We have received numerous calls about the Salmonella Rissen spice lawsuit we filed yesterday in Los Angeles – the first in the United States. News of that lawsuit was released by the Associated Press, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, and numerous other TV and media outlets.
I was interviewed today by a very nice reporter named Linh Tat of the Argus / Bay Area News Group. Below is the article she published today:
UNION CITY — A Union City spice manufacturing and packaging plant under investigation for alleged salmonella contamination is being sued by a Southern California man on claims of negligence.
Union International Food Co., which has ceased production of and recalled its contaminated spices since state health officials linked the company to a few dozen cases of salmonella poisoning in late March, was sued this week by David Navarrette of San Pedro.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County, alleges that Navarrette became violently ill after consuming white pepper packaged under the company’s Lian How label at a buffet restaurant in Reno. A DNA analysis revealed that he tested positive for the strain of Salmonella Rissen that matched identically with a strain of salmonella found in the Lian How pepper, according to the suit.
To date, the spice company’s products have been linked to 60 cases of salmonella in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, according to the Houston-based law firm Simon & Luke, which is representing Navarrette.
“I’m very interested to see whether the contamination occurred in the plant or in the field. … Union International Food is liable no matter what … but I am interested to see exactly how (the contamination occurred) just so we can keep it from happening again,” said Ron Simon, the plaintiff’s attorney, who plans to call for an independent inspection of the plant.
A call to Union International Food Co. seeking comment on the lawsuit was not immediately returned this morning.
The suit alleges that the spice company failed in its “duty to take reasonable measures” to protect consumers’ safety by not adequately monitoring the safety and sanitary conditions of its premises, and failing to follow federal guidelines for good manufacturing practices, among other claims.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary compensation that would include covering medical bills, lost wages, and court and attorney fees.
