PRESS RELEASE – May 5, 2009 – The Houston-based law firm of Simon & Luke has filed the first lawsuit in the country stemming from a multi-state salmonella outbreak related to Lian How and Uncle Chen’s spices manufactured by Union International Food Company of Union City, California.  The spices contained Salmonella Rissen – a very rare but potent strain of salmonella.

The suit was filed in Los Angeles County on behalf of David Navarrette, a San Pedro, California resident who consumed food containing the contaminated spices at a buffet in Reno, Nevada and thereafter became violently ill.  DNA testing has since confirmed that he contracted the exact strain of Salmonella Rissen isolated from Lian How white pepper collected from the restaurant.  Five other consumers who ate at the restaurant over a three month period also contracted this strain of salmonella.

 ”We are going to determine how these spices became contaminated to make sure it does not happen again” said attorney Ron Simon, who filed the lawsuit and represents other victims of the outbreak.

Health officials have reported 60 confirmed cases of Salmonella Rissen in four states, including California (45), Nevada (10), Oregon (4), and Washington (1).

Union International Food Company has ceased the production and distribution of the contaminated spices as the FDA and California Department of Public Health continue to investigate the nature and full extent of the outbreak. The contaminated spices have also been recalled.

Simon & Luke represents victims of food poisoning across the United States.  The firm has prosecuted over 2000 food poisoning cases in the last 2 years alone.  For more information on this and other food borne outbreaks, call Ron Simon at Simon & Luke toll free 1-888-335-4901.