Month: May 2011

Recalls and Alerts: May 15, 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

  • Allergy Alert: Cinderella Sweets (Woodmere, NY) recalls Shabtai brand Kosher for Passover cookies with an “egg free” notation on the product label, even though the products contain egg. The ingredient label and allergy statement both indicate the presence of egg in the recalled cookies. The recall encompasses Shabtai Gourmet Daisy Cookies, Shabtai Gourmet Leaf Cookies, Shabtai Gourmet Coconut Macaroons, and Shabtai Gourmet Choc Coated Coconut Macaroons only.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rose & Shore Meat Co. (Vernon, CA) recalls Olympic Gold Beef Pastrami (Lot #20911; Lot code 10951), Rose and Shore N.Y. Style Pastrami (Lot #20911; Lot code 10951), Cooked Angus Roast Beef (Lot #20941; Use by 05-17-11), and Togo’s Pastrami (Lot #20911; Use by 05-23-11), because the products may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Togo’s Sandwiches has announced that the company has taken measures to ensure that none of the recalled pastrami is currently being used in any of its restaurants.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Mann Packing reissues and expands its voluntary recall of Party Trays and Snacks on the Go items containing grape tomatoes, because one item was inadvertently omitted from a follow-up announcement. Please refer to the revised recall notice for a complete list of recalled products that were distributed in the USA and Canada.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification: FDA warns the public about a counterfeit version of ExtenZe dietary supplements. The counterfeit products bear Lot #1110075 or Lot #F050899, and contain tadalafil or a combination of tadalafil and sildenafil, which are prescription medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification: FDA warns consumers not to use products marketed as dietary supplements that also claim to be antimicrobial drugs.
  • Pet Product Safety Alert: FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine warns pet owners to be cautious when using an unapproved animal drug product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo (0.1% phytosphingosine), distributed by Sogeval Laboratories, Inc. (Coppell, TX), after receiving a report of the death of a woman who used the product on her dog. The woman, who had severe, preexisting asthma, had a sudden, severe asthma attack and died while bathing a dog with this product. A few days later, according to the FDA report, another asthmatic family member bathed the dog using the same product and experienced a mild asthma attack, but recovered.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Worcester, MA): The gastrointestinal illness outbreak that affected some 200 people who ate Easter brunch at Luciano’s Cotton Club restaurant is thought to have been caused by a norovirus, which was spread by an infected employee. Three food handlers at the restaurant had symptoms of gastroenteritis, and one of them tested positive for norovirus. The outbreak could not be traced to any single food item, making direct or indirect contact with the infected employee the most likely explanation for the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Kane County, IL): Thirteen people – 12 from Illinois and one from Minnesota – have now been confirmed as having been infected with a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Nine of the 13 individuals reported eating at Portillo’s restaurant in St. Charles, IL during April. Three of the victims were hospitalized, but all have been released.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises that Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks (Product of India; Asian, afc, and BANSI brands) have been recalled by the importers, due to the presence of undeclared wheat. The products may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Mann Packing reissues and expands its voluntary recall of Party Trays and Snacks on the Go items containing grape tomatoes, because one item was inadvertently omitted from a follow-up announcement. Please refer to the revised recall notice for a complete list of recalled products that were distributed in the USA and Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall Update: Lidl Germany recalls St. Maarten Classic Cheeses Slices, 200g packages, sold prior to May 11, 2011 in Lidl stores in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony only. The recall was undertaken after Belgomilk detected Listeria monocytogenes in batches of cheeses produced in its Moorslede facility and recalled all cheeses manufactured in that factory.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Northland, New Zealand): Norovirus has claimed the lives of two elderly residents of Northland resthomes, and has sickened at least 298 people in five different resthomes in the region in the last month. The dead include Betty Friend (May 5th at Puriri Court Resthome) and Ian Grant (April 27th at Jane Mander Retirement Village. Mr. Grant suffered from a muscle wasting condition and was confined to his unit, raising concerns that he may have contracted the infection through a staff member.

