Friday, April 29, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 29, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy Alert/Incident Report: A & J Bakery (Cranston, RI) recalls chocolate five-ounce Easter Bunnies (unlabelled cellophane bags) sold in the store because they may contain undeclared milk. The Rhode Island Department of Health has received one complaint of an allergic reaction.

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Ethos Environmental, Inc. recalls Regenerect dietary supplements (Lot #100521, blue capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 5/2012; Lot #112850, clear capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 11/2013), after FDA confirms the presence of Sulfosildenafil (an analogue of Sildenafil), making these products unapproved new drugs. The recalled products were distributed over the internet to consumers in the USA and Puerto Rico.

  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Withdrawal: Procter & Gamble withdraws Vicks Cold Remedy Child Nyquil - Contains Dextromethorphan - 18+ Age Restriction (UPC 32390001097 and 32390000742), because the current label is missing a statement about potassium content per dose.

  • Dietary Supplement False Marketing Alert: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is investigating several OTC Dietary Supplement products being falsely marketed as antibiotics under names such as Amoxilina, Pentrexcilina, Ampitrexyl, Citricillin, Amoximiel and Pentreximil. The products are distributed statewide in Texas and are targeted toward Hispanic consumers. For more information, or to file a complaint, contact DSHS at 512-834-6755.

  • Outbreak Alert (Update): As of April 21, 2011, a total of 218 individuals from 41 states have been infected with a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium since April 21, 2009. The infections are associated with African Dwarf Frogs and water from their habitats. A single water frog breeder in California has been identified as the source of the implicated frogs.

  • Outbreak Alert: As of April 20, 2011, a total of 73 individuals from 35 states have been infected with a commercial lab strain of Salmonella Typhimurium since August 20, 2011. Ten people have been hospitalized, and one has died. Most of the outbreak victims either work or study in a microbiology lab, or live in the same household as someone who does.

  • Outbreak Alert (Worcester, MA): Worcester health inspectors are investigating an outbreak of illnesses in patrons who ate Easter brunch at Luciano's Cotton Club restaurant at Union Station. Eight people have reported their illnesses to the city's Health Department; as many as 35 people may have been affected, according to a report in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods International Limited recalls Rasm The Great Indian Tradition Minced Ginger Garlic and Rasm The Great Indian Tradition Minced Ginger, due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in Albert, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

  • Allergy Alert: Nikolaos Fine Foods Limited recalls various Breaded Seasoned Chicken Breast Fillets, because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled items were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island under the Nikolaos (Codes 04051104, 02241104, 03311104), Savory Secret Gold Coast (Code 02241104), Woodward Meat Purveyors (Code 02241104), Gabriel Pizza (Code 02241104) and Evanston Farms (Code 03311104) brands.

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (Update): The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to investigate a series of 14 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses from three provinces. There have been no new cases reported since PHAC's initial Public Advisory, issued on April 7th. Ten of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized; three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One individual with an underlying medical condition died. The illnesses are thought to be linked to the consumption of certain raw, shelled walnuts that were imported from the USA. Ten of the outbreak victims are from Quebec; the other four are from Ontario and New Brunswick. The suspect walnuts were recalled by the importer earlier in April.


Europe
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0557): Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning toxins in razor clams from the United Kingdom; distributed to Hong Kong, Spain and the United Kingdom.

  • Outbreak Alert (Sri Lanka): At least 70 students from a Christian Boys Hostel were admitted to Mannar Base Hospital due to food poisoning. The students complained of vomiting and severe headaches after consuming their midday meal.

  • Outbreak Alert (Xinghua City, PRC): Arrangements have been made to carry out emergency vaccination against hepatitis A in the village of Longnan Shimen after an outbreak of hepatitis was identified.The village is in a remote mountainous area, and has poor sanitation facilities.

  • Outbreak Alert (Isabela, Philippines): Twenty-six children aged 3 to 12 suffered from suspected food poisoning in Barangay Rang-ayan, Ilagan, Isabela. The victims apparently fell ill after eating snacks provided in a Disaster and Calamity Preparedness seminar organized by a private sector organization. Eleven of the children are still hospitalized.


Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Ethos Environmental, Inc. recalls Regenerect dietary supplements (Lot #100521, blue capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 5/2012; Lot #112850, clear capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 11/2013), after FDA confirms the presence of Sulfosildenafil (an analogue of Sildenafil), making these products unapproved new drugs. The recalled products were distributed over the internet to consumers in the USA and Puerto Rico.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.
Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, April 29, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Sloppy Labs = Bad Labs = Salmonella Outbreak

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Since August 2010, a commercial strain of Salmonella Typhimurium has caused 73 confirmed illnesses, including one death, according to a report released on April 28th by CDC. The illnesses are spread over 35 states. Pennsylvania is hardest hit, with six confirmed illnesses.

The median age of infected individuals is 24 years; their ages range from less than 1 year to 91 years old. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the victims are female.

Ten (14%) of the 73 outbreak victims were hospitalized. While illness onset dates range from August 20, 2010 to March 8, 2011, the number of new cases appears to have peaked in the first half of November 2010.

Investigators found that outbreak victims were significantly more likely than a control group to have been exposed to a microbiology lab environment - some of the victims worked with Salmonella - in the week before becoming ill. Several children of individuals who worked in or studied in a microbiology lab were among the outbreak victims.

The CDC Investigation Report credits the New Mexico Department of Health with the discovery that the outbreak strain ". . .was indistinguishable from a commercially available Salmonella Typhimurium strain used in laboratory settings." According to CDC, this strain was ". . .known to be present in several teaching or clinical laboratories associated with ill students or employees. . ."

This Salmonella outbreak has nothing to do with contaminated food, poor food handling practices, dirty water, or African Dwarf Frogs. It was caused, purely and simply, by careless handling of infectious bacteria, by sloppy lab practices, and by inattention to basic biosafety procedures.

I was trained as a clinical microbiologist, a clinical mycologist and a food safety microbiologist. I have spent most of my professional life working with food-borne and water-borne pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and Clostridium botulinum. And I am here to tell you that a sloppy lab is an unreliable lab.

The first responsibility of a teaching lab is to teach its students how to handle themselves safety in a microbiology lab. Only then can students be trusted to handle infectious bacteria with proper respect for the risks involved.

The first responsibility of a clinical lab manager is to ensure that all of the lab personnel - and any visitors to the lab - are aware of, and follow, all lab safety and bio-containment practices. Only then can the results issuing from that lab be considered reliable. Only then can lab personnel - and their families and friends - be protected from lab-acquired illnesses.

This Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak should not have happened. It would not have happened if lab managers and teaching personnel had been paying attention to their first responsibilities.

This outbreak is inexcusable!
Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, April 29, 2011 0 comments
Labels:

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 28, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy Alert: Giant Eagle alerts consumers to a recall of Pierre Smooth Churned Moose Tracks Light Ice Cream (UPC 4817833036), due to the presence of undeclared wheat.

  • FDA Enforcement Action: At the request of FDA, U.S. Marshals seized breaded seafood products repacked by Fellerson, Inc. (d.b.a. K&S Wholesale Meats), for Soderholm Wholesale Foods, both of Sun Prairie, WI, because the products are adulterated. K&S Wholesale Meats allegedly repacked breaded seafood, including shrimp, haddock fillets, pollock fillets, and ocean perch fillets, under Soderholm’s “Seaside” label without having a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA issued a Warning Letter to K&S Wholesale Meats on Jan. 13, 2010, for not having a HACCP plan in place for their breaded seafood products. Although the company responded to the Warning Letter promising corrections, subsequent inspections in September 2010 and March 2011 revealed that the firm continued to repackage breaded fish without a written HACCP plan.

  • Recreational Water Health Alert: Oregon Public Health issues health advisory due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Cannon Beach, Clatsop County. Direct contact with the water should be avoided until the advisory has been lifted.

  • Recreational Water Health Advisory: County of San Diego closes Carlsbad State Beach access points from 1000 feet north and south of Batiquitos Lagoon Outlet, due to sewage spill into the lagoon.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert (Update): Raymond-Hadley Corp (Spencer, NY) recalls Better Batter Pancake & Biscuit Mix (20oz., UPC 896439002070, Best Before July 2012 - March 2013), Better Batter Gluten Free Pancake/Biscuit Mix (2.5lbs., UPC 896439002032, Best Before December 2011, February - August 2012 & March 2013), Better Batter Yellow Cake Mix (18.25oz., UPC 896439002100, Best Before January - March 2013), and Better Batter Chocolate Cake Mix (18.25oz., UPC 896439002094, Best Before January - March 2013), because the products may contain undeclared milk. The recalled items were imported into Canada from the USA and may have been distributed nationwide.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Inex Partners Oy recalls Rainbow Hampurilaispihvi frozen raw hamburger steak (8 x 50g hamburger patties/pkg; Product of Denmark; Best before dates 03/14/2012, 03/21/2012 and 22/03/2012), due to possible Salmonella contamination.

  • Food Safety Recall Update (Ireland): McCarren & Co. Ltd. expands its earlier recall of McCarren Cooked Ham to include Batch code 4172 (use by 05/05/2011 and 07/05/2011) and Batch cod 4178 (use by 15/05/2011). The recall was initiated due to potential processing errors which may lead to microbial contamination.

  • Food Safety Outbreak Alert (France): Health authorities alert the public that certain fresh liver sausages - consumed either raw or insufficiently cooked - recently have been linked to about 10 cases of hepatitis E infections in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region. The alert cites pork liver sausages made using either fresh or dried pork liver, dried liver, and sausages made from dried liver. Authorities urge the public to cook these products thoroughly or to avoid them altogether.

