Illinois Company Expands Recall Again After 8-Year-Old E. Coli Victim Suffers Kidney Failure

GLENVIEW, IL — The parents of an 8-year-old victim of a recent E. coli outbreak are suing the Illinois company behind a recent soy nut butter recall, and the recall expanded this week to include all of the company's soy nut butter and granola products. Twelve E. coli infections were reported in five states, and six people were hospitalized, according to the CDC.

A California couple says their 8-year-old son was hospitalized for 25 days and will suffer lifelong health consequences after being infected with E. coli O157, a strain that can cause intestinal illness, dehydration or even life-threatening kidney failure. Their suit was filed Monday in federal court in Illinois, according to Food Safety News.

>>Multi-State E. Coli Outbreak Sparks Soy Nut Butter Recall

It's the first case filed against I.M. Healthy, a Glenview-based company that offers several varieties of nut-free SoyNut Butter. On Friday, the company recalled 15-ounce jars of its Original Creamy SoyNut Butter with a "best by" date of 8-30-18 or 8-31-18. The recall expanded Saturday to include 15-ounce jars with the "best by" date of 7-5-2018; individual portion cups with the "best by" date of 8-8-2018; and four-pound plastic tubs with "best by" dates of of 11-16-2018 and 7-25-2018.

On Tuesday, the FDA said the recall had expanded again to include all varieties of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter and granola products. "All Best Buy dates of all varieties are affected," including original creamy, chunky, honey creamy, unsweetened and chocolate varieties of soy butter and granola packaged in individual serving packages, 12 oz bags, 50 oz bags and 25 lb. bulk bags, according to the FDA. The granola is available in original, apple, blueberry, raisin and cranberry varieties.

"I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter was distributed in multiple states and may have been purchased in stores or through mail order," I.M. Healthy said in a statement online. "It was also distributed to childcare centers and schools in multiple states."

" ... Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)," I.M. Healthy said in a statement. "HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney failure and even death."

So far, nine of the 12 people infected with E. coli have been interviewed, and all have reported eating I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter before becoming ill, the company said. The CDC urged consumers to throw away any I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter or granola coated with SoyNut Butter.

The lawsuit against I.M. Healthy was filed by Arlington Heights law firm Newland & Newland LLP on behalf of California parents Mosby and Erin Simmons. The complaint accuses the company of negligence and breach of warranty, and claims I.M. Healthy is subject to strict product liability laws, according to Food Safety News. The Simmons' son reportedly became ill on Jan. 25 and was admitted to hospital on Jan. 30 after his symptoms worsened. He was diagnosed with an E. coli infection on Feb. 2 and remained hospitalized until Feb. 23.

“(He) was treated with dialysis and blood transfusions for life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS),” according to the complaint. The suit claims that at least 5 percent of children who develop HUS have long-term kidney damage, and 5 percent suffer brain damage, Food Safety News reported.

According to the CDC, 11 of the 12 victims of the multi-state E. coli outbreak are under 18. Infections were reported in Arizona, California, Maryland, New Jersey and Oregon.

Photo via Mike Mozart/Flickr under a Creative Commons 2.0 license