Articles Posted in Food Safety

Published on: July 8, 2025

Tomatoes Recalled in 14 States Due to Risk of Deadly Salmonella

tomatoes-769999_640 Two brands of tomatoes from Williams Farms Repack, LLC were recalled in May in 14 states because of the risk of salmonella contamination. A little over a month ago, the recall was elevated to a Class I recall—meaning that the tomatoes carry a deadly risk. The affected tomatoes include 3 count packages, 10-pound boxes, 25-pound boxes and 60-count 2-layer boxes. One set of recalled tomatoes were four-count Vine Ripe tomatoes sold by Gordon Food Service Stores in 11 states, which included Illinois. Salmonella contamination can affect many different kinds of food, and it’s important not to consume food recalled due to salmonella, particularly food subject to a Class I recall. If you suffered salmonella or a lost a loved one due to salmonella contracted from food, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved and represent clients around the country.

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Salmonella can range from mild to serious. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. When it’s serious—as when the tomatoes have been subject to a Class I recall—people who are infected by need to be hospitalized. The infection could cause arthritis, endocarditis, and arterial infections. Members of vulnerable groups, such as small children, frail elderly people, and others who are immune-suppressed or have a weakened immune system, may die. In this case, the FDA said that no illnesses had been reported from the tomatoes thus far, but recommended consumers toss out the tomatoes or return them if unopened. If you bought these tomatoes and froze them, they should not be consumed.

The tomatoes initially at issue were sold in plastic clamshells with “VINE RIPE TOMATOES” printed on the label. Labeling also includes the words “Packed by Ray & Mascari Inc.” They were distributed between April 23-28, 2025, the FDA explained in a separate notice. But the tomatoes subject to a Class I recall come in a range of sizes: 4×5 2 layer, 60ct 2layer, 3ct trays in the Williams Farms Repack label, and 5×6 25lb, 6×6 25lb H&C Farms Label.

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Published on: June 24, 2025

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products

By Moll Law Group

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a public health alert for one-pound vacuum packed packages of Organic Rancher 95% lean and 15% fat ground beef. These were products sold at Whole Foods Market that carry the risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination and have a use or freeze-by dates of June 19 or June 20. If you were made sick by Organic Rancher ground beef, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group.

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The raw ground beef product was made on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025, by Organic Ranger. In Illinois and other states, the products were available from May 26 through June 3. The label on the vacuum-packed containers of raw ground beef has expiration dates of June 19, 2025, and June 20, 2025. Because the beef isn’t available in stores anymore, the FSIS issued a public alert rather than a recall. In addition to being shipped to Illinois, the ground beef was also shipped to Connecticut, Georgia, and Maryland, as well as Whole Foods Market retail locations around the country. The vacuum-packed packages were processed in Vermont and have an establishment number Est. 4027 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The FSIS warned consumers to only consume ground beef cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Published on: April 8, 2025

Millions of Popular Granola Bars Sold Across the U.S. Recalled

By Moll Law Group

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on December 9, 20240 food-2202344_1280-e1741658256100 4, the Chicago-based company Riverside Natural Foods voluntarily recalled over 2.4 million cases of the popular MadeGood granola bars because of the potential presence of metal in the bars. These bars have been sold across the country. If you were harmed by unsafe food call the seasoned Chicago-based attorneys of Moll Law Group to find out your legal options. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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The Class II recall applies to several different kinds of MadeGood granola bars, which have been touted as healthier allerge-free and organic snack alternatives. The affected bars were made between January-November 2024 and were distributed across the country and internationally.

Class II recalls are instituted when the recalled products can cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. The manufacturer claims that the recall has been initiated out of an abundance of caution.

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Published on: April 1, 2025

Listeria Outbreak Affects Frozen Supplement Shakes

By Moll Law Group

chocolate-smoothie-1058191_640-e1741658058922 A multistate outbreak of listeria monocytogenes has impacted frozen supplement shakes made by Prairie Farms. As of February 21, 2025, 38 people have been infected by the outbreak across 21 states. On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC recalled affected Prairie Farms supplement shakes and people were advised not to sell, eat or serve them. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), along with officials have been gathering data to figure out the causes of this outbreak. If you were harmed by supplemental shakes contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, you should call the knowledgeable Chicago-based food safety lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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As of February 21, 2025, 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 21 states. Sick people’s samples were collected on dates ranging from August 17, 2018, to January 23, 2025. Of 38 people with information available, 37 have been hospitalized. Twelve deaths have been reported from California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Most people in this outbreak reported living in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick.

