E. coli Lawyer is published by the law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen, one of the leading food safety law firms in the United States. We have a national practice and represent victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States. We also represent the families of people who died after contracting an E. coli infection. In most cases of serious injury and death, the person who contracted the E. coli infection developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We publish E. coli Lawyer to alert consumers to E. coli recalls and outbreaks, provide information on E. coli and HUS, and provide information on E. coli law and litigation.

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Rich Ruohonen have a national reputation and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lawyers USA and other publications. In recognition of their accomplishments, they have been named “Super Lawyers” by Law & Politics magazine.

Fred and Rich are sought-after speakers and have conducted numerous legal seminars and presentations on such matters as how to get top verdicts and settlements, foodborne illness, products liability, trial tactics, use of expert witnesses, and pain and suffering.

DO YOU NEED AN E. COLI LAWYER?

E. coli cases are complex and involve a number of subjects about which most lawyers are unfamiliar. Successful E. coli lawyers must have years of experience representing food safety survivors and know and understand technical subjects including epidemiology, microbiology, infectious disease, food safety and sanitation, and internal and gastrointestinal medicine. As importantly, lawyers handling these cases should be seasoned trial attorneys. Insurance companies know which lawyers try cases (and are therefore capable of large verdicts) versus those who have little trial experience and end up settling for less than experienced trial counsel.

Because of the resources food companies and their insurers devote to defending them, it’s critically important that your lawyer has the best people available to work on your case and the resources to pay for them. Experienced E. coli lawyers have connections with top-notch epidemiologists, microbiologists, medical professionals, and other experts to act as consultants and, if necessary, witnesses at a trial.

If you need an E. coli lawyer, we would like to help. To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form for review by an E. coli lawyer.

Researchers at Michigan State University, including microbial evolutionary biologist Thomas Whittam, have phylogenetically analyzed multiple strains of the dangerous E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria (or enterohemorrhagic E. coli, EHEC), and determined that dangerous versions of the bacteria are on the rise. The researchers noticed that outbreaks related to the deadly bacteria can vary in severity. The outbreak in spinach in the United States was much more severe than a similar outbreak in Japan.

This observation spurred the researchers to group different variations of the bacteria into different clades, primarily based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The researchers discovered interesting correlations between different clades.

According to Genome Web:

When they focused in on 39 distinct SNP genotypes and used these to create a phylogenetic network, the team found that the EHEC strains tested fell into nine different clades. Interestingly, there were not only differences in toxin genes between clades, but also in the severity of human infection associated with different clades.

Researchers also noted that the strains in clade eight were associated with severe disease most often found in children or individuals younger than 18. The bacteria in clade eight also had a higher risk of causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS):

Over the past five years or so, Whittam noted, there also seem to be changes in different clades’ prevalence, with clade eight infections apparently increasing and some others decreasing. Still, it’s unclear why clade eight infections are more prevalent — especially in Michigan — in recent years. Whittam speculated that this could be related to the food source that carries the bug, the amount of toxin those strains produce, or some other yet unknown factor.

Whittam and the researchers are hoping that this new breakthrough will help prevent rapid outbreaks associated with E. coli 0157:H7. He would also like to continue the research to developing a quicker way of identifying different strains which could be useful for rapid vegetable-related outbreaks. Whittam also noted that the technique used could help gain greater insight into other forms of E. coli that are not yet known to cause disease in humans.

According to news reports, at least 20 people who attended the annual "Beast Feast and Wild Game Supper" at the Eastern Shore First Baptist Church have become ill. At least 8 of those people have been diagnosed with E. coli.

For those who were sickened, it is important for others, especially the church family, to understand that they are really sick and need support and prayers, even after they return home from the hospital. We monitor meat recalls and E. coli outbreaks, so we would recommend that people not use ground beef in meals for the families.

Those who were sickened and their families have medical bills, lost earnings and other damages, and they should be compensated for these losses. However, pursuing a claim against one’s church is not something everyone is willing to do. That may not be necessary. If the food responsible for the E. coli poisoning is pinpointed, an E. coli lawyer can pursue claims against the manufacturer, distributor and others connected with that food product.

