New Jersey Product Liability Lawyers: Defective Food Product

If you feel you may have been harmed by a defective food product, call the New Jersey product liability lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP

Food products are recalled every day for a variety of reasons. For example, the company that produced such a product may have failed to list allergens, or there may be other labeling issues. One thing is certain, unexpected food issues are a serious safety concern. If you have had a problem with a food product, how do you know whether that problem warrants legal action?

Foreign Items in Food

One issue that is universally understood is that no food product should contain foreign material that does not belong there. For example, there should not be a piece of metal in a cupcake, and if such a material is found, the producer is strictly liable for any harm caused by consuming the product. On the other hand, if you were to find a pit in a can of peaches, it could be considered a naturally occurring issue and the manufacturer would not be liable because the pit could be reasonably expected.

Fast Food Companies

Fast food companies are often the target of lawsuits. Fast food products are prepared quickly by workers who are not always skilled or experienced, and accidents can occur. Sometimes food products are tampered with intentionally. When a foreign object is found in a food product and it clearly should not be there, a lawsuit might be in order whether it wound up there intentionally or accidentally.

When is a Food Manufacturer Liable?

When determining if a food manufacturer is responsible for injuries caused by a food product, the court will consider consumers’ reasonable expectations. For example, while is it reasonable to find a pit in a can of pitted peaches, one should never find a chicken bone in a can of pitted peaches. While those are clear distinctions, some situations are not clear to the consumer. Therefore, an experienced product liability lawyer should be consulted if there are uncertainties.

Questions about a defective food product?

If you feel you may have been harmed by a defective food product, call the New Jersey product liability lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100 today to arrange a free consultation. You can also contact us online. Our offices are conveniently located in in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River, and we represent clients throughout the state of New Jersey.