Monday, July 5, 2010

Recall Roundup: July 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
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): Great Range Buffalo Sirloin Steaks and Great Range Ground Bison, both of which were recalled on July 2nd by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats (Henderson, CO) due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7, were sold in Wegmans stores. This is in addition to the retail distribution information posted on the July 4th edition of Recall Roundup.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Wernersson Ost Danmark A/S recalls Maxi Bocage Tradition cheese from France (Lot No. 138-6; Best before: 07/22/2010; Net Wt. 1 kg) because of suspected contamination with Salmonella. The recalled cheese was sold in certain INCO stores in Denmark.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): ALDI recalls vacuum-packed, chilled fresh turkey breasts imported from Germany (Best before: 30-06-2010), because Salmonella was found in the product.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Manufacturers have recalled Exomuc Nourrisson (100 mg), Fluimucil Nourrisson (100 mg), and Mucomyst Nourrissons (100 mg/5 ml) because these bronchial decongestants are inappropriate for use in children under the age of 2 years.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Actavis, Arrow, Biogaran, Gerda, Qualimed, Sandoz et TEVA Santé have recalled certain lots of Ceftriaxone injectables as a result of a quaiity audit at one specific supplier of the active ingredient.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0890): Salmonella in sweet basil from Thailand; distributed in the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0891): Dithiocarbamates (pesticides) in apricots from Turkey; distributed in Estonia and Latvia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0892): High aerobic plate count for raw cow milk from Slovenia; distributed in Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0893): Arsenic in carrageen moss from Ireland; distributed in Guernsey, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety/Allergy Notification (EU #2010.0894): Undeclared sulphite in sliced natural mushrooms from Spain; distributed in Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0895): Altered organoleptic characteristics (abnormal odour) of fresh pork from Germany; distributed in Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0896): Unauthorised benzoic acid and sorbic acid in seaweed extract from Denmark; distributed in Italy.


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, July 05, 2010 0 comments
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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Outbreaks and Alerts: July 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
  • Oregon. July 1: Oregon Public Health and Douglas County Health Department have issued a Health Advisory for Lemolo Lake, due to high levels of blue-green algae.
  • Nebraska. July 2: A health alert has been issued for toxic blue-green algae at Johnson Lake in Gosper County, and an alert continues at Swan Creek Lake 5A near Tobias in Saline County, which was first placed on alert last week.
  • Grand Lake St. Mary's, OH. July 2: State officials are advising the public to avoid contact with the water in Grand Lake St. Mary's due to the presence of algae-related toxins in the water.
  • Oregon. July 2: The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have extended the area closed to recreational razor clam harvesting to include the coast from Bandon north to Tillamook Head. The closure is due to elevated levels of domoic acid.
  • Baton Rouge, LA. July 2: The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced the partial closures of oyster harvesting areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf.
  • Henderson, CO. July 2: At least five people in Colorado and one in New York State are suffering from E. coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis. The outbreak strain has been linked to the consumption of ground bison products supplied by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, CO. Rocky Mountain has recalled approximately 66,000 pounds of ground bison meat and tenderized steak bison products in response to the outbreak. Please see the eFoodAlert Recall Roundup for July 4th to access a partial retail distribution list for the recalled bison products.
  • Grant County, WA. July 2: Seven cases of salmonellosis – three from Washington state and four from British Columbia – have been confirmed in people who attended a Memorial Day weekend concert at the Gorge Amphitheater.



Europe
  • Ukraine. July 4: Seven university graduates were taken to hospital on July 2nd and 3rd with symptoms of gastroenteritis after attending their graduation party, held at a winery restaurant on June 30.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Taipei, Taiwan. July 3: Officials at the Taipei municipal Department of Health confirmed that toxicologists have suggested consumers not to leave water contained in PET bottles for too long under the sun, as the heat may cause toxic materials to be released into the water.
  • Taipei, Taiwan. July 3: The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested six suspects in Taipei for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit skin care products and food supplements. NT$2 million worth of counterfeit products were seized by authorities.


Australia and New Zealand
  • New South Wales, Australia. July 2: The state has introduced a new Egg Food Safety Scheme, as part of the new Food Regulation 2010 - a regulation that aims to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness in food industry sectors with a higher food safety risk. Under the new regulations, certain egg businesses will be required to be licensed with the NSW Food Authority by 18 August 2010 and implement certain food safety requirements.
  • Christchurch, New Zealand. July 3: Christchurch Hospital is struggling with a norovirus outbreak. Twenty-five patients and one or two staff members have fallen ill in the last two weeks.
  • Wellington, New Zealand. July 4: The government has initiated a total ban on kosher slaughtering (known as "shechitah") in New Zealand, claiming that the slaughtering method is inhumane.

