Month: September 2012

“It’s Not Our Job!”

That’s the mantra chanted by FDA whenever they are asked to provide retail distribution information for recalled products.

It’s the mantra offered by some State Departments of Health – and, on occasion, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – when asked for details on outbreak cases in their states.

And it’s the mantra offered by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to justify NOT announcing or publicizing product recalls associated with the Canadian beef in which the agency found E. coli O157:H7.

OK. Let me be fair.

When FDA refuses to release retail distribution information, they say that this is proprietary information and can only be released by the company that initiated the “voluntary” recall.

When a State Department of Health declines to release information on outbreak cases, it’s usually because “CDC is taking the lead in this investigation” or to protect patient privacy.

When CDC declines to release information, it’s because State “X” is “taking the lead” in the investigation.

And, in the case of FSIS, their justification is:

FSIS issues Public Health Alerts to make the public aware of a public health hazard. FSIS is not announcing a recall at this time because the goal of such an action is to have the establishment most directly associated with producing adulterated product remove the product from commerce. In this case, the establishment was XL Foods, Inc., a Canadian firm, and that recall has been initiated in Canada. CFIA is overseeing the effectiveness of the recall in Canada and FSIS is overseeing the effectiveness in the United States. FSIS continues to verify U.S. establishments’ use of primal and non-primal cuts associated with the XL Foods recall and will take appropriate action if prohibited activity is found.

It still boils down to “It’s Not Our Job!”

This rationalization flies in the face of logic, and of what should be the primary role of FSIS – to protect public health. It also is completely at a variance with recent FSIS actions in other recall situations involving “secondary” recalls.

A scan of the Active Recall list on the FSIS web site yielded the following examples:

  • July 14, 2011:- Palmex, Inc. (Champlain, NY) recalled imported, ready-to-eat smoked duck breast products. The product was recalled by the Canadian manufacturer due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • July 14, 2011:- Sid Wainer & Son, Inc. (New Bedford, MA) recalled imported, ready-to-eat smoked duck breast products. The product was recalled by the Canadian manufacturer due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • October 1, 2011:- Greencore USA, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) recalled Thornton’s Quick Café’s Chef Salad products after being notified by its grape tomato supplier that the grape tomatoes used in the products were potentially contaminated with Salmonella. The grape tomatoes were the subject of a Food and Drug Administration recall.
  • February 2, 2012:- Greencore USA, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) recalled Chef Salad products because the salads contained eggs that were the subject of a Food and Drug Administration recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • July 27, 2012:- LSG Sky Chefs (Orlando, FL) recalled RaceTrac Chipotle Chicken Wrap, because the product contained diced onions that were the subject of a Food and Drug Administration recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • August 1, 2012:- Garden Fresh Foods (Milwaukee, WI) recalled 13,600 pounds of meat and poultry salad products, because the product contained diced onions that were the subject of a Food and Drug Administration recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

And let’s not forget this example from the Recall Archives:

  • Sysco Seattle Inc. (Seattle, WA) recalls 16,800 pounds of ground beef patties imported from Canada because the patties may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The products were manufactured by New Food Classics (Burlington, Ontario) and imported by Sysco Seattle.

So how does FSIS justify its utter lack of leadership in publicizing the product recalls initiated by companies such as Interstate Meat Distributors, Morasch Meat, Wolverine Packing Co. and other US establishments?

Meat processing companies, distributors, food service operators, retailers, AND CONSUMERS deserve – and should demand – the active support of FSIS in this recall. We should not have to rely on retailers’ web pages and on food service companies such as US Foods to provide us with a list of recalled products. We should not have to rely on good luck to avoid purchasing and consuming contaminated food.

If the people at FSIS can’t do their jobs, then they should stand aside and let a more competent crew take over.

“It’s Not Our Job!” doesn’t cut it any more.

Recalls and Alerts: September 27, 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.

