The FDA has updated its investigation into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. They have now named the California counties where they believe the lettuce was grown. Remember, most of the patients in this outbreak live in California. The specific California counties include Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura. More counties may be added to this list as the FDA traceback develops. Romaine lettuce that was harvested from locations outside of the specific California regions identified, along with lettuce that is grown hydroponically and in greenhouses. The FDA lifted its recommendation the consumers avoid all romaine lettuce. Romaine lettuce … [Read more...]
Another Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Announced; Some May Sue
Another romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The language from the government is very strong: "CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak." Thirty-two people in 11 states are sick in this outbreak. Thirteen people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: California (10), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (3), New York (2), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from October 8 to October 31, 2018. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. It's very … [Read more...]
USDA Releases Distribution List in Cargill E. coli O26 Ground Beef Outbreak
The USDA has released the distribution list of where the ground beef in the deadly Cargill E. coli O26 outbreak was sold. That Cargill E. coli outbreak sickened 18 people in four states and killed one person in Florida. Six people were hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. UPDATED 8/27/18: The grocery stores and chain stores that probably sold the ground beef nationwide include Aldi stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin; FoodMaxx in California, Pak N Save in California, Meijer nationwide; Safeway/Albertson's in California, Colorado, and Hawaii; Sam's Club in North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia; Target stores nationwide; and Vons in California. In addition, in California, … [Read more...]
Publix Ground Chuck Associated with E. coli O26 Outbreak in Florida; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The USDA has issued a recall that contains an announcement about an E. coli O26 outbreak among people, who primarily live in Florida, who have eaten Publix ground chuck products. At least 18 people are sick with this infection, with illness onset dates ranging from July 5 to July 25, 2018. Publix is voluntarily recalling ground chuck items that were purchased by consumers from June 25, 2018 through July 31, 2018. The list of recalled products is very long, and includes Bacon & cheddar burgers, Bacon & Fried onion slider, Badia seasoned ground chuck burger, Blue cheese burgers, Ground chuck, Ground chuck for chili, Jalapeño & cheddar slider, Jalapeño and cheddar meatballs, meat loaf grillers, Mesquite seasoned ground chuck burger, Seasoned meatloaf (oven ready), Spanish … [Read more...]
Deadly Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak May Be Linked to Cow Feces
The FDA just updated their investigation into the deadly Romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak this summer that sickened 210 people in 36 states and killed 5. Ninety-six people were hospitalized, including 27 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. It seems that canal water in the Yuma Arizona growing region is close to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). In other words, it's likely that cow feces contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria got into the canal water that irrigated the romaine lettuce fields in that area. CAFOs are huge cattle operations that can hold more than 100,000 head of cattle at any one time. There is a cluster of romaine lettuce farms nearby. The Environmental Assessment report the FDA is working on will be … [Read more...]
Tennessee E. coli Outbreak That Sickened 15 Children Had Two Sources; Lawsuits Possible
The E. coli O157 outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee that sickened fifteen children had two sources, according to the Knox County Health Department. Fifteen confirmed cases were reported to KCHD in the last several weeks in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Nine of those children were hospitalized because they were so sick in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Seven patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Of the children who were hospitalized, one remains in fair condition at Tennessee Children's Hospital. Lab reports confirmed that two different strains of E. coli O157 bacteria caused these illnesses. KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan said in a statement, "“While it is rare, it appears we had two sets of children sickened by two different strains … [Read more...]
Romaine Lettuce E. coli Lawsuit Filed As Huge Outbreak That Sickened 210 Ends
Romaine lettuce E. coli lawsuit has been filed as the huge outbreak linked to the leafy green ends. "This isn't the first time ready-to-eat produce has been linked to a deadly E. coli O157 outbreak," said Fred Pritzker, attorney and food safety expert, "but it is the largest outbreak of its kind since 2006." Two hundred ten people were sickened in this outbreak. And worse, 27 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. On June 28, 2018 the FDA stated that an environmental assessment in the Yuma, Arizona growing region, where officials think the contaminated lettuce is from, found the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 in Canada water. The pathogenic bacteria has the same genetic fingerprint as the bacteria isolated in patient samples. Officials also … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in Knox County, TN; Several Attended A Kids Place; Lawsuits Possible
The Knox County Health Department is still investigating a cluster of E. coli O157 cases in children that are "likely associated" with consumption of raw milk and contact with farm animals. More than 10 illnesses have been reported to the KCHD. All are among children. One new development is that several of those sick children attended A Kids Place, a childcare facility in Mascot, Tennessee. Last week a report was received telling officials about that illness. KCHD reviewed the case lab report. The news update states, "Several other cases reported attending A Kids Place, Inc. During the investigation, exposure to ruminant farm animals was identified as a potential source of infection. All cases were among an age group that was housed in one portion of the facility. That portion is … [Read more...]
Lawyer Says: It’s June 2018 and There Have Been Nine Food Poisoning Outbreaks So Far
This has been a busy year for foodborne illness lawyers. It's only the beginning of June, and there have already been nine major food poisoning outbreaks in the United States. The outbreaks caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria include the huge outbreak linked to romaine lettuce. In that outbreak, almost 200 people have been sickened. Eighty-nine people have been hospitalized because their illnesses have been so severe. Twenty-six people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. And five people have died. Just this week an E. coli O157 outbreak was announced in Tennessee. Ten children are sick, and four are hosptialized in serious condition with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Officials think that raw milk from French Broad Farm in Knoxville caused those … [Read more...]
E. coli Lawyer Discusses Romaine Lettuce Outbreak
E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker is representing people sickened in the deadly E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. We asked him about the outbreak. "With almost 200 people sickened across the country, this is the largest E. coli outbreak of 2018," says attorney Pritzker. Eighty-nine people sickened in the outbreak have been hospitalized. "The CDC is reporting 26 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, referred to as HUS, associated with this outbreak. HUS damages the kidneys and often causes renal failure," says Pritzker. "The pain and suffering associated with these cases is off the charts." Five people have died, and Pritzker says these families should contact an E. coli lawyer about a wrongful death lawsuit. The … [Read more...]
