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

An investigation of the Michigan E. coli outbreak linked to The Ambassador restaurant in the Upper Peninsula town of Houghton is still ongoing, a health department spokeswoman confirmed this morning.

At least seven people who ate at the restaurant in late December have confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning, four of them have been hospitalized, according to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

Health officials have determined that the likely source of the outbreak was an ill food-handler at the restaurant and are urging anyone who who became ill with bloody diarrhea in late December or early January to contact the health department.

E.coli is a bacteria that can cause serious sometimes fatal infections if ingested. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea that progressively Young children, the elderly, or those who are immunocompromised are most at risk. In about 8 percent of cases, patients can develop Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a condition that causes kidney failure and requires hospitalization for treatment which includes dialysis and transfusions.

If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for free consultation. A toll free number is also available: 1(888) 377-8900.
 

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Over the last four weeks, three dozen people have been sickened by the St. Louis E. coli outbreak. Health officials leading the investigation believe that the infection rate has peaked, but say they still have not been able to determine the source. 

Interviews with patients established a link to salad bars at Schnucks grocery stores, but E. coli contamination was never found in any Schuncks store location. The investigation, which now includes suppliers and distributors to Schnucks stores, has included testing on 55 food samples.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now the lead agency for the investigation.

The E. coli strain at the heart of this outbreak caused severe illness and many patients required hospitalization. Although there are now 36 confirmed cases, it's likely many more people who weren't tested also became ill, according to the CDC.

 E. coli poisoning symptoms include abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea and in severe cases,  hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or TTP HUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, and brain injuries.

The E. coli experts at the national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen P.A. can answer legal questions about an illnesses or hospitalizations associated with this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation.
 

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Production at Organic Pastures, California’s largest producer of raw milk, was halted last week after an E.coli outbreak that sickened five children was linked to the dairy’s raw milk. While owner Mark McAfee maintains his milk is healthful and risk-free, this is not the first time the dairy has had trouble with food safety issues.

Over the last 15 months, the Fresno County Department of Health has inspected Organic Pastures 10 times. Of those, four were routine inspections where “significant violations” were found that required mandatory re-inspection. Some of these violations were for unsanitary conditions, such as a broken toilet, lack of hot water for hand washing in the bathroom sink, manure on barn walls and exit ramps and under barn mats, all of which were cited in a report from August 24, 2010. Other reports site the lack of a concrete pad at a docking station and beneath a mobile barn.

• On September 12, 2008, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after tests showed it was contaminated with Campylobacter.
• On September 7, 2007, the CFDA issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after Listeria monocytogenes bacteria turned up on a routine inspection.
• On September 21, 2006, the CFDA issued a recall after four children contracted E. coli infections after consuming raw milk products from the dairy.

Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli are all dangerous pathogens that can cause serious sometimes fatal infections. With all foodborne illnesses, children are among those most a risk for serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.

A press release on the Organic Pastures website states:

“It is a common goal of Organic Pastures and the California Department of Public Health to
rapidly investigate any linkage between these cases and raw milk. Each month CDFA tests
all Organic Pastures’ products for pathogens, in addition Organic Pastures uses a third party for pathogen testing multiple times per week. All these tests have been negative. It
has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of today all
products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli 0157:H7.”

A review of all CFDA inspections does support the claim that the dairy is inspected each month. Four of the 10 inspections during the last 15 months were mandatory re-inspections. Had they not been required, the dairy would have had six inspections during a 15 month period.

In a USA Today story, McAfee says that because California has no test evidence that shows children drank contaminated milk, he finds the case "highly suspicious." But as Steve Lyle, of the CFDA countered in the story that "milk is perishable, so the product consumed by the children was not available for testing" by the time they got sick "and that's typically to be expected."

Anyone experiencing abdominal cramping or bloody diarrhea after consuming raw milk products should seek immediate medical attention. Anyone with questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the national food safety law firm PritzkerOslen P.A. for a free consultation.

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Mark McAfee, the owner of Organic Pastures in Kerman, Calif., says the raw milk his dairy produces has never been a health threat and is not the source of the E. coli outbreak that has sickened five children, according to a story in the Fresno Bee.

On Tuesday, the California Department of Food and Agricultural issued a recall and quarantine of Organic Pastures raw dairy products, after health officials discovered that five children who contracted E. coli infections had all consumed raw milk from Organic Pastures before becoming ill.

The sale of raw milk, or milk that has not been pasteurized, is legal in some states including California. With its products in 400 stores and a customer base of about 75,000 people, Organic Pastures is California’s largest producer of raw milk and raw milk products.

On Wednesday, McAfee appealed the recall and quarantine saying he is sure his dairy products are not the source of the outbreak and that there is no risk in consuming them. “There is no current threat and there has not been a threat," McAfee told the Fresno Bee. Instead, he said, the source may have been raw milk products from another dairy. McAfee’s appeal was denied. E. coli has not been detected in laboratory testing conducted thus far on of samples from Organic Pastures.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea. Children are among those most at risk and can in some cases, including this outbreak, develop a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.

Health officials urge anyone who developed symptoms after consuming raw milk to seek medical attention. Those with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the E. coli team at the food safety law firm PritzkerOslen for a free consultation. 

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In Arizona today, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to reject a proposal by the county’s board of health that would have required food trucks to provide hand sanitizer and food festivals to provide a hand-washing station for every five portable toilets, according to a story in the Arizona Daily Star.

The supervisors, who previously rejected proposals from the health board to require hand sanitizer for all portable toilets and to post hand-washing reminders in restrooms, said the impact of such a measure on festivals large and small wasn't clear.

What is clear is that festivals and foodborne illness outbreaks go hand in hand. Health officials in North Carolina have been scrambling for weeks to pinpoint the source of an E coli outbreak associated with the Nortth Carolina State Fair that has sickened 12 people, seven of whom are children who required hospitalization after developing a severe complication of an E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children with HUS are generally hospitalized for weeks or months and many require future kidney transplants.

The North Carolina outbreak is tragic, but not unusual.

• In August, three people contracted E coli infections after attending a county fair in Michigan.
• In July, one child died after visiting a petting zoo at a county fair in Indiana.
• In August 2010, a toddler developed HUS after visiting a Wisconsin petting zoo.
• In August 2010, three children contracted E coli infections at a regional fair in Michigan.
• In July 2010, a four-year old developed HUS after visiting a county fair in Indiana.
• In 2008, eight people contracted E. coli at an Indiana county fair.

The list goes on. While handwashing may not be able to prevent all cases of foodborne illness, it can prevent some, which is why the Pima County board of health wanted to make sure that people attending events in Pima County could wash their hands. "It doesn't mean they will, but if they can't, they won't," health board member Brad Brumm told the supervisors.

The supervisors were not swayed by statistics on fairs and foodborne illness or by Brumm and other health board members. People who want to wash, will have the common sense to carry their own hand sanitizer, Supervisor Ann Day said. Some festival organizers and food-truck operators agreed, saying the county doesn't need to legislate hand-washing, according to the story.

"Hand sanitizer isn't communism, it's common sense," Brumm said. But his comments fell on deaf ears. And dirty hands.

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After two weeks of investigation, North Carolina health officials have been unable to pinpoint the specific source of the E. coli outbreak associated with the North Carolina State Fair.

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler told WRAL.com that he and other investigators are “perplexed” by the outbreak that includes 12 confirmed cases and 16 possible cases, according to the latest update from the N.C. Division of Public Health.

Troxler said safety is a priority at the fair, particularly after a 2004 E. coli outbreak linked to a petting zoo at the fair sickened 108 people. After that outbreak, a state law was passed requiring sanitation stations throughout the fair. In addition, Troxler said, all animals competing at the fair are inspected by a state vet, a private vet certifies the health of all petting zoo animals and the food vendors are all inspected at least once.

Investigators are awaiting results from some lab tests that may shed light on the outbreak. They have also established a case study control group of nearly 1,000 fairgoers who didn’t get sick.

The confirmed and suspected cases are from eight counties: Wake(13), Sampson( 6), Cleveland (1), Durham (2), Johnston (1), Lenoir, (1), Orange (2) and Wilson (2), according to the N.C. Division of Public Health.

Several of these cases are children who developed a severe complication of an E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children with HUS are generally hospitalized for weeks or months and many require future kidney transplants.

The E.coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A. are experts in this field. To contact them for a free consultation click here or call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).
 

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Health officials are still searching for the source of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak that has sickened 30 people.

So far, 55 food samples including ingredients from area salad bars and from victims homes have been tested and none has tested positive for E. coli. There are no other specimens at the state lab believed to be connected to the outbreak on which testing is still pending.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The CDC has set up a case study by contacting individuals in neighborhoods where patients have been identified.  The FDA is inspecting facilities of suppliers and distributors to area grocery stores.

Public health officials urge consumers to wash all produce thoroughly with water before eating, cook meat thoroughly, and wash their hands after using the restroom. They also urge anyone experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.

Anyone with legal question about an illness associaed with this outbreak should contact the foodborne illness experts at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.
 

