Recalls and Alerts: February 18 – 21, 2018

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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United States

Outbreak Alert: CDC is investigating a 20-state outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to consumption of kratom products. Twenty-eight cases have been reported, with 11 people hospitalized. Also known as Thang, Kakuam, Thom, Ketom, and Biak, Kratom is a plant consumed for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute according to CDC. Eight of eleven people interviewed to date reported having consume kratom in pills, powder or tea. No common brand or supplier has been identified.

Food Safety Recall / Outbreak Alert: Triple T Specialty Meats, Inc recalls approximately 20,630 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. The recalled items were shipped to Fareway grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Iowa Department of Public Health has linked consumption of the product to at least 37 confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infections in the state.

Allergy Alert: Sunneen Health Foods recalls Whole Foods Market Vegan Buffalo Chicken Bites (9-oz. containers; Expiry 2/27/2018; UPC 636910500059) due to undeclared pecans. The recalled product was sold at 13 Whole Foods Market locations in New York and New Jersey. Please refer to the recall notice for the addresses of the 13 locations.

Allergy Alert: A & A Finest recalls PORK & SHRIMP SUI-MAI frozen, ready-to-cook pork and shrimp dumpling items (200 pieces/case; packaging dates 05/02/17, 06/23/17, 07/26/17, 11/29/17 and 12/06/17) due to undeclared egg. The recalled product was shipped to hotel restaurants in New York.

Allergy Alert: Night Hawk Frozen Foods, Inc. recalls NIGHT HAWK BEEF PATTY ‘N GRAVY, CHARBROILED BEEF PATTY and GRAVY, POTATO ROUNDS and SWEET CORN (8.75-oz cartons; produced on Nov. 8, 2017) due to undeclared milk. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations in Louisiana and Texas.

Allergy Alert: Market of Choice recalls Sezam Kale Salad due to undeclared egg. The recalled product was sold in the Deli cases between February 14, 2018 and February 20, 2018 at several Market of Choice retail stores in Oregon. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected stores.

Canada

Allergy Alert (Update): Industry recalls Lotte brand Kancho Choco Biscuit (95g and 168g; All lots) due to undeclared peanuts. The recalled products were sold by retailers in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, and may have been sold nationwide.

Allergy Alert: Bickerstaffe Farms & Nurseries Ltd. recalls various The Spice Barn spice blends due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold by retailers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Food Safety Recall: Scott Bathgate Ltd. recalls Nutty Club brand Sliced Brazils (100g; All units sold up to and including February 16, 2018; UPC 0 61966 00756 4) due to aflatoxin contamination. The recalled product was sold by retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Food Safety Recall: Fondation B’Nai Levy (Boisbriand, QC) recalls Turkey Pastrami and Beef Salami delicatessen products (variable weights; all products sold up to and including 20 February, 2018) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Épicerie Chiasson inc. recalls Morue Fumée / Smoked Cod and Turbot Fumé / Smoked Turbot (variable weights; all products sold up to and including 20 February, 2018) because they were not processed in a manner that would ensure safety for human consumption.

Food Safety Recall: Ferme Pré rieur inc. recalls HUILE DE TOURNESOL MI-OLÉIQUE / Mixed Sunflower and Olive Oils (1L; Lots 1620-3, 1620-4 and 1620-5) because the product was not processed in a manner that would ensure safety for human consumption.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Cora recalls Jardin Bio brand Gluten-free Tortilla – Natural flavor (125g; Lot 37332 37346; Best before 28/06/2018 & 12/07/2018) and Jardin Bio brand Gluten-free Tortilla – Chili flavor (125g; Lot 37332 37346; Best before 28/06/2018 & 12/07/2018) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Mols Organic recalls Tortilla Corn Chips (various flavors and Best before dates) due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (France): La société Alterfoodie recalls Douceur d’amandes Bio LES PETITES POUSSES / Les Petites Pousses brand Organic Almond Sweetness (2 x 100g; Lot 0036; original and raspberry flavors) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): CO YO recalls certain dairy-free coconut milk yogurt products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Saltå Kvarn recalls Beef Powder (500g; Lot 25; best before 12-2018) due to possible traces of milk powder.

