Food Poisoning Law Blog

Salmonella Pepper Supply Chain Probed

by PritzkerLaw — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:30:47 -0600

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the supply chain of black pepper used in the making of 1.6 million pounds of coated salami and other ready-to-eat meats recalled by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island.

The recalled salame products have been linked to a 42-state outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo that has sickened at least 213 people and sent an estimated 55 people to the hospital. No deaths have been reported.

A significant amount of people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella didn't eat salami the week before getting ill, which has given investigators reason to look for other pepper-containing food products as additional sources of the outbreak.

Rhode Island's own health department confirmed through DNA testing that unopened containers of pepper at Daniele were contaminated with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. The company had suspected it. The pepper was traced to two suppliers who sourced pepper from the same manufacturer.

The first illnesses in this outbreak occurred in early July 2009, but it wasn't until January that Oregon and Washington health officials locked onto salami as a potential cause. As so often is the case in food poisoning investigations, interviews conducted with ill persons made the difference. Once a correlation was found, DNA fingerprinting confirmed it was correct.

The successful case-control study in this outbreak compared foods eaten by 41 ill and 41 well persons. Preliminary analysis of this study suggested salami as a possible source of illness. Ill persons (58%) were significantly more likely than well persons (16%) to report eating salami. Additionally, 16 ill persons have been identified who purchased the same type of sliced salami variety pack at different grocery store locations before becoming ill.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is monitoring the outbreak investigation and is continuing to accept cases from this outbreak. As a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation, we are involved in practically every major outbreak and we have collected tens of millions for victims.

We have experience representing victims made seriously ill by Salmonella, including a woman who spent two weeks in an Arizona hospital last year after consuming contaminated pepper at a Reno resort where a cluster of other people also got sick.

For a free case consultation call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample, so it is important to see a doctor. The illness usually lasts from 4 to 7 days.

Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Pepper Salami Salmonella Recall Grows

by PritzkerLaw — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:10:31 -0600

For the third time since January 23, a Rhode Island salami maker considered to be the cause of a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo has announced a recall of its pepper salame products.

The two additional Daniele Inc. products weighing a total of 23,754 pounds were recalled after the Rhode Island Department of Health cited pepper salami coatings as the probable cause of the outbreak that has sickened 207 people in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Inspectors founds the outbreak strain of Salmonella in two unopened containers of pepper at Daniele's plant. New to the recall:

3-ounce packages of "DANIELE NATURALE SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER."
Approximately 6-pound packages of "DANIELE SALAME GRANDE COATED WITH PORK FAT & PEPPER."

Combined, Daniele has recalled 1,263,754 pounds of salami products in three related recalls. Click here to see a complete list of recalled Daniele salame products.

Health department spokeswoman Annemarie Beardsworth has been quoted as saying the investigation continues, which FDA has confirmed. That's because about half the people who have gotten sick in the outbreak didn't eat any salami.

National food safety law firm Pritzer Olsen continues to monitor the outbreak and accept cases from individuals who have gotten sick. Our firm has direct experience litigating pepper Salmonella lawsuits, including litigation related to last year's white and black pepper Salmonella outbreak linked to Union International Food Co. of California.

For answers to legal questions or to obtain a free case consultation call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page. This outbreak was preventable and our firm actively supports efforts to prevent the spread of all pathogens in our food supply.

Salmonella Outbreak Experts Confirm Pepper as Cause in Salami Outbreak

by PritzkerLaw — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:08:29 -0600

Black pepper from two different suppliers to Daniele Inc. was contaminated with Salmonella, leading investigators to conclude now that pepper coatings are the probable cause of a nationwide salami Salmonella Montevideo outbreak.

The confirmation came from the Rhode Island Health Department. The two pepper suppliers -- Mincing Oversees Spice Company and Wholesome Spices -- imported black pepper from the same source.

“These recent findings show that black pepper used during the manufacturing process at Daniele was the likely source of this outbreak,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “This outbreak only underscores the importance of closely monitoring food that is imported from other countries as they may not have the same food safety standards as we do.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a total of 207 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 42 states and District of Columbia since July 1, 2009. The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AK (1), AL (2), AZ (5), CA (30), CO (4), CT (4), DC (1), DE (2), FL (3), GA (3), IA (1), ID (2), IL (11), IN (3), KS (3), LA (1), MA (12), MD (1), ME (1), MI (4), MN (4), MO (1), NC (9), ND (1), NE (1), NH (1), NJ (8), NM (2), NY (16), OH (9), OK (1), OR (9), PA (5), RI (2), SC (1), SD (3), TN (5), TX (7), UT (9), VA (1), WA (15), WV (1), and WY (2).

