Salmonella Outbreak Prompts Beef Recall By Hannaford Grocery Stores
A Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 14 people has prompted the Hannaford grocery store chain to issue a recall on an undetermined amount of fresh ground beef products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced.
As a result of on-going epidemiologic and traceback investigations, as well as in-store reviews, FSIS, working with the CDC and its state health partners, determined that there is a link between the outbreak and the ground beef sold by the Scarborough, Maine-based grocery chain.
The Salmonella Typhimurium strain associated with this outbreak is reported rarely in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that 14 people are ill, 11 of whom reported consuming ground beef. Seven people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The outbreak strain has initially tested resistant to multiple commonly prescribed antibiotics, including drug classes such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.
Ten of the 14 case-patients reported purchasing ground beef at Hannaford stores in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20. No other product description is available at this time. FSIS has so far been unable to determine responsible suppliers.
The various ground beef packages bear sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier and were sold at Hannaford stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS’ website at: www.fsis.usda.gov/
The products subject to recall are any size package of the following:
“73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
“90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, infants or the elderly. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours.
If you have legal questions about an illness or a hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the foodbrone illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.
Pacific International Recalls Cilantro On Salmonella Fears
Pacific International Marketing is recalling 6,141 cartons of cilantro for potential contamination with Salmonella. The company, based in Salinas, Calif., distributed the product in cartons of 60 bunches, 30 bunches and 20- 3 bunched sleeves.
The cilantro was available for purchase between November 16th and December 10th. The bunches have the word “Pacific” on the twist tie and the UPC code, which is 33383 80104. The UPC code for sleeves is 40695 80104. The product was distributed in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina, and Missouri through retailers.
No Illnesses have been reported to date. The recall is the result of a positive FDA Salmonella test taken at the distributor level. The product originates from Salt River Farming, located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The source of contamination is unknown.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Smuckers Recalls Natural Chunky Peanut Butter On Salmonella Fears
The J.M. Smucker Company has recalled two specific Best-If-Used-By dates of 16 oz. Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria. No illnesses have been reported.
The affected product would have been purchased between November 8 – 17, 2011. It is packaged in 16 oz. jars, bearing the following information:
- UPC: 5150001701 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code)
- Production Codes: 1307004 and 1308004
- Best-If-Used-By dates: August 3, 2012 and August 4, 2012
This product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Salmonella can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the infection can spread to the bloodstream producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm280281.htm
Wegmans Salmonella Lawsuit Filed in New York as Outbreak Linked to Pine Nuts Grows
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Ryan Osterholm of our law firm filed a lawsuit in New York yesterday against Wegmans Food Markets and Sunrise Commodities (distributor) on behalf of a victim of the multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Turkish pine nuts sold at Wegmans grocery stores. In September 2011, our client purchased pine nuts at Wegmans and made basil pesto with them. After eating the pesto, she began to suffer weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. Her condition worsened, and she was later admitted to the hospital.
“This outbreak was caused by a breakdown in the food safety systems designed to protect consumers” said food safety attorney Fred Pritzker. “After-the-fact testing conclusively proved that the Turkish pine nuts were adulterated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Had these companies properly tested the product in the first place, this outbreak would not have occurred.”
CDC Update of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pine Nuts Sold at Wegmans
A total of 43 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis were reported from 5 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (28), Pennsylvania (8), and Virginia (4).
Among 43 persons for whom information was available, illnesses began on or after August 20, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from <1 to 94 years, and the median age was 43 years old. Sixty percent of patients were female. Two patients were hospitalized.
Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations conducted by officials in local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies linked this outbreak to eating Turkish pine nuts sold in bulk bins at Wegmans grocery stores. Some Turkish pine nuts were consumed as an ingredient in prepared foods, such as Caprese salad or asparagus with pine nuts, sold at Wegmans stores. These pine nuts were imported from Turkey.
Among 40 ill persons for whom information was available, 28 (70%) reported consuming Turkish pine nuts or products containing these pine nuts in the week before their illness began.
