September 30, 2007: Recall Expanded to Include 21.7 Million Pounds of Beef - Feds Halt Grinding of Beef Product

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting individuals who believe they are part of the current Topps E. coli food poisoning outbreak. If you or a family member is a victim of this outbreak, and you have a question about your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or submit a free case evaluation form.

Below is an update regarding the expanded Topps recall. You can find a complete list of recalled products at the end of the article. Please see Client Instructions for more information. Most importantly, make sure that your health-related questions are answered by your healthcare provider and your county health department.

Update: Topps Meat Co., located in Elizabeth, NJ, has expanded its recall to include 21.7 million pounds of hamburger products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The original recall, announced early last week, involved 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products.

The expanded recall includes all products produced with a “sell by date” or “best if used by date” between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. According to Topps, this information is located on the back panel of the package. All recalled products will have a USDA establishment number of “EST 9748,” which can also be found on the back panel of the package and/or in the USDA legend.

The New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked Topps products to the outbreak after Topps hamburgers, taken from the freezer of one of the New York E. coli outbreak victims, tested positive for E. coli contamination.

Federal food safety inspectors have suspended the grinding of raw meat products at the Topps Meat Co. plant. USDA spokesperson Amanda Eamich said the suspension follows a safety assessment at the Elizabeth-based company.

“The notice of suspension was issued based on the September 25 recall, reports of human illness, and the food safety assessment findings regarding inadequate raw ground process controls,” she said.

The total number of possible E. coli outbreak cases has reached 25, which includes 3 laboratory confirmed and another 22 cases still under investigation. So far, cases have been reported in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Please see E. coli Food Poisoning and E. coli Symptoms and Complications for more information.

The ground beef products affected by this expanded recall were distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions throughout the United States. Consumers should check their freezers for the following products:

• 10-pound boxes of BUTCHER’S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 4 OZ (4-1), 40 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of BUTCHER’S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 4 OZ FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60100, 40 PCS

• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 6 OZ FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60200, 27 PCS

• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 8 OZ FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60300, 20 PCS

• 3-pound boxes of MIKE’S 12 SEASONED BEEF PATTIES

• 5-pound boxes of MIKE’S 20 SEASONED BEEF PATTIES

• 3-pound boxes of PATHMARK 100% ALL BEEF BURGERS, 16 BEEF BURGERS

• 5-pound boxes of PATHMARK 100% ALL BEEF BURGERS, 20 BEEF BURGERS

• 10-pound boxes of PATHMARK 100% ALL BEEF BURGERS, 40 BEEF BURGERS

• 10-pound boxes of RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 10 OZ H, 16 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT

• 10 pound boxes of RASTELLI’S FINE FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 6 OZ, FLAT 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 2 OZ, 80 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3.2 OZ, 50 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ, 40 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ, 32 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5.3 OZ, 30 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ, 27 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 7 OZ, 23 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT, 20 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ H, 20 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 10 OZ H, 16 PIECES

• 3-pound bags of SAM’S CHOICE BACKYARD GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 75/25, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES

• 6-pound bags of SAM’S CHOICE BACKYARD GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 75/25, 24 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES

• 3-pound bags of SAM’S CHOICE BACKYARD GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 80/20, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES

• 3-pound bags of SAM’S CHOICE BACKYARD GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 85/15, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (75/25), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 6 OZ, 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 10 OZ H, 16 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT ANGUS CHUCK BURGER (80/20), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT

• 3-pound boxes of SHOP RITE 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 16 3 OZ BURGERS

• 3-pound boxes of SHOP RITE 100% PURE QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS

• 5-pound boxes of SHOP RITE 100% PURE QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS

• 10-pound boxes of SHOP RITE 100% PURE QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 1 OZ SLIDER

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 10 OZ (PUB BURGER)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 2 OZ

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 2.67 OZ

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3 OZ HOMESTYLE

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 4 OZ (4-1) HOMESTYLE

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ FLAT

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ, 32 PIECES

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS 5 OZ (1/2-inch)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (5/8-inch)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (85/15)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (HOMESTYLE)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (PUB BURGER)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 7 OZ

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 7 OZ (75/25)

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 8 OZ (PUB BURGER)

• 1.5-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 3 OZ (8 COUNT)

• 2-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 3 OZ, 10 COUNT

• 3-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 6 OZ. PUB BURGERS

• 2-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 8 QUARTER POUNDERS

• 3-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 12 QUARTER POUNDERS

• 3-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 16 HAMBURGERS

• 5-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 20 QUARTER POUNDERS

• 8-pound boxes of TOPPS 100% PURE GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 32 QUARTER POUNDERS

• 2-pound boxes of TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK BURGERS WITH FIREROASTED ONIONS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS

• 2-pound boxes of TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK BURGERS WITH PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS

• 2-pound boxes of TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK BURGERS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS

• 10-pound boxes of TOPPS HAMBURGERS, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WEST SIDE 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3 OZ, 53 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WEST SIDE 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WEST SIDE 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ, 40 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ FLAT, 32 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WEST SIDE 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ, 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT

• 10-pound boxes of WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country. To contact us, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or click on free case evaluation. To learn more about E. coli food poisoning,  visit the website foodpoisoning.com. To learn more about our law firm, please see NJ Food Poisoning Lawyer.

To read about current E. coli outbreak news see New Albany - Floyd County Schools

 

Add comment September 30th, 2007

September 28, 2007: Twenty-three Ill with E. coli – Feds Step in to Investigate Meat Company

As many as 23 people in eight states may have contracted E. coli food poisoning as a result of eating contaminated hamburgers produced by Topps Meat Co. Topps, which describes itself as the “leading U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers,” is located in Elizabeth, NJ.

