Month: February 2013

Recalls and Alerts: February 28, 2013

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.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the horse meat investigation, please consult the Horse Meat Synopsis and Recalls page.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the Kasel pet treat recalls and investigation, please consult the Kasel Dog Treat Recalls: 2012-2013 page.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Amport Foods recalls Vanilla Almond Granola (22 oz; UPC 71725 72512), due to the possible presence of flexible metal mesh in the product. The recalled granola was sold at Price Chopper.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Les Caprices du Boucher inc (Gatineau, QC) recalls Pâté Chinois (undeclared milk and soy) and All varieties of pies, pâtés and tourtières (undeclared soy and sulfites), due to undeclared allergens.
  • Allergy Alert: Summer Star Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Preserved Lemon (150g; Code 32.5.17.9.01.2; UPC 6 902141 325179), Preserved Star Fruit (150g; Code 32.5.17.9.01.2; UPC 6 902141 325179), and Preserved Mandrin (170g; Code 3.251.7901.0; UPC 6 902141 325179), due to undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were supplied to retailers in Ontario.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Alert: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Incorporated and Health Canada warn the public regarding serious skin reactions suffered by some patients taking INCIVEK™ combination therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adults. The reactions have resulted in a hospital treatment and death.

Europe

  • Food Fraud Recall (Sweden): Axfood recalls Eldorado Frozen Meatballs (1000g; Best before date 12/2-2014 or earlier), Eldorado Fresh Meatballs (1000g; Best before date 8/3-2013 or earlier), Garant Frozen Meatballs (600g; Best before date 12/2-2014 or earlier), and Garant Fresh Meatballs (350g; Best before date 8/3-2013 or earlier), after the company finds horse meat in the products.
  • Food Fraud Withdrawal (Greece): FSA for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace orders the removal of AP-APC Armenian Formula Kebab (1 kg pack; manufactured by Packer Bros; sold at Kavala branch of Metro SA) and Destan Beef Salami (500g pkg; Manufactured by Dutch company DEMKA GmbH; sold at Yakup grocery store), after horse meet is found in the products.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ireland): Health officials have confirmed a case of E. coli infection in a baby at the First Steps crèche in Midleton (Cork). all 85 children and 15 staff at the crèche are now being tested for the infection.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0264): Norovirus in chilled oysters from France; distributed to France.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administraton (TGA) has tested Natural Miaotiaoyishen Capsules and found that the so-called natural product contains undeclared sibutramine (a prescription-only medicine that was withdrawn in 2010 due to increased risk of major cardiac events) and phenolphthalein (previously used as an oral laxative, but no longer sold in Australia due to serious safety concerns). TGA advises consumers to stop taking this product and to take any remaining capsules to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.

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 website.

*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 Bares Teeth. Kasel Flinches.

In case anyone hasn’t yet figured it out, the Mandatory Recall Authority that Congress granted FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act was responsible for Kasel’s ‘voluntary’ recall of Salmonella-contaminated pet treats.

Earlier today, FDA released the letter in which the agency threw down its gauntlet and demanded that Kasel Associates Industries, Inc. recall contaminated pet treats. The  February 13, 2013 “Notification of Opportunity to Initiate a Voluntary Recall”, was hand-delivered to Raymond J. Kasel. The letter stated the basis for FDA’s determination that “…there is a reasonable probability that the affected pet treats are adulterated under section 402(a)(1) and (a)(4) of the FD&C Act and that there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the pet treats will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals…” A sampling of the findings include:

  • Multiple finished product samples of Kasel pet treats obtained by the State of Colorado’s Department of Agriculture in September and October 2012, were tested and subsequently found to be positive for Salmonella.
  • In response to the state of Colorado’s Salmonella-positive results, FDA conducted an inspection of Kasel’s manufacturing facility from September 19-28, 2012. During the inspection, the FDA investigators collected various samples for further testing, including bulk and finished product samples and numerous environmental samples. Many of these samples tested positive for Salmonella.
  • Salmonella is a pathogenic organism that can cause serious adverse health consequences or death in humans and animals. The presence of Salmonella in pet food can pose a particularly acute health risk to children and people who are elderly or immunocompromised.
  • [E]vidence collected by FDA and the state of Colorado, including environmental and product samples collected and analyzed by Colorado and the FDA, and observations made by FDA during the inspection of [Kasel], establishes the following:
    • Pet treat products manufactured, processed, packed, or held by [Kasel] from April 20, 2012, through September 19, 2012, are contaminated with Salmonella, or are at risk for contamination with Salmonella, based on the conditions in your facility and multiple Salmonella-positive results from environmental samples, including positive results on food contact surfaces within your facility, and from samples of your finished product. Test results indicate there are more than a dozen different Salmonella serotypes in your firm’s manufacturing facility and finished products. In addition, the test results indicate that various Salmonella positive samples from finished products are serotype matches to, and in some cases share a Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern with, other finished products and/or various environmental swabs taken at the facility during the September 2012 inspection. Due to this widespread Salmonella contamination and/or risk of contamination, FDA has determined that there is a reasonable probability these products are adulterated under section 402 of the FD&C Act and there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to these pet treats will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.
    • [Kasel] created, caused or was otherwise responsible for this reasonable probability of adulteration: under section 402 of the FD&C Act. Specifically, FDA has determined that the conditions within your facility (e.g., the presence of Salmonella in various locations throughout the facility and multiple sanitation deficiencies) that could lead to cross contamination between raw materials and finished products caused the reasonable probability.”

