Outbreaks and Alerts: June 5, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Atlanta, GA. June 3: According to CDC's latest update on the Salmonella Newport outbreak due to contaminated alfalfa sprouts, as of 11:00 PM EDT on June 2, 2010, a total of 35 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 11 states since March 1, 2010.
• Gibbon, MN. June 3: Laboratory testing this week provided additional evidence that the Hartmann dairy farm, of rural Gibbon, was the source of a strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that sickened at least five Minnesotans after they consumed raw, unpasteurized milk or other dairy products from the farm.
• Jefferson City, MO. June 3: The public beach at Mark Twain State Park will remain closed this weekend because of E. coli levels that remain higher than the standard set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for state park beaches.
• Tallahassee, FL. June 3: Three people were arrested at a Plant City farmers’ market on a charge of resisting investigators during a sweep aimed at ensuring that food safety regulations governing tomatoes were being followed.
• Chico, CA. June 4: At least 15 people became ill with Salmonella infections last month after attending the Margarita Mix-Off in Chico, California. Three of the fifteen were hospitalized due to the severity of their illnesses. The source of the Salmonella has not yet been found.
• Alabama. June 4: Norovirus was behind an outbreak of gastroenteritis at Oak Mountain State Park, according to the results of an epidemiological investigation carried out by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The virus was recovered from one of the victims. Tests of the lake water determined that Enterococcus, fecal coliform and E. coli levels were in compliance with safety standards.

Europe

• The Scottish Borders, UK. June 3: Two wards at Borders General Hospital have been closed to new admissions after an outbreak of norovirus.
• Northern Ireland. June 4: The Public Health Agency has issued a warning over an increase in reported levels of Norovirus.
• Karpinsk, Russia. June 5: Forty-five children and 6 staff members from a local kindergarten are hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of Salmonella gastroenteritis. An audit of the school kitchen uncovered a number of sanitary violations.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. June 3: At least seven people have died and there are now said to be as many as 600 suspected cases of cholera that have been detected since August, in coastal villages around Port Moresby.
• North Cotabato, Philippines. June 3: Health officials have declared a diarrhea outbreak after 209 residents developed gastroenteritis. Contaminated water from the Greenhills and Noah reservoirs is suspected to be the source.
• Hong Kong. June 4: The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced that all the 80 samples of rice dumplings collected recently for chemical and microbiological tests were found to be satisfactory.
• Hong Kong. June 4: The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) released the findings of its Food Safety Report for April. Out of the 3,700 food samples tested, three samples were found to be unsatisfactory and the overall satisfactory rate was 99.9%.
• Nairobi, Kenya. June 4: The cholera outbreak in Nakuru town has claimed several lives in Lakeview and Bondeni estates in the past few days. The Municipal Council health authorities have closed food outlets in matatu termini and industrial areas in an effort to arrest the spread of the outbreak.
• Mogadishu, Somalia. June 4: The World Health Organization says cholera cases in Somalia are increasing fast as many people are driven from their homes by fighting between the government and rebels. There were 132 cholera patients in one Mogadishu hospital last week, and reports of more illnesses outside of the capital.
• Sigulu Island, Uganda. June 4: Hundreds of people have fled their homes following an outbreak of stomach pains, headache and diarrhea. Two people have died and more than 20 are hospitalized. The cause of the illness is undetermined, but officials say that the outbreak is not due to cholera.
• Chennai, India. June 4: The Communicable Diseases Hospital in North Chennai is seeing more than 40 new cases of diarrhea daily. Doctors are urging the population to use only properly disinfected water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

Latin America and the Caribbean

• Tamaulipas, Mexico. June 4: The Ministry of Health declared the state of Tamaulipas as free of the presence or possible outbreak of cholera, saying it is already nearly 10 years that is not registered a case of that disease in the region.

Recall Roundup: June 5, 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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Allergy Alert: Eastern Fish Co. (Teaneck, NJ) recalls certain date codes of Bloom brand and Hannaford brand frozen raw extra jumbo shrimp because the product may contain undeclared sulfites. The recall applies to shrimp sold in 16-ounce packages and at full-service seafood cases. The recall was initiated after Bloom was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that test results from routine product sampling indicated the presence of sulfites in the shrimp. The recalled products were distributed to Hannaford stores and to independent stores serviced by Hannaford in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, and to Bloom stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
• Product Withdrawal: Haggen White Cheddar Popcorn (UPC 72698433097; Dates 6/19/10, and 6/22/10), available at Top Food & Drug, is withdrawn due to rancidity.
• Product Withdrawal: Haggen Wide Egg Noodles, 16 oz. (UPC 72698423026; Code Date: 012210), available at Top Food & Drug, is withdrawn because a processing error occurred between pasta and egg noodle production and there was not complete segregation of formulas.

