Getting Rid of Melamine: Farm to Factory to Fork

December 21, 2008

While consumers can take certain steps to reduce melamine migration in their own kitchens, most incidental – as opposed to deliberate – addition of melamine to food probably takes place on the farm, in processing plants, and in food service kitchens.

Down On the Farm

Cyromazine is an EPA-approved pesticide, used to control insect populations on field crops destined both for human food and for animal feed. EPA has established residue limits for cyromazine in a variety of fruits, legumes and vegetables, including corn, lettuce, beans, mangoes and tomatoes. 

The limits range from a low of 0.2 ppm in dried onion bulbs to as much as 10 ppm in cabbages and turnip greens for human consumption. Radish (roots or greens) and corn destined for animal feed must have no more than 0.5 ppm cyromazine.

Why should we care about cyromazine? Because plants and animals metabolize cyromazine – producing melamine as a result. 

This metabolic process is well known to EPA and to the international regulatory community. Until recently, however, the possible accumulation of small amounts of melamine in plant or animal tissue was treated as insignificant. 

The use of cyromazine – and other chemically related pesticides – on crops is not the only way in which melamine can enter our food supply on an industrial scale. 

Sanitizer Insanity

It is an axiom of good food handling practice in processing plants and food service kitchens. Every surface, utensil, dish, cup, or pair of gloved hands that comes into direct contact with food must be sanitized periodically to avoid transferring bacteria or viruses onto the food.

This is a sound principle. Unfortunately, one of the sanitizers approved by EPA for food contact surfaces is the melamine derivative, trichloromelamine (TCM). When dissolved in water, TCM breaks down to release chlorine – an effective sanitizing agent – and melamine.

According to H&S Chemical Company, TCM is used in a number of different applications, including:

• "third sink" sanitizer in bars and restaurants
  
• hard surface disinfectant in food service areas
  
• sanitizer/disinfectant in the brewing industry
  
• by the US Army as a disinfectant for fruit and vegetable wash
  

Other "advantages" of TCM touted by Leedah, Inc., an Atlanta-based importer and distributor of chemicals, are:

• no need to rinse off
  
• safe for use in child care centers
  
• direct and indirect food-contact sanitizer
  
• non-toxic and biodegradable
  

JohnsonDiversey, offers TCM in pre-packaged pouches for the food service industry. BeerClean® sanitizer pouches are marketed for use as a final glassware rinse in bars. Sani-Sure® pouches are promoted as a "last tank" sanitizing rinse for dish ware and utensils.

The Bottom Line

Until the lethal twin melamine poisoning incidents of 2007 (pet food) and 2008 (adulterated milk), toxicology experts around the world considered melamine to be of minimal health concern. That attitude, clearly, is changing. And so must our tolerance of melamine traces on our tableware, on our utensils, and on food contact surfaces – and in our food!

Gourmet Cocoa Products Recalled - May Contain Melamine

December 20, 2008

A Canadian company, Dorsey Marketing Inc. (Ville St. Laurent, QC) has recalled several cocoa products after FDA detected melamine in a few samples.

The cocoa products were imported into the United States by Dorsey, and distributed through Big Lot stores (during the weeks of September 22 and September 29) and Shopko stores (during the week of October 10) nationwide.

The following items have been recalled:

• G&J Hot Cocoa Stuffer, Item 120144 (UPC 061361201444): sold in small green and blue boxes with backer card, candy cane and marshmallows
  
• G&J His and Hers Hot Cocoa Set,  Item 120129 (UPC 489702201296): sold with 2 ceramic mugs in a brown box
  
• G&J French Vanilla Cocoa, Item 120126 (UPC 061361201260): sold in small green bag with whisk attached
  
• G&J Double Chocolate Cocoa, Item 120126 (UPC 061361201260): sold in small green bag with whisk attached
  

The country of origin of these products was not identified in the recall notice.

