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

The same week our Salmonella attorneys won a large settlement for victims of a 2010 Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, we learned of another Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, this time Evergreen Produce brand sprouts.

This new outbreak continues to grow:

From April 12 to July 5, a total of 25 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 5 states: Idaho (3), Montana (10), New Jersey (1), North Dakota (1) and Washington (10). Results of the investigation indicate a link to eating alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts manufactured by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC of Moyie Springs, Idaho.

The sprouts Salmonella outbreak prompted  Evergreen Fresh Sprouts to recall certain lots of alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled sprouts were distributed in Washington and Idaho by direct delivery to four distributors and three retail stores and could have ended up in restaurants and supermarkets in those areas and neighboring states. Contaminated products may still be in grocery stores and in consumers’ homes.

The recalled products are coded with Expiration Dates from 06 22 through 07 14. The products being recalled are identified as:

• Alfalfa Sprouts, Evergreen Produce, 4 oz. bag, UPC 8 38796 00103 7.
• Alfalfa Sprouts, Evergreen Produce, 16 oz. bag, UPC 8 38796 00108 2.
• Alfalfa Sprouts, Evergreen Produce, 5 lb. bag, no UPC.
• Spicy Sprouts, Evergreen Produce, 4 oz. bag, UPC 8 38796 00102 0.
• Spicy Sprouts, Evergreen Produce, 16 oz. or 5 lb. bag, no UPC.

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Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC announced a voluntary recall of Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts because the sprouts have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled sprouts have been linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.

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CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts.  Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

If you are part of this outbreak, you may have a claim against Evergreen Produce and others. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.

As of June 27, 2011, a total of 21 persons with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 5 states: Idaho (3), Montana (7), North Dakota (1), New Jersey (1) and Washington (9). Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began between April 12 and June 7, 2011. Ill persons range in age from 12 years to 77 years old, with a median age of 35 years old. Seventy-one percent are female. Among the 10 ill persons with available information, 3 (30%) persons have been hospitalized.

The CDC, FDA and state health officials are continuing surveillance to identify new cases and trace potentially contaminated products.

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The FDA is warning consumers not to eat certain Evergreen Produce brand alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts because they may contain Salmonella Enteritidis. The possibly contaminated alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts are sold in plastic bags labeled “Evergreen Produce” or “Evergreen Produce Inc.” They are packaged in 4-ounce and 16-ounce plastic bags with pre-printed labels and are also packaged in 1-pound and 5-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels. The spicy sprouts are packaged in 4-ounce plastic bags with pre-printed labels and 1-pound plastic bags with stick-on labels.

The FDA Evergreen Produce sprouts warning was prompted by a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 20 people in Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and Washington State. Several people sickened in the outbreak ate Evergreen Produce alfalfa sprouts before getting sick.

Pritzker Olsen attorneys recently settled several cases involving a restaurant chain that served contaminated sprouts.  They represent Salmonella victims throughout the United States.

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Nineteen people in Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington and Western Montana are part  of a Salmonella outbreak associated with alfalfa sprouts traced to Evergreen Produce, located in Moyie Springs, Idaho.

Idaho public health officials are recommending that people avoid eating sprouts from Evergreen Produce and discard any Evergreen Produce sprouts in their possession while the investigation is ongoing.

Our lawyers have won money for Salmonella victims sickened by contaminated alfalfa sprouts in other outbreaks. Our lead attorney for these cases is Fred Pritzker.

In these cases, victims may have claims against growers, distributors, retailers and restaurants, depending on the facts. These claims are called personal injury claims, and include compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.  If the Salmonella victim dies, the family may have a wrongful death claim against responsible parties.

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The production of bean sprouts without adequate sanitation poses a significant public health risk because of the pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli.

Those food poisoning concerns prompted the Food and Drug Administration this month to shut down a sprout processor in Mount Airy, Maryland, until the owners empty the place and start over with a hired sanitation expert. Vegi-Pak Farm LLC  and its president, Sun Ja Lee, and general manager, Brian W. Lee, signed a consent decree that triggered the closing, the FDA said in a press release.

Vegi-Pak Farm grows, processes, packages and distributes ready-to-eat soybean sprouts and holds and distributes tofu and mung bean spouts. The products are sold to markets in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The operation has been in trouble before with state and federal regulators for insanitary conditions.

Violations found during FDA’s September 2010 inspection of the facility included the presence of numerous flies, inadequate removal of waste, inadequate conveyance of liquid waste; inadequate screening against pests; inadequate cleaning and sanitizing of processing equipment; inadequate hand washing facilities and poor employee sanitation practices.  Inspections conducted by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in August 2010 and in April and July 2008,  found similar conditions at Vegi-Pak Farm, the FDA said.

