E. coli News
Ground Beef Recall in Vermont Prompted by E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
Vermont Livestock, Slaughter and Processing Co., LLC, a Ferrisburg, Vt., firm, has recalled approximately 2,758 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to a USDA-FSIS announcement. The recall was prompted by an E. coli outbreak in Vermont that has sickened at least 10 people. One of them was hospitalized. 
After the Vermont Department of Health and FSIS conducted a joint epidemiological investigation, health officials determined that the recalled ground beef may have caused the illnesses.
The following ground beef product is subject to recall:
- 5-pound approximate weight vacuum packages of “VT BURGER CO GROUND BEEF.”
These packages of ground beef products bear the establishment number “EST. 9558″ inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a lot code of “090508A,” “090808A,” “091208A,” “091908A” or “092208A.” This product was shipped two packages per box, intended for restaurants, food service and institutional use and not available for direct retail purchase.
These ground beef products were produced on Sept. 5, 8, 12, 19 and 22 and delivered to distribution centers intended for restaurants and institutions in Vermont and Plattsburgh, N.Y. The people sickened in the outbreak ate the recalled ground beef in a few Vermont restaurants.
Vermont E. coli Outbreak Associated with Ground Beef
The Vermont E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef continues to grow. There are now 9 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 and one suspected case.
To date, eight of the confirmed cases - including a child who was hospitalized, but has been released - had E. coli 0157:H7 with an exact DNA match confirmed by the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory.
“Our laboratory results tell us that each person became ill from the same source,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Susan Schoenfeld. “And our epidemiology investigation has found that source to be ground beef that was contaminated before it was distributed to, prepared, and served at a few restaurants in Vermont.”
The Health Department has alerted health care providers statewide to be on the lookout for any new cases, and is working closely with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to further investigate product processing and distribution. Health Department inspectors are working with the restaurants involved. All of the restaurants have changed their beef supply until the investigation is completed. It is possible, however, that distribution extended beyond these restaurants. The beef has NOT been available for sale in stores.
“Fortunately, all of the people that we know of who were ill are recovering,” said Schoenfeld. “It’s important to remember that eating undercooked meat - as well as consuming raw milk products - is always a risk for E. coli and other bacteria that can cause severe illness, especially in young children, the elderly or people with serious medical conditions.”
Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Associated with Aunt Mid’s Produce Company Iceberg Lettuce
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Aunt Mid’s Produce Company iceberg lettuce has sickened over 40 people in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Canada.
According to the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health, many of the people who contracted E. coli infections consumed Aunt Mid’s iceberg lettuce.
Also, according to James McCurtis, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Community Health, Aunt Mid’s lettuce is the only kind delivered to the Lenawee County Jail (5 inmates sickened) and the two restaurants in Illinois where the outbreak-strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria was also found.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with an E. coli infection or with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that can develop from an E. coli O157:H7 infection, please contact our law firm regarding compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages. Liable parties could include farms, processors, distributors, a food service company, a restaurant and others
Our law firm has a national reputation in this area, and we handle E. coli cases throughout the United States. We are currently handling a number of E. coli cases, including cases involving E. coli-associated HUS. To contact our law firm for a free consultation, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email attorney Fred Pritzker.
Michigan E. coli: Aunt Mid’s Lettuce
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has associated a Michigan E. coli outbreak with bagged, industrial-sized packages of iceberg lettuce sold through wholesale venues to restaurants and institutions. Some of the 26 Michigan cases consumed shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce in restaurants or institutions purchased from Aunt Mid’s Produce Company, a Detroit-based wholesale distributor; and other distributing outlets could be identified.
Product trace back and additional tests results are still in progress. The results could point to other responsible parties and microbiological evidence that Aunt Mid’s iceberg lettuce was the source of the Michigan E. coli outbreak that has spread to include that states of Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon. Read about E. coli outbreaks and produce.
The 26 genetically linked cases are present in eight Michigan counties including seven at Michigan State University (Ingham County), five inmates at the Lenawee County Jail, three students at the University of Michigan (Washtenaw County), four in Macomb County, three each in Wayne, two in Kent counties, and one each in St. Clair and Oakland counties. Of the E. coli O157:H7 cases that are genetically linked, 10 have been hospitalized. These linked cases range in age from 11 to 81 years old. Symptoms of these confirmed, genetically-linked E. coli patients began on Sept. 8. More confirmed cases could surface as the investigation continues.
Our law firm is one of the few E. coli litigation law firms in the United States. We are currently representing victims of a number of E. coli outbreaks, including outbreaks involving lettuce. To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email attorney Fred Pritzker.
MSU E. coli Outbreak Sickens Students
Seven Michigan State University (MSU) students have contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections that have been associated with iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid’s Produce Company, a Detroit firm. At least 19 other people in Michigan and people in Illionois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have also been sickened in this E. coli outbreak associated with iceberg lettuce.
Health officials are continuing to investigate the outbreak. Trace back and additional testing may find other companies, including distribution companies involved in the outbreak. Companies in the chain of distribution and others may be liable for damages, which could include medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.
If health officials do not find lettuce that tests positive for E. coli, epidemiological evidence alone may be sufficient to hold MSU and other parties liable. Epidemiological evidence includes interviews with those sickened, an analysis of food purchased with the sickened students’ MSU cards, and other evidence that would point to a common source of illness.
Our law firm represents E. coli victims throughout the United States. To contact one of our lawyers, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email attorney Fred Pritzker.