Month: February 2012

Recalls and Alerts: February 11, 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: House of Spice (Hayward, CA) recalls Laxmi Brand Rewadi (Jaggery) Candy (7 oz; Imported from India; All date codes), due to unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candy was distributed to retailers in Northern California and Washington state.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Washington State Department of Health has determined that norovirus caused at least 229 illnesses among participants and attendees at a February 4th state high school cheerleading tournament, held in Everett. At least 33 of the victims reported seeking medical care, although no one required hospital admission. State officials expect that the final outbreak tally will be higher than the 229 illness reported so far.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Food Safety News reports that the Campylobacter outbreak associated with drinking raw milk supplied by The Family Cow dairy farm in Chambersburg, PA now encompasses 60 outbreak victims, in four states. Pennsylvania (51 illnesses), Maryland (4), West Virginia (3), and New Jersey (2) all have reported illnesses linked to this outbreak.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Ilana Robyn Foods Ltd. (Toronto, ON) recalls Sweets From The Earth brand Dairy Free Wild Blueberry Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001181; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (700 g; UPC 855144001044; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (100 g; UPC 855144001037; Best Before dates up to and including Feb 17, 2012), Dairy Free Chocolate Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001198; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), and Gluten Free & Dairy Free Espresso Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001327; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled cake products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Outbreak Alert (Zimbabwe): Eyewitness News reports that the Harare Magistrates Court had to shut down after 5 magistrates and more than 20 clerks became ill with suspected typhoid. Zimbabwe has been suffering from a typhoid outbreak since November, but this is the first indication that the epidemic has affected the central part of the capital city.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Mexico): Staphylococcus aureus has been confirmed as the cause of an outbreak of food poisoning that sickened 709 attendees at a political rally in Guerrero. The bacterium was found in the meal of egg tacos with rice that was given to the attendees to take home with them at the end of the rally.
  • Outbreak Alert (Cayman Islands): The Public Health Department of teh Cayman Islands has issued a public health advisory that an unusually high number of cases of gastroenteritis – more than 60 cases per week – have been reported during the past two weeks. The usual rate of illnesses is 15 to 25 cases per week.

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.

FDA Pursues Chicken Jerky Treat Problem; Canada Punts

It’s tough to find a contaminant when you don’t know what you’re looking for. But that doesn’t mean FDA isn’t trying hard to figure out why chicken jerky pet treats from China seem to be making so many dogs seriously ill.

Since the beginning of 2011, FDA has received a total of 537 reports from dog owners and veterinarians of dogs that fell ill after being fed these popular dog treats. Several days ago, I asked Laura Alvey of FDA what the agency was doing to solve the mystery, and received this reply:

“Testing continues and is ongoing. We have tested samples from all over the country.

Since so many of the reports received involved vomiting and diarrhea, we were looking for microbial pathogens. We have tested for salmonella and none have come back positive. We have been testing for chemical toxicants, including melamine, melamine analogs and diethylene glycol (DEG) and none have come back positive.

Unless we detect a contaminant and have evidence a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take. The regulations don’t allow for products to be removed based on complaints. We will continue to monitor.

We have reached out to relevant competent authorities in other countries to request intelligence on increased reports of illness in dogs associated with consumption of chicken jerky treats, any investigations conducted, analyses conducted on suspect product, etc. We have received some feedback regarding our questions and some suggested collaboration/sharing of information.“

I asked the same question of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and had a very different – and far less comforting – reply from Dr. Carl Rudat, a Veterinary Program Specialist with CFIA.

“The CFIA,” Rudat said, “does not have a process that records calls about chicken jerky treats. The CFIA has not conducted analyses of these products. Pet food and pet treats are unregulated commodities in Canada. However, due diligence is being done and Chinese pet treat facilities have been inspected by CFIA veterinarians. I hope you find this information useful.”

So, Canada is NOT recording or tallying illness reports on chicken jerky treats, is NOT testing chicken jerky treats, and does NOT regulate pet food and pet treats. But have no fear, because “due diligence is being done.”

I pursued the issue further. “Was CFIA in communication with FDA on this issue?” I asked.

“CFIA is aware that the FDA is testing chicken jerky originating from China,” was his reply. “To date, nothing definitive has been determined.”

If CFIA does not regulate pet food and pet treats, what was the regulatory authority for CFIA’s policy entitled Import of Pet Food, Treats and Chews Containing Animal Products and By-Products? Why the heck was CFIA inspecting Chinese pet treat facilities? And what was meant by the reassurance that “due diligence is being done?”

I posed these questions (politely, of course), and was told that the legal framework for CFIA’s Import of Pet Food, etc. policy is the Health of Animals Act and Regulations. Animal by-products are regulated under this Act, and “…most pet food begins as an animal by-product.” Dr. Rudat added that CFIA has the authority to prevent “diseases of concern” from entering Canada. He did not elaborate on his “due diligence” statement.

Sounds to me as though pet food is regulated when CFIA finds it convenient, but not otherwise.

The situation on the US side of the world’s longest undefended border is quite different. FDA has taken a lead role in trying to find the source of the chicken jerky problem, and is continuing to pursue the issue assiduously. Unfortunately, as FDA Spokeswoman Laura Alvey reminded me, the agency cannot take regulatory action unless a contaminant has been detected and there is evidence that a product is adulterated.

I expect that FDA eventually will find the answer to this mystery. Presumably, once FDA comes up with a solution for the problem, Canada will gladly accept the fruits of a free ride.

Recalls and Alerts: February 10, 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

  • Allergy Alert: Summit Import Corp (Jersey City, NJ) recalls Bin Bin Snow Rice Cracker (5.3 oz pack; UPC 8 852098700124) and Bin Bin Rice Cracker (15.8 oz bulk pack; UPC 8 8520098701510), due to the presence of undeclared egg. The recalled products were distributed nationwide to Asian retail stores.
  • Allergy Alert: Han Yang Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) recalls Jang Chung Dong Han Yang King Joak Bal Cooked Pork Hocks (variable weight; shrink-wrapped; Est. 21880; Produced between October 7, 2011 and February 7, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared wheat. The recalled pork hocks were distributed for wholesale and retail use in the Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL areas.
  • Food Safety Recall: ZIP International Group LLC (Edison, NJ) expands its earlier recall of Sliced Herring Fillet in Oil/Forelka (330g and 600g plastic packaging; Product of Ukraine; Best by 5/18/2012), due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold to retail grocery stores in New York State.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Kraft Foods Global Inc. (Northfield, IL) recalls Tassimo Espresso T Discs, sold under the Gevalia, Maxwell House Café Collection and Nabob brands (8 or 16 T Discs/pkg; Codes ending with 11213 through 12020), because the recalled T Discs can become clogged and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds onto consumers and bystanders during or after brewing. The recalled products were distributed nationwide.
  • “Herbal” Medication Safety Recall: Wholistic Herbs Inc. (Dallas, TX) recalls Koff & Kold Spray with Herbal Extract (1 fl. oz spray; All “use by” dates), and Kold Sore Spray with Liquid Sea Mineral (1 fl. oz spray; All “use by” dates), as the products are not sterile and have the potential to cause eye infections and respiratory infections. The recalled products were distributed through retail stores in Texas, California, Washington, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, through acupuncture clinics nationwide and via the company’s website at http://www.naturalapothecary.com.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: At least 192 participants and attendees at the state high school cheerleading tournament held in Everett on February 4th have developed vomiting and diarrhea. Thirty of the victims sought medical treatment. The cause and source of the illnesses are still under investigation.
  • Outbreak Alert: Norovirus was behind an outbreak of gastroenteritis that affected more than 100 people who had eaten at a Subway restaurant in Hartford City, Indiana. Three people were hospitalized and treated for dehydration. It’s not known whether the virus was introduced by an employee or a customer of the Subway franchise.
  • Outbreak Alert: Norovirus is the suspect in another flare-up of “stomach flu” among eleven Rider University and seven Princeton University students. About 160 outbreak victims have been reported at the two schools since late January.
  • Outbreak Alert: Burke County, North Carolina also is experiencing norovirus outbreaks, including one reported by Grace Hospital. The total number of cases is not known.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Hazelnut Inc. (Agassiz, BC) recalls Canadian Hazelnut brand Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Bark (100g), Hazelnut Chocolate Butter (227g & 16 oz), Dark Chocolate Fruit and Hazelnut Bark (100g), Dark Chocolate Cranberry Hazelnut Bark (100g), and Dipped Dark Chocolate Hazelnut (62g and 124g), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The products were sold from the Canadian Hazelnut Inc. retail outlet in Agassiz, BC.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Kraft Canada Inc. recalls Tassimo Gevalia and Tassimo Nabob brand Espresso T Discs (Product of USA; Code range 11213-12020), because the recalled T Discs can become clogged, and during brewing or upon opening of the brewing mechanism, hot liquid and/or coffee grounds could spray onto consumers and bystanders, posing a burn hazard. The recalled T Discs were sold by retailers across Canada and on websites from August 2011 through February 2012.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Consumers with milk allergies are alerted that Suma Organic Pesto Alla Genovese with Basil (190g glass jar; Best before 04/2014) contains undeclared milk. The product is labelled as “Suitable for Vegans”; however, this batch contains a non-vegan cheese.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Unilever Denmark A/S recalls Knorr Bearnaise Sauce (4 + 2 economy pack; Lot #L12551B802); due to a packaging error, some Bearnaise Sauce packages have been filled with Hollandaise Sauce, resulting in the presence of undeclared egg in these packages.
  • Allergy Alert (Germany): REWE Group recalls REWE Walnut Ice Cream (900ml; All batches), RIOS Premiumeis Walnut Ice Cream (1000 ml; all batches) and Sweet Emotion Walnut Ice Cream (1000 ml; all batches) because the products may contain traces of undeclared peanuts.
  • Food Product Withdrawal (Denmark): Semper AB withdraws Beauvais Risgrød 4 months (250g; Best before 12/2012), because microleaks in the foil pouch may allow the entry of oxygen into the packages, with the resulting risk of rancidity developing.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Warwick Hospital (Leamington) has been hit with a reoccurrence of norovirus. The Farries Ward will be shut to visitors until further notice.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (India): Nau Pnau village in Himachal Pradesh has been struck with an outbreak of typhoid, thought to be due to contamination in the drinking water pipeline. Sixteen people have been confirmed with typhoid out of a total of thirty who reported suffering from nausea and high fever. Eight people have been admitted to a primary health care center for treatment.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (Australia): North Queensland has been experiencing double the usual number of cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis, according to a media statement released by Queensland Health. The public is being urged to maintain good food safety practices.

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.

*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.