Food Poisoning Law Blog : Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : PritzkerLaw : Food Safety, Outbreaks & Recalls

Michigan State University students may be among the victims of the E.coli outbreak linked to clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants.

Michigan health officials are investigating at least seven cases of E. coli poisoning where victims range in age form 19-50. Several Jimmy John’s restaurants are near the campus. Laboratory testing has confirmed that the E. coli 026 strain responsible for two of those illnesses is a genetic match to the strain linked to the Jimmy John’s E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in six states. Testing to determine if the other five cases also match the outbreak strain is underway, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). 

At least two of the seven patients in Michigan have been hospitalized. It is not yet known whether hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has played a role in the hospitalizations. HUS is a condition that commonly occurs in the aftermath of E.coli infections. HUS causes kidney failure and often requires dialysis and transfusions. 

All seven patients in Michigan reported eating raw sprouts at sandwich shops in mid and southeastern regions of the state.  MDCH is working with state and federal officials from to determine the source of the sprouts and is recommending that people avoid consumption of raw clover sprouts until further information is available.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection include sever abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and sometimes a low-grade fever.  Anyone who ate sprouts and has these symptoms should contact a healthcare provider. Anyone with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation. Contact an E.coli lawyer by calling 1(888) 377-8900 or reach them online.

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The Jimmy John's outbreak in Michigan and five other Midwest states is the latest in a never-ending series of public health threats that could be substantially curbed if restaurants banned the use of raw sprouts, E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzer said today in a press release.

The national food safety attorney called on restaurants, commercial kitchens and other food service providers to cease serving raw sprouts of any kind unless an explicit food safety warning is provided on menus.

 "If consumers are going to be put in harm's way, justice demands they be forewarned,'' said Pritzker, whose Minneapolis-based law firm is one of the very few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in food borne illness litigation.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is representing victims in the Jimmy John's E. coli O26 outbreak and continues to accept additional cases as families affected by the outbreak look for experienced representation.

Pritzker said that more than a decade of concentrated effort by regulators and sprout suppliers has failed to make raw sprouts safe to eat. The Jimmy John's outbreak is simply the latest of far too many outbreaks that have sickened unsuspecting consumers. The CDC has publicly tracked six separate outbreaks linked to sprouts in the past three years that have killed more than 50 people and sickened more than 4,500.

"These people suffered severe pain due to a collapse of food safety measures,'' said Pritzker, one of four national figures chosen to debate the dangers of raw milk earlier this month at Harvard University.

Many restaurants already have removed raw sprouts from their offerings, including Jimmy John's. For those who persist in selling them in ready-to-eat food, an explicit public warning should be mandatory, Pritzker said. The warning should alert consumers to the risk of life-threatening virulent bacteria, he said.

Toxic E. coli is the latest pathogen to contaminate sprouts in a multi-state outbreak, but Salmonella and Listeria also have a history of harboring in sprouts sold into the food supply.

"The only way to make sprouts safe is to cook them,'' Pritzker said. "Serving them raw to an unsuspecting public is irresponsible and should be banned.''

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Michigan health officials are tracking down the source an E. coli outbreak that has sickened as many as seven people in South Michigan. Two of the cases are confirmed infections of E.coli 026 and laboratory testing has confirmed that their genetic fingerprint is a match of the strain at the heart of a multi-state outbreak linked to clover sprouts from Jimmy John’s restaurants that has sickened at least 14 people in six states.Testing to determine if the other five cases also match the outbreak strain is underway an official from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) confirmed today.

At least two of the seven patients have been hospitalized. It is not yet known whether hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has played a role in the hospitalizations. HUS is an illness that most commonly occurs in the aftermath of food poisoning, particularly E.coli infections. t usually affects children under the age of 10, but it can also affect but adolescents and adults. The age range for the seven patients in this investigation is 19-50.

People with HUS have kidney failure and often require dialysis and transfusions. HUS damages and destroys red blood cells which cause kidney failure and other serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions including gall stones, pancreatitis, seizures, coma, blindness, heart problems and damage to the central nervous system.

All seven patients reported eating raw sprouts at sandwich shops in mid and southeastern MIchigan. MDCH is working with officials from the state and federal government to determine the source of the sprouts and is recommending that people avoid consumption of raw clover sprouts until further information about the origin of the contaminated sprouts is available.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection include diarrhea, which is often bloody and abdominal cramps with little or no fever. Anyone who ate sprouts and has these symptoms should contact a healthcare provider. Anyone with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A.. for a free consultation. Contact an E.coli lawyer by calling 1(888) 377-8900 or reach them online.
 

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The Jimmy John's E. coli sprouts outbreak in Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Wisconsin has prompted more discussion in the restaurant community about pulling raw sprouts from menus.

Sprouts have a long history with food borne illness, including several outbreaks at Jimmy John's alone. The latest of those outbreaks involves E. coli O26, sickening at least 14, including two women in Michigan announced late last week. Michigan also has five "suspect cases'' of E. coli O26 infection. Raw clover sprouts are  suspected as the cause.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is conducting its own investigation of the Michigan Jimmy John's outbreak. If you or a loved one has been sickened after eating raw clover sprouts at any sandwich restaurant in Michigan, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) for a free consultation, or leave your contact information and a Pritzker Olsen attorney will call. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. 

Jimmy John's itself has finally pulled all sprouts from its menu. Two other restaurant chains dealing heavily in sandwiches also have made announcements about raw sprouts in the past two months. 

Jason’s deli announced last week that it has no plans to allow raw sprouts back onto its menu until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develops stronger safety guidelines and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends raw sprouts for pregnant women, seniors, young adults and others with compromised immune systems.

