Daily Harvest sued over a mysterious sickness linked to lentils.

• Daily Harvest reports 470 people got sick after eating the crumbles.
• Tests for common food-borne diseases, toxins, and allergens “have all come back negative”.
• The company says it’s working with the FDA and other specialists to explore the matter.

Daily Harvest, a direct-shipping vegan food company, is having problems.

Carol Ann Ready, of Oklahoma, sued the company on Monday, claiming she had to have her gallbladder removed after eating its “French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.”

Daily Harvest reports 470 people got sick after eating the crumbles. Bill Marler, Ready’s attorney, said he represents 100 potential claimants.

“These are young, healthy patients with similar symptoms, liver malfunction, and discomfort,” Marler added.

But the disease’s cause is unknown.

“The symptoms aren’t typical of recognised food dangers,” says Penn State’s Martin Bucknavage. “I’ve never seen it.”

Rachel Drori, Daily Harvest’s CEO and creator, said the company has been working with the FDA and other specialists to explore the matter, but tests for common food-borne diseases, toxins, and allergens “have all come back negative.”

“Despite consulting specialists, participating with FDA’s investigation, engaging with our supply chain, and undertaking thorough testing, we haven’t uncovered a cause,” she said. “This is annoying. I’m upset.”

Drori said Listeria, E.Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph), B.Cereus, and Clostridium Species testing were negative.

Also Read

US consumer confidence is at a 15-month low due to rising food & fuel prices

US consumer confidence reached its lowest level in more than a year...

Ready says she first ate the crumbles on May 7, then felt abdominal and gastrointestinal problems and right shoulder ache. She went to the hospital, where physicians ordered tests and scans before releasing her.

Ready ate the lentil meal again on May 28, experienced more abdomen and shoulder pain, and returned to the hospital. She had increased liver enzymes and liver and gallbladder problems, according to the filing.

Ready claims physicians told her the disease may cause “indefinite anguish” and removed her “damaged gallbladder” on Friday.

Luke Wesley Pearson, a vegan influencer, said he had to remove his gallbladder after consuming the lentil product twice.

“This has impacted my life forever,” he said. “Daily Harvest must be held accountable.”

Pearson stated that he’s retained legal counsel and referred NBC News to his lawyer.

Liver specialist and VCU professor Dr. Jasmohan Bajaj is also puzzled what’s causing the symptoms.

“I’m dumbfounded, too. People eat lentils, which are helpful for the liver “saying “That’s shocking.”

Online, some experts and customers speculated if the ailment was caused by aflatoxins, a fungus that grows on grains and seeds.

The company said Monday it’s testing for “mycotoxins, including aflatoxins.”

“First-round testing on the most prevalent came back negative, but we continue to cast a wider net,” the statement stated.

Bajaj said aflatoxin exposure “may cause some of these symptoms,” but it’s just one possibility.

Daily Harvest informed customers about illness reports on June 19. The company voluntarily recalled products on June 23.

The recall notification said 28,000 units were sold in the U.S.

Anita from Plano, Texas, said she had a “whirlwind” after eating lentil crumbles last week. The next day, while at the park with her son, her stomach hurt.

“The abdominal discomfort was really bad,” she remarked. “I was outside when I felt dizzy and faint.

Anita chose Daily Harvest for its vegan alternatives in 2019. Its business approach is similar to Blue Apron and Hello Fresh. Its famous investors include Gwyneth Paltrow and Serena Williams.

Anita reported headaches, nausea, and black urine. Anita’s doctor ordered her to go to the ER for tests.

Doctors told Anita her “liver enzymes were extraordinarily high” and ran a CT scan. She’s apprehensive about what’ll happen at follow-up appointments.

“It was wild, and the hospital bills are daunting,” she said.

Drori said Monday that “since the inquiry has not yet discovered a root cause, we are widening our testing to identify other potential, but less common, sources of contamination”

The corporation does not comment on pending or potential litigation. Daily Harvest said it recalled the product after receiving reports of customer illnesses, is cooperating with the FDA to investigate, and has contacted customers many times.

“Everyone affected deserves an answer,” the business added.

About 30 of Marler’s clients are sending lentil crumble samples to an FDA-approved lab.

“People fear these ailments. People want to know their long-term prognosis “saying

Also Read

British watchdogs demand limits on EU food imports

UK food standards watchdogs warn of potential food safety mishaps after Brexit....