Marlboro Family Suing Pet Food Plant Over Illness

A New Jersey family is suing a South Carolina pet food plant, saying their infant was sickened by salmonella from food at the plant.

Court papers filed May 25 say the Marlboro, N.J., boy was hospitalized for three days earlier this year because of diarrhea, stomach injuries and pain. Officials have said humans could pick up the bacteria by handling infected dog food, then failing to wash their hands before eating or handling their own food.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 15 people were sickened across the country earlier this year because of salmonella at the Diamond Pet Foods plant in Gaston. The facility was closed for a month, and the company says it has fixed the problem.

Company representatives did not immediately return a message Thursday.

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