Salmonella Food Poisoning Symptoms & Treatment

A St. Louis, Missouri company, Front Row Produce, has recalled grape tomatoes due to the potential of Salmonella contamination. The recall, announced on December 1st, involves 10 ounce pints and 10 lb. bulk grape tomatoes supplied by Rio Queen Citrus, a Mission, Texas company.  Salmonella is an organism that produces symptoms that mimic stomach flu, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and occasional fever.  Certain individuals are at risk of developing serious or fatal complications including very young children, those who are elderly or those who have a weakened immune system.

The grape tomatoes involved in this recall were distributed throughout Illinois and Missouri to retail stores and foodservice distributors.  Description of the products are as follows:

10 lb. bulk grape tomatoes are packaged in a plain cardboard box labeled with lot #2310801.  These grape tomatoes were packaged for wholesale and foodservice distribution.

Products for retail sale are packaged in 10 oz. clear plastic packages.  At the current time, the lot number is on the case label, but does not appear on the clear plastic individual packages.  The package is marked with a label on top marked “Front Row Produce Grape Tomatoes.”  The lot numbers marked on the case labels include 2310802, 2310405 or 2510401.

As of the date of the recall, all further shipments of the 10 oz. plastic packaged grape tomatoes will have a green lot number sticker located on the bottom side of the package.  Consumers are advised not to purchase packages without lot numbers or green stickers, as these packages may be under recall.  To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the tainted grape tomatoes.

The contamination was detected during random testing by Rio Queen Citrus, which revealed that Salmonella bacteria was present in some of the 20 pound bulk containers.

Currently, production of the grape tomatoes has been suspended while Front Row Produce and the FDA continue to investigate in order to determine the source of the Salmonella.

As experienced New York food poisoning attorneys, Brown Chiari realizes the serious implications that consuming tainted foods can have on those who are most at risk.  In some circumstances, the organisms can make their way into the bloodstream which can result in endocarditis, arthritis and arterial infections.

If you have become ill after eating contaminated foods, you may be entitled to compensation of costs related to your illness.  Contact the New York food poisoning lawyers at Brown Chiari today for a free evaluation of your claim.

Recently, 29 people have been treated at Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Corinth, Mississippi after developing symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning.  While there is currently no work on what strain is involved in this outbreak, it certainly seems as if there must be a common source that is making so many people sick.  It isn’t clear at this point if health officials know that the illnesses are related, but one restaurant has suspiciously closed its doors recently – Don Julios, a popular Mexican restaurant in the area.

The restaurant voluntarily closed its doors, although it isn’t known for certain at this time if the restaurant is indeed the source of the Salmonella outbreak.  ABC news in Corinth recently reported that the Department of Health has confirmed 29 reported cases of Salmonella, and that these reports did not seem to deter residents from eating at their favorite local restaurants including Ryan’s, McDonald’s and Sonic.  While it isn’t known why at this point, many residents are suspicious that Don Julio’s restaurant may have been at the center of the Salmonella illnesses.

According to the Sun Herald, a sign on the door at the restaurant stated that health officials had found no evidence of food contamination at the restaurant, and it was not ordered to close.  However, owners of the restaurant were concerned about possible contamination of vegetables from a supplier the restaurant uses, and the restaurant closed due to concerns about customer safety.

A health department spokeswoman on Wednesday said that Don Julio’s and all other restaurants where victims who were confirmed to have Salmonella claimed to have eaten will come under close scrutiny.  Hopefully, the source of the Salmonella outbreak will come to light in coming days, and no other individuals will become ill.

Salmonella is a foodborne bacterial infection that is contracted from foods that are contaminated such as poultry, beef, eggs, milk and vegetables.  While most people suffer only mind symptoms that require no treatment, certain individuals including young children, the frail or elderly and those with a weakened immune symptoms are at a higher risk of developing serious complications.

Brown Chiari is a team of New York food poisoning attorneys who work to protect the rights of those who become ill after eating potentially contaminated foods.  Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case, and let us put our skill and experience to work to secure the compensation you deserve for costs associated with your injuries.

Recently, 14 individuals in several states have become ill after eating ground beef products produced and sold by Hannaford stores.  The company has issued a broad recall for the fresh ground beef products it sells, including:

Hannaford brand 73%, 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90% lean regular ground beef

Taste of Inspirations Angus 80%, 85% and 90% lean ground beef

Nature’s Place 85% and 90% lean ground beef

The ground beef products in question appear to be that purchased during the months of October and November, but spokesman Mike Norton stated that the stored chose to include ground beef products with a sell-by date up to and including December 17th using an abundance of caution.

The four states that have had individuals become ill include Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.  In Maine, four people became ill, two having to be hospitalized according to Maine epidemiologist Dr. Stephen Sears.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FSIS stated on Friday December 16th in a press release that salmonella illnesses had been reported in the four states mentioned above, and that 10 of the 14 who became ill had bought ground beef products at Hannaford’s between the dates of October 12th and November 20th.

Salmonella Typhimurium, the strain that the bacteria was determined to be, is unusual and somewhat resistant to antibiotics, according to Sears.  He said that it is not a strain that he has seen before.  At the time of the recall, the USDA was continuing to investigate and had yet to determine the source of contamination of the fresh ground beef products.  Officials were not certain as to the total pounds of meat subject to the recall.

The FSIS stated, “11 of those (14) individuals reported consuming ground beef.  Seven individuals were hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.”

The company is concerned that some consumers may have the product in their freezers, and urge them to return the packages marked with a sell-by date of December 17th or earlier to any Hannaford store for a full refund.  Customers with questions or concerns may call Hannaford’s customer information center at 1-800-213-9040, option 6.

Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning are usually mild and may including nausea, fever and chills, diarrhea and abdominal pain.  While most people experience a short-lived, mild illness, Salmonella can be fatal to some individuals who develop complications.  These individuals include young children, those with weakened immune systems and the elderly.

Those who have become ill and suspect food poisoning should contact the New York food poisoning attorneys at Brown Chiari to discuss your case and learn if you may be eligible for compensation of costs associated with your illness.  Brown Chiari is a team of talented New York Injury Attorneys located in Buffalo & Lancaster NY.