Even if a food source if pinpointed, it will probably be in the sickened individual's best interests to pursue a claim against the church. Given that churches generally have insurance to cover liabilities like this, pursuing a claim against a church should not be viewed an assault against the church. Pursuing a claim against the church may be the only way to get to the insurance money. Sadly, this is how the system works. Any lawsuit against the church should not be taken personally by the members of the church. We are sensitive to situations like this and have dealt with this issue before.

While health officials work to track down the food product, those sickened and their families may want to contact an experienced E. coli lawyer regarding what can be done to protect legal rights. To contact a lawyer at our law firm, please call toll-free at 1-999-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.

Elliot Olsen, an attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen, has filed a lawsuit against an operator of a Taco John’s restaurant in Iowa on behalf of a woman who contracted an E. coli infection after eating food from the restaurant in November of 2006.

“These illnesses represent yet another breakdown in a system which seems incapable of protecting the public from contaminated food,” stated Mr. Olsen. “We believe there are other victims out there who have not yet come forward.”

The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier reported on the lawsuit:

Represented by attorney Elliot Olsen of Minneapolis, Bellis filed her suit against CMT Inc., which operates the Taco John's restaurant at 6210 University Ave., in Black Hawk County District Court earlier this month.

Two other suits against Taco John's were filed in federal court in December 2006 and have since been settled.

According to court records, Bellis had two soft-shell tacos with lettuce at the Cedar Falls store Nov. 30.

On Dec. 4, she had abdominal cramps, which progressed to bloody diarrhea, vomiting and extreme dehydration. She spent two day in the hospital after an emergency room visit, records state.

Workers at the Black Hawk County Health Department determined she had tested positive E. coli bacteria and concluded she became sick as a result of her Taco John's meal.

CMT is based in South Dakota and operates Taco John's in Cedar Falls.

Officials said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the E. coli strain was traced to growers in California, and some 81 people in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin were infected.

In Black Hawk County, 33 people became ill with E. coli infections, and 14 were hospitalized.

To contact Elliot Olsen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, email Elliot, or submit the firm's free case consultation form. Read more about the Iowa E. coli outbreak linked to Taco John's on our website.

Urgent E. coli Lawyer Outbreak Alert: Five people in Wisconsin and one in California have confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with ground beef produced by Rochester Meat Company.

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the California Department of Public Health connected the six cases of E. coli O157:H7 through the PulseNet database of E. coli O157:H7 genetic “fingerprints,” a national database used to track E. coli outbreaks. (PulseNet also tracks other foodborne pathogens.)

Rochester Meat Company E. coli Recall: In response to this E. coli outbreak, Rochester Meat Company has recalled about 188,000 pounds of ground beef. The recalled Rochester Meat Company ground beef products were produced on October 30, 2007, and November 6, 2007. They were shipped to distributors nationwide for further distribution to restaurants and food service institutions.

The recalled Rochester Meat Company ground beef products were not available for purchase by consumers in retail establishments. Read more about the Rochester Meat Company recall and lawsuit.

On September 25, 2007, the USDA-FSIS announced that Topps Meat Company, LLC was voluntarily recalling 331,582 pounds of ground beef patties due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. By October 6, the amount of recalled ground beef patties had risen to 21.7 million pounds, one of the largest recalls of beef products in U.S. history. At least 40 cases of E. coli have been linked to the recalled beef patties. (Read about the Topps recall and a Topps lawsuit.)

The Topps recall forced FSIS to drastically change procedures to prevent massive recalls in the future. On October 23, 2007, FSIS released a strategic plan to combat E. coli 0157:H7. The plan called for testing and analysis of trim, a new checklist for verifying control, testing more domestic and imported ground beef components, more rapid recalls, routine testing, and ensuring the safety of imported beef. FSIS also promised greater working cooperation with federal partners, small plants, stakeholders, and public health partners.

Under the new program, FSIS will consider establishment volume and any positive tests for E. coli 0157:H7 at the establishment in the past 120 days. FSIS inspectors will take frequent samples, ranging from 4 to 24 samples annually. This new protocol for testing became effective on January 1, 2008.

