Salmonella Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark : Salmonella Blog

Ohio Health officials are working to identify the source of a salmonella scare that sent 10 people to the hospital last week in Norwalk. However, The common thread linking the 10 victims together is that they all ate at Casa Fiesta, 196 Milan Avenue in Norwalk on April 24. That restaurant voluntarily closed its doors Thursday while food samples from the restaurant are tested at the Ohio Department of Health to find the source of the bacteria.

Salmonella is one of the most common enteric (intestinal) infections in the United States. Salmonellosis (the disease caused by Salmonella) is the second most common foodborne illness after Campylobacter infection. It is estimated that 1.4 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year in the U.S.; 95% of those cases are foodborne-related. Approximately 220 of each 1000 cases result in hospitalization and eight of every 1000 cases result in death. About 500 to 1,000 or 31% of all food-related deaths are caused by Salmonella infections each year. Salmonellosis is more common in the warmer months of the year.

Salmonella infections occurs when the bacteria are ingested, typically from food derived from infected food-animals, but it can also occur by ingesting the feces of an infected animal or person. Food sources include raw or undercooked eggs/egg products, raw milk or raw milk products, contaminated water, meat and meat products, and poultry. Raw fruits and vegetables contaminated during slicing have been implicated in several foodborne outbreaks. We are involved in representing families of children who have suffered from this bacterium.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Salmonella is one of the most common enteric (intestinal) infections in the United States. Salmonellosis (the disease caused by Salmonella) is the second most common foodborne illness after Campylobacter infection. It is estimated that 1.4 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year in the U.S.; 95% of those cases are foodborne-related. Approximately 220 of each 1000 cases result in hospitalization and eight of every 1000 cases result in death. About 500 to 1,000 or 31% of all food-related deaths are caused by Salmonella infections each year. Salmonellosis is more common in the warmer months of the year.

Salmonella infection occurs when the bacteria are ingested, typically from food derived from infected food-animals, but it can also occur by ingesting the feces of an infected animal or person. Food sources include raw or undercooked eggs/egg products, raw milk or raw milk products, contaminated water, meat and meat products, and poultry. Raw fruits and vegetables contaminated during slicing have been implicated in several foodborne outbreaks.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Taylor Fresh Foods has added its name and brands to the big recall of Honduran cantaloupes.  Here's what the Salinas, CA grower said via a press release issued through the FDA yesterday (04/03/08):

Taylor Fresh Foods, of Salinas, California is voluntarily recalling selected fresh cut fruit products which may contain cantaloupe from the Honduran grower Agropecuaria Montelibano identified by FDA to have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, Taylor Fresh Foods had previously begun to recover this product on March 22, based on a notice published by the U.S. FDA.

The products being recalled include cut cantaloupe and mix cut fruit in bowls and trays of all sizes distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. Retail and convenience store products involved were removed from sale prior to Monday, March 24. Foodservice distributors, who sell their own brand, have been notified.

Labels include the following: Taylor Farms Gourmet Fruit Tray featuring Creamy Yogurt Dip, Taylor Fresh Melon Mix, Taylor Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Fruit Tray with Creamy Strawberry Dip, with Best if Used By Dates before March 30, 2008. Any dates after this are not affected.

The complete statement can be found here.

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

For several weeks we've been observing the return of Peter Pan peanut butter to store shelves.  We've noted two things.   One,  incredible price cutting.   A jar of peanut butter that normally goes for around $3 is available for under a dollar.   Two,  the shelve space grocery stores are giving to Peter Pan's return is tiny whether compared to competitors or the historic amount.

So, we were really interested in Albany, AL-based television station WALB's story marking the first anniversary of the closure of the Peter Pan processing plant in Sylvester, AL after it acknowledged was poisoning people with salmonella in its jars.

And, WALB noted the processing plant has now been back in business for six months.  And the spin from ConAgra Foods, which owns the Peter Pan label, is everything is going gangbusters, thank you very much!  Or as WALB put it:

Salmonella bacteria sickened more than 600 people in 47 states. It's been six months since production resumed. We sat down with the plant manager as ConAgra prepares to roll out the additional varieties of Peter Pan. ConAgra says business is better than it was before the salmonella outbreak.

