Month: May 2011

Recalls and Alerts: May 20, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. 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 submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: The Arizona Department of Health has mandated a mass recall of Lazy Cakes relaxation brownies after a 2-year old child was rushed to hospital. The toddler fell into a deep sleep after biting into one of the brownies, which contains 8mg of melatonin, a naturally occuring compound that helps to regulate sleep cycles. A typical adult dose of melatonin is 1-3mg.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Phoenix Import & Distribution LLC recalls Pentrexyl Forte Natural (Exp. 04/14; Lot #102050 and all lots distributed between November 1, 2010 and May 1, 2011), because the packaging is believed to be misleading, causing the product to be confused with an antibiotic.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: American Regent (Shirley, NY) recalls Sterile Water for Injection, USP, 50 mL single-dose vial (Lot 0092; Exp. February 2014), because some of the vials may contain rust-like particulate matter.
  • Food/Water Safety Alert (Alaska): The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reminds the public that all locally harvested shellfish may contain paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). Alaska does not have a PSP testing program for recreational or subsistence harvested shellfish, and does not certify beaches as PSP-free.
  • Recreational Water Alert (Ohio): Water warnings have been posted at Grand Lake St. Mary, due to an algae bloom. People should not swim or wade in the lake, or touch any of the algae in the lake.
  • Outbreak Alert (California): San Joaquin County has noticed a sharp increase in the number of cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis – about twice the usual number so far this year. The County Public Health Services has not yet found a common source or specific explanation for this increase. The rise began in 2010, with 233 cases reported, versus 135 cases in 2009.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Health Canada cautions the public that cereal grains such as oats or barley may contain low levels of wheat, because of the way the grains are grown and harvested. Individuals who are allergic to wheat should review package labels carefully to determine whether the product may contain traces of wheat.
  • Allergy Alert: Pâtisserie St-Martin (Laval, QC) recalls Pâté au poulet (chicken pâté), Pâté au saumon (salmon pâté) and Tourtière maison (meat pie), because the products contain undeclared egg and soy.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Tree of Life Canada (Surrey, BC) recalls King James brand Blue Stilton Cheese (Product of England; Lot/Batch numbers between 019 and 034, inclusive), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cheese was sold to retailers in 2 kg bulk round packages, but may have been cut and sold at retail and deli counters in random weight packages between April 14, 2011 and May 19, 2011. The product was distributed in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland; however it may have been sold nationally.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Magasins U recalls Magasins U brand Pain de Mie extra moelleux (Extra-chewy sandwich bread; Lot 3 256 224 034 261; Best before 27/05/2011), because the bread may contain glass fragments. The recalled bread was sold in Hyper U, Super U, Marché U, U Express, and Utile stores.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Lantmännen Danpo A/S recalls Chicky Cuts, plucked chicken (Product of Belgium; Danpo Batch No. 20110104), because the product contains elevated bacteria levels, which may be due to defective bag seals.
  • Dog Food Safety Recall Update (Finland): VIP Vescor Oy recalls additional batches of Nutritional Balance Dog Food. The recalled batches include 1kg packs (Batch #OW 320, OW 246 and OW 321), 3kg packs (Batch #OW 221, OW 320, OW 321, OX 039 and OX 040) and 15 kg packs (Batch #OW 222, OW 291, OW 312, OW 356, OW 249, OW 336, OX 025 and OX 055). Lab results suggest that rice protein used in the product contains an extraordinary amount of nitrogen.