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Over the last three months, three E. coli outbreaks in Michigan have all been caused by E. coli 0157:NM, a rare strain of the pathogen.

Last week, Michigan health officials announced that three Maple Rapids residents had contracted E.coli infections. Two of them were children who required hospitalization for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious, potentially fatal complication of E. coli poisoning.

A source of this outbreak has not yet been determined. However, during the past three months, there were two other outbreaks of E. coli 0157:NM:

One prior E. coli O157:NM outbreak was linked to ground beef processed and distributed by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, of North Branch, Mich. A total of five confirmed E. coli cases and four probable cases were reported in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac counties. Illness onset dates range from July 18-30. Those sickened ranged in age from 15-88.

The other prior E. coli O157:NM outbreak involved three people who ate beef at the Clinton County Fair and were sickened by E. coli 0157:NM. The beef was supplied by McNees, according to a story in the Michigan Morning Sun.

Prior to the McNees outbreak, E. coli 0157:NM had not been seen in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health's Bureau of Laboratories.

E. coli poisoning can have serious complications, including HUS, which most often affects children under the age of 10. It is characterized by damage and destruction of the red blood cells, which leads anemia, blood clots, and damage to blood vessel walls. Complications of HUS are severe and can include kidney damage, seizures, coma, stroke and damage to the central nervous system.

Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation regarding legal help for victims of these outbreaks and their families.

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There are 25 confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning in the St. Louis outbreak associated with area salad bars, but other cases are under investigation including one in St. Clair County, Illinois.

State and local health officials in Illinois are awaiting results from laboratory testing on a case of shiga toxin producing E. coli to determine if it is linked to those in the St. Louis outbreak. St Clair county is one of a handful of Illinois counties that are part of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Missouri health officials have been working with the Federal Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the source and scope of the outbreak that began the first week of October.

Most of those who became ill reported eating food from a Schnucks salad bar, but because none of the samples taken from Schnucks locations has been positive for E. coli, the investigation has broadened to include, distributors and suppliers to grocery stores in the St. Louis area.

Health officials urge anyone who became ill after eating food from a salad bar in the St. Louis area to seek medical attention. Anyone with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation. 

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Investigators continue to look for the source of the E. coli outbreak in St. Louis, MO that has been associated with eating food from Schnucks salad bars in the St. Louis area.

The CDC has set up a case study by contacting individuals in neighborhoods where patients have been identified.  The case control study will enable investigators to compare data from participants with those who have become sick. 

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has been working in consultation with the FDA and enlisted additional assistance when it became known that products were obtained from distributors and/or producers located outside of Missouri.  The FDA will assist in the inspection of facilities that may have been part of the distribution chain.    

The State Lab has performed tests on 55 food samples. 17 of them came back negative (no E. coli contamination). 38 of the food samples were received Tuesday night.  Preliminary tests on these 38 samples were negative for E. coli.  Further testing is being done to confirm these results.

Even with these negative food sample results, there is still sufficient epidemiological evidence for some victims of this E. coli O157 outbreak to file lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.

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Missouri health officials are enlisting the help of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the search for the source of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak expands to include suppliers and distributors from outside the state.

In an update about the investigation released yesterday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said that inspections of several Schnuck's stores and warehouses have all turned up clean. The investigation is now expanding to include distributors and/or producers located outside of Missouri which will require the resources of the FDA.

Laboratory testing to identify the specific strain and "genetic fingerprint" of the E. coli involved is underway. So far, 26 samples have been completed and they all match. This suggests that all 26 people are part of the outbreak and that only one specific organism is involved, DHSS said in the statement.

Food samples have also been submitted for laboratory testing to determine whether E. coli is present. So far, 17 samples have been submitted, and all have come back negative for E. coli.  These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals' homes, DHSS statement said. The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck's stores in the region.

“Those products that were in question were not created by Schnucks,” Schnucks spokeswoman Lori Willis told the Morris Daily Herald. “There’s got to be a supplier involved in some way.”

Public health officials continue to urge anyone in the St. Louis area experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.

Those with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact PritzkerOlsen P.A., one of the nation’s leading food safety law firms for a free consultation. A toll free number is also available 1(888) 377-8900.
 

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National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is investigating the E. coli outbreak associated with the North Carolina State Fair that has sickened 27 people and hospitalized four children and one adult. Three children remain in intensive care, fighting kidney failure and other symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli poisoning that can develop in young children.

“Despite the frequency and severity of these kinds of cases, event operators and participants often fail to take precautions necessary to prevent serious illness,” said Pritzker, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a national leader in food safety law. “The safety and well-being of children who attend these events should be a top priority. The tragedy of this outbreak is magnified by the ease with which it could have been prevented.”

There are nine confirmed E. coli cases and another 18 under investigation, according to the latest information from the North Carolina Division of Public Health. The latest numbers and counties involved:

Wake - 12
Sampson - 7
Cleveland - 1
Durham - 1
Johnston - 1
Lenoir - 1
Orange - 2
Wilson – 2

All of the E. coli victims reported attending the State Fair before becoming ill. Public health investigators are still trying to determine the exact source of the outbreak. 

Victims of E. coli poisoning may require hospitalization, suffer from long lasting or permanent medical conditions, lose wages or their jobs. Recovering expenses while recovering from a foodborne illness requires the expertise of an experienced food safety lawyer like the attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. If you have legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak, contact them for a free consultation.

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A Missouri E. coli outbreak has been linked to Schnucks salad bars in the St. Louis area. The epidemiological evidence gathered to date is sufficient to form the basis of a lawsuit against Schnucks for E. coli poisoning and its complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but for food safety purposes, it would be advantageous to determine what food product was the initial source of the contamination. 

Through interviews with over two dozen victims, officials from the St . Louis County Health Department have learned that most of them ate something from a Schnucks salad bar. However, cross contamination issues will pose a challenge in determining which ingredient was the initial food source of the outbreak. What can happen is that a food product contaminated with E. coli bacteria can come into contact with a different food product, resulting in contamination of that product. For example, someone may inadvertently drop a piece of lettuce, in a bin of another kind of produce, or someone may use the same tongs for two different kinds of produce. This means one victim of this outbreak could have been sickened by one product from a Schnucks salad bar and another person could have been sickened by a different product.  Because the illnesses were spread out over the St. Louis area in several counties, even with cross contamination issues, there should be enough evidence to determine the statistically likely food product that was the initial cause of the outbreak. Time will tell.

Schnucks said in a statement yesterday that while it has not been identified as the source of the outbreak, it has removed “all items in question from salad bars across the company including Logli and Hilander stores in Rockford, Ill.” The company also stated that as of October 31, no tests taken from Schnucks stores have come back positive for E. coli. This is not surprising because the incubation period for E. coli is several days, and salad bar ingredients are perishable.

St. Louis residents experiencing symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek medical help immediately.Those with legal questions about and illness or hospitalization associated with this St. Louis E. coli outbreak should contact the experienced team of foodborne illness lawyers at PritzkerOslen P.A.  Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit our free consultation form and a lawyer will call.

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An "overwhelming majority" of people who have tested positive for E. coli ate unspecified items from salad bars at various Schnucks locations, the St. Louis County Department of Health said through a spokesman.

That leaves more work to do for investigators in terms of finding the specific source of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak, but so far the scientific study of an outbreak that has sickened at least a couple of dozen people has landed at Schnucks. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has talked to four people who said they were diagnosed with E. coli infections and had eaten produce from salad bars at Schnucks in High Ridge, Ladue, downtown St. Louis and Ballwin.

No recalls have been announced in conjunction with this outbreak, but Schnucks last week removed lettuce and other items from salad bars at various locations. This was done voluntarily and as a precaution.

If you or a loved one has experienced bloody diarrhea or other E. coli symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Physicians in the area around St. Louis have been alerted to this E. coli outbreak and will conduct proper testing to confirm a diagnosis. Children under age 5 are especially at risk for a life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is in contact with victims of this outbreak who ate from the salad bar at Schnucks. We are continuing to accept cases at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call. Our firm is one of the few in the country who practice extensively in the complex area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims and their families. We currently represent E. coli outbreak victims, including those who have suffered HUS. 

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Health officials in Michigan are trying to pinpoint the cause of an E. coli outbreak that sickened three people including two children from Maple Rapids, Michigan who have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

HUS, a condition that develops after and E. coli infection, most often affects children under the age of 10. It is characterized by damage and destruction of the red blood cells, which leads anemia, blood clots, and damage to blood vessel walls. Complications of HUS are severe and can include kidney damage, seizures, coma, stroke and damage to the central nervous system.

E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the gut of animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and deer, is spread by the fecal-oral route, through undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk or beverages. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include nausea, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody. Health officials urge anyone in the Maple Rapids area with these symptoms to see a doctor right away.

The affects of an E. coli infection can be long lasting and expensive. The E. coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in food safety law, have helped families all over the country who have suffered the devastating affects of E. coli and HUS. Contact them for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling TOLL FREE at 1 (888) 377-8900.