US Recall of Canadian-Made Sausage

December 20, 2008

Consumers in Boardman, OH can relax, now that USDA has protected them from APPROXIMATELY ONE POUND of Canadian-made sausage in which the agency detected Listeria monocytogenes.

USDA announced today that DeNiro Cheese (Youngstown, OH) is recalling approximately one pound of Sopressata sausage products. The sausage, which was imported from Canada, was sold at:

Lariccia's Italian Market Place, 7438 Southern Blvd., Boardman, OH

The recall notice describes the sausage – manufactured on October 9 – as follows:

• 12-ounce approximate weight packages of "Nostrano SOPRESSATA MILD SAUSAGE, PRODUCT OF CANADA." Each package bears a use-by date of "07/09/09" and a product code of "91009" as well as "CANADA 476A" inside the Canadian mark of inspection.
  

USDA claims that there have been no reported illnesses associated with this recall, and that the Listeria monocytogenes contamination was found as a result of a routine testing program.

The individuals who purchased these two (?) lonely packages of sausage should either discard the uneaten portions or return them to Lariccia's for a refund.

It's fairly safe to assume that a Canadian recall – of a somewhat larger quantity – will follow within a couple of weeks, as long as the USDA communicates with its Canadian cousin.

Getting Rid of Melamine: What Consumers Need To Know

December 20, 2008

Melamine-based plastic tableware, trays and utensils are very popular amongst families with young children, and in cafeterias and other food service establishments. They resist breakage, are dishwasher-safe, and come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. But with repeated use, the plastic dish-ware develops cracks and scratches. And it can "bleed" melamine into food.

Melamine migration into food from plastic tableware was documented more than 20 years ago. While migration takes place over the entire usable life of the plastic, it is enhanced as the tableware ages from repeated exposure to elevated temperatures, such as in a dishwasher or from hot beverages. Exposure to mild acids – fruit juices or tomato-based sauces, for example – also increase the risk of migration.

There are several things that consumers and food service establishments can do to minimize the potential for melamine migration.

• Discard tableware that is scratched, crazed, discolored or otherwise appears worn.
  
• Avoid using melamine tableware for acidic beverages, hot soups, or hot beverages – especially acidic hot beverages such as coffee.
  
• Never use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads when cleaning melamine tableware or utensils.
  

Parents of young children should consider alternative break-resistant tableware for their infants and toddlers. One option might be Corelle, a laminated glass tableware that is lightweight, heat-resistant and break-resistant.

Tableware, though, is not the only possible source of melamine in the home. A convenient cleaning sponge – the Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser® – is composed of melamine foam. The sponge is marketed as a "... powerful multi-purpose cleaning pad..." that can remove crayon marks from walls, encrusted dirt from counters and stove tops, and miscellaneous grime from wherever it may be found. But in doing so, it leaves behind minuscule amounts of melamine.

Given the tendency of children and pets to explore their world by tasting it, a Magic Eraser® is not the safest choice of cleaning pad for a family with young children. 

Melamine has other applications; it is an effective flame-retardant, and a sound insulator, for example. Those uses, however, are unlikely to bring the chemical into direct contact with food. 

A far greater risk is posed by the application of government-approved pesticides and sanitizers to crops and food processing equipment, which will be the subject of tomorrow's column.

Allergy Alert: Nationwide Recall of Seasoned Coating Mix

Updated December 19, 2008

(Original article posted December 7, 2008)

Louisiana Fish Fry Products (Baton Rouge, LA) has recalled its Chicken & Fish Bake Seasoned Coating Mix due to the presence of undeclared buttermilk.

The 6-ounce packages of coating mix, labeled with Best Before dates of Jan 1, 2008 through Sept. 25, 2011, were available nationally in retail stores – including Brookshire's food stores, Food City and supermarkets in The Kroger Company family of stores – and also by mail order. Other national and regional supermarket chains may also carry this product. Updated Dec 19

While no illnesses have been reported, an individual who is allergic to milk proteins may experience a severe reaction after consuming a food that contains buttermilk, a cultured milk product. Consumers – especially those who believe themselves to be allergic to milk – are urged to return the product to the store for a full refund.