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For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: General Mills recalls Almond Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars (6-count boxes; Better if used by date 26FEB2013) because the product may contain undeclared peanuts, due to a packaging error.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chattanooga Bakery Inc. recalls MoonPie® Crunch brand Peanut Butter Crunchy Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (9.6 oz/272g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13) and MoonPie Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (2.4 oz/68g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13), because the products contain peanut butter supplied by Sunland, Inc., and may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Forever Cheese Inc. recalls Marte brand Ricotta Salata Frescolina cheese (Product of Italy; All lots and production codes, including T5086/440220, T5520/440315, T6048/440417, T6528/440519, T7012/440703, T7452/440601, T7939/440822, T8419/441003, T8899/441020, T9425/441202, T9962/441227, U1392/450126), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was sold between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012 to distributors for retailers and restaurants in AL, CA, CO, CT, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market recalls Peanut Butter Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case), Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case) and Mini Peanut Butter Cookie (12 pk; PLU 22096100000), because they were made using peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cookies were sold before Sept. 29, 2012 in all Whole Foods Market stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gretchen’s Shoebox Express recalls Evolution Fresh Cinnamon Apple & Almond Butter Sandwich (5.75 oz; UPC 762111926371; Enjoy By 07/26/12 – 09/25/12) and Evolution Fresh Almond Butter (2 oz; UPC 762111-26838; Enjoy By 08/07/12 – 10/07/12), because the Almond Butter contained in both products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were supplied to two Evolution Fresh stores in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington from 7/24/12 to 9/23/12.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh & Easy recalls several nut butters marked with Best Before dates from May 1, 2013 to September 24, 2013 due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled items, which were sold at fresh&easy, include: Sunland Creamy Peanut Butter Salt Free (16 oz), Sunland Tahini (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (40 oz), fresh&easy Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Organic Creamy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Goodness Creamy Valencia Peanut Butter (8 / 1.1 oz cups), fresh&easy Deli Box Protein Power Lunch, and fresh&easy Creamy Cashew Butter.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway expands its earlier recall of ground beef products to include all fresh ground beef sold from the self-service meat cooler and full-service meat counter with Sell By dates of 08-28-12 to 09-23-12, as these products include trimmings that were subject to XL Foods Inc.’s expanded recall and may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This includes all items that use fresh ground beef as an ingredient, such as meatballs, sliders and gourmet burgers. The expanded recall also includes additional pre-packaged products distributed by Interstate Meat Distributors. The expanded recall includes Safeway stores in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington (State).
  • Food Safety Recall: Publix Super Markets recalls Publix Hearts of Romaine (Chopped Hearts of Romaine), supplied by Ready Pac (10-oz pkg; UPC 41415 03886; Distributed to Publix stores between September 8, 2012 through September 20, 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Romaine was supplied to Publix stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and in the following Florida counties: Alachua, Baldwin, Bay, Beaufort, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Clay, Coffee, Columbia, Dougherty, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Glynn, Houston, Jasper, Lee, Leon, Lowndes, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Putnam, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, Suwannee, Thomas, Tift, Volusia and Walton.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases updated retail distribution list for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express Incorporated recalls Hearts of Romaine salad (18 oz.; expired Use By Date of September 26, 2012; Product Code H256808), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in the Northeast and Midwest USA, possibly including CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, and WASHINGTON D.C.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods Inc. (Est 38) expands earlier recall to include additional ground beef products and retail distribution information. The recalled products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Costco recalls Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks (Packed On dates 12/SE/04, 12/SE/05, 12/SE/06 & 12/SE/07), because the steaks may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled product was sold September 4, 2012 through September 7, 2012 at Costco Wholesale store #156 (13650, 50th Street, Edmonton, AB). Alberta Health officials have linked this product to four cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Edmonton.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kiosque Geneviève Gingras (Saint-Marc-des Carrières, QC), recalls sauce à spaghetti maison/homestyle spaghetti sauce (500ml glass  Mason jars; All lots), because the product does not carry a “Garder réfrigéré” warning and may not be safe for human consumption if stored without refrigeration.
  • Food Safety Recall: JD Sweid Foods Ltd. recalls various beef patties and burgers supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the White Spot, Burger King, DQ, Nossack Fine Meats, and W brands; some products were supplied unbranded.
  • Food Safety Recall: Centennial Foodservice recalls various ground beef products supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the Keg Brands and Centennial Foodservice brands.
  • Food Safety Recall: Groupe Phoenicia Inc. recalls Phoenicia Wildflower Honey Grade No. 1 Amber (500g / UPC 7 70338 19108 3 / Code 3421 E12-2014;  1 kg / UPC 7 70338 19111 3 / Code 0302 EX01-2015), due to the presence of drug residues. The recalled product was sold through retailers nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts Canadians to the recall of Sunridge Farms brand Energy Nuggets (Product of USA), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold from the Organic Bulk section of Fortino’s (55 Mountainash Road, Brampton, ON) between September 5 and September 26, 2012).
  • Food Safety Recall: Transilvania Trading (Vancouver, BC) recalls Trader Joe’s Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0094 0795; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013) and Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0098 9275; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold at Transilvania Trading (Pirate Joe’s), 3474 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): La Cucina Italiana recalls all expiration dates of Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Chicken, frozen (2 pieces/380g), Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Beef, frozen (2 pieces/280g), and Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables, frozen (2 pieces/380g), because the products contain undeclared egg.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Natur’Inov sprl recalls Holle Bouillie 3 céráles / Holle Babypap 3 granen (Product of Germany; 250g; Lot R11171; Expiry date 25/04/2013), after traces of Ochratoxin A in excess of the legal limit were found in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Det Eksotiske Catering ApS recalls Wheat Kernel Salad (325g; Best before 28.09.2012), Exotic pasta salad with chicken (275g; Best before 28.09.2012), Humus (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012) and Cacik, Tzatziki (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012), because Listeria was detected in the products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Tip Top Fiskeindustri A/S recalls Fresh Herring Fillets, bulk (Sold beginning on 11/9-2012), after high levels of histamine were found in the product.
  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.1300): Ochratoxin A in Holle brand organic baby mash from Switzerland/Germany; distributed to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1364): Salmonella enterica in beef meat from Germany; distributed to Sweden.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.1366): Undeclared egg in spring rolls from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1367): Salmonella in moringa powder from India; distributed to Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1368): Parasitic infestation of ham from Italy; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1370): Histamine in fresh vacuum packed tuna loin from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1371): Salmonella in clams from Italy; distributed to Italy and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1372): Insect larvae infestation in dates from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

