4C Foods Corporation is issuing a nationwide recall for certain cheese products due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recall affects 4C Grated Cheese, Homestyle Grated Cheese, and Cento Grated Cheese Brands. “Other 4C Foods products, including any other cheese products, are not impacted by this recall.” The company said in its Nov. 15 recall alert posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
Parker Waichman LLP is closely monitoring food recalls involving salmonella contamination, listeria contamination and other food safety issues. The firm is offering free legal consultations to individuals with questions about filing a food poisoning lawsuit.
Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can lead to infections. In some individuals, especially the elderly, children, and people with weak immune systems, Salmonella poisoning can be fatal. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, Salmonella can affect the bloodstream and lead to more severe illness.
Last year, a Salmonella poona outbreak affected 35 states; at least four people died and over 700 became ill. The outbreak stemmed from “slicer” or “American” cucumbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said over half of the people who became ill were children. Two California produce distributors recalled cucumbers grown in Mexico. Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, California recalled cucumbers sold under the label “Limited Edition.” They were grown and packed by Rancho Don Juanito in Mexico. Custom Produce Sales of Parlier, California recalled cucumbers sold under the “Fat Boy” label. They were grown in Baja, California and distributed in California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas.
Last year, Aspen Foods issued two recalls due to possible Salmonella contamination. In June, the company recalled nearly 2 million pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken products. Another recall was issued in October 2015, affecting 561,000 pounds of frozen, raw stuffed and breaded chicken products. Both recalls were associated with the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis.
Recently, many ice cream products were recalled due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, another bacterium that can cause foodborne illness. Recalls were issued for products containing Aspen Hill cookie dough pieces. Ice cream products manufactured by Dr. Bob’s of Upland were also implicated in a series of recent recalls. Parker Waichman keeps up-to-date with food safety news and will continue to monitor food poisoning recalls.
According to the CDC, Salmonella poisoning leads to one million foodborne illnesses each year in the United States, resulting 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, which usually include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, occur 12 to 72 hours after being exposed. Most people are ill for 4 to 7 days and recover without treatment. In some cases, however, severe diarrhea leads to hospitalization.
Children have the highest risk of being infected with Salmonella. The CDC says children under the age of 5 have the highest rates of Salmonella infection compared to all other age groups.
According to Mayo Clinic, Salmonella infection is most often caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, egg or egg products. Salmonella can be spread when people who prepare foods don’t wash their hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper. Salmonella infection can also occur if individuals touch something that is contaminated, such as pets (especially birds), and put their fingers in their mouth.
If you or someone you know became exposed to salmonella through food contamination, you may have valuable legal rights. The food safety attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).