New Law Blogs

Pritzker Olsen Representing Victim of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Spices

By PritzkerLaw

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen is representing Shirley Jane Schultz, one of the victims of a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to contaminated Union International Food Company spices, according to news reports.

Ms. Schultz, a 77-year-old from Nevada, was severely sickened and spent over a week in the hospital. Loved ones feared she would not survive when her kidneys temporarily shut down. She continues to suffer the effects of the illness.

'While we are still gathering information about what caused the spices made by Union International Food Company to become contaminated with Salmonella, our client's illness just highlights the ongoing problems in our food safety system,' stated Eric Hageman, Ms. Schultz's attorney. 'People shouldn't have to guess whether the food they are eating is safe.  We should all feel that our food is safe.  But that didn't happen here and, as a result, Shirley Shultz ended up in the hospital.  And someone needs to be held accountable.'

The first recall of Union International Food Company spices was issued on March 30, 2009, and included Lian How white pepper. Ms. Schultz was diagnosed with Salmonella poisoning on April 9, 2009.

Prior to the March 30 recall, Salmonella was isolated from an open container of Lian How White Pepper, which was found at a restaurant where some outbreak victims ate. Since March 30, additional Union International Food Company products have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination. The entire recalled products list is available on the FDA's website: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/unioninternational_list3.html.

PritzkerOlsen has considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing Salmonella outbreak victims and their families. The firm has been involved in virtually every national foodborne illness outbreak and has collected large sums on behalf of people injured or killed by adulterated food. In addition, the firm is devoted to educating the public about food safety issues and advocating for badly needed food safety legislation and increased funding for the federal, state and local agencies charged with protecting our food and enforcing food safety laws.

PritzkerOlsen attorneys are frequent guests and commentators about food safety issues and have been interviewed by and profiled in a number of media sources including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and CNN.  

For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com or contact PritzkerOlsen law firm at (612) 338-0202. PritzkerOlsen offices are located at Plaza VII, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on May 05, 2009 (boomark / email).