MN WI E. coli Hazelnut Recall Outbreak
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan tied E. coli O157:H7 infections to hazelnuts, otherwise known as filberts, to a distributor based in Los Angeles, California -- D. DeFranco & Sons. This multi-state outbreak of E. coli infections currently includes seven case patients and there are reports that two people in Canada were sickened by E. coli O157:H7 with the same genetic fingerprint.
DeFranco is recalling in-shell bulk hazelnuts and cello-bagged Sunripe hazelnuts in the U.S. and Canada. These potentially contaminated filberts were shipped in the U.S. to stores in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. A list of stores that received hazelnuts recalled for E. coli in all those states has been posted by food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., which has launched its own separate investigation into the outbreak. The retail list was obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health.
E. coli in Filberts
E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks caused by shelled nuts are not unheard of. The bacteria, which emits a powerful toxin when consumed by humans, harbors in the guts of cows and other animals and is expelled into the environment by way of feces. Prevention of microbial contamination in these products lies in the application of good agricultural, manufacturing and storage practices, using food safety approved plans.
Public health officials have not announced where the suspect hazelnuts originated or how they may have become contaminated, but more than 90 percent of the U.S. crop of filberts is raised in Oregon. Six of the seven victims in this outbreak reported eating shelled hazelnuts purchased in bulk bins. Recalled products would have been purchased after November 2, 2010. Also included in the recall are Sunripe Hazelnuts, Sunripe Large Hazelnuts in 1-pound packages, and Sunripe Mixed Nuts in 2-pound. and 4-pound packages, all with a “Sell-By” date of 6/30/2011.
People who are victims of this outbreak may have questions about recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. E. coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen are accepting cases at 1-888-377-8900 and offering free case consultations. If you fill out a contact form, a lawyer will contact you and discuss how E. coli litigation works. Our attorneys do not get paid by you until they obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf. Over the years we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness.
