E. coli at Cozy Vale Creamery Prompts Raw Milk Recall
Raw milk products produced at Cozy Vale Creamery in Tenino, Wash. are being recalled due to because possible E. coli contamination.
The recall was announced after the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) took environmental swabs from the dairy and discovered E.coli in the milking parlor and processing areas. Three Cozy Vale customers have had E. coli illnesses since August.
Raw milk products included in the recall are whole milk, skim milk and cream with “best if used by” dates up to and including December 6. The recalled milk is sold in in pint, quart, half-gallon and gallon containers at the on-farm store at 7018 Churchill Road, Tenino, WA and at the following locations:
Marlene’s Market, 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, WA
Marlene’s Market, 2565 S. Gateway Center Pl., Federal Way, WA
Mt. Community Co-op, 105 Carter St., Eatonville WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 3111, Pacific Ave., Olympia, WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 921 Rogers, Olympia, WA
Olympia Local Foods, 2442 Mottman Rd S.W., Turnwater, WA
Yelm Co-op, 404 1st St., Yelm WA
The sale of raw milk is permitted in Washington state, however WSDA warns consumers that serious, potential health risks are associated with it.
Contact the E.coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this recall.
Organic Pastures Had Other Food Safety Issues Before Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak
Organic Pastures, California’s largest producer of raw milk, halted production last week after an E.coli outbreak that sickened five children was linked to the dairy’s raw milk. Owner Mark McAfee maintains his milk is healthful and risk-free, but this is not the first time the dairy has had trouble with food safety issues.
The Fresno County Department of Health has inspected Organic Pastures 10 times over the last 15 months. Four of those were routine inspections where “significant violations” were found that required mandatory re-inspection. Some of these violations were for unsanitary conditions, such as a broken toilet, lack of hot water for hand washing in the bathroom sink, manure on barn walls and exit ramps and under barn mats, all of which were cited in a report from August 24, 2010. Other reports site the lack of a concrete pad at a docking station and beneath a mobile barn.
- On September 12, 2008, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after tests showed it was contaminated with Campylobacter.
- On September 7, 2007, the CFDA issued a recall for raw cream manufactured at the dairy after Listeria monocytogenes bacteria turned up on a routine inspection.
- On September 21, 2006, the CFDA issued a recall after four children contracted E. coli infections after consuming raw milk products from the dairy.
Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli are all dangerous pathogens that can cause serious sometimes fatal infections. With all foodborne illnesses, children are among those most a risk for serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.
A press release on the Organic Pastures website states:
“It is a common goal of Organic Pastures and the California Department of Public Health to rapidly investigate any linkage between these cases and raw milk. Each month CDFA tests all Organic Pastures’ products for pathogens, in addition Organic Pastures uses a third party for pathogen testing multiple times per week. All these tests have been negative. It has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of today all products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli 0157:H7.”
But a review of CFDA inspections does support the claim that the dairy is inspected each month. Four of the 10 inspections during the last 15 months were mandatory re-inspections. Had they not been required, the dairy would have had six inspections during a 15 month period.
In a USA Today story, McAfee says that the state of California has no evidence that shows children drank contaminated milk and that he finds the case “highly suspicious.” But, as Steve Lyle of the CFDA countered in the story, ”milk is perishable, so the product consumed by the children was not available for testing” by the time they got sick “and that’s typically to be expected.”
Anyone who experiences abdominal cramping or bloody diarrhea after consuming raw milk products should seek immediate medical attention. Those with questions regarding an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the national food safety law firm PritzkerOslen P.A. for a free consultation.
