Salmonella Blog - Surveillance & analysis on salmonella news & outbreaks

True Leaf Farms has recalled their spring lettuce mix and arugala from grocery stores after numerous samples tested positive for salmonella.  UPDATE - We have learned that the lab that tested the sample has determined that the result was not positive, but false-positive.

True Leaf Farms is located in Salinas, California, the same area as the recent spinach E. coli outbreak. FDA PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Salinas, CA -- July 24, 2007 -- True Leaf Farms, LLC is contacting its wholesale and retail outlets to request they remove certain batches of spring mix and arugula from store shelves and preparation counters as a precautionary step.

During a series of regular internal tests known as 'test and hold', one of the many samples taken indicated the possible presence of salmonella, a human pathogen that may pose a potential health risk. To exert the utmost caution, all cases of spring mix and arugula produced between July 19 and July 25, 2007 are being withdrawn. There have been no reports of illness or problems connected to this product.

"There simply can be nothing more important than consumer safety,' said Jared Gill, Plant Manager of True Leaf Farms. "Withdrawing all of the product, and not just the one lot found with a potential problem is simply the right thing to do. It is essential we do all we can to protect our consumers."

Appropriate authorities have been informed and consulted about the precautionary withdrawal and are being kept updated on developments.

CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, July 24, 2007) – Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other food poisoning outbreaks, filed a lawsuit today against Iran Echo International Corp., the owner of the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth that was identified as the source of a large Salmonella outbreak at this year’s Taste of Chicago festival. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of Kenneth and Donna Searcy, a Romeoville, Illinois, couple who ate food from the Pars Cove Taste of Chicago booth on July 2, and subsequently became ill with Salmonellosis.

According to the complaint, Kenneth Searcy became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection in the late-evening hours of July 2, after the couple had visited the Taste of Chicago festival and eaten hummus shirazi, a fresh herb tomato cucumber salad over a bed of hummus, at the Pars Cove booth. Donna Searcy fell ill two days later, on July 4. The Searcys sought medical care on July 13, after learning of the Salmonella outbreak through media reports. Both Kenneth and Donna submitted stool samples, which they later learned had tested positive for Salmonella.

“This outbreak has caused a great hardship for the Searcy family,” commented William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark. “Both Kenneth and Donna are registered nurses, and neither has been able to return to work since becoming ill nearly a month ago.”

As of July 23, the City of Chicago Public Health Department (CDPH) had identified 736 people who reported becoming ill after eating food purchased from the Pars Cove Taste of Chicago booth. CDPH reported that 124 Salmonella infections had been confirmed through laboratory testing, with 98 of those being identified as Salmonella Heidelberg, the outbreak strain. Thirty-two people were known to have been hospitalized. 

“With over 700 people sick, imagine what this outbreak will cost the Chicago area in lost productivity alone by the end of this month,” Marler added. “Pars Cove and its insurers should step up and start compensating victims for their medical bills and lost wages now.”

BACKGROUND: The attorneys at Marler Clark have successfully represented thousands of victims of Salmonella poisoning. The firm has represented victims of outbreaks traced to contaminated tomatoes, pastries, sprouts, cantaloupe, and other foods. In 2002, Marler Clark represented 70 victims of Salmonella poisoning at a country club in Rochester, New York. The firm represented 50 victims of the 2003 Chili’s Salmonella outbreak in Vernon Hills, Illinois, and 35 victims of the 2003 ammonia poisoning at a Laraway Elementary School in Joliet.  (See the Marler Clark News Archives for case news)

After investigating the multi-state Salmonella outbreak, public health officials have concluded that Robert's American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty was the most likely source of the outbreak.  Tests suggest that the seasoning, imported from China, may be the source of the contamination.

Full Story from the CDC

As of July 18 at 11AM ET, 65 persons infected with Salmonella Wandsworth have been reported to CDC from 20 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Among the patients for whom clinical information is available, all had diarrhea, 76% had bloody stools, and six patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been attributed to these infections. Onset dates, which are known for 64 patients, ranged from February 26, 2007 to June 27, 2007. Most (91%) of cases have occurred in children aged 10 months to 3 years. During the initial phase of the outbreak, the number of cases gradually increased, with only 8 cases reported to PulseNet ( the nationwide network of public health laboratories that sub-type bacteria) from 6 states before May 1, 2007. Health department and CDC investigators worked for weeks conducting interviews with parents of ill children to develop theories about possible sources of infection.

