Washington, DC – The US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss the challenges and proposed solutions for reducing the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin producing E. coli in raw beef. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Georgetown, 2101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The meeting will feature various presentations and panel discussions by FSIS officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, representatives from industry and consumer groups, as well as by William Marler, a prominent food-borne illness attorney whose firm represents those sickened by the pathogen. A full agenda can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/.
Marler has developed expertise in representing victims of E. coli infection, handling cases for more than fifteen years. “E. coli outbreaks are devastating to individuals, their families, and communities,” said Marler. “I appreciate how hard FSIS is now working to improve our food supply, and be a part of the solution.” Marler will be speaking on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:15 a.m.
BACKGROUND – Escherichia coli (E. coli) are members of a large group of bacterial germs that inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and other warm blooded animals. The E. coli serotypes that are responsible for the numerous reports of contaminated foods and beverages are those that produce Shiga toxin. The best known and most notorious Stx-producing E. coli is E. coli O157:H7, which can cause severe and even life-threatening illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every year at least 75,000 Americans are sickened many severely with life-long complications, and about 60 die as a direct result of E. coli infections.
William Marler of Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of food borne illness outbreaks since representing over 100 victims of the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak. The firm’s attorneys have litigated E. coli cases against several members of the meat industry, including AFG, ConAgra, IBP, and Excel.