E coli » E. coli Outbreak

The Ambassador Restaurant in Houghton, MI Linked to E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak

E. coli Attorney — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:43:05 +0000

Seven people contracted E. coli infections after eating at The Ambassador, a restaurant in Houghton, Michigan, according to the Western U.P. Health Department. Four of the Ambassador restaurant E. coli victims were hospitalized. Health officials did not disclose whether any of the victims have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of an E. coli O157:H7 infection that often causes kidney failure.

After conducting an investigation of the outbreak, Western U.P. health officials determined that a sick employee at the restaurant was responsible for spreading E. coli to the restaurant patrons. A further investigation should be done to find out the following:

Why was the food handler working while ill?
What was the restaurant’s policy regarding ill employees?
Did that policy encourage workers to come to work sick?
Did management at The Ambassador know the employee was ill?
What was the source of the employee’s E. coli infection?
What were the restaurant’s hand washing policies?
Did the employee wash his or her hands prior to handling the food?

In most cases, a restaurant is responsible for E. coli illnesses caused by a sick employee. Attorney Fred Pritzker is available for a free consultation regarding E. coli outbreak investigations and lawsuits. Because it is important that all relevant evidence be gathered as soon as possible, our attorneys get to work on a case as soon as they are hired. The expense of the investigation and litigation are carried by our law firm until there is a settlement or verdict in the case, i.e., we are not paid unless you win.

Green County, Wisconsin E. coli O157:H7 and HUS Outbreak

E. coli Attorney — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:12:34 +0000

When a child is lost to something as preventable as E. coli poisoning, it is appalling. For too long, profit has come before safety at many companies that process food. We heard from a former manager at one food processor how the CEO did not want testing done on a product because he knew it would come back positive and he didn’t want a recall. This is happening in our country.

Now E. coli O157:H7 has killed another young child. This time it is in Wisconsin, where state and Green County officials are trying to track down the source of the E. coli outbreak that has also sickened eight others. Two of the victims of the outbreak developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sometimes referred to as E. coli kidney failure or E. coli in the kidneys. E. coli-HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States.

According to The Capital Times, a 20-month-old girl from Green County died Sunday at UW Children’s Hospital in Madison after being admitted about a week earlier.

All of the victims of this E. coli outbreak are from Green County, but not all from the same area of Green County.

Pritzker Olsen E. coli attorneys have a national practice and have won millions for E. coli victims throughout the United States, including Wisconsin. Green County cities and towns: Albany, Brodhead, Brooklyn, Browntown, Juda, Monroe, Monticello, and New Glarus.

Bravo Farms Gouda Cheese – Costco: E. coli Outbreak Update

E. coli Attorney — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:45:01 +0000

Pritzker Olsen attorneys are investigating a Costco and Bravo Farms gouda cheese lawsuit for E. coli and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) personal injury. To date, the E. coli outbreak has sickened 33 people in Arizona (15), Colorado (10), California (3), New Mexico (3) and Nevada (2). There have been 15 reported hospitalizations, 1 case of HUS, and no deaths.

“The physical, financial and emotional burdens of an E. coli infection can be devastating for victims and their families, and I’ve seen this happen too often in my practice as an E. coli lawyer,” said food poisoning attorney Fred Pritzker. “Our law firm is investigating this outbreak and what led to the contamination of the cheese. We are also concerned about cross contamination.”

CDC is collaborating with the FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and public health officials in the five states to investigate this multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtyping, the pathogen has been identified as a rare strain of E. coli O157:H7 that has never been seen before in the PulseNet database. PulseNet is the national subtyping network that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.

Laboratory testing had confirmed the presence of E. coli 0157:H7, matching the outbreak strain, in two opened packages of Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda Cheese purchased at Costco and taken from two different case patient’s homes. Additionally, preliminary laboratory testing conducted on an unopened package of Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda Cheese obtained from a Costco retail location has identified E. coli O157:H7. Further laboratory testing is being conducted to confirm these results.

The FDA has collected Bravo Farms product samples for testing to identify potential sources of contamination. The additional investigative activities include:

Conducting surveillance to identify additional illnesses that could be related to the outbreak.
Gathering and testing food products that may be contaminated with bacteria.
Following epidemiologic leads gathered from interviews with patients, food purchase information, or from patterns of processing, production and/or distribution of suspected products.
Investigating the distribution chain to ascertain the point of contamination.