Daniele, based in Pascoag, Rhode Island, has recalled 1.24 million pounds of its salami / salame products.

National food safety firm Pritzker Olsen is monitoring the outbreak and accepting cases from individuals who have been sickened. We have been in contact with victims in this outbreak and currently represent a Nevada woman who spent two weeks in the hospital in last year's pepper Salmonella outbreak linked to pepper grinder and packer Union International Food Co. in Union City, California.

We have years of experience and we are one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of food poisoning litigation. For a free case consultation call a Salmonella attorney at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection causing extremely painful diarrhea that is often overcome by healthy adults with no treatment. But serious illness and death can result in young children, older adults and those who have weakened immune systems. A small percentage of cases also can result in long-term arterial problems that cause pain and disability.

In this outbreak, 26 percent of victims have been hospitalized.

2009 Pepper Salmonella Outbreak Sprang From Hot Zone Inside California Plant

by PritzkerLaw — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:14:34 -0600

A state and federal investigation of the California company linked to 2009's pepper Salmonella outbreak that sickened 87 people in five states found unacceptably dirty conditions and a veritable hot zone of Salmonella Rissen.

According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report obtained by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen, Union City-based Union International Food Co. was filthy with bacteria matching the outbreak strain of Salmonella.

The outbreak started in September 2008 and grew to include 42 illnesses before health investigators associated it with Uncle Chen and Liam How pepper from Union International in late March 2008. The pepper products were recalled from restaurants and retail stores March 28. The five states affected were California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

A lengthy 2009 inspection performed by 13 investigators found that the company had never tested its products or plant facility for pathogens, had no formal sanitation program and cleaned its primary machinery only when it was too dirty to function.

According to the comprehensive FDA report, the plant's white pepper grinding room was the epicenter of the outbreak, which sent at least eight people to the hospital. One of those victims is a Nevada woman represented by Pritzker Olsen who spent two weeks at Carson Tahoe Medical Center with acute renal failure.

The report said that of 40 swab samples collected from food and non-food contact surfaces in the grinding room at Union International, 34 samples (85%) were positive for Salmonella. DNA fingerprint analysis was conducted for 19 of the 34 swab samples and all 19 matched the outbreak strain of Salmonella Rissen, the report said.

The company had no system to control the spread of dust, which offered no protection against cross-contamination of other operations, the report said. Swabs taken in areas of the plant where a variety of other spices were packed and where Asian style cooking oils and sauces were made, also found Salmonella Rissen.

Union International obtained its whole white peppercorns from Vietnam and the inventory at the plant tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Investigators noted in the report that the same strain of Salmonella Rissen had been found in 2006 in an inspection sample of unrelated black pepper imported from Vietnam.

In the midst of last year's inspection of the company, authorities ensured a shutdown of operations by filing a stipulated preliminary injunction against Union International in Alameda County Superior Court. After many objectionable conditions were documented, the company performed a deep cleaning and overhauled its operations.

After the cleaning and remodeling, all 100 swab samples taken by inspectors came back clean, the report said.

Pritzker Olsen conducted its own investigation of the Union International pepper Salmonella outbreak and continues to accept cases from individuals sickened by it. The firm also is hearing from victims of the current pepper salami Salmonella outbreak involving contaminated salami made by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island.

To contact a Salmonella expert at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. We have collected millions for victims of food poisoning and actively support initiatives to prevent the spread of human pathogens in our food supply.

Daniele Salami Salmonella Recall Expanded

by PritzkerLaw — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:31:11 -0600

The Illinois Department of Public Health has discovered Salmonella in an unopened salami product made by Daniele Inc. that was not included in the previous recall of 1.24 million pounds of pepper salame products.

The finding has prompted an additional recall of 17,235 pounds of hot sopressata calabres Italian sausage in 3 to 3.5-pound packages under the Daniele and Boar's Head brand names. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is peparing a list of retail stores nationwide that purchased the salami products.

An FSIS press release said the hot sopressata calabres salami was sampled during the course of the ongoing investigation of a 42-state outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo illnesses -- more than 200 cases at last count. The Illinois result marks the first time in the investigation that Salmonella was found in an unopened package of Daniele salami. More tests are being conducted to see if the bacteria matches the outbreak strain.

FSIS said the product tested is similar to previously recalled products bought by customers who later became sick.

Product subject to the expanded recall may have been cross-contaminated with black pepper before it was packed. The company believes that black pepper is a possible source of Salmonella contamination, the FSIS press release said.

