Month: May 2011

Recalls and Alerts: May 11, 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: Doctor’s CarbRite Diet (New Brunswick, NJ) recalls certain 2-ounce Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Bars and 3-ounce Universal Hi Protein Bars (Expiry dates on or before June 30, 2012), because the bars may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled bars were distributed nationwide through a variety of channels, including health food stores, gyms, and e-commerce sites. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected products.
  • Allergy Alert: Oberweis Dairy, Inc. (North Aurora, IL) recalls Brownie Fudge Twirl Ice Cream (qt-size; Plant #17-61; all dates) because the product contains undeclared eggs. The recalled ice cream was distributed mostly through the company’s retail stores and through its home delivery service with limited distribution through seven grocery locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
  • Allergy Alert/Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list forSmithfield Packing Company’s recent recall of Portobello Mushroom Pork Loin products due to the presence of undeclared whey.
  • Food Safety Recall: Goodness Gardens, Inc. (New Hampton, NY) recalls Goodness Gardens Chives (various sizes and packaging; Lot #0201111; Sell by date of May 6) after the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection detects Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the product. The recalled chives were distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama, Illinois and Virginia, primarily to retail stores, and to one wholesaler in Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. (Horsham, PA) recalls Entenmann’s bagged Pop’Ems donuts (Powdered, Cinnamon, and Rich Frosted varieties) and Bimbo 8-pack Donitas donuts (Sugared, Powdered, and Chocolate Frosted varieties). The Entenmann’s donuts (Code dates: May 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29, 2011 and June 1, 2, 6, 2011) were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. The Bimbo products (Code dates: May 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29, 2011 and June 1, 2, 6, 2011) were shipped to Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mountain Pure Water Company is advised by the Arkansas Department of Health to recall Great Value bottled water (16.9 fl. oz.; Sell by date of 10-06-11) after the agency finds  a biological contaminant in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recallsBelgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were distributed in the USA.
  • Outbreak Alert – Cholera: FDA advises consumers, restaurant operators, commercial shippers and processors of shellfish not to eat, serve, purchase, sell or ship oysters from Area 1642 in Apalachicola Bay, FL, because the oysters may be contaminated with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae serogroup O75. Nine persons have been reported with illness. For eight, the illness was confirmed as caused by toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O75; laboratory confirmation is pending in the other person. All nine people reported consumption of raw or lightly steamed oysters that were traced back to Area 1642. The oysters were distributed initially in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina; however, secondary distribution to other states may have taken place.
  • Outbreak Alert – Salmonella: Kane County Health Department, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health Laboratories and other local health departments are investigating 10 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses with a matching genetic pattern, which have been reported in the state in the past two weeks. Two additional cases are awaiting lab confirmation. Cases in other states also have been identified. Seven of the affected people reported having eaten at Portillo’s in St. Charles, IL, during April. No specific food item has been identified. Portillo’s is a chain of casual dining restaurants with more than 30 locations in Illinois, one in Indiana and two in California.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods International Limited recalls Haldiram’s Nagpur brand Gulab Jamun Indian Sweets (1-kg; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recallsBelgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were distributed in Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recalls Belgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were sold in Colruyt, OKay, Alvo and Spar retail stores. Please refer to the recall notices for additional details. The recalled cheeses also were distributed in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, the United Kingdom and the USA (EU #2011.0619).
  • Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): B.K. SA (Versele-Laga) recalls Nutritional Balance Lamb & Rice all breeds Growth (1-kg: Lots OW 246, OW 320, OW 321; 3-kg: Lots OW 221, OW 320, OW 321, OX 039, OX 040; 15-kg: Lots OW 222, OW 249, OW 291, OW 312, OW 336, OW 356, OX 025, OX 055) after receiving reports that some puppies who were fed Lamb & Rice Growth experienced behavioral problems and, in some cases, epileptic seizures. According to the company’s web site, its animal food products are marketed in more than 75 countries.
  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): As many as 202 people in Izhevsk have been infected with Salmonella after eating food in from the cafeteria and vending operations at Izhevsk City Electric Transport Enterprise. Nineteen of the victims are cafeteria workers; 158 are employed by Izhevsk Electric Transport, and an additional 25 people simply ate at the cafeteria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0617): Altered organoleptic characteristics of frozen pike perch filets from Estonia; distributed to Finland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0618): Excessive selenium in food supplement from the United Kingdom; distributed to Austria, Germany the Netherlands and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0620): Dimethoate in fresh cucumbers from Greece; distributed to Greece.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0621): Formetanate and clofentezine in fresh peppers from Turkey; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0622): Aflatoxins in pistachio paste from Italy; distributed to Spain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (PRC): Food safety authorities in Dongguan (Guangdong Province) raided two plants producing illegal cooking oil, known as “gutter oil” after receiving tips from the public. The illegal oil is made from leftover oil that is dredged from gutters behind restaurants, processed and resold to other restaurants.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected cases of ciguatoxin poisoning that affected four people who consumed coral reef fish that was purchased from a fish stall in a wet market in Fanling.
  • Outbreak Alert (Fiji): The Ministry of Health has imposed a temporary ban on all public gatherings in Bua province after recording 41 cases of typhoid in the province since January.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): Health officials in Northland are monitoring an outbreak of Norovirus gastroenteritis that has been confirmed in one Northland rest home; four rest homes in Whangarei are under public health surveillance. As many as 283 people have either been confirmed or are suspected to be suffering from the viral infection.