“Nobody can argue with the need for food safety regulations,” stated the Jason’s deli founder and CEO, Joe Tortorice, Jr. His company first announced in late January that it had lost confidence in sprouts due to food safety concerns.

Erbert and Gerbert’s Sandwich Shops have also made the decision to remove alfalfa sprouts from all locations across the system. "The system is taking a proactive approach to remove the items from the menu to prevent guests from any potential health risks,'' the Wisconsin-based company said in a news release.

“The decision to pull the sprouts from our menu system wide is being made to protect the health of our guests,” said Eric Wolfe, CEO/president, E&G Franchise Systems, Inc. “We value the well being of our customers and felt removing all sprouts from our menu and sandwich line was the best way to eliminate the risk.”

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Michigan health officials are scrambling to find the origin of contaminated raw clover sprouts that are suspected of making at least seven people sick from toxic E. coli infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that at least two of the seven Michigan residents were sickened by the same, identical strain of E.coli O26 responsible for an outbreak at Jimmy John's.

Michigan's departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are issuing a public health alert regarding illness from shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli). The seven patients from mid- and southeast Michigan have reported eating raw clover sprouts prior to getting sick. "At this time, MDCH is recommending that people avoid consumption of raw clover sprouts until further information about the origin of the contaminated sprouts is available.''

The announcement dovetailed with an update on the Jimmy John's raw clover E. coli outbreak by the CDC. Click here to see the CDC Jimmy John's outbreak report. In that outbreak, there are now a total of 14 confirmed case patients -- all women -- from Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wisconsin and now Michigan.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is a national food safety law firm representing victims of practially all major outbreaks of foodborne illness. Investigators from our firm are conducting an independent review of the raw clover E. coli outbreaks. Our firm has previously represented victims of food poisoning at Jimmy John's.

A good E. coli lawyer will help you or a loved one receive a fair claim for harms that are both immediate and foreseeable. That's because a major study has shown that even short-term E. coli infections can cause lasting internal damage that requires medical checkups and treatment later in life.

Concerned individuals may call for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call you with free advice. Our firm is one of the very few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions for E. coli victims in the Midwest, where our headquarters office is located.

Jimmy John's E. coli Lawsuit Foundation:

 A traceback investigation by public disease experts found that the likely cause of the Jimmy John's outbreak was raw clover sprouts from two different growing facilities. The seeds for those sprouts came from the same contaminated lot of a seed distribution company that has not been named. The seed distributor, earlier this month, informed all customers that seeds from the lot should be discarded.

E. coli O26 is capable of causing life-threatening complications and two of the seven Michigan cases sent people to the hospital. The CDC said that as of yet there have been no deaths and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication that shuts down a person's renal system and can lead to stroke, heart attack, anemia and central nervous system disorders, including paralysis.

Michigan currently has two confirmed E. coli O26 cases from the Jimmy John's outbreak and five suspect cases not yet linked to the fast food sandwich chain. The illness onset dates range from February 6 - 12, 2012. All seven people reported consumption of raw sprouts at sandwich shops in mid and southeast Michigan. The earliest onsets of illness in the Jimmy John's outbreak happened around Christmas.

Anyone in Michigan or elsewhere in the Midwest who has recently eaten raw sprouts and is experiencing diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea and chills should contact their healthcare provider and any finding of E. coli infection should be reported to the local health department or a food poisoning lawyer who can handle your case.

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 A 3-year-old boy from Gloucester County, New Jersey, is among the 78 confirmed case patients in the Family Cow raw milk outbreak that has spread dangerous Campylobacter bacteria into homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia. At least nine have been hospitalized.

The latest update comes from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. In a press release this week, the agency renewed its public warning against consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk and urged anyone with information of raw milk sales activity within state borders to file a report with the state's Food and Drug Safety Program. New Jersey is one of 17 states that bans raw milk sale and distribution. Citizens could have legally purchased Family Cow's products by driving to prescribed drop-off points across the Delaware River.

Liability for this raw milk outbreak will fall on the dairy and its distributors. If you or a loved one has been sickened, call national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Founder and President Fred Pritzker was chosen this month by the Harvard Food Law Society to debate raw milk supporters based on his years of experience representing victims of these outbreaks. The event at Harvard Law School drew an overflowing crowd and has garnered international attention. by leaving your contact information, Mr. Pritzker can call you, or call the firm directly at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd reminded consumers that raw milk outbreaks happen despite regulatory oversight of producers in states where sales are legal, including Pennsylvania. "It is important to note that this outbreak occurred despite the fact that Family Cow Dairy is licensed, inspected, and operating in compliance with Pennsylvania laws.''

She said the second case- confirmed New Jersey victim is a 27-year-old man from Burlington County. Both he and the toddler became ill after consuming raw milk from the Family Cow Dairy in Pennsylvania, the statement said.

“Raw milk can contain a number of bacteria that can cause life-threatening illness, especially in those with compromised immune systems,” O’Dowd said. “Since consumers cannot tell if milk is contaminated by smelling or tasting it, residents should avoid consuming raw milk because of health risks associated with it.”

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Attorney Fred Pritzker was at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 16 at a raw milk debate hosted by the Food Law Society at Harvard. He discussed the dangers of raw milk with his debate partner, Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, director of the Dairy & Food Inspection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture. On the pro-raw-milk side was Sally Fallon Morell, president, Weston A. Price Foundation, and her debate partner, David Gumpert, author of The Raw Milk Revolution.

The Harvard Law Society put a video of the debate on YouTube yesterday, and here it is:

To contact Fred Pritzker, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

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A glass of raw milk is 150 times more likely to cause a foodborne illness outbreak than a glass of pasteurized milk, according to a new study by the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ( Click here to view  an ahead-of-print version.)

