I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter Co. is facing lawsuits from victims of an E. coli outbreak, but not as part of a class action. Instead, individual lawsuits are being filed for food poisoning.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Soy Nut Butter induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with E. coli, 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.
SoyNut Butter E. Coli Outbreak
All varieties of SoyNut Butter and granola were recalled on March 7, 2017 due to a risk of severe food poisoning with the Shiga-toxin producing strain of E. Coli O157:H7.
How Many People Got Sick?
March 30, 2017 — SoyNut Butter and granola has been linked to 29 illnesses in 12 states, according to an investigation by the CDC. The earliest illness was on January 4 and the most recent was on March 13. Illnesses have been reported in Arizona (4), California (5), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Oregon (9), Virginia (2), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1).
What Products Were Recalled?
I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter recalled products that were sold individually at grocery stores, and also bulk-size products for schools and daycares. The recall includes 4-lb tubs, 16-oz plastic jars, single-serve cups, and I.M. Healthy Granola with fruit or coated in SoyNut Butter.
FDA Shuts Down SoyNut Butter Manufacturer
In March 2017, the FDA shut down a Kentucky-based company that makes SoyNut Butter and other food products. Inspectors observing rat and fly infestations, water dripping from a hole in the ceiling, equipment laying in pools of water on the floor before being used to make SoyNut Butter, mold growing on SoyNut Butter, no hot water or soap for hand-washing, and other problems. Click here to read more.
Beanit Butter Recall
On March 10, SoyNut Butter Company expanded the recall to include Dixie Diner’s Club brand of “Carb Not Beanit Butter,” a product that was only sold online and marketed for people with peanut allergies.
Protein Bar Recall
Pro Sports Line recalled 36,000 20/20 Life Styles Yogurt Peanut Crunch Protein Bars due to a possible risk of food poisoning with E. coli. The manufacturer was a customer of The SoyNut Butter Company.
Food Poisoning Outbreak Information
Illnesses occurred from January 4 through March 13, 2017. More recent illnesses may not have been reported yet. Of the 29 victims, 83% (24 victims) are children under 18 years old. Twelve of the victims were hospitalized, including 9 people who developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported.
Montessori School Outbreak
A total of 9 illnesses have been reported in Oregon. At least 4 of the victims were children and adults at a single Montessori of Alameda School in Northeast Portland who ate SoyNut Butter products.
SoyNut Butter Lawsuit
The first SoyNut Butter lawsuit (PDF) was filed by the parents of an 8 year-old boy who developed life-threatening kidney complications of E. coli and had to be hospitalized for nearly a month.
The lawsuit was filed by Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, parents of “T.S.,” a boy from California who regularly ate SoyNut Butter before falling ill on January 25. He was hospitalized with E. coli within days.
His condition continued to worsen. He developed a life-threatening kidney complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and transferred from a hospital in San Jose to Palo Alto on February 2.
The boy required extensive treatment for HUS, including dialysis and blood transfusions, before he was finally sent home on February 23. He continues to recover at home, but faces “uncertain future medical complications.” The lawsuit was filed on March 6, 2017 in Illinois.
What is the problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but we are not filing a SoyNut Butter class action lawsuit against I.M. Healthy Co. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits for victims of the E. coli outbreak who suffered food poisoning.
About Class Actions
Class actions provide advantages for consumers when a large number of people are seeking a relatively minor payout — for example, refunds after buying a defective product — but they are rarely filed after serious food poisoning outbreaks hit multiple states.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
The problem with class actions is that everyone who joins the lawsuit gets to share the payout. This is a disadvantage for people who suffered far more serious or long-term injuries than everyone else. Instead of a class action, our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits. We specialize in holding companies accountable for selling dangerous products and helping victims seek compensation for their injuries.
Do I have a Soy Nut Butter Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Soy Nut Butter induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with E. coli, 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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