Malt-O-Meal Cereal Salmonella Lawsuits
Salmonella are extremely contagious bacteria that can contaminate a wide variety of products, including dry cereal. Some of the largest cereal-related salmonellosis outbreaks have been caused by contaminated products produced and distributed by the Malt-O-Meal Company. In 1998, Malt-O-Meal was at the center of a salmonellosis epidemic that sickened thousands of people nationwide. More than 1,000 victims joined in a class action lawsuit against the company that was subsequently settled for $2 million. Malt-O-Meal has issued a recall of all of its unsweetened puffed rice and puffed wheat cereal products. As of May 2009, more than 20 salmonellosis cases have been linked to the Malt-O-Meal cereal, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect confirmation of many more infections.
Malt-O-Meal Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat Cereal Recall
Malt-O-Meal is one of the largest cereal producers in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company produces more than 30 varieties of cereal distributed to stores nationwide. The 2009 Malt-O-Meal cereal recall was issued after the company found salmonella bacteria at its Minnesota facilities. An investigation determined that all of the unsweetened puffed rice and puffed wheat products might have been contaminated, exposing thousands of consumers to the risk of contracting salmonella.
After learning about the potential salmonella contamination at the Malt-O-Meal plant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA commenced a thorough environmental health investigation. An inspection of the Malt-O-Meal Minnesota facilities yielded a strain of Salmonella Agona bacteria indistinguishable from that found in 23 salmonellosis victims who fell ill after consuming Malt-O-Meal products. Because only about 3 percent of salmonellosis cases are typically reported to health officials, the CDC and the FDA estimate that more than 500 people might have become victims of contaminated cereal-caused salmonellosis.
Malt-O-Meal Cereal Lawsuits
In the United States, all food manufacturers, distributors and servers have to adhere to strict food safety and hygiene guidelines in order to provide consumers with reasonably safe products. Any failure to carry out this responsibility (such as delivering food products contaminated with dangerous bacteria) that leads to someone else's harm can render the responsible parties financially liable. If the plaintiffs in Malt-O-Meal lawsuits can demonstrate that their sickness was caused by contaminated cereal, they might be able to obtain compensation for related damages, such as medical expenses, time off work, physical pain and emotional distress.
Malt-O-Meal Salmonella Outbreak: Legal Help
The lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz have many years' experience helping victims of bacterial food poisoning hold those responsible for their suffering financially liable. If you suspect that you might have become ill due to salmonella food poisoning after consuming Malt-O-Meal cereal products, contact AWKO Law at (888) 255-2956 to discuss your case and initiate prompt legal action. In addition to resolving legal issues arising from salmonella food poisoning, AWKO lawyers specialize in handling E. coli, shigella, botulism and campylobacter food poisoning cases.
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Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