During the thirteen year period between 1993 and 2006, the results of three nationwide surveys showed that, on average, about 1 percent of Americans were raw milk drinkers, according to the CDC. Yet 60 percent of all dairy-related outbreaks during that time, 73 out of a total of 121 outbreaks, were caused by raw milk.

Proponents say raw milk, or milk that hasn’t been pasteurized, can aid digestion, boost the immune system and ease the symptoms of allergies and asthma. They say pasteurization kills beneficial bacteria along with the harmful ones. But most in the scientific and medical communities say the risk of illness from harmful bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Brucella and Campylobacter is so great that unpasteurized milk should not be consumed.

By pathogen the raw milk outbreaks between 1993 and 2006 were as follows:

• Campylobacter 39 (54%)
• Salmonella 16 (22%)
• Shiga toxin–producing E. coli  9 (13%)
• Brucella 3 (4%)
• Listeria 3 (4%)
• Shigella 2 (3%)
• Campylobacter and Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli -1  

The 73 raw milk outbreaks that occurred between 1993 and 2006 sickened 1571 people. Of those, 202 required hospitalization and two died. Raw milk caused more serious illness than pasteurized milk, the study showed, with hospitalization rates of 13 and 1 percent respectively.

What’s more, the study shows that raw milk disproportionately affects children. Sixty percent of those sickened by raw milk are children and teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children should not be given unpasteurized dairy products and recommends that pediatricians counsel caregivers against use of these products.

The 121 dairy-related outbreaks in the study sickened a total of 4413 people. Of those illnesses, 1571 were from raw milk and 2942 were from pasteurized, but raw milk accounted for only one percent of the 2.7 trillion pounds of milk consumed during the 13 year study period.  If safety were measured by  number of illnesses per pounds consumed, pasteurized milk would have had to sicken more than a 155,000 people- 50 times the actual number, during the study period to be as “safe” as raw milk. Or raw milk could have sickened a total of 16 people to be considered as safe as pasteurized.

The CDC ends its discussion of the study saying:

Pasteurization is the most reliable and feasible way to render dairy products safe for consumption. Although warning labels and signs or government-issued permits are prudent where the sale of nonpasteurized dairy products is legal, they have not been shown to be effective and, given the results of this analysis, do not seem to reduce the incidence of outbreaks involving nonpasteurized dairy products to the degree that pasteurization does, Whether certain types of warnings or more explicit health advisories might be more effective than others is unknown. Public health officials at all levels should continue to develop innovative methods to educate consumers and caregivers about the dangers associated with nonpasteurized dairy products. State officials should consider further restricting or prohibiting the sale or distribution of nonpasteurized dairy products within their states. Federal and state regulators should continue to enforce existing regulations to prevent distribution of nonpasteurized dairy products to consumers. Consumption of nonpasteurized dairy products cannot be considered safe under any circumstances.

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Taco Bell lawsuits are unfolding from the Salmonella outbreak that infected at least 68 people in 10 states. National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is an advocate for victims of this outbreak, which hit hardest in Texas and Oklahoma. A third of all case patients were hospitalized.

To reach a Taco Bell Salmonella litigator, call PritzkerOlsen for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 or leave your contact information and a staff attorney will call you to discuss Taco Bell food poisoning liability issues and answer any questions you might have. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in food borne illness litigation and we have collected millions for victims of Salmonella and other types of food poisoning.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis likely came from a widely distributed contaminated food product common to certain Taco Bell locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio and Tennessee. The public health investigation that began in October has not pinpointed the cause, but Taco Bell has admitted to being the restaurant that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified in the only official summary of the outbreak as the "Mexican-style fast food Restaurant Chain A.''

Food Poisoning at Taco Bell 

The outbreak is believed to be over, peaking in October and November of last year, but any family or individual who is considered a case patient can bring an action for recovery of claims against Taco Bell, which has been sued successfully in the past for food borne illness outbreaks. In 2006, this national restaurant chain was identified by a federal health investigation as the center of a 5-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in the Northeast that sickened at least 71 people. And in 2010, Taco Bell was implicated in a 21-state outbreak of Salmonella.

In the U.S. food safety system, litigation plays an important role in holding wrongdoers accountable for food contamination that makes people sick. Many healthy adults survive Salmonella infections without seeing a doctor, but the pathogen should not be underestimated as a potential cause of severe illness or death, especially in young children, older adults and people who have weakened immune systems, including people of any age who are fighting cancer.

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An E. coli outbreak likely caused by clover sprouts served at Jimmy Johns restaurants has sickened a dozen people in five states including at least one person from Wisconsin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC,  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and health officials from five states are investigating the outbreak caused by the Shiga toxin-producing strain E. coli O26. Investigators are using  DNA "fingerprints" of E. coli bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. 

Symptoms of E.coli poisoning include severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea that is often bloody. Health officials urge anyone with these symptoms to to see a health care provider.

So far, the case count by state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). All of the victims are female, two of them have been hospitalized.  Cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) have been not been reported. There have been no fatalities.

The national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen P.A. has launched its own investigation into the outbreak. Their team of experienced E.coli lawyers can answer legal questions about illnesses or hospitalizations associated with this outbreak.  Contact them for a free consultation by calling 1(888) 377-8900  TOLL FREE or online.

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National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker will give the keynote address at the 8th Annual North American Summit on Food Safety March 7-8, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. The two-day conference will bring together industry leaders from around the globe to discuss food safety.

Pritzker is founder and president of PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in food safety law. He represents victims of foodborne illness cases in North America and, as an active food safety advocate, educates colleagues and the public on food safety issues. His address, A Comprehensive Analysis of Prosecuting Foodborne Illness Cases will offer insight on how food safety measures can protect consumer health and prevent litigation. 