Pritzker | Ruohonen, a leading foodborne illness litigation law firm, is investigating cases of E. coli 0157:H7. The firm has a national reputation and has recovered millions for victims of foodborne illness. To contact an E. coli lawyer at the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

E. coli Lawyer E. coli Recall Report: According to a USDA-FSIS announcement, Snapps Ferry Packing, a Tennessee firm, has voluntarily recalled approximately 102 pounds of hamburger patties and bulk ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. USDA-FSIS routine testing discovered the potential problem.

The products subject to recall are:

• 4-pound packages of "GROUND BEEF PATTIES."
• Various weight bulk packages of "GROUND BEEF."

Each product subject to recall bears the establishment number "Est. 9085" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a "PACKED ON" date of "DEC.11.07" or "DEC.12.07." The labels have “Packaged by Snapp Ferry” on them (see label).

The products were sold at the Snapp Ferry retail counter in Afton, Tenn., on Dec. 11 and 12, 2007, according to the USDA-FSIS announcement. Because the incubation period for E. coli is generally between 3 and 8 days, people who have eaten the recalled Snapps Ferry ground beef or hamburger patties should watch for symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning, including severe abdominal cramping, nausea and bloody diarrhea. Read information on E. coli Lawyer about E. coli symptoms.

E. coli Lawyer is a food safety and food poisoning litigation blog published by Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., a leading food safety law firm. We represent victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.

We represent people who have been sickened by E. coli O157:H7. The pain these people suffer is “off the charts,” as stated by attorney Fred Pritzker in a recent television interview. In many situations, the pain and suffering continues for months or years. As E. coli lawyers, we work together with medical professionals to ensure that our clients are adequately compensated for pain and suffering.

The Mayo Clinic provides some information about E. coli on its website that explains the reason for some of the pain associated with an E. coli infection:

But E. coli O157:H7 is different. It produces a toxin that damages the lining of the small intestine, leading to intense abdominal cramps and severe, bloody diarrhea. You may have 10 or more bowel movements a day, some consisting almost entirely of blood. The marked loss of fluids and electrolytes causes dehydration and fatigue.

Nevertheless, many people recover completely from the infection in five to 10 days. But others, especially older adults, children under the age of 5 and people with weakened immune systems, may develop a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This syndrome damages the lining of the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, sometimes leading to kidney failure.

Even with the best of care, including blood and platelet transfusions and kidney dialysis, a few children die every year of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Others may have lifelong kidney problems or require long-term dialysis. Still others develop further complications such as high blood pressure, seizures, blindness and paralysis.

To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online free case consultation form.

According to a story in the Effingham Daily News, two siblings became ill after eating meat distributed by American Foods Group, of Green Bay, Wisconsin:

E. coli-infested ground beef was discovered in October after a 7-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy from the same Effingham household became sick — one of the two members was hospitalized.

According to Effingham County Health Department Communicable Disease Coordinator Crystal Schutzbach, the family purchased ground beef from Kroger in Effingham on Oct. 19.

Schutzbach said the family consumed half of the meat on that day and two members of the household got sick. The boy was hospitalized with the illness.

“They are both doing fine now,” said Schutzbach, continuing to say the other half of the ground beef package was sent to be tested and was found positive for E. coli 0157:H7 on Nov. 19.

The USDA announced on Saturday that American Foods Group has voluntarily recalled approximately 95,927 pounds of ground beef products because of possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

The USDA recall announcement states that the recalled American Foods Group products were distributed for further processing and repackaging, and will not bear the recalling firm’s establishment number on the package. Consumers should contact retailers to ask if they received any of these products.

Beef products subject to recall were produced on Oct. 10, and were distributed to retail establishments in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Virginia.

As the USDA is scrambling to save face after dozens of people have been sickened in E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to ground beef products, USDA meat inspectors revealed to the Chicago Tribune that USDA allows companies to sell meat contaminated with E. coli if it is cooked:

One federal inspector calls it the "E. coli loophole." Another says, "Nobody would buy it if they knew."

The officials are referring to the little-discussed fact that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has deemed it acceptable for meat companies to cook and sell meat on which E. coli, a bacterium that can sicken and even kill humans, is found during processing.

The "E. coli loophole" affects millions of pounds of beef each year that tests positive for the presence of E. coli O157:H7, a particularly virulent strain of the bacterium.

