Food Poisoning Outbreaks and Recall News

Raw milk from Billy Goat Dairy Farm in Longmont, Colorado has been linked to an E. coli outbreak which has sickened 30 people since early June.

According to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH), lab tests performed at the state public health laboratory detected both campylobacter and E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in samples collected from Billy Goat Dairy Farm. The strain of campylobacter found in the raw milk and the strain of E. coli detected in the goats are identical matches to the strains detected in the victims.

The Billy Goat Dairy Farm operates a goat share program in which individuals buy a share of a goat and, in return, receive raw, unpasteurized milk. BCPH officials are in the process of contacting the 43 households that participate in the goat-share program.

At least 30 people have been sickened by the unpasteurized milk, including two children who required hospitalization. On June 29, BCPH ordered the dairy farm to stop distribution of its raw milk products.

To learn more about E. coli food poisoning symptoms and complications, please see E. coli Symptoms, or visit our additional website, www.foodpoisoning.com, which is dedicated to food safety and food litigation. 

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents individuals who have been sickened in E. coli outbreaks nationwide. If you have a question concerning your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or submit a Free Legal Case Evaluation.

To learn more about recent food poisoning outbreaks and recalls, please see Marie Callender’s Salmonella Outbreak, Shopping Bags E. Coli, and Salmonella Sasquatch Music Festival.

A recent study performed by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University highlights potential health risks associated with reusable grocery bags. Researchers randomly tested reusable grocery bags carried by shoppers in Tucson, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Harmful pathogens were discovered in 50 percent of the bags that were tested.

According to Charles Gerba, co-author of the study, the levels of bacteria found in the bags were significant enough to cause a wide range of serious health problems and even death. Researchers expressed concern regarding the detection of E. coli in 12 percent of the bags they tested.

Much of the concern surrounding the use of reusable grocery bags stems from the potential for cross-contamination. When certain foods, such as raw meat, are carried in the bag and the bag is used again, before being sanitized, to carry foods which are generally not cooked before they are eaten (such as fruits and vegetables), the bacteria can spread to these foods and lead to serious health problems.

The study also indicated that consumers were largely unaware of these risks, as 97 percent of the consumers interviewed reported that they had never washed or bleached their bags. Researchers indicate that a thorough washing will kill nearly all the bacteria that accumulate in reusable bags.

The full report, “Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping Bags,” includes tips for consumers who use reusable grocery bags as well as policy recommendations for lawmakers.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg would like to remind consumers that the best way to stay healthy is to follow safe food handling, preparation, and storage practices and above all, stay informed. To learn more about E. coli food poisoning symptoms and complications, please visit our additional website www.foodpoisoning.com.

If you have been injured as a result of E. coli food poisoning and you have a question concerning your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274 or click Free Legal Case Evaluation.

For recent outbreak and food recall news, please see Subway Salmonella Outbreak and Major E. Coli Outbreak Recap.

We’re only half way through this year, yet we have already seen numerous E. coli outbreaks across the US. Here is a recap of the major E. coli outbreaks that occurred during the first half of 2010:

Romaine Lettuce – Freshway Foods: As of May 20, there have been 26 confirmed and 7 propable illnesses associated with the outbreak of E. coli O145. These cases are from 5 states (MI, NY, OH, PA, and TN). Among the confirmed and probable cases with reported dates available, illnesses began between April 10 and April 26. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the link between the outbreak strain of E. coli and shredded lettuce from a single processing facility. According to the CDC, the contaminated lettuce is believed to have originated from a farm located in Yuma, Arizona. The outbreak strain of E. coli O145 was eventually detected in an unopened package of Freshway shredded romaine lettuce. Freshway Foods recalled products containing romaine lettuce with a use by date of May 12 or earlier because of possible E. coli O145 contamination.

Raw Milk From Minnesota Farm: During the month of May, five Minnesota residents contracted E. coli O157:H7.  Sate health officials believe the outbreak may be linked to consumption of raw milk from a dairy farm near Gibbon, Minn.

Tragic Outbreak at Washington Day Care Center: Sadly, a 4-year old boy died and 3 other children were hospitalized as the result of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak at a Washington state day care facility. A laboratory reported the first case to health officials on March 19, after a stool sample tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. On March 26, health officials inspected the day care facility after another illness was reported. On March 30, health officials collected stool samples from 22 children and 4 adults. After 7 of these tested positive for the E. coli outbreak strain, the facility was finally closed on April 2.

Drinking Water At Missouri Sports Complex: An E. coli outbreak, which sickened 14 people since April 28, was linked to the drinking water at Class Act Sports Complex in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Hawaii Restaurant,

Peppa’s Korean BBQ: On April 1, Hawaii health officials shut down Peppa’s Korean Barbeque, following an investigation into a possible outbreak of E. coli food poisoning, which left 7 people ill, 4 of whom were hospitalized. FDA

Advisory  - Cookie Dough: On January 19, 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer advisory, which urged consumers not to eat “any raw dough for cookies or other raw dough products before the dough is properly cooked”. This was in follow-up of the 2009 E. coli outbreak linked to Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough.