Canada

• Consumer Product Safety Recall: McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited recalls McDonald's "Shrek Forever After" Collectable Drinking Glasses, because the design on the drinking glasses contains cadmium.

Europe

• Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Salaisons du Lignon expands its earlier recall of Lou Mountagnard Saucisse sèche droite nature La Pause Auvergnate (220g) to include all product with an expiry date up to and including 24/08/10.
• Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Norrmejerier recalls milk and whipping cream products from Plant #1005, bearing a manufacturing date of June 2 and expiration date of June 9, because of elevated bacterial counts due to an error that occurred in the fresh water system used in the cleaning of tanks and pipes.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): A.S. Watson Group (HK) Limited has suspended the sale of 500mL bottles of Isotone Sports Drinks (regular flavour) and Isotone Sports Drinks (ice flavour) after fungus was detected in the beverages. The Centre for Food Safety is warning consumers not to drink these beverages.
• Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) warns consumers not to use bottled water from Badr Factory Potable Water, produced at Wadi Al Dawasir, because the level of bromates in the water exceeds Saudi Standard Specifications. SFDA has asked the municipality to take the necessary steps to stop production at the Badr plant and to request a recall.
• Consumer Product Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): Saudi FDA warns that 60mL-paper cups having the barcode 3101985520006, and produced by the Peoples Republic of China are not suitable for beverage service because they do not conform with the standards for the wax-layer (polyethylene) lining and the type of paper used in the production of beverage cups.

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.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

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

Outbreaks and Alerts: June 4, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Springfield, IL. June 3: Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments are investigating the cause of Salmonella Hvittingfoss illnesses among customers who ate at Subway restaurants in 14 Illinois counties. To date, 34 cases of Salmonella have been confirmed with this outbreak; 14 people were hospitalized. Illnesses are reported to have started between May 14 and May 25, with victims ranging in age from six-years to 88-years-old. The source of the contamination is not yet known, but Subway has voluntarily all lettuce, green peppers, red onion and tomatoes, from the suspected dates from its restaurants and has replaced the product with new, fresh produce.

Canada

• Ottawa, ON. June 3: Following a February 2010 Advisory concerning unauthorized products sold under the OMFusion Distributors LLC label, additional unauthorized products with the OM Fusion label have been removed from the Canadian market by Health Canada.

Recall Roundup: June 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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Consumer Product Safety Recall: McDonald's Corp. recalls “Shrek Forever After 3D” 16-ounce Collectable Drinking Glasses because the designs on the glasses contain cadmium.

Europe

• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0713): Aliphatic hydrocarbons in dried raisins from Iran; distributed in the Czech Republic.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0714): Cadmium in whole frozen cooked crabs (Cancer pagurus) from Ireland; distributed in Italy.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0715): Plastic fragments in vacuum packed sausage with pistachios from Italy, via Germany; distributed in Denmark.

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.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

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

Raw Milk From Hartmann Dairy Farm Sickens Five

Outbreak strain found "in multiple animals and multiple sites" on Minnesota farm

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Department of Health revealed definitive evidence today proving that raw milk from the Hartmann Dairy Farm in rural Gibbon, MN caused five people to become infected with E. coli O157:H7. Three of the victims were hospitalized, including a child who is suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a life-threatening complication that affects 5-10% of people who develop an E. coli O157:H7 infection.

In addition to recovering the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 from multiple sites – and multiple animals – on the Hartmann farm, state investigators also found a different strain of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli in samples of Hartmann's raw milk cheese.

Minnesota is investigating several additional illnesses that may be linked to the consumption of Hartmann dairy products. All dairy products from the Hartmann farm have been embargoed; the movement or release of products from the farm is prohibited while the investigation proceeds.

When reports of this outbreak first appeared on May 26th, customers of Hartmann Dairy cried foul. "This is hugely about consumer choice," Charlene Chan-Muehlbauer told reporter Mike Hughlett, "and I think we need more farmers like Mike Hartmann."

More farmers like Michael Hartman?

