Chicago man sues claiming salami made him sick

Raymond Cirimele, 55, filed suit Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming Rhode Island meat company Daniele International Inc., Wholesome Spice in New York and Mincing Overseas Spice Company in New Jersey failed to prevent the outbreak.

A similar lawsuit against Daniele and Wholesome Spice was filed by Harold Hanks, 61, of Lake Ozark, Mo., last week. Seattle attorney Bill Marler, who has handled numerous foodborne illness cases, represents the plaintiffs in both lawsuits.

Daniele recalled more than 1 million pounds of salami last month. The company, which has temporarily stopped production of salami products, has changed its spice suppliers and is now using only irradiated pepper, said Daniele spokesman Jason Maloni.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the supply chain of the black pepper used in the recalled meat after pepper collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health at Daniele tested positive for salmonella.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the outbreak, which has sickened 225 people so far, including 15 in Illinois and two in Missouri.