Ill persons should immediately see a doctor. In this outbreak alone, more than 38 individuals have been hospitalized. Most healthy adults recover from Salmonella infection without treatement, but it can cause serious illness or death in young children, older adults and people who have weakened immune systems. Up to 2 percent of humans develop reactive arthropathy, or Reiter's syndrome, after being infected, a condition causing long-term chronic pain and disability.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen has been monitoring this investigation and is accepting cases from individuals sickened in the salami outbreak. To contact a Salmonella lawyer for a free case consultation call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page.

We have years of experience representing victims of food poisoning and are involved as advocates for victims in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness. This outbreak could have been prevented and it still appears to be active.

Click here to see the previous Daniele salami recall list. The expanded recall pertains to three items, all bearing USDA establishment number "EST 54" on the USDA shield of inspection.

Packages of “DANIELE HOT SOPRESSATA CALABRESE,” produced on 11/7/09, 12/16/09 and 12/18/09.
Packages of “DANIELE SOPRESSATA CALABRESE,” produced on 12/16/09 and 12/18/09.
Packages of “BOAR’S HEAD BRAND HOT SOPRESSATA CALABRESE,” produced on 11/28/09, 12/9/09 and 12/14/09.

Willow Marsh Farm Raw Milk Campylobacter

by PritzkerLaw — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:52:17 -0600

An outbreak of at least five cases of Campylobacter in and around Saratoga County in New York has been associated with raw milk produced at Willow Marsh Farm in Ballston Spa, New York.

The farm is licensed by the state to sell raw milk but it has temporarily halted production after preliminary tests showed Campylobacter contamination, according to a press release from the state.

The New York State Department of Health and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets report that all five individuals who recently were diagnosed with Campylobacter enteritis had consumed raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm.

If final test results prove the connection, the farm won't be allowed to resume raw milk sales until monitoring shows no pathogens.

Campylobacter is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and muscle pain. The illness usually occurs two to five days after ingestion and generally lasts for seven to ten days. This form of food poisoning can result in long-term health consequences.

State officials say that anyone who purchased milk from Willow Marsh Farm and still has the product should not consume it. Individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illness after consuming milk purchased from Willow Marsh Farm should contact their health care provider.

For answers to legal questions about compensation from food poisoning, contact national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness and we have collected millions for victims.

Campylobacter from raw milk is one of the risks associated with the practice of drinking milk that is not pasteurized. Many people think raw milk has healthful qualities, but science has proven it does not provide the protection of pasteurization, which eliminates all pathogenic bacteria, including Campylobacter without sacrificing milk's nutritional value.

FDA Tracing Supply of Salmonella Pepper

by PritzkerLaw — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:35:40 -0600

The Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating the supply chain of the black pepper used in the manufacturing of recalled salami products strongly believed to be the cause of a nationwide Daniele salami Salmonella outbreak.

Rhode Island health officials discovered the outbreak strain of Salmonella in an open pepper container at the plant where the salami is made and two other government labs confirmed the outbreak strain of Samonella in products that have been recalled.

FDA said it has collected and is currently analyzing black pepper samples. "To date, all the samples collected and analyzed by the FDA have tested negative for Salmonella; however, sample collection and analysis continues,'' the agency said in a press release.

The latest report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 202 people from 42 states and Washington, D.C., have been sickened by the same strain of Salmonella Montevideo since early July 2009. The most recent, documented onset of illness was January 11.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is monitoring the ongoing investigation, which could possibly lead to additional recalls if contaminated pepper from the same supplier went into other ready-to-eat products. Our firm is accepting salami Salmonella cases from those sickened by the 1.24 million pounds of salami products recalled January 23 by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island.

If you or a loved one was sickened in this outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at our firm for a free case consultation by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. We currently represent Salmonella victims and have collected millions over the years for victims of food poisoning.

Pritzker Olsen is a leading practitioner of foodborne illness litigation and its founder and president, Fred Pritzker, is a sought-after speaker for food safety causes. This particular Salmonella outbreak caused by adulterated salami could have been prevented long before it hospitalized 38 people. A major part of our mission at Pritzker Olsen is to actively support measures of prevention in industry and government.

The FDA is warning consumers to avoid salami products recalled by Daniele because the products have a shelf life of up to a year and potentially contaminated packages could still be in grocery stores or in home freezers and refrigerators. Click here to see the complete Daniele salami recall listing. For a list of the retailers who handled this product, click here.

