Metz Fresh Announces Voluntary Recall of Spinach

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 30, 2007

Metz Fresh has recalled bagged spinach due to Salmonella contamination. Metz Fresh is located in the same area of California where the spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak happened last September, killing three people and sickening more than 200.

Per the FDA News Release:

Metz Fresh, LLC is voluntarily recalling bagged spinach as a result of a positive test for Salmonella found during routine company testing.

The spinach is distributed under the label Metz Fresh, in both retail and food service packages. These include 10 and 16 oz bags as well as 4-2.5 lb. and 4 lb. cartons. The only Metz Fresh product affected is spinach that bears the tracking codes 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314. It was distributed in the continental United States and Canada.

There have been no reports of illness or problems related to this spinach.

Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover in three to five days without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening to young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Consumers with any of these symptoms should call their physician.

Attorney speaks out about recall of Salmonella-contaminated spinach

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 29, 2007

Food safety attorney Bill Marler spoke out from across the globe today after hearing that bagged spinach has once again been recalled for contamination with a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen. Nearly a year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 205 illnesses and three deaths associated with consumption of E. coli O157:H7-contaminated Dole-brand bagged spinach, Metz Fresh of King City, California, recalled 8,118 cases of spinach for potential Salmonella contamination.

“Since last year’s outbreak, the leafy greens industry has taken several positive steps toward reducing the risk of contaminated product reaching our food supply, but this latest recall proves that a voluntary compliance program is not sufficient to protect the public,” Marler said. 

On July 23, members of the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA) began using a service mark certifying membership in the LGMA program. LGMA Chairman Joe Pezzini commented on the new service mark and Marketing Agreement: “Beginning July 23rd, we will begin to certify to our customers that California lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens have been grown to the highest food safety standards available.”

“Although Metz Fresh was reportedly using a test-and-hold system to prevent contaminated spinach from reaching the food supply, it is apparent that the system was not effective, given that approximately 800 cases of contaminated spinach made their way into the supply chain,” Marler continued. “We’re seeing today that regulation is needed to protect the leafy green industry from itself.”

Marler, who is internationally known as a food safety advocate, is in Melbourne, Australia, where he is delivering a keynote address at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia’ s Dairy Science World Series conference. In September he will travel to Beijing, China, for the China International Food Safety and Quality Conference and Exposition, and will deliver a keynote address entitled, “The Legal Costs of Foodborne Illness”. 

New Dog Food Recall Due to Salmonella Contamination

Posted by Salmonella Lawyer on August 29, 2007

FDA Cites Potential for Salmonella Transfer to Pet Owners Handling Dried Dog Food
FDA NEWS RELEASE


Mars Petcare US, Inc., has voluntarily recalled two of its private label brands of dried dog food. States where products are sold include New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Included in the recall are the following brands:

Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: Five-pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best By Date: July 16, 2008 & July 17, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Product: Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food
Size: 50-pound bag
UPC Code: 4286900062
Best By Date: July 12, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Reedsland and Richlandtown, Pa.

Mastro brand salami recalled for salmonella danger

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 27, 2007

Santa Maria Foods ULC is recalling the salami which was sold in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and B.C. for possible salmonella contamination.  Full Story from CBC News in Canada

The product was sold in variable weight packages with the lot code 3317A191 in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and B.C., the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in an advisory issued Thursday.

No associated illnesses have been reported.

Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella may cause serious and even deadly infections in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In healthy adults, salmonella bacteria can cause high fevers, severe headaches, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

CFIA Health Alert

Washington State Salmonella Cases Connected to Arby's Store

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 27, 2007

Health officials believe that the meat slicer was the source of contamination. Full story

A Washington State Arby’s store is connected to 11 out of 17 recent Grant County salmonella infection cases, including four involving that store’s employees, health officials say.

Arby’s has got the same problem a lot of fast-food chains have and that is a high rate of turnover. Training tends to fall through the cracks.”

Grant County Director of Personal Health Services Peggy Grigg says there’s evidence to support the Stratford Road store’s meat slicer transmitted the disease. The first reports of salmonella exposure came in February, followed by a flurry in May, June, and July. By early August, Grant County established a clear link between the cases and the Arby’s store, Grigg says.

