Current Listeria Recalls Include Nine Brands of Cheese

Listeria, the pathogen responsible for the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak- the deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in U.S. history, is dominating food safety headlines in 2012 as the source of food recalls for ten brands of cheese and 20 varieties of vegetable sprouts. (UPDATED 1/612)

Listeria, which occurs everywhere in nature, can cause a serious, sometimes fatal infection called listeriosis. Onset of symptoms, which generally include fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and upset stomach, can begin up to two months after ingestion of tainted food. In severe cases, symptoms will also include headaches, stiff neck, convulsions or death, according to the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or birth defects in newborns.

At least three illnesses have been reported in connection with these recalls. Anyone experiencing symptoms, should contact a healthcare provider.

Currently the nine brands of cheese with products under recall are: BMF, Brennan’s Cellars, El Viajero, Edelweiss, Green Cedar Dairy, HEB, Fromagerie Marie Kade, Miller’s Cheese Corp., Nordic Creamery and World Cheese Corp.

All but two of those brands, Green Cedar Dairy and Marie Kade, are associated with Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion of Monroe, Wisconsin, which issued the recall after samples of one product tested positive for Listeria.

The cheese products under recall are as follows:

BMF
BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” -- 5 lb. packages, Distributed in New York. Sell by date of 16FEB12, 01MAR12 or 15MAR12, on product cases. The recalled product was distributed between October 21, 2011 and January 3, 2012.

Brennan’s
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend
Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese,
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese

The recalled products were distributed to Brennan’s Stores located in Milwaukee, Dane and Green Counties in Wisconsin.

El Viajero
El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” -- 8 oz packages,  UPC code 0 7282014045 7 (located on the bottom left of front label) and sell by dates of 24FEB12, 09MAR12 or 15MAR12, which are located on the back of the package. The recalled product was distributed in Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee and Florida between November 1, 2011 and January 3, 2012.

El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated)” -- 4 lb. packages, Use-by code 09MAR12, located on the back of the package. The product was distributed in Indiana and Minnesota between November 11, 2011 and January 3, 2012.

Edelweiss Creamery
Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend
16 ounce packages with a red and blue label UPC code of 758590116914 on the back of the package Identifier code of 290A11 on the back of the package
The products were distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin and sold between November 1, 2011 and December 30, 2011.

Fromagerie Marie Kade
Cedar brand Shinglish firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC: 78546 10000
Cedar brand Tresse firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC 78546 01000 

These cheeses are sold in vacuum packs which bear the picture of a green cedar tree and were distributed in Southern California to Mediterranean specialty markets.

Fromagerie Marie Kade
Akawi Cheese Best Before 08 MAR 2012
Baladi Cheese Best Before 08 FEB 2012
Shinglish Cheese Best Before 07 NOV 2012
Tresse Cheese Best Before 10 NOV 2012

Vachekaval Cheese Best Before 10 MAR 2012
Halloom Best Before 01 MAY 2012

Moujadale Best Before 04 MAY 2012

These cheeses were distributed in Massachusetts to Cedar Market in Norwood and Bahnan’s in Worcester and bear the establishment number 1874

Green Cedar Dairy
All Natural Ackawi Cheese 
All Natural Chives Cheese
The recalled cheeses have sell by dates up to July 1, 2012 The products, produced at Green Cedar Dairy (Plant # 26941), were distributed in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. They are sold in clear plastic vacuum-packed, square packages of 12 -14 oz. Two people who had contact with these products have confirmed cases of listeriosis.

HEB

HEB Queso Cotija (Grated)” – 8 oz. packages, Distributed in Texas. UPC code 0 4122024846 9 and sell-by dates of 08FEB12 and 09MAR12, which are located on the back of the package. Product was distributed between October 27, 2011 and December 23, 2011.


Miller’s Cheese Corp.
All 8 oz and 16 oz. bags of Miller’s shredded cheese (Pizza, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Fancy, Muenster), with an expiration of June 5,2012 through Sept 4, 2012
All 32 oz bags of Miller’s shredded Mozzarella with an expiration date of February 6, 2012 through May 7, 2012
All 5 lb bags of Miller’s shredded Mozzarella, Cheddar, Muenster and Monterey Jack with a pack date of September 8, 2011 through Dec 7, 2011
Please note: everything is expiration date except the 5 lb. Shredded bags are pack date
 

Nordic Creamery
Grumpy Goat Shreds in eight-ounce bags with a code date of 10-MAR-12 sold in stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California beginning Nov. 11.

World Cheese Corp
All 8 oz and 16 oz. bags of Haolam shredded cheese (Pizza, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Fancy, Muenster, R/F Muenster, R/F Cheddar), with an expiration of June 5,2012 through Sept 4, 2012
 
All 32 oz bags of Haolam shredded Mozzarella and Gourmet Blend with an expiration date of February 6, 2012 through May 7, 2012
 
All 5 lb bags of Haolam shredded Mozzarella, Cheddar and Muenster with a pack date of September 8, 2011 through Dec 7, 2011

Vegetable sprouts
Green Valley Food Corp. of Dallas, Texas is recalling approximately 35,159 cases of a variety of products potentially contaminated with Listeria.

Products purchased between 12/07/2011 and  1/1/2012 are affected in this recall and/or if the items have a use by date ranging from 12/22/2011 to 1/17/2012. 
The items affected in the recall are as follows:

  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722228818
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722229914
  • Alfalfa Sprouts 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098001088
  • “Green Valley Food Corp.” Onion Sprouts” 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098002054
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Sunflower Greens 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722206069
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Clover Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722225510
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Onion Sprouts 2 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722227712
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Zesty Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722221116
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Organic Wheat Grass 6oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722608122
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. red polypropylene bag with the UPC number 714722208087
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. clear polypropylene bag with the UPC number 815098001071
  • “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 16 oz. clear polypropylene bag with a green label, the UPC number 714722208162
  • “Green Valley Food Corp.” Spicy Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098002023
  • “Green Valley Food Corp.” Snow Pea Shoots 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 714722106062
  • “Green Valley Food Corp.” Organic Wheatgrass 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722608122
  • “Green Valley Food Corp.” Daikon Sprouts 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722206076
  • “Broccosprouts” Sandwich Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000289
  • “Broccosprouts” Salad Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000265
  • “Broccosprouts” Deli Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098000272
  • “Broccosprouts” Broccoli Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000258
  • The sprouts affected in this recall were distributed via truck deliveries to all custom


If you have legal questions about an illness associated with one of these recalls contact the foodborne illness lawyers at PritzKerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

 

Green Valley Foods Sprouts Recalled Following Detection of Listeria at Plant

FDA inspectors found Listeria at Green Valley Foods Corp. in Dallas, Texas, after previously finding Salmonella in one of the company's products.  Both instances have resulted in food recalls, including a multi-label recall of sprouts. shoots and wheat grass in connection with the Listeria findings.

The company said in an FDA-published recall notice that the Salmonella was found in a sample of alfalfa-based product taken from a customer on December 12. A plant inspection ensued on December 21 and "several samples'' tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potential deadly bacterium that recently caused 31 U.S. deaths in a cantaloupe outbreak. The Listeria testing prompted a recall late on New Year's Eve day covering more than 35,000 cases of a variety of food items, mainly sprouts of different kinds. Click here for the full Green Valley Foods recall published by FDA.

The FDA or CDC has not announced any outbreak of illness associated with food recalls this month by Green Valley. The company, in its own words, put it this way: "Till this present day there has been no related illnesses CONFIRMED because of this recall . This is a cautionary measure taken by Green Valley Food Corp. to assure safe and quality products are being distributed by our facility.''

Two Listeria Cheese Recalls, Two Sickened In Michigan Listeria Outbreak

A Michigan Listeria outbreak that has sickened two people may be associated with one of two current cheese recalls. Both Green Cedar Dairy of Dearborn, Mich. and Fromagerie Marie Kade of Quebec have issued cheese recalls because of possible Listeria contamination.

Green Cedar Dairy is recalling its “All Natural Ackawi Cheese” and “All Natural Chives Cheese” with sell by dates up to July 1, 2012 The products were produced at Green Cedar Dairy (Plant # 26941) and distributed in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. They are sold in vacuum-packed, clear plastic, square packages of 12 -14 oz and distributed in Michigan’s Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.Two people who were exposed to the recalled products from Green Cedar have contracted listeriosis.

Fromagerie Marie Kade is recalling cheeses that were distributed to markets in California and in Massachusetts to Cedar Market in Norwood and Bahnan’s in Worcester, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health. One confirmed case of listeriosis has been linked to the cheese according to Canadian and U.S. health officials.

The recalled products from Fromagerie Marie Kade, which bear the establishment number 1874 are as follows:

Akawi Cheese Best Before 08 MAR 2012
Baladi Cheese Best Before 08 FEB 2012.
Shinglish Cheese Best Before 07 NOV 2012
Tresse Cheese Best Before 10 NOV 2012
Vachekaval Cheese Best Before 10 MAR 2012
Halloom Best Before 01 MAY 2012
Moujadale Best Before 04 MAY 2012

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria found almost everywhere in the environment, but listeriosis, a Listeria infection, is most often caused by eating food that’s been tainted by the bacteria. Listeriosis usually causes flu-like symptoms including: fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and upset stomach. In severe cases, it can also cause headaches, stiff neck, convulsions or death, according to the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you have symptoms, see a health care provider. If you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the Listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in foodborne illness law for a free consultation.

 

Listeria Especially Dangerous For Pregnant Women

A Michigan listeriosis outbreak that may be linked to cheeses produced by a Dearborn dairy has prompted health officials to warn consumers about he dangers of Listeria and to remind pregnant women that they are at particular risk.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that is found almost everywhere in the environment, but listeriosis, a Listeria infection, is most often caused by eating food that’s been tainted by the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one in six (17%) cases of listeriosis occurs during pregnancy, according to the CDC.

 

Listeriosis usually causes flu-like symptoms including: fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and upset stomach. In severe cases, it can also cause headaches, stiff neck, convulsions or death. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects or other serious health problems for newborns, even if the expectant mother shows no signs of illness, according to the CDC.

The U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have compiled the following advice to limit risk of foodborne illness during pregnancy:

  • Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.

  • Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pasteurized milk.
  • Do not eat refrigerated pâté or meat spreads.
  • Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is an ingredient in a cooked dish such as a casserole. Examples of refrigerated smoked seafood include salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel which are most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky." This fish is found in the refrigerated section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens.
  • Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or eat foods that contain unpasteurized milk.
  • Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.

  • Use all refrigerated perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat as soon as possible. 

  • Clean your refrigerator regularly. 

  • -Use a refrigerator thermometer to make sure that the refrigerator always stays at 40 °F or below.
      

What Green Cedar Cheese Consumers Should Know About Listeria Danger

The Michigan Listeria outbreak that has infected at least two people and led to the recall of All Natural Ackawi Cheese and All Natural Chives Cheese from Green Cedar Dairy of Dearborn is being investigated by Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker and members of his national food safety law firm.

Michigan agriculture and health officials found Listeria monocytogenes in samples of cheese that had been distributed to bakeries and retail stores in the greater Dearborn and Detroit areas, including Macomb , Oakland and Wayne Counties. The cheese has a sell by date up to July 1, 2012. The product is sold in approximately 12-14 oz. squares vacuum sealed in clear plastic.

In Listeria outbreaks, it is important for victims and their families to understand their legal rights and remedies. A good Listeria attorney will have the experience needed to know who is responsible for the harm done to you and how best to proceed with a lawsuit. Please call or submit your contact information for a free case consultation. Pritzker Olsen Attorneys toll free phone is 1-888-377-8900.

Listeria outbreak litigation

Although Listeria tends to infect fewer people, it is typically deadlier than other foodborne pathogens and inordinately affects the elderly, newborns, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system. The organism can result in fetal death or miscarriage and some people develop meningitis.

The nation's worst Listeria outbreak ever occurred earlier this year, killing 31 people who were infected by contaminated cantaloupe from Jensen Farms in Colorado. Pritzker Olsen was involved in that outbreak as attorney for victims and litigation is ongoing.

Green Cedar Dairy Cheese Recall, Listeriosis Cases May Be Linked

Green Cedar Dairy in Dearborn, Michigan is recalling two cheeses after Listeria monocytogenes was found in tests by the agriculture department and two people who had exposure to the products contracted listeriosis, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administartion (FDA).

The recall includes products labeled: Green Cedar Dairy  (Plant # 26941) All Natural Ackawi and All Natural Chives Cheese with sell by dates up to July 1, 2012. The product is sold in approximately 12-14 oz. square, vacuum sealed, clear plastic packages and distributed in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Consumers are urged not to consume the products. Green Cedar Dairy is requesting that all retail stores cease selling these cheeses immediately, and that restaurants cease serving them. 

The Michigan Department of Community Health and the Wayne County Public Health Department are investigating  two cases of listeriosis in people who may have been exposed to Green Cedar Dairy products, according to the FDA.

Listeriosis is a serious sometimes fatal infection caused by eating foods tainted with Listeria bacteria. Onset of flu-like symptoms can begin anywhere from a few days up to two months after ingestion of the tainted food. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems particularly pregnant women are most at risk. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects or other serious health problems in newborns.

PritzkerOlsen P.A. is a national leader in foodborne illness law. Their attorneys can answer legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation.

CDC Declares Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Over, 30 of 146 Stricken Have Died

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared an official end to the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak which began in Colorado in mid-August and swept through 28 states sickening 146 people and killing 30 before meeting its own end.

The source of the outbreak was Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., where the FDA found a number of unsanitary conditions including used packing equipment that was difficult to clean and standing water on the packing room floor.

The number of victims  identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (4), Colorado (40), Idaho (2), Illinois (4), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (11), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (7), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), New Mexico (15), New York (2), North Dakota (2), Oklahoma (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Utah (1), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (4).

 
Eating food contaminate with Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis a serious infection that is especially dangerous for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and their newborns. Among pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
 
Among victims  for whom information was available: reported illness onset ranged from July 31, 2011 through October 27, 2011. Ages ranged from <1 to 96 years, with a median age of 77 years. Most  of those sickened were over 60 and most, 58 percent were female. Ninety nine percent were hospitalized. Seven of the illnesses were related to a pregnancy; three were diagnosed in newborns and four were diagnosed in pregnant women. 

Thirty deaths were reported: Colorado (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (5), New York (2), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and Wyoming (1). Those who died ranged in age  from 48 to 96 years, with a median age of 82.5 years. In addition, one woman who was pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

Those with legal questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

  

 

RaceTrac Cuts Ties With Flying Foods After Listeria Recall

RaceTrac, an Atlanta company that operates 320 stores in the southeast, has cut ties with Flying Food Group after sandwiches it made for RaceTrac stores were recalled for potential Listeria contamination, according to Patch.

The recalled sandwiches, listed below, were made at Flying Foods’ Lawrenceville location and were to be sold in Georgia RaceTrac locations only.

RaceTrac removed all Flying Food Group products from its Georgia locations “on November 26 after our independent testing revealed a potential food safety issue at the supplier’s Lawrenceville facility. We immediately notified state and federal authorities of our findings and fully participated in their investigations,” a RacetTrac spokesman told Patch.

But it wasn’t until December 3, a week later, that Flying Foods issued a recall of the sandwiches and issued an updated recall to include more sandwiches on December 5. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this problem.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection that can be serious and sometimes fatal in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Among pregnant women, listeria infections can cause miscarriages or stillbirths. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The time period between ingesting contaminated food and onset of illness can be as long as 70 days.

The sandwiches, which had an expiration date of November 30, 2011, were made for RaceTrac and distributed to retail outlets in Georgia only. They are:

Race Trac (distributed in Georgia):
7.8 ounce packages of “Chicken Quarter Pounder” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
8.8 ounce packages of “Chicken Quarter Pounder with Tomatoes” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
7.38 ounce packages of “Ham Quarter Pounder” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/117.38 ounce packages of “Ham Quarter Pounder” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
9.05 ounce packages of “Ham Quarter Pounder with Tomatoes” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
10.17 ounce packages of “American Sub” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
7.38 ounce packages of “Turkey Quarter Pounder” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11
9.05 ounce packages of “Turkey Quarter Pounder with Tomatoes” that have “Sell Thru” dates 10/11/11-11/30/11

 

Omaha Man Files Cantaloupe Listeria Suit

Dale Braddock, an Omaha man who is one of six Nebraskans who contracted listeriosis from tainted cantaloupe grown on Jensen Farms in Colorado, has filed suit against the grower, the distributor, the grocery store and the food safety auditor, according to a story in the JournalStar.com

Melons grown on Jensen Farms were the source of a listeria outbreak last summer that was one of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history, killing 29 people and sickening a total of 139 in 28 states.

Jensen Farms, Frontera Produce, Kroger Co., which owns Baker's Supermarket and Primus Labs are all named as defendants in the suit filed November 30, in U.S. District Court in Nebraska.

Braddock purchased a contaminated melon from a Baker's Supermarket store in Omaha in August. Both he and his daughter became ill, but his illness became so severe that he was taken to a hospital by ambulance, according to the story.

In the suit, Braddock demands a jury trial in Omaha and asks to be compensated for his injuries and damages, attorney's fees, costs and other relief, according to the story. A dollar amount was not specified.

If you have legal questions about an illness, hospitalization or death associated with the cantaloupe listeria outbreak, contact the attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, a national leader in food safety law.

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Illustrates Inadequate Inspection System

Food safety advocates say a flawed inspection system played a role in cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, one of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history.

The outbreak, which was linked to cantaloupe grown on Jensen Farms, in Holly, Colo., sickened 139 people in 28 states over a three-month period beginning July 31. Dozens of those stricken required hospitalization, 29 people died and one woman who was pregnant miscarried.

On October 19, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an environmental assessment of factors that likely contributed to the contamination of melons grown on the farm. The report cited a number of unsanitary conditions including standing water on the floor of the packing facility and used equipment that was hard to clean. Yet just one month the outbreak began, an independent inspection service gave Jensen Farms a “superior” rating.

The FDA has 1,100 inspectors charged with monitoring 421,121 domestic and foreign farms and food processors, Douglas Karas, an agency spokesman, told Bloomberg News. On average, the FDA is able to inspect less than a quarter of all food facilities each year, so third-party auditors step in to fill the gap.

But there is no standardized training or accreditation process. And hired auditors often are usually paid by those they are inspecting, creating conflicts of interest. Food safety advocates, including members of the Make Our Food Safe Coalition are urging the FDA to address these issues as it revamps inspection guidelines under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Make Our Food Safe Coalition members include The American Public Health Association, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention, The Pew Charitable Trusts and STOP Foodborne Illness.

After Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak, California Growers Seek Food Safety Research Funds

The California cantaloupe industry wants growers and handlers around to contribute money for research that will improve food safety and restore consumer confidence after the deadly multistate cantaloupe listeria outbreak, according to a story in The Packer.

The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB) and California Melon Research Board (CMRB) have each pledged $100,000 toward the research.The goal is to raise $1 million to fund a research project at the Center for Produce Safety at the University of California, Davis, CCAB chairman Steve Patricio said. A meeting for industry stakeholders is scheduled are scheduled for January 11, 2012.

California cantaloupe growers, who pride themselves on their zero-outbreak track record, have been industry leaders in establishing best practice guidelines for growing. One key element shown by California research is that the growing conditions in dry regions make it a good practice to field pack cantaloupe, rather than sending it to packing sheds for water washes.

About 90 percent of California cantaloupe is field-packed and sent immediately to coolers, Steve Smith, co-owner of Trulock Fruit Co. Inc. and CMRB president estimates in the story.“Research has shown that in our growing conditions there are very few, if any, pathogens present,” Smith said. “When you introduce water to the packing process you introduce a growth medium. There is also a much greater chance for cross-contamination.”

The packing shed was a contamination point at Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo, the origin of the Listeria outbreak that sickened 139 people in 28 states, killing 29 and causing one miscarriage.

“In terms of the recent [Listeria] outbreak, we really needed to know what the FDA found when they inspected the Colorado facility,” said Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, executive director for the Center for Produce Safety, in the story. “The report they published on the conditions there is crucial to examining the overall situation.”

Contact the foodborne illness experts at the law firm of PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation if you have legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak.

 

Colorado Cantaloupe Growers Move To Restore Consumer Confidence And Their Reputation

Cantaloupe growers from Colorado’s Rocky Ford area are seeking help from federal and state agencies to develop a plan that will restore consumer confidence in the safety of melons grown in the region before the 2012 season.

Until the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak this year, Rocky Ford, the birthplace of the U.S. cantaloupe industry, was known for producing cantaloupes with an especially sweet taste. Although Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., is located about 84 miles east of Rocky Ford, the stickers on the tainted melon it sold read “Sweet Rocky Fords.”

Farmers have been growing cantaloupes and the Rocky Ford brand for 120 years, said grower Chuck Hanagan, a spokesman for growers from the Rocky Ford region. "And in all those years, we have never had a problem with our cantaloupe. But now we have been harmed by the listeria outbreak in cantaloupe far from here."

Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar met with about 20 growers on November 14 to discuss how to recover from the fallout of the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, one of the deadliest in U.S. history.

“They (state officials) set forth a buffet of ideas and said they would help in any way they can and be a resource for us,” grower Chuck Hanagan, a spokesman for growers from the Rocky Ford region, told The Packer. “We are in the process of securing our name and defining our region.”

One of the ideas discussed was whether to establish a marketing order for the cantaloupe growers, according to the Packer story. Such an order could define the growing region, establish handling and food safety practices for growers and shippers and include a marketing fee.

But Hanagan said what the growers really need is public relations help form state and local agencies. He wants them to make it clear to consumers that the problem was with Jensen Farms, not in the Rocky Ford area.

"We have a history, we could throw our world-famous name in the dumpster and rename or we could vindicate our product," Hanagan told the Chieftan. "We want vindication."
 

FDA Issues Letter of Guidance to Cantaloupe Industry

In the wake of one of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a letter of guidance to the cantaloupe industry.

The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, which sickened 139 people, killed 29 and caused one miscarriage, began in Colorado and spread through 28 states in less than two months. The source of the outbreak was Jensen Farms, Holly, Colo., where the FDA found a number of unsanitary conditions.

Listeria is a bacterium that can contaminate foods and, if ingested, cause severe, sometimes life-threatening illness. Fatality rates for listeriosis are between 20 percent and 30 percent. Those most at risk are the elderly, the immuno-compromised, fetuses and neonates.

Although tainted cantaloupe has been a source of other foodborne illness outbreaks, this is the first time the melon has ever been contaminated with Listeria. The sweeping and tragic scope of that new combination, prompted the FDA’s letter which acknowledges that many in the cantaloupe industry have taken actions to address food safety but encourages all to review their practices and to read the following agency publications:

  • “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Melons”
  • “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables”
  • “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables.”
  • “Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Refrigerated or Frozen Ready-To-Eat Foods.”

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak One of the Deadliest In U.S. History

The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has killed 29 people and caused one miscarriage is one of deadliest in U.S. history, putting it in the grim company of the 1985 Mexican-style soft cheese Listeria outbreak that killed 28 and caused 20 miscarriages; the 1924 oyster typhoid outbreak that killed 150 people and sickened 1,500; and the 1911 raw milk Streptococcus outbreak that killed 48 people and sickened more than 2,000.

As of November 1, 139 people in 28 states have contracted listeriosis by eating Rocky Ford cantaloupe produced by Jensen Farms in Colorado, according to the latest update from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. The victims began to fall ill between July 31, 2011 and October 21, 2011.

Among reported cases, almost 60 percent are female. Although they range in age from less than 1 year to 96 years old, the median age is 77 and most are over 60. Virtually all of the patients, 99 percent of those for whom information is available, required hospitalization.

State and local health departments in these and other states are investigating other listeriosis illnesses to determine if they are part of this outbreak. As of November 1, the number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (2), Colorado (39), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (10), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (6), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), New Mexico (15), New York (2), North Dakota (2), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Utah (1), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (4).

 

The incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as two months. If you ate Rocky Ford melon from Jensen Farms and later developed symptoms including fever and muscle aches, preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, contact your health care provider. If you need legal advice about an illness associated with this outbreak, contact the attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

 

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Cantaloupe Listeria Death Lawsuits Investigated: 30 Deaths and Counting

CDC is reporting 30 deaths from eating contaminated cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado:

Colorado (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (2), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (6), New York (2), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and Wyoming (1).

These numbers include one unborn child whose mother contracted a Listeria infection (listeriosis) that then sickened the unborn baby. Having represented other women who lost babies in this way, we know that this was a devastating loss for the family.

Most of the people who died were elderly. That they would have to die in such a painful way is an outrage, particularly since conditions at the Jensen Farms cantaloupe plant were so grossly unsanitary.

Our law firm is investigating additional deaths to determine if the cases are part of this outbreak. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a Listeria lawyer regarding a lawsuit against Jensen Farms, the distributor and a retailer. Every company responsible for these deaths needs to be held accountable.

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Continues to Grow: Attorneys Investigating Lawsuit

The CDC has released the new numbers for the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak linked to  Jensen Farms cantaloupe grown in Colorado. 139 persons have been reported to CDC from 28 states.  The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows:

Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (2), Colorado (39), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (10), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (6), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), New Mexico (15), New York (2), North Dakota (2), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Utah (1), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (4).

Nevada and Utah have reported their first case each since the last CDC update, and additional cases in these and other states are being investigated to determine if they are part of this outbreak.

132 (99%) of the Listeria victims were hospitalized. Thirty deaths have been reported, including one unborn baby who was miscarried when the mother contracted a Listeria infection that then sickened the baby:

Colorado (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (2), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (6), New York (2), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and Wyoming (1).

Among persons who died, ages range from 48 to 96 years, with a median age of 81 years. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

Evidence Implicating Jensen Farms as Source of Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Epidemiological Evidence: Among the 103 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 97 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms fields in Granada, CO, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region.

Microbiological Evidence: Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from ill persons’ homes. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated that these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms. Laboratory testing by FDA has identified L. monocytogenes outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.

Contact our Listeria attorneys for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against Jensen Farms and the retailer who sold you the contaminated cantaloupe.

Salad Greens Pose Listeria Risk

Within the last month, four companies have announced recalls for salad greens possibly tainted with Listeria. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 

 No illnesses have been reported in association with the recalls:

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. is recalling 12 oz bags of fresh, Washed Spinach, with the Enjoy by date of OCT 16 sold under the f&e™ label.

True Leaf Farms is recalling 2 lb. bags of chopped romaine with a bag and box code B256-46438-8 and a “use by date” of 9/29/11. The bags were shipped between September 12 and 13 to an institutional food service distributor in Oregon who further distributed it to at least two additional states, Washington and Idaho.

Giant Eagle is recalling 8 oz packages of Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, produced by River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, with a use by date of October 14, 2011. Additionally, the shredded iceberg lettuce was used in a small number of prepared deli ring sandwiches. The affected deli ring sandwiches include:

  • Giant Eagle Large Italian Sandwich Ring (UPC 23755100000),

  • Giant Eagle Mini Italian Sandwich Ring (UPC 24755500000),

  • Giant Eagle Large New York Sandwich Ring (UPC 22755100000),

  • Giant Eagle Mini New York Sandwich Ring (UPC 25755500000),

  • Giant Eagle Large All America Sandwich Ring (UPC

River Ranch Fresh Foods  is recalling of 2,154 cases of various bagged salad products. The bagged salad products subject to the recall include: 

Brand

Item Description

UPC Number

Code Date / Julian Date

Farmers Market

8 oz Shredded Iceberg

30034-30195

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market

7 oz Parisian Blend

30034-30259

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market

9 oz Leafy Romaine

30034-30364

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market

12 oz Romaine Garden

30034-30220

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee

8 oz Shredded Iceberg

75450-12053

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee

12 oz American Blend

75450-12047

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee

12 oz Garden Supreme

75450-12046

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee

12 oz Romaine Garden

75450-12058

BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

 

 

Listeria Deaths Added in KS, CO, MO

The Listeria death toll in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak has risen to 28, a grim tally that includes newly confirmed cantaloupe Listeria fatalities in Kansas, Colorado and Missouri. The latest figures were provided in a Listeria outbreak update by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ten additional illnesses were confirmed by CDC since the last update was provided October 18. Now there are 133 confirmed illnesses in 26 states. In addition, there has been a loss of life due to miscarriage and officials are closely monitoring at least two other pregnancies where the mother is poisoned by cantaloupe Listeria.

Cantaloupe lawsuit case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) from Listeria lawyers at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a national food safety law firm. Founder and president Fred Pritzker currently represents victims in this outbreak, including the families of two people who died. Pritzker was featured prominently in a newspaper account of the outbreak published by The Christian Science Monitor and he has spent years actively involved in efforts to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness. Leave your contact information and Fred or another attorney in the office will call you. Mr. Pritzker headed Listeria litigation in 2002 that resulted in several multi-million dollar settlements. That was the last time a Listeria outbreak in the U.S. caused multiple deaths and was solved by public health investigators. 

From the CDC's October 25, 2011, UPDATE on the Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak, here is a national picture of where the outbreak has spread:

Canadians Develop Food Packaging That Kills E coli and Listeria

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.


 

 

Landshire Recalls Nike All-American Sandwhich

Landshire of St. Louis, is recalling of 1,751 cases of the Nike All-American sandwich because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The sandwiches were distributed to grocery stores nationwide. They are individually wrapped in white packages sandwich weighing 7.25 ounces. They bear the UPC code: 0 9748801741 5 and lot number: 11 237 6, which is printed in black ink on the side or back of the package. No other Landshire products or code dates are affected by this recall. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The potential problem was discovered during routine sampling taken by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services for retail food establishments.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Healthy individuals who contract listeriosis generally suffer  short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Yamaya Recalls Masago Potentially Tainted With Listeria

Yamaya USA Inc. of Torrance Calif. is recalling 2-pound plastic containers of Masago (Capelin Roe) because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The packages have a white label with both Japanese and English writing and bear the mark: “Item No. 09867.” They were distributed to retail stores in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Atlanta and Mexico.

Masago, which is orange-red in color, is a common sushi ingredient often used as a garnish. No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Healthy individuals who contract listeriosis may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
 

Missouri Listeria Cantaloupe Lawsuit

Missouri Listeria Death No. 2 has been confirmed by the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, worsening the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak that CDC officials are still actively monitoring.

The 84-year-old person is the second in Southwest Missouri to die from listeriosis caused by contaminated cantaloupe that came from a packing facility where health investigators found dirty equipment, standing water on the floor and a questionable protocol for cooling the melons. Missouri's second fatality linked to the outbreak expands the total number of cantaloupe Listeria deaths to 26 nationwide.

In total, five Missouri residents have been stricken and CDC data indicates that nearly everyone who falls sick with one of  the outbreak strains of Listeria becomes hospitalized. More than 123 people in 26 states have been sickened since July 31 and more case confirmations are expected.

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker represents victims of this outbreak in  litigation that will encompass Missouri and other states. The lawsuits will seek monetary recoveries and justice for those who have suffered from negligence uncovered in the sweeping investigation of America's deadliest outbreak of food poisoning in 25 years. A good Listeria lawyer will pursue claims that also include future harms due to loss of companionship, future medical costs, loss of income and future pain and suffering.

Pritzker was the lead attorney in a cluster of Listeria lawsuits brought in the last major Listeria outbreak -- in 2002, winning several million dollars for survivors and the families of those who died.  Free case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you.

Albertsons Sold Jensen Farms Cantaloupe

Alberstons grocery company was one of the retailers that stocked Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms which have been associated with the multi-state Listeria outbreak that has stricken more than 120 people in 26 states.

Albertsons, which operates 450 stores in nine states throughout the Northwest and West Coast, is a division of Minneapolis-based SUPERVALU. In response to the Jensen Farms recall on September 14, Albertsons pulled all cantaloupe grown in Colorado from its store shelves. Since that time, the cantaloupe at its stores is from other growing regions that are not subject to this recall. However, the incubation period for listeriosis can take up to 70 days, so it’s possible that customers may have purchased and eaten tainted melons before the recall was announced but will not show signs of illness until mid-November.

State and federal health officials urge anyone who believes they have become ill from eating a contaminated melon to seek medical advice. Those with legal questions regarding this outbreak should contact the Listeria experts at PritzkerOlsen P.A., a nationally recognized food safety law firm practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Listeria Death Lawsuits Keyed by FDA Cantaloupe Findings at Jensen Farms

Listeria death lawsuits stemming from the Jensen Farm cantaloupe outbreak were informed by new findings this week, including a Food and Drug Administration report of unsanitary conditions in Jensen's melon-washing and packing facility.

The company had purchased a potato washing machine and installed it this summer to handle the 2011 cantaloupe harvest. FDA inspectors found it to be dirty and very hard to keep clean. The inspection also found standing water on the facility's floor -- which was also poorly designed for cleaning. The conditions -- coupled with questionable melon-cooling techniques that led to condensation on the rinds -- were breeding grounds for Listeria that has been linked to 25 deaths, one miscarriage and 123 illnesses in 26 states. See more on the FDA cantaloupe report.

FDA officials told reporters the agency had never inspected Jensen Farms cantaloupe operation in 20 years of operation. The officials said they have learned that a private inspection led to high marks for Jensen shortly before the outbreak started.

USA Today reported that Primus Labs of Santa Maria, California, gave the Jensen Farms packing house a "superior" rating just six days before the outbreak started. The private inspector noted that the newly installed equipment used water that was not treated with anti-microbial solution, but he didn't score them down for it. A food safety expert told USA Today that the lack of anti-microbial agents, such as chlorine, posed another risk.

National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker, who represents victims in the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, said the latest findings will be key to the Listeria litigation. Meanwhile, the outbreak is not over and PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is continuing to accept new cases at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you. Consultations are free. If the firm agrees to take your case, you pay nothing until your claim is won.

As the facts become known, it's clear that the nation's deadliest outbreak of foodborne disease in the past 25 years was preventable. In addition to representing victims, our firm has been actively working for many years to help keep deadly pathogens out of the food supply and to hold those who are irresponsible accountable for their actions.

Standing Water, Contaminated Equipment Likely Culprits in Listeria Outbreak

Standing water on the floor of the Jensen Farms cantaloupe packing facility and used equipment that was hard to clean were likely breeding grounds for Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the deadliest outbreak of foodborne illness in almost three decades, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Wednesday.

The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, which has swept through 26 states, has killed 25 people, caused one miscarriage and stricken more than 100 others. In a six-page report released October 19, the FDA outlines the factors that most likely contributed to the introduction, spread, and growth of Listeria on cantaloupes.

Introduction of the bacteria occurred in two possible ways, according to the report, either low levels of the bacteria existed in the fields where the melons were grown, or it was carried in on a truck.

From there, it spread and grew easily in the unsanitary conditions found on the farm including:

  • A packing facility design that allowed water to pool on the floor near equipment and employee walkways;
  • A packing facility floor that was constructed in a manner that made it difficult to clean
  • Used packing equipment that was not easily cleaned and sanitized;
  • Lack of pre-cooling step to remove field heat from the cantaloupes before cold storage. As the cantaloupes cooled, there may have been condensation that promoted the growth of Listeria.

Listeria can grow and thrive in refrigerated conditions and is killed only by cooking or pasteurization. Consumption of foods contaminated with Listeria can caused serious, sometimes, fatal illness. It is especially danegrous to children, the elderly and pregnant women. If you have legal questions about a case related to this outbreak, contact the Listeria experts at the law firm of PritzkerOlsen P.A., for a free consultation.
 

FDA Sends Warning Letter to Jensen Farms: Widespread Listeria Contamination Indicates Poor Sanitary Practices

Cantaloupe Recall LawsuitYesterday, the FDA sent Ryan D. Jensen and Eric S. Jensen, Co-Owners of Jensen Farms, a warning letter. Jensen Farms cantaloupe have been linked to at least 123 cases of listeriosis (illness caused by Listeria bacteria) in 26 states. The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has proven extremely deadly--26 dead, 25 adults and one miscarriage.

The FDA warning letter outlined the results of the FDA investigation of the Jensen Farms packing facility located at 31 North Cline, Granada, Colorado and stated that the cantaloupe packed in the Jensen Farms packing facility are "adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(4) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)] in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health [were injurious to health and killed over 20 people]."

Below are excerpts from the FDA warning letter.  As background, four strains of Listeria and two serotypes (1/2a and 1/2b) have been associated with the outbreak.

  • During the September 10 inspection, FDA sampled cantaloupes from cases on four pallets in the cold storage in your packing facility. FDA conducted laboratory analyses, including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (“PFGE”), on these samples. Five of the ten cantaloupes FDA analyzed were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The PFGE analysis determined that four of the ten cantaloupes matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes representing cluster #2, and one of the cantaloupes matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes representing cluster # 4. Consequently, these cantaloupes from your facility are adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(1)] in that they bear or contain a poisonous or deleterious substance that may render them injurious to health.
  • During the inspection, we also collected environmental swabs from various locations and surfaces throughout your packing facility. FDA conducted laboratory analyses which determined that 13 of the 39 total environmental swabs were positive for outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes. PFGE analysis determined that eleven of the positive swabs matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes represented by cluster #2, one positive swab matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes represented by cluster #4, and one positive swab matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes represented by cluster #3. Further, one swab was positive for a strain of Listeria monocytogenes that did not match any of the outbreak strains. These positive swabs were taken from different locations throughout the washing and packing areas in your facility, all of which were either food contact surfaces or areas adjacent to food contact surfaces. This significant percentage of swabs that tested positive for outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes demonstrates widespread contamination throughout your facility and indicates poor sanitary practices in the facility.
  • Accordingly, the cantaloupe packed in your facility are adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(4) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)] in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Other States Still Finding Cantaloupe Listeria

Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and other states are still finding deaths and illnesses stemming from the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has now killed 25 people, caused at least one miscarriage and has hospitalized more than 100 others.

There are 26 states now involved in the outbreak linked to whole cantaloupes from Jensen Farms of Granada, Colorado. Pennsylvania is the latest addition. There have been two deaths in New York, 6 in Colorado and five in New Mexico. Jensen recalled millions of cantaloupes September 14th and the melons clearly are out of distribution by now, but Listeria symptoms sometimes don't show up until two months after a person has eaten contaminated food.

Meanwhile, there's also the time it takes for public health officials to be notified of such illnesses or deaths and additional time for them to collect samples required for testing to confirm matches to the four Listeria strains related to this outbreak. "State and local health departments in these and other states are investigating other listeriosis illnesses to determine if they are part of this outbreak,'' the CDC said in its latest statement, published October 18.

  • Among persons who died, ages range from 48 to 96 years, with a median age of 87 years. Most ill persons are over 60 years old and 98 percent were hospitalized.
  • Four of the illnesses were related to a pregnancy; one was diagnosed in a newborn and three were diagnosed in pregnant women.  One miscarriage has been reported. Other outcomes are being monitored.
  • About 800 laboratory-confirmed cases of Listeria infection are reported each year in the United States and typically 3 or 4 outbreaks are identified. The foods that typically cause these outbreaks have been deli meats, hot dogs, and Mexican-style soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk.  Produce is not often identified as a source, but sprouts caused an outbreak in 2009, and celery caused an outbreak in 2010.

From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here's the state-by-state breakdowns of illnesses and deaths stemming from the Jensen Farms Listeria cantaloupe outbreak that started on July 31.

Infected Persons: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (2), Colorado (36), Idaho (1), Illinois (2), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (7), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (4), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), New York (2), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (3). 

Cantaloupe Listeria Deaths: 6 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Louisiana, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 2 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming..

Listeria Lawyer Expects Cantaloupe Outbreak Deaths and Illnesses to Grow

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker fully expects more deaths and illnesses to be reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak is over, but the latest figures show an increase of 2 deaths and 7 illnesses.

Pritzker is founder and president of national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., which represents Jensen Farms Listeria victims, including the families of two people who died. A total of 25 deaths and 123 illnesses have been reported as of October 18, making this the deadliest food poisoning outbreak in the U.S. in 25 years. Colorado now has six deaths and there are two in New York.

The last major Listeria outbreak was in 2002, when Pritzker was the lead lawyer on a run of Listeria lawsuits that resulted in multiple settlements of more than $1 million each. Experience shows that new cases can be identified months after contaminated food is recalled because the bacteria can be very slow to show itself in symptoms.  Consequently, more people will be filing a cantaloupe lawsuit.

The latest CDC outbreak has information important to the litigation, including confirmation that laboratory testing by the Food and Drug Administration has identified Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado

FDA is working closely with CDC, the firms involved, and public health authorities in states where illnesses occurred to determine the exact cause of contamination, but the investigation clearly is centered on the Jensen packing shed. Was the facility a breeding ground for Listeria, which can grow at cool temperatures and spread via water? What kind of pathogen testing was going on in the packing and melon-washing rooms to protect consumers? Negligence has been a factor in many outbreaks of food poisoning and federal authorities have confirmed over and over that deadly episodes of Listeria and other enteric bacteria in the food supply are quite preventable.

For a free Listeria consultation, call PritzerOlsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and Fred or another staff lawyer will promptly return your call. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we are actively involved in numerous efforts to prevent the spread of food poisoning.

Listeria Outbreak's Root Cause Probably Originated in CO Packing Facility

The probable cause of the 2011 deadly cantaloupe outbreak was a packing facility where Listeria could grow in cool, wet temperatures, a Colorado TV news report says. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to come out with this finding when it reports on the outbreak's root cause.

The investigative report by KKTV CBS4 goes like this:

Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, cleaned its cantaloupes in a packing shed where the melons were washed and cooled. The farm owners insist the packing facility was cleaned regularly and don’t understand how the bacteria could have turned up on its equipment.

The farm’s owner, Eric Jensen, told CBS4 the listeria was found in the packing facility during an initial inspection, but did not turn up during a later environmental assessment. The FDA's report on the root cause of the outbreak will say that moisture played a key role in the spread of bacteria. The report also is expected to make recommendations on how to prevent it from happening in the future.

The root cause, when announced by the FDA, obviously will be a central factor in Jensen Farm cantaloupe litigation.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., currently represents victims of this outbreak, including the families of two people who died. The firm, which previously has won multi-million dollar settlements for Listeria outbreak victims, continues to accept cases. Free consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will promptly respond to your inquiry.

Colorado Listeria Questions Answered

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued guidance to consumers about the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has killed 23 people across the country, including five Coloradans.

Whole melons from Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, are to blame for the outbreak, which also has caused at least one miscarriage and sickened a least 116 people in 25 states. In Colorado, the five who died and 34 who were sickened were from Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer, Montezuma, and Weld counties. These people range in age from the 30s to the 90s, with an average age of 75 years. The majority of patients are female.

Colorado cantaloupe lawsuit information and free case consultations are available by calling national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information online and a Listeria lawyer will call you.

Highlights from the Colorado state Pdf on listeriosis from cantaloupe:

Can I remove Listeria by washing my cantaloupe?

It is not clear if washing cantaloupe would remove all Listeria monocytogenes that could potentially be on the surface. It is also possible that Listeria may be on the inside of the cantaloupe.

Can Listeria infection be treated? 

Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of the fetus in pregnant women. Even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in people with other serious medical problems.

What do I do if I think I am infected with Listeria?

If you have symptoms, you should immediately consult with a health care provider.

What food item is causing the outbreak?

Investigation findings have indicated that cantaloupe produced by Jensen Farms is the source of Listeria causing the outbreak. Jensen Farms cantaloupe was marketed as “Rocky Ford” cantaloupe and may or may not have a sticker identifying them as Jensen Farms cantaloupes.

Kansas Audience Told by USDA Official Soul Searching Stemming from Listeria

Kansas Listeria lawsuit cases are a certainty in response to the cantaloupe outbreak that has become the deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in more than 25 years. In Kansas alone, two people have died and seven have been sickened. Nearly everyone infected has been hospitalized.

Speaking in Lawrence, Kansas, this week, U.S. Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan said the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has reaffirmed the government's resolve to undergrid our food system "so that no one has to wonder when they put their fork in their mouth if there is a bad outcome.''

The FDA, not USDA, is at the forefront of the investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but Merrigan said "we're all concerned about the cantaloupe.''

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims in this 25-state outbreak and continues to accept new cases for litigation. The families of two people who have died are among the firm's clients and the legal team at PritzkerOlsen is building on the lead positiion it established for claimants in the last big U.S. Listeria outbreak: 54 illnesses, 8 deaths and three fetal deaths in nine states associated with contaminated turkey deli meat in 2002.