Salami Salmonella Outbreak Strain Found by RI Investigators at Daniele Inc. Plant

by PritzkerLaw — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:37:01 -0600

Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed that the same strain of Salmonella Montevideo that has infected almost 200 people in 40 states has been found in an open container of pepper at salami maker Daniele Inc.

The Pascoag, Rhode Island, company previously announced a Salmonella finding in its pepper inventory, but didn't say whether the isolate was a DNA match to the strain making people sick across the country since last July.

The state didn't identify the brand of pepper or name the supplier, but did say that this particular brand was only distributed to Daniele Inc. in Rhode Island. The announcement does not ensure that Daniele pepper salami is the only product that caused the outbreak. But so far no products have been added to the Salmonella outbreak recall list.

Because the pepper sample that tested positive by Rhode Island Health came from an open container, it is considered the probable source of the outbreak and more tests are being conducted, the state said.

Previous lab tests by state health officials in Iowa and Washington found the outbreak strain of Samonella in open packs of recalled Daniele sliced variety packs containing pepper salami.

A key finding in the investigation came from Washingon, where state investigators reviewing shopping receipts verified that 13 cases purchased the same salami variety pack before getting sick. The Iowa salami Salmonella confirmation came from a sample found in salami from a pack that one of the cases had eaten.

Washington originally listed 14 cases in the outbreak, but added another this week. Across the country, at least 37 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. To see where the salami was sold, click here.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is accepting cases from this outbreak. We are currently representing Salmonella victims nationwide, including some who have suffered long-term consequences, such as arterial infections. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page for a free case consultation about your rights to compensation for a Salmonella outbreak that could and should have been prevented.

Salmonellosis is a common foodborne infection that comes from more than 2,000 strains of Salmonella and most people recover from salmonellosis on their own. But it is not to be taken lightly and can be deadly in cases involving young children, older adults and people who have weakened immune systems.

Daniele Ties Salami Salmonella Outbreak to Contaminated Pepper Spice

by PritzkerLaw — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:24:49 -0600

The Rhode Island company linked to a national salami Salmonella outbreak is reporting that samples of black pepper in its inventory have tested positive for Salmonella.

The discovery will trigger additional study by state and federal health inspectors to identify the supplier and determine if other peppered products have contributed to the outbreak. More recalls could be announced soon.

Here's what salami maker Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island, is telling its customers:

Samples of the black pepper used to coat the finished products have tested positive for Salmonella. This indicates that the product was contaminated after processing. We have changed suppliers of our spices, and specifications for spices. We are now using only pasteurized spices.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo has been found in patients and salami. A second strain of Salmonella Seftenberg also has been recovered. As the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy noted, the company doesn't say which strain was found in its pepper.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 189 individuals in 40 states have been infected by the same strain of Salmonella since July 2009. Epidemiological study only recently connected the outbreak to pepper salami made by Daniele. The company has recalled 1.24 million pounds of product and the details of the recall can be seen by clicking here.

Salmonellosis should not be taken lightly. Salmonella is a human pathogen that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. In rare circumstances, it can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is accepting cases from this outbreak at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or online via contact form on this Web page. Individuals may call a Salmonella lawyer for answers to legal questions about compensation. This outbreak could have been prevented. Click here to read about a Daniele salami lawsuit

Our firm is one of the few in the nation practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and our lawyers are considered leaders in this complicated area of law. We have the experience of successfully representing food poisoning victims in practically every major outbreak in the U.S.

California New York Washington Mass Hardest Hit by Salami Salmonella

by PritzkerLaw — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:44:58 -0600

In the Daniele pepper salami Salmonella outbreak that has sickened nearly 200 people in 40 states, the largest numbers of cases are found in California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah and New Jersey.

The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo is as follows: AL (2), AZ (5), CA (30), CO (3), CT (4), DE (2), FL (2), GA (3), IA (1), ID (2), IL (11), IN (3), KS (3), LA (1), MA (12), MD (1), ME (1), MI (1), MN (4), MO (1), NC (9), ND (1), NE (1), NH (1), NJ (7), NY (15), OH (9), OK (1), OR (8), PA (3), RI (2), SC (1), SD (3), TN (4), TX (7), UT (7), VA (1), WA (14), WV (1), and WY (2). Because this is a commonly occurring strain, public health investigators may determine that some of the illnesses are not part of this outbreak.

Here is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) map of the outbreak.

People with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Infants, elderly persons and those with weakened immunes systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is recommending that when a patient seeks medical attention, it is important for physicians to order laboratory tests to detect the pathogens. The test results are important, though not vital, in helping victims collect compensation for their injuries, lost time and medical expenses.

