The Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) along with local health departments in Kent, Livingston, Oakland, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties are investigating a cluster of recent illnesses due to the bacteria E. coli O157:H7.

Five confirmed Shiga-toxin producing E. coli O157 illnesses have been reported in adults between 20-41 years of age with symptom onset dates from April 22 – May 1. Three individuals have been hospitalized. None of the ill individuals have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli O157 infection, and no deaths have been reported.

Laboratory results suggest these illnesses are linked to a common source. The investigation is ongoing, and preliminary information collected from ill persons indicates that ground beef is most likely the source. Ill individuals ate undercooked ground beef at several different restaurants in multiple locations. MDARD is working with local health departments and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine the source of the ground beef and how widely it was distributed.

E. coli:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Groupe Colabor Inc. is recalling Viandes Lauzon brand lean ground veal from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:NM contamination. Hotels, restaurants, institutions, daycare and healthcare facilities should not use, serve or distribute the recalled product described below.

The following product has been sold to hotels, restaurants, institutions, daycare and healthcare facilities in Quebec.

Brand

Product

Size

UPC

Code
Viandes Lauzon

Lean Ground Veal

2 x 2.5 kg

Item #35180

30/04/14

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:NM may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

This recall was triggered by the company. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Trader Joe’s and Glass Onion Catering is facing 5 lawsuits brought on behalf of alleged victims of a 2013 E. coli outbreak. Public health officials traced the E. coli outbreak to salads made by Glass Onion Catering and sold at the grocery chain.[1]

According to attorney Bill Marler, whose law firm represents 6 plaintiffs who allege that they fell ill with E. coli infections after eating salads sold at Trader Joe’s, the company was added as a defendant to two lawsuits previously filed against salad-maker Glass Onion Catering in California[2] and in 3 new lawsuits filed Wednesday in California and Washington state[3]. The plaintiffs allege in the lawsuits that Glass Onion Catering and Trader Joe’s sold food that was “not fit for human consumption, and not reasonably safe because it was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7”.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state and local health departments counted 33 people from 4 states who were confirmed ill with E. coli infections after consuming Glass Onion Catering salads and wraps sold at Trader Joe’s and other retail outlets in October and November of 2013. Two people, including one of the plaintiffs, developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli infection that can cause kidney failure and central nervous system impairment.[1]

“Retailers need to be held accountable for what they sell,” said attorney Bill Marler. “In my opinion, over the last two decades retailers have begun to care less about the safety of what they sell just as long as it sells.  Retailers now try to push blame for the sale of tainted food that sickens customers onto everyone but the retailer. That needs to stop.”

E. coli:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

1. See, “Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Ready-to-Eat Salads”.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  November 12, 2013, “California Firm Recalls Grilled Chicken Salad Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination.”  United States Department of Agriculture.  November 10, 2013 and “Atherstone Foods Voluntarily Recalls Salads and Wraps Because of Possible Health Risk.”  U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  November 9, 2013.

2. Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. SCV-254623 and San Francisco County Superior Court

3. United States District Court for the Western District of Washington

KFOR News reports that several Oklahoma families have been hospitalized with E. coli infections after attending the same Oklahoma Youth Expo event at the State Fairgrounds.  While some cases are minor, some are more severe, putting one 8-year-old in ICU.

One child, Connor Sneary, has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and is on dialysis and has received several blood transfusions and is breathing with the help of a ventilator.

See www.fair-safety.com for information on past outbreaks.

According to press reports and a press release from the Michigan Depart of Agriculture, James Ruster, owner of Mitchell Hill Farm in Ellsworth, was sentenced last week for a felony violation of Michigan’s Food Law.  Ruster pled guilty to willful misbranding and adulteration of food products and was sentenced to 14 to 48 months in prison plus fines and court costs.  This is the first felony conviction under this law.

In October 2011 a food inspector investigated a consumer tip that Ruster was selling apple cider at a local farmers market. Mitchell Hill Farm was not approved to produce cider. After repeatedly being informed that he wasn’t meeting safe cider production standards, Ruster continued to make and sell cider.

In November 2012 an investigation by the Health Department of Michigan determined the improperly processed cider caused an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak putting four individuals in the hospital, including two children.  The cider was linked to Mitchell Hill Farm.

A further six cases of E coli O157 linked to events on the 17th, 18th and 19th January at the SSE Hydro have been identified taking the total number of cases to 21.

The Public Health Protection Unit of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) along with other health boards, Health Protection Scotland, the Food Standards Agency and Glasgow City Council Environmental Health have been working together to investigate these cases.

Investigations have indicated a link to the SSE Hydro, Glasgow and an association with the consumption of burgers for each of the identified cases.

