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Texas Salmonella Victim Sues Egg Producer

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Wright County Egg, one of two egg companies whose products resulted in over 1,500 Salmonella cases nationwide this year, was sued by another outbreak victim yesterday.  The most recent lawsuit, filed by the Seattle-based Marler Clark law firm, was filed in Federal District Court in Iowa yesterday on behalf of a Brookshire, Texas resident.

According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Jim Bussey purchased a breakfast taco containing eggs and sausage in Sealy, Texas, on June 205, 2010.  Bussey consumed the taco and later became ill with salmonellosis.  He was hospitalized for three days and continues to suffer from ongoing Salmonella-related gastrointestinal issues.  

Bussey's Salmonella infection was later determined to be part of the nationwide outbreak that was ultimately traced to eggs produced by Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms.  

"Companies that sell food to consumers need to double and triple check their food safety procedures to make sure they're doing everything they can to prevent foodborne illness," commented Bussey's attorney, Bill Marler of Marler Clark.  

Marler continued, "What we're seeing right now in Texas is another company's failure to prevent consumers from becoming ill with foodborne illness--this time listeriosis."

On October 20, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced that chopped celery was the source of a Listeria outbreak among Texas residents.  At least 10 Texans have become ill with listeriosis in the last 8 months; 5 have died as a result of their Listeria infections.  Texas DSHS determined that the source of the outbreak was chopped celery sold by Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio. 

Full post as published by Food Safety News on October 23, 2010 (boomark / email).