Showing posts with label Enterobacter sakazakii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enterobacter sakazakii. Show all posts

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: June 4, 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
  • Food Safety Recall: Walnut Cheese Company, d.b.a. Avanti Foods (Walnut, IL) recalls mozzarella cheese products manufactured on April 21, 2011 because the products may contain beta-lactam antibiotic residues. A review of the cheese plant's drug residue screening log indicated that one load of raw milk was not tested for antibiotic residues. The recalled products were sold at grocery stores, pizzerias and convenience stores across Illinois.

  • Food Safety Recall: Simply Thick, LLC recalls SimplyThick® thickening gel products manufactured at a food processing plant in Stone Mountain Georgia since June 1, 2009. The plant is currently owned and operated by Thermo Pac, LLC. The recall was triggered after an FDA inspection of the Thermo Pac plant, which determined that the company failed to file with FDA a scheduled process designed to ensure that harmful bacteria of possibly public health significance are destroyed during the manufacturing process. The recalled SimplyThick® products were distributed across the USA and Canada.

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Bravo! LLC recalls Bravo! Pig Ears Chews (50-ct. bulk Oven-roasted Pig Ears; Product Code 75-121; Lot #12-06-10), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts between January 1 and February 28, 2011.

  • Food Safety Alert: Pacific Cheese has placed a "hold" on 26 million pounds of shredded and block cheese while it conducts an investigation into possible foreign materials in the products. Hilmar Cheese Co., the original producer of the cheeses supplied to Pacific Cheese has identified the possibility that some plastic mesh may have become shredded and mixed in with the cheese from several vats. No recall has been issued as of June 3rd.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Churchill Medical Systems (A Vygon Company) recalls certain lots of 5 hospital-use convenience kits containing Skin-Prep Wipes that were affected by an April 2011 recall initiated by Smith & Nephew. The affected kits were shipped to distributors and hospitals between September 3, 2010 and March 11, 2011.

  • FDA Enforcement Action: At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S Marshals seized elderberry juice products that have been distributed by Wyldewood Cellars Inc. (Peck, KS), because the products are unapproved and misbranded drugs.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Jasmine Mediterranean Foods Ltd. (Vancouver, BC) recalls Jasmine Foods Tahini (375 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml; Best before 30 Sep 2011) because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed in British Columbia. One adverse reaction has been reported.

  • Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food (Richmond, BC) recalls North flavored Pastry brand Black Sesame flavored Pastry (480g packages; all lot codes), because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled pastry was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods Interntional Ltd. (Delta, BC) recalls all lot codes of Haldirams Nagpur Rasgulla, Gagan Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks, Gagan Aam Papad Candy, and Gagan Coconut Slice, due to the presence of undeclared wheat and/or sulphites. The recalled products were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

  • Food Safety Recall: Sweet Accessories Enterprises recalls Mango, Lychee, Sweet Yoghurt, and Blueberry drink concentrates, because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled drink concentrates were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in British Columbia.

  • Food Safety Recall Update: Tree of Life Canada (Surrey, BC) recalls all lot codes and best before dates of King James Blue Stilton Cheese, 2-kg and 4-kg sizes, because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was imported from the United Kingdom and distributed across Canada.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Taro Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. recalls Docusate Sodium Capsules USP (100 mg; Lot #31040225) due to possible contamination with Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii - a bacterium that is a rare cause of serious or life-threatening infections, particularly in premature infants and other vulnerable individuals.


Europe
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Advisory (PRC): China has suspended imports of 812 products that may be contaminated with DEHP. The list of affected products includes beverages, food and additives.

  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): Bakeries in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Yunlin, Tainan and Kaohsiung have been found to be using ingredients that may be contaminated with DEHP.

  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): The Department of Health has barred the importation by New Zealand Beef of nearly 100 tons of U.S. beef after finding the banned drug ractopamine in samples of the beef.


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 Saturday, June 04, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , , ,

Monday, May 2, 2011

Recalls and Alerts: May 2, 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 certain Raw Organic Cinnamon Raisin Food Bars, Raw Organic Chocolate Coconut Food Bars, Raw Organic Oooatmeal Apple Pie Food Bars, Raw Organic Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Food Bars, Raw Organic Fiber Chocolate Delite Food Bars, Raw Organic Keerunch Crunchy Chocolate Chip Food Bars and Raw Organic Oohmega Cherry Pie Food Bars, because the products may contain undeclared peanut, through cross contamination of cashew butter provided by a former supplier. Please refer to the recall notice for expiry code and lot code details.

