The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections. This ongoing outbreak has only recently been linked to recalled frozen supplemental nutrition shakes. These shakes have infected 38 people, leaving 12 dead, according to federal and state health officials.
These frozen shakes were not found on grocery store shelves or available to the general public but were regularly seen in institutional environments like long-term care facilities. Health officials are urging consumers to get rid of affected products and promptly seek medical attention if any symptoms arise.
If you or a loved one has been exposed or is suffering from a listeria infection in Illinois due to these frozen supplement shakes, contact Spiros Law for trusted legal advice.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is a type of bacteria known to cause a severe infection called listeriosis. The listeria bacteria can survive in refrigerated environments, making even frozen foods susceptible to contamination. A listeriosis infection may take up to 10 weeks for symptoms to show after eating the contaminated food.
Listeria is a very hardy bacteria that can survive on surfaces for a long time, making outbreaks very serious and long-lasting. People often become infected before the bacteria is even suspected.
Common symptoms of listeriosis include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
In severe cases, the infection may cause:
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
- Death
Listeriosis most commonly affects pregnant women, older adults, newborns, or those with weakened immune systems.
CDC’s Ongoing Investigation: Searching for The Source
The CDC’s investigation on this listeria strain dates back to 2018, but they were never able to obtain enough information to find the exact source beyond knowing infected people were among long-term care facility patients and nursing home residents. This pointed to the food source being something served in these long-term care facilities.
Listeriosis infections have been identified in 21 states, Illinois being one of them. In February, the infections were traced to products manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy in a Fort Wayne, Indiana, facility. Those products were recalled after swabs collected from the facility’s processing area tested positive for listeria.
Food Contamination: You Have the Right to Pursue Compensation
Food contamination is a product liability issue, meaning the manufacturer did not uphold their duty of care to provide a safe product. Foodborne illness outbreaks are caused by negligence, which means if you’re affected by contaminated food, you can file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer, distributors, and even retailer who sold the product. If a company fails to follow safety regulations, you deserve to hold them accountable and receive the compensation you deserve.
Food contamination is often a result of unclean equipment, inadequate hygiene practices, or failure to adhere to food safety regulations. Filing a lawsuit for foodborne illness allows victims to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering they endure as a result of their illness.
Consumers affected by a foodborne illness outbreak should demand accountability and compensation for the risks posed by contaminated or unsafe products. Businesses must be held to a higher standard, implement strict sanitation procedures to prevent outbreaks, and deliver safe products. Legal action can act as a deterrent, ensuring companies prioritize consumer safety.
Contact a Product Liability Lawyer Near Kankakee Today
This recent outbreak emphasizes the dangers of improper food handling and storage. Listeria outbreaks are entirely preventable, and businesses must adhere to strict hygiene practices to protect their consumers.
If you or a loved one has been affected by the recent outbreak, pursuing compensation is an essential step in recovery. At Spiros Law, we are dedicated to ensuring negligent businesses are held accountable for the harm caused by contaminated food products.
When a product is not packaged correctly or is contaminated with bacteria like listeria, salmonella, and E. coli, it can cause severe, potentially life-threatening illnesses. Don’t bear the burden of medical bills and other problems caused by the negligence of manufacturers or retailers should you or a loved one become ill.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to product liability. Contact Spiros Law today in Champaign, IL, Kankakee, IL, or Danville, IL, to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.
