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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 10, 2009

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

Allergy Alert: Giant® Food Stores and Price Chopper are both reporting a recall of Hostess Scary Monster Cakes (UPC 45000-01421) due to the presence of undeclared coconut.
Food Safety Recall: Fisher-Rex Sandwich Co. recalls some pre-packaged sandwiches after tests by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in product samples as part of a routine inspection. Affected products are identified by a six-digit product code that begins with 01, and were sold in convenience stores, gas stations and other retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. No illnesses have been reported.

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.

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Friday, October 9, 2009

Sprouts Spawn Michigan Salmonella Outbreak

October 9, 2009

Twelve Michigan residents from seven counties have become infected with Salmonella Typhimurium after eating raw alfalfa sprouts, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The twelve victims – two of whom were hospitalized – fell ill between August 17th and September 18th.

Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Department of Community Health have issued a public health alert, recommending that people avoid raw alfalfa sprouts until the source of the outbreak has been found. No other varieties of sprout have been implicated.

Michigan is working in conjunction with FDA and CDC investigators in an effort to identify the source of the sprouts responsible for this outbreak.

The Michigan outbreak is the fourth North American sprout-borne disease outbreak so far this year. Canada experienced a multi-province outbreak of Salmonella Cubana earlier this summer that was traced to onion sprouts. And Salmonella Saintpaul-contaminated alfalfa sprouts caused two US multi-state outbreaks during the winter and early spring.

It's too soon to know whether the current outbreak is limited to Michigan. Other – perhaps neighboring – states may also be affected. Anyone, whether living in Michigan or elsewhere, who has eaten raw alfalfa sprouts and begins to suffer symptoms of Salmonella infection (nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, low-grade fever) should seek immediate medical attention.

Recall Roundup: October 9, 2009

United States

Food Safety Alert: Department of Justice files complaint for permanent injunction against Rel's Foods Inc. (Oakland, CA) seeking to stop the company from manufacturing, producing, and selling adulterated food products. Rel's Foods distributes a variety of ready-to-eat sandwiches to convenience stores, deli markets, liquor stores, mini-marts, and gas stations in Nevada and California. The action was taken at the request of FDA after the agency repeatedly found Listeria monocytogenes in the production environment and in samples of Rel's ready-to-eat sandwiches.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Bonichoix (Marché Désilets enr., Saint-Hugues, QC) recalls several beef, pork and poultry products due to the presence of undeclared milk, wheat and soy.

Australia & New Zealand

Food Safety Recall: TFK Trading Pty Ltd recalls Dimko Smoked Cheese (Best Before 31.03.10) due to the presence of E. coli. The recalled cheeses, which is sold in 400g-sized vacuum-sealed plastic bags, was distributed in Victoria and Western Australia.

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

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Ruby Chinese Restaurant: Closed Due To Salmonella

October 9, 2009

The Ruby Chinese Restaurant (1571 Sandhurst Circle, Scarborough) was shut down earlier this week, after Toronto health inspectors discovered numerous food safety violations in the east end establishment. The October 7th inspection was part of the City's ongoing investigation into a Salmonella outbreak that health officials have linked to the restaurant.

According to Toronto Public Health, 18 lab-confirmed cases and an additional 19 suspected cases of Salmonella food poisoning have been reported by customers who ate at the restaurant between September 12th and September 20th. Three victims were hospitalized, and one – and elderly man – has died.

Toronto's municipal code requires restaurants to post their most recent food inspection notice and, on request, to furnish the related inspection report. But this would not have helped Ruby's patrons to avoid a hazardous situation. Ruby's Chinese Restaurant underwent three health inspections in 2009 prior to the outbreak – on April 29th, August 24th and September 29th. Each time, it earned a passing grade.