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 13, 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: Phoenix Import & Distribution LLC recalls Pentrexyl Forte Natural (UPC 893843001293; Lot #102050; Exp 04/14), because the packaging may cause this Dietary Supplement to be confused with an antibiotic. The recalled product was sold through retail stores in Texas.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public that additional Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Bars (2 oz; Chocolate Brownie, Toasted Coconut, rosted Cinnamon Bun, Chocolate Mint Cookie, S’mores, Raspberry Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Banana Nut, Blueberry Cheesecake, Cookie Dough, and Lemon Meringue varieties; Best before dates up to and including June 30, 2012), and Universal Hi Protein Diet Bars (3 oz; Chocolate Brownie and S’mores varieties; Best before dates up to and including June 30, 2012) may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments Edesia Inc. (Saint-Hubert, QC) recalls Fumagalli brand Pronta Fresca Lonza Stagionata/Seasoned Dry Cured Pork Loin (100g pkg; Imported from Italy; Batch 119066; Best before 05/07/2011), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled pork product was distributed only in the province of Québec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Belgomilk (Moorslede, Belgium) recalls Saint-Martin-Classic cheese slices (200g; sold before May 11, 2011), because the manufacturer has found Listeria monocytogenes in some lots of cheese. The recalled cheese was sold in Lidl stores in the Netherlands, and is part of a larger recall, announced on May 11th.
  • Food Safety Alert (France): Aude prefecture has temporarily forbidden the harvesting and sale of clams from Leucate pond on the Mediterranean coast, after routine microbiological testing revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0628): Salmonella Chester in kangaroo meat from Australia; distributed to Germany and Belgium.
  • Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2011.0629): Migration of cadmium and of lead from latte macchiato glasses from China; distributed to Austria and Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0633): Excessive and undeclared benzoic acid in fruit jams from Turkey; distributed to Romania.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0634): Aflatoxins in ground nutmegs with raw material from Poland; distributed to Germany and Hungary.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0635): Excessive sulphite in frozen prawns from Ireland; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Healthcare Pharmascience Ltd. recalls Cyclovax Cream 5% (all lots; manufactured in Cyprus by Remedica Limited) after the Department of Health determines that a second batch of the product contains only 3.5% of the active ingredient aciclovir instead of the claimed 5%.
  • Food Safety Alert (Malaysia): The Ministry of Health is investigating media reports that meat from dead pigs was used to make processed foods, including pork sausage, smoked pork, dim sum and pau.
  • Outbreak Alert (Malaysia): Eight cases of food poisoning were recorded at National Service training camps during the first three months of this year, compared to three cases during the first quarter of 2010.
  • Outbreak Alert (Nigeria): A staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission has died of suspected food poisoning after eating a dish of rice served to him by one of the kitchen staff at the presidential lodge in Gusau.
  • Outbreak Alert (Iraq): About 125 members of the Peshmerga in the Kurdistan region developed food poisoning after consuming milk and other Iranian made food. Reports of food poisoning traced to canned foods and other processed foods from Iran have also been recorded in other Iraqi cities.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): Eight kiwifruit workers in the Bay of Plenty have been isolated after a guest worker from Samoa was diagnosed as a typhoid carrier. Around 100,000 trays of kiwifruit are being dumped, because they may have come into contact with the worker.

