Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Recall Roundup: March 16, 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: USDA publishes retail distribution list for foods recalled by NY Gourmet Salads Inc.
  • Food Safety Recall: Tastefully Simple recalls select 1.1-ounce retail packages and 0.3-ounce samples of Toasted Garlic & Parmesan Cheese Ball Mix because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Kroger Company recalls Kroger California Seasoning Blend Garlic Powder and Kroger Special Seasoning Blend Lemon Pepper because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled items were sold in Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less stores in 31 states.
  • Food Safety Recall: Emmi - Roth Käse USA recalls approximately 1,971 total individual containers of 7 ounce and 2 pound Spreadables brand Crab Creole and Shrimp Scampi cheese spreads because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: GFN Foods, LLC recalls Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix, Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix and Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled items were made using an ingredient supplied by Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative (Ubly, MI).
  • Food Safety Recall: Buehler's recalls all lot codes of Buehler's Market Bread Dressing, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Frisch's Restaurant, Inc. that a September 2009 inspection and a limited January 2010 follow-up inspection of its seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Venus Foods Inc. that a September 2009 inspection of its 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.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Lay's brand Smokey Bacon Flavour Potato Chips recalled because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled potato chips were manufactured in Canada using hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors and distributed across Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall: Magasin Coop de Plessisville (Plessisville, QC) recalls Coop IGA #141 BBQ Peanuts, because the nuts may be contaminated with Salmonella.


Europe


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Pharmaceutical Product Recall (Hong Kong): Neochem Pharmaceutical Laboratories, a licensed drug manufacturer, is recalling two products Neo-Celemine Syrup (Registration Number HK-24685) and Betamine Syrup (Registration Number HK-24681), which were found to contain lower than registered content in one of their active ingredients, betamethasone. Individuals who have used these products are advised to consult their doctors.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Heng Fai Trading Co. Pty. Ltd recalls Heng Fai Brand ® Dried Seaweed (Sargassum fusiforme) 150g due to high levels of naturally occurring iodine. The recalled seaweed was sold in Queensland and New South Wales.


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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, March 16, 2010 0 comments
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Monday, March 15, 2010

Recall Roundup: March 15, 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: CaiE Foods Limited (Sparks, NV) recalls approximately 12,382 pounds of assorted Asian-style meat and poultry products, including steamed buns and oriental-style dumplings, because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
Food Safety Recall: Julia's Spices Inc. (City of Industry, CA) recalls all hulled sesame seeds (also known as white sesame seeds) distributed between November 17, 2009 and February 25,2010, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The seeds were sold through retailers in California and Utah.
Food Safety Recall: Spice Industrial Group Inc. (City of Industry, CA) recalls LIAN HOW WHITE SESAME SEEDS supplied by Specialty Commodities Corp. and distributed from November 6 to December 11, 2009, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled seeds were packaged in 5lb white plastic bags with Specialty Commodities Corp. labels and distributed to retail markets, restaurants and wholesalers in Southern California.
Food Spoilage Recall: Ukrop's advises consumers that Full Circle Organic Salted and Unsalted Butters (all Use By codes between 4/26/2010 and 8/8/10) have been recalled due to mold growth on the surface of the butter.
Food Alert Update: Stonyfield Farm has clarified the status of Oikos Greek Yogurt with the following statement:
The US military issued a withdrawal back in January based on one complaint of illness. The product was tested and found within specifications and safe for consumption.

Price Chopper removed Oikos Vanilla with a code of 4/1/10 from their shelves because they found some cups to be bloated. This was not a food safety issue. The product had spoiled prematurely.


Europe


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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Monday, March 15, 2010 0 comments
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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Listeria monocytogenes Makes Canadian Comeback

Bacteriological bad actor hams it up, courtesy of Siena Foods, Ltd.

Déjà vu, anyone?

The Ontario government is warning consumers not to eat Siena Brand Prosciutto Cotto cooked ham, which was recalled last Thursday after it was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The microbe found in Siena's Prosciutto is genetically identical to a strain of Listeria monocytogenes that was isolated from two Ontario residents who where hospitalized after becoming infected with the pathogen. The same strain also was recovered from Siena's Cacciatore Salami, recalled last December.

Two Siena dried meat products were added to the recall list on Friday; both were contaminated with a genetically different strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

The province is reviewing 14 recent cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections – including five fatalities – to determine whether any of them may be linked to one of the Siena meat products. Although the recalled meat also was distributed in Alberta and Québec, only Ontario has identified illnesses that can be linked to consumption of Siena's meat.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has been conspicuous, so far, by its silence.

