Personal Injury Law

It is Hard to Ignore 4 Deaths, 6,300 Illnesses, 1,300 Hospitalized and 158 Babies with Acute Kidney Failure

Posted on September 20, 2008
I got this email today from the Chinese Government: Dear Bill, Thank you for accepting to speak at the upcoming China International Food Safety & Quality Conference, September 24 - 25, 2008, Landmark Hotel & Tower, Beijing. We are honored to have you as a speaker on the program and look forward to your speech...

Tri-tip linked to Forest Ranch E. coli outbreak - victims now number 18

Posted on September 20, 2008
Butte County health officials are reporting tonight that a total of 18 people have fallen ill due to an E. coli outbreak at a fireman’s fundraiser earlier this month.  Health officials believe the outbreak can be traced to tri-tip beef served at the fundraiser in Forest Ranch...

Product Quality Law of The People's Republic of China

Posted on September 19, 2008
Thought I would get a bit more prepared for my trip to China.  I might find something to do there other than climb the Great Wall.* China Manufacturers' Duties (1) China's Product Quality Control Law (2), which went into effect in September 1993, holds manufacturers—or producers—responsible for product quality...

Forest Ranch E. coli Outbreak Linked to Fire Department Fundraiser Sickens Olivia Titus and a Dozen Others

Posted on September 19, 2008
The number of people infected in Forest Ranch, California with E. coli rose to 13 Thursday and that number is expected to climb.  Six-year-old Olivia Titus is one of more than a dozen cases linked to a Fireman's fundraiser earlier this month in Forest Ranch...

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Would the Death Penalty Stop Companies from Poisoning Customers and get the Government to do Its Job, or is a Good Lawsuit the Way to Go?

Posted on September 19, 2008
The milk crisis in China is exploding.  Now there are over 6,200 people ill and at least 4 deaths.  I’ll be landing in Beijing in a few hours (long distance ambulance chasing) and was struck by a quote from Chinese Starbucks customer Cathy Wang who called for the government to take the toughest action possible against those responsible...

More Marler Talks on Food Safety

Posted on September 18, 2008
Although I leave for China soon, I spent the day working on a keynote speech for the San Francisco Food HACCP Conference in October.  Here is my PowerPoint:

Listeria Kills Canadian Baby

Posted on September 18, 2008
The last few days have been filled with cries "Chinese food is unsafe - look they are poisoning babies."  Well, that certainly is true, but the same thing is happening nearby, and it is not the fault of the Chinese.  Hopefully, when I get there on Sunday afternoon in Beijing, I can get someone to pay a bit of attention...

14 Michigan State University Students hit with E. coli - 10 Hospitilized

Posted on September 18, 2008
The Ingham County Health Department is investigating four more possible cases of E coli at Michigan State University.  If those cases are confirmed, that would bring the total number of students with E. coli to 14.  At least 10 students had to be hospitalized due to the out break...

Genetically Engineered Animals Coming to a Farm Near You?

Posted on September 18, 2008
The FDA said it will start considering proposals to sell genetically engineered animals as food, a move that could lead to faster growing fish, cattle that can resist mad cow disease, or perhaps heart-healthier eggs. One wonders if they could make food safer – E...

Another Raw Milk Producer Linked to Campylobacter Illnesses

Posted on September 17, 2008
Although we did get a call yesterday from a Calaveras County California resident who may well be linked to the California Campylobacter recall of Organic Pastures raw cream, this new raw milk quarantine and recall comes from Campylobacter infections in Pennsylvania...

Three Babies Die From Tainted Chinese Milk - 6,244 Sick, 158 Suffering from Kidney Failure

Posted on September 17, 2008
A third baby has died in connection with China's spreading scandal over tainted milk formula and more than 6,200 infants have become sick, Health Minister Chen Zhu said Wednesday.  China's quality watchdog says that its inspectors have found melamine in milk powder made by more than 20 Chinese companies...

Michigan State University Students Hit with E. coli

Posted on September 17, 2008
Ten Michigan State University students have been admitted to hospitals over the past week with what officials say are likely cases of E. coli infection.  The East Lansing school says all of the students reported symptoms of bloody diarrhea. Seven of the students remained hospitalized Monday and all were expected to recover...

I can not get to China too soon - Chinese milk powder contaminated with melamine sickens 1,253 babies

Posted on September 15, 2008
Sanlu, China’s biggest milk powder manufacturer, sold contaminated milk after farmers laced their produce with industrial chemicals to increase its protein content.  Chinese hospitals are fighting to save the lives of some of the 1,253 babies who have fallen sick after they were fed milk powder contaminated with an industrial chemical used to make plastic cups and saucers...

A Day off Fom Blogging

Posted on September 14, 2008
A new friend sent me this - I wonder what she is trying to say?

Broken Arrow Bethany Free Will Baptist Church Ladies Tea Linked to Country Cottage E. coli Outbreak

Posted on September 13, 2008
The Ladies Tea, an annual tradition at Bethany Free Will Baptist Church, was catered by the Country Cottage in Locust Grove, which is at the center of the state and local health department investigation.  One attendee has been sickened, more than 20 others "probable" says health department, after church tea attendees ate food served by Locust Grove's Country Cottage catering service...