• In 2000, Hartmann refused to allow his farm to be inspected.
• In 2001, Hartmann's Grade A pasteurized milk license was revoked due to insanitary conditions at the dairy.
• In 2002, Hartmann was convicted of selling uninspected meat out of a van.
• In 2004, Hartmann was discovered selling raw milk out of a truck in a parking lot.

This country can't afford more farmers like Michael Hartmann!

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

Outbreaks and Alerts: June 3, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Kennewick, WA. June 2: The Benton-Franklin Health District is investigating a report of an adult who became sick from Salmonella about a week ago, according to an article in the Tri-City Herald.

Canada

• Sarnia, ON. June 2: At least 70 people who attended the Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton Chef's Challenge at Hiawatha on May 12, 2010 are suffering from diarrhea. Cyclospora, a single-celled parasite, has been confirmed in seven of the outbreak victims so far. The Health District is still investigating the source of the infections.

Europe

• Nørager, Denmark. June 2: Denmark's Food Standards Agency warns that meat and meat products from illegally slaughtered animals may be have been sold at the following location: Alstrup Hedevej 3 Bonderup, 9610 Nørager. Meat purchased from this location may be hazardous to consume, and should be discarded.
• Køge, Denmark. June 2: Residents of Køge are under a "boil water" alert. The city's water supply was found to be contaminated with Campylobacter after 45 people reported suffering from diarrhoea and severe stomach cramps.
• Moscow, Russia. June 2: A Russian consumer rights group reports that 80% of chicken sold in stores belonging to the Auchan supermarket chain are contaminated with Salmonella.
• Kiev, Ukraine. June 2: Ten attendees (5 teachers and five students) at a secondary school prom were diagnosed with an acute intestinal infection after consuming homemade food at the event on May 31st.
• Nicosia, Cyprus. June 2: Forty children have been hospitalized with gastroenteritis and are being treated for dehydration after suffering from diarrhea and vomiting.
• Norilsk, Russia. June 2: Seven children attending a camp based in School No. 16 were hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. The source of the illnesses is under investigation.
• Lynn, United Kingdom. June 2: An outbreak of Norovirus gastroenteritis is affecting three wards at Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Visiting hours have been limited to between 7pm and 8pm only. Anyone who is feeling unwell is asked to postpone their visit until at least three days after all symptoms have disappeared.

Recall Roundup: June 3, 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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Animal Feed Safety Recall: Kent Nutrition Group, Inc. (Muscatine, IA) recalls 36 bags of Kent Feeds 20 Lamb DQ45 Medicated (lot #810127), due to the discovery of excess amounts of copper in the feed.
• Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Claris Lifesciences recalls all lots of Ciprofloxacin Inj. USP 200 mg / 100 mL (NDC 36000-008-24), Ciprofloxacin Inj. USP 400 mg / 200 mL (NDC 36000-009-24), Metronidazole Inj. USP 500 mg/100 ml (NDC 36000-001-24), and Ondansetron in 5% Dextrose Inj. 32 mg / 50 mL (36000-014-06) manufactured and distributed by Claris Lifesciences, after receiving reports of floating matter which may pose risk if administered to patients. The recalled pharmaceutical products were distributed to hospitals, wholesalers and distributors nationwide.

Europe

• Allergy Alert (Republic of Ireland): Sausages manufactured by Kelly’s Manufacturing, Newport, Co. Mayo have been found to contain sulphur dioxide, which was undeclared on the original label. This alert affects Kelly’s of Newport Pork Sausages, pack sizes 454g tray packs and 10lb bags, all use by dates between 29th April 2010 and 15th June 2010. The manufacturer will be providing temporary labels to affix to packages.
• Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Zimbo IL recalls Ceriani brand Italian Mortadella Bologna (Production date: 3/5/2010) after the company finds small pieces of soft, white plastic in the product.
• Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Lidl recalls whole frozen chicken in the packages of 1300 grams with the best before date 2011-03-15 because the chicken, which was imported from Germany, is contaminated with Salmonella.
• Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (UK): Rambaxy (UK) Limited recalls all unused stock of Gabapentin 100mg Capsules (Batch No. 2037862; Expiry date May 2011; Pack size 1 x 100) because the patient information leaflet (PIL) has not been updated to include safety warnings initiated by the European Medicines Agency.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0701): Unauthorised use of colour E 110 - Sunset Yellow FCF and of colour E 124 - Ponceau 4R / cochineal red A in peeled shrimps from China; distributed in Greece.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0702): Too high content of E 200 - sorbic acid in dried pitted prunes from Argentina, via Lithuania; distributed in Estonia.
• Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2010.0704): Undeclared sulphite in sausages from Ireland; distributed in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0705): Tin in peach halves in light syrup from Hong Kong; distributed in the Czech Republic and Estonia.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0706): Salmonella Livingstone in marinated chicken breast fillets from Germany; distributed in Denmark.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0707): Carbendazim in apricots from Spain; distributed in Spain.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0708): Carbendazim in apples from Spain; distributed in Spain.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010. 0709): Prohibited substance nitrofuran, nitrofurazone in crayfish (shrimps) from Germany, with raw material from China, via the Netherlands; distributed in Germany.
• Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2010.0710): Undeclared gluten in fermented grain drink from Germany; distributed in Austria.
• Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2010.0711): Undeclared celery in Hollandaise-sauce paste from Denmark; distributed in Denmark and Iceland.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0712): Mercury in scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa ) from Algeria; distributed in France.

