The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that there had been 628 confirmed cases of Salmonella infection in 41 states from August 2006 through May 2007. Although the outbreak slowed, cases continued to be confirmed after this time period. The cases were linked to the consumption of Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter manufactured in ConAgra's Georgia peanut butter plant. Any Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 was recalled in response to the outbreak investigation.
Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit against ConAgra, the manufacturer of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter that was traced as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak, in February 2007. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all individuals who became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infections, but were not hospitalized as a result of their infections, and who had strong evidence of consumption of Salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and a resulting Salmonella infection. The class action lawsuit followed on the heels of two other lawsuits filed by Marler Clark.
Marler Clark continued to pursue individual claims on behalf of all individuals who were hospitalized as a result of their Salmonella infections after the class action lawsuit had been resolved. The firm has also pursued individual claims on behalf of the families of people who died as a result of their Salmonella infections. The firm resolved over 1,000 claims on behalf of people who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating Conagra peanut butter products.