Cargill Issues Meat Recall After E. coli Outbreak Claims One Life and Sickens 18
Cargill Issues Meat Recall After E. coli Outbreak Claims One Life and Sickens 18
Cargill Meat Solutions has issued a defective product recall for 132,606 pounds of ground meat because of a deadly E. coli outbreak. According to a KTLA news report, one person has died and 18 others have become sick with E. coli illnesses linked to Cargill’s ground meat. The recalled meat is from the chuck portion of the carcass and was produced on June 21. These products have been distributed nationwide. Those who became sick began experiencing symptoms between July 5 and July 25.
A recall of ground meat products from the same company, based in Colorado, was announced in August for meat sold at Publix locations. At the time, the company reported E. coli illnesses, but no fatalities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is concerned that some of these products may be frozen in consumers’ freezers. Those who have bought these products are urged not to consume them. Authorities are asking consumers to discard these products or return them to the point of purchase.
The Danger of E. coli
Symptoms of an E. coli illness typically begin between one and 10 days after consuming contaminated food or drink. However, a majority of people become ill three to four days after being exposed to the bacterial. Symptoms might include bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Most people recover after about a week. But, some others, about 5 to 10 percent, develop hemolytic uremic syndrome or HUS, which is a type of kidney failure. The best way to prevent E. coli is to use a meat thermometer to assure an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, illness-causing bacteria are killed.
If You Have Been Sickened
If you or a loved one has become ill as a result of these or other contaminated food products, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your legal rights and options. First, get the medical attention including diagnosis and treatment you need. If you have any of the food item left over, isolate and preserve it so you can independently get it tested in a lab for the presence of pathogens.
If you contracted the illness from eating at a restaurant, save your receipt. Report your illness to the local health care agency, which tracks these types of illnesses and outbreaks. Contact an experienced California food poisoning lawyer who can help you secure much needed monetary compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization and pain and suffering.