As the incubation period for anyone who attended the Hydro between January 17th and 17th has now past it is unlikely there will be any further individuals developing symptoms. We may, however, continue to identify cases who have already been unwell. Anyone who attended the event at the Hydro during that specific weekend and has experienced, symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea (often bloody), nausea and fever they should make their local GP aware.

All 21 cases are either fully recovered or are recovering at home. Three cases are from the NHSGGC area, three are from the NHS Lanarkshire area, five cases are from NHS Lothian, two cases are from NHS Highland, four cases from NHS Forth Valley, two cases are from NHS Grampian, one is from NHS Fife and one is from Cumbria.

Dr Eleanor Anderson, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, NHSGGC said: “We are pleased that all the cases are recovering at home.

“While there is no conclusive evidence our investigations have indicated that the most likely source is a link to the consumption of burgers at the SSE Hydro. Glasgow City Council Environmental Health Officers have worked closely with the vendors and will continue to liaise with them to ensure all appropriate food hygiene standards are being met.

The Olympian reports, The Laughing Goat of Roy is recalling its Grade A retail raw goat milk because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) that can cause serious illness, according to a news release.

The Laughing Goat voluntarily initiated the recall after routine monthly sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture discovered contamination. The Laughing Goat dairy has not received any reports of human illnesses associated with the recalled product.

E. coli infections may cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloody stool. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider.

The Laughing Goat raw goat milk is sold in pint, quart and half-gallon plastic containers with green caps. Best if used by dates are found on the front label. Refrigerated raw goat milk bearing the best if used by dates of Feb 11 to Feb 19 has been recalled. Recalled milk was sold in western Washington, including Thurston, Pierce, Lewis and King counties.

Investigators have linked the E. coli O157:H7 cases to the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, a major entertainment venue which opened in September.

All but one of those affected by E. coli live in Scotland, with one living in Cumbria. All are said to be recovering at home.

Last week, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said seven cases had been identified, with four more confirmed on Monday and a further four today.

Investigators are looking particularly at the three days between January 17 and 19 at the Hydro, but advised anyone who visited the venue between January 17 and 25 and has experienced symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and fever to contact their GP.

The shows at the complex during the period were Top Gear, Del Amitri and Celtic Connections.

Two of the cases are from the greater Glasgow area, three are from Lanarkshire , five from the Lothian area, two from the Highlands, two from the Forth Valley and one from Cumbria.

PFP Enterprises, a Fort Worth, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 15,865 pounds of beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O103, E. coli O111, E. coli O121, E. coli O145, E. coli O26 and E. coliO45, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to FSIS recall:

  • 10.5-lb. boxes of Beef Outside Skirt Steak, with a pack date of “12/13/13”
  • 20-lb. boxes of Studio Movie Grill Beef Tenderloin Sliced, with a pack date of “12/05/13”
  • 15-lb. boxes of Preseasoned Beef for Fajita, with a use by date of “1/13/14”
  • 40-lb. boxes of Southwest Style Beef Skirts, with a pack date of “12/5/13”
  • 20-lb. boxes of Patterson Food Processors Beef Skirt Seasoned, with a pack date of “12/9/13”
  • 10-lb. boxes of Preseasoned Beef for Fajitas, with a pack date of “12/9/2013”
  • 40-lb. boxes of Preseasoned Beef for Fajitas w/Binder, with a pack date of “12/9/2013”
  • 12-lb. boxes of Seasoned Beef for Fajitas, containing 6 2-lb. packs, with a use by date of “1/15/14”
  • 12-lb. boxes of Mexican Style Beef for Fajita, containing 6 2-lb. packs, with a use by date of “1/11/14”

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “Est. 34715” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection. The products were produced on Dec. 5, 2013, and distributed to retail stores and restaurants in Arizona, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and Texas.

FSIS personnel became aware of the problem during a Food Safety Assessment when they discovered that beef trim tested presumptive positive for multiple non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strains through the company’s testing program. The company inadvertently did not carry the test out to confirmation, and not all affected product was held.

The Public Health Protection Unit of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Health Protection Scotland, Food Standards Agency and Glasgow City Council Environmental Health is investigating these cases.

Initial investigations indicate that there is a link to the Hydro, and an association with the consumption of burgers, but other foods items are also being considered.

The unit said in a statement: “If anyone has attended the Hydro between Friday January 17th and Saturday, January 25th and has experienced, or is continuing to experience, symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), nausea and fever they should contact a GP or NHS out of hours service.”

All 11 cases are recovering at home. One case is from Greater Glasgow and Clyde, three are from Lanarkshire, four from Lothian, one from NHS Highland, one from Forth Valley and one from Cumbria.