Minnesota health officials have linked three cases of E. coli O157:H7 poisoning with raw milk from Hartmann Dairy Farm in Gibbon, Minnesota:

The Minnesota Department of Health urges anyone who may have recently purchased milk from the Hartmann Dairy Farm, also known as M.O.M.’s, to discard the product and not consume it. The milk may be labeled organic and consumers may be unaware that the milk has not been pasteurized. In addition, consumers should not eat cheese, ice cream or other dairy products from the farm, which also may have been made from raw, unpasteurized milk.

The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are continuing to investigate a cluster of four E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that all have the same “pulsed field gel electrophoresis” (PFGE) patterns, or DNA fingerprint. Three of the four cases report a link to milk from Hartmann Farm; the fourth case is under investigation. Three of the four people were hospitalized as a result of their illness; one case has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Minnesota law prohibits most raw milk sales, except for occasional purchases directly at the farm where the milk is produced.

Raw milk is a dangerous product that should not be sold to the public. Virtually every health department, federal, state and local, recommends against its use. It is particularly dangerous for young children, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

Nestle Danville Plant (Google Satellite)

Nestle is back in business making and selling refrigerated cookie dough following an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that, according to a July 10 CDC report, has sickened at least 76 people from 31 states.  35 people had been hospitalized, including 11 with a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The decision to start selling the product again was made despite the fact that E. coli O157:H7 was found in an unopened package of Nestle Toll House cookie dough. This strain was not the same as the outbreak strain cultured from stool samples from outbreak survivors – meaning, most likely, that Nestle cookie dough had at least two separate strains of the deadly pathogen.

According to the FDA,  Nestle cleaned up the plant, switched suppliers for the main ingredients and is now back in business producing refrigerated cookie dough:

After a plant shutdown, investigation and clean-up, Nestle has resumed manufacturing of Toll House prepackaged, refrigerated cookie dough products, now made with main ingredients from new suppliers.

Nestle gets a “do-over” while the outbreak victims are stuck with a long recovery, medical bills, lost wages and a terrible memory of an illness they will never forget.  It doesn’t seem fair.

If you would like to speak with an attorney about a Nestle lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

In response to this multi-state E. coli outbreak, JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colorado establishment, has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This June 28, 2009 JBS Swift Beef recall is an expansion of a June 24 recall of 41,280 pounds of JBS Swift beef products that were distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

According to the June 28 recall announcement, the recalled JBS Swift Beef Company products were distributed nationwide and were probably further processed.  This means that anyone sickened by this outbreak may have a claim against JBS Swift Beef Company and other parties for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Cost of care
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Loss of quality of life
• Other damages

If you or a loved one is part of this JBS Swift Beef E. coli outbreak, your state department may have advised you to contact an E. coli lawyer. Our law firm has a national reputation in the area of E. coli litigation and is currently representing E. coli victims and their families. We are also representing E. coli victims who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  Please contact our lawyers for a free consultation about E. coli victim compensation.  We do not get paid unless you win.

Anyone experiencing bloody diarrhea should suspect an E. coli infection and seek medical attention immediately. You should request an E. coli O157:H7 test. This is critical for preserving your legal rights. Contact our lawyers if you have any questions.

We represent E. coli victims and their families nationwide.

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The following is information we share with those who call:

1) The only practical way to diagnose E. coli O157:H7 is by stool sample. Without a stool sample confirming the presence of E. coli O157:H7, it is difficult to prove you are part of this outbreak. Therefore, if you believe you have symptoms related to E. coli O157:H7, you need to receive medical attention and get a stool test.

2) You need to get a stool test as soon as possible after your symptoms commence. If you wait too long, the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria may be shed from your body and the test will be negative even though you had an E. coli O157:H7 infection. Also, if you are prescribed antibiotics, the medication may kill off the E. coli O157:H7. In which case, your test will be negative.

3) This is important: Non-specific supportive therapy, including hydration, is important. Antibiotics should not be used to treat this infection. There is no evidence that treatment with antibiotics is helpful, and taking antibiotics may increase the risk of HUS. Antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® may also increase that risk. Thus, if you receive antibiotics, it may cause you harm and make it impossible to detect the E. coli O157:H7.

4) If you have left over food that you suspect made you sick, do not throw it out or return it for a refund. Lab testing of the product may confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Thus, if your stool is not tested or if the test is negative, it still may be possible to link your symptoms to the outbreak if the product tests positive for E. coli O157:H7. Therefore, seal the unused food in a plastic bag, mark the bag so it is not used or consumed accidentally, and continue to store it in your refrigerator until it is tested.

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS ABOUT E. COLI VICTIM COMPENSATION >>

But late today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment warned consumers not to eat Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough because of possible E. coli contamination. Colorado officials said 66 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in 28 states have been matched through molecular subtyping. The cases have been associated with Toll House Cookie Dough through epidemiological study, not direct evidence.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorney is accepting clients in this outbreak from all states, including Colorado and Minnesota.  The Minnesota Department of  Health is believed to be part of the multi-state investigation and more information will be forthcoming. In Colorado, there have been five confirmed illnesses, including two people hospitalized and one with severe complications.

E. coli 0157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can lead to severe complications, including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which often involves renal failure. Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps and nausea.

Pritzker Olsen is a premier food safety law firm involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness. The firm has collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food safety. Currently the firm’s clients include the families of  three women who died from Salmonella infection from contaminated peanut butter products.

If you believe you or a loved one has contracted E. coli O157:H7 from eating Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough, E. coli lawyers at the firm are ready to assist you. There is no charge for consulting with our firm. If we agree to represent you, we are paid a percentage of money we collect for you. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or complete one of our online forms for a free consultation.