Tallahassee Personal Injury Lawyer - Salmonella

Chocolate Company Recalls Various Candies Containing Peanut Butter

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:43:13 GMT

The South Bend Chocolate Company today announced a voluntary recall of certain candy products because they contain peanut butter from Peanut Corporation of America, which may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Nearly 400 illnesses and five deaths have now been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste. The brand of peanut butter that has tested positive for salmonella and has been connected to the nationwide outbreak, has been voluntarily recalled by its distributor, King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio. The five pound tubs of creamy peanut butter are not manufactured by King Nut but are made for the company by the Peanut Corporation of America in Lynchburg, Va.

Peanut butter paste manufactured by Peanut Corporation, is also used in peanut butter crackers and other peanut butter snacks sold under the Keebler, Austin and Little Debbie names.

Anyone who suffers symptoms after eating these products should report this to their local health department and should seek immediate medical treatment. It is critical to tell your doctor that you ate one of those products and ask to be tested for salmonella exposure.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter products, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web site: http://www.injuryboard.com/firms/Florida/Tallahassee/Smith--Vanture-LLP/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Peanut Butter

Brian W. Smith — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:03:47 GMT

King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio issued a voluntary recall for two brands of peanut butter, after health officials in Minnesota said they had found salmonella bacteria in a tub of peanut butter that is distributed to schools and hospitals.

King Nut, in its statement, said it took the action after salmonella was found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter. King Nut distributes peanut butter through food service accounts and does not sell it directly to consumers, the statement said.

Peanut Corporation of America issued its own statement on its Web site, confirming "the salmonella was found in an open container of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing facility" in Minnesota.

The strain of salmonella has been identified as Salmonella Typhimurium, the most common of the more than 2,500 types of salmonella bacteria in the United States. It's often found in uncooked eggs and meats, said officials with the CDC, who have been investigating the outbreak for several weeks.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after contact with the germ. Infections typically clear up in five to seven days. However, severe infections can occur, particularly in infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, the salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, causing death unless antibiotics are administered, according to the CDC.

*** If you or a family member has suffered illness as a result of eating peanut butter and you have medical documentation that you or your family member has suffered illness after eating the peanut butter, please contact our office at 866-735-1102 ext. 515 to discuss how we may be able to assist you. Or visit our web site at www.smithvanture.com

If you do seek medical treatment, please ask that a stool culture be done to try and confirm that you have been affected by salmonella. A stool culture is the only way to confirm the presence of Salmonella bacteria. The lack of a positive stool culture, however, will not preclude a claim.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Tainted Peanut Butter May Have Sickened Hundreds

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:26:23 GMT

King Nut announced it had issued a recall of all peanut butter distributed under its label and manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America, of Lynchburg, Va. The company also recalled its distribution of Parnell's Pride peanut butter, which is also made by Peanut Corporation, according to a prepared statement by King Nut.

King Nut, in its statement, said it took the action after salmonella was found in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter. King Nut distributes peanut butter through food service accounts and does not sell it directly to consumers, the statement said.

Peanut Corporation of America issued its own statement on its Web site, confirming "the salmonella was found in an open container of King Nut peanut butter at a nursing facility" in Minnesota.

The strain of salmonella has been identified as Salmonella Typhimurium, the most common of the more than 2,500 types of salmonella bacteria in the United States. It's often found in uncooked eggs and meats, said officials with the CDC, who have been investigating the outbreak for several weeks.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after contact with the germ. Infections typically clear up in five to seven days. However, severe infections can occur, particularly in infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, the salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, causing death unless antibiotics are administered, according to the CDC.

*** If you or a family member has suffered illness as a result of eating peanut butter and you have medical documentation that you or your family member has suffered illness after eating the peanut butter, please contact our office at 866-735-1102 ext. 515 to discuss how we may be able to assist you. Or visit our web site at www.smithvanture.com

If you do seek medical treatment, please ask that a stool culture be done to try and confirm that you have been affected by salmonella. A stool culture is the only way to confirm the presence of Salmonella bacteria. The lack of a positive stool culture, however, will not preclude a claim.

