Pennsylvania Company Recalls Chicken Nuggets for Staph Bacteria

 Posted on July 21, 2015 in Food Poisoning

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety & Inspection Service recently announced a recall of chicken nuggets due to positive testing for Staphylococcal enterotoxin. Murry's Inc., a Pennsylvania food manufacturer, recalled over 20,000 pounds of gluten-free breaded chicken nuggets. The presence of bacteria in the nuggets was discovered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture during routine testing and sampling.

What is Staphylococcal Enterotoxin?

Staphylococcal aureus is a pathogen that produces a wide array of toxins and can cause many types of illnesses, including food poisoning. Staphylococcal enterotoxin is one type of toxin that is also a leading cause of gastrointestinal illness and therefore major cause of food poisoning.

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Food Poisoning

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a result of consuming food that is contaminated with staph toxins, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE). Most commonly, these SE toxins are passed by food preparation workers who transfer the bacteria. The foods that are most at risk for exposure to SE toxins are those that are handled by hand and require no cooking.

Symptoms of SE Food Poisoning

SE toxins act quickly and can cause illness within 30 minutes of consuming the contaminated food. Symptoms of SE food poisoning include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea

Diagnosis of SE Food Poisoning

The presence of SE toxins in one's system may be detected through:

• Stool from the individual exhibiting food poisoning symptoms
• Vomit from the individual exhibiting food poisoning symptoms
• Food items that have been identified as a possible source of SE toxins

Treatment of SE Food Poisoning

Individuals who suffer SE food poisoning most often experience only mild symptoms that resolve on their own within one to three days. Those with weaker immune systems, the elderly, and young children may suffer more severe symptoms.

As the symptoms usually are mild, those who suffer SE food poisoning are often directed to:

• Rest
• Hydrate with fluids
• Take medicine at the recommendation of his or her physician

Those who are at risk for more severe illness may require intravenous therapy in a hospital or other healthcare center.

SE food poisoning is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Prevention of SE Toxin Food Poisoning

• Keep food preparation and storage areas clean
• Keep hot foods at the appropriate heated temperature
• Keep cold foods at the appropriate cool temperature
• Wash hands with warm soap and water immediately before and after handling food
• Dispose of expired foods
• Do not handle food if you are experiencing any illness symptoms

Have You Been Exposed to SE Toxin Food Poisoning?

If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with SE food toxin poisoning, or you suspect that food products you consumed contained SE food toxins, it is important that you seek legal assistance. SE toxins act rapidly and can result in uncomfortable, painful symptoms. Due to the quick release and resolving of SE toxins in the human body, it is recommended to contact an attorney urgently. The attorneys at Newland & Newland have extensive experience in knowledge in food poisoning issues and will help you find the most satisfying legal results possible. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

We make hospital and house visits upon request.