If you have questions regarding your legal rights to compensation related to this nationwide outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing our contact form on the side of this web page.

Our firm is a leader in foodborne illness litigation and our founder and president, Fred Pritzker, has called on Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island, to immediately pay the medical bills and other direct costs of victims of this outbreak, which could have been prevented.

Prevention of food poisoning is an important part of our mission at Pritzker Olsen. We actively support initiatives to strengthen food safety and our clients have given important testimony in Congress to help pass reforms that are long overdue. Fred is a sought-after speaker by food industry executives who work in the area of food safety.

The CDC has said other food products besides pepper salami and salame sold by Daniele could have contributed to this outbreak. We are closely monitoring the investigation and have heard from several individuals around the country who have been affected by this outbreak.

Pepper Salami Salmonella Outbreak Confirmed in CA WA MA NY IL NC OH OR MN UT NC CT AZ CO GA TX SD TN

by PritzkerLaw — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:14:14 -0600

Two public health labs have confirmed that pepper salami produced by a Rhode Island company, Daniele Inc., is the cause of a national outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo that has sickened at least 189 people in 40 states.

The confirmations were achieved through DNA fingerprinting by health workers at the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Washington State Department of Public Health.

In Iowa, the molecular subtyping matched the outbreak strain of Salmonella to Salmonella that infected a patient in that state. The sample came from Daniele salami the person had saved in the freezer.

The Iowa sample was from a sliced salami variety pack -- the same as that purchased by at least 13 other ill persons.

The breakthrough was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which continues to say that it is possible another food item caused illnesses in the outbreak, which started last July and was first detected in Oregon and Washington.

Daniele has stopped production of its salami and salame products and will now irradiate the pepper it uses on the product to kill germs. Some scientists believe pepper was the vehicle for the Salmonella in this case.

The Pascoag, Rhode Island, company recalled 1.23 million pounds of pepper salami, including variety packs containing pepper salami / salame less than 24 hours after the CDC announced the outbreak late last week. Click here to view a complete list of items under recall, including products under the Boar's Head and Dietz & Watson brand.

States hardest hit by the outbreak include California, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and Oregon. But 32 other states have confirmed cases and it is a certainty that some cases have not yet been reported to public health officials. The outbreak was active through the first week of January, at a minimum.

If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. We are a national food safety law firm with leading experience; involved as an advocate for victims in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness.

This outbreak could have been prevented and Daniele Inc. should immediately pay medical costs, lost wages and other associated expenses of individuals sickened by its products. If you have questions about compensation, contact us. We have collected tens of millions for food poisoning victims, including Salmonella patients who have suffered long-term health consequences from their infections.

Probe Widening in Pepper Salami Salmonella Outbreak

by PritzkerLaw — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:21:23 -0600

The public health investigation into a 7-month-old Salmonella outbreak is widening and could possibly implicate other contaminated food products in addition to salami.

"It is possible that more than one food product may be causing illnesses,'' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Monday in its latest update on the outbreak.

The CDC report said preliminary analysis of a recent study of the outbreak has suggested salami as a possible source of illness. Ill persons (51 percent) were significantly more likely than well persons (15 percent) to report eating salami.

Additionally, 11 ill persons purchased the same type of sliced salami variety pack at different grocery store locations before becoming ill. These data suggest this product may be the source of some of these illnesses, the CDC said. This sliced salami variety pack was recently recalled by Daniele Inc. as part of a 1.23 million-pound recall of products containing pepper salami.

The Daniele salami Salmonella recall came less than 24 hours after the CDC announced the outbreak. According to the latest tally, 187 people in 39 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo. Of 133 victims who provided information, 37 were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

More testing is in the works to look for possible confirmation of the outbreak strain of Salmonella in ingredients at Daniele and in other food products. Private laboratory tests found Salmonella in a retail sample of a Daniele salami product , but the Salmonella didn't match the outbreak strains.

Some scientists believe pepper is the source of the outbreak and there has been a media report saying that Daniele is starting to irradiate the pepper it receives before adding it to meat products. For now, salami product at Daniele of Pascoag, Rhode Island, is on hold.

If you or a loved one has been injured in this outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or completing our contact form on the side of this Web page. We are a national food safety law firm and one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Pritzker Olsen has collected millions for victims of food poisoning and we are involved as an advocate for victims in practically every major outbreak.

Update on Salami Salmonella FAQ Outbreak and Recall

by PritzkerLaw — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:43:34 -0600

UPDATE February 1, 2010 -- National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is closely monitoring the state and federal investigation into a Salmonella Montevideo outbreak that has sickened almost 200 people in 40 states. The probable cause of the outbreak is peppered salami manufactured by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island.

