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Mount Juliet Personal Injury Lawyer / Blog / Personal Injury / Contaminated Food Issues in Tennessee

Contaminated Food Issues in Tennessee

Lunch

We’ve been hearing about contaminated food in the news a lot lately. It used to be an issue primarily associated with BBQs, picnics, and outdoor gatherings, but nowadays it seems as though many of the foods we purchase at grocery stores are contaminated before we even bring them home.

Lettuce, carrots, deli meats, frozen foods, beverages, and even pet foods were the subject of recalls in the United States in 2024. Foodborne illnesses are commonly spread through bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The primary culprits include salmonella, E. coli, listeria, norovirus, and hepatitis A.

An estimated 48 million Americans suffer a foodborne illness every year. Of those, roughly 128,000 are hospitalized and close to 3,000 die.

The most commonly affected foods are leafy greens, deli meat, poultry, and cheese. Fresh produce is especially vulnerable due to exposure to contaminated soil or water. Eggs and dairy can harbor bacteria if improperly handled or stored.

Outbreaks can happen anywhere. Grocery stores, schools, and food processing plants have been the root of significant outbreaks. Contamination has also been rampant among food prepared in bulk settings, like restaurants, cafeterias, and catered events. Here’s a look at places in Tennessee where contaminated food has been common from 2010 to 2022.

Hotels and Motels

There were just two events during this timeframe, but there were 130 illnesses reported and four people hospitalized.

Farms

There were three contamination events during the 2010 to 2022 timeframe. There were 26 illnesses reported and nine hospitalizations.

Long-Term Care Facilities

There were also three outbreaks reported but many more people got sick. There were 122 illnesses reported, with six people hospitalized.

Schools and Colleges

Getting an education can be rough. Again, there were three outbreaks during this timeframe. There were 129 illnesses reported but only two people were hospitalized.

Buffet Restaurants

Buffets offer a wide variety of food but they also make illnesses more common. There were four outbreaks and 22 illnesses reported. Five people were in the hospital.

Festivals and Fairs

Lots of food and people can lead to food contamination issues. Festivals and fairs also had four outbreaks during the time period. There were 127 illnesses reported and 19 hospitalizations.

Religious Facilities

Even churches and other places of worship had a large number of outbreaks. There were five total, resulting in 90 illnesses and four hospitalizations.

Caterers

Caterers saw 13 incidents. A whopping 261 illnesses were reported, with three people put in the hospital.

Private Homes

There were 14 incidents in private homes. There were 250 illnesses and 18 hospitalizations reported.

Restaurants    

Restaurants were the top place for food contamination. There were 89 incidents during the timeframe. There were 999 illnesses and 49 hospitalizations reported.

Contact Us Today

Food poisoning is an issue that should not be taken lightly. It can lead to serious illnesses and even death in extreme cases.

It’s not easy to get the compensation you need, but a Mt. Juliet personal injury lawyer from Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can assist you. Consulting an attorney will ensure your case is handled properly. Schedule a consultation today by calling (615) 622-6060 or filling out the online form.

Source:

msn.com/en-us/health/other/the-most-common-place-people-in-tennessee-get-food-poisoning-according-to-the-cdc-and-the-rest-of-the-top-10/ss-AA1vya9u#image=1

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