Allergy Alert (UK): FZ Organic Food BV recalls Trafo Tortilla Chips – Chilli (75g; Best before 29 July 2018; Product of Netherlands) and Trafo Tortilla Chips – Natural (75g; Best before 11 August 2018; Product of Netherlands) due to excessive levels of gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): CO YO recalls certain dairy-free coconut milk yogurt products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): VBites Foods Limited recalls VBites VegiDeli Lincolnshire Style Sausages (295g; Batch code 011063; Use by 14.01.19; Product of United Kingdom) due to incorrect ‘Use by’ date.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Aldi Stores Ltd recalls Ballymore Crust White Bloomer bread (800g; Best before 17^th February and 18^th February 2018) due to possible presence of small pieces of wire.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Taipec Ltd recalls Yuki & Love Mango Jelly (200g; Best before 30 July 2018, 7 November 2018, 17 January 2019) and Yuki & Love Litchi Jelly (200g; Best before 3 September 2018, 17 January 2019) due to possible choking hazard.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Booker recalls Happy Shopper Tomato Ketchup (440g; Batch code 7269; Best before end March 2019) because it may contain pieces of plastic.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Importer recalls Frozen Caviar – fish eggs (1kg packages; Expiry 31/08/18; Manufactured by Pacific Star Seafoods, Alaska, USA) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: February 15 – 17, 2018

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United States

Outbreak Alert: USDA/FSIS issues Public Health Alert advising consumers that a Fareway Chicken Salad, produced between Dec. 15, 2017 and Feb. 13, 2018 and shipped to Fareway stores in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Iowa Department of Health has implicated the product in multiple cases of salmonellosis across the state.

Pet Food Safety Alert: The J.M. Smucker Company announces a business-to-business withdrawal of 27 canned/wet dog food products manufactured and sold since 2016 under its Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Skippy and Ol’ Roy brands after pentobarbital was reported in several samples of Gravy Train products. Please refer to the notice posted on the J.M. Smucker web site for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to retailers nationwide.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Update): Smokehouse Pet Products Inc. recalls Beefy Munchies Dog Treats (all lots and pack sizes) due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was distributed nationwide through distributors selling to various retailers.

Food Safety Recall: Pilgrim’s Pride Corp recalls GOLD KIST FARMS, Fully Cooked Whole Grain Home-Style Breaded Chicken Patties (30-lb. boxes with six 5-lb. clear bags; Case code 72491050xx; Product code 665400) due to possible foreign matter contamination. The recalled product was shipped to institutions nationwide.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Marché Landry-Tardif inc (Lévis, QC) recalls Féves au lard maison / Home-style baked beans (1L; Code 260618105997; All lots up to and including 14 February 2018) and Soupe aux pois en pot / Pea soup in a jar (500 ml; Code 260597203998; All lots up to and including 14 February 2018) because the products were stored improperly.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Mars Danmark A/S recalls Celebrations Easter Eggs filled with chocolate bars (242g) due to undeclared milk, gluten and peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Dirk Rossmann GmbH recalls ernerBio Tortilla Chips (125g; Best by 06/27/2018) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Global Foods Trading GmbH recalls MDH CHANA MASALA India Spice Blend (100g; Best before 30.01.2019; Lot 81; Product of India) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (UK): Laila Foods recalls Laila Mint Sauce (1L; Batch code PR210617C2; Best before 21 June 2018) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (UK): Morrisons recalls Morrisons Italian Penne Bolognese Bake (400g; Use by 18th,19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd February 2018) due to undeclared celery.

Food Safety Recall Update (Germany): Wewalka GmbH Nfg. KG expands its earlier recall to include Cuisinette Blätterteig puff pastry (2x270g; Best by 09.03.2018) due to possible contamination by metal fragments.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Young’s recalls Chip shop fish cakes, frozen 6 pack (300g; Best before January 2019 [Batch no. AAL 7209K & AAL 7209L] and Best before February 2019 [AAK 7222J & AAL 7222K]) because they may contain pieces of plastic and metal.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited recalls Casino brand Jambon Superieur Fines tranches /Sliced Ham (120g; Use by February 13, 2018; Product of France) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Deeks recalls Deeks Banana Log (620g; Best before 11 Feb 18, 18 Feb 18 and 25 Feb 18) due to undeclared egg. The recalled product was sold at selected IGAs (ACT), Health food shops, grocery stores, independent stores and the Pearce Café & Lounge in the ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC and WA.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Importers recall Lotte brand Kancho Choco Biscuits (all batches and packaging sizes; Product of Korea) due to undeclared peanut, gluten, soy, milk, egg and tree nuts (almonds). The recalled products were sold in various ethnic stores, supermarkets, retail outlets and online stores throughout New Zealand.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Mondelez International recalls Cadbury Caramilk Chocolate Block (190g; Best before 17/01/2019 and 21/01/2019) because some of the bars may contain small, flexible pieces of food grade plastic. The recalled chocolate was sold in Coles, Woolworths, IGA’s and independent retailers (VIC only) in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, TAS and WA.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd recalls Value brand Multigrain Toast Fresh Sliced Bread (600g; Best before 26 Jan 18 and 11 Feb 18 inclusive) as the product may contain foreign matter (plastic). The recalled product was sold in New World, Pak’n Save and Four Square supermarkets throughout the North Island.