Not everyone reports when they’ve been affected by Listeria (and not everyone gets tested for it). Accordingly, it’s possible there are more sick people than were originally counted.

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Published on: March 11, 2025

FDA Bans Red No. 3, the Artificial Coloring in Many Products

By Moll Law Group

red-3270956_640-e1739031721374 Red No. 3 is used as bright red artificial coloring in candy, cereal, fruit cocktails, strawberry-flavored milkshakes, and other foods and beverages. It’s ubiquitous. And so it’s alarming that data has surfaced that the dye can cause cancer in lab animals; specifically, evidence reveals that lab male rats exposed to heightened Red No. 3 levels developed cancer.

The FDA recently banned use of Red No. 3, but the Center for Science in the Public Interest has commented that it exists in thousands of—a whopping 9200—products. Notably, the FDA isn’t banning Red No. 40, another artificial dye linked to problems, specifically behavioral ones, in kids.

Food manufacturers can take until Jan. 15, 2027, to reformulate their products, which means consumers should be alert to ingredient lists and avoid products with Red No. 3. Those manufacturers of ingested drugs that include Red No. 3 such as supplements have until January 15, 2028.

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Published on: February 18, 2025

USDA Report finds Boar’s Head listeria outbreak was due to poor sanitation practices

By Moll Law Group

charcuterie-338498_6401-e1739031396223 Last July, Boar’s Head recalled liverwurst products due to a listeria outbreak. This recall eventually expanded and came to encompass sliced hams and sausages produced at the same plant as the liverwurst. Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture determined that a Boar’s Head facility’s inadequate sanitation practices contributed to the serious listeria outbreak last year. This was an outbreak from July through November that killed 10 people and resulted in hospitalizations of even more. The report from the USDA shows disturbing yet routine sanitation violations.

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The USDA’s report examines alarming facility conditions that included dead bugs, mildew and black mold near machines, condensation dripping onto exposed products, broken flooring that could retain moisture that would make conditions for the meat wet, and meat and fat residue from the prior day’s production on packaging and other equipment.

Boar’s Head has expressed that it is cooperating with the USDA investigation and is trying to improve food safety programs, such as by implementing greater food safety control procedures and more serious testing at the poultry and meat facilities.

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Published on: November 12, 2024

E. Coli Outbreak Causes McDonald’s to Take Quarter Pounder Off Menu

By Moll Law Group

hamburger-2201748_640-e1731427742435 Due to an E.coli outbreak that’s made 50 people in 10 states ill and killed one person, McDonald’s has taken its quarter pounder hamburger off the menu at around 1/5^th of its restaurants in the country. Federal health officials are investigating the outbreak. Within the relevant time frame the fast food restaurant had sold around 1 million quarter pounders. The restaurant believes that more people would have gotten sick had the problem been the patties; it suggested that the onions included in the hamburger might be what’s contaminated. If you were made sick by a McDonald’s quarter pounder, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent clients nationwide and billions of dollars have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked the McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers to an E. coli outbreak. According to the fast food chain’s North American chief supply officer, the company’s initial look into the problem has yielded the discovery that the onions used in the burger, rather than the meat, may be what’s contaminated with E. coli. The chain restaurant pointed out that its burgers are cooked at 175 degrees. E. coli is killed when food is cooked at 160 degrees, but the slivered onions, which came from one supplier, were not cooked.

To address the finding, McDonald’s has removed slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties from its restaurants in various Western states. The onion supplier, Taylor Farms, told the media that it tests both raw and finished products and didn’t find E. coli. Even so, they removed yellow onions from what was produced at their Colorado facility.

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Published on: October 15, 2024

BrucePac Recalls Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Meat

By Moll Law Group

meat-6054509_1280-e1729015651480 The United States Department of Agriculture has announced a recall of almost 10 million pounds of meat and poultry produced by BrucePac, which makes pre-cooked meat, due to concerns that it is contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. A routine test found evidence of the listeria on BrucePac’s product and, importantly, when consumed, contaminated meat can result in a listeriosis. This recall impacts many grocery stores around the country, including Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Amazon, Target, Public, and Walmart. If you developed listeria after eating meat, you may have a claim and should call the trustworthy Chicago-based food safety lawyers of Moll Law Group. We represent clients nationwide and billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved.