Tyson E. coli Ground Beef Recall Retailer List Includes Kroger, Save-A-Lot, Supervalu and Others
Below is the USDA-FSIS list of retailers who received recalled Tyson ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. There may be other retailers who received the recalled beef. The recalled Tyson ground beef has sickened some people in Butler County, Ohio. E. coli can cause serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Nationwide, State-Wide, or Area-Wide Distribution
Food 4 Less Stores in IL and IN
Food Lion Stores in FL, GA, NC, SC, VA, WV
Harvey’s Stores in FL, GA, SC
Jay-C Food stores in IN
Kroger Stores in AR, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, MO, OH, TN
Payless Super Market Stores in IN
Reid’s Stores in SC
Ruler Food Stores in IN
Save-A-Lot Stores East of the Rocky Mountains
Scott’s Stores in IN
Supervalu Stores NationwideDelaware
Dover AFB in Dover DelawareIllinois
Hilander, 2206 Barnes Blvd, Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 3134 11th Street, Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 2514 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 2601 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 3710 N. Main St., Rockford, IL-Illinois
Hilander, 1715 Rural St., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 4860 Hononegah Rd., Roscoe IL-IllinoisIndiana
Payless Super Market, 1845 N. Scatterfield Rd., Anderson IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 1900 Applewood Center Dr., Anderson IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 3050 Meridian, Anderson IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 624 E. 16th St.,Bedford IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 360 E. Main St., Bloomfield IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 1245 S. Jefferson, Huntington IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 2718 Guilford, Huntington IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 65 Beck Lane, Lafayette IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 2513 Maple Point Dr., Lafayette IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 903 Lincolnway S., Ligonier IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 600 West Broadway St., Loogootee IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 120 E. 2nd St., Madison IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 1307 West Main St., Mitchell IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 1503 West Broadway, Princeton IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 805 S. Main St., Salem IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 302 W. Market, Warsaw IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 2211 E Center St., Warsaw IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 1032 Sagamore Pkwy West, West Lafayette IN-IndianaNorth Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1327 E. Dixie Drive, Asheboro NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1810 Hwy 64-70 S.E., Hickory NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 3136 E. Kivett Drive, High Point NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 235 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1136 W. Pine Street, Mount Airy NC-North Carolina
Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Investigation Considers Link to Tyson Ground Beef Recall
E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef may be causing an Ohio E. coli outbreak that is under investigation by the same federal agency that published a large ground beef recall for 131,300 pounds of hamburger produced by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc.
E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker, a leading national attorney representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, is investigating the outbreak in Butler County, Ohio, and accepting cases from families and individuals sickened by this potentially lethal human pathogen. The federal government currently bans E. coli O157:H7 from ground beef, meaning the mere presence of the bacteria is illegal and actionable when people are harmed. Pritzker is providing free case consultations at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or will respond to those who leave contact information. His firm has successfully represented Ohioans in previous food poisoning lawsuits and Pritzker has recovered tens of millions for E. coli victims around the country.
First and foremost, the Tyson products subject to recall have a “BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY” date of “SEP 12 2011″ and the establishment number “245D” ink jetted along the package seam. When available, our firm will post the complete retail distribution list of the potentially contaminated ground beef and the list is expected to include stores, including Kroger, in many states beyond Ohio. Consumers should act with extreme caution and check labels because E. coli O157:H7 cannot be detected by odor and color of meat is not a reliable indicator for the safe cooking of contaminated hamburger. Bugs located in the center of a patty or meatball can survive because temperatures don’t always reach the 160 degrees needed to kill them.
USDA announced the Tyson ground beef E. coli recall after the agency was notified by the Ohio Department of Health of E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses located in Butler County, an area centered in Hamilton, north of Cincinnati. Illness onset dates range from September 8-11, 2011. “The on-going investigation involved collecting leftover ground beef from the patients’ home on Sept. 19 which tested positive for E. coli O157:H7,” USDA wrote.
Ohio Hamburger Recall Information:
- 5-pound chubs of Kroger-brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 40-pound cases containing eight chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 QW.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Ind. and Tenn. for retail sale.
- 3-pound chubs of Butcher’s Brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWIF.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in N.C. and S.C. for retail sale.
- 3-pound chubs of a generic label “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWI.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Del., Fla., Ga., Md., Ill., Ind., Mo., N.Y., Ohio, Tenn., Texas and Wis. for retail sale.
Cincinnati, Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Illnesses Linked to J.B. Meats Ground Beef and Hamburger Patties
After Cincinnati, Ohio health officials found a possible link between two cases of E. coli O157:H7 and hamburgers processed by J.B. Meats and served at area restaurants, the company recalled about 72,800 pounds of ground beef and hamburger patties due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The products subject to the J.B. Meats recall are 5 and 10 pound clear packages of ground beef and ground beef patties in various size packages that were processed on and can be identified by the dates Aug. 18, 2010 through Aug. 18, 2011. J.B. Meats is a Cincinnati, Ohio establishment.
The recalled ground beef and hamburger patties were sold to restaurants in the Cincinnati area, but the company did not say which restaurants. Each clear plastic bag and label bear the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.
J.B. Meats said it was notified on Aug. 12 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The Cincinnati Health Department reported there were two patients who became ill on July 20 and 21 that may have resulted from ground beef consumed on July 16 and 17, the company said.
Epidemiological and microbiological evidence points to a possible link between the ground beef products produced by J.B. Meats on July 15 and the illnesses in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company said the recall is precautionary, as there has been no conclusive link between the illnesses and the ground beef produced at the facility.
E. coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), both severe illnesses that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.), heart failure, pancreatitis and death.