Although Listeria tends to infect fewer people than other human pathogens, it is typically deadlier and inordinately affects the elderly, newborns, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system. People can develop meningitis from this organism and in this outbreak the CDC already has confirmed a miscarriage.

A good Listeria lawyer will know how to lay the proper foundation for the largest recovery possible -- one that will ensure coverage not just for hospital bills but pain and suffering and future harms that include loss of income and many other considerations. PritzkerOlsen is one of the very few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and our attorneys have collected multi-million dollar settlements in the most complicated Listeria death cases, including fetal deaths. For a free case consultation, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer from our firm will call you.

CDC summary of cases of listeriosis in the United States for the week ending October 8, 2011

In this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the CDC reports 9 cases of listeriosis in the United States for  week ending October 8, 2011 (40th Week) and a total of 548 cases as of October 8 for 2011. The cases reported are as follows:

NY (1), OH (1), NC (1), FL (2), AL (1), TX (1), WA (1), CA (1).

The MMWR summary does not indicate whether these cases are part of the listeriosis outbreak linked to Jensen Farms cantaloupe, although the CDC has updated its numbers for that outbreak:

  • Persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 25 states.  All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (34), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (7), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (4), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), New York (1), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (17), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (3). 
  • Twenty-three deaths have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Louisiana, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

Our attorneys are representing listeriosis victims and are available for a free consultation.

CDC Guide to Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak in CO, TX, NM, KS, LA

CDC's latest guide to the Colorado Cantaloupe Listeria outbreak confirms that 23 people have died, another life has been lost to miscarriage and 116 persons all together have been infected by strains of Listeria linked to Jensen Farms cantaloupes.

The numbers are expected to grow through the end of October because listeriosis can develop two months after a person eats contaminated food. Jensen Farms of Granada, Colorado, was actively selling its melons until shortly before its recall was announced September 14. 

Cantaloupe lawsuit information from national Listeria law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is available in free case consultations at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you. Our firm currently represents the families of two people who have died of Listeria poisoning in this outbreak. In a previous foodborne outbreak of listeriosis, our lawyers gained a pair of multi-million dollar settlements and took a leadership role in the associated litigation involving others. 

On October 12, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified the public of more deaths and illnesses from the Jensen cantaloupe outbreak.

  • Four outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 25 states. 
  • Colorado has 5 deaths and 34 illnesses.
  • New Mexico has 5 deaths and 13 illnesses.
  • Texas has 2 deaths and 17 illnesses.
  • Kansas has 2 deaths and 7 illnesses.
  • Louisiana has 2 deaths, both newly confirmed.

Albuquerque, Bernillo County NM Hit Hard By Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Bernillo County, New Mexico has been hard hit by the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak.Of the 13 New Mexico residents who contracted listeriosis from eating tainted cantaloupe, five have died. Two of the fatalities and some of the other illnesses occurred in Bernillo County, a central New Mexico county that includes Albuquerque.

The other fatalities in New Mexico occurred in Curry, McKinley and Lea counties, the other illnesses occurred in Chaves, Otero, De Baca, and Valencia counties. The victims range in age from the 43 to 96 and include seven men and six women.

Nationwide, the outbreak has stricken 109 people in 24 states according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health officials have identified the source as Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown on Jensen Farms in southeastern Colo.

The tainted melons were shipped to 24 states from July 29- September 10. Although Jensen Farms issued a recall on September 14, the CDC expected the number of illnesses to increase due to the long incubation period that is possible with listeriosis. In some instances, it take more than two months after ingesting the bacteria before the onset of symptoms occurs.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection that is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. 

PritzkerOlsen a national food safety law firm, is representing families who are grappling with the devastating effects of this outbreak. Free case consultations are available to those who phone 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit our free consultation form.

Louisiana Mourns Two Listeria Deaths

A Louisiana woman stricken by Listeria shortly after Jensen Farms of Colorado recalled millions of Rocky Ford cantaloupes has died at the age of 81. Tests have confirmed that her death in a Shreveport hospital was caused by the same identical strain of Listeria that infected Jensen cantaloupes.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of another Louisiana resident that might be due to Listeria," said Dr. Jimmy Guidry, Louisiana State Health Officer. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is still investigating the Listeria-linked death last weekend from Baton Rouge to determine whether the strain of Listeria she had could be connected to recalled cantaloupe. 

The announcement came one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 21 cantaloupe Listeria outbreak deaths in 11 other states. The tally for illnesses in the outbreak is 109 in 24 states. The there has been at least one miscarriage.

National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is once again representing families left behind in fatal cases of listeriosis. In the country's last major Listeria outbreak in 2002, Pritzker was lead counsel in the litigation of a number of cases. Firm lawyers have collected millions on behalf of Listeriosis victims, including the largest individual recoveries ever obtained: $3,500,000 for a family who lost unborn twins and $2,700,000 for the family of an 81-year-old man who died after spending more than 300 days in the hospital.

Free case consultations in the current cantaloupe Listeria outbreak can be conducted by phoning 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you.

In Colorado, Arapahoe, Denver and El Paso Counties Hit Hard By Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has sickened more people in Colorado than any other state. At least 32 people have contracted listeriosis since the outbreak began in August, five of them have died.

Just three counties account for half of all the listeriosis cases confirmed as part of this outbreak. Arapahoe, Denver and El Paso counties have a total of 16 victims, six in Arapahoe and five each in Denver and El Paso counties.

Cantaloupe Recall Lawsuit

The outbreak, which has stricken 109 people in 24 states according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown on Jensen Farms in southeastern Colo.

The tainted melons were shipped to 24 states from July 29- September 10. Although Jensen Farms issued a recall on September 14, the CDC expected the number of illnesses to increase due to the long incubation period that is possible with listerioisis. In some instances, it take more than two months after ingesting the bacteria before the onset of symptoms occurs.

Listeriosis is a serious sometimes life threatening infection that is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. 

Symptoms include: fever, muscle aches, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you think you have listeriosis, see a doctor immediately. If you have legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak, contact the food safety experts at the law firm of PritzkerOlsen P.A. 

Cantaloupe Outbreak Consistent With Study, One Fifth of Americans At Increased Risk of Contracting Foodborne Illness

Between 15 and 20 percent of the U.S. population falls into a group considered to be at increased risk of contracting foodborne illness, according to a paper by British researchers Barbara M. Lund and Sarah J. O'Brien published in the journal Foodborne Pathogens and Disease.

This group includes: pregnant women, infants, the elderly, diabetics, and those with compromised immune systems, excessive iron in their blood or kidney and liver disease, according to the paper. Malnutrition and the use of antacids can also increase susceptibility.

The cantaloupe listeria outbreak is consistent with those findings. So far, 109 people in 23 states have been stricken with listeriosis linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Twenty-one deaths from listeriosis have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

Cantaloupe Outbreak

Most of the victims of this outbreak are over 60, the median age 77. Three of the victims were pregnant women, and one miscarriage has been reported. The outcome of the other two pregnancies is being monitored, according to the CDC.

Both the CDC and the researchers of the paper recommend that the diets for vulnerable people should exclude higher-risk foods.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cantaloupes-jensen-farms/100711/index.html
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/fpd.2011.0860 

Food Safety Attorney Brendan Flaherty Answers Questions About Wrongful Death in Listeria Outbreak

The ongoing cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has sickened at least 100 people in 20 states, 18 of whom have died according to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For many of these victims, life seemed to change in an instant. After the onset of symptoms, listeriosis can quickly become serious and severe, life threatening conditions including blood poisoning and meningitis can occur.

Food safety attorneys Brendan Flaherty and Fred Pritzker of PritzkerOlsen P.A., represented the family of a man who died as a result of eating food contaminated with Listeria.

Brendan Flaherty looks back on the case:

You represented the family of a man killed in the last major Listeria outbreak?
Yes, I spent over two years working almost exclusively on cases from that Listeria outbreak, including for the family of the gentlemen who died.

At the time, it was considered one of the nation’s largest and deadliest listeriosis outbreaks ever. There were 42 confirmed cases and seven deaths.

What happened to your client?
Listeria tends to infect the elderly and pregnant women. The man who died in that outbreak was 85 at the time he contracted listeriosis. His body simply could not fight off the infection. The horrible part of the case was that the man went from a robust, very active retiree and grandfather to an absolutely gaunt and infirm human being. He was hospitalized for almost 400 days before passing away. His slow and painful death was just agonizing for his family.

More than a year in the hospital?
Yes. Soon after he developed his initial symptoms, he was admitted to the hospital and doctors discovered he had listeria meningitis, a condition where the bacteria infects the brain and spinal cord. He never returned to his home or family. For the next 13 months, he was either in a hospital or nursing home. He lost neurologic function to the extent he needed a ventilator and a feeding tube. He battled dozens of complications before succumbing to the massive, lethal infection.

For people who have not been through it or seen, it is impossible to describe the everyday struggle of that length of hospital stay. There is no privacy, little true rest and a never-ending routine of tests, samples and procedures. A brutally difficult existence.


What happened with the case?
It was a complex, very difficult case to prove because, in contrast to the cantaloupe outbreak where a single producer has been implicated, that outbreak was narrowed down to two producers. We worked closely with world class Listeria experts including epidemiologists, microbiologists and infectious disease experts to pinpoint the source of our clients’ infections. We gathered and presented a huge amount of evidence and ended up winning a confidential seven figure settlement for the family.

As a result of our work on that case, we learned a great deal about Listeria and what food producers should do to prevent outbreaks. I sincerely believed that we would not see another Listeria outbreak as big as the current cantaloupe outbreak but here we are. We are again representing families who have recently lost loved ones to Listeria. It is heartbreaking to see but we will do our absolute best to get them fair compensation and to expose the problems with food production that lead to this outbreak. I really hope that the work we are doing for the families will prevent the next outbreak.

Attorney Brendan Flaherty can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or by submitting our free consultation form. He is representing victims and families in the Listeria outbreak linked to Jensen Farms cantaloupe.

Jensen Listeria Outbreak TX, CO, NM, OK

Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma are the worst-hit states in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak. Combined, those states have 68 percent of the illnesses and 72 percent of the Listeria deaths in an outbreak that remains active.

In Texas, for example, public health officials in El Paso this week identified a  77-year-old woman as a new victim. She was hospitalized, but is recovering at home. It is the second elderly Listeria case patient linked to the cantaloupe outbreak from El Paso.

Lawsuits against Jensen Farms of Granada, Colorado, seek monetary recoveries for harms related to all deaths and illnesses in this outbreak. Legally speaking, these cases are complex and victims should retain a Listeria lawyer who can win an optimum claim against the parties responsible for poisoning so many people via whole cantaloupes.

Our food safety attorneys have collected millions on behalf of listeriosis victims, including $3.5 million for a couple who lost unborn twins and $2.7 million for the family of an 81-year-old man who died. There have only been a handful of major listeriosis outbreaks in the United States. The last one was in 2002, and our attorneys served as lead counsel on behalf of a number of outbreak victims and their families.

In this current outbreak, national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is continuing to be reached by victims and will accept new cases at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or send your contact information online and an attorney will call you.

October 2011 Update on Jensen Cantaloupe Listeria Litigation: 

Foods can become infected with listeria through several means including contaminated water, manure or contaminated biosolids used for fertilizer or through the many different stages that the food is handled or washed. Though officials have traced the infected cantaloupes to Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado, the exact cause remains under investigation. Still, scientists from the FDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are confident in link to the millions of cantaloupes harvested in August and early September from Jensen Farms.

The company announced its recall September 14. Since then the CDC has published 6 updates with the latest information showing 18 deaths and 100 illnesses in 20 states. Colorado has 30 illnesses and five deaths. Texas has 14 illnesses and two deaths. Oklahoma has 11 illnesses and one death. New Mexico has 13 illnesses and five deaths. 

Lawyers with Experience in Listeriosis Litigation Investigating Cantaloupe Outbreak

Lawsuits involving listeriosis are incredibly complex and require skill and experience that few lawyers possess. Our food safety attorneys have collected millions on behalf of listeriosis victims, including $3,500,000 for a family who lost unborn twins and $2,700,000 for the family of an 81-year-old man who died.

Litigation Preparation for Listeriosis Outbreak Lawsuits

There have only been a handful of major listeriosis outbreaks in the United States. The last one was in 2002, and our attorneys served as lead counsel on behalf of a number of outbreak victims and their families. The following information describes some of the firm’s work on behalf of its clients.

Our attorneys first became involved in representing victims of the 2002 Northeast United States Listeria outbreak in December 2002, shortly after the outbreak was identified but long before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its final report linking this outbreak to the two defendants in this case.

After several months of investigating these outbreak cases, after ruling out several potential defendants, and after identifying and understanding the damage claims, settlement negotiations were commenced.

Neither of the defendants to which the settlement demand was addressed acknowledged any responsibility for the outbreak and both refused to enter into any settlement negotiations. As a result, the cases were placed in suit on May 26, 2004, and August 10, 2004, respectively.

Both corporate defendants were represented by large and prestigious firms that devoted substantial resources to defending these claims.

After discovery commenced, more than 107,000 documents were produced by the defendants. In addition, Pritzker attorneys and staff pursued FOIA requests at every level of government; found and retained media coverage related to the defendants and the outbreak; obtained industry publications related to Listeria dating to the 1990s; and catalogued hundreds of scientific articles related to Listeria, genetic subtyping, foodborne illness and food industry sanitation.

One of the defendants had a sophisticated computer and email network on which thousands of potentially relevant email messages and metadata were stored. Plaintiffs determined that extensive e-discovery was necessary and, accordingly, retained technical consultants and extensively negotiated E-discovery terms with the defendant. Through the most sophisticated E-discovery methods available and in coordination with one of the companion federal plaintiff firms, this data was eventually extracted, imaged and added to the above-described databases where, again, it was reviewed, coded and indexed.

The review of these documents led to additional detailed discovery requests, a series of highly contentious discovery issues and numerous motions to compel discovery. These motions included an exhaustively briefed issue related to one defendant’s assertion of the “self-critical analysis” privilege on a crucial document. Plaintiffs ultimately prevailed on that issue.

The science of listeriosis infections in general and the role of science in this particular outbreak significantly complicated these cases. Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature. Thus, it is critical to genetically identify the outbreak-causing strain and determine its source. Doing so requires the use of highly technical and sophisticated scientific processes involving genetics, microbiology and epidemiology, among others. The body of knowledge involving these subjects is dense, arcane and constantly evolving. It required attorneys at our firm to spend hundreds of hours learning and then partially mastering the scientific principles involved. For example, the process of differentiating strains of Listeria monocytogenes is accomplished by serotyping, ribotyping, use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (using two, three or more enzymes and enzyme combinations), MLST, MVLST and a host of other techniques.

Microbiology is only one component of the process necessary to identify the source of an outbreak. The other involves complex foodborne illness epidemiology which was very much an issue in this case. It was an issue because a) the rare outbreak strain was found in two plants, not one as is usually the case; b) the outbreak strain was not detected in one defendant’s product; c) it is difficult for outbreak victims to identify the source of the food they ate (given the long incubation period and fungible nature of the food products involved); and d) the epidemiological methods employed by the CDC in conducting its outbreak investigation were bitterly contested by the defendants.

This, in turn, required an extensive learning curve in the science of epidemiology and extensive study of past outbreaks in order to understand how and whether the CDC’s investigation of this outbreak differed from previous outbreaks. This was particularly important since federal law prohibits any contact with or testimony from CDC personnel involved in the underlying outbreak investigation.

To prove their case, the firm had to retain the following experts: 1) microbiologist and expert in MVLST testing, 2) microbiologist and an expert in PFGE testing, 3) animal scientist and plant sanitation expert, 4) sanitarian and plant safety expert, 5) medical epidemiologist, 6) infectious disease expert, 7) maternal and fetal medicine expert, 8) hospitalist and conscious pain and suffering expert, 9) cardiologist, 10) economist, and 11) an internist.

Issues of fault involving the defendants turned on their knowledge of and compliance with USDA regulations involving food sanitation and safety. This is a complex body of evolving law and regulations that were particularly in flux before and during the outbreak in question.

Not long before the outbreak, the USDA went from an inspector-driven system of plant inspection to one governed by plant-initiated and plant-specific controls based on principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, SSOPs (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) and GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). Developing an understanding of these regulatory schemes was necessary in order to evaluate the conduct of the defendants, particularly with regard to the history of administrative enforcement at these plants in the months preceding the outbreak. For example, both plants were issued a number of NRs (non-compliance reports) by the United States Department of Agriculture – Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) in the run up to the outbreak. Following the outbreak investigation, both plants were issued the most severe administrative sanction, Notice of Intended Enforcement (NOIE). Learning and understanding this body of administrative law and enforcement was critical in being able to assess and prove fault on the part of both defendants.

This litigation involved taking no fewer than 32 liability and damages depositions. The vast majority of these depositions involved highly technical subject matter and extensive preparation. The vast majority of the depositions took several hours apiece and some took place over the course of more than one day. All together, there were several thousand pages of deposition transcripts and hundreds of exhibits.

Plaintiffs were not able to prove with certainty which of the defendants’ products caused each plaintiff’s case of listeriosis. Difficulty with this crucial element required successful application of the rarely used doctrine of alternative liability. This crucial issue heightened the risk involved in this litigation and required rock-solid world-class science. Our summary judgment brief and reply briefs, together with our statement of facts and exhibits demonstrates the high quality of our advocacy and research on this issue. Indeed, our discovery and deposition strategy was geared toward successful resolution of this key issue. Further evidence of this is the fact that within a few days of the court’s ruling in favor of the plaintiffs on this issue, the cases settled.

In an effort to assure application of alternative liability in the state cases and to prepare for the summary judgment briefing, Pritzker attorneys significantly participated in the preparation of the motion for summary judgment in the federal cases; motions in limine in the federal cases; and, because of our expertise in the microbiology and epidemiology of Listeria, helped draft and respond to Daubert motions in the federal cases.

In addition to the complexities of proving liability for the outbreak, one of the firm’s cases involved a highly technical issue involving medical causation. That issue involved whether one or both of the fetal twins died from the effects of maternal listeriosis or whether their deaths were attributable to the mother’s age, inherent risks of twin births, use of fertility treatment or the presence of placenta previa (which was unquestionably not due to listeriosis). Both defendants retained highly qualified maternal-fetal experts who opined that listeriosis did not cause the fetal twins’ deaths, particularly the second twin who died approximately two months after the mother’s listeriosis was first diagnosed. Understanding these issues and effectively combating them required considerable time and research because there were so many factors at play and the subject of fetal twin demise due to listeriosis is so rare.

This case settled approximately six weeks before trial. Since the trial would have involved scores of witnesses, hundreds of exhibits, and dealt with material that was complex and difficult to present to a jury, an enormous amount of time was spent preparing for trial by the time the cases settled. Our attorneys and staff had contacted numerous witnesses about trial appearances, issued subpoenas for trial, and prepared key family members for trial. We had also begun trial planning with a well-known jury consultant with the National Jury Project who was preparing to test themes, conduct a mock jury and obtain demographic data. Until the case was finally settled, attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty worked on this case approximately 12 hours per day and had been doing so for several weeks.

Cantaloupe Outbreak Attorneys: Free Consultation

Our attorneys are now investigating listeriosis personal injury and wrongful death cases that may be part of the Listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe grown in Colorado by Jensen Farms that has sickened at least 100 in 20 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1) California (1), Colorado (30), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (7), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2).

Eighteen deaths have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.

This cantaloupe outbreak is proving to be the deadliest foodborne outbreak in the U.S. in more than a decade.

Our attorneys represent Listeria victims nationwide. To contact them regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit against Jensen Farms and others, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form. 

Woman's Miscarriage In Iowa Represents Profound Loss From Listeria Outbreak

A woman from Northwest Iowa infected with the cantaloupe outbreak strain of Listeria has suffered a miscarriage -- the first such loss of life reported by public health officials during the current outbreak. The sobering announcement came from officials at the Iowa Department of Public Health. They said the woman's illness is their state's first confirmed case of listeriosis linked to Jensen Farms cantaloupe.

Nationwide, at least 101 people in 21 states have been sickened and 18 people have died. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously acknowledged that two other pregnancies were being closely monitored because of listeriosis. All three pregnant women had eaten cantaloupe.

Listeria poisoning has always carried the threat of stillbirth and miscarriage. Pregnant women and the elderly are most at risk for invasive illness from the pathogen. Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker currently represents the families of two Listeria cantaloupe victims who died. In a previous outbreak, he represented a couple who not only lost a pregnancy to listeriosis, but also lost the abilitiy to have more children. Litigation sprearheaded by Pritzker resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement.

Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness when they are infected with Listeria. However, the bacteria can cause neo-natal illness capable of ending the pregnancy. If you are pregnant and suspect that Rocky Ford cantaloupe from Colorado has made you ill, see a doctor immediately for testing.

Pritzker and his Listeria law team are continuing to accept additional cases from this outbreak for a Jensen Farms lawsuit. Free consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or a lawyer will respond to your contact information. Our law firm is one of the very few in the nation practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and Mr. Pritzker has been a resource to the media and others covering what has become one of the most deadly food poisoning outbreaks in U.S. history.

Listeria Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Outbreak Death Toll Climbs to 18 in 8 States

Five more Listeria deaths have been recorded in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has now killed 18 people and sickened 100 in 20 states. National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is continuing to accept new cases for a Listeria cantaloupe lawsuit. 

Colorado's Listeria death toll grew from two to five since September 27, the last time an official count was announced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, the CDC said 30 Coloradans have been sickened, 15 more than were reported ill in the last report. Colorado is the epicenter of this outbreak because Jensen Farms is located in Granada, Colorado, and state health officials were the first to scientifically link the outbreak to Jensen cantaloupes. The whole melons were distributed to at least 24 states before all were recalled on September 14.

Attorneys at Pritzker Olsen are offering free case consultations to all victims of this outbreak. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a Listeria lawyer will call you. Our firm currently represents the families of two people in different states who died from their infections. As one of the few U.S. law firms practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, we have collected millions for victims. That includes some of the largest ever settlements in Listeria cases. 

Frightening Features Abound in Active Jensen Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Cantaloupe Food PoisoningScientists studying the ongoing cantaloupe Listeria outbreak linked to Jensen Farms Rocky Ford whole melons have noted several unusual features that make it the third deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in U.S. history.

  1. This is the first listeriosis outbreak associated with melon. Cantaloupe, in particular, has been linked in the past to outbreaks of Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, but not Listeria. The rough skins can trap bacteria and one melon contaminated with Listeria can spread to all others in a shipment. Cross-contamination also can occur during washing sequences.
  2. Four widely differing DNA fingerprints and two types of Listeria (1/2a and 1/2b) have been associated with the outbreak.
  3. This outbreak is unusually large; only two U.S. listeriosis outbreaks, one associated with frankfurters (108 cases) and one with Mexican-style cheese (142), have had more cases. The latest CDC update on the cantaloupe outbreak notes 84 cases in 19 states, but that is certain to grow as lab tests confirm latent cases. Up to 2 months can elapse between eating contaminated food and developing listeriosis. 
  4. This outbreak has the highest number of deaths -- 15 confirmed deaths -- of any U.S. foodborne outbreak since a listeriosis outbreak in 1998. In recent times, it has surpassed the nine deaths caused by the peanut butter and peanut products Salmonella outbreak detected in late 2008. Nine people died in that outbreak.
Invasive listeriosis occurs predominantly in older adults and persons with impaired immune systems. It can lead to sepsis and meningoencephalitis. Listeriosis in pregnant women is typically a mild "flu-like" illness, but can result in fetal loss, premature labor, or neonatal infection. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
 
On September 2, 2011, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment  notified CDC of seven cases of listeriosis reported since August 28. That was the beginning of this outbreak, which was late linked to Jensen Farms in a recall announcement made on September 14.
 
Jensen Cantaloupe Lawsuit:
 
National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims of this outbreak, including families of two people who died. Our firm has recorded some of the largest Listeria lawsuit settlements in the country and we continue to offer free consultations for inclusion in a Jensen cantaloupe lawsuit. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you. Outbreaks of foodborne illness are preventable and we hope that the lessons of this outbreak will change dangerous and negligent industry practices. 

Cantaloupe Listeria Death in Louisiana

A Baton Rouge, Louisiana, woman who died from Listeria infection may be yet another fatal victim of the Jensen Farms Frontera listeriosis outbreak.

The deceased elderly woman was from East Baton Rouge Parish and state health officials are in the midst of comparing the DNA fingerprint of the bacteria found in her body to the outbreak strain of Listeria found in cantaloupes grown by Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado. Family members told authorities the woman had eaten cantaloupe two to three weeks before she became ill.

Jensen Farms Rocky Ford cantaloupes, distributed by Frontera, have been linked conclusively to 15 deaths and at least 84 illnesses in 19 states. National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims of the outbreak, including families of two people who died. Our firm has recorded some of the largest Listeria lawsuit settlements in the country and we continue to offer free consultations for a Jensen Farms lawsuit. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you. 

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said the woman was 87.  Lance and Thad Hayes wrote in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press that their mother, Elaine F. Babcock, died six days after falling ill.  "We realize the public health interest in understanding what caused the infection, and will provide any relevant information as we learn it,'' they wrote.

Louisiana is one of the states where Jensen Farms cantaloupe were shipped. Unofficially, the recall has been met because any unusued cantaloupe shipped before the recall was announced on September 14 would be rotten by now.  

 Consumers are still urged to be wary, however, because illness from the pathogen can take as long as seven weeks to present itself in the way of Listeria symptoms.

Listeria Lawyer Explains Lawsuit Details

National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker draws from years of experience in this thoughtful conversation about Listeria litigation in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak that has killed at least 15 people and sickened 84 in 19 states. Reporter Andrew Mach does an excellent job. Here are excerpts from his story in the Christian Science Monitor. 

It wasn’t long after officials linked a listeria outbreak with cantaloupe from a Colorado farm that wrongful-death and personal-injury lawsuits began to be filed.

Cantaloupe Food PoisoningThe outbreak, which is the deadliest food crisis in more than a decade, has killed at least 15 people and sickened 84 others in 19 states. Earlier this month, after the listeria link was made, Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford brand of cantaloupes.

Now, victims and families of victims in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas have filed at least five lawsuits against Jensen Farms. One lawsuit is also against Wal-Mart for allegedly being among the grocery stores selling the cantaloupe in question.

However, it’s hardly a given that the plaintiffs – who have already incurred considerable expenses because of their ordeal – will receive the compensation that lawyers tell them they deserve. This could be especially true because Jensen Farms is a local grower, a third-generation family farm, with limited capital.

Jensen Farms is not a major corporation that has significant financial assets,” says Fred Pritzker, a Minneapolis-based attorney specializing in food-poisoning cases who is representing two victims in Illinois and New York. “When you factor in the severity of the illness and the number of deaths and illnesses that will be attributed to this in the days and weeks to come, you just know they don’t have nearly enough assets to fully compensate them.”
Mr. Pritzker says that by the time he gets to trial in most food-poisoning cases, the discussion focuses less on proving the source of the outbreak and more about what would be a reasonable amount of money to award the victim.
 
The trials related to the listeria outbreak will probably follow that pattern, he says, since Jensen Farms’ recall of an estimated 4.5 million cantaloupes was based on findings confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration.
 
While Jensen Farms and Wal-Mart have been named in lawsuits so far, it’s altogether possible that other entities will become the target of subsequent lawsuits, as state and federal officials trace the paths of contamination. The chain of distribution for the cantaloupes includes other grocery stores as well as processing facilities and shippers. 
Especially in cases involving small businesses, it’s common for plaintiffs to pursue all available avenues. “If other parties involved bear some of the responsibility, we look to them to supplement the pool of money that is available to the victims,” Pritzker says. 
Victims sue for a host of reasons, which lawyers must evaluate as they consider the amount of damages to request. For Pritzker, finding a balance represents the crux of food-safety litigation. 
It’s not fair that the rest of the industry ends up paying,” he says, “but it’s a lot less fair for somebody who’s injured by that industry.”

Investigation of Listeriosis Outbreak Associated with Jensen Farms Cantaloupe

Below is an article from the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Review (MMWR) that provides a good explanation of the listeriosis outbreak linked to Jensen Farms cantaloupe grown in Colorado:

Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive bacillus common in the environment and acquired by humans primarily through consumption of contaminated food. Infection causes a spectrum of illness, ranging from febrile gastroenteritis to invasive disease, including sepsis and meningoencephalitis. Invasive listeriosis occurs predominantly in older adults and persons with impaired immune systems. Listeriosis in pregnant women is typically a mild "flu-like" illness, but can result in fetal loss, premature labor, or neonatal infection. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.

Cantaloupe Recall LawsuitOn September 2, 2011, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) notified CDC of seven cases of listeriosis reported since August 28. On average, Colorado reports two cases of listeriosis annually in August. By September 6, all seven Colorado patients interviewed with the Listeria Initiative* questionnaire reported eating cantaloupe in the month before illness began, and three reported eating cantaloupe marketed as "Rocky Ford."

A case was defined as illness with one of the outbreak strains isolated on or after August 1. Outbreak strains initially were defined as 1) clinical isolates of L. monocytogenes with specimen collection dates in August 2) with a two-enzyme, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern combination that occurred in two or more persons and 3) that matched any of the three pattern combinations found among Colorado residents in August. Analysis of Listeria Initiative data comparing the first 19 outbreak-associated cases in 2011 with 85 cases among persons aged ≥65 years with sporadic listeriosis identified during August of the years 2004--2010 indicated that cantaloupe consumption was strongly associated with illness caused by the outbreak strains: 19 of 19 (100%) versus 54 of 85 (64%); (odds ratio = 14.9; 95% CI = 2.4--∞). Initial tracebacks of cantaloupe purchased by patients converged on Jensen Farms in Colorado.

After cantaloupe was implicated, PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne bacterial disease surveillance, detected a multistate cluster with a fourth PFGE pattern combination; a sample of cantaloupe collected from the implicated farm yielded L. monocytogenes with this pattern, and interviews with patients revealed that most had consumed cantaloupe. Isolates with this pattern were then also considered to be among the outbreak strains. By September 29, 84 cases with one of the four outbreak PFGE pattern combinations had been reported from 19 states, including 83 with information on the date of illness onset.

Among the patients, 88% were aged ≥60 years (range: 35--96 years); 55% were female, and two were pregnant. Fifteen deaths were reported. Ninety-two percent (57 of 62 with information on food consumption) reported eating cantaloupe in the month before illness began. All four outbreak strains of L. monocytogenes were isolated from whole and cut cantaloupe samples from patients' homes or from samples of Jensen Farms cantaloupe collected from grocery stores and the farm. On September 14, the farm issued a voluntary recall of its cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe Outbreak Epidemiology

This outbreak has several unusual features. First, this is the first listeriosis outbreak associated with melon. Second, four widely differing PFGE pattern combinations and two serotypes (1/2a and 1/2b) have been associated with the outbreak. Third, this outbreak is unusually large; only two U.S. listeriosis outbreaks, one associated with frankfurters (108 cases) and one with Mexican-style cheese (142), have had more cases (1,2). Additional cases likely will be reported because of the long incubation period (usually 1--3 weeks, range: 3--70 days) and the time needed for diagnosis and confirmation. Fourth, this outbreak has the highest number of deaths of any U.S. foodborne outbreak since a listeriosis outbreak in 1998 (1).

CDC recommends that persons do not eat cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. This recommendation is especially important for persons at greater risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Not all of the recalled cantaloupes are individually labeled with stickers to indicate production by Jensen Farms. Consumers should consult the retailer or discard any cantaloupe of uncertain origin. Recommendations for preventing listeriosis from other foods are available at http://www.cdc.gov/listeria.

Reported by

Shaun Cosgrove, Alicia Cronquist, Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment. Gail Wright, Boulder County Public Health. Tista Ghosh, Richard Vogt, Tri-County Health Department. Paul Teitell, Investigations Br, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Denver District. Allen Gelfius, Charlotte Spires, Tracy Duvernoy, Sheila Merriweather, FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network. Molly Freeman, Patricia M. Griffin, Kelly A. Jackson, Lavin A. Joseph, Barbara E. Mahon, Karen Neil, Benjamin J. Silk, Cheryl Tarr, Robert Tauxe, Eija Trees, Div of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Mam Ibraheem, Maho Imanishi, Neena Jain, Jeffrey McCollum, Katherine A. O'Connor, EIS officers, CDC. Corresponding contributor: Kelly A. Jackson, gqv8@cdc.gov, 404-639-4603.

Acknowledgments

State and local health departments in the 19 states with cases.

References

  1. Mead, PS, Dunne EF, Graves L, et al. Nationwide outbreak of listeriosis due to contaminated meat. Epidemiol Infect 2006;134:744--51.

  2. Linnan, MJ, Mascola L, Lou

Two With Cantaloupe Listeria are Pregnant

Two pregnant women are victims in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has sickened at least 84 people in 19 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced .

The pregnancies are being closely monitored because listeriosis brings the threat of stillbirth and miscarriage -- an especially devastating twist from this type of food poisoning. Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker, who represents the survivors of two deceased  Listeria victims in New York and Illinois, previously represented a couple who not only lost a pregnancy to listeriosis, but also lost the abilitiy to have more children due to complications from the illness. Litigation resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement.

Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness when they are infected with Listeria. However, the bacteria can cause neo-natal illness capable of ending the pregnancy. If you are pregnant and suspect that Rocky Ford cantaloupe from Colorado has made you ill, see a doctor immediately for testing.

CDC's disclosure of the two pregnancies coincided with an agency update that at least 15 people have died and 84 have been sickened in 19 states. Colorado, New Mexico and Texas are among the most affected of states. New Mexico has 5 of the 15 total deaths recorded so far in the outhreak by CDC. Nearly all victims have been hospitalized at one point in their illness.

Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, recalled millions of tainted cantaloupes on September 14. Given the fruit's limited shelf life, it's safe to assume it is no longer in stores. But officials expect the death toll and illness count to keep rising because the first symptoms might take two months to develop after eating.

Pritzker and his Listeria law team are continuing to accept additional cases from this outbreak for a Jensen Farms lawsuit. Free consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or a lawyer will respond to your contact information. Our law firm is one of the very few in the nation practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and Mr. Pritzker has been a resource to the media and others covering what has become one of the most deadly food poisoning outbreaks in years in the U.S.

Jensen Farms Frontera cantaloupe Listeria update October 1, 2011:

 

Fifteen deaths have been reported: 3 in Colorado, 1 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.

84 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 19 states.  All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1) California (1), Colorado (17), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2).

 

Idaho Cantaloupe Listeria Warning

Idaho received a donated shipment of Jensen Farms cantaloupes in late August that went to senior centers, food banks and an elementary center. Now public health officials are investigating at least one Idaho Listeria illness -- a Jerome County woman in her 60s who contracted listeriosis in early September, possibly from cantaloupe. She was hospitalized, but has recovered.

Idaho would become the 19th state included in the Jensen Farms Frontera cantaloupe outbreak that has killed at least 16 people, sickened 72 and triggered a national warning from federal health officials for people not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen of Holly, Colorado. If you're in doubt about the cantaloupe's origin,  throw it out.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said  the melons were shipped from Jensen Farms to Select Express in Aberdeen. They were too ripe to be commercially sold, so Select Express donated the fruit weeks before it was recalled. Most of the donated melons have probably been eaten or disposed of by now. Still, health officials are warning people who think they might have some of the contaminated melons to throw them away. Those who ate the cantaloupe should continue to watch for Listeria symptoms and seek medical attention if they occur within 70 days.

A cantaloupe lawsuit will begin to address harms caused by this outbreak. National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., currently represents survivors of two people who recently died from listeriosis and is accepting additional cases. Free consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by providing contact information online. A Listeria lawyer will call you. 

PritzkerOlsen founder and president Fred Pritzker has been a national leader in Listeria litigation, winning what are considered the country's largest multi-million dollar settlements in Listeria food poisoning lawsuits. He has been a resource to the media during this outbreak and has written his own commentary on why this crisis was preventable.

The Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak is a Showcase of Bad Policy and Repeated Mistakes

This article was written by food safety attorney Fred Pritzker.


The current cantaloupe Listeria outbreak reminds me of Albert Einstein’s famous definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Although we expect the cantaloupe we eat to be safe and healthy and to be produced, marketed and sold in a reasonable manner, it often isn’t. In fact, this outbreak, already one of the deadliest on record, is a showcase of bad policy and repeated mistakes that was as foreseeable as it was preventable.

Pundits and policy makers seem surprised that cantaloupe can harbor Listeria. They shouldn’t be. According to a 2006 study authored by epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the period between 1984 and 2002 there were no fewer than twenty-three cantaloupe-associated outbreaks in which almost 1500 people were sickened. The pathogens involved in those prior outbreaks include Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7 and norovirus. Given the nature of cantaloupe and how it is grown, adulteration from Listeria was just as likely as by any of the other pathogens in prior outbreaks.

The toll of illness and death from Listeria was also no surprise. Listeria is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens. Every Listeria outbreak involves serious illness, often long hospitalizations and a high death rate.

Perhaps the saddest aspect of this outbreak is that although we know what food caused it and where that food came from (Jensen Farms in Colorado), people continue to get sick and die from it. Why?

The first reason is because neither Jensen Farms nor the federal and state governments charged with investigating the outbreak have released the names of retailers that sold the contaminated fruit. And the reason they haven’t released those names? Because they don’t really know where the cantaloupe was sold. And the reason they don’t know is because effective trace back technology and practices were not in place.

The second reason is because cantaloupe is often sold without labels, or previously affixed labels fell off. Consumers simply cannot tell by looking at a cantaloupe where it was grown or whether it contains life-threatening pathogens. An untold number of unsuspecting people will continue eating Jensen Farms cantaloupe because they cannot find out if their retailer sold it and cannot tell by looking at the fruit if was produced by Jensen Farms.

You would think that if a company sells a product capable of producing injury and death across the United States there should be a way to trace the distribution of that product. There is. But as this outbreak tragically illustrates, the technology and practices that would have stopped this outbreak long before now weren’t applied to fungible food products like this one.

It’s not hard to envision how this would work. Cantaloupes, like other types of fruits and vegetables, could be sold in inexpensive mesh bags. Attached to the bags would be sufficient information to allow regulators (and the public) to know the producer, shipper, sell by dates and any other information including the best practices for preparing and consuming the product. You could, for example, easily create a method by which a QR code is affixed to the fruit so that consumers can quickly scan it with a cell phone app and learn where it came from and whether it is implicated in an outbreak.

Labeling and traceback issues in foodborne illness outbreaks are as foreseeable as human illness from the consumption of cantaloupe. It is insane that more people will continue to get sick and die because we don’t learn from our failures and because we don’t apply the tools and policies that we know will work. 

Costco: Listeria Outbreak Shows Cantaloupe Growers Need Better Food Safety Practices

After the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak took on the grim mantle of “deadliest U.S. foodborne illness outbreak in more than a decade” this week, a Costco official told the New York Times that cantaloupe growers and shippers need better food safety practices.

“I don’t think the cantaloupe industry can continue on doing the very same thing and expecting a different result,” Craig Wilson, head of food safety for Costco, a Seattle-based warehouse retailer, told the New York Times. “It’s time for companies to get more aggressive. If they know this is going to happen, let’s step up and not let it happen.”

Costco would consider setting standards for how melons are grown, cleaned and handled, and requiring suppliers to demonstrate that melons are pathogen-free, he said in the story. He said the cantaloupe industry needs to be responsible for creating better food safety practices.

Stephen F. Patricio, a melon shipper and the chairman of the trade group California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, agreed saying sales of  California-grown cantaloupe have fallen even though melons from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo. are the source of the outbreak.

California cantaloupes have never been the source of a foodborne illness outbreak, the trade group’s website claims. Still, Patricio says in the story, California growers suffer every time lax practices by other growers cause an outbreak. “The entire melon category needs to look at the best practices and research that’s been done by the California industry and others to best analyze their own risks,” Patricio told the New York Times. “Or we’re all going to continue to suffer.”

Jensen Farms Colorado Cantaloupe Responsible for Deadliest Outbreak in More Than a Decade

 The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak is the deadliest outbreak of foodborne illness in the U.S. in more than a decade, according to federal officials who say more people are likely to be stricken by the Listeria infection that has already killed 13 people and sickened 59 others in 18 states.

 According to the most recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), onest of illness for the first of the 72 confirmed cases linked to the outbreak began on or after July 31, 2011.

The state totals for illness are as follows: California (1), Colorado (15), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (10), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (8), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).

Deaths reported by state are as follows: Colorado (2), Kansas (1), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2).

The outbreak has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe melons grown on Jensen Farms, Holly, Colo., which began a voluntary recall of its melons on September 14, 2011.

The CDC recommends that people at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. Other consumers who want to reduce their risk of Listeria infection should not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, the CDC says.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of a fetus. However, even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death.

Symptoms of listeriosis can take as long as 70 day to appear after contaminated food is ingested. They include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC.

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Includes Florida: Attorneys Investigating Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits

A 70-year-old Florida woman became ill after eating cantaloupes linked to an outbreak of Listeria, according to a Miami Herald story. Our attorneys are representing victims of this outbreak and their families in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Contact our Listeria lawyers for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that the Listeria strain is genetically linked to the outbreak associated with Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown on Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., according to the story. The woman, who moved to Florida two weeks ago, ate the tainted cantaloupes while living in Alabama.

Since mid-August, the cantaloupe listeria outbreak has sickened 55 people in 14 states, eight of whom have died, according to a September 21 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of a fetus. However, even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death.

Symptoms of listeriosis can take as long as 70 day to appear after contaminated food is ingested. They include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC.


News Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/26/2426187/florida-reports-illness-linked.html#ixzz1Z9GgJ9TU 

Pritzker Law Firm Representing Families in Listeriosis Death Cases Involving Cantaloupe

We have been retained by the families of two people who died from complications of listeriosis, an illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen. We are investigating whether these deaths are part of the Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms on its fields in Granada, Colorado.

Cantaloupe Food PoisoningOne of the cases involves the death of a 76-year-old DuPage County, Illinois man. He had eaten cantaloupe every day before he had symptoms of listeriosis. He was diagnosed with listeriosis, hospitalized, and released a few days later. His condition worsened, and he was hospitalized a second time. He died on September 11, 2011.

We are also representing the family of a woman from New York who died from listeriosis while in the hospital for an unrelated medical condition. During the month that she was in the hospital for the unrelated medical condition, she ate a lot of cantaloupe. Because she liked fruit, the dietician had put in a special order for a fruit plate two times a day.  The fruit plate typically had cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries and grapes. She was to be discharged on August 11 or 12, but symptoms of listeriosis manifested.  She died on August 17, 2011. 

There have been 9 confirmed listeriosis wrongful death cases linked to the outbreak, and many more deaths are being investigated. The nine confirmed outbreak deaths include two in Colorado, four in New Mexico and one each in Oklahoma, Maryland and Nebraska.

 

Another Wyoming Listeriosis Death May Be Part of Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Another woman from Wyoming died from complications of listeriosis on Friday, and health officials are trying to determine if the death is part of the outbreak linked to cantaloupe grown in Colorado by Jensen Farms.

The outbreak is becoming the most deadly foodborne outbreak in U.S. history, with 9 confirmed listeriosis wrongful death cases linked to the outbreak already and many more deaths being investigated, including cases our law firm is investigating. The nine confirmed outbreak deaths include two in Colorado, four in New Mexico and one each in Oklahoma, Maryland and Nebraska.

Wyoming has reported three listeria infections in the past week, more than it normally reports in a year, Wyoming Department of Health spokeswoman Kim Deti told the Denver Post. Two of the cases were not fatal. They were both in Laramie County and have been linked to Jensen Farms Colorado cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Widens In Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas

The cantaloupe listeriosis outbreak has widened its reach into Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas, according to reports from state health departments.

Nebraska health officials reported on September 23, that a man in his eighties from western Nebraska was the state’s first fatality of the outbreak which began in mid-August. “Analysis shows that the strains of Listeria that are being investigated in Colorado match the one identified with this individual,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Public Health in a press release. Including this death Nebraska now has six confirmed cases of listeriosis associated with this outbreak.

New Mexico health officials are reporting 10 cases of listeriosis confirmed as part of the outbreak, four of whom have died. Three additional cases are under investigation, one of those people has died.

In Texas, a third person from Dallas County was diagnosed with listeriosis linked to the outbreak, according to a KERA television report.

