In late October, the Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of a salad dressing product used in a widely distributed broccoli salad kit. The salads were deemed hazardous materials because they may have been contaminated with the bacterium Listeria. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Taylor Foods, the manufacturer of the salad kits, recalled no less than 5,000 pounds of the affected products.
Although no consumers reported getting sick from eating the salad or dressing at the time of the recall, the bacteria in question can cause severe symptoms. Infections may affect pregnant women, young children, senior citizens and even some adults, and these individuals could experience a range of complaints, such as headaches or convulsions.
According to reports, the salad kits were inspected by the USDA although it is unknown how the contamination was not detected. The affected consumer products were shipped to multiple states in cases bearing codes 310151 or 310153, and they were packaged between October 21 and October 23. It remains to be seen whether any consumers will experience illnesses after being exposed to the contaminated foods that have already been sold.
While some cases of food poisoning are mild, contaminated foodstuffs can lead to serious medical conditions that necessitate extensive care. Some victims find that the personal injuries they sustain after consuming unsafe products require emergency treatment or long-term antibiotic regimens. These medical remedies can be expensive, and they might even place severe financial strains on families that shared contaminated foods. Some of these victims must seek supplemental funding when their insurance doesn’t pay for their recovery expenses, and personal injury attorneys may be able to help them pursue settlements or take part in existing class action lawsuits.
Source: CNN, “Broccoli salad recalled for possible Listeria“, October 27, 2013