The letter, which was signed by Michael R. Taylor (FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine), demanded action within two (2) business days of its receipt by Mr. Kasel, and concluded with the following two statements:

“If you do not voluntarily cease distribution and conduct a recall in the time and manner described in this section, FDA may, by order, require you to immediately cease distribution of the affected pet treats. Additionally, FDA may, by order require you to immediately notify all persons manufacturing, processing, packing, transporting, distributing, receiving, holding, or importing and selling the affected pet treats to immediately cease distribution of such articles; and to immediately notify all persons to which such articles have been distributed, transported, or sold, to immediately cease distribution of the affected pet treats.”

“If a response is not received from you within two (2) business days of your receipt of this letter, FDA may by order require you to immediately cease distribution and notify applicable parties, as explained above.” 

The food and pet food industries are now on notice. FDA is ready, willing and able to use its mandatory recall authority to achieve the removal of dangerously contaminated food and pet food from the marketplace.

Recalls and Alerts: February 27, 2013

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.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the horse meat investigation, please consult the Horse Meat Synopsis and Recalls page.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the Kasel pet treat recalls and investigation, please consult the Kasel Dog Treat Recalls: 2012-2013 page.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Giant Eagle recalls Giant Eagle Lotsa Chocolate Chip Cookies (Tub; UPC 3003407516; All lot numbers and date codes), because the back label is incorrectly labeled as Ginger Snaps and does not declare the presence of soy as an allergen.
  • Food Safety Recall: Schmalz’s European Provisions (Springfield, NJ) recalls Applegate Organics Chicken and Apple Sausage (12-oz vacuum pkgs; Use or Freeze By 03/17/13; Est. P-5411), because the sausages may contain small pieces of plastic. The recalled product was sold in retail stores nationwide and through limited internet sales in New Jersey.
  • Food Safety Recall: Zachary Confections, Inc. recalls Zachary Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Egg Crates (5 oz; Product #31-797; Unit UPC 0 75186 15797 8; Code dates D3245D, D3145E, F3145E, D3245E; Best Buy Date 02/14/14), due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was shipped on February 21 and 22, 2013, and was distributed to some retail stores in sections of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Kroger Company recalls QFC Tender Twist Wheat Bread (20 oz), Kroger Value Wheat Bread (22.5 oz), Fred Meyer Tender Twist 100% Whole Wheat Bread (24 oz), Fred Meyer Tender Twist Honey Cracked Wheat Bread (24 oz), and Fred Meyer Tender Twist Wheat Bread (22.5 oz), because the products may contain pieces of plastic. The recalled breads were sold at Fred Meyer and QFC stores.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: United Pet Group, Inc. recalls Ultra Blend Gourmet, Food for Parakeets (80oz bag; UPC 26851 00904; Item # A904 / 056-0904-01; USE BY dates 07/20/15 and 10/20/15), ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets (8oz bag; UPC 26851 00505; Item # A505 / 11-20700; USE BY dates 10/23/15 and 11/14/1), ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches (8oz bag; UPC 26851 00546; Item # C546 / 11-20712; USE BY date 10/16/15), and ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels (6.5oz bag; UPC 26851 00512; Item # B512 / 11-20711; USE BY date 12/05/15). The recalled products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, as they contain small quantities of dried parsley flakes that were recalled on February 11, 2013 by Specialty Commodities, Inc.  due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were distributed throughout the USA and Canada between October 2012 and February 2013.
  • Food Safety Alert: The California Department of Public Health advises consumers not to eat recreationally harvested mussels, clams or whole scallops from Marin County, as dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have been detected in mussels from this region. Clams and scallops may also pose a health risk. The warning does not extend to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: IGA de Cotret Brazeau (Gatineau, QC) recalls Salade d’épinards au poulet (undeclared wheat and soy), Trempette aux épinards (undeclared sulfites), and Salade de patates (undeclared milk), due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
  • Allergy Alert: Overwaitea Food Group LP recalls Kettle brand Honey Roast Nuts & Fruit Mix (24 lb; Best before 26MAY12 to 04APR13; UPC 84114 01900), Kettle brand Natural Chocolate Lover’s Mix (24 lb; Best before 03JUL12 to 15JUN13; UPC 84114 01815) and Kettle brand Honey Roast Harvest Mix (24 lb; Best before 27JUN12 to 09JUN13; UPC 84114 01910), due to undeclared sulfites. The recalled products were sold to consumers in Alberta and British Columbia.
  • Allergy Alert: Left Coast Naturals recalls Kettle brand Honey Roast Nuts & Fruit Mix (24 lb; Best before 26MAY12 to 04APR13; UPC 84114 01900) and Kettle brand Natural Chocolate Lover’s Mix (24 lb; Best before 03JUL12 to 15JUN13; UPC 84114 01815), due to undeclared sulfites. The recalled products were sold to consumers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Yukon.
  • Allergy Alert: UNFI Canada Grocery West and Horizon Distributors Ltd. recall Kettle brand Honey Roast Nuts & Fruit Mix (24 lb; Best before 26MAY12 to 04APR13; UPC 84114 01900), due to undeclared sulfites. The recalled product was sold to consumers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall: Produits Alimentaires Italiens Milano Inc. recalls New Milano Pepperoni and Mini Pepperoni (5 x 10 lb; Code 2013 FEB 12; UPC 1 80019 00011 3) due to Listeria and Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: United Pet Group, Inc. recalls Ultra Blend Gourmet, Food for Parakeets (80oz bag; UPC 26851 00904; Item # A904 / 056-0904-01; USE BY dates 07/20/15 and 10/20/15), ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets (8oz bag; UPC 26851 00505; Item # A505 / 11-20700; USE BY dates 10/23/15 and 11/14/1), ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches (8oz bag; UPC 26851 00546; Item # C546 / 11-20712; USE BY date 10/16/15), and ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels (6.5oz bag; UPC 26851 00512; Item # B512 / 11-20711; USE BY date 12/05/15). The recalled products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, as they contain small quantities of dried parsley flakes that were recalled on February 11, 2013 by Specialty Commodities, Inc.  due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were distributed throughout the USA and Canada between October 2012 and February 2013.
  • Outbreak Alert (Update): The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified an eighth case of E. coli O157:H7 illness, in an ongoing investigation into illnesses linked to consumption of frozen burger patties from Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd.

