Month: June 2011

Domestic Sprouts Behind German E. coli Outbreak?

Bean sprouts grown in Lower Saxony (that’s in Germany, not Spain) are the latest suspects in the month-long German E. coli O104:H4 outbreak.

BBC Europe reports today that the epidemiological spotlight has landed on a plant nursery in Uelzen, south of Hamburg.

The German Ministry of Health is waiting for the results of lab tests before committing to this latest theory. For now, authorities are maintaining a warning against eating tomatoes, cucumbers or lettuce.

Nevertheless, the nursery has been closed.

While the outbreak strain of E. coli O104:H4 is a novel strain, sprouts of various kinds – beans, alfalfa, broccoli, et cetera – have been the source of numerous documented outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli in Europe, North America and Japan.

The conditions used to produce sprouts – a warm and moist environment – are ideal for the growth of bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. In many cases, the seeds used for sprouting are already contaminated with the microbes. And washing either the seeds or the raw sprouts will not remove the pathogens.

The German outbreak ranks as the deadliest recorded outbreak of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)- and one of the largest. As of today (June 5th), 627 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and a further 1,536 cases of “simple” EHEC infections have been reported from Germany. HUS is a life-threatening complication that is associated with EHEC infections.

Fifteen HUS patients have died in Germany, as have 6 of the outbreak victims who suffered from EHEC without HUS – an overall death rate of 0.97% (21 dead out of 2163 confirmed illnesses).

The outbreak has spread beyond the borders of Germany, with 31 cases of HUS (one death) and 71 non-HUS cases of EHEC (102 cases in all) reported from eleven European countries, including:

  • Austria.- 2 EHEC
  • Czech Republic.- 1 EHEC
  • Denmark.- 7 HUS; 11 EHEC
  • France.- 10 EHEC
  • Netherlands.- 4 HUS; 4 EHEC
  • Norway.- 1 EHEC
  • Poland.- 1 HUS
  • Spain.- 1 HUS
  • Sweden.- 15 HUS (1 death); 31 EHEC
  • Switzerland.- 3 EHEC
  • United Kingdom.- 3 HUS; 8 EHEC

All but one of the victims from these eleven countries reported having traveled to or from Germany during the typical incubation period for infection.

In addition to the European cases, the US CDC reports four suspect cases in the US – three of them suffering from HUS, and two suspect cases among US military service personnel in Germany.

Finding the source of the E. coli O104:H4 – if, indeed, the source has been found – won’t prevent the case count from continuing to rise. The incubation period, combined with the lab time required to complete a diagnosis, ensures that additional new cases will be reported. But the torrent should slow to a trickle over the next several days.

Even after the outbreak is over, this incident will fertilize numerous research projects. Still unanswered, for example, is why a disproportionate number of healthy women were stricken by HUS – a complication that more typically affects children. Questions about how this strain came into being, and why it is so deadly, also beg to be investigated.

Finally, expect the German people to question – rightly or wrongly – the competence of the epidemiologists and scientists at the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

Recalls and Alerts: June 4, 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: Walnut Cheese Company, d.b.a. Avanti Foods (Walnut, IL) recalls mozzarella cheese products manufactured on April 21, 2011 because the products may contain beta-lactam antibiotic residues. A review of the cheese plant’s drug residue screening log indicated that one load of raw milk was not tested for antibiotic residues. The recalled products were sold at grocery stores, pizzerias and convenience stores across Illinois.
  • Food Safety Recall: Simply Thick, LLC recalls SimplyThick® thickening gel products manufactured at a food processing plant in Stone Mountain Georgia since June 1, 2009. The plant is currently owned and operated by Thermo Pac, LLC. The recall was triggered after an FDA inspection of the Thermo Pac plant, which determined that the company failed to file with FDA a scheduled process designed to ensure that harmful bacteria of possibly public health significance are destroyed during the manufacturing process.  The recalled SimplyThick® products were distributed across the USA and Canada.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Bravo! LLC recalls Bravo! Pig Ears Chews (50-ct. bulk Oven-roasted Pig Ears; Product Code 75-121; Lot #12-06-10), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts between January 1 and February 28, 2011.
  • Food Safety Alert: Pacific Cheese has placed a “hold” on 26 million pounds of shredded and block cheese while it conducts an investigation into possible foreign materials in the products. Hilmar Cheese Co., the original producer of the cheeses supplied to Pacific Cheese has identified the possibility that some plastic mesh may have become shredded and mixed in with the cheese from several vats. No recall has been issued as of June 3rd.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Churchill Medical Systems (A Vygon Company) recalls certain lots of 5 hospital-use convenience kits containing Skin-Prep Wipes that were affected by an April 2011 recall initiated by Smith & Nephew. The affected kits were shipped to distributors and hospitals between September 3, 2010 and March 11, 2011.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S Marshals seized elderberry juice products that have been distributed by Wyldewood Cellars Inc. (Peck, KS), because the products are unapproved and misbranded drugs.

 Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Jasmine Mediterranean Foods Ltd. (Vancouver, BC) recalls Jasmine Foods Tahini (375 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml; Best before 30 Sep 2011) because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed in British Columbia. One adverse reaction has been reported.
  • Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food (Richmond, BC) recalls North flavored Pastry brand Black Sesame flavored Pastry (480g packages; all lot codes), because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled pastry was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods Interntional Ltd. (Delta, BC) recalls all lot codes of Haldirams Nagpur Rasgulla, Gagan Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks, Gagan Aam Papad Candy, and Gagan Coconut Slice, due to the presence of undeclared wheat and/or sulphites. The recalled products were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sweet Accessories Enterprises recalls Mango, Lychee, Sweet Yoghurt, and Blueberry drink concentrates, because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled drink concentrates were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions  in British Columbia.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Tree of Life Canada (Surrey, BC) recalls all lot codes and best before dates of King James Blue Stilton Cheese, 2-kg and 4-kg sizes, because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was imported from the United Kingdom and distributed across Canada.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Taro Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. recalls Docusate Sodium Capsules USP (100 mg; Lot #31040225) due to possible contamination with Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii – a bacterium that is a rare cause of serious or life-threatening infections, particularly in premature infants and other vulnerable individuals.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Advisory (PRC): China has suspended imports of 812 products that may be contaminated with DEHP. The list of affected products includes beverages, food and additives.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): Bakeries in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Yunlin, Tainan and Kaohsiung have been found to be using ingredients that may be contaminated with DEHP.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): The Department of Health has barred the importation by New Zealand Beef of nearly 100 tons of U.S. beef after finding the banned drug ractopamine in samples of the beef.

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: June 3, 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 Recall: Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens, Inc. (Moore, OK) recalls Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens Gourmet White Meat Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens Fruits and Nut Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Baker’s Kitchen Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Hill Country Fare, Deli Style Classic Ham Salad With Pineapple (12-oz plastic cup) and Hill Country Fare, Classic Chicken Salad With White Meat (12-oz plastic cup and 3-lb plastic tub), because these products contain undeclared potassium sorbate and/or sodium benzoate.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kashi Company, part of The Kellogg Company, recalls Kashi Mediterranean Pizza (Product codes May 10, May 18, & May 19 followed by 2012NU), Kashi Roasted Vegetable Thin Crust Pizza (Product codes May 9 & May 14 followed by 2012NU) and Kashi Mushroom Trio and Spinach Thin Crust Pizza (Product code May 17 2012NU), because the pizza crust may contain fragments of plastic.
  • Outbreak Alert (Oklahoma): The Tulsa Health Department is investigating four cases of E. coli gastroenteritis – two confirmed and two suspected cases – in Tulsa County children. Three of the four children attend Boston Avenue Church’s childcare center.
  • Outbreak Alert (Colorado): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Denver Public Health and Environmental Health departments are investigating three reported cases of Listeria in Denver since May 20th. Two of the three victims – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – have died. All three outbreak victims are of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: I.F.T.O. Canada (Toronto, ON) recalls Mamta Mom’s Best Punjabi Wadi (200g and 400g sizes), because the products contain undeclared wheat. The recalled products were sold from Iqbal Halal Foods, Toronto, ON.
  • Allergy Alert: Lindt & Sprungli Canada recalls Lindt brand Lindor – Milk Chocolate With A Delectably Smooth Centre – 18 Pieces (100g; Best before 31 12 2011 L4510), because the chocolates contain undeclared tree nuts. The recalled products were distributed to retailers nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Heinz Canada (Leamington, ON) recalls Heinz Strained Beef with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013JA08, 2013FE17, and 2013AL07), Heinz Strained Chicken with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013JA09 and 2013FE18), and Heinz Strained Lamb with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013FE19), because some jars have a glass deformity that could break off during normal use. The recalled products were distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ten Ren’s Tea & Ginseng Co. (Calgary) Ltd. recalls Tenren’s Tea Passion Fruit Juice, Litchi Juice and Mango Juice (2200mL; all codes), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled items were distributed to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chuang’s Co. Ltd. recalls Cosine brand fruit-flavored drinks and grape-flavored syrup (2-liter size), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ten Ren Tea Co. (Ontario) Ltd. recalls Tenren’s Tea Passion Fruit Juice (2200mL; all codes), Litchi Juice (2200mL; all codes) and Kiwi Jam (4.5-kg), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Possmei Canada Ltd. recalls Possmei brand fruit juices and jams, because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Manitoba and Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Recall (Ireland): Nordzucker Ireland recalls Siucra Caster Sugar (3-kg catering packs; batch code L5831RF01; Product of Germany), because the sugar is contaminated with salt.
  • Import Suspension (Russia): Russia has suspended the importation of potatoes from Egypt due to health and sanitation concerns.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Cosway recalls Oriyen Nutri Grow (boy) Orange Drink Premix (330g; Use by August 13, 2013) and Oriyen Nutri Grow (girl) Cranberry Drink Premix (330; Use by August 13, 2013), because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled items were manufactured in Taiwan by Jin Zhuan Lifesciences Enterprise Co. Ltd.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): AVA announces the recall of Possmei brand of fruit juice concentrates after detecting DEHP in the products, and also has suspended the import of these products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Philippines): The Philippines Food and Drug Administration has released a list of recalled food products contaminated with DEHP that were imported from Taiwan. Please navigate to the list for details of the recalled items.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0724): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli were detected in deer (venison) salami from Italy. The contaminated salami was distributed to Austria and Singapore. There is no indication of brand name or production codes.
  • Food Safety Recall/Seizure (Taiwan): Eight more DEHP-contaminated juices were discovered by the Shihlin District Prosecutors Office. The juices were produced by Jin Guoo Wang Food Co. The discovery resulted from a raid on Creation Food Corp, a distributor of Jin Guoo Wang’s juice products.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): Taiwan has suspended all food exports that are at risk of being contaminated with DEHP. The affected product categories include sports drinks, juices, tea drinks, fruit jams/jellies/syrups, and supplements in tablet, powder and capsule form.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): Customers of a Toyama Prefecture outlet of the Gyukaku Korean-style restaurant chain became ill after eating at the restaurant on May 6th. Fifteen of the 20 affected diners have been lab-diagnosed with E. coli O157 infections. Local officials suggested that diners used the same chopsticks to cook raw meat slices at the restaurant and to eat them. This outbreak is unrelated to the deadly Japanese E. coli outbreak that occurred in April and was linked to a different Korean-style restaurant chain.

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.