In contrast, the October 7th inspection report listed the following serious infractions:

Crucial Infraction: Failure to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated
Crucial Infraction: Failure to prevent an insect infestation
Significant Infraction: Failure to use proper utensils to ensure food safety
Significant Infraction: Failure to use proper procedure(s) to ensure food safety
Significant Infraction: Failure to properly wash large utensils
Significant Infraction: Failure to clean washroom fixtures
Significant Infraction: Failure to provide adequate pest control

In light of the number and importance of the violations, it's hard to swallow the statement made by Toronto Public Health spokesperson Rishma Govani, as reported yesterday by CTV Toronto. After explaining that conditions in a restaurant can vary radically from day to day, Ms. Govani added,

"Its not unheard of that one day you can pass an inspection and next day you don't."

If this is so, perhaps Toronto Public Health should take a close and critical look at the effectiveness and reliability of its inspection program – and the inspectors who carry it out.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 8, 2009

Canada

Allergy Alert: Marché St. Joseph/MetroPlus (3600, boulevard Saint-Joseph Est, Montréal, QC) recalls certain ready-to-eat dishes due to the presence of undeclared milk protein, soy, and/or sesame.

Europe

Food Safety Alert and Recall (Finland): The Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira) advises that frozen raspberries imported from Poland may be contaminated with Norovirus. The suspected lot has been recalled from the market. The raspberries have been associated with outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis. Consumers, caterers and restaurants are advised to use imported raspberries only after heating for at least 2 minutes at 90ºC in order to inactivate any virus particles that may be present.

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

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Restaurant Inspections: Does Publishing The Results Do Any Good?

October 8, 2009

On our recent trip to San Francisco, my husband and I stayed at the Union Street Inn, a Bed and Breakfast located in the Cow Hollow district. We chose the Inn based on its excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.com.

When we presented ourselves at breakfast the morning after we arrived, I was delighted to see that the Inn had achieved a score of 100% on its most recent food service inspection. But – even though I am a food safety microbiologist – it hadn't occurred to me to look into the food inspection history of the Inn before we made our reservation.

Most cities and counties in the developed countries carry out some form of routine restaurant inspection. Many local health departments post these inspection results on their web sites. Some jurisdictions – San Diego, Los Angeles and many counties in the United Kingdom, for example – go farther, and require that restaurants post their most recent inspection score on or near the front door (known as "Scores on Doors"). And a few agencies – including New South Wales, Australia – take the "Name and Shame" approach, publishing the names of food establishments that fail inspection.

Surprisingly, San Francisco does not require its restaurants to post their inspection scores. Instead, consumers must visit the web site of the San Francisco Department of Public Health to learn how their favorite restaurants stack up.

We stopped in at The Real Food Company, a local market and deli, for a snack one day.

I was favorably impressed with the care taken by a store employee in handling raw poultry as he loaded it into the rotisserie.

According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the store was inspected on September 3rd, just a few days before our visit. Real Food received an "A" rating, with a score of 90 points (out of 100). A score of 89 points would have meant a "B" rating. The inspector noted three violations – two "moderate risk" and one "low risk."

There has been a lot of on-line discussion recently on various food safety blogs about restaurant sanitation, "Scores on Doors" programs, and other food service issues. BarfBlog, in the United States and Le Blog d'Albert Amgar in France are both regular and responsible contributors to this topic.

I wonder, though, how many people take notice of restaurant inspection reports? Does anybody care?

It's time for an eFoodAlert survey

Question #1: Is there a "Scores on Doors" program where you live? If so, have you ever decided not to eat at a restaurant because of a low inspection score (less than an "A")?

Question #2: Have you ever checked a restaurant's inspection score on-line either before or after eating there?

Question #3: Have you or a family member ever become ill after eating a meal at a restaurant? If so, please describe the circumstances.

Question #4: What – if anything – do you think your local health department should do to make the public aware of restaurant inspection results?

I want to hear from you. Please either post your comments below or email them to me (click on my Profile to find my email address). I'll consolidate and post your replies in a follow-up to this article.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 7, 2009

United States

Food Recall: Food City recalls Food City Black Forest Turkey Breast 98% Fat Free (Tub). No explanation is given.

Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets recalls Morrisons Very Berry Oaties due to milk and soya not being declared on the label.
Food Safety Alert (EU): Foodborne outbreak suspected (histamine poisoning) to be caused by canned tuna in vegetable oil from Ecuador that was distributed in Spain.
Food Safety Alert (EU): Listeria monocytogenes in veal in tuna sauce from Italy that was distributed in Italy and France.

Australia & New Zealand

Food Recall (Australia): Sony Trading Pty Ltd recalls Wong Coco Konnyaku Jelly (8 cups x 14 grams) and Wong Coco Mini Jelly Nata de Coco (8 or 15 cups x 16 grams), because the products contain konjac powder, which is a non-permitted additive in Australia. The recalled items were sold by nine (9) retailers in New South Wales.

*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.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Free-Range, Organic, Air-chilled Poultry: Does Salmonella Care?

October 6, 2009

One of the stops we made at the San Francisco Farmer's Market last month was Aimee's Mountain Ranch Kitchen, where we learned the following about the Certified Organic poultry on display.

Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I opted for a locally raised free-range turkey in place of the our usual supermarket bird. I have to report that, while the local bird was tasty, it also was one of the toughest, boniest turkeys we had ever roasted. I guess you have to be tough to thrive in Vermont!

Although Aimee's Mountain Ranch Kitchen does not claim that its Certified Organic, free-range, air-chilled chickens are microbiologically safer than conventional birds, some people believe that poultry raised and processed under these conditions is less likely to contain pathogens, notably, Salmonella and Campylobacter. Unfortunately, this is not so.

In 2005, researchers at the University of Maryland found that 76% of organic chickens and 74% of conventionally raised chickens available in retail stores contained Campylobacter. Salmonella was found in 61% of the organically raised chickens and 44% of the conventional birds. Similarly, in a University of Louisiana study, Salmonella was recovered from 22% of conventional chicken carcasses in the Baton Rouge area and from 21% of organically raised chicken carcasses.

What about free-range vs. cage-reared birds? Don't count on seeing any microbiological benefit here, either. Studies in the United States and Great Britain have shown that free-range birds are just as contaminated as cage-reared poultry.

Then, is chilling poultry carcasses in air any safer than by immersing them in cold water? Air-chilling sounds as though it would be less likely to foster the transfer of Salmonella and Campylobacter from a few contaminated birds to an entire batch of "clean" carcasses. But research studies published in 2003 and 2007 failed to substantiate this.

Nevertheless, there are some benefits to free-range, organic farming and air-chilling of poultry carcasses.

Water-chilling often results in 8-12% water (by weight) being retained by a carcass, according to USDA. This "retained water" must be declared on the label. Air-chilling eliminates the extraneous water that otherwise is added to poultry carcasses – water that the consumer pays for, since poultry is sold by weight.
While conventional and organically raised poultry don't differ significantly in their level of Salmonella contamination, the University of Louisiana study (mentioned above) found that Salmonella recovered from conventionally raised birds was far more likely to be antibiotic-resistant.
Air-chilling reduces the amount of water used by poultry processors – a serious concern in drought-prone areas.

Because free-range and organic farming are more labor-intensive than conventional large-scale industrial farming, organic and free-range chicken tends to be more expensive. Whether the outcome of these artisan farming procedures is worth the added cost is a judgment that each consumer has to make.

Whether you decide to buy a conventionally raised chicken or a free-range, organic bird, remember to handle the carcass as though it contains Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165ºF, using a meat thermometer to verify the temperature;
Clean and disinfect all kitchen implements, cutting boards and counter tops that may have come into contact with the raw chicken;
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken; and
Sanitize wet sponges and dishrags by microwaving them on the highest setting for at least 30 seconds.

Recall Roundup: October 6, 2009

United States

Food Product Withdrawal: Food City reports the withdrawal of Valleydale 16 oz Hot Sausage. According to information we received from Smithfield's Consumer Affairs Manager, this is due to a "short weight issue" with some of the sausage rolls.

