In November 2018 Cheyenne Buckingham and John Harrington wrote “31 Food Recalls That Poisoned the Most People.” Here is the Marler Clark view of the same list.

1. 31 of the
Biggest Recalls
in Food Safety
History

2. 31. Hudson Foods
– Ground Beef, E.
coli O157
• Year: 1997
• No. of cases: 15
• No. of deaths: 0
In 1997, Hudson Foods of Nebraska recalled 25 million pounds of
ground beef after federal investigators found E. coli O157:H7
present in samples. This recall led to the end of Hudson Foods
contract with Burger King and was the first major ground beef
recall after the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak.

3. 30. Freshway Foods –
Romaine, E.coli O145
• Year: 2010
• No. of cases: 26
• No. of deaths: 0
In April of 2010, health officials recognized a cluster of E. coli O145
infections in Michigan linked to two similar clusters in Ohio and New
York. The FDA determined that the illnesses were tied to shredded
romaine lettuce from a Freshway processing facility. Freshway issued
a recall of all lettuce produced at their facility. Marler Clark
represented 4 individuals effected by the outbreak, all claims were
resolved in 2011.

4. 29. Topp’s Meat
Company –
Frozen Beef Patties,
E. coli O157
• Year: 2007
• No. of cases: 40
• No. of deaths: 0
On September 29, 2007, the USDA notified consumers of a recall
of 21.7 million pounds of ground beef patties. Marler Clark filed
two lawsuits against Topp’s on behalf of families with children who
were hospitalized as a result of their E. coli infections. In total,
Marler Clark represented 9 people associated with the outbreak.
All claims were resolved.

5. 28. SoyNut Butter
Company – SoyNut
Butter, E. coli O157
• Year: 2017
• No. of cases: 32
• No. of deaths: 0
In March 2017, the SoyNut Butter Company recalled all varieties of
I.M. Health SoyNut Butters and I.M. Healthy Granola products. Both
opened and unopened containers of I.M Healthy SoyNut Butter
tested positive for E. coli O157. Marler Clark represents 20 people
sickened in the outbreak. Currently, Marler Clark is mediating cases
against the retailers and distributors after I.M. Healthy declared
bankruptcy.

6. 27. Romaine
Lettuce –
E. coli O157
• Year: 2018
• No. of cases: 210
• No. of deaths: 5
In April 2018, the CDC announced an outbreak of E. coli O157
linked to romaine lettuce. Traceback investigation led to a recall
of all lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region. Marler Clark
was contacted by over 100 people effected by the outbreak
and is currently is in litigation and in the process of settling
cases against various distributers.

7. 26. Wright County
Egg/ Hillandale
Farms – Eggs,
Salmonella
• Year: 2010
• No. of cases: 1,939
• No. of deaths: 0
In August 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa and Hllandale
Farms of Iowa conducted a voluntary nationwide recall of 550
million eggs after the CDC identified a nationwide increase in
Salmonella infections linked to eggs sourced from their farms.
Marler Clark represented victims of the Salmonella outbreak in
claims against Wight County Egg and numerous restaurants that
served the contaminated eggs. All claims were resolved in 2011.

8. 25. JBS
Tolleson, Inc. –
Ground Beef,
Salmonella
• Year: 2018
• No. of cases: 403
• No. of deaths: 0
In October 2018, JBS Tolleson recalled 6.9 million pounds of beef
product, and in December recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds
after the CDC announced a Salmonella outbreak linked to their
products. Marler Clark represents multiple people effected by the
outbreak and is working to negotiate settlements on their behalf.

9. 24. Costco –
Chicken Salad,
E. coli O157
• Year: 2015
• No. of cases: 19
• No. of deaths: 0
In November 2015, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. voluntarily recalled
their celery and onion blend that was identified as the
contaminant in the Chicken Salads at Costco. Marler Clark
represented 5 individuals impacted by the outbreak, achieving
settlements covering medical expenses, wage loss, and pain and
suffering.

10. 23. ConAgra
Beef Company
– Ground Beef,
E. coli O157
• Year: 2002
• No. of cases: 28
• No. of deaths: 1
Between April and June 2002, ConAgra recalled 18.6 million
pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef and beef trimmings due
to an outbreak of E. coli O157. Marler Clark represented 23 victims
of the outbreak, all claims were resolved in 2004.

11. 22. General
Mills – Flour,
E. coli O121
• Year: 2016
• No. of cases: 63
• No. of deaths: 0
In July 2016, General Mills recalled 10 million pounds of flour
due to an E. coli O26 outbreak across 22 states. A traceback
investigation linked the outbreak to flour produced at a
General Mills facility.