  • Allergy Alert: Oberto Sausage Company (Kent, WA) recalls Lowrey's Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky (3 individual snack packs of 6 beef jerky sticks; Best by 130412 01), because the product contains undeclared soy. The recalled beef jerky was produced on April 15, 2011 and was distributed to retail establishments in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

  • Allergy Alert: Bay Valley Foods, LLC (Pittsburgh, PA) recalls Great Value Reduced Sodium Chicken Noodle Condensed Soup (10.5-oz cans; Best By 09 29 12), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled canned soup was distributed through Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.

  • Allergy Alert: Simply Asia Foods, LLC recalls Thai Kitchen® Noodle Carts (Sweet Citrus Ginger, Thai Peanut, and Spicy Thai Basil) and Simply Asia® Noodle Bowl (Roasted Peanut), because the products contain undeclared milk. The recalled Thai Kitchen Noodle Carts were distributed to retail stores nationally beginning October 1, 2009; the Simply Asia Noodle Bowl - Roasted Peanut was distributed nationally beginning September 23, 2010.

  • Food Safety Recall: Six L's (Immokalee, FL) recalls Cherry Berry Grape Tomatoes (packed in clam shells or 20 lbs. cardboard containers; Lot Code DW-H), after USDA detects Salmonella in a random sample obtained at a New York distributor. The recalled lot of grape tomatoes was harvested from and farm in Estero, FL and was distributed through retailers and to restaurants in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Canada.

  • Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. (Tracy, CA) recalls certain products made for Albertsons, Raley's Safeway, Savemart, Sam's Club & Walmart, because the products contain grape tomatoes that were recalled by Six L's due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected products were sold under the Albertsons, Raley's, Signature Cafe (Safeway), Savemart, Sam's and Wal-Mart brand names in various states. Please refer to the recall notice for detailed lot code and distribution information.

  • Food Safety Recall: Satur Farms (Cutchogue, NY) recalls Satur Farms Cilantro (1/2 lb and 1 lb bulk bags; Lot code 6361), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cilantro was distributed in New York City and Long Island to food service customers. None of the cilantro was supplied to retailers.

  • Food Safety Recall: Rock Garden South, Inc. (Miami, FL) recalls Coosemans Worldwide Bunched Cilantro (UPC 0 33383 80104 9), after USDA finds possible Salmonella in Jacksonville, FL. The recalled product may have been distributed through Publix supermarkts in Florida, Georgia, Coastal South Carolina and Southern Alabama.

  • Food Safety Recall: Quinault Tribal Enterprise (Taholah, WA) recalls all canned seafood products including all Quinault Pride and Quinault Tribal Enterprises canned Salmons, smoked and non-smoked; Tuna, smoked and non-smoked; Smoked Sturgeon; Minced Razor Clams; smoked Razor Clams; and smoked Steelhead, because they were not adequately processed according to FDA low-acid canned food regulations. Inadequate processing could permit the survival of harmful microorganisms such as Clostridium botulinum, with the potential for causing possibly life-threatening illness. The recalled products were sold nationwide through distributors and retail stores.

  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall: Giant Food Stores and Price Chopper alert consumers to a recall of Colace Laxative, 100mg Capsules (30-count). The recall was issued due to the product being out of specification.

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Bristol-Myers Squibb recalls Coumadin® Crystalline, 5 mg tablets (Lot #9H49374A; Expiry September 30, 2012; bottles of 1,000 tablets). The recalled product was distributed to pharmacies for dispensing to patients in prescription quantities. The manufacturer initiated the recall after a single tablet was found to be higher in potency than expected.

  • Marine Water Health Advisory (Update): The Oregon Health Authority lifts its health advisory for water contact at Cannon Beach (Clatsop County) after the bacterial contamination levels subside.

  • Outbreak Alert: King County (Washington) Public Health warns residents of Snoqualmie Valley to "mind their hygiene and vaccines" after six cases of hepatitis A were reported in the Valley in the last three months. The source of the virus is not known. King County recorded a total of seven cases of hepatitis A in all of 2010.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Simply Asia Foods/McCormick Canada (London, ON) recalls Simply Asia Roasted Peanut Noodle Bowl (240g; Best before MAY 10 12 B, APR 24 12 B, and JUN 21 12 B), because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed across Canada.

  • Food Safety Recall: Six L's (Immokalee, FL) recalls Cherry Berry Grape Tomatoes (clam shells or 20lb cardboard containers; Lot Code DW-H; Packed April 11, 2011), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Grape Tomatoes originated from a farm in Estero FL and were distributed through retail stores and restaurants in several US states and Canada.


Europe
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Belgomilk recalls Supramil 1 Brand Infant Powder Milk Advanced Formula (400g metal containers; Product of Belgium; Expiry 7/2011; Lot Code BN0014), because the product may be contaminated with Chronobacter (formerly Enterobacter) sakazakii, which can be harmful to infants' health.

  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): The Japan Times reports 38 cases of food-poisoning cases in Toyama Prefecture and two deaths since mid-April. The illnesses and deaths have been linked to a raw beef dish served at a Foods Forus Co. outlet. A highly toxic strain of E. coli O:111 was recovered from one of the dead boys.