Australia and New Zealand

• Allergy Alert Update (New Zealand): Bluebird Foods Ltd. updates distribution information on its recall of Bluebird Light Plus Potato Chips, 150g bags (Best Before 25 August 2010). The product, which contains undeclared milk, soy and gluten, was sold in supermarkets and dairies throughout New Zealand.

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.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

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

Outbreaks and Alerts: June 2, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

Canada

• Toronto, ON. June 1: Toronto Police report two new confirmed incidents of needles embedded in packages of Piller's brand sausages sold in the city. A total of five cases have now been confirmed.

Europe

• London, England. June 2: The Food Standards Agency is reminding parents not to feed honey to babies who are under a year old, following a confirmed case of infant botulism.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Hong Kong. June 1: A 43-year-old woman was arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) as part of their follow-up investigation into the sale of four slimming products which were earlier found to contain undeclared western drug ingredients that may cause serious side effects. The four products were USA Yaku Cell Slimming Capsules (美國雅酷細胞減肥素), 青瓜排油素, 木瓜排油素 and 冬瓜排油素.
• Eastern Kenya. June 2: The government has announced that 2.3m bags of maize were unfit for human consumption. Health experts say the maize contained high levels of lethal aflatoxins, which have killed at least one child. The government has promised to buy and destroy the toxic maize.

Australia and New Zealand

• Wellington, New Zealand. June 2: The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is confirming its advice to parents and caregivers that energy drinks and energy shots containing caffeine are not for children and young teenagers, following completion of a risk profile on caffeine.

Latin America and the Caribbean

• Rio Preto, Brazil. June 2: An outbreak of diarrhea has stricken 19 children, 8 teachers and an official at Célia Homsi de Melo kindergarten in bairro João Paulo 2º of Rio Preto. Health workers have been collecting water and stool samples to diagnose the cause of the outbreak.
• Tegucigalpa, Honduras. June 2: Officials of Hospital Escuela reports that the number of cases of diarrhea increased by 20% following recent rains.

Recall Roundup: June 2, 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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• Food Safety Recall: Price Chopper recalls Price Chopper 80% Lean Ground Beef (UPC 211638910702) with a sell-by date of May 31, 2010, because of potential contamination with metal particles. The recalled meat was sold only in Savings Pack 3 lbs. or more at the Price Chopper Supermarket in Putnam, CT.
• Food Safety Recall Retail Distribution: USDA posts retail distribution list for CASA ITALIA C.I. PROSCIUTTO BONELESS, recalled in May by International Gourmet because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Canada

• Food Safety Recall: Boulangerie Laurentides (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, QC) recalls liver pâté packaged in Mason Jars (pâté de foie en conserve) because the product labeling does not state Garder réfrigéré, nor does it indicate an expiration date. The public is warned not to consume this product unless it has been stored continuously in a refrigerator and, in any case, not to consume the product after June 11, 2010.

