Another Local Food Recall: Route 11 Potato Chips Recalled for Salmonella Risk

Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner.

According to the FDA website, Route 11 Potato Chips recently announced a voluntary recall of one of its products, the popular Sour Cream and Chive Potato Chips, with BEST BY DATES of 2/9/17 through 6/10/17. The potato chips contain Salmonella-infected powdered milk, presumably produced by Valley Milk Products of Strasburg, Virginia, although not named directly in the chip recall. This is the first time in its 25-year history that the Virginia-based Route 11 Potato Chip Company has issued a product recall. Consumers may either return the product to the store where purchased or contact the company directly for a refund or replacement. There have been no reported illnesses to date related to this product.

The Valley Milk plant was recently raided by U.S, Marshals, at the request of the FDA, because of contaminated powdered milk and powdered buttermilk products. According to court filings in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the FDA reported positive results for Salmonella at the plant and inspectors found internal records confirming the presence of Salmonella.

According to the CDC, between 2000 and 2008, Salmonella was estimated to cause a million foodborne illnesses in the U.S., including 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths. Food contaminated with Salmonella generally doesn’t show any signs of contamination. “Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most individuals recover without treatment. In some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites. In these cases, Salmonella can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.”

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About the author:

Mr. Zambri is the author of a widely renowned book on product liability litigation. An experienced speaker, he often shares his knowledge regarding personal injury litigation at seminars. In recognition of his many successes, Mr. Zambri has been consistently included in the Super Lawyers® list and has been named among “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers (2016 edition).

Mr. Zambri has been successful in litigating food poisoning cases. He is knowledgeable and experienced in handling the unique complexities involved in food poisoning litigation.