The WALB story relies upon the word of Earl Ehret, the plant manager.  He says the plant is now operating 20 hour shifts, six days a week and is now shipping all varieties of Peter Pan. He told WALB that:

Over the next six months, ConAgra would learn it was a roof leak that lead to the salmonella contamination. They replaced the roof, reworked the floor plan which included separating the raw products from the finished peanut butter, installed a new roaster, and more.

"We put a new air system in the plant. The plant's now humidity and climate controlled, not only for the process but it's a more controlled environment for the people who work in the plant," said Ehret

We find it difficult to believe Ehret did not know the roof was leaking.  Of course, maybe he did, and  why ConAgra Foods keeps their loyal guy on the job.  WALB's story can be found here.  It's too bad they did not think of visiting a grocery store or two and speaking with some consumers.  They might also have probed to  find out how much ConAgra is spending to bring back the brand.

Marler Clark is a leader in the litigation that is pending against ConAgra, owner of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter that was traced as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. 

 

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

We usually focus on food-borne illness here, but when pets poise a serious threat  to children due to salmonella we want to help get the word out. 

HealthDay Reporter Steven Reinberg today wrote about the Centers for Disease Control finding that 103 children got salmonella poisoning in the last half of 2007 from their pet turtles.  No deaths were reported, but dozens of children were treated at hospitals after being infected with salmonella.

The sale of small turtles under 4 inches has been banned in the United States since 1975.  Nevertheless, CDC estimates there are two million pet turtles in the country.  Reinberg reports that:

According to the report, cases were reported in all but 15 states, with most cases occurring in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Texas.

 Two of the infected children included a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl who became stricken after swimming in an unchlorinated in-ground pool owned by the family of the older girl. Two pet turtles, purchased at a South Carolina pet store and owned by the family of the older teen, were allowed to swim in the pool, the CDC reported.

(CDC's Julie) Harris said many people aren't aware of the risk of Salmonella infections from pet turtles. "Only 20 percent of these cases [in the report] said they were aware there was a connection between Salmonella infection and reptile exposure," she said.

 Up to 90 percent of turtles carry Salmonella, Harris said. "This is a very serious infection, especially for small children," she added.

 The infection is spread from contact with the turtles, but the contact doesn't have to be direct, Harris said. "We have one case where a baby was bathed in a sink that turtle waste was disposed in," she said.

Check out the entire HeathDay story here.

 

• Print
• Comments (5)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

We're not members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), but we do moniter the organization's acitivities and positions because they offer a view that is worth paying attention to. PETA's latest campaign is to get PetSmart, the naitonal pet food retailer from offering live pets for sale in its stores.

PETA's investigation that led to its current campaign included one aspect that caught our attention.  In December 2006, PetSmart sent its store managers a warming about a salmonella outbreak it was experiencing.   Cllick on the blue box for a readable version of the memo sent to PetSmart store managers.  The company never put out a news release to let the public or their customers know about this little problem.

So, PETA's campaign does get our attention.  Here's what they are up to:

"PETA, the world's largest animal rights organization and owner of 110 shares of PetSmart stock, has submitted a shareholder resolution to the Phoenix-based pet store chain calling on the company to resolve the inadequate and improper care of sick and injured animals in its stores. PETA's proposal was prompted by the dozens of complaints that the group receives every year from PetSmart customers and employees about animals' untreated illnesses and injuries, severe crowding, and deplorable conditions. PETA's own undercover investigation of two PetSmart stores--including one in Scottsdale--confirmed substandard conditions.

 

"PETA's investigator documented that more than 100 small animals--including hamsters, domestic rats, lizards, chinchillas, and birds--were deprived of needed veterinary care, including humane euthanasia. This comes despite assurances from PetSmart executive Bruce Richardson to PETA that "[n]o pet that has required a vet has been deprived of that service." PETA's investigator documented PetSmart store employees who had no veterinary training or animal husbandry experience diagnosing and "treating" sick and injured animals who were concealed in crowded back rooms. Over a three-day period, three different supervisors failed to take action to treat a dying hamster and instead logged notes about the animal's worsening condition until the hamster finally died.

