Recall Lawsuit » Food

Salmonella Egg Contamination Lawsuit Filed

Marni Ginther — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:26:32 +0000

A Salmonella egg contamination lawsuit has been filed against Wright County Egg on behalf of a Minnesota Salmonella victim who became sick after eating contaminated eggs, according to the food safety attorneys of Pritzker Olsen law firm, who represent the Salmonella victim. Food safety lawyer Ryan Osterholm discusses the lawsuit against Wright County Egg and the unsanitary conditions at the company’s facility that were documented by health officials and played a part in this widespread contamination of Salmonella in eggs. He also discusses the various ways in which Salmonella Enteritidis can contaminate eggs.

Salmonella Information From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by bacteria called Salmonella. Most people infected with Salmonella develop fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after exposure. Although illness usually lasts 4–7 days and most people recover without treatment, severe illness may occur that requires medical attention and hospitalization. In these patients, the Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites. In this situation, the infection can cause death unless the patient is treated promptly with antibiotics. Infants, elderly people, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely than other people to become severely ill.

Egg Recall and Salmonella Outbreak: Who is liable?

Elliot Olsen — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:24:33 +0000

The egg recall by Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms of Iowa has affected half a billion eggs recalled due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. The strain involved in the outbreak is Salmonella Enteritidis. A widespread recall and salmonella outbreak like this no doubt has left concerns in consumers’ minds about egg safety. Salmonella attorney Elliot Olsen discusses in the video below, who can be held liable in a Salmonella egg lawsuit related to an egg recall of this size.

Contact the food safety attorneys at Pritzker Olsen law firm if you think you or a loved one may have been sickened by Salmonella entertitidis in eggs to discuss a Wright County Egg lawsuit or a Hillandale Farms lawsuit.

BJ’s Wholesale Club: Ground Beef Recalled for Possible E coli 026 Contamination

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:07:45 +0000

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., Wyalusing, PA, has recalled approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef. To date, all of the hamburger in this recall was distributed to BJ’s Wholesale Club stores (see the BJ’s Wholesale Club ground beef recall list). A multi-state outbreak of illnesses caused by E coli 026 has been associated with Cargill ground beef. The USDA reported that Maine and New York have confirmed cases of E. coli O26. Most E. coli outbreaks linked to hamburger tend to sicken people in many states due to the way ground beef is distributed and repackaged.

E. coli 026 is a serious illness, even fatal in the very young, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Ground beef contaminated with E. coli O26 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. HUS can also cause stroke, coma, blindness, heart problems, pancreatitis and death.

The USDA recommends checking your freezer for ground beef associated with this recall. If you have destroyed the packaging, and you shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club, you should throw the ground beef away. Be sure to follow proper food safety regulations dealing with food preparation and clean-up. Cross contamination is a real danger. As always, be sure to cook any beef to a core temperature of 160 degrees.

According to the UDSA-FSIS, the ground beef was repackaged and re-branded. The re-branding is significant legally because E. coli victims may be able to sue both Cargill and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A. is a national E. coli litigation law firm. Our lawyers have appeared on CBS News, Fox News and other news stations discussing E. coli litigation and food safety. Our law firm has taken on food giant Cargill in the past and won. Our lawyers are available for a free Cargill lawsuit consultation.

Cargill Ground Beef Recall: Link to E. coli 026 Contamination – BJ’s Wholesale Club

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:13:54 +0000

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, has issued a recall of approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26. The recall was issued following a cluster of confirmed E. coli 026 illnesses in Maine and New York.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) were first notified of the E. coli 026 outbreak August 5, 2010. Two E. coli 026 cases have been identified in Maine, as well as one in New York. By PFGE subtyping, the FSIS determined that there is an association between the ground beef products subject to recall and the cluster of illnesses in Maine and New York.

The ground beef products being recalled were shipped with the following label:

The ground beef on this recall was produced on June 11, 2010, and shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland for further distribution. That means that these products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under different retail brand names. To date, the only retail store identified by the USDA is BJ’s Wholesale Club. The locations include:

BJ’s Wholesale Club, 1046 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT-Connecticut
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 110 Mt. Auburn Ave., Auburn, ME-Maine
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 513 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME-Maine
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 4201 Wholesale Club Drive, Baltimore, MD-Maryland
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 287 Washington Street, Attleboro, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 777 Washington St., Auburn, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 115 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 105 Shops At 5 Way, Plymouth, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 5 Ward St, Revere, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 85 Cedar St, Stoneham, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club. 2085 Bay St., Taunton, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 66 Seyon St, Waltham, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 622 Washington St, Weymouth, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 400 Quality Dr., Hooksett, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 8 Sexton Ave., Nashua, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 262 Plainfield Rd., West Lebanon, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 941 Route 37 W, Tom River, NJ-New Jersey
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 1440 Central Ave., Albany, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 5183 Transit Rd., Clarence, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Two Chevy Dr., East Syracuse, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 131-07 40th Rd., Ste. A100, Flushing, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 300 Bellwood Dr., Greece, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 232 Larkin Dr., Monroe, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 756 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 3303 Crompond Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 2301 Taylor Rd., Chesapeake, VA-Virginia

If you or a family member has been sickened with E. coli 026 after eating ground beef, contact our law firm for a free consultation about an E. coli ground beef recall lawsuit. Our E. coli lawyers have recovered millions for food poisoning victims. For more information, visit our website, www.pritzkerlaw.com.