12. 21. Nestle –
Cookie Dough, E.
coli O157
• Year: 2009
• No. of cases: 72
• No. of deaths: 0
In June 2009, Nestle recalled all of their prepackaged Nestle Toll
House refrigerated cookie dough after a sample tested positive for
E. coli O157. Marler Clark represented 24 individuals who became
ill as a result of the outbreak. To date, all of their claims have been
resolved.

13. 20. Townsend
Farms – Frozen
Berries,
Hepatitis A
• Year: 2013
• No. of cases: 162
• No. of deaths: 0
On June 4, 2009, Townsend Farms announced a recall of their
Organic Antioxidant Blend sold at Costco warehouse stores. Marler
Clark filed 8 individual lawsuits against Townsend Farms along with a
class action on behalf of those who received shots. All cases have
been resolved.

14. 19. Foster
Farms – Raw
Chicken,
Salmonella
• Year: 2013-2014
• No. of cases: 634
• No. of deaths: 0
On July 3, 2014, Foster Farms recalled an undetermined amount of
chicken products due to contamination from Salmonella Heidelberg.
Marler Clark represented several individuals impacted by the
outbreak. To date, all claims have settled.

15. 18. Bon Vivant
– Soup,
Botulism
• Year: 1971
• No. of cases: 2
• No. of deaths: 1
In July 1971, Bon Vivant recalled 6,444 cans of soup contaminated
with Botulism. One can of soup killed a man in New York and
sickened his wife. This outbreak happened before Marler Clark was
founded.

16. 17. Odwalla –
Apple Juice, E. coli
O157
• Year: 1996
• No. of cases: 70
• No. of deaths: 1
On October 31, 1996, the FDA announced that Odwalla was
recalling all of the company’s juice products that contained
unpasteurized apple juice. Marler Clark represented several
children who suffered HUS and permanent kidney damage as a
result of drinking Odwalla juice. The majority of claims were
resolved in 1998 for a reported $12 million.

17. 16. Cargill –
Ground Turkey,
Salmonella
• Year: 2011
• No. of cases: 136
• No. of deaths: 1
On August 3, Cargill recalled 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen
ground turkey products produced at the company’s Springdale, Ark.,
facility from Feb. 20, 2011, through Aug. 2, 2011, due to possible
contamination with Salmonella Heidelberg. In September, Cargill
expanded the recall by another 185,000 pounds. Marler Clark filed
two lawsuits against Cargill on behalf of people hospitalized due to
their Salmonella infections.

18. 15. Circa de
Campeche- Papayas,
Salmonella
• Year: 2017
• No. of cases: 220
• No. of deaths: 1
In August 2017, the CDC announced an outbreak of Salmonella
Kiambu and Salmonella Thompson across 16 states linked to papayas
grown and packed at Circa de Campache farm in Campeche, Mexico.
In response, Agroson’s LLC and Freshtex Produce recalled Maradol
papayas sourced from Circa de Campeche. This outbreak was one of
four separate outbreaks liked to Maradol papayas in 2017.

19. 14. Vulto Creamery
– Cheese, Listeria
• Year: 2017
• No. of cases: 8
• No. of deaths: 2
In March 2017, Vulto Creamery of New York recalled all lots of its
raw milk cheeses after the a sample of their raw milk cheese
tested positive for Listeria linked to a multi-state outbreak. Marler
Clark represented several individuals impacted by the outbreak.
All cases were settled in March 2018.

20. 13. Blue Bell
Creamery – Ice
Cream, Listeria
• Year: 2015
• No. of cases: 10
• No. of deaths: 3
In April 2015, Blue Bell recalled all of its products on the market from
all of its facilities, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and
frozen snacks. Public health investigators tested multiple samples at
Blue Bell facilities that all tested positive for Listeria. Marler Clark
represented 21 individuals affected by the Listeria outbreak,
achieving settlements covering medical costs, pain and suffering, and
emotional distress.

21. 12. Chamberlain
Farms Produce –
Cantaloupe,
Salmonella
• Year: 2012
• No. of cases: 261
• No. of deaths: 3
In August 2012, Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. of Owensville,
Indiana recalled all cantaloupe grown on its farm after it was linked
to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium. Laboratory
testing isolated the outbreak strain from two cantaloupes in
Kentucky sourced from Chamberlain. Marler Clark's Salmonella
attorneys represented numerous victims of the Salmonella
outbreak traced to Chamberlain Farms cantaloupes. All claims
were resolved within months of the outbreak.

22. 11. Frescolina
Marte – Cheese,
Listeria
• Year: 2012
• No. of cases: 22
• No. of deaths: 4
In September 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued a recall of all
production codes of Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese after
it was linked to a multi-state listeriosis outbreak. The FDA isolated the
outbreak strain from a sample of uncut Frescolina Marte brand
cheese. Marler Clark filed a lawsuit on behalf of a California couple
whose baby was born prematurely and died after suffering a Listeria
infection he contracted from his mother, who had eaten the Listeria-
contaminated ricotta salata cheese. All claims to date have been
resolved.