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 10, 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: Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (Coral Gables, FL) recalls Roche Bros. Vegetable Tray (3-lb oval transparent; UPC 717524888013; Best if used by dates: 4/23/2011, 4/24/2011, 4/26/2011, 4/27/2011, 4/28/2011, 4/30/20115/1/2011 and 5/3/2011), and Roche Bros. Vegetable Trio tray (16-oz transparent; UPC 715524304162; Best if used by dates: 4/23/2011, 4/24/2011, 4/27/2011, 4/28/2011, 4/30/2011, 5/1/2011 and 5/3/2011), because the grape tomatoes that were used in these trays were supplied by Six L’s Packing Company and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold in Roche Bros. Supermarkets in Massachusetts.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway Inc. recalls Eating Right Veggie Party Platter (UPC 79893-10708; sold from 04-29-2011 to 05-07-2011; “Best if Used By” dates ranging from 05-09-2011 to 05-16 2011), supplied by Mann’s Packing, because the platters contain grape tomatoes sourced from Six L’s and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold at all Safeway and Safeway-owned stores, including Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save stores.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Multi-Mex Distributor Inc. (Tucker, GA) recalls dietary supplements that are packaged to resemble antibiotics. The recalled products were distributed in Georgia, Tennessee, California, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado and Indiana (Indianapolis only). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
  • Veterinary First Aid Kits Recall (Alcohol Prep Pads): Creative Pet Products, Inc. and MAI/Genesis (Veterinary Concepts) recall several Pet Supply First Aid Kits containing alcohol prep pads and/or iodine prep pads manufactured by H&P Industries Inc. (Triad or NovaPlus brands), as the prep pads may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The affected kits include: 10140 Horse Aid™ Kit, 10145 Sporting Dog Kit, 10148 Sporting Dog II Kit, and 10151 K9 First Aid Police & Military Kit.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns God’s Garden Pharmacy (San Diego, CA) that a January 2011 inspection of the company’s facility identified a number of significant violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Tufo’s To Go, L.L.C. (Pataskala, OH) that a December 2010/January 2011 inspection of the company’s airline catering facility resulted in the classification of the facility being changed from “Approved” to “Provisional” after the inspection revealed significant violations of the Interstate Conveyance Sanitation regulations promulgated under the Public Health Service Act.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Dangjin Food, Inc. (Republic of Korea) that a review of the company’s HACCP plans revealed serious deviations from the requirements of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns International Fish Canners (Scotland) Ltd. (United Kingdom) that an October 2010 inspection of the company’s canned seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the United States’ Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Regulation.

Europe

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Denmark): Denmark’s Food Administration warns consumers against a range of dietary supplements containing the potentially harmful herbal ingredient Maca. These dietary supplements are marketed under the names Maca 500 mg, Horny Goat Weed & Catuaba, Tribolan, Maca Pro powder, Maca Extreme, Red Maca, Maca Powder Pro 6.1 CAC Organize and Raw Maca Powder.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Multiple links in Jamie Oliver’s chain of Italian restaurants has been named as the possible source of food poisoning incidents in an article by Nick McDermott, writing for MailOnline. According to the article, food safety violations were detected during spot-checks at 11 restaurants in the chain between November 2009 and November 2010. The information was obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0606): Foreign body (bone) in mussels in brine from Denmark; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0607): Mold in rye whole grain crackers from Germany; distributed to Germany and Austria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0608): Adulteration (vegetable sugars added) of honey from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0609): Glass fragments in jars containing gherkins from Turkey; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0610): Glyphosate in dried lentils from Italy; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0611): Salmonella enteritidis in biscuits from Poland; distributed to Poland.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0612): Ammonium sulphate adulteration in protein feed from Italy, via Slovakia; distributed to Hungary.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0613): Salmonella in chilled chicken kebab from Denmark; distributed to Sweden.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0614): Salmonella Livingstone in poultry meat and bone meal from Germany; distributed to Latvia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Nestlé recalls Milkybar Buttons (Product of UK), because the candy may be contaminated with pieces of rubber.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public that herbal and cosmetic products marketed by Al Bussma Al Thahabiyah Company are not registered with the FDA and have been found to contain harmful substances. Please refer to the official notice for a list of the affected products.
  • Contact Lens Safety Alert (Philippines): The Philippines FDA warns the public that sidewalk vendors in Metro Manila are selling contact lenses without a license in violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act. These unregistered products pose a risk of injury to anyone who uses them.
  • Outbreak Alert (Taiwan): A snack bar serving Indonesian noodles in Hsinchu Science Park has been identified as the source of four cases of typhoid fever. A 60-year old restaurant cook – an immigrant from Indonesia – was found to be the source of the contamination.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Vietnam): The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will be carrying out a nationwide food hygiene survey in anticipation of the implementation of the country’s new Food Hygiene Law, which comes into effect on July 1st.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Name and Shame (New South Wales): The NSW Food Authority has published a list of 33 establishments that received Penalty Notices under the Name & Shame program. The establishments are located in Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Wyong, Canada Bay, Waverley, Warringah, Penrith, Sydney, Marrickville, Gosford, Blacktown, Holroyd, Baulkham Hills, Mosman, Maitland, Willoughby and Auburn.

