Food Contamination

Published on: January 27, 2016

Multiple Food Companies Announce Voluntary Recalls of Contaminated Products

A number of recent food recalls have recently made headlines, putting consumers across the country at risk of suffering serious injuries or contracting a foodborne illness. First, popular pre-washed salad and leafy green provider Fresh Express has recalled 350 cases of its baby spinach products after almond pieces were located in the production supply. Although the almond would not pose any harm to many consumers, it creates a serious threat for those who suffer from an allergy to tree nuts, who can experience life-threatening symptoms or even death if they consume tree nuts.

Currently, Fresh Express has indicated that it is working with its distributors to remove packages of potentially contaminated products, which bear the product code G010A17A, and packages distributed throughout the Eastern and Southeastern states pose the greatest risk to consumers. It has also indicated that it is launching an internal investigation to determine how the piece of almond wound up in the production chain.

Heritage International (USA) has initiated a voluntary recall concerning its Raw Cashew Pieces product, stating that certain products may contain Salmonella. Covering only one lot of production, the packages contain 16 ounces of nuts in a clear plastic bag and are labeled with a barcode including the number 00505154 and a statement reading “BEST BEFORE 07.17.2016TF4.” The company sells this product at Trader Joe’s grocery stores, a national retailer focusing on the natural foods segment.

Continue reading →

Published on: January 15, 2016

FDA’s Final Warning Letter of 2015 Targets Seafood Processing Facility

By Moll Law Group

Food safety has become a major issue and subject of public concern recently, with widespread foodborne illness outbreaks hitting the headlines on a regular basis. In its final warning letter of 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has issued a warning to Edo Sushi Express, a seafood processing company, claiming that it found “serious violations” of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (“HACCP”) standards applicable to seafood.

HACCP is a system designed to ensure food safety is addressed throughout the food production chain. It requires the analysis and control of certain physical, chemical, and biological hazards associated with turning raw materials into final products intended for human consumption. When it comes to seafood, pathogens and parasites present particular risks.

Continue reading →

Published on: January 8, 2016

Chipotle Receives Grand Jury Subpoena in Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation

By Moll Law Group

Contracting a foodborne illness is an absolute nightmare, and it can often lead to debilitating illnesses and even hospitalization. Since there are so many individuals involved in the food preparation chain, a wide variety of persons or businesses may be liable for your injuries. To make things even more complicated, each potential defendant may be liable under a different theory of recovery, including product liability, negligence, or strict liability.

To recover damages in a food contamination case, the plaintiff must typically prove that the defendant grew or sold the contaminated food, that the plaintiff consumed the food and suffered an illness, and that the defendant caused the contamination or failed to exercise reasonable care in preventing the contamination.

Continue reading →

Published on: December 21, 2015

First Lawsuit Filed Over Foodborne Illness Outbreak at Chipotle Restaurant

By Moll Law Group

Recently, we discussed the string of food illness outbreaks that have affected a number of U.S. restaurants, including Chipotle. This week, the first lawsuit has been filed against Chipotle alleging severe injuries as a result of consuming contaminated food from the restaurant associated with one of the recent outbreaks.

The plaintiff filed the lawsuit on behalf of her son, who had to be hospitalized after exhibiting severe symptoms. The child’s treating physicians determined that he was fighting a Norovirus infection and that the infection came from a Chipotle burrito in Brighton, Massachusetts. The child ate the burrito on December 4 and started to exhibit symptoms a few days later on December 6, including extreme vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

Continue reading →