For more information, contact the Company directly at 1-800-356-2905, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, CST.

Chicken Jerky Dog Treats: An FDA Update

December 19, 2008

Last week, we reported on a mysterious kidney ailment occurring in Australian dogs, which appeared to be linked to Kramar brand chicken jerky dog treats. Kramar announced a precautionary recall of the treats, even though no one has yet been able to determine the exact cause of the ailment.

The chicken jerky treats were manufactured in China.

In our report, we mentioned that a similar problem had arisen in the United States in 2007, and that FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine had issued a warning to pet owners. As in the Australian situation, the treats were imported from China, and the contaminant that triggered the kidney symptoms could not be found.

Today, the Center for Veterinary Medicine has issued a new Preliminary Animal Health Notification on this same problem. According to CVM, the agency has continued to receive complaints about pet illnesses linked to chicken jerky treats. Unfortunately, CVM appears to be no closer to solving the mystery. 

CVM has issued this new warning to alert pet owners who choose to give these treats to their dogs to watch for the development of any of the following symptoms, which may appear hours or days after a dog has eaten these treats. Small dogs appear to be especially susceptible.

• decreased appetite (dog may continue to eat the treat but refuse usual food)
  
• decreased activity level
  
• vomiting
  
• diarrhea - sometimes with blood
  
• increased water consumption and/or increased urination
  

A dog that displays any of these symptoms after having eaten chicken jerky treats should be seen by a veterinarian if the symptoms are severe or if they persist longer than 24 hours. 

FDA is continuing its investigation into possible chemical or microbiological contaminants in the chicken jerky treats. The agency urges dog owners and veterinarians to report any pet food- associated illnesses to the FDA Consumer Coordinator in their state.

Turkey Salami Recalled - Undeclared Salmonella

December 19, 2008

Aytac Halal Foods Ltd. has recalled a batch of pre-packaged, sliced turkey salami due to the presence of Salmonella in the ready-to-eat product, according to a Food Alert issued today by

the UK Food Standards Agency.

The Company has described the recalled item as follows:

Aytac Sliced Turkey Salami, 200g package: Use by date of 12 January 2009, Lot No. 330156

No other Aytac products are affected by this recall.

Consumers should check the in-store product recall notices to find out how to proceed in the event that they have purchased the recalled item.

New Zealand Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour

December 19, 2008

New Zealand may have found the source of the Salmonella that has sickened at least 40 consumers since mid-October. 

Preliminary test results on flour samples taken from the homes of two outbreak victims indicate that the flour was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 42 – the same type that caused the illnesses. 

Lab investigations are on-going, but epidemiological evidence also is casting suspicion on the flour. Outbreak victims were more likely than the control group to have eaten uncooked flour – raw cookie dough, for example.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has advised the manufacturer of their findings, and the company has initiated a voluntary recall of the following brands of flour with Best before dates between June and July 2009:

Champion, Edmonds, Homelife and Pam's brand plain flours

While finding Salmonella in flour is not common, this is not the first occasion that Salmonella-contaminated flour has been reported. Australian researchers found Salmonella in two out of 650 samples in 2003. And FDA researchers – nearly 30 years ago – detected Salmonella in samples of soy and rye flours.

Salmonella is readily destroyed by temperatures reached during baking. Consumers, therefore, need not worry about having eaten cakes, breads or cookies made using the suspect flour.

But it's never a good idea for anyone – especially children – to eat raw dough. If the flour doesn't get you, the raw eggs might.

Mariposa Meat Recall Expands: 3rd Time A Charm?

