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Food Poison Journal

Food Poisoning Outbreaks and Litigation: Surveillance and Analysis

Salmonella Tahini Outbreak in Six States

Posted By Bill Marler on May 22, 2013

A total of eight persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Montevideo or Salmonella Mbandaka have been reported from six states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), North Dakota (1), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (1).

No ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that tahini sesame paste distributed by Krinos Foods, LLC of Long Island City, New York is the likely source of this outbreak.

During routine product testing at a retail store, the Michigan Department of Agriculture isolated Salmonella Montevideo from Krinos brand tahini sesame paste.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration isolated Salmonella Mbandaka from imported tahini sesame paste collected from shipments arriving in the United States for distribution by Krinos Foods.

On April 28, 2013, Krinos Foods recalled its tahini sesame paste because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

On May 9, 2013, the recall was expanded to include additional expiration dates.

The recalled lots have expiration dates from January 1, 2014 to June 8, 2014 and from October 16, 2014 to March 15, 2015.

Las Vegas Firefly Salmonella Outbreak Nears 300 from 27 states and 2 Foreign Countries

Posted By Bill Marler on May 22, 2013

According to today’s REPORT from the Southern Nevada Health District, the epidemic curve as of May 20, 2013 is presented in the figure below and shows a total of 294 people whose illnesses met the case definition (73 confirmed and 221 probable cases). All identified ill persons ate at Firefly during April 21 through April 26, 2013. Illness onset dates occurred within the April 22 to May 1, 2013 time frame.  From various surveillance data sources, we have received reports of illness from restaurant patrons who normally reside in 27 states and 2 foreign countries (Canada and United Kingdom) who ate at Firefly during their visits to Las Vegas.  Salmonella has also been found in cooked, left over, chorizo.

College Station Texas Coco Loco Source of E. coli Outbreak

Posted By Bill Marler on May 21, 2013

College Station Coco Loco restaurant was the source of the E. coli that caused illnesses in the Bryan/College Station area, according to health officials.  At a Brazos County Health Department press conference Tuesday afternoon, officials stated they had tracked the bacteria back to ground beef at the Coco Loco location in the 300 block of George Bush Drive. While they said it was not a 100 percent certainty, they said it was “highly likely.”

In all, there were five confirmed cases of E. coli from April, including two children who were hospitalized in Houston. Five other cases were unconfirmed.

E. coli:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

First Lawsuit Filed Against Fayetteville Holiday Inn over Salmonella Outbreak

Posted By Andy Weisbecker on May 21, 2013

Marler Clark, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, and Fayetteville lawyer Steven Lawrence filed a lawsuit today against the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.  The lawsuit was filed in Cumberland County Superior Court on behalf of Fayetteville resident Lucille Thompson, who alleges she became ill with a Salmonella infection after eating food purchased from the Holiday Inn.

According to the complaint, Lucille Thompson was one of at least 70 people who fell ill with Salmonella infections during an outbreak Cumberland County health officials traced to the Holiday Inn.  Court documents state that the plaintiff purchased and consumed food at Café Bordeaux in the Holiday Inn on May 9 and fell ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection, including agonizing abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the days following her meal.  Ms. Thompson alleges that she sought medical treatment for her illness on May 12 and received a prescription for antibiotics as well as intravenous rehydration therapy; she is still not fully recovered from her illness.

“My client spent Mother’s Day in bed, too ill to even talk to her children on the phone,” said attorney Bill Marler.  “That shouldn’t happen because of something you ate.”

Last week Marler called on the Holiday Inn to pay Salmonella outbreak victims’ medical bills and lost wages.  “Even for people with health insurance, medical bills can be a financial strain,” he said.  “The Holiday Inn’s failure to produce a safe product impacted not only their physical health but also their financial health.”

Marler’s firm has worked with local North Carolina lawyers to represent North Carolina residents in outbreaks traced to ground beef, fairs and petting zoos, cookie dough, butter, ground turkey, peanut butter, pot pies, barbeque, tempeh, turkey, eggs and food served at restaurants.  These include lawsuits filed in North Carolina on behalf of victims of the following E. coli, Salmonella or hepatitis A outbreaks:

2004 North Carolina State Fair Petting Zoo E. coli Outbreak [1]

2011 Olive Garden Hepatitis A Exposure [2]

2012 Cleveland County Fair E. coli Outbreak [3]

2012 Lancaster’s BBQ Salmonella Outbreak [4]

2012 Smiling Hara Tempeh Salmonella Outbreak [5]

2012 Toast of Dilworth Salmonella Outbreak [6]

2012 Sunland Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak [7]

BACKGROUND:  William Marler is managing partner of Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers at Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated cases stemming from outbreaks traced to foods such as peanut butter, sprouts, tomatoes and restaurant food.

1. Wake County Superior Court (Case No. 04-CVS-17478)

2. Cumberland County Superior Court (Case No. 11-CVS-7060)

3. Cleveland County Superior Court (Case No. 12 CVS-2254)

4. Iredell County Superior Court (Case No. 12-CVS-01420)

5. North Carolina Federal District Court (Case No. 12-CV-152)

6. Mecklenburg County Superior Court (Case No. 12-CVD-8507)

7. Nash County Superior Court (Case No. 12 CVS 1706)