Anyone affected by this outbreak may call Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) for answers to questions about your legal rights to Salmonella compensation. A lawyer will provide a free case consultation and you also can contact the firm by completing the form on the side of the Web page.

Salmonella infection is a serious and sometimes life-threatening matter for young children, older adults and anyone who has a weakened immune system. Salmonellosis is commonly overcome by healthy adults, but should not be taken lightly because it can have long-lasting medical consequences, including Reiter's Syndrome.

Extent of outbreak: The number of illnesses currently considered to be part of this outbreak is 202. Of 148 victims who provided information, 38 have been hospitalized. No one has died. It started in early July 2009 and has spread to 42 states and Washington, D.C.. California, New York, Maine, Washington, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, Utah and North Carolina are leading states.

Investigating Agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the outbreak. It is working with USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, Food and Drug Administration, and many state health agencies.

Cause of outbreak: State health laboratories in Iowa and Washington have used DNA fingerprinting to match the outbreak strain of Salmonella to two separate salami samples made by Daniele. In the Iowa case, the patient had kept some salami in the freezer. It came from the same type of Daniele sliced salami variety pack that had been purchased by 12 other ill persons. RI Department of Health has found the outbreak strain of Samonella Montevideo in an open container of pepper at Daniele's plant. The company believes the Salmonella came from pepper. Illinois health officials are testing Salmonella recently found in an unopened pack of Daniele hot sopressata calabres salami to see if it matches the outbreak strain.

Salami Recall: Less than 24 hours after CDC announced the outbreak, Daniele Inc. announced the recall of 1.24 million pounds of peppered salami products, including variety packs containing peppered salami or salame. Brands involved in the recall include Daniele, Dietz & Watson, Boar's Head and Black Bear of the Black Forest. Recall was expanded Jan. 31 to include 17,235 pounds of hot sopressata calabres salami made by Daniele. Look for USDA Establishment numbers EST 54 or EST 9992. See the Food Safety Lawyer for a complete Salmonella salami recall listing.

Where the Salami was sold: FSIS has published a list of retailers that have handled salami covered under this Class I High Health Risk recall. The list includes large chains including Costco, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Ralph's and Sam's Club. Click here to see the complete, updated store listing. FDA is warning consumers some product still may be on store shelves and in home freezers or refrigerators.

Advice to Patients: People with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Infants, elderly persons and those with weakened immunes systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When a patient seeks medical attention, it is important for physicians to order laboratory tests to detect the pathogens.

Salami Salmonella Recall Coincides with CDC Report on Salmonella Outbreak

by PritzkerLaw — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:46:10 -0600

Salmonella in Salami has prompted a large recall of pepper-coated salami made by a company in Rhode Island and the recall coincides with the announcement of a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says in a recall notice today that 1.24 million pounds of salami made by Danielle Inc. is not currently linked directly to the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 184 people in 38 states, hospitalizing more than 35 of them.

But the FSIS notes specifically that the recalled salami is similar to products bought by customers who later became sick in the Montevideo outbreak. Investigators are still probing and testing.

Meanwhile, a Salmonella expert at the Oregon Public Health Division told the Oregonian newspaper there's a connection between the salami recall and Salmonella outbreak, which was first noticed on the West Coast last July.

Oregon senior epidemiologist William Keene said a lab near Seattle came up with positive tests for Salmonella in the past few days on salami made by Daniele that was purchased at a Costco in Washington state. Washington has more than a dozen cases in the Salmonella outbreak.

Some scientists suspect that it's the pepper on the salami. The particular strain of Salmonella involved in the outbreak is common and that makes it difficult for investigators to pinpoint the culprit food.

“This is a weird outbreak in a lot of ways because it’s been such a long investigation,” Keene told the Oregonian's Lynne Terry, one of the country's leading health reporters. "We've gone down a lot of dead ends until the puzzle pieces started to fit together."

The FSIS has not listed retailers yet who carried the recalled salami, but the Oregonian says vendors include Costco, Walmart, Sam's Club, Amazon and more. Most products are under the Daniele brand name, but the recall includes several items with the Boar's Head, Black Bear or Dietz & Watson labels.

All of the recalled products carry a small round USDA mark that says "EST. 54" or "EST. 9992." Daniele products with other USDA establishment numbers are not being recalled.

If you are a victim of this possible salami Samonella outbreak and have questions about your legal rights, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by completing our contact form on the side of this Web page or by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).

