Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak
Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak Food Poisoning Lawsuits
Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak Food Poisoning | Lawsuits, Lawyers | Injury, Infection, Illness | Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms
The ongoing, massive, and historic Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak now involves over 550 million contaminated eggs. The growing recall has spread to 14 states and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that at least 2,000 people have been sickened; however, that figure is expected to continue to rise.
At the center of the outbreak are Hillandale Farms of Iowa and Wright County Egg. Not only do both firms have less-than-stellar histories, they both share ties with an Iowa businessman connected to decades of health, safety, animal cruelty, and employment issue violations. DeCoster’s company has agreed to pay large fines—totaling in the millions of dollars—over these issues. Austin DeCoster owns Wright County Egg and Quality Egg, a chicken and feed supplier to Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms of Iowa. Hillandale Farms of Iowa’s Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow brands names are involved. Wright County Egg faces no less than two lawsuits related to the historic outbreak, to date. More legal action is expected.
Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak Lawyers
Our Salmonella lawyers are investigating an outbreak linked to Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa. In August 2010, Wright County Egg recalled more than 300 million eggs after they had been linked to a massive outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis. According to US health officials, as many as 2,000 people may have already been sickened by these tainted eggs, and more illnesses are expected to be reported.
If you or someone you love were diagnosed with Salmonella Enteritidis since May 2010, Wright County Egg could be to blame. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We urge you to contact our Salmonella lawyers today to protect your legal rights.
Wright County Egg Recall
On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg recalled 228 million shell eggs after a traceback investigation of Salmonella in California, Colorado and Minnesota by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) linked some illnesses to the firm’s eggs. The initial recall involved 13 brands of eggs: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs involved in the original recall are packed in 6-egg cartons, 12-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, and loose eggs with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946.
Several days later, additional eggs were recalled, bringing the recall total to more than 300 million. Shell eggs affected by the expanded recall are packaged under the brand names: Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps and Pacific Coast. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg, 12-egg, and18-egg cartons, and loose eggs for institutional use and repackaging) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 229 and plant numbers 1720 and 1942.
Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton or printed on the case label. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1720 223.
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to eat the recalled eggs, and to discard them or return them to their retailer for a refund. Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating recalled eggs should consult their health care providers. If consumers are unsure about the source of their eggs, they should not eat them and discard them immediately.
Eggs involved in both the original and expanded recall were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Oklahoma. These companies distribute nationwide, according to the FDA.
Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak
It is believed the outbreak began in May. Through July 17, 2010 the CDC received some 2,000 reports of illness due to Salmonella Enteritidis. That’s triple the number of cases usually seen in late summer. The CDC said it would expect approximately 700 illnesses during this same period. Many other states reported increases of this pattern over the same time period.
The CDC warned that illnesses occurring after July 17 may not have been reported yet. In fact, it is doubtful that we will ever know how many people may have been sickened by these tainted eggs. It is estimated that in most food poisoning outbreaks, only one of every 30 illnesses is ever reported to health authorities.
Preliminary information from investigations of outbreaks in California, Colorado, and Minnesota revealed several restaurants or events where more than one person ill with this type of Salmonella had eaten. Information suggested that shell eggs are the likely source of infections in many of these restaurants or events, according to the CDC. Further investigation traced many tainted eggs to Wright County Egg.
According to the CDC, symptoms of Salmonella Enteritidis include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Legal Help for Victims of Wright County Egg Salmonella Outbreak
Our firm is offering a free lawsuit consultation to anyone who may have been sickened with Salmonella related to the Wright County Egg recall. If you or a loved one became ill after eating eggs, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form, or call 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) today to discuss your case with one of the experienced Salmonella lawyers at our firm.
