Month: February 2012

Recalls and Alerts: February 23, 2012

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: The Florida Brewery, Inc. recalls Goya (Lot codes 12/01/13, 12/08/13, 12/27/13, 12/28/13, 12/29/13, and 01/06/13), Great Value (Lot codes 1/05/13 and 1/06/13), Hatuey (Lot codes 12/21/13, 12/22/13, 01/06/13, and 01/07/13), Mr. Special (Lot codes 11/30/13, 12/01/13, 12/08/13, and 12/09/13), Polar (Lot codes 11/30/12, 12/22/12, 12/23/12, 12/29/12, 12/30/12, 01/03/13, and 01/04/13), Publix (Lot codes 11/28/13, 12/09/13, and 12/27/13), Regal (Lot codes 12/01/13, 12/09/13, 12/27/13, and 12/28/13) and Super Max (Lot code 12/09/13) non-alcoholic malta beverages packaged in 7-oz bottles, because glass on the exterior of the bottles may break when the twist-off cap is removed from the bottles. The recalled products were distributed in Florida, Texas, California and Puerto Rico between December 8, 2011 and February 1, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nuts & Spice Co. (Union City, CA) recalls HB Rewari Sugar-Flat sugar candy, HB Rewari Gur-Coin Jaggery Candy, HB Rewari Sugar-Coin sugar candy and HB Rewari Sugar-Round Candy (28 oz/800g pkgs; Imported from India; All date codes), due to unacceptable levels of lead in the candies. The recalled products were distributed in Northern California.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: American Regent recalls Phenylephrine HCl Injection, USP, 1% (10mg/mL), (5 mL Vial NDC # 0517-0405-25, Lot # 0693, Exp Date: October, 2012), due to potential safety concerns stemming from the identification of visible particles found in some retained samples of this lot.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Bedford Laboratories™ recalls Cytarabine for injection, USP 1 gram per vial (NDC #55390-133-01; Lot 2066986, Exp March 31, 2014; Lot 2111675, Exp April 30, 2014; Lot 2131148, Exp May 31, 2014), due to a post-release investigation of the manufacturing area which determined a potential elevated risk of a lack of sterility assurance for these specific lots.
  • Food Safety Alert: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) is strongly cautioning consumers to be wary of door-to-door meat sellers, following reports of sellers arriving unannounced at Vermont residences, using high-pressure tactics to sell meat of questionable origin to homeowners.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Campylobacter outbreak associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk from The Family Cow dairy in Pennsylvania has grown to 78 confirmed cases, including 2 in New Jersey, 5 in Maryland, and 3 in West Virginia. Sixty-eight Pennsylvanians also have been infected. Four of the five Maryland victims were less than 18 years old. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, the outbreak occurred despite the fact that Family Cow Dairy is licensed, inspected, and operating in compliance with Pennsylvania laws.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Groupe Épicia inc recalls several Jardin Mobile brand ready-to-eat products, due to the presence of undeclared milk, wheat, soy, eggs, pine nuts and/or sesame.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert Update: New Food Classics has expanded its earlier recall to clarify distribution. The company has recalled Country Morning Beef Burgers (1 kg; UPC 0 57316 02941 6; Lots 52841 EST 761, 62841 EST 761, 72841 EST 761, and 82841 EST 761), and no name Club Pack Beef Steakettes (2.27 kg; UPC 0 60383 01321 9; Lots BB 2012 AL 10 EST 761), due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. One illness has been reported, for which no details have been released. The Country Morning Beef Burgers product has been distributed to COOP and TGP grocery stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories, Yukon Territories and Nunavut. The no name Club Pack Beef Steakettes have been distributed by Loblaws to Cash&Carry/RCWC Ontario Corporate, Extra Foods, Freshmart, Loblaws Great Food, no frills, RCWC West Corporate, Real Canadian Superstore, Value-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs and Zehrs Great Food stores in Ontario, to Extra Foods, Extra Foods no frills, Real Canadian Superstore West Corporate, Shop Easy/SuperValu, Superstore, Your Independent Grocer in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and to stores in the North West Territories, Yukon Territories and Nunavut.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Hamilton public health department is investigating four cases of salmonellosis that may be linked to the Eat a Pita restaurant on Main Street East at Kenilworth Avenue. The restaurant has been temporarily closed.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Axfood recalls Ground Meat, 20% fat (1kg and 2.2kg; Use by 28 February 2012), because the product, which contains beef from Ireland and pork from Denmark, may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): IGOs A/S recalls Light Blueberry Jam (280g glass jar; Best before 14/2-2013 (L750) and 17/3-2013 (L934)), due to mold growth in some of the jars.
  • Food Withdrawal (Greece): Carrefour Marinopoulos SA withdraws Genuine LADOPAXIMADA KYTHERA Whole Nuts (380-400g bags; Expiry 25/04/12), due to rancidity.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Medical Device Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): The Department of Health alerts the public to the recall of certain lots of a blood glucose test strip in France. The affected product is Mylife™ Pura® (box of 100’s) manufactured by Bionime Corporation. The test strips may give falsely high blood glucose readings.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: February 22, 2012

