Carrot giant sues, alleging sheep damaged crop
| Wednesday, May 27 2009 04:11 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, May 27 2009 04:11 PM
Little Bo Peep would be horrified!
Grimmway Enterprises Inc. is suing Fernando and Yvonne Iturriria for $230,059.34 in damages, plus attorneys fees.
The carrot giant alleges the Iturririas allowed an "unknown number" of sheep to graze on 1.9 acres of carrots at the outset of harvest season, after which the sheep defecated on the crops, the lawsuit says.
Both sides declined to comment Wednesday.
Sheep are high-risk carriers of e.Coli bacteria, so the original 1.9 acres of carrots and the adjoining 73.567 acres were destroyed to prevent food poisoning, according to the lawsuit.
"It is a legitimate concern," said Michele Jay-Russell of UC Davis' Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.
She's not connected to the case, but we asked her whether the e.Coli risk was significant.
The bacteria line the intestinal tracts of animals and people. Symptoms of e.Coli food poisoning include abdominal pain, severe cramps and diarrhea. In children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, it can be fatal.
"The bacteria have been known to occur in produce," Jay-Russell said. "That was the cause of that big spinach recall a couple of years ago, and the (1993) Jack in the Box cases.
"I'd be especially worried about direct defecation on a food that could be consumed raw."
Eeeeuuuwww!!!
A hearing is scheduled for July 14 in Kern County Superior Court.
