Salmonella Beef Outbreak, JBS Tolleson Recall

Ground beef is back in the news with another Salmonella beef outbreak and recall this year. Salmonella Newport to be precise. The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and Prevention’s epidemiological investigation has identified 57 illnesses from 16 states. The illness onset dates range from August 5 to September 6, 2018. It is likely that more cases will be added to the outbreak, as it takes a few weeks for illness reports to be entered into the nationwide system. The health conditions of those with Salmonella infections linked to this outbreak and recall have not been released at this time. Here is what you need to know about this Salmonella beef recall and outbreak.

JBS Tolleson, Inc. announced today it is recalling ground beef products do to possible Salmonella contamination. Check the FSIS site for RECALLS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ALERTS.

FSIS further announced:

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency said in announcing the recall.

The states with illnesses have not yet been released. However, the company shipped these products nationwide, so all United States’ consumers are put on notice to check their freezers for these products.

The Recall

This recall is not related to the Public Cargill Ground Beef recall linked to E. coli illnesses.

JBS Tolleson, Inc. confirmed the products were packaged from July 26, 2018 through September 7, 2018. The products are raw, non-intact beef items. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 267” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The company shipped them to retail locations and institutions nationwide under brand names Walmart, Cedar River Farms Natural Beef, Showcase, Showcase/Walmart and JBS Generic.

JBS Tolleson, Inc.’s recall includes about 6.5 million pounds of ground beef products.

The Investigation

FSIS confirmed that local health departments observed a spike in Salmonella Newport infections linked to several FSIS-regulated products, like ground beef. The agency confirms:

“The first store receipt potentially linking the purchase of FSIS-regulated product to a case-patient was received on September 19, 2018; FSIS was then able to begin traceback of ground beef products. To date, eight case-patients have provided receipts or shopper card numbers, which have enabled product traceback investigations.  FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state public health and agriculture partners have now determined that raw ground beef was the probable source of the reported illnesses. Traceback has identified JBS as the common supplier of the ground beef products.”

The FDA, CDC, and local health departments are still investigating the outbreak at this time.

About Salmonella

Salmonella affects more than a million Americans each year. The most common way that people contract the pathogen is through food. Typically, the symptoms are consistent with what you might expect from the flu: upset stomach, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are all common, as are headache, fever, and chills. Salmonellosis typically comes on in 12 to 72 after exposure to the bacteria. It usually lasts for 4 to 7 days.

For a healthy adult with a strong immune system, salmonella is annoying but poses little risk of serious illness. For the very young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised, however, the illness can prove to be serious or even deadly. More than 400 people die from Salmonella in the United States each year, according to the CDC. If you or someone you know has salmonellosis and is experiencing severe or bloody diarrhea, seeking medical attention is a good idea: although antibiotics aren’t needed in the majority of cases, they can sometimes make the difference between serious illness and death. Early medical attention can help reduce the risk of severe illness and potential long-term complications, including reactive arthritis.

FSIS’s notice also mentions:

“Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. Other cuts of beef should be cooked to a temperature of 145 °F and allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes. The only way to confirm that ground beef or other cuts of beef are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.”

Our Salmonella Lawyer is Here to Help You

If you believe you have developed a Salmonella infection, we want you to know that a Salmonella Lawyer at the Lange Law Firm, PLLC is currently investigating this matter and offering free legal consultations. Our lawyer, Jory Lange became a lawyer to help make our communities and families safer.

Can I Be Compensated For Salmonella Food Poisoning?

Yes.  When a corporation sells food for a profit, the law requires that it sell only food that is safe to eat.  When a corporation sells food that is not safe to eat, the corporation can be held legally responsible for the harm they cause.  So if you got sick, were diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, or were hospitalized with Salmonella food poisoning after eating beef contaminated with Salmonella, you may have a valid legal claim against the corporation that sold the ground beef products.

If you or a loved one have become ill with Salmonella after eating ground beef products, you can call (833) 330-3663 for a free consultation or complete the form here.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola, Editor (Non-Lawyer)