--- title: "A Dancer’s Struggle with E. coli 0157:H7 from a Hamburger" date: 2009-10-08T02:18:55-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-dancers-struggle-with-e-coli-0157h7-from-a-hamburger" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # A Dancer’s Struggle with E. coli 0157:H7 from a Hamburger "I ask myself every day, ‘Why me?’ and ‘Why from a hamburger?’* Michael Moss does an amazing job of exposing the underbelly of how our meat is produced in the United States. [E. coli O157:H7](http://www.about-ecoli.com/) is a deadly bacteria that nearly took Stephanie Smith’s life. Every day is a struggle for her now due to the ravages of [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](http://www.about-hus.com/). Despite the odds, she promises to dance again. Read her story and see the videos the New York Times produced – ["The Burger That Shattered Her Life."](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=all) ![](http://www.ecoliblog.com/uploads/image/Screen%20shot%202009-10-04%20at%209_03_59%20AM.png) Cargill’s Response: "In October 2007 when we learned there may be a problem, we immediately instituted a voluntary recall. A number of people were sickened, including Ms. Smith. Our hearts go out to Ms. Smith and her family, as well as the others whose lives have been so affected by O157:H7. Cargill conducts nearly 400,000 tests for pathogens each year using a testing methodology that exceeds U. S. Department of Agriculture standards. We also require our suppliers to test using a methodology that exceeds USDA standards. A complete food safety system combines antimicrobial interventions, employee training and safe food-handling procedures with testing. The testing verifies the effectiveness of all of these procedures. Over the past 10 years, Cargill has invested $1 billion in ongoing meat science research and new food safety technologies and interventions. We are committed to continuous improvement in the area of food safety." ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli 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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)