Recalls and Alerts: April 29 – 30, 2019

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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Canada

Food Safety Recall: La Fromagerie Hamel recalls Le Pic brand “Saint-Félicien” cheese (180g; All codes up to and including April 29, 2019; UPC 0 20060641300 0; Product of France) due to E. coli O26 contamination. There have been illnesses in France linked to consumption of this product.

Food Safety Recall: Kind Organics Inc. recalls Kind Organics brand Alfalfa (114g; Product batch code 04/28 2019; UPC 7 27908 14905 0) due to generic E. coli contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): La société Les gourmandises de l’Artisan recalls Les gourmandises de l’Artisan brand Nougat Caramel Beurre Salé (1.5 Kg, 150g; All lot and date codes) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Société Fromagerie Alpine recalls SAINT-FELICIEN, SAINT-MARCELLIN and SAINT-ROMANS raw milk cheeses (Lots L 032 to L 116; Best before dates between 08/03/2019 to 03/06); due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Flensted snitgrønt A/S recalls Easy Tasty Cabbage salad with crispy roots (300g; Best before 30-04-2019, 01-05-2019, 02-05-2019, 03-05-2019, 04-05-2019, 05-05-2019), Flensted Green Coleslaw (250g; Best before 01-05-2019, 03-05-2019) and Flensted Green Cabbage (250g; Best before 01-05-2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bonduelle recalls Bonduelle brand La Parisienne Poêlée surgelée (700g; Lots L21195173 … 04/2020, L21390616 … 05/2020, L21390617 … 05/2020, L21390618 … 05/2020, L21390619 … 05/2020) due to foreign matter (glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Fromagerie ALPINE recalls SERVICES COMPRIS brand Plateau Assortiment « Plateau Girolles » – Pont L’Eveque cheeses (Best before 08/05/2019) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Fromagerie Alpine recalls Lidl Saveurs de Nos régions brand Saint-Félicien raw milk cheese (180g; All lots from 032 to 116; All best before dates) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Société Fromagère ALPINE recalls Schoeffer brand Saint-Félicien et Saint-Marcellin cheeses (All lots and date codes) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): E. Leclerc recalls various lot codes and best before dates of Nos régions ont du talent brand Saint-Félicien et Saint Marcellin raw milk cheeses due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Fromagerie Alpine recalls Reflets De France et Carrefour brands Saint-Félicien et Saint Marcellin raw milk cheeses (all lot and date codes) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Fromagerie Alpine recalls AUCHAN Mmm brand Saint-Félicien et Saint Marcellin raw milk cheeses (all lot and date codes) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Fromagerie Alpine recalls Fromagerie Alpine brand Saint-Félicien et Saint Marcellin raw milk cheeses (all lot and date codes) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): FROMAGERIE ALPINE recalls Xavier David, Tradition du Bon Fromage, and Alpine brands of raw milk cheeses (Lots L032 to L116; Best before 08.03.19 to 31.05.19; Product of France) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gummibärenland recalls Peanut Kernels, coated (100g; Best before 30.09.2019) due to foreign matter (metal screw) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Purasana recalls Purasana brand Poudre de Chlorella BIO India (200g; Best before 30/12/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Colruyt recalls Cooked roast beef (Best before 12/4/2019 and 14/5/2019) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England specific): Monolith (UK) Ltd recalls Zolotoi Vek Halva from sunflower seeds with vanilla flavour (500g; Batch code 20.08.2019; Best before 20 August 2019) due to foreign matter (small pieces of metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England specific): EH Booths recalls Booths British Corned Beef (3 slices / 100g; Use by 08 May 2019) due to foreign matter (pieces of metal) contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Le Marche Francais Ltd recalls La Fromagerie Alpine brand Saint Felicien raw milk cheese (180g; Best before dates between 16.03.2019 and 16.06.2019; Product of France) and La Fromagerie Alpine brand Saint Marcellin raw milk cheese (80g; Best before dates between 16.03.2019 and 16.06.2019; Product of France) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Caito’s response to earlier FDA inspection observations did not prevent Salmonella problem

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

On June 8, 2018, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised the public of an outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide that eventually sickened 77 people in nine states.

Most of the outbreak victims reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon or a fruit salad mix with melon purchased from grocery stores.

According to the CDC, epidemiologic and traceback evidence pointed to consumption of pre-cut melon supplied by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis.

In response to the evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) performed a three-week long investigation, including a comprehensive inspection of Caito’s production facility and analysis of several environmental and cut fruit samples.

FDA lab analysis did not reveal Salmonella in any of the samples taken during the course of the investigation. However, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) found Salmonella Adelaide after testing samples of cut cantaloupe and watermelon.

Although FDA did not confirm the presence of Salmonella in Caito’s production facility during the inspection, investigators noted several sanitation and maintenance issues, according to the Establishment Inspection Report, obtained by Food Safety News as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

The plant was not designed to facilitate maintenance and sanitary operations. There was condensation from the cooling units and on electric cords located directly above the pineapple line, where fresh, ready-to-eat pineapples were being peeled and cut.
The firm did not conduct operations under conditions and controls necessary to minimize the potential for contamination of food. Five employees were observed neglecting appropriate personal sanitizing procedures when entering the production area.
The firm did not take a reasonable measure and precaution related to personnel practices. Employees were seen handling containers and packing materials and then returning to cut watermelon without first cleaning and sanitizing their hands.
The cooling units’ fans appeared to be dirty.
The firm used a lower concentration of sanitizing chemical than called for on the package label. Management explained that the sanitizer was used to ensure the safety of the water, and not to provide a sanitizing step for the fruit.

During the current inspection the firm on June 14, 2018, Caito Foods LLC voluntary destroyed all the melons and watermelons that they had in their warehouse and diverted any shipments that they had coming. The firm also destroyed any products containing melon or watermelon.

FDA never found the source of the Salmonella Adelaide contamination.

In its official response to FDA’s observations, Caito management detailed corrective actions intended to eliminate the condensation problem and prevent a recurrence. The company developed a new procedure regarding management, sanitation, and handling of all food contact containers, and completed a retraining program for employees on handling procedures and hand sanitizing requirements.

Caito also adjusted the concentration of sanitizing chemical.

Despite its corrective actions, Caito is once again the apparent source of a Salmonella outbreak. As of April 24, CDC had received confirmed reports of 117 cases of Salmonella Carrau infections in 10 states. Thirty-two people have been admitted to hospitals.

Epidemiologic and traceback evidence has identified Caito as the likely source of the outbreak.

According to FDA, Salmonella Carrau is rare, and has historically been seen in imported melons. Caito has acknowledged that imported melons were used in the suspect pre-cut melon mixes.

FDA is examining shipping records to establish a country of origin and, if possible, a farm of origin for the melons.

Caito recalled all of the implicated pre-cut melons and fruit mixes containing pre-cut melons on April 12.

Public health officials from CDC and FDA advise consumers to check their homes for recalled products and either throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers who believe they have become ill as a result of consuming pre-cut melon should consult their healthcare provider.

Recalls and Alerts: April 26 – 28, 2019

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United States

Food Safety Recall: Grant Park Packing recalls approximately 53,200 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details on the recalled products, which were shipped to Minnesota for further distribution and Kentucky for institutional use.

Canada

OUTBREAK ALERT / FOOD SAFETY RECALL: Retail Resource Services Inc. recalls several Celebrate brand frozen profiteroles and mini eclairs that have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses in