Recalls of ground beef because of potential E. coli contamination ordinarily result from testing by the government, suppliers or retailers.

But when the WinCo supermarket chain announced a recall last week, it was a result of a private testing program run by a Washington state lawyer, reports the Seattle Times.

"I've spent about a half-million dollars on this project," says attorney Bill Marler. His firm has won more than $500 million in corporate settlements for clients sickened by food, the newspaper reports.