Early in the investigation, shopper card information was collected and used to identify which specific products to suspect as sources of illness. Ill persons gave permission for public health officials to retrieve shopper card purchase information. A review of shopper card records identified that ill persons had purchased the same type of Turkish pine nuts from bulk bins at different locations of Wegmans grocery stores before becoming ill.
Laboratory testing conducted by public health laboratories in several states has identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from 14 samples of Turkish pine nuts or pesto containing Turkish pine nuts.
- The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from Turkish pine nuts that were purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans stores and collected from an ill person’s home, and from retail samples of Turkish pine nuts collected from a Wegmans store where ill persons reported shopping.
- The New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center Laboratory, isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from three separate samples of homemade pesto containing Turkish pine nuts from three unrelated ill persons’ homes. In addition, culture of two samples of Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at different Wegmans stores and collected from two ill persons’ homes (one who also provided one of the pesto samples) yielded the outbreak strain.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from two samples of homemade pesto containing Turkish pine nuts from an ill person’s home, and from Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at two Wegmans stores and collected from two unrelated ill persons’ homes.
- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from a sample of pesto containing Turkish pine nuts, and from a sample of Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at a Wegmans store and collected from an ill person’s home. The outbreak strain was also isolated from a sample of bulk pine nuts collected from a second Wegmans store in Maryland that was not associated with any illnesses.
Salmonella Claim for Illness from Ground Turkey Sold under HEB, Honeysuckle, Kroger, Safeway and Other Brands
If you are part of the Salmonella outbreak linked to ground turkey processed by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, you may have a claim against Cargill and others for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.
Ground turkey processed by Cargill was recalled in response to the outbreak, in which dozens of people became seriously ill. The recalled ground turkey was sold under various brands, including but not limited to the following:
- Honeysuckle
- Kroger
- Riverside
- HEB
- Safeway
- Fit and Active
- Shady Brook Farms
- Spartan
The CDC has released updated information on the Salmonella outbreak:
A total of 136 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported from 34 states with illness onset dates between February 27 and September 13, 2011. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (3), California (7), Colorado (4), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (16), Indiana (2), Iowa (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (1), Michigan (12), Minnesota (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri (7), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), North Carolina (4), Ohio (12), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (2), Texas (18), Utah (1), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (4).
Among persons for whom information was available, illnesses began on or after February 27, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from less than 1 year to 90 years old, with a median age of 23 years old. Fifty-five percent were male. Among the 94 ill persons with available information, 37 (39%) were hospitalized. One death was reported.
Evidence That Cargill Ground Turkey Was the Source of the Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak
Among the 94 ill persons with available information, 51 (54%) reported consuming ground turkey. This proportion was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy persons in which 11% of persons interviewed reported consuming ground turkey in the 7 days before they were interviewed. Product information (such as date and location of purchase of ground turkey) was collected from ill persons and was used by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies to further the investigation.
This outbreak was caused by two Salmonella strains, each found in Cargill ground turkey:
Salmonella Strain 1: Cultures of five ground turkey samples purchased from five retail locations between March 7 and June 27, 2011, yielded Salmonella Heidelberg with the outbreak strain. PFGE patterns from these Salmonella bacteria were added to the PulseNet database between April 11 and July 12, approximately a month after each sample was collected. Preliminary information indicated that all of these products originated from a common food-production establishment (Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation in Springdale, Arkansas). In addition, a sample of leftover, unlabeled frozen ground turkey was collected by public health officials from the home of an ill person infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg in Ohio. Culture of the ground turkey sample yielded the outbreak strain on July 29, 2011.
Salmonella Strain 2: A Salmonella Heidelberg with a second closely related PFGE pattern was identified in the contaminated leftover product. Since February 27, 2011, a total of 27 ill persons have been reported to PulseNet with this closely related PGFE pattern. Among the 13 such patients who have been interviewed, 12 (92%) reported consumption of ground turkey in the week before their illness began. The closely related PGFE pattern was also found in a retail sample of ground turkey taken as part of NARMS surveillance. This retail sample originated from Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation establishment in Springdale, Arkansas. Based on these findings, the 27 ill persons with this second closely related PFGE pattern of Salmonella Heidelberg were included in the total count of outbreak cases.
