Personal Injury Law Update

Nationwide Recall of Cantaloupes From Honduran Packer Underway Due to Salmonella Risk

In late March, the FDA announced a nationwide recall of cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower in Honduras. The product was distributed nationwide and in Canada. Based on current information, the cantaloupe grown, packed and shipped from the grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano, appears to be associated with a salmonella outbreak in the United States and Canada.

In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of food-borne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.

The FDA advised consumers who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from the identified grower. If so, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes.

General Mills Announces Recall of Pizza Possibly Contaminated With E. Coli O157:H7

Citing a raised risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination of 414,000 cases of pizza products with pepperoni toppings, manufacturer General Mills has announced a voluntary recall of those pizzas. Since these pizzas are freezable products, the company is asking consumers to check their freezers. The pizzas were produced in General Mills' Ohio factory and distributed throughout the USA.

Click here for a list of the products affected by the recall.

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli, and is one of the bacteria that line the gut of humans and animals. It also exists in raw and undercooked beef, infected water and milk. Most E. coli strains are harmless. However, O157:H7 can cause food poisoning. A sample of a person's feces (stool) must be tested to confirm E.coli poisoning.

Symptons of E. coli poisoning include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms usually appear about 1-3 days after infection.