"The pet-trade industry is notorious for cutting corners and putting animals at the bottom of the list, and PetSmart is no exception," says PETA Director Daphna Nachminovitch. "As word spreads about what really goes on behind closed doors in PetSmart's back rooms, chances increase that stockholders will pay the price in the form of diminished returns.

For more information, contact PETA 's Daphna Nachminovitch 757-622-7382.  Or go here.

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Thirty-eight people from three states are sick with salmonella that may be linked to ground beef processed at Safeway stores,  the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service says.

The shipments with the salmonella contaminated beef were received between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5 in five states - California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico - Safeway said in a statement Thursday.

Safeway issued the statement in response to a USDA public health alert, citing illnesses from Salmonella Newport related to fresh ground beef products.

The FSIS public health alert said there was "an association" between the fresh ground beef products and 38 illnesses reported from Arizona, California, Idaho and Nevada.

The USDA advised consumers to look for and discard fresh ground beef products with the Sept. 19-Nov. 5 dates.

The tainted beef isn't subject to an official recall because it's been so long since it was sold.  In the meantime, however, it made too many people sick.

• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks (1)
• Share Link

WBTV published a press release from the Catawba County Public Health Department on its website regarding the Salmonella outbreak that has recently plagued customers of Carniceria y Taqueria Hermanos Chavez located in Newton. Following is an excerpt from the press release:

Catawba County Public Health is continuing to investigate a food borne illness outbreak. There have been 176 cases of illness reported so far. The lab has confirmed 25 cases being positive for Salmonella. “As of this afternoon, we are encouraged by the fact that there have been no further reports of people presenting with symptoms at local emergency rooms,” stated Doug Urland, Health Director at Catawba County Public Health.

Most of the people with symptoms report having eaten at Carniceria y Taqueria Hermanos Chavez located in Newton off U.S. 321 business. On Friday, November 2nd Public Health made a site visit to the restaurant and the owner was very concerned about the health of his patrons so he voluntarily closed the restaurant on that evening as a precautionary measure and it has remained closed. The owner is working closely with Public Health Officials to meet the required measures including; discarding restaurant food and sanitizing the establishment.

Not surprisingly, this week's food safety infosheet from the International Food Safety Network  focuses on Salmonella outbreaks.  The infosheet, titled, "What's up with all the Salmonella? Is it that common?" can be found below.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

This week's food safety infosheet from the International Food Safety Network highlights a recent Salmonella outbreak that was traced to a Quizno's restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota.  From the infosheet:

Doug Schultz, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health was quoted as saying "We're still investigating the outbreak, and part of that investigation involves produce items being the likely vehicle for the contamination."

Tomatoes are suspected, but no definitive cause has been confirmed. The restaurant reopened after certification from Olmsted County Public Health.

Other Salmonella outbreaks have been traced to contaminated tomatoes.  In 2004, Sheetz convenience stores were the source of a Salmonella outbreak that resulted in hundreds of illnesses. 

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

BBC News reported recently that Fox's Confectionery had discovered Salmonella in its Leicester chocolate plant.  According to the BBC report, the plant has not been open since October 15, but plans to reopen soon.  Also included in the report was the following:

Fox's said the contamination was most likely to have come from a batch of Brazil nuts at its Leicester plant.

The contamination was first discovered two weeks ago, but none of the affected products were released. The plant could start production again on Thursday.

The contaminated nuts - used to make the firm's Just Brazils product range - were found during routine testing.

This week's Food Safety Infosheet from the International Food Safety Network provides information regarding a number of recent chocolate recalls due to Salmonella contamination.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

SEATTLE, WA (October 18, 2007) – A lawsuit was filed today against ConAgra, the company whose Banquet chicken and turkey pot pies were identified as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit was filed Snohomish County Superior Court on behalf of Snohomish County resident Eric Robertson, whose 2-year-old daughter, Rebecca, became ill with a Salmonella infection after eating a Banquet pot pie. 