The agency allows companies to put this E. coli-positive meat in a special category -- "cook only." Cooking the meat, the USDA and producers say, destroys the bacteria and makes it safe to eat as precooked hamburgers, meat loaf, crumbled taco meat and other products.

But some USDA inspectors say the "cook only" practice means that higher-than-appropriate levels of E. coli are tolerated in packing plants, raising the chance that clean meat will become contaminated. They say the "cook only" practice is part of the reason for this year's sudden rise in incidents of E. coli contamination.

Read the full story in the Chicago Tribune.

The media are having a field day with this, and well they should. It is outrageous that contaminated meat is allowed to be sold to consumers in any form.

Here is some of the media reaction:

The USDA regulation allows processing plants to sell meat that tests positive for E. coli. The only stipulation is such meat carry a ''cook only'' label, a practice that allows companies to profit from millions of pounds of bad meat. The USDA defended the rule, saying commercial cooking kills the bacteria and renders it safe to eat. This type of meat is usually sold as precooked hamburger, meatloaf and taco filling.

The $71 billion U.S. beef industry is fiercely protective of its product, and a Texas cattlemen's association even sued Oprah Winfrey in 1996 for disparaging remarks about beef. But when the brain-wasting mad cow disease that decimated Europe's beef markets was found in Washington state, American growers lost an estimated $4 billion in exports. Huge losses also are likely as consumers realize what the E. coli loophole really means.

Consumers may never again look at such precooked ''convenience'' products the same way. After all, where's the convenience in gagging, retching and diarrhea? If this loophole isn't closed soon, consumers will consider anything the government says about food safety just a load of, well, you know. (Chicago Sun-Times)

You want feces with that?
It's not a question you want to hear from the kid behind the fast-food counter. But because of a loophole in the way the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates beef processing, it is, we regret to report, a realistic question.
It seems that the USDA deems it OK for meat suppliers to cook and sell beef that has been found to be contaminated by E. coli bacteria. As long as the tainted beef is put aside in a "cook only" category during processing, then pre-cooked to a temperature that will kill the bacterium, everything's cool.
At least that's what a number of angry USDA meat inspectors told The Chicago Tribune. Naturally, the inspectors didn't want to be identified for fear of losing their jobs. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

We are encouraging people to contact their legislators and ask them to close the E. coli loophole. The beef industry will fight this tooth and nail (with millions of dollars dangled in front of legislators' eyes), but we have to hope some of our politicians care more about their constituents than campaign finances.

According to the CDC, a case of E. coli O157:H7 in Nebraska is now considered part of the E. coli outbreak linked to Jeno's and Totino's pizza. The genetic fingerprint of the E. coli O157:H7 strain responsible for the illness in Nebraska matches the genetic fingerprint of the outbreak strain. The Nebraska case is in Douglas County.

There are 23 cases of E. coli linked to Jeno's and Totino's pizzas. General Mills, owner of the Jeno's and Totino's pizza brands, recalled about 5 million Totino's and Jeno's brand pizzas earlier this month in response to this E. coli outbreak.

Kayla Boner's funeral was today. She turned 14 on October 22nd. A few days later, she contracted an E. coli infection that quickly developed into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). She died Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

General Mills has recalled about 414,000 cases of Totino’s and Jeno’s pizza after 21 people contracted E. coli infections that may be linked to the pizza. DNA fingerprinting has determined that the 21 E. coli cases are connected and part of the same outbreak. Epidemiological evidence has pointed to Totino’s and Jeno’s pizzas as the source of the outbreak—nine of the 21 people reported having eaten Totino’s or Jeno’s pizza with pepperoni topping at some point prior to becoming ill.

The earliest E. coli case reported to state authorities occurred on July 20, and the latest case reported occurred on Oct. 10. We are investigating this outbreak and are concerned that General Mills did not recall the the potentially-contaminated Totino’s and Jeno’s pizzas until over 2 months after the first person became ill.

According to General Mills, the company has sold over 120 million Totino’s and Jeno’s pizzas nationwide since July 1. If you have Totino’s or Jeno’s pizzas in your freezer, you should check to see if they are recalled. The following is a list of recalled Totino’s and Jeno’s pizzas:

• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza Pepperoni."


• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Classic Pepperoni."


• 10.2-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Pepperoni Trio."