December 19, 2008

As we predicted yesterday, Mariposa Meats (Mississauga, ON) has expanded its recall of Old Style brand meat products to include all "Best Before" date codes of the following items:

• Smoked Pork Loin Chops, 175 g (UPC #6 28292 80045 2)
  
• Thin Sliced Chicken Breast, 350 g (UPC #6 28292 50002 4)
  
• Thin Sliced Honey Ham, 450 g (UPC #6 28292 50001 7)
  
• Thin Sliced Roast Beef, 375 g (UPC #6 28292 50003 1)
  
• Thin Sliced Pastrami, 375 g (UPC #6 28292 50004 8)
  
• Thin Sliced Summer Sausage, 350 g (UPC #6 28292 50006 2)
  

Mariposa has recalled these meat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The meats were distributed only within the province of Ontario.

Listeria monocytogenes usually causes no more than mild gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms in otherwise healthy adults. But it can produce severe – sometimes life-threatening – illnesses in the elderly, young children, and individuals with weakened immune systems. A pregnant woman who develop a Listeria monocytogenes infection is at risk of passing the infection along to her unborn child, resulting in premature delivery, stillbirth, or the birth of a seriously ill baby.

If you begin to experience symptoms consistent with Listeria monocytogenes infection, and believe that you may have consumed one of the recalled meats, seek immediate medical attention. Consumers should return recalled meat to the store for a refund.

Getting Rid of Melamine: Not Just China's Problem

December 19, 2008

Anyone who thinks that we've heard the last of melamine is sorely mistaken. 

During the first week of December, member countries of the European Union reported three instances of melamine contamination:

• Germany found 275.3 ppm in ammonium bicarbonate baking agent from China
  
• Germany also reported 6.3 ppm in a dog treat – fish cookies with cheese – from China
  
• Slovenia detected 162 ppm in milk products, and uncovered an attempt to illegally import milk and animal products into the country from China
  

Two more melamine-contaminated products – ammonium bicarbonate (81 and 128 ppm) and rice protein concentrate (21,000 ppm) – were reported the following week.

On December 5th, the World Health Organization's expert panel recommended a "Tolerable Daily Intake" for melamine of 0.2 mg per Kg of body weight – a 60% reduction in the previous recommended intake limit of 0.5 mg/Kg on which governments had based their interim maximum allowable levels for melamine in food. 

After the WHO report was issued, Canada reduced its maximum allowable limit for melamine in infant formula and sole source nutrition products to 0.5 ppm from 1.0 ppm. Other governments, as far as we can tell, have not yet followed suit.

"Trace" amounts of melamine are turning up in foods – even infant formulas – that never came within sight of China's borders. For example, low levels – 0.25 ppm or less – of melamine and cyanuric acid (a related compound) showed up recently in infant formulas manufactured in the United States. 

These findings are not due to deliberate adulteration, as was the case in China. Rather, melamine finds its way into foods via several routes:

• migration from plastic food-contact surfaces;
  
• migration from cleaning sponges;
  
• residual melamine from food sanitizing solutions used in processing plants; and
  
• metabolism of cyromazine and certain other pesticides by plants and animals.
  

The 2007 contaminated pet food incident opened our eyes to the danger posed by the combined ingestion of melamine and cyanuric acid – both previously thought to be very low health risks. This year's tragedy in China has made all of us aware of the prevalence of melamine in our food.

There are actions that we consumers can take to reduce the risk of melamine migration into our food, especially food that we feed our children. Eliminating melamine from our food supply, however, will require the concerted action of farmers, food processors and regulators.

Check back tomorrow for more on how melamine finds its way into your family's food.

The China Syndrome: Melamine-Contaminated Biscuits Recalled in USA

December 18, 2008

One month after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture first notified FDA of melamine contamination in Wonderfarm biscuits, the Vietnam company that manufactured the biscuits finally consented to their recall from the US market.