Other topics at the conference will include: developing a profitable food safety plan, the impact of the German E.  coli outbreak, identifying auditing discrepancies, supply chain collaboration, building trust after a safety violation, the Food Safety Modernization Act, allergen and labeling guidelines, innovations in traceability and large kitchen management. Click the link to register online

To contact Fred Pritzker about possible speaking engagements call him TOLL FREE at 1(888) 377-8900, email him at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
 

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Campylobacter infections are the leading trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases in this country, triggering as many as 40 percent of all cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guillain-Barré syndrome affects the nerves of the body, causing paralysis that can be short-term or permanent.

Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the U.S., sickening an estimated 2.4 million Americans every year. Illnesses are usually associated with undercooked meat and poultry, contaminated water or raw milk, such as the ongoing Family Cow raw milk outbreak that has sickened at least 77 people in four states.

With Guillain-Barré syndrome, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system which leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness, nerve damage and paralysis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Symptoms of Guillain-Barre´ include: loss of reflexes in the arms and legs, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, numbness, tenderness or muscle pain and uncoordinated movement, according to the NIH. Blurred vision, clumsiness, muscle contractions and heart palpitations may also occur.

There is no cure for Guillain-Barre´ syndrome. However, timely treatment can help to reduce symptoms and complications. Recovery usually requires intensive care and can take weeks, months, or years, according to NIH. Most people survive and recover completely, but for about 30% of patients, some weakness remains three years after the onset of illness.

If you have legal questions about a Campylobacter infection contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation or call them TOLL FREE at 1 (888)-377-8900.
 

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The Jimmy John's E. coli outbreak, as scanned here by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  is an interesting illustration of how the growing centralization of our food supply can result in multi-state outbreaks of dangerous disease.

The map shows a north-south pattern of distribution of contaminated clover sprouts that caused illness in twelve people across five states. According to the CDC, a traceback investigation found that two separate sprout-growing facilities supplied clover sprouts to Jimmy John's that were contaminated with the same, genetically matched strain of E. coli O26. The facilities obtained their clover seeds from the same supplier, out of the same lot of seeds.

On February 10, 2012, the seed supplier started to notify all sprouters who received this lot of clover seeds to stop using them. Investigations are ongoing to identify other locations that may have sold clover sprouts grown from this seed lot. Presumably, they too could cause infection.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is accepting cases from the Jimmy John's E. coli outbreak and any other outbreak that may result from the same systemic contamination of our food supply. As one of the very few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in foodborne illness litigation, our team will determine where liability for these illnesses resides and hold the responsible parties accountable for paying fair claims that consider the entire range of harms -- present and future -- that victims are now forced to live with.

Consumers have a right to expect that food served to them in a restaurant is free of any defects, especially pathogenic bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, cramping, fever, chills and nausea. Studies have show that toxic E. coli infections also cause vascular injury that can lead to problems later in a person's life. If you or a loved one has legal questions about the latest Jimmy John's food poisoning outbreak, call 1-888-377-8900 for a free consultation or leave your contact information and you will be called by an experienced E. coli lawyer.

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The Jimmy John’s E. coli outbreak likely caused by clover sprouts is one of at least five recent muti-state outbreaks caused by sprouts in the last three years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Currently, at least 12 people in five states have been sickened by E. coli O26 after eating sandwiches with sprouts from Jimmy John’s restaurants. State and federal investigators are are using DNA "fingerprints" of E. coli bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify any cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

The number of cases by state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). Those sickened range in age from 9 years to 49 years old, with a median age of 25 years old. All of them are female. Two of them have required hospitalization.

E.coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting. Sometimes there is also a low-grade fever. Some infections are mild, others are severe or even life-threatening. Health officials are urging anyone with these symptoms to contact a health care provider. Those with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, may contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

Recent outbreaks caused by sprouts include:

April- July 2011- A total of 25 people in five states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to eating alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts manufactured by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC. of Moyie Springs, Idaho.

November 2010 - February 2011 A total of 140 people in 26 states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- after eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets.

May - June 2010 A total of 44 people in 11states were infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Newport produces by H. Caldwell and Sons Inc. of Maywood, CA.

February 2009 A total of 235 people from14 states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul linked to multiple sprout growers and a single seed grower.
 

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The Jimmy John's E. coli outbreak in Missouri centered in the Springfield area, where three women became ill after eating sandwiches with raw clover sprouts at separate Jimmy John's stores from January 7 - January 13.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department investigation into those matching illnesses helped the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention trace a five-state outbreak of E. coli O26 to clover sprouts served by Jimmy John's in the Midwest. The outbreak started on Christmas day and has sickened at least a dozen people in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and Arkansas. Two people have been hospitalized.

Missouri's food safety investigators, like their counterparts at the CDC, believe the problem started with contaminated sprout seeds and further investigation is taking place. Investigating on behalf of victims of this outbreak is national food poisoning law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, one of the very few legal groups in the U.S. practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Missouri's cases are well documented and officials encourage anyone who experienced bloody diarrhea and other E. coli symptoms after eating a sandwich from Jimmy John's in the past two months to contact them. If your or a loved one has legal questions about this outbreak, contact Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call you. Our firm has collected tens of millions for E. coli victims over the years and is actively involved in numerous campaigns to prevent the spread of food contamination in the United States.

In Missouri, none of the three local cases resulted in hospitalizations, but studies have shown that E. coli infections don't have to be life-threatening to cause life-long health concerns, including injury to your vascular system that may not be readily apparent in the short term. A good E. coli lawyer will consider all immediate and future harms in pursuing a fair claims settlement. 

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A Jimmy John's E.coli outbreak has sickened at least 12 people, five of whom live in Iowa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported yesterday. Clover sprouts tainted with E.coli 026 are the likely source of the outbreak, the agency said.