• 10.7-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Combination Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza."


• 10.5-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Three Meat Sausage, Canadian Style Bacon & Pepperoni Pizza."


• 10.9-ounce packages of "Totino's The Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza, Supreme Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza with Green Peppers & Onions."


• 6.8-ounce packages of "JENO'S CRISP `N TASTY PIZZA, PEPPERONI."


• 7.0-ounce packages of "JENO'S CRISP `N TASTY PIZZA, COMBINATION SAUSAGE AND PEPPERONI PIZZA."


• 7.2-ounce packages of "JENO'S CRISP `N TASTY PIZZA, SUPREME SAUSAGE AND PEPPERONI WITH GREEN PEPPERS AND ONION PIZZA."

Each package also bears the establishment number "EST. 7750" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a "best if used by" date on or before "02 APR 08 WS."

Health officials suspect the pepperoni on the pizza was the contaminated ingredient. This comes as no surprise to us due to the high number of E. coli recalls and outbreaks in the last few months linked to beef.

We are a national E. coli law firm that represents victims of E. coli outbreaks and families of victims who have died. Because we have extensive experience with E. coli lawsuits, we know how much a case is worth and fight hard to make sure our clients are adequately compensated. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form for review by one of our E. coli lawyers.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has found 138 boxes of frozen hamburger and beef products recalled by the Topps Meat Company in seven stores in Hudson County. The recall included 21.7 million pounds of Topps hamburgers that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Topps recalled the hamburgers after several people contracted E. coli infections associated with the hamburgers. The latest CDC report on the Topps E. coli outbreak shows 40 people contracted Topps-associated E. coli in 8 states (9 people in New Jersey).

The seven stores where the recalled Topps hamburgers were found include the following:

Bargain World (aka Stop 1 Food Mart)
715 New York Avenue, Union City

Lucky Food Center (aka Boca Chica Mini Market)
6501 Park Avenue, West New York

Wayne Gusto Meat Market
190 Ocean Avenue, Jersey City

Super Good Luck Grocery
91 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

8 New Brothers Super World
61 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

La Mia Grocery
503A Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

BergenLine Supermarket
8107 Bergenline Avenue, North Bergen

"We remain concerned and vigilant because these items continue to be available for purchase and consumption despite the voluntary recall notice issued in September," Attorney General Milgram said. "This continues to be a public health issue. Both retailers and consumers should check their freezers for these recalled products."

"With the assistance of Hudson County and municipal health officials, our investigators are continuing to check stores," Acting Director DeMarzo said. "We're also working to identify other areas where these recalled products were distributed."

It has taken subpoenas to get the names of stores were the recalled Topps hamburgers were distributed. Given the apparent hostility of the parties involved in this recall, it is important for anyone diagnosed with E. coli to get legal representation as soon as possible. To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

USDA-FSIS has reported that the source of the Topps hamburger E. coli outbreak (at least 40 people sickened) is Ranchers Beef, Ltd., a Canadian company. According to a USDA-FSIS press release:

On October 25, the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630. This firm provided trim to the Topps Meat Company. While the firm, which had been located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations on August 15, 2007, some product remained in storage and was collected and tested by CFIA as part of the joint investigation of the Topps recall and as part of CFIA's own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli O157:H7.

. . . PulseNet provided verification to FSIS that this PFGE pattern matched those from patients who were ill and from positive tests conducted by the New York Department of Health on product (both intact packages and open packages from patients' homes) that was later recalled by the Topps Meat Company on September 29. PulseNet is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) searchable database of all PFGE patterns from patients and food products in the United States.

[E. coli lawyer: Please note that the positive tests on the products (Topps hamburgers) were found in patients' homes. Potentially-contaminated food products should not be thrown out or returned until it is clear that no one has been sickened by the product. In the case of a food product that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the food would have to be retained for at least 10 days after last consumed. For safety reasons, it is critical that any potentially-contaminated food product be labeled "DO NOT EAT" and be stored in a safe location.]

As of October 26, CDC reported 40 illnesses under investigation in 8 states, with 21 known hospitalizations. The latest onset of illness is September 24, 2007. This summer was the first time this rare PFGE pattern had been seen in North America.