E. coli sprout outbreaks and Salmonella sprout outbreaks happen in the U.S. with sporadic regularity. These are serious foodborne illnesses that can result in long-term health conditions, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in E. coli victims and Reiter's Syndrome, or reactive arthritis, in Samonella victims.

If you or a loved one has been sickened as part of an E. coli sprouts outbreak or Salmonella sprouts outbreak, contact a food poisoning lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form. An attorney from our firm will provide a free case consultation and answer any questions you might have about a sprouts lawsuit.

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A Maryland bean sprout processor has been shut down under court order while the owner addresses insanitary conditions found by public health inspectors. The company is Vegi-Pak Farm LLC of Mount Airy. The situation came to a head last week when the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint in U.S. District Court seeking a permanent injunction against the facility until it could be brought into compliance with food safety laws.

Vegi-Pak General Manager Brian Lee told the Baltimore Sun newspaper that the company is complying with a consent decree that details a list of required actions, including cleaning the facility, storing seeds safely and treating them to reduce pathogens. There has not been a known outbreak of Salmonella or E. coli linked to the plant, but sprouts are susceptible to contamination even in plants that are in general compliance with food safety laws. That's because they are cultivated with heat and moisture, conditions that also favor clustering of E. coli, Salmonella and other harmful human pathogens.

 Since 1996, there have been 32 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with different types of raw and lightly cooked sprouts. Most of these outbreaks were caused by Salmonella and E. coli infections.

The most recent multi-state outbreak started last November and sickened 140 individuals with Salmonella through February 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In that outbreak, the investigation indicated a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets. Half of the illnesses were in Illinois, where Jimmy John's and Tiny Greens are based.

Before the shut-down, Vegi-Pak had been processing and packaging tofu and soybean and mung bean sprouts distributed to Korean markets in Maryland, Virginia and Washington. According to the DOJ complaint, Food and Drug Administration inspectors found equipment coated in food waste and a fly infestation inside the facility in September. In addition, workers were not adequately washing and cleaning the soybeans, and reported they were instructed by the company president to fabricate disinfection records, according to the complaint. A state inspection also found problems.

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The Jimmy John's Salmonella outbreak in Illinois and 25 other states has sickened 140 individuals since November 1, 2010, according to the final update on the outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results of the federal investigation indicated a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurant outlets.

Exactly half of the 140 illnesses were in Illinois, the state where Jimmy John's and Tiny Greens are based. Twenty-three cases were from Missouri, 13 from Indiana and four were from Wisconsin. The other states and the District of Columbia had one or two each.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella serotype  I 4,[5],12:i:-  was not found in any sprouts, but it was found in a sample of water run-off at Tiny Greens' growing facility.  Case-patients range in age from 1 to 85 years-old, with a median age of 28 years-old. Eighty-seven patients, or 63 percent, are female. Among persons with available information, 24 percent reported being hospitalized. No deaths were reported. 

If you or a loved one is a confirmed case patient of this outbreak, your questions about a possible sprouts Salmonella lawsuit can be answered by an attorney at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation. PritzkerOlsen is representing victims from this outbreak, including an Illinois women who ate at Jimmy John's and became hospitalized from her illness.

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Sprout growner Tiny Greens of Urbana, Illinois, was inspected by the FDA after alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts sold to Jimmy John's and elsewhere were implicated in a multi-state Salmonella outbreak that started late last year. The sprouts Salmonella outbreak has sickened more than 125 people in 22 states and Washington, D.C.

FDA investigators observed unsafe plant conditions, including many employee movements that could potentially cross-contaminated the plant with harmful bacteria. In addition, testing found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in pooled run-off water draining from an outdoor compost pile. The FDA report said an employee wearing a red hooded sweatshirt was seen dumping production waste into the compost pile before returning to the production area wearing the same clothing. The report said the company grew sprouts in "soil from the organic material decomposed outside" without using any monitored "kill step" to neutralize bacteria.

Here's a quick summary of some of the other observations at the Tiny Greens plant:

• There was a pet "amphibian/reptile'' in the  reception area of the firm.
• "Biofilm-like material'' was built up around a plastic brace on a sprouting tray.
• There were rough welds, organic matter buildup and perforations on the food contact surface of a stainless steel table used to package alfalfa sprouts.  Sprouts are dumped  directly onto the table to  be placed in  packaging.
• Mold-like formations were seen on the walls and up in the ceiling above the mung bean sprouting room.
• The firm's microbiological testing was observed as "not adequate to monitor pathogen contamination.'' 

Salmonella lawyer Fred Pritzker is representing victims of the sprouts Salmonella outbreak, including a woman from Illinois who was hospitalized for several days with a Salmonella infection contracted after eating alfalfa sprouts on a Jimmy John's sandwich. Mr. Pritzker, who is a leading national  foodborne illness attorney, is continuing to accept new cases from this outbreak and can be at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). If you prefer to contact Mr. Pritzker electronically, please complete our online contact form .