Siena has suspended production at its Toronto facility while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) investigates, and to enable a thorough sanitation. If past experience is a reliable predictor of future performance, I expect CFIA and Siena to announce that Listeria monocytogenes was found in the production environment. If that happens, the Siena recalls will grow.

Shades of Maple Leaf Foods!


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Posted by Phyllis E at Sunday, March 14, 2010 0 comments
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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Recall Roundup: March 13, 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: Fernando's Food Corporation (Compton, CA) recalls approximately 9,400 pounds of enchilada products because they were inadvertently mislabeled and undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Recall: USDA releases retail distribution list for Ruiz Foods, Inc. recall.
  • Food Safety Recall: USDA releases retail distribution list for Windsor Foods recall.
  • Food Safety Recall: Food Lion recalls Food Lion Hamburger Dinner Beef Pasta, sold in Food Lion and Reids stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Stonyfield recalls Oikos Greek Yogurt, 5.3 oz., plain. The yogurt was sold in Price Chopper stores and was supplied to the US military.
  • Food Labeling Recall: Netherland Bulb Co. recalls six varieties of seed potatoes because of mislabeling. The recalled seed potatoes were sold in Price Chopper stores.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Siena Foods Ltd. recalls Siena brand Coppa (sold in variable weight packages weighing approximately 300-400 g bearing best before dates 10 JN21 or no date) and Siena brand Prosciuttini or Prosciuttini Hot (sold in variable weight packages weighing approximately 300-400 g bearing best before dates 10 JN20, 10JN21, 10JN22). The dried, ready-to-eat meats were distributed in Ontario and Alberta, and may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall: The importers of Frontier and Whole Foods Market 365 brands of spice products recall certain spices and seasoning mixes that may contain Salmonella-contaminated black pepper.
  • Food Safety Recall: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns consumers that BBQ nuts and Smoked Almonds sold under several different brand names have been recalled because they contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein that may be contaminated with Salmonella.


Europe
  • Food Infestation Alert (UK): Tangerine Confectionary recalls some batches of Butterkist Sweet Microwave Popcorn due to the potential presence of rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) within the product.
  • Unauthorized Drug Alert (Ireland): Irish Medicines Board warns consumers not to buy or use STRO Emperor Capsules, because they contain tadalafil, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Unauthorized Drug Alert (Singapore): Singapore Health Sciences Authority warns consumers not to buy or use Tian Yang Xu Huo Oral Ulcer Capsule (batch #0812003, expiry date 11.2011) because the capsules contain aristolochic acid, a naturally occurring toxic substance.



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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Saturday, March 13, 2010 0 comments
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Friday, March 12, 2010

Recall Roundup: March 12, 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 (Update): USDA releases updated retail distribution list for Daniele International recall of Italian-style deli meats and ready-to-eat sausages.
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): McCormick & Company, Incorporated expands earlier recall of four products manufactured with hydrolyzed vegetable protein to include additional "Best By" dates.
  • Food Safety Recall: Austinuts Of Dallas, Inc. recalls Austinuts Honey Mustard Pretzels (in 16 oz. clear zipper bags), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The pretzels were distributed only at Austinuts building sales in Dallas, Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Frontier Natural Products Co-op recalls several of its products manufactured with non-organic black pepper – sold under the Frontier brand and under the Whole Foods Market brands – that contain black pepper supplied by Mincing Overseas Spice Company. The black pepper has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls an undetermined amount of various chicken products because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
  • Food Recall: Food City advises its customers that Full Circle Organic Butter, 16 oz., was recall and should be returned to the store.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Village Cannery Of Vermont, Inc. that repeated 2009 inspections revealed that applesauce processed at the company's facility was adulterated, in that it was contaminated with patulin, a toxic substance.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Cumberland Farms, Inc. that a June/July 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.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Siena Foods, Ltd. recalls certain Siena brand Prosciutto Cotto Cooked Ham products, because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled ham was sold to delicatessens, grocery and speciality food stores in large wholesale packages in Ontario, Québec and Alberta for further slicing bearing Best Before dates of March 8 and March 22, 2010. Cases of listeriosis have been reported in Ontario, but it is not yet known whether these are linked to consumption of the recalled Siena ham.
  • Food Safety Recall: Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts consumers to recall of several Amira and Fontaine Santé products that were manufactured using hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors and may be contaminated with Salmonella.