Organic almond supporters roast pasteurization plan

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 23, 2007

Many organic growers are unhappy with the new food regulation that will mandate the pasteurization of California almonds.  This rule came into play after two salmonella outbreaks were traced back to raw almonds including the Paramount Farms Salmonella outbreak.

George Raine from the San Francisco Chronicle reports:

After two outbreaks of salmonella bacteria poisoning that were traced to almonds - in 2001 and 2004 - the Almond Board of California, the industry's trade association, proposed to the Department of Agriculture that mandatory sterilization be imposed in the name of consumer safety. The government agreed, the rule was written and was scheduled to take effect next month.

On Aug. 1, the Almond Board's directors, fearing there was insufficient sterilization equipment and too few operators in place to treat the nuts and deliver an uninterrupted supply, petitioned for a postponement of the rule to March 1.

This week, the government denied the request, confident the deadline can be met.

The rule that was more than three years in the making - one that burnishes the almond industry's reputation for safety or sullies the noble nut, depending upon your view - will apply to about 500 million pounds of almonds sold in the United States annually.

All the nation's almonds, 1.3 billion pounds this year, are produced in the Central Valley. More than half are exported, and those are exempt from the pasteurization rule. Growers at farmers' markets and those selling from roadside stands are also exempt and can sell raw, unpasteurized almonds to consumers. But the share of the crop sold in the U.S. market - to retailers and food processors, for example - is covered.

Salmonella concerns cause recall of dog food in PA

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 23, 2007

The Tribune Review reports that Mars Petcare US Inc. is recalling 5-pound bags of Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food because of potential salmonella contamination. The dog food was sold in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. Dogs and cats can become seriously ill if eating food tainted with salmonella, and people can get sick from cross contamination.

Affected Products

Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: 5 pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best By Date: July 16 & 17, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Various stores located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Product: Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food
Size: 50 pound bag
UPC Code: 4286900062
Best By Date: July 12, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: The stores are located in Reedsville, PA and Richlandtown, PA

Crown Point man suing Taste of Chicago vendor over hummus that sickened his son

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 16, 2007

Joel Parker's son tested positive for salmonella after eating at the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago. 

Joel Parker is suing Pars Cove Persian Cuisine after his 16-year-old son ate hummus alleged to be contaminated with salmonella. The suit was filed Friday.

The teen ate the hummus shirazi salad on July 1, according to the lawsuit.

That food item has been the center of an investigation on tainted food served at the Chicago festival by city health inspectors.

Officials said Pars Cove owners have been cooperating during the investigation.

The restaurant served 23,000 servings of hummus

at the Taste, city Health Department spokesman Tim Hadac said.

Salmonella from Veggie Booty: Marler Clark clients profiled

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on August 14, 2007
The Scheels family of Voorheesville, New York, was interviewed for a story in the Washington Times that was printed last weekend.  Two of the Scheels triplets became ill with Salmonella infections after eating contaminated Veggie Booty earlier this year.  The third, a picky eater who doesn't like Veggie Booty, did not.  Elex and Patrick Scheels expressed their frustrations over their children's illness in the article:
Mrs. Scheels said she and her husband Patrick were "furious" when she found out how her children became ill.

She said they buy "high-end" food for their children, including organic foods, eggs from free-range hens and chicken raised without hormone supplements.

"We thought, 'we spend more money so that something like this wouldn't happen,' " she said.
Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against Robert's American Gourmet Food, the marketer of Veggie Booty, on behalf of the Scheels family in July. 

Veggie Booty Salmonella Outbreak Background:

On June 28, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Robert’s American Gourmet Food, Inc. of Sea Cliff, New York, was recalling Veggie Booty Snack Food. The company, which makes the puffed rice and corn products, Veggie Booty and Pirate's Booty, recalled all lots and sizes of Veggie Booty after health officials identified the product as the source of a Salmonella outbreak.

According to the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 51 cases of Salmonella in 17 states that are related to the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated Veggie Booty.

The Veggie Booty was distributed nationwide and in Canada, and was sold in 4 oz., 1 oz., and ½ oz. flexible plastic foil packages. Veggie Booty is sold in supermarkets, health food stores, vending machines, online, and via phone order in both the U.S. and Canada.

