http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/veggie_booty_salmonella Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:43:12 -0800 pixel-app en http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12931 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12931 Veggie Booty, a blend of puffed rice and corn with vegetable coating billed as a healthy alternative snack, has been linked to 75 cases of salmonellosis across twenty states.  

Salmonella Wandsworth, a rare strain of salmonella bacteria, sickened people in 65 of the reported cases, while Salmonella Typhimurium was responsible for the remaining ten, according to the Web site of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  No deaths have been linked to the salmonella outbreak.  

Although symptoms for most of those patients appeared before Robert’s issued a recall of the nationally-distributed Veggie Booty snacks on June 28, the federal Food and Drug Administration  continues to caution anyone who might have consumed the tainted snack to watch for symptoms, especially in children.  

In 91 percent of the reported cases of salmonellosis linked to Veggie Booty, the affected individual was between 10 months and 3 years old, making infants and toddlers the most vulnerable to this particular outbreak, according to the CDC.  

The symbol of Robert’s American Gourmet, a company that prides itself on healthy snacks, is a smiling pirate with a parrot on his shoulder, hence the nickname “Veggie Booty”.  The company’s Web site describes its product as appealing to all ages, claiming “everybody loved (its first snack), even babies!”  

Robert’s has also recalled another product, Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks, because it used the same seasoning that was used to flavor its Veggie Booty snacks.  An ingredient in the seasoning that originated in China is believed to be responsible for the salmonella contamination, the company said in a July 12 press release.  

The front page of the Robert’s Gourmet Foods Web site currently bears an “apology from Robert” directed to consumers, and the company has promised in the press release to “implement testing and sampling measures which far exceed all industry and Government standards” as well as to “purchase ingredients directly from domestic sources whenever possible” in the future.

Reported salmonellosis cases linked with the Veggie Booty snack have spanned twenty states, with 15 sickened people in New York, seven in California, five in Colorado and four in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.  Fifteen states reported three or fewer cases of salmonella associated with the Veggie Booty snack.  

Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, sometimes bloody diarrhea, along with fever and abdominal cramps.  The symptoms usually appear within 72 hours of the onset of the infection and are often disappear without treatment.  Hospitalization is required in rare cases.  Of the 75 salmonellosis cases linked to Veggie Booty, six patients required hospitalization.  

]]> http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12893 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12893 Veggie Booty snacks says that seasoning imported from China is to blame for a recent outbreak of Salmonella poisoning linked to the popular children’s treat.  Robert’s American Gourmet Food, Inc., the Long Island-based maker of the Veggie Booty snack, said in a press release that its own tests confirmed that the seasoning was the source of the Salmonella bacteria.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued the Veggie Booty recall order June 28 after more than 50 cases of Salmonella poisoning were reported in people who had eaten the snack.  Last week, Robert’s voluntarily expanded the recall to include Veggie Tings, another of its products, because those are made with the same seasoning used in Veggie Booty.  Meanwhile, the Salmonella warning has prompted another company, www.wellbaskets.com, to issue its own consumer warning, as many of the company’s gift baskets include Veggie Booty snacks.

Robert’s press release said the company had suspected that the seasoning was behind the Veggie Booty contamination because it is the only component of the product that is not cooked.  Robert’s claims that high temperatures used in the cooking process would have destroyed any Salmonella bacteria found in other ingredients.  The seasoning in question, a mixture of various dried vegetables, is added to both Veggie Booty and Veggie Tings after cooking is complete.  The FDA has yet to confirm Robert’s findings, but if it does, the seasoning will be the latest in a series of Chinese imports found to be defective.  In the past few months, tires, toys, food and other products manufactured in that country have been recalled due to poor design or contamination.

Wellbaskets.com, a company that specializes in “healthy” gift baskets featuring all-natural and organic products, is warning its customers to throw away any Veggie Booty included in its baskets.  The snack food is often included in the company’s baskets, which have been featured on Fox News and in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Salmonella is a potentially deadly type of food poisoning, symptoms of which included fever, abdominal pain, nausea, gas and bloody diarrhea.  Symptoms appear within 36 hours of exposure, and usually last four to seven days.  In very severe cases, Salmonella can lead to kidney failure and other complications.  Salmonella can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.  Some victims of Salmonella will develop a disease called Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult- to- treat condition that causes severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination.  Reiter’s Syndrome can plague its victims for months or years, and can lead to chronic arthritis.