248 people stricken by E. coli O111 Linked to Country Cottage

Posted on September 12, 2008
Oklahoma State health investigators have confirmed that at least 248 people have become ill as a result of the E. coli O111 outbreak in Northeastern Oklahoma.  Of that number, 202 were adults and 46 were children.  A Pryor man, Chad Ingle, died...

China Milk Farmers Blamed in Baby Formula Contamination

Posted on September 12, 2008
Well, I'm off to China this week and it appears that it is not a moment too soon. The Chinese firm whose baby formula is blamed for killing one infant and sickening dozens has accused dairy suppliers of adding a chemical to their milk to up protein content, state media said this morning...

E. coli Outbreaks still a Risk in Leafy Greens

Posted on September 12, 2008
I spent the day is a well-run, informative, conference sponsored by Fresh Express (never sued them). The science was interesting and well presented. The bottom line however is there is far more research needed and the risks to consumers are still quite real in the consumption of “ready-to-eat” products...

Organic Pastures Raw Cream Recall Announced by CDFA

Posted on September 11, 2008
Consumers urged to dispose of product due to bacterial contamination SACRAMENTO, Thursday, September 11, 2008 – Grade A raw cream produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County –product with the code date SEP 12—is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr...

Meat Slicer Strikes Again - Maple Leaf Slicer Implicated in Listeria Outbreak

Posted on September 07, 2008
According to recent press reports, Michael McCain, president of Maple Leaf, said an investigation into a deadly bacteria outbreak linked to at least 13 deaths revealed that listeria bacterium may have accumulated in slicing equipment at the company's Toronto plant...

Boy Scout Sues S & S Foods in E. coli Case

Posted on September 06, 2008
"Victims all over the country are suffering because of the breakdown of our meat supply safety system," said the plaintiffs' attorney William Marler. "Everyone deserves pathogen-free meat in restaurants, grocery stores and summer camp." William D...

Jesse Jackson hit with Food Poisoning - Moose Burgers Perhaps?

Posted on September 04, 2008
Sarah Palin, was she in Georgia?  According to NPR, “She's also a moose-burger-eating, snow-mobile-riding maverick who's not afraid to take on fellow Republicans she disagrees with.”  Jesse, you did not eat the moose burgers did you? The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that this week, while conducting voter registration drives in Ohio and Georgia, the 66-year-old civil rights leader was stricken with food poisoning...

Alfalfa sprouts sicken 13 in Washington and Oregon - Again

Posted on September 04, 2008
Washington State health officials believe alfalfa sprouts are connected to an outbreak of Salmonella that’s sickened nine people in Washington and four in Oregon. The outbreak has been tied to alfalfa sprouts from Sprouters Northwest, Inc. in Kent...

Community steps up to help Isaiah Peters with E. coli - Summer petting zoo in Brandon may be site of exposure

Posted on September 04, 2008
Isaiah Peters is usually an active little boy. The 3 1/2-year-old red-headed youngster loves to kick his soccer ball around the backyard and play “Guitar Hero.” But instead, Isaiah is lying in a hospital bed in Minneapolis, where he is fighting through a painful illness, H...

Boy Scout Sickened by E. coli-Tainted Meat Sues S&S Foods

Posted on September 03, 2008
A Boy Scout who was infected by E. coli O157:H7 while attending camp in Virginia filed suit today in the Circuit Court of Rockbridge County. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Zachary Yost and his mother, Devon Drew, against S & S Foods LLC. The plaintiffs are represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and Maryland attorney Benson Klein of Ward & Klein...

A New US Court of Appeals Decision Preserves a Consumer's Right to Sue the Producer of Contaminated Tuna

Posted on September 02, 2008
In Kreifall v. Excell, Excell’s “Preemption argument” was tried and soundly rejected by the Wisconsin State Supreme Court and then was denied review by the US Supreme Court in Kreifall v. Excell (Cargill subsidiary).  See online version...

E. coli O111 Outbreak Linked to Cottage Grove Restaurant in Locust Grove Grows to 206.

Posted on September 02, 2008
Outbreak of Severe Diarrheal Illness in Northeastern Oklahoma The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports today that laboratory analysis of water samples taken from a private well on the property of the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, OK, has found no disease-causing bacteria...

Captain Colon and His League of Fecal Fighters

Posted on September 02, 2008
There really is very little humor in what I do.  I did, however, smile when I received a thank you note from the mother of two daughters I represented in 2006 Dole Spinach E. coli Outbreak - and this great bobblehead. Captain Colon and His League of Fecal Fighters.

China International Food Safety & Quality Conference + Expo in 2008.

Posted on September 01, 2008
I am off to China to the International Food Safety & Quality Conference and Expo in a few weeks.  I am proud to be the lead sponsor of the event and am glad that I was able to convince our former Governor, Gary Locke, to attend as well.  China will become over the coming decades an even greater trading partner in food...

USDA Can Stop Mad Cow Tests

Posted on September 01, 2008
The U.S. government has the authority to bar meat companies from testing their animals for mad cow disease, a federal appeals court has ruled.  The Department of Agriculture's failure to test more than a fraction of cows for the brain-wasting disease prompted one meat company to announce that it would test all of its bovines, the Associated Press reported...

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