For more information call an experienced E. coli lawyer with PritzkerOlsen, P.A. at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or submit our free consultation form.

Costco Cheese E. coli Outbreak From Bravo Farms Gouda

E. coli Attorney — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:48:05 +0000

Costco cheese E. coli outbreak news updates from food poisoning attorneys at Pritzker Olsen will be posted throughout the day. Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese, (Costco item40654) has been associated with an E. coli O157:H7, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the CDC:

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention join Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco), in warning consumers not to consume Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese (Costco item 40654), as this cheese may be associated with an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. The cheese was available for sale, and free samples were offered for in-store tasting at Costco stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.”

The number of E. coli food poisoning cases reported across the country so far are as follows: AZ (11), CA (1), CO (8), NM (3) and NV (2). E. coli O157:H7 can lead to a life-threatening complication called E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome that can lead to kidney failure, other serious personal injury and wrongful death.

Food poisoning lawyers at Pritzker Olsen attorneys hire the best epidemiologists, microbiologists and other experts to win millions of dollars for E. coli food poisoning victims. Contact a Costco E. coli attorney about a Bravo Farms lawsuit from E. coli contaminated Gouda cheese.

Canadian E. coli Outbreak Associated With Festival

Pritzker Olsen — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:41:54 +0000

At least 26 people have fallen sick from a suspected E. coli outbreak in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canadian health officials have associated the majority of cases with food eaten at the Russsian pavilion of the annual Folklorama multicultural festivals, CBC News-Radio Canada reports. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority issued a warning last week after 15 suspected cases had surfaced since the beginning of August.

Of those who have become sick, 14 have been confirmed to have E. coli, including two children who are still recovering in hospital, according to the CBC report. Folklorama ended August 14, but there is a risk of secondary infection. Once someone has eaten contaminated food, the infection can be passed person to person, by hand-to-mouth contact.

Valley Meat Co. E.coli Recall Retail List Posted

Pritzker Olsen — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:28:48 +0000

The Valley Meat Company E. coli recall distribution list has been posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). On August 6, the Modesto, California company recalled about one million pounds of ground beef that could potentially be contaminated with E. coli. The recall came after an E. coli outbreak in which seven people became sick. Federal health officials began investigating the cluster of illnesses after the California Department of Public Health notified them that the E. coli O157:H7 cases matched the same PFGE pattern, or “genetic fingerprint.”

Valley Meat Company E. coli Recall Retail Distribution List

Meat was recalled from stores in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Texas, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. The Recalled products were manufactured from Oct. 2009-Jan. 2010. The establishment number on the recalled frozen beef products is EST. 8268 and the production codes are 25709 through 01210.

Times Super Market
King Market
Oak Creek Market, Inc.
Four Corners Market
Anza Village Market
Big Trees Market
Spencers Fresh Market
Ponderosa Market
Banning Village Market
Rio Ranch Market
My T Fine Foods
Ben Lomand Market
Andronico’s Markets, Inc.
Manor Market Inc
Boron Food Mart, Inc.
Dinsmor Store
Mollie Stones
Mike’s Discount Food Market
P W Supermarket Inc.
Page’s Market
Al Mancasola’s Grocery Markets
Farmers Fresco Supermarket
Foods Etc.
Oaks Red and White
Colfax Sierra Market
Solano Market
The Original Irvine Ranch Market
Best Deal Food Company Inc.
Del Sol Market
El Sol Market
Erickson Supermarket
Fairway Stores
IGA
J. Solanki Meat
McKays
Mi Pueblo San Jose Inc.
Safeway
Select Markets
Super A Foods, Inc.
Super Center Concepts, Inc
Ukas Big Saver Foods
Vons
Buy-Low Market
Glazier’s Food Marketplace
Mariana’s
The Sierra Nevada Trading Company
PC Hometown Market
Two Boys Grocery
Hometown Foods Drain
Red Apple
Halsey Select Market
Jefferson Hometown Market
Stewarts Market
Martins Food Center
Mill City Market Place
Mohler Co-Op
Steve’s Market
Food 4 Less
Price Slasher
Mt Hood Foods
Jack’s Family Market
Ken & Sons Select
Shady Cove Market
Sheridan Select
Noels Market Inc
Stanfield Main St Market
Thriftway
Sentry
Main Street Market
Auburn’s Main Street Market
Matthew’s Thriftway
Ralph’s Red Apple Market
Andy’s Market
Plaza Market
Holcomb’s Market
Bridle Trails Red Apple
Cascade Mercantile
Food Emporium
Pay-Less Supermarkets

Valley Meat Beef Recall Follows E. coli Outbreak

Marni Ginther — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:57:00 +0000

Valley Meat Company of Modesto, CA has recalled one million pounds of ground beef following an E. coli outbreak in California, according to the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). Seven people have been sickened in the outbreak, which federal health officials began investigating in July after receiving notification from the California Department of Public Health regarding a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 cases that all matched the same PFGE pattern, or “genetic fingerprint.”

