SEATTLE, WA (October 22, 2010) – Wright County Egg, one of two egg companies whose products resulted in over 1,500 Salmonella cases nationwide this year, is facing another lawsuit from a Salmonella outbreak victim. The latest lawsuit was filed by the Seattle-based food safety law firm Marler Clark in Federal District Court in Iowa today on behalf of Brookshire, Texas resident Jim Bussey.
According to the lawsuit, Bussey became ill with a Salmonella infection after consuming a purchased egg and sausage breakfast taco in Sealy, Texas, on June 25, 2010. He was hospitalized for three days and continues to suffer from ongoing Salmonella-related gastrointestinal issues. A stool sample obtained during Bussey’s hospitalization cultured positive for the strain of Salmonella enteritidis associated with the outbreak linked to Wright County Egg.
“Companies that sell food to consumers need to double and triple check their food safety procedures to make sure they’re doing everything they can to prevent foodborne illness,” commented Bussey’s attorney, Bill Marler of Marler Clark. “Clearly, Wright County Egg was not doing all it could to prevent its customers from becoming ill with Salmonella.”
Marler continued, “What we’re seeing right now in Texas is another company’s failure to prevent consumers from becoming ill with foodborne illness – this time listeriosis.”
On October 20, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced that chopped celery was the source of a Listeria outbreak among Texas residents. At least 10 Texans have become ill with listeriosis in the last 8 months; 5 have died as a result of their Listeria infections. Texas DSHS determined that the source of the outbreak was chopped celery sold by Sangar Fresh Cut Produce in San Antonio.