Personal Injury Law

Chicago Food Manufacturer Stops Making Tortillas Linked to School Kids? Gastrointestinal Illnesses

In Illinois, Del Rey Tortilleria, Inc. has stopped making tortillas until it passes sanitary inspections by federal regulators. The Chicago food maker, which also makes corn flour and tostadas, is being sued by the federal government for allegedly maintaining unsanitary conditions while making the floor tortillas. The tortillas have been linked to schoolchildren in Wisconsin and Massachusetts who experienced flu-like symptoms after eating the tortillas. Incidents stem as far back as 2003 in Massachusetts and as late as 2007 in Wisconsin.

The Chicago food manufacturer has failed six federal sanitary inspections since 2003. Violations have included unhygienic practices, neglecting to take adequate steps to keep out pests, using paint buckets to store raw ingredients, using inadequately installed fixtures and plumbing, and placing chemicals near raw ingredients.

The Food and Drug Administration must approve the food maker?s safety program before it can start producing tortillas again. One of the requirements is that the food maker must hire two FDA-approved safety experts.

Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Gastrointestinal illnesses can occur when a person has been exposed to different germs and microbes. Symptoms of gastrointestinal illnesses can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, cramps, rashes, headaches, fever, and paralysis.

Products Liability
Food manufacturers, distributors, and restaurants are required by law to make sure that any food that is made, prepared, or served is free from harmful bacteria or other contaminants. Bacteria in food can lead to salmonella, food poisoning, viruses, and sometimes even death.

If you believe that you or someone you love became seriously sick because you ate a spoiled or contaminated food product, you may have grounds for filing an Illinois products liability lawsuit against all negligent parties. Your illness may have caused serious pain and suffering, as well as required expensive medical care. If you had to take time off work to recover, you may have lost wages.

Chicago tortilla plant linked to illnesses at schools stops production, Chicago Tribune, March 7, 2009

Chicago tortilla maker sued by federal government agrees to stop making some products, Star Tribune, March 6, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Del Rey Tortilla Recall, Chicagoist.com

Multiple Outbreaks of Gastrointestinal Illness Among School Children Associated with Consumption of Flour Tortillas --- Massachusetts, 2003--2004, CDC

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on March 12, 2009 (boomark / email).