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.

Tenderized Beef Sickens 4 In Canada

Four Edmontonians became ill with E. coli O157:H7 after consuming Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks purchased from Costco Wholesale store #156 in Edmonton, Alberta. The beef originated from XL Foods processing plant in Brooks, Alberta.

CBC News reports that Alberta Health Services confirmed the connection after testing a steak provided by one of the outbreak victims. Officials are suggesting that the pathogen may have been introduced into the meat during a tenderizing process that is used by Costco stores in Alberta.

The steaks implicated in the four illnesses were identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as Strip Loin Grilling Steak prepared and sold in variable weight packages from Costco Wholesale store #156, located at 13650, 50th street, Edmonton, Alberta, bearing Packed On dates 12/SE/04, 12/SE/05, 12/SE/06 or 12/SE/07. At the moment, only steaks from this one Costco store are affected.

No direct link has been established between the illnesses and the XL Foods plant that supplied the beef.

XL Food’s Brooks processing facility is the source of meat that has been under a steadily expanding series of recall notices across Canada, and a series of Public Health Alerts in the USA. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service detected E. coli O157:H7 in beef trimmings from XL Foods that were shipped from Canada to the USA.

There is no indication, either in the CBC report or from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as to whether the outbreak strain recovered from the steak in Edmonton is the same as the strain of E. coli O157:H7 found in XL’s beef trimmings.

For a consolidated list of beef products affected by the XL Foods recall, and information on retail distribution in Canada and the USA, please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.