E. coli Outbreak Victims: If you were diagnosed with E. coli, awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, please submit a Free E. coli Lawsuit Case Evaluation, or call the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg toll free at 1-877-934-6274. To learn about recent food poisoning outbreaks, please see Illinois Subway Salmonella Outbreak, Illinois Subway Shigella Outbreak, and Salmonella Alfalfa Sprouts.

The FDA reports that Freshway Foods of Sidney Ohio,  is recalling romaine lettuce products due to a link between the recalled lettuce and an outbreak of  E. coli O145 foodborne illnesses.  The E. coli O145 illnesses were reported in Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

The link between the recalled romaine lettuce and food poisoning outbreak was suggested after E. coli O145 was detected by the New York State Public Health Laboratory in an unopened bag of Freshway shredded romaine lettuce.

The recalled Freshway lettuce was distributed to wholesalers, food service outlets, and store salad bars and delis in Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The FDA provides the following description of the recalled shredded romaine lettuce, which was sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands:

The recalled shredded romaine lettuce has a “best if used by” date of May 12 or earlier.  The Freshway Foods press release advises restaurants, distributors, and retailers to throw out or refrain from using shredded romaine lettuce from Freshway Foods with these “use by” dates. Additionally, Freshway Foods is advising consumers not to eat “grab and go” salads sold in-store salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores.

Shredded romaine lettuce from Freshway Foods with “use by” dates after May 12 are not involved in this voluntary recall. Romaine lettuce and other types of lettuce and leafy greens from other producers are also not affected by this recall.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, provided the following outbreak information as of May 5, 2010:

• A total of 19 confirmed and 10 probable cases of E. coli O145 food poisoning were reported from three states.  The E. coli illnesses were reported since March 1, 2010, and had the following distribution by state: Michigan (10 confirmed illnesses and 3 probable), New York (2 confirmed illnesses and 5 probable) and Ohio (7 confirmed illnesses and 2 probable.)
• Of the confirmed and probable E. coli cases with reported dates available, illnesses began between April 10, 2010 and April 26, 2010.
• The E. coli O145 outbreak victims range in age from 13 years to 29 years old.
• For the 29 patients with available information, 12 (41%) were hospitalized. Three of these patients have developed a rare type of kidney failure known as hemolytic-uremic syndrome, HUS.

Symptoms of E. coli infection may include severe abdominal cramps, fever, and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Severe infections can cause kidney failure. The very young, elderly, and immunocompromised are at greatest risk for experiencing complications due to E. coli infection.

If you are experiencing E. coli food poisoning symptoms or have a health related question, contact your healthcare professional. He or she can order a stool culture which can confirm E. coli O145 infection. Let your doctor know that you consumed the recalled product.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you. If you believe that you were injured in this latest E. coli outbreak, please request a free case evaluation by selecting E. coli Lawyer, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.

Health officials say a strain of E. coli blamed for an outbreak of food-related illness in Michigan may be related to cases under investigation in Ohio and New York. Michigan, Ohio and New York health officials are reporting 15 lab-confirmed cases, six of which are in the Columbus area. They're looking into an additional 32 potential cases, including seven in Columbus.

Washtenaw Michigan County Public Health said Thursday it had confirmed eight cases that match with the multistate outbreak. Health officials say the strain appears genetically related to those in the other states.

The Washtenaw County organization said 13 additional possible cases are pending laboratory confirmation. Persons reporting illness consistent with the outbreak were likely exposed between April 7th and April 15th and became ill between April 9th and April 16th.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of E. coli outbreaks nationwide.  We are ready to help you. If you have been injured as a result of E. coli food poisoning and you have a question concerning you legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or click E. coli Lawsuit.  To learn more about our firm, please see Food Poisoning Lawyer.

To learn about our additional efforts on behalf of personal injury victims, please see Yasmin Lawsuit, Accutane IBD Lawsuit, Accutane Lawsuit, and Mesothelioma Lawsuit.

According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Beltex Corporation, of Fort Worth, Texas, has recalled approximately 135,500 pounds of beef trim products because the beef may be contaminated with the foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7.

The following beef trim products are subject to the Beltex recall:

Randolph Packing Co. Inc., an Asheboro, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products subject to recall include:

• Combo bin packages of "Randolph Packing Co., Inc. BONELESS BEEF."
• Combo bin packages of "Randolph Packing Co. Knuckles 90% & 94%."
• 30 lbs.

West Missouri Beef, LLC, a Rockville, Mo., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The FSA led to the determination that a further investigation of establishment records was warranted.

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, LLC., an Athol, Mass., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,574 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.