Colorado cases confirmed as part of the outbreak increased from 14 to 15 this week, according to the Denver Post. Two people from Colorado have died.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Friday that tainted cantaloupes were shipped to more states than originally thought. States that received shipments of potentially tainted cantaloupe from July 29 through September 10, 2011 include: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

 

Sources:
http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/newsroom/newsreleases/2011/Sept/listeria2.htm

http://www.health.state.nm.us/

http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2011/09222011a.htm
 

Carol's Cuts Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Potentially Tainted With Listeria

Carol’s Cuts, a Kansas food processor, is recalling 594 pounds of fresh cut cantaloupe because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall is part of a broader recall of Rocky Ford cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo. After Listeria was found in samples taken from melons and its packing facility, Jensen Farms issued a recall for Rocky Ford cantaloupes that were shipped to at least 17 states between July 29 and September 10.

The cantaloupe listeria outbreak has sickened at least 55 people in 14 states, eight of whom died according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on September 21.

Carol’s Cuts is the processing division of Kansas City-based, Liberty Fruit Company Inc.
According to the FDA press release, the products involved in the cut cantaloupe recall include:

  • Carol’s Cuts Fruit Medley, packaged in 8-ounce individual serving clamshell containers (6 packages per case) shipped to customers on August 26 and September 12, 2011 and can be identified by oval label stickers stating Fruit Medley and having Best if Used By dates of September 3, 2011 and September 19, 2011 respectively.
  • Five-pound bulk trays of cantaloupe chunks, distributed to institutional food customers, including restaurants, in Overland Park, Kansas, Kansas City and Maryland Heights, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska. Institutional customers may have used the cantaloupe on salad bars and as fruit menu items. Some institutional customers may have placed the 8-ounce servings in retail venues. 
  • The five-pound bulk trays of cantaloupe chunks were shipped to customers on August 26 and August 29, 2011 and are identified with tray stickers showing a Lot # 72361 and a Best if Used By date of September 3, 2011; and shipped September 12, 2011 and are identified with tray stickers showing a Lot # 72700 and a Best if Used By date of September 19, 2011.

Consumers who may have purchased the recalled Carol’s Cuts product, should not eat it and return it to the place of purchase, the FDA recommends.
 

Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm273141.htm 

Did Treated Human Waste Contaminate Jensen Farms Cantaloupes with Listeria?

Parker Ag Services which sprays treated human waste on farm fields, including one near Jensen Farms, has been questioned by investigators of the multi-state cantaloupe listeria outbreak.

According to a story by 7NEWS The DenverChannel.com, investigators are trying to determine if treated human waste, known as biosolids, may have played a role in contaminating the Rocky Ford cantaloupes linked to the outbreak.

Cantaloupe Listeria poisoningParker Ag Services vice president Mike Shearp told state investigators that his company applied biosolids to a field “directly across from a Jensen Farms field" several years ago, according to the story. Jensen Farms told 7NEWS that it does not use biosolids.

"I have no concern at all because I know that there has never been an issue involving that, so I'm 100 percent confident that we’re not involved in this issue," Shearp told 7NEWS.

The use of biosolids as fertilizer is common and has a safe track record in the U.S., Colorado State University animal science professor Lawrence Goodridge said in the story. "In other countries, there have been outbreaks of food-borne pathogenic disease from biosolids."

The cantaloupe listeria outbreak is the first of its kind. As of September 20, a total of 55 people in 14 states have been infected with listeriosis. Eight of them have died. Symptoms of listeriosis can take as long as 70 day to appear after contaminated food is ingested. They include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC.

If you have legal questions about and illness, hospitalization or death associated with this outbreak, contact a listeria attorney at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

Colorado Listeria Death Linked to Cantaloupe Outbreak

Two elderly Mesa County residents have been stricken with listeriosis, one of them has died, another remains hospitalized. 

Neither of the cases has been linked to the multi-state cantaloupe listeria outbreak. Since mid-August, the outbreak has sickened 55 people in 14 states, eight of whom have died, according to a September 21 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Earlier this month, health officials identified Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., as the likely source of the outbreak. On September 14, Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford cantaloupe because of  potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis. 

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of a fetus. However, even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death.  

Symptoms  of listeriosis can take as long as 70 day to appear after contaminated food is ingested. They include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC.

If you have legal questions about and illness, hospitalization or death associated with this outbreak, contact a listeria attorney at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.

Source: http://health.mesacounty.us/comm/news/2011/2011-09-22-1.pdf

Listeria Outbreak Includes Kansas

Five Kansas listeriosis cases are part of the multi-state cantaloupe listeria outbreak, according to state health officials.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture were notified that samples from five of the eight listeriosis cases reported since August 26 match the outbreak strain, according to a September 22 press release. Two of the eight patients died and the cause of both deaths is still being investigated.

The confirmed cases are expected to be added to the next update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) whose most recent update from September 21 identifies a total of 55 people infected in 14 states. The illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. By state, the breakdown form that update is as follows: California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas (9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1). 

Earlier this month health officials identified Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., as the likely source of the outbreak. On September 14, Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford cantaloupe because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis. The recall covered melons shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011. The cantaloupes were distributed in Kansas and several other states.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

If you have legal questions about and illness, hospitalization or death associated with this outbreak, contact a listeria attorney at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2011/09222011a.htm

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Q & A with Attorney Ryan Osterholm

The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has sickened at least 55 people, eight of whom have died, in 14 states is being investigated by state and federal officials and by the law firm PritzkerOlsen P.A. Attorney Ryan Osterholm answers questions about what's involved with a foodborne illness investigation.

How do law firms investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness?
We consistently monitor the information coming out of the CDC, state health departments and other agencies and the information doctors give to our clients. We have established working relationships with nearly every health department in the country and we frequently hire the best experts in the world to analyze information that determines whether a specific case case is part of an outbreak.

The ongoing cantaloupe Listeria outbreak is the first of its kind. Does that present unique challenges in this investigation?

It does and it doesn’t. The first course of action is to find out how this happened so that it can be prevented from happening again. We’ve seen lots of Listeria outbreaks involving other foods and lots of cantaloupe outbreaks caused by other pathogens. Even though this combination is a first, in terms of proving a case, it’s not that much different.

Unlike other bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, Listeria can be found everywhere in the environment, does that make it harder to trace the source of the contamination?

In terms of proving that Listeria was on the Jensen Farms product, what’s most important is the epidemiological evidence, the correlation between eating the cantaloupe and developing listeriosis. Discovering the nature of how the contamination occurred is not as important as the good old fashioned epidemiology. However, once we have a positive test from the product, that just backs up the epidemiology. It is sort of a smoking gun.

Why are PritzkerOlsen attorneys considered Listeria experts?

PritzkerOlsen attorneys have represented individuals sickened by Listeria in almost every major outbreak in the country, including one case where Fred Pritzker settled a case for $2.7 million after an 81-year-old man died after he contracted listeriosis from contaminated food.

What can consumers do to protect themselves from foodborne illness?
Consumers should follow the safe food handling guidelines as outlined by the CDC.

They are:

  • Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating. Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting them up.
  • Thoroughly cook raw meat and poultry.
  • Heat hot dogs, deli meats, and cold cuts until they are steaming hot just before serving.
  • Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk, and do not eat fresh soft cheeses that have unpasteurized milk in them, especially Mexican style cheeses like queso fresco.
  • Be sure that your refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees F and your freezer is at or below 0 degrees F by using a refrigerator thermometer.

For melons not part of this recall, follow this general advice for melon safety:

  • Consumers should wash their hands before and after handling any whole melon, such as cantaloupe, watermelon, or honeydew.
  • Wash the melons and dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting.
  • Cut melon should be promptly consumed or refrigerated at or less than 40 degrees F (32-34 degrees F is best) for no more than 7 days.
  • Cut melons left at room temperature for more than 4 hours should be discarded.

Listeriosis Cases Mount in Kansas

Health officials are awaiting test results to determine whether eight cases of listeriosis in Kansas, including two people who died, are part of the multistate cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has sickened at least 55 people in 14 states, eight of whom have died.

Six cases of listeriosis in Kansas were reported August 26, two more were reported September 16 and 20. Kansas usually reports fewer than six cases of listeriosis per year; so far in 2011 there have been nine cases, including the eight cases currently under investigation. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Listeria isolated from patients to identify cases that may be part of this outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak has been traced to cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., which is recalling cantaloupe it shipped throughout the country between July 29 and September 10.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. The incubation period can be as long as 70 days, so it could be mid-November before someone who ate tainted cantaloupe becomes ill.

PritzkerOlsen. P.A., a nationally recognized leader in food safety law has launched an investigation of this outbreak, monitoring Listeria cases in every state as the outbreak spreads. Contact them for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2011/09202011a.htm 

CDC Update of Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak: 55 Cases of Illness, 8 of Them Fatal

Today's CDC Highlights

  • As of 5pm EDT on September 20, 2011, a total of 55 persons infected with the 4 outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 14 states.  All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows:  California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas (9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1). 
  • Collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the source of the outbreak is whole cantaloupe grown at Jensen Farms’ production fields in Granada, Colorado.
  • On September 14, 2011, FDA announce that Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes after being linked to a multistate outbreak of listeriosis.
  • CDC recommends that persons at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. Other consumers who want to reduce their risk of Listeria infection should not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms.
  • Even if some of the cantaloupe has been eaten without becoming ill, dispose of the rest of the cantaloupe immediately. Listeria bacteria can grow in the cantaloupe at room and refrigerator temperatures.

The number of outbreak cases is still low. Our law firm is representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases that have a likely association with this outbreak.

 

More Information from the CDC

Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 78 years old.  Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Fifty-nine percent of ill persons are female. Among the 43 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized.  Eight deaths have been reported, 2 in Colorado, 1 in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and 1 in Oklahoma.

Investigations by health officials indicate the source of the outbreak is whole cantaloupe grown at Jensen Farms’ production fields in Granada, Colorado. Among the 36 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 34 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept 10 to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.

Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms. Laboratory testing by FDA has identified L. monocytogenes matching outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.

Eight Listeria Wrongful Death Cases Linked to Cantaloupe

Laboratory tests, including DNA fingerprinting (PFGE), have confirmed eight deaths in the Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms of Holly Colorado: 2 in Colorado, 1 in Maryland, 4 in New Mexico, and 1 in Oklahoma, according to today's CDC update on the outbreak.

In addition to the eight deaths listed above, Listeria deaths in other states are being investigated to determine if they were caused by Jensen Farms cantaloupe. Our law firm is representing the family of a 76-year-old Illinois man who died from complications of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) on September 9, 2011. He had eaten cantaloupe on a daily basis before becoming ill. Contact our law firm for a free consultation regarding a Listeria wrongful death investigation and lawsuit.

Investigation of Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Jensen Farms Cantaloupe LawsuitLaboratory testing has identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria matching the outbreak strains:

  • on cantaloupes from Jensen Farms collected from grocery stores
  • on Jensen Farms cantaloupe collected from an ill person’s home
  • in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.

Among the 36 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 34 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through Sept 10 to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.

Cantaloupe Recall Too Late to Save Lives

In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupe on September 14, 20ll, 41 days after outbreak victims started to get sick:

  • The cantaloupe may be labeled: Colorado Grown, Distributed by Frontera Produce, USA, Pesticide Free, Jensenfarms.com, Sweet Rocky Fords.
  • The cantaloupes are packed in cartons that are labeled: Frontera Produce, www.fronteraproduce.com or with Frontera Produce, Rocky Ford Cantaloupes. Both cartons also include: Grown and packed by Jensen Farms Granada, CO and Shipped by Frontera Produce LTD, Edinburg, Texas.
  • Not all of the recalled cantaloupes are labeled with a sticker. Consumers should consult the retailer if they have questions about the origin of a cantaloupe.

 

FDA: Listeria on Jensen Farms Cantaloupe, Packing Equipment is a Match

Samples of Listeria monocytogenes taken from packing equipment and cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo. match one of the three different strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the multi-state outbreak of listeriosis, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed in a press release.

Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupes on September 14 in response to the outbreak which has stricken 35 people in 10 states, including four deaths, according to the latest update form the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

After state health officials identified Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms as the common food eaten by several listeriosis patients, FDA investigators collected cantaloupes and environmental samples from a Denver-area store and from the Jensen Farms packing facility in Granada, Colo., according to the release.

The FDA’s investigation includes federal and state microbiologists, environmental health specialists, veterinarians and investigative officers, according to the release. The experts will now analyze the evidence to determine the most likely cause of contamination and identify measures to help prevent future contaminations.

Our Listeria attorneys represent clients throughout the United States in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against growers, distributors, manufacturers, processors, retailers, restaurants and others. People have been sickened by cantaloupe in the following states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas (probable while awaiting the results of testing), Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming (probable).

Source:http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm272527.htm

Cantaloupe Possible Cause of Listeria Death in Colorado

A Colorado woman may be the second person in that state to die from the cantaloupe listeriosis outbreak that now stretches from West Virginia to California.

The victim was a 48-year-old mother of three who died Tuesday, September 20 at Parker Adventist Hospital about three weeks after she became ill, according to a story on TheDenverChannel.com

"It went from … her having cardiac arrest at the hospital to being in a coma," the victim’s daughter said in the story. "I just definitely wouldn't want to see anybody else have to go through this."

State health officials say testing will be needed to confirm if the death is part of the outbreak that includes 35 confirmed cases and 4 deaths in 10 states according to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)

The outbreak has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., which has issued a recall for cantaloupe shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

The number of infected persons confirmed in each state so far is as follows: California (1), Colorado (12), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (5), Oklahoma (6), Texas (3), and West Virginia (1).

If you need legal advice about an illness, hospitalization or death related to this outbreak, contact the expert listeria lawyers at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. for a free consultation.

News source: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/education/29244172/detail.html

West Virginia Listeria Cases Linked to Cantaloupe Grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado

Cantaloupe Listeria poisoningOne person in West Virginia has a laboratory-confirmed case of listeriosis linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado. The cantaloupe has sickened over 30 people in several states. In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011.  Although West Virginia has not been identified as a state where recalled cantaloupes from Jensen Farms were distributed, health officials think the person may have purchased recalled cantaloupes in another state:

“Given our shared border, it’s quite likely that some West Virginians buy groceries in Pennsylvania. At this point, we don’t know exactly what stores may be affected by this recall, so consumers should ensure any purchased cantaloupe is not part of the recall before consuming,” said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass in a press release. State agriculture inspectors are aware of the recall and checking for recalled product during regular store visits, he added.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Listeriosis symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a nationally recognized leader in food safety law, can answer legal questions about illnesses that are part of this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation. They are experts in listeriosis and have won dozens of cases and millions of dollars for their clients.
  

 

Indiana Listeria Illness Linked to Cantaloupe

One person in Indiana has a lab-confirmed case of listeriosis caused by Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado, according to the CDC. The case is one of over 30 linked to the cantaloupe.

Our food safety attorneys represent listeriosis (Listeria food poisoning) victims nationwide. Contact them for a free consultation about a lawsuit against Jensen Farms and others.

Prompted by the listeriosis outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.

 

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Illinois Listeria: Lawyers Investigate Illinois Wrongful Death Possibly Linked to Cantaloupe

Our lawyers are representing the family of a 76-year-old man from DuPage County, Illinois (Chicago area) who died on September 11 from sepsis caused by a Listeria infection (listeriosis). He ate cantaloupe on a daily basis before becoming ill. We have launched our own investigation to determine if his death was part of a listeriosis outbreak caused by Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado and distributed in Illinois.

Our food safety lawyers represent Listeria victims nationwide. Contact them for a free consultation about a lawsuit against Jensen Farms and others.

One listeriosis survivor, an 82-year-old suburban Chicago woman from Cook County, was sickened by Jensen Farms cantaloupe and is listed as a laboratory-confirmed case by the CDC. She became ill September 7 after she ate cantaloupe from a store that had received cantaloupe later recalled by Jensen Farms, according to Illinois health officials. She was hospitalized.

Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall

Prompted by the listeriosis outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe due to possible Listeria contamination. The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to Illinois and several other states. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.

News Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-listeria-cantalou,0,7278190.story

Cantaloupe Listeria Litigation Tied To Growing Outbreak Tracked by CDC

Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado have experienced a total of four cantaloupe Listeria deaths in an outbreak that has grown to include 35 case patients in 10 states. The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds California, Illinois and Montana to the original group of seven states. Colorado is the anchor.

Food poisoning attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty are in contact with families who have lost loved ones to this outbreak. The rash of fatal illnesses and hospitalizations is now solidly linked to sweet Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. Listeriosis from fresh produce is preventable and a cantaloupe lawsuit will aim to hold the grower and supply chain accountable for all harms. Free cases consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or click here to submit your contact information to Fred or Brendan.

The outbreak started August 4, 2011, and probably has reached more than 10 states. The CDC will add to the outbreak totals as more cases are confirmed. So far, the CDC's official count is that two people in New Mexico are dead along with one death each in Oklahoma and Colorado. Health officials at the state level suspect at least seven people have died from cantaloupe Listeria.

The number of infected persons confirmed in each state so far is as follows: California (1), Colorado (12), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (5), Oklahoma (6), Texas (3), and West Virginia (1).

Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Sixty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among the 28 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized, the CDC reported. 

Cantaloupe Outbreak in Wyoming: Laramie County Man Diagnosed with Listeriosis

A Wyoming listeriosis case is likely part of the Rocky Ford cantaloupe outbreak that includes 53 confirmed or possible cases and as many as seven deaths in a dozen states, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

“After reviewing this case, we believe it is likely part of the current listeria outbreak,” Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health said in a statement.

The listeriosis case is a Laramie County man who had exposure to cantaloupe prior to his illnesses, public health officials said. The outbreak has been linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado.

“We are recommending that Wyoming residents not eat “Rocky Ford” cantaloupe shipped from this farm. A recall is underway of this product, but consumers may already have them in their homes,” Murphy said in the statement.

The FDA is also warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms which is voluntarily recalling the Rocky Ford cantaloupe it shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

The cantaloupes are packed in cartons labeled: Frontera Produce, www.fronteraproduce.com or with Frontera Produce, Rocky Ford Cantaloupes. Both cartons also include: Grown and packed by Jensen Farms Granada, CO and Shipped by Frontera Produce LTD, Edinburg, Texas.

“We realize it may be tough for consumers to determine if a particular cantaloupe in their home is potentially affected,” Murphy said. “We suggest people should not take any chances because listeriosis can be serious and life-threatening for some. If you’re not sure it is safe, don’t eat it.”

Listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a nationally recognized leader in food safety law, can answer legal questions about illnesses that are part of this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation. They are experts in listeriosis and have won dozens of cases an millions of dollars for their clients.

 

Six Kansas Listeriosis Cases Investigated For Link to Multistate Outbreak

Update on this post: The CDC has reported that the 6 Kansas listeriosis cases are part of the listerosis outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown in Colorado by Jensen Farms. Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against Jensen Farms and others.

Six cases of listeriosis in Kansas are being investigated for their possible link to the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that began in Colorado in August and has now reached 53 confirmed or possible cases and as many as seven deaths in a dozen states. The source of this outbreak is Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms of Colorado and distributed in Kansas and other states.

Laboratory tests are pending in a collaborative investigation by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The test results will confirm whether the six cases of listeriosis reported in Kansas since August 26 are part of the multistate listeriosis outbreak associated with consumption of Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms.

The Rocky Ford cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96, but most have been women over the age of 60. All of them required hospitalization.

PritzkerOlsen. P.A., a nationally recognized leader in food safety law has launched an investigation of this outbreak, monitoring listeriosis cases in every state as the outbreaks spreads. Due to the scope and severity of this outbreak they are offering free consultations to those who have legal questions about illnesses that may be related to this outbreak. 

Kansas typically reports fewer than six cases of listeriosis per year, but there have been seven cases in 2011, including the six cases currently under investigation.

Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., issued a voluntary recall of Rocky Ford Cantaloupe on September 14, for melons shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011. The cantaloupes were distributed in Kansas and several other states. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
 

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Update: Over 50 Illnesses and 7 Wrongful Death Cases

The cantaloupe listeria outbreak is spreading through the country with at least 53 confirmed or possible cases and as many as seven deaths in a dozen states. Our attorneys are investigating Listeria cases throughout the United States. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.

So far the toll by state is as follows:

  • Colorado: 12 confirmed cases, 1 death
  • Illinois: 1 suspected case
  • Indiana: 1 confirmed case
  • Kansas: 6 suspected cases
  • Missouri: 2 suspected cases, one death
  • Montana: 2 suspected cases
  • Nebraska: 1 confirmed case, 2 suspected cases
  • New Mexico: 5 confirmed cases, 5 suspected cases, 4 possibly linked deaths
  • Oklahoma: 6 confirmed cases, 1 death, 4 suspected cases
  • Texas: 2 confirmed cases
  • West Virginia: 1 confirmed case
  • Wyoming: 1 suspected case

Jensen Farms Cantaloupe LawsuitThe FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms. Jensen Farms has recalled the Rocky Ford cantaloupe it shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

Grocery stores have pulled potentially tainted melons from their shelves. And now, PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a national food poisoning litigation law firm specializing Listeria, has launched an investigation into this outbreak. Listeriosis experts at PritzkerOlsen have been involved in every major Listeria outbreak in the country and have won millions for their clients. 

The Rocky Ford cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96, but most have been women over the age of 60. All of them required hospitalization.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Listeria symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In the most dangerous cases, an infection from Listeria monocytogenes may lead to sepsis (blood poisoning), Listeria meningitis (infection of the meninges of the brain, spinal cord and related fluids), and/or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). 

New Mexico Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Free Consultation with Attorney

Cantaloupe Food PoisoningAttorney Fred Pritzker won $2,700,000 for a family in a Listeria wrongful death lawsuit. Now he and his team of Listeria attorneys are investigating a New Mexico Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms of Colorado. The outbreak has caused four deaths and six laboratory-confirmed illnesses since August 20. New Mexico ranks with Colorado as the two states hardest hit by Jensen Farms cantaloupe contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Contact attorney Fred Pritzker for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against responsible parties, which may include any of the following: Jensen Farms, Basila Produce in Albuquerque (distributor), Wal-Mart Distribution in Los Lunasand (distributor), and a retailer or restaurant. Retailers that sold Jensen Farms cantaloupe include Wal-mart, Whole Foods and other stores.

The most current information from the New Mexico Department of Health:

To date, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has identified ten patients hospitalized with Listeria infection in the last 3 weeks, including 3 fatalities. New Mexico’s fatal cases include: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old female from Curry County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. All other New Mexico cases have been or are currently hospitalized and come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The ill people range in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 6 women. Illness onset ranges from August 20th to early September.

Attorney Pritzker is warning consumers to stay alert for symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection because the onset of illness can happen several days after consumption of tainted food. If an individual experiences symptoms, they should immediately contact a physician and then contact our law firm.

New Mexico Cantaloupe Listeria Deaths

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker, nationally recognized for litigation in the area of foodborne illness, currently represents a family that lost a loved one to Listeria infection. Previously, Pritzker won a $6,000,000 settlement against food manufacturers for multiple deaths resulting from Listeria-tainted sliced turkey. He is accepting New Mexico Listeria cases from the ongoing cantaloupe outbreak at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave contact information and a Pritzker lawyer will call you to discuss you legal options.

Three of New Mexico’s Listeria deaths happened to a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old woman from Curry County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. All other cases come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The victims range in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 6 women.

State inspectors in New Mexico found that several Wal-Marts and Whole Foods stores were among the retailers that carried Jensen Farms cantaloupe before the recall was announced earlier in the week. Attorney Pritzker is warning consumers to stay alert for symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection because the onset of illness can happen several days after consumption of tainted food. If an individual experiences symptoms, they should immediately contact a physician.

Cantaloupe Listeria outbreaks are preventable and food poisoning lawsuits can act as important deterrents to future negligence that threatens lives. People put their faith in a food supply that is safe. For those individuals and families directly affected by this outbreak, a good Listeria lawyer can win money for compensation of all harms, including loss of companionship, pain and suffering and lost earning power now and in the future.

Listeria Canatalope Cases in Texas

Texas Listeria cases average about 44 per year. There have been 20 reported cases in the Lone Star state so far in 2011 and at least two of them are linked by scientific evidence to Colorado cantaloupe from Jensen Farms -- distributed by Frontera Produce.

Listeria outbreak attorney Fred Pritzker is in contact with victims of the multi-state cantaloupe Listeria outbreak and is preparing for a cantaloupe lawsuit. His firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in foodborne illness litigation and his record includes a $6 million Listeria lawsuit settlement in a difficult wrongful death situation with multiple victims.

Texas is one of seven states currently identified by CDC as part of the Colorado cantaloupe outbreak that has killed at least two people and sickened at least 22. The other states are Nebraska, Oklahoma, Indiana, New Mexico and West Virginia. News reports also cite a Wyoming Listeria case that could be part of the outbreak.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says that both Texas cases – one in North Texas and one in Southeast Texas – were hospitalized. Texas authorities are collaborating with the CDC, FDA and health officials in other states to investigate.

Jensen Farms cantaloupes were recalled this week, but Pritzker is warning families to be aware of a delay in symptoms. With the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, an infection may not produce symptoms for many days. Symptoms of  fever and muscle aches often are preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Pregnant women:  Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. 

Nebraska Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

The Nebraska Canataloupe Listeria Outbreak may be to blame for two individuals in Douglas County coming down with symptoms of Listeriosis, adding to one confirmed outbreak case in the state previously reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Listeria attorney Fred Pritzker has won numerous settlements, including more than $6 million for clients in a Listeria food poisoning case that involved the wrongful deaths of an elderly man and unborn babies. He has a national practice and is available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit

Nebraska is one of seven states identified by the CDC as part of the outbreak that began August 15. It neighbors Colorado, home of Jensen Farms near the Rocky Ford cantaloupe region in the southern portion of the state. The CDC has linked the multi-state Listeria outbreak to "sweet Rocky Fords'' from Jensen and state health officials have conflirmed the link with laboratory testing.

Nebraska.TV reported that Safeway stores across the state have pulled Jensen Farms cantaloupes as part of a recall announced by the FDA. Even after the recall, health officials are warning consumers to be aware that listeriosis symptoms can develop more than a week after a person eats contaminated cantaloupe. Symptoms include flu-like fever and muscle aches, uppset stomach or diarrhea, stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions. Pregnant women are at high risk and may only experience mild flu-like symptoms.

 Consumers who experience these Listeria symptoms should immediately see a doctor. For legal help, call Pritzker and his Listeria law team at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit contact information online.

Oklahoma Listeria Wrongful Death and Illnesses Linked to Cantaloupe

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won over $6,000,000 for their clients in a Listeria food poisoning case that involved the wrongful deaths of an elderly man and unborn babies. They and their team are now investigating Listeria cases in Oklahoma linked to a multistate outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe. They are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has now confirmed a total of six cases of Listeria infection (listeriosis) related to cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms from the Rocky Ford, CO, growing region. All six cases were hospitalized and one of these died.  An additional four listeriosis cases are under investigation, and are suspected to be related to the nationwide outbreak.  All of the Oklahoma cases are over the age of sixty.

Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling Rocky Ford Cantaloupe. The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from the Rocky Ford growing region of Colorado from July 29 through September 10 and are potentially linked to a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis. The recalled cantaloupes were distributed to at least 17 states, including Oklahoma, with possible further distribution. Retailers like Walmart, Supervalue and Whole Foods Market have pulled the recalled cantaloupes off of their shelves.

Missouri Listeria Death and Illness Possibly Caused by Rocky Ford Cantaloupe

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Brendan Flaherty won over $6,000,000 for their clients in a Listeria food poisoning case that involved the wrongful deaths of an elderly man and unborn babies. They have a national practice and are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.

Our attorneys are now investigating Listeria cases in several states that are part of a multistate outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado and distributed by Frontera Produce of Texas.  In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms has recalled cantaloupe that was sent to several states, including Missouri. Retailers like Walmart, Supervalue and Whole Foods Market pulled the recalled cantaloupes off of their shelves.

Recalled Colorado cantaloupes are being investigated for their potential link to two cases of listeriosis in Missouri, one of which resulted in a fatality, according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. “Do not consume Rocky Ford cantaloupes at this time. As this investigation continues, more information will be made available in order to protect the health and safety of the community,” the release states.

"The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is investigating two cases of listeria that could be linked to this cantaloupe recall. The individuals did eat cantaloupe prior to their own set of illness, but we do not know the specific brand of cantaloupe at this time,"  Kendra Williams, community health and epidemiology administrator for the health department, told KSPR News.

The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms. Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling the Rocky Ford cantaloupe it shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

The Rocky Ford cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96, but most have been women over the age of 60. All of them required hospitalization.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

News sources: http://www.springfieldmo.gov/health/getStory.jsp?relid=6941;
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/kspr-confirmed-one-dead-in-greene-county-mo-from-listeria-possibly-linked-to-cantaloupe-recall-20110916,0,2597542.story

Attorney Fred Pritzker Calls on FDA, Jensen Farms and Frontera Produce to Release List of Retailers that Received Rocky Ford Cantaloupe

To protect themselves from Listeria infections, serious illness and possible death, consumers need a detailed list of the retailers that received Rocky Ford cantaloupe from Jensen Farms and its distributor Frontera Produce of Edinburg, Texas. The cantaloupe may be contaminated with Liseria monocytogenes, a deadly pathogen.

“The FDA, Jensen Farms and Frontera have put consumers at risk by not immediately publishing a list of retailers that received potentially contaminated Rocky Ford cantaloupe,” said food safety attorney Fred Pritzker. “We are getting contacts from people around the country who are worried about cantaloupe they purchased and/or ate.”

Retailers, including Safeway (Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico (Aztec and Farmington), South Dakota and Wyoming), Whole Foods, King Soopers (Colorado and Wyoming), Albertson’s, Walmart (one lawsuit lists Colorado Springs store) and others, have pulled Rocky Ford cantaloupes off shelves, according to store press releases and news reports. But consumers should not have to get this information piecemeal.

The cantaloupe recall was prompted by an outbreak of Listeria infections (listeriosis) that has sickened people in at least 7 states: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Our law firm has also been contacted from people in other states whose loved ones may be part of this outbreak.

There are 22 confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to this outbreak and two deaths, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. Three other deaths in New Mexico and several illnesses may also be connected to this outbreak.

Evidence Linking Rocky Ford Cantaloupe to Illnesses and Deaths

Among the 19 ill persons with available information on what they ate, all 19 (100%) reported consuming cantaloupes. Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before they became ill; investigators compared their responses to persons with listeriosis reported through the CDC Listeria Initiative, whose illnesses were not part of this outbreak. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they were produced by Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colorado, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September.

Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms.

Attorney Fred Pritzker represents Listeria victims nationwide. He can be reached for at 1-888-377-8900 or by submitting our free consultation form.

Cantaloupe in New Mexico Pulled From Shelves of Albertsons, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and Other Stores

Rocky Ford cantaloupe is being pulled form the shelves of grocery stores throughout New Mexico. A New Mexico listeriosis outbreak has killed four people and sickened six others since mid-August, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

Some of the New Mexico listeriosis cases have been linked to a multi-state outbreak that has stricken more than two dozen people around the country. DNA fingerprinting has linked these cases to cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.

Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling the Rocky Ford cantaloupe it shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms, and grocery stores in New Mexico are pulling the melons form their shelves.

Whole Foods Markets and Albertsons have removed Rocky Ford cantaloupes from their stores, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Wal-Mart in Clovis and Portales also removed the cantaloupe from their shelves, according to PNT Online.

Those who became ill live in the following counties: Bernalillo, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea, and Otero. Most of the victims suffered from serious chronic health conditions before contracting listeriosis, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is investigating this outbreak. If you have an illness associated with this outbreak, contact them for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by submitting your contact information online.

News Source: http://www.pntonline.com/news/bargman-26715-new-listeria.html

New Mexico Food Poisoning: Four Dead, Six Others Ill From Cantaloupe Listeria

Our Listeria lawyers are available for a free consultation regarding the New Mexico food poisoning cases of listeriosis that have killed four people and sickened six others since mid-August. DNA fingerprinting has linked five of these cases to Rocky Ford cantaloupe, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

The fatalities in New Mexico include two Bernalillo County men (Albuquerque area), ages 93 and 63, and a 61-year-old Curry County woman (Clovis area). The residence of the fourth victim who died has not yet been released. Those who became ill live in the following counties: Bernalillo, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea, and  Otero counties. The severity of this outbreak has prompted national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., to establish a claims center for individuals and families who are harmed.

The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms. Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling the Rocky Ford cantaloupe it shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, because it potentially may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis.

The potentially tainted melons were distributed to at least 17 states including: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Walmart Sued In Colorado Listeria Outbreak, Montana Cases Investigated

The first cantaloupe listeria lawsuit was filed today by a Colorado family against Walmart and Jensen Farms, according to Fox 31 Denver News. Contact PritzkerOlsen, P.A., for a free consultation.

The plaintiffs are Charles and Tammy Palmer who live in Colorado Springs, which is located in El Paso County, Colorado. According to their complaint, the Palmers bought a whole cantaloupe, grown by Jensen Farms, from the Walmart store in Colorado Springs. Several days later, Charles Palmer sliced and ate some of the cantaloupe. He became ill on August 30 and his condition quickly worsened. By the morning of August 31, he was non-responsive and transported to a hospital by ambulance, where he remains.

At the hospital, Charles Palmer was diagnosed with listeriosis, which was later determined to be the result of eating cantaloupe tainted with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

A cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis has sickened at least 22 people in seven states. Two people, one in New Mexico, one in Colorado have died, according to the Centers for Diseease Control and Prevention (CDC). The confirmed cases are as follows: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1).

Health officials are investigating listeriosis cases in other states including two cases in Montana, one in Gallatin County and one in Yellowstone County, according to the Clark Fork Chronicle.

A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you have an illness associated with this outbreak, contact PritzkerOlsen, P. A., for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit contact information online. The law firm of PritzkerOlsen is one of the nation’s leading law firms in foodborne illness. Their attorneys are experts in listeriosis having been involved with every major listeriosis outbreak in the country.

Cantaloupe Outbreak in Colorado, New Mexico and Other States Investigated by Listeria Food Poisoning Lawyers

Our attorneys are investigating a cantaloupe outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown in Colorado. People in at least seven states have contracted Listeria infections after eating Rocky Ford cantaloupe.

Prompted by the outbreak, Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, has recalled cantaloupes shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. 

The recalled cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford-Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords. Our attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.

We are a national food safety law firm. The cantaloupe outbreak has now sickened 22 people in seven states. Two people, one in New Mexico, one in Colorado have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The confirmed cases are as follows: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). 

The cantaloupe was sold at retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Whole Foods Market, Safeway and others. Safeway has pulled the melons from its 118 supermarkets in Colorado. Whole Foods Market has removed the cantaloupes from all 27 in the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas and Utah.

Illnesses associated with this outbreak began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96 years, but most are women over 60.

Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults,  people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns. 

A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you have an illness associated with this outbreak, contact PritzkerOlsen, P.A., for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit contact information online.

Growing Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Linked to Jensen Farms in Colorado

Rocky Ford Colorado cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms are being recalled due to a Listeria health risk in the midst of a cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that has killed two people and seriously sickened at least 20 others in seven states.

The latest cantaloupe Listeria update shows the outbreak has spread to West Virginia. Colorado and New Mexico are hardest hit. One person from each of those states has died from an infection of Listeria monocytogenes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. "Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if they are part of this outbreak.''  All illnesses started on or after August 15.

CDC has said there is strong evidence the outbreak originated in the Rocky Ford cantaloupe growing region of Southeast Colorado and a headline on the CDC's latest update says the following:

"Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms''

Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they were produced by Jensen Farms and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September, were distributed widely in the United States, and may still be available in grocery stores, the CDC said. Images of Jensen Farms whole cantaloupes were published in the recall notice by the Food and Drug Administration. Jensen Farms is a 3rd generation family farm of the Holly, Colorado. 

The severity and urgency of this outbreak has prompted national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., to establish a claims center for individuals and families who are harmed. Outbreaks of listeriosis are preventable and cantaloupe growers are aware of industry practices designed to ensure wholesome product. Cantaloupe lawsuit case consultations are available at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by reaching the firm online with basic contact information. There is no charge for this discussion of your legal options.

Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is headed by Fred Pritzker, a nationally recognized leader in foodborne illness litigation who has recorded numerous Listeria lawsuit rulings and settlements, including a $6 million settlement in a very difficult case involving a major brand of sliced turkey. 

Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall Prompted by Listeriosis Outbreak

Jensen Farms, of Holly, CO is voluntarily recalling their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. The company is working with the State of Colorado and the FDA to inform consumers of this cantaloupe recall.

The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.

If you purchased a whole cantaloupe that is unlabeled, please contact your retail store for sourcing information.

Jensen Farms is requesting any consumer that may have one of these cantaloupes to please destroy the products. The recall involves only whole cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms, and no other commodities are involved. Jensen Farms feels it is prudent to participate in the recall as the State of Colorado has stated (in their September 12th, 2011 press release) that people at a high risk for infection should not eat whole cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford growing region. “

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate foods and cause a mild non-invasive illness (called listerial gastroenteritis) or a severe, sometimes life-threatening, illness (called invasive listeriosis). Persons who have the greatest risk of experiencing listeriosis after consuming foods contaminated with Listeria are fetuses and neonates who are infected after the mother is exposed to Listeria during pregnancy, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Cantaloupe Outbreak Hits Indiana

The cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis has moved into Indiana bringing the total of confirmed cases to 16, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of cases identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (11), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2).

Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if they are part of this outbreak. In New Mexico, state health officials have now identified 10 people who have been sickened with listeriosis, three of them have died. 

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The CDC has linked this outbreak to eating cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado and is recommending that those at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat cantaloupes marketed as coming from the that region.

This cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96, but most have been women over the age of 60. All of them required hospitalization.

Illnesses that occurred after August 26, 2011, might not be reported yet due to the lag between the time a person becomes ill and the time the illness is reported. Furthermore, there may be others who ate the tainted melon who are not showing symptoms yet. In some cases, the incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as 70 days, but symptoms usually appear within a month.

 

 

Listeria Probe in Colorado, New Mexico Awaits More Cantaloupe Test Results

The Colorado state health department expects test results later this week that may help identify the specific source of the cantaloupe linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak affecting Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Indiana. (Updated September 14, 2011.)

That's the word from  Rick Ritter, director of Otero County Health Department in the Rocky Ford region of Colorado -- the recently harvested cantaloupe area linked to the outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA and state epidemiologists.

But for now, officials are still uncertain which cantaloupe fields are the source of the outbreak strain of Listeria, Ritter told the Pueblo Chieftan newspaper. Ritter has heard from cantaloupe growers who think the link is false or unfair, but he says the conclusion is based on science.

"The state health department is trying to protect the people who could get sick and possibly die,'' he told the Chieftan.

So far there has been one Listeria death in Colorado and three more in New Mexico. Meanwhile, New Mexico public health officials have issued a voluntary recall notice to produce retailers, requesting that any cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford region be temporarily pulled.

The CDC, too, is advising consumers nationwide not to eat Rocky Ford cantaloupe.

Rocky Ford cantaloupe lawsuit could result from this outbreak and Listeria lawyers at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., have established a claim center for those who have lost loved ones or been hospitalized themselves. Many of the victims are elderly because the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is most likely to affect people in the advanced age group. Pregnant women and their babies also are at exceptional risk. Lawsuit consultations are available at no charge by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online to the firm.

Cantaloupe Recall Not Issued Nationally, But Albuquerque has Issued a Recall of Rocky Ford Cantaloupe

Our attorneys are investigating a Listeria outbreak in several states linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown in Colorado. Contact our law firm for a free consultation.

A national cantaloupe recall has not been ordered by government officials or undertaken by producers, but grocery stores in Colorado are voluntarily pulling Rocky Ford melons from their shelves in response to a listeriosis outbreak associated with the fruit, according to a story in the Denver Post.

King Soopers, Safeway and Whole Foods are removing the melons from their stores. King Soopers and City Market stores are removing Rocky Ford melons from 142 stores, and Safeway is removing the melons from its 138 stores in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota and New Mexico, according to the story. Wholes Foods is removing the cantaloupes from its shelves.

The cantaloupe recall informally undertaken by the grocery stores is in response to a listeriosis outbreak associated with eating cantaloupes from the Rocky Ford growing region in Colorado.

Albuquerque, where three people died, has issued its own recall: (Updated September 14, 2011.)

Based on a Department of Health advisory, the City of Albuquerque, Environmental Health Department, Consumer Health Protection Division is issuing a voluntary recall notice to local produce retailers, requesting that cantaloupe grownin the Rocky Ford growing area of southern Colorado be temporarily pulled from store shelves.  This action is being taken as a precaution pending findings of an FDA investigation into several cases of illness and at least 3 deaths.  Preliminary indications suggest that several cases of food-borne Listeriosishave been linked to consumption of cantaloupe.

Citizens are advised to refrain from purchasing or handling cantaloupe grown in the Rocky Ford growing area.  If cantaloupe has already been purchased, citizens should not eat the product; thorough hand-washing and sanitation of food preparation areas is advised if the product has already been handled.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection associated with certain food products.  Symptoms can range from mild gastro-intestinal  upset to severe symptoms including meningitis and death.  Onset is typically within 48 hours for gastro-intestinal symptoms; meningitis could take up 2-6 weeks to develop.

If you contracted listeriosis associated with this outbreak and need legal advice, contact the Listeria experts at PritzkerOlsen, P.A  toll free at 1(888)377-8900.

Cantaloupe Outbreak Spreads Through Southwest

A cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis that began in Colorado is spreading through the southwest. Sixteen people have confirmed cases of listeriosis after eating Rocky Ford cantaloupe. There is one confirmed death and 3 additional suspected deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that illnesses from the outbreak include: Colorado (11), Texas (2), Nebraska (1), Indiana (1) and Oklahoma (1).  Testing is still pending in other states including New Mexico, where three people died and six others were sickened by listeriosis after eating cantaloupe. (Updated September 14, 2011.)

Our attorneys represent victims of Listeria food poisoning nationwide. Contact them for a free consultation.

Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

The cantaloupe outbreak of listeriosis began on or after August 15, 2011. The victims range in age from 38 to 96, but most have been women over the age of 60. All of them required hospitalization.
Illnesses that occurred after August 26, 2011, might not be reported yet due to the lag between the time a person becomes ill and the time the illness is reported. Furthermore, there may be others who ate the tainted melon who are not showing symptoms yet. In some cases, the incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as 70 days, but symptoms usually appear within a month.

There has not been a nationwide cantaloupe recall, but Albuquerque has recalled all cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown in Colorado.

Listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., have launched an investigation into this cantaloupe outbreak. For a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuitsubmit our free consultation form or call them toll free at 1(888)377-8900.

 

Rocky Ford Cantaloupe, Sweet and Deadly

Rocky Ford cantaloupes, melons grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado, are the likely source of a Listeria outbreak that has killed one person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Confirmed illnesses from the outbreak include: Colorado (11), Texas (2), Nebraska (1), Indiana (1) and Oklahoma (1). (Updated September 14, 2011.) Testing is still pending in other states including New Mexico, where three people died and six others were sickened by listeriosis after eating cantaloupe.

Rocky Ford is located in the Arkansas Valley of Colorado, the river valley that runs from Turquoise Lake near Leadville to the Kansas state line. Farmers have been growing cantaloupes and watermelons there since 1895. It’s the birthplace of commercial cantaloupe production in the U.S.

Up until now, Rocky Ford melons have been famous for their especially sweet taste. With an average sugar content of 12 percent,  2 percent higher than most melons, Rocky Ford melons often achieve USDA “extra fancy” status.

During this outbreak, people at high risk for Listeria: the elderly, the immunocompromised and pregnant women, should not eat Rocky Ford melons, public health officials are advising.

Listeriosis is caused by eating foods contaminated with Listeria. Symptoms of listeriosis include: fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. “Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has "invasive" infection, in which the bacteria spread from the intestines to the blood stream or other body sites,” according to the CDC.

Symptoms vary with the infected person but can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, according to the CDC.

In this outbreak, victims’ ages range from 38 to 96 years. Most are females over 60. All of them were sick enough to be hospitalized. 

If you have legal questions about a listeriosis case associated with this outbreak, Listeria lawyers at PritzkerOlsen P.A. can help. Contact them toll free at 1 (888) 377-8900 or submit our free consultation form.

