Mad Cow Food Recall for Beef after Noting Possible Mad Cow Disease

The US Department of Agriculture has announced a large food recall for beef products that have been distributed to two restaurants and a grocery chain.

The food recall was issued by Missouri-based Fruitland American Meat, and although it is voluntary, the food recall covers 4,012 lbs of beef that may contain parts of the nervous system which could carry properties related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

Mad cow disease can be transmitted between cows and humans if a consumer eats tainted beef. The disease is fatal to both cows and humans that catch it.

The USDA said that the beef under the food recall was produced between September 2013 and April 2014, and distributed to a restaurant in New York City, a second restaurant in Kansas City, and a Whole Foods distribution center in Connecticut. Reportedly, the USDA discovered the potential problem while reviewing the beef manufacturer’s slaughter logs, and said the problem could be the result of how employees determine the age of cattle, and whether or not to remove a certain portion of the cow’s nervous system during slaughter.

So far, there have been no reports of illness or death related to the mad cow food recall, so the food recall has been labeled a Class II recall – meaning there is a remote possibility of health problems, but the danger is not immediate or highly likely.

“This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product,” reads the USDA website.

Whole Foods has also issued a food recall for beef from the manufacturer, noting that the beef was distributed to 34 out of 383 Whole Foods stores nationally.

“We are closely monitoring this issue with one of our suppliers, to ensure full compliance with the USDA’s regulations and our own high quality standards for beef,” said Heather McCready, spokesperson for the North Atlantic Whole Foods. “There have been no cases of reported BSE or any other illnesses associated with this product, and no products currently in our stores are affected.”

Defective Products Can Lead to Health or Food Recalls

Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products, whether broken bones from a car accident, or a serious illness from a food-borne pathogen. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, food recalls, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.

There are a number of reasons that defective products make it to our shelves:

• Defective manufacturing
• Inadequate testing
• Food-borne pathogens
• Design defects
• Marketing Misrepresentation

Consumers that have been harmed by defective products such as drugs, medical devices, improperly-sealed food, or other products, may be eligible to receive legal remedies.

The Strom Law Firm Protects Citizens Harmed by Delayed Product or Food Recalls

The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm aim to protect our clients’ health and safety, and hold manufacturers to the highest possible standard of safety. Product recalls are especially important because defective drugs, medical devices, food, and toys can seriously injure or even kill consumers. If you or a loved one have experienced severe, life-limiting side effects from a defective food, product or drug, and believe that your pain stems from a product, drug, or food recall that came too late, you may be entitled to compensation. The Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800