Time Line of the Pepper Salmonella Outbreak
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National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is representing victims in the pepper and spice Salmonella outbreak that first came to light in late March.
The outbreak, associated with bulk white and black pepper, other dry spices and oil-based seasonings manufactured by Union International Food Co,. is continuing in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and other western states. The latest official count by the California Department of Public Health is that more than 60 people in the region have been sickened with Salmonella Rissen.
Pritzker Olsen has created a time line of the outbreak, listed below. The law firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Botulism, Campylobacter, Shigella and other foodborne illness.
With years of experience representing victims, the firm's food poisoning lawyers have won millions of dollars for victims and their families. In the current pepper Salmonella outbreak, Pritzker Olsen is preparing a lawsuit against Union International on behalf of Shirley Jane Schultz, 77, of Dayton, Nevada.
Mrs. Schultz continues to suffer from the effects of her food poisoning ordeal. During a lengthy hospital stay, family members feared she would not survive when her kidneys temporarily shut down.
If you or someone you know has suffered a Salmonella infection believed to be linked to pepper, spice or oils from Union International Food Co., call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 or write to us online for a free case consultation.
PEPPER SALMONELLA OUTBREAK TIME LINE
March 28 -- California Department of Public Health announces that consumers should avoid eating spices manufactured by Union International of Union City, California. By then, white and black pepper from the firm had been associated with 42 Salmonella Rissen illnesses in four states. A high proportion of victims had eaten at Asian restaurants where the company's pepper was served.
March 30 -- Family-owned Union International issues original recall of white pepper, black pepper and a few other dry spices, including paprika and curry powder. Salmonella matching the outbreak strain had been found in an open container of white pepper at a restaurant where more than one victim had eaten.
April 2 -- Food and Drug Administration alerts public to Uncle Chen and Lian How brand pepper and dry spice recall. The FDA said the products were sold mostly to ethnic restaurants, wholesalers and grocery retailers in the western region.
April 3 -- Union International expanded its recall to include additional dry spices, including nutmeg, cumin powder and crushed chili powder.
April 4 -- EDS Wrap and Roll Foods of Hayward, California, announces a recall of six tons of frozen chicken egg rolls because they contained black pepper spice from Union International that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall notice is published simultaneously by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
April 9 -- Shirley Schultz diagnosed with an infection of Salmonella Rissen in Nevada.
April 15 -- California Department of Public Health warns consumers to avoid sauces and oils made by Union International. By now, 57 people in four states have been diagnosed with the outbreak strain of Salmonella, including 42 in California.
April 21 -- Oakland, California,-based CJ United Corp. announces a recall of pepper and curry sold under the "Natural and Delicious'' label. The spice had been obtained from Union International.
April 30 -- Pasta & Co. of Seattle, Washington, issues a recall of its Chinese Vermicelli Salad and Pot Sticker Salad. The company said the recall was driven by fears of Salmonella contamination from chili oil ingredients purchased from Union International.
May 15 -- New York Times publishes investigative report by staff writer Michael Moss on a trend in the food industry for companies to shift the onus of food safety onto consumers. The story describes the Union International pepper and spice Salmonella recall as "widening.''