CDC Says Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Clearly Tied to Rocky Ford Melons

A type of cantaloupe called Rocky Ford cantaloupes of Colorado are the likely source of a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed. There has been one confirmed death and 15 confirmed Listeria illnesses in Colorado (11), Texas (2), Nebraska (1) and Oklahoma (1).

In its first report on the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, the CDC said other states could also be involved and tests are pending.  New Mexico, for instance, has reported three Listeria deaths in people who recently ate fresh cantaloupe. Six other New Mexico cantaloupe Listeria cases are suspected.

Cantaloupes that belonged to a Listeria case patient in Colorado and others gathered from grocery stores have tested positive for the bacteria and a traceback investigation shows they were harvested in the Rocky Ford region, the CDC reported. Investigators still are trying to pinpoint the cause. Grown in southeast Colorado, the fruit was harvested in August and September and widely distributed in the United States and could be available at various grocery stores nationwide.

"Preliminary results strongly suggest that illnesses are linked to consumption of cantaloupes,'' the CDC said. But no recall has been announced.

CDC now advises persons throughout the mainland United States and at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, to not eat cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.
National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has many years of experience representing victims in multi-millon dollar Listeria death lawsuits and Listeria pregnancy lawsuits. Firm president and founder Fred Pritzker, whose settlements have included a $6 million payout for harms caused by Listeria in sliced turkey, has established a claims center for members of the public who have been affected by the current outbreak. Pritzker's firm has started its own investigation and is in touch with outbreak victims at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by online communication.
 
Colorado Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Update:
  • All illnesses started on or after August 15, 2011.
  • The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows:  Colorado (11), Nebraska (1), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2).
  • Listeriosis illnesses in New Mexico and several other states are currently being investigated.
  • Ages range from 38 to 96 years, with a median age of 84 years old.
  • Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Seventy-three percent of ill persons are female.
  • All 15 confirmed case patients were hospitalized.
  • Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirms Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupe harvested in the Rocky Ford Region.
  • FDA is working closely with CDC, the firms involved, and state public health authorities to determine the exact source of contamination.
  • No recall yet. Specific growers and distributors have not been named.
About 800 cases of Listeria infection are diagnosed each year in the United States, along with 3 or 4 outbreaks of Listeria-associated foodborne illness. The typical foods that cause these outbreaks have been deli meats, hot dogs, and Mexican-style soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk. Produce is not often identified as a source, but sprouts caused an outbreak in 2009, and celery caused an outbreak in 2010.

New Mexico Cantaloupe Listeria Deaths

Three New Mexico Listeria deaths and seven illnesses may be part of a multi-state outbreak associated with contaminated cantaloupe, state officials in New Mexico announced. (Updated September 14, 2011.)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting DNA fingerprint testing to determine if the New Mexico outbreak is an extension of the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska. One confirmed Listeria death is part of the outbreak in Colorado, where officials are closer to identifying the specific source of contaminated melon. The Colorado agency investigating the outbreak is warning consumers not to eat cantaloupes from the popular Rocky Ford growing region in Colorado.

"The department expects additional test results later this week that may help identify the specific source of the cantaloupe linked to the multistate outbreak,'' said Dr. Chris Urbina, chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

In New Mexico, state Health Secretary Dr. Catherine Torres expressed sympathy to the family and friends of loved ones who have died in the outbreak. "At this time, based on the preliminary findings in Colorado, we are cautioning people who are at high risk for Listeria infection to avoid eating cantaloupe,'' Torres said.

Reporting out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Associated Press said the New MexicoThe fatal cases were a 93-year-old man and 63-year-old woman from Bernalillo County and a 61-year-old woman from Curry County. The nonfatal cases in were in Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, Valencia and Lea counties. The victims range in age from 43 to 96 and include four men and six women, according to the New Mexico Business Weekly. August 20 was the first onset of illness. (Updated September 14, 2011.) 

If you or a loved one is experiencing Listeria symptoms,and you think you might be part of this outbreak, immediately contact your physician. For answers to legal questions regarding a possible cantaloupe Listeria lawsuit, call national food poisoning attorney PritzkerOlsen, P.A., 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information via the internet and an attorney will call you back.

Where Do Our Cantaloupes Come From?

The average American eats more than eight pounds of cantaloupe each year, where does it come from? From mid summer through late fall, over 90 percent of cantaloupes sold in the U.S. come from the central California growing region, according to the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB).

This board, formed in 1988, represents most of the hundreds of cantaloupe growers and shippers in central California and prides itself in saying that there has never been a foodborne illness outbreak associated with California cantaloupes.

Most cantaloupes bear a sticker identifying their country of origin. Total U.S. imports of cantaloupes were valued at $117.3 million in 2004, according to the Agricultural Issues Center at the University of California, Davis. The three largest importers of cantaloupe are: Guatemala, 41.1 percent; Costa Rica, 32.3 percent and Mexico 4.1 percent.

At one time, Mexico was the largest supplier of cantaloupes to the United States. But after a series of Salmonella outbreaks were traced back to a Mexican source, imports plummeted from 27.9 percent in 2000 to 4.1 percent in 2004.

After a major outbreak in 2002, U.S. and Canadian governments began requiring Mexican exporters to certify that their cantaloupes are produced under proper conditions before they can be shipped to North American markets.

California cantaloupes are grown using the standardized principles of “Good Agricultural Practices” and are subject to mandatory inspections, according to CCAB. Most are packed directly from the field into shipping boxes to reduce handling and lesson the likelihood of exposure to pathogens,

A cantaloupe Listeria outbreak in Colorado, Nebraska and Texas which began last month has killed one person and sickened at least 11 others. Federal, state and local health investigators have not identified the source of the melons.
 

Listeria Outbreaks Investigated by CDC

Multi-state Listeria outbreaks in the United States have killed at least 44 people since 1998, including one Listeria death in the current cantaloupe Listeria outbreak in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska.

From 1998 through 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported eight multi-state outbreaks of listeriosis, usually from the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, according to  the CDC's  Foodborne Outbreak Online Database. A review of those records by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., shows that the outbreaks caused 244 case-confirmed illnesses in that time. Another nine confirmed Listeria illnesses along the front range in Colorado can now be added to that total, along with at least three more cases from the same outbreak in Texas and Nebraska.

Cantaloupe has been identified as the likely cause of the current multi-state Listeria outbreak, but officials have not yet pinpointed where the contaminated fruit originated. Consequently, there is no recall to report. The federal records reviewed by the Listeria legal team at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys show the following foods were agents in past multi-state outbreaks of the disease: sliced turkey, Mexican-style soft cheese, sprouts, meat pate and hot dogs.

The hot dog outbreak in October 1998  was the biggest of the multi-state Listeria outbreaks. A total of 101 people were sickened and 21 died -- a testament to the lethal force of Listeria monocytogenes infections The CDC linked that outbreak to hot dogs, but never identified the specific origin.

That is the case currently in the cantaloupes outbreak in the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld. Pritzker Olsen founder and president Fred Pritzker is investigating and has urged public health officials to make their findings transparent as quickly as possible for the benefit of consumers. 

Many of the large Listeria outbreaks chronicled by the CDC are extremely familiar to Pritzker as a lawyer for victims on the front lines. In one of the outbreaks related to sliced turkey in which numerous people died, Pritzker represented families in successful Listeria lawsuits against the manufacturers. One settlement was for $6 million and Fred has represented other Listeria victims in other multi-million dollar cases.

It is important for victims and their families to understand their legal rights and remedies. A good Listeria lawyer will have the experience needed to know who is responsible for the harm done to you and how best to proceed with a lawsuit. For a free case consultation call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information and a lawyer will call you.

Listeria Lawyer Calls for Transparency While Investigating Cantaloupe Outbreak

The multi-state cantaloupe Listeria outbreak  in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska comes on the heels of a compelling action by Del Monte Fresh Produce that is still reverberating in food safety circles and could potentially have a chilling effect on the government’s Listeria investigation.

Del Monte Fresh Produce is a major seller of cantaloupe in the United States. Earlier this year the company issued a major recall of cantaloupes harvested from a single farm in Guatemala after federal health officials associated the fruit with an outbreak of Salmonella Panama that sickened 20 people in 10 states. Oregon’s state health department was central to the investigation.

The outbreak ended in June and months went by without any news. But very recently, Del Monte filed a notice to sue the Oregon public health unit and its chief epidemiologist. The company put Oregon on notice that the state agency’s “conduct and misleading allegations’’ linked Del Monte cantaloupes to the Salmonella outbreak “despite the lack of sufficient factual basis.''

The company also has taken legal against against the FDA in an effort to lift an FDA rule restricting the importation of  fresh cantaloupes into the United States.

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker and other national experts in the area of foodborne illness litigation are now wondering if the legal steps taken by Del Monte will make public health officials overly cautious about linking individual producers and distributors to outbreaks. Any unnecessary hesitation would be harmful to consumers who need as much information as quickly possible to protect their families against dangerous pathogenic bacteria in the food supply.

“We are watching closely,’’ Pritzker said. “The system depends on fearless transparency.’’

Pritzker has begun to investigate the situation on his own for the sake of consumers. He can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or via contact information online. Pritzker is founder and president of Pritzker Olsen Attorneys. He is a leading national Listeria lawyer who has won several important decisions and millions of dollars in settlements against major food producers for negligence in food safety. 

How Can Consumers Reduce the Risk of Foodborne Illness From Cantaloupes?

Cantaloupe has been linked to two multi-state outbreaks of foodborne illness this year one caused by Salmonella, this other by Listeria. Together the outbreaks have killed at least one person and caused dozens of others to become seriously ill.

While the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak is ongoing, public health officials recommend that consumers avoid eating that variety of melon. In the future, there are some things consumers can do to reduce their risk of contracting a foodborne illness from cantaloupe. The following recommendations are from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services:

  • Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged.  If buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
  • After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly.
  • Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes.
  • Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating. Don't use soap or detergents.
  • Use clean cutting surfaces and utensils when cutting cantaloupes. Wash cutting boards, countertops, dishes, and utensils with hot water and soap between the preparation of raw meat, poultry, or seafood, and the preparation of cantaloupe.
  • If there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.
  • Leftover cut cantaloupe should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
  • Use a cooler with ice or use ice gel-packs when transporting or storing cantaloupes outdoors.

 

Listeria and Cantaloupe: A New Source for a Deadly Disease?

Over the last four decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has never had a documented listeriosis outbreak linked to cantaloupe, until now. The cantaloupe listeriosis outbreak which began in Colorado and has spread to Texas and Nebraska, may be the first of its kind.

Researchers who reviewed all 28 cantaloupe-associated outbreaks that were reported to the CDC between 1973 and 2003 found that four pathogens were responsible for all of them: Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. Coli and Norovirus, according to a 2005 study published by researchers at the CDC and the University of Georgia. The same is true for eight of the nine cantaloupe-associated outbreaks since 2003. Only the current outbreak is related to Listeria.

“Compared with most other foodborne pathogens, listeriosis is rare and very dangerous. In the United States, an estimated 1,600 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, 260 die,” said Fred Pritzker, a nationally recognized Listeria lawyer.

Listeriosis is a rare, potentially fatal infection caused by the foodborne pathogen Listeria. At particulcar risk are the elderly, the immunocompromised and pregnant women, who are 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than other healthy adults.

The foods most often cited as potential risks are: uncooked meats or vegetables, smoked fish, hot dogs, deli meats, meat spreads, pates and unpasteurized soft cheeses. 

Onset of symptoms for the more mild form of listeriosis usually begin within a day after eating contaminated food. But the incubation period for the more serious form of the disease is generally much longer - up to 90 days after exposure

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions. These symptoms can be followed by septicemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis, both of which can be fatal. For pregnant women, listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or the birth of a baby with serious illness.

The Listeria experts at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. have been involved in every major Listeria outbreak in the country. If you have legal questions about a listeriosis illness, contact them toll-free at (888-377-8900).

Why is Cantaloupe Frequently a Source of Foodborne Illness?

Contact Attorney Fred PritzkerCantaloupe has recently been associated with several large outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States. A Salmonella outbreak that, in March, sickened a dozen people in Oregon, Washington, California and Maryland, prompted a recall of almost 5,000 cartons of cantaloupe believed to be tainted with Salmonella. Now a Listeria cantaloupe outbreak is sweeping through Colorado, Nebraska and Texas has killed one person and hospitalized at least 11 others.

Foodborne illness outbreaks from cantaloupe aren’t new, but they are on the rise. “Since 1994, outbreaks of infections associated with cantaloupe consumption have been reported with increased frequency,” according to a 2005 study published by researchers at the CDC and the University of Georgia, Center for Food Safety and Department of Food Science and Technology.

Researchers reviewed all cantaloupe-associated outbreaks that were reported to the CDC between 1973 and 2003 and found that 28 outbreaks occurred, sickening 1,615 people, hospitalizing 57 and killing two.The pathogens involved were SalmonellaCampylobacter, E. Coli and Norovirus. There have been nine more outbreaks since 2003. Eight of them were caused by those same four pathogens. The current outbreak, which began in Colorado, is the first related to Listeria.

Documented cases of foodborne illness in cantaloupe are growing, but the problem is probably even greater than we know, researchers say.

"Although we report more than 1600 cases of illness associated with cantaloupe consumption in the United States and Canada during the past 30 years, the true burden of foodborne disease associated with cantaloupes is probably much greater.”

The increase in the number of outbreaks is consistent with an increase in outbreak reporting, an increase in consumption of fresh produce in general and an increase in cantaloupe consumption in particular, the report states. In the U.S., per capita consumption of cantaloupe increased from 5.8 lbs in 1980 to 11.3 lbs in 2002, researchers found.

All of the outbreaks studied over the 30-year period and the nine that have occurred since involve raw cantaloupe. Cantaloupes can become contaminated at various points from farm to table including pre-harvest, during harvest, packing, storage, processing and preparation. Researchers found examples of contamination at each of these points in their 30-year study. 

Colorado Listeria Outbreak: Will There Be a Cantaloupe Recall?

The Colorado Listeria outbreak associated with Cantaloupe -- an outbreak that has now spread to at least two other states, Texas and Nebraska -- is novel in two important ways, according to food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker.

First of all, few if any outbreaks involving cantaloupes and Listeria have been documented in the United States. Listeria outbreaks are more commonly linked to ready-to-eat meats, soft cheeses, raw milk, ham salads and other store-made salads, hot dogs, smoked seafood and meat spreads. Fresh vegetables such as kale and other leafy greens have at times been associated with Listeria outbreaks, but cantaloupe is customarily dangerous for other bacteria: namely Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli.

The Colorado cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has killed one person and sickened at least eight others in that state. More cases could be confirmed soon depending on lab test results. Texas has two cases and Nebraska also has one that officials have grouped into the same outbreak.

This brings us to the second unusual dimension of this outbreak: There is notification that the Listeria outbreak is tied to cantaloupe without a corresponding recall of product. Officials say they are still investigating where the contaminated fruit is coming from. This uncertainty is likely to have a major effect on the entire industry until the contamination is pinpointed.

The FDA, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all joined the health departments in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska in a major traceback investigation.

For now, families and individuals who have been sickened in this outbreak can have their legal questions answered by Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Founder Fred Pritzker has been involved in numerous Listeria lawsuits of considerable weight, including a very difficult case on the East Coast against two major food producers that resulted in a $6 million settlement.

It is important for victims and their families to understand their legal rights and remedies. A good Listeria lawyer will have the experience needed to know who is responsible for the harm done to you and how best to proceed with a lawsuit. Please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit your contact information for a free case consultation.

Listeria Lawyer Urges Fast Cantaloupe Traceback Investigation for CO TX NE

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker is urging public health officials to think of consumers first when investigating where the contaminated fruit is coming from in the active cantaloupe Listeria outbreak in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska.
 
Pritzker said doctors and scientists with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are to be commended for their dedicated work in identifying cantaloupe as the likely cause for an outbreak that has killed one person and sickened at least eight others in Colorado. Two Texas Listeria cases and one from Nebraska also have been tied to the outbreak.
 
Now additional work must be done with assistance from federal agencies to trace where the contaminated melon is coming from. "The information should be released as quickly as humanly possible to protect others from contracting this dangerous disease,'' said Pritzker, founder and president of Pritzker Olsen Attorneys.
 
Food tracebacks in outbreaks of listeriosis are made more difficult by the fact that people can consume a contaminated product and not experience illness symptoms for 11 to 70 days. The longer the so-called "incubation period,'' the more difficult it is for a victim to remember what they ate in the preceding weeks and days, he said.
 
Pritzker said there have been instances in recent years where public health officials have acted too slowly in recalling food they suspected was the cause of an outbreak out of deference to food companies who resist being linked to an outbreak. That should never happen. 
"The system must put consumers first,'' Pritzker said in a news release.
 Pritzker said that if an individual has been infected with Listeria, a lawyer can help them understand their legal rights and remedies. A good Listeria lawyer will have the experience needed to know who is responsible for the harm done to you and how best to proceed with a lawsuit, he said. Pritzker has established himself as a national leader in Listeria litigation and has recovered millions for victims of food poisoning, including a $6,000,000 settlement in one very difficult case.
 
 To contact Fred Pritzker and his team of attorneys, call 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit your contact information online. Case consultations are free. 

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak, Uncommon But Not Surprising

A cantaloupe Listeria outbreak like the one now spreading through Colorado, Nebraska and Texas, is uncommon but not surprising, according to foodborne illness expert Fred Pritzker.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria found in soil and water. Listeriosis outbreaks often involve ready-to eat meats, deli meats, hot dogs, unpasteurized soft cheeses, and smoked seafood. However, fresh, uncooked produce can also be a source.

“The pathogen has been detected in a number of fresh market produce items including cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, celery and radishes among others. Moreover, cantaloupes have repeatedly been implicated in outbreaks involving Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and Norovirus,” said Pritzker, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen P.A.

The cantaloupe listeriosis outbreak currently includes nine confirmed cases in Colorado, two in Texas and one in Nebraska. State, federal and local public health investigators are working to investigate the specific source of the outbreak, according to a press release issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The law firm of PritzkerOlsen, P.A., which has been involved in every major Listeria outbreak in the United States, is also investigating the outbreak. If you need legal advice regarding this Listeria outbreak, contact the law firm of Pritzker Olsen, P.A. for a free consultation or call toll-free at (888)-377-8900.


 

Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak CO, TX, NE

Colorado’s Listeria outbreak is likely being caused by cantaloupe and the outbreak now potentially includes two cases in Texas and one in Nebraska, according to Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment.

While Colorado public health officials have reported 13 confirmed cases of listeriosis, just nine of those are definitely linked to the multi-state outbreak, officials are saying. The remaining four cases either have lab results pending or are not linked. Two people have died and one of those Listeria deaths is linked to the outbreak.  

Confirmed Listeria cases in Colorado are in the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld. The people range in age from 30s to 90s. The average age is 84.  The majority are female. 

All nine of Colorado’s case patients consumed cantaloupe, the state agency said in a press release. A specific source of the contaminated product has not yet been identified. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating the multistate investigation, which includes three state health departments, the FDA and the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service.

“While the investigation into the source of the Listeria outbreak is continuing, it is prudent for people who are at high risk for Listeria infection to avoid consumption of cantaloupe,” said Dr. Chris Urbina, chief medical officer of the Colorado health department.

Those at highest risk are pregnant women, young children, people over 60 and anyone with a compromised immune system.

Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzer, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen, P. A., has extensive experience representing outbreak victims and has filed numerous Listeria lawsuits, once winning a $6,000,000 settlement on a very difficult case. For a free consultation with a listeriosis attorney, please contact Fred at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete this free case consultation form.

 

Were the Fatalities from Listeriosis in Colorado Wrongful Death?

Contact Attorney Fred PritzkerTwo people have died in an outbreak of Listeria infections (listeriosis) in Colorado that includes 11 additional cases. When a company or other party is legally responsible for a person's death, the law allows the family of the decedent to sue those responsible for money damages. This is called a "wrongful death" lawsuit.

For families of listeriosis victims, a wrongful death lawsuit cannot be filed until there is some evidence of the cause of the outbreak, which is almost always contaminated food. In this outbreak, the source is likely cantaloupe. This means the grower, distributor(s) and others may be liable.

This cantaloupe listeriosis outbreak has spread to Nebraska, Texas and nine counties in Colorado,  including Adams, Arapahoe Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld.

Our Listeria lawyers know what needs to be done to build a wrongful death case. They have won millions for listeriosis victims and their families. Contact them for a free consultation.

Colorado Listeriosis Outbreak Sickens 4 More

A listeriosis outbreak in Colorado has sickened nine people since the beginning of August. One of them died.

Health officials believe the likely source of the listeriosis outbreak is cantaloupe. (This information was updated on September 9.)

The outbreak has spread to Texas (2 cases), Nebraska (1 case), and through nine Colorado counties including Adams, Arapahoe Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld.

Channel 7 News in Denver interviewed the daughter of one of the victims:

One of those infected with listeria is Shelly Occhipinti-Krout, a 48-year-old mother of three who was brought to Parker Adventist hospital on Saturday.

"It went from the hospital to her having cardiac arrest at the hospital to being in a coma, pretty much," said Occhipinti-Krout's daughter, Tiffany Weider. "I just definitely wouldn't want to see anybody else have to go through this."

Because Listeria can incubate for as long as 70 days, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source or sources of a listeriosis outbreak. Colorado health officials have looked at the epidemiological evidence and reviewed the DNA fingerprints (PFGE patterns) for the listeria cases. The evidence points to cantaloupe as being the source of the outbreak.

Listeriosis is a rare, potentially fatal infection that can occur after food contaminated with

Listeria

bacteria is ingested. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions.

National food safety experts at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., have been investigating this outbreak. If you have legal questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact our listeriosis attorneys online or call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

Listeria Thrives at Cold Temps

Most kinds of bacteria grow rapidly between temperatures of 40 and 140 degrees F, some doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. But Listeria, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection, thrives in cold temperatures.

Listeria, which can be killed by pasteurization and cooking, is most often present in uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk and foods made from unpasteurized milk. Processed foods such as soft cheeses, hot dogs and ready-to-eat deli meats may become contaminated at the plant after cooking and before packaging.

Pregnant women, young children and people who have weak immune systems are at highest risk of contracting listeriosis. While a Listeria infection may cause only a mild illness in a pregnant woman, consequences for the baby may include, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or a potentially fatal infection after birth, according the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms of infection can begin as early as a few days or take as long as two months after consuming contaminated food. They include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. If the infection spreads to your nervous system, signs and symptoms may include: headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

Each year, 1,600 people become seriously ill and 415 die from listeriosis, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of cases are sporadic, making epidemiological links to food very difficult.

In Colorado, an outbreak of Listeria has killed two people and sent at least seven others to the hospital. Colorado health officials are investigating to find the cause of these illnesses. Most of the patients are women in their 30s to 90s.

National food safety experts at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are also investigating the Colorado listeriosis outbreak. If you have legal questions regarding a possible claim caused by this dangerous foodborne illness, contact our listeriosis attorneys for a free consultation.  

Listeria Salmon Recall of Vita Classic

A Listeria salmon recall in 22 states is in its second week and the company that ordered the recall, Vita Food Products, Inc. of Chicago, is closely monitoring the situation. So far, no confirmed illnesses or complaints have been reported by customers of the product: Vita Classic Premium Sliced Smoked Atlantic Nova Salmon.
 
Four-ounce packages with a SELL BY Date and Code of DEC 15 2011 01961B are being voluntarily recalled due to the potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a human pathogen that can grow at refrigerator temperatures and can cause death and serious illness. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Most at risk for infection are young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 
 
Listeria symptoms may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding. Pregnant women who develop listeriosis may experience only mild flu-like symptoms. , although they are at risk for premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth. If you are experiencing any unusual or severe symptoms such as those described above, go to an emergency room immediately or contact your physician for immediate advice.
 
The vast majority of the more than 8,000 retail packages of recalled Salmon were sold at at Publix stores in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Safeway stores in California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and District of Columbia, Meijer stores in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, Vons stores in California, Genuardi’s stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Winn Dixie stores in Florida, and the Edgewater Produce store in Chicago.

Two Die in Front Range Listeria Outbreak

Colorado state health officials are working to determine the source of a listeriosis outbreak along the Front Range that has killed two people and hospitalized seven others. Most of the patients are women in their 30s to 90s who live in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson or Weld counties, according to the health department. 

Eating food contaminated with Listeria can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal infection. Each year, 1,600 people become seriously ill from listeriosis. Of these, 260 die according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those at highest risk include older adults, pregnant women and people with immune compromising conditions. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Foods of particular concern include :

  • Hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, other deli meats (e.g., bologna), or fermented or dry sausages unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165 F, or until steaming hot just before serving.
  • Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna and mackerel, is most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked" or "jerky."
  • Unpasteurized soft cheese such as feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, brie, Camembert, blue-veined or panela (queso panela). 

National food safety experts at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are investigating the Colorado listeriosis outbreak. Our firm is one of the very few in the country with extensive experience in foodborne illness litigation and we have won millions of dollars for past Listeria outbreak victims. If you have legal questions regarding compensation for harms brought by an infection in this outbreak, contact our listeriosis attorneys online or call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Case consultations with a lawyer are free.

Colorado Listeria Deaths Prompt Warning

Two Listeria deaths in Colorado and a rush of seven other Listeria hospitalizations -- all coming toward the end of August -- prompted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to issue a listeriosis warning on the cusp of Labor Day Weekend.

Colorado residents -- especially on the front range from Weld County to El Paso County -- are on alert to avoid certain foods prone to contamination and take special cooking precautions. A state laboratory is trying to get a DNA fingerprint for the nine Listeria cases. The fingerprint is critical to tracing the outbreak to whatever food is causing it.

One of the women sickened in the outbreak almost died and is still hospitalized, her daughter told ABC News affiliate 7News in Denver. Tiffany Weider said her mother, Shelly Occhipinti-Krout, has been critically ill at Parker Adventist Hospital. "I just definitely wouldn't want to see anybody else have to go through this,'' Tiffany said.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has handled many listeriosis cases, including several that resulted in multi-million dollar claims. Contact our listeriosis attorneys for a free consultation.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is a rare human disease, but it has a 20-30 percent fatality rate and can have serious clinical manifestations in susceptible population groups, including pregnant women, fetuses, the elderly and people who have weakened immune systems. Listeria symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding. Pregnant women who develop listeriosis may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, although they are at risk for premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Colorado Listeria Warning  

  • Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is a canned or shelf-stable product. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, cod, tuna and mackerel, is most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked" or "jerky." Canned and shelf-stable tuna, salmon and other fish products are safe to eat. 
  • Do not eat soft cheese such as feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, brie, Camembert, blueveined or panela (queso panela) unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk. Make sure the label says, "made with pasteurized milk." 
  • Heat hot dogs and deli meats to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Clean spilled fluid from packaging from all surfaces Wash hands after handling. Avoid eating refrigerated pates or meat spreads.

Listeria Poses Frightful Risk in Pregnancy

Children's Hospital Colorado says it very well: Listeria infection is rare, but when it does occur it most frequently affects pregnant women in their last trimester, the fetus, newborns, and kids and adults whose immunity is weakened by diseases such as cancer or HIV. People who have had various types of transplants are also more at risk for listeriosis.

A person can ingest Listeria monocytogenes bacteria by eating certain foods, such as ready-to-eat deli meats and cold cuts, soft-ripened cheese, raw milk, undercooked chicken, uncooked hot dogs, shellfish, and coleslaw made from contaminated cabbage. In Colorado right now, state health officials are searching for the cause of an outbreak that has resulted in two Listeria deaths. Seven others have been hospitalized and the majority are older female adults.
 
Our law firm is monitoring this outbreak and has represented victims of foodborne listeriosis in the past -- including multi-million dollar recoveries for couples who have lost pregnancies due to the infection. In one of those cases, the couple had been struggling to get pregnant and the mother lost the ability to have children again due to complications of the food poisoning. Contact our listeriosis attorneys for a free consultation. 
Listeria infections may create symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding. But pregnant women who develop listeriosis may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, although they are at risk for premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth.  
Cases of listeriosis are relatively rare. In 2004, just 120 cases were reported in the United States. But In all cases -- as Children's Hospital Colorado notes -- the earlier that listeriosis is detected and treated, the better. That is why it is especially important for pregnant women to heed the Listeria warning newly issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
 
If you are pregnant or in one of the other high-risk groups, take the following precautions:
  • Always cook food (especially meat and eggs) thoroughly to the proper internal temperature.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
  • Only drink pasteurized milk, and make sure that milk is refrigerated at the appropriate temperature, which is less than 40º Fahrenheit (4º Celcius).
  • Avoid foods made from unpasteurized milk.
  • Avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined and Mexican-style cheeses unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pasteurized milk.
  • Reheat precooked, prepackaged foods — such as deli meats or hot dogs — to steaming hot temperatures.

Colorado Officials Issue Advisory in Wake of Listeria Outbreak

Colorado health officials are advising consumers to follow federal food safety guidelines after a Listeria outbreak has killed two people and sickened seven others. The source of the outbreak has not yet been determined.

Most of the patients were adult females ranging in age from 30s to 90s. Patients were hospitalized in all nine recent cases of listeriosis, in the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson and Weld, according to a statement released by the health department this afternoon. 

Symptoms of listeriosis usually include diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms  followed by a fever and muscle aches. Pregnant and elderly women are most at risk. Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of a fetus. But even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in people with other serious medical problems, according the the health department statement.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has handled many listeriosis cases, including several that resulted in multi-million dollar claims. Contact our listeriosis attorneys for a free consultation.

While health officials try to determine the source of the outbreak, they are reminding consumers to follow federal guidelines to avoid illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendatiosn for various foods are as follows:

Hot Dogs and Deli Meats

  • Heat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  • Clean spilled fluid from packaging from all surfaces
  • Wash hands after handling.
  • Avoid eating refrigerated pates or meat spreads.

Cheeses

  • Do not eat soft cheese such as feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, brie, Camembert, blue-veined, or panela (queso panela) unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.

Seafood

  • Do not eat refrigerated, smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is a canned or shelf-stable product.
  • Refrigerated, smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel, is most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky." These fish are typically found in the refrigerator section.

 

Listeria Outbreak in Colorado

Health officials in Colorado are investigating an outbreak of Listeria infections (listeriosis) that sickened nine and killed two people during August, according to a report by Denver television station KMGH 7News.

Epidemiologists are trying to determine the source of the outbreak that has caused a 500 percent increase in confirmed Listeria cases in the last month.

Symptoms of Listeriosis usually include diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms followed by a fever and muscle aches. Sometimes, they can also include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). Pregnant women can face serious complications.

Health officials are expected to issue a press release later today.

Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Patty Recall Due to Listeriosis Risk

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Mount Pleasant, Texas, company, recalled an additional 7,072 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products. The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis, a life-threatening illness. The initial Pilgrim’s Pride chicken recall was issued on July 20, 2011.

The initial Pilgrim’s Pride chicken recall (July 20, 2011) was expanded to including the following chicken patties:

  • 16-lb. boxes containing 8 2-lb. bags of "Pilgrim’s Pride Fully Cooked Chicken Breast Breaded Nugget Shaped Patties with Rib meat"

The Chicken Breast Nugget Shaped Patties have a date code of 11531010 inkjetted on the box, best-by date "JUN 02 2012" and bear the establishment number "P-7091A" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each 2-lb. bag is marked with the date code and "P-7091A." The products were produced on June 2, 2011, and shipped to a retail chain in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The problem was discovered as a result of on-site internal testing at each establishment. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products; however, this does not mean that these recalled products did not make anyone sick. The incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as 70 days.

Contact our listeriosis attorneys for a free consultation if you or a family member has been diagnosed with listeriosis.

Initial Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Recall List - July 20, 2011

The following products are subject to recall: 

  • 10 lb. boxes containing 2 5-lb bags of “Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Breaded White Chicken Nuggets Shaped Patties”
  • 30 lb. boxes containing 6 5-lb bags of “Pilgrim’s Pride Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Fillet with Rib Meat”

The “Chicken Nugget Shaped Patties” has a date code of 11471010 inkjetted on the box, and bears the establishment number “P-7091A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each 5-lb bag is marked with the date code and “P-7091A.” These products were produced on May 27, 2011 and shipped to distribution centers in N.J. and Texas for further distribution to food service institutions.

The “Grilled Chicken Breast Fillet with Rib Meat” has a date code of 11801050 and a Use By Date of Dec. 26, 2011 inkjetted on the box, and bears the establishment number “P-20728” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The inner bags are marked with the code date and Use By Date. These products were produced on June 29, 2011 and shipped to a distribution center in Ohio, for further distribution to food service institutions.

Listeria Contamination at Kellogg's Plant

 Kellogg Company has 15 days to respond to an FDA Warning Letter about a persistent strain of Listeria monocytogenes in its cookie plant in Augusta, Georgia. The June  7 letter was obtained by Listeria attorneys at national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., who represent victims of food poisoning.

No recalls were announced and no illnesses reported, but the warning letter called foods manufactured at the facility "adulterated.'' Here's a snippet from the actual letter:

"The presence of a persistent strain of L. monocytogenes in your facility between January 2010 and February 2011 is significant in that it demonstrates that your cleaning and sanitation efforts were inadequate to remove this organism. We note that although your finished product cookies may not support the growth of L. monocytogenes, the positive environmental swabs are indicators of insanitary conditions in your facility and demonstrate a failure of cleaning and sanitation operations that may allow for contamination of foods with filth or pathogens.''

FDA inspectors found 15 positive swabs for Listeria, seven of those from food surfaces including a spiral cooler. Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures and is an extreme danger to pregnant women, causing stillbirth and miscarriage. PritzkerOlsen has represented couples whose babies have been lost during pregnancy due to Listeria contamination from food, including couples who took great care with fertility doctors to start a pregnancy in the first place.

Listeria can infect healthy adults, but is a greater risk to children, the elderly and others who have weakened or underdeveloped immune systems. If you or a loved one has been sickened by Listeria in a outbreak of Listeriosis, contact an attorney at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or send your contact information. Case consultations are free and an attorney will explain how the process works when pursuing a claim or filing a Listeria lawsuit. 

Denver Listeria Deaths Investigated

Two Colorado Listeria deaths have marked an outbreak of foodborne illness under investigation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

State epidemiologists are working with personnel from Denver Public Health and Denver Environmental Health to determine the source of the Listeria outbreak, which has sickened a third person. A press release said all three cases involve people of Hispanic/Latino heritage. A man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s were the two who died.

Alicia Cronquist, an epidemiologist at the state health department, said officials are urging people to follow the standard Listeria prevention guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnant, elderly and other people who are at high risk for Listeria infection can decrease their risk by avoiding soft cheeses such as queso fresco and brie unless they are made with pasteurized milk; hot dogs and deli meats unless reheated to an internal temperature of 165F; refrigerated pâté or meat spreads, or refrigerated smoked seafood.

Many cases of listeriosis are caused by soft cheeses, such as queso fresco and brie. In some communities these cheeses are made with raw (unpasteurized) milk. The pasteurization process kills Listeria and other dangerous pathogens. The cheese making process does not kill these bacteria. Our attorneys are representing several people who were sickened by raw cheese sold at Costco stores (unrelated outbreak).

We have information on Listeria infections (listeriosis) in Spanish (see Listeriosis y la Comida).

FDA Cracks Down on PA Raw Milk Farm

 A Pennsylvania raw milk farmer may be shut down for good if the U.S. Justice Department succeeds in gaining a permanent injunction against him for allegedly violating food safety laws, repeatedly.

The complaint was filed at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for misbranding and distribution of of unpasteurized milk for human consumption in interstate commerce. The alleged violator is Daniel L. Allgyer, owner of the Rainbow Acres Farm in Kinzers, Pennsylvania.

Raw milk can contain a wide variety of harmful bacteria, including Listeria, E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Brucella. 

 “Drinking raw milk is dangerous and shouldn’t be consumed under any circumstances,”  Dara A. Corrigan, FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, said in a news release. “FDA has warned the defendant on multiple occasions that introducing raw milk into interstate commerce is in violation of Federal law.”
FDA investigators determined during an inspection of Rainbow Acres Farm that the farm was producing, packaging, selling, and distributing unpasteurized and unlabeled milk for human consumption in interstate commerce. FDA issued a warning to Allyger April 20, 2010, but the farm "continued to operate in violation of federal law,'' the press release said.  
 
The injunction seeks to prohibit Allyger from distributing unpasteurized milk in interstate commerce.

Listeria Wrongful Death Cases Studied

Listeria wrongful death cases in the United States most often are sporadic, meaning they are not part of an identified outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. But in the first half of last year in Louisiana, two Listeria deaths were recorded in an outbreak traced to hog head cheese made by a small Louisiana firm.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has handled many Listeria cases, including several that resulted in multi-million dollar claims. One of those was  for a couple that lost a pregnancy and the ability to get pregnant again. Another case was for an active, vibrant retiree who suffered severe illness for about a year before his Listeria death culminated the family's tragedy. In both cases, contaminated ready-to-eat meat was the cause of infection.

To contact an attorney, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form and a lawyer will respond with information you seek

.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an in-depth look at the Louisiana outbreak, which sickened a total of eight people with the same, genetically matched strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Seven of the eight were hospitalized and two of those patients died. Symptoms included altered mental status, diarrhea, vomiting and weakness. 

The CDC said this was the first report of a listeriosis outbreak associated with the consumption of hog head cheese. But ready-to-eat meats are a recognized vehicle for Listeria infection and hog head cheese falls into that category. It is a meat jelly made of swine heads and feet). The USDA has a zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in ready-to-eat meats because outbreaks can be so likely. That means any product contaminated with the pathogen is legally considered adulterated and the maker is liable even if food safety practices were in place. This lowers the burder of proof for poisoning victims who seek to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earning capacity and other harms.

At the time of the outbreak, Veron Foods in Prairieville, Louisiana, recalled 500,000 pounds of hogs head cheese and sausage. The small, state-inspected firm makes 600 pounds of hog head cheese a week. Listeria matching the outbreak strain was found at the plant -- the second Listeria recall in three years at Veron.

 The sick people lived in Orleans, Jefferson, Tangipahoa, Terrebone, Ascension, St. John and Lafayette parishes, according to the state health department. 

Listeria is an organism that causes gastrointestinal disease in healthy people. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.In immune-deficient individuals, Listeria can invade the central nervous system, causing meningitis and/or encephalitis (brain infection). Listeria-Infected pregnant women ordinarily experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

 

Listeria Recall For Broccoli Foods

A finding of Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample of broccoli items produced by California-based Taylor Farms Pacific prompted a recall of products that are stamped with Best if Used by dates from 2/7/11 to 3/7/11.

Retailers should not sell and consumers should not consume certain Taylor Farms, Raley's or Signature Cafe items containing broccoli with use-by dates through 3/7/11. The list of items is seen below. So far, no illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.  

Listeria infection in pregnant women can cause fetal death, or babies of infected mothers can be born with severe illness. Symptoms of infection in adults may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill, but Listeria monocytogenes can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems and it carries a high rate of hospitalization for a foodborne illness. The FDA-published recall urges consumers to check their refrigerators for the below mentioned products.

Cases of affected product were distributed to 6 states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Distribution dates were from February 7 to February 24. The positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes was obtained by inspectors for the Washington Department of Agriculture.

PRODUCT NAME AND DESCRIPTION
 
TFarms, Snack Pot Penne Alfredo 8/10.75oz Tray
Raley's, Asian Pasta Toss 1/12oz Tray
Signature Cafe, Veggie Pleaser 4/23oz Tray sold at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak N’ Save
Raleys, Yellow Curry Chicken Rice Bowl 17oz Tray
Signature Cafe, Veggie Pleaser 1/23oz Tray sold at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak N’ Save
Raley's Veggie Blend 4/12 oz.
Raleys, Cheese Stuffed Shells W/Rustica Tomatoes Sauce 14oz
TFarms, Snack Pot Pasta Primavera 8/12oz Tray
Raleys, Grilled Chckn Breast W/Mashed Potatoes & Gravy 14oz
Raley's, Vegetable 1/3# Tray
Raleys, Broccoli Rice & Cheese 16oz Tray
Raley's, Vegetable & Dip Pre-made Impulse 1/28oz Tray
Raleys, Udon Pork Noodle Bowl 17oz Tray
Signature Cafe, Mediterranean Snacker Tray 4/34oz sold at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak N’ Save
Raleys, Udon Chicken Noodle Bowl 17oz Tray
Signature Cafe, Mediterranean Snacker Tray 1/34oz sold at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak N’ Save
Raleys, Family Grilled Chicken Penne Alfredo 37.5oz Tray
Raley's Vegetable Catering Kit
 

 

Study Finds Listeria Infecting Heart Tissue

Certain strains of Listeria monocytogenes appear to attack heart tissue, causing researchers to wonder if some who suffer Listeria infections are at greater risk of serious heart disease. The pathogen already causes one of the highest hospitalization rates of any foodborne illness and it has long been known as a menace during pregnancy -- causing stillbirth and miscarriage.

Researchers from the University of Illinois, Chicago, found that mice infected with certain strains of Listeria monocytogenes had 10-15-fold more bacteria in their heart tissues than mice infected with other strains. Dr Nancy Freitag, who led the study, explained how about 10 percent of infections involved the heart. In those cases, cardiac illness is estimated to be up to 35 percent.

While little is known about how the organisms infect heart tissues, Freitag's group is trying to identify cardiac-targeting strains of Listeria. That could improve infection outcomes and help protect vulnerable groups, including patients with heart valve replacements. The group's study results were published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

If you or a loved one has suffered a foodborne Listeria infection, call national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., to discuss your case free of charge at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact us online. We are one of the very few law firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.

Listeria at Seafood Company Prompts FDA to Take Enforcement Action

Listeria monocytogenes findings and insanitary plant conditions have led to a consent decree that prohibits a Portland, Maine, seafood processor from selling seafood until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved in writing the company's food safety plans. The FDA said the decree was signed by three executives at Portland Shellfish Co. Inc. and entered by Judge John A. Woodcock in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.

Part of the FDA's requirement is for Portland Shellfish to install a Listeria testing program and a sanitation program in addition to the company's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. The company normally sells ready-to-eat lobster, shrimp and crab products to retailers in Massachusetts, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, New Jersey and Louisiana.

FDA investigators documented significant deviations from the seafood HACCP regulation, which the FDA enforces to ensure the safety of fish and fishery products distributed to the public. Failure to comply with the seafood HACCP regulation renders food adulterated under the Act. FDA inspection during 2010 confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and  the company has issued four recalls in the past two years due to Listeria contamination and potential contamination of its ready-to-eat products.
 
When consumed by humans, the bacteria can result in meningitis and septicemia and the disease can be fatal. Listeriosis during pregnancy can result in miscarriage or septicemia in the newborn. An estimated 1,600 Listeriosis cases a year are reported in the U.S., which makes it a seldom form of food poisoning. But it has the highest death rate (15.9 percent) of  the seven pathogens that cause 90 percent of all foodborne illlness in the country.
 
Despite the FDA's warnings about insanitary conditions and the company's promises to correct the violations, the most recent FDA inspection, conducted between April 2010 and June 2010, revealed that Portland Shellfish continued to violate FDA regulations and the Act, the agency said in a press release. The decree, which the FDA termed an enforcement action, also allows the FDA to order a shutdown, recall products or take other corrective action in the event of future violations. Failure to abide by the agreement also can lead to civil or criminal penalties.

New Braunfels Turkey Recall

New Braunfels Smokehouse, a New Braunfels, Texas, establishment, recalled approximately 2,609 pounds of fully cooked, ready-to-eat smoked turkey breast products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, an infection that can spread to the brain and cause Listeria meningitis. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

The New Braunfels turkey recall includes the following products:

  • 1-pound packages of “New Braunfels Smokehouse Sliced Smoked Turkey” with package code “2210” on the label;
  • 4 to 6 lb. packages of “New Braunfels Honey-Glazed Spiral Sliced Smokehouse Hickory Smoked Boneless Breast of Turkey” with package code “2180” on the label;
  • 4 to 6 lb. whole breast packages of “Stegall Boneless Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast” with package code “2210” on the label;
  • 4 to 6 lb. whole breast packages of “Stegall Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast” with package codes “2180” or “2210” on the label.


Each package bears the USDA mark of inspection and the number “P-975” inside the mark of inspection. The fully cooked, ready-to-eat smoked turkey breast products were produced on August 4, 2010, and distributed nationwide, including catalog and internet sales.