A multi-state case-control study demonstrated a strong association between illness and consumption of Veggie Booty, a snack of puffed rice and corn with a vegetable coating. CDC OutbreakNet staff shared this information with colleagues at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 27. After being informed about the outbreak by FDA, the company that manufactures the product issued a voluntary recall on June 28. None of the 65 known illnesses from Salmonella Wandsworth began after the product was recalled. Persons are advised to discard any product in their possession.

The following infections result in very few people, but the few who are diagnosed will suffer for the rest of their lives.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A recently published study surveyed the extant scientific literature and noted that post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a common clinical phenomenon first described over five decades ago. The Walkerton Health Study further notes that:

Between 5% and 30% of patients who suffer an acute episode of infectious gastroenteritis develop chronic gastrointestinal symptoms despite clearance of the inciting pathogens.

In terms of its own data, the “study confirm[ed] a strong and significant relationship between acute enteric infection and subsequent IBS symptoms.” The WHS also identified risk factors for subsequent IBS, including: younger age; female sex; and four features of the acute enteric illness—diarrhea for > 7days, presence of blood in stools, abdominal cramps, and weight loss of at least ten pounds.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder characterized by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, both of which are generally accompanied by abdominal cramping and pain. In one recent study, over one-third of IBS sufferers had had IBS for more than ten years, with their symptoms remaining fairly constant over time. IBS sufferers typically experienced symptoms for an average of 8.1 days per month.

As would be expected from a chronic disorder, IBS sufferers required more time off work, spent more days in bed, and more often cut down on usual activities, when compared with non-IBS sufferers. And even when able to work, a significant majority (67%), felt less productive at work because of their symptoms. IBS symptoms also have a significantly deleterious impact on social well-being and daily social activities, such as undertaking a long drive, going to a restaurant, or taking a vacation. Finally, while a patient’s psychological state may influence the way in which he or she copes with illness, and responds to treatment, there is no evidence that supports the theory that psychological disturbances in facts cause IBS or its symptoms.

Reiter’s Syndrome

Several bacteria, including Salmonella, induce septic arthritis. The resulting joint pain and inflammation can resolve completely over time or permanent joint damage can occur. In a small number of persons, the joint inflammation is accompanied by conjunctivitis and uveitis, (inflammation of the eyes), and cystitis (painful urination). This triad of symptoms is called Reiter's Syndrome. Reiter’s Syndrome is a special form of reactive arthritis, autoimmune disorder triggered by the Salmonella infection. It occurs in persons with a genetic predisposition and can last for a year or more. Antibiotic treatment does not make a difference in whether or not the person later develops arthritis.

The term reactive arthritis refers to an inflammation of one or more joints, following an infection localized at another site distant from the affected joints. The predominant site of the infection is the gastrointestinal tract. During outbreaks of Salmonella infections, reactive arthritis incidences from 1% to 15% have been reported

Pars Cove Persian Restaurant is being sued after there booth was linked to the salmonella outbreak during the Taste of Chicago.  More than 500 people have reported becoming ill after eating there. Full Story

Monique Roach and Willie Smith were two of the more than 500 people who became ill after eating food from the booth for Pars Cove Persian Cuisine. They filed suit on Monday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Health Department inspectors have visited the restaurant, testing food and interviewing employees and the restaurant is "cooperating fully" in the investigation, the Chicago Department of Public Health said.

The source of the salmonella outbreak has not been pinpointed as coming from food or food handlers, but only one dish has been tied to illnesses according to a Chicago Department of Public Health news release – hummus shirazi, a fresh herb, tomato and cucumber salad over a bed of hummus.

 

17 people became ill with salmonella after eating at the Taste of Chicago. The contamination has been linked to the Pars Cove booth. Full story.

Chicago health officials are investigating 17 cases right now and all 17 people have one thing in common. They all had food from the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago. Health officials have not been able to pinpoint the source of the outbreak, whether it was food handlers who did not wash their hands properly, or perhaps the food was not cooked thoroughly. The owner of the restaurant is speaking out, saying it is an unfortunate situation and that officials are focusing on the hummus that was being served at that food booth.