The FDA is telling anyone who has Veggie Booty treats in their home to throw them away immediately.  Robert’s Gourmet Foods is also offering refunds to customers who purchased Veggie Booty or Veggie Tings.  Anyone who has eaten the snack foods should be on guard for Salmonella symptoms, and should contact their physician if they experience any gastro-intestinal illness. 



]]> http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12889 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12889 Veggie Booty Lawsuit was filed today against Robert’s American Gourmet Food, the manufacturer of Veggie Booty snack mix, on behalf of an 18-month-old Indiana boy who became ill with a rare strain of Salmonella bacterium after he had eaten the vegetarian treat.  Veggie Booty was the subject of a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recall on June 28 after it was linked to more than 50 cases of Salmonella in 17 states.  The corn-and-rice treat is marketed to children, and as a result nearly all of the victims have been under 10 years old.

The parents of little Xavier Allen allege that he had eaten some of the Veggie Booty on May 20 and became ill three days later.  His symptoms included bloody diarrhea, a tell-tale sign of Salmonella poisoning.  Xavier was treated in a local emergency room on May 26, and a stool sample tested positive for Salmonella Wadsworth.  This is a rare strain of the bacteria that has not previously been linked to outbreaks in the United States.  While it is no more dangerous than other strains of Salmonella, its rarity makes it nearly certain that Xavier’ illness originated with the Veggie Booty snacks   Since his hospital visit, Xavier has continued to suffer from symptoms of Salmonella poisoning and is still under a doctor’s care.

Salmonella is an extremely dangerous type of food poisoning, symptoms of which included fever, abdominal pain, nausea, gas and bloody diarrhea.   In very severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure and other complications like Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult- to- treat condition that can lead to chronic arthritis. Salmonella can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.  

The Veggie Booty contamination is only the latest in a string of food poisoning incidents traced back to contaminated products.  Last month the United Food Group recalled 5 million pounds of beef for E. Coli contamination, while Tyson Fresh Meat, Inc. was forced to recall 40,000 pounds of its products for the same thing.  And in February, ConAgra Foods recalled thousands of jars of Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter for Salmonella contamination.

Of the 57 cases of Veggie Booty-linked Salmonella reported so far, four have resulted in hospitalizations.  Incidences of the illness have been reported in New York, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas.  Robert's American Gourmet Food, the Long Island, New York company that makes Veggie Booty, said on its website that it has recalled all lots and sizes of the product.  Veggie Bootie is sold in a plastic foil bag and comes in 1-ounce and 4-ounce sizes.   The company advised consumers to destroy the product but keep the packaging for a refund.

]]> http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12884 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/12884 Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a recall order for the popular vegetarian snack food.  Because the puffed corn-and-rice treat is marketed to children, most of the victims are under the age of three.  So far, cases of Veggie Booty caused Salmonella have appeared in New York, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas.  Robert’s American Gourmet Food Inc, the Sea Cliff, New York company that manufactures the Veggie Booty snacks, is cooperating with the recall and has provided information on its website for consumers who want a refund.

Salmonella is a potentially deadly type of food poisoning, symptoms of which included fever, abdominal pain, nausea, gas and bloody diarrhea.  Symptoms appear within 36 hours of exposure, and usually last four to seven days.  In very severe cases, Salmonella can lead to kidney failure and other complications.  Salmonella can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.  Some victims of Salmonella will develop a disease called Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult- to- treat condition that causes severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination.  Reiter’s Syndrome can plague its victims for months or years, and can lead to chronic arthritis.

While public health officials haven’t identified the original source of the Salmonella contamination, they have been able to tie the most severe cases to the Veggie Booty snacks.   They have also identified the strain of the bacteria as Salmonella Wadsworth.  This is a rare strain of the bacteria that has not previously been linked to outbreaks in the United States.  While it is no more virulent than other more common strains of Salmonella, the FDA did say that the unusual nature of this bacterium made it easier for health officials to link the 50 incidents that have been reported so far.  