The problem was discovered through microbiological sampling by an the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

If you or a family member has consumed the recalled smoked turkey and been diagnosed with listeriosis, contact our law firm regarding an independent investigation to determine the source of the illness.

FDA Confirms Celery Listeria in Texas

A celery Listeria outbreak that has killed at least four people in Texas is linked to contaminated celery processed at the Sangar Produce and Processing Co. plant in San Antonio.

The initial celery Listeria connection was made by the Texas Department of State Health and refuted by the company. Now separate testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed what state officials found. FDA said in a statement it found Listeria bacteria not only on celery but in several places in the building, including work surfaces, after a visit Oct. 14 and 15. The strain of Listeria was genetically matched to people sickened in the outbreak over a 10-month period, the FDA statement said.

A state health official told the San Antonio Express that tests now have conclusively linked seven of the 10 infections in the 2010 outbreak to the company's celery, one more than when the plant was shut down in late October. There have been at least four celery Listeria deaths in this outbreak. The plant was closed by state officials and can't reopen without permission

. An FDA report also released Wednesday included 18 observations from inspectors, including failure to take necessary precautions to protect against contamination of food and food contact surfaces; improper temperatures, failure to store raw materials in a way that protects against contamination; failure to take apart equipment as necessary to ensure thorough cleaning; and failure to take effective measures to protect finished food from contamination by raw materials and refuse.

Law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is investigating the outbreak and providing claims assistance to victims. Our firm has won millions for Listeriosis victims, including $6,000,000 for wrongful death claims filed by three families. Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker, lead attorney for our Listeria lawsuits, 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 Mr. Pritzker is a recognized leader in this area of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

Listeriosis Celery: Attorneys Provide Information on Listeriosis and the Sangar Celery Recall

Prompted by an outbreak of listeriosis linked to celery, our attorneys produced the video below, which discusses listeriosis.  Health officials have linked the outbreak to packaged, cut celery processed by Sangar Fresh Cut Produce of San Antonio, Texas.

On October 20, the Texas Department of State Health Services ordered Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio to stop processing food and recall all products shipped from the plant since January. The order was issued after laboratory tests of chopped celery from the plant indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes listeriosis. Yesterday, the FDA reported that product and environmental samples it collected from the plant on October 14 and 15 had also tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria.

The Sangar celery recall involved primarily cut fresh produce in sealed packages that were distributed to restaurants and institutional entities, such as hospitals and schools.

The listeriosis celery outbreak involves 10 listeriosis cases, including at least 4 deaths, reported to the department over an eight-month period. The illnesses occurred in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties.

FDA Inspection of SanGar Processing Plant Finds Listeria

As part of a Listeria outbreak investigation in Texas, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected the SanGar Fresh Cut Produce processing plant because celery processed at the plant had been associated with the outbreak.  Yesterday, the FDA released results of its laboratory testing of processed finished product and environmental samples taken from the SanGar processing plant on October 14-15. The results indicate the presence of Listeria monocytogenes,  in processed celery (the suspected source of the outbreak) and in multiple locations in the plant environment, including on food contact surfaces. The listeria identified in FDA samples matches the DNA fingerprint of the clinical cases of listeriosis reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The Listeria outbreak linked to Sangar celery resulted in at least four deaths, possibly 5.  Several others were sickened but survived the illness. After epidemiologists linked the outbreak with the celery, the Texas DSHS ordered SanGar to stop processing food on October 20, 2010 and to recall all product shipped from the San Antonio plant since January. Contact our attorneys for Listeria lawsuit information.

 

Marshals Raid Estrella Cheese Stocks

Listeria contamination prompted the United States Marshals Service on Monday to seize all cheeses held on the premises of the Estrella Family Creamery under a  warrant issued by a federal judge. According to a news release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Judge Benjamin H. Settle issued the warrant at the request of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. The U.S. Attorney had filed a complaint alleging that cheese and other articles of food held at Estrella Family Creamery are adulterated. 

Estrella of Montesano, Washington, has had several cheese recalls this year due to Listeria. Again in August, the FDA  found additional Listeria contamination and warned consumers about recalled Estrella cheese. Media reports said the raid was ordered after Estrella declined to destroy inventories of potentially contaminated cheese.

 Listeria is an organism that causes gastrointestinal disease in healthy people. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.In immune-deficient individuals, Listeria can invade the central nervous system, causing meningitis and/or encephalitis (brain infection). Infected pregnant women ordinarily experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

Listeria Celery Death Conflict in Texas

Sangar Produce & Processing Co. lawyers are disputing a link to four Listeria celery deaths but the Texas Department of State Health Services is not backing down from its finding that a 2010 Listeriosis outbreak was caused by contaminated celery from the firm's San Antonio plant.

"It's disappointing that the company appears to be using time and energy to promote a video to the news media that shows nothing of significance," state health department spokeswoman Carrie Williams said. "With four deaths linked to the plant, we would hope their total focus is on cleaning and continuing to work with us on the recall."

Williams was quoted in a San Antonio Express-News story that said lawyers for Sangar released a video from the plant's security system that shows the state's health inspector did not wear gloves, mask and gown while collecting a celery sample that tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The company maintains the specimen was transported in a non-chilled container — all of which might have contaminated the samples.

But state health officials say proper protocol was followed. "The samples were properly collected, handled and stored, and we stand by our findings,'' Williams told the newspaper. She also said officials first discovered Listeria contamination in Sangar celery at an unidentified food establishment that used the product. The tests at the factory confirmed the source of contamination, she said.

The Texas Listeria outbreak infected 10 people in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties - five of them fatally - since the beginning of the year. Six cases were conclusively linked to the celery, health officials said, including four deaths.  Three of the deaths were Bexar County residents.

Listeria lawyers at food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are investigating this outbreak and accepting cases. Our firm has won millions for families in wrongful death actions. Attorney Fred Pritzker, lead attorney for our listeriosis lawsuits, is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. To contact our Listeria attorneys regarding a Sangar celery lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or submit our free consultation form on the side of this Web page. We don't get paid unless you win.

Celery Listeriosis Outbreak in Texas

The president of Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio, Texas, says state health officials have erred by linking his company's products with a Celery Listeriosis outbreak. Five people in Texas have died of Listeria poisoning this year, including three in Bexar County.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said in a news release this week that 10 cases of Listeria have been investigated and "six of the 10 cases have been linked to chopped celery from the Sangar plant.''

The state health department ordered Sangar to stop processing food and recall all products shipped form the plant since January. According to a story in the San Antonio Express newspaper, Sangar President Kenneth Sanquist Jr. is refuting the state's findings.

“The state's claim that some of our produce now fails to meet health standards directly contradicts independent testing that was conducted on the same products,” the statement from Sanquist said. “This independent testing shows our produce to be absolutely safe, and we are aggressively fighting the state's erroneous findings.”

According to the health department's press release, Texas inspectors found sanitation problems at the plant, including a condensation leak above a food product area, soil on a preparation table and improper hand washing by employees. 
Texas originally asked the company to close voluntarily, but it refused, state health department spokeswoman Carrie Williams told USA Today. At that point, Texas health officials ordered the closure of the Sangar plant and recall. The outbreak tracked by Texas officials began in January. By May, two people had died but no cause was identified. According to the state's investigation, all of the illnesses were in people who had serious underlying health problems. 
If you or a family member was affected by this outbreak, your legal questions canl be answered by a Listeria lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Celery Recall: Sangar of San Antonio, Texas Due to Listeriosis Risk

Celery Recall AttorneysTexas health officials force a celery recall after a listeriosis outbreak in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties kills 5 people and seriously sickens 5 others.  Attorneys at Pritzker Olsen have successfully represented listeriosis victims and their families.  For a free consultation, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation.

On October 20, 2010, the Texas Department of State Health Services ordered Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio, TX to discontinue processing food and recall all products shipped from the plant since January, 2010. The Sangar recall was forced after laboratory tests of chopped celery from the plant indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeriosis.

The recalled products – primarily cut fresh produce in sealed packages – were distributed to restaurants and institutional entities, such as hospitals and schools.

The testing of the Sangar celery was done as part of a DSHS investigation into 10 listeriosis cases, including five deaths, reported to the department over an eight-month period. Six of the 10 cases have been linked to chopped celery from the Sangar plant. The illnesses occurred in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties.

DSHS inspectors also found unsanitary conditions at the plant that could have spread the Listeria in the celery to other products. Texas health officials found:

  • a condensation leak above a food product area
  • soil on a preparation table
  • hand washing issues

As in this outbreak, listeriosis is frequently fatal. Potentially-fatal complications of listeriosis in adults include:

  • septicemia (infection of the blood)
  • meningitis (infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and the related fluids)

The overall mortality rate for listeriosis meningitis may be as high at 70%; for septicemia, 50%.

Sangar Celery Litigation Backgrounder

The Sangar celery Listeria outbreak in Texas has killed five individuals and called national attention to a human pathogen that isn't as well known as E. coli or Salmonella. Food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has compiled a fact sheet on the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and Listeriosis, its related disease. The outbreak has been associated with Sangar chopped celery distributed since January to restaurants and institutional entities, such as hospitals and schools..

Sangar Celery Litigation and Listeria Backgrounder

In the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill with Listeriosis each year. Of these, 500 die.  

Listeria monocytogenes is found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer.  The bacterium has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, including chopped celery at Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio, Texas. If cutting surfaces are contaminated with Listeria, vegetables prepared on those surfaces likely will be tainted.

Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking. That's what makes ready-to-eat foods such as diced vegetables dangerous if they are  consumed without any further safety preparation steps.

Listeria has the ability to grow at temperatures as low as 3°C, a trait that permits multiplication of the pathogen in refrigerated foods.

Confirmed outbreaks of Listeriosis are rare. The vast majority of cases are sporadic, making epidemiological links to food very difficult.

Most healthy persons probably show no symptoms beyond mild flu-like conditions. The "complications" are the usual clinical expressions of the disease.

The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also rarely be affected.

Complications: When Listeria meningitis occurs, the overall mortality may be as high as 70%; from septicemia 50%, from perinatal/neonatal infections greater than 80%. 

Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get Listeriosis. About one-third of Listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy. Babies can be born with the disease, but an infection during pregnancy also can result in premature delivery or stillbirth.

Listeriosis symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

The biggest recent outbreak of Listeriosis happened in Canada in 2008. Twenty-three people died in 57 confirmed cases. Canadian health officials linked the outbreak to deli meats produced in the Maple Leaf Foods plant in North York, Ontario, a neighorhood of Toronto.

Texas Celery Listeria Deaths Linked to Contamination at Sangar Plant

Five Texas celery Listeria deaths have been linked to contamination found at the Sangar Fresh Cut Produce plant in San Antonio as part of an investigation that dates to the very beginning of 2010. Listeria attorneys from PritzkerOlsen, P.A., have been monitoring this food poisoning outbreak since May, when Texas health officials first announced that two of seven people who contracted the same strain of listeriosis died.

At that time, the cause wasn't known. But this week the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed a link to Listeria bacteria found in chopped celery from the Sangar plant. The state ordered a recall of all products shipped from Sangar Fresh Cut Produce since January. The illnesses occurred in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties.

In preparation for a potential celery Listeria lawsuit, PritzkerOlsen is accepting cases from families affected by this outbreak, including survivors of those who have died. Ten cases were investigated and six have been confirmed through DNA fingerprinting as having been caused by contaminated chopped celery from Sangar, officials have said. Certain victims were in fragile health with serious underlying conditions, but that has no bearing on the importance of their legal case because all who suffered did so at the hands of a company that sold adulterated food and should be held accountable.

 

Pritzker Olsen attorneys have won millions for the families of listeriosis victims, including $6,000,000 for wrongful death claims filed by three families. Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker, lead attorney for our listeriosis lawsuits, 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 Mr. Pritzker is a recognized leader in this area of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

 

Texas Listeria Outbreak Has Killed Five

A Texas Listeria outbreak has prompted state health officials to order a sweeping recall of all products shipped since January from Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio. The recall was ordered after lab tests of chopped celery from the plant indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The order prohibits the plant from reopening without approval from the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

The recalled products – primarily cut fresh produce in sealed packages – were distributed to restaurants and institutional entities, such as hospitals and schools, and are not believed to be sold in grocery stores. The testing was done as part of a Department of State Health Services investigation into 10 listeriosis cases, including five deaths, reported to the department over an eight-month period, the health department said in a press release. Six of the 10 cases have been linked to chopped celery from the Sangar plant, the release said.
 
The illnesses occurred in Bexar, Travis and Hidalgo counties. All of the illnesses were in people with serious underlying health problems. 
Besides finding traces of Listeria, Texas health inspectors also found sanitation issues at the plant and believe the Listeria found in the chopped celery may have contaminated other food. The department found a condensation leak above a food product area, soil on a preparation table and hand washing deficiences. The health department is notifying Sangar customers to ensure they are taking precautions. 
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and vomiting. People with these symptoms should consult a physician. Symptoms typically occur three to 70 days after exposure. The disease affects primarily older people, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.
 
If you or a loved one has been victimized in this outbreak, contact a personal injury lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A.,  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 of dollars for food poisoning victims across the country.

Head Cheese Lawsuit Claims Listeriosis Caused by Vernon Foods Product

Head cheese is at the center of a lawsuit alleging the jellied meat caused listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes.  In the lawsuit, the man claims head cheese manufactured by Veron Foods, LLC, a Prairieville, Louisiana, establishment, was contaminated with Listeria.

The man ate the cheese on May 18 and because so ill that he had to be hospitalized on May 20.  He spent more than a month in an intensive-care unit.  As of the date of this post, he is now only somewhat ambulatory and has suffered memory loss that may be permanent.

On August 14, a few days prior to the filing of this lawsuit, Veron Foods recalled approximately 500,000 pounds of “ready to eat” sausage and hog head cheese products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Vernon Foods recall involved the following products:

  • All Size Packages of Veron Hot Smoked Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Veron Mild Smoked Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Martin Hot Smoked Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Martin Mild Smoked Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Veron Andouille Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Martin Andouille Sausage
  • All Size Packages of Veron Hog Head Cheese

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “LA 22” inside the LDAF mark of inspection as well as date codes of 010110 through 111310 and were distributed to retail establishments and institutions within the state of Louisiana.  

Attorney Fred Pritzker has significant experience litigating listeriosis cases.  He has a national practice and is available for a free consultation.

Lobster Recall Due to Listeriosis Threat

Lobster ListeriosisPortland Shellfish Company, Inc. has recalled the following brands of cooked, ready to eat fresh or frozen lobster meat: Portland Shellfish Co. Inc brand, Claw Island, Craig’s All Natural, Inland Ocean cooked, fresh or frozen lobster claw and knuckle meat, and Meat Without Feet private label food service (2 Lb bags), pack of ready to eat frozen lobster claw and knuckle meat. Recent tests show the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in wholesale and retail stores. 

Recalled products and Lot numbers:

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, CS 6 x 2 LB, packed under the Claw Island, Craig’s All Natural or Inland Ocean brand, production lot numbers 13210, 13310, and 13410, shipped between 05/14/2010 and 05/26/2010.

LOBSTER KNUCKLE MEAT, CS 6 x 2 LB, packed under the Inland Ocean brand, production lot numbers 13210, shipped on 05/13/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, CS 18 x 15 oz, packed under the Claw Island brand, production lot numbers 13210 and 13410, shipped between 05/25/2010 and 06/08/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, CS 20 x 8 oz, packed under the Craig’s All Natural brand, production lot numbers 13210, shipped on 05/14/2010.

LOBSTER KNUCKLE MEAT, 1 LB bag, fresh, packed under Portland shellfish brand, production lot number 13310, shipped on 05/12/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, 4 oz bag, fresh, packed under Portland shellfish brand, production lot number 13310, shipped on 05/13/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, 1 LB bag, fresh, packed under Portland shellfish brand, production lot number 13210 and 13310, shipped on 05/12/2010 and 05/13/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, 2 LB bag, fresh, packed under Portland shellfish brand, production lot number 13210 and 13310, shipped on 05/12/2010 05/13/2010, 05/14/2010.

LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, 5 LB bag, fresh, packed under Portland shellfish brand, production lot number 13210, shipped on 05/12/2010.

75 CASES LOBSTER CLAW & KNUCKLE MEAT, Packed 6 x 2 LB bags, FROZEN, packed under Meat Without Feet LABEL, production lot number 13310, shipped on  05/13/2010.

No related Listeria infections (listeriosis) have been reported to date, but the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days.

To contact a Listeria lawyer, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation.

 

Delaware Reports Food Poisoning in Two Who Consumed Raw Dairy Products

Two Delaware residents who consumed raw  dairy products are recovering from bacterial illnesses, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced.

The first patient is a 58-year-old female from Castle County who contracted Brucellosis.The second case is a 44-year-old man from Sussex County who has Listeriosis. Besides consuming raw dairy products, the man with Listeria infection had been handling raw poultry products.

Both food poisoning victims were hospitalized and the man with Listeriosis is still admitted, but stable.

Delaware Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says the two case serve as a reminder for people to take precautions when handling animals or working with animal products. The director also cautioned against consumption of raw milk and dairy products, which can be contaminated with a range of pathogenic bacteria.
 
Brucellosis primarily affects farm workers, veterinarians and laboratory workers. The last confirmed case of Brucellosis in Delaware was in 2006 and it is not common in the United States. The health department said Brucellosis is most frequently transmitted by eating or drinking raw milk and cheese made with unpasteurized dairy products.
 
Signs and symptoms of Brucellosis and Listeriosis are similar to the flu. Treatment requires the administration of antibiotics. Depending on the timing of treatment and the severity of illness, recovery may take several weeks.

Texas Listeria Outbreak Has Killed Two

State and local health officials around San Antonio, Texas, are investigating five illnesses and two deaths from Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen sometimes found in soft cheeses and deli meats.

The cases have cropped up sporadically since January and they are spread across three counties. This makes it difficult for investigators to trace the food that is causing the illnesses. None of the Texas Listeria outbreak victims know each other, but their illnesses share the same genetic fingerprint.

Roger Sanchez, senior epidemiologist for San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said the outbreak isn't large but most of the patients have underlying health conditions. They range in age from 66 to 93.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 2,500 become seriously ill each year with listeriosis, and 500 of them die.

Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator. The organism is especially harmful to pregnant women, who are 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get the infection. An infection can cause stillbirth or miscarriage.

If you or someone you love is part of this outbreak, call law firm Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. If we agree to take your case, you will owe us nothing until the case is won.

 

Listeriosis Outbreak in Texas Kills Two

A listeriosis outbreak in Texas has sickened seven people. Two of them died. Listeriosis is an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne bacteria. Analysis of Listeria isolates collected from those sickened found that the isolates were genetically identical, suggesting that the same food source is responsible for the illnesses and deaths.

The seven people who contracted listeriosis are from Bexar County (5), Travis County (1) and Hidalgo County (1). 

According to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, the victims of this listeriosis outbreak were fragile, elderly people ranging in ages 66 to 93. It is likely that several others were also infected with Listeria but did not get sick or only had flu-like symptoms.

Illnesses were reported from January through May 6 of this year.

The food source of the Listeria bacteria is being investigated. Below are recent Listeria recalls and public health alerts (none of these products have been implicated in this outbreak):

  • Casa Italia Prosciutto Public Health Alert – May 11, 2010 – Canadian ready-to-eat deli products produced by Zadi Foods Ltd., CFIA Establishment 665, located in Brampton, Ontario and distributed nationwide: Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto, Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Boneless, Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Mattonella, Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless, Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless Sliced, Casa Italia Prosciutto Ham Sliced and Emma Dry Prosciutto. All lots and production dates for the above-listed products were subject to the public health alert.
  • Manouri Cheese Recall – May 6, 2010 - Mt. Vikos, Inc., Marshfield, MA 02050 recalled all size packages and all lot numbers of Mt. Vikos Brand Manouri – Sheep & Goat’s Milk. The cheese is distributed in clear plastic packaging for the retail market in 4oz portions with the Mt. Vikos Manouri label. In addition the cheese is distributed in approximately 1 Kilogram logs in clear plastic packaging with the Mt. Vikos Manouri label. Recalled products include 1) retail portions of Mt. Vikos Manouri – Sheep & Goat’s Milk Cheese, Net Wt. 4 oz, UPC# 6-65291-00201-2, all Best Before dates and 2) food service portions of Mt. Vikos Manouri – Sheep & Goat’s Milk Cheese, Random Wt. logs (approximately 1 Kilogram) – all Best By dates.  Mt. Vikos Manouri cheese was distributed nationwide to customers for the retail and food service markets.
  • Parker Farm Recall of Various Products - January 15, 2010 - Parkers Farm, Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota expanded the previously announced recall of products to include all date codes. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the following retail stores: Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerlys, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, Nash Finch, Sams Club, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Aldi. The following recalled products were sold under the Parker Farm or Parkers label:
    ~~~12 ounce & 16 ounce peanut butter in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), regular and organic varieties are creamy, crunchy, honey creamy and honey crunchy with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~34 ounce peanut butter in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are creamy and crunchy with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.
    ~~~7 ounce bagel spreads in white plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are garden veggie, wild berry, strawberry, apple cinnamon and honey walnut with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.
    ~~~12 ounce & 14 ounce dips & spreads in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varities are jalapeno nacho, pimento and salsa con queso with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce, 12 ounce and 16 ounce cold pack cheese in round or square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, bacon, onion, smoked cheddar, Swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine, and swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~16 ounce salsa in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are hot, mild, garlic, black bean and fire roasted with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.
    ~~~32 ounce salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieites are hot, mild, garlic, and black bean with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.
    ~~~128 ounce salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieites are hot, fire roasted, mild and garlic with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce, 9 ounce, 10 ounce Balls & Logs (in film overwrap), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, smokey bacon, ranch, garlic, jalapeno, pimento, spinach, jajik, beer and chorizo with sell by dates on or before 01/05/2011.
    ~~~5#, 5.5#, 10#, 30# Parker Farm cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, onion, bacon, smoked cheddar, swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine, and swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.
    ~~~16 ounce Happy Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Kroger cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Central Markets cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~14 ounce Central Markets salsa con queso in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid) with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.
    ~~~16 ounce Central Markets salsa in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Dutch Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish, and swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
     ~~~7 ounce Dutch Farms cream cheese spreads in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are strawberry, wild berry, honey walnut & apple cinnamon with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Crystal Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, bacon and jalapeno cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Heluva Good cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and horseradish cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~8 ounce Amish Classic cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieites are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.
    ~~~10 ounce Amish Classic cheese balls & logs (in film overwrap), varieties are cheddar, port wine, ranch, smokey bacon, beef n onion with sell by dates on or before 01/05/2011.
    ~~~128 ounce San Pablo salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieites are fire roasted and mild with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.
    ~~~12 ounce Century Resources cold pack cheese food (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, horserdish, bacon with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren’t important, but the last digit must be a 9).
    ~~~12 ounce Century Resources pimento spread (tub with snap on lid) with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren’t important, but the last digit must be a 9.
    ~~~8 ounce and 12/12 ounce Century Resources cheese ball & log (in film overwrap) sharp cheddar with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren’t important, but the last digit must be a 9).
    ~~~12 ounce Century Resources salsa con queso (tub with snap on lid) with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren’t important, but the last digit must be a 9).
    ~~~4#, 5.5# Block & Barrel cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, swiss almond, horseradish, port wine and pimiento spread with packed on dates on or before 12/30/2009.
    ~~~30# Block & Barrel sharp cheddar cold pack cheese (white pail with snap on lid) with packed on dates on or before 12/30/2009.
    ~~~5# Cobblestone cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.
    ~~~30# Cobblestone sharp cheddar cold pack cheese (white pail with snap on lid) with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.
    ~~~5# Biery label cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar and port wine with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.
    ~~~~~~5# Dierks Waukesha cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, horseradish, swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

No Real Progress on Food Poisoning

Media reports covering the latest CDC data on food poisoning have focused on a slight decline in the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 infections in 2009.

But the bottom line of the report is that no real progress has been made in six years in reducing dangerous pathogens in our food.

"The interventions begun in the late 1990s were successful in decreasing some of these foodborne diseases, but we haven’t seen much recent progress,” said Chris Braden, M.D., acting director of CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases. “To make additional strides against these diseases and ultimately better protect the American people from foodborne illness, CDC, our federal and state partners, and the food industry will need to try new strategies."

Braden was commenting on annual CDC surveillance data released this week by FoodNet, a food poisoning detection and reporting system operated by CDC in collaboration from 10 state health departments, USDA and FDA. It tracks E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Shigellaand four other pathogens. 

For most of the infections, the rate was highest in children under the age of 4 years. People over 50 years old had the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths from most foodborne illnesses, emphasizing the need for those over 50 to get diagnosed and get treatment quickly after becoming ill.

Among the four pathogens tracked in FoodNet that have national incidence goals, Salmonella is furthest from meeting the goal. According to CDC, there is slow progress in fighting Salmonella because it is spread through a wide variety of foods, and also through non foodborne routes. Salmonella can be spread by poultry, meat, eggs, produce and processed foods, as well as by contact with animals like baby chicks, small turtles, reptiles and frogs.

Shigella and E. coli O157:H7 were the two pathogens that experienced lower incidence rates in 2009 when compared to 2006-2008. The Healthy People goal for E. coli was a rate of less than 1 infection per 100,000 people.  The 2009 ratio was .57 per 100,000, down 25 percent. For Shigella, the incidence rate was down 27 percent to 3.99 per 100,000. 

U.S. Blocks Exports From Canadian Deli Meat Plant Over Listeria Fears

Deli meat Listeria fears have prompted the USDA to delist Canada's Siena Foods Ltd. Toronto facility as an eligible exporter of meat to the United States.

The move, confirmed in a story by the Montreal Gazette, is in response to recalls in Canada last week of four different deli meats for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The recalled Siena products  were distributed to primary suppliers in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta and may have been made available to consumers across the country through secondary distributors.

A USDA spokesman told the Gazette that Canada's meat inspection authority requested that USDA delist the plant while an investigation continues into an outbreak of Listeria in Canada that may be related to Siena deli meats. 
In conjunction with the delisting, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert regarding recalled Siena deli meats that may already have crossed the border. FSIS said it may proceed with a recall as more information becomes available.
 
"This public health alert was initiated after positive test results and an investigation by (Canada) in response to a listeriosis illness outbreak. At this time, no confirmed linkage has been made between the products subject to recall and the reported illnesses.''  
Here's the list of Siena meats presently under recall:
  • Cacciatore Salami, Mild,
  • Coppa
  • Prosciuttini
  • Prosciuttini Hot
  • Prosciutto Cotto 
The individually wrapped products have variable weights and a "Best Before" date through June 22, 2010, as well as the establishment number "Est. 212" inside the CFIA mark of inspection. (The original brand and/or best before dates may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages.)

Soft Cheese Listeria Outbreak in Oregon

When it comes to Listeria poisoning, public health officials preach over and over that pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to infection and that their babies are at risk for becoming seriously ill or dying.

In Oregon right now, two women and their babies are victims of a Listeria outbreak that the Oregon Health Authority has associated with Queso Fresco and two other soft cheeses made by a small business in Yakima, Washington.

Health reporter Lynne Terry of the Portland Oregonian newspaper has written that both mothers were hospitalized and that their babies were born with serious illnesses, but no one has died.

A fifth person also has been hospitalized in the outbreak, which was announced Friday in conjunction with a recall of three cheeses made by Queseria Bendita.

 

William Keene, senior epidemiologist with the Oregon Public Health Division, told the newspaper that one mother lives in Clackamas County and the other is in Washington County. Keene said both babies were delivered slightly prematurely because of fetal distress.  

The Oregon Health Authority said in a news release that the Queseria Bendita cheeses under recall are sold primarily at Hispanic specialty markets in the greater Portland and Umatilla County areas, but may have been resold to Mexican restaurants or other outlets. 

The company has ceased production and distribution of its products as the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the company continue their investigations into what caused the problem. 

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is monitoring this outbreak and accepting cases from individuals sickened by Listeria. It can take up to 70 days after eating food contaminated with the bacteria to feel sick. 

 

Infected pregnant women may have only a mild illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn. To talk to a Listeria lawyer at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

 

Kellogg Eggo Plant Got Warning Letter for Contamination and Sanitation Problems

Reuters news agency has reported that an FDA warning letter to Kellogg Company said the company didn't go far enough to address food safety violations at its Atlanta Eggo and frozen food plant.

The January 27 letter arrived after the Georgia Department of Agriculture found Listeria bacteria in Eggo Buttermilk Waffles on August 31. A followup inspection found bacterial contamination and sanitation violations at the plant. The FDA said the Kellogg Eggo plant was cited for improper handling of trash and food and insufficiently sanitized equipment.

The warning letter said Kellogg's response so far had not addressed the violations, but the company told Reuters Tuesday that the violations have all been addressed and the FDA will be notified in a response to the warning letter. The company said it has made food safety enhancements at the plant.
 
FDA inspectors found Listeria on five swabs from around the Atlanta plant. One of those positive swabs came from the wheels of a forklift used in the plant. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the problem, but the bacteria can cause serious illness and death. The organism is especially dangerous to pregnant women. 

Parkers Farm Listeria Recall Expanded

Seven days after announcing a Listeria recall covering a wide variety of its food products, Parkers Farm Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, has expanded the recall to include all date codes on the previously identified foods.

The Parkers Farm recall is a result of a sampling done by the state of Wisconsin and the state of Minnesota which revealed that some finished products contained the bacteria. The state of Minnesota, FDA, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Officials are concerned about Listeria in the company's peanut butter, bagel spreads, cold pack cheese and salsa that it sells under various brands. Click here to see the complete recall product list, but all date codes are now included in the recall. 

 

Unlike most foodborne bacteria, Listeria can multiply while products are stored in refrigerators. The organism is especially harmful to pregnant women, who are more likely to contract it than others. Infection can pass to the fetus and cause stillbirth and miscarriage. 

Listeriosis in pregnant women can be difficult to diagnose. That is why it is important for pregnant women who come down with a fever, especially if it corresponds with flu-like symptoms, to immediately see a doctor and get a blood culture. There is no immunization for Listeriosis.

If you or a loved one has suffered Listeria food poisoning and have legal questions, contact a food safety lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact and information form on the side of this Web page. We will provide a free case consultation based on years of experience.

 

Parkers Farm Listeria Recall

Minnesota-based Parkers Farm Inc. of Coon Rapids is continuing to investigate with the Food and Drug Administration what caused Listeria monocytogenes to contaminate peanut butter, bagel spreads, cold pack cheese and salsa that it sells under various brands.

TheParkers Farm Listeria recall was prompted after the bacteria was found through sampling of finished products by health department officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At this time, no illnesses have been reported.The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the following retail stores: Hy-Vee, CUB, Rainbow, Byerlys Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop rite, Nash Finch, Sam’s Club, Costco, Safeway. 

Unlike most foodborne bacteria, Listeria can multiply while products are stored in refrigerators. The organism is especially harmful to pregnant women, who are more likely to contract it than others. Infection can pass to the fetus and cause stillbirth and miscarriage. 

Listeriosis in pregnant women can be difficult to diagnose. That is why it is important for pregnant women who come down with a fever, especially if it corresponds with flu-like symptoms, to immediately see a doctor and get a blood culture. There is no immunization for Listeriosis.

If you or a loved one has suffered Listeria food poisoning and have legal questions, contact a food safety lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact and information form on the side of this Web page. We will provide a free case consultation based on years of experience in can lead to damage recovery.

Here is the list of products covered in the Parkers Farm Listeria recall:

  • 16 ounce peanut butter in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are creamy, crunchy, honey creamy and honey crunchy with sell by dates between 11/14/2010 and 12/31/2010.
  • 34 ounce peanut butter in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are creamy and crunchy with sell by dates between 8/11/2010 and 9/30/2010.
  • 7 ounce bagel spreads in white plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are garden veggie, wild berry, strawberry, apple cinnamon and honey walnut) with sell by dates between 5/13/2010 and 6/30/2010.
  • 14 ounce dips & spreads in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are jalapeño nacho, pimento and salsa con queso with sell by dates between 8/11/2010 and 9/30/2010.
  • 8 ounce, 12 ounce and 16 ounce cold pack cheese in round or square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, bacon, onion, smoked cheddar, swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine, and swiss & cheddar with sell by dates between 11/14/2010 and 12/31/2010.
  • 16 ounce salsa in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are hot, mild, garlic, black bean and fire roasted with sell by dates between 3/14/2010 and 4/30/2010.

Other labels affected by this recall:

  • 16 ounce Happy Farms Cold Pack Cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and swiss almond with sell by dates between 11/24/2010 and 12/10/2010.
  • 8 ounce Kroger Cold Pack Cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and swiss almond with sell by dates between 11/18/2010 thru 12/15/2010.
  • 8 ounce Central Markets Cold Pack Cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port win and swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates of 12/9/2010
  • 14 oz. Central Markets Salsa Con Queso in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid) with sell by dates of 8/16/2010.
  • 16 oz. Central Markets Salsa in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates of 3/17/2010 thru 3/24/2010.
  • 8 oz. Dutch Farms Cold Pack Cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, swiss almond, horseradish, and swiss & cheddar with sell by dates of 11/16/2010 thru 11/18/2010.

FDA Shutting Down Insanitary New Jersey Cheese Plant for Chronic Listeria

An insanitary cheese plant in New Jersey is being shut down by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for chronic Listeria problems.

According to an FDA news release, the U.S. Department of Justice  has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Quesos Mi Pueblito and two of its officers, Felix Sanchez and Jesus Galvez. The complaint alleges that recent inspections by the FDA and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services found Listeria-contaminated cheese and insanitary conditions at the Passaic company.

Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous human pathogen especially harmful to pregnant women. Unlike many other agents of food poisoning, the organism can grow in refrigerator temperatures and it is found in processed foods like soft cheese, hot dogs and deli meats as well as foods made from unpasteurized milk.

Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis than other healthy adults and the disease can cause stillbirth or miscarriage. Listeria symptoms include stiff neck, muscle soreness, nausea, fever and diarrhea. Pregnant women may have mild flu-like illness.

Families should seek immediate medical care for anyone they think may be ill from Listeria. For legal information, contact a Listeria attorney at Pritzker Olsen 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing a free consultation form on the side of this Web page. We are a national food safety law firm that is a recognized leader in foodborne illness litigation.

The injunction sought by DOJ would stop the company from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations into full compliance with FDA food safety regulations and produce cheese that does not test positive for the presence of Listeria.
 
Quesos Mi Pueblito currently manufactures and distributes a variety of soft, semi-soft, and hard Mexican cheeses in grocery stores and supermarkets in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Among Quesos Mi Pueblito's products are queso oaxaca, queso fresco, queso requeson and queso cotija molido.

Listeria Problem Closes Big Boy Plant

Big Boy Restaurants International of Warren, Michigan, has permanently closed a subsidiary that made ready-to-eat meal kits. The closing comes three months after Big Boy Food Group recalled 39,514 pounds of kids' meals that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

A story in  Crain's Detroit Business quoted the company as saying it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to find the source of contamination. It had been shut down since October 23 in search of a solution. The contamination source was in equipment and It was not economically feasible to correct the problem and resume operations, the story said. 

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall September 1. It covered 3.6-ounce ham & cheese and turkey & cheese DinoLunch and Lunch Buddies meal kits. No illnesses were reported in connection with the recall, which was prompted by FSIS product testing.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria  can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

NY Listeria Smoked Salmon Recall

 A New York fish company has recalled smoked salmon that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during regulatory sampling by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Service Smoked Fish Corp. of Brooklyn, New York, didn't say how much of its Brooklyn's Best brand smoked nova salmon is affected by the recall. But the Listeria salmon recall covers all vacuum-packed 3-ounce, 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce units stamped with any "use-by" date from 12/3/09 through 12/19/09.

The company also said air-packed bulk boxes of the salmon are recalled with lot numbers 060 through 043. The recalled smoked salmon was distributed in greater New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.

Service Smoked Fish Corp. said it has ceased making the product pending investigation.

No illnesses were reported in connection with the Listeria finding, but the bacteria can cause severe illness and is a particular threat to pregnant women. Listeria can cause stillbirth and miscarriage and lead to serious and deadly infections in young children, older adults and others who have weakened immune systems.

Initial Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, stomach paid and diarrhea. If you or a loved one has been sickened by this product, see a physician immediately. For legal information, contact national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our online contact and information form on the side of this web page.

 

 

Ohio Kale Listeria Warning Issued After Positive Test

Kale from a farm in Oxnard, California, tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes when examined by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, prompting the state to issue a health advisory for consumers to avoid a certain batch of the leafy greens.

The potentially contaminated Kale in question comes in 10-ounce bags of branded "Cut n'Clean Greens" from San Miguel Produce Inc. The product has a use-by date of 11/9/2009 and lot code 14398.

The Cincinnati Inquirer newspaper broke the story and the company issued a news release saying only 24 bags fitting the description were shipped to Ohio.

The company says it is conducting its own investigation and that no illnesses have been associated with the product advisory in Ohio.

Listeria is a human pathogen that affects thousands of Americans a year, nearly all from contaminated food. It is associated with infections of the brain and spinal cord that can cause neurological dysfunction or death. Young children, adults over 60 and others with compromised immune systems -- including pregnant women -- are most at risk.

Listeria is known to cause miscarriage or stillbirth and pregnant women, along with children under 4, are most likely to contract the disease.

If you or a loved one have been treated for Listeria and need to know more about your legal rights, call Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8000 (Toll Free) or complete our online information and contact form. We are one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

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Listeria Sandwich Maker Fisher Rex May Have Closed

 A family owned sandwich maker from Raleigh, North Carolina, has stopped production and may have shut down -- at least temporarily -- in the wake of a  Listeria monocytogenes finding by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Fisher Rex Sandwich Co. makes the pre-packaged sandwiches for the regional convenience store industry and for vending machines -- a family business since 1928.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the Fisher Rex recall announcement this week, saying that any sandwich with a 7-digit code, starting with numerals 01, was subject to recall. Sandwiches with five-digit codes were said to be OK. 

The press release said production had ceased while the company worked with health investigators to determine the source of the contamination.

Now Raleigh-Durham television station WRAL is reporting that Fisher Rex is closing, laying off 40 workers.  

Listeriosis, the disease that comes with infection by Listeria, is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people who have weakened immune systems, including some cancer patients. In a Listeria outbreak in Canada last year linked to deli meat made in Toronto, 22 people died.

Pregnant women are more likely to contract Listeriosis and it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.

Public health officials are warning people in the Raleigh Durham area to look for Listeria symptoms, which may include flu-like fever and muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Other symptoms may include stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions.

Contact a physician if you or someone close to you is sick with these symptoms after eating a Fisher Rex sandwich. To protect your legal rights, contact a Listeria lawyer at national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys. We are one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and have collected millions for victims of food poisoning.

For a free case consultation, contact us at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or complete our online contact and information form . Foodborne illness is preventable and Pritzker Olsen has been a consistent voice for extensive reform of the U.S. food safety system, including more inspections of commercial food plants.

 

 

 

 

Listeria Prompts Recall of Baking Classics Nuts

 The Elgin, Illinois, company that makes Baking Classics brand nuts is recalling two products over concerns they could possibly be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In a news release, John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. said no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalls of 2-ounce bags of Baking Classics brand Mr. Topping or 16-ounce bags of Baking Classics brand walnut halves and pieces.

The walnut halves carry item code 03250, with a "Sell-by" date of 9/24/10.

The Nut Topping carry item code 02678, with a "Best by'' date of 9/28/10.

The two items subject to recall were distributed in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes  can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease. The most common manifestation of listeriosis is meningitis, which has symptoms of high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

 

Crack Down on Listeria at Rel's Sandwich Maker

The federal government has taken court action to shut down an Oakland sandwich maker for running a filthy plant that has repeatedly been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous pathogen most likely to hurt young children, older adults and pregnant women.

In conjunction with the enforcement action at Rel's Foods Inc., which sells its ready-to-eat sandwiches to convenience stores, delis, gas stations, liquor stores and other small retail outlets in California and Nevada, the California Department of Public Health has embargoed and seized all products inside the plant.

The permanent injunction filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA requests a permanent injunction against Rel's to stop the company from selling adulterated food.

Tests have found Listeria "numerous times'' at the plant since 2002 and recently the infectious bacteria was found in sandwiches. A press release from the FDA said Rel's has an "extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions.''

Named in the injunction request are owner Peder Scott Sorensen and two managers, Patrick O'Malley and Timothy Ault.

Conditions at the plant include poor sanitation by workers, excessive condensation dripping on food-making surfaces and repeated violations of current good manufacturing requirements.

“Rel's lack of effective measures to bring its food processing operations into compliance with the law poses a serious public health threat,'' said Michael Chappell, FDA's acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can cause fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, including cancer patients. Most likely to get the disease are pregnant women, who may suffer miscarriages or stillbirths as a result of the infection.

No illnesses have been reported, but if you or anyone you know has fallen sick and you have reason to believe it's from a Rel's sandwich, see a physician immediately. To protect your legal rights, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

Our firm has years of experience as a leading advocate for victims of food poisoning and we represent individuals sickened by Listeria, E. coli,  Salmonella, Campylobacter and other infectious disease agents found in contaminated food. For a free case consultation, complete our online Listeria compensation and contact form.

Research Discovers How Listeria Travels Cell to Cell

Researchers from Canada, the United States and Germany have learned howListeria monocytogenes spreads inside a person's body -- a discovery they hope will inform new approaches to keep the foodborne pathogen in check.

According to Exchangemagazine.com, University of Toronto professor Scott Gray-Owen led a team of scientists from his own university, the University of Central Florida and the University of Wurzburg, Germany. They confirmed that Listeria bacteria moves quickly from cell to cell via finger-like structures that push out of one cell to pierce into adjacent cells.

In a previously unknown finding, they discovered that the Listeria bug secretes a protein called InlC -- unique to Listeria -- that softens the junction between cells, making a breach easier. The findings are published in the current issue of Nature Cell Biology. The hope is that this discovery of a novel protein weakening cell walls will lead to new approaches and treatments to impede or block infections caused by Listeria.

In Canada last year, an outbreak of Listeriosis killed 22 people, all elderly. The disease was spread by contaminated deli meat made in Toronto. The deli meat Listeria outbreak showed how devastating the bacteria can be in people who have weakened immune systems. Young children and pregnant women also are more vulnerable to infection from this bacterium. Pregnant women are more likely to become infected than the general population and the disease can cause stillbirth or miscarriage.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen attorneys has represented Listeria victims around the country. The firm has a national reputation for representing victims of food poisoning against major food companies, meat packers, commodities giants, food distributors, corporate farms, restaurants and insurance companies when contaminated food is the vehicle for disease in a family member. The firm has collected tens of millions for victims of all types of food poisoning. To contact a lawyer by phone, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). For a free case consultation via the Internet, complete one of our online forms.

 PritzkerOlsen has been a steadfast advocate for prevention of foodborne illness and has called on many occasions for stronger food safety laws, including a more effective inspection network. Our law firm also supports education initiatives to create public awareness of foodborne illness threats and repeatedly informs consumers of food safe strategies.

Burrito Listeria Recall in Butcher Boy brand

 A ton of individually wrapped burritos -- none of which have individual package coding -- are under Listeria recall by a California food company after the product was shipped to a Minnesota warehouse for further distribution.

The burrito recall, announced Friday, was spurred by the company's own finding of Listeria monocytogenes -- a potentially deadly bacterium in a batch of "Butcher Boy Red Chile Beef and Been Burritos'' made August 3 at the Riverside, California, plant of Windsor Foods.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says it will publish on the internet a list of stores where the burritos were to be sold when the list becomes available. FSIS says it has not received reports of illness associated with the recall.

The Butcher Boy Red Chile Beef and Bean Burritos were shipped frozen in 18-pound bulk cases, each carrying 72 individually wrapped items. The cases are marked with the USDA establishment number EST 1905, package code 1219215 and case code 2080001. Total weight was 2,268 pounds.

If pregnant women consume food contaminated with Listeria, there is potential to cause stillbirth and miscarriage. But if an infection is caught early, antibiotics can potentially keep the baby safe. Although Listeriosis is not as common as other foodborne illnesses, it can be deadly when infections hit small children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems.

For instance, a terrible Listerosis outbreak in Canada last year killed 22 people. The outbreak was caused by contaminated deli meats made in Toronto. The outbreak underscored the reality that Listeria is unlike other pathogens because it can survive and grow in refrigerators, at low temperatures.