Europe

Allergy Alert (EU): Excessive sulfite content in multicereal crackers from Belgium, distributed in the Czech Republic
Food Safety Recall (EU): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Denmark, distributed in Italy

Australia & New Zealand

Beverage Recall (Australia): The New South Wales Food Authority warns that 77% of energy drinks contain illegal levels of caffeine. The following 10 products exceed the legal caffeine limit by more than 30% and have been removed from the market: Cintron Tropical Azul, Fuel Cell Citrus, Fuel Cell Tropical Fruit, Fuel Cell Wild Berry, Fuel Cell Lemon Green Tea, Red Eye Platinum, Smart Energy Blood Orange and Chilli, Smart Energy Citrus, Bad Boy Turbo, and Endorush. The Food Authority has published a complete list of results for the products that have been tested.

*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.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 5, 2009

United States

Allergy Alert: Affy Tapple, LLC (Niles, IL) recalls its Limited Edition – Classic Candy Flavors two-pack caramel apples ("Best By" date on or before 10/15/09) because the product may contain traces of peanuts or tree nuts not declared on the label.
Pet Food Recall: Diamond Pet Food recalls Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat (Lot codes: RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb) because the affected lots are deficient in thiamine. The recalled products were distributed in the Rochester, NY area.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific

Dietary Supplement Warning: Hong Kong Department of Health warns members of the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named 2 Day Diet because the product contains the undeclared Western medicines, phenolphthalein and sibutramine.

*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.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

San Francisco's Other Chocolate Company

October 4, 2009

Located inside the Ferry Terminal building on the San Francisco Embarcadero is Artisan Confections, the retail home of San Francisco's best kept chocolate secret – Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker.

The company was founded in 1997 by Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger, with the aim of producing full-flavored dark chocolate using traditional methods, while controlling the process "from bean to bar."

Scharffen Berger sources its own beans, working with cacao farmers in South American, Africa and Asia. While the company occasionally produces chocolate from a single source – at present, offering single origin chocolate from Ghana and from Vietnam – most chocolate is a blend of beans from different regions. The origin of the beans, together with the fermentation conditions and adjustments to the blend all contribute to the final flavor and texture of the finished chocolate.

Here is how Andrew McIntyre of Artisan Confections explained the difference between single origin and blended chocolate.

"You can deprive the body, but the soul needs chocolate."

- Dagoba Organic Chocolate

Has The Senate Sent Food Safety To The Back Of The Bus?

October 4, 2009

We cheered in March when President Obama announced his commitment to reforming the US food safety system.

We applauded in June when the House of Representatives took up H.R. 2749: Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009.

We saluted in July the Obama Administration's decision to implement a long-awaited set of regulations to address the problem of Salmonella contamination in shell eggs.

We thought we were seeing signs of real progress.

But the Senate – where S.510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (the companion legislation to the House bill) was introduced in March – has done nothing except to refer the bill to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Yesterday, Michael Moss of the New York Times shared with his readers the story of Stephanie Smith, a dance instructor who was paralyzed as a result of an infection with E. coli O157 – an infection that she acquired by eating a hamburger. One month ago, the Washington Post published a similar story, tracing the travails of Linda Rivera, who almost died after consuming Nestlé raw cookie dough that was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised Ms. Rivera's family that the Senate will take up food safety legislation this fall, according to Food Safety News. But that was more than two weeks ago, and there has been no further sign of activity.

The fast action that we saluted earlier this year was prompted by a series of food-borne disease outbreaks and food recalls. Is it going to take another peanut-sized scandal to goad the Senate into action?