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Denmark): Denmark's Food Administration warns consumers against using certain dietary supplements sold through the Danish language website www.24h7diet.com, because the products contain harmful ingredients.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Recall (France): Special Products Line SPA (Pomezia, Italy) recalls Fosfomycine 3g, powdered for oral solution, due to inadequate sealing of the packets. The products were sold in France by Actavis, Arrow Generiques, Biogaran, EG Labo, Mylan SAS, Ranbaxy Pharmacie Generiques, Ratiopharm, Sandoz, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva Santé. Please see the recall notice for a list of affected product codes and lot numbers.

  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): Fifty-two Korean factory workers at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus LLC in St. Petersburg developed acute intestinal infections after eating in the factory canteen. Forty-seven of the workers were hospitalized. The food was supplied by the Cedar catering company.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0543): Small pieces of rubber in Nestlé Milkybar Buttons from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0544): Cadmium in frozen blue shark steaks from Spain; distributed to Poland.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0547): E. coli O157:H7 in frozen minced beef steaks from Germany; distributed to France.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0548): Histamine in fresh tuna fish loins from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0549): Glyphosate in red lentils from Turkey; distributed to Germany and Lithuania.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0550): Aflatoxins in L.I.F.E Chestnut Flour from Italy; distributed to Hungary and Italy.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0551): Procymidone in red peppers (paprika) from China; distributed to Germany.

  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0552): Traces of milk in oxtail soup from the United Kingdom; distributed to Cyprus.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0553): Aflatoxins in kenkey manufactured in the United Kingdom, with raw material from Ghana; distributed to the United Kingdom.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0554): Fluazifop-P-butyl in fresh broccoli from Italy; distributed to the Czech Republic.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0555): Unauthorized import of roasted hazelnuts and roasted mixed nuts from Turkey; distributed to Denmark and Sweden.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.
Posted by Phyllis E at Thursday, April 28, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 27, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy Alert: Elsie Grace’s Dry Food Company (Frankfort, KS) recalls some dip mix and soup mix products due to the presence of undeclared milk, soy or wheat. The recalled products were distributed to gift shops and food retailers in KS, NE, MO, NC, OH, IN, AR, KY, PA, OK, IL, SD, IA, WV and MI. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of recalled products.

  • Allergy Alert: The Raymond-Hadley Corporation recalls Better Batter Pancake & Biscuit Mix (20 oz.; Best Before July 2012 - March 2013), Better Batter Gluten Free Pancake/Biscuit Mix (2.5lbs.; Best Before December 2011, February – August 2012 & March 2013), Better Batter Yellow Cake Mix (18.25oz.; Best Before January - March 2013), and Better Batter Chocolate Cake Mix (18.25oz.; Best Before January – March 2013), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled mixes were distributed in the USA and Canada through retail stores, mail order and direct delivery.

  • Allergy Alert: Tri City Cheese and Meats, Inc. (Kawkawlin, MI) recalls Troll Smokehouse Kippered Turkey, Teriyaki Flavor (5 oz & 1 lb packages; Sell by date of May 21, 2011 through Sept. 9, 2011) and Troll Smokehouse Kippered Beef, Teriyaki Flavor (5 oz and 1 lb packages; Sell by date of July 9, 2011 through Sept 2, 2011), due to the presence of undeclared wheat and soy. The recalled products were distributed to retail establishments in Michigan.

  • Food Safety Recall: Woodsmoke Provisions, LLC recalls The Fresh Market Signature Collection Atlantic Smoked Salmon, 4oz. pkg (Lot code 1459/2), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled smoked salmon was sold in The Fresh Market, Inc. stores in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee.

  • FDA Enforcement Action: The Justice Department, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Daniel L. Allgyer, owner of the Rainbow Acres Farm, in Kinzers, PA, for distributing unpasteurized (or “raw”) milk for human consumption in interstate commerce.

  • Federal Indictment (USDA/FSIS): On April 6, a grand jury convened by the United States Attorney´s Office for the District of Puerto Rico handed down an indictment against Filiberto Berrios, 52, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, on four counts of adulteration, transport, distribution and sale of adulterated meat and poultry products and issued a warrant for his arrest. The federal charges state that on or about June 25, 2009, Berrios purchased and transported approximately 45,582 pounds of spoiled and misbranded meat and poultry food products. Berrios reportedly purchased the meat and poultry products for approximately 10 cents per pound. Berrios was arrested on April 12th.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: American Regent recalls Ammonium Molybdate Injection, USP (Molybdenum 250 mcg/10 mL) 10 mL Single Dose Vial (Lot #9409; Exp. Date June 2011), due to the presence of particulate matter. Ammonium Molybdate Injection, USP is indicated for use as a supplement to Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) solutions. The product was distributed to wholesalers and distributors nationwide.

  • Iodine Prep Pad Safety Alert: Wisconsin Pharmacal Company, LLC alerts consumers that some Atware Carey First Aid Kits distributed by Wisconsin Pharmacal contain Triad Povidone Iodine Prep Pads, which were recalled by the manufacturer due to potential bacterial contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected Kits.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: The Raymond-Hadley Corporation recalls Better Batter Pancake & Biscuit Mix (20 oz.; Best Before July 2012 - March 2013), Better Batter Gluten Free Pancake/Biscuit Mix (2.5lbs.; Best Before December 2011, February – August 2012 & March 2013), Better Batter Yellow Cake Mix (18.25oz.; Best Before January - March 2013), andBetter Batter Chocolate Cake Mix (18.25oz.; Best Before January – March 2013), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled mixes were distributed in the USA and Canada through retail stores, mail order and direct delivery.

  • Allergy Alert: Nishimoto Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Egg Custard (Chawanmushi), because the product contains undeclared shrimp. The imported Egg Custard was distributed in Vancouver, BC.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Valio Ltd. recalls recalls Valio Lactose-free butterscotch and blueberry-white chocolate lactose-free quarks (150g; best before 29/04/2011, 05/05/2011 and 05/11/2011), because the products may contain loose pieces of plastic.

  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Nestlé recalls certain Milkybar Discs and Milkybar Buttons due to the possible presence of small pieces of white rubber. The products were manufactured in the United Kingdom. Please see the recall notice for a list of affected codes and dates.

  • Food Safety Recall (United Kingdom): Nestlé UK recalls various date codes of Milkybar Buttons due to possible contamination with small pieces of rubber. Please see the recall notice for a list of affected codes and dates.

  • Food Safety Recall (United Kingdom): Victoria Foods Ltd. recalls Jane Asher Creations Milkybar: My First Baking Mix (195g cartons; Best before end October 2011, November 2011), because the Milkybar Buttons may contain small pieces of rubber.

  • Food Safety Recall (Italy): L.I.F.E. s.r.l. recalls Life brand Chestnut Flour(Best before 30/06/2011; Ean 8001735000; Lot #298.10) due to the presence of aflatoxins in excess of the legal limit.

  • Food Safety Alert (Cyprus): Eggs from the Andreas Vasiliou farm in Kato Drys (Larnaca) were withdrawn from sale after one batch of eggs (labelled 1 CY4433.39; Sell by 16 May 2011) were found to be contaminated with Salmonella.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0540): Cronobacter sakazakii in milk powder for follow-up milk from Belgium; distributed to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syrian Arab Republic.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Nidoway Investment Ltd. recalls Supirocin Ointment 2%, 10g (imported by Nidoway from Macau and supplied to G & L Medical (USA) Co Ltd for sale to pharmacies in Hong Kong), because the product is unregistered in Hong Kong and also because there is a discrepancy between the labelled and actual active ingredient contents.


Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Federal Indictment (Puerto Rico): On April 6, a grand jury convened by the United States Attorney´s Office for the District of Puerto Rico handed down an indictment against Filiberto Berrios, 52, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, on four counts of adulteration, transport, distribution and sale of adulterated meat and poultry products and issued a warrant for his arrest. The federal charges state that on or about June 25, 2009, Berrios purchased and transported approximately 45,582 pounds of spoiled and misbranded meat and poultry food products. Berrios reportedly purchased the meat and poultry products for approximately 10 cents per pound. Berrios was arrested on April 12th.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.



Posted by Phyllis E at Wednesday, April 27, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , ,

Monday, April 25, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 25, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy/Labeling Alert: Giant Eagle recalls Market District Couscous (Best By Nov. 10) due to the presence of undeclared wheat and incorrect cooking instructions.

  • Allergy Alert: Doctor's CarbRite Diet (New Brunswick, NJ) recalls Chocolate Brownie Doctor's CarbRite Diet Bar, 2 oz (UPC # 0 39442 08112 4; all lots), due to the possible presence of undeclared peanuts. The bars were distributed nationally through a variety of distribution channels including supermarkets, health food stores, gyms, and internet-based e-commerce sites.

  • Allergy Alert: S&M Enterprise Corp (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Grove Grow Notes Dried Taro (Product of China) due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. The product was distributed nationwide.

  • Allergy Alert: S&M Enterprise Corp (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Rain Swiss Roll Strawberry Flavor and Rain Swiss Roll Coconut Flavor (products of China), due to the presence of undeclared egg. The products were distributed nationwide.

  • Allergy Alert: Simple Foods (Tonawanda, NY) recalls Carob Brown Rice Crunch Squares, 1.6 oz., and Carob Mint Miniatures, 5.5 oz., because the products may contain undeclared milk. The recalled products were sold at various health food stores in New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

  • Allergy Alert: See's Candies, Inc. recalls Mayfair Chocolate Eggs (4.25-ounce box labeled See's Candies Mayfair with Cherries & Pecans; Code 138), due to the presence of undeclared walnuts. The recalled candies were sold in See's retail shops in Northern California (San Jose and north), Northern Nevada (Reno), Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota and Illinois.

  • Food Safety Recall: Satur Farms (Cutchogue, NY) recalls Satur Farms Cilantro (1/2 lb and 1 lb bulk bags; lot #6347) after USDA detects Salmonella in a routine test sample. The recalled cilantro was distributed to six food service customers in New York City and Long Island.

  • Food Safety Recall: Jonathans Sprouts (Rochester, MA) recalls all conventional and organic alfalfa sprout products (all sell-by dates), because the sprout products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled alfalfa sprout products were sold in A&P, Grand Union, Stop & Shop, Shaws, Hannaford, Donnelans, Foodmaster, Truccis, and Roche Brothers stores, and also were distributed in bulk to food service establishments. The products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

  • Food Safety Recall: L&M Companies, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) recalls Nature's Delight Whole Cucumbers (Lot #PL-RID-002990), after FDA finds Salmonella in a randomly selected sample of cucumbers in a cooler at Four Seasons Produce of Central Florida, Inc. The recalled cucumbers were distributed to wholesalers in New York, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee, and also were shipped to Walmart distribution centers in Mississippi, Nebraska, Texas and Wyoming.

  • Food Safety Recall: Woodsmoke Provisions recalls The Fresh Market Signature Collection Atlantic Smoked Salmon (4 oz. pkgs) due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

  • Outbreak Alert: Since November 2010, four residents of Dallas County (Texas) have become infected with a single strain of Salmonella after drinking unpasteurized milk. Three of the cases have been linked to a single dairy farm, where raw milk sold at the farm tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert/Illness Report: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to peanuts not to consume Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Chocolate Brownie bars (56.7g/2.00 oz packages; UPC 0 39442 08112 4; Lot codes EXP101211, EXP040211, EXP080811, EXP080911, and EXP041012), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts. This is an expansion of an earlier recall. The recalled product was distributed across Canada. There has been one reported illness.

  • Allergy Alert: Sobeys Inc. recalls Compliments Balance Spinach Honey Dijon Salad Kit (220g; Best Before 11AL26) due to the presence of undeclared tree nuts and sulphites. The recalled product was distributed nationally.

  • Allergy Alert: Quality Natural Foods recalls Haldiram's Nagpur brand Petha Cubes Indian Sweets (1Kg and 4Kg sizes; all codes and Best Before dates), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled product was distributed nationally.

  • Food Safety Alert (Listowel, ON): The Food Basics store on Wallace Avenue North in Listowel was closed as a safety precaution after needles were found in fruit and meat.

  • Product Withdrawal: Molson Coors withdraws 1.18 Litre Molson Dry bottles with a black bottle twist cap (Production code that starts with D01), because a few of the bottles produced for the Quebec market on April 1st, 2011 may have been mislabeled and could bear a body label indicating 5.5% Alcohol instead of 10.1%. The withdrawn bottles were distributed only in Quebec.

  • Triad Group Product Recall Update: Triad Group-manufactured health products continue to be recalled from the Canadian market due to bacteria contamination. Affected products - some of which are co-packaged with drugs and included in medical kits - include: alcohol swabsticks, swabs, prep pads and lubricating jelly.


Europe
  • Allergy Alert (Finland): Kesko Food Ltd. recalls Pirkka fish fingers (250 g/10 pcs), Pirkka fish fingers (250 g/10kpl, MSC-certified) as well as Euro Shopper fish fingers (250 and 900 g/10kpl g/30kpl), due to the presence of undeclared egg protein.

  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls King's Crown brand Red Cabbage (580mL jars; Codes 31100 LR 302 W 09:43 and 311 LR 287 W 04:58; Expiry date of 31/12/2012), because the product may contain pieces of glass.

  • Food Safety Warning/Withdrawal (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Kipfricassee Creamy and Spicy Lamb Ratatouille (2011 Easter label), because the packaging may catch fire when microwaved.

  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): McCarren & Co. Ltd. recalls McCarren Cooked Ham (4171, Use by dates: 05/05/11; 4168, Use by dates: 28/04/11; 4163, Use by dates: 21/04/11; 4177, Use by dates: 12/05/11; 4181, Use by dates: 19/05/11; 4182, Use by dates: 21/05/11; 4159, Use by dates: 14/04/11; 4167, Use by dates: 28/04/11; 4162, Use by dates: 21/04/11; 4176, Use by dates: 12/05/11.), due to potential processing errors which may lead to microbial contamination.

  • Topical Product Safety Recall (France): Smith & Nephew recalls Remove solvent-impregnated skin wipes (Lots 0E219, 0E226, 0F242, 0G116, 0H256, 0J233, 0J262, 0J263, 0M178, 0M179, 1A106, 1A181, 1A182, 1A192) and Skin-Prep impregnated skin wipes (Lots 0G117, 0G225, 0J146, 0J147, 0K78, 0M198), due to the risk of bacterial contamination.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection urges the public not to consume puffer fish, following a report of suspected poisoning associated with puffer fish consumption.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Indya Foods Pty Ltd, Roshan Naidu Enterprises, and Prime Products Pty Ltd. recall Haldiram's Nagpur Galub Jamun (1 Kg. cans; Product of India), due to the presence of undeclared wheat/gluten. The recalled product was distributed in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and West Australia.

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Woolworths Supermarkets Ltd. recalls Woolworths Almond Kernels (750g sealed plastic bag; Product of Australia; Best Before 10 11 11 and 11 11 11), due to the possible presence of Salmonella. The recalled products were distributed in all Woolworths, Safeway and Food For Less stores in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, West Australia, Queensland and NT.

  • Hospital Outbreak Alert (Australia): Launceston General Hospital has closed its orthopaedic ward and put extra infection control measures in place following an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis that has affected four nurses and up to six patients. Visitors are being urged to stay away until the outbreak is over.

  • Water Health Alert (West Australia): The Department of Health is warning people to avoid contact with a blue-green algal bloom that has formed in the Hunter River near Bremer Bay.


Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Outbreak Alert (Guadalajara, Mexico): The public has been advised to avoid eating food sold by street vendors, after consumption of street food was linked to a number of cases of an aggressive form of diarrhea, according to the General Director of the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.

Posted by Phyllis E at Monday, April 25, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , ,

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 19, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy Alert: Cinderella Sweets recalls Cindy's Scrumptious Chocolate Chip Pound Cake, 16 oz., due to the presence of undeclared egg. Due to a labeling error, the product packaging indicates "Egg Free" but eggs are listed on the ingredient statement.

  • Allergy Alert: S&M (USA) Enterprise Corp recalls Rain Swiss Roll, Banana Flavor (160g uncoded cardboard box; Product of China), because the product contains undeclared eggs. The recalled product was distributed nationwide.

  • Food Safety Recall: Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel (Montreal, Canada) recalls all Summersweet seafood mousses and dips after samples from two lot codes of Salmon & Spinach Mouse were found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled mousses and dips (see FDA recall notice for product list) were sold in retail outlets in New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, California and Texas, including in Ralphs supermarkets. The manufacturer has suspended production pending the outcome of an investigation into the source of the contamination.

  • Food Safety Recall: Royal Sweet Bakery, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Herring in Vegetable Oil Filling, after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets determined that the fish was improperly eviscerated prior to processing and may, therefore, be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum.

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Investigation Update: As of April 18th, The Rhode Island Department of Health has identified 79 confirmed and suspect cases of salmonellosis linked to baked goods from De Fusco's Bakery in Johnston, RI. Forty-eight cases were lab-confirmed; 30 people were hospitalized, and there have been two Salmonella-associated deaths.

  • Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Update: During the past two years (beginning April 9, 2009), 216 Salmonella illnesses have been confirmed in 41 states as a result of contact with water frogs, especially African dwarf frogs. The outbreak victims were infected with a strain of Salmonella Typhimurium that has been traced to a single African dwarf frog breeding facility in California. The outbreak strain also was recovered from a water sample collected in March 2011 from an aquarium containing African dwarf frogs in the household of a sick infant. Approximately 30% of the outbreak victims were hospitalized as a result of the infection.

  • Food Safety Alert: A retail-level survey of 100 samples of raw chicken (including whole fryers and packages of chicken parts) sold in Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC, Whole Foods, Costco, Sam's Club, Albertsons, Thriftway, PCC Natural Markets and Ken's Market stores in the Seattle area from March 1st to April 4th revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (42 samples), Campylobacter (65 samples), Salmonella (19 samples), Listeria (1 sample) and E. coli O126 (1 sample). Ten of the samples were contaminated with a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

  • Recreational Water Advisory Update (Oregon): A heath advisory for contact with marine water at Seaside Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon was lifted after further testing showed that fecal bacteria levels have subsided at the beach.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Brinkman Turkey Farms, Inc. (Findlay, OH) that a January/February 2011 inspection of the company's low-acid canned food manufacturing facility revealed significant deviations from the Low-Acid Canned Food regulations.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Schindler's Broad Run Cheese House, Inc. (Dover, OH) that a series of inspections carried out between September 2010 and December 2010 revealed serious deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Hocean Food Corporation (Los Angeles, CA) that a November/December 2010 inspection of the company's rice noodle processing establishment revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Delta Airlines, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) that an inspection of a Delta aircraft in Atlanta uncovered the presence of rodent excreta pellets and mammalian urine at various locations the aircraft.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Omega Nutriton U.S.A., Inc. (Bellingham, WA) that a December 2010 inspection of the company's dietary supplement manufacturing facility revealed serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Dietary Supplements.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Aliments Trigone Inc. recalls Les Moissonneries du Pays brand Green Buckwheat Flour Stone Ground Finely Milled (1 kg., Code 349642), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The recalled product was distributed in the province of Québec.

  • Allergy Alert: Armstrong Food Service recalls Roast Beef (Product code 123790; Best Before dates up to and including 21/04/11), Shaved Roast Beef (Product code 124804; Best Before dates up to and including 21/04/11), and Thin Sliced Shaved Roast Beef (Product code 124802; Best Before dates up to and including 21/04/11) due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutional customers in Nova Scotia., Shaved

  • Health Product Recall: Mary Ginseng House recalls Mary Ginseng House 100% Pure High Calibre Pow Sum Ontario Genseng after Health Canada's testing revealed the presence of Klebsiella oxytoca, Pantoea sp. and Enterobacter cloacae in product samples. These bacteria can cause serious infection in an individual whose immune system has been weakened by another illness or chronic condition.

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Galati Cheese Company Ltd. (Windsor, ON) that a January 2011 inspection of the company's cheese manufacturing facility revealed a serious violation of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food, in that the company failed to store and transport finished food under conditions that will protect the food against physical, chemical, and microbial contamination.


Europe
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC recalls Morrisons Fresh Ideas Mini Chicken Roast, 411g (Use by 22 April 2011), Morrisons 6 Carrot Cake Slices (Best before 11 May 2011), and Morrisons The Best Prawn & Smoked Salmon Cocktail, 140g (Use by 20 April 2011), due to the presence of undeclared allergens.

  • Petting Farm Outbreak Investigation (Wales, UK): Public Health Wales is investigating an outbreak of Cryptosporidium in an unspecified number of people who fell ill over the past twelve months following farm and "lamb petting" events at Erddig Hall.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has ordered the closure of Al Tazaj Fakieh Grilled Chicken (License No. 1043939), a restaurant at the Hamdan Centre building on Hamdan Bin Mohamed Street, for repeated violation of food safety rules.

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (China): Food quality inspectors raided steamed bun producers in Zhejiang Province, and found tens of thousands of buns containing banned dyes and other chemicals sold to local schools.

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Lai Sing Medicine Factory Limited recalls Prolonged Man Power Essence, as its lead level exceeds the permitted limit.

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Lee Sze Trading Co. recalls Lee Sze Texiao Houtong Wan, as its arsenic level exceeds the permitted limit.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.
Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, April 19, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: April 17, 2011

This is a mirror of eFoodAlert on WordPress. To subscribe to automatic email alerts, please go to the eFoodAlert on WordPress blog page and complete the EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION form.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


United States
  • Allergy Alert: Organic Food Bar, Inc. (Fullerton, CA) recalls Chocolatey Chocolate Chip RAW Organic Food Bars (Lot #3071210 & 2071210, exp 12 Jul 2011; Lot #02081610 & 01081610, exp. 08/11; Lot #04092710, exp. 27 Sep 2011), because they may contain undeclared peanut proteins. The recalled product was distributed nationally in the United States and Canada through retail stores, mail order and direct delivery.

  • Allergy Alert: La Fiesta Food Products, Inc. recalls all La Fiesta brand and Mi Pueblo brand Dried Shredded Shrimp products, because the products contain undeclared sulfites.

  • Food Safety Recall: B&M, Inc. (Mount Vernon, MO) recalls Archer Farms Ground Turmeric, 2.6 oz. (Lot numbers 1740901A, Best By 6/23/2011; 2180902A, Best By 8/6/11; 2780906A, Best By 10/5/2011; 2920903A, Best By 10/19/11; 3060903A, Best By 11/2/2011; 0071003A, Best By1/7/2012), because the product contains excessive levels of lead. The recalled Ground Turmeric was distributed to Target retails stores nationwide, and was sold from June 2009 to February 2010 in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Division recalls TOPAMAX®, 100mg tablets (Lot #0KG110, Exp 06-2010; and Lot #0LG222, Exp. 09-2012), after receiving consumer complaints of an uncharacteristic odor thought to be caused by trace amounts of TBA (2,4,6 tribromoanisole). The recalled TOPAMAX® tablets were distributed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

  • Food Safety Advisory (Connecticut): The Department of Public Health releases an updated guide on safely eating fish caught in Connecticut, including in Long Island Sound.

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Investigation Update: On Friday, March 25th, the Rhode Island Department of Health issued a recall of all baked goods from DeFusco's Bakery in Johnston. The recalled products have been implicated in a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 77 residents of Rhode Island and one person in Massachusetts. Forty-six of the cases have been lab-confirmed; 29 people were hospitalized, and two people have died as a result of their infection.