Cargill Ground Turkey Recall
On August 3, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Arkansas, establishment, recalled approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may have been contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. The products subject to recall were all comprised of ground turkey meat and had the establishment number “P-963″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
On September 11, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation recalled another 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products after product samples at the plant tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg based on sample results from an intensive in-plant investigation performed by FSIS. On September 27, 2011 FSIS reported that one positive sample was confirmed to have the outbreak strain and the isolate was multidrug resistant.
National and state-wide retailers that received recalled Cargill ground turkey:
- Acme Stores in OH
- Albertsons Stores in AR, FL, LA, and TX
- Alco Nationwide
- Aldi Nationwide
- Alp’sStores in AR, IL, KS, KY, MO, NE, OK
- Bag ‘N Save Stores in Greater Omaha area and York NE
- Baker’s Stores in NE
- Big Star Stores in AL, AR, LA, MO, MS, TN
- Bi-LoStores in GA
- Bi-Rite Stores in OH and TN
- Brookshire Brothers Stores in LA and TX
- Brookshire Food StoresStores in AR, LA, and TX
- Broulim’s Supermarket Stores in ID
- Buehler’s Stores in IN and OH
- Buy For Less Stores in OK
- Byerly Foods Stores in MN
- Calhoun Foods Stores in AL
- Cash Saver Stores in AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, OK, TN
- Cash Wise Foods Stores in MN and ND
- Cermak Stores in IL
- Chief Super Market Stores in OH
- City Market Stores in AR and CO
- Coborn’s Stores in MN and SD
- Country Mart Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, OK, and TN
- County Market Nationwide
- Crest Foods Stores in OK
- Cub Foods Stores in IL, MN, OH and WI
- Dahl’sFoods Stores in IA
- Dan’s Supermarket Stores in ND and UT
- Dash Market Stores in NY
- Dave’s Stores in NY and OH
- Dick’s Stores in UT and WI
- Dierbergs Stores in IL and MO
- Dillon’s Stores in KS and MO
- Discount Drug Mart Stores in OH
- Duckwall’s Stores in CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, NM, OK, and TX
- E.W. James Stores in MS and TN
- Easy Way Stores in TN
- Family Market Stores in AL and AR
- Festival Foods Stores in MI, MN and WI
- Fiesta Mart Stores in the greater Dallas and Houston, TX areas
- Fisher’s Stores in IL and OH
- Food 4 Less Stores in CA, IL, IN, LA, MO, NE, NV and OH
- Food Center Nationwide
- Food Depot Stores in GA, IL, LA, AND MS
- Food Fair Stores in KS, KY, MO, OH and WV
- Food Giant Stores in AL, AR, KY, MI, MO, MS, and TN
- Food Outlet Stores in AL and TX
- Food Pride Stores in IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, and WI
- Food Pyramid Stores in OK
- Food World Locations in FL, IN, IA, KY, LA and MI
- Foodland Nationwide
- Foodliner Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, and MS
- Foods Co Stores in CA
- Foodtown Stores in AR, CO, ID, NV, OH, OR, TN, TX, and UT
- Fresh Market Stores in AL, AR, IL, MI, MN, MO, NY, UT and WI
- Fry’s Stores in AZ
- G&W Foods Stores in KS and MO
- Gerbes Stores in MO
- Giant Eagle Stores in MD, OH, PA and WV
- Greer’s Stores in AL, FL, and MS
- H E Butt (HEB) Stores in TX
- H.G. Hill Stores in TN
- Harmons Stores in UT
- Harp’s Stores in AR, MO, and OK
- Harvest Foods Stores in AR, LA, MN
- Hay’s Stores in AR and MO
- Heinen’s Stores in OH
- Hen House Stores in KS and MO
- Homeland Stores in KS and OK
- Hometown Market Stores in AL, AR, IA, KS, MT, NY, OH, and PA
- Hornbacher Stores in ND and MN
- Houchens Market Stores in KY
- Hugo Stores in MN and ND
- IGA Nationwide
- Ingles Stores in AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, and VA
- Jay-C Food Store Locations in IN
- Jr. Food Stores in KY and TN
