On June 24, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that JBS Swift Beef Company of Greeley, Colorado, was recalling approximately 41,000 pounds of beef products that had been produced on April 21 and 22, 2009, for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The recall was initiated after illnesses were reported among individuals who had eaten JBS meat products that were made into ground beef after distribution.
By June 28, 2009, FSIS announced that JBS Swift had increased its recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. In its recall announcement, FSIS stated that the agency was cooperating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the investigation of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with the consumption of JBS Swift beef products.
On July 1, the CDC announced that 23 people in 9 states had become ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating JBS Swift meat products. These cases were reported in California, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin. Of the 17 people who were hospitalized due to their E. coli O157:H7 infections, two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Marler Clark represented several victims of the JBS Swift E. coli outbreak. The law firm filed an E. coli lawsuit against JBS Swift on behalf of a New Mexico child on July 6, 2009. The law firm filed a second lawsuit against JBS Swift on behalf of a Washington State child on July 16, 2009, and a third E. coli lawsuit against JBS Swift on behalf of a Wisconsin family on August 20, 2009. All cases have been resolved.