If you have symptoms like neck stiffness, nausea and fever, see a doctor. A blood test will confirm if you have Listeriosis. To protect your legal rights against the company or restaurant that made you sick, contact national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

Our firm is one of the few in the nation practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions for victims of food poisoning, including Listeria. To receive a free case consultation, complete one of our online contact forms.

Eggo Waffle Recall Due to Positive Listeria Test

Kellogg Company has temporarily shut down a frozen foods plant in Atlanta after the Georgia Department of Health detected  Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of buttermilk Eggo waffles at the plant.

While no illnesses have been reported, the company recalled certain packs of Eggo Cinnamon Toast waffles (10 count) and Eggo Toaster Swirlz Cinnamon Roll Minis (eight count).

  • The waffles have UPC code 3800040440 with “Best If Used Before” dates beginning with:   NOV22 10 EA, NOV23 10 EA and NOV24 10 EA.
  • The "Toaster Swirlz'' have UPC code 3800023370  with a “Best If Used Before” date beginning with NOV15 10 EA.

A press release issued Wednesday from the Georgia Department of Agriculture said Kellogg's immediately began a program to clean and sanitize the plant. Listeria is an organism that is quite hardy and can withstand freezing temperatures, drying and heat remarkably well.

An infection presents itself with flu-like symptoms, but the onset of illness can range from a few days to three weeks after eating contaminated food. Listeria and pregnancy is a special hazard. The disease has a record of causing miscarriage and stillbirth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are about 2,500 incidents of listeriosis a year in the U.S., including 500 deaths. If you or someone in your family has eaten food contaminated with Listeria and have become sick with blood poisoning, meningitis or other illness, you may be feeling shocked an confused.

If you want to talk about Listeria with an attorney, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), or fill in our online consultation form.  

Listeria Prompts Recall of Kids' Meal Kits

A finding of Listeria monocytogenes in kids' ready-to-eat meal kits has prompted the recall of certain Dinolunch and Lunch Buddies brand food packages.

The recall affects 39,514 pounds of product made by Big Boy Food Group of Warren, Michigan. The positive test for Listeria was made by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. As of now, the agency has not received any reports of illness in connection with the meal kits.

Listeria is an organism than can cause serious illness and death. It poses a special risk to women who are pregnant because Listeriosis can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. A Listeria outbreak in Canada last year killed more than 20 people.

The FSIS press release on the Big Boy outbreak identified the following items as subject to the recall. They are all 3.6-ounce in size.

  • Lunch Buddies Ham and Cheese. Each package bears the USDA establishment number EST 4205. Sell by/ Use by date of October 24, 2009.
  • Lunch Buddies Turkey and Cheese. Each package bears the establishment number P - 4205. Sell by/ Use by date of October 24, 2009.
  • Dinolunch Carnivore Ham & Cheese. Each package bears the establishment number EST 4205. Sell by/ Use by date of October 24, 2009.
  • Dinolunch T-Rex Turkey and Cheese. Each package bears the establishment number   P - 4205. Sell by/ Use by date of October 24, 2009.

The Dinolunch items were made August 25 for distribution in Texas. The Lunch Buddies line was also produced August 25, but for distribution in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

If you have a sick child who consumed a recalled meal kit, see a doctor immediately. Listeria symptoms include flu-like fever and muscle aches, upset stomach and diarrhea; stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions; flu-like symptoms in pregnant women.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys has represented Listeria victims and is one of the country's leading practitioners of foodborne illness litigation. For more information about your legal rights when you have contracted Listeria from contaminated food, call our firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). To receive a free case consultation, complete one of our online contact forms.  

Beef Brisket Listeria Recall at Texas Company

A Texas company has recalled 207 pounds of smoked and fully cooked beef brisket that was distributed to Department of Defense commissaries in Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The product was made August 11 by Lone Star Brisket Co. of Thorndale, Texas. Routine testing by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) detected Listeria monocytogenes, which prompted the recall. The FSIS said it has not received any complaints of illness related to the recalled products.

The product under recall is called Texas Star Meat Co. Smoked Beef Brisket fully cooked (and sliced). They come in two- to three-pound individually wrapped packages with Establishment Number 27340 stamped on the USDA mark of inspection.

Listeria monocytogenes occurs in food less often than other pathogens, but its consequences can be severe. Young children, the elderly and others who have compromised immune systems can suffer infections that lead to death. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriage and stillbirth in women who are pregnant.

If you or someone you know has become sick after eating brisket recalled by Lonestar, see a physician immediately. National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys has represented Listeria victims and has years of experience representing victims of all types of food poisoning. Our firm has collected tens of millions from companies that have sickened people with adulterated and contaminated food.

For more information or to talk to a Listeria attorney, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). To receive a free case consultation via the Internet, complete one of our forms online.  

Another Soft Cheese Listeria Warning

There have been numerous warnings lately about Mexican-style soft cheeses that may be contaminated with various different food bugs -- none of which should be taken lightly. The latest caution is a recall notice citing the possibility of Listeria monocytogenes in a Quesos Mi Pueblito product made in Passiac, N.J.

The Food and Drug Administration issued the company's press release, saying 14-ounce packages of Quesos Mi Pueblito Queso Fresco cheese may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The packages being recalled have a sell-by date of Sept. 8, 2009 and a UPC code of 2407710025.

No illnesses have been associated with the product, but a routine check taken by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services found contamination in a tested sample.

Quesos Mi Pueblito says the product is distributed to retail stores and wholesalers in New Jersey, New York City, Virginia and Delaware.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys has represented people who were infected by Listeria monocytogenes from adulterated food. An outbreak of Listeriosis in Canada last year killed 22 people. The bacterium can cause acute symptoms of diarrhea, sharp stomach pain, nausea, severe headache and fever.

Healthy adults often can overcome the disease with no treatment, but it can cause serious illness and death in small children, the elderly and others who have weakened immune systems. Listeria in Pregnant women  poses a special risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

If you've become ill after eating Latin-style soft cheeses, including those sold by vendors in parking lots and streets, see a doctor immediately. Listeria infection is uncommon, but it is one of the deadliest forms of food poisoning and symptoms may not hit a person for 70 hours after ingestion.

If you or a loved one has been seriously sickened by Listeria or other foodborne illness, Pritzker Olsen will provide you a free case consultation via the Internet, if you submit our online form to our attorneys. We can also be reached by phone at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

Our law firm has collection millions on behalf of food poisoning victims and their families and we have been sought after as public speakers for our well-known public criticism of a U.S. food safety system that continually imperils people with contamination  that is preventable.

Agencies To Meet With Public on Listeria

Little is known about how Listeria monocytogenes occurs in retail facilities. That's why the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is teaming up with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a risk assessment of the problem.

A public meeting is set for June 23 in Washington to discuss the scope and objectives of the project, which will focus on retail handling of cheeses, ready-to-eat meats and deli-type salads. It is assumed that certain retail practices may result in either cross-contamination from one product to another or through contamination from the retail environment itself.

The goal is to identify the hazards and devise interventions to control the pathogen.

Listeria monocytogenes killed 22 people in Canada last year in a major infectious disease outbreak caused by ready-to-eat deli meat made in Toronto. The organism causes Listeriosis, a disease that starts with flu-like symptoms and can sometimes bring on loss of balance, severe headaches, confusion or convulsions.

With Listeriosis, the onset of illness after consumption of contaminated food can take three weeks. Healthy adults rarely require medical treatment for infections, but Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous health threat to pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria in pregnant women can cause stillbirth and miscarriage.

If your or someone you know has contracted Listeria monocytogenes, our law firm, PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is one of the few in the country that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.  To contact a Listeria lawyer at our firm, call 1-800-377-8900 (Toll Free) or write to us online for a free case consultation. We have years of experience and prove success, collecting tens of million for victims of Listeria and other  types of food poisoning.

The public meeting in Washington regarding a risk assessment for Listeria at the retail level will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024. Pre-registration is encouraged, with details availble in the FSIS press release.

CDC: Listeria Outbreak Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts

At the same time federal health officials investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul caused by alfalfa sprouts, they also are probing a sprouts-related outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes .

The Salmonella outbreak, with 31 confirmed illnesses in 6 states, has garned most of the publicity. In fact, all that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said about the Listeria outbreak is contained in a press release about the sprouts-related Salmonella outbreak.

 "CDC is also currently working with public health officials in several states and FDA to investigate an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked with eating alfalfa sprouts,'' the press release said.

The CDC did not say if the Listeria outbreak is associated with any specific product recalls, but a Connecticut company -- Amalgamated Produce Inc. of Bridgeport -- announced a recall on April 9. The recall was spurred by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets' finding of Listeria contamination in sprouts from a random sample.

Amalgamated sells sprouts under label names including Specialty Farms, Vermont Sprout House, Nature's Promise and Brocco Sprouts in 11 northeastern states. Last week, the company expanded its sprouts recall to include four-ounce containers of Specialty Farms Organic Crunchy Sprouts or Organic Crunchy Pea Mix, also over Listeria concerns.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen currently is representing individuals sickened by sprouts contaminated with Salmonella. The firm, which is involved in practically all major outbreaks of foodborne illness, also is experienced in Listeria cases. The bacteria is potentially deadly for young children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems. Listeria also is a threat to pregnant women, sometimes causing miscarriage and still birth.

If you or someone you know wants to consult with an attorney about a possible claim, contact a Listeria lawyer at PritzkerOlsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or completing a free online case consultation.

Over the years, Pritzker Olsen has collected large sums on behalf of people injured or killed by adulterated food. Founder and president Fred Pritzker, along with the firm's other lawyers, are frequent guests and commentators about food safety issues and have been interviewed by and profiled in a number of media sources including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and CNN.

Listeria Advisory Issued for 'Simply Potatoes'

 A finding of Listeria monocytogenes in a test sample of refrigerated "Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns'' prompted the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on Friday to issue a consumer advisory.

The agency said in a press release that no illnesses have been associated with the product, but the food company that makes the potatoes issued a voluntary recall including some related products. The affected products, listed here by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, have "use by'' dates of March 29, 2009, to April 3, 2009.

 

  • Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns, 20 oz bag, UPC 20169-22233
  • Simply Potatoes Southwest Style Hash Browns, 20 oz bag, 20169-22236
  • Simply Potatoes Homestyle Slices, 20 oz bag, 20169-22237
  • Simply Potatoes Red Potato Wedges, 20 oz bag, 20169-22238
  • Diners Choice Shredded Hash Browns, 2 lb bag, 20169-22223
  • Farm Fresh Shredded Hash Browns, 16 oz bag, 20169-22533

The maker is Northern Star Co., a subsidiary of Minnetonka, Minnesota,-based Michael Foods Co.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease marked by fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis, but it can cause fatal infections in high-risk groups such as infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Listeria Concern Triggers Large Recall of Bacon Bits

A 120-year-old Wisconsin company is recalling 3,590 pounds of bacon bits that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced late Saturday.

The smoked, pre-cooked bacon bits were made by Patrick Cudahy of Cudahy, Wisconsin, on Nov. 13. They were distributed in 10-pound cases to restaurant and other institutional food accounts in California, Colorado, Florida, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, the FSIS said.

The agency said no reports of illnesses have been associated with consumption of the prouducts. The pathogen was detected by in-house testing at one of the establishments that received the product.

According to the FSIS, the following products are subject to recall:

  • 10-pound cases of "Golden Crisp APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TOPPINGS." The products bear the establishment number of "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."
  • 10-pound cases of  "John Morrell APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TIPPINGS."  The products bear the establishment number "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."

Here are the product labels:

Consumption of food containing Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal disease that rarely occurs in healthy people. The young, old and immuno-compromised are at risk for contracting the disease. Listeria also can lead to stillbirth and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.

Listeria Concern Prompts Burrito Recall

Burritos made in Denver and sold at retail convenience stores on Dec. 24 and 25 have been recalled by the maker after tests by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) determined they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The FSIS said in a press release that Home Fresh Sandwich Distributors Inc. of Denver is recalling 172 pounds of the 5.3-ounce packages, which were produced Dec. 23. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall, but consumption of food containing Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease.

The FSIS said the recall pertains to 5.3-ounce packages of "7- ELEVEN Fresh to Go BURRITO WITH POTATOES, BACON, EGGS, & MONTEREY JACK CHEESE" with a "Best By" date of "Thursday 1225." The products bear the establishment number "EST. 19496" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

 Symptoms of infection by Listeria monocytogenes include severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis, but infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems can be at risk for infection. In addition, pregnant women who eat food contaminated by the bacteria are at risk for stillbirth and miscarriage.

St. Louis Meat Company Recalls Sausage

Routine testing found Listeria monocytogenes at a St. Louis sausage shop, prompting a recall on Christmas Day of 750 pounds of product sold over the shop's retail counter in unmarked butcher paper. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service detected the bacteria and announced the recall of 750 pounds of various sizes of Krakow sausage from T. Piekutowski European Style Saugage.

The potentially tainted sausage was made Dec. 18 and would have been purchased by consumers on the 18th and 19th, the press release said. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall.

The custom-wrappped packages contain no USDA inspection label.

Consumption of food contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially deadly disease. Symptomsare flu-like and include high fever, neck stiffness, nausea and severe headache. Listeria can cause stillbirth and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Ohio Firm Recalls Sausage in Response to Listeria

One-pound packages of Sopressata mild sausage may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and are being recalled by DeNiro Cheese of Youngstown, Ohio, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said late Friday.

The sausage, made in Canada and distributed to a single specialty retailer in Boardman, Ohio, showed positive for Listeria monocytogenes in routine microbiological testing by FSIS. The agency said it has received no reports of illness in relation to the recall.

According to the FSIS, the sausage was produced Oct. 9, was stamped with a use-by date of 7/09/09, carried a product code of 91009 and was labeled with a Canadian mark of inspection with the code 476A inside the mark.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria can cause Listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially deadly disease. Young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are most vulnerable. Infections in pregnant women can cause stillbirth and miscarriage. The pathogen can cause high fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness and nausea.

Consumers with questions about the recall should call President Greg DeNiro at 330-746-6011.

Listeria Prompts Company To Suspend Production

A Framingham, Mass., food company has suspended manufacturing of its imitation cream cheese and imitation peanut butter as it investigates what caused Listeria monocytogenes to contaminate a test sample. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in news release that Cambrooke Foods LLC also is recalling all batches of the imitation cream cheese and "Peanot Butter'' from distributors' shelves and consumers' kitchens.

The company said Listeria bacteria was found in random testing at its Randolph, Mass., plant before shipment. The recalls are precautionary and not related to any outbreak of illness, according to the news release.

The FDA press release said the following Cambrooke products should be discarded:

  • Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese
  • Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese
  • Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese
  • Low Protein Peanot Butter

The products are sold to consumers who have special dietary needs. The company said it has ceased production and distribution of the products while it investigates the Listeria problem with the FDA.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. The bacteria also can cause still birth and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Pritzker Law is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli poisoning and other foodborne illnesses. For more information, visit http://www/pritzkerlaw.com or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202. The firm's offices are at Plaza VII, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.

Listeria Test Prompts Sandwich Recall

A Massachusetts company has recalled 5,250 pounds of "Blimpie" ready-to-eat frozen beef sandwich portions because they may be contaminated with Llisteria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced late Friday.

 FSIS said it has received no reports of illnesses in connection with the sandwiches and that the bacteria was detected through testing by the manufacturer, Home Market Foods Inc. of Norwood, Mass.

The recall applies to 3.5-ounce, individually wrapped "Blimpie fully cooked seasoned beef shaved steaks thinkly sliced with onions'' made Nov. 14, 17, 18 and 20th and distributed to retail outlets in the Atlanta metro area, California, Florida, Illinois and New York.

Each label bears the establishment number "2727" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The corresponding Julian date codes are "3198," "3228," and "3238.''

Initial symptoms of listeriosis are usually flu-like. Because most people are resistant to the illness and contamination is relatively rare, listeriosis is uncommon. However, certain populations are much more susceptible to infection, and of the 1,000 to 2,500 people who are infected each year in the U.S,, 25 percent die as a result of the infection. 

Listeriosis also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Listeria outbreaks are most commonly associated with ready-to-eat meat foods, including hot dogs and sandwiches. 

Listeria in Hot Dogs Prompts Recall

More than 28,000 pounds of hot dogs made in Alabama are being recalled by the manufacturer after regulatory testing found the meat products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was announced Saturday, Nov. 8, by the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) after the problem was discovered by the Georgia State Department of Agriculture. The FSIS said it has not received any reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the hot dogs, which were made Sept. 22 by R.L. Zeigler Co. Inc. of Selma

According to the USDA, the packages were sold to wholesale and retail outlets in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. 

Listeria monocytogenes is bacteria that  can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in infants, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Listeriosis in pregnant woman  can cause miscarriage and  stillbirths.

The recall covers certain packages of Zeigler brand hot dogs, skinless weiners, jumbo franks and "par-ti pups.''

A complete list of the recalled items, including packaging codes, is listed on the FSIS website.

  

Ohio Confirms Contaminated Sandwich

Capitol Blog reports that the Ohio Department of Agriculture has confirmed a contaminated submarine sandwich with Listeria monocytogenes.  The sandwich was discovered at a Circle K store in Willoughby, Ohio.  Although the sandwich tested positive for Listeria, there have been no illnesses associated with that particular sandwich or any others at this point.

An inspector from the Ohio Department of Agriculture took a sample of an American Submarine from the store on August 18, which then tested positive for the bacteria. Circle K’s sandwich provider was found to be Landshire, Inc. which is located in Bellville, Illinois.  Since the sandwich was confirmed to have Listeria, Landshire, Inc. has requested that all stores remove American Submarines from shelves.

Listeria can be a very dangerous bacterium, especially for young children and the elderly, as well as those with weak immune systems.  Listeria can sometimes be fatal, but also includes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths when infecting pregnant women.

 

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Massachusetts Roller Sandwich Recall

A Massachusetts Department of Public Health press release warns consumers about a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready-to-eat roller sandwiches produced by DBC, Inc. (also known as World Class Canapes, Inc.). The sandwiches were distributed to Roche Brothers and Sudbury Farms stores in Massachusetts.

The sandwiches were marked as “Progressive Gourmet Buffalo Chicken Roller Sandwich,” “Progressive Gourmet Chicken Caesar Roller Sandwich,” and “Progressive Gourmet Honey Turkey with Baby Spinach Roller Sandwich.”  The sandwiches were produced on July 30, and it is unlikely they remain for sale in retail stores.  The sandwiches may have been repackaged in stores or used by caterers, thus bearing no labels.

Listeriosis can be dangerous, even deadly, for those with weakened immune symptoms. Those who are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis should seek medical attention immediately.  No illnesses have been reported associated with this recall. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is also working with the USDA to find the source of contamination at the production facility.

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Vita Nova Salmon Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Vita Food Products, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois has notified the public that twelve individual packages of Vita Nova Salmon, were sold at Kroger stores in Houston, Texas on or after July 22 of this year may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In addition, 192 individual packages of this same product have either possibly been sold or are being offered for sale at various grocery stores in the Avenol, New Jersey metropolitan area.

The product that is the subject of this public announcement and recall are packages (deep dark blue in color) of smoked salmon that bear the Vita logo in the upper left corner on the part of the packaging that is immediately visible to the consumer. Each package contains 4-10 bacon-style slices (total 3 oz.) of smoked salmon; the slices are contained in a vacuum pack within a box that is 4" wide by 7.5 " in length by 1/2 " in thickness. IMPORTANT: The Code Date of 11/16/08 198 is on the left end flap of each package. This announcement and recall only applies to packages that bear that CODE DATE.

According to the Vita Food Products press release, "To date, no confirmed illnesses or complaints have been reported by customers." Because the incubation period for Listeria is generally 3 weeks and can be as long as 70 days, no one would have been sickened yet. Everyone who ate some of the Salmon should watch for Listeria symptoms

Pregnant women who consumed any of the Vita Nova Salmon in question should watch for mild, flu-like symptoms. Pregnant women who contract Listeria infections usually do not become seriously ill, but they often have miscarriages, still births and early deliveries. Read Listeria miscarriage information.


Smoked Salmon Warning in Houston

Kroger customers in the Houston, Texas area are being warned about packaged salmon.  Vita Nova says that 12 packages of smoked salmon sold since July 22 may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the Houston Chronicle, the recalled product is dark blue packages of smoked salmon that bear the “Vita” logo.  The packages contain 3 ounces of bacon-style slices of smoked salmon.  The affected products bear a code date of Nov. 16, 2008 on the left end flap. There have been no confirmed cases of listeriosis associated with this product.

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Samolux Smoked Salmon Nova Lox Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Salmolux Inc. of Federal Way, Washington has recalled lot # 01418 of its Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Nova Lox sold in 3 ounce packages due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

After routine testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Listeria monocytogenes was found in 3 ounce packages of Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Nova Lox.

The recalled lot # 01418 of Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Nova Lox was distributed in Arizona, California, and Nevada, in Von's retail outlets and to Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia in Food Lion retail outlets.

The product comes in a 3 ounce, blue package marked with lot # 01418 on its rear white label bearing the name of the product, its ingredients, and an expiration date.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

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Fresca Italia Recalls Burrata Cheese Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Fresca Italia of Brisbane, CA is recalling Burrata, a type of cheese, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This product was distributed in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California in retail stores and restaurants.

This product weighs approximately 8.8oz and is packaged in a white and green plastic wrapper with the manufacturer’s name, "Caseificio Voglie di Latte" and the product name "Burrata." ALL LOT CODES AND EXPIRATION DATES from this manufacturer are subject to recall. Previously, the only batch subject to the recall will be labeled with the expiration date of 24/5/2008. The following quantities were distributed:

  • 606 lbs with the Lot Code 24/5/2008
  • 661 lbs with the Lot Code 31/5/2008
  • 490 lbs with the Lot Code 07/06/2008

The recall is the result of survey sampling by the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture which revealed that the product in question contained Listeria. Fresca Italia has immediately halted further distribution. Positive results for Listeria were found in other lots of the product by the Food and Drug Administration.

Our lawyers have recovered millions for people sickened by food contaminated with Listeria and the families of people who died after eating food contaminated with Listeria. Contact us about liability, money damages and other Listeria lawsuit issues. Please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers or submit our free case consultation form.

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Cecina Los Amigos Pork Sausage Recall

Cecina Los Amigos of Carson, California is voluntarily recalling approximately 290 pounds of pork blood sausages due to possible contamination with the Listeria monocytogenes.

The following product is being recalled:
  • 10-pound vacuum-sealed packages of "Cecina Los Amigos Pork Blood Sausage (Moronga)."  The label bears the establishment number "EST. 21654" inside3 the USDA mark of inspection.  
The pork blood sausages were produced on May 14, 2008 and were sent to retail establishments in northern California.  Possible contamination was found during routine FSIS testing.  No illnesses have been reported. 

Ingestion of Listeria can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal disease.  Listeriosis is especially dangerous for pregant women as it can lead to miscarriages and stillbriths.  It also carries greater risk among young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems such as persons with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy.  Symptoms of listeriosis include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, confusion and convulsions. 

If you have consumed recalled pork blood sausages and are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis, please go to an emergency room immediately. 
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Kernel Corn Recalled, Listeria Contamination

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Supreme Cuts LLC has announced a voluntary recall of its “Off the Cob Fresh Kernel Corn” due to a contamination of Listeria monocytognes.  The product comes in 12 oz. clear plastic bags. The affected products also have a “Best if Used By” date of May 26, 2008 and bear Lot #5343.  Other packages of the corn with different dates and lot numbers are not affected by the Listeria contamination (US Recall News).

Supreme Cuts produced 87 cases of the affected product which were distributed to a limited number of stores in New Jersey and Massachusetts. All retailers were notified of the recall. The packaging says to cook the raw corn, which will eliminate the Listeria, but due to risk of undercooking or contaminating other foods, it is recommended that the product be discarded.

Listeriosis can be very dangerous and even fatal. No illnesses have been reported that relate to the Supreme Cuts product, but any symptoms should be reported immediately to a health professional.  Supreme Cuts has halted production of its Kernel Corn so that the source of contamination may be identified.  All of their products are produced independently of each other, so no other products from Supreme Cuts are affected by this recall.

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Pork Blood Sausage Recall: Products Distributed in Northern California

USDA-FSIS has announced a pork blood sausage recall due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Cecina Los Amigos, a Carson, California firm, is recalling about 290 pounds of pork blood sausages described as follows:

10-pound vacuum-sealed packages of “CECINA LOS AMIGOS PORK BLOOD SAUSAGE (MORONGA).” The label bears the establishment number “EST. 21653” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
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According to the recall announcement, the pork blood sausages were produced on May 14, 2008 and were distributed to retail establishments in northern California.

The Listeria problem was discovered by routine FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of products subject to this recall.

Because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days (median incubation period 3 weeks), anyone who has eaten the pork blood sausage subject to this recall should watch for Listeria symptoms and immediately seek medical attention if symptoms appear.

To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), e-mail our lawyers or submit our free case consultation form.

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Sweetwater Valley Farm Cheese Recalled Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria

Yet another Listeria recall this month. Sweetwater Valley Farm, Inc. of Philadelphia, Tennessee has recalled Tennessee Aged Black Pepper Cheese.  The recalled Tennessee Aged Black Pepper Cheese is Lot Number 616-361 (consumers check the lot number on your Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese to see if it is part of the recall). The recalled cheese was distributed in 5, 7, and 10 ounce bars through The Sweetwater Valley Farm retail store in Philadelphia, Tennessee and a Winery in Portland, Tennessee. 

Although less than 100 pounds of recalled cheese was distributed, this is still a serious recall. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious injury or death, and it is particularly dangerous for the elderly, the immunocompromised and unborn children. Many of the documented cases of Listeria involve pregnant women who have lost an unborn child (or newly born child) who was infected with the pathogen.  Read about Listeria miscarriage.

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The recalled Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese was distributed between December 27, 2007 and May 12, 2008. No illnesses have been reported, which does not mean that no one has been sickened or that no one will become sickened. CDC estimates that most cases of Listeria are not reported. Also, the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, making finding the source of a case of listeriosis (Listeria infection) extremely difficult.   

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the distribution of this lot as the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

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Listeria Recalls Cause for Concern

This month there have been at least three recalls of food products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death. Listeria contamination almost always involves ready-to-eat products, which are marketed as not needing to be cooked by the consumer. This means there is no opportunity for destruction of the pathogen with heat prior to consumption. 

Below are the food products that have been recalled in May due to possible Listeria contamination. Please feel free to pass on this information.

  • Bright Water Smoked Salmon & Cheese Spread
    salmon-spread.jpg Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced today that Georgia Department of Agriculture food scientists have found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Bright Water Smoked Salmon & Cheese Spread. The contamination was found in a seven-ounce package marked BEST BY 060608.  The UPC code is 1971100073. The spread is manufactured by Bright Water Seafoods, LLC, of Charlotte, N.C.  28217.  The contamination was discovered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture as part of its sampling program. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has notified the FDA, and we expect to see an announcement on the FDA site within the next few days.
  • R&R Alsatian Beef Jerky Recall
    beef-jerky.jpgThe Texas Department of State Health Services has announced that R&R Alsatian Sausage and Products is recalling beef jerky sold in bulk quantities at its Castroville location on April 25 and later due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  Texas Department of State Health Services laboratory testing detected Listeria monocytogenes in samples of the beef jerky.  The testing was done as part of a routine state inspection.
  • Gourmet Boutique Recall - Chicken Salad and Wraps
    chicken-wrap.jpg Gourmet Boutique, L.L.C., a Jamaica, New York firm, has recalled approximately 286,320 pounds of fresh and frozen meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Read more about the Gourmet Boutique recall (includes a long list of products).

     

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Listeria May Play a Role in the Fight Against Cancer

Listeria, an often-fatal foodborne pathogen, may be useful in the fight against cancer. According to research done by Advaxis Inc., a live Listeria cancer vaccine, Lovaxin C, may have helped 15 women with advanced cervical cancer:

“We are using Listeria to deliver tumor-specific antigens to the immune system in a manner that we feel results in maximal immune and tumor-clearing response,” said John Rothman, PhD, vice president of clinical development at Advaxis, which is developing Lovaxin C.

The trial included 15 women with progressive, recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. All patients had failed chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. The women had metastatic disease and most were stage IVb.

Listeria monocytogenes infects antigen presenting cells (APCs) — “a very special piece of immune real estate,” Rothman said. These cells instruct the immune system what to attack. Listeria thrives within APCs and Advaxis’ Lovaxin vaccines have the ability to direct a strong immune attack against whatever tumor target is bioengineered into the vaccine. Lovaxin C is engineered as a therapy for people who have cancer caused by HPV.

“We bioengineer Listeria both to attenuate it and to cause it to secrete a tumor-specific antigen fused to a listerial protein, which makes it more effective than Listeria that just secretes the tumor antigen,” Rothman said. “By doing this we focus a very strong immune attack against the antigen in question, which is typically specific to a tumor.

“What we’re doing is taking advantage of millennia of evolution that enabled Listeria to infect human immune systems, and an equal amount of evolution that enables humans to get rid of Listeria once this occurs. We are then co-opting and redirecting all of these complex immune responses and targeting them against cancer,” Rothman said.

The above quote is from an Advaxis press release.  At the bottom of the press release it states, "At the time of this writing, 6 of 13 patients evaluable for efficacy are still alive."  (Reality check: Clinical studies aren't about drugs; they are about people.) We hope additional research and development will produce a cure for this deadly cancer.

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Chang Farm Soy Sprouts Recall

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is alerting customers to a Chang Farm Soy Sprouts recall.  The voluntary recall by Chang Farm involves Chang Farm Brand 12oz packages of Soy Sprouts with a sell-by date of April 19, 2008 and a UPC code of 00 29899 0100.

The product is being recalled because of the possible presence of Listeria bacteria.  Contamination with Listeria in food such as sprouts represents a significant danger to public health.

According to a Stop & Shop press release, upon being notified of the recall, Stop & Shop immediately removed from its shelves the affected product.

Do not eat the recalled Chang Farm Soy Sprouts. Listeria infections can be fatal, particularly for unborn babies, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

If you are diagnosed with listeriosis, contact a Listeria lawyer at our law firm.  We have recently obtained a significant recovery in a Listeria case.  An attorney at our office would be happy to discuss our experience with Listeria lawsuits and your case.  To contact an attorney, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), e-mail our lawyers or submit our free case consultation form.

Information on Stop & Shop from their press release:
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, based in Quincy, Massachusetts,
employs more than 59,000 associates and operates 389 stores throughout
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York
and New Jersey.
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Piney Ridge Dairy Milk Recall and Duncan Farm Milk Recall in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department is urging consumers who purchased raw milk from the following dairy farms anytime after March 10 to discard the milk immediately due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes:
  1. Piney Ridge dairy farm in New Bethlehem, Clarion County
  2. Clark and Elaine Duncan's farm in Meadville, Crawford Count
Pennsylvania farms selling raw milk must be permitted and inspected to reduce health risks associated with the unpasteurized products. In 2007, a previous case of Listeria monocytogenes was found at Piney Ridge dairy.

Glass-of-Milk.jpg"During routine testing, samples taken at the dairies tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes," said Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary. "If consumers have raw milk from these farms, they should discard it immediately."

If you suspect that someone has been sickened by the recalled Piney Ridge Dairy milk or Duncan Farm milk, you should not discard of the milk until you have contacted an experienced Listeria attorney.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has suspended sales of raw milk at the dairies and is requiring corrective action be taken. Samples were taken from the farms on March 31; they tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes on April 4. Multiple laboratory samples must test negative before sales can resume.

No illnesses have been reported as a result of the potential contamination, but if people who consumed the raw milk become ill, they should consult their physicians.  Symptoms of listeriosis are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Symptoms of listeriosis can appear in four days to three weeks.  And symptoms can take as long as 70 days to appear in rare cases.  This makes tracking a Listeria outbreak extremely difficult.
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Listeria Contamination in Pennsylvania Raw Milk

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has warned consumers to discard raw milk purchased from Fisher’s Dairy Farm in Portersville, PA due to a high risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The dairy’s permit to sell raw milk was revoked in 2006, but state inspectors purchased raw milk from the dairy on March 6. Samples taken from the milk tested positive for Listeria four days later. Symptoms related to Listeria can be quite severe, resulting in death and miscarriage. No illnesses have been reported in this case.

Listeria Causes Recall by Three Companies

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The contamination of Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice due to Listeria has led to recalls by three major companies.  Costco Wholesale is recalling 10,368 pounds of the frozen entrees, Inovata Foods is recalling 3,780 pounds, and Meijer Distribution Center is recalling 2,184 pounds.

All of the recalled products contain the following information:

12-ounce packages of “Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice.” Each package bears the Canadian establishment number “Est. 302” inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a “Best By” date of “12 18 08.”

Meijer Recalls Chicken Entrees

The USDA’s FSIS has announced the voluntarily recall of chicken entrees by Meijer Distribution Center of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The recall involves approximately 2,184 pounds of the frozen entrees due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall is related to Costco Wholesale’s voluntarily recall of the same product.

The recalled product is described as follows:

12-ounce packages of “Discover Cuisine ™ Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice.” Each package bears the Canadian establishment number “Est. 302” inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a “Best By” date of “12 18 08.”

The entrees were produced on October 18, 2007 and were made available to distributors and retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. FSIS discovered the possible contamination through a microbiological sampling.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

No illnesses have been reported due to this recall.

Costco Recall Involves Frozen Chicken Entrees Produced in October 2007

Costco Wholesale, a Washington firm, has recalled approximately 10,368 pounds of frozen chicken entrées that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Costco recall announcement.

chicken-recall-listeria.jpg The following product is subject to recall:

Four-pack of 12-ounce packages of "Discover Cuisine ™ Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice." Each package bears the Canadian establishment number "Est. 302" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a "Best By" date of "12 18 08." The item number "2880" also appears by the UPC code on the package.

The frozen chicken entrées were produced on Oct. 18, 2007, and were sent to retail establishments in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has conducted a regulatory microbiological testing program on poultry products since 1983.
When FSIS analysis finds a positive sample, any product represented by that sample must be reprocessed or destroyed. If all product implicated by a positive laboratory result is not under the establishment's control, as in this case, then “steps must be taken by the producing establishment to remove adulterated product from distribution channels and/or commerce, which may entail a voluntary recall” (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Micro_Testing_RTE/index.asp).

Our question with regard to this recall and the related recall by Meijer Distribution Center, a Michigan firm, is why it over 4 months after the production of the recalled frozen chicken entries for the companies to voluntarily recall the products. Most of these products are conveniently already eaten.

How Epidemiologists Uncovered the Massachusetts Listeria Outbreak

listeria-dna-fingerprinting.jpgThe Listeria outbreak linked to Whittier Farms milk took the lives of 4 people, 3 elderly men and an unborn baby. A recent article in the Worcester Telegram provides a look at how epidemiologists (infectious disease “detectives”) at the Massachusetts public health laboratory uncovered the source of the outbreak using DNA fingerprinting:

State health workers had little to go on when they began their investigations in November, and no idea that a sample of pasteurized milk would eventually be tied to an outbreak lasting at least six months and involving three counties.

. . . Health officials said their first evidence of an outbreak also wound up breaking the case. That happened in November when the family of an elderly man who had fallen ill told hospital officials he may have consumed unpasteurized apple cider purchased at a farm stand in Norfolk County. Hospital staff advised the family to bring the cider to local health officials. The family brought in both the cider and a bottle of coffee-flavored milk purchased at the same stand. The local health agent sent the samples on to the state lab.

. . . To track down the bacterial culprits, epidemiologists began work on the fourth floor of the state lab. The organisms that are cultured from the milk and cider samples are put in a solution, which is heated up to release DNA, according to Dr. Linda Han, director of the lab’s Division of Microbiology. The DNA is placed in a dish with gel to sit for a day. The gel-encased DNA then is cut up by enzymes, a process that takes about two hours.

Next, the DNA was placed in a four-sided GEL DOC 2000, a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) machine, to obtain a genetic fingerprint. Over 20 hours, the machine sent alternate electrical pulses to the DNA, one side at a time. The ultraviolet light made the DNA “glow,” and a specialized software program photographed the deadly bacteria’s unique “barcodes.” The barcodes — or fingerprints — were uploaded into a computer, and laboratorians (laboratory analysts, technicians and scientists) then see whether they matched other genetic profiles already in the system.

. . . Officials were amazed when they discovered that the fingerprint of listeria bacteria in the milk sample provided by the patient’s family exactly matched the fingerprint of listeria found in a milk sample taken from the Whittier bottling plant.

While epidemiologists were required to go back 120 days to see whether there were any other genetic matches, they looked back several months more than that, and determined there were matches with four other patterns in their database.

We commend the epidemiologists and others who uncovered the source of this outbreak and went beyond what was required to find victims from as far back as June of 2007. Our experience is that knowing the source of a loved ones illness gives the families some closure and aids in the healing process. To contact a lawyer about a Listeria lawsuit, please call our firm toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.

Minnesota Bratwurst Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

bratwurst.jpgThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture has advised consumers to avoid smoked pork and beef bratwurst produced by J&B Meats of Barnesville, Minnesota, with the lot number PBB30306, and Minnesota State Establishment Number 1198.  The recalled beef and pork bratwurst may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The bratwurst was sold at the J&B Meats retail store in Barnesville.  The contamination was found during a routine test, and the Department of Agriculture has not reported any related illnesses.  Because some of the sausages were frozen when sold, it is possible for Listeria cases associated with the recalled bratwurst to surface months from now.

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FDA Changes Listeria Policy On Certain RTE Foods

listeria-bacteria-2.jpgThe FDA will be revising policy regulations on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods to distinguish between RTE foods that support Listeria growth and those that do not.  Currently there is a “zero tolerance” standard for all RTE foods, allowing zero colony forming units per gram of food (cfu/g).  The new standard will allow RTE foods that do not support Listeria growth to have 100 cfu/g of food.

The FDA will be publishing a Compliance Policy Guide which will define RTE foods that do not support Listeria growth according to the following criteria:

  • The pH of the food is less than or equal to 4.4; or
  • Is customarily held and consumed in a frozen state; or
  • The water activity of the food is less than or equal to 0.92; or
  • Is processed using an effective listeristatic control measure

The FDA will continue to have a “zero tolerance” policy for RTE foods that do support Listeria growth, which allows up to 0.04 cfu/g of food.  RTE foods that do not support Listeria growth will be modified to allow up to 100 cfu/g of food. The new policy is similar to those in Europe and Canada, however the USDA’s FSIS has not yet changed their “zero tolerance” policy.

Whittier Halts Production Indefinitely

Whittier Farms, source of a widespread Listeria outbreak in Massachusetts, has started to sell milk again at its farm store, but not milk from the dairy.  Wayne Whittier, owner of Whittier Farms has stated that “the milk production and bottling plant, it won’t be a place where Whittier Farms will operate again.”

According to the Worcester Telegram,

He indicated that the family hasn’t decided if it will resume production elsewhere someday. He noted that recipes for Whittier specialties, such as chocolate milk and eggnog, are being kept in a safe place.

The Whittier Farms outbreak has been linked to a contamination of Listeria in coffee-flavored and other specialty milks, occurring after the pasteurization process.  Three men died along with two pregnant women, including one miscarriage due to listeriosis.

Ca Rem #1 Coconut-Flavored Frozen Dessert Recalled after Tests Find Listeria

Coconut.jpgThe Washington State Department of Agriculture has announced the recall of coconut-flavored frozen dessert manufactured by Ca Rem #1 Ice Cream, SeaTac.  Ca Rem #1 is voluntarily recalling its coconut-flavored, non-dairy frozen dessert due to possible Listeria contamination.

The Ca Rem #1 recall was initiated after routine sampling and analysis by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.  According to a story on  seattlepi.com (Seattle-Post  Intelligencer):

 

A Department of Agriculture inspector randomly selected the contaminated dessert Jan. 14 at Asian Planet Food Market in Kent as part of routine food testing, spokesman Jason Kelly said.

Test results returned eight days later showed it was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium. The Department of Agriculture determined the product's distribution area and initiated the recall Friday.

The dessert was made in Hillman City, where the retail and wholesale ice cream business was located until being licensed in SeaTac earlier this month, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Ca Rem #1 is owned by Jackie Bell, a Vietnam native who makes nondairy frozen desserts with coconut milk and fruit. She also owned Le Bambou, a now-defunct Vietnamese cafe in Hillman City.

The recalled Ca Rem #1 dessert is sold in 3 oz. un-coded plastic bags, primarily in Asian food markets and restaurants in western Washington and western Oregon.

No one has reported an illness related to this recall, but the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days.  Consumers who have purchased Ca Rem #1 desserts should throw out the product and not eat it.

“We continue to work with the company to recall all product that is still in stores,” said Claudia Coles, manager of WSDA’s Food Safety Program. “We know that these desserts can stay in freezers for months, so families should take a second look at what they’ve been saving for a special treat.”

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a food-borne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

To contact a Listeria attorney, please call our firm toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

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Raw Milk, Pasteurized Milk and Listeria

Glass-of-Milk.jpgThe Listeria outbreak linked to pasteurized milk products from Whittier Farms has brought to light the dangers of pasteurized food.  Health officials believe that the contamination of the Whittier Farms milk happened during processing, after pasteurization.  Although pasteurization killed any pathogens in the milk, contamination still occurred during the bottling process. 

Even though post-pasteurization contamination can occur, pasteurized milk is still safer than raw milk.

The pasteurization process effectively kills many pathogens, including Listeria, in milk,  Food safety advocates are generally pro pasteurization and against the sale of raw milk.  The FDA has nothing good to say about raw milk:

Pasteurization, since its adoption in the early 1900s, has been credited with dramatically reducing illness and death caused by contaminated milk. But today, some people are passing up pasteurized milk for what they claim is tastier and healthier "raw milk."

Public health officials couldn't disagree more.

Drinking raw (untreated) milk or eating raw milk products is "like playing Russian roulette with your health," says John Sheehan, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Division of Dairy and Egg Safety. "We see a number of cases of foodborne illness every year related to the consumption of raw milk."

More than 300 people in the United States got sick from drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk in 2001, and nearly 200 became ill from these products in 2002, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Raw milk may harbor a host of disease-causing organisms (pathogens), such as the bacteria campylobacter, escherichia, listeria, salmonella, yersinia, and brucella. Common symptoms of foodborne illness from many of these types of bacteria include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, headache, vomiting, and exhaustion.

Proponents of raw milk believe pasteurized milk is unhealthy, as indicated by this passage found on the website BecomeNatural.com:

Pasteurization destroys enzymes, diminishes vitamin content, denatures fragile milk proteins, destroys vitamins C, B12 and B6, kills beneficial bacteria, promotes pathogens and is associated with allergies, increased tooth decay, colic in infants, growth problems in children, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and cancer.

The raw milk debate has been brought before federal courts. According to Marketwire,

The public health community has been united in stating that consumption of raw milk is not healthful, but, in fact, is harmful. This matter has been litigated and, in the matter of Public Citizen vs. Heckler in 1986, the Federal District Court concluded that the record presents "overwhelming evidence of the risks associated with the consumption of raw milk both certified and otherwise."

Currently, the United States bans any interstate commerce dealing with raw milk.  Some states have banned the sale of raw milk. We stand with the FDA, the courts and legislative bodies on this issue--the consumption of raw milk poses far too many dangers to not be regulated by state and federal food safety agencies.

European Union Aware of Listeria Danger

There a rising concern in both the United States and the European Union (EU) about the risk of Listeria contamination. Listeriosis has recently caused the deaths of three elderly men and a miscarriage due to the Whittier Farms outbreak in the United States.  In Europe, the occurrence of listeriosis has increased 8.6%.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a report warning manufacturers and consumers of the dangers of Listeria and offered advice to protect against outbreaks like Whittier.  According to Dairy Reporter,

The EFSA panel recommended that to better assess the risk of the foods responsible for listeriosis it was necessary to investigate listeriosis cases more thoroughly and generate and analyze data on the consumption in the EU of ready-to-eat foods in which Listeria can be found.

Storage temperature at retail and in domestic refrigerators can also vary significantly, raising the risk of growth of the bacteria, said the report. The panel also advised that consumers should take care to keep food at recommended storage temperatures at all times, and take note of the shelf-life of food in their refrigerators.

