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CJ United Spices, Onions Tied to Salmonella Outbreak

By PritzkerLaw

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys is representing one of the victims of a western states Salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated spices.

In total, at least 60 people have been sickened in four states, including 45 people in California, where the adulterated spices were produced.

In a press release this week, California Department of Public Health Director Mark Horton said the illnesses in his state have occurred in 18 counties in Central and Northern California. He said the latest onset of illness had been April 2.

The outbreak has been associated with peppers, curries and other spices made by Union International Food Company of Union City, California. The firm has recalled all of its products produced in Union City because of the potential they carry Salmonella.

Horton announced this week that CJ United Corporation of Oakland also is recalling products. CJ United said it had purchased white pepper, black pepper, curry powder and other spices from Union International.

CJ United's recall initially covered five-gallon plastic jugs of white pepper (powder), black pepper (powder), curry powder, paprika, cayenne and meat tenderizer. Then on Friday, the company also recalled five-pound plastic containers of its chopped onions, which had been delivered to restaurants.

The jugs of spices and onions all have the words "Natural & Delicious'' along with the CJ United Corporation logo.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly or others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.

Pritzker Olsen represents Salmonella victims around the country, including the families of three women who died separately late last year and early this year with infections linked to peanut products made by West Virginia-based Peanut Corp. of America.

The firm is involved in virtually every large outbreak of foodborne illness and has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of food poisoning. To contact a Salmonella attorney at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or complete a free case consultation form online. 

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on April 25, 2009 (boomark / email).