USDA spokesperson Amanda Eamich shed some light on federal food investigator efforts stating, “We are investigating the facility in response to the illnesses associated with the consumption of the products.” She also added, “that also includes looking back to their suppliers.”

Illnesses have been reported in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The following retail hamburger products have been recalled:

• 2-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 8 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 12 08.” UPC #74701-00065
• 2-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 3 OZ., 10 COUNT.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 12 08.” UPC #74701-00125
• 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 6 OZ. PUB Burgers.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08.” UPC #74701-00045
• 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 16 Hamburgers.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00005.
• 5-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 20 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00055.
• 8-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 32 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00185.
• 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 12 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00025.

Products available to the food service industry were also recalled.

For more information about E. coli food poisoning, please see E. coli Food Poisoning and E. coli Symptoms. You can also visit our website www.foodpoisoning.com, where information is available about E. coli, Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and E. coli Symptoms and Complications.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg currently represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free case evaluation, or click on free case evaluation to submit your questions. To learn more about the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg, please see New Jersey Food Poisoning Lawyer.

For information about other, current E. coli outbreaks please see School Food Poisoning and E. coli Outbreak Illinois, E. coli Outbreak Kentucky, and E. coli Outbreak Wisconsin.

Add comment September 28th, 2007

September 28, 2007: No New E. coli Cases Reported in Floyd County

Dr. Tom Harris of the Floyd County (Indiana) Health Department stated that no new cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection have been reported during the past 36 hours.

According to Dr. Harris, seven children have laboratory confirmed cases, while another six children have infections that are considered probable cases at this time. All of the children are either students at the Galena Elementary School or siblings of Galena students. Most of the children are in Kindergarten and first grade.

A number of the students have been hospitalized; and some are being treated for kidney failure (see hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS) at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville.

Health investigators have not yet identified the source of the outbreak, and there appears to be no link to recent E. coli outbreaks reported in Kentucky, or infections connected to the Topps Hamburger Recall and the El Rancherito Restaurant outbreak in Illinois.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of E. coli food poisoning and you would like to learn more about your legal rights, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact the Law Offices of Eric H. Weinberg toll-free at 1-877-934-6274.

For more information about E. coli food poisoning, please visit the following web pages sponsored by Eric H. Weinberg: E. coli Food Poisoning and E. coli Symptoms and Complications. Please visit E. coli Food Poisoning Lawyer for information about our NJ Personal Injury Law Firm.

Add comment September 28th, 2007

September 26, 2007: Six New York Cases Linked to Topps Brand Hamburgers

To our new readers, welcome to E. coli Lawsuit. Sponsored by the New Brunswick, New Jersey, Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg, this site (along with our additional site, www.foodpoisoning.com) brings you up-to-date information regarding food poisoning outbreaks and recalls, food safety, and your legal rights in the event that you should require our services.

Yesterday, we posted information about the Topps brand hamburger recall and the related E. coli outbreak that is occurring right here in our home state of New Jersey, and our neighboring state of New York. Below is an update:

New York State health officials are warning people not to eat certain Topps frozen ground beef patties due to the possibility of E. coli contamination. Officials believe that this is the same strain responsible for cases of E. coli infection in several other states including New York, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Topps, located in Elizabeth, N.J., is recalling 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products which may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The beef patties were produced on June 22, July 12, or July 23 and were distributed in New York and to stores nationwide.

According to New York State Health Department spokesperson, Claudia Hutton, six New York cases of E. coli food poisoning have been identified in Albany, Monroe, Herkimer, and Washington counties. Three people have been hospitalized.

Topps burger patties became suspect after the testing of hamburgers taken from the home freezer of one of the victim’s revealed the contamination. “It’s the same strain that matches a multistate outbreak,” Hutton said.

The New York-based grocery chain, Price Chopper Supermarkets, has removed all Topps brand meat products from its shelves after learning about the contamination.

Symptoms of E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. There is usually little or no fever. Symptoms usually resolve in 5-10 days. The young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at greatest risk for complications due to E. coli food poisoning.

For more information, please see E. coli Food Poisoning and Symptoms and Complications of E. coli food poisoning, or visit our website www.foodpoisoning.com.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact the Law Offices of Eric H. Weinberg toll-free at 1-877-934-6274. Mr. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country and sponsors this and other websites to provide consumers with breaking news. For more information about the firm, please visit NY Food Poisoning Lawyer.

Add comment September 26th, 2007

September 25, 2007: Topps Brand Hamburger Patties Recalled For Possible E. coli Contamination

Topps brand hamburgers have been voluntarily recalled by Price Chopper supermarkets in response to a warning issued by the New York State Department of Agriculture. According to the health department, two people in Albany became ill with E. coli food poisoning after eating the hamburgers.

The ground beef patties subject to the recall are sold in 5-pound boxes containing 20 quarter-pound hamburgers with the sell by date of June 22, 2008, and in 3-pound boxes containing 12 quarter-pounders with the sell by date of July 23, 2008. In both cases the date is followed by “EST 9748.”

The hamburgers, which tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, have been distributed to grocery stores throughout New York state.

Initial symptoms of E.coli food poisoning infection include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Symptoms generally resolve in 5-10 days, but serious complications may ensue. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk of developing complications.

For more information about E. coli food poisoning, visit the pages of this blog: “About E. coli” and “Common Symptoms and Complications.” Also visit the website www.foodpoisoning.com. If you or a loved one has been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact the Law Offices of Eric H. Weinberg toll-free at 1-877-934-6274. Mr. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country and sponsors this and other websites to provide consumers with breaking news. For more information about the firm, please visit NJ Food Poisoning Lawyer.

To learn more about our involvement in food poisoning litigation see Arby’s Lawsuit and Peanut Butter Lawsuit.

Add comment September 25th, 2007