Often, the only occasion when a recall affects the consumer is for auto parts and vehicle defects. Usually, it has something to do with the key or seatbelt or airbag (all of which are important), but the problem also tends to be easy to remedy.
Food, on the other hand, comes with its own set of problems when it’s recalled.
A grand total of 6,444 lbs. of pork products sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand was recalled in October 2019 due to possible salmonella contamination.
Ready-to-eat sausage patties and turkey sausage patty products that had been processed by George’s Prepared Foods based in Caryville, Tennessee were recalled by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What is salmonella?
The last thing anyone wants to experience after they’ve consumed an animal byproduct is salmonella. A bacterial foodborne illness, salmonella causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever between 12 and 72 hours of eating the food. These effects can last for 4 to 7 days and be especially harmful to children, infants and the elderly.
Defective product lawsuits for food-related illnesses
When a foodborne pathogen results in serious illness or injury, lawyers and attorneys refer to it as a “defective product.” This means that there is an existing flaw or imperfection in the product that can cause danger to the consumer.
It doesn’t always have to be a food product. Medical devices are some of the most common defective product liability cases because they are often the most hazardous to the patient.
In addition to medical devices and motor vehicles, children’s toys are also prone to recalls. More often than not, it’s due to poor manufacturing that could turn into choking hazards.
However, in 2019, food products like iceberg lettuce and meat seem to be climbing to the top of the defective products list.
Product liability insurance
Among all the recalls, it’s important to note that most, if not all, of these companies are relatively prepared for situations like these. Product liability insurance generally protects the manufacturer, distributor or seller from defects in their products that cause personal injury or damages to property.
But what about consumers?
Typically, they’re not so fortunate.
Many individuals and families are forced to pay for the consequences of defective products and contaminated food out of their own pockets.
Food recalls
This isn’t the first time a defective food product has been recalled, and it certainly won’t be the last. Already, Morris Meat Packing again recalled their pork products in November 2019. Iceberg lettuce is another prime example contaminated food, with E. coli outbreaks happening left and right.
For a complete list of the most recent recalls, visit the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Tennessee product liability & food poisoning attorneys
The consequences of a defective product or contaminated food are often serious, and sometimes even fatal. If you or a loved one are the victims of a defective product, be it food or medical-related, our winning team of lawyers have over 30 years of experience behind us to help you get the restitution you deserve.