Salmonella Food Poisoning Lawyer, Attorney

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Again, an outbreak of potentially deadly salmonella food poisoning is afflicting Americans, but this time it's more clear-cut than in 2008, when authorities labored for weeks to find the source, first blaming tomatoes, then jalapenos, and finally pinpointing the origin to Serrano peppers grown in Mexico.

This time an Ohio food distribution business, King Nut Companies, already has issued a recall and an apology for creamy peanut butter which it sold to institutional food service accounts at nursing homes, hospitals, universities and restaurants. Such peanut butter, which King Nut says it obtained from Peanut Corp. of America in Virginia, reportedly has caused salmonella infections in Minnesota and elsewhere. A Minnesota woman more than 70 years old reportedly died from the contamination.

Coincidentally, the salmonella strain that's been identified by Minnesota investigators is the same as that which affected hundreds if not thousands of Americans last year when it was first believed tomatoes were the source. However, officials so far haven't found a connection between the two outbreaks, both involving Typhimurium, a common form of salmonella.

"We are very sorry this happened," King Nut officials said in a statement. "We are taking immediate and voluntary action because the health and safety of those who use our products is always our highest priority."

Grocers not affected, but institutions are

Unlike last year's outbreak, this one should not affect how consumers make purchasing decisions at grocery stores. No King Nut peanut butter, under its own label or the Parnell's Pride brand, is sold through retailers. In fact, the salmonella which was discovered was found in a five-pound container used at a nursing home. King Nut has recalled all of its peanut butter products distributed with a code name that begins with the number eight.

Other states receiving the product include Ohio, Michigan, North Dakota, Idaho, Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. About 1,000 cases of peanut butter are involved in King Nut's recall.

Salmonella food poisoning can be fatal

Those investigating the matter include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They, too, have not linked the outbreak to last fall's outbreak which caused about 400 reported cases of salmonella food poisoning, with about 20 per cent of the victims requiring hospital care.

A bacteria which invades the intestines, salmonella food poisoning can cause extreme cases of diarrhea and abdominal cramps, as well as fever. Older persons and children are especially vulnerable to it, as they have lower or weaker body immunity systems. For most people the illness lasts for four days to a week and does not require salmonella treatment, much less hospitalization. But in some cases people suffer greatly and even have died after becoming infected.

If you or a loved one has been afflicted with salmonella food poisoning, alert a salmonella lawyer with Jim S. Adler & Associates to explore your legal options. The law firm offers a free case review and can work to gain financial compensation for your salmonella food poisoning.

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