The Pars Cove restaurant has been in business 31 years. It is owned by Mike Bambouyani and his father. And they are fully cooperating with Chicago health officials.

"I respect the Health Department for what they do, they're out there, they're concerned about people. We have been here 31 years and planning on staying here another 31," said Bambouyani.

AP reported today:

The parents of an Indiana toddler have sued the makers of Veggie Booty, claiming the recalled snack poisoned their child.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York by David and Ashlee Allen, of Valparaiso, Ind., says their 18-month-old son, Xavier, ate a bag of Veggie Booty on May 20. It alleges that three days later, he had a bout of "severe, bloody diarrhea," and was diagnosed at a hospital with salmonella poisoning.

Robert's American Gourmet Inc. had a duty to make food "that was fit for human consumption ... and that was free of pathogenic bacteria," said the suit, which seeks unspecified damages. "The defendant breached this duty."

A telephone message left Friday with the company, based in Sea Cliff on Long Island, was not immediately returned.

The company recalled its Veggie Booty Snack Food last week after it was associated with 54 cases of salmonella poisoning in 17 states. Many of those sickened reported eating Veggie Booty.

The recall was expanded on Monday to include Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks Snack Food, since it uses the same seasoning. A company official said a spray-on seasoning made with imported Chinese ingredients that was used on both baked products had tested positive for bacteria.

The recall is only the latest in a growing series to involve Chinese-made products found to be tainted, defective or otherwise dangerous. In recent weeks, there have been recalls of Chinese tires, toy trains and toothpaste. The government also is blocking some Chinese farmed seafood imports because of widespread contamination by antibiotics and other drugs.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

I speculated yesterday morning that seasonings might be the source of the Salmonella Wandsworth outbreak might be tied to China.  (POST)

Later in the day it was confirmed that China is the source of the seasoning contaminated with Salmonella Wandsworth.  (POST)

And, Veggie Booty was confirmed by Minnesota Department of Agriculture to be contaminated with Salmonella Wandsworth.  (POST)

The first lawsuit was filed this morning in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York, (CV07-2661), against Robert’s American Gourmet, the manufacturer of Veggie Booty, the snack food that was recalled on June 28 after public health officials identified the product as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Valparaiso, Indiana, residents David and Ashlee Allen, whose 18-month-old son, Xavier, became ill with a severe Salmonella infection after eating Salmonella-contaminated Veggie Booty in May, and continues to suffer from the effects of Salmonella. The Allen family is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks, and Underberg & Kessler, a respected Rochester, NY law firm that has worked with Marler Clark on dozens of prior Salmonella outbreak cases.

Xavier Allen consumed some of the Veggie Booty on May 20, and became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection, including bloody diarrhea, on May 23. Xavier was treated in the emergency room on May 26, and submitted a stool sample for testing. He was released to recover at home, but received additional treatment from a health care provider multiple times in the subsequent days. Xavier’s stool sample cultured positive for Salmonella Wandsworth, and his parents were contacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who linked his case to nearly 55 others in 17 states. At present, Xavier continues to suffer from symptoms of Salmonella infection, and is under medical supervision.

“Xavier and other small children across the country have suffered debilitating illnesses, and all their parents could do was sit and watch,” said William Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark, noting that the CDC reported nearly all outbreak-cases were children under the age of ten. “These families deserve compensation for not just medical expenses, but for all they went through – and are still going through in cases like the Allens’.”

BACKGROUND: Marler Clark (www.marlerclark.com) has represented thousands of victims of bacterial, viral, and parasitic foodborne illness since 1993. The firm has litigated high-profile E. coli and Salmonella cases against such companies as Jack in the Box, Odwalla, Malt-O-Meal, ConAgra, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Dole. Underberg & Kessler, together with Marler Clark, has represented victims of E. coli, Salmonella, and hepatitis A outbreaks, including 72 victims of the Brook-Lea Country Club Salmonella outbreak in 2002, 93 victims of the 2006 Dole spinach E. coli outbreak and nearly 5,000 victims of the 2007 ConAgra Salmonella outbreak. Contact: William D. Marler – (206) 794-5043 or bmarler@marlerclark.com.