Ron Simon & Associates Files First Cyclospora Lawsuit Against Fresh Express in the Bagged-Salad Cyclospora Outbreak
CHICAGO, July 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with local counsel Meyers & Flowers, filed the first cyclospora lawsuit against Fresh Express and Jewel-Osco stemming from cyclospora-contaminated bagged salad mix.
Hundreds of consumers have become sick after eating salad mixes sold by ALDI, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, and Jewel-Osco. Each has now issued recalls of tainted bagged salad mix following a federal trace-back investigation that linked consumption of Fresh Express salad mixes to laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclospora food poisoning.
Currently there are 206 people with laboratory-confirmed cyclospora infections associated with this outbreak in 8 states, including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
The lawsuit was filed against Fresh Express and Jewel-Osco in DuPage County, Illinois on behalf of Julie Shackelford Barger. A copy of the lawsuit is available upon request.
Ms. Shackelford Barger purchased the salad mix from the Jewel-Osco in Woodbridge, Illinois, on May 24, 2020, and consumed it in the following days. Shortly thereafter, she began experiencing the signature symptoms of cyclosporiasis including stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea, all. She was forced to seek medical care, and tests revealed that she was infected with cyclospora parasite.
Ms. Shackelford Barger continues to recover from cyclospora food poisoning.
The "Bagged Salad" Cyclospora Outbreak
In June 2020, health officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating an outbreak of cyclospora infections in the midwestern United States. According to the CDC, epidemiological evidence quickly pointed to bagged salad mix as the source of the infections. The tainted salad mix was widely distributed through retail outlets including ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco.
On June 20th, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco issued recalls for the tainted bagged salad products. On June 22nd, ALDI issued a similar recall.
On June 26th, the FDA and CDC identified Wal-Mart as an additional vendor of the tainted salad mix, and also identified Fresh Express as the manufacturer of the salad mix.
By June 28th, a total of 206 people with laboratory-confirmed cyclospora infections had been identified, with at least 23 requiring hospitalization.
The FDA has asked all consumers who have symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
Food Safety Attorney Ron Simon Issues Statement for Victims and Establishes Cyclospora Claim Center
National food safety attorney Ron Simon, who represents Ms. Shackelford Barger and other victims of the Fresh Express Bagged-Salad Mix Cyclospora outbreak, issued the following statement today: "When our clients choose to purchase healthy foods like salads, whether it be from ALDI, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart or Jewel-Osco, they did so trusting that the products were going to be healthy and free of parasites such as cyclospora. Through this lawsuit and those that follow, we will find out how the Fresh Express bagged salad mixes became contaminated, and work to ensure that retailers will do what it takes to prevent this from ever happening again."
Mr. Simon and his law firm have established a Cyclospora Claim Center to assist victims in the outbreak. The Cyclospora Claim Center can be reached toll-free at 1-888-335-4901, or visit www.foodpoisoningnews.com or www.gardensaladlawsuit.com.
About Food Safety Attorney Ron Simon
Over the last 27 years, Ron Simon and his colleagues have prosecuted thousands of food poisoning cases for victims across the United States. His work has resulted in numerous upgrades to food safety procedures in Fortune 500 companies and in legislation designed to protect consumers from dangerous food-borne pathogens.
Mr. Simon and his clients have been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX and virtually all other major television networks and print media. Mr. Simon and his legal team have collected over $750,000,000 for their clients. He regularly publishes articles about food safety and litigation at www.foodpoisoningnews.com which are read by viewers in over 180 countries.
Through litigation, media commentary, and his food poisoning publications, Mr. Simon relentlessly challenges food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants to do a better job in making our food safe.
For media inquiries or more information on the cyclospora outbreak and ongoing litigation, please contact Ron Simon directly at (713) 819-8116 or [email protected].
SOURCE Ron Simon & Associates
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article