Month: December 2011

Botulism Update: All Gaudiano Products Recalled

Botulism is a big deal. It is a rare – and potentially deadly – form of food poisoning that is caused by a potent neurotoxin produced during the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

In October 2011, two members of the same Finnish household developed symptoms of botulism after consuming commercially produced pasteurized olives stuffed with almonds (Bio-Gaudiano Olives Stuffed with Almonds; product of Italy). One of the two victims died two weeks after being admitted to hospital. The second victim also was hospitalized, but survived. One other family member also tasted the olives, but only suffered from diarrhea. A fourth member of the household had no symptoms – and never sampled the olives.

Lab analysis of the stomach contents and the stool of both hospitalized victims revealed the presence of the gene for botulinum toxin type B. Lab tests of various food samples retrieved from the patients’ household found botulinum toxin type B in the remaining contents of the jar of olives. All other food samples were negative for the toxin.

Finland’s Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) conducted a trace-back investigation of the implicated olives, and the offending batches were recalled from the market. During the trace-back, investigators found some leaking jars of Bio-Gaudiano olives; the contents of some jars were obviously spoiled. As a result, the Italian manufacturer withdrew all production batches of Bio-Gaudiano Olives Stuffed with Almonds, and suspended production pending investigation by Italian public health authorities.

The withdrawn products were distributed to several EU member countries, as well as to a number of countries outside the EU. Notification was sent to authorities in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan and the USA. No country other than Finland reported even one case of botulism that could be associated with the stuffed olives.

Consumers following the Italian Ministry of Health web site could be excused if they thought that the story ended there. No updates have been released since the original notice was posted on October 21st. But that was definitely NOT the end of the story.

On December 1st, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland announced that “[i]nvestigations in Italy and in Finland have led to the decision to extend the withdrawal to include all products manufactured by Societa Cooperativa Agricola GMG F.lli Gaudiano arl, Italy.” Finland’s EVIRA followed with its own announcement on December 2nd.

Based on the information released by Ireland and Finland, the product withdrawal includes all batch codes and “best before dates” of the following products (different products may have been exported to other countries):

  • Bio Stuffed Olives Almonds
  • Bio Sundried Tomatoes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Green Olives Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Peppers
  • Bio Semi-dry Tomatoes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Black Olives Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Garlic
  • Bio Salted Capers 9/10 mm
  • Bio Sundried Tomatoes Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Hot Chilli Peppers
  • Bio Hearts Artichokes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Artichokes Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Cranberry
  • Bio Grilled Aubergines
  • Bio Garlic Paté
  • Gaudiano Black Olive in Salamoia (Brine)
  • Gaudiano Green Olive in Salamoia (Brine)

The withdrawn products were distributed to only one company in Ireland – Russell Gallery in New Quay, Co. Clare. In Finland, the products were supplied to K-food stores, KCM Big Apple (Espoo) KCM Jumbo (Vantaa) and KSM South Centre (Rovaniemi), and to three restaurants: Three Smiths (Helsinki), LaFamiglia (Helsinki and Vantaa), Rafaelo (Helsinki) and Apple (Helsinki).

No new Food Safety Alert has been posted as yet (December 8, 2011) on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that many of the countries identified in the original notice (#2011.1479) also received one or more additional withdrawn products. The likely recipient countries include: Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

eFoodAlert Consumer Advisory

Check your pantry and refrigerator for any product manufactured by Societa Cooperativa Agricola GMG F.lli Gaudiano arl, Italy. Discard all of these products in a safe manner. DO NOT TASTE THESE PRODUCTS. If you have consumed even a tiny amount of one of the withdrawn products and begin to experience any symptoms of botulism, including blurred vision or difficulty swallowing, seek immediate medical attention.

Recalls and Alerts: December 8, 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.

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Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency has been informed that Marks and Spencer Garlic and Coriander Butterfly Prawns have been sold without the presence of milk being declared in the allergy information panel. People with a milk allergy should avoid consuming this product. Marks and Spencer has stopped production of the product and will re-label with the correct information.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium and France): Ilhan Food recalls Nefis Kimyon Toz Cumin (80g, 200g, 400g, and 800g sachets; supplied by Yenghes Spices, Netherlands; all lots from 2011; product names include kimyon toz, komijn gemalen, and cumin moulu), after traces of Salmonella were found in the 80g sachets.
  • Contact Lens Recall (UK): 4Care AG recalls Lenscare SH-System Monatslinsen contact lenses (Product of Germany; various lot codes), after traces of silicone oil were found on some lenses. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected lot codes.
  • Contact Lens Recall (UK and Ireland): CooperVision expands its recall of Avaira™ Toric contact lenses to include specific lots of Avaira™ Sphere contact lenses, some of which were sold in the UK and Ireland. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected lot codes that were distributed in the UK.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1794): Mercury in chilled swordfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1795): Mercury in chilled greater amberjack from Greece; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1796): Suspicion of illegal trade of frozen eel from France; distributed to France and Portugal.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1800): Corrosion of apple juice from Sweden; distributed to Denmark.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): The Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has ordered the closure of Fuala Trading Company in Abu Dhabi City due to violation of food safety rules. ADFCA said that the “…general hygienic conditions were utterly bad, with cockroaches running around and the place very unclean.”
  • Contact Lens Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health advises the public that 4Care AG has recalled certain lots of Lenscare SH-System Monatslinsen contact lenses, due to the presence of traces of silicone oil on the lenses. While these lenses were not marketed in Hong Kong, some individuals may have purchased the recalled contact lenses from abroad. Please refer to the Safety Alert for a list of recalled lot codes.

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.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Missouri Outbreak Mystery Solved

Romaine lettuce grown on an unnamed farm has been blamed for an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that sickened 60 people in 10 states between October 10th and December 4th. CDC believes that the outbreak is now over.

Missouri reported the largest number of illnesses (37), but outbreak cases also occurred in Arizona (1), Arkansas (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (3) and Nebraska (1). Approximately two-thirds of the outbreak victims were hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Most of the illnesses occurred during the second half of October 2011.

The outbreak puzzled Missouri public health authorities for weeks. Illnesses appeared to be linked epidemiologically to salad bars located in supermarkets – mainly in the St. Louis area. Schnucks, the supermarket chain that appeared to be linked to the outbreak, acted quickly to remove any potentially offending produce items from its salad bars.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services analyzed 55 food samples in connection with the St. Louis area outbreak cases, but was unable to find a single E. coli-positive sample. Patient interviews and a comparison of eating patterns with those of healthy individuals in Missouri and other affected states pointed to romaine lettuce as a probable source of the illnesses.

Traceback studies determined that the romaine lettuce served at all of the Schnucks stores came from a single lettuce processing facility via a single distributor. Lettuce from the same farm also was supplied to university campuses in Minnesota and Missouri during the time of the outbreak illnesses.

An investigation was carried out at the implicated farm (identified by CDC simply as “Farm A”), but preliminary findings did not point to a source for the contamination. The farm was not in production during the investigation.

CDC considers this outbreak to be over, and has not issued outbreak-specific advice to consumers.