A Mississippi woman is suing after she contracted salmonella from eating Goldfish and was treated in two Alabama hospitals.

Bailey Finch, of Columbus, filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against Goldfish manufacturer Pepperidge Farms and Associated Milk Producers Inc. According to her complaint, AMPI manufactures a dry whey powder used to season certain types of Goldfish.

On July 23, Pepperidge Farms recalled four flavors of Goldfish-- the Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar, Flavor Blasted Sour Cream and Onion Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar, and Mix Xtra Cheddar and Pretzel-- because the company was notified by AMPI a whey powder ingredient could have been contaminated with salmonella. Two days later, AMPI recalled certain batches of the whey powder.

No illnesses had been reported when the recall was issued, Pepperidge Farms said then in a statement.

According to Finch's lawsuit, her mother bought Goldfish from a grocery store in Mississippi on July 18, before the recall was issued. The next day, 26-year-old Finch ate the Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar crackers and hours later became "extremely ill with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea," the complaint states.

On July 24, Finch was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa and then transported by ambulance to UAB Hospital. She was tested for salmonella, and lab results confirmed she did have the bacteria. Finch was hospitalized for four days because of "severe complications" from salmonella, a press release stated.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses in the U.S. every year, with about one million of those caused by food. Most people who contract salmonella see symptoms in 12 to 72 hours, and the sickness usually lasts from four to seven days. While most people recover without seeking medical help, some can experience more severe symptoms that require hospitalization.

Finch is suing the two companies on a total of six counts of strict liability manufacturer defect and failure to warn, negligence, breach of warranty and implied warranty of merchantability. She is seeking damages for "medical expenses, mental and physical pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and future medical expenses," a press release said.

Finch is represented by Patrick Wooten of the Mississippi firm Richard Schwartz and Associates, along with Ernest Cory, G. Rick DiGiorgio, Mitchell Theodore, and Robert LeMoine of the Birmingham-based firm Cory Watson.

"Salmonella kills. Pepperidge Farm failed in their duty to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat, and as a result, our client almost lost her life," LeMoine said.

"There is no excuse that can justify the conduct of Pepperidge Farm in releasing 3.3 million packages of poison Goldfish into the market. The purpose of the suit is to not only hold the defendants accountable, but to make sure all other food manufacturers know that the public will not stand for this any longer," he said.

Wooten added, "We want to be sure everyone who has purchased Goldfish recently knows of the salmonella risk and takes the proper precautions to protect their families. We highly encourage consumers to check their pantries for these tainted items."

Court records did not yet reflect any attorneys listed for Pepperidge Farms or AMPI.