[E. coli lawyer: If you have been diagnosed with E. coli, an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruononen can be reached toll-free at 1-888-377-8900. Alternatively, please submit the firm's online consultation form for review by an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen.]

As the result of the Topps Meat Company recall investigation, FSIS had delisted Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630, on October 20, 2007. No product from that firm has been eligible to come into the U.S. since that date.

According to a story in The New York Times, the Topps Meat Company, in an effort to produce an increased amount of frozen hamburger patties in the summer, neglected “critical safeguards meant to protect consumers.” The result was the contamination of “three big batches” of hamburger with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially-deadly pathogen. The most recent CDC count of confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 linked to Topps hamburgers is 40 people in 8 states.

As a result of the illnesses, Topps recalled almost 22 million pounds of ground beef and went out of business. The New York Times story goes on to say:

In the case of Topps, the government has determined that the company reduced its testing of ground beef and neglected other safety measures in the months before the recall.

. . . Two years ago, after an 8-year-old girl in Albany County, N.Y., was sickened by Topps ground beef, the Agriculture Department scrutinized the Elizabeth plant and found relatively few problems. But since then, the department said, Topps cut its microbial testing on finished ground beef from once a month to three times a year, a level the department considers inadequate.

Federal investigators said they had recently learned that the company failed to require adequate testing on the raw beef it bought from its domestic suppliers, and it sometimes mixed tested and untested meat in its grinding machines.

The Agriculture Department acknowledged that its safety inspectors, who were in the Topps plant for an hour or two each day, never cited the company for these problems. [USDA inspectors were in the Topps plant an hour or two every day and did nothing? Is the problem that the inspectors were told not to cite Topps for obvious problems? Is the problem that the inspectors became too friendly with management to cite Topps? There should be a federal investigation of this case.]

Additionally, Topps, like many other beef processors, had bought an increasing amount of meat from overseas. Some types of meat from foreign countries — where E. coli has not been prevalent — are not required to be tested for contamination. But the Agriculture Department said the Topps case had prompted it to consider requiring such checks. [It appears that on every level Topps and the USDA failed to take measures to safeguard the American consumer.]

Source: Christopher Drew and Andrew Martin, "Many Red Flags Preceded a Recall of Hamburger," The New York Times, October 23, 2007.

The number of people with E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with Topps beef patties continues to rise. According to the CDC:

Investigators compared the “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains found in ground beef with “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains isolated from ill persons. As of 12 PM (ET) October 18, 2007, 40 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection have been identified with PFGE patterns that match at least one of the patterns of E. coli strains found in Topp's brand frozen ground beef patties. Ill persons reside in 8 states [Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Indiana (1), Maine (1), New Jersey (9), New York (13), Ohio (1), and Pennsylvania (12)]. Twenty-nine (88%) of 33 patients with a detailed food history consumed ground beef. Seven illnesses have confirmed associations with recalled products because the strain isolated from the person was also isolated from the meat in their home. The first reported illness began on July 5, 2007, and the last began on September 24, 2007. Among thirty-two ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, twenty (63%) were hospitalized. Two patients developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported. Eighteen (45%) patients are female. The ages of patients range from 1 to 77 years; 48% are between 15 and 24 years old (only 14% of the US population is in this age group).

State and federal health officials continue to investigate reports of illness that may be associated with Topps beef patties or one of the other numerous ground beef outbreaks, including the highly-virulent E. coli outbreak linked to Cargill beef sold at Sam’s Club under the American Chef’s brand.

For legal help, please contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen. The firm is currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef and the families of people who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

We contacted the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services today. There are 4 people in Wisconsin with E. coli infections associated with Sam’s Club hamburgers:

• They have lab-confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections
• They all ate “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties” from Sam’s Club
• The DNA fingerprint of the E. coli O157:H7 strain that sickened them matches the DNA fingerprint of the E. coli O157:H7 strain that sickened the 4 children in Minnesota who are part of the Sam’s Club hamburger E. coli outbreak

Three Wisconsin counties are involved in the outbreak so far: Milwaukee (2), Outagamie (1), and Waukesha (1). The first onset of illness began on September 23, 2007. The 2 Milwaukee County cases may be associated with a cook out at Marquette University.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef. We are also representing the families of people who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), including a Wisconsin family. If you have been diagnosed with an E. coli O157:H7 infection after eating Sam’s Club hamburgers, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form for review by an attorney. We are a national law firm and represent victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States.