E. coli O26 infections can be fatal or cause serious injury, including hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).  E. coli O26 is similar to the more common strain E. coli O157:H7,  but it is harder to identify so cases are likely underreported, according to the CDC.

Even after recovery from an E. coli infection,  there can be long-term health consequences including neurological damage, chronic kidney problems, diabetes, gall stones and irritable bowel syndrome. 

So far, there are 12 confirmed cases in five states: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1).  Among those for whom information is available, onset of illness ranged from December 25, 2011 to January 15, 2012.  Ages range rom 9 years to 49 years old, with a median age of 25 years old. All of the victims are female, two of them required hospitalization.

The law firm of PritzkerOlsen is a national leader in foodborne illness law. If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, our E.coli attorneys can help. Call them toll free at 1 (888)-377-8900 or contact them online.

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The first consumer warning about sprouts was issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997. By  mid-1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had advised all Americans to be aware of the risks associated with eating raw sprouts, which grow in conditions ripe for the clustering of bacteria. Here we are two decades later and the same two agencies are once again at the forefront of an outbreak of foodborne illness associated with sprouts.

Jimmy Johns E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in five states, including five in Iowa and three in Missouri. Kansas, Arkansas and Wisconsin are the three other states that have patients confirmed to be infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26. The CDC's initial report on the outbreak says all case-patients so far are women.

"Preliminary results indicate eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurants is the likely cause of this outbreak,'' the CDC report said. FDA is still conducting a traceback investigation to learn more about the origin of the contamination, but it has identified a common lot of clover seeds used to grow the sprouts served at Jimmy John's. Investigators are checking to see if other locations may have sold clover sprouts grown from the same seed lot.

Interviews by food investigators found that outbreak victims reported eating at nine different locations of Jimmy John's restaurants in 4 states in the week before becoming ill. So far there have been a couple of hospitalizations, but no deaths.

Individuals from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas or Wisconsin who have been sickened as part of this outbreak may have questions about a potential Jimmy Johns E. coli lawsuit. National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., provides free case consultations, or call the firm directly at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Over the years we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning while also working to prevent the spread of human pathogens in our food supply.

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An E. coli outbreak likely caused by clover sprouts from Jimmy Johns restaurants has sickened at least 12 people in five states, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC is working with public health officials in multiple states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the outbreak caused by the Shiga toxin-producing strain E. coli O26. Health officials are using DNA "fingerprints" of E. coli bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

Preliminary results of epidemiologic and traceback investigations indicate raw clover sprouts from Jimmy John's restaurants are the likely source of the outbreak. The FDA's traceback investigation, which is ongoing, has identified a common lot of clover seeds used to grow the sprouts for the Jimmy John's locations where those who became ill ate.

So far, the number of those sickened in each state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). All of the victims are female, two of them have been hospitalized. No cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) have been reported and no deaths have been reported.

Among those for whom information is available, ages range from 9 years to 49 years old, with a median age of 25 years old. Illness onset dates range from December 25, 2011 to January 15, 2012. However, illnesses that occurred after January 27, 2012, might not be reported yet due to the lag time between onset of illness and report of illness which typically takes two or three weeks, according to the CDC.

If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

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With a case count now at 65, the Campylobacter raw milk outbreak linked to The Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pa. is one of the largest the state or nation has seen in the last five years.

The outbreak has sickened 56 people in Pennsylvania, four in Maryland, three in West Virginia and two in New Jersey. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of the outbreak, but not involved in the day-to-day investigation, according to Holli Senior, deputy press secretary for Pennsylvania’s health department.

Over the last five years, there have been seven raw milk outbreaks in Pennsylvania that have sickened more than 250 people, Senior told PennLive.com. There hasn’t been a larger raw milk outbreak in the Pennsylvania since 2008 when a Lancaster County outbreak sickened 72 and Montgomery County outbreak sickened 68, she said. Those outbreaks are also the largest reported in the nation over the last five years.

Since Friday, five new cases have been reported in the current outbreak. They were all in Pennsylvania with two new cases in Montgomery County, and Northampton, Bucks and Lancaster counties with one new case each. The onset of illness now ranges from January 17 to February 1. By county, the total case count is as follows:

Adams 1 

Allegheny 1

Bucks 4 (increase by 1 from Friday)

Chester 4  

Cumberland 4

Delaware 5

Dauphin 1

Franklin 18 

Lancaster 8  (increase by 1 from Friday)

Montgomery 3 (increase by 2 from Friday)

Northampton 1 (new county)

Wyoming 1

York 5

If you need legal advice about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak contact the food safety attorneys at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

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 By Fred Pritzker

I'll be in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 16 for a widely anticipated raw milk debate hosted by the Harvard Food Law Society. If you search the web for traffic about this debate, you'll find that people as far away as New Zealand have marked it on their calendars in anticipation of a robust discussion of the legal, health and nutritional merits of raw milk and raw milk products. My perspective is that of a seasoned trial attorney who is president and founder of one of the very few law firms in the country that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation on behalf of consumers. 

The Food Law Society at Harvard has done such an excellent job in preparing for this debate and will not only livestream the event on the web but also will archive it on YouTube. I'll be traveling from Minnesota with my debate partner, Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, director of the Dairy & Food Inspection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture. We look forward to a rigorous, heart-felt exchange of information and opinions with Sally Fallon Morell, president, Weston A. Price Foundation, and her debate partner, David Gumpert, author of The Raw Milk Revolution.

The debate comes at a time of heightened interest in raw milk by sustainable living advocates who rightly long for reforms in agriculture and a return to a safer, more nutritious food supply from smaller farms closer to home and  friendlier to the earth.