Europe

  • Food Fraud Recall (France): Panzani recalls Panzani brand Raviolis Pur Boeuf (canned beef ravioli), after horse meat was detected in certain cans of the ravioli.
  • Food Fraud Alert (Sweden): Ikea has ordered stores to stop selling Wallenbergare veal patties as well as cabbage and beef gratin (kålpudding), due to potential adulteration with horse meat. In addition, Ikea has ordered its stores in France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal to stop selling Vienna Sausage.
  • Food Fraud Product Withdrawal (UK): Welsh Bros. Ltd. reports that a sample of its meat has “potentially” tested positive for horse meat, causing several Welsh councils to withdraw the meat from their schools and care homes.
  • Food Fraud Product Withdrawal (Russia): Russia reports having detected horse meat in pork sausages (frankfurters) imported from Austria. The implicated sausages were manufactured by Landhof (Linz, Austria).
  • Food Safety Recall (France): McCormick France recalls Ducros brand Flacons Persil Ducros (Lot #L3010-L3011; Expiry 12.07.2014 – 13.07.2014) and Assaisonnement Persillade Ducros (Lot L3011; Expiry 11.01.2015), because a limited number of the jars may contain a fragment of glass.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Kilshanny Farmhouse Cheese recalls Kilshanny Farmhouse Cheese Gouda Herb Cheese (Product of Ireland; Production date 19/09/2012), due to E. coli O157 contamination. The recalled product was sold in a foodstall in the Limerick Mill Market and in a retailer in Co. Clare.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0254): Adulteration (horse DNA) of chili con carne from Belgium, with raw material from Ireland; distributed to Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0255): Adulteration (horse DNA) of lasagne bolognese from France; distributed to Germany.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2013.0256): Traces of milk in chocolate Easter eggs with filling from Poland; distributed to Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany and Sweden.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0259): Adulteration (horse DNA) of frozen cannelloni bolognaise from France, manufactured in Italy; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0260): Didecyldimethylammonium chloride in grapefruit seed extract from the Czech Republic; distributed to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0261): Excessive Escherichia coli in chilled mussels from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0262): Adulteration (horse DNA) of corned beef in natural juice from Latvia; distributed to Belgium, Germany the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0263): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli in raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Germany.

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 website.

*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.