According to a News Release issued today by FDA (but dated December 9), Interfood Shareholding Company (Vietnam) has recalled all production lots and date codes of the following varieties of biscuits, sold in 800g red metal tins:

• Wonderfarm "Successful" Assorted Biscuits (UPC:8935001262091)
  
• Wonderfarm "Royal Flavour" Assorted Biscuits (UPC:8935001263098)
  
• Wonderfarm "Lovely Melody" Assorted Biscuits (UPC: 8935001263296)
  
• Wonderfarm "Daily Life" Assorted Biscuits (UPC: 8935001264200)
  

All four varieties were determined by FDA or the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to contain excessive concentrations of melamine.

The manufacturer advises that the biscuits were distributed in multiple US states, and sold to distributors who, in turn, sold the biscuits to retail stores.

Consumers who purchased these biscuits should return them to the store for a refund. They should most definitely not be offered to children.

Hipp Baby Food Botulism Recall: Update

December 18, 2008

We reported a week ago that the Scandinavian distributor of Hipp Organic Baby Food had recalled Lot #L35655 (use by date of 1.12.08) of Hipp Fruit Purée with Bananas and Peaches* due to the possibility that the product contained Clostridium botulinum.

The recall, which was announced on December 8th, covered product that had been distributed in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Today, Danish doctors, microbiologists and epidemiologists issued a preliminary report on the botulism investigation.

The incident began when a Danish woman noticed that her 4.5-month old was ailing. Five days earlier, the mother had fed her little girl – who was still being breast-fed but was also receiving some supplementary food – three spoonfuls of Hipp banana/peach purée. She noticed at the time that the jar of fruit purée had an unusual smell, and the product appeared to be fermenting.

By the time the baby girl was admitted to hospital, she was constipated, passive, and suckled weakly. She also exhibited weak muscle tone, and an abdominal X-ray revealed a paralytic ileus (i.e., absence of normal intestinal motion). Despite receiving treatment to counteract her symptoms, the baby became progressively worse over a period of eight days, while doctors tried to diagnose her illness. Finally, suspecting infant botulism, her doctors drew a blood sample to check for neurotoxin (by injecting the patient's serum into mice), and cultured a fecal sample for spores of Clostridium botulinum.

No Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin or spores were recovered from the fecal sample, but the baby's serum proved to contain neurotoxin. Doctors administered botulism immune globulin to the baby, and she has responded to the treatment.

Researchers are still trying to determine whether the baby became ill as a result of ingesting Clostridium botulinum spores – as happens from time to time when babies are fed contaminated honey – or whether the jar of fruit purée contained pre-formed neurotoxin. 

In addition to the Hipp purée, the mother also had fed her baby a home-made gruel in the days before she became ill. The gruel contained organic corn, buckwheat flour, whole meal with rice and millet, and grapeseed oil. She denied feeding any honey to her baby. 

Unfortunately, the suspect jar of fruit purée had been thrown out. Tests carried out on 11 other jars of baby food, four samples of gruel ingredients and a sample of oil have not detected any pre-formed neurotoxin. The lab now is trying to determine whether any of the samples contain spores of Clostridium botulinum.

While it has been determined beyond any doubt that the 4.5-month old baby suffered from botulism, she remains the only reported victim. Investigators don't know – and may never be able to determine – the source of the Clostridium botulinum spores or pre-formed toxin that made her ill.

Nevertheless, as soon as the Hipp fruit purée was identified as a possible source of Clostridium botulinum, the distributor issued its precautionary recall notice. The recall caught the attention of food safety agencies in several countries outside of Scandinavia. Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong all alerted their citizens to the recall, in case individuals had purchased the purée while traveling in Europe and carried it back home with them.

Whether or not Hipp fruit purée proves to have been the source of the problem, this incident is a reminder that one should NEVER use a food that appears to be "off" in any way. Tasting a food – commercial or home-made – that looks or smells odd is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.

*Original report indicated that the fruit purée contained "Bananas and Apricots"

More UK Nuts Recalled

December 18, 2008

A second UK company, JLM Global Foods Ltd., has issued a recall notice for Salmonella-contaminated nuts, according to a Food Alert posted by the UK Food Standards Agency today.