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The Salmonella sprouts outbreak associated with clover sprouts from Sprouters Northwest prompted an FDA inspection that noted eight areas of observational concern about the cleanliness and condition of equipment and facilities.

According to a copy of Form 483 completed by the team of five FDA inspectors, problems they observed ranged from leaky roof, rodent harborage, food buildup on equipment, potential cross-contamination of sprout bins and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on a production table.

Sprouters Northwest Inc. of Kent, Washington, recalled all clover and clover mix products because they had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The sprouts were associated with at least 7 illnesses in Washington and Oregon. In addition, Wal-Mart of British Columbia, Canada, also has recalled Sprouters Northwest brand Deli Sprouts in conjunction with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The company's recall included clover sprouts, Brocco sandwich sprouts, Deli sprouts, clover onion sprouts and Spicy sprouts.

The observations of concern as listed in the report were backed up by specific examples, but here are the 8 overall observations: 

• Failure to take necessary precautions to protect against contamination of food and food contact surfaces with microorganisms and foreign substances.
• Failure to clean food-contact surfaces as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination of food.
• Failure to clean non-food-contact surfaces of equipment as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination.
• Effective measures are not being taken to protect against the contamination of food on the premises by pests.
• Failure to store equipment, remove litter and cut weeds that may be an attractant to pests. 
• Failure to maintain buildings, fixtures and other facilities in sanitary condition.
• Failure to hold raw material in bulk in suitable containers.
• Failure to maintain buildings and physical facilities in repair sufficient to prevent food from becoming adulterated.

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The Tiny Greens Salmonella outbreak linked to sprouts and associated with Jimmy John's has hit hardest in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. That's where 99 of the 125 confirmed illnesses have occurred according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak strain of Salmonella has infected 65 in Illinois, 22 in Missouri and 12 in Indiana. Overall, the outbreak has been detected in 22 states and the District of Columbia, but no other state has reported more than 3 cases.

Public health and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to consumption of Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts. The sprouts were distributed to various customers, including farmers’ markets, restaurants, and groceries in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri and may also have been distributed to other Midwestern states.

In Illinois, many of the ill individuals ate sandwiches containing sprouts at various Jimmy John’s outlets in at least nine counties. FDA and the Illinois Department of Public Health conducted an inspection of Tiny Greens Organic Farm in Urbana, Illinois. Thus far, one water run-off sample yielded the Salmonella outbreak strain.

A public claims center for this Tiny Greens and Jimmy John's Salmonella sprouts outbreak has been established by national food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A. for a sprouts lawsuit on behalf of those who have been sickened.  A full analysis of your case and further investigation is necessary to determine the parties that you have a right to sue and how much your case is worth. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact us online. 

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The sprout Salmonella outbreak linked to consumption of Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts peaked in late November and early December but new cases have continued to be confirmed by medical professionals and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From November 1, 2010, through January 11, 2011, 125 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-,  have been reported from 22 states and the District of Columbia -- that's up from 18 states in the previous CDC report. CDC said results of the investigation indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets.

At Tiny Greens in Urbana, Illinois, FDA testing of a water run-off sample found the Salmonella outbreak strain of bacteria. Based on all information, CDC continues to warn that consumers should not eat recalled Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts, and restaurant and food service operators should not serve them. 

Individuals sickened in this outbreak in Illinois and elsewhere may be interested in becoming part of a sprouts Salmonella lawsuit or Jimmy John's lawsuit. Outbreak attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., currently represent victims and are continuing to accept new cases. Get a free consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing our contact form for Salmonella claims. Our law firm has collected millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning and is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

More than 20 percent of the victims in this Jimmy John's Salmonella outbreak linked to Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts have been hospitalized for treatment after suffering painful diarrhea. Some Salmonella infections develop into life-threatening illness, but no one has died in this outbreak. A potential risk for victims is developing arterial infections, reactive arthritis, which also is known as Reiter's Syndrome. 

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Salmonella outbreak investigations are active involving alfalfa sprouts in 18 states and clover sprouts in the Northwest.

Sprouters Northwest, Inc. of Kent, Washington, has recalled all clover and clover mix products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The sprouts have been associated with at least six illnesses in Washington and Oregon and Wal-Mart of British Columbia, Canada, also has recalled Sprouters Northwest brand Deli Sprouts in conjunction with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The company's recall includes clover sprouts, Brocco sandwich sprouts, Deli sprouts, clover onion sprouts and Spicy sprouts.

Sprouters Northwest suspended production while FDA, other agencies and the company itself investigate the source of the problem. No deaths have been reported, though Salmonella is potentially lethal, especially in young children, the elderly and others who have compromised immune systems.

