Listeria Found in Recalled Food Products in Multiple States
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Food Poisoning Lawyer. Stores in multiple states are pulling food products from their shelves after they were recalled due to concerns about listeria contamination.
The Recall
The recall on products affects both the United States and Canada. Contaminated food were distributed by Mann Packing- a major supplier of frozen vegetables, salads and other popular products. The products under recall carry a “best if used by” date of October 11 to October 20. A list of the recalled products can be found on the safety recall page for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Brands affected include Archer Farms, Little Salad Bar, HEB, Sysco Natural and Signature Farms. The widespread recall came after listeria was found in a Mann product by Canadian inspectors.
Widespread Recalls
One store chain in the Midwest, Meijer, has had to withdraw nearly 20 items produced by Mann from 235 grocery stores and supercenters in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Products were also pulled off the shelves in Albertson’s, Tom Thumb, and Randall’s throughout Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. The products removed from the shelves contained seafood in bags for cooking and labeled: Ready. Chef. Go! Some products recalled by CP Fresh were destined for hotels, schools, delis and hospitals.
What Is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes a food borne illness of the gastrointestinal tract, and according to WebMD, causes around 10 percent of the cases of bacterial meningitis each year. Most people who are healthy can recover from an infection by the listeria bacteria in a day or two. However, It can be dangerous for pregnant women, causing serious illness or miscarriage. For those who are immunocompromised, it can result in a life-threatening case of encephalitis or meningitis. Infants may be born with listeria infection if their mother was infected.
Is It Easy to Become Infected With Listeria?
An amount as tiny as 1,000 cells of this type of bacteria is enough to sicken a person. The incubation period can range from one to eight weeks. The infection with the listeria bacteria gives it access to any part of the human body, including the central nervous system, the eyes, the heart or other areas of the body.
Symptoms of Listeria
Food poisoning symptoms associated with listeria include nausea, diarrhea, fever and muscle pain. If the nervous system is involved, the patient can develop confusion, stiff neck, loss of balance and severe headache. Convulsions happen occasionally.
Liability
Food servers and producers are obligated to make sure food is safe for consumers. Preparing food without taking precautions such as washing hands thoroughly or making sure restaurant staff who are sick abstain from handling food is mandatory and enforced by state regulatory authorities. Producers of bulk foods likewise need to make sure that food is uncontaminated when shipped.
If precautions are not taken and consumers become ill or die, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. This would cover the victim’s medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering the sickness caused. If someone dies as a result of food poisoning, a wrongful death lawsuit can be used to help the family pay burial and funeral costs as well as the income the deceased provided for the family.
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Sacramento Food Poisoning Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento food poisoning lawyer. If you or a family member is ill with food poisoning due to mishandling of food products or contamination, contact me at (916) 921-6400 for my friendly and free advice. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or online on my website, autoaccident.com.
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