  • Outbreak Alert (India): Nearly 30 people in Dyavappahalli village have complained of vomiting and diarrhea, and may be infected with cholera. Mixing of sewage with drinking water is suspected to be the source of the outbreak.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Tasti Products Limited recalls Tasti Double White Choc Muffin Bakes (240g; Best Before 29 March 2012), because some of the bars may be contaminated with hard clear plastic from a machine guard. The recalled snack bars were sold on or after April 8th in Four Square, Write Price, Pak N Save and New World stores across the North Island only.

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0567): Listeria monocytogenes inLou Peyrou brand raw milk ewe cheese from France; distributed to France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand and Spain.


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 Monday, May 02, 2011 0 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Recall Roundup: February 4, 2010

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. 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.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please click here or submit your request using the sidebar link.


United States
  • Allergy Alert: Pierino Frozen Foods Inc. (Lincoln Park, MI) recalls its 24 oz. packages of Pierino Frozen Foods' Jumbo Shells with Cheese because they contain undeclared eggs. The recalled product were sold in retail stores in Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: At the request of the FDA, U.S. Marshals on Tuesday seized a wide range of human and animal food products stored under insanitary conditions at Mid-States Closeouts, a distribution warehouse in Ellsworth, WI.
  • Food Safety Recall: Daniele International, Inc. expands earlier recalls to include two additional products: 3-ounce packages of "DANIELE NATURALE SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER" and approximately 6-pound packages of "DANIELE SALAME GRANDE COATED WITH PORK FAT & PEPPER." The latest additions to the recall brings the total amount of recalled meat to more than 1.26 million pounds.


Europe


Asia, Africa & The Pacific
  • Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns citizens and expatriates against purchasing or using Hero Baby with Rice and Milk baby food (manufactured in Turkey) bearing expiry date 11 May 2010 because the baby food is contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, a potentially lethal pathogen.


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, February 04, 2010 0 comments
Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Recall Roulette: Europe Must Improve Its Recall Notifications

Today, or tomorrow, or next week – it will happen!

Somewhere in France, or in Spain, or in Portugal – it will happen!

An unsuspecting Mama or Papa will prepare an organic cereal for Bébé – and, in so doing, will feed Salmonella or Enterobacter sakazakii to a helpless victim.

How do I know this? Because on November 27, 2009, Spain notified member countries of the European Union (EU) that "seven organic grains baby food" – manufactured in Spain and distributed in Spain, Portugal and France – was contaminated with Salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii and should be destroyed.

  • What brands of baby food are involved? No one has said.
  • What production dates are contaminated? No one has said.
  • Where was the baby food sold? In grocery stores? Over the Internet? No one has said.

In fact, no one has said anything at all to consumers in Spain, Portugal or France, as far as I can tell.

When a contaminated food is recalled in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Eire, Finland, or in an alphabet soup of other countries, the responsible government agency issues a news release – usually posting the information on its web site for the benefit of consumers. This does not happen in Spain or in Portugal. It happens in a very sporadic fashion in France.

The public listing of food safety notifications by the EU is commendable – as far as it goes. But the member countries must take the concept much farther. If a contaminated food has entered retail distribution, issue a clear warning – one that identifies both the product and the hazard. Enlist the consumers' help to remove the offending product from circulation.

Otherwise, expect contaminated food to find its way into the mouths of babes.

Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, December 01, 2009 0 comments
Labels: , , ,

Monday, November 30, 2009

Recall Roundup: November 30, 2009

URGENT: Seven organic grains baby food from Spain may contain the pathogens Salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii. See below for details.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. 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
  • Food Safety Recall: ShopRite of Bensalem (2200 Bristol Road, Bensalem, PA) recalls all store-made ground meat that was produced on Friday, November 27, because the meat may contain small pieces of Styrofoam tray. No other ShopRite stores are affected.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Arnåvej 23, 6240 Løgumkloster recalls fresh and frozen poultry that was slaughtered without authorization
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Gladsaxe School recalls Smooth Me fruit smoothies that were produced in unauthorized premises and distributed in FLG canteens and other locations in the Gladsaxe region.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): ALDI Karlslunde KS. recalls fresh whole chicken that may be contaminated with Campylobacter. The recalled poultry was sold in Aldi stores in Sealand
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1649): Salmonella spp. and Enterobacter sakazakii in seven organic grains baby food from Spain; distributed in France, Spain and Portugal
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1650): Aflatoxins in basmati rice from Pakistan; distributed in the United Kingdom
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1651): Benzopyrene (industrial contaminant) in smoked herring from Canada; distributed in France


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.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Monday, November 30, 2009 0 comments
Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

French Baby Formula: Enterobacter sakazakii Update

March 10, 2009

The consumer alert issued last month after South Korea claimed to have found Enterobacter sakazakii in a sample of powdered infant formula from France has been withdrawn.