In the Midwest, Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Illinois, announced a recall late last year in connection with an 18-state Salmonella outbreak also impacting Washington, D.C. At least 112 people have been sickened, including more than 20 percent hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that results of the Salmonella outbreak investigation in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and beyond indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets. Meanwhile, Jimmy John's is quoted in a food industry trade magazine saying its corporate stores are switching from serving alfalfa sprouts to clover sprouts and is urging franchisees to do the same. Are they not aware of the clover sprouts Salmonella outbreak in the Northwest?

Both of these Salmonella outbreaks, sprouts related, are under investigation by PritzkerOlsen, P.A., and the firm is representing an Illinois woman who was hospitalized with Salmonella infection for nearly a week after eating sprouts from Jimmy John's. If you have been sickened in either one of these outbreaks, contact a Salmonella attorney at the firm to inquire about a sprouts Salmonella lawsuit. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our Salmonella outbreak contact form. Our firm has collected millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning and we are one of the few law groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

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As in Illinois, Jimmy John's restaurants have voluntarily suspended serving sprouts at their Indiana franchise locations, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Indiana enteric epidemiologist Amie May said in the same press release that people should not eat Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts, which have been recalled.

Indiana is the third leading state in the number of confirmed Salmonella outbreak cases in an 18-state spread of illness that started November 1 and has been associated with Tiny Greens sprouts served on sandwiches at Jimmy John's. Illinois and Missouri have the most cases. Indiana is among the states working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA to further investigate and track the outbreak.

Salmonella law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims from this outbreak and is providing free case consultations to individuals and families who became sick after eating alfalfa sprouts on a Jimmy John's sandwich. Our firm is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and has recovered millions for victims of food poisoning. A Salmonella lawyer can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or you can contact the firm online. 

From the CDC, here is the latest case count map. The number of ill persons identified in each state and the District of Columbia with the outbreak strain is as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), District of Columbia (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (59), Indiana (10), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (2), Missouri (22), New York (1), Pennsylvania (3), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (3). Among 111 persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from November 1 to December 24, 2010. Among persons with available information, 24% reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. 

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 Illinois and Missouri account for 81 of 112 confirmed Salmonella illnesses in an outbreak where results of the investigation indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets.

The sprouts Salmonella outbreak spreads across 18 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). No deaths have been reported, but more than 20 percent of victims have been treated at a hospital. Seventy-five patients, or 68 percent, are female and the ages of case patients range from 1 to 75 years old. 

In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services was notified of the outbreak in late December by the FDA. Just before Christmas, there were 16 Missouri cases occurring in Franklin, St. Charles, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Louis Counties, and in Kansas City. The CDC update said the number of Missouri residents sickened with the same strain of Salmonella has since jumped to 22.

Tiny Greens and Jimmy John's are both based in Illinois, where the Illinois Department of Public Health initially announced the outbreak on December 17. The first known onset of illness in the outbreak was on November 1. The CDC currently counts 59 illnesses in Illinois. 

For information about a Jimmy John's Salmonella lawsuit contact law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form for a free case consultation. Firm president and founder Fred Pritzker is representing a woman from Illinois who was hospitalized for several days with a Salmonella infection contracted after eating alfalfa sprouts on a Jimmy John's sandwich. Our attorneys represent food poisoning victims in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness. We are a recognized leader in Salmonella litigation and have collected millions of dollars for those sickened by contaminated food.

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For the second time in six days, an alfalfa sprouts supplier has issued a recall because the sprouts have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Late last week it was Tiny Greens Organic Farm Food Co. of Illinois recalling all alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts from November 1 - December 21. Public health officials say the sprouts are associated with a 16-state outbreak of Salmonella that has sickened more than 90 people, more than half of whom are from Illinois. Many of the outbreak victims in Illinois reported eating sprouts at Jimmy John's.

Now Sprouters Northwest, Inc. of Kent, Washington, is recalling all of its clover and clover mix products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults and others with weakened immune systems. Sprouters Northwest said it is cooperating with state and federal investigators to find the source of the contamination. Meanwhile, production has been suspended.

A press release from the Washington State Department of Health said the recalled sprouts are connected to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport that has sickened four people in Washington and two in Oregon. The Washington cases of Salmonella Newport occurred in mid-December among residents of Benton, King, Kitsap, and Grays Harbor counties. The recalled clover products were distributed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska in retail chains and through wholesale distribution.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's Syndrome.

If you or someone you love has been sickened by Salmonella after consuming contaminated alfalfa sprouts, your questions about a potential sprouts Salmonella lawsuit  will be answered by an attorney at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a national food safety law firm that has collected millions for victims of food poisoning. Our firm already represents an Illinois woman who was hospitalized with Salmonellosis after eating alfalfa sprouts on a Jimmy John's sandwich

For information about Salmonella compensation claims and a free case consultation call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our Salmonella claim contact form. A lawyer will contact you.