We are a national food safety law firm involved in practically every major outbreak of food poisoning. Over the years we have collected millions for victims while also actively supporting many initiatives to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Salmonella infection in young children, older adults and all people who have weakened immune systems is a serious and sometimes life-threatening matter. Salmonella is often overcome by health adults, but it should not be taken lightly because it is known to cause long-term negative health consequences.

Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak Unknown Source

by PritzkerLaw — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:08:13 -0600

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a nationwide Salmonella outbreak that is due to food poisoning, but efforts so far have failed to identify what food is causing the illnesses.

As of Friday, investigators had identified 184 individuals in 38 states infected by the same strain of Salmonella Montevideo since July 1, 2009. Onsets of illness are still being reported. The CDC says 28 percent of victims have been hospitalized. The victims range in age from 1 to 88 and the median age is 37.

Working with meat regulators from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and with packaged food and produce regulators from Food and Drug Administration -- along with state health officers -- the CDC believes the Salmonella Montevideo illnesses are caused by a "widely distributed contaminated food product.''

"CDC and its public health partners are vigorously working to identify the specific contaminated product or products that are causing illnesses and will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available,'' the health agency said in a press release.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is closely monitoring the investigation. Public health officials appear determined to discover the source of the outbreak, which will eventually help to contain the outbreak. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions for victims of food poisoning.

If you or a loved one have been sickened in this outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or by completing our contact and information form on the side of this web page. We will inform you of your rights regarding Salmonella compensation and provide a free case consultation.

California Salmonella cases top the list at 30. New York Salmonella cases are second with 15 confirmed cases, followed closely by 14 Washington Salmonella cases and 12 Maine Salmonella illnesses and 12 Massachusetts Salmonella cases. There are 11 Illinois Salmonella Montevideo cases in the outbreak.

Here is the complete list of states and numbers of cases considered to be part of the outbreak. Because Salmonella Montevideo is a commonly occurring strain, officials may later determine some cases are not part of the outbreak.

Alabama (2), Arizona (5), California (30), Colorado (2), Connecticut (4), Delaware (2), Florida (2), Georgia (3), Iowa (1), Illinois (11), Indiana (3), Kansas (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (12), Maryland (1), Maine (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), North Carolina (9), North Dakota (1), New England (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (7), New York (15), Ohio (9), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (8), Pennsylvania (3), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (3), Tennessee(3), Texas (7), Utah (7), Virginia (1).

Officials Say Snow May Have Caused Belgium WI Child E coli Cluster

by PritzkerLaw — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:47:37 -0600

An investigation into a cluster of child E. coli cases in Belgium, Wisconsin, is continuing, but the Ozaukee County health officer has issued a press release saying the illnesses could have been caused by eating contaminated snow or ice.

In addition, the children had close contact with each other and could have passed it to each other, officials said.

A news release from the office of Ozaukee Health Officer Glenda Madlom said interviews conducted with family members for all three E. coli cases were unable to identify a common food item or other definite source of infection. "The source has not been absolutely determined but a possible explanation includes close contact or a common environmental source, such as contaminated snow or ice,'' the news release said.

The investigation -- aided by the state health department -- has identified two laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in siblings. One had onset in December and one had onset in January. A third case was identified in a neighbor who had onset in December and tested negative for E. coli infection, but is considered a probable case based on clinical symptoms.

Two of the three patients were hospitalized, and one remains hospitalized. At least one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E coli O157:H7 infection that is the leading cause of kidney failure in children.

The Ozaukee Health Department also is investigating a case of laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis in a child from the same neighborhood. At this time there is no evidence that this infection is related to the three E. coli cases, however the investigation is ongoing. Both cryptosporidium and E. coli are found on farms and in animal manure and Belgium is in a farming area.

As a precaution, the Village of Belgium tested its water supply over the weekend and determined that the water is safe. In addition, the health department is working closely with the DNR and the Ozaukee County Department of Land and Water to assist in evaluating environmental concerns.

Families of Salmonella Outbreak Victims Fight for Food Safety Bill

by PritzkerLaw — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:34:37 -0600

Nellie Napier was the ninth and last person on record to die from Salmonella during the outbreak

that sickened more than 700 people in the United States last year. The contamination was traced to Peanut Corp. of America, which recalled its products on Jan. 28, two days after Mrs. Napier died.

With the upcoming one year anniversary of her death weighing heavily on family members, they have joined a group representing 27 people affected by the outbreak by writing a letter to members of the U.S. Senate to pass Senate Bill 510 -- a food safety reform act that should be headed to the Senate floor in the near future.

