E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Although most strains are harmless, this strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. Children under 5 are particularly at risk for developing HUS, and these young victims become seriously ill, often spending weeks or months in the hospital. Many of the estimated 61 deaths per year attributable to E. coli O157:H7 are children under 5.

Most E. coli O157:H7 infections have been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef at restaurants and in homes. E. coli O157:H7 lives in the intestines of healthy cattle and is present in their manure. When these cattle go to slaughter, unsanitary conditions in the slaughterhouse can lead to contamination of meat with the cattle manure. Sometimes the intestines of an animal are accidentally cut open, allowing the contents to contaminate exposed meat.

E. coli O157:H7 that has contaminated the outside of meat during slaughter can become thoroughly mixed within meat during grinding. Even a small amount of E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate hundreds of pounds of ground beef.

In the last month, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) announced two (2) separate recalls of ground beef. In both cases possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing. The recalls involved approximately 120 pounds of ground beef distributed in Georgia and approximately 315 pounds of ground beef distributed in Baltimore, Maryland.

“The dangers of E. coli are well known in the food industry, but this knowledge does not mean our food is safe. These recalls remind consumers that decisive regulatory action matters more than words,” commented Fred Pritzker, a leading food safety attorney. “The legal and regulatory communities must work together with consumers to ensure that the industry upholds its obligation to produce safe food products.”

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli O157:H7 and other foodborne illnesses. For more information, visit http://www.pritzkerlaw.com, http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com, or contact Fred Pritzker at (612) 338-0202. Pritzker | Ruohonen has offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota.



Author Information

Fred Pritzker
PRITZKER | RUOHONEN