According to the lawsuit, Rebecca fell ill with symptoms of Salmonella poisoning on September 22, experiencing severe diarrhea. Rebecca’s symptoms worsened over the next few days, and her diarrhea became bloody. She was treated at a walk-in clinic on September 26^th, and there provided a stool sample for testing. Later that evening, she was again treated in the emergency room, where a spinal tap was performed as part of diagnostic procedures. Rebecca required additional medical treatment on September 28^th and 29^th. Eric Robertson later learned that his daughter’s stool sample had tested positive for Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-, the strain associated with the Banquet pot pie outbreak. 

“First it was peanut butter, now it’s pot pies,” said William Marler, attorney for the Robertson family. “It’s time ConAgra took a hard look at the manufacturing processes for all of its food products and stopped shipping contaminated product to consumers.”

BACKGROUND: Marler Clark (www.marlerclark.com), has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, since the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak. Since that time, the firm has represented victims of outbreaks traced to lettuce, sprouts, apple juice, ground beef, peanut butter, and other foods.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks (1)
• Share Link

SEATTLE, WA (October 11, 2007) – Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against ConAgra, whose Banquet and store-brand pot pies were identified as the source of a nation-wide Salmonella outbreak that has caused at least 152 confirmed cases of Salmonellosis and 20 hospitalizations. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the State of Minnesota on behalf of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, residents Joshua and Amy Reinert and their daughter, Isabelle, who will be two years old in December.

According to the lawsuit, Isabelle fell ill on August 18, 2007, experiencing diarrhea and fever, with her symptoms worsening quickly.  At one point during her illness, Isabelle was filing 5 or 6 diapers an hour with diarrhea.  She had a febrile seizure and was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where she was treated in the ER on August 19.  Isabelle received multiple hours of IV antibiotics and IV fluids, and was required to return to the hospital on August 20 and 21^st for outpatient treatment with roughly 8 hours per day of IV antibiotics and IV fluids. She has since returned home.

“ConAgra has known about this outbreak since at least Monday, but did not issue a recall or ask stores to pull the product off shelves until today,” said William Marler, attorney for the Reinert family. “That’s unconscionable. Especially when there are parents out there who may not have heard about the outbreak and who are still feeding these products to their kids.”

Marler’s firm, Marler Clark, has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, including victims of the recent peanut butter Salmonella outbreak, which was also traced back to ConAgra products and victims of a 2002 E. coli outbreak that was traced to the consumption of ConAgra ground beef. 

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A nationwide Salmonella outbreak has been traced to pot pies produced by ConAgra and distributed under the Banquet brand name.  Today, the Washington Department of Health announced that three Salmonella cases in the state were probably linked to the outbreak:

Three cases of salmonellosis in Washington may be linked to frozen pot pies, part of a national outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people in several states.

The Washington cases are potentially linked to products made by ConAgra, most of which were sold under the Banquet brand name.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a health alert advising consumers not to eat ConAgra frozen pot pies with "P9" in the identification code printed on the box. USDA says the pot pies are sold under Banquet and store-brand names, each containing the "P9" identifier.

The Minnesota Department of Health also released a statement about the outbreak today:

Six cases of Salmonella infection in Minnesota residents have been linked to eating Banquet brand turkey or chicken pot pies, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) said today. The finding prompted health and agriculture officials to warn consumers not to eat any Banquet brand pot pies. An investigation is ongoing.

Banquet brand pot pies are sold in the freezer section at grocery stores and other outlets throughout the country. Pot pies made at the same plant are also sold under a dozen store labels, but all carry a code number beginning with 5009. “Best if used by” dates for implicated product are not known at this time.

Three of the Minnesota cases are adults and three are children. Five of the cases are from outstate Minnesota, and one is from the Twin Cities metro area. No one has been hospitalized.

The Minnesota cases are part of a much larger multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections. Since June, at least 135 confirmed cases have been identified from approximately 25 states. The six Minnesota cases were reported in September; interviews of these cases by MDH epidemiologists led to the identification of Banquet pot pies as the source of the illnesses. The national investigation to determine the extent of the outbreak, production dates of contaminated product, and the source of contamination is ongoing.

• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

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.