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North Carolina's E. coli outbreak, which has sickened at least 25 people in seven counties, appears to be associated with attendance at the NC State Fair in Raleigh. State Epidemiologist Megan Davies says Fair attendance is the only identified common link.

Davies is now surveying Fair attendees In order to identify specific activities at the Fair which may have been the source of illness. Her investigators need to interview people who attended the Fair but did not get sick and they will be calling some participants randomly to ask even more questions.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., also is conducting an investigation for the purposes of an NC State Fair lawsuit. Whether children or adults contracted the potentially deadly bacteria from a common food source or from an animal exhibit, victims should be able to pursue fair claims for medical bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering and future harms that could follow them because of their infection.

At least eight children are considered case patients in this outbreak and four of those children were hospitalized for kidney failure or other symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a life-threatening complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection that most often affects children under 5 but can even strike healthy adults of any age.

NC State Fair E. coli Investigation 

The N.C. Division of Public Health reports that it is now investigating 25 cases related to the E. coli outbreak.  Eight cases are confirmed E. coli cases; 17 cases are still being investigated.  The latest numbers and counties involved: 

• Wake - 12 
• Sampson - 7 
• Cleveland - 1 
• Durham - 1 
• Johnston - 1 
• Orange - 1 
• Wilson – 2  

Escherichia coli are bacteria found in the feces of animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Some types of E. coli bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 can cause illness in people who consume water or food that has come in contact with the bacteria or who come in contact with infected animals. If people touch contaminated material, they can transfer the bacteria from their hands to their mouths, or to others.

Free consultations with an E. coli Lawyer

PritzkerOlsen is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the complex area of foodborne illness litigation, collecting tens of millions of dollars for victims. Our lawyers currently represent E. coli and HUS survivors in outbreaks confirmed by public health officials and we are now accepting cases from the 2011 NC State Fair. You pay nothing until your case is won, which is part of the professional standard that is common in personal injury law. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or send your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

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Schnucks grocery stores in proximity to the St. Louis E. coli outbreak have responded by pulling certain food items on a precautionary, voluntary basis as more reports of illness from St. Louis County and beyond continue to come in.

An E. coli lawyer from PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has been assigned to investigate the St. Louis outbreak on behalf of victims and the firm is in direct contact with individuals who have been hospitalized.

Approximately two dozen people are believed to be part of the outbreak and a number of confirmed case patients have been treated at medical centers. Fresh produce from grocery store salad bars is one of the suspected culprits, but traceback efforts are ongoing and health officials haven't pinpointed the cause. No recalls have been announced.

Schnucks is the dominant food store chain in the area and a spokeswoman has confirmed that food safety experts for the company have removed certain items, including strawberries and lettuce. Different Schnucks locations took different precautions, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported.

The E. coli strain at the heart of the outbreak is toxic and virulent., said Dr. Delores Gunn, director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health. She said there were 16 confirmed cases of shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections in less than 72 hours. Additional stool samples have been sent to the state laboratory for testing.

The outbreak hit hard this week and St. Louis County has been joined by state health investigators and infectious disease experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). So far it has spread into four counties: St. Louis, Jefferson and St. Charles in Missouri and St. Clair County in Illinois.

St. Louis E. coli lawsuit:

A good E. coli lawyer will be able to hold responsible parties accountable throughout the food chain and accomplish compensation claims that are complete and fair to families who suffer. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or send your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

An extensive study of E. coli victims has shown that even people who are not hospitalized for E. coli infections can suffer vascular injury that can evolve into  hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure or structural and functional kidney impairment. We feel that any individual who has suffered gastroenteritis as a result of toxic E..coli  exposure should have an annual assessment by a physician and a blood pressure measurement coupled with a urinanalysis, kidney function testing and other checks.

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National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is investigating an E. coli outbreak associated with the North Carolina State Fair that continues to grow. To date, over 20 people have been sickened, most of them children. North Carolina counties with E. coli victims include: Cleveland, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Sampson and Wake counties.

Several children have developed a severe complication of an E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children with HUS are generally hospitalized for weeks or months and many require future kidney transplants.

An epidemiological investigation into the source of the outbreak found that most of the people sickened attended the North Carolina State Fair before becoming ill. State and local health officials are investigating the possible source of the outbreak. In 2004, an E. coli outbreak linked to petting zoo at the North Carolina State Fair sickened 108 people. Fifteen of those patients developed HUS.

In this outbreak, though, some of the E. coli victims did not visit the petting zoo or touch animals. If food served at the fair was the source of the outbreak, it was probably something that was improperly cooked or something that is not cooked on site, like ice cream.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is accepting cases for a possible E. coli lawsuit. Our E. coli lawyers currently represents E. coli victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

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An antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli is the cause of an outbreak that has stricken at least 22 people in the St. Louis area.There are 16 confirmed cases in St. Louis County, two in Jefferson County, two in St. Charles County, one in St. Louis City and one in St. Clair County. At least six people have been hospitalized.

Missouri health officials have determined that the source is foodborne. A specific source has not been identified, but local salad bars are under investigation. Grocery stores have not been asked to pull items from their shelves, but at least one chain is doing so. Schnucks spokeswoman Lori Willis told Patch that it has pulled some items, including lettuce and strawberries, from its salad bars.

One thing that is known is that the E. coli strain at the heart of the outbreak is virulent and does not respond to antibiotics. Last year, St. Louis County saw a total of five cases of E. coli infection Dr. Delores Gunn, director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health, told St. Louis Public Radio. With this outbreak, she said, there were 16 confirmed cases in less than 72 hours.

Complications of E. coli include hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or TTP HUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which can cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, and brain injuries. And even a person with a mild case of E. coli can be at long-term risk for hypertension and kidney problems.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has assigned an E. coli lawyer to investigate the St. Louis outbreak and the firm is accepting cases for a possible St. Louis E. coli lawsuit. Our legal group currently represents E. coli victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

Sources: http://www.stltoday.com and patch.com.

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St. Louis County, Missouri, is the center of a foodborne E. coli outbreak that has sickened 14 people in the past week, including 23-year-old Jasmine Bell. Health officials are scrambling to determine the source and urge parents to take any child with bloody diarrhea directly to a hospital emergency room for treatment and testing. 

James Bell of Florissant, Missouri, told a reporter that Jasmine, his daughter, has been hospitalized since Saturday with what hospital and health officials told him was a confirmed E. coli infection. Jasmine Bell started feeling sick during the middle of last week.

James Bell said his daughter is recovering after receiving fluids and medication and may be released soon from Christian Hospital in north St. Louis County. He said she works at a downtown St. Louis deli.

St. Louis area physicians have been alerted to the outbreak and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified.

E. coli poisoning from food can be a life-threatening experience, especially in children under 5 years of age, the elderly and others who have weakened immune systems. Bloody diarrhea and painful cramps are symptoms of the disease.

Feared complications of E. coli include hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or TTP HUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, where toxins released from E. coli organisms attack a person's red blood cells. Kidney failure, stroke, heart attacks, central nervous system disorders (including paralysis) and brain injuries can result and even a person with a mild case of E. coli can be at long-term risk for hypertension and vascular injury.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has assigned an E. coli lawyer to investigate the St. Louis outbreak and the firm is accepting cases for a possible St. Louis E. coli lawsuit. Our legal group currently represents E. coli victims and is one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch, KTVI-Fox2

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The health department in Raleigh, North Carolina, is investigating seven confirmed cases of E. coli infection in Wake County. The outbreak investigators are trying to determine first of all if the cases are related. If the answer to that is affirmative, health officials will probe for the root cause of the situation.

Two of the people sickened by E. coli were hospitalized in intensive care Tuesday. Two others have been released from the hospital. Severe harm to anyone who was stricken is an indicator of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. E. coli HUS is a life-threatening complication of toxic E. coli poisoning that involves kidney failure and can mushroom into a series of other extreme complications, including stroke, heart attack, paralysis or extreme anemia.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health is helping to investigate. Six of the case patients have been children and children under age 5 are in the age group most susceptiple to E. coli HUS.

Symptoms of pathogenic E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps. People who are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek medical treatment. For answers to legal questions, call national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and an attorney will call you. Case consultations are free and we don't get paid unless you win 

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Researchers at Sentinel Bioactive Paper in Ontario have developed a bacteria-killing food packaging material that may prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks.

Hany Anany and Mansel Griffiths, from the University of Guelph, applied phages, which are harmless viruses that can kill bacteria, to cellulose packaging material. Both the U.S. FDA and Health Canada have approved phages as safe food additives in certain foods.

The researchers wrapped ready-to-eat meats tainted with E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes in the packaging and found that it killed the bacteria. The method works at refrigerated temperatures, where Listeria thrives, and in vacuum packaging. The process is described in a paper published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

The researchers are hopeful that the technology will prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks such as the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, which has sickened more than 123 people and killed 25 since the end of July.

