Kroger Recall
Lawyer and Lawsuit

UPDATE TO KROGER RECALL INFORMATION BELOW: Our law firm has filed a lawsuit against Kroger Co. and Nebraska Beef, Ltd. on behalf of a victim of this E. coli outbreak. Contact us regarding the lawsuit: 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or email attorney Fred Pritzker.

Kroger ground beef and Nebraska Beef, Ltd. ground beef components have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Michigan (Michigan E. coli), Ohio (Ohio E. coli), Georgia (Georgia E. coli), Indiana, Kentucky, Utah and New York. Read about the legal implications of this link and a Nebraska Beef and Kroger E. coli lawsuit. In response to this outbreak, Nebraska Beef has recalled over 5 million pounds of ground beef components because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Read about the Nebraska Beef recall.

In Georgia, 8 people with confirmed cases of E. coli and 4 people with probable cases of E. coli ate at the Barbecue Pit in Moultrie, Georgia (Colquitt County). Read about the Georgia E. coli outbreak and a Barbecue Pit lawsuit.

The information below is from the USDA-FSIS announcement of the Kroger recall and the Kroger Co. website, www.kroger.com.

E. coli Outbreak in Ohio and Michigan Linked to
Kroger Ground Beef

On June 25, 2008 the Kroger Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio, retailer recalled an "undetermined amount" of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The products subject to the June 25 recall include all varieties and weights of ground beef products bearing a Kroger label sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio Kroger retail establishments. These ground beef products also include a sell-by date between "05/21/08" and "06/08/08."

The recalled Kroger ground beef was distributed to Kroger stores in Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio.

This June 25 recall was initiated after epidemiological investigations and a case control study conducted by the Michigan and Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health and the CDC determined that there is an association between the ground beef products and 35 illnesses reported in Michigan (17) and Ohio (18) [these numbers have grown to 43 illnesses in Michigan (22) and Ohio (21)].

The outbreak strain of E. coli was found in samples of Kroger ground beef in both Michigan and Ohio, and most of the people sickened reported either eating or preparing ground beef from Krogers.

Expanded Kroger Recall Due to Association with Nebraska Beef, Ltd.

On July 1, 2008, Kroger expanded its ground beef recall as follows (from the Kroger website, www.kroger.com):

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has informed The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) that Nebraska Beef, based in Omaha, Neb., has been identified as the supplier of ground beef products linked to E. coli illnesses in Michigan and central and northern Ohio. The illnesses were reported between May 31 and June 8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not reported any additional illnesses related to this outbreak. [Note from Pritzker | Ruohonen: There have been additional illnesses reported by Michigan and Ohio. There are now 21 confirmed Ohio E. coli cases and 22 confirmed Michigan E. coli cases.]

Kroger has expanded the voluntary recall the Company initiated last week for Kroger stores in Michigan and in central and northern Ohio (Columbus and Toledo areas).

Based on the latest information from the USDA, Kroger is expanding the recall to include ground beef products in Styrofoam tray packages wrapped in clear cellophane or purchased from an in-store service counter from the stores described below.

There are various “sell by” dates on the ground beef being recalled due to different Nebraska Beef production dates.

The following chart explains the range of “sell by” dates that customers should check:

Fred Meyer May 21-July 5

QFC May 21-July 5

Kroger stores May 21-July 3 *

(*except Kroger stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Knoxville, Tenn. and Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division, which includes stores in North Carolina, Northeastern Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Kroger stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tenn. are not involved in the recall of ground beef in Styrofoam trays or from in-store service counters.)

Kroger Mid-Atlantic May 19-June 6

Fry’s May 21-July 3

Ralphs May 21-July 3

Smith’s May 21-July 3

Baker’s May 17-June 4

King Soopers June 20-July 3

City Market June 20-July 3

Customers who shop at Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less, and Scott’s should follow the “sell by” dates listed above for Kroger stores.

In addition to the ground beef described above, Kroger is recalling Private Selection Natural ground beef sold in 16 oz. packages that were in the self-service meat case. The “sell by” dates for this product is July 11 through July 21, 2008. The product was available at all Kroger stores (including Kroger Mid-Atlantic and stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tenn.) and Dillons, Fred Meyer, Baker’s, Smith’s and Fry’s.

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Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).

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We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.

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Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.

Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit

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Kroger Recall Lawyer and Lawsuit

E. coli Outbreak in Ohio and Michigan Linked to Kroger Ground Beef