective.

Throughout Lent, many restaurants and bars, and even volunteer fire departments, church social clubs, and community organizations offer “fish fries.” In fact, you can find a fish fry just about any time of year in the Midwest, but things really ramp up during Lent. As with any food-related celebration, it is important to be wary of foodborne illness as you tuck in for your Friday fish fry this year.

What Types of Contamination Are Possible?

A basic fish fry plate generally consists of a large, battered fish filet—usually cod or haddock—served with French fries, but there are regional traditions that often include other sides. For example, it is not uncommon in the Chicago area to see fish and French fries accompanied by coleslaw, macaroni salad, and other cold salads.

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 Posted on February 14, 2022 in Food Poisoning

A popular producer of pre-packaged salads is under intense scrutiny, as an outbreak of listeria has been linked to two deaths. According to reports, an outbreak of listeria was traced to packaged salads produced by Dole, and the outbreak has now been linked to at least two deaths.

Outbreak Is One of Two Under Investigation

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 17 cases of foodborne illness that have led to at least 13 hospitalizations were traced to Dole-produced products. These include garden salads, mixed greens, Caesar salad kits, and other kinds of salads sold in clamshells or bags.

The affected products were recalled beginning in late December, and they were sold under a number of brand names, including:

• Dole

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 Posted on February 04, 2022 in Food Poisoning

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will square off in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. According to estimates, some 13 million Americans will gather in homes and establishments around the country to watch the game, and it just simply is not a Super Bowl party without food. Super Bowl Sunday has become a uniquely American experience—and a tradition—over the last half-century, but it is also a potential source for foodborne illness. With this in mind, the United States Department of Agriculture has issued a press release that offers food safety tips for keeping your Super Bowl celebration from taking a turn for the worst.

The Dangers of Day-Long Food Parties

Other holidays with food-related traditions are fairly likely to be centered around mealtimes, such as Thanksgiving dinner. Most of the food involved is only left out for a relatively short amount of time. On Super Bowl Sunday, however, the food table is often set up a few hours before the game, and fans continue to graze and snack for as long as the game lasts. This means that food might be left sitting out for as many as six or eight hours.

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 Posted on January 21, 2022 in Food Poisoning

While people may be careful to avoid eating foods that could potentially be harmful, there are a variety of situations where food poisoning may occur. Because foodborne illnesses can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and have long-lasting effects, those who have contracted these illnesses will want to understand who was responsible, and they may be able to pursue financial compensation for their injuries and damages. Our firm works to keep people informed about issues related to food poisoning, and we regularly answer questions about these matters, including:

How Common Is Food Poisoning?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around one out of every six people in the United States contract foodborne illnesses every year. Out of the people who are affected, around 128,000 become severely ill and require hospitalization, and around 3,000 illnesses are fatal.

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 Posted on January 14, 2022 in Food Poisoning

UPDATE: While the outbreak discussed below involved a brand of shrimp that was contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, there are multiple other types of foodborne illnesses that may be spread through raw or pre-cooked shrimp. These include Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio cholerae. Shrimp have also been found to contain bacillus bacteria, as well as salmonella and E. coli.

Consumption of food contaminated with Vibrio bacteria can lead to vibriosis. While this form of food poisoning is often mild, it can result in serious illness in some cases. Symptoms of vbriosis include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, and chills. Vibriosis due to Vibrio vulnificus infections can be especially serious, and victims may require hospitalization and intensive care, as well as amputation of a limb. These infections result in death in around 20% of cases.

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 Posted on December 30, 2021 in Food Poisoning

There are multiple ways that people in the United States may be affected by foodborne illnesses, including food products that have been contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or other toxins. In some cases, foods can become contaminated during the production process, and this may lead to large amounts of products being sold that may put people at risk of food poisoning. Recently, two separate outbreaks of food poisoning occurred due to packaged salads that were contaminated with listeria. 

Dole and Fresh Market Salads Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination

In December of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) became aware of a number of cases of food poisoning in which people reported infections by listeria monocytogenes bacteria. While the people in these cases reported eating packaged salads that had been purchased from grocery stores, the CDC determined that there were two separate outbreaks related to products produced by different companies.

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 Posted on December 13, 2021 in Food Poisoning

While the food products that are made available to consumers in the United States are expected to be safe for consumption, there are many cases where products may become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. When contaminations are discovered, recalls may be performed to remove products from stores and prevent food poisoning. However, consumers may still be exposed to foodborne illnesses, especially if they purchased products before they were recalled. Recently, a large number of pork products were recalled because they may have been contaminated with listeria. 

Recall of Fully Cooked Ham and Pepperoni Products

On December 5, 2021, Alexander & Hornung, a food product manufacturer in Michigan that is owned by Perdue Premium Meat Company, Inc., issued a recall of more than 230,000 pounds of meat products because they may have been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The recall included multiple types of cooked ham and pepperoni stick products with sell-by dates ranging from 12/10/21 to 5/24/22. These products were sold under multiple brand names, including:

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