Foodborne illness is a serious public health threat that affetcts millions of Americans every year. In the last month alone, three companies have recalled a total of almost 600,000 pounds of ground beef possibly tainted with E. coli O157:H7. Commercial Meat Company of Los Angeles recalled 400,000 pounds, Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. of Emporia Kansas recalled 131,000 pounds and Palo Duro Meat of Amarillo, Texas recalled 40,000 pounds.

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E. coli testing in Monroe, Wisconsin, will be completed this week among student at Abe Lincoln Elementary School, where two students were hospitalized last week with infections and two others were sickened. State and local health officials have confirmed that the illnesses were caused by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 that caused an outbreak in Green County this summer that killed one person and infected eight others.

 Epidemiologists are still looking for the root cause of the outbreak, but Green County Health Department Officer RoAnn Warden has said inadequate hand-washing after using the toilet or changing diapers has contributed to the spread of the pathogen.  

Anyone can become infected by having contact with fecal material from infected people or animals (especially cattle), or by eating contaminated food or water. Symptoms include diarrhea, which often is bloody, and severe abdominal cramps, which typically occur three to four days after exposure to the bacteria. 

While most people recover within a week, some develop a severe infection. A type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can begin as the diarrhea is improving. This can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and the elderly. Kidney failure is not the only risk of HUS. An infected person can suffer a cascading series of severe health problems that can result in paralysis, heart problems, stroke and other harms. 

An extensive study of E. coli victims over the long term has shown that even people who are not hospitalized for E. coli 0157:H7 infections can suffer vascular injury that can evolve into  hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure or structural and functional kidney impairment. Our national food safety law firm feels that any individual who has suffered gastroenteritis as a result of E..coli 0157:H7 exposure should have an annual assessment by a physician and a blood pressure measurement coupled with a urinanalysis, kidney function testing and other checks.

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Wisconsin E. coli testing for as many as 140 Monroe School District students has begun at Abe Lincoln Elementary School in response to an unexplained outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

Public health officials are trying to understand if three recent illnesses at Lincoln are of the same exact strain as the one that caused a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections, including one child's death, late this summer.

The Green County Health Department and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health have recommended stool testing for all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students who attend Lincoln. The kits are being distributed through the school nurse's office or the county health department offices and should be returned to the health department by 2 p.m. Monday, October 17, for delivery to the state lab.

Lincoln school has undergone a special cleaning and students and staff have been taught good hand washing techniques. If school children in the area display E. coli symptoms, health officials are recommending they stay home from school and day care facilities over the next few weeks.

Once test results are completed and shared with parents, the next step in the investigation will be to find what food source is responsible for the outbreak.

Families who have legal questions about E. coli compensation in this situation should call food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., one of the few legal groups in he country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. This area of law is complicated and Pritzker's E. coli lawyers have years of experience, collecting tens of millions of dollars for E. coli outbreak patients in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and beyond the Upper Midwest. Free case consultations are available at the firm's offices by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or leave your contact information and one of our attorneys will promptly call you. 

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Los Angeles-based Commercial Meat Co.'s recall of almost 400,000 pounds of ground beef possibly tainted with E. coli O157:H7, comes just two weeks after Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. of Emporia, Kansas recalled 131,300 pounds of ground beef products potentially contaminated with the same bacteria.

Meanwhile, in Green County, Wisconsin, E. coli O157:H7 has caused a cluster of illnesses resulting in the hospitalizations of two children and the death of another.

There is no way to tell by looking at it, if ground beef is tainted with E.coli. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees or higher kills harmful bacteria. When preparing ground beef, consumers should use a food thermometer to verify that the meat has been cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Here are some of the USDA’s other tips for reducing the risk of foodborne illness when preparing ground beef:

• Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water.
• Immediately clean spills.
• Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked.
• Use a meat thermometer to measure internal temperature.
• Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F.
• Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase, or after one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F.
• Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

Source: www.fsis.usda.gov

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Abe Lincoln Elementary School in Wisconsin's Monroe School District is the focus of a public health investigation over two child E. coli O157:H7 cases. Investigators want to know if the latest illnesses are associated with a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases that occurred elsewhere in the area in August and early September.

Green County Health Department and Wisconsin Division of Public Health are interviewing families to try to identify possible sources of these E. coli infections. Two children have been hospitalized and area health care providers have been alerted to watch for other cases of E. coli in Green County. Pending lab tests will reveal what strain of E. coli is at work in the most recent illnesses and whether it matches, genetically, the previous cluster, which reportedly included the death of a child at UW Madison hospital who contracted E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is a national food safety law firm that has won tens of millions of dollars for E. coli victims nationwide. We also are investigating the outbreak in the area around Monroe, Wisconsin. If you believe someone in your family has been infected, see a physician immediately. A free case consultation with PritzkerOlsen is available at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or leave your contact information and an experienced E. coli lawyer from our firm will call.

 People who are infected with E. coli are very contagious. The highest incidence of illness from Shiga toxin-producing  E. coli is in children under 5 years of age. Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after swallowing the organism, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by stool sample culture. E. coli HUS, on average, develops in 5 to 15 percent of case patients. Kidney failure occurs in these instances just as initial symptoms begin to clear. Many other complications can follow and HUS patients can face a lifetime of special medical risks and issues that should be compensated by the parties responsible for allowing the pathogen into our food supply.

Media source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  

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Our E. coli attorneys are investigating a Wisconsin E. coli outbreak that has killed a 20-month old child and sickened nine other people. Two victims of this outbreak have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli poisoning which can lead to kidney failure and can cause seizures, strokes, heart failure, hypertension, pancreatitis and other life-threatening medical problems. Our attorneys have handled many of these cases and held companies accountable for the illnesses and wrongful death caused by contaminated food.

State and local health officials from the Green County Health Department are investigating the E. coli O157:H7 infections in Green County, and others reportedly scattered around the county, according to the story. The Wisconsin E. coli outbreak began in mid-August and continued into September. A source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.

E. coli O157:H7 infections are particularly dangerous in children and the elderly.  Symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection may include stomach cramping, mild fever, vomiting, nausea and bloody diarrhea. 

Pritzker Olsen E. coli attorneys have a national practice and have won millions for E. coli victims throughout the United States, including Wisconsin. Green County cities and towns: Albany, Brodhead, Brooklyn, Browntown, Juda, Monroe, Monticello, and New Glarus. Green County is south of Madison, WI.

News Source: http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/129853283.html

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One of the 14 people who became ill during the Cowans Gap E. coli outbreak remains hospitalized at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania, according to a story in the Chambersberg Public Opinion. The patient, a child, is being treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli poisoning. HUS leads to kidney failure and can cause seizures, strokes, heart failure, hypertension, pancreatitis and other life-threatening medical problems.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the Cowans Gap outbreak, but because all of the victims swam in the lake prior to becoming ill, the lake was closed to swimming and wading as a precautionary measure in mid-August and will remain closed for the rest of the year.

Water in Pennsylvania state park lakes and pools is tested twice weekly during the season. Since the closure, the park has added a third test each week and all results have been within the normal range, officials said.  In addition to testing samples from the lake, officials are looking at samples from the drinking water, sewer systems, rest rooms, concession stands and outside food vendors. 

Symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection may include stomach cramping, mild fever, vomiting, nausea and bloody diarrhea. Health officials recommend that people who visited the park and become ill contact their health care providers.  

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Our attorneys are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Pennsylvania that has sickened at least 13 people, including children who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  The outbreak has been associated with swimming in the lake at Cowans Gap State Park.

Those sickened in the outbreak include:

• six people from Franklin County
• four from Lancaster County
• one from Huntingdon County
• two from Maryland.

During this outbreak, eight children have been treated at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, for HUS. Of those, five had been in the lake at Cowans Gap.

Those sickened swam in the Cowans Gap lake from July 12 and July 31.

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E. coli O157:NM is a dangerous pathogen at the center of a Michigan foodborne illness outbreak linked to ground beef products from McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC, in North Branch, Michigan. So far, five confirmed cases are included in the outbreak and four more cases are likely part of the outbreak, according to Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Cases have been reported in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac counties with onset dates between July 18 and 30, 2011.

Typically, the most common E. coli strain that is reported in the news media when an outbreak like this occurs, is E. coli O157:H7. However, "E.coli O157: NM differs from E. Coli O157:H7 in that it lacks the flagellar H antigen, making it non-motile (NM)," according to the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen.

The company initially recalled only 360 pounds of beef in connection with the outbreak, but has since expanded the recall to 2,200 pounds of ground beef products, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The current list of recalled products includes:

• 1 and 10-lb. clear packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
• 1 to1.5-lb., approximate weight clear plastic bags of “McNees Ground beef patties.”
• 1-lb. packages of “McNees Ground Round.”
• 1 and 2-lb packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags.

"It is concerning that two-thirds of the confirmed and probable cases in this outbreak had to be hospitalized," said Dr. Dean Sienko, Interim Medical Director for MDCH. "People who shop at McNees Meats are advised not to eat ground beef they have purchased there and to throw out any McNees ground beef that may be in their refrigerators or freezers."

