Marler Clark and Rochester-based Underberg & Kessler filed a lawsuit Tuesday against State Garden, a Massachusetts-based company whose product was identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among upstate New York residents in October, 2012. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sandra Isaac, an Ontario, NY resident who alleges she became
Spence & Co., Smoked Salmon Listeria Illnesses Prompts Recall
Spence & Co Ltd, has recalled New York-Style Nova Lox, 4oz, Code/Lot: 9720704 due to two possible product related illnesses.
The recall affects a total of 1,563 packs of Spence & co Ltd New York Style Nova Lox Lot 9720704. The recalled product is identified and distributed as follows:
Through Distributors in IL, MO, NJ
Woooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
I had the honor to once again teach for the last couple of days at the L.L.M. program in Food Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
The students were smart – far smarter than their professor for the last few days. Certainly, if they are the young leaders in food law,
Marler Clark and Underberg Kessler Hired to Represent Wegman Spinach E. coli Victims
Wegmans also recalled 5 and 11-ounce packages of Wegmans store brand Organic Spinach & Spring Mix sold in its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts between October 14 and November 1. New York State officials linked the Wegmans spinach, provided by State Garden, Inc. of Chelsea, Massachusetts, to E. coli
Cleveland Fair Petting Zoo Vector for E. coli Outbreak
Not surprisingly public health investigators from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have determined that the petting zoo at the Cleveland County Fair was the initial source of exposure to E. coli that resulted in 106 illnesses and one death. According to results presented today in Shelby, weather may be one of the factors that played a role in widespread contamination of the area surrounding the petting zoo exhibit.
The Cleveland County investigation, which began October 8, involved a case control study of those who became ill as well as an additional 160 individuals who attended the fair but did not become ill. Local health department personnel in Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Rutherford and Union counties conducted 266 extensive interviews in the weeks following the outbreak.
In addition to the case control study, analysis by the State Laboratory of Public Health and United States Department of Agriculture confirmed two specific strains of E. coli in cases from the outbreak that were matched to environmental samples taken from the fairgrounds. Investigators noted that heavy rains during the run of the fair, from September 29 through October 8, resulted in runoff that may have spread contamination from the petting zoo into nearby areas.
After decades of outbreaks, the CDC and a collection of state veterinarians have issued these stern warnings and suggestions about animal exhibits and petting zoos:
– Wash hands after contact with animals to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
– Do not allow food, drink, or pacifiers in animal areas.
– Include transition areas between animal areas and non-animal areas.
– Educate visitors about disease risk and prevention procedures.
– Properly care for and manage animals.
But, if history is any guide, guidelines are not working very well. Here is a sample of zoonotic outbreaks over the last decade:
Continue Reading Cleveland Fair Petting Zoo Vector for E. coli Outbreak
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese Recalled Again
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese has issued a second recall for some of its products due to possible listeria contamination.
The Courier Journal reports the recall was made by the Austin, Kentucky, company Monday after routine testing of certain cheese samples found listeria monocytogenes, which can sicken vulnerable people.
The types of cheese include chipotle colby, colby,
Has the Produce Industry Killed the MDP for good? What do you say Mr. President?
I got this tweet this AM:
USDA Microbiol. Data Prog (MDP) was ordered to cease testing this week; what happens to produce safety in US?
I guess the president – despite winning the election – did not read my earlier post:
According to Food Safety News: After an uptick in press coverage on the impending
Flicks Restaurant E. coli Outbreaks Now 301
The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency (PHA) and Environmental Health Officers from Belfast City Council are continuing to investigate an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 linked to Flicks restaurant in Cityside Mall, 100-150 York Street, Belfast.
As of 3pm on Wednesday 7 November 2012, there were 137 confirmed cases and 164 probable cases.
Sunland Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 41
The CDC and FDA report that a collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, manufactured by Sunland, Inc. of Portales, New Mexico, is a likely source of this outbreak.
A total of 41 persons infected with
New York E. coli Lawsuits Coming
I may be teaching at the LLM program at the University of Arkansas school of law, but I did have time to talk with The Daily Record – “Western New York’s Source for Law, Real Estate, Finance and General Intelligence since 1908,” about teaming up once again with my good friend and superb lawyer, Paul