Update on Salami Salmonella FAQ Outbreak and Recall
UPDATE March 12, 2010 -- National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen continues to monitor the state and federal investigation into a Salmonella Montevideo outbreak that has sickened 249 people in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The probable cause of the outbreak is peppered salami manufactured by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island. There is a strong association with black and red pepper used to make the salami.
Anyone affected by this outbreak may call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) for answers to questions about your legal rights to Salmonella compensation. A lawyer will provide a free case consultation and you also can contact the firm by completing the form on the side of the Web page.
Salmonella infection is a serious and sometimes life-threatening matter for young children, older adults and anyone who has a weakened immune system. Salmonellosis is commonly overcome by healthy adults, but should not be taken lightly because it can have long-lasting medical consequences, including Reiter's Syndrome.
Extent of outbreak: The number of illnesses currently considered to be part of this outbreak is 249. Of 187 victims who provided information, 49 have been hospitalized (26%). No one has died. It started in early July 2009 and has spread to 44 states and Washington, D.C.. California, New York, Maine, Washington, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, Utah and North Carolina are leading states.
Investigating Agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the outbreak. It is working with USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, Food and Drug Administration, and many state health agencies.
Cause of outbreak: State health laboratories in Iowa and Washington have used DNA fingerprinting to match the outbreak strain of Salmonella to two separate salami samples made by Daniele. In the Iowa case, the patient had kept some salami in the freezer. It came from the same type of Daniele sliced salami variety pack that had been purchased by 12 other ill persons. RI Department of Health has found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo in an open container of black pepper at Daniele's plant. The USDA found Salmonella in a previously unopened sample of salame panino with mozzarella that did not contain black pepper, prompting a recall of these products on February 16. The company believes crushed red pepper is the contaminant in the latest grouping. Testing has confirmed Salmonella in red and black pepper used by the company.
Salami Recall: Less than 24 hours after CDC announced the outbreak, Daniele Inc. announced the recall of 1.24 million pounds of peppered salami products, including variety packs containing peppered salami or salame. Brands involved in the recall include Daniele, Dietz & Watson, Boar's Head and Black Bear of the Black Forest. Recall has been expanded three times to include 17,235 pounds of hot sopressata calabres salami, 115,000 pounds of salame panino with mozzarella and more salami for a total of 1.4 million pounds. Look for USDA Establishment numbers EST 459, EST 54 or EST 9992. See the Food Safety Lawyer for a complete Salmonella salami recall listing.
Where the Salami was sold: FSIS has published a list of retailers nationwide that have handled salami covered under this Class I High Health Risk recall. The list includes large chains including Costco, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Ralph's and Sam's Club. Click here (and scroll down) to see the complete, updated store listing. FDA is warning consumers some product still may be on store shelves and in home freezers or refrigerators.
Salmonella Senftenberg: A different serotype of Salmonella has been found in food samples from retail and a patient household. Eight people have been infected by the same strain of Senftenberg since July 1. Two of the six consumed a recalled salami product a week before falling ill. These are related by not included in the overall outbreak count.
Advice to Patients: People with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Infants, elderly persons and those with weakened immunes systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When a patient seeks medical attention, it is important for physicians to order laboratory tests to detect the pathogens.
