When food companies are the culprits in multi-state E. coli outbreaks, it’s often the case that upper management of the firms hasn’t been closely involved in decision-making about food safety or problematic patterns leading up to the crisis.
That’s what Elliot Olsen of national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen told a gathering this week of high-ranking executives whose companies are members of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). The trade group of growers and marketers of fresh produce invited Olsen for the second time in two months to explain gaps he sees in companies that neglect food purity responsibilities and find themselves on the receiving end of an E. coli lawsuit from Pritzker Olsen or some other advocate for victims of food poisoning.
Over the years, Pritzker Olsen has recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of those seriously sickened by contaminated food. Produce marketers wanted to hear from him on how to spare themselves the nightmare of losing their business to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter or other pathogen.
The PMA food safety symposium was in Austin, Texas, and Olsen is scheduled to speak again in October to PMA’s regional food safety symposium in Rochester, New York.
A major portion of his presentation in Austin focused on the human cost of these outbreaks, which can lead to death or serious long-term health deficiencies. Take for instance a past client of Pritzker Olsen, Mr. Lewis (not his real name.) Mr. Lewis was a very active and healthy 81-year-old retiree who was enjoying a very active and healthy life. When he contracted Listeriosis from contaminated food, he was hospitalized for neurological damage that partially paralyzed him. For 400 days he lived in a nursing home, never regaining his health. At the time of his death he was hardly recognizable.
Olsen said the PMA audiences were receptive to his emphasis on doing things the right way inside the food chain to eliminate the spread of potentially deadly pathogens.
“It’s not just a game to us,” he said. “Part of our mission is prevention. We can eventually eradicate foodborne illness.”
For more information on E. coli lawsuits or to contact Mr. Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). To receive a free case consultation over the internet, complete one of our online contact forms.