People who have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak may be able to file an E. coli lawsuit and recover money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. The E. coli attorneys at Pritzker Olsen have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of E. coli victims and victims of other food borne pathogens.

Contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen for a free case evaluation >>

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Eating ground beef has become a high risk activity, and consumers need to be informed of that risk. In Michigan 9 people have E. coli infections because they ate ground beef processed by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, a meat-processing and retail establishment in North Branch, Mich.

Six of the people sickened landed in the hospital. Because most of the people sickened were adults, it is likely that at least one developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and/or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). These severe complications of an E. coli O157 infection cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage (strokes, seizures, paralysis, etc.), pancreatitis and death.

The victims of this outbreak and their families need to know the following:

1. They are not to blame even if the ground beef was cooked at home. McNees is still responsible for the pain and suffering caused by their ground beef.
2. E. coli O157 food poisoning is preventable with good sanitation and product testing.
3. The USDA, which is supposed to police the beef industry, is also supposed to promote the industry--bad idea.
4. You have the right to sue McNees and any other parties that are legally responsible for the E. coli infection and every medical problem resulting from it.
5. You have the right to ask for expected future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and income loss. Our attorneys hire experts to come up with these figures. You can contact Fred Pritzker, lead attorney for our E. coli cases, for a free consultation.
6. Sadly, you are not alone. For support, and you need it, visit Stop Foodborne Illness. This is a nonprofit organization run by families who have gone through what you are going through now.

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An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 has been linked to swimming at the lake in Cowans Gap State Park in Pennsylvania. Dr. Andre Weltman of the Pennsylvania Health Department told the media that there are six confirmed E. coli 0157:H7 cases involving children who had been swimming in the lake over the past month: 4 from Franklin County, one from Huntingdon County and one from Maryland.

At least four of these children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. To date, three of the children with E. coli HUS have required dialysis for kidney failure. When HUS progresses to this point is when a lot of other problems surface, including seizures, brain damage, pancreatitis, heart failure, blindness and other serious health problems. It is fatal in 5-10% of the cases.

In response to this outbreak, Pennsylvania officials closed the lake at Cowans Gap State Park yesterday in the late afternoon:

All water activities at Cowans Gap State park including swimming, wading, boating and fishing is prohibited until further notice. We are doing this to insure that we have safe water in the lake for these recreational activities.

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On the heals of the deadly outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 (E. coli O104:H4) infections in Germany linked to fresh sprouts, Congress may eliminate the Microbiological Data Program, the only national program screening U.S. fruits and vegetables for this and other non-O157 E. coli strains. The program tests about 15,000 samples annually of sprouts, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cantaloupe and cilantro for a cost of about $4.5 million.  The House has already voted to eliminate the program, and the Senate will be making its decision soon.

It is vitally important for the Microbiological Data Program to continue testing fruits and vegetables because the likelihood is that E. coli O104:H4 and other dangerous mutations of E. coli will show up in the United States. E. coli O104:H4 has the ability to stick to cells in the intestine (characteristic of enteroaggregative E coli) and make Shiga toxin (characteristic of Shiga-toxin-producing E coli, for example E. coli O157). It is the Shiga toxin that cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-pathogen-program-20110704,0,7549423.story

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The Alabama Department of Public Health continues its investigation of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Lee County. Thirteen children and two adults who either played in the Splash Park or swam in the pool at the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatic Center between June 4 and June 22 were identified with severe gastrointestinal illness. Five children have been confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 infection.

Four children were initially hospitalized and two remain hospitalized.

“Based on the information that we have now, it appears that the common source of exposure was the Aquatic Center,” said State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson. “Because of the risk for outbreak of illness, it is essential that public pools and water parks follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for adequate chlorine and pH levels.”

Parents should be alert for symptoms of illness. If a child has nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramps parents should seek medical attention for their child. People with diarrhea caused by potential waterborne pathogens, such as E. coli, should not use recreational water venues such as swimming pools, water slides and water parks for two weeks after symptoms resolve.

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The E. coli strain that has sickened thousands in Germany is a combination of two E. coli strains, according to research published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases:

1. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)—which stick to the intestinal lining with a “stacked brick” adherence pattern and usually cause prolonged, watery diarrhea.
2. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC—which causes hemorrhagic colitis (bloody diarrhea and can result in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a leading cause of kidney failure.

This deadly combination was the result of evolution. "The most likely scenario is that an EAEC strain acquired the ability to produce Shiga toxin from a STEC strain," Edward Dudley, an assistant professor of food science at Penn State told Penn State Live.

E. coli can swap genetic material across different E. coli strains and across bacterial species, according to Dudley:

It's a fascinating organism because it has the ability to pick up new genes from other organisms and evolve into a variety of types. It's like they're playing a game of poker and shuffling cards back and forth and somebody comes up with a jackpot hand that allows it to become something nasty.

Dr. Helge Karch of the University of Münster and team leader of the research published this week told the New York Times:

“I think it is human-specific,” Dr. Karch said. And that increases the mystery of where it goes between outbreaks.

Dr. Karch thinks it smoldered in human populations, causing mild illnesses in most and occasionally causing severe disease. Then, somehow, it was passed to the bean sprouts by someone who harbored the bacteria. And since sprouts are eaten raw, they were highly infectious.

The strain is so rare, Dr. Karch said, that those infected had no immunity. An epidemic caught fire.

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Four people who visited the Animal Petting Farm at Forest Park in Everett, Washington have suspected cases of E. coli, according to the Snohomish Health District . One of them, a child, was hospitalized for 3 days.  

Animal manure can harbor E. coli O157 and other dangerous pathogens. If contaminated manure gets on animal fur, it is possible for E. coli bacteria to get on the hands of anyone who pets the animal. Also, the ground and surfaces such as fencing can be contaminated. E. coli is usually associated with cows, but other animals can carry E. coli bacteria. 

Below is a video of Dr. Gary Goldbaum of the Snohomish Health District discussing the E. coli outbreak associated with the Animal Petting Farm in Everett, WA. 

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The E. coli death of a 2-year-old Dryden, Virginia, girl and the hospitalization of her brother are being investigated along with at least six other cases from northeast Tennessee as an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

Dr. David Kirschke, medical director of the Northeast Regional Health Office in Johnson City, has told reporters that the cases were discovered in the seven-county area in recent weeks: Greene, Carter, Johnson, Hawkins, Hancock, Washington and Unicoi Counties. No cause has been determined.

Kirschke told the Knoxville News Sentinel newspaper that health officials have been interviewing families stricken by the pathogen about their recent food histories and other possible exposures. He told the newspaper that seven of the eight case patients are infected by the same strain of E. coli. He also said several of the patients ate meat that was not thoroughly cooked.

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As of 10 a.m. EDT Saturday, March 26, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), listed various Walmart and BJ's Wholesale Club stores as retail locations associated with the recall of Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna issued by Palmyra Bologna Company, a Pennsylvania processor. The recall was prompted by an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to the bologna that has sickened at least 14 people in 5 states: Maryland (3 cases), New Jersey (2 cases), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (2 cases) and Pennsylvania (6 cases). Below is the Seltzer's bologna recall retail distribution list

New Jersey - NJ Walmart - undisclosed locations in New Jersey

BJ's Wholesale Club 1910 Deptford Center Rd. Deptford, New Jersey

BJ's Wholesale Club 152 Route 73 Voorhees, New Jersey

North Carolina - NC BJ's Wholesale Club 2370 Walnut St. Cary, N.C.

Pennsylvania - PA Walmart - undisclosed locations in Pennsylvania

BJ's Wholesale Club 1785 Airport Rd. South Allentown, Pennsylvania

Maryland -MD Walmart - undisclosed locations in Maryland

Note from the FSIS regarding this retail distribution list: "FSIS has reason to believe that the above retail location(s) received various sizes of Seltzer's Beef Lebanon Bologna that have been recalled by Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. This list may not include all retail locations that have received the recalled product or may include retail locations that did not actually receive the recalled product."

Grocery stores can be held liable in foodborne illness outbreaks: Bologna E. coli: Attorneys Investigate Grocery Store Liability. The same information is true for stores like Walmart and BJ's Wholesale Club that sell grocery items and have delis. Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation: 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our contact form for review by our attorneys.

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Seltzer's bologna E. coli outbreak has sickened at least four people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. The type of E. coli is O157:H7, the dominant variety that is associated with life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The case patients in this outbreak fell ill between January 28 and February 12 and  public health officials are still investigating. To date, the bacteria has not been found in samples of the bologna, but epidemiologists have linked it to the outbreak based on eating patterns of those who were afflicted. Meanwhile, consumers are being warned not to eat Seltzer's beef Lebanon bologna that was produced in December 2010.

If you or a loved one has suffered gastrointestinal illness after eating the product, see a doctor.  For answers to legal questions about a possible Seltzer's bologna lawsuit, call PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form. A lawyer will call you and provide a free case consultation.

To date, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has not released a list of retailers who handled Seltzer's bologna that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. But consumers can check their own inventory for the following recalled items:

 6-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 20 2011" printed on the package. 