Click here for the Full Story from George Raine from the San Francisco Chronicle

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.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

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)

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

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

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

ALBANY, NY (July 17, 2007) – Seattle-based Marler Clark filed a second lawsuit against Robert’s American Gourmet Food, Inc. today in Albany County Supreme Court in New York. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Voorheesville, New York residents Patrick and Elex Scheels and two of their 20-month-old triplets who became ill with Salmonella Wandsworth infections after consuming Veggie Booty in April. Co-counsel in the case is Rochester, New York-based Underberg & Kessler and New Brunswick, NJ-based Eric Weinberg.

In the lawsuit, attorney William Marler contends that Sydney and Cole Scheels became ill with Salmonellosis after eating Veggie Booty. Both children exhibited fever, abdominal cramping, explosive diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea after eating the Veggie Booty, and received medical treatment for their illnesses. While Cole recovered from his illness, Sydney suffered symptoms of Salmonella infection throughout May and June, and lost roughly ten percent of her body weight due to her illness. Sydney and Cole both submitted stool samples that cultured positive for Salmonella Wandsworth, and the Scheels were notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that their children were part of a nation-wide outbreak that had been traced to consumption of Veggie Booty. Sydney continues to test positive for Salmonella. 

“Robert’s has indicated that an ingredient from a Chinese supplier was the source of this outbreak,” Marler commented. “After recent scares involving food products imported from China, one would think that American food manufacturers using imported ingredients would take extra precautions and institute a testing regimen to ensure the safety of their products.”

Robert’s American Gourmet Foods initiated a recall of its Veggie Booty on June 28, after the company was notified that the product was the source of a Salmonella outbreak. The company expanded its recall to include Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks on July 2. On July 11, the CDC announced that 60 persons in 19 states had been confirmed ill with Salmonella Wandsworth infections, with initial illness onset dates between March 4 and June 15. Ninety percent of cases were children aged 10 months to three years. 

“This case is very perplexing,” Marler added. “There are several unanswered questions that beg answers.” Questions Marler seeks answers to include:

1.      If Robert’s American Gourmet only markets Veggie Booty, etc., and Atlantic Quality Spice & Seasoning provides the spices, who manufacturers the product, and where?

2.      The Minnesota Department of Health isolated Salmonella Typhimurium from unopened bags of Veggie Booty. Have other strains of Salmonella (in addition to Wandsworth) been found in either human stool or product samples - like Salmonella Typhimurium?

3.      Why has Robert's American Gourmet not offered to help the victims?  Medical bills and wage losses are mounting.

BACKGROUND: Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of E. coli, Salmonella, and other foodborne illness outbreaks since 1993. Together with Marler Clark, Underberg & Kessler has represented victims of E. coli, Salmonella, and hepatitis A outbreaks, including 72 victims of the Brook-Lea Country Club Salmonella outbreak in 2002.

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

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)

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

William Marler, a food safety advocate and attorney whose Seattle law firm, Marler Clark (www.marlerclark.com), has been contacted by five victims of a Salmonella outbreak traced to the consumption of Veggie Booty snack food, which is marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, of Sea Cliff, New York, today called on the manufacturer to pay the medical bills of all individuals who became ill with Salmonella infections as part of the outbreak.

“Health officials have indicated that the strain of Salmonella found in the Veggie Booty, Salmonella Wandsworth, causes a particularly severe illness in comparison to other strains of Salmonella,” Marler said. “Most of the victims of this outbreak were children whose parents took them to a health care provider for medical treatment. It is only fair for the manufacturer to reimburse families for medical expenses incurred due to consumption of their product.”

In a warning to consumers yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration stated that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had identified 52 people in 17 states that were part of the outbreak. FDA reported that most victims of the outbreak were children under 10 years old.

“The parents we’ve been contacted by believed they were feeding their children a healthy snack, not something that could kill them,” Marler added. “Some of these kids have been sick for weeks.”

Salmonella is one of the most common enteric (intestinal) infections in the United States. Salmonellosis, the illness caused by ingestion of Salmonella, is the second most common foodborne illness after Campylobacter infection. It is estimated that 1.4 million cases of Salmonellosis occur each year in the U.S.; 95% of those cases are food-related. Approximately 220 of each 1000 cases result in hospitalization and eight of every 1000 cases result in death. About 500 to 1,000 or 31% of all food-related deaths are caused by Salmonella infections each year. For more information about Salmonella, visit www.about-Salmonella.com.