Egg Recall Lawsuit: Salmonella Found in Chicken Feed – Manure Samples

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:02:49 +0000

The FDA announced preliminary results from samples taken from various locations around the two farms at the center of the egg recall due to salmonella contamination. So far, four samples of chicken feed have the DNA fingerprint that matches the DNA fingerprint associated with the salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 1,400 people.

These findings were from the more than 600 samples FDA investigators took from 24 different locations on the two farms. They have hundreds of samples left to test. In a few days, a full report will be filed on the full extent of salmonella contamination at the two facilities, Jeff Farrar, DVM, PhD, MPH, FDA associate commissioner for food protection, said at a news teleconference.

Investigators with the FDA reported finding salmonella in these four samples taken from Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms:

chicken manure
manure sample found on a barn walkway
sample from chicken feed made at a pullet-raising facility that supplies hens to Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms
sample from a feed ingredient

More than 2,400 confirmed reports of salmonella have been received by the CDC from May 1 through August 25. Over the last five years, the average number of salmonella illnesses reported for the same time frame was 930. That means, in all probability, 1,470 reported cases are related to the outbreak linked to eggs.

Furthermore, the CDC estimates that for every reported case, there are on average 30 to 38 unreported cases. So, in reality, the contaminated eggs have already sickened between 44,100 to 55,860 Americans. The CDC expects more illnesses to be reported because contaminated eggs may still be in consumers’ refrigerators and it take two to three weeks from the time of consumption to confirm and report an illness.

If you have been sickened by eggs contaminated with this strain of salmonella, you need the expert representation of a leading food poisoning law firm. Call PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free). PritzkerOlsen, P.A. has been involved in virtually every foodborne illness outbreak in the United States. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of people injured or killed as a result of adulterated food, including eggs contaminated with salmonella.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A. is preparing an egg recall lawsuit for victims of this outbreak. We will continue to accept cases at 1-888-377-8900 or complete our free consultation form on the right side of this page.

Check the FDA site for more information on recalled eggs.

Cardenas Market Egg Recall

Kathy Will — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:54:03 +0000

The egg recall continues with Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa adding another California-distributed brand label – Cardenas Market – to its voluntary recall of August 13, 2010 of specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The Salmonella contamination may be on the outside of the egg or the inside. Just washing off the egg will not remove the Salmonella bacterium. In addition, a soft-boil egg may still cause illness if there is Salmonella in the yolk.

The the Cardenas Market egg recall involves eggs distributed to Cardenas Market stores in California and Nevada. Eggs included in the recall are labeled with plant number 1026 and Julian dates ranging from 136 to 228. Dates and codes can be found printed on the label. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1026 228.

According to the CDC, there have been hundreds of confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses relating to the shell eggs. Pritzker Olsen law firm is investigating the recall. Many of the eggs recalled by Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, both Iowa egg producers, were sold to restaurants. Restaurants that served the recalled eggs are legally responsible if someone was sickened by the eggs.

Contact our law firm for more information about the egg recall.

Egg Recall Producers Investigated by Congress

Marni Ginther — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:41:21 +0000

Egg recall investigations have been launched by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, according to reports in the Des Moines Register. The committee requested from the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration, inspection reports, notes, testing records and other documents involving the Iowa egg farms associated with the recall. According to the report: “The committee also is seeking records involving the two state agencies that have some regulatory responsibility for egg farms in Iowa, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Bureau of Inspections and Appeals. The agriculture department regulates the handling of chicken manure and inspects feed mills. The inspections bureau licenses egg handlers in the state, but generally leaves inspections to the Agriculture Department.”

Earlier this week, the committee had requested records from Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, two firms that have so far recalled 550 million eggs associated with the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, which officials estimate involves more than a thousand reported illnesses. A spokeswoman for the house committee said a decision has not yet been made as to whether a hearing would be held on the outbreak.

According to the Des Moines Register report:

“The committee has not been shy in the past about hauling in executives from food companies involved in major recalls. In 2008, the president of a California slaughterhouse was called to a hearing and forced to watch undercover video of cattle being abused at his plant. In 2009, the owner of a peanut butter manufacturer tied to a salmonella outbreak was brought before the committee last year but refused to answer questions.”