Distributed to institutional foodservice facilities and retail locations in Arizona, California, Texas and Oregon, the beef products were manufactured from Oct. 2009-Jan. 2010. The establishment number on the recalled frozen beef products is EST. 8268 and the production codes are 25709 through 01210. FSIS will post retail distribution information updates as that information becomes available. The FSIS is concerned that consumers may still have frozen recalled product in their freezers at home that could potentially be contaminated. FSIS advises consumers to check freezers to see if any of the following recalled products are there, and discard them immediately:

Valley Meat Company Beef Recall: Product Details

(#2155) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 8/1R
(#2503) SMASHBURGER 40/7 OZ. – VAC PACK
(#2510) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 OVAL
(#2515) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 R
(#2535) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1 OVAL
(#2545) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1R
(#2575) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 4/1R
(#2595) IQF – 80/20% PATTIES 4/1R THIN
(#2605) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 5/1R
(#2635) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 6/1R
(#2668) BEEF CHUCK PATTIES 7 OZ- 21#
(#3075) *IQF* 85/15% PATTIES 4/1R USFI
(#3090) ‘RPQ’ 85/15 PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3325) “RPQ” 90/10 BEEF PATTIES 40/4 OZ
(#3350) 90/10% BEEF PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3450)SUPREMAS BEEF PATTIES 12/3#
(#3519) *IQF* 4/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3520) *IQF* 5/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3522) *IQF* 6/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3675) BEEF SOY PATTIES RETAIL 6/5#
(#3700) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3705) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 6/5#
(#3710) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 8/3#
(#3715) BIGGER VALLEY BURGER – 6/5#
(#3725) 80/20 BIGGER BURGER 12/3#
(#3751) 80/20% RETAIL PATTIES 12/3#
(#3800) 85/15% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3850) BLACK ANGUS BURGER 12/2# BOX
(#3875) 93/7% BEEF PATTIES 12/3# RETAIL
(#3880) SAFEWAY 73/27 RETAIL BOXES 8#
(#3882) SAFEWAY 73/27 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#3883) SAFEWAY 80/20 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#4000) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4001) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 20/2#
(#4005) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4015) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4020) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4030) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4035) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 15/3#
(#4300) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4305) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4310) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4315) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4325) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 4/10#
(#4326)*FRESH** 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4328)80/20 GROUND BEEF 4/10# WHITE BOX
(#4329) ‘RPQ’ 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4335)80/20% GROUND BEEF 2/5# – PRINTED
(#4610) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4615) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4625) “RPQ” 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4630) 85/15% G B 4/10# CLEAR-generic
<>(#4915) 90/10% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4925) 90/10% GROUND BEEF 4/10# / WHITE
(#4930) 90/10% G B 4/10# / CLEAR-generic
(#4980) 93/7% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(2714) HEARST 80/20 PATTIES 5/1R -10#
(2715) HEARST GROUND BEEF 12/1# RETAIL

E. coli food poisoning infections can lead to life-threatening complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (E.coli HUS) especially in children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Anyone who thinks they may have an E. coli infection from contaminated ground beef should visit a doctor immediately and get tested for the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

Latest CDC Roundup Indicates 5,309 E. coli Cases for 2008

Marni Ginther — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:22:28 +0000

E. coli O157:H7 has been a nationally notifiable disease with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 1994. National surveillance for all Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) began in 2001.

This week, the CDC released its latest annual Summary of Notifiable Diseases and it covers calendar year 2008.

According to the report, there was a total in 2008 of 5,309 U.S. confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The report did not break down the total by serotype, but O157:H7 is dominant. The report does not analyze growth patterns, but when comparing to totals in the two previous years there has been an upward trend in total cases.

In 2006, the total number of U.S. confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was 4,432. One year later, the total increased to 4,847.

