Hundreds of thousands of raw ground beef packages are being recalled in response to $75,000 lawsuit for E. coli-related illness.
First Lawsuit Filed After E. Coli Outbreak
According to USA Today, Melissa Carmicle of Laurel Country, Kentucky, has filed a $75,000 lawsuit against K2D Foods, which does business as Colorado Premium Foods, after eating beef produced by the meat processor and becoming ill.
Her lawsuit is the first to be filed as a result of the outbreak of E. coli that has sickened 156 people in 10 states. It has caused additional raw ground beef recalls in the United States for fear of contamination.
Meat Processors Issuing Recalls
According to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, K2D Foods of Carrolton, Georgia, has voluntarily issued a recall for approximately 113,424 pounds of their raw ground beef.
Also, Grant Park Packing of Franklin Park, Illinois, has recalled about 53,200 pounds of their ground beef for the same concern.
A link between the two meat producers is still under investigation, according to Food Safety News.
Description of Recalled Meat Packages
Information Below Provided by the United States Department of Agriculture:
- Grant Park Packing
- Packages shipped in 40-pound cardboard boxes marked “North Star Imports & Sales, LLC. 100% Ground Beef Bulk 80% Lean/ 20% Fat” and marked “For Institutional Use Only.”
- Other markings include the code “GP.1051.18.” and establishment number “Est. 21781” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- This ground beef was shipped to Minnesota for further distribution and Kentucky for institutional use.
- K2D Foods
- Packages shipped in 24-pound cardboard boxes marked “Ground Beef Puck” with “Use Thru” dates of 4/14/19, 4/17/19, 4/20/19, 4/23/19, 4/28/19, and 4/30/19.
- The product was shipped to distributors in Port Orange, Florida, and Norcross, Georgia, which sent it to restaurants.
Details About the E. Coli Outbreak
The outbreak began in March. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia have been most affected by the E. coli outbreak, with 65, 41, and 33 reports of illness, respectively.
Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, and Virginia have also experienced illness due to contaminated meats.
So far, a total of 156 people have been infected, with 20 hospitalized. Those ill have reported to having eaten ground beef either at home or in a restaurant.
To prevent passing on the illness, the CDC recommends that consumers and restaurants take extra caution to cook meats thoroughly.
Effects of E. Coli Contamination
Symptoms can vary, but many people infected by E. coli often experience stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and a low fever, according to the CDC.
Symptoms often appear within 3 to 4 days after the E. coli bacteria is consumed and can last up to 7 days.
Good ways to avoid infection is handwashing, cooking meats thoroughly, and avoiding meat cross-contamination.
Contact an Experienced Food Recall Attorney
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