Our law firm is investigating claims against the manufacturer and distributors of King Nut peanut butter, for negligence and product liability claims concerning the presence of salmonella bacteria in its peanut butter.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Peanut Butter is Possible Source of Salmonella Outbreak

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:39:15 GMT

Officials from the state Department of Health said late Friday that the salmonella bacteria found in 30 Minnesotans believe to have been sickened by eating King Nut brand creamy peanut butter has the same genetic fingerprint as the salmonella bacteria found in 400 sick people in 42 states.

Further testing on cases outside Minnesota will be needed to confirm that the peanut butter is the source of those illnesses as well, "but we think it's likely," said department spokesman Doug Schultz.

The peanut butter, sold in 5-pound containers to food service companies that supply schools, hospitals and other institutions, does not usually end up on supermarket shelves.

Kirk Smith, supervisor of food-borne diseases at the state Department of Health, said the clue in this outbreak was that many of the Minnesotans who became ill had eaten in institutional settings. That included nursing homes, schools and colleges, he said.

"What they had in common was this brand of peanut butter," he said. "That was enough."

The brand of peanut butter that tested positive for salmonella in Minnesota and is possibly connected to a nationwide outbreak has been voluntarily recalled by its distributor, King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio. The five pound tubs of creamy peanut butter are not manufactured by King Nut but are made for the company by the Peanut Corporation of America in Lynchburg, Va., King Nut said in its statement. Peanut Corporation has issued its own press release pertaining to this situation

The report of peanut butter contamination comes almost two years after ConAgra recalled its Peter Pan brand peanut butter, which was eventually linked to at least 625 salmonella cases in 47 states.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered illness after eating peanut butter, contact our offices at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web site: http://www.injuryboard.com/firms/Florida/Tallahassee/Smith--Vanture-LLP/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Source of Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak Still Unknown

Brian W. Smith — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:48:01 GMT

An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to trace the source of the outbreak, which began in September. The Department of Agriculture, state health officials and the Food and Drug Administration are also involved.

The CDC said poultry, cheese and eggs are the most common source of this particular strain, known as Salmonella typhimurium.

"It is often difficult to identify sources of foodborne outbreaks. People may not remember the foods they recently ate and may not be aware of all of the ingredients in food. That's what makes these types of investigations very difficult," said CDC spokesman David Daigle.

Daigle did not specify how many people were hospitalized, but the percentage he gave puts that figure at about 70.

"Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella, people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Persons also should not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or other dairy products. Produce should be thoroughly washed," he said.

Every year, approximately 40,000 people are reported ill with salmonella in the United States, the CDC says, but it said many more cases are never reported.

Persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

If you or a loved one have recently suffered symptoms of exposure to salmonella, please contact our office at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web site: http://www.injuryboard.com/firms/Florida/Tallahassee/Smith--Vanture-LLP/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Frozen Chicken Products: Read the Label!!

Brian W. Smith — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:28:44 GMT

The USDA has announced that 32 people in 12 states were sickened with salmonella poisoning after eating precooked, frozen chicken dinners. The problem? Many of the people who got sick apparently did not follow the instructions for preparing the meal, which called for heating it in an oven. Those who got sick apparently cooked their meals in microwaves instead.

Because of the way that the foods are packaged and labeled, people think that the ingredients are cooked and it just needs to be heated up. Pictures on the face of many packages give the impression that the product inside is a fully cooked product. However, if one reads the label carefully, the product either needs to be cooked in a conventional oven or thoroughly cooked in a microwave oven to a specific temperature. Many consumers, however, still use microwave ovens for these types of products, out of habit.

Carlota Medus, an epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, told the New York Times last year: “Microwave cooking for something that has to be cooked isn’t always a good idea.”

Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, the Food Inspection Director of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture echoes that sentiment but says that the problem often arises when consumers don’t realize that they are preparing a raw product.

