A Cyclospora lawsuit was filed for food poisoning in 2013 when Iowa and Nebraska were hit by an outbreak of the parasite, which was linked by the FDA and CDC to salad mix from Mexico supplied to Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. The final analysis showed 227 people from those two Midwestern states afflicted by the contamination, which was preventable. The defective salad mix came from Mexico and five ranches in that country were ultimately inspected by the FDA in a fact-finding environmental assessment. The salad mix was produced by a processor of foodservice salads, Taylor Farms de Mexico. Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker and his firm, PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, represent more than 60 case patients of this outbreak and his team can be contacted for a free consultation on how … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Cyclospora Outbreak; Fresh Cilantro Suspected
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the Cyclospora outbreak in the US. This is the first update since September 24, 2013, just before the government shutdown. There has been no change in the case count; 643 people have been sickened in 25 states. Forty-five people have been hospitalized in this outbreak; there have been no deaths and no recall was associated with any product. Public health officials believe the outbreak is over. The case count is as follows: Texas (278), Iowa (153), Nebraska (86), Florida (32), Wisconsin (17), Arkansas (13), Illinois (13), New York City (7), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), Kansas (4), New Jersey (4), Louisiana (3), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (3), Ohio (3), Virginia (3), Connecticut (2), New York (2), California (1), … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Lawsuit Roundup – Iowa and Nebraska
Several lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims of the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened over 600 people in 22 states. The cases in Iowa and Nebraska are linked to lettuce salad served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants that was supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico, according to the CDC. Below is a roundup of the Iowa and Nebraska lawsuits filed to date. Iowa Cyclospora Lawsuits At least 2 Cyclospora lawsuits have been filed in Iowa, both in the United Stated District Court for the District of Northern Iowa. The defendants (companies sued) in both Iowa lawsuits are Darden Corporation, the owner of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other restaurants, and Taylor Fresh Foods, the owner of Taylor Farms de Mexico. One Iowa plaintiff (person who is suing) ate at the … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Outbreak Continues to Grow; CDC Issues Advice to Consumers
The Cyclospora outbreak has now sickened 598 people, according to the latest update from the CDC. Forty people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths. Public health officials do not know if all of the illnesses are part of the same outbreak, although the outbreak in Iowa and Nebraska has been linked to a food service salad mix. Taylor Farms de Mexico salads, sold at Olive Garden and Red Lobster, are linked to the Cyclospora cases in those states. The outbreak by state is: Texas (250), Iowa (155), Nebraska (86), Florida (31), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (11), Arkansas (10), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), New York City (5), Kansas (4), Louisiana (3), Connecticut (2), Minnesota (2), New Jersey (2), New York (2), Ohio (2), Virginia (2), California (1), New Hampshire (1), South … [Read more...]
Nebraska Cyclospora Outbreak Case Count Increases to 87
As of August 8, 2013, there are 87 people sick with Cyclospora in the state of Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services just updated their case count. Most of the Cyclospora cases, 47, are in Douglas county, right next to the Iowa border. Sarpy/Cass has 11 cases, and the Three Rivers region has 5. At least five people have been hospitalized in this outbreak. The illnesses in that state and in Iowa have been linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico food service salads served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants, part of the Darden chain. The salad mix that has been linked to this outbreak contained iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Cyclospora is a rare parasite that causes gastrointestinal illnesses. The symptoms include watery … [Read more...]
Nebraska Hard Hit By Cyclospora
The state of Nebraska has been hard hit in the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 400 in 16 states. As of August 2, 2013, there are 84 people sick in that state, most in the eastern part. The counties of Douglas, with 47 cases, and Sarpy/Cass, with 11 cases, have the most illnesses. The cases in Nebraska have been linked to salad mix by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., which makes foodservice salads that were served at local Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Taylor Farms de Mexico is located in Salinas, north of Mexico City. The states of Nebraska and Iowa have the most cases: 232 in all. But the 210 cases in other states have not been conclusively linked to the Nebraska/Iowa outbreak, or to Taylor Farms products. Taylor Farms de Mexico has been … [Read more...]
CDC Chronicles Decades of Surveillance Over Cyclospora in Food
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it has investigated Cyclospora outbreaks over the past two decades -- a surveillance record that adds to the credibility of the agency's report that the current outbreak of Cyclospora in Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida and elsewhere is associated with bagged salad. The CDC chronicled its work identifying outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in its latest Morbitity and and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC, in collaboration with state and local public health authorities, analyzes each reported case for epidemiologic evidence of linkage to other cases to facilitate rapid identification and investigation of outbreaks. U.S. clusters of cases have been documented almost every year since 1995, the agency said. For the period 1997 to 2008, the CDC … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Attorneys Call for Disclosures on Behalf of Victims
Cyclospora attorney Fred Pritzker said in a press release today that at least one nationally advertised restaurant chain is likely to be involved in the Cyclospora outbreak linked to bagged, mixed salad. The food poisoning lawyers called on public health officials to disclose the name of the salad processor and restaurant for the sake of victims who have been injured in Iowa, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin and several other states. The Bad Bug Law Team at Pritzker's Minneapolis-based law firm, Pritzker Hageman, is representing people who were sickened in the outbreak. Pritzker said it's apparent that officials in Nebraska, Iowa and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta are withholding the identity of the supplier or any restaurants involved. Restaurants … [Read more...]
Attorney Investigating Cyclospora Outbreak Says Chain Restaurant is Involved
Noted food safety attorney Fred Pritzker is actively investigating the Cyclospora outbreak that is linked to bagged, mixed salad. Pritzker says he has been investigating this outbreak for several weeks and there may be at least one nationally advertised restaurant chain involved. “Any restaurants that are associated with this outbreak are responsible for the harm suffered by those sickened according to the law,” said Pritzker, who represents food poisoning victims in personal injury lawsuits against food processors, restaurants and others. To date there are a total of 397 cases of Cyclospora infection (cyclosporiasis) from 15 states, according to the CDC and state health officials: Iowa (143), Texas (122), Nebraska (76), Florida (24), Wisconsin (10), New York (5), Illinois (4) … [Read more...]
Cyclospora: CDC Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Update and FAQ
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections (cyclosporiasis) in 15 states: Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. Almost 400 people have contracted cyclosporiasis, which can cause weeks of diarrhea. What is the food that is making people sick? Bagged salad mix is the source of this outbreak, according to the CDC and Iowa and Nebraska health officials. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that the salad mix contained iceberg and romaine lettuce, carrots and red cabbage. The Nebraska Department of Health stated that the salad mix came through national distribution channels. What is Cyclospora? Cyclospora … [Read more...]