Also in the victims' group are heirs of Shirley Mae Almer of Perham, Minnesota. It was Shirley's death in late 2008 that helped public health investigators trace the horrible outbreak to peanut products. Her son, Jeffrey Almer, gave key testimony a year ago in Washington, D.C., before a Congressional panel that has been instrumental in the reform effort.

Nellie Napier, from Ohio, and Shirley Almer were both charismatic, bright lights in their respective families. They are now represented in Salmonella wrongful death litigation by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen. The leader in foodborne illness litigation also represents the family of Doris Flatgard, another beloved and precious individual who died as the result of contaminated peanuts in the food supply.

The families of the victims have written a letter to members of the Senate to honor their word and quickly pass the food safety bill to prevent future outbreaks. The legislation would be paired with language already adopted in the House. The changes -- designed to make our system more preventative than reactive -- have been pushed by President Obama.

Randy Napier, one of Nellie's sons, says the victims' group wants the Senate bill passed by Valentine's Day.

“We’re talking to senators, telling them our story with our mother, and trying to get this food safety bill passed,” Randy Napier told The Gazette, a newspaper from Medina County, Ohio, where the family is from.

Randy, and his brother Jeff, of Rittman, have traveled to Washington, D.C., twice to urge lawmakers to pass reforms that will increase inspections at food-processing plants, improve traceback investigations during outbreaks and give mandatory recall authority to the Food and Drug Administration.

Louisiana Oyster Bed Reopens After Norovirus Scare

by PritzkerLaw — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:55:19 -0600

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals today reopened Area 29 to oyster harvesting after it had been shut down over concerns that the oysters caused a Norovirus outbreak in North Carolina last month.

"DHH evaluations of Area 29, located in Lower Calcasieu Lake, have determined the molluscan shellfish growing waters there are suitable for harvest of oysters,'' the department said in a press release.

Calcasieu Lake is an estuary in the Gulf of Mexico south of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Public health officials in Raleigh, N.C., reported that about 280 people became sick last month after dining at an oyster bar that served oysters from the area in question.

Norovirus is highly contagious and causes common illnesses with flu-like symptoms that last for one to two days. The bacteria can find its way into oysters by way of sewage run-off. DHH is continuing to monitor the waters.

Belgium WI Child E coli Outbreak

by PritzkerLaw — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:45:29 -0600

At least one child HUS case and possibly a second is under investigation as part of the Villiage of Belgium E. coli outbreak in southeastern Wisconsin.

Fox 6 News of Milwaukee broke the story that several Wisconsin children who live on Grand Avenue in Belgium have been stricken recently by E. coli O157:H7 infections. The station says one 4-year-old spent six weeks at Childrens' Hospital with E coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. The child underwent dialysis and blood transfusions and was in the intensive care unit. Now a second child has been hospitalized.

Ozaukee County Health Department officials, along with state health investigators, are looking for a cause. The Village of Belgium WI president says E. coli water tests taken on the town's water supply have come back negative.

If you have information on this outbreak or wish to speak to an E. coli lawyer who has experience in outbreak investigations, contact an E. coli HUS lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by dialing 1-888-377-8900 (toll free.) Our law firm is a recognized leader in the area of foodborne illness and we are actively involved in efforts to prevent food poisoning of all types by making the U.S. food supply safer.

Parkers Farm Listeria Recall Expanded

by PritzkerLaw — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:24:59 -0600

Seven days after announcing a Listeria recall covering a wide variety of its food products, Parkers Farm Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, has expanded the recall to include all date codes on the previously identified foods.

The Parkers Farm recall is a result of a sampling done by the state of Wisconsin and the state of Minnesota which revealed that some finished products contained the bacteria. The state of Minnesota, FDA, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Officials are concerned about Listeria in the company's peanut butter, bagel spreads, cold pack cheese and salsa that it sells under various brands. Click here to see the complete recall product list, but all date codes are now included in the recall.

Unlike most foodborne bacteria, Listeria can multiply while products are stored in refrigerators. The organism is especially harmful to pregnant women, who are more likely to contract it than others. Infection can pass to the fetus and cause stillbirth and miscarriage.

Listeriosis in pregnant women can be difficult to diagnose. That is why it is important for pregnant women who come down with a fever, especially if it corresponds with flu-like symptoms, to immediately see a doctor and get a blood culture. There is no immunization for Listeriosis.

If you or a loved one has suffered Listeria food poisoning and have legal questions, contact a food safety lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact and information form on the side of this Web page. We will provide a free case consultation based on years of experience.