It also coincides with what is the largest U.S. outbreak of foodborne illness caused by raw milk in more than three years. More than 60 people in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and New Jersey have fallen ill from Campylobacter, a harmful human pathogen that can result in life-threatening Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS). I currently represent a 67-year-old man GBS victim who suffered acute muscular paralysis in a 2010 Campylobacter raw milk outbreak linked to a dairy in New Castle, Pennsylvania. At one point he was on life support with only minimal head and eye movement.

Figuratively speaking, Dr. Kassenborg and myself will be accompanied by a dominant range of scientists, consumers groups, public health practitioners and federal agencies who all recommend - for human health reasons - that milk intended for human consumption be pasteurized. The list includes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians and Health Canada.

The Harvard raw milk debate is open to the public and here is how the Harvard Food Law Society has laid it out. :

 At one time, everyone drank raw milk. But with the invention of pasteurization and its attendant safety benefits, consumption of raw milk in this country almost completely disappeared. In fact, in many states it is illegal to sell raw milk. But a growing segment of the population is clamoring for increased access to raw milk, citing its nutritional benefits. Opponents are skeptical of such nutritional claims and believe the safety risks of unpasteurized milk are simply too high.

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012 

Time: 7:00pm until 9:00pm

Where: Harvard Law School, Langdell South Room, Boston, Massachusetts, 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 

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At least  51 people in four states have contracted Campylobacter infections after drinking tainted raw milk  produced by The Family Cow Farm in Chambersburg, Pa., according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The strain of Campylobacter jejuni found in unopened samples of Family Cow raw milk matches the outbreak strain, lab tests have confirmed. For those who became ill, the onset of illness ranges from January 17 to January 30. The confirmed case count by state is as follows: 42 in PA,  4 in MD, 2 in NJ and  3 in WV

In Pennsylvania, the outbreak has spread through 11 counties. Confirmed case count by Pa. county is as follows: Adams (1), Allegheny (1), Bucks (3), Chester ( 2), Cumberland (3), Dauphin (1),  Delaware (4), Franklin (18), Lancaster (5),  Wyoming (1), York (3).

The dairy resumed production on Monday after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture released this statement: The Family Cow has passed  a final inspection by the department of agriculture. They can resume production and bottling of raw milk. An inspection by the department will be conducted late today, February 6, 2012.

Symptoms of Campylobacter infection included diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms usually appear two to five days after ingesting the organism. A culture of a stool sample is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Most people who contract a Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, recover completely within 2 to 5 days, some Campylobacter infections can lead to serious complications including: meningitis, heart attack, hemolytic uremic syndrome, respritory distress, gall bladder inflammation, urinary tract infections, proctitis, arthritis, blood poisoning, severe dehydration and Guillain-Barrè syndrome, a type of paralysis.

If you have legal questions about and illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreal contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

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 The March 5 deadline for companies to begin testing for six additional strains of E.coli, the “Big Six,” has been extended 90 days to give meatpackers time to make sure their testing methods work, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced February 8.

The agency’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will now begin routine sampling of E. coli serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145 on June 4. That brings to seven the total number of banned E.coli strains. The strain, 0157.H7, was banned in 1994.

FSIS will initially sample raw beef trimmings and other raw ground beef product components. If the serogroups are found in meat test samples, those products will be prohibited from entering commerce. 

The USDA estimates that the ban on the additional six strains will reduce by 110,000 the number of foodborne illnesses reported in the U.S. each year.

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The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) annual cheerleading and dance/drill competition in Everett, Washington, drew some 3,000 observers and 1,000 participants to Comcast Arena on February 4. The next day and day after, some people who attended began to experience symptoms of food illness.

Now the Washington State Department of Health and the Snohomish Health District are investigating what organsim made people sick, where it came from and how many fell ill. The early-stage food poisoning investigation was announced yesterday in a press release that said a food history questionnaire will be sent to participants.

The WIAA said Comcast Arena officials are cooperating with the investigation. People who got sick experienced nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea. People who attended the event from around the state are advised to contact a health care provider if they have symptoms.

“Our immediate concerns are for those who have been affected by this illness and our thoughts are with them,” said WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese.

Food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is monitoring this investigation and providing free case consultations to families and individuals for possible representation. State officials have not said if anyone was hospitalized. To discuss your concerns with an experienced food illness lawyer at our firm, leave your contact information or call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free)

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Raw milk sold at farmers markets in Portland, Maine will not be required to carry a warning, the city council decided last night.

The city’s health department had recommended that warnings citing the health risks of raw milk be posted on placards or handouts where raw milk was sold, but the council voted against the proposed measure calling it “unfair and arbitrary.”

Raw, or unpasteurized, milk can carry dangerous pathogens such as Salmonella, E.coli, Campylobacter and Listeria, which is why many medical and scientific organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, all recommend that milk intended for human consumption be pasteurized.

The CDC reports that raw milk accounts for the bulk of dairy-associated foodborne illness outbreaks and estimates that raw milk causes an average of eight foodborne illness outbreaks every year.

So far this year, an ongoing multistate outbreak linked to raw milk produced on a Pennsylvania farm has sickened at least 43 people with Campylobacter infections, according to state health officials. From 2009 through 2011, there were 29 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to raw milk or raw cheese. And between 1998 and 2009, there were 93 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness linked to raw milk and raw milk products, according to the CDC. Those outbreaks sickened a total of 1,837 people, hospitalizing 195 and killing two.

If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with raw milk, contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

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 "Walking tacos'' sold at the Pierre-Mitchell high school basketball game in Pierre, South Dakota, last week was the likely cause of a food illness outbreak that appears to have sickened more than 50 people.

State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said testing revealed the outbreak organism to be clostridium perfringens,, or C. perfringens, a bacteria found on raw meat that can spread if cooking doesn't kill it and the meat is left to simmer at temperatures that are too low. The game took place at Riggs High School.