The Company has recalled:

Snack 'n' Time Mixed Nuts, 340g: Best before end August 2009, Batch code 08316 C

JLM is asking that customers contact the Company's Customer Relations Team by telephone at 01325 485484 to arrange a refund.

Salmonella-Contaminated Brazil Nuts Recalled

December 18, 2008

Imperial Snack Foods Ltd. has recalled a batch of its own brand of Brazil nuts, according to a Food Alert issued today by the UK Food Standards Agency. The company issued its recall after Salmonella was found in the nuts.

Imperial Snack Foods has described the recalled product as follows:

Imperial Brazil nuts, 200g package: Best before 17 November 2009, Batch code 8320 K

Even a few Salmonella organisms may cause infection and gastrointestinal illness in some cases. Under no circumstances should anyone eat these nuts. If you – or family members – have consumed the recalled item and begin to experience symptoms of Salmonella gastroenteritis, please seek medical attention.

Consumers should return these nuts to the store for a full refund.

Mariposa Recalls Additional Meat

December 18, 2008

Mariposa Meats, which recalled a single production batch of Old Style Pastrami a few days ago, has added two more products to its recall list, according to a Health Hazard Alert released last night by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The following items, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, are included in the latest recall:

• Smoked Pork Loin Chops, 175g: Best Before 09JA23, UPC 6 28292 80045 2
  
• Thin Sliced Chicken Breast, 350g: Best Before 09JA16, UPC 6 28292 50002 4
  

The recalled items were sold only in the province of Ontario.

The pastrami that was recalled over the weekend was identified as Best before 09JA15. All in, the three recalled items were processed during a 9-day period. There may be more recalls to come.

Anyone who purchased the recalled items should return them to the store for a refund. To obtain additional information on this recall, consumers should call Mariposa Meats directly at 905-855-8111.

Allergy Alert: Kashi Golean Energy Shake

UPDATED December 17, 2008

(Original article posted December 13, 2008)

On December 13th, Kashi Company (La Jolla, CA), a subsidiary of Kellogg's, recalled Kashi GOLEAN brand Powder Chocolate Energy Shake Mix, 14.8-ounce size, due to the presence of undeclared whey caseinate, a milk ingredient. FDA alerted consumers to the December 13th recall on December 15th.

The recalled containers of mix are identified with a date stamp between JAN 17 2009 and NOV 15 2009, and UPC #18627 71000, and were distributed to grocery stores, health food stores, pharmacies and on-line retailers across the United States.

The following retailers have published recall notices on their web sites: (updated Dec 17)

• The Kroger Company: Kroger stores in AL, AR, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV; KingSoopers; Smiths; Ralphs; QFC; Frys; FredMeyer; Dillon; Food 4 Less; and Peyton's (Northern, Southeast, Buckeye, and Fountain-all stores)
  
• Price Chopper
• Wegmans Food Markets
  
• Whole Foods Market

Individuals who are allergic to milk protein may experience a severe allergic reaction as a result of consuming this energy shake. Consumers who purchased the product should either discard it or return it to the store for a refund.

For more information on the recall, contact the Kashi Company Consumer Response desk at 1-877-747-2467.

Rubber Bits in Australian Potato Chips

December 17, 2008

The Smith's Snackfood Company (Chatsworth, NSW) has recalled packages of Smith's Classic Crinkle Cut Potato Chips Salt and Vinegar, after discovering pieces of rubber in some packages. The Company warns that the rubber could present a choking hazard.

The recall encompasses the following packages of Potato Chips, which were produced at Smith's Queensland plant and distributed throughout Australia:

• Salt and Vinegar Multipack Box 15pack; Best Before 12 Feb 09; Lot code GD
  
• Salt and Vinegar 50g/100g/175g/200g; Best Before 12 Feb 09; Lot code GC
  

No other Smith's products are affected by this recall.

