Most foods that are sold in stores are perfectly safe to consume. Unfortunately, there are times when a product makes it to market that may make people sick. When this happens, issuing a recall on that product is the right thing to do, but it is often too late for many who may have purchased and eaten the food item. Several people across the country had to be hospitalized after coming into contact with mushrooms tainted with Listeria. Those mushrooms were sold right here in Texas and may end up part of a products liability claim.
The mushrooms are called enoki mushrooms, but often go by other names, including enokitake or lily mushrooms. The Food and Drug Administration warns that the imported mushrooms may have been contaminated with Listeria. So far, 36 people in 17 states are confirmed cases relating to this outbreak and 30 of them required hospitalization.
This is not the first recall that the FDA has issued for this kind of mushroom in recent weeks. Officials advise consumers to check whether they may have purchased the affected mushrooms and to throw them out if they have. It is unclear whether consumers can obtain a refund for mushrooms they’ve purchased that are part of the recall.
Hopefully, all of the people sickened in this case will make a full recovery. Food contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances can cause serious injury or even fatality to people who consume them. In addition to the emotional trauma, victims and their families may struggle with the outcomes from a defective product like this one. An attorney here in Texas who has extensive knowledge of products liability civil claims may be able to assist those affected with holding responsible parties accountable for any harm incurred.