This is just the latest Salmonella outbreak to be linked to a popular children’s snack food.  In February, the FDA ordered a recall of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter after those popular brands were found to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.  So far, more than 600 cases of Salmonella poisoning have been tied to the contaminated peanut butter.  The source of the contamination was traced to a ConAgra Foods factory in Sylvester, Georgia.  

The FDA is telling anyone who has Veggie Booty treats in their home to throw them away immediately.  Anyone who has eaten the snack foods should be on guard for Salmonella symptoms, and should contact their physician if they experience any gastro-intestinal illness.  The FDA says it expects that more cases of Salmonella poisoning will be reported once word of the contamination spreads.

]]> http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/veggie_booty_salmonella Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/veggie_booty_salmonella Lawyers Representing Veggie Booty Salmonella Victims Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is currently evaluating cases of Salmonella poisoning related to the June 28th Veggie Booty recall.  If you or a loved one has eaten Veggie Booty snack mix, contact the lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP to have your case evaluated for free.  Parker Waichman Alonso LLP intends to file claims against Robert’s American Gourmet Food, the Long Island, New York manufacturer of Veggie Bootie snack mix, in the coming weeks.

Veggie Booty Snack Mix Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in 17 States
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has linked Veggie Booty, a popular vegetarian snack to more than 50 cases of Salmonella poisoning in 17 states.  Public health officials have identified the strain of bacteria responsible for the outbreak as Salmonella Wadsworth.  This is a rare form that has not previously been linked to outbreaks in the United States.  While it is no more virulent than more common strains of Salmonella, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) did say that the unusual nature of this bacterium made it easier for health officials to link the reported incidents to Veggie Booty.  Cases of Salmonella have appeared in New York, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas.  Because Veggie Booty is marketed to children, nearly all of the victims have been under the age of ten.

FDA Orders Veggie Booty Recall
On June 28, 2007, the FDA ordered a recall of all Veggie Booty snacks sold in the United States and Canada.  The FDA announcement said that all lots and sizes of the product were being recalled because it did not have enough information to limit the recall to particular lots.   Veggie Booty is sold in a plastic foil bag and comes in 1-ounce and 4-ounce sizes.   Roberts American Gourmet Food has advised consumers to destroy the product but keep the packaging in order to obtain a refund. 

Recall Expanded
On July 2, 2007, Robert’s American Gourmet Food expanded the Veggie Booty Recall to include all lots and sizes of Veggie Tings Crunch Corn Sticks Snack Foods sold throughout the United States and Canada.  The company said the recall was “precautionary” because Veggie Tings snacks are made with the same seasoning as Veggie Booty.  Veggie Tings come in 6-ounce foil bags and bear the Universal Product Code 15665-1036.  Robert’s American Gourmet Food is advising anyone who has Veggie Tings in their home to throw them away and contact the company for a refund.

Salmonella/Salmonellosis Symptoms
Salmonella poisoning is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• Abdominal Cramping
• Vomiting and Nausea
• Dehydration

Salmonella symptoms appear within 36 hours of exposure, and usually last four to seven days.  In very severe cases, Salmonella can lead to kidney failure and other complications.  Salmonella can be particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, children and the elderly.  In people with weakened immune systems, Salmonella can enter the bloodstream from the intestines and cause life-threatening infections.  Individuals who have recently eaten Veggie Booty snacks and have experienced any of the above symptoms should contact a physician. 

Reiter’s Syndrome
Salmonella poisoning can lead to Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult-to-treat reactive arthritis characterized by severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes and painful urination. The condition occurs after bacteria, in this case Salmonella, travels through the body to a joint or joints.  A victim of Reiter’s Syndrome may have already been treated for the initial infection, and it can be weeks before the symptoms of Reiter’s Syndrome become apparent.  Reiter’s Syndrome, which can plague its victims for months or years, is said to occur when reactive arthritis is evident and at least one other non-joint area, such as the eyes, skin or muscles, is affected.

Attorneys for Salmonella Victims
If you or a loved one recently ate Veggie Booty snack mix and suffered from Salmonella poisoning (Salmonellosis), you may have valuable legal rights.  Please fill out the form at the right for a free evaluation by a qualified attorney.  Alternatively, call our toll-free number: 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).]]>