Europe

• Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dansk Supermarked recalls Natural Marinated chicken breast fillets, frozen (Batch No KWH l 1 ) because the product may contain Salmonella. The recalled frozen chicken breast fillets were distributed in Bilka Odense, Bilka Skalborg, and Bilka Næstved.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0688): Aerobic plate count too high for raw cow milk from Germany; distributed in Italy.
• Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2010.0689): Salmonella in soybean meal from Argentina; distributed in Poland.
• Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2010.0690): Inner coating oxidized and peeling off, and too high level of total migration from oven pan from China; distributed in Cyprus and Greece.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0691): Chlormequat in seedless grapes from India; distributed in Slovenia.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0692): Bacillus cereus enterotoxigenic in dried mushrooms (boletus edulis) from Macedonia; distributed in Italy.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0693): Chlormequat in grapes from India, via the Netherlands; distributed in Slovenia.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0694): Carbofuran in aubergines from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
• Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2010.0695): Migration of formaldehyde from melamine children's cups and bowls from China, via the Netherlands; distributed in Poland.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0696): Salmonella Weltevreden in fresh betel leaves (Cha plu - Piper sarmentosum) from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0697): Salmonella Hadar in fresh acacia leaves (Cha om) from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0698): Salmonella Rissen in fresh coriander from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0699): Salmonella Hvittingfoss and Salmonella Weltevreden in fresh peppermint from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0700): Triazophos (pesticide) in fresh yard long beans from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Medical Device Recall (Hong Kong): Philips Electronics Hong Kong Ltd. recalls four models of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) which may have voltage detector problems.

Australia and New Zealand

• Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Bluebird Foods Ltd. recalls Bluebird Light Plus Sea Salt Potato Chips (150g bags) displaying Best Before date 25 August 2010 due to the presence in the product of undeclared milk, soy and gluten. The recalled item was sold in supermarkets and dairy’s throughout the North Island.

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.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

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

Outbreaks and Alerts: June 1, 2010

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• New Orleans, LA. June 1: 31%, or roughly 75,920 square miles, of the Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico have been closed to fishing due to the BP oil spill.

Canada

• Toronto, ON. May 31: The Toronto Police Service reports three cases of food tampering involving Piller's Polish Sausage after consumers find needles embedded in the sausages. Two of the compromised packages were purchased at the No Frills store at 372 Pacific Avenue and one at 2187 Bloor Street West. Consumers are advised to check all food packages thoroughly for indications of product tampering and to report any suspicious packages to local police.
• Nanaimo, BC. June 1: The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) has lifted visitor restrictions for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The restrictions had been imposed in order to help control an outbreak of Norovirus gastroenteritis at the hospital. Although the Norovirus outbreak appears to be over, VIHA continues to battle an outbreak of Clostridium difficile infections.

Latin America and the Caribbean

• Granada, Nicaragua. May 31: The Sistema Local de Atención Integral en Salud warns that a sudden outbreak of diarrhea has been reported in certain districts of Granada. The number of reported cases has increased by 94% in the last week.
• Guerrero, Mexico. June 1: The Department of Medical Benefits of the IMSS in Guerrero reports a 10% increase in the number of children sick with diarrhea as a result of high temperatures. The local medical authorities are currently treating 60 patients per shift.

Recall Roundup: June 1, 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. Please include "subscribe eFoodAlert" in the subject line.

United States

• FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Service Smoked Fish Corp (Brooklyn, NY) that a November 2009 inspection of the company's seafood processing facility 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 Estrella Food Products, Inc. (Bayamon, PR) that an October/November inspection of the company's food production facility revealed serious repeat deviations from the regulations, causing the products manufactured in the facility to be adulterated. In addition, FDA noted repeat deviations from labelling regulations.
• FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Societé Nouvelle Averio Maroc (Agadir, Morocco) that an October 2009 inspection of the company's canned seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the United States' Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Regulation.
• FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns MICA By The Sea (Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines) that a May 2009 inspection of the company's seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
• Food Recall/Withdrawal: Ingles Markets withdraws Laura Lynn Mayonnaise (32 oz., lot code 08:51 SA 0039, dated 10/08/2010) due to a product separation issue.

Europe

• Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Kødgrossisten recalls pork meat and related pork meat products after the company's own testing detects Salmonella in a sample of the meat. The recalled products were sold to caterers and restaurants across Denmark.
• Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2010.0595): Listeria monocytogenes in goat cheese from Spain, via France; distributed in Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0684): Formetanate (pesticide) in red pepper from Spain; distributed in Germany.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0685): Histamine in anchovy fillets in olive oil from Morocco; distributed in France.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0686): Salmonella enteritidis in fresh eggs from Spain; distributed in France and Spain.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0687): Mercury in vacuum packed fresh fillets of swordfish from France; distributed in Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

• Dietary Supplement Safety Warning (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers not to buy or use a slimming product called "Sheng Yuan Fang", which was found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients (phenolphthalein and sibutramine ) that may cause serious side effects.

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.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Top Food & Drug
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• WinCo Foods
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

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