Walking tacos is a portable dish created by adding ground beef, cheese and salsa to a small bag of corn chips. Seventy-five percent of the respondents who ate the tacos reported becoming ill, Kightlinger said.

The DOH had 217 voluntary telephone and website responses from both well and ill people who attended the game in Pierre. The case remains open, but Kightlinger believes the problem was limited to the basketball game.

Symptoms of clostridium perfringens include diarrhea and cramps lasting less than 24 hours, or longer in some cases. The onset of illness is usually quick and in this case, three quarters of those who became ill reported getting sick between midnight and 6 a.m. the following morning.

The South Dakota Department of Health has posted on its webste a food safety lesson from the USDA titled "Cooking for Groups. A volunteer's guide to food safety.'' 

Source: The Daily Republic

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Franklin County, Pennsylvania, accounts for half of the 36 Pennsylvania Campylobacter illnesses that are so far linked  to an outbreak associated with raw milk from a dairy farm in the county seat of Chambersburg. Franklin County is the No. 2 dairy producing county in Pennsylvania and it includes the towns of Mercersburg, Green Castle, Waynesboro and Shippensburg.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said late Monday in its latest update on the outbreak  that Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia also have detected illnesses from the outbreak strain of Campylobacter, a pathogen that can lead to respiratory failure and acute muscular paralysis. In all, there were 43 confirmed cases when the state issued its report. Investigators believe more cases will be reported in the coming days.

A public health laboratory in Maryland confirmed last week that two unopened containers of raw milk from The Family Cow dairy in Franklin County contained the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. And many of the outbreak patients told investigators they had consumed raw milk from The Family Cow before getting ill.

The outbreak and its cause are under investigation by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., Fred Pritzker, the firm's president and founder, currently represents a Pennsylvania family in a raw milk Campylobacter lawsuit. He can be contacted via the Web or by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Our legal group has won millions for victims of food poisoning while also actively working in various campaigns to defeat foodborne illness.

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Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia have all been affected by an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni associated with raw milk from The Family Cow dairy farm in Chambersburg, Pa. The official count of 38 laboratory confirmed illnesses at week's end was expected to grow.

Because raw milk is not pasteurized, disease-causing organisms like Campylobacter, which grow in the intestines of cows and other animals, can translocate, survive the bottling process and multiply once inside a plastic jug or any other container. Children, the elderly and people who have weakened immune systems are most at risk for serious illness. Campylobacter infections, in particular, can lead to a life-threatening complication known as GBS, or Guillain-Barre' Syndrome.

In The Family Cow Campylobacter outbreak that began in mid-January, half of the victims have been under the age of 18. The ages of all case patients range from 2 to 74 and some individuals have been hospitalized. GBS can cause acute muscular paralysis and respiratory failure. By far, the largest number of illnesses (31) are in Pennsylvania, where Family Cow raw milk is sold at health food stores and drop points around Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania and the south-central region.

National food poisoning law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is conducting its own investigation and has noted a special finding by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.The DHMH Laboratories Administration has confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in two unopened raw milk samples purchased from this farm. This scientific link between the outbreak and Family Cow raw milk will be an important element in any outbreak-related Pennsylvania raw milk lawsuit.

Fred Pritzker, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen, is scheduled to debate the question of raw milk safety at Harvard University Law School Feb. 16. His firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and he has collected millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning while also actively working on causes to stop bacterial contamination of our food supply.

Families and individuals harmed in the current raw milk outbreak in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia can contact a food illness lawyer at PritzkerOlsen or call the firm directly at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Case consultations are free and clients are not required to pay unless and until a claim is secured for them.

PritzkerOlsen attorneys currently represent the family of a 67-year-old man from Mars, Pennsylvania, who was paralyzed as a result of drinking raw milk tainted with Campylobacter. Allegheny County is the location of that Pennsylvania raw milk lawsuit. 

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The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating a suspected foodborne illness outbreak linked to a Tuesday night high school basketball game in Pierre that has sickened at least 50 people.

Health and school officials are collecting food histories from individuals and will be testing stool samples to identify an organism. An electronic questionnaire has been distributed to Pierre high school and middle school staff and students.

With information from the questionnaires, health officials hope to get a better idea of how many people are ill, how severe the illness is and how long it lasts, the incubation period and the potential food source. Individuals who are not part of the school system are also encouraged to complete the questionnaire at the department’s website, doh.sd.gov. So far, no food from the event has been submitted for testing.

Signs and symptoms of foodborne illness can include mild or severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In 2011, South Dakota reported nearly 500 cases of foodborne illness .
 
 

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The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating a suspected foodborne illness outbreak linked to a Tuesday night high school basketball game in Pierre that has sickened at least 50 people.

Health and school officials are collecting food histories from individuals and will be testing stool samples to identify an organism. An electronic questionnaire has been distributed to Pierre high school and middle school staff and students.

With information from the questionnaires, health officials hope to get a better idea of how many people are ill, how severe the illness is and how long it lasts, the incubation period and the potential food source. Individuals who are not part of the school system are also encouraged to complete the questionnaire at the department’s website, doh.sd.gov. So far, no food from the event has been submitted for testing.

Signs and symptoms of foodborne illness can include mild or severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In 2011, South Dakota reported nearly 500 cases of foodborne illness .
 
 

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A Taco Bell restaurant chain spokesperson has confirmed in an interview with Food Poisoning Bulletin that Taco Bell is "Restaurant Chain A,'' the business associated by CDC with an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis that sickened 68 people in 10 states. The outbreak happened in October and November, hitting hardest in Oklahoma and Texas.

