A salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 300 people in 17 states has been traced to three chicken processing plants in California operated by Foster Farms. The strain of salmonella, salmonella Heidelberg, is a severe strain of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and is causing a high rate of hospitalization. Most of the reported incidents of salmonella poisoning were in California.
Foster Farms has refused to recall its product, as there is no legal obligation for poultry to be free of salmonella. This is the second outbreak of salmonella traced to Foster Farms plants in the past year. Improvements made in the plant linked to the first outbreak greatly reduced the prevalence of salmonella in that plant.
The three plants currently being threatened by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are in Fresno and Livingston. The USDA will withhold inspections of the plants, effectively closing them, until Foster Farms responds to the charges.
If you or a loved one has become ill after eating Foster Farms’ chicken products, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation.