12-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by dates of "Apr. 20 2011" or "Apr. 21 2011" printed on the package.

16-ounce packages of "SELTZER'S BEEF LEBANON BOLOGNA" with lot code "01351" and best-by date of "Apr. 22 2011" printed on the package. 

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 A filbert E. coli outbreak in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan has sickened seven people with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections traced to a California wholesaler D. DeFranco & Sons. DeFranco's recall of hazelnuts was announced Friday for hazelnut and mixed nut products distributed from November 2, 2010, to December 22, 2010. Recalled product was shipped to stores in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

All confirmed case patients in this outbreak reported eating in-the-shell filberts, most purchased in bulk bins at grocery stores. Also included in the recall are Sunripe Hazelnuts, Sunripe Large Hazelnuts in one-pound. packages, and Sunripe Mixed Nuts in two-pound and four-pound packages, all with a sell-by date of June 30, 2011. Click here for a combined list of filbert E. coli recall stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan where product was delivered.

The three Minnesota cases occurred in men over age 50 in Hennepin, Redwood and Stearns counties. The three Wisconsin cases occurred in La Crosse and Brown County and included a child and two adults. None of the Wisconsin case patients were hospitalized, but there have been E. coli O157:H7 hospitalizations elsewhere in this outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Health said two Minnesota filbert E. coli case patients were hospitalized for a time, but have recovered. 

Routine monitoring by the health departments in the respective states identified E. coli O157:H7 cases with the same DNA fingerprint. The individuals became ill between December 20, 2010, and January 28, 2011. The California Department of Public Health helped trace the filberts to DeFranco.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, you may be curious about a potential filbert E. coli lawsuit. E. coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are conducting their own investigation of the outbreak and will answer questions about victims' rights to compensation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing our online contact form. Our law firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions of dollars over the years for victims of food poisoning.

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Some segments of the food industry have been required since 2005 to be able to trace foods "one step forward, one step back," but not farms or restaurants. According to a story by Washington Post reporter Lindsey Layton, the new Food Safety Modernization Act requires the FDA to launch pilot projects by September, then report results to Congress and issue more specific rules by 2013. Exactly what systems will ultimately look like, how they will work and how much they will cost is unclear, but the private sector is buzzing with activity.

Paul Chang, who leads the traceability initiative at IBM, said the company is basically taking the tracking system it uses for the pharmaceutical industry and adopting it to the food business. HarvestMark, based in California, has developed a two-dimensional bar code sticker that can be placed on individual fruits and vegetables or packaging. Shoppers can scan the sticker with a smartphone or go to the HarvestMark website and enter the number from the sticker to learn the path the food has taken and other information the farmer chooses to share, such as the harvest date. You can click a button and tell the farmer what you think of the produce, if you like.

The purpose behind the new technology is to quicken FDA, USDA and CDC tracebacks of food poisoning when there are outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and other human pathogens. As Layton reminds her readers, the need for better traceability became clear after a national Salmonella outbreak in spring 2008 sickened more than 1,300 people. Initially, investigators at the FDA and the CDC identified tomatoes as the culprit, and warned the public against consuming them. But more than a month later, FDA investigators correctly identified the source of the outbreak as peppers from Mexico. The delay was partly because of  poor record-keeping of the growers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, FDA has said.

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The Zillman Meat Market E. coli outbreak in Marathon County, Wisconsin, has spread to three people in Michigan, officials said in a press release. The investigation into the source of the E. coli is ongoing but Marathon County health officials identified the type of E. coli as E. coli 045. 

In November and early December several persons in the Wausau, Wisconsin, area  developed illness from E.coli contracted from eating smoked ready-to-eat meat products processed at Zillman Meat Market in Wausau, the Marathon County Health Department said.

The county is repeating an earlier warning "not  to eat or serve any ready-to-eat smoked meat products purchased from Zillman Meat Market between September 30, 2010 and December 28, 2010.''

The three newest cases were reported in Michigan in December, 2010, after ready-to-eat smoked meat products were shared with family members. The State Department of Health Services assisted in identifying the Michigan cases.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, contact an E. coli lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form for a free case consultation. Our firm is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and we currently represent multiple people sickened by E. coli in other outbreaks. Over the years we have collected millions for victims of food poisoning.

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E. coli attorney Fred Pritzker is alerting the public to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Oregon and Washington that may be associated with Sally Jackson cheese. The FDA was notified of this outbreak by State Department of Agriculture, the Washington Department of Health, and the Oregon Public Health Division.

E. coli Outbreak Prompts Recall of Sally Jackson Cheese

Sally Jackson Cheese of Oroville, Washington, recalled all cheese products, including cow, goat, and sheep, because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly, but our law firm has had HUS clients in their early twenties. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage, severe hypertension, stroke, seizures, heart failure, pancreatitis and death.

Sally Jackson brand cheeses made from raw cow, goat, and sheep milk were distributed nationwide to restaurants, distributors, and retail stores. The three types of cheese are all soft raw milk cheeses in various sized pieces. The products do not have labels or codes. The cow and sheep milk cheeses are wrapped in chestnut leaves, the goat cheese is wrapped in grape leaves and all are secured with twine. The cheeses may have an outer wrapping of waxed paper.

E. coli lawyers at  PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are monitoring this Sally Jackson cheese E. coli outbreak and have established a claims center for members of the public who have been harmed. For a free case consultation, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our free consultation form. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.

We currently represent E. coli HUS victims and have years of experience representing victims of food poisoning against large national retailers and food manufacturers.

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Seven Maryland E. coli 0157:H7 cases are under investigation and a Baltimore television news station reports that a potential association exists with the consumption of unpasteurized Baugher's apple cider.

ABC2 News reports that three of seven cases have resulted in hospitalization and that the cluster of infectious disease is being probed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

 Baugher's farm and restaurant of Westminster in Carroll County also features a fruit market and bakery. ABC2 News said the orchard has issued a voluntary recall of all its apple cider due to its potential for contaminants. No other Baugher's products are affected, the station said.

Drinking unpasteurized milk, juice or cider is one proven way people sometimes become infected by E. coli 0157:H7, a potentially deadly human pathogen that causes bloody diarrhea and can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failures in children worldwide. 

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The Valley Meat E. coli recall announced by USDA covers 1 million pounds of frozen patties and bulk ground beef, including hamburger sold under the following brand names: Valley Meat Co., Bigger Valley Burger, Supremas Beef Patties, Hearst, The Butcher's Cut, Valley Meat Co. Certified Black Angus Beef Burgers and Smashburger.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the recall was prompted by possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. In connection with the recall, FSIS announced a cluster of  seven matching E. coli O157:H7 infections in California. The outbreak continues to be investigated and officials urge consumers in California, Texas, Arizona and Oregon to check freezer stocks for the tainted products.

All packages recalled by Valley Meat Company of Modesto, Calif., bear the Establishment number EST 8268 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The suspect ground beef was produced between October 2, 2009, and January 12, 2010, but the first illnesses were detected months later.

Click here to see the complete Valley Meat E. coli recall list. Many of the products in this Valley Meat E. coli recall are individually quick frozen patties, known in the industry as IQF pattties.

E. coli lawyer Fred Prtizker has called on Valley Meat to pay all medical expenses, lost wages and travel costs of the victims of this outbreak. His firm, Pritzker Olsen, is conducting its own investigation. Pritzker said that while other legal issues, including compensation for pain and suffering, are pending, the families deserve the peace of knowing these immediate costs are covered. 

Pritzker also stated that he believes food service providers should do more to ensure that meat suppliers are following state-of-the-art techniques to keep deadly pathogens out of the food supply.

“It is really up to food service providers to demand that the meat they provide to customers is produced under the safest possible conditions,” Pritzker said. “Food service providers have the market power to change dangerous practices.”

Pritzker Olsen is a leading national practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and has years of experience winning ground beef E. coli lawsuits. Over the years the firm has collected millions for its clients and lawyers for the firm are actively involved in efforts to eliminate potentially deadly pathogens from our food supply.

Free case consultations in the Valley Meat E. coli outbreak can be obtained by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page.

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A Minnesota toddler has been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after consuming raw milk, according to the Star Tribune.

The Minnesota HUS case is part of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Three of the four E. coli cases are linked to unpasteurized milk produced at the Hartmann Dairy Farm in Gibbon, Minnesota, also known as M.O.M.s, or Minnesota Organic Milk.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by damage and destruction of the red blood cells, which leads to a lower than normal number of red blood cells (a condition called anemia), blood clots, and damage to blood vessel walls. Complications of HUS are severe and can include the following:

• Hemolytic anemia and associated blood complications
• Abnormal kidney function
• HUS Kidney failure (renal failure) that may require a kidney transplant (renal transplant) - illness accompanying kidney failure is called uremia (develops when urea and other waste products are retained in the blood)
• Gall stones - probably caused by rapid hemolysis, breaking open of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin
• Elevated pancreatic enzyme levels that could lead to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and or HUS pancreatitis
• Central Nervous System (CNS) disturbances such as irritablilty, behavior changes, disorientation, delerium, hallucinations, dizziness and tremors
• HUS Seizures
• HUS Coma
• HUS Stroke
• HUS Encephalopathy
• Respiratory disease syndrome
• Convulsions
• Heart problems, including heart attack (myocardial infarction), cardio myopathy, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure (HUS heart attack and heart failure)
• Cortical blindness, caused by damage to the visual area in the brain's occipital cortex
• HUS Thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiency in the blood)
• Death

Many people who suffer this devastating illness have life-long and very severe medical problems that show up long after the acute phase of the illness is over. This is one reason why it is important to contact an HUS lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

As in this case, many HUS victims are children. Their parents suffer along with them. The fear and uncertainty of loving a child with chronic medical problems is a constant stressor that intrudes on the parents and siblings of a child with HUS.