The French government requested on March 2nd that the European Food Safety Authority withdraw its earlier alert notification, based on the following information:

  • Analyses carried out by the South Korean veterinary authorities found no trace of Enterobacter sakazakii
  • Analyses carried out by the manufacturer found no Enterobacter sakazakii
  • Analyses carried out by the French government found no Enterobacter sakazakii
  • Government inspection of the manufacturer's production facility was satisfactory

Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, March 10, 2009 0 comments
Labels: , ,

Friday, February 20, 2009

French-Made Infant Formula Power Investigated by South Korea

February 20, 2009

South Korean food safety authorities are investigating the possibility that a batch of BABYNAT infant formula, a product of Vitagermine SAS, may be contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii.

The pathogen, which can cause potentially fatal septicemia and/or meningitis in newborns and infants, reportedly was detected by the Korean National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service in a 135-kilogram shipment of canned organic formula imported into the Republic of Korea. This same production batch also was imported into Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety was advised on February 17th by European Union authorities that the following batch of infant formula has been recalled by Vitagermine SAS as a result of the South Korean finding.

  • Manufacturer: Vitagermine
  • Product name: Babynat Organic Infant Milk (Lait en poudre pour bébé Babynat 1, 900g)
  • Bar code: 3288131502014
  • Lot number: 17381
  • Expiry date: 13/10/2010

The Centre for Food Safety has advised consumers not to use this product, and has alerted retailers and distributors to stop selling the recalled item.

Vitagermine claims that its initial quality assurance testing of the infant formula did not detect Enterobacter sakazakii. The company has initiated additional testing on the batch in question concurrently with supplementary tests by the South Korean government.

Notwithstanding the Hong Kong recall announcement, Vitagermine advises its customers that, as of today, all additional tests have yielded results in conformance with European safety standards.

In an apparently unrelated incident, the Peoples Republic of China blocked the importation earlier this month of milk powder from Wei-Chuan, a Taiwan company in the latter part of 2008. The milk powder was found to be contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii. According to a spokesman from the corporation, the entire production batch was destroyed before it reached consumers.

Enterobacter sakazakii has been responsible for several outbreaks of life-threatening meningitis in newborns and infants in North America and Europe. The infectious dose can be small. Therefore, even low levels of the pathogen in powdered formula may be enough to cause illness.

Consumers can minimize the risk of infections when using powdered infant formula by following these guidelines:
  • Prepare formula in small batches
  • Use boiled water or bottled water to reconstitute the formula powder
  • Chill any unused formula promptly in the refrigerator, and keep it cold until needed.
  • When carrying prepared formula away from home, use an insulated carrier with a cold pack to ensure that the formula stays cold.
BABYNAT infant formulas are available in numerous retail stores and supermarkets in France, and can be purchased over the Internet.

Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, February 20, 2009 0 comments
Labels: , ,

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Infant Formula Under The Microscope

The New Mexico Department of Health reports that two infants in the state have become infected with Enterobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that has been associated in the past with powdered infant formulas. One of the infants – a boy – has died, while a baby girl is being treated in hospital.

The two infants were each infected with a different strain of Enterobacter sakazakii. The state is conducting environmental and food sample analyses to try to trace the origin of the infections. FDA and CDC have been notified, and are aiding in the investigation.

In 2001, powdered infant formula used in a neonatal intensive care unit in Tennessee was responsible for the death of one infant, who developed meningitis after becoming infected with Enterobacter sakazakii. And in 2002, Wyeth Nutritionals recalled 1.5 million cans of powdered infant formula after the pathogen was detected during a special FDA sampling program involving all US manufacturers of powdered formula. 

While Enterobacter sakazakii was first discovered to be a pathogen in 1961, there is still a lot that is unknown about its pathogenesis (i.e., the way in which it develops disease), about the way in which it contaminates powdered dairy products, and even how infants become infected.

There are certain actions that parents can take to minimize the risk of their infants developing an Enterobacter sakazakii infection. The New Mexico Department of Health summarizes these as follows:

  • The best option for your baby is to breastfeed if possible.
  • Talk to your health-care provider before trying or changing to a new formula.
  • Prepare a small amount of formula for each feeding to reduce the amount and time that formula is at room temperature before your baby drinks it.
  • If you have prepared formula and your baby has not had any, throw the formula away within two hours of preparation. If your baby drank out of the bottle, throw away any leftover formula within one hour.
  • Always wash your hands before preparing formula or any food for yourself or family members.
  • Prepared formula in a refrigerator should be used within 24 hours.


Posted by Phyllis E at Wednesday, November 26, 2008 0 comments
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)