Marler and his law partners in Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. Marler Clark currently represents 93 victims of last fall’s E. coli outbreak traced to contaminated spinach grown in California’s Salinas Valley and over 4,000 victims of the Salmonella outbreak that was recently traced to Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter. Marler comments on foodborne illness outbreaks and litigation at www.marlerblog.com.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

A Salmonella outbreak in and around Racine, Wisconsin, is over, according to a story in the Racine Report.  According to the newspaper:

No definitive cause of the outbreak has been determined, but health department officials continue to investigate, Gesner said.

As of Tuesday, health officials had identified 34 laboratory-confirmed salmonella cases.

Twenty-nine of the laboratory-confirmed cases were in Racine County, including 18 in the city of Racine. Three cases were in Kenosha County and two were in Waushara County. A case earlier reported in Milwaukee County has since been found to be unrelated.

Although salmonella is quite common — with 900 cases a year in the state — the regional concentration and timing of recent cases suggested an outbreak

Most of the Salmonella cases were reported in the frist two weeks of May, and the concentration led health officials to consider that the victims had eaten food in a common place; however, the investigation into the outbreak so far has not led to a determination of where the outbreak originated.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The CDC today released its preliminary 2006 food-borne illness data from 10 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Tennessee. A total of 17,252 confirmed cases (actual cases may be anywhere between 20 and 30 times the confirmed cases) of food-borne illness were reported in those states in 2006, according to the CDC. The most commonly reported illnesses were:

Salmonella: 6,655 cases

Campylobacter: 5,712 cases

Shigella: 2,736 cases

Cryptosporidium: 859 cases

E. coli O157: 590 cases

E. coli non-O157: 209 cases

Yersinia: 158 cases

Vibrio: 154 cases

Listeria: 138 cases

Cyclospora: 41 cases

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Federal health department officials will inspect a Melbourne nursing home as investigations continue into a food poisoning outbreak that killed four people.  Three men and a woman, aged in their 70s and 80s, died from salmonella-related gastroenteritis following the outbreak at Broughton Hall nursing home and hostel at Camberwell, in Melbourne's inner east.

State and federal health agencies and the Victorian coroner are investigating the deaths amid anger the outbreak was not reported to Victoria's Department of Human Services (DHS) until 10 days after the first detected case.  Twenty residents at the 30-bed commonwealth-funded home were affected by the illness, which was first detected on April 5.  Two people are recovering in hospital.

For more infromation on Salmonella, see www.about-salmonlla.com.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Susan McCord of the Albany Herald wrote that:

About 15 investigators and attorneys gathered with ConAgra Foods attorneys outside the Sylvester Peter Pan plant Friday morning on a second day of inspections at the plant.

Personal injury lawyer Dave Babcock, from Seattle law firm Marler Clark, said he was accompanied by a sanitation expert who would make observations inside the plant on their second and final court-ordered day to inspect the plant.

Not long after, Plant Manager Earl Ehret requested that press leave ConAgra premises. Ehret took over as manager of the Sylvester plant earlier this year, days before the Food and Drug Administration linked a nationwide outbreak of salmonella to peanut butter produced there.

Ehret replaced Tom Gentle, who had managed the Sylvester plant for about three years. Gentle now works at another ConAgra facility, Ehret said.  Since the Feb. 14 recall, the FDA states that 425 people have been made ill by the peanut butter.  Last week, ConAgra announced its plans to completely renovate the Sylvester plant while it resumes production of Peter Pan at another location.  Peter Pan is expected back on store shelves in July, while the Sylvester plant is expected to be making peanut butter again in early August, ConAgra communication director Stephanie Childs said.

