Jimmy John’s Lawsuit

The FDA sent Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurants a warning letter after multiple outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella were linked to sprouts and cucumbers.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Jimmy Johns induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Salmonella or E. coli after eating a Jimmy John’s sandwich, 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.

February 2020 – Yet Another Jimmy John’s E. coli Outbreak Linked to Sprouts

In February 2020, at least 14 people in 5 states were infected with E. coli after eating sprouts at Jimmy John’s, according to an FDA outbreak investigation posted on February 26, 2020. The illnesses were reported in Iowa (3), Illinois (6), Missouri (1), Texas (1) and Utah (3) from January 6, 2020 to February 11, 2020. No deaths or hospitalizations were reported, according to the CDC. Jimmy John’s CEO said all shops would stop serving sprouts as of February 24, 2020.

Jimmy John’s Gets FDA Warning Letter After Multiple Food Poisoning Outbreaks

In February 2020, the FDA sent Jimmy John’s restaurants a warning letter because the company failed to fix the problem after 5 outbreaks of food poisoning between April 2012 and January 2020, not counting at least 3 other outbreaks before April 2012. The outbreaks span more than 17 states and involve raw sprouts and cucumbers that were contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella.

January 2020 – Jimmy John’s E. coli Outbreak

In January 2020, at least 22 people in Iowa were infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 between November 21 and December 14, 2019. In interviews, 20 people said they ate sprouts at Jimmy John’s before they fell ill.

January 2018 – Jimmy John’s Salmonella Outbreak

In January 2018, an outbreak of Salmonella caused 8 people to develop food poisoning after eating at Jimmy John’s. The illnesses were reported in Illinois (2), Minnesota (1), and Wisconsin (5).

According to a warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “CDC recommends that consumers not eat raw sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants in Illinois and Wisconsin.”

In interviews, 7 out of 8 people (88%) who fell ill reported eating raw sprouts on a sandwich from Jimmy John’s. All of the victims tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella Montevideo, which means it is likely that they were all infected from the same source.

Other Outbreaks of Food Poisoning from Jimmy John’s Sandwiches

August 2014 — 19 people infected with E. coli O121, including several people who ate sprouts on Jimmy John’s sandwiches

October 2013 — 8 people in Denver, Colorado infected with E. coli O157:H7. All of them ate a Jimmy John’s sandwich with cucumbers.

April 2012 — 29 people in 11 states infected with E. coli O26. In interviews, 23 people reported eating a Jimmy John’s sandwich with sprouts.

January 2011 — 6 people infected with Salmonella Newport in Oregon and Washington. Two people in Bend, Oregon ate a Jimmy John’s sandwich with sprouts.

November 2010 to January 2011 — 112 people infected with Salmonella in 18 states. According to the CDC, outbreak investigation, there was “a link to eating Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets.”

Jimmy John’s Stops Serving Sprouts – But Only Temporarily

In response to food poisoning outbreaks, Jimmy John’s temporarily stopped serving raw sprouts at all of its restaurants nationwide in 2012 and 2018. Unfortunately, raw sprouts have returned to the menu multiple times, and were soon followed by more food poisoning outbreaks. In February 2020, the CEO of Jimmy John’s said they would immediately stop serving raw sprouts nationwide.

FDA Warning to Sprouts Unlimited Inc., Supplier to Jimmy John’s

In February 2020, the FDA sent Jimmy John’s sprouts supplier, Sprouts Unlimited Inc., a warning letter after they were linked to an outbreak of E. coli that sickened 22 people in Iowa. Investigators discovered that irrigation water tested positive for a strain of E. coli O103 that was highly related to the outbreak strain of E. coli O103. The letter also notes failures to clean and sanitize surfaces or take corrective action after Listeria was discovered in the facility.

Raw Sprouts and Food Poisoning Outbreaks

Raw sprouts have been linked to at least 30 outbreaks of food poisoning in the U.S. since 1996, and dozens of recalls have been issued. Unlike other types of fresh food, sprouts need hot and humid conditions to grow — the same conditions that easily grow bacteria.

Another problem is that bacteria can remain inside the sprouts, so washing the sprouts will not eliminate the risk of food poisoning with bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.

Symptoms of Salmonella

Salmonella infections commonly cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps for 4-7 days. The symptoms usually appear within 12-72 hours after eating the contaminated food.

If you have symptoms of severe Salmonella, contact a healthcare provider immediately:

• Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
• High fever
• Blood in the stool
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Pass very little urine

Do I have a Jimmy Johns Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Jimmy Johns induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Salmonella or E. coli after eating a Jimmy John’s sandwich, 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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