Europe


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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, March 12, 2010 0 comments
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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Contaminated Pepper Toll: 257 Ill and Counting

Pepper-derived recalls ripple through USA and Canada

The number of Salmonella illnesses due to contaminated pepper in the United States has risen to at least 257 people in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest update released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eight of the victims were infected with Salmonella Senftenberg; the other 249 with Salmonella Montevideo. At the moment, CDC only recognizes the 249 Salmonella Montevideo victims in its outbreak totals.

The outbreak began in July 2009, and new cases are still being reported; the most recent reported onset date is February 18, 2010.

CDC first released information about this outbreak on the agency website on January 22, 2010. As of that date, 184 people were thought to have been infected with Salmonella Montevideo. The culprit, as yet unidentified, was suspected to be a widely distributed contaminated food. The very next day, investigators announced that Italian-style salami sausage manufactured by Daniele International, Inc. was the most likely source of at least some of the outbreak illnesses.

Although Daniele recalled the suspect meats, no one – not CDC, not FDA, not the Rhode Island Department of Health, not Daniele – found the explanation fully satisfying. Too many victims did not remember having eaten salami during the several days before they became ill. There was something else at work.

On January 23rd, I suggested – in the face of significant skepticism on the part of some readers – that contaminated pepper might be the source of the outbreak. I was drawn to this conclusion by the list of pepper-encrusted meats that formed Daniele's first product recall. Subsequent events have borne me out.

On January 28th, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced having found the Salmonella Montevideo outbreak strain in a sample taken from an open container of black pepper located at Daniele's production facility. Since that initial finding, FDA has found Salmonella in pepper samples obtained from Daniele's two spice suppliers – Wholesome Spice Company and Mincing Overseas Spice Company. At least one of the Salmonella isolates matched the outbreak strain. Genetic profiling of isolates from additional samples is in progress.

As a result of FDA's findings, both Wholesome and Mincing Overseas initiated recalls. And the ripple effect of those recalls has spread – and will continue to spread – across the processed food industry as FDA continues its trace-forward investigations. Companies that have initiated recalls so far include:


While most of the recalled spices were distributed in the United States, Frontier Natural reports that some of its recalled products also were distributed in Canada.

To help readers navigate the pepper recalls, I shall be posting a consolidated recall list within the next 24 hours. Please check back.

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.

Posted by Phyllis E at Thursday, March 11, 2010 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: March 11, 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 (Update): USDA posts updated retail distribution list for Daniele International, Inc. processed meat recall.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Kroger Co. recalls two Onion Soup & Dip mixes that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold in Kroger, Dillons, Fry's, King Soopers, City Market, Smith's, Food 4 Less, Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Olde Westport Spice recalls 5- and 10-oz. jars and 20-oz. bags of Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled seasoning blend was sold online at www.oldwestportspice.com, at food and craft shows in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado and at limited specialty gift shops located in Kansas and Missouri between November 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mrs. Gerry's Kitchen, Inc. recalls Old Fashioned and Old Home brands of Spinach Dip, because the dips contain an ingredient that might be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold to retailers and distributors in MN, IA, SD, ND, NE, KS, CO, WI, MI, IL, and MO.
  • Food Safety Recall: Frito-Lay recalls Quaker Baked Cheddar Snack Mix, because it was manufactured using an ingredient (hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors) that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Frontier Natural Products Co-op recalls black pepper and seasoning blends, sold under the Frontier Natural Products Co-op and Wholefoods Market brand names, because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts consumers to recall of Selection Roasted BBQ Peanuts (400g and 700g sizes), which may be contaminated with Salmonella because the product contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors.


Europe



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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Thursday, March 11, 2010 0 comments
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Recall Roundup: March 10, 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: Neco Foods LLC, in concert with Publix Super Markets, recalls Publix Private Label Brand Potato, Cheddar & Bacon Soup, because the product contains milk that is not declared on the label.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Inc. recalls Bulk Foods Inc. brand black pepper products, seasoning mixes and dip mixes because the black pepper supplied by Mincing Overseas Spice Company may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ruiz Foods, Inc. (Denison, TX) recalls approximately 115,700 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) beef product that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Windsor Foods (Lampasas, TX and Oakland, MS) recalls approximately 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: N.K. Hurst Company recalls Hurst's Beef 15 Bean Soup, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Giant Eagle recalls Giant Eagle brand Onion Gravy Mix that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nutritional Resources, Inc. recalls Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ritacco's Market (Westerly, RI) recalls all ready-to-eat dry cured sausage products manufactured at the facility because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall was initiated after a soprosata (sopressata) sample collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health tested positive for Salmonella typhimurium.
  • Food Safety Recall: ACH Food Companies, Inc. recalls certain French's, Durkee and Weber brands of Italian seasoning and spaghetti sauce mixes that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Scotty's Inc. that an August 2009 inspection of the company's food processing facility revealed insanitary conditions and violations of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) Part 110: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Lucky Farm Inc. that a September/October 2009 inspection of the company's bean sprouting facility revealed significant insanitary conditions, including evidence of rodent infestation.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts consumers to recall of Sabatini's spinach and vegetable dips and Mom's Pantry All Dressed Popcorn Seasoning that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Moonstruck Organic Cheese recalls White Moon, Savoury Moon, and Ash-Ripened varieties of Camembert cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, after routine sampling by the British Columbia government found the pathogen in a sample. The recalled cheese was sold through retailers in British Columbia.
  • "Natural" Health Product Alert: Health Canada alerts consumers that the unapproved health product Power-Max contains the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil, and may cause serious side effects.