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CDC said preliminary results of the investigation indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release advising consumers not to eat Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts (which contain alfalfa sprouts mixed with radish and clover sprouts) from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Illinois. The recalled sprouts were distributed to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri, and may also have been distributed to other Midwestern states.

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In connection with the Illinois Salmonella sprouts outbreak, the following press release was issued today by Business Wire:

Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on Jimmy John’s and alfalfa sprouts supplier Tiny Greens Organic Farm to immediately pay medical expenses and other costs incurred by victims of a Salmonella outbreak that has been associated with consumption of alfalfa sprouts at certain Jimmy John’s restaurants.

Pritzker, founder of Pritzker Olsen attorneys, has been retained by an Illinois woman who is an apparent victim of the outbreak and he is continuing to accept additional new cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 20 percent of the people infected by the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been hospitalized for treatment. To date, no deaths have been reported but Salmonella is capable of killing people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly and very young.

The CDC and FDA, working with state partners, have announced a preliminary link between Tiny Greens alfalfa sprouts and the outbreak. Approximately half of the illnesses occurred in Illinois, where many of the ill individuals ate sandwiches containing sprouts at various Jimmy John’s, the CDC has said. Tiny Greens and Jimmy John’s are both based in Illinois. Other states involved in the outbreak include California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, according to the CDC.

While Jimmy John’s sprouts Salmonella litigation is pending, the companies should quickly alleviate the acute financial burden on victims who have lost wages and incurred substantial medical bills.

"It is only fair that Jimmy John’s and Tiny Greens pay for hospitalization and other direct costs while related legal issues, including pain and suffering, are pending,’’ Pritzker said. “The families deserve that peace of mind.’’

Attorney Fred Pritzker can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or by our contact form for a free case consultation. Mr. Pritzker is the founding partner of PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a Minneapolis, MN law firm that represents Salmonella and E. coli victims nationwide. Mr. Pritzker has won millions for food poisoning victims and has appeared on national and local news programs to discuss foodborne illness lawsuits and food safety.

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Illinois has been hit hard with Salmonella in sprouts served at Jimmy John's according to a statistical association drawn by FDA, state partners and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sprouts supplier Tiny Greens Organic Farm Foods Co. says  there have been 51 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain in Illinois and around that same number in 15 other states. 

Missouri and Indiana are the other two leading states in this outbreak, which started November 1. Tiny Greens has recalled all Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts from November 1 through December 21 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Product was distributed thru various distributors in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri and could have ended up in restaurants and supermarkets near those areas.

Attorney Fred Pritzker is representing an Illinois woman who became seriously ill with a Salmonella infection after eating at a Jimmy John's in Illinois. She spent several days in the hospital and has not fully recovered.  For Jimmy John's Salmonella lawsuit information, contact our law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation. Our attorneys represent Salmonella victims nationwide.

Here is the specific recall information from Illinois-based Tiny Greens:

 "We have decided to voluntarily recall our 4 oz. Spicy Sprouts and our 4 oz., 1 lb., 2 lb., & 5 lb. Alfalfa Sprouts (all package sizes) with lot codes 348, 350, or 354, or having a “sell by” date of 12/29/10, 12/31/10 or 1/04/11. As well, we would like to recall any product containing alfalfa sprouts with our lot number 305 thru 348 or ”sell by” dates from 12/16/10 thru 12/29/10." 

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FDA has preliminarily linked the Jimmy John's Salmonella outbreak in Illinois to alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Ill. "Preliminary results of the investigation of a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections indicate a link to eating Tiny Greens’ Alfalfa Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets,'' the agency said in a press release.

At least 89 people, including 50 in Illinois, have been sickened in the 15-state outbreak since November 1. The sprouts were distributed in 4-ounce. and 5-pound. containers to various customers, including farmers’ markets, restaurants and groceries, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and possibly other Midwestern states. Missouri and Indiana are the two other leading states for Salmonellosis in this outbreak.

The FDA said that nearly all Illinois victims ate Jimmy John's sandwiches containing sprouts. Jimmy John’s has stopped serving sprouts on its sandwiches at all Illinois locations.

 

Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating contaminated sprouts should consult their health care providers. For families with legal questions about a potential Jimmy John's lawsuit or claims for financial compensation can call a Salmonella 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, recovering millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.

 

Since 1996, there have been at least 30 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with different types of raw and lightly cooked sprouts. Most of these outbreaks were caused by Salmonella and E. coli. In the current Jimmy John's Salmonella outbreak, case patients range in age from 1 to 75 years, with a median age of 28. Sixty-eight percent of patients are female. Among persons with available information, 23 percent reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, but Salmonella infections are capable of leading to severe illness and can be fatal, especially in cases involving young children, older adults and others with weakened immune systems.

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Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts is nothing new in the world of foodborne illness and there is a long history of outbreaks and related Salmonella sprouts litigation to help survivors recover financially from illnesses that can be severe and even fatal.

