Salmonella Outbreak Experts Confirm Pepper as Cause in Salami Outbreak
Black pepper from two different suppliers to Daniele Inc. was contaminated with Salmonella, leading investigators to conclude now that pepper coatings are the probable cause of a nationwide salami Salmonella Montevideo outbreak.
The confirmation came from the Rhode Island Health Department. The two pepper suppliers -- Mincing Oversees Spice Company and Wholesome Spices -- imported black pepper from the same source.
“These recent findings show that black pepper used during the manufacturing process at Daniele was the likely source of this outbreak,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “This outbreak only underscores the importance of closely monitoring food that is imported from other countries as they may not have the same food safety standards as we do.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a total of 207 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 42 states and District of Columbia since July 1, 2009. The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AK (1), AL (2), AZ (5), CA (30), CO (4), CT (4), DC (1), DE (2), FL (3), GA (3), IA (1), ID (2), IL (11), IN (3), KS (3), LA (1), MA (12), MD (1), ME (1), MI (4), MN (4), MO (1), NC (9), ND (1), NE (1), NH (1), NJ (8), NM (2), NY (16), OH (9), OK (1), OR (9), PA (5), RI (2), SC (1), SD (3), TN (5), TX (7), UT (9), VA (1), WA (15), WV (1), and WY (2).
Daniele, based in Pascoag, Rhode Island, has recalled 1.24 million pounds of its salami / salame products.
National food safety firm Pritzker Olsen is monitoring the outbreak and accepting cases from individuals who have been sickened. We have been in contact with victims in this outbreak and currently represent a Nevada woman who spent two weeks in the hospital in last year's pepper Salmonella outbreak linked to pepper grinder and packer Union International Food Co. in Union City, California.
We have years of experience and we are one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of food poisoning litigation. For a free case consultation call a Salmonella attorney at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection causing extremely painful diarrhea that is often overcome by healthy adults with no treatment. But serious illness and death can result in young children, older adults and those who have weakened immune systems. A small percentage of cases also can result in long-term arterial problems that cause pain and disability.
In this outbreak, 26 percent of victims have been hospitalized.