Europe
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury's withdraws mislabeled pots of Mandarin Jelly, which contain undeclared milk, egg and wheat gluten.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Foxhill Foods Ltd. (UK) recalls three batches of Basil Pesto, which may contain undeclared cheese.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Nordic Food Partners A/S recalls three varieties of Organic Brown Rice due to mold contamination.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration alerts consumers that Botanical Slimming 100% Natural Soft Gel (a.k.a. Meizitang), which is sold over the internet, contains the prescription-only drug sibutramine, which 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.


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Wednesday, March 10, 2010 0 comments
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Basic Food Flavors Knowingly Shipped Potentially-Contaminated Product

FDA releases damning inspection report

Basic Food Flavors ("BFF") knowingly shipped hydrolyzed vegetable protein that had been processed in a Salmonella-contaminated environment, according to FDA's inspection report, posted today on the agency's web site.

FDA earlier reported having found Salmonella Tennessee in environmental samples taken from the company's production area. Today we learned that BFF received a Salmonella-positive report from the company's private testing lab as early as January 21, 2010, yet continued to distribute potentially contaminated products until February 15th.

Some of the key observations contained in the FDA inspection report were:
"...samples from one remaining finished product lot of your HVP were analyzed and found positive for Salmonella by your private laboratory. This was documented by Certificate of Analysis dated 2/19/2010."

"Environmental samples collected from building 3950 E. Craig Road found Salmonella on non-food contact surfaces near some food processing equipments throughout this facility."

"After receiving the first private laboratory analytical results (Certificate of analysis dated 1/21/2010) indicating the presence of Salmonella in your facility, you continued to distribute HVP paste and powder products until 2/15/2010. Furthermore, from 1/21/2010 to 2/20/2010, you continued to manufacture HVP paste and powder products under the same processing conditions that did not minimize microbial contamination." (emphasis added)

"On 2/14/2010, we observed disassembled equipment with accumulation of food debris and accumulation of dark brown colored liquid. According to your firm's Quality Assurance/Food Technologist these surfaces have been cleaned and ready to be assembled for production."

Where were the FDA and state inspectors while this was going on? Did none of BFF's customers conduct their own site visits or insist on third-party auditors?

Consumers are fortunate that one of BFF's customers conducted its own Salmonella testing on the HVP it received and reported the positive finding using FDA's new Reportable Food Registry before this incident evolved into yet another major food poisoning outbreak.

Next time, we might not be so fortunate.

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.

Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, March 09, 2010 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: March 9, 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: Rudolph Foods Company, Inc. (San Bernardino, CA) recalls approximately 186 pounds of Baken-ets Fried Pork Skins because the "Hot'N Spicy" version was packaged in a "Traditional" bag. The "Hot'N Spicy" fried pork skins contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is not declared on the "Traditional" fried pork skins' label.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Professional North America (Cleveland, OH) recalls approximately 6,000 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon base product that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Herr Foods Inc. recalls Herr's Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavor Kettle-Style Potato Chips because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ventura Foods LLC recalls seven varieties of Dean's® Dips because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: GNS Foods recalls certain Great Nut Supply, Spec's Wine & Fine Foods, and Rouses Louisiana's Best snacks, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts consumers to the recall of several Quaker, No Name, Compliments and Family's Best products, that were manufactured in the USA (Quaker product) or Canada using hydrolyzed vegetable protein recalled by Basic Food Flavors Inc. due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Costco Canada recalls Flav-R-Pac Imperial Stir Fry (Item #16914), because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.


Europe


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


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



Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, March 09, 2010 0 comments
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