Listeria and Pasteurized Milk

It has long been known that the pasteurization process effectively kills many pathogenic organisms, including the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which should make pasteurized milk and other products safe for human consumption.  However, an outbreak of listeriosis in Massachusetts has lequestioned the safety of pasteurized milk.  Pasteurized milk products from Whittier Farms resulted in the deaths of three elderly men and sickened two pregnant women, resulting in one miscarriagephoto.jpg

Pasteurization is by no means cutting edge technology, developed by Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard in 1862. Listeria outbreaks are also anything but new to Massachusetts. A Listeria outbreak occurred in the state in 1983. The source of the 1983 outbreak was whole and 2% pasteurized milk.

In 1988, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released a story dealing with the effectiveness of pasteurization to control listeriosis. The CDC evaluated multiple studies testing varying amounts of Listeria contamination in milk and concluded that the process does indeed protect against listeriosis.  The report also quoted the World Health Organization (WHO) Working Group on foodborne listeriosis which stated that "pasteurization is a safe process which reduces the number of L. monocytogenes occurring in raw milk to levels that do not pose an appreciable risk to human health."

The United States and the WHO agree that pasteurization works. Even though the process has been proven to work through scientific experiments, Massachusetts seems to have a problem keeping Listeria out of pasteurized milk, most recently in products from Whittier Farms.

Whittier Farms has undergone intense investigation to get to the source of the contamination. According to an article from the Worcester Telegram:

The findings do not pinpoint where contamination of the milk occurred, according to state officials, but they do suggest that listeria bacteria colonized somewhere in the processing plant, and entered the milk products at some point after pasteurization and during the production process.

The findings show that the pasteurization process is not to blame. There were problems at Whittier with introducing Listeria to the milk after the process had killed the bacteria previously present in the milk. If Listeria is going to find its way into processed milk, why pasteurize it to begin with?

To quote Louis Pasteur, “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.  My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Pasteur invented a process that effectively eliminates bacteria such as Listeria, but to reach the goal of fully preventing the contamination of milk in the nation’s dairies, the government and dairies themselves will require tenacity and determination to protect products after the pasteurization process.

Lighting Technology Controls Listeria Contamination

Produce.jpgAlthough the Listeria outbreak originating with Whittier Farms has questioned the safety of the nation’s dairy supply, new technology holds the promise of protecting fresh produce from the potentially lethal bacteria among other pathogens.  PureRay Lighting Technology from Global Warming Solutions replaces florescent lighting to dramatically increase the shelf life of produce, all while reducing energy costs.

According to PR-inside.com,

The PureRay Light system is a proprietary design comprised of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) assembled in arrays. Since the light itself is safe, PureRay could be deployed in production facilities, transportation and storage systems and display areas in stores.

PureRay either kills or suppresses pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, as well as E. coli, blue mold and yeasts.  The technology reduces the spoiling rate of produce and stimulates its natural life processes which keep it fresh longer.  The light also protects deep inside the produce tissue, not just on the surface.

The company behind PureRay, Global Warming Solutions, maintains an emphasis on reducing the effects of global warming, and PureRay will save energy consumption in a variety of ways.

PureRay lighting systems could replace fluorescent tubes in refrigerated or non-refrigerated display cases and shelves. Besides prolonging the shelf life of fresh produce by up to 50%, PureRay offers 15% energy savings over traditional under-shelf lighting solutions. PureRay offers significant improvements in energy efficiency, life-time of the lighting fixture, customer safety, product illumination, scalability and design flexibility, helping grocers meet targets for reducing their carbon footprint.

PureRay could be the next step to increasing food safety of fresh produce.  Added measures to kill and suppress Listeria contamination can save lives, as the results of the Whittier outbreak has shown consumers.  There have been four deaths associated with the Whittier Farms Listeria outbreak--three elderly men and an unborn baby.  Read about Listeria miscarriage and Listeria wrongful death.

New Theory About Whittier Listeria Contamination

Massachusetts state health officials think they may have pieced together the evidence to explain how milk produced at Whittier Farms became contaminated with a lethal strain of Listeria.  The outbreak has already led to the death of three elderly men and a miscarriage.

Samples taken from the Whittier Farms plant showed that the strain of Listeria found in the five victims was identical to a strain found on the floor of the plant and in equipment used after pasteurization. The same strain was also found in seven unopened containers of milk that were on shelves at the retail store next to the plant. Different strains were also found in the plant, but had no relation to the reported illnesses.

According to the Boston Globe,

State investigators said they were unsure how listeria made its way inside the Whittier plant, which had received good marks in earlier inspection reports. Perhaps workers carried it on their clothing or shoes from elsewhere on the farm, said Suzanne Condon, the top environmental health official at the state Department of Public Health. Another possibility: Spray hoses used for cleaning might have disseminated the germ.

Although it is not known how the events of Listeria entering the plant and then contaminating pasteurized milk occurred, this new evidence gives officials the best idea of what exactly happened at Whittier Farms.  The diary is still under intense investigation until all the pieces of the puzzle are able to be put together.

New Infrared Pasteurization Process Kills Listeria

With the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in pasteurized milk products from Whittier Farms looming over the food safety world, a new study suggests safer and more effective ways of killing the bacteria during the pasteurization process.  A study conducted by L. Huang and J. Sites published in the Journal of Food Science showed the effective elimination of Listeria from hotdogs with a new infrared pasteurization process.

Hot-Dog.jpgThe study was directly aimed at ready-to-eat meats such as hotdogs in order to kill Listeria on the surface of the meats.  The process utilized an infrared emitter, a hotdog roller, an infrared sensor, and a temperature controller. The sensor monitored the surface temperature of the hotdogs while the emitter was the heating source.

According to the article:

The infrared surface pasteurization was evaluated using hotdogs that were surface-inoculated with a 4-strain L. monocytogenes cocktail to an average initial inoculum of 7.32 log (CFU/g). On the average 1.0, 2.1, 3.0, or 5.3 log-reduction in L. monocytogenes was observed after the surface temperature of hotdogs was increased to 70, 75, 80, or 85 °C, respectively. Holding the sample temperature led to additional bacterial inactivation. With a 3 min holding at 80 °C or 2 min at 85 °C, a total of 6.4 or 6.7 logs of L. monocytogenes were inactivated.

The infrared pasteurization was successful in killing the bacteria that contaminated the surface of the hotdogs. Since the Whittier outbreak has shaken consumer confidence in the pasteurization process, it is good to see that pasteurization procedures are being reevaluated to provide a safer food source.  (We are aware that the Listeria contamination at Whittier Farms most likely happened post pasteurization.  Even so, the outbreak suggests the need to review pasteurization procedures.)

Investigation Suggets Means of Contamination at Whittier

The continuing investigation into the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak at Whittier Farms leads experts to believe that contamination may be due to cleaning procedures at the dairy. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) took more than 100 environmental and milk samples from the dairy, revealing definite connections between the strains found at the plant and five cases of listeriosis.

According to Medical News Today,

So far nine samples from the plant have tested positive for the same strain of Listeria that was found in four of the five people who fell ill with Listeriosis after consuming products from the plant. No sample was available to test the fifth case, a 31 year old woman who has since made a full recovery and been delivered of a healthy baby.

It is also important to note that three of the cases involved the death of elderly men and a fourth case led to a miscarriage.

No concrete evidence narrows the exact source of contamination, however three of the four positive Listeria tests taking from the dairy were found in sections of the processing plant that dealt with milk after the pasteurization process.

In a recent press release by MDPH it was stated that

The presence of Listeria in the physical plant of the facility is consistent with contamination occurring during post-pasteurizing processing and bottling. One theory under consideration by health officials is that cleaning activities at the plant may have unintentionally caused contamination of the processing equipment allowing bacteria to enter the finished milk products.

Most of the positive samples at the dairy were found in flavored milk products. Public health investigators believe that the sugar content in the flavored milks may have provided an environment conducive to the growth of Listeria.

Other than the five reported cases of listeriosis, no new cases have been reported. Any cases involving the contaminated milk can be used in a lawsuit against Whittier Farms. Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker has recovered millions for victims of foodborne illness outbreaks. He is also an advocate for food safety. To contact Fred, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.

Listeria Deaths Linked to Pasteurized Milk

bottle-of-milk120.jpgThe recent Listeria outbreak linked to Whittier Farms pasteurized milk is a reminder that no food is completely safe from foodborne pathogens. The outbreak has killed four people, 3 elderly men and an unborn baby. (Learn about Listeria miscarriage and Listeria wrongful death.)

Pasteurization is supposed to kill any foodborne pathogens present in the raw product. However, contamination can occur after the pasteurization process, which is undoubtedly what happened in this case. Listeria contamination occurs when a processing facility is not kept clean enough to kill any Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that may have found its way into the plant. Listeria can lurk in drains, registers, equipment and other areas.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health investigation into this outbreak used genetic fingerprinting tests to connect the deaths with Whittier Farms milk. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (each outbreak has a unique strain) has been found in samples obtained from those sickened, milk found at a victims home, and milk found at the Whittier Farms processing plant. These results can be used as evidence in a Whittier Farms lawsuit.

Continue Reading...

16 Listeria Samples Found at the Whittier Farms Milk Processing Plant

listeria-bacteria-2.jpgThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) continues its investigation into the Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated Whittier Farms milk. According to the MDPH, additional samples of milk products and several environmental samples taken at the Whittier Farms milk processing plant have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The following is from a MDPH press release regarding this Listeria outbreak.

The processing plant, located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts remains closed and will not re-open until cleared to do so by the MDPH Food Protection Program and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Milk Specialists.

One environmental swab, one sample of skim milk and seven flavored milk samples tested positive for the same strain of Listeria found in four of the five cases linked to this outbreak. No sample was available to test in the fifth case linked to the outbreak — a 31 year-old pregnant woman from Middlesex County who drank Whittier milk products and was diagnosed with listeriosis, with a positive culture for the bacteria in September. The woman delivered a healthy child, and mother and child are well.

More than 100 environmental and milk samples were taken from the processing plant as part of the investigation. A total of twelve milk samples and four environmental samples tested positive for varying strains of Listeria contamination (see summary below).

The findings do not pinpoint where the contamination of the milk occurred, but they do suggest that Listeria bacteria colonized somewhere in the processing plant and that the bacteria entered the milk products at some point during the production process. Records indicate that the plant’s equipment met federal standards for time, temperature and flow for effective pasteurization, however, pasteurization at the processing plant will be further examined.

The presence of Listeria in the physical plant of the facility is consistent with contamination occurring during post-pasteurizing processing and bottling. One theory under consideration by health officials is that cleaning activities at the plant may have unintentionally caused contamination of the processing equipment allowing bacteria to enter the finished milk products. Three of the four positive environmental tests for Listeria were collected from sections of the plant that are considered part of the post-pasteurization areas of the facility.

Public health investigators are also closely scrutinizing the lab results from Whittier milk products to determine why most of the Listeria positive milk samples were found in flavored milk products. Health officials theorize that the sugar content of the flavored milk products provided an environment that enhanced bacterial growth.

The Listeria outbreak linked to milk products produced at Whittier Farms represents the first such foodborne outbreak connected to a Massachusetts food processing plant in more than 20 years. Five cases have been linked to the outbreak including three elderly men and two pregnant women. The three elderly men have died.  [Read about  Listeria miscarriageListeria wrongful death, and a Whittier Farms lawsuit.]

No new cases have been identified as part of the outbreak investigation.

Health officials stressed the risk to public health remains low because Whittier Farms halted milk processing operations immediately after being informed by the MDPH about the link to the current outbreak. They also emphasized that an outbreak of Listeria in pasteurized milk products is extremely rare; the source of the outbreak appears to be confined to the Whittier Farms milk processing plant; and they believe the general milk supply is safe.

The MDPH staff continue to work with Whittier Farms on the investigation and will work with the Farm’s management on a recovery plan for the Shrewsbury processing plant. Milk processing will not take place until efforts to eradicate the bacteria at the plant are complete, and testing has confirmed that milk products produced at the facility are safe.

Massachusetts public health officials also continue to work with other agencies, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to complete the investigation and review whether changes are needed in current state regulations or in the federally mandated inspection and testing processes for dairy farms and plants.

Summary of Listeria Positive Laboratory Tests

Sample

Description

Listeria Strain

Coffee flavored milk

Glass, Quart

A*

Coffee flavored milk

Glass, Quart

A*

1% Chocolate flavored milk

Plastic, 8 oz.

A*

Chocolate flavored milk

Plastic, 8 oz.

A*

Chocolate flavored milk

Plastic, Pint

A*

Vanilla flavored milk

Glass, Quart

A*

Strawberry flavored milk

Plastic, 8 oz

A*

Skim milk

Glass, Quart

A*

1% Chocolate flavored milk

Glass, Quart

B**

Coffee flavored milk

Glass, Quart

B**

1% milk

Glass, Quart

B**

2% milk

Glass, Quart

C**

* Denotes Listeria strain consistent with outbreak strain
** Denotes Listeria strain not consistent with outbreak strain or known human cases

Environmental Samples

Description

Listeria Strain

Environmental Swab 1

Floor near homogenizer

A*

Environmental Swab 2

Drain in fill room

D**

Environmental Swab 3

Bottle washer washband

E**

Environmental Swab 4

Empty unwashed bottle

F**

* Denotes Listeria strain consistent with outbreak strain
** Denotes Listeria strain not consistent with outbreak strain or known human cases

Scientists Discover Key Toxin In Listeria

Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the University of Toronto, and Harvard Medical School have discovered new information about listeriosis in both its acute and chronic form. Dr. John Brummel and colleagues were recently featured in Nature magazine with evidence for the importance of a toxin in the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to the CNW Group.

A toxin produced by Listeria monocytogenes, lysteriolysin O, causes acute infections of the bacteria. The scientist discovered that the toxin also plays a significant role in chronic infections of the bacteria, and that it is important in how the bacteria cause disease.

According to Brummel, “We found that the same toxin, which the bacteria are using to grow rapidly inside one part of the cell and cause a serious a life threatening infection, apparently also allows the bacteria to grow slowly inside another part of the cell and cause a chronic infection.” Brummel’s team will also conduct further research and hopefully proceed with human tests in the future.
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John Powers Victim in Whittier Farms Listeria Outbreak

Officials report the death of 88-year-old John J. Powers from drinking Listeria contaminated milk from Whittier Farms, according the Metro West Daily News. Born on December 25, 1919, Mr. Powers was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and World War II veteran, the story states.

Powers contracted listeriosis from pasteurized milk produced by Whittier Farms and purchased at Shady Oaks Farms in Medway, Massachusetts. Dr. Alfred DeMaria, director of communicable diseases of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, reports that coffee flavored milk in Powers’ refrigerator tested positive for Listeria.

Mr. Powers became ill right after Thanksgiving, while two other elderly men died from listeriosis in June and October. (Read about  Listeria / listeriosis wrongful death.) Two pregnant women were also sickened in this outbreak; one of them had a miscarriage. (Read about Listeria, listeriosis and miscarriage.) The deaths have halted production at Whittier Farms, including Whittier, Schultz, Balance Rock, Spring Brook, and Maple brand names of whole milk, 1 percent, 2 percent, skim milk and heavy cream, and the low-fat chocolate, coffee, strawberry, vanilla and eggnog flavors.

Continuing Investigation Into Whittier Farms Listeria Outbreak

Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are hopeful that the Listeria outbreak linked to Whittier Farms milk is contained, but warn that the outbreak may not yet be over, according to the Worcester Telegram. A warning to consumers was issued on December 27 about the outbreak, and since then the death of three men and a woman’s miscarriage has been linked to the Listeria outbreak.

listeria-bacteria.jpgListeria can incubate for up to 70 days, which will be March 6 or later in this outbreak. Whittier Farms has been ordered to shut down milk production and cannot resume until the plant is cleared by state officials. Whittier Farms provided milk for 31 wholesale accounts, which have since switched to different providers due to the outbreak.

Dr. Alfred DeMaria, director of Communicable Disease Control of the state’s Department of Public Health, insists on keeping a strict watch on the case for at least three more months. Health officials have also revealed that the listeriosis victims were a 75-year-old man who died in June, a 78-year-old man who died in October, and an 87-year-old man who died last Thursday. A pregnant woman’s miscarriage last year was also linked to the outbreak. Another pregnant woman, 31 years old, is also a possible fifth case involved. The woman and her baby are doing fine, according to state health officials.

More than 100 samples were taken from the dairy last week to pinpoint the source of the outbreak and the results are due later this week. Dr. DeMaria also stated that the deaths have been linked to 1% milk and coffee flavored milks produced by Whittier Farms, but other products may also be contaminated. The bacteria in all the cases are identical, which is evidence of an outbreak, according to DeMaria. 

Whittier Farms has kept it stores and farms open for the sale of non-dairy items throughout the outbreak. The dairy has had no previous issues concerning a Listeria outbreak. The state conducts regular inspections of the plant and has previously praised the dairy for its cleanliness and timely response to minor violations.

The outbreak centers on pasteurized milk, only the third such Listeria outbreak in the country’s history, according to Dr. DeMaria. The first outbreak occurred between June and August of 1983, resulting in the death of 14 people. Pasteurized whole and 2% milk was linked to be the source in the outbreak. The second outbreak occurred in 1994, resulting in no deaths, but four hospitalizations due to drinking Listeria contaminated pasteurized milk.

The Whittier Farms outbreak is only the third case in United States history to be linked to pasteurized milk. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization still maintain that pasteurization kills Listeria bacteria and is a safe process to adequately prevent foodborne illnesses due to Listeria contamination.

Pritzker Law, a leading food safety litigation law firm, has extensive experience with Listeria cases.  To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.  Read more about the Whittier Farms Listeria outbreak and a possible Whittier Farms lawsuit.

Listeriosis Linked to Whittier Farms Takes Another Life

bottle-of-milk120.jpgA third man has died from a Listeria infection (listeriosis) that has been linked to Whittier Farms milk. According to a story in the Boston Globe:

An 87-year-old Norfolk County man has died from a bacterial infection [listeriosis] linked to tainted milk from a mom-and-pop dairy [Whittier Farms in Central Massachusetts], the third death related to the outbreak, state health authorities reported this afternoon.

Two other elderly men died earlier from listeriosis linked to Whittier Farms milk, and an unborn child died when the child’s mother contracted listeriosis. People seriously sickened by Listeria are usually the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and unborn infants. Contact one of our attorneys for information on Listeria cases we have handled involving pregnancy and wrongful death.

This listeriosis outbreak has now sickened at least 5 people, according to the Boston Globe:

State disease investigators also reported today that the total number of cases of listeriosis attributed to the milk has risen by one, to five. A 31-year-old Middlesex County woman was diagnosed with the disease in September while in the hospital to deliver a baby, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state's director of communicable disease control. Investigators connected her to the milk after discovering that she had consumed 2 percent and whole milk made by Whittier.

The 31-year-old woman and her baby are both healthy, as is a 34-year-old woman whose illness was previously linked to the outbreak. That woman, though, suffered a miscarriage after exposure to the bacteria.

Pritzker Law, a leading food safety litigation law firm, has extensive experience with Listeria cases.  To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.  Read more about the Whittier Farms Listeria outbreak and a possible Whittier Farms lawsuit.

Update on Listeria Outbreak Linked to Whittier Farms in Massachusetts

listeria-bacteria-2.jpgThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has reported no new cases of listereosis from milk produced by Whittier Farms, according to WCVB TV in Boston. Four cases between June and November have been linked to Whittier Farms milk, but no new cases have been reported. Two elderly men died, one woman had a miscarriage (see information on Listeria and pregnancy) and another elderly man was sickened.

According to a Boston Globe report:

Genetic fingerprinting conducted at the state laboratory has indicated that a milk [coffee-flavored] sample collected at Whittier Farms dairy two weeks ago, a sample taken in November from a bottle in a victim's refrigerator, and blood drawn from the four patients all harbored exactly the same type of listeria, a striking discovery, state disease trackers said.

Whittier Farms has shut down production until the source of contamination is identified and fixed. MDPH released a health advisory on December 27 warning all customers to discard products from Whittier Farms immediately. 

bottle-of-milk120.jpgWhittier Farms products are sold under the brand names of Whittier, Schultz, Balance Rock, Spring Brook, Model Dairy and Maple. Whittier Farms products include whole milk, 2 percent, 1 percent, skim and heavy cream with flavors of low fat chocolate, coffee, strawberry, vanilla and eggnog. As stated in the Boston Globe report, the outbreak-strain of Listeria was found in Whittier Farms coffee-flavored milk.

Our firm is monitoring this Massachusetts outbreak.  To contact a Listeria attorney at the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.  Attorney Fred Pritzker has significant experience litigating Listeria cases.  He has a national reputation and has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other publications.  Media may contact him at the toll-free number above.

Listeria Found in Coffee-Flavored Milk at Whittier Farms

listeria-dna-fingerprinting.jpgHealth officials have found a smoking gun at Whittier Farms, a dairy that has now been linked to 4 cases of listeriosis in Massachusetts, according to The Boston Globe:

Coffee-flavored milk taken from a cooler at a central Massachusetts dairy carried germs identical to bacteria that killed two elderly men and made two other people sick, according to state test results released yesterday that investigators said left little doubt about the dairy being the source of the infections.

Genetic fingerprinting conducted at the state laboratory has indicated that a milk sample collected at Whittier Farms dairy two weeks ago, a sample taken in November from a bottle in a victim's refrigerator, and blood drawn from the four patients all harbored exactly the same type of Listeria, a striking discovery, state disease trackers said.

"The pattern is very unique," said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state's director of communicable disease control. "It means there's an outbreak here. There's no question there's an outbreak. And it implies that the dairy is the common source.

State health investigators believe that the Listeria contamination happened after pasteurization, perhaps during the packaging process, the Boston Globe story states. This is typical of almost all cases of Listeria contamination of a food product where there is a kill step during processing. Unless the kill step (here pasteurization) is faulty, it should kill any foodborne pathogens, including Listeria. Contamination usually happens when an unsanitary condition (not washing hands, not cleaning equipment well, etc.) results in Listeria getting on or in the food.

Pritzker Law represents victims of Listeria outbreaks and the families of people who have died in Listeria outbreaks. If you would like a free consultation with a Listeria lawyer, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form. If you would like to comment on this outbreak, Listeria, listeriosis, Whittier Farms or any food safety topic, please submit the comment form below.

Listeria: Beef Patties Served at Jersey City Schools

hamburgers.jpgBeef patties served at Jersey City schools may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen that primarily affects infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. According to a story from nj.com, four Jersey City schools are involved: School 30 Annex, School 23's Duncan Avenue location, and School 23's West Side Avenue location, and School 38, all schools that use microwave ovens to heat lunches.

The beef patties were recalled by the Maramount Corp., a New York firm, on Christmas Day, six days after being delivered to the Jersey City schools. The possible Listeria contamination was discovered during a routine inspection by federal inspectors just before Christmas, according to a USDA-FSIS recall announcement. According to the nj.com story, health officials believe the possible Listeria contamination was probably the result of poor hygiene practices, such as the regular washing of hands.

Pritzker Law is a leading foodborne illness litigation law firm with extensive experience with Listeria cases.  If you would like a free consultation with a Listeria attorney, please contact the firm toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

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DNA Fingerprinting of Listeria and the Whittier Farms Case

Determining Whether a Cluster of Listeriosis Cases is an Outbreak

In cases where a number of people in an area are diagnosed with listeriosis, health officials can use DNA fingerprinting to determine if the listeriosis cases are part of the same foodborne outbreak. For this purpose, health officials obtain isolates of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria from the people with listeriosis.

listeria-dna-fingerprinting.jpgThese isolates are tested pursuant to PulseNet system protocols using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), a molecular subtyping technique. PFGE testing provides DNA fingerprints of the isolates. Matching (indistinguishable) DNA fingerprints indicate a listeriosis "outbreak" caused by a common source.

In the case of the listeriosis outbreak associated with Whittier Farms milk, Listeria isolates obtained from 4 people had matching DNA fingerprints. This establishes that these 4 victims of the outbreak were sickened by the same food source.  The four four victims include three elderly residents and a pregnant woman from Worcester county, according to a Massachusetts Department of Public Health press release. Two of the elderly people have died.

The Roll of DNA Fingerprinting in Determining the Source of a Listeriosis Outbreak

To find the source of an outbreak, genetic fingerprinting and epidemiological evidence are used. The people sickened by Listeria bacteria with matching DNA fingerprints are interviewed (and/or their families are interviewed) to determine what they ate in the last 2 months (the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days). Health investigators (epidemiologists) look for common food sources and investigate all likely sources. Part of that investigation is testing processing plants (drains, equipment, etc.) and food products for Listeria monocytogenes. If Listeria is found, isolates will have PFGE testing done on them to determine if they match the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. If there is a match, health officials consider the food (food produced at the plant if the bacteria was found in the plant) the source of the outbreak.

If epidemiological evidence (patient interviews, receipts of purchase, etc.) associates a food product with an outbreak but Listeria is not found in the food product or the plant that produced it, that is generally adequate evidence to make a claim for damages against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or retail seller of the food.

In the case of the listeriosis outbreak associated with Whittier Farms milk, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health stated in a press release, “Samples collected showed product contamination.” 

Attorney Fred Pritzker has extensive experience with Listeria lawsuits.  To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form for review by a Listeria attorney.

Listeria and Listeriosis

LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

listeria-bacteria.jpgListeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes, referred to hereafter as Listeria) are foodborne bacteria with genus Listeria and species monocytogenes. Human illness caused by Listeria has been linked primarily with the consumption of unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, ice cream, smoked fish and raw and ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. In the case of the Massachusetts Listeria outbreak associated with Whittier Farms, all of the people sickened and killed in the outbreak had consumed Whittier Farms pasteurized milk.

Listeria can be killed by cooking or pasteurizing food products; however, contact with Listeria bacteria after such a “kill step” will re-contaminate the product. This risk is heightened in food processing environments, where Listeria bacteria tend to thrive, particularly in floor drains and other cool, damp areas. According to health officials, they suspect the Whittier Farms pasteurized milk was contaminated after the pasteurization process.

In contrast to most other harmful bacteria, Listeria will grow slowly on foods stored in a refrigerator, and freezing has very little detrimental effect on the organism.

LISTERIOSIS

Listeriosis is the disease caused by ingesting Listeria bacteria. Listeriosis is clinically defined when the organism is isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or an otherwise normally sterile site (e.g. placenta and fetus). The elderly, immuno-compromised persons and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis. Initial symptoms of listeriosis include nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, constipation and persistent fever. 

The disease frequently triggers sespticemia, pneumonia, and meningitis. In pregnant women, listeriosis usually causes a mild, flu-like illness followed by miscarriage, stillbirth, or bacteremia and meningitis in newborns.

Although listeriosis is relatively rare, it is one of the most deadly foodborne diseases, accounting for roughly 28% of all deaths resulting from foodborne illness. In the Massachusetts outbreak linked to Whittier Farms, 2 of the 4 people sickened in the outbreak died. Both of them were elderly.

The time period between consuming Listeria-contaminated food and the onset of listeriosis can be as long as 70 days. This makes it extremely difficult to pinpoint the source of a listeriosis outbreak (also referred to as a Listeria outbreak).

Attorney Fred Pritzker has successfully represented people sickened by Listeria outbreaks and the families of people who died after contracting listeriosis.  For a free consultation regarding legal representation by a Listeria attorney, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

Massachusetts Listeria Outbreak Associated with Whittier Farms Milk

massachusetts-department-of.jpgThe Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has issued a warning regarding milk products from Whittier Farms in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts due to possible Listeria contamination. Two elderly men have died and two other people have been sickened in a Listeria outbreak that has been associated with Whittier Farms milk, according to a MDPH statement.

According to The Milford Daily News, the cases occurred in June, October and November. Three of the people sickened were elderly residents and one was a pregnant woman from Worcester county.  DNA fingerprinting conducted by the Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute showed that the Listeria bacteria causing these infections came from a common source.  Samples collected from Whittier Farms showed product contamination, according to The Milford Daily News.  

MDPH is recommending that consumers do not consume Whittier Farms milk products. Because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, anyone who has consumed the milk should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, muscle aches and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea.  In pregnant women, the symptoms may be mild, but an infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or early delivery. Learn more about Listeria and pregnancyListeria-related deaths are often caused by Listeria meningitis (inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain) or septicemia (blood infection). 

To contact a lawyer at our law firm for a free consultation, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free consultation form.

Maramont Beef Patty Recall Due to Listeria Risk

Do you know what your children are eating at school?  The Maramont Corporation, a New York firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 88 pounds of a beef patty product that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a USDA-FSIS recall announcement.  The potentially-contaminated beef patties were produced on December 18 and distributed on December 19 to schools in the Jersey City, New Jersey, area.

If you live in the Jersey City area and want to know if your child ate any of the recalled beef patties, you will need to contact your school and ask if the cafeteria served any of the following:

  • 2-oz packages of "BROILED BEEF PATTY (MICROWAVE)." The products were individually packaged and delivered from 17.25-pound cases. Each case label bears a lot code of "07352" and product number "2801." Each case label also bears the establishment number "EST. 5370" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS testing at the establishment. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

Because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, anyone who ate the recalled hamburgers will need to watch for symptoms of Listeria for 70 days after consumption. Pregnant women are most at risk for contracting Listeria infections, called listeriosis, which can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and early deliveries. Read about Listeria and pregnancy

If you or your child is diagnosed with listeriosis, please contact us. We are a nationally-recognized food safety law firm and represent victims of Listeria outbreaks throughout the United States. To contact us, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.
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Listeriosis Cases in North Carolina Prompt Warning by NCDPH

The following is from a North Carolina Division of Public Health press release.


Officials with the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) are cautioning pregnant women against consumption of soft cheeses, hot dogs, deli-style meats and prepared salads.  The warning comes after three cases of listeriosis were identified in Moore, Durham and Mecklenburg counties and a probable case was identified in Buncombe County.

The three confirmed cases all involved pregnant women; two of them had miscarriages. All three of the women had consumed soft cheese from a variety of sources. Although the cases occurred close together in time, data from molecular testing conducted at the State Laboratory of Public Health showed that different strains were involved. A single product does not seem to be the source of these cases, prompting public health officials to issue a general Listeria warning.   

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.  The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis outbreaks have been associated with consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and contaminated soft cheeses, vegetables and ready-to-eat meats.  

“This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel.  “Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized milk and other potentially contaminated food, especially among vulnerable people.” Vulnerable people include pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. About a third of the people with confirmed cases of listeriosis are pregnant women. Read about Listeria and pregnancy.

According to NCDPH, general recommendations to avoid listeriosis include:

  • Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
  • Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources.
  • Wash raw vegetables before eating.
  • Wash hands, knives and cutting board after handling uncooked foods.
  • Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

NCDPH also recommends that people at high risk, such as pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems, take the following precautions in addition to those above:

  • Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
  • Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.
  • Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pastuerized milk.
  • Do not eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtés and meat spreads may be eaten.
  • Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna or mackerel, is most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked" or "jerky." The fish is found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood may be eaten.
Source: NCDPH Press release, http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/pressrel/12-18-07b.htm.

Queso Fresco Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Peregrina Cheese Corp. of New York has recalled certain “Queso Fresco, Fresh Cheese,” due to possible Listeria contamination, according to a New York Department of Agriculture press release. The recalled Queso Fresco is contained in a foil wrapped, 14-ounce-net-weight package with a code of 3973. The consumer warning affects all packages of Queso Fresco with this code.

According to the press release, a routine sample of the cheese, taken by an inspector from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on November 27, 2007, was subsequently tested by the New York Agriculture Department’s Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  On December 6, 2007, the manufacturer was notified of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and the company voluntarily recalled the product. 

To date, no illnesses are known by the New York Department of Agriculture to be associated with this product.

Pritzker Law, a leading food safety litigation law firm, has recently settled a multi-million dollar Listeria case.  To contact a Listeria lawyer at the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online free case consultation form.

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Frozen Sausage Roll Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

sausage-roll.jpgUDSA-FSIS has announced a recall of about 98,000 pounds of frozen sausage roll products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The frozen sausage roll products were produced by Double B Foods on various dates between Oct. 25 and Nov. 6, and were distributed to retail establishments in Texas, and institutions, catalogue sales and distribution centers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. The recalled sausage rolls were sold under a number of brands and may have been repackaged. The brands named in the FSIS announcement of the frozen sausage roll recall are Double B Foods, H-E-B, Smokey’s, Southern Heritage, and Wheeler. Read more about the Double B Foods sausage roll recall.

The frozen sausage roll recall announcement states that consumers should contact the company with questions. If you ate any of the recalled sausage rolls, do not return or discard any of the recalled products you have left in your freezer until you are sure no one has become ill. You will need to label the packages “Do not eat” and make sure the recalled products are not consumed. 70 days after the date of consumption (the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days), return or discard the products only if no one has been sickened. If someone who ate the recalled frozen sausage rolls is diagnosed with a Listeria infection (listeriosis), contact us at immediately and let one of our Listeria lawyers know you have recalled product in your freezer. Genetic testing on the product could lead to valuable microbiological evidence. DO NOT EAT ANY OF THE RECALLED FROZEN SAUSAGE ROLLS.

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Proving Foodborne Illness: How Lawyers Evaluate Defective Food Product Cases

Article written by Fred Pritzker

We represent people injured by unsafe food products, usually containing foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, or Hepatitis A.

As part of our service to the public, we’re asked to evaluate potential foodborne illness cases. Here is some information about how food safety lawyers prove foodborne illness cases.

In order to prove a case of foodborne illness, the injured person has to prove the following three elements: 1) the food product was defective, 2) the defect caused illness, and, 3) the person suffered damage as a result of that defect.

A food product is defective, according to the definition used in many states, “if an ordinary consumer would not reasonably expect the food product to contain the substance that caused the harm.”

Since food consumers do not expect the food they eat to contain injurious or lethal pathogens, satisfying the first element of foodborne illness proof is usually not difficult.

Some states, however, do not follow the “consumer expectation” test and require proof of food “adulteration.” That term is usually defined as follows:

  • It contains an added poisonous or deleterious substance that may make the food injurious to health, or that is not necessary for food production.
  • It contains enough of a poisonous or deleterious substance (added or not) to make the food normally injurious to health.
  • It contains any added substance that is considered “unsafe” under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or that is present at levels considered “unsafe” under the federal act. The federal Food and Drug Administration publishes a list of substances “generally recognized as safe” (the GRAS list), but a substance is not necessarily considered “unsafe” merely because it is not included on the GRAS list.
  • It contains any diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid or decomposed substance or is otherwise unfit for food.
  • It has been produced, prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions that may have caused it to become contaminated, diseased, unwholesome or injurious to health.
  • It is the product of a diseased animal, or an animal that died other than by slaughter.
  • Its packaging contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may make the food injurious to health.
  • The seller misrepresents the food contents, directly or by implication.

As a general rule, any food contaminated with a foodborne pathogen (e.g. E. coli O157:H7, Shigella, Listeria, Salmonella, etc.) is considered adulterated.

In foodborne illness litigation, the much more difficult element of proof is “causation”: Is the suspected food product the actual cause of the victim’s illness?

In order to prove causation, the first step is to identify the actual foodborne pathogen responsible for the victim’s symptoms. Put another way, identifying foodborne illness symptoms is not enough; in most cases, one has to prove the specific foodborne pathogen responsible for a client’s symptoms. The following example illustrates the point.

If you were injured in a car accident and wanted to sue the driver responsible for the crash, you would have to prove more than just that a car hit you. You would need to identify the make, model, color, year and serial number of the car as well as the vehicle’s owner. So it is with foodborne pathogens. You first have to nail down the specific foodborne pathogen responsible for your illness. This is done through testing, usually of the victim’s stool, blood or other bodily fluids. Thus, when you are sick enough to require medical treatment, insist that the doctor order appropriate tests to identify the particular foodborne pathogen responsible for your symptoms. This should ideally be done before antibiotics are prescribed. That’s because antibiotics may often kill off the pathogen before it can be identified.

Knowing the exact pathogen responsible for your symptoms also helps us to know when you likely consumed the food that caused your illness. Here’s how: all foodborne pathogens have incubation periods, the time from when you ate the food to the time when your symptoms first appear. By knowing when you ate the food we have a better idea of where it came from.

Foodborne pathogens have different incubation periods – from hours to weeks. For example, in the case of E. coli O157:H7 the incubation period is two to eight days (average of 3-4). Thus, if your testing confirms you have E. coli O157:H7, the food that caused it was probably eaten days, not hours, before your symptoms first appeared.  On the other hand, the incubation period for Hepatitis A is an average of one month.

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Guilty Plea in Case Involving the Sale of Listeria-Contaminated Food

listeria-bacteria-2.jpg In one of the few criminal cases involving the sale of adulterated food, Timothy Delong, former president of Atlantis Foods, Inc., has plead guilty to charges of engaging in a scheme to defraud through the sale of “adulterated food” (in this case food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes), and a scheme to introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 1341, and 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a), 333(a)(2), and 343.

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, and Lee Huttenbach, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southeast Region, Office of Inspector General, announce that Mr. Delong was sentenced yesterday to fifteen (15) months in prison. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 and to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000 to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to be used to support its programs in the area of food safety. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.

The following are Counts 1 and 2 of the criminal charges against Mr. Delong:

  1. Count 1 charged Delong with engaging in a scheme to defraud the customers of Atlantis Foods, Inc., where Delong served as president, through the sale of adulterated prepared foods. Delong, through Atlantis, sold chicken salad, Maine lobster dip, salmon cream cheese, salmon spread, chicken salad with almonds and cranberries, and crab stuffing which contained the harmful bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Delong was president of Atlantis Foods, which on six occasions in 2003, allegedly produced and distributed food products containing Listeria monocytogenes. Delong failed to notify his customers after learning of the contamination and did not initiate a recall of the products.
  2. Count 2 charged Delong with the introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded food, namely "Smoked Rainbow Trout Spread," between January 2002 and December 2003. According to court records, the spread, which listed trout as the first ingredient, was false and misleading in that the product in fact did not contain trout, but instead was made with tuna.

A copy of the press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov/.

 

Pritzker Law, one of the leading food safety law firms in the United States, represents victims of foodborne outbreaks in personal injury lawsuits. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900.

 

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Kroger Salmon Dip Recall Expansion

Ohio and Michigan E. coli Outbreak Associated with Kroger Ground Beef
June 25, 2008 - According to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), ground beef sold at Kroger grocery stores has been associated with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Michigan and Ohio. Read about the legal implications of this association and a Kroger E. coli lawsuit..

House of Thaller Inc., the packager of Kroger brand smoked salmon dip, has recalled another 11,000 pounds of smoked salmon dip due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This is an expansion of an October 29 recall of 529 pounds of Kroger smoked salmon dip.

A Georgia Agriculture Department inspector found Listeria bacteria in a 7.5-ounce package of Kroger Smoked Salmon Dip in a Kroger store in Loganville, Georgia, prompting the initial recall. House of Thaller has expanded the recall to three additional products:

  • 7.5-ounce packages of Kroger Cajun Salmon Dip, marked "Use by 04NOV2007A LN3" and "Use By 04NOV2007B LN3."
  • 7.5-ounce packages of Kroger Southern Crab Dip, marked "Use by 04NOV2007A LN3" and "Use By 04NOV2007B LN3."
  • 7.5-ounce containers of Kroger Sun Dried Tomato Crab, marked "Use By 24OCT2007A LN3."

The recalled Kroger dip was sold at Kroger Stores, Dillon Stores and King Soopers in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Listeria is a highly-dangerous foodborne pathogen that generally contaminates food products that are ready-to-eat, meaning consumers are not likely to heat the product and kill the Listeria bacteria. No one should eat the recalled Kroger salmon dip, and pregnant women, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems should not eat any store-bought salmon dip or spread.

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Kroger Smoked Salmon Dip Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Ohio and Michigan E. coli Outbreak Associated with Kroger Ground Beef
June 25, 2008 - According to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), ground beef sold at Kroger grocery stores has been associated with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Michigan and Ohio. Read about the legal implications of this association and a Kroger E. coli lawsuit..

House of Thaller, Inc. of Knoxville, Tennessee has recalled 529 pounds of Smoked Salmon Dip because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was distributed to AL, AR, GA, IL, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.  The product reached consumers packed under the Kroger brand and was sold in the Kroger Seafood Department.

The Smoked Salmon Dip was packed in a clear plastic 7.5 ounce rectangular container and is marked with Use By 04NOV2007A LN3 and 04NOV2007B LN3.  The company has also chosen to include the following products produced prior to and following the Smoked Salmon Dip (also in the clear plastic 7.5 ounce container):

  • 287 pounds of Cajun Salmon Dip with "use by" dates of 04NOV2007A LN3 and 04NOV2007B LN3
  • 945 pounds of Southern Crab Dip with "use by" dates of 04NOV2007A LN3 and 04NOV2007B LN3
  • 516 pounds of Sundried Tomato Crab with "use by" date of 24OCT2007A LN3

The recall was the result of routine sampling and testing done by the Georgia Department of Agriculture which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a 7.5 ounce package of Smoked Salmon Dip.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days. If you have some recalled Kroger smoked salmon dip and someone has eaten some of it, you should not throw it away or return it until you are sure no one has contracted Listeria. Contaminated product is evidence in a Listeria lawsuit. Also, if someone is diagnosed with a Listeria infection (listeriosis), there is DNA fingerprinting technology available that can determine if the Listeria isolates in the contaminated product matches the Listeria that sickened the person. 

To contact a Listeria lawyer at Pritzker Law regarding Listeria, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

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Jensen's Salmon Spread Recall Due to Listeria

listeria-2.jpgThe FDA and Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. of Seattle, Washington have announced the recall of 936 tubs of Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Jensen's Seattle-style salmon spread was distributed in retail stores in Western Washington and is coded “Sell By 10/20/07.” The recalled salmon spread was sold in 7 oz. plastic tubs.

The recalled salmon spread was made by Carso's Pasta of Lynnwood, Washington. If someone is sickened by the recalled salmon spread, a Listeria lawyer can provide information regarding the liability (responsibility for injuries/death) of both Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. and Carso’s Pasta.   

Our firm, recently lead counsel in a major Listeria lawsuit, has represented pregnant women who lost their unborn babies due to Listeria infections, people who suffered severe brain damage and damage to other organs as the result of Listeria infections, and the families of people who died as the result of Listeria infections. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

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Expanded Recall of Quong Hop Tofu Products

soy-deli-tofu.jpgQuong Hop has expanded its September 19, 2007 recall of certain tofu products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes:

  • Soy Deli 12oz Vacuum Pack Nigari White Tofu UPC 35302-00216 (dates through 1/28/2008)
  • 30 oz Vacuum Pack White Tofu UPC 35302-00217(dates through 11/28/2007)
  • Bulk tofu 10 and 25lb cases (dates through 11/28/2007)

The expanded recall is in responses to further testing of tofu samples that found Listeria monocytogenes in some samples of tofu.  All the tofu products subject to the expanded recall were made on the same packaging machine.

The incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days.  If you have eaten any of the recalled Quong Hop tofu, you should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, stiffness, and upset stomach.  Pregnant women can lose their unborn babies via miscarriage or stillbirth.  For more information on Listeria, please see the following on the Pritzker Law website:

Our firm has recently settled a Listeria case involving the miscarriage of twins and the death of an elderly man.  To contact the firm about a Listeria lawsuit, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

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Quong Hop Tofu Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

soy-deli-tofu.jpgAccording to a product recall announcement, Quong Hop & Co. of South San Francisco, Calif., has recalled some tofu products because they might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall includes all packages of Soy Deli tofu coded Dec. 17, 2007. It also includes three products coded Sept. 23, 2007: the 30-ounce Soy Deli nigari tofu, the 12-ounce Soy Deli water pack tofu, and the 16-ounce Quong Hop water pack tofu.

There are many recalls due to Listeria monocytogenes each year; however, there are few Listeria outbreaks, primarily because the incubation period for Listeria can be up to 70 days.  The following is information on Listeria from the CDC:

In the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill with listeriosis [Listeria infection] each year. Of these, 500 die. At increased risk are:
  • Pregnant women - They are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy.
  • Newborns - Newborns rather than the pregnant women themselves suffer the serious effects of infection in pregnancy.
  • Persons with weakened immune systems.
  • Persons with cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease.
  • Persons with AIDS - They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
  • Persons who take glucocorticosteroid medications
  • The elderly

Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

Attorney Fred Pritzker is a leading Listeria litigation lawyer. To contact a Listeria attorney at our firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

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Organic Pastures Raw Cream Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

cdfa_logo.gif The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has found laboratory-confirmed Listeria monocytogenes in Organic Pastures raw cream.  The CDFA found the bacteria as a result of product testing conducted as part of a routine inspection process.

