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 Outbreak Has Sickened 641, Hospitalized 41
The nationwide cyclospora outbreak has now sickened 641 people and hospitalized 41, according to the latest update by the CDC. That's an increase of five since the last update last week, which indicates the outbreak may be slowing down. No deaths have been reported. The number of cases in each area is as follows: Texas (282), Iowa (156), Nebraska (86), Florida (32), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (11), Arkansas (10), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), New York City (5), Kansas (4), Louisiana (3), Connecticut (2), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), New Jersey (4), New York (2), Ohio (2), Virginia (3), California (1), New Hampshire (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1). The patient age range remains from less than one year to 92 years, with a median age of 51 years. Fifty-six percent of … [Read more...]
Now 616 Sickened in Nationwide Cyclospora Outbreak
As of August 28, 2013, there are now 616 people sickened in the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak. The ill persons live in 22 states: Texas (263), Iowa (156), Nebraska (86), Florida (32), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (11), Arkansas (10), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), New York City (5), Kansas (4), New Jersey (4), Louisiana (3), Virginia (3), Connecticut (2), Minnesota (2), New York (2), Ohio (2), California (1), New Hampshire (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1). Some of the cases may be from travel to other states, and one case may be associated with travel out of the country. Among the 591 people with available information, 45 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Taylor Farms de Mexico, with FDA approval, has resumed production and shipment of salad mix, … [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...]
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 Outbreak: CSPI Says Packaged Greens May Carry More Risk
that have sickened more than 400 people across the country in an outbreak have been linked to packaged salad greens. These products have been linked to many outbreaks over the years. In fact, a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released in January of this year, said that leafy greens were responsible for the majority of foodborne illness outbreaks from 1998 to 2008. Last year, the seventh largest food poisoning outbreak in the U.S. was linked to a spinach and spring mix. In the story Fear of Fresh, from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, researchers state that greens packaged in bags may be causing more foodborne outbreaks, because there are ingredients from many different plants packaged into one bag. And those ingredients can come … [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...]
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...]