A Jimmy John's Salmonella sprouts investigation is currently active under the combined resources of FDA, state partners and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From November 1 to December 21, 2010, a total of 89 individuals with a matching strain of Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- have been reported from 15 states and the District of Columbia.  The three leading states are Illinois (50), Missouri (14) and Indiana (9). Wisconsin has three cases. Twenty-three percent of case patients report being hospitalized. Food history interviews with case patients identified sprouts on Jimmy John's sandwiches as one possible cause of the outbreak and the Illinois-based restaurant chain has pulled sprouts from its menus in Illinois.

While the investigation and testing continues, PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is providing free case consultations to anyone who has fallen ill. Contact a Salmonella lawyer at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the form on the side of this Web page. We have years of experience in food poisoning litigation against national restaurant chains and major food suppliers and we have collected millions for our clients.

Alfalfa sprouts have been considered a healthy component of a balanced diet.  However, due to the risk of contamination, the FDA has made recommendations against eating the raw sprouts. For instance, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind (including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts.

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Jimmy John's is based in Illinois but the Salmonella sprouts investigation that began there now extends well beyond Illinois' borders. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have reported a total of 89 individuals with a matching strain of Salmonella type I 4,(5), 12:i:-. To date, only Jimmy John's restaurants in Illinois have been reported as associated with this outbreak.

Jimmy John's has confirmed the Salmonella outbreak investigation and pulled sprouts from menus in Illinois. The illnesses began November 1 and the onset of the most recent case was December 21. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said preliminary results of the investigation indicate a link to eating alfalfa sprouts at a national sandwich chain. Illinois, Missouri and Indiana are the leading states.

This multi-state outbreak of Salmonella associated with sprouts at Jimmy John's is also under investigation by law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., and a claims center for members of the public can be contacted at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or via the contact form on the side of this Web page. A Jimmy John's lawsuit likely will result, but liability could extend to the producer of any contaminated sprouts. 

According to the CDC, since 1996, there have been at least 30 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with different types of raw and lightly cooked sprouts. Most of these outbreaks were caused by Salmonella and E. coli.

The number of ill people identified in each state with the outbreak strain is as follows: Illinois (5), Missouri (14) Indiana (9) Connecticut (1), District of Columbia (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Iowa (1),  Massachusetts (1),  New York (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (3). The Food and Drug Administration is helping CDC track the source of the outbreak using genetic fingerprint testing of food samples.

CDC says case-patients range in age from 1 to 75 years, with a median age of 28. Sixty-eight percent of patients are female. Among persons with available information, 23% reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

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A Salmonella outbreak in Illinois where a majority of those sickened said they ate alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John's has resulted in a decision by the fast-food sandwich chain to pull sprouts from menus in Illinois as a precautionary measure.

The Northwest Herald newspaper reported that the owner wrote franchisees a letter this week saying that about 88 people were sickened in 15 states and that of 40 interviewed, 28 ate at Jimmy John's and 25 had sprouts. The letter said the chain's restaurants and main sprout supplier have tested negative. The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 43 cases of Salmonella in 10 Illinois counties. The department says a majority of those sickened ate alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John's. 

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An Illinois Jimmy John's Salmonella investigation in nine counties is centered on alfalfa sprouts -- a popular sandwich topping that public health officials suspect may have sickened at least 46 people with the same strain of Salmonella serotype I 4,5,12,i-

According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Public Health, many people who have become ill reported eating alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants in Adams, Champaign, Cook, Kankakee, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Will and Winnebago counties. The 46 Salmonella infection reports have been received by the department since November 1.

Sprouts and Salmonella form a familiar combination in foodborne illness histories tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In May of this year, Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, California., recalled alfalfa sprouts after more than two dozen people in 10 states had been sickened with the same strain of Salmonella. Other companies recalled sprouts in July, August and October after testing confirmed Salmonella or Listeria. No illnesses were linked to those recalls.

The corporate headquarters of Jimmy John's is in Champaign, Illinois. The state health department said that in the course of its ongoing investigation, the department is investigating alfalfa sprout producers and suppliers. Produce testing for Salmonella is ongoing.

If you have eaten alfalfa sprouts and become ill with diarrhea and fever, call your physician and your local health department. If you have a confirmed case of Salmonella matching the outbreak strain, your legal questions about a possible Illinois Jimmy John's lawsuit can be answered by a Salmonella 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. Our firm is a national leader in foodborne illness litigation and we have collected millions for victims of food poisoning in Illinois and elsewhere. 

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Alfalfa sprout distributors and suppliers to Jimmy Johns restaurants in Illinois are being investigated and their produce is being tested for Salmonella matching a specific strain that has sickened at least 46 people from nine Illinois counties.

A story in the Chicago Tribune says many of the people who have become ill have reported eating an alfalfa sprouts sandwich topping at Jimmy John's restaurants. Illness reports began November 1. The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating, but has made no statements about the outbreak on its website.

