In April 2017, Smucker Foods of Canada issued a nation-wide recall of 10-kilogram bags of Robin Hood Original All Purpose Flour after more than 25 individuals contracted E. coli O121 linked to the product. The recall applied to roughly 10,000 bags of flour; if you believe you have been made ill by contaminated flour, contact a product liability lawyer right away.
“The risk is defined high enough that we want to make sure that consumers are aware of it,” said Fred Jamieson of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), according to the Toronto Star. “We don’t want them to continue consuming the product. We want them to throw it out or take it back to retail and to encourage people if they aren’t feeling well to seek medical aid.”
When a food product fails to uphold the standard of care owed to Canadian consumers, the affected individuals may be entitled to compensation. Consuming contaminated food, in most cases, may lead to unpleasant but not especially harmful afflictions like food poisoning or diarrhea. However, in rare instances illnesses obtained from contaminated food can require hospitalization or even be life-threatening. In these scenarios, a product liability lawyer can advise the injured individual on their legal options.
E. coli can cause a variety of serious symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, and watery or bloody diarrhea. Some strains of the bacteria can even be fatal, as evidenced by the 2000 outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario. At least six people who consumed infected Robin Hood flour were hospitalized.
Food product liability lawsuits
Though contamination can cause serious health problems, it is not alone as a catalyst for launching food product liability lawsuits. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the profound impact of diet on overall health, and with that awareness has come an uptick in liability lawsuits. Companies that produce fast food, soft drinks, energy drinks, and sugary snacks have come under fire for failing to warn the public of their products’ harmful effects.
As we discussed in our recent post on the types of product liability, defects in marketing are a valid reason for contacting a product liability lawyer. ‘Manufacturers have a duty to instruct consumers on how to use their product and warn of any hidden risks it might carry,’ we wrote. ‘Warnings should be specific and conspicuous.’
If this is true, should all chocolate bar manufacturers inform their customers of the risks of sugar consumption? Will we soon see cigarette-style warning labels on Big Mac containers and Coca-Cola cans?
Contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today
If you have been made ill by consuming contaminated food, contact a product liability lawyer at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Food product liability lawsuits are complex and tricky to litigate, and our team can advise you of your chances for compensation.
Image credit: Mudd1/Wikimedia Commons
Greg Neinstein
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