Due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, the Valley Meat Company in Modesto, Calfornia, is recalling approximately 1 million pounds of beef products from the market. Products include frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the government learned of the problem on July 15, when the California Department of Public Health notified them that a small cluster of  E. coli O157:H7 illnesses had been reported in 6 patients. This count has now risen to 7.

If you believe you have been infected by E. coli, you can download Mazow|McCullough, PC’s Legal First Aid Kit: E. coli (PDF). This explains the symptoms of E. coli and gives you a checklist of medical and legal steps to take.

The CDC has stated that there are now 26 confirmed cases of E. coli 0145 linked to shredded romaine lettuce sold under the Freshway brand and Imperial Sysco brand. These cases include people with E. coli in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio, has issued a recall for all romaine lettuce products sold under their brand for food service outlets, wholesale, and in-store retail salad bars and delis. Supermarkets have not been affected.

Sufferers have reported symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. More serious complications of E. coli include HUS, a severe infection that most commonly affects the elderly and infants.

With more and more E. coli cases arising in Massachusetts, Mazow|McCullough have been working to inform the public of its dangers. We’ve developed a legal first aid kit that outlines the first steps you should take if you think you have E. coli.

And if you or a family member has been affected by E. coli, contact the personal injury attorneys at Mazow|McCullough for advice on your potential legal case.

E. Coli 0145 has been found in bags of unopened fresh lettuce in Ohio, and federal investigators are investigating whether it is linked to an outbreak in Michigan, New York and Ohio, where 12 people were hospitalized for E. Coli infection. In addition, 3 have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal impairment of the kidneys.

In Minnesota, a woman paralyzed after eating hamburger tainted with E. Coli, has reached a settlement with the agribusiness giant Cargill Inc.

If you have any questions about an E.Coli outbreak in your state or if you or a family member have been affected by E.Coli 0145, please contact Mazow|McCullough, PC immediately.