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.

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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.

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