Normally, cases spike in warmer months and drop off in early winter. That was the case in 2008 — as the breakdown showed 843 cases for August and 668 cases for July — the two highest monthly totals for the year. The lowest monthly total was 147 in February 2008.

You can see CDC’s 2008 Summary of Notifiable Diseases in its entirety on the CDC website.

Healthy cattle, which harbor the organism in their intestines, are the main animal reservoir of STEC. Most reported outbreaks are caused by contaminated food or water. During 2004, a substantial decline in reported O157:H7 STEC cases led to an incidence rate that met the Healthy People 2010 goal of less than 1 case per 100,000 population; since then, the incidence has increased.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats Bison E. coli Recall Expanded

Marni Ginther — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:07:34 +0000

The Colorado firm that recalled more than 60,000 pounds of ground bison and tenderized bison steaks expanded the recall to include more than 700 pounds of bison meat distributed to a firm in Nevada for further processing, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recall is an expansion of an earlier July 2 recall of bison meat potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The meat products are associated with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened five people in Colorado and one person in New York.

The following products are involved in the recall:

16-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL GROUND BISON.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 21, June 22 or June 24, 2010.
16-ounce packages of “NATURE’S RANCHER GROUND BUFFALO.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 22, 2010.
16-ounce packages of “THE BUFFALO GUYS ALL NATURAL GROUND BUFFALO 90% LEAN.” These products have a lot number of 0147.
12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON STEAK MEDALLIONS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 23 and June 24, 2010.
12-ounce packages of “GREAT RANGE BRAND ALL NATURAL BISON SIRLOIN STEAKS.” These products have a “sell or freeze by” date of June 20, June 23 and June 24, 2010.
15-pound boxes of “ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURAL MEATS, INC. BISON 10 OZ SIRLOIN STEAK.” These products went to restaurants and bear a Julian Code of 0141.
Various weight boxes of “BISON B TRIM.” These products bear a production date of May 21, 2010 and a Julian Code of 14110. The boxes also state “KEEP REFRIGERATED.”

The retail distribution list for the potentially contaminated, recalled bison meat has also been updated and now includes:

Albertsons
Giant Food
Hannaford’s
King Soopers
Kroger’s
Market Basket
Price Chopper’s
Stop & Shop Supermarket
Super Valu
Whole Foods

The FSIS will update the retail distribution list as information becomes available.

Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Linked to Hartmann Dairy Farm in Minnesota

Kathy Will — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:51:11 +0000

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released new evidence that an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 5 Minnesotans is linked to raw milk products from the Hartmann Dairy Farm in Gibbon, Minnesota. The strain of E. coli bacteria that sickened these people came from Hartmann Dairy Farm, according to the MDH.

Several victims were hospitalized, including a toddler with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a serious complication that can arise from E. coli poisoning and can do life-long kidney damage to patients, especially the very young and the elderly. These illnesses occurred throughout the state of Minnesota. Initially, the common link between these illnesses, health officials say, was that they had all consumed products from the Hartmann dairy farm. This epidemiological link, however, is now reinforced by the MDH’s confirmation through microbiological testing that the strain of E. coli found on the farm is the same strain found in the patients. Additionally, the MDH reports:

“…the specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 found in the ill patients has also been found in multiple animals and at multiple sites on the Hartmann farm. This strain of E. coli has not previously been found in Minnesota. Furthermore, laboratory tests confirmed that cheese samples collected last week from the farm contained another form of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, demonstrating that an ongoing pathway of contamination existed on the farm.”

The food safety lawyers at Pritzker Olsen attorneys currently represent a man sickened from raw milk contaminated with Campylobacter. He developed Guillain-Barre syndrome as is now paralyzed. Our attorneys are all too familiar with the dangers that can arise from consuming raw milk.

What is Raw Milk? Why Can it Make Us Sick?

Most milk in the supermarket is pasteurized in order to kill potentially harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Campylobacter. However, some people believe raw, or unpasteurized milk is more nutritious than pasteurized milk and choose to drink it. Public health organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics all advocate pasteurization as a standard practice.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture restricts the sale of raw milk to occasional sales of milk directly from the farmer to consumer. If consumers choose to drink raw milk, the MDA urges that they:

Do their homework: consumers should educate themselves on how to consume raw milk SAFELY and RESPONSIBLY
Consumers MUST go directly to the farm to get the milk, according to Minnesota law.
Consumers MUST bring their own containers. Farmers are NOT allowed to bottle their own raw milk for sale.