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 3, 2009

United States

Food Safety Recall: Enjoy Life recalls Enjoy Life Not Nuts! Mountain Mambo nut-free trail mix (6 oz. packages) because unsealed packages may have become spoiled
Pet Medication Recall: Virbac recalled selected production lots of IVERHART PLUS® Flavored Chewable Tablets in August after post-production stability tests indicate that the products lost potency during storage.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Foods Alive recalls Krumbleez brand Sprouted Buckwheat, Choc.-Ginger dairy-free Cookies due to the presence of undeclared milk

*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.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 2, 2009

United States

Food Safety Recall: The Texas Department of State Health Services and FDA warn consumers not to eat certain imported dried plums and products containing imported dried plums because they have elevated levels of lead. FDA is working with health officials and product distributors in Texas, California and New York state to effect product recalls.

Canada

Personal Care Product Recall: Arbonne International Distribution, Inc. recalls Seasource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub by Arbonne (Lot #Z928) because the product is contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Spain, France): Spain advises that chocolate chips from France have been withdrawn from the market due to the presence of undeclared milk ingredients

Asia, Africa and the Pacific

Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): The Taiwan Department of Health requests that Generals brand UHT milk (200 cc plastic bottles, with an expiration date of February 28, 2010) be withdrawn from the market pending completion of a food poisoning investigation involving students at the Changhua County Fangyuan Elementary School.

*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.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 1, 2009

United States

Pet Food Recall: Nutro Products, Inc. recalls select Nutro Ultra™ and Nutro Natural Choice® puppy foods after detecting pieces of melted plastic on the production line. The recalled packages of puppy food were distributed to PetSmart stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. Recalled Nutro Ultra™ puppy food also was distributed to Petco stores in California, Nevada, Hawaii and Utah.
Food Recall: Food City reports that Hunt's Snack Pack Fat Free Vanilla Pudding has been recalled. No details were provided.

Europe

Allergy Alert: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd. recalls Sainsbury's Chicken and Creamy Basil Pasta. Due to a packaging error, the product may contain undeclared shellfish.

*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.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Canadian Listeria "Outbreak" A Fizzle

September 30, 2009

There have been no new illnesses reported in Canada's most recent suspected Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, according to information received today from Robert Paterson, who works in Media Relations for the Public Health Agency of Canada ("PHAC").

On September 21, PHAC advised Canadians that six cases of listeriosis – all caused by the same "relatively common" strain – were being investigated by federal and provincial government agencies. One of the reported victims had died.

The PHAC report left several questions unanswered, so we contacted the agency on September 24th, and posed our questions to Mr. Paterson. Here is what we learned from him today.

The Listeria monocytogenes recovered from all six cases of illness share the same genetic fingerprint.
The Listeria monocytogenes strain recovered from the six victims is different from the strain that was responsible for Canada's 2008 outbreak, and also differs from the strain that triggered Maple Leaf Food's August 2009 recall of hot dogs and wieners.
The six cases do not appear to be linked in any way, except that the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes was recovered from all six victims.
No other cases of listeriosis caused by this strain have been reported since September 21st.
PHAC declined to identify which provinces reported these six cases – or even how many provinces were involved – because no linkage has been established and no outbreak has been declared.

This evening, several hours after we spoke with Mr. Paterson, PHAC posted a short statement advising that their investigation of this "illness cluster" had closed.

The bottom line is that this was a simple coincidence. It's not unheard of for a common strain of pathogen to turn up in different locations within a relatively short period of time. It's happened before. It will happen again.

At least someone at PHAC is keeping his or her eyes open.

eFoodAlert.com

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 10, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Sprouts Spawn Michigan Salmonella Outbreak

Recall Roundup: October 9, 2009

Ruby Chinese Restaurant: Closed Due To Salmonella

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 8, 2009

Restaurant Inspections: Does Publishing The Results Do Any Good?

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 7, 2009

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Free-Range, Organic, Air-chilled Poultry: Does Salmonella Care?

Recall Roundup: October 6, 2009

Monday, October 5, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 5, 2009

Sunday, October 4, 2009

San Francisco's Other Chocolate Company

Has The Senate Sent Food Safety To The Back Of The Bus?

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 3, 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 2, 2009

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Recall Roundup: October 1, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Canadian Listeria "Outbreak" A Fizzle

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