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At first, the USDA and BrucePac warned that about 9,986,245 pounds of meat and poultry that were being recalled. These products had gone to distributors, stores, and restaurants around the country. The USDA has since released a 326-page list of the affected food items, brands, and particular retailers. According to the list, the meats are sold not only individually but are also included in various pre-packaged food items, like frozen food and like salads, sandwiches, and wraps, which are the primary preparations that have been impacted. With affected products, you’ll see establishment numbers “51205” or “P-51205” inside or under a USDA mark of inspection.

Some of the stores affected by the recall are Albertson’s, Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Target, Amazon Fresh, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, 7-Eleven, Meijer, H-E-B, Giant Eagle, Save Mart, and Wegmans. Products affected include Rao’s, Fresh Express, Michael Angelo’s, Dole, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Amazon Kitchen, Taylor Farms, Giant Eagle brand, El Monterey, Don Pancho’s, Ready Meals, Kroger brand, H-E-B brand, RaceTrac brand, Raley’s, Home Chef, Meijer brand, Trader Joe’s brand, Wegman’s brand Udi’s, Red’s, Great Value, Gordon Choice, Good & Gather, Michelina’s, Little Salad Bar, Signature Select, Amazon Fresh, Marketside, Whitson’s Culinary Group, and Contessa Premium Foods. If you’ve bought these products but not consumed them yet, the USDA advises not to eat them and either throw them out or return them to where you bought them. Retailers are advised similarly. It’s important to look closely at the labels as the meat may have been processed elsewhere.

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Published on: October 8, 2024

Research Shows that Black Plastic Contains Harmful Flame Retardant

By Moll Law Group

man-5963976_640-e1728404425414 During recycling, according to a recent study, toxic flame retardants used to prevent fires in electronics are getting into the black-colored plastic that’s commonly used in takeout containers, children’s toys, kitchen utensils and grocery meat and produce trays. The most dangerous flame retardants were the ones used in the electronic cases of electronic devices like televisions. These items may be contaminated with worrisome amounts of toxic flame retardants, which have serious adverse health effects. If you or your child was harmed by black-colored plastic, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group about whether you have a viable claim. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved. We represent consumers nationwide.

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The research study, conducted by Toxic-Free and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, was recently published in the journal Chemosphere. It examined black plastics, but the researchers didn’t specify the brand names of what was tested. However there have been studies in other countries that similarly demonstrated that black plastic was contaminated with flame retardants.

It’s common for people to own electronic devices like gaming systems, TVs, smartphones, computers and tablets that include flame retardants in order to prevent fires. Flame retardants are also used in chairs, car upholstery, yoga mats, and padded baby items, and they can spread into the air and attach to food and water, which might then be consumed, or dust. When these items are put into recycling, they can contaminate other things

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Published on: August 27, 2024

Study Finds Cadmium and Lead Contamination of Dark Chocolate

By Moll Law Group

dark-2562840_640 A new study has found that dark chocolate and other similar cocoa items are contaminated with cadmium and lead. These metals are neurotoxins and they’ve been linked to developmental issues in children, chronic diseases, and cancer. In a sense, because they are in the soil where crops are grown, these heavy metals are present in many different agricultural products, but some crops are more contaminated because there is excessive use of metal-containing fertilizers or proximity to pollution. Chocolate is grown on land that is less contaminated and where fewer pesticides are used. Yet, the journal Frontiers in Nutrition has found that organic dark chocolate—so often recommended by health magazines for certain beneficial properties—contains some of the highest levels of cadmium and lead. If you believe you or your child was harmed by contaminated dark chocolate, contact the seasoned Chicago-based lawyers of Moll Law Group. Our firm represents consumers around the country.

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The new study evaluated test results for 72 consumer cocoa products, tested by Consumer Labs at various laboratories, over an eight-year-period in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 to determine their levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic. The new study analyzed six dozen consumer cocoa products for levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic. Levels of arsenic were insignificant.

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