lettuce.bmpContamination with different strains of E. coli, and in particular E. coli O157:H7, has been a recurrent problem in lettuce and other leafy greens.  Yesterday, the CDC reported that 60 people were infected with E. coli O157:H7 in 10 states as a result of exposure to romaine lettuce from a single grower and distributor.  

Bill Marler has posted a long list of leafy greens outbreaks on his blog.  The California Food Emergency Response Team collected detailed information on roughly a dozen of these outbreaks that were ultimately linked to products in California, through 2006.

The attorneys at Marler Clark have represented clients in many of these outbreaks as well, including the following: 

  • 2010, E. coli O145 in Lettuce:  Marler Clark filed a lawsuit on behalf of an Ohio resident who was among 33 confirmed and probable illnesses from 4 states tied to Freshway romaine lettuce.
  • 2008 E. coli O157:H7 Lettuce:  Marler Clark represented a number of clients in an outbreak involving at least 45 illnesses among residents in Michigan, Illinois, and Ontario, Canada.  The outbreak was tied to iceberg lettuce from Aunt Mid’s.
  • 2006 E. coli O157:H7 Spinach:  Attorneys at Marler Clark represented 93 victims of the massive, nationwide outbreak tied to bagged spinach from Dole and Natural Selections.
  • 2006 E. coli O157:H7 Lettuce:  Our firm represented 6 victims in a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 tied to Taco Bell restaurants.  Lettuce in the meals was reported as a possible source of the outbreak.
  • 2005 E. coli O157:H7 Lettuce:  At least 23 people in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, were confirmed ill with E. coli infections after eating contaminated Dole brand lettuce.   Marler Clark represented a number of the victims.
  • 2002 E. coli O157:H7 Lettuce:  Marler Clark represented several clients, most of them children, sickened in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 centered in Spokane, Washington, tied to romaine lettuce.