23. 10. Jack in the
Box – Hamburger,
E. coli O157
• Year: 1993
• No. of cases: 497
• No. of deaths: 4
In 1993, 73 Jack in the Box restaurants recalled their burger patties
linked to a multi-state outbreak. Jack in the Box reported that in 18
months following the outbreak they lost approximately $160 million.
Lawyers now at Marler Clark handled most of the litigation, which
resulted in individual and class-action settlements totaling more than
$50 million – the largest payments ever involving food-borne illness.

24. 9. Natural Selections
Food – Spinach, E.
coli O157
• Year: 2006
• No. of cases: 199
• No. of deaths: 3
In September 2006, all bagged spinach was recalled nationwide after it
had been linked to an outbreak of E. coli O157. After the recall the FDA
announced that the source of the outbreak was Natural Selection Foods
of Salinas, California. Marler Clark represented 93 victims of the E. coli
outbreak, and filed lawsuits on behalf of individuals from Maryland,
Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin. The law
firm resolved all cases.

25. 8. Andrew &
Williamson Fresh
Produce –
Cucumbers,
Salmonella
• Year: 2015
• No. of cases: 907
• No. of deaths: 6
In September 2015, Andrew & Williamson recalled all cucumbers sold
under the ”Limited Edition” brand label imported from Mexico. State
health departments tested cucumbers from several retail locations
which tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Poona.
Marler Clark represented 40 individuals affected by the outbreak,
achieving settlements covering medical expenses and pain and
suffering.

26. 7. Peanut
Corporation of
America – Peanut
Butter, Salmonella
• Year: 2008-2009
• No. of cases: 714
• No. of deaths: 9
Over 3,600 peanut butter products were recalled in 2009 when the
presence of Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in King Nut peanut
butter which sourced its peanut butter from PCA. Marler Clark filed 41
lawsuits against PCA on behalf of victims of the Salmonella outbreak.
The firm also filed a lawsuit against King Nut on behalf of the family of
a victim who died as a result of Salmonella.

27. 6. Hillfarm Dairy –
Milk, Salmonella
• Year: 1985
• No. of cases: 5770
• No. of deaths: 9
Bluebrook 2% milk was recalled by Hillfarm dairy after it was liked
by the CDC to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak. This outbreak is
the largest culture-confirmed single outbreak of salmonellosis in
the United States. This outbreak occurred before Marler Clark was
founded.

28. 5. Pilgrim’s Pride
– Deli Meat and
Sausage, Listeria
• Year: 2002
• No. of cases: 14
• No. of deaths: 7
In October 2002, Pilgrim’s Pride Foods of Franconia, Pennsylvania
recalled 27.4 million pounds of ready-to-eat turkey and chicken
products and suspended operations. The deli meat was linked to a
multi-state outbreak of listeriosis causing seven deaths and three
stillbirths.

29. 4. Menu Foods
– Pet Food,
Melamine
• Year: 2007
• No. of cases: Unknown
• No. of deaths: Unknown
In March 2007, the FDA recalled pet food from Menu Foods
imported from China because it contained melamine. The melamine
was labeled as wheat gluten and rice protein and was sickening and
killing hundreds of pets. Marler Clark does not handle pet
foodborne illness cases.

30. 3. Sara Lee – Hot
Dogs and Deli
Meat, Listeria
• Year: 1998
• No. of cases: >50
• No. of deaths: 21
In December 1998, Bil Mar Foods recalled all hot dog products
manufactured at its plant in Zeeland, Michigan after samples of
their unopened product tested positive for Listeria.

31. 2. Jalisco Mexican
Products Inc. –
Cheese, Listeria
• Year: 1985
• No. of cases: 142
• No. of deaths: 29
In 1985 142 people were sickened in Los Angeles and Orange County
after consuming Mexican cheese produced by Jalisco Mexican
Products Inc. The outbreak was linked to Jalisco’s use of raw milk in
their cheeses. This outbreak occurred before Marler Clark was
formed in 1993.

32. 1. Jensen Farms
– Cantaloupe,
Listeria
• Year: 2011
• No. of cases: 147
• No. of deaths: 33
Jensen Farms declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on May 25, 2012. All
Marler Clark clients’ claims with Jensen Farms were resolved
through the bankruptcy proceedings; however, claims against other
parties had to be resolved separately. Therefore, Marler Clark filed
or amended lawsuits on behalf of all 44 families in July and August
of 2013. They are filed on behalf of the families of 28 people who
died and 17 people who survived. The total medical expenses
exceed $12,000,000.