French Broad Farm source of e. coli contamination in kids
Ten young children have become ill, including four who have been hospitalized with kidney failure, as a result of e. coli contamination in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area. All of these children are under the age of four. Knox County Health Department officials have identified the probable source of the e. coli as raw milk consumed by the children at French Broad Farm in Mascot.
Food safety is a serious concern, particularly for young children. Raw milk is unpasteurized and is more vulnerable to harmful bacteria that can make consumers sick. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against drinking raw milk, even though it is legal in most states in the US. The Knox County Health Department is advising people to not consume raw milk or any unpasteurized item from the French Broad Farm until their investigation is complete.
Symptoms of e. coli contamination include diarrhea, fever, nausea, and stomach cramping. Each year, approximately five to ten percent of people diagnosed with an E. coli infection experience hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a deadly complication. HUS shuts down the kidneys and other vital organs, creating serious problems that can result in permanent damage or death if left untreated. Signs of HUS include less frequent urination, loss of color in the cheeks and inner eyelids, and extreme fatigue.
To learn more about e. coli contamination, the dangers of raw milk, and legal options for those who have become ill, please contact the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901.