A recent medical journal article supports the notion that the impact of HUS is not limited to the disease survivor. The paper, Emotional and Behavioral Changes in Parents of Children Affected by Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome Associated With Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia Coli: A Qualitative Analysis, concludes:

This [data] demonstrated that intense emotional distress was commonplace at the 1-year follow-up, demonstrating that emotional strain is present long after the acute phase of the child’s illness. The finding that fear of unknown long-term repercussions, relapse, and reinfection were still causing distress and rumination 1 year later suggests that dealing with an infected child is chronic stressor…

On a personal note, my wife and I are the parents of 25 year-old young man with a genetic disorder characterized by physical and cognitive challenges. Loving a child with medical issues is one of the most challenging problems faced by parents. It affects virtually every family decision and not a day goes by without its consequences reverberating throughout the home.

Are parents compensated for this emotional stress? The answer is two-fold: it depends on the law of the state in which the illness occurred and, sadly, not enough.

Many states only allow recovery for the diseased individual. Some allow recovery, but only in cases in which the parent was in the “zone of danger” (meaning they were at risk for injury as well). Fewer still recognize the obvious harm and loss that parents suffer when their children face a life of medical problems related to E. coli O157:H7-induced Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. It’s never right when common sense and the medical literature recognizes a problem for which the law offers little or no remedy.

For a free consultation with an attorney, please call 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit our online free consultation form.

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 A Colorado prison with approximately 500 inmates is responding to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 13 inmates, three of whom have had their illnesses confirmed through testing.

The Colorado Department of Corrections announced the Four Mile Prison E. coli outbreak in Canon City, saying the state health department is investigating. Kitchens at the prison have been inspected and checked off as sanitary.

Health investigators reportedly are still looking for the source of the outbreak. Meanwhile the Department of Corrections said it is "taking all precautions and working closely with CDPHE to restrict the spread of the bacteria." 

E. coli O157:H7 infections cause prolonged painful diarrhea that often turns bloody, severe abdominal cramps and fever. In 5 to 15 percent of cases, patients develop a life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremia or an associated disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Besides commonly shutting down a person's kidneys, these illness can have other serious effects including brain injury, heart problems, stroke, convulsions, coma, paralysis and other nervous system disorders.

For answers to legal questions about compensation for E. coli O157:H7 outbreak injuries, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions for victims of food poisoning.

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Questions are being raised about the public health response to the Fletch Home Daycare E. coli outbreak in Vancouver, Washington, that has tragically claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy.

Clark County Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick told the Associated Press that officials allowed the state-licensed daycare to continue operating for two weeks after the first child victim was confirmed to have an infection of E. coli O157:H7. The daycare remained open until at least two more children fell sick.

The daycare toddler who died in the outbreak was the fourth to get sick and Melnick isn't saying which day the boy was hospitalized. The home daycare operated by Dianne and Larry Fletch was finally closed April 2. The little boy's E. coli death was reported to authorities seven days later.

Melnick told the AP that he didn't shut down the business until April 2 out of concern that other parents who used the facility could take their children to different day cares and risk exposing others.

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A daycare E. coli outbreak at the Vancouver, Washington, home of Dianne and Larry Fletch has claimed the life of a  4-year-old boy who was first hospitalized March 19.

The tragic death was confirmed by Elizabeth Winter of the Washington State Department of Early Learning and Dr. Alan Melnick, health officer for Clark County.

Larry Fletch, who reportedly has operated the in-home daycare since 1990 with no valid complaints on file, was interviewed by KGW-TV: 

"It really is so horrible,'' he said. "We knew the child since before he was born. We’ve been trying to help the family. It’s just so horrible. We were close to the child. We’re close to all of our children."

Public health officials in Clark County closed the daycare April 2 after four children were hospitalized with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7. Others involved in the daycare later tested positive for E. coli but had not yet exhibited symptoms. 

The cause of the Vancouver daycare E. coli outbreak has not been determined, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that daycare centers are the most likely settings for person-to-person outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7. In such cases, the pathogen is spread through fecal-oral contact.

The threat of these outbreaks is why public health officials have stressed the importance of strict hand-washing hygiene. In outbreaks of E. coli, five to 15 percent of people infected by the organism develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome, HUS. Of all age groups, young children are the most susceptible to contracting HUS, which typically involves kidney failure.

But E. coli HUS is much more than that, often damaging other organs and a person's central nervous system.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating the Fletch daycare E. coli outbreak and is accepting cases from affected families. Our firm gets involved in practically every major outbreak of E. coli and other foodborne illnesses.

For a free case consultation or to ask legal questions of an E. coli lawyer who has handled many HUS cases, call our firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

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Washington state health officials have temporarily shut down a Clark County daycare facility after four children in the setting were hospitalized with E. coli O157:H7 infections, including one who remains hospitalized.

The Clark County daycare E. coli outbreak includes two additional cases of illness and the state-licensed daycare center was closed April 2 to prevent more from getting sick. The Portland Oregonian newspaper reported the first details of the outbreak.

Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County's public health officer, told the newspaper that there was concern of continued person-to-person spreading of the E. coli daycare strain.

He said the health department learned of the first hospitalization on March 19. Soon after, three other children required hospitalization. Melnick told the newspaper that stool samples from 22 children and four adult caregivers showed six carrying the O157:H7 strain but not showing symptoms.

Because symptoms can take up to 10 days to appear after exposure, the health department is checking each day with staff and families of the children and won't reopen the facility until there are no more signs of infection.

Melnick told the Oregonian that one of the infected children remains hospitalized. In five to 15 percent of E. coli infections, patients develop life-threatening E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. Children are most susceptible to this.

HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children, but it also carries many other risks ranging from central nervous system damage to heart problems. Stroke, convulsions, coma, paralysis, brainstem injury are all possible in HUS cases. 

Law firm Pritzker Olsen currently represents HUS E. coli victims from other outbreaks and has years of experience in E. coli  litigation. Our firm is already starting its own investigation of this Clark County daycare E. coli outbreak. We are involved as a representative for victims in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States.

To contact us for answers to legal questions about the Washington daycare E. coli outbreak, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this web page. An experienced E. coli lawyer will provide you with a free case consultation and answer any questions you may have. 

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The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has added another year of results to its standing analysis of foodborne disease outbreak investigations and the biggest new finding is that states are completing fewer probes than at any time in the past decade.

The "Outbreak Alert!'' report said that nearly 1,100 outbreaks -- including E. coli HUS outbreaks --were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2007 (the latest year of completed figures), but in only 378 cases did states identify both a food and the pathogen, which is the mark of a completed investigation.

In the early years, the number of completed outbreak investigations improved and reached a high of 44 percent in 2001. "Unfortunately, the percentage has gradually declined from 44 percent to 34 percent in 2007, the lowest percentage of fully investigated outbreaks in any year since 1999,'' the report said.

CSPI  says the results suggest that states may have been devoting fewer resources to tracking down the causes of outbreaks. Such a trend is troubling in a food safety system that depends heavily on state and local health departments for detection of outbreaks.

Fewer completed investigations mean that less information is available to the CDC -- downgrading their ability to identify problems in the food safety system or issue recalls to protect the public.

The latest findings by CSPI are another reason why national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is actively pushing for the completion of food safety reform legislation that began this year with passage of a bill in the House of Representatives. Sometime in 2010, the Senate will take up the issue, which the Obama Administration has identified as a priority.

An important element of the food safety overhaul calls for beefing up the network of detection via more resources to regionally strong labs and better communication between state and federal public health investigators. That is the kind of approach the U.S. needs to shift to a food safety culture that is more focused on preventing disease and limiting the spread of outbreaks.

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Selling raw, unpasteurized milk is illegal in many states, but not in Washington.

If a producer or processor is properly licensed with the state Agriculture Department and the raw milk carries a consumer warning label about the associated health risks, sales are legal.

But as the Dungeness Valley Creamery E. coli outbreak demonstrates, legal doesn't mean safe.

Here is an excerpt from a press release issued Tuesday by the Washington State Department of Agriculture in Olympia, Washington: 

"Three recent E. coli infections in Washington have been linked to drinking raw, unpasteurized milk. As a result, the Washington state departments of Health and Agriculture are reminding consumers of the potential health hazards of these products.

