Five Food Poisoning Outbreaks that Made America Sick in 2015

 Posted on January 09, 2016 in Food Poisoning

Food poisoning outbreaks happen every year throughout the United States and around the world. 2015 was no different. Below are five of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks that affected the United States last year.

Keep yourself and your family safe by staying up to date with food recalls as they are announced. By avoiding foods that could potentially be contaminated with dangerous bacteria, you can prevent serious illness that can lead to lost wages, high medical bills, and physical and emotional discomfort. If you do suffer from food poisoning because of another party's negligence, consider seeking compensation for your losses through a food poisoning claim.

5. Blue Bell Listeria Outbreak

In spring 2010, 10 people in four states became ill from eating Blue Bell ice cream and were hospitalized. Three people died. A recall was issued after the ice cream was found to be tainted with listeria.

4. Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak

In summer and fall 2015, an outbreak of Salmonella Poona caused 838 people in 38 states to become ill. Of these cases, 165 victims had to be hospitalized and four died. The outbreak was traced to cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed in the United States by Custom Produce Sales and Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. The companies recalled the cucumbers following the outbreak. Reports of illness linked to this outbreak continued to the end of 2015, showing just how widespread this outbreak became.

3. Chipotle E.coli Outbreak

This outbreak became particularly well-known because of its link to popular fast casual eatery Chipotle. 53 cases of E.coli poisoning associated with eating food from Chipotle restaurants occurred across nine states. No victims died in this outbreak, but 20 were hospitalized. This outbreak caused Chipotle to shut down select locations for a few days following reports of illness and reevaluate some of its operational procedures.

2. JEM Nut Butters Salmonella Outbreak

JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC, voluntarily recalled its line of nut butter spreads after they were found to be potentially contaminated with salmonella. Over nine states, 11 cases were reported. None of the victims died or had to be hospitalized.

1. Soft Cheese Listeria Outbreak

Victims in 10 states became ill after consuming soft cheeses distributed by Karoun Dairies, Inc., resulting in the company recalling the cheeses in summer 2015. There were 30 victims in total, 28 of whom had to be hospitalized and three who died from listeria poisoning from consuming the affected cheeses. This outbreak was fairly long-lived, with reports of listeria poisoning linked to Karoun Dairies products starting in 2010.

Work with an Illinois Food Poisoning Attorney

If you or your child have suffered from food poisoning because of another party's failure to store or cook food properly or because of a retailer or manufacturer's failure to comply with a recall, you could have grounds for a food poisoning claim. To learn more, work with one of the personal injury attorneys at Newland & Newland, LLP.