Food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., also is investigating to determine the cause. Anyone sickened in this outbreak who has legal questions may call a Salmonella lawyer at our firm at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. It is a free case consultation. PritzkerOlsen has represented Illinois restaurant chain food poisoning victims and has years of experience in Salmonella litigation.

Many adults recover from Salmonella without medical treatment, but infections involving this pathogen are not to be taken lightly and there can be long-term negative health impacts. Young children, older adults and people who have weakened immune systems are most at risk for severe illness. According to the latest foodborne illness estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella bacteria is the leading cause of hospitalization and death among victims of food poisoning across the United States. 

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Illinois health officials say an outbreak of Salmonella has sickened at least 46 people in nine Illinois counties since November 1 -- a development that possibly could be associated with contaminated alfalfa sprouts on sandwiches at Jimmy John's. 

Stories by MSNBC and the Chicago Tribune said the outbreak remains under investigation but that food history interviews conducted with some victims pointed to sprouts at Jimmy John's as a common denominator.

"Many people who have become ill reported eating alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants in nine counties in Illinois - Adams, Champaign, Cook, Kankakee, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Will and Winnebago,'' the MSNBC story said. As part of the outbreak investigation, officials are probing alfalfa sprout producers and distributors, the story said.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this apparent Jimmy John's Salmonella outbreak in parts of Illinois, contact a foodborne illness 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 a national leader in litigation involving public outbreaks of Salmonella and other types of  food poisoning and we have collected millions of dollars over the years for outbreak victims and their families.

Most healthy adults recover from Salmonella infection without seeking medical treatment, but the organism can lead  to severe illness and death, especially in young children, the elderly and others who have underdeveloped or weakened immune systems. Pritzker Olsen currently represents Salmonella victims and also has represented people whose Salmonella infections developed into reactive arthritis, or Reiter's Syndrome,   

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A multistate Salmonella serotype Newport outbreak is being investigated in connection with raw alfalfa sprouts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is conducting the investigation in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The outbreak has so far sickened 28 people with matching strains of this type of Salmonella infection in 10 different states. Victims range in age from younger than one year old to 75 years old and 32 is the median age. Cases are distributed throughout the ten states as follows: AZ (2), CA (14), CO (1), ID (3), IL (1), MO (1), NM (1), NV (2), OR (1), and WI (2)

According to the CDC announcement:

"Interviews of case-patients found that most reported eating raw alfalfa sprouts before becoming ill. Some case-patients reported eating sprouts at restaurants; others purchased sprouts at grocery stores. The initial investigation traced the implicated raw alfalfa sprouts to a single sprout processor in California. Investigations are currently ongoing at the sprout processor."

Because of Salmonella contamination concerns, a raw alfalfa sprouts recall was announced by Caldwell Fresh Foods on May 21. The recalled sprouts were sold under several brand names and were sold at 400 Walmart stores in 15 states.They were also sold at Trader Joe's

Safe Consumption of Sprouts: Avoid Food Poisoning

Health officials advise that children, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and the elderly NOT CONSUME raw sprouts, as they can be a particular risky source of bacteria due to the warm, moist environments in which they are grown. This includes other types of sprouts in addition to alfalfa sprouts, such as mung bean sprouts, clover sprouts and radish sprouts. Cooking the sprouts makes them safer to eat because it can kill potentially harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.

Consumers can also protect themselves by requesting that raw sprouts NOT be added to dishes in restaurants or delis.

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Alfalfa sprouts recalled for Salmonella were sold in 400 Wal-Mart stores in 15 states.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the Salmonella-tainted sprouts from Caldwell Fresh Foods were removed from all affected Wal-Mart produce sections as soon as the Salmonella recall was announced.

Wal-Mart's Caren Epstein told The Huffington Post that 75 Wal-Marts in Illinois, 56 Wal-Marts in Georgia and 47 Wal-Marts in Louisiana purchased the sprouts. The rest of the stores were spread through the remaining 12 states.

Trader Joe's was another big retailer affected by the Salmonella sprouts recall.

The contaminated produce sold by Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, California, has been linked to 22 Salmonella infections in 10 states. Half the illnesses were confirmed in California and one of the victims was a baby in Oregon.

If you or a loved one became ill with Salmonella poisoning after eating Caldwell alfalfa sprouts purchased at Wal-Mart or elsewhere, your legal questions can be answered at no cost by calling food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

We are a national leader in foodborne illness litigation and have collected millions for victims of Salmonella and other types of  food poisoning. We provide free case consultations and don't charge you for representation unless we win your case.

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One years ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was warning the public about a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak linked to raw alfalfa sprouts that sickened 235 people in 14 states, including at least seven who were hospitalized.

