Food Recalls

January 5, 2018

Consumer Reports: Romaine Lettuce Linked To Deadly Outbreak

At Bernard Law Group we take your health very seriously. That’s why we have decided to share important information concerning potentially contaminated food items that may put Washingtonians as well as residents of 12 other states in grave danger.

According to Consumer Reports, an E. coli outbreak has impacted at least 13 states in the United States and Canada. One person in each country has died as a result while 58 people so far were infected. The strain associated with this outbreak, E. coli O157: H7, has been traced back to romaine lettuce in Canada where health officials have been alerting consumers to stop eating lettuce since December 14. But here in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still investigating.

The federal agencies refuse to alert consumers whether they should refrain from eating lettuce in order to avoid being contaminated but in Canada, individuals are well aware that the consumption of lettuce, which is often eaten raw, may lead to serious and even deadly health conditions.

December 3, 2009

Roast Beef Recall Extends to Washington

By Kirk Bernard

As trusting consumers, we expect the food products we buy to be free of any substance or ingredient that may cause us harm, illness, or injury. When a food product’s labeling fails to include an important ingredient that many individuals are allegoric to, such as soy, it may be subject to a recall.

According to a Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) report by the United States Department of Agriculture issued on November 4, 2009, Curly’s Food, Inc., has recalled an estimated 12,181 pounds of roast beef deli products. This recall is due to the deli products being accidentally mislabeled in that they contain an allergen – soy. Apparently, the mislabeling issue was revealed after a product check by Curly’s Food, Inc.

Based on the report, the roast beef deli products were made on October 5 and 12, 2009, and were circulated to retail-type delicatessens and Department of Defense Commissaries in Washington and 14 other U.S. states. The report on the recalled product states the following about the product: “Cases containing two (2) various size weight deli-faced pieces of “Healthy Ones, Medium Cooked Roast Beef, 97% Fat Free, No Fillers, No Artificial Flavors, Lower Sodium” in vacuum packaged bags. Each package bears a use by date of “01/03/2010” or “01/10/2010,” a case code of “30900-17856” as well as the establishment number “EST. 15878″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.”
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November 11, 2009

Kirk Bernard’s Survival Guide to Handling Foodborne Illness

By Kirk Bernard

A recent ArticleBase post by Kirk Bernard discusses the Seattle personal injury attorney’s survival guide to handling foodborne illness. Foodborne illness may result from product liability issues and forms of negligence, such as a food product being contaminated from poor handling during manufacturing or a food product containing E. coli bacteria or any other harmful substance. However, there are several precautions people can implement in their own homes to help prevent foodborne illness. The article addresses five main steps that you must take to keep you and your family safe from foodborne illness.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from foodborne illness by reading the entire article.

November 21, 2007

Recall of Del Rey Flour Tortillas

By Kirk Bernard

Del Rey Tortilleria, Inc., of Chicago, is announcing the recall of its flour tortilla products, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Flour tortillas of all sizes are included in the recall (White Flour Tortillas; 6″ Tortillas de Harina; Burritos 2,3, and 4; and 8″ Fajitas). All packages have the name “Del Rey” on the label, and one of the following date codes: Oct/17/07; Oct 20/07; Oct 24/07, Nov/4/07, Nov/10/07; or Nov/11/07.

A recent illness in Wisconsin schools, in which students experienced nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, have caused state officials to tell the FDA that they think there is a connection between the torillas and the school illnesses. However, they do not believe the problem involves microbial contamination. Del Rey is recalling the products as a precaution while the investigation continues, although they are not certain their products caused the reported symptoms.

November 5, 2007

Recall On Frozen pizza Due to E.coli Concern

By Kirk Bernard

About 5 million pizzas under the Totino’s and Jeno’s labels were recalled Thursday by General Mills because of possible E.coli contamination.

It is believed that the problem can be traced to pepperoni on the pizzas, which are produced at a General Mills plant in Ohio. The pepperoni comes from a separate supplier, but the Minneapolis-based General Mills declined to release the name of the pepperoni distributor.

The first of 21 E.coli illnesses under investigation by state and federal authorities emerged in July. The voluntary recall covers pizzas containing pepperoni that have been produced since then. According to www.king5.com, 9 of the 21 people who became ill with the E.coli virus reported eating Totino’s or Jeno’s pizza with pepperoni topping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that eight of the victims have been hospitalized, and four have developed a type of kidney failure.

October 24, 2007

ConAgra Sued Over Salmonella Poisoning

By Kirk Bernard

According to www.king5.com , an Everett man is suing ConAgra Foods. He says a Banquet chicken pot pie contaminated with salmonella made his 2-year old daughter sick. ConAgra, Banquet’s parent company, has recalled the pies due to hundreds of reports of salmonella poisoning associated with the pot pies.

Though the 2-year old improved, her father realized her case was one of more than 200 in 34 states thought to be related to the salmonella outbreak. According to the State Department of Health, at least 14 cases of salmonella poisoning connected to the outbreak are here in Washington State. Regarding suing ConAgra, the father said, “I feel confident that this is the right thing to do. It’s a shame that this is what it takes for them to realize what’s going on.”
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