South Carolina Lawyer Blog
The latest in the litany of voluntary food recalls was announced on Saturday, November 3rd, when General Mills recalled nearly 5 million pizzas after an investigation by federal and state regulators found that the pepperoni topping likely caused several E.Coli related illnesses.
Totino’s and Jeno’s brand pizzas sold between mid-July and mid-October were found to cause illness in 21 people in 10 states. At least eight people were hospitalized with the foodborne illness, E.Coli, which can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps lasting a few days on average. Four of the victims have developed kidney failure, according to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention statement.
“Eating a Totino’s or Jeno’s brand pizza containing pepperoni was significantly associated with illness.” According to the CDC statement.
General Mills has contended that the recall is little more then a precaution. Sighting that of the 21 cases of illness, only nine people reported having eaten Totino’s or Jeno’s pizzas prior to becoming ill.
“This is a decision of considerable consequence made in the interest of public safety.” General Mills spokesman Tom Forsythe said.
Restaurants, grocery stores, farmers and food manufacturers all have a legal duty to make sure their products are safe to eat. When they fail in that duty, innocent people are sickened through no fault of their own. Items like frozen pizzas are a mainstay in family freezers across the country and a favorite among children and teenagers. The Golden Valley, Minnesota company which manufactured the pizzas has sold about 120 million frozen pizzas nationwide since July 1st. Of that number, about 60 percent included pepperoni.
If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured or killed by someone else’s careless attitude toward food safety, you have the right to hold the careless party responsible in court. With almost 50 years of experience, the Louthian Law Firm can help you evaluate your case and file a lawsuit if the facts warrant one. To preserve your right to a day in court, contact one of our experienced South Carolina foodborne illness attorneys as soon as possible, at 1-866-410-5656, for a free case evaluation.