A few items of interest:

24)        Was asked by Engineer to look at dead rodent specimen in Maintenance Room
25)        Proceeded to Maintenance Room
26)        Observed decomposing desiccated rodent carcass (young rat or mouse)
27)        Request made to escorts to take rodent carcass as a sample
28)        Request denied by escorts
29)        Swabbed rodent carcass
30)        Found decomposed rodent remains including bones and other body appendages, hair
31)        Sampled decomposed rodent remains
50)        Was asked by a co-worker to look at a hole in an upper wall in an upper area of room
51)        Proceeded to upper area of mixing room
52)        Observed hole in wall penetrating to the outside
53)        Swabbed hole in wall
54)        Found bird feathers on pipe
72)        Swabbed food waste and bird dropping and a piece of suspected organic matter on roof surfaces

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Maggie Fox of Reuters reported today:

E. coli and Salmonella infections are on the rise in the United States, but other foodborne illnesses appear to have leveled off, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. But after falling sharply in 2003 and 2004 when the meat industry pulled together to make ground beef safer, rates of E. coli O157:H7 infections have rebounded, and many appear to be related to outbreaks in fresh produce, the CDC said.

"As recent outbreaks have shown, too many people in the United States are getting sick each year from foodborne illnesses," CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding told reporters in a telephone briefing. "For instance, the outbreaks involving tomatoes, lettuce and spinach underscore the need to more effectively prevent contamination of produce," Gerberding added.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I was alerted a few weeks ago that the roof at the Sylvester, Georgia ConAgra peanut butter plant had been leaking and that the sprinkler system had failed on a few occasions.  We then sought a court order requiring that ConAgra allow us in to view the roof before they tried to repair or replace it.   The court ordered the site visit tol be next Monday morning.  Interestingly, days before our visit, ConAgra spokespersons came clean with the leaky roof and Salmonella connection.  What more is out there?

See below.

ConAgra says moisture in peanut butter plant spread salmonella

Josh Funk of the Omaha Associated Press reported yesterday that ConAgra Foods said that moisture from a leaky roof and faulty sprinkler in its Georgia peanut butter plant last August allowed salmonella bacteria to infect its finished product and later sicken more than 400 people nationwide.

According to ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs, the company traced the salmonella outbreak to three incidents in its Sylvester, Ga., plant last August. The plant's roof leaked during a rainstorm and the sprinkler system went off twice because of a faulty sprinkler, which was repaired. The moisture from those three incidents mixed with dormant salmonella bacteria in the plant that Childs said likely came from raw peanuts and peanut dust. She said the plant was cleaned thoroughly after the roof leak and sprinkler incidents, but somehow the salmonella remained and came in contact with peanut butter before it was packaged. The company isn't sure exactly how the salmonella got into the peanut butter, but Childs said it was linked to the moisture. "At some point, the salmonella that was activated came in contact with finished peanut butter," Childs said.

ConAgra recalled all its peanut butter in February after federal health officials linked it to cases of salmonella infection. At least 425 people in 44 states were sickened, and numerous lawsuits have been filed against the company.

Leaky roof at ConAgra plant blamed in outbreak

Joe Ruff of the Omaha World-Herald also reported that moisture from a leaky roof and a faulty sprinkler at ConAgra Foods' peanut butter manufacturing plant in Georgia led to a salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 400 people nationwide. Last August, the roof of the Georgia plant leaked once and the sprinkler system went off twice because of a faulty sprinkler, allowing moisture into the plant, Childs said.

Despite extensive cleanup, Childs said, the moisture apparently came into contact with dormant salmonella from raw peanuts or peanut dust, and the bacteria became entrenched in some areas of the plant. Changes at the plant will include more separation between raw product and processed product to lessen the chances of contamination, Childs said. Food and Drug Administration officials have said salmonella was found on a roaster and some cleaning equipment.

ConAgra Foods Announces the Renovation of Its Peanut Butter Plant and Enhanced Food Safety Measures

Continue Reading...

• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Consumers who drank milk from Stump Acres Dairy in Pennslyvania have been urged by the State Health Secretary to contact their physician for possible salmonella poisoning. Full story

State Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today advised consumers who purchased raw milk from Stump Acres Dairy of New Salem, York County, after March 19 to consider not consuming the raw milk due to possible health concerns.

A consumer who drank raw milk purchased from the dairy after March 19 experienced gastrointestinal illness. As a result, Stump Acres Dairy voluntarily stopped raw milk sales on March 27 as a precautionary measure.