The recalled items have been on the market for approximately four weeks. They are sold via Coles and Woolworths Metcash, in corner stores, service stations and schools, and in vending machines.

Smith's asks its customers to return the recalled items to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers who purchased the chips from a vending machine should call the Company, toll-free, at 1800 555 107 between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Eastern Summer Time.

Old Style Pastrami Recalled In Ontario

Updated December 16, 2008

(Original article posted December 14, 2008)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency today advised consumers in the province of Ontario that a single production batch of Old Style brand Pastrami is being recalled by the manufacturer, Mariposa Meats (Mississauga, ON), due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled pastrami is sold in 375 g packages bearing UPC #6 28292 50004 8, and can be identified by the date code 09JA15 (January 15, 2009). The item was distributed only in Ontario, according to the manufacturer. (Updated Dec 16 per revised CFIA notice)

No illnesses have been reported, but we would remind our readers that Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious – occasionally fatal – infections in susceptible individuals, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. 

Anyone who purchased a package of the recalled batch of Old Style brand Pastrami should either discard it or return it to the store for a refund.

More Uneviscerated Fish Recalled: Botulism Risk

December 15, 2008

The New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets has alerted consumers to a nationwide recall of Freshness Choice brand Steam Mackerel due to the risk that the fish may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum.

The recall was initiated after State inspectors discovered that the fish was not eviscerated before processing. Sale of uneviscerated, processed fish is not permitted in New York State, due to the possibility that spores of Clostridium botulinum may be present in the viscera.

The recalled Steam Mackerel, which is packed in 8-ounce plastic bags that are not labeled with any code or date, was imported from Vietnam and distributed nationwide in the United States.

The following importers have issued recall notices:

• Siam Trading Inc. (Brooklyn, NY)
  
• Gulf Coast Sea Trade Inc. (El Monte, CA)
  

Under favorable growth conditions, Clostridium botulinum produces a powerful neurotoxin that can cause severe paralysis - even death. The microbe grows without altering the appearance, smell or taste of the food. DO NOT taste the fish to determine whether or not it is "OK". Consumers who purchased this fish should return it to the store for a refund.

Cambrooke Foods Recalls Imitation Cream Cheese

UPDATED December 15, 2008

(Original article posted December 13, 2008)

Cambrooke Foods LLC (Framingham, MA) has recalled three varieties of imitation cream cheese and has withdrawn its Low Protein Peanut Butter™ after Listeria monocytogenes was detected by the company in a sample of the cream cheese. 

The pathogen was found during routine testing carried out by the Company in a new sample of Imitation Cream Cheese before it was shipped to customers. Cambrooke is working with FDA to determine the source of the contamination, and has suspended production and distribution of the products until the investigation is complete.

All date codes of following items, sold both in the United States and Canada, are included in this product recall notice: (updated Dec 14 to include link to newly released FDA recall notice)

• Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10310; 8 oz. jar)
  
• Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10308; 8 oz. jar)
  
• Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10306; 8 oz. jar)
  

Cambrooke also has withdrawn all outstanding stock of the following imitation peanut butter product from the market as an additional precaution, since it was produced on the same machinery as the imitation cream cheese:

• Low Protein Peanot Butter™ (SKU 10809; 16 oz. jar)
  

Consumers in the United States and Canada who purchased any of these recalled/withdrawn products since May 2008 should discard any of the recalled food remaining in their possession. 

For more information on this recall, contact Cambrooke Foods by telephone, toll-free at 1-866-456-9776, ext. 1015, or email the company at safetyfirst@cambrookefoods.com.

Cambrooke Foods offers a full product range of low-protein foods to fulfill the nutritional needs of patients who suffer from genetic errors of protein metabolism, such as phenylketonuria. The Company sells its products on-line to customers in the United States and Canada. Added Dec 15

Cambrooke products are sold in The Specialty Food Shop of the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON) and may be available in other similar shops. Added Dec 15