Posted by Phyllis E at Sunday, July 04, 2010 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: July 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
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): United Pet Group (Cincinnati, OH) has recalled a number of pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination, including products marketed under the brands Doctors Foster and Smith, Nature's Miracle, Petco, Excel, DDS, PR Excel, and Pro-Pet. These products were distributed through retailers nationwide, including the following: Kroger stores located in Texas and Louisiana, and Fred Meyer stores (DDS and Pro-Pet products); Doctors Foster and Smith (Doctors Foster and Smith products); Petco (Petco and Excel products); ShopRite (Pro-Pet products).
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): Rocky Mountain Natural Meats (Henderson, CO) has recalled approximately 66,000 pounds of ground and tenderized steak bison products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled meat, which was distributed to retailers nationwide and to foodservice distributors in Utah and Arizona, has been linked to at least five cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Colorado. Following is a partial distribution list:
  • The Kroger Company, including Kroger, Ralphs, Smith's Food and Drug, King Soopers, City Market, Fry's Food, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, and Food4Less Fremont stores: Great Range Fresh Ground Bison (16 oz. pkg); Great Range Bison Sirloin Steaks (12 oz.)
  • Price Chopper: Great Range Ground Bison (1 lb. pkg; Sell by June 21, 22, 24); Great Range Bison Steak Medallions (12 oz. pkg; Sell by June 23, 24); Great Range Bison Sirloin Steak (12 oz. pkg; Sell by June 20, 23, 24)
  • ShopRite: Great Range Brand Ground Bison; Great Range Brand Bison Steak Medallion; Great Range Brand Bison Sirloin Steak
  • Whole Foods Market: Nature's Rancher Ground Buffalo, (16 oz. pkg; “sell or freeze by” June 22, 2010)
  • Restaurants only: Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, Inc. Bison (15-lb boxes; 10-ounce sirloin steaks)

If you know of any other retailers who sold products covered by either of these recalls, please post the information in the Comments field for the benefit of other readers. Feel free to post anonymously.


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 Sunday, July 04, 2010 0 comments
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Saturday, July 3, 2010

Today Show Offers 4th of July Food Poisoning Recipe

Guest Annie Copps' recipe for butterflied grilled chicken is half-baked

What is it with these chefs?

Annie Copps – the Food Editor for Yankee Magazine and assistant to the late, great Julia Child on the PBC series Julia Child's Kitchen – appeared on NBC's Today Show this morning to share two of her July 4th barbecue recipes with the program's viewers.

Featured on the program segment was Copps' recipe for Grilled Chicken with an Asian Spice Rub. The Asian spice blend, which consists of peppercorns, anise pods, cloves, fennel, cinnamon, sugar, oil and salt, sounds delicious. And I love the flavor that grilling adds to any food.

So what's the beef? Simply, the grilling instructions are inadequate and potentially dangerous.

According to Copps, the butterflied and seasoned chicken should be cooked as follows:
  • Heat grill to medium high. Lightly oil the grates of the grill.
  • Thoroughly rub chicken with oil and spice mixture. Place chicken on grill skin side down. Season with salt.
  • Put on grill, then cover the grill lid and let cook for 15 minutes. turn, season with salt; cover grill lid and cook 15 minutes or until fully cooked.

Someone, please define "fully cooked."

Oh! I'm sorry! Someone – USDA, to be specific – has already done so. In the case of chicken, whether fried, baked or grilled, "fully cooked" means that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Why is it so difficult for some "chefs" to add this simple instruction to their recipes? It can make the difference between a dish that is both tasty and safe to eat, and one that comes back to haunt the preparer and his or her guests for several days.

I am getting fed up with so-called experts who foist half-baked recipes and ill-informed instructions on an unsuspecting public.

Last week, I wrote about Purdue University Professor Ivan Petkov's inaccurate and ill-conceived instructions for recooking food that has been left out for more than two hours. I invited Petkov to respond to my posting. I have not heard from him.

I challenge Annie Copps to issue a corrected recipe with complete and accurate instructions for determining that the chicken has been "fully cooked." And I challenge the Today Show to ensure that all of their future food segments are "safe for human consumption."

Happy 4th of July to all my US readers!


