Multiple outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli food poisoning have been linked to Jimmy John’s sandwiches with raw sprouts and cucumber.
Need a Texas Jimmy Johns Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Salmonella or E. coli after eating a Jimmy John’s sandwich, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: Sprout Recalls for E. coli
- March 2020: Chicago Indoor Garden — Recall for all products containing red clover sprouts due to contamination with E. coli 0103.
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December 2019: Sprouts Unlimited Inc. — Recall for clover sprouts in 4-oz packages due to a risk of E. coli. The sprouts were distributed to Jimmy John’s restaurants in Iowa, Hy Vee Food stores, and Fareway Food Stores.
March 2020 – Jimmy John’s E. coli Outbreak in Texas
From January through March 2020, FDA linked clover sprouts to an outbreak of 39 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Florida and Utah. The victims were infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103.
The illnesses were reported in Florida (1), Illinois (6), Iowa (3), Missouri (1), Texas (1) and Utah (27) between January 6, 2020 and March 3, 2020. Two hospitalizations were reported, according to the CDC.
The CEO of Jimmy John’s announced that all restaurants would stop serving sprouts as of February 24, 2020.
FDA Issues Warning to Jimmy John’s After Multiple Food Poisoning Outbreaks
In February 2020, the FDA sent Jimmy John’s CEO a warning letter after at least 5 food poisoning outbreaks between April 2012 and January 2020 were linked to E. coli and Salmonella-tainted sprouts and cucumbers. Before April 2012, at least 3 outbreaks were linked to Jimmy John’s sptouts. In response, all Jimmy John’s restaurants stopped serving sprouts on February 24, 2020.
January 2018 – Jimmy Johns Salmonella Outbreak
January 19, 2018 — At least 8 people in Illinois (2), Minnesota (1), and Wisconsin (5) were infected with Salmonella after eating raw sprouts on Jimmy John’s sandwiches, according to a warning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
“CDC recommends that consumers not eat raw sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants in Illinois and Wisconsin.”
Eight people were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo in 3 states. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. The CDC tracked the outbreak to raw sprouts after 7 out of 8 (88%) sick people who were interviewed reported eating raw sprouts on a sandwich from Jimmy Johns’s in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Jimmy John’s Temporarily Stops Serving Sprouts
On January 19, 2018, Jimmy John’s announced that it had directed all of its restaurants nationwide to temporarily stop serving raw sprouts. However, sprouts soon returned to store menus, and additional food poisoning outbreaks occurred.
Sprouts and Food Poisoning
Raw and lightly-cooked sprouts are one of the most common sources of food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S.
Since 1996, sprouts have been linked to at least 30 outbreaks of food poisoning. Unlike other fresh foods, the warm and humid conditions used for sprouting are also ideal for the growth of bacteria, including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Washing sprouts might reduce the risk of food poisoning, but will not eliminate the risk.
Therefore, the FDA warns that high-risk groups, such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked sprouts of any kind — including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts.
Symptoms of Salmonella
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of severe Salmonella, such as:
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
- High fever
- Blood in the stool
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Pass very little urine
Need a Jimmy Johns Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Jimmy Johns lawyers for a free lawsuit review.