  • Shellfish Alert (France): Due to the presence of toxic algae in the water, the harvest, sale and consumption of shellfish is prohibited over a large part of the Seine-maritime coastline.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Redfield Edge School in Oldland Common has shut two classes after an outbreak of E. coli diarrhea, suspected to be E. coli O157. One child has been hospitalized, two others have received medical treatment, and 25 others have called in sick with diarrhea. The source of the outbreak has not yet been determined.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Australia and New Zealand

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

Recalls and Alerts: May 19, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. 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 submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Schratter Foods Inc. (Fairfield, NJ) recalls Quenby Hall Blue Stilton Cheese, imported by ANCO Fine Cheese (Product of UK; Lots 019 through 034, with expiration dates of 6/15/2011 through 6/29/2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is found in the bulk cheese during routine testing. The product is imported in bulk (round half 8.5-9.6 lbs) and is sold nationally in retail stores in random weight wedge cuts.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Nikolaos Fine Foods Limited recalls Zarky’s, Woodward Meat Purveyors, Savory Secret Gold Coast, and Nikolaos brands of uncooked and par-fry seasoned breaded chicken breast fillets, due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled chicken products were distributed in Ontario for retail sale and to hotel/restaurant/institutional clients.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Asda recalls Asda Japanese Style Spicy Rice Cracker Mix (Best before: up to and including 01/11/2011), Asda Spicy Wasabi Mix (Best before: up to and including 13/09/2011) and Asda Japanese Style Baked Rice Cracker Mix (Best before: up to and including 06/02/2012), because the products may contain small pieces of glass.
  • Food Safety Alert (Italy): The Ministry of Health has banned the retail sale for human consumption of eels fished from Lake Garda, because the eels are contaminated with dioxin. The ban will be in effect for the next 12 months while additional testing is undertaken.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dencon Foods A/S recalls Chicken Kebabs (Product of Hungary; Lot #0046-10; Best before 15/4/2012) after Swedish authorities find Salmonella in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Hilton Foods Denmark A/S recalls Your Choice Minced Beef 3-7% (450g packages; Best Before 23.05.2011; Lots #400036304A and #400036207A), after Salmonella is found in the raw beef. The recalled minced beef was sold in Kvickly, Superbrugsen and Dagli supermarkets throughout Denmark.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dana Seafood International Ltd. recalls Instant Noodles (400g net wt; Product of China; Imported by Hao Trading ApS; Best by dec/2013), because the product was imported illegally.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall (Finland): VIP Vescor Ltd. recalls Nutritional Balance Lamb & Rice Growth dog food (Product of Belgium; 1 kg pack, OW 320; 3 kg pack, OW 221; 15 kg pack, OW 222, OW 291, OW 312 and OW 356), because the product is suspected of causing behavioral products in dogs. Analytical results suggest unusually large quantities of nitrogen compounds in the dog food. The recalled products were sold from October 2010 onwards.
  • Medical Device Supplies Safety Recall (France): Roche Diagnostics France recalls ACCU-CHEK glucose test strips (Lot 470049), because the strips can overestimate the glucose concentration in 5% of cases.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0661): Glass fragments in snack mix from the Netherlands; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0663): Aflatoxins in groundnuts in shell from China; distributed to Italy.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Six wards in Southampton General Hospital have been shut in an effort to stop the spread of a viral gastroenteritis outbreak. Individuals who have suffered diarrhea or other illness within the last 72 hours are being warned to stay away from Southampton’s teaching hospitals. The public is asked to make only essential visits.
  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): An outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis has been reported among workers at a gold mine in Chukchi. The local dining hall is suspected to be the source of the infections.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ukraine): Twelve children, aged 2 1/2 to 5 years, who attend a kindergarten in Odessa have been hospitalized with acute gastroenterocolitis, the day after they shared a meal that consisted of preserved fish and milk porridge. Others are reported to be ill, but are being treated at home.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Vietnam): The Department of Animal Health reports that 97% of Vietnam’s 30,000 slaughterhouses were operating without the necessary paperwork and in residential areas rather than abattoirs.
  • Food Safety Alert (Vietnam): The Ho Chi Minh City Veterinary Bureau reports that more than 10% of the meat sold in the city every day is from illegal slaughtering houses and is unsafe.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has closed down the United Families for Catering and Food Stuff outlet in Al Ruwais due to repeated non-compliance with food safety regulations. The unlicensed outlet was operating in a makeshift building in a group of labor camps in the desert.
  • Outbreak Alert (Nigeria): Contaminated drinking water is blamed for an outbreak of gastroenteritis, which has killed two people in Gurara (Niger state) and hospitalized 10 others.
