Foster Farms and Costco Wholesale Corp. face a personal injury lawsuit filed by a Fresno County fire captain who was sickened after eating chicken contaminated with Salmonella Heidelburg, according to a Merced Sun-Star report.
The Merced Sun-Star reported that Robert Jeremiah Wittwer became ill three days before federal public health and food safety agencies alerted consumers about the contaminated chicken products. Wittwer was hospitalized after the infection spread to his spine. He recovered from his illness after months of rehabilitation and antibiotics.
Wittwer is suing Foster Farms and Costco for personal injury and product liability. He is seeking damages for lost wages and expenses related to his treatment for the Salmonella infection.
Foster Farms recently released a statement defending the safety of its chicken products. maintained that its poultry products are safe if properly handled and fully cooked.
