The Tale of Nebraska Beef Suing the Church Continues
You might recall a post I made several months back about Nebraska Beef suing the Salem Lutheran Church of Longville, Minnesota claiming, among other things:
MDA and MDH learned that ground beef used to make meatballs for the church meal, as well as the ground beef purchased by numerous area restaurants, was purchased at Tabaka’s Supervalu. On July 17, members of the church had purchased 40 pounds of ground beef from the Supervalu. MDA conducted an on-site inspection at the store on August 7, 2006. MDH’s epidemiological investigation revealed seventeen illnesses that met the case definition. Of these, three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one patient died.
The MDA traceback of the chuck rolls from Interstate Meat revealed that the “most plausible” source of the chuck rolls delivered to the Supervalu was the Nebraska Beef processing plant. In addition to this, the USDA reported that a sample of beef trimmings collected on June 14, 2006 at a processing plant cultured positive for E. coli O157:H7, and that the isolate was indistinguishable by PFGE analysis to the outbreak strain. The processing plant was determined to be Nebraska Beef, the company that most likely supplied the implicated chuck rolls to Tabaka’s Supervalu.
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Now, I just got notice that Nebraska Beef intends to put the pastor under oath – good gawd!
- That, upon information and belief, an environmental assessment of the church kitchen and food preparation procedures by the Minnesota Department of Health indicated that there was a high potential of cross-contamination between the ground beef [filled with pathogenic cow shit] and other foods during food preparation.
- That, upon information and belief, the damages sustained by the Plaintiff[s], if any, [one died of E. coli-related complications, and one suffered acute kidney failure] are the direct and proximate result of the negligence and/or other fault for tortuous conduct of Third-Party Defendant Salem Lutheran Church.
As you also might recall, in late July and early August 2006, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received three E. coli O157:H7 stool isolates from residents of, and visitors to, Longville, Minnesota. Pulsed-field gel electrophoreses (PFGE) patterns for all three were indistinguishable, and the pattern had never been seen before in Minnesota. At the same time, MDH learned of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses among members of the Salem Lutheran Church in Longville.
MDA and MDH learned that ground beef used to make meatballs for the church meal, as well as the ground beef purchased by numerous area restaurants, was purchased at Tabaka’s Supervalu. On July 17, members of the church had purchased 40 pounds of ground beef from the Supervalu. MDA conducted an on-site inspection at the store on August 7, 2006. MDH’s epidemiological investigation revealed seventeen illnesses that met the case definition. Of these, three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one patient died.
The MDA traceback of the chuck rolls from Interstate Meat revealed that the “most plausible” source of the chuck rolls delivered to the Supervalu was the Nebraska Beef processing plant. In addition to this, the USDA reported that a sample of beef trimmings collected on June 14, 2006 at a processing plant cultured positive for E. coli O157:H7, and that the isolate was indistinguishable by PFGE analysis to the outbreak strain. The processing plant was determined to be Nebraska Beef, the company that most likely supplied the implicated chuck rolls to Tabaka’s Supervalu.
William Marler, managing partner of Seattle-based Marler Clark, has been selected for a prestigious law award recognizing his work on behalf of a safer food supply. The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected him for the 2008 Public Justice Award, which is bestowed upon "an individual or organization whose efforts, courage, litigation, or innovative work results in the creation of a more just society." The award will be presented to Mr. Marler at the May 1, 2008 Law Day Dinner.
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A day after I listened to Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, give a great speech in Seattle, restaurant workers in New Mexico are diagnosed with .jpg)
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Hepatitis A is a communicable (or contagious) disease that spreads from person-to-person. It is spread almost exclusively through fecal-oral contact, generally from person-to-person, or via contaminated food or water. Food contaminated with the virus is the most common vehicle transmitting hepatitis A. The food preparer or cook is the individual most often contaminating the food, although he or she is generally not ill at the time of food preparation. The peak time of infectivity, when the most viruses are present in the stool of an infectious individual, is during the two weeks before illness begins. Although only a small percentage of hepatitis A infections are associated with foodborne transmission, foodborne outbreaks have been increasingly implicated as a significant source of hepatitis A infection..jpg)
According to Nebraska State health officials, an
Those sickened include six women and eight men, ranging in age from 23 to 55. The concern is over anyone who dined at the restaurant located at 8005 Fletcher Parkway between March 1 and April 22. 
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Goodness, I have been selected for two prestigious law awards. The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected me for the Public Justice Award, and the King County Bar Association will give me the 2008 Outstanding Lawyer Award..jpeg)
I read with some amusement that Arby’s bought Wendy’s today for $2.34 billion. According to various press reports, Dave Thomas' daughter Pam Thomas Farber said the family was devastated by the news. "It's a very sad day for Wendy's, and our family. We just didn't think this would be the outcome," said Farber. If her father were alive to hear news of the buyout, "he would not be amused," she said..jpg)
Hepatitis A virus a result of fecal-oral contamination, and can be spread person to person or through food handling, particularly cold or uncooked foods. These include salads and salad items, rolls, breads, buns, fruit or vegetable garnishes, sandwich condiments such as pickles and onions, chips, and ice or beverages containing ice, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Amanda kicks over the raw-milk bucket
The number of people who reported that they became sick with 
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Hepatitis A 
According to wikipedia, the popular saying "[it will happen] when pigs fly" (or when pigs have wings) is traditionally used to mean that the specified event will never occur. Well, pigs do have wings..jpg)
From 1993 to 2002 nearly all the revenue to my firm came to E. coli-contaminated hamburger. Then it was E. coli-contaminated spinach and lettuce. Although spinach and lettuce were down in 2007, hamburger is back up. With the increase in sales of raw milk in states, I am expecting a brisk growth in this sector of the Marler Clark firm..gif){kind=small}
Reuters reports that China is considering a food safety law that provides for penalties of up to life imprisonment for people responsible for the production of substandard food. Lesser violations of the law could incur fines, confiscation of income from sales of substandard products, or revocation of licenses. See full article - .jpg)
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Andrew Schneider, crack investigating reporter and ubber-blogger, posted today on his coverage of the Seattle University Law School Food Safety Conference – “Who’s Minding the Store? See his coverage at:
Illinois has joined Maine and Minnesota in naming themselves as locations of ill persons linked to Salmonella Agona tainted Unsweetened Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Saturday that diagnoses of salmonellosis linked with the consumption of Malt-O-Meal cereals have been reported in 14 states. Three people have been treated in hospital..gif){kind=small}
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I am still here in DC about to head to this morning’s sessions on .jpg)
As of Friday, the total number of 
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In what might be the most bizarre headline I have seen in 15 years of following food cases:.jpg)
The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