The CDFA immediately took action:

  • The CDFA issued an order to Organic Pastures Dairy Company to withdraw from retail distribution (grocery stores, retail outlets, and farmers markets throughout California) Grade A raw cream manufactured at their facility in Fresno, where the CDFA found the sample contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.  The Organic Pastures raw cream recall includes Organic Pastures brand Grade A raw cream with code dates SEP 14  through SEP 21. 
  • The CDFA also issued a quarantine order to Organic Pastures Dairy Company.  Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw cream for the retail market.

Consumers should not drink the recalled raw cream.  Pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for contracting listeriosis (Listeria infection) and becoming seriously ill.  For pregnant women, listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn.

Pritzker Law is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.  The firm was recently lead counsel in a Listeria lawsuit involving a multi-state outbreak linked to deli meat.  To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

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Georgia Department of Agriculture Finds Listeria in Ricotta Cheese

ricotta.jpgGeorgia Department of Agriculture food scientists have found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Ricotta Salata cheese. The contamination was found in a package marked SELL BY 01/21/08. The brand name of the cheese is Locatelli and the importer is The Ambriola Company, Inc., of Jersey City, New Jersey 07305. The cheese is imported from Italy.

"We have notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of today’s lab findings, and we are warning the public about the contamination," said Commissioner Irvin. "We discovered this contamination as part of our sampling program. Sampling food products on a regular basis with a scientific protocol is a very important part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s efforts to ensure food safety."

The incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days.  That means it can take up to 70 days after consumption of a food contaminated with Listeria for the infected person to have symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis).  Symptoms of listeriosis can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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Regal King Seafood Dips Recalled

The FDA has announced the recall of Regal King seafood dips, including Premium Krab Dip, Cajun Krab Dip, Shrimp Dip, and Smoked Salmon Dip.  The recalled dips may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Pregnant woman have a higher risk of contracting a Listeria infection (listeriosis).  Although pregnant women may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

The recalled Regal King seafood dips were sold to A&P warehouses in 5-pound packages, repackaged, and sold to consumers at A & P stores in clear plastic containers with a Regal King label.  All flavors have a red and white repack label. 

The recall was the result of an independent systemic sampling program, which revealed that one finished product contained Listeria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and Ocean King Enterprises continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
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Listeria in Neparovana Sausage Sold in Queens

Neparovana smoked sausage sold at Muncan Food Corp, 676 Seneca Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens  may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen. The Neparovana smoked sausage was sold in bulk from the store’s deli display cooler. Muncan Food Corp has recalled the sausage.

If you ate any of the recalled Neparovana smoked sausage, you have a long wait--up to 70 days after consumption of the sausage-- to see if you contracted a Listeria infection (listeriosis).   Listeria infections are rare but serious.  Listeria infections can cause serious complications for pregnant women.  Although a pregnant woman's symptoms are usually mild, the infection can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.  Listeriosis is also dangerous for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

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Recall of Sandwiches Sold in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas

Recalled Cloud’s tuna salad sandwiches and egg salad sandwiches sold at convenience stores in East Texas, West Louisiana, and Southwest Arkansas may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen. 

tuna-salad-recall.jpgThe recalled sandwiches, packaged in flexible plastic film and plastic wedges, are as follows:

  • Cloud's Tuna Salad Sandwich on White Bread, 5 oz., date code 62607-72507
  • Cloud's Egg Salad Sandwich on White Bread, 5 oz., date code 41907-72507

The product labels have "Cloud's Tuna Salad" or "Cloud's Egg Salad" on them.  

If you are one of the unlucky people who ate a recalled Cloud’s sandwich, you need to watch for symptoms of Listeria poisoning (listeriosis) for about 2 months. If you have the receipt from the store where you bought the sandwich, put it in a safe place.

Pregnant women are the most susceptible to contracting a Listeria infection. Although a pregnant woman who contracts a Listeria infection may only have mild, flu-like symptoms, she may have a miscarriage or stillbirth. If you are a pregnant woman who ate a recalled sandwich and now have flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

The elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk for serious complications from a Listeria infection, including Listeria meningitis, which is an infection of the brain and/or spinal cord. Listeria meningitis can cause permanent brain damage.

The Listeria lawyers at Pritzker Law are available for a free consultation. Please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.   

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Chicken-Listeria Recall Affects Tennesse Prisons and Mental Health Institutions

listeria-2.jpgState of Tennessee Cook Chill, a Nashville, Tennessee, firm, is recalling approximately 2,768 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken legs due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The following products are subject to recall:

  • Cases of "BAKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS" Each case bears the case code "D257168C" and the establishment number "P-19120" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
  • Cases of "OVEN FRIED BREADED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS, smoke flavor added." Each case bears the case code "D257154C" and the establishment number "P-19120" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The chicken products were produced on April 25, 2007 and were distributed to Tennessee prisons and mental health institutions. There was no retail distribution of the recalled ready-to-eat chicken legs.

Continue Reading...
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Listeria Found in Smoked Salmon and Cheese Spread

listeria-2.jpg Georgia Department of Agriculture food scientists have found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Bright Water Smoked Salmon & Cheese Spread. The contamination was found in a seven-ounce package marked BEST BY 071007.  The UPC code is 1971100073. The spread is manufactured by Bright Water Seafoods, LLC, of Charlotte, N.C.  28217. 

 “We have notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of today’s lab findings, and we are warning the public about the contamination,” said Commissioner Irvin.  “We discovered this contamination as part of our sampling program.  Sampling on a regular basis with a scientific protocol is a very important part of our food safety program.”

If you have some of the recalled smoked salmon and cheese spread and someone has eaten some of it, it may take 70 days for symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) to appear.  Have the person watch for Listeria symptoms (including stillbirth or miscarriage) and, if the person is diagnosed with listeriosis, contact Pritzker law regarding linking the case of listeriosis to the smoked salmon spread.  If you can safely store the leftover salmon spread without risk of someone eating it, you should do so.  Write "Do not eat - 1-888-377-8900" (our phone number) on the container in which you store the salmon spread.  If no one has eaten any of the salmon spread, health officials recommend throwing it out.


There have been a number of recent recalls due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  It is a rare, highly dangerous foodborne pathogen that kills about 25% of the people who contract an infection from the bacteria.  Pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are at highest risk for developing serious Listeria infections (called listeriosis).  The people in these groups should avoid ready-to-eat meat and several other foods.  Read a list of the foods to avoid.

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Minnesota Sprouts May Be Contaminated with Listera

alfalfa-sprouts.jpgMinnesotans should check their refrigerators for Calco sprouts (radish, alfalfa and bean sprouts). The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says the sprouts may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially fatal foodborne pathogen. The sprouts were distributed to stores and restaurants throughout Minnesota. MDA officials detected Listeria bacteria in a store sample of the Calco sprouts. The name of the store where the sample was taken from has not been released.

The incubation period for listeriosis can be as long as 70 days. That means someone who ate contaminated sprouts today may not show any symptoms of listeriosis until July. If  you have eaten any Calco sprouts, you should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, loss of balance and confusion. If you are pregnant and ate the recalled sprouts, your unborn baby is at risk. Read about Listeria and pregnancy.

Attorney Fred Pritzker has recovered millions for victims of Listeria poisoning (listeriosis) and other foodborne illnesses, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000.  To contact Attorney Pritzker for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out the firm's online-consultation form.  Learn about Listeria lawyer Fred Pritzker.  Learn more about the Minnesota personal injury lawyers at Pritzker law and the firm's concentration in foodborne illness litigation.

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Diestel Turkey Recall

turkey-recall-1.jpgDiestel Turkey Ranch, a Chinese Camp, California, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,907 pounds of ready-to-eat turkey products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  (See description of recalled Diestel turkey products below.)  If you have any recalled Diestel turkey and someone has already eaten it, that person may be at risk for contracting a Listeria infection (listeriosis).  The following is not legal advice but suggestions you may choose to follow:

  1. DO NOT RETURN THE RECALLED DIESTEL TURKEY
  2. Seal the turkey in a plastic bag
  3. Write "Do not eat" on the bag
  4. Keep the bag of leftover turkey in the refrigerator
  5. Watch for symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis)—fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea
  6. If you or a family member develops symptoms of listeriosis, see a doctor and have the doctor test a stool sample for Listeria
  7. Let the doctor know that you need to save a stool sample for further testing if the initial test is positive for Listeria
  8. If you test positive for Listeria, contact the Listeria lawyers at Pritzker law regarding further testing of the stool sample, Listeria culture (from the initial test) and any leftovers—call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 (write this phone number on a piece of paper and tape it to your refrigerator)
  9. If no one has developed symptoms of a Listeria infection after 70 days, you can throw the turkey away

The following products are subject to the Diestel turkey recall:

  • 6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "HERBED OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST." The label bears a "Sell-by" date of "5-28-07."
  • 6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "CHIPOTLE PEPPERED TURKEY BREAST." The label bears a "Sell-by" date of "5-28-07."
  • 6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "Naturally Smoked Boneless TURKEY BREAST." The label also a "Sell-by" date of "5-28-07."
  • 6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "PEPPERED OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST." The label bears a "Sell-by" date of "5-28-07."
  • 6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "Naturally Smoked, UNCURED, TURKEY BREAST WITH PASTRAMI SEASONINGS." The label bears a "Sell-by" date of "5-28-07."
  • 1-pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of "Uncured Turkey Breast with Pastrami Seasoning." The label bears a "Sell-by" date of "5-23-07."


Each label bears the establishment number "P-9332A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The turkey products were produced on April 20, 2007 and were distributed to retail establishments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Attorney Fred Pritzker is nationally recognized as a leading Listeria lawyer.  He has recently settled a case for $6,425,000.  Fred Pritzker can be reached toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or by e-mail at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.

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Possible Listeria Infection from Soft Cheese

According to a story on the TheIndyChannel.com, The Marion County Health Department (Indiana) has reported one person becoming ill after eating cheese that was sold door-to-door:

The health department said it became aware Tuesday that someone sold unpasteurized soft white cheese in the area of 38th Street and Georgetown Road, as well as near 38th Street and Moeller Road. Officials are worried that others might buy the product.  The cheese was contaminated with a bacteria called listeria.

Listeria is the most deadly foodborne pathogen.  Pregnant women are the most susceptible to contracting a Listeria infection. Although the pregnant women rarely get seriously ill from Listeria infections, their Listeria infections often cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn fatalities.

Anyone who ate cheese sold door-to-door in Indiana should watch for Listeria symptoms, which can include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.  If you suspect you have a Listeria infection, see your doctor immediately.
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New CDC Report Highlights Foodborne Illness Challenges

The CDC released a report Thursday on data collected on foodborne illness levels in the United States collected by the agency's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet).  Campylobacter, Listeria, Shigella and Yersinia (plague) levels have all declined since baseline data was collected from 1996-1998.

FoodNet data showed there has been little change in the number of Salmonella cases while the progress made in 2003 and 2004 reduction of E. coli O157 has been lost.   Vibrio infections, which are  usually related to the consumption of raw shellfish, have increased to the highest level since FoodNet began surveillance.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, the CDC director, had this to say about the results of the study:

As recent outbreaks have shown, too many people in the United States are getting sick each year from foodborne illnesses.  For instance, the outbreaks involving tomatoes, lettuce and spinach underscore the need to more effectively prevent contamination of produce.  We're also working to strengthen our ability to quickly detect and identify foodborne illnesses.  We know the faster we can detect an outbreak, the faster we can take actions that will help protect people.

Officials are unsure why incidences of E. coli O157 have increased, but believe it may be associated with the rise in number of infections cause by foods such as spinach and peanut butter which previously were not associated to infections. 

Fred Pritzker is a nationally leading food poisoning attorney from Minnesota that has recovered millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000.  To contact attorney Fred Pritzker, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's

online consultation form

.

 

 

New York Milk Alert

Beech Hill Farms located in Greenwich, New York, has issued a warning concerning raw milk that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes on March 26th.   Twelve people, mainly neighbors and friends of the farm, are believed to have purchased milk that may have been contaminated.

A spokeswomen of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets estimated that there are about 12 to 20 farms in New York that are allowed to sell raw milk.  All farms are inspected monthly and need a permit. 

milk.jpgIf you develop symptoms of Listeria infection such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea and believe you have been exposed to the contaminated milk, you should contact your doctor.  If you are diagnosed with a Listeria infection (listeriosis), you should contact attorney Fred Pritzker immediately by calling toll-free at 1-888-377-8900.  If you retain us, we will help you get the tests you need to link your listeriosis to Beech Hill Farms milk.  You should save a small amount of milk in the refrigerator for testing in the event you become ill.  Write "Do not drink" and our toll-free number on the container.

Listeria infections usually last between 5 to 10 days and have mild symptoms.  However, pregnant women are more likely to develop more severe problems such as miscarriage and need to take special precautions such as washing their hands more frequently and cooking foods thoroughly.  Also, those with compromised immune systems, such as people with AIDS, cancer or diabetes are more likely to get severe infections that may require hospitalization.

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Exito Supermarket in the Bronx and Listeria

ready-to-eat-meat.jpgExito Supermarket in the Bronx suspended deli operations after a New York health officials found some ready-to-eat-deli foods in the deli to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen. Young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill or dying as a result of a Listeria infection (listeriosis).

Pregnant women are the most susceptible to contracting a Listeria infection. Although the pregnant women rarely get seriously ill from Listeria infections, their Listeria infections often cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn fatalities. 

Anyone who has eaten at the Exito Supermarket deli should watch for symptoms of Listeria poisoning. If you ate deli food from Exito Supermarket and have leftovers. Do not eat them. Instead, do the following:

  1. Put them in a plastic bag, label the bag “Do not eat,” and keep it in the refrigerator for 70 days (the possible incubation period). 
  2. Write this number on the bag: 1-888-3770-8900.
  3. If you are diagnosed with a Listeria infection (listeriosis), call that number toll-free for a free consultation with a Listeria lawyer at Pritzker law. We will help you get the leftovers tested and protect your legal rights.
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Listeria Recall: Potato Salad

potatosalad.jpg


Potato salad sold in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  If you are pregnant, elderly or have a compromised immune system, you have a higher risk of developing serious, life-threatening complications, including Listeria meningitis.  The potato salad (recalled by the manufacturer) was sold under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise, and Midwest Pride brands.  It was also sold in store deli packages.

If anyone has eaten the recalled potato salad (see description below), follow these instructions:

  1. DO NOT RETURN THE POTATO SALAD
  2. Seal the potato salad in a plastic bag
  3. Write "Do not eat" on the bag
  4. Keep the bag of leftover potato salad in the refrigerator
  5. Watch for symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis)—fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea
  6. If you or a family member develops symptoms of listeriosis, see a doctor and have the doctor test a stool sample for Listeria
  7. Let the doctor know that you need to save a stool sample for further testing if the initial test is positive for Listeria
  8. If you test positive for Listeria, contact the Listeria lawyers at Pritzker law regarding further testing of the stool sample and any leftovers—call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 (write this phone number on a piece of paper and tape it to your refrigerator)
  9. If no one has developed symptoms of a Listeria infection after 73 days, you can throw the potato salad away


The recalled potato salad was sold in two forms (see list of stores where the recalled potato salad was sold):

  1. Prepackaged 1 lb product containers carrying the lot number 7057018A sold under three labels, “Midwest Pride,” “Coborn’s,” and “Cash Wise.” The “Midwest Pride” product has an expiration date of April 2, 2007 and the “Coborn’s” and “Cash Wise” product has an expiration date of March 9, 2007.
  2. Deli-packed product sold under the lot codes of 7057018A and 7057026B from February 27, 2007 to March 16, 2007, in 89 stores in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska.  If you ate deli potato salad in any of these states,  you can contact the store where you bought it to see if it was the recalled potato salad.  Even if the store says the potato salad was not the recalled potato salad, you should preserve any leftovers as instructed above and watch for symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis).

Attorney Fred Pritzker is nationally recognized as a leading Listeria lawyer.  He has recently settled a case for $6,425,000.  Fred Pritzker can be reached toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or by e-mail at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.

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Canada Reports Infant Listeriosis

 cheese.jpg


Public health officials in Canada are warning pregnant women to avoid consumption of raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products as this may result in listeriosis (Listeria infection) in the newborn. The Grey Bruce Health Unit received a laboratory confirmed report this week of an infant who has contracted the disease. The most likely source of infection is the mother’s consumption of raw milk cheese.

Listeriosis is a reportable infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogen. Pregnant women are at a 17 times higher risk than the general population to contract the disease which can then be transferred to the newborn. When this happens, the newborn usually becomes seriously ill, many die.  Listeriosis can also cause stillbirth and miscarriage.  Meningitis, septicemia and focal metastatic disease are associated with listeriosis.  Read about Listeria and pregnancy on the Pritzker Law websitewww.PritzkerLaw.com

Fred Pritzker, one of the leading foodborne illness litigators in the United States, has recently settled a case involving a woman who miscarried twins.   To contact our firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail Fred Priztker.

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Raw Milk and Foodborne Illness

Since a recent E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk, the raw-milk debate has heated up.  Food safety experts, now solidly backed by the FDA and CDC, argue that raw milk should not be consumed because there is a high risk of contamination with a number of foodborne pathogens.  The FDA and CDC issued the following health alert yesterday outlining their position on raw milk:

FDA and CDC Remind Consumers of the Dangers of Drinking Raw Milk
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are reminding consumers of the dangers of drinking milk that has not been pasteurized, known as raw milk.  Raw milk potentially contains a wide variety of harmful bacteria – including Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella – that may cause illness and possibly death.

Consuming raw milk may be harmful to health.  From 1998 to May 2005 CDC identified 45 outbreaks of foodborne illness that implicated unpasteurized milk, or cheese made from unpasteurized milk.  These outbreaks accounted for 1,007 illnesses, 104 hospitalizations, and two deaths. This is based on information in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the week of March 2, 2007.  The actual number of illnesses was almost certainly higher because not all cases of illness are recognized and reported.

Consumers who become ill after consuming raw milk, and pregnant women who believe they consumed contaminated raw milk or cheese made from raw milk, should see a doctor or other health care provider immediately.

Symptoms of illness caused by raw milk vary depending on which harmful bacteria are present. Symptoms may include but are not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, headache and body ache. 

Most healthy people will recover from illness caused by harmful bacteria in raw milk or in foods made with raw milk within a short period of time.  But some individuals can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening.  Illnesses caused by pathogens found in raw milk can be especially severe for pregnant women, the elderly, infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Since 1987, in order to better protect consumers from such risks, FDA has required all milk packaged for human consumption be pasteurized before being delivered for introduction into interstate commerce.  Pasteurization, a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time, kills bacteria responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and brucellosis.  FDA's pasteurization requirement also applies to other milk products, with the exception of a few aged cheeses. 

Proponents of drinking raw milk often claim that raw milk is more nutritious than pasteurized milk and that raw milk is inherently antimicrobial, thus making pasteurization unnecessary.  Research has shown that these claims are myths. There is no meaningful nutritional difference between pasteurized and raw milk, and raw milk does not contain compounds that will kill harmful bacteria. 

In fact, raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe. The CDC, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the Association of Food and Drug Officials and other organizations have endorsed the pasteurization of milk and restriction of the sale of products containing raw milk.  Because even pasteurized milk contains low levels of nonpathogenic bacteria that can cause food to spoil, it is important to keep pasteurized milk refrigerated.

Raw Milk Q&A [FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/rawm-toc.html

Food Facts: The Dangers of Raw Milk [FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/rawmilk.html

MMWR: Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection Associated with Drinking Unpasteurized Milk [CDC]
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5608a3.htm

21 CFR, Sec. 1240.61 Mandatory pasteurization for all milk and milk products in final package form intended for direct human consumption [U.S. Government Printing Office]   http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/10apr20061500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2006/aprqtr/21cfr1240.61.htm

Raw Milk Position Statements

FDA Raw Milk Position Statement [FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/mi-03-4.html
 

AMA Position on Milk and Human Health [American Medical Association]
http://www.ama-assn.org/apps/pf_new/pf_online?f_n=browse&doc=policyfiles/HnE/H-150.980.HTM&&s_t=&st_p=&nth=1&prev_pol=policyfiles/HnE/H-145.999.HTM&nxt_pol=policyfiles/HnE/H-150.946.HTM&

AAP Position on Unpasteurized Milk and Cheese [American Academy of Pediatrics] http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2006/1/A.VII

Additional Raw Milk Information

On the Safety of Raw Milk [FDA]
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/milksafe.html 

FDA Testimony on Raw Milk [Ohio Department of Agriculture]
 http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/dairy/documents/FDATestimonyRawMilk.pdf

Oscar Mayer and Louis Rich Chicken Expanded Recall

Several days ago Kraft Foods announced that the company was expanding their recall of Oscar Mayer and Louis Rich chicken to include over 2 million pounds of chicken strips and cuts.  The recalled Oscar Mayer and Louis Rich chicken strips and cuts may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and should not be eaten.  Pregnant women, the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk of becoming ill from this potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen.  Attorney Fred Pritzker, a leading food poisoning litigation lawyer, has information about Listeria symptoms, Listeria treatment, pregnancy and Listeria, and Listeria meningitis, on the firm website.

The following is the USDA-FSIS announcement of the expanded recall of Oscar Mayer and Louis Rich chicken strips and cuts:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2007 - Carolina Culinary Foods, a West Columbia, S.C., firm, is voluntarily expanding its Feb.18 recall of fully cooked Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich chicken breast cuts and strips that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The front of each package subject to this recall bears the establishment number "P-19676" inside the USDA mark of inspection. On the back of each package appears a "Use by" date. Products subject to recall bear a "Use by" date earlier than "28 MAY 2007." The expanded recall totals approximately 2.8 million pounds.

Only the following Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich chicken breast cuts and strips are subject to recall. The list is inclusive of products included in both the original and expanded recall actions.
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat, Southwestern Seasoned."
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled."
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Restaurant Style Breaded Chicken Breast Strips."
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Italian Style."
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat."
  • 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken, Honey Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat."
  • 12-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled."
  • 12-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned."


The expanded recall is based on additional sampling initiated by Kraft Foods and conducted at a non-government laboratory. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. The chicken breast cuts and strips were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

 

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Ham Recall Due to Listeria

First Quality Sausage has recalled about 930 pounds of semi-boneless ham steaks that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The description of the product is as follows:

  • 20-pound boxes of "FIRST QUALITY SAUSAGE, INC., SEMI BNLS, HAM STEAK, WATER ADDED." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 18789" inside the USDA mark of inspection.


The ham steaks were produced on Feb. 14, 2007, and were distributed to institutions in Carson City, Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada.  The problem was discovered through routine USDA-FSIS microbiological testing.

Although there are many food recalls due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, there are few Listeria outbreaks and only about 1000 CDC-confirmed cases of listeriosis (Listeria poisoning) each year in the United States.  However, Listeria kills 25% of its victims, the highest fatality rate of the foodborne pathogens. Unborn babies and newborns are particularly susceptible to the deadly effects of the pathogen.  Learn more about Listeria and pregnancy on the Pritzker law website and then pass the information on to the pregnant women you know.  There is information regarding foods to avoid when pregnant and symptoms of listeriosis.  

Attorney Fred Pritzker has extensive experience with Listeria lawsuits and has recovered millions for victims of Listeria poisoning.  To contact a Listeria lawyer at Prtizker law, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

Listeria Recall: Trader Joe's Salad

Garden Leaf Foods, a Gardena, Calif., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,591 pounds of Trader Joe's pasta salad with chicken that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following Trader Joe's salad is subject to recall:

  • 12-ounce plastic containers of "TRADER JOE'S, Serves 2, Spicy THAI STYLE PASTA SALAD, with chicken breast." Each label bears the establishment number "P-21252" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each package bears a "Sell-by" date of "1-25-07."
The recalled Trader Joe's salad was produced on Jan. 19, 2007 and distributed to retail establishments in Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico.

The incubation period for Listeria can be anywhere from 11-70 days.  If  you have eaten the recalled Trader Joe's pasta with chicken, you should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, loss of balance and confusion. If you are pregnant and ate the recalled hog head cheese, your unborn baby is at risk. Read about Listeria and pregnancy.

 

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. has recovered millions for victims of Listeria poisoning (listeriosis) and other foodborne illnesses, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000.  To contact a Listeria attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out the firm's online-consultation form.
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Listeria Recall: Maverick Ranch Franks (Hot Dogs)

For a second time this week, the USDA-FSIS announced a recall of a meat product for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  According to the USDA-FSIS, Gold Star Sausage Co., Inc, a Denver, Colo., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 15,514 pounds of Maverick Ranch franks (hot dogs).

The following products are subject to recall: 

  • One-pound packages of "MAVERICK RANCH BEEF FRANKS (HOT DOGS), 6 SKINLESS FRANKS." Each package bears a "sell by" date of "2/14/07," "2/21/07" or "2/28/07."
  • One-pound packages of "MAVERICK RANCH BUFFALO FRANKS (HOT DOGS), 6 SKINLESS FRANKS." Each package bears a "sell by" date of "12/27/06," "1/3/07," "1/10/07," "2/14/07," "2/21/07" or "2/28/07."
  • Five-pound packages of "BEEF FRANKS (HOT DOGS), PRODUCT CODE MF55-0606-15."
These products were packaged on "12/09/06." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 1106" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

 

The Maverick Ranch franks (hot dogs) were distributed to retail and institutional establishments in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.

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Listeria Recall: Pap's Louisiana Cuisine Hog Head Cheese

Pap’s Louisiana Cuisine, a Prairieville, La, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 290 pounds of hog head cheese products that may be  contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The following products are subject to recall:

5-pound packages of "VERON, HOG HEAD CHEESE." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 13581" inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as the Use-by/Sell-by date "022807."

The hog head cheese products were produced on December 27, 2006, and were distributed to retail establishments in Southeast Louisiana.

The incubation period for Listeria can be anywhere from 11-70 days.  If  you have eaten the recalled Pap’s Louisiana Cuisine hog head cheese, you should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, loss of balance and confusion. If you are pregnant and ate the recalled hog head cheese, your unborn baby is at risk. Read about Listeria and pregnancy.

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. has recovered millions for victims of Listeria poisoning (listeriosis) and other foodborne illnesses, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000.  To contact Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out the firm's online-consultation form.
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Raw Milk Poses Risk of E. coli and Listeria Infections

Some argue that raw milk is healthy; others, that it is dangerous because it can be contaminated with foodborne, bacterial pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella.

In the last 12 months, raw milk has been linked to at least 2 E. coli outbreaks, including one a few months ago that sickened 4 children in California and one a year ago that left 5 children hospitalized, 3 with kidney failure.  Now, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has warned consumers in the Allegany County area not to consume raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm due to possible contamination with Listeria.

As more outbreaks and recalls involve raw milk (and they will), state legislators will have to decide whether the claimed benefits of raw milk outweigh the risks of serious foodborne illness.  State legislators and consumers alike need to understand that when raw milk tests positive for a foodborne pathogen (Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria or Salmonella) it most likely means that cow manure has gotten into the milk, a relatively easy thing to happen given where milk comes from.

Rhode Island Grocery Store Tests Positive for Listeria

While investigating a recent case of listeriosis (Listeria infection), Rhode Island health officials tested several food products from Compare Foods in Providence, Rhode Island.  Several of the tests were positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-deadly foodborne bacteria.  The Rhode Island Health Department has issued an alert regarding food purchased at Compare Foods:

 

Consumers are advised to discard all food items prepared at Compare Foods, 863 Broad St., Providence, RI that have been purchased any time in the past. This includes prepared foods such as sandwiches, deli sliced meats and cheeses, and prepared salads such as: tuna, macaroni, seafood, turkey, ham and cheese, potato, and Cole slaw. These foods should be discarded because there is the potential that they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes . Multiple samples collected from this market during an investigation of an illness due to this organism were positive for this bacterium.

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Jamba Juice Strawberry Smoothie Poses Listeria Risk

Jamba Juice of San Francisco, California, has notified the public that smoothies containing strawberries which were sold at its Jamba Juice stores in Arizona, Southern Nevada and Southern California between November 25 - December 1, 2006, may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections (Listeria meningitis) in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  In the past, we have represented families of victims who died and victims who were severely injured, including one man who lost some body functions and was permanently mentally impared.  (These were victims of past Listeria outbreaks.)

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HoneyBaked Ham and Turkey Recall: Listeria Lawyer

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been informed of 7 cases of self-reported illnesses that may be related to HoneyBaked ham and turkey recalled on November 24, 2006, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. (For extensive Listeria information, please see our website.)  The consumers involved in these reports are located in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and Texas. The recalled HoneyBaked ham and turkey was sold nationwide through internet and telephone catalogue sales, as well as at retail establishments and kiosks in Toledo, Ohio. The ham and turkey products were sold before Thanksgiving between September 5 and November 15.

One has to question the timing of the recall notice, the day after Thanksgiving. This was obviously an economic move and put the public at risk.

If you have eaten any recalled product, you should label it “Do not eat!” and keep it until you are sure you are not infected with Listeria bacteria, up to 70 days after consumption of the product. For your records, please write down the day you bought the HoneyBaked ham or turkey, the day you ate it and when your symptoms started.  If you or a family member is diagnosed with listeriosis (Listeria infection), you should immediately contact Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation. Our lawyers will make sure the correct testing is done to protect your legal rights. Even if you do not have any leftover ham or turkey, genetic testing may be able to link your Listeria infection to the HoneyBaked product.  Please call 1-888-377-8900, e-mail Fred Pritzker at fhp@pritzkerlaw.com or fill out the online-consultation form.

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HoneyBaked Ham and Turkey Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

HoneyBaked Foods Inc., a Holland, Ohio, firm, has voluntarily recalled approximately 46,941 pounds of cooked ham and turkey products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that can be fatal to the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, newborns and unborn babies. Continue Reading...

Los Angeles Listeria Infections (Listeriosis)

Below is a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warning pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems that they should avoid certain foods to reduce their risk of Listeria infection (listeriosis).  Pregnant women contract about one-third of all of the listeriosis cases per year.  The result is often miscarriage or stillbirth.  According to numbers compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been an unusually high number of listeriosis cases in other California counties as well as Los Angeles County.  Health officials are not yet declaring a Listeria outbreak because the infections appear to be from various sources.  If you have been diagnosed with a Listeria infection (listeriosis), contact a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation.
Tracking cases from August to November of this year, Public Health reports 17 residents with listeriosis, an increase from nine residents last year during this same time period. Of the 17 cases, seven are pregnant women including five of Hispanic descent. This is an increase from only one case last year during the same time period. So far this year, there have been two stillbirths among the infected pregnant women.
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Listeria Recall: Ballard's Farm Slaw and Salad

Ballard's Farm Sausage, Inc. announced an extension of its voluntary recall involving all lots of Ballard's Farm 24 oz. Amish Macaroni salad, Ballard's Farm 24 oz. Amish Sweet Slaw, Ballard's Farm 12 oz. Cole Slaw, and Food City 12 oz. Cole Slaw because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This is in addition to the recall of Ballard's Farm 12 oz. Egg Salad on October 22, 2006.

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Listeria Recall: Wal-Mart Egg Salad

A sample of Ballard's Farm Egg Salad sold in a Wake County, North Carolina, Wal-Mart store has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen. Yesterday the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced a recall of Ballard's Farm Egg Salad sold in 12-ounce containers with the code "Best Used By 11/07/06." The egg salad is sold at Wal-Mart and other food retailers in North Carolina. It also has been distributed to Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. More Ballard's Farm Egg Salad may be recalled after further testing.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated, "If consumers have this product, they shouldn't eat it, and should either discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund." However, if you have eaten some of the recalled Ballard's Farm Egg Salad, you should keep it until you are sure you have not contracted Listeria poisoning, also called listeriosis. Uneaten egg salad could be used as evidence if you are diagnosed with listeriosis. The incubation period for Listeria is anywhere from 10-70 days.

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Listeria Recall: Ohio Pork Products

Herman Falter Packing Co. of Columbus, Ohio, has voluntarily recalled pork products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a life-threatening foodborne pathogen. The pork products were produced on September 13, 18 or 19, 2006, and were distributed to retail and wholesale establishments in the Columbus, Ohio, region. The Listeria risk was discovered through FSIS microbiological testing.

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Chicago Listeria Recall: Portillo's Roast Beef

Portillo's Food Service, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois, has voluntarily recalled about 3,703 pounds of sliced roast beef due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen. The fully-cooked, sliced roast beef was produced on Sept. 27 by Portillo's Food Service, Inc. and distributed to select Portillo's restaurant outlets in the Chicago area. The possible exposure was discovered through in-plant microbiological testing.

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Listeria Recall: Tuscan Sun Turkey Sandwiches

Jumbo Foods, Inc. of Mukilteo, Washington, has recalled 1360 Tuscan Sun Turkey sandwiches because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. About 25% of the people who contract a Listeria infection (listeriosis) die.

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New York Listeria Cases

In the last four weeks, New York health officials reported 7 cases of Listeria monocytogenes to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). With only a total of 48 cases of Listeria reported, New York had over 10% of the cases. (Ohio also had a high number of Listeria cases.) This seems to be a high percentage for one of 50 states.

Because the incubation period for Listeria bacterium can be as long as 70 days, health officials often are unable to find the source of a Listeria infection. We looked back at the products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the last 70 days. There was one product recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination within the last 70 days that was distributed in New York: Monterey Mushrooms recalled about 10,000 cases of fresh sliced white mushrooms and fresh sliced baby bella mushrooms.

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Ohio Listeria Cases

In the last four weeks, Ohio health officials reported 6 cases of Listeria monocytogenes to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). With only a total of 48 cases of Listeria reported, Ohio had about 10% of the cases. This seems to be a high percentage for one of 50 states.

It is often difficult to pinpoint the source of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) because the incubation period can be as long as 70 days. We looked back at the products recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the last 70 days.

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Listeria Recall: Sliced Monterey Mushrooms

Monterey Mushrooms of Watsonville, CA, has recalled approximately 10,000 cases of fresh sliced white mushrooms and fresh sliced baby bella mushrooms, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

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Recalled Smoked Salmon Dip Sold at Schnucks and Logli

Pritzker | Ruohonen, a national leader in Listeria litigation, is monitoring the recall of Salad of the Seas Cajun Smoked Salmon Dip and other products manufactured by Future Food Ltd. A recent press release issued by Schuncks grocery stores notifies customers that Salad of the Seas Cajun Smoked Salmon Dip was sold at Schnucks and Logli stores in St. Louis, Missouri. Future Food Ltd. voluntarily recalled the salmon dip and other dips, spreads and salads on August 15 because of possible contamination with Listeria moncytogenes, a potentially fatal foodborn pathogen.

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Colorado Safeway - Recalled Seafood Dips

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Safeway stores may have sold seafood dips that were recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled salmon and imitation crab dips that may have been sold at Safeway stores in Colorado are "Salads of the Sea" Smoked Salmon Flavored Spread and Krab Spinach and Artichoke Dip, both manufactured by Future Food Ltd. and labeled with a use-by-date of Aug, 23, 2006, or lot code 06186. These dips were sold in 7-ounce containers.

We applaud the Colorado Department of Health for warning consumers about recalled products that may have been sold by a specific store, Safeway in this case. For most food recalls, consumers are not told specific stores where recalled products were sold, even though this information would be valuable to consumers.

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Listeria Recall: Dip, Spread and Salad

Pritzker | Ruohonen, a leader in the area of Listeria litigation, provides food recall information as a service to the public. On August 11, 2006, the FDA announced the recall of Supreme Krab Dip and Krab Dip Supreme (imitation crab dip) distributed by Future Food Ltd, of Dallas, Texas. Microbiological testing done on a sample of the distributed product found Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous foodborne pathogen. Because of the dangerous nature of Listeria monocytogenes, which is fatal for about 25% of the people who become ill, Future Food, Ltd, expanded the recall to include dips, spreads and salads manufactured on the same day using the same equipment.

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Listeria and Georgia Winn-Dixie Sea Supreme Krab Dip

Pritzker | Ruohonen, a leader in Listeria litigation, is monitoring the recall of imitation crab dip. Georgia officials found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Sea Supreme Krab Dip (imitation crab) sold at Georgia Winn-Dixie stores. As a result of this finding, the distributor of the crab dip, Future Food, LTD, of Dallas, Texas, expanded an August 11 recall of Supreme Krab Dip and Krab Dip Supreme to include all dips, spreads and salads manufactured on the same day using the same equipment.

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Listeria Recall: Essensia Potato Salad

According to a story in the Great Falls Tribune (Montana), Albertsons and Chef Solutions Inc. have issued a recall for approximately 8,300 pounds of Essensia brand baked potato salad due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The potato salad recalled is Essensia Baked Potato Salad in a 16 oz. container with a use-by date of Aug. 17, 2006, that was sold in California, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

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Listeria Recall: Imitation Crab Dip

The FDA has announced the recall of imitation crab dip due to possible Listeria contamination. Our law firm has represented several victims of Listeria outbreaks and provides Listeria recall information as a public service. Listeria monocytogenes poisoning (listeriosis) is a serious foodborne illness that kills 25% of its victims in the United States each year. The very young, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are the most at risk. Pregnant women are at at greater risk for contracting listeriosis, which can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Learn more about Listeria monocytogenes. Read about Listeria attorney Fred Pritzker on the Pritzker | Ruohonen website, www.pritzkerlaw.com.

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Consumer Awareness of Listeria

Most consumers have no idea what Listeria is. In fact, the spell-check for Word considers Listeria a misspelling and questions whether it should be "wisteria." A study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that less than half of the consumers surveyed were aware of Listeria. The study found that lack of consumer awareness did not translate into risky storage practices, except that some demographic groups did store opened packages of vacuum-packed deli meats and freshly sliced deli meats for longer than the recommended time, 3 to 5 days.

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Hot Dog Recall Due to Listeria Risk

The USDA-FSIS has announced a recall of Orientex Manila Style Hot Dogs due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes a foodborne pathogen that can cause listeriosis. The following hot dog products are subject to recall:

  • 12-ounce packages of "ORIENTEX MANILA STYLE HOT DOGS." Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 17480" inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as the product code, "065000717."
The Orientex Manila Style Hot Dogs were produced on July 17, 2006, and were distributed to a retail outlet in San Leandro, California.

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Potato Salad Food Poisoning

Pritzker | Ruohonen is a leader in the area of food poisoning lawsuits. As part of the food safety community, we alert consumers to food poisoning news. In the last few weeks, potato salad has surfaced as a potential safety risk. On June 30 the FDA announced the recall of Shernoff's Potato Salad due to possible Listeria contamination. Earlier in June, a food poisoning outbreak in Bowling Green, Ohio, sickened 100 people. Health officials are looking at contaminated potato salad as the likely source. Nick & Jimmy's Bar and Grill of Toledo, Ohio, had provided the potato salad at a catered event.

With potato salad being recalled and linked to food poisoning in the last few weeks, we looked at CDC foodborne outbreak statistics from 2000-2004 (CDC 2005 statistics will not be out until December 2006 or later) to find information about past foodborne outbreaks linked to potato salad. We found that potato salad has been the source of 17 food poisoning outbreaks involving several different foodborne pathogens.

Potato Salad Food Poisoning Outbreaks 2000:

  • Salmonella
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Norovirus

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Food Recall and Listeria Contamination

If you have eaten food that has been recalled because of Listeria contamination, the FDA recommends that people in a high-risk group should contact their physicians and inform them about the exposure. High-risk groups include the very young, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. Even with early treatment, a Listeria infection for someone in a high-risk group can be fatal.

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Listeria and Listeriosis Basics

Listeria monocytogenes, a life-threatening bacteria, has been found in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses and deli meat. Although Listeria can infect anyone, the people at greatest risk are the very young, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis, the term for the illnesses associated with Listeria food poisoning.

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Pregnant Women and Listeria

Reseachers at the University of California, Berkeley, may have discovered why pregnant women are more likely to be infected by Listeria.

"The reason the mother is more susceptible is not necessarily because her immune system is compromised, but because the bacteria that got into her placenta are infecting her," said Anna Bakardjiev, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher with Daniel Portnoy, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UC Berkeley. "The miscarriages that result from these infections may be a natural defense mechanism to dispel this source of infection."

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Shernoff's Potato Salad Recall -- Listeria

Pritzker | Ruohonen, lead attorneys in a major Listeria recall lawsuit, provide Listeria recall information as a public service. The FDA has announced the recall of Shernoff's brand Potato Salad because Listeria was discovered in both environmental and product samples. The FDA found Listeria in the room where Shernoff's Potato Salad was manufactured and in the finished product.

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Cut Cahill's Farm Porter Cheese Recall

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the recall by Swiss-American, Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri, of Cut Cahill's Farm Porter Cheese because Listeria monocytogenes, a rare but often fatal foodborne pathogen, was discovered in a sample of the product.

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Fosfomycin Found Able to Treat Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is rare but deadly. It has about a 25% fatality rate, higher than any other foodborne illness. According to an article in Nature Medicine, A University of Bristol team, led by Professor Jose Vazquez-Boland, has shown that one particular antibiotic - fosfomycin - can treat listeriosis, the foodborne disease caused by Listeria.

The ongoing battle with antibiotic resistence is pushing researchers to find new antibiotics to use for various bacterial foodborne diseases. If farmers continue to routinely use antibiotics, treating bacterial foodborne diseases with antibiotics will become increasingly more difficult. Viral foodborne diseases, hepatitis A and norovirus, can not be treated with antiobiotics, which are only effective against bacteria.

(Source: Nature Medicine (23 Apr 2006) Brief Communications)

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Listeria Cases on the Rise

An April 14, 2006, article in the Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report (MMWR), a weekly publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says that Listeria cases rose in 2005 and failed to meet national objectives for lowering the rate of Listeria by 2005 (MMWR 2006 Apr 14;55(14):392-5) The Consumer Federation of America blames the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the rise in Listeria cases:

The Consumer Federation of America said while the government made progress lowering the rate between 1996 and 2002, Listeria has started to climb because USDA hasn't established tighter controls for deli meats and hot dogs. "There is no progress if you don't have the government pushing the industry to improve," said Carol Tucker
Foreman of the Consumer Federation of America. (Reuters)

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Recall of Ham Salad Due to Risk of Listeria

On April 5, 2006, the U. S. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) in cooperation with Town and Country Meats of Greene, Maine, announced a voluntary recall of 92 pounds of ham salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The ham salad was produced by Town and Country Meats on March 31 and April 3, 2006, and was distributed for sale in Maine. The recalled ham salad was packaged in 2-pound plastic tubs. The words "TOWN & COUNTRY FOODS, HAM SALAD" are on each tub. Each tub of ham salad also bears the establishment number "Est. 9710" inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as the product code, "00906" or "00936."

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Nonthermal Ways to Kill Food Pathogens

At universities throughout the country, scientists are finding new ways to make our food supply safe from harmful foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. A March 31, 2006, Penn State article highlights the work of Dr. Ali Demirici, an associate professor of agriculture and biological engineering in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. According to the article, he is "every germ's worst nightmare."

Dr. Demirici is working on nonthermal ways to kill food pathogens which will not damage the quality of the food product. "I have been investigating the use of ozone, supercritical carbon dioxide, electrolyzed oxidizing water and pulsed UV-light," says Demirci in the article.

Having seen the devastating effects of food poisoning, we are encouraged at Pritzker | Ruohonen with the amount of research that is being done to prevent E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. With Dr. Demirici, we hope his efforts "will pay off by reducing outbreaks due to consumption of minimally processed foods."

Listeria Prevention: Heat Deli Meat

Each year there are only about 1000 reports of Listeria monocytogenes in the United States. The fatality rate, however, is 25%, the highest rate for a foodborne illness. Because many listeria outbreaks are linked to deli meat, particularly deli turkey, extra precautions should be taken. According to a March 23, 2006, article in the Kansas City Star, Fadi Aramouni with the Food Science Institute at Kansas State University recommends heating deli meats or cold cuts to reduce the risk of Listeria, particularly if the meat is going to be eaten by someone in a high-risk group, including the very young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. The meat could be microwaved, grilled, or cooked in boiling water.

Fred Pritzker is currently lead attorney for victims of the 2002 Northeast United States listeriosis outbreak that killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others. In this Listeria lawsuit, the listeriosis was linked to deli turkey. "Consumers cannot buy deli meat and assume it is safe to eat. If deli meat is contaminated with Listeria bacteria, people will become seriously ill if they eat it, unless the Listeria has been killed with heat."