In February, raw milk purchased at Stump Acres Dairy was linked to eight cases of infection with Salmonella Typhimurium and sales were suspended on March 2. On March 19, the dairy resumed raw milk sales following testing, cleaning and additional inspection.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

WALB !0 reported that Salmonella has been found in the roaster that Con Agra intended to destroy and replace.

Sylvester- FDA investigators finally have some details on the location of that Salmonella outbreak that shut down the Sylvester ConAgra Foods plant five weeks ago. Thursday, ConAgra Foods blamed a $48 million loss this quarter on its recall of Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut Butter and there's still no timetable of when production will start back.

It's been five weeks since the lines at ConAgra Foods looked like this and it could be the end of May before production resumes. The clean up can begin now that the FDA has pin-pointed the cause.

"The two environmental positives that we did find were, one of them was in relation to the roaster and the other was on some cleaning equipment," said Dr. David Acheson.

Because it was found twice in the environment, the FDA investigators assume it's other places and recommend a complete cleanup. ConAgra is working with microbiologist on a plan to resume operations, but doesn't have an exact date.

"The precise way to clean up is up to them to decide what the recommendation we make is pretty general and that is that the company needs to do a through clean up to ensure the absence of Salmonella in any future product that's produced in the facility, said Acheson.

FDA inspectors are gone from the plant now, but will return once the cleanup is complete to make sure there are no future problems.

The Centers for Disease Control stopped updating the number of reported Salmonella cases last week. The CDC reported 425 people in 44 states were sickened by the peanut butter. Twenty percent of those illnesses were serious enough to require hospitalization

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Sun-Sentinel has reported that the salmonella outbreak in Kane County, Florida may have been caused by salmonella contaminated Mexican-style cheese.  Full story

South Florida - State health officials are searching for an illegal Mexican-style cheese manufacturer as the possible source of a recurring salmonella outbreak in Kane County, authorities said Thursday.

A sample unlabeled cheese taken by a county health inspector from an Aurora store tested positive this week for salmonella Newport, the same strain identified with the outbreak that has sickened more than 30 people, according to Paul Kuehnert, deputy director of the Kane County Health Department.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Five confirmed cases of salmonella have been reported to the health department since Feb. 28.

A press release from Public Health administrator Toni Corona said four people affected had reported eating at Vanzo's beginning Feb. 21. An investigation is ongoing and a specific source or food item associated with the outbreak has not been identified.  The restaurant at 132 N. Main St. Edwardsville, voluntarily closed over the issue. People who ate at the restaurant suffered diarrhea, fever or nausea/vomiting afterwards may be implicated in this outbreak.  The health department is interviewing both ill and well patrons who frequented Vanzo's between Feb. 21 and March 6. Call (618) 692-8954, ext. 2 for an interview or if you have any questions regarding Salmonella. Anyone currently experiencing symptoms should contact their primary care provider for medical advice.

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Here is a warning from The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding possible salmonella contaminated black forest ham:

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Siena Foods Ltd., Toronto are warning the public not to consume the Siena Deli brand sliced black forest ham described below because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected Siena Deli brand Dry Roasted Black Forest Ham is sold in 100-200 g packages bearing Best Before date of 07MR22 and UPC 0203580 101949.
The affected black forest ham was distributed in Ontario.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Continue Reading...

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

This is to acknowledge that we have received the completed Salmonella peanut butter questionnaire.  We will follow-up with you as necessary for any additional information needed on yours or you child's claim(s). If medical care was received related to a Salmonella illness we will order copies of records directly using the release document provided. We will also be undertaking leftover peanut butter testing for the Salmonella bacteria using a private laboratory in the Seattle area. Many, but not all, leftover containers will be tested. If your container(s) is/are to be tested, you will receive a separate packet in the mail with materials and instructions to package and ship your peanut butter to the lab. Do not send leftover peanut butter to Marler Clark. If you have an open container of peanut butter, place it into a plastic bag and store in a cool spot. Do not freeze the peanut butter. If you handle the peanut butter container with your bare hands be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water immediately after handling. For further information and updates on the peanut butter litigation visit: www.peanutbutterclassaction.com

• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

SIERR