By Kathy Will
An E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 18 people has been associated with JBS Swift Beef Company beef products. In response to this outbreak, JBS Swift issued a recall of 380,000 pounds of beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The recalled JBS Swift Beef products were produced on April 21, 2009 and were distributed both nationally and internationally to establishments and retail stores nationwide for further processing.
The recalled products include intact cuts of beef, such as primals, sub-primals, or boxed beef typically used for steaks and roasts rather than ground beef. FSIS is aware that some of these products may have been further processed into ground products by other companies. The highest risk products for consumers are raw ground product, trim or other non-intact product made from the products subject to the recall.
Neither JSB Swift Beef nor the USDA has provided consumers with a list of establishments or retail stores involved in this recall. This means that consumers have to contact their point of purchase to determine if beef they consumed or beef they are storing is part of this JBS Swift recall.
Legally, establishments (restaurants, etc.) and retailers that then sold the products (whether further processed or not) may be liable, along with JBS Swift, to the E. coli victims and their families for any of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost Income
- Pain and suffering (includes amounts for physical pain, emotional distress, disability, and loss of quality of life).
The June 24 JBS Swift recall involved JBS Swift beef distributed to establishments and retailers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with E. coli, please contact our national E. coli litigation law firm:
- 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or
- Submit our free consultation form.