Source:

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/08/25/lawmakers-expand-probe-of-egg-farms/

Listeria Risk Prompts New York Deli Meat Recall

Fred Pritzker — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:32:46 +0000

Deli meat potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes has been recalled by Zemco Industries of Buffalo, New York, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recall includes about 380,000 pounds of deli meat products that were distributed to delis that then further processed the meat into sandwiches. Recalled products have vendor number “398412808″ and were produced between June 18 and July 2, 2010. Their “use by” dates range from August 20 to September 10, 2010. According to the FSIS announcement, “The products were distributed nationwide to a single retail chain” and later retail reports show that retail chain was Wal-Mart.

Health officials in Georgia discovered that a retail sample of the product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful pathogen that causes an illness called listeriosis and can be fatal in its most serious cases. Although healthy people rarely contract serious cases of this infection, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. Listeria can also cause stillbirth or miscarriage in pregnant women. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

Zemco Industries Deli Meat Listeria Recall: Product Details

25.5-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color” with the number 17800 1300.
28.49-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS” with the number 17803 1300.
32.67-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS” with the number 17804 1300.
25.5-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST BEEF Coated with Caramel Color” with the number 17805 1300.

Egg Recall Update From Food Safety Attorney Fred Pritzker

Fred Pritzker — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:17:36 +0000

Egg recall news from Fred Pritzker in which the food safety attorney discusses the recent Hillandale Farms and Wright County Egg Salmonella Enteritidis recall. Learn about the symptoms of Salmonella infections, known as salmonellosis, and what food poisoning attorneys need to know in order to file a food poisoning lawsuit claim.

If you think you’ve become sick with Salmonella Enteritidis poisoning from contaminated eggs associated with the Hillandale Farms and Wright County Egg recalls you should see a doctor right away and get tested for this specific pathogen. Only after such laboratory results have been obtained can a food safety lawyer move forward with your case. For more information contact the Pritzker Olsen office by phone at 1.888.377.8900 or here on the website.

Egg Recall Lawyer Calls on Wright County Egg to State Whether It Followed New Egg Safety Rule

Kathy Will — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:53:27 +0000

Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker is calling on Wright County Egg, a Galt, Iowa egg producer, to provide information regarding its compliance with new federal rules meant to prevent Salmonella enteritidis contamination of shell eggs.

Attorney Fred Pritzker

“Hundreds of people have contracted Salmonella enteritidis infections after eating eggs,” stated Pritzker. “These victims, who have endured severe illness, deserve to know why any Salmonella prevention measures used by Wright County Egg were not effective.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of people contracted Salmonella enteritidis infections (PFGE pattern JEGXX01.0004) associated with consumption of eggs produced by Wright County Egg. Many of these cases are connected to restaurant outbreaks of salmonellosis:

Epidemiologic investigations conducted by public health officials in 10 states since April have identified 26 restaurants or events where more than one ill person with the outbreak strain has eaten. Data from these investigations suggest that shell eggs are a likely source of infections in many of these restaurants or events. Preliminary information indicates that Wright County Egg, in Galt, Iowa, was an egg supplier in 15 of these 26 restaurants or events. A formal traceback conducted by state partners in California, Colorado, and Minnesota, in collaboration with FDA and CDC, found that shell eggs from five of these restaurants or events were from a single firm, Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa. FDA is currently conducting an extensive investigation at the firm in Iowa. The investigation includes CDC participation and involves sampling, records review and looking for potential sources of contamination, such as feed. The investigation continues and updates will be made available.

In response to this outbreak, on August 13 and August 19, 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa recalled of over 300 million shell eggs. The egg recall involved eggs sold to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distributed the eggs nationwide.

The egg recall involved the following brands of eggs: Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps, Pacific CoastLucerne, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Shoreland, and Dutch Farms.

July 9, 2010, during the Wright County Egg Salmonella outbreak, a new rule for egg producers went into effect—Federal Register Final Rule (July 9, 2009, 74 FR 33030): Prevention of Salmonella enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation. The final rule, now codified at 21 CFR Part 118, requires shell egg producers to implement measures to prevent Salmonella enteritidis (SE) from contaminating eggs on the farm and from further growth during storage and transportation, and requires these producers to maintain records concerning their compliance with the rule and to register with FDA.

According to the FDA, the final rule will reduce illnesses and deaths associated with Salmonella enteritidis by reducing the risk that shell eggs are contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis. If Wright County Egg was complying with the measures of this rule, the effectiveness of the rule should be questioned.

Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on Wright County Egg to publicly state whether it was following the new egg safety rule during the recalled egg product production dates, May 16 through Aug. 13. According to Pritzker, “This recall – which involves over 300 million eggs – has the potential to cause significant illness in humans. Policy makers, regulators and the consuming public have a right to know whether the company was following the most up-to-date safety rules. It seems odd and perhaps ironic that at precisely the time the new rules are supposed to go into effect, a massive recall occurs. The public has a right to know why this happened.”

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Salmonella after eating eggs, contact our law firm for a free consultation about an egg lawsuit. Our Salmonella lawyers have recovered millions for food poisoning victims. For more information, please see our website, www.pritzkerlaw.com.

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