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product_liability food-poisoningFood poisoning can occur when someone eats food or a beverage contaminated with harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins. Many scientists now use the term "foodborne illness" to describe the effects of food contaminated with E. coli, botulism, and Salmonella, among other things.
E. Coli, Botulism, etc.
The most common types of food poisoning are caused by widely present bacteria such as Escherichia coli ( E. coli) and Staphylococcus. Other frequently seen types of food poisoning are Salmonella and botulism.
Oftentimes (but not always), the circumstances that give rise to food poisoning include:
Occurs Everywhere
Food poisoning can occur anywhere food is consumed — at home, at a restaurant, at picnics, in cafeterias, and at large social functions. Food poisoning in the United States is rare compared to much of the rest of the world, but that is of little comfort to someone who has been stricken with the often very unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning.
Millions Sickened; Thousands of Deaths
Every year, about 75 million people around the world experience food poisoning, and the most severe cases cause some 7 million deaths. In the U.S., about 5,000 people die from food poisoning each year.
Although we can try to reduce the risk of food poisoning in our homes, we all have food products that come from sources we cannot control, both domestic and imported, and of course we don't have any control over the selection and preparation of food that we choose to eat in restaurants and other social settings.
Many Products Are Vulnerable to Food Poisoning
Lately, many products have given rise to food poisoning cases in the U.S. An incomplete list of products that have been the basis of food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S. since 1985 includes:
The People Most Vulnerable to Food Poisoning
The very young and the very old are especially vulnerable to food poisoning. People with medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system are also at higher risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be especially careful to avoid contracting food poisoning. Travel outside the U.S. to locales with greater exposure to organisms that cause food poisoning also increases the risk.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
The types of food poisoning that are most common usually start within two to six hours of eating the contaminated food, but that time period can also be shorter, or much longer (days or a couple of weeks), depending on the organism responsible for the food poisoning. Food poisoning symptoms include:
Contact an Attorney about Food Poisoning
If food poisoning has made you or your family member seriously ill, you may be eligible for a legal remedy. Contact an experienced food poisoning attorney today to arrange a consultation and explore your legal rights and options.
A pet food company responsible for the deaths of dozens of dogs has agreed to a $3.1 million settlement with pet owners, according to one plaintiff’s attorney.
Recall of Contaminated Food
In 2005, Diamond Pet Food...