For more information on this outbreak, please see the following:
• Information regarding the 4 Minnesota children sickened after eating Sam’s Club hamburgers
• Information on the related Cargill Meat Solutions hamburger recall of about 845,000 pounds of hamburgers

We are investigating cases of E. coli O157:H7 associated with Topps hamburgers. If you have been diagnosed with an E. coli infection and/or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), please contact an E. coli lawyer the firm toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

DNA fingerprinting has identified 35 cases of E. coli O157:H7 associated with Topps hamburgers. The new information from the CDC is as follows:

Investigators compared the “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains found in ground beef with “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains isolated from ill persons. As of 12 PM (ET) October 9, 2007, 35 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection have been identified with PFGE patterns that match at least one of the patterns of E. coli strains found in Topp's brand frozen ground beef patties. Ill persons reside in 8 states [Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Indiana (1), Maine (1), New Jersey (8), New York (11), Ohio (1), and Pennsylvania (10)]. (Read more about the Topp’s hamburger outbreak.)

If you are diagnosed with E. coli and the DNA fingerprint of the E. coli does not match one of the patterns of E. coli found in Topps hamburgers, it may match a pattern of E. coli identified in the E. coli outbreak linked to Sam’s Club hamburgers. These hamburgers were made by Cargill Meat Solutions and sold at Sam’s Club and other retailers. The hamburgers were also served at institutions and restaurants. We are also investigating cases that may be associated with Cargill/ Sam’s Club hamburgers.

We currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef and the families of people who died from E. coli-related HUS. Contact us for a free consultation with an E. coli lawyer.

Over 27 million pounds of hamburger patties have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7 in the last few months. This includes a recall of 845,000 pounds of frozen hamburgers produced by Cargill. These hamburgers were distributed to retailers, institutions, and restaurants. In Minnesota, E. coli infections in 4 children have been linked to Cargill hamburger patties sold under the American Chef's brand at Sam's Club. Read about the Sam's Club E. coli cases. In Wisconsin, an E. coli infection in an 18-year-old girl has also been linked to the Cargill hamburgers. We have been contacted by parents in additional states whose children may have been sickened by the Cargill/Sam’s Club hamburgers. If your child has been diagnosed with an E. coli infection, please contact our law firm, Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form. For legal purposes, it is important that the correct tests and DNA fingerprinting be done.

Our investigation into the E. coli outbreak linked to Cargill/Sam’s Club hamburgers suggests that an unusually high number of children who contract this strain of E. coli O157:H7 are developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Please e-mail Cargill hamburger recall information to all friends and family. We do not want any other children to be sickened by these hamburgers.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef. The firm is also currently representing the families of people who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The firm represents victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States.

Over 22 million pounds of hamburger patties have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. If you or your child is diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7, the likely cause is a recalled hamburger. For legal purposes, it is important that the correct tests and DNA fingerprinting be done. Please contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form. Pritzker | Ruohonen is currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef. The firm is also currently representing the families of people who died from E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

URGENT RECALL AND E. COLI OUTBREAK ALERT: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation has recalled approximately 845,000 pounds of frozen hamburger patties produced at its Butler, Wis., location because the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. In Minnesota, E. coli infections in 4 children have been linked to Cargill hamburger patties sold under the American Chef's brand at Sam's Club. Read about the Sam's Club E. coli cases.

According to the USDA-FSIS press release regarding the recalled Cargill hamburgers:

The frozen ground beef patties were produced on various dates from Aug. 9 through Aug. 17, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments [including Sam's Club], restaurants and institutions nationwide. Each label bears the establishment number "Est. 924A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Products distributed to retail establishments and subject to recall:

• 6-pound boxes of "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties 18-1/3 Pound Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7703100" and various package codes of Best If Used By dates of "02/05/08," "02/06/08," "02/12/08," and "02/13/08."

Products distributed to restaurants and institutions and subject to recall include:

• 20-pound boxes of "Grille Works Seasoned Sirloin Steak Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700296" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703003" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703008" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 10-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703092" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703132" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703133" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 10-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703139" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700922" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 32.4-pound boxes of "100% Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700932" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."
• 36.0-pound boxes of "100% Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700983" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."

