Asda and Tesco face legal action over E. coli outbreak
Attorneys representing two individuals who became sick in a bacterial outbreak in the United Kingdom have initiated legal proceedings against two major grocery chains.
On Friday, the law firm Fieldfisher announced that they had sent legal letters alleging a violation of the Consumer Protection Act related to store-brand sandwiches bought at Tesco and Asda.
The requests for payment are about a man from the South East and a young girl who is 11 years old in the North West.
One individual in England has passed away due to the current E. coli outbreak, as confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency. It is important to note that this person had pre-existing health issues.
It is believed that the E. coli outbreak is linked to certain supermarket sandwiches that have salad leaves in them.
Most of the reported cases occurred before June 4th and the number of new cases being reported is decreasing, which gives hope that the outbreak may be over.
Many food companies pulled some items from shelves as a safety measure.
The Food Standards Agency stated that lettuce is believed to be the primary source, according to their test results.
Fieldfisher stated that the case against Asda involved a young girl who became ill with E. coli after consuming a chicken salad sandwich with the store's own label.
The 11-year-old girl has been diagnosed with a severe illness called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which affects the kidneys. She has been receiving dialysis treatment for the past three weeks.
She was sent home two days ago but may be in danger of long-lasting damage to her kidneys. Her mother purchased three sandwiches via an online delivery service.
A spokesperson from Asda mentioned that they have not received any letter from Fieldfisher about the claims yet. They also stated, "Once we receive the letter, we will promptly review the details of the claim."
Harvinder Kaur, a director at Fieldfisher, spoke to the PA News agency on Friday about sending a different letter to Tesco for a man in the South East.
He was also taken to the hospital with symptoms of E. coli after consuming sandwiches from Tesco that had salad in them, according to the law firm.
Fortuitously, this patient did not end up with HUS and has since been discharged home. However, there was a period where he was very sick.
According to the law, food companies are responsible for making sure that the food they produce is safe for consumption.
If someone gets sick because of someone else's actions, it is a violation of their responsibility and the person who got sick can seek compensation. This can help cover the costs of any continuing medical treatment that may be needed.
She mentioned that the man was a frequent customer at Tesco, purchasing his lunch there almost every weekday because it was conveniently located near his workplace.
The BBC knows that Tesco has not yet received the letter from Fieldfisher.
Symptoms And Treatment For E. Coli
E. coli are a variety of bacteria that typically reside in the intestines of humans and animals.
There are certain varieties that are not dangerous, while others can cause severe sickness in individuals.
Studies have found that the strain identified in this outbreak is classified as E.coli STEC O145.
It creates a Shiga toxin that can harm the gut lining.
Signs may consist of bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, high body temperature, and throwing up.
Symptoms typically appear a few days after contracting the infection.
Many individuals typically experience a full recovery, however, certain individuals such as young children or those with preexisting medical issues may experience severe illness.
There is no particular cure for E. coli infections. Those who have it can usually recover at home and many will improve without needing medical intervention.
It's crucial to stay hydrated by drinking lots of liquids when experiencing diarrhea, as it can cause dehydration.
A few individuals might experience severe issues such as HUS.
It's important for individuals to consult a healthcare professional if they are feeling concerned. Additionally, there are steps that can be taken to lower the chances of getting sick.
Some important tips to remember for staying healthy are washing your hands often with warm water and soap. Alcohol gels may not effectively kill all the bacteria that can cause diarrhea, so it's best to stick to traditional hand-washing. Additionally, don't forget to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them to avoid any potential contamination.
Another recommendation is to ensure that food is cooked to the specified temperatures indicated on the packaging.