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 Saturday, July 03, 2010 2 comments
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Recall Roundup: July 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
  • Allergy Alert: Setton International Foods, Inc. recalls limited quantities of its Fairway brand Energy Mix and its Setton Farms brand Total Energy Mix sold to select stores in NY and NJ because the products may contain peanuts and chocolate flavored chips not listed on the label.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rocky Mountain Natural Meats (Henderson, CO) recalls approximately 66,000 pounds of ground and tenderized steak bison products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Five confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis in Colorado have been linked to this recalled meat. The recalled bison meats were produced between the dates of May 21, 2010 through May 27, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments nationwide and food service distributors in Utah and Arizona. At least some of the meat was sold in the Kroger family of supermarkets, including Kroger, Ralphs, Smith's Food and Drug, King Soopers, City Market, Fry's Food, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, and Food4Less stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Breese Hollow Dairy suspends raw milk sales after New York State Department of Agriculture finds Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter in a routine sample of milk. The suspension will be remain in force until the state resamples Breese Hollow Dairy's milk and indicates that the product is free of pathogens.
  • Pet Supplement Safety Recall: United Pet Group (Cincinnati, OH) expands its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected products are identified with expiry dates in the range of 01/2013 to 06/2013, inclusive. The recalled products are sold nationally at various retailers under the following brands: Doctors Foster and Smith, Nature's Miracle, Petco, Excel, DDS, Pro-Pet, and PR Excel. Please click on the live link (above) to the recall notice for a comprehensive list of recalled products.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Merrick Pet Care Inc. recalls Lot #10084TL7 of Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (10-ounce bags; Best by March 24, 2012,) because the dog treats could be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled dog treats were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the U.S.


Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Juici Patties (Canada) (Est. 213; Scarborough, ON) recalls all lot codes of Juici Patties brand Jamaican Style Vegetable Patty (390 g packages containing 3 patties each; UPC 6 24819 20003 3), because the patties contain undeclared milk. The recalled Vegetable Patties were distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Choice Family Meats (Emerald Park, SK) recalls three Store Made Beef Jerky products (Chili Chipotle, Sweet Orange, and Jalepeno flavors; all "Packed On" dates up to and including 2010JL02), because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled beef jerky products were sold only at Choice Family Meats, 320 Great Plains Road, Emerald Park, SK.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets recalls Morrisons Fresh Strawberry Cheesecakes (2-pack; all date codes up to and including use by 2 July 2010), because the product may contain small pieces of plastic.


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, July 03, 2010 2 comments
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Friday, July 2, 2010

Outbreaks and Alerts: July 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.


United States
  • Baton Rouge, LA. July 1: The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced the partial closures of oyster harvesting areas 17, 19 and 21 in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf.
  • Waco, TX. July 1: The Waco-McLennan County Health District said that it’s investigating a much higher-than-usual number of cases – 77 so far this year – of shigellosis, most of them involving children less than 5 years of age.
  • Ellensburg, WA. July 2: Kittitas County Public Health officials report that six cases of E. coli illness have been confirmed in Ellensburg and another is suspected. Two area day care centers have been closed.
  • Longmont, CO. July 2: The number of illnesses associated with drinking raw goat milk from Billy Goat Dairy has risen to 24. Two children have been hospitalized.


Europe
  • Tula, Russia. July 2: Twenty-eight people were hospitalized with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis after eating at Café 1001 Nights on the Moscow-Don Motorway.


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Taipei, Taiwan. July 2: Two new cases of botulism may be linked to the consumption of vacuum-packaged dried tofu, according to the Taiwan Department of Health. This brings the total number of individual botulism cases to eleven people. One person has died.
  • North Cameroon. July 2: The far northern region of Cameroon has recorded 293 confirmed cases of cholera and 30 deaths since the first week of June.


Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Zacatecas, Mexico. July 2: Consumption of raw oysters is being blamed as the source for three cases of cholera in the municipalities of Luis Moya, Loreto and Ojocaliente in June. Regional health officials confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae in the area.


Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, July 02, 2010 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: July 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
  • Allergy Alert: I Dolce Inc. dba Roba Dolce (Warwick, RI) recalls its 33.8 oz (1 Liter) packages of Roba Dolce Double Chocolate Chunk Gelato because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled Gelato was sold in Kroger/Fry's stores in Arizona and Ohio.
  • Allergy Alert: DOMEGA NY International Co. Ltd. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls FUMA CUSTARD PIE (imported from China) because it may contain undeclared milk powder. The recalled product was sold in New York State.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Feline’s Pride recalls Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product is manufactured on an as-ordered basis, is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: Azteca Linda Corp. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls QUESO FRESCO (Fresh White Cheese) and QUESO HEBRA (Fresh White String Cheese) with an expiration date of July 7, 2010 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was the result of environmental sampling and inspection by the FDA, which revealed that certain areas within the facility contained the bacteria. The recalled cheeses were distributed within New York State and to Bayonne, NJ.
  • Food Safety Recall: Top Food & Drug advises customers that Kidsmania Flash Pop, 3 Flavors, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, and Strawberry (12ct, 1.19oz) has been recalled due to a high lead content.
    Food Safety Alert:     The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warns consumers not to eat Food World Aam Papad Candy Spicy (Dry Mango Candy Spicy) imported from India after tests by CDPH found unacceptable levels of lead. Consumers in possession of the candy should discard it immediately.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Daiso California LLC (Hayward, CA) recalls Children’s Coin Purse and Jewelry because the surface paint on the zippers of the coin purses and the clasps on the jewelry contain high levels of lead.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Hi-Tech Pharmacal temporarily suspends sales of certain products after receiving a warning letter from FDA.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): A-Frost recalls Passionata Classica Pizza - Bolognese (300 g; Best Before 2004 2011), because the product may contain glass shards. The pizza was manufactured in Poland by IGLOTEX SA and imported into Denmark by A-Frost. The recalled pizzas were sold in supermarkets throughout Denmark.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Denmark): SinoDane, v/ Xiao Qun Bao recalls several dietary supplements, because they contain unacceptable herbal substances known or suspected to have various adverse health effects. The recalled dietary supplements were distributed through "alternative therapists" throughout Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0871): High count of yeasts in seedless prunes from Germany; distributed in Denmark under the Suntree brand, and in Iceland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety/Allergy Notification (EU #2010.0872): Undeclared casein in food supplement from the Czech Republic; distributed in the Czech Republic and Slovenia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0873): Unauthorised operator for honey from Italy; distributed in France, Italy and Switzerland.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0874): Salmonella Augustenborg in dog chew from India; distributed in Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0875): Excessive Ponceau 4R / cochineal red A, undeclared sorbic acid in and insufficient labelling of grenadine from Spain; distributed in Greece.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0876): Salmonella Bergen and Salmonella London in dog chew from Bahrain; distributed in Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0877): Excessive bacterial count in canned tuna from Thailand; distributed in Norway.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2010.0878): Salmonella infantis in soybean protein from Uruguay, via the Netherlands; distributed in Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2010.0879): Aflatoxins in basmati rice from Pakistan; distributed in Germany.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Kylie (Australia) Pty Ltd recalls Pacific West Beer Battered Fish Cocktails (1.2kg), Pacific West Beer Battered Fish Cocktails n Chips (1.25kg), Pacific West Beer Battered Fish Fillets (1.2kg), and Pacific West Flathead Fillets in Beer Batter (1.25kg) because the products contain a dairy ingredient that is not declared on the package label. All Best Before dates up to and including 21/2/2012 are covered by this recall. The recalled fish products were distributed in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and West Australia.
  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Azzura Gelati recalls Strawberry, Mango, Lemon, and Blueberry Flavour Azzura Sorbets (Best Before FEB11 & JUN11) because the products contain a dairy ingredient that is not declared on the label. The recalled sorbets were sold in West Australia.


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, July 02, 2010 0 comments
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Thursday, July 1, 2010

Outbreaks and Alerts: July 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
  • Atlanta, GA. June 29: CDC posts its final report on the recent multistate outbreak of human Salmonella Newport infections linked to raw alfalfa sprouts. Consumption of the raw sprouts was responsible for 44 cases of Salmonella Newport gastroenteritis in 11 states. Seven people were hospitalized.
  • San Antonio, TX. June 29: The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued an advisory warning people not to consume any species of fish from Lower Leon Creek from the Old U.S. Highway 90 bridge downstream to the Loop 410 bridge in San Antonio. The advisory was issued after laboratory testing showed elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in fish samples collected from the creek.
  • Longmont, CO. June 30: Since June 10, 16 people who reported drinking raw milk from Billy Goat Dairy in Longmont have become ill. Lab tests have recovered Campylobacter and E. coli O157 from patients. Boulder County Public Health ordered the dairy to stop distribution of its raw milk products on June 29, 2010. Two children have been hospitalized, one has been released. Health officials urge anyone who has become ill after consuming raw milk or milk products from Billy Goat Dairy to call the BCPH Communicable Disease Control program at 303.441.1460. If illness continues, residents should contact their healthcare provider.
  • Baton Rouge, LA. June 30: Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner advises coastal cattle producers to protect their livestock from exposure to oil from the British Petroleum oil disaster that could be pushed further inland by tropical weather systems.
  • Minnesota. July 1: Health officials remind Minnesotans to “swim healthy” this summer. Germs on and in swimmers’ bodies can make people sick; preventive measures can help people avoid illness.