The CDC refused to say what Mexican-style restaurant chain was tied to the outbreak, partly because the illnesses stopped occurring by the time a link was made. The CDC rationalized that releasing the restaurant's name would not help anyone to avoid getting sick. The Oklahoma Department of Health broke the silence this week under public pressure and Taco Bell confirmed the news.

Investigators believe the outbreak possibly was caused by a line of produce distributed by suppliers, but traceback efforts were not successful in determing what item of produce was to blame.

Further investigation is being conducted by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A.., where claims from victims can be addressed by attorneys who practice extensively in the complex area of foodborne illness litigation. Contact a Salmonella lawyer at PritzkerOlsen or call the firm and an attorney will answer your questions. Consultations are free and you pay nothing to the firm until a claim is paid by the company or its insurance company .

More than 31 percent of patients in the Taco Bell outbreak were hospitalized. Here is the company's statement:

“The CDC has stated the public health is not at any risk and this incident is completely over. They have not identified the food source of the foodborne illness that occurred in October and November of 2011. The CDC indicated that some of the people who were ill ate at Taco Bell, while others did not. They believe that the problem likely occurred at the supplier level before it was delivered to any restaurant or food outlet. We take food quality and safety very seriously.” 

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its last public update on the Hannaford Supermarket ground beef Salmonella outbreak without being able to say who supplied contaminated meat to the grocery chain for the purpose of making hamburger.

The so-called Final Investigation Update didn't even mention the agency's earlier-stated frustration over incomplete record-keeping at Hannaford in in terms of being able to tell which meatpackers supplied the beef that went into the retail chain's grinder. Without accurate grinding logs, there would be no traceback -- a process that could have potentially prevented other contaminated beef from reaching the food chain.

A total of 20 people were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in seven states. The outbreak started in October and is now considered over, although there is still a warning to consumers that they check their freezers for Hannaford ground beef that was recalled. The number of victims were as follows: Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Maine (4), New Hampshire (6), New York (6), and Vermont (1).

The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium was resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics, which may have caused an increase in the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected patients. Nearly half of those who suffered infection in this outbreak were hospitalized, but there were no deaths.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is continuing to accept cases for a possible Hannaford Salmonella lawsuit. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we are involved in practically all major outbreaks of food poisoning representing people who were harmed. Hiring a good foodborne illness attorney is important because the laws are complex and the size of claims rests on the level of experienced representation behind you and your family.

Contact a Salmonella lawyer at PritzkerOlsen or call the firm directly at 1-888-377-8900.

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Health officials in Pennsylvania and Maryland are investigating a raw milk Campylobacter outbreak that has sickened up to 20 people who drank unpasteurized milk from the Family Cow dairy store in Chambersburg, Pa.

Campylobacter sickens more than 2.5 million Americans every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are five things everyone should know about Campylobacter:

1. The Most Common Causes of a Campylobacter infection
Drinking unpasteurized milk, or eating raw or undercooked meat or poultry are the most common causes of a Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis.

2. A Little Goes A Long Way
Just one drop of juice from raw chicken meat is enough to infect a person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cutting poultry or meat on a cutting board and then using the unwashed cutting board or utensil to prepare vegetables or other foods is one way to become ill.

3. Symptoms of an Infection
For those with an infection caused by Campylobacter, symptoms including diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever will appear two to five days after ingesting the organism. A culture of a stool sample is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

4. Serious Complications
While most people who contract campylobacteriosis recover completely within 2 to 5 days, some Campylobacter infections can lead to serious complications including: meningitis, heart attack, hemolytic uremic syndrome, respritory distress, gall bladder inflammation, urinary tract infections, proctitis, arthritis, blood poisoning, severe dehydration and Guillain-Barrè syndrome, a type of paralysis.

5. It Can Be Fatal
Campylobacter infections can be fatal. The CDC estimates 124 Americans die from Campylobacter infections every year.

If you have legal questions about an illness caused by a Campylobacter infection, contact a food safety lawyer at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

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Sixteen people in Pennsylvania and four in Maryland have suffered campylobacteriosis in the past several weeks and all of them have consumed raw milk from the Chambersburg, Pa., farm known as The Family Cow.

That's what state health officials have told reporter David Wenner of The Patriot-News, painting a picture of a raw milk outbreak that has sent some of its victims to the hospital. The epidemiological evidence of causality was strong enough after the first illnesses were confirmed late last week for Maryland and Pennsylvania public health officials to alert consumers not to drink any Family Cow raw milk purchased since January 1. That consumer advisory is still in effect as investigators await smoking gun molecular evidence that the outbreak strain of Campylobacter is in the milk.

While those test results have been in process, owners of the farm have been quoted in various media reports, casting doubt that the outbreak was caused by The Family Cow, a farm operation that also sells organic meat and other products.

Food safety lawyers from PritzkerOlsen, P.A., have begun their own investigation of this outbreak and are accepting cases from individuals and families who have been sickened. Free consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or simply leave your contact information and an attorney will call you. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and currently represents a Pennsylvania family in a raw milk Campylobacter lawsuit .

Over the years, PritzkerOlsen has collected millions for victims of food poisoning while also working actively in various campaigns to prevent life-threatening contamination of our food supply. President and founder Fred Pritzker is currently a board member at STOP Foodborne Illness Board of Directors. STOP is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of illness and death from foodborne pathogents. 

Raw milk has become popular with some people who believe it has superior nutrition because it's not heated to kill germs like pasteurized milk. Studies, however, have not confirmed this, and federal and state authorities continue to warn about microscopic fecal contamination in milk products that are not pasteurized.  One of the repeated complications that arise from Campylobacter infection is GBS, or Guillain-Barre' Syndrome. GBS patients can suffer respiratory failure and acute muscular paralysis that impairs motor function and cause life-long harm, pain and suffering.

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