The patients all report drinking raw milk produced by the Dungeness Valley Creamery in Sequim. No E. coli has been found in samples from the dairy's current batch of milk, but during an investigation at the dairy, WSDA found the same bacteria that caused one of the illnesses.''

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially lethal pathogen, especially dangerous to young children, older adults and others with weakened immune systems. Each year in the United States, the bacteria causes about 90 deaths, 3,000 hospitalizations and 100,000 infections.

In more than 5 percent of cases, patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children and carries the risk of many serious health problems ranging from strokes, diabetes, heart damage and central nervous system disorders.

Pasteurization of milk kills E. coli and other harmful pathogens. If you or a loved one has become sick after drinking raw milk, contact a physician immediately. For answers to legal questions, call an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, 1-888-377-8900 (toll free). Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of food poisoning litigation and we have recovered millions for E. coli victims. To contact us online, complete the form on the side of this web page.

Despite scientific proof to the contrary, many people believe raw milk is more nutritional than pasteurized milk. But here are facts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that set the record straight:

• Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
• Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions.
• Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
• Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk’s nutritional value.
• Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time.
• Pasteurization KILLS harmful bacteria and SAVES lives 

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By Fred Pritzker

A recent collaboration involving the Institute of Food Technologists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is intended to improve product tracing in food production and distribution.

The study, released in October 2009 and entitled Traceability (Product Tracing) in Food Systems, identified key data elements, use of electronic forms and standardized formats as a means to identify and track food products implicated in outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in foodborne illness outbreaks.   

Traceability is an essential component of food safety regulation. Simply put, it is essential that every food’s supply chain from farm to retail store or foodservice outlet be known, recorded and easily accessed. This would allow for rapid detection of foodborne illness outbreaks, removal of adulterated products from the marketplace, consumer warnings and identification of wrongdoers in product liability claims brought on behalf of foodborne illness survivors.

Unfortunately, the system of traceability in this country is fragmented and incomplete. For example, there is no standardized system for the identification and recording of key data elements (e.g. physical location at which the product was handled, lot numbers, amount of product manufactured or shipped, recipients of shipped products, etc.). Nor are there record-keeping requirements for Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) – instances in which a product is moved between premises, is transformed or is otherwise determined to be a point at which data capture is necessary to trace the product.

These deficiencies are well known and long-standing. They endanger consumers and make it difficult to hold wrongdoers accountable for the harms and losses they cause. As food safety lawyers, we at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys are involved in virtually every major outbreak of foodborne illness. We believe the common sense recommendations in this report should be implemented without further delay.  

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 The USDA, CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health are investigating what food may have caused the Lincoln Middle School E. coli outbreak during a school trip to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Fifteen students who attended the camp October 13-16 reported getting diarrhea -- a prime symptom of E. coli -- and two of the 15 have confirmed infections of E. coli O157:H7. Two of the children sickened in the outbreak remain hospitalized.

 This is the statement issued by Dr. Robert S. Crausman, chief of Rhode Island's Center for Infectious Diseases: "We want to assure parents and students that we are not seeing this diarrheal illness spread person to person. However, any student or chaperon who was on the field trip and has diarrhea should call their doctor for medical evaluation and treatment.''

Lincoln School Superintendent Georgia Fortunado said school staff is working with health officials on the response, which included a letter to parents disclosing the problem.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially fatal human pathogen that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children around the world. The organism lives in the guts of cattle and other animals without harming them, but in humans it emits a powerful toxin that attacks blood cells and can invade the central nervous system.

More than five percent of E. coli O157:H7 infections lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. This is a life-threatening disease that is most likely to strike young children, under 5, and adults over the age of 60.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys currently represents E. coli HUS victims and is doing some of its own investigation of the Lincoln Middle School E. coli outbreak. If you have information that could be useful to families whose children are victims of this outbreak, contact us at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

We also will provide free case consultations to any of the Camp Bournedale parents who are dealing with this outbreak. Call or complete our online contact and information form so we can assist you. If we agree to take your case, you pay us nothing until you win.

Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered tens of millions for survivors of food poisoning over the years. We are dedicated to prevention of E. coli O157:H7 and do not believe the federal government is doing enough to ensure food safety. One of our clients, Jeffrey Almer, provided key testimony earlier this year before a Congressional panel that is considering food safety reform. Change is long overdue. 

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A string of national Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks over the past year, coupled with strong new leadership at FDA provided momentum for the passage of meaningful food safety legislation in Congress. In his latest editorial on behalf of millions of Americans who have suffered from food poisoning, national food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker laments how powerful lobbyists for the food manufacturing industry are trying to water down needed reforms. Mr. Pritzker's law firm, PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and currently represents the families of three women who died recently from eating contaminated peanut products.

By FRED PRITZKER

Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on a proposed food safety bill that will likely be moving through Congress this summer.

The proposed legislation, still in draft form, contains requirements that all food manufacturers write and carry out safety plans, pay an annual registration fee of $1,000 to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fund increased inspections, and keep track of the distribution of all food products.

New FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg testified that this bill is “a major step in the right direction.”  One would think that after the string of national Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks over the past year anyone could realize our nation’s food safety system needed to be reformed.  Unfortunately, that may not be the case.

Pamela G. Bailey, president of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, spoke at the hearing against a plan to charge food makers $1,000 per facility per year to pay for increased inspections, and was skeptical that the proposed changes would truly be beneficial.
 
Unfortunately for Ms. Bailey, consumers understand that a safety system largely based on industry self-regulation is simply not working.  The fox has guarded the henhouse for too long, and now is the time for real action.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that last year alone there were nearly 1.4 million cases of Salmonella, causing 415 deaths and costing our nation over $2.6 billion.  Similarly, last year there was more than 73,000 cases of E. coli O157:H7, including 38 deaths, and costing nearly $500 million.  Just recently the Salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter produced by Peanut Corporation of America is estimated to have cost over $1 billion, and taken at least seven lives.

Americans deserve much better.  If even a tiny fraction of foodborne illness cases can be eliminated, the costs of increased inspections will be returned many times over, not just in money, but in lives.

History is not on the industry’s side in this debate. It has almost universally opposed increased regulation going all the way back to the historic Meat Inspection Act of 1906.  The wretched conditions of the Chicago meatpacking industry first described in The Jungle made the public demand safer food over one hundred years ago, and was the catalyst for reform then.  Once again, we must let industry and our elected officials know that reform is needed to reduce the prevalence of foodborne illness.

Undoubtedly reform is needed.  Increased inspections and traceability is a good start.  For the food industry to claim that a $1,000 per facility fee to improve and increase inspections is too great is simply foolish.  I wonder if Ms. Bailey would be willing to tell the families of those killed by foodborne illness that $1,000 a year was too much to pay to prevent the loss of a family member’s life?

To contact food poisoning lawyer Fred Pritzker, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). For a free case consultation, complete our form. PritzkerOlsen has collected millions for victims of E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other types of infectious disease carried by contaminated food.

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A 7-year-old Cleveland girl has died from an E. coli O157:H7 infection that may have stemmed from contaminated ground beef recalled Thursday by an Illinois company.

The recall of 48 tons of frozen patties and refrigerated ground beef applies to meat produced March 10 by Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Illinois. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the recall was prompted by an epidemiological investigation by state health officials in Ohio who found genetically matched isolates of E. coli O157:H7 in three people who were not related.

One was a 3-year-old girl, one was a 24-year-old man and the third was a 71-year-old man. Two of the victims were hospitalized, but all three recovered, the Ohio Department of Health reported. The FSIS said other matching E. coli O157:H7 infections were found in Pennsylvania and Illinois, but the agency didn't say how many.

Hours after the recall was announced, news broke of a potential fourth victim in Ohio -- the 7-year-old girl. Here's what reporters Leila Atassi and Harlan Spector reported for The Plain Dealer's web site in Cleveland:

"Health officials did not identify the girl or provide details of the circumstances that led to her death. But Cleveland Health Director Matthew Carroll said the case might be the latest in a cluster of E. Coli infections traced to Valley Meats LLC, of Coal Valley, Ill.''

Lisa Abraham of the Akron Beacon Journal said two restaurants in Cuyahoga County are part of the investigation, but health officials haven't named them because it's not certain they are linked. The report said the recalled hamburger made by Valley Meats was for sale to restaurants and food service accounts.

According to the recall notice, the potentially contaminated beef was distributed nationwide under a dozen generic brands and the following name brands: 3S, Grillmaster, J&B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate. All packages are stamped with USDA establishment number 5712.

National food poisoning and food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is monitoring the outbreak and urging anyone who believes they may have become ill from ground beef produced by Valley Meats to immediately see a physician. Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea (often bloody), severe cramps, possible nausea or vomiting and possible mild fever.

Pritzker Olsen is involved in practically all major outbreaks of foodborne illness and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli O157:H7 and other deadly pathogens. Earlier this year, the firm was chosen to represent the Ohio family of Nellie Napier, an 80-year-old resident of Medina County who died of Salmonella infection linked to Peanut Corp. of America.

To contact an E. coli O157:H7 lawyer at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or write to us online for a free case consultation.

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