“The frozen chicken entrees in the outbreaks we’ve seen in Minnesota are breaded, pre-browned and individually wrapped, so it’s likely most ill consumers mistakenly assumed they have been precooked,” Kassenborg said. “Although the wrapper includes instructions to fully cook the product, some consumers might have overlooked that information and simply heated it in a microwave.”

Salmonella is sometimes present in raw chicken, which is why it is important for consumers to follow safe food-handling practices. This includes cooking all raw poultry products to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but can begin up to a week after exposure. Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days, but approximately 20 percent of cases require hospitalization. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to death, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

For more information about food safety litigation, contact the Smith & Vanture firm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Salmonella Tainted Chicken Dinners Sicken People in 12 States

Brian W. Smith — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:54:51 GMT

The government is urging consumers to thoroughly cook frozen chicken dinners after 32 people in 12 states were sickened with salmonella poisoning.

The health warning by the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited frozen dishes in which the chicken is raw, but breaded or pre-browned, giving the appearance of being cooked. They include "chicken cordon bleu," "chicken Kiev," or chicken breasts stuffed with cheese, vegetables or other items.

USDA said many of the people who became ill apparently did not follow the package's cooking instructions and microwaved the chicken dishes even though the instructions did not provide for it. Microwaving didn't heat the meals enough to kill the salmonella.

The department said consumers should cook chicken products to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the warning Friday after Minnesota health officials found a link between the chicken dinners with salmonella illnesses reported in Minnesota and 11 other states. It did not name the states in its release, and did not immediately respond to a message left at its press office Saturday seeking that information.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours. It can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems such as infants and the elderly.

For more information about food safety litigation, contact the Smith & Vanture firm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Recalled Pet Food Could Sicken Humans as Well

Brian W. Smith — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:36:06 GMT

Mars Petcare has recalled pet food products manufactured at its Everson, Pa., facility because of a potential salmonella contamination. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

The Brands affected by the recall include: Country Acres, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Sam's Club, Ol' Roy, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition, Red Flannel, Retriever
Special Kitty and Wegman's.

In addition to being dangerous for pets, the pet food could sicken people who handle the food. The FDA has warned that cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, could cause symptoms in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems The FDA has urged people with symptoms of salmonella exposure, who have come into contact with the pet products, to contact a health care provider.

Symptoms of exposure to salmonella include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. On rare occasions, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

If you or a loved one has symptoms of salmonella exposure from the recalled pet food, feel free to contact the Smith & Vanture firm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Salmonella outbreak may be over, but the crisis isn't

Brian W. Smith — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:29 GMT

The FDA has reported that the salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 1,440 people appears to be over, but its ultimate source may never be known, partly because of shortcomings in the nation's food safety system.

FDA and CDC officials have said that a number of steps are needed to improve the safety of fresh produce, even as the government and the medical community are urging consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables for better nutrition.

Among those measures: Standard procedures and more funding to allow state laboratories to test samples of suspected pathogens more rapidly. Congressional action to give the FDA authority to impose produce safety regulations. And industry action to develop a faster system for tracing back to the farm any produce items suspected in an outbreak.

A recent survey confirms that Americans are as concerned about food safety as other major issues. The Center for Food Integrity, reports that persons surveyed were more worried about food safety than the war in Iraq or global warming.

We can only hope that the candidates for President will address this very important issue in the coming months.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Food safety investigators clear U.S grown peppers

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:06:04 GMT

The FDA is advising consumers that jalapeño and Serrano peppers grown in the United States are not connected with the recent Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak.

The investigators continue to advise consumers to avoid raw jalapeño peppers--and the food that contains them--if the peppers have been grown, harvested or packed in Mexico. Elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems are the most susceptible.

The FDA has also determined that the Agricola Zarigoza produce distribution center in McAllen, Texas—the location where the agency took the positive jalapeño pepper sample—was not the original source of contamination. Investigators are still looking at whether tomatoes grown on the same farm as tainted peppers could have been involved in the outbreak of salmonella that sickened over 1,200 people

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith