Hot dogs are a hallmark of summertime and an essential at seasonal barbecues. When we purchase hot dogs and other products at the market, the last thing we expect is for them to make us ill. Recently, the Oklahoma-based food manufacturer Bar-S Foods, Co. recalled over 372,000 pounds of pork and chicken hot dogs and corn dog products over fears that the products have been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.
Affected groups and lot numbers or products were manufactured on July 10th through 13th. Consumers can also determine whether they’ve purchased a potentially affected batch of hot dogs or corn dogs by looking for the establishment number EST. P-81A on the packaging USDA mark of inspection. The manufacturer first informed the Food Safety Inspection Service, the branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is responsible for food safety in most meat products, of the potential contamination on July 19, 2016. So far, there have not been any reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of contaminated hot dogs or corn dog products from the company.
Listerosis is a serious infection that can cause a whole host of painful, debilitating, inconvenient, and even deadly symptoms. Common examples of the symptoms that infected individuals experience include stiff neck, muscle aches, fever, headache, loss of balance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and vertigo. In cases that affect the elderly, children, or individuals with compromised immune systems, the infection can be deadly if it is not treated promptly and effectively. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to infections from listeria, and they can suffer serious consequences like stillbirths, premature delivery, and infections. If you have purchased a package of Bar S hot dogs or corn dogs, do not consume them, and check the manufacturer’s website to find more information on returning the potentially dangerous goods back to the producer.
Consumers who suffer diseases or infections as the result of consuming contaminated food can bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer as well as other producers in the supply chain to pursue compensation for their injuries. Everyone from the farmer who produces the food to the restaurant that packages or prepares it has a duty to ensure that food is handled in a safe and careful manner and to avoid engaging in activities that could potentially give rise to contamination. In any instance in which a manufacturer or other food handler fails to comply with applicable food safety and food handling regulations, the plaintiff can establish a rebuttable presumption that the defendant acted negligently. Each state has different laws regarding safe food handling practices and may impose varying requirements on a plaintiff seeking compensation from food producers.
At Moll Law Group, our dedicated Listeria lawyers understand the complexities of this type of litigation and have the skill it takes to seek compensation from a negligent producer or food handler. Providing legal counsel to victims throughout the United States, including in Texas, Illinois, New York, and California, our legal professionals offer a free consultation to help you learn about your rights. Call us now at 312-462-1700 or contact us online to schedule your appointment. Don’t wait–time may be running out on your claim.
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