Minnesota Company Recalls Ham Due to Concerns of Listeria Contamination
Apr 19, 2010 Food Poisoning
A Minnesota-based company, Lorentz Meats, has recalled ham due to the possibility of Listeria food poisoning contamination. This ham was produced in mid-March and distributed to various retail locations throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis. According to the FSIS, this ham recall is a Class I, meaning there is a “reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
The products included in this recall are whole and half ham packages with labels that read “KOWALSKI’S Markets, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED HAM, Naturally Smoked with Hardwoods, KEEP REFRIGERATED.” The freeze-by dates on these products is 5/14/10, and include a USDA inspection mark of “Est. 21207.”
Lorentz Meats believe they have isolated all of the products included in the recall. As a precautionary measure, they are initiating this recall on all Signature Smoked hams that include a sell by date of 4/23/10 to 5/22/10 until all lots produced at the facility are tested thoroughly.
The problem was discovered through third-party testing, in which the FSIS was notified by Lorentz Meats. So far, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Any questions from the media or consumers concerning this recall should contact Owner/Chief Financial Officer Mike Lorentz (612) 490-1827.
If you believe you may have become ill with listeriosis through foods that are Listeria contaminated:
1. See your doctor, and ask to be tested for Listeriosis.
2. Do not eat any more of a food that you believe made you ill.
3. If you still have the food you believe is the culprit, do not throw it away. It could be evidence for a Listeria food poisoning lawsuit.
4. Report your illness to your state health department, who can determine if your illness is part of a larger outbreak. This helps officials know how large an outbreak is, so that they can take appropriate action to remove foods that are possibly contaminated from store shelves. These steps help prevent illness from spreading.
Listeriosis may be serious in those most at risk, which include young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. Serious complications and even death can result.
A Paralegal Program Online Offers You the Flexibility & Affordable Tuition You Need to Move Forward
Apr 19, 2010 Legal Education
Maybe you have been thinking about a paralegal program that will help you pursue your dream to become a paralegal, but feel that you just don’t have the time in your busy schedule. Now, you can complete training online, on a time schedule that suits your needs! You will find the flexibility of an online course allows you to study and take exams at your leisure. Study whenever you want, however you want! You can study your materials online, or print them off so that you have a hard copy if you prefer.
An online paralegal program offers you exceptional tools so that you can obtain your certificate and be ready to go to work at your convenience. Train in as little as 8 months, or take up to two years if you need to. If you work a full time job, you may choose to train at night or on the weekends – or even in the middle of the night if it works for you! Affordable tuition makes it easy for anyone to train for a fulfilling career. You have the option of paying the entire tuition up front, or making small monthly payments that are interest free.
You always want to make certain that the paralegal program you choose is a reputable one that is fully accredited. When you train online with a program that has been around for years and helped thousands move forward with their career goals, you can rest assured that you are receiving exceptional training. Once you complete your studies, you will be ready to go to work immediately, in any number of positions where your skills are essential.
What do you get when you choose an online paralegal program? Textbooks, study guides, support and 24 hour access to an online student center help you prepare thoroughly for a new career. You will be provided with 31 exams, writing exercises and a one-year membership to a premier online research tool for legal professionals. Rest assured, when you choose an exceptional program you will have all of the skills you need to provide knowledge and support in any number of career positions. Work for a private law firm, a government agency, or any number of organizations needing your skills.
Is your schedule packed full, yet you still desire to pursue a satisfying career in the legal industry? Now you can, no matter what your lifestyle! An online paralegal program is perfect for anyone, no matter what their time schedule. Enroll online today, and begin your path toward a secure future.
US Loses $152 Billion Each Year Due to Costs Associated With Food Poisoning
Apr 13, 2010 Food Poisoning
California personal injury lawyers know that every year millions of people become sickened by contaminated foods that lead to huge expenses like intensive care and hospital visits and other costs. Past estimates of these expenses were grossly understated at between $6.9 and $35 billion per year. New estimates, according to a report by the Produce Safety Project, indicate that every year the United States loses $152 billion due to costs associated with food borne illnesses.
Why the huge discrepancy between earlier reports and the new figures? It could be the fact that previous reports used conservative means to calculate the real costs of illnesses related to food poisoning every year.
Part of the vast difference in numbers is that many food poisoning illnesses go unreported. In fact, most of them do, and it has been shown that in the case of E. coli, 20 cases of food poisoning go unreported for each case that is reported.
Another factor in the discrepancy from past years to now is that federal food safety agencies such as the US Department of Agriculture and the FDA focus on common organisms that cause food poisoning such as salmonella and E. coli. There are numerous other organisms that can cause food borne illness, but these usually don’t make it into the media headlines. These instances are usually not documented or recorded, so they are not included in the estimates that are reported by the CDC or US Department of Agriculture.
The Produce Safety Project report took data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicated that in the US each year, there are over 76 million cases of illness related to contaminated foods. The researchers calculated the costs incurred due to each illness using this data. Instead of stopping at onetime costs such as a doctor visit, prescription, or hospital stay, the researchers went on to measure the loss of quality of life that food poisoning victims may have suffered.
In their research, it was determined that different states had various costs related to food borne illnesses. For example, Hawaii has a cost of $2,000 or more for a patient with a food borne illness, while other states had much lower costs. Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey seemed to incur higher costs when it came to treating individuals with food borne illnesses when compared to other states.
Health advocates and food poisoning lawyers find these figures shocking, and realize that food safety is a major concern. These new figures should alarm lawmakers that swift action must be taken to increase food safety in this country.
A Kansas City Criminal Defense Attorney Will Fight Hard for The Rights of Those Accused of Drug Possession
Apr 12, 2010 Criminal Cases
Being accused of or arrested for possession of illegal drugs is no laughing matter. While it may not seem that serious, it can affect your entire future, not to mention your reputation. A seasoned Kansas City criminal defense attorney knows how to stand up for your rights, and achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. You may be facing jail time and substantial fines, and the future of your family is in question.
A reputable Kansas City criminal defense attorney has vast experience in dealing with these types of offenses, and the personality to fight against every shred of evidence. In many instances, an aggressive lawyer can get the charges against you dismissed or obtain a not guilty verdict. If you are facing charges of drug possession, don’t leave anything to chance! The lawyer you choose can make a significant difference in the outcome, which affects your life and your future.
When you have been accused of violating drug laws, you need someone on your side that is willing to fight against prosecutors and law enforcement. No investigation is perfect, and often mistakes are made. If law enforcement made mistakes in acquiring evidence or mishandled it in any way, a Kansas City criminal defense attorney may be able to get the evidence thrown out of court. What you need is an experienced lawyer who knows the law like the back of his hand, and understands how to change the outcome in your favor.
Drug possession is serious, and grows even more serious depending on the type of drug in your possession, the amount and other factors. While you realize that you were in fact in possession of illegal drugs, it isn’t always so cut and dried in court. The prosecutors job is to prove that illegal drugs were discovered on your property or in your possession, and that these substances do indeed belong to you. This may sound easy, but it is often much harder than it sounds. A good Kansas City criminal defense attorney will decide which strategies will be most effective in fighting for your rights; he will defend and protect your rights throughout the proceedings.
If you have been charged with possessing illegal drugs, do not wait another minute. Contact a Kansas City criminal defense attorney at once to insure that your future and the future of your family is in the best hands possible!
