Attorney Bill Marler of the nation’s leading food safety law firm, Marler Clark, today called on Pennsylvania-based Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. to reconsider its commitment to the safety of its customers in the wake of a recent E. coli outbreak linked to Lebanon bologna sold in five states.
“The onus is on Palmyra Bologna to make sure its products are not only tasty, but that they are also fit for human consumption,” said Marler. “Unfortunately, Palmyra failed in this and its customers are paying the price.”
On March 22, a recall was issued for 23,000 pounds of the Palmyra Bologna’s Lebanon bologna after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the product to be the cause of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people the following 5 states: Maryland (3 cases), New Jersey (2 cases), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (2 cases) and Pennsylvania (6 cases). The Bologna was sold under the brand name Seltzer’s Beef Lebanon Bologna.
Marler noted that this is the second time Palmyra Bologna-made Lebanon bologna has been linked to a foodborne illness outbreak. In 1995 the company issued a recall of 550,000 pounds of Lebanon bologna after 26 people were made ill with Salmonella.
Meat used in the production of Lebanon bologna is not heat-treated to temperatures that would kill foodborne pathogens like E. coli, therefore the manufacturer must follow a series of procedures to ensure the safety of the meat.
“E. coli infections are completely preventable when food producers make food safety first priority,” Marler added. “Palmyra chooses to make a riskier product when it manufactures Lebanon bologna, it is the company’s responsibility to account for and deal with risks like E. coli before the product is put in the hands of paying customers.”
E. coli O157:H7 infection is a serious gastrointestinal illness that can lead to complications such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Symptoms of E. coli infection usually appear 2-5 days after ingestion and typically include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. If you believe you may have contracted an E. coli infection, contact a healthcare professional immediately. To learn more about E. coli visit www.about-ecoli.com.
Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm is dedicated solely to representing victims of foodborne illnesses including E. coli. The unmatched experience of the law firm’s E. coli lawyers has helped bring successful resolution and peace of mind to thousands of clients since 1993. For more information or to speak with an attorney please contact Cody Moore at (206) 407-2200 or cmoore@marlerclark.com