FDA, Smucker don’t agree on which dog foods are problem

The Food and Drug Administration alerted pet owners Friday about potential pentobarbital contamination in several brands of dog foods manufactured by The J.M. Smucker Co.

The warning came after a media outlet reported the results of a study that found low levels of pentobarbital in some samples of Gravy Train canned dog food. The drug is used to euthanize animals.

Based on the testing results provided to FDA, the agency has made a preliminary evaluation that the level of pentobarbital found in the samples is “unlikely to post a health risk for pets.”

However, the presence of pentobarbital at any level in pet food is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and FDA therefore is investigating the potential source and route of contamination.

Smucker responded to the findings of the private study by initiating a voluntary business-to-business withdrawal of certain Gravy Train, Kibbles ’N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy branded canned dog food from retailer warehouses.

According to FDA, the list of affected products (shown below) includes all lots of the specified products manufactured from 2016 through the present. The products were distributed to retailers across the USA.

A comparison of the FDA list to a list of 27 products provided to Food Safety News Thursday by a Smucker spokesperson reveals significant differences.

While all 18 products on the FDA list were included in the Smucker information, several Gravy Train, Skippy and Kibbles ’N Bits products named by the company were absent from the FDA list.

“Out of a desire to inform consumers quickly, earlier this week we published a list of products that included the ingredient that could have contained extremely low levels of pentobarbital, regardless of whether the products were manufactured during the withdrawal timeframe. The FDA chose to focus on products made within a specific timeframe,” a Smucker spokesperson told Food Safety News.

FDA is aware of these differences and has requested clarification from Smucker regarding the status of the additional products, according to a statement added to the agency’s consumer alert notice several hours after its initial release.

Although Smucker has not initiated a consumer-level product recall, as of Friday, Target, Walmart, PetSmart and the Department of Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) have alerted their customers to the product withdrawals.

FDA advice to retailers, consumers
Retailers should remove the withdrawn pet food from their shelves and/or websites and contact the manufacturer for further instructions. If retailers have records to identify consumers who have purchased the withdrawn product, the FDA encourages those retailers to contact the consumers to alert about the product withdrawal.

Consumers should not feed their pets the withdrawn lots of canned dog food. Consumers who purchased these products should safely dispose of the cans and/or contact the Sucker company for information about returning the products.

Consumers who think their pets may be ill from eating food contaminated with pentobarbital should contact their veterinarians immediately.

The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about this and other pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

In addition to certain Skippy and Kibbles ‘n’ Bits dog foods, the Smucker Co. is pulling Gravy Train and Ol’ Roy brands.

Canned dog food listed by the FDA as being included in the market withdrawal are:

Gravy Train with T-Bone Flavor Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910052541
Gravy Train with Beef Strips, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 791052542
Gravy Train with Lamb & Rice Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910052543
Gravy Train with Chicken Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034418
Gravy Train with Beef Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034417
Gravy Train with Chicken Chunks, 22-ounce can, UPC 7910051645
Gravy Train with Beef Chunks, 22-ounce can, UPC 7910051647
Gravy Train Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910034417
Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice American Grill Burger Dinner with Real Bacon & Cheese Bits in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010377, 7910010378
Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-Can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice Bistro Hearty Cuts with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Homestyle Meatballs & Pasta Dinner with Real Beef in Tomato Sauce, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010382, 7910048367, 7910010378
Kibbles ‘N Bits 12-Can Variety Pack – Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, Chef’s Choice American Grill Burger Dinner with Real Bacon & Cheese Bits in Gravy, Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetables in Gravy, 12 pack of 13.2-ounce cans, UPC 7910010380, 7910010377, 7910010375
Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Beef & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010375
Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Bistro Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010378
Kibbles ‘N Bits Chef’s Choice Homestyle Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910010380
Ol’ Roy Strips Turkey Bacon, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 8113117570
Skippy Premium Chunks in Gravy Chunky Stew, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 79100502469
Skippy Premium Chunks in Gravy with Beef, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910050250
Skippy Premium Strips in Gravy with Beef, 13.2-ounce can, UPC 7910050245