Just over a week ago, families throughout the country and around the world celebrated the Christian holiday of Easter. Of course, chocolate and candy are big parts of this celebration in many, if not most, households, and many still include hard-boiled eggs as part of their traditions as well. In fact, coloring Easter eggs is a highly anticipated family event in a large number of American homes. These dyed eggs often find their way into Easter baskets and onto the buffet table on Easter Sunday, but waiting too long to eat them can lead to spoiled eggs, bacterial contamination, and…
Continue Reading Are My Hardboiled Easter Eggs Still Safe to Eat?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 50 million Americans suffer from some type of foodborne illness or food poisoning in an average year. Of course, foodborne illnesses are also a problem throughout the rest of the world as well.
Consider the example of a British couple who planned to celebrate their wedding and enjoy a honeymoon trip to the United States—complete with a Hawaiian cruise, a visit to Disneyland, and a few days in sunny Los Angeles. Everything was coming together nicely for the bride and groom until she—along with more than two dozen…
Continue Reading Wedding Trip Story Highlights Overlooked Considerations in a Foodborne Illness Case

We have all been there. In the hours after a good meal—or maybe the next day—you might start feeling a little off. Maybe your stomach begins to bother you, or you are feeling dizzy and cannot explain why. You might wonder if you are coming down with a gastrointestinal bug, and you might even start trying to figure out if anyone around you seemed sick in the last couple of days. At some point, you might start wondering if you are feeling ill because of something you ate.
The reality is that thousands of people are affected by food…
Continue Reading What You Need to Know About the Symptoms of Food Poisoning

The season of Lent is upon us, which means that practicing Christians have started their religious preparations for Easter. For many, this includes abstaining from eating meat on Fridays. However, even those who do not observe the religious nature of the season may be affected by it, especially from a culinary perspective.
Throughout Lent, many restaurants and bars, and even volunteer fire departments, church social clubs, and community organizations offer “fish fries.” In fact, you can find a fish fry just about any time of year in the Midwest, but things really ramp up during Lent. As with any food-related…
Continue Reading The Dangers of Foodborne Illness at Your Lenten Fish Fry

A popular producer of pre-packaged salads is under intense scrutiny, as an outbreak of listeria has been linked to two deaths. According to reports, an outbreak of listeria was traced to packaged salads produced by Dole, and the outbreak has now been linked to at least two deaths.
Outbreak Is One of Two Under Investigation
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 17 cases of foodborne illness that have led to at least 13 hospitalizations were traced to Dole-produced products. These include garden salads, mixed greens, Caesar salad kits, and other kinds of salads sold in…
Continue Reading Listeria in Packaged Salads Kills Two

On Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will square off in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. According to estimates, some 13 million Americans will gather in homes and establishments around the country to watch the game, and it just simply is not a Super Bowl party without food. Super Bowl Sunday has become a uniquely American experience—and a tradition—over the last half-century, but it is also a potential source for foodborne illness. With this in mind, the United States Department of Agriculture has issued a press release that offers food…
Continue Reading USDA Issues Guidance on Preventing Foodborne Illness on Super Bowl Sunday

While people may be careful to avoid eating foods that could potentially be harmful, there are a variety of situations where food poisoning may occur. Because foodborne illnesses can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and have long-lasting effects, those who have contracted these illnesses will want to understand who was responsible, and they may be able to pursue financial compensation for their injuries and damages. Our firm works to keep people informed about issues related to food poisoning, and we regularly answer questions about these matters, including:
How Common Is Food Poisoning?
According to the Centers for…
Continue Reading 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Food Poisoning

UPDATE: While the outbreak discussed below involved a brand of shrimp that was contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, there are multiple other types of foodborne illnesses that may be spread through raw or pre-cooked shrimp. These include Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio cholerae. Shrimp have also been found to contain bacillus bacteria, as well as salmonella and E. coli.
Consumption of food contaminated with Vibrio bacteria can lead to vibriosis. While this form of food poisoning is often mild, it can result in serious illness in some cases. Symptoms of vbriosis include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, and chills.
Continue Reading UPDATE: Uncooked Shrimp Can Contain Harmful Bacteria

There are multiple ways that people in the United States may be affected by foodborne illnesses, including food products that have been contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or other toxins. In some cases, foods can become contaminated during the production process, and this may lead to large amounts of products being sold that may put people at risk of food poisoning. Recently, two separate outbreaks of food poisoning occurred due to packaged salads that were contaminated with listeria. 
Dole and Fresh Market Salads Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination
In December of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
Continue Reading Outbreaks of Listeria Food Poisoning Linked to Packaged Salads

While the food products that are made available to consumers in the United States are expected to be safe for consumption, there are many cases where products may become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. When contaminations are discovered, recalls may be performed to remove products from stores and prevent food poisoning. However, consumers may still be exposed to foodborne illnesses, especially if they purchased products before they were recalled. Recently, a large number of pork products were recalled because they may have been contaminated with listeria. 
Recall of Fully Cooked Ham and Pepperoni Products
On December…
Continue Reading Pork Products Recalled Because of Possible Listeria Contamination

Of the different types of toxic substances that can lead to food poisoning, salmonella is one of the most common. This bacteria is often spread through raw poultry, and unfortunately, agricultural practices in the United States can significantly increase the risks of chicken being contaminated. Government agencies often lack the power and resources to enforce regulations and ensure that food product manufacturers are following the correct safety procedures, and this has caused thousands of people to contract dangerous infections and suffer serious injuries.
Industry Practices Lead to the Spread of Salmonella
In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and…
Continue Reading Salmonella Food Poisoning Linked to Chicken Continues to Affect People in the U.S.