  • Norovirus Outbreak Alert (Hawaii): Cholo's Homestyle Mexican Restaurant (Haleiwa, HI) closed temporarily after the restaurant was found to be the source of an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis that has sickened as many as 42 people. The restaurant has since reopened after undertaking a clean-up.

  • Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation (Indiana): An unspecified number of Indiana State University (ISU) students and employees developed gastroenteritis after consuming food at the April 4th Ethics and Social Responsibility Conference at ISU. Sodexo, the ISU food service provider, has denied that contaminated food is to blame for the illnesses.

  • Food Recall: Food City advises its customers that Bakers Bright Sheen (Gallon bottles) has been recalled.

  • Food Recall: Price Chopper recalls Price Chopper Sour Neon Worms (6 oz., Code date 3103561), because the packages contain another candy, Spearmint Leaves.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Organic Food Bar, Inc. (Fullerton, CA) recalls Chocolatey Chocolate Chip flavour Raw Organic Food Bars, due to the presence of undeclared peanuts. The Allergy Alert first issued by CFIA on March 17th has been expanded to include all of the following lot codes: 01081610, 2071210, 04092710, 3071210, and 02081610. The recalled product is known to have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario, and may be distributed nationally.

  • Allergy Alert: Olympic Distributors recalls Sparkle Dried Bean Curd Sheet, 170g, due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled product was distributed through retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon.

  • Allergy Alert: Diners Express (Senneterre, QC) recalls several sandwiches, subs and snacks, because the products may contain undeclared milk, wheat or soy. The recalled products were sold in a number of retail establishments in Abitibi.

  • Food Safety Recall: Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel recalls Summersweet Fine Foods seafood mousses and dips, because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The following products, which were sold in various sizes at retail locations nationally, have been recalled: Smoked Salmon & Spinach Mousse; Mousse Smoked Salmon & Spinach; Smoked Salmon & Dill Mousse; Dip Crab & Roasted Red Pepper; Dip Lobster & Shrimp; Smoked Salmon & Roasted Artichoke Dip; and Dip Crab & Three Cheese.


Europe
  • Food Safety Alert (Denmark): The Danish Food Authority warns the public that meat and meat products sold from Kappendrupvej 12, 5450 Otterup came from animals that were not subject to control by food authorities either before or after slaughter. Furthermore, the animals from which the meat came were slaughtered without authorization and in dirty and poorly maintained premises. Anyone who purchased meat or meat products from this premises should discard it.

  • Food Safety Alert (Denmark): The Danish Food Authority warns the public that Riz Gluant Noir Perfume, 1kg (Product of Thailand, via France; Best Before 17/2-2012; Lot #100217 122 000 331), contains black dye that has not been approved for use in rice.

  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Jinghua shop recalls Black Rice, 400g (Schwarzer reis; Product of China, via Germany; Best before 12.2011), because the rice contains the dye Black PN, which is not approved for use in rice.

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Denmark): SCANPAN A/S recalls SCANPAN Black Nylon Palette Knife (Made in China), sold in hardware stores throughout Denmark, because the tools release primary aromatic amines at quantities above the permitted threshold.

  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Dorset County Hospital has closed two wards to new admissions due to an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis that has affected more than 20 patients in the Barnes and Day Lewis wards. The public has been asked to avoid any non-essential visits to the hospital.

  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0500): Undeclared egg in shell pasta from Croatia; distributed to Slovenia.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0501): Mercury in chilled swordfish (Xiphias gladius) loins from Chile; distributed to Belgium, France and Germany.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0502): Unauthorized ivermectin in corned beef from Brazil; distributed to the United Kingdom.

  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0503): Undeclared milk ingredient in broth of vegetables in grains from Greece; distributed to Cyprus.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0504): Salmonella Mbandaka in sesame seeds from Turkey; distributed to Austria.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0505): Yersinia enterocolitica in radicchio from Italy, via the United Kingdom; distributed to Norway.

  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0506): Traces of milk ingredient in vegetarian margarine from Greece; distributed to Cyprus.

  • Allergy Alert Notiifcation (EU #2011.0507): Undeclared milk ingredient in chocolate cake mixture from Greece; distributed to Cyprus.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0508): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled anchovy (Engraulis enchrasicholus) from Croatia; distributed to Italy.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0509): Salmonella Dublin in chilled veal meat from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Pharmaceutical Product Recall (Hong Kong): Actavis (China) Holding Limited recalls Amitriptyline Tablets, 10mg (Imported from the U.K.; Batch No. AA750), due to a printing error in some labels, resulting in incorrect indication of expiry dates.


Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Division recalls TOPAMAX®, 100mg tablets (Lot #0KG110, Exp 06-2010; and Lot #0LG222, Exp. 09-2012), after receiving consumer complaints of an uncharacteristic odor thought to be caused by trace amounts of TBA (2,4,6 tribromoanisole). The recalled TOPAMAX® tablets were distributed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.

Posted by Phyllis E at Sunday, April 17, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)