NEW YORK, March 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP (www.yourlawyer.com) and Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP have filed a lawsuit against ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE:CAG) on behalf of the daughter of a woman who died from Salmonella poisoning after eating Peter Pan peanut butter. The case was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi Delta Division (Docket # 2:07-CV-35-P-A). The suit alleges, amongst other things, that ConAgra's negligence, and its failure to comply with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et. seq.) contributed to the peanut butter contamination and subsequent outbreak of Salmonella.
Prior to the February 14, 2007 recall, the decedent ingested Peter Pan peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111. Shortly after consuming the peanut butter the decedent began developing symptoms, including fever, vomiting and diarrhea and was hospitalized at the Methodist German Town Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Treatment options were unsuccessful and the woman died from salmonella related complications on February 15, 2007. In addition to the pain and suffering the decedent's family continues to endure, they have also incurred significant medical expenses as a result of this illness and death.
The firms have been contacted by thousands of people who became sick after ingesting contaminated peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra. If you believe you became ill after eating contaminated peanut butter, you can request a free case evaluation by visiting www.peanut-butter-recall.com or www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/peanut_butter_salmonella or by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Peter Pan and Great Value Product Code 2111 Recalled
On March 1, 2007, the FDA announced it found the strain of salmonella that tainted peanut butter made at the ConAgra Foods plant in Sylvester, Georgia. Government and industry officials have said the contamination may have been caused by dirty jars or equipment. On February 14, 2007, ConAgra Foods recalled lots of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter due to salmonella contamination and widespread reports of related illness in multiple states. The FDA warned the public not to eat Peter Pan or Great Value (a Wal-Mart brand manufactured by ConAgra) to avoid becoming sick with Salmonellosis. The recalled peanut butter jars have a product code beginning with "2111" on the jar lid. Consumers are being advised to avoid the recalled peanut butter. This lot of peanut butter was 1st manufactured in May 2006 and continued through the February, 2007 recall. ConAgra manufactures both the Peter Pan and Great Value brands in the company's Sylvester, Georgia facility. The FDA has sent investigators to ConAgra's processing plant in Sylvester, Georgia to review records, collect product samples and conduct tests for Salmonella Tennessee.
CDC Investigation Into Salmonella Tennessee Outbreak
Salmonella Tennessee is a bacterium that causes illness when ingested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "CDC," released a study on February 13 that drew the connection between 288 cases of food borne illness in 39 states to consumption of certain types of Peter Pan peanut butter. While most infections seem to be in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri, there are victims in almost every state in the country. The first illness from the current peanut butter epidemic may have occurred in August 2006. As a result of broad epidemiological testing and recent case control studies, the CDC was recently able to identify Peter Pan peanut butter as the likely cause of illness.
About Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, tainted foods, medications and medical devices. For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call (800) LAW-INFO.
About Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP
Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP has represented injury victims and their families for almost three decades. The firm represents victims of serious injury and death resulting from offshore and maritime incidents, automobile accidents, dangerous products, medical negligence, workplace accidents, and environmental exposure to dangerous and toxic substances. Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP is involved in a variety of class actions against manufacturers of dangerous products and unsafe pharmaceutical drugs. For more information on Neblett, Beard & Arsenault LLP please visit www.nbalawfirm.com.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primenewswire.com/ca