The problem was discovered through an investigation into three illnesses by the Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture. While the investigation is ongoing, Cargill is voluntarily recalling the products based on a preliminary analysis of epidemiological data. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

According to a Minnesota Department of Health press release, four cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Minnesota children are associated with hamburgers purchased from Sam’s Club stores in August and September.

The children became ill between September 10 and 20 after consuming the Sam’s Club hamburgers. The brand name of the implicated frozen ground beef patties was “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties.”

Two of the children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and were hospitalized. One child has been discharged and one remains hospitalized.

“The Sam’s Club stores currently involved include the Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake stores. However, we can’t be certain that meat from other stores is not involved, since the brand of implicated frozen ground beef patties was likely sold at other Sam’s Club locations,” said Heidi Kassenborg, Acting Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

As an update to this entry, one woman in Wisconsin has also been sickened in this outbreak. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health, she ate a hamburger purchased at Sam's Club.

Pritzker | Ruohonen is currently representing victims of Minnesota E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef. The firm is a Minnesota personal injury law firm with extensive experience with E. coli litigation, including cases involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). If your child has been sickened by hamburgers sold at Sam’s Club, contact Pritzker | Ruohonen toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or at 612-338-0202. If you call after hours, our on-call attorney will contact you as soon as possible. If you would prefer, you can submit the firm’s online consultation form. An E. coli lawyer will review the form and contact you. The firm represents victims of E. coli outbreaks throughout the United States.

(The following information has been updated. Please see most recent CDC update regarding the Topps E. coli outbreak.) The CDC is now providing updates on the E. coli outbreak linked to Topps hamburger patties. The following is the most recent CDC update:

Several state health departments, CDC, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections. On September 29, USDA issued a notice about a recall of 21.7 millions pounds of frozen ground beef patties. [See a list of recalled Topps hamburger patties.]

Health officials in several states who were investigating reports of E. coli O157 illnesses found that many ill persons had consumed the same brand of frozen ground beef patties. Ground beef patties recovered from patients' homes were tested by state public health department and federal laboratories. Tests conducted by the New York State Wadsworth Center Laboratory and by a USDA-FSIS laboratory on opened and unopened packages of Topp's brand frozen ground beef patties yielded E. coli O157 isolates with several different “DNA fingerprint” patterns.

Investigators compared the “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains found in ground beef with “DNA fingerprints” patterns of E. coli O157 strains isolated from ill persons. As of 12 PM (ET) October 4, 2007, 30 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection have been identified with PFGE patterns that match at least one of the patterns of E. coli strains found in Topp's brand frozen ground beef patties. Ill persons reside in 8 states [Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Indiana (1), Maine (1), New Jersey (7), New York (9), Ohio (1), and Pennsylvania (8)]. Twenty-one (91%) of 23 patients with a detailed food history consumed ground beef. Three illnesses have confirmed associations with recalled products because the strain isolated from the person was also isolated from the meat in their home. The first reported illness began on July 5, 2007, and the last began on September15, 2007. Among twenty-three ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, fifteen (65%) were hospitalized. One patient developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported. Fourteen (47%) patients are female. The ages of patients range from 3 to 77 years; 50% are between 15 and 24 years old (only 14% of the US population is in this age group).

Consumers who have frozen ground beef patties should determine whether they have the recalled product and discard it or return it to the place of purchase. [IF SOMEONE HAS EATEN SOME OF THE TOPPS GROUND BEEF PATTIES, DO NOT THROW THEM OUT OR RETURN THEM. Keep them for 10 days after someone last consumed some of the patties. If no one develops E. coli, throw them out or return them. If someone is diagnosed with E. coli, contact us for a free consultation. It is particularly important that DNA fingerprinting be done on E. coli isolates from the person's stool.]

Each recalled package bears the establishment number “Est. 9748” inside the USDA mark of inspection and has a sell-by date between “SEP 25 07” and “SEP 25 08.”

Pritzker | Ruohonen practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and is currently representing victims of E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef, spinach, and lettuce. The firm is also representing the families of people who died due to E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.