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: Healthy People Co. recalls all lot numbers of the following products, due to the presence of the prescription drugs Sibutramine and Tadalafil: Mince Belle (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203305), Everlax (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203046), Ever Slim (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203053), Ever Slim Shake Mix – Strawberry (17.6 oz; UPC 7503013203084), Ever Slim Shake Mix – Chocolate (17.6 oz; UPC 7503013203077), Acai-Man Mangosteen Herbal Drink (16.6 oz; UPC 7503013203015), and Perfect Men (10 capsules; UPC7503013203190).
  • FDA Enforcement Action: A federal court has granted FDA a permanent injunction preventing Daniel L. Allgyer and his Rainbow Acres Farm from distributing raw milk and raw milk products in final package form for human consumption across state lines. The FDA sought the injunction against Allgyer after documenting multiple and repeated violations of federal law. The agency issued a warning letter to Allgyer in April 2010, informing him of these violations and requesting that he take corrective measures to avoid regulatory action. Despite such warning, Allgyer continued to operate in violation of federal law.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: IGA – Marchés Pépin inc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) recalls several ready-to-eat products due to the presence of undeclared soy, sesame, milk and/or wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected products.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent Inc. recalls Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent Fromage au Lait Cru à Pâte Molle Affiné en Surface (1kg; Date Code 10 12 2011), due to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus. The recalled cheese was distributed in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel (Blainville, QC) recalls Tour Eiffel brand Parisian Cooked Ham, because the product may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria or parasites. The recalled product was sold from deli counters at certain Sobeys stores (including IGA and IGA extra) and Metro stores (including Metro and Marché Richelieu) as well as certain independent grocers and delicatessens in Quebec between February 10 and 21, 2012.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose Gammon in Parsley Sauce (400g; Use by 23 February 2012), because the product may contain haddock instead of gammon.
  • Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Migros recalls Tail-on Cooked Shrimp (500g; Raised in Indonesia; Sell by dates 19.02.2012 – 23.02.2012 inclusive; Consume by dates of 20.02.2012 – 24.02.2012, inclusive), after internal quality control tests reveals the presence of pathogenic Listeria.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Spain): B. Braun Medical, S.A. recalls a number of Nutriflex products for infusion, due to the detection of particles in the products. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0267): Absence of health mark on fresh eggs from Poland; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0268): Mercury in frozen fish from Madagascar; distributed to France.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0269): Incorrect labeling on ampoules of Vitamin C from Spain; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0270): Mercury in frozen fillets of swordfish with skin from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0271): Excessive benzoic acid, undeclared caffeine in, and insufficient labeling of, energy drink from Japan; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0272): Unauthorized morpholine in plums from the United States; distributed to Austria and the Czech Republic.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0273): Arsenic in sea algae meal from France; distributed to Austria.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • OTC Medical Device Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Coloplast (Hong Kong) Limited recalls Biatain Ibu dressing (Product of Denmark), as the product contains Ibuprofen, and has not been registered as a pharmaceutical product. The recall was initiated at the instruction of the Hong Kong Department of Health.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Oriental Merchant Pty Ltd recalls Koh-Kae Peanuts Coconut Cream Flavour Coated (125g and 265g orange tin cans; All Best before dates; Product of Thailand), due to the presence of undeclared milk and egg. The recalled products were sold nationally at Woolworths, Coles and IGA supermarkets, Asian grocery stores and other independent outlets.

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.

Raw Milk Consumption A Risky Proposition – CDC

“Consumption of nonpasteurized dairy products cannot be considered safe under any circumstances.”

– US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Less than 1% of dairy products consumed in the USA is unpasteurized. Yet consumption of unpasteurized dairy products – mainly milk and cheese – accounted for 60% of dairy-associated disease outbreaks between 1993 and 2006, according to a report released today by the CDC.

The risk of illness linked specifically to drinking raw milk was even more glaring; 80% of fluid milk-related disease outbreaks were associated with unpasteurized milk.

Disease outbreaks traced to unpasteurized dairy products also were more likely to result in hospitalization (13% of victims hospitalized) versus those associated with pasteurized dairy products (1% hospitalization rate).

Campylobacter, one of the two most common causes of bacterial foodborne disease, was responsible for more than 54% of the outbreaks involving unpasteurized milk and cheese.  Only 13% of the outbreaks associated with pasteurized dairy products involved Campylobacter.

Of the 4,413 confirmed dairy-product associated illnesses reported during the 1993-2006 period, 1,571 (~36%) were linked to unpasteurized milk and cheese consumption, even though less than 1% of milk drinkers who responded to a 2005-2006 survey reported that they usually consumed raw milk.

And legalizing the sale or distribution of raw milk is not the answer to improving its safety. States in which the sale and distribution of raw milk was permitted experienced higher rates of unpasteurized dairy product-associated disease than states where its distribution was illegal.

The risk of illness that is assumed – often unwittingly – by those who choose to drink unpasteurized milk is underscored by the recent 4-state outbreak of Campylobacter illnesses that were traced unequivocally to raw milk produced and supplied by The Family Cow dairy farm in Pennsylvania. Seventy-seven people were sickened in that outbreak at last report.

The final paragraph of the CDC report says it all:

“Our analysis shows that legal intrastate sale of nonpasteurized dairy products is associated with a higher risk for dairy-related outbreaks and implies that restricting sale of nonpasteurized dairy products reduces the risk for dairy-related outbreaks within that state. Pasteurization is the most reliable and feasible way to render dairy products safe for consumption. Although warning labels and signs or government-issued permits are prudent where the sale of nonpasteurized dairy products is legal, they have not been shown to be effective and, given the results of this analysis, do not seem to reduce the incidence of outbreaks involving nonpasteurized dairy products to the degree that pasteurization does. Whether certain types of warnings or more explicit health advisories might be more effective than others is unknown. Public health officials at all levels should continue to develop innovative methods to educate consumers and caregivers about the dangers associated with nonpasteurized dairy products. State officials should consider further restricting or prohibiting the sale or distribution of nonpasteurized dairy products within their states. Federal and state regulators should continue to enforce existing regulations to prevent distribution of nonpasteurized dairy products to consumers. Consumption of nonpasteurized dairy products cannot be considered safe under any circumstances.”