Salmonella outbreak in Moses Lake

Posted by Salmonella Lawyer on August 13, 2007
At least 17 people have become ill in Moses Lake, Washington, this summer, and Grant County health investigators are searching for the source.  Some of the cases have been traced to an Arby's restaurant located on Stratford Road, but not all have been traced to a source, according to a story posted on kxly.com. 
“We feel this is a good opportunity to remind ALL food establishment owners, managers and employees, that frequent hand washing and staying home when ill is critical to prevent the spread of illnesses through food," said Peggy Grigg, Health District Director of Personal Health Services and Administrator in an August 3rd Press Release.

"Ill food workers should not report to work (or should be excluded), and managers at food establishments should study, learn and follow the latest food code rules, which have been recently revised but are in effect now."
Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks in the last 15 years.  The firm has brought claims against such fast food chains as McDonald's, Wendy's, Jack in the Box, and KFC.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection

The acute symptoms of Salmonella gastroenteritis include the sudden onset of nausea, abdominal cramping, and bloody diarrhea with mucous. Fever is almost always present. Vomiting is less common than diarrhea. Headaches, myalgias (muscle pain), and arthralgias (joint pain) are often reported as well. The onset of symptoms usually occurs within 6 to 72 hours after the ingestion of the bacteria. The infectious dose is small, probably from 15 to 20 cells.

Reiter’s Syndrome, which includes and is sometimes referred to as “reactive arthritis,” is an uncommon, but debilitating, result of a Salmonella infection. The symptoms of Reiter’s Syndrome usually occur between one and three weeks after the infection. Reiter’s Syndrome is a disorder that causes at least two of three seemingly unrelated symptoms: reactive arthritis, conjunctivitis (eye irritation), and urinary tract infection. The arthritis associated with Reiter’s Syndrome typically affects the knees, ankles, and feet, causing pain and swelling. Wrists, fingers and other joints can be affected, though with less frequency. With Reiter’s Syndrome, the affected person commonly develops inflammation where the tendon attaches to the bone, a condition called enthesopathy. Some people also develop heel spurs, bony growths in the heel that cause chronic or long-lasting foot pain. Arthritis from Reiter’s Syndrome can also affect the joints of the back and cause spondylitis, inflammation of the vertebrae in the spinal column. The duration of reactive arthritis symptoms can vary greatly. Most of the literature suggests that the majority of affected persons recover within a year. The condition, can, however, be permanent.

Marler Clark files two more lawsuits against Pars Cove

Posted by Salmonella Lawyer on August 03, 2007

The owners of Pars Cove Persian Cuisine were named as the defendant in two more lawsuits filed yesterday in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of three plaintiffs all of whom became ill with Salmonella infections days after eating at the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago festival. All plaintiffs are represented by Marler Clark LLP, a Seattle-based law firm, and the Chicago injury firm Newland, Newland, and Newland. 

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits are:

  • Chicago Heights residents Dick and Christine Dean. Both Dick and Christine fell ill with Salmonella Heidelberg infections on July 6, two days after eating hummus shirazi at the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago festival. On July 12, after hearing reports of an outbreak through media reports, Mr. Dean went to the emergency room for treatment. He was admitted to the hospital, where he remained through July 17. While he was hospitalized, Mr. Dean submitted a stool sample that cultured positive for Salmonella Heidelberg. Both Dick and Christine missed considerable time from work while they were ill.
  • Chicago resident Leon Greenberg. Mr. Greenberg and his girlfriend attended the Taste of Chicago festival on July 4. While there, they sampled hummus shirazi from the Pars Cove booth. On July 6, both Mr. Greenberg and his girlfriend became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection. Mr. Greenberg’s illness continued through the next week, and he sought medical treatment on July 14, after learning about the Salmonella outbreak linked to the Taste of Chicago festival. Mr. Greenberg submitted a stool sample for testing by CDPH, which later returned positive for Salmonella Heidelberg. Mr. Greenberg, a chef and culinary student, was unable to return to work or school until he tested negative for Salmonella twice. On August 1, Mr. Greenberg was notified by CDPH that his second stool sample had returned negative for Salmonella, and he was allowed to return to work.

“Health officials have confirmed 132 cases of Salmonella Heidelberg in people who attended the Taste of Chicago festival and ate food from the Pars Cove booth,” said Drew Falkenstein of Marler Clark, who together with the Newland firm filed another lawsuit against Pars Cove on July 24. “People made ill during this outbreak deserve to be compensated for their damages.”