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 9, 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: Mann Packing expands its earlier recall of certain vegetable platters and Snacks on the Go products to include Safeway’s Eating Right Veggie Party Platter (3 lbs, 6 ozs; Best if used by dates ranging from 05-09 2011 to 05-16 2011; UPC 79893-10708) because the grape tomato ingredient in the platters may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Veggie Party Platters were sold at Carrs, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s Pavilions, Randall’s, Safeway, Tom Thumb, and Vons.
  • Food Safety Recall: Northeast Produce Inc. (Plainville, CT) recalls grape tomatoes (Lot #202 GB) that were supplied to the company by Six L’s, because the tomatoes may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products, which include Fancy Sweet, Cutie Brand and Cherry Berries grape tomatoes, were supplied to distributors in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and Rhode Island.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Certain Mann’s Sunny Shores, The Produce Stand, and Eating Right brands pre-packaged vegetable products (Best if used by dates between May 9, 2011 and May 16, 2011) are being recalled by the importers, because they contain grape tomatoes that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Please see the CFIA Health Hazard Alert for a detailed list of recalled products.
  • Outbreak Alert: Twelve residents (out of 192) of the Village of Aspen Lake long-term care home are suffering from Clostridium difficile symptoms; one staff member also has displayed symptoms but has not been confirmed to have been infected with the outbreak microbe. Residents and visitors are being cautioned, but no quarantine or restrictions have been imposed.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Wah Ning Chinese Medicine Co. recalls [Hua Tuo Brand] Youzhi Baoying Dan proprietary Chinese medicine (Manufactured on the Mainland; Batch No. 20101028), because the product contains twice the permitted level of mercury. The recalled medicine was distributed to three retailers in Hong Kong.
  • Outbreak Alert (Israel): A kindergarten teacher and a cook at the kindergarten in Neve Yamin (near Petach Tikva) are being questioned as part of an investigation into the food poisoning outbreak that sent a number of children to hospital with nausea and diarrhea.
  • Outbreak Alert (New Delhi): Students at IIT-Delhi have reported suffering from gastroenteritis, and are blaming contaminated water in the college residences. College officials deny the charge, although the director acknowledged “stray cases” of typhoid and gastroenteritis have occurred.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall Update (New Zealand): Le Marché Français recalls Fromi Assau Iraty Raw Milk Ewe Cheese, imported from France (Use by 30/07/2011), because the cheese is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold at Le Marché Français Deli and at their stand at City Market, both in Wellington.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Cottage Cheese Farm Pty Ltd recalls Cottage Cheese Farm Full Cream Fetta (1kg and 2kg white plastic bucket; Use by 26 SEP 11), because the product is contaminated with E. coli. The recalled cottage cheese was sold in Victoria only, through the Cottage Cheese Farm onsite retail outlet and other outlets.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Recall (Australia): Dateline Imports Pty Ltd. recalls Keratin Complex Intense RX (Batch No. 0021RX; Lot No. 040610) because the product contains undeclared thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The recalled product was distributed nationally.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Honduras): A dozen kindergarten children in Pespire developed developed stomach pain and vomiting less than three hours after consuming a meal of fried tortillas with beans and cheese at school. The meal was prepared by a group of mothers. Two of the children – a 4-year old boy and a 5-year old girl – died in hospital.
  • Outbreak Alert (US Virgin Islands): A US Coast Guard crew medevaced two crewmen off the cargo ship Noblesse after five of the 24 crew members developed food poisoning symptoms.

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.