  • Outbreak Alert (Singapore): Meals supplied by Mum’s Kitchen Catering has been blamed for food poisoning outbreaks in three Singapore preschools – Pat’s Schoolhouse, Children’s Place, and Learning Vision’s Raffles Place branch. The outbreak has affected 235 children and 12 teachers so far. Thirty-four people have been hospitalized, according to the Ministry of Health, and 14 of those have been discharged. The caterer’s operating license of has been suspended since Thursday, May 12th.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mauritania): Seven people, including three children developed food poisoning after sharing sweets from a bakery. Rotten eggs used in the preparation of the desserts are thought to be the source of the contamination.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): More than 250 people in Ahmedabad developed Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning after attending a wedding feast held at Dalal Hall on May 17th. The source of the outbreak is thought to be either mango juice, paste or paneer (fresh cheese) added to vegetable stews.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Brazil): Seventeen children who attend Lima City School in Camarigibe were hospitalized with severe stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting on May 13th after eating lunch at the school. The school has been closed pending completion of an investigation in to the incident.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: May 18, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. 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 submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. (Waukegan, IL) recalls Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste (Lot #11123), after the company’s outside testing lab recovers Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of the product lot as part of its routine testing program. The product was distributed nationwide through a variety of channels, including direct deliver to business customers, distributors, and retailers, and was exported to Canada.
  • Pet Treat Safety Recall: Boss Pet Products, Inc. recalls Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear Pet Treats, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Pig Ear treats were supplied to Boss Pet by Keys Manufacturing Company, Inc. Affected products were shipped to distributors in MT, CA, WA, OK, TN, NY, KS, OH, TX, MS, AL, OR, UT, IA, MO, IL, IN, LA, and MN in November 2010 through April 2011.
  • Pet Treat Safety Recall: Blackman Industries, Inc. (Kansas City, KS) recalls all PrimeTime 2ct. and 5ct. Premium Pig Ears and all KC Beefhide brand 20 ct. Premium Pig Ears, because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were distributed between Jan. 4, 2011 and April 29, 2011 in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota and sold through many of the following retail outlets: Price Chopper Stores, Hy-Vee Stores, Hen House Markets, Bag N Save Stores, Dahl’s Food Stores, Baldwin City Market, SunFresh Food Stores, Apple Markets, Brookside Market, Franklin Food Stores, No Frills Food Stores, Alps Food Stores, Big V Food Stores, Country Mart Food Stores, Thriftway Food Stores, County Fair Food Stores, Super Saver Food Stores and Russ’s Food Stores and Feldman’s Farm and Home Stores.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. (Waukegan, IL) recalls Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste (Lot #11123), after the company’s outside testing lab recovers Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of the product lot as part of its routine testing program. The product was distributed nationwide through the USA and was exported to Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall: Branche d’Olivier (Montreal, QC) and Marché Al Farah Inc. (Trois-Rivières, QC) recall Moroccan Paprika (Paprika Marocaine or Paprika du Maroc), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected Moroccan Paprika was recalled from the market by the importer, Alimentaurus Import Export Inc.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Doves Farm Foods Ltd. withdraws Doves Farm Organic Plain Chocolate Drops, 130g tube (Imported from Germany; Batch #0222, Best before 10 August 2011 and Batch #0223, Best before 11 August 2011), because the product contains undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark and Sweden): Nordic Hong Da Trading Co. recalls Instant Noodles (400g; Imported from China; Best before Dec/2013), because the product was imported illegally.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0654): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Belgium and Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0655): Salmonella Typhimurium DT 120 suspected in chilled smoked pork tenderloin from Poland; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0657): Acrinathrin in spinach from Greece; distributed to Greece.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0659): Unauthorized morpholine in mangos from Peru; distributed to Germany.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall: Stahmann Farms Enterprises Pty Ltd. recalls Ducks Pine Nuts (200g & 50g; Best before 28 MAR 2012 and 28 APR 2012) and Ducks Oven Toasted Pine Nuts (50g; Best before 28 APR 2012), because the products may contain glass fragments. The recalled pine nuts were imported from China, packaged in Australia and sold nationally in various Coles and IGA supermarkets.

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.