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Dole Lettuce E. coli Outbreak

In September and October, 2005, at least 23 Minnesotans became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after consuming Dole brand triple-washed, pre-packaged lettuce.

The Minnesota Department of Public Health lab isolated E. coli O157:H7 from a bag of lettuce, prompting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a nationwide health alert regarding Dole pre-packaged salads on October 2, 2005. Although cases had only been identified in Minnesota, the product was noted to have been distributed nationwide, and it was not long before a E. coli O157:H7 cases from Wisconsin and Oregon were identified as part of the outbreak. Two cases developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Marler Clark represented eight individuals - seven Minnesotans and one Oregonian - with claims against Dole, and resolved all cases in the spring of 2006.

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