- Jubilee Stores in ID, MI, MN, MO, NY, PA, UT and WY
- King Soopers Locations in CO
- Kowalskis Stores in MN
- Kroger Nationwide
- Kuhns Stores in PA
- Lawrence Bros Stores in NM and TX
- Lucky’s Stores in AL
- Lund’s Stores in MN
- Macey’s Stores in UT
- Mac’s Fresh Market Stores in LA
- Mad Butcher Stores in AR
- Marc’s Stores in OH
- Market Basket Stores in IL, LA and TX
- Market Place Nationwide
- Martin’s Meat Locations in IN, MI
- Meijer Stores in IL, IN, KY, MI, and OH
- Minyard Stores in TX
- Moser’s Discount Foods Stores in MO
- My Fit Food Stores in TX
- No Frills Supermarket Stores in IA and NE
- Nutricion Fundamental Stores in OK
- Patricia’s Stores in MO
- Pic Pac Stores in KY
- Piggly Wiggly Nationwide
- Prenger’s Stores in MO
- Price Chopper Nationwide
- Price Cutter Stores in AR, MO, and OK
- Ralphs Stores in Southern CA
- Ramey’s Stores in AL, MO, and MS
- Randalls Stores in the greater Houston and Austin, TX area
- Reasor’s Stores in OK
- Rehkopf’s Stores in AR, OK, and TX
- Remke Market Stores in KY and OH
- Ridley’s Food Stores in ID, NV, and WY
- Russ’s Market Stores in greater Lincoln area and Hastings NE
- Safeway Stores in IN
- Save A Lot Stores in KY, NY, OH, and PA
- Schnucks Stores in IL, IN, MO, MS, TN and WI
- Sellers Bros Stores in TX
- Sentry Stores in WI
- Shaws Stores throughout New England
- Shop ‘N Save Stores in IL, MO, OH, PA, SC, and WV
- Shurfine Stores in NY and PA
- Shursave Stores in MO, NE, NY, and PA
- Southern Family Market Stores in GA
- Sparkle Stores in OH, PA, and WV
- Stater Brothers Stores in CA
- Sun Fresh Stores in MO
- Sun Mart Stores in MN, NE and ND
- Sunflower Farmers Markets Stores in AZ, CA, CO, NE, NM, NV and TX
- Sunflower Food Store Stores in AR, LA, MS, and AR
- Super 1 Foods Stores in AR, LA, and TX
- Super C Mart Stores in OK
- Super Foods Stores in AR, GA, IA, LA, NE, and OK
- Super One Foods Stores in MI, MN, ND and WI
- Supervalu Nationwide
- Thriftway Nationwide
- Tom Thumb Stores in great Dallas, TX area
- Town & Country Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, MT, OH, and TN
- Trig’s Stores in WI
- United Supermarkets Stores in OK and TX
- Vowell’s Marketplace Stores in MS
- Walmart Nationwide
- Warehouse Market Stores in OK
- Wayfield Foods Stores in GA
- Williams Discount Foods Stores in OK
- WinCo Stores in CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, and WA
- Winn Dixie Stores in FL
- Woodman’s Stores in WI
- Wood’s Supermarket Stores in MO
Our Salmonella lawyers represent food poisoning victims nationwide. Contact them for information about a lawsuit against Cargill and others seeking victim compensation and class action lawsuit information. Victims have hospital bills, other medical bills, lost income because they could not go to work and suffered severe pain. One family suffered the ultimate loss, the death of a loved one. Cargill and all responsible parties should be held accountable.
Texas Company Recalls Beef Jerky Possibly Tainted With Salmonella
Whittington’s Jerky, Inc., of Johnson City, Texas is recalling approximately 126 pounds of beef jerky products that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The problem was discovered during routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The product was shipped on Oct. 31, 2011 to convenience stores in West Texas and to the company’s retail operation before testing was complete. No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall. Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 21257″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The products subject to recall include:
- 2-oz. packages of “Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky.”
- 4-oz. packages of “Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky.”
Consuming food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, an infection that can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.
