Salmonella Paratyphi B Poisoning Lawsuit Filed Over Recalled Tempeh

A Florida resident has filed a food poisoning lawsuit after suffering an illness from Salmonella paratyphi B, which was allegedly caused by recalled tempeh. 

The complaint was filed by Mary Ann Hurtado, in North Carolina District Court, against Smiling Hara Tempeh and Tempeh Online, which recalled the soy-based product on April 30, after samples tested positive for salmonella.

Tempeh is a meat substitute, which made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form.  Because of its nutritional value, tempeh is often used in vegetarian cuisine.

Hurtado indicates that she was one of at least 88 people who suffered the same strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B food poisoning after consuming unpasteurized tempeh made by Smiling Hara.

According to the lawsuit, Hurtado ate tempeh on March 19, in Asheville, North Carolina, while on vacation with her husband. Within the next two days, she began to show signs of salmonella food poisoning, including abdominal cramps, shaking, diarrhea and headaches.

By March 25, Hurtado was admitted to a hospital, where they diagnosed her as suffering from Salmonella Paratyphi B, which is the same strain of salmonella that has affected others who had eaten the recalled tempeh.

The lawsuit is believed to be the first filed as a result of the Salmonella Parathyphi B outbreak.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe food poisoning.  Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, headache and abdominal pain that usually begins one to 10 days after exposure.

For most healthy adults, symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically resolve within a few days or weeks.  However, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems may have an increased risk of severe food poisoning, which may result in hospitalization, dehydration or death if not properly treated.