Canada
  • Ottawa, ON. June 30: Ottawa Public Health (OPH) advises residents of an increase in the number of salmonellosis cases (23 so far this year) reported in the city and is reminding residents to protect themselves by using safe food handling and cooking practices. A similar increasing trend has been observed provincially. According to OPH, a "... significant number of these cases appear to be related to undercooked or inappropriately stored processed chicken products."


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Hong Kong. June 30: The Centre for Health Protection has received a total of 75 reports of gastrointestinal illness involving patrons of a restaurant in the Jordan district. Stool samples from six of the affected individuals have yielded Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All of the victims ate at the restaurant on or before June 27th.
  • Bangkok, Thailand. June 30: In the first six months of 2010, 982 people have become infected with Vibrio cholerae – 505 of them in the southern region of Thailand. Five people have died as a result of their infections.
  • Dagestan, Russia. June 30: Six local residents, including three children, have been hospitalized after eating meat from anthrax-infected cattle.
  • Baguio, Philippines. June 30: The local health department reports a 50% increase in typhoid fever cases, especially among children, in the first semester of this year. Almost 70% of the typhoid fever victims are children aged five to 16 years old.
  • Bangalore, India. July 1: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed a regulation for energy drinks and has invited public opinion on the draft regulation. The draft advises restricting the use of these drinks, but does not say what is the desired level of consumption. An Australian study, reported in August 2008, found that energy drinks could increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.


Posted by Phyllis E at Thursday, July 01, 2010 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: July 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
  • Allergy Alert: San Antonio Packing Company (San Antonio, TX) recalls approximately 9,408 lbs. of APCO Brand Meats Cervelat Summer Sausage because it may contain undeclared milk. The sausages were produced on various dates from April 14, 2010, through June 22, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments in South Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Tri-Union Seafoods LLC (San Diego, CA) recalls select 12-ounce cans of Chicken of the Sea brand solid white tuna in water, because their seals do not meet standards, allowing the cans to be contaminated. Affected cans can be identified by UPC code 4800000262, "Best By Date 2/10/2014" and product code 7OA1E ASWAB, 7OA2E ASWAB, 7OA3E ASWAB, 7OA4E ASWAB, 7OA5E ASWAB, 7OAEE ASWAB or 7OAFE ASWAB. The recalled tuna was distributed in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Utah, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Colorado, Indiana, California and Oregon, including in Kroger's King Soopers and City Market stores.
  • Food Recall (Labeling Error): Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. (Albany, OR) recalls approximately 600 pounds of Beef Stroganoff with Noodles due to a mislabeling of individual pouches that were packed with Lasagna with Meat Sauce. Each package bears the USDA mark of inspection "Est. 1394" as well as a "Best Use By" date of Feb 2017. The recalled products were distributed to wholesalers and retailers nationwide, and also were sold over the Internet.


Europe


Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Cosmetic Products Safety Alert and Seizure (Philippines): The Food and Drug Administration, after carrying out lab analysis of a number of cosmetic products available from retail establishments has determined that several products contain mercury in excess of the permitted level of 1 ppm. The FDA has ordered its officials to remove the hazardous products from store shelves by seizing them.


Australia and New Zealand
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): George Weston Foods Limited recalls Golden®, Coles Bakery, Best Buy, Woolworths, and Baker’s Life brands of Crumpets because a small number of the products may be contaminated with metal fragments. The affected packages bear the code SW1 or SW2 prior to a Use By date of 29 JUN, 30 JUN, or 1 JUL, and were sold through supermarkets and other food retail outlets in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Advisory (Australia): Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued an update to its advisory on the use of Hydroxycut products. TGA reminds Australian consumers that "...Hydroxycut products purchased via the internet may be sourced from overseas and may therefore contain ingredients which are not permitted in low-risk medicines in Australia."



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, July 01, 2010 0 comments
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