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Foster Farms Chicken Salmonella Linked to 574 Illnesses

May 28, 2014 — Health officials have confirmed 574 cases of Salmonella Heidelberg food poisoning infections linked to Foster Farms chicken, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Although it is relatively common for chicken to be contaminated with Salmonella, this outbreak is unique because the strain is resistant to many antibiotics, including ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline. Although these antibiotics are not used to treat Salmonella bloodstream infections, individuals who become infected are at a higher risk of hospitalization.

According to the CDC, a total of 50 new illnesses have been reported since April 9, with over 77% located in California. The infection is also causing more serious illnesses than normal:

“Among 478 persons with available information, 178 (37%) reported being hospitalized. Thirteen percent of ill persons have developed blood infections as a result of their illness. Typically, approximately 5% of persons ill with Salmonella infections develop blood infections. No deaths have been reported.”

Investigators have traced the outbreak to three Foster Farms production facilities in California, including one in Livingston and two in Fresno. Last year, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) threatened to close the facilities but backed down when Foster Farms promised to clean up their act.

Three months later, the USDA sent a suspension letter to Foster Farms after finding an infestation of live cockroaches on equipment that comes in contact with raw chicken. It was the fifth time inspectors found cockroaches at the facility in less than six months.

Do I have a Foster Farms Chicken Salmonella Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Salmonella food poisoning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by eating Foster Farms chicken, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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