Latin America and the Caribbean

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 12, 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 Update: Publix Supermarkets recalls Shell On Oysters harvested from Area 1642 in Apalachicola Bay, FL between March 21 and April 6th, because the raw oysters have been linked to eight confirmed and one possible case of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O75 infection (cholera).
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: FDA seeks permanent injunction against American Mercantile Corp., Ingredients Corporation of America, and Damon S. Arney, owner and president of the companies. According to FDA’s complaint, the companies – which deal in a variety of products, including spices, herbs and sauces – and their owner “…violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by preparing, packing and holding food under insanitary conditions where it may have become contaminated with filth.”
  • Food Recall: Tri-City Cheese and Meats (Kawkawlin, MI) recalls Troll Smokehouse Kippered Beef Original Flavor (1-lb and 5-oz. pkgs; Sell by June 9, 2011 through Sept. 2, 2011) because the ingredient label does not mention sodium nitrate.
  • Water Contact Health Advisory (Oregon): The Oregon Department of Health has issued public health advisories were issued Thursday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Nye Beach in Lincoln County and Sunset Bay State Park Beach in Coos County.
  • Outbreak Alert (Michigan): An increase in the number of Norovirus illnesses has been reported across Kalamazoo County, with cases recorded in nursing homes, schools and in the community. Spring Arbor University postponed its commencement for one week and canceled all nonacademic activities after more than 170 students fell ill with norovirus or “norolike” virus.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Alimentarus Import Export Inc. (Montreal, QC) recalls Dar Al Assala brand Piment doux moulu (Mild ground paprika; Imported from Morocco; Lot code PD17-F278; Best before 05/10/2012). because the  product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold to various retail stores in Quebec in 5-kg bags.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl recalls St. Maarten Classic Belgian Cheese Slices (200g; Imported from Belgium; all date codes), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was manufactured by Belgomilk and is part of a larger recall.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Delhaize Belgique recalls Delhaize brand Nazareth Sliced Cheese (180g; all dates), Delhaize brand Belgo-Français Cheese Platter (400g; Best if used by dates prior to 18/04/2011 and 02/05/2011), Nazareth Brick Cheese (250g; all dates), and Brugge Kaas Cheese Platter (450g; Best if used before 13/04/2011) because the cheeses, which were produced by Belgomilk scrl, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): The Colruyt Group recalls a number of Grimbergen, Affligem, Nazareth, Bruges d’Or and Kievit Light cheeses (all dates) produced by Belgomilk scrl, because the cheeses may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheeses were available for sale in Colruyt, Collivery, OKay and Spar stores.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Sweden): The National Food Administration warns consumers that the dietary supplement Redux Retinalin 500mg has been found to contain unacceptably high levels of the B vitamin, nicotinic acid. Several reports of adverse reactions have been received.
  • Outbreak Alert (Norway): Bagged salad mix containing radicchio rosso (Italian chicory) was flagged as the probable source of an outbreak of 21 cases of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 illnesses between February and April 2011. The implicated DOLE brand salad mixes were recalled from the market by Bama.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0623): Dioxins in complementary feed for calves from France; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0624): Undeclared milk ingredient in vegetable product resembling Edam cheese from Belgium; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0626): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled catfish fillets from Iceland; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0627): Salmonella in cardamon seed from Guatemala; distributed to Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Alert (Philippines): The public is warned not to use glutathione IV as a skin whitening agent, as its use is unsafe and may result in serious health consequences, including kidney failure.
  • Outbreak Alert (Guam): A total of 274 school children – most of them from Marcial Sablan Elementary School in Agat – were either sent home or taken to hospital with symptoms of food poisoning after consuming breakfast at the school. Other affected schools were Harry S. Truman Elementary, Southern High, Oceanview Middle, and J.P. Torres Alternative School. The implicated meal consisted of an egg sandwich, milk and a slice of fresh melon, and was supplied by King’s Restaurant. A sample of the breakfast meal was taken for testing.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): A cholera outbreak has been reported from five villages in the Sonitpur district of Assam; 245 people have been diagnosed with the illness so far. Officials suspect contaminated water as the source of the outbreak.
  • Outbreak Alert (Singapore): An air-con maintenance technician has died of food poisoning a couple of days after eating fish ball noodles from a food stand near the Joo Koon MRT station.
  • Food Safety Labeling Infractions (PRC): Staff members of a Shanghai location of the Carrefour supermarket chain were found replacing changing production dates on meat to extend the apparent shelf life of the products. Separately, the Spanish-based supermarket chain, Dia, was found selling expired dairy products.

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.