Food allergies are a growing health concern in the United States and often food labels are people’s only line of defense. But when food is not labeled properly it can have some serious health consequences. Each year some 90,000 people end up in the emergency room after having a severe food allergy. The most recent recall is for Crispy Chicken with Almonds sold exclusively at Walmart because it may contain shrimp.

Widespread Distribution

Mountain View Packaging issued the recall for the frozen entrée due to the potential risk for consumers that may have shellfish allergies. Those with a high sensitivity to shellfish can experience a life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The frozen dishes were labeled as InnovAsian Crispy Chicken with Almonds. They were distributed to retailers in 29 states, including Illinois. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the company took the frozen dish from shelves but it is concerned that people may still have the product in their freezers. 

Under Federal Law Shellfish is a Food Allergen

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act passed by Congress, eight food allergens are directly linked to 90 percent of food allergies and severe allergic reactions in the country. The immune system mistakenly responds to certain foods as if they were harmful. Shellfish is one of those known food allergens. If you are allergic to shellfish, you may develop hives or wheeze, or have more serious symptoms.  As a result, federal law requires that all packaging be clearly labeled and that the presence of any of the following allergens in food products be declared. Additional food allergens include the following: 

More than 200 people in the United States have contracted norovirus after eating contaminated raw oysters. Some 20 million people get sick as a result of norovirus each year. Thousands end up hospitalized and more than 900 die. If you have suffered food poisoning due to contaminated oysters, you need an experienced food poisoning attorney with a proven track record with these types of cases.

CDC Warning

The CDC warns that oysters from Galveston, Texas are contaminated. They were sold to restaurants and stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Additional states may be involved.

If you ate these raw oysters, they may contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness or death. Children under five years old, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of severe infections.

One person has died, a pregnant woman lost her baby, and several others have required hospitalization after contracting listeria from deli meat and cheese. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the United States and is especially dangerous for pregnant women, those over 65 years old, and people with a weak immune system. If you have been affected by the latest outbreak contact Newland & Newland, LLP. We have experienced listeria food poisoning attorneys who can help.

Impacted States

Infections have been reported in Illinois, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California. People have reported getting sick after eating deli meat or cheese sold at a market in New York. But officials believe this store is not the only source of the contaminated food and that the number of sick people is likely to rise.

Health Complications Due to Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that produces an infection called listeriosis. It is a severe illness that involves multiple organs and complications including brain infection. The elderly can suffer blood infections leading to sepsis. About 25 percent of listeriosis cases are fatal, but it can take as much as three to four weeks to determine if you are sick as a result of listeria. Symptoms include confusion, stiff neck, convulsions, loss of balance, and muscle aches. If caught early, antibiotics can be used to treat listeria.

A listeria outbreak has been tied to Brie and Camembert cheeses. Listeria is especially dangerous for moms-to-be because an infection can cause pregnancy loss and stillbirths. Young children, the elderly, and those with a weaker immune system also face a higher risk of illness. So far, five people in the United States have been hospitalized because of this outbreak. If you felt sick after eating one of these cheeses, you need a listeria food poisoning attorney who can help.

Brie and Camembert Cheeses Recall

All Old Europe Cheese Brie and Camembert products were distributed to stores across the nation and Mexico between August 1, 2022, and September 28, 2022. Some of the retailers that carry them include Albertsons, Safeway, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Save Mart, and Stop & Shop, among others.

Retailers may have repackaged bulk cheese into smaller packages for sale. That packaging may not have the original food labels. The cheese was sold under multiple brand names including Black Bear, Trader Joe, Prestige, Primo Taglio, Glenview Farms, and Cobblestone, among others.

You would think you could trust the packaging labels at your local grocery store, but incorrect labeling of products happens more often than we would like. Each year some 90,000 people end up in the emergency room after suffering a severe allergic reaction to food due to improper labeling. The most recent recall involves packaged potatoes that you microwave. Food allergies are an increasing public health concern in the United States, and food labels are often the only line of defense.

Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce

World Variety Produce Inc. recalled Melissa’s Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce. The product contains eggs, but they are not listed on the food label. Federal law requires known allergens such as eggs, peanuts, and other ingredients to be printed on food labels when it is in or a part of the product. In this case, the sauce includes a cream that is tossed over the potatoes when it is ready to cook.

People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs are at risk of developing a life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the potatoes and sauce. Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that may cause death.