In that outbreak, investigators believed growers' seeds were contaminated, causing a widespread problem. The Salmonella situation with sprouts is chronic and repeated outbreaks have prompted health officials to perpetually warn that they not be eaten by small children, the elderly or others with compromised immune systems.

Yesterday the FDA announced the latest  outbreak -- a strain of Salmonella Newport in sprouts that has infected at least 22 people in 10 states between March 1 and May 20. Infections have been confirmed in Arizona (1), California (11), Colorado (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Missouri (1), New Mexico (1), Nevada (2), Oregon (1), and Wisconsin (2).

Six of those sickened have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The Oregon victim of this outbreak is an infant.

The raw sprouts Salmonella outbreak has been associated with  Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood, Calif. The company is recalling all of its alfalfa sprouts marketed under the Caldwell Fresh Foods, Nature’s Choice, and California Exotics brands. 

The sprouts were distributed to Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart stores, other retailers and a variety of restaurants and delicatessens.

In Oregon, where the current Caldwell Salmonella sprouts outbreak was first announced, state epidemiologist Dr. William E. Keene, says there have been 12 outbreaks related to raw sprouts since 1995.

By the count of Dr. Douglas Powell, associate professor of food safety at Kansas State University, there have been at least 38 sprout-related outbreaks since 1990 in the U.S. and Canada.

 Most Salmonella infections cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pain that are overcome without medical care, but the pathogen is not to be taken lightly and can be life-threatening in individuals who have weakened immune capability. 

In almost every large outbreak of Salmonella there are instances of Reiter's Syndrome developing from infection. Reiter's Syndrome also is known as reactive arthritis and it causes joint pain and also can lead to serious heart problems. People with Reiter's Syndrome often report having painful urination.

If you have been sickened after eating alfalfa sprouts, you may have a claim for compensation against the grower, processors, retailers, distributors, a restaurant or other eating establishment.

For answers to such legal questions, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. 

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A Salmonella outbreak associated with Caldwell Fresh Foods alfalfa sprouts has so far sickened 20 in 10 states and hospitalized four, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

Caldwell Fresh Foods has recalled the following products, which include two other brand names:

• Caldwell Fresh Foods - 4-ounce plastic cups and one pound plastic bags, and 2-pound and 5 pound plastic bags in cardboard boxes with sticker affixed with the printed words Caldwell Fresh Foods.
• Nature's Choice - 4-ounce plastic cups
• California Exotics brands - 5-ounce plastic clamshell containers
• SOLD AT: Various delis and retailers nationwide. In California, locations include: Kings Super Market, Numero Uno Stores, Cárdenas Markets, Trader Joe's Stores, Gonzalez Northgate Markets, Wal-Mart stores Jons Markets, and Canton Foods

Sprouts Contaminated with Salmonella

Sprouted seeds, typically from plants like alfalfa or mung beans, are grown in moist, warm environments where harmful pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli can thrive. In fact, Salmonella outbreaks in the past have been associated with sprouts.

The risk of contamination for sprouts can be so high, in fact, that according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

"The FDA currently advises all consumers to cook sprouts before eating them. And it recommends that the young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems should not eat sprouts."

The food safety lawyers at Pritzker Olsen law firm have represented victims of Salmonella food poisoning from many types of foods, including peanut butter and pepper. Anyone who suspects they may be sick with salmonella food poisoning should see a doctor immediately and be tested for the pathogen.

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State and federal health investigators continue working to establish a definite link between sprouts sold by a Nebraska company and a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in five states.

An epidemiological investigation by the state of Nebraska associated initial illnesses in Nebraska and Iowa with sprouts sold by Omaha-based SunSprout Enterprises Inc. Now there are about 50 cases in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and Missouri, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).

Some victims already are represented by Salmonella lawyers at PritzkerOlsen Attorneys, a national food safety law firm with considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing survivors of foodborne illnesses. We are accepting cases from all states affected by the outbreak. Call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or complete a free online case consultation.

SunSprout announced a recall March 3 covering Alfalfa Sprouts, Onion Sprouts and Gourmet Sprouts with "Best If Sold By" dates ranging from March 2-14. The products are sold primarily through distributors who sell to restaurants and retail stores.

At the time of the recall, the company said: "State officials continue to review all available data and information to determine whether sprouts are reliably implicated in the recent reported cases of Salmonella Saintpaul.''

CIDRAP quoted a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official who said the CDC is consulting on the outbreak and that laboratory analysis is being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health. A Food and Drug Administration spokesman said the source of the outbreak remains under investigation.

Since at least 1999, the CDC has advised consumers that sprouts -- in general -- are not healthy for everyone. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems should not eat sprouts, according to CDC's peer-reviewed journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The authors of the 1999 article said the warm, humid conditions needed to grow sprouts from seed are the same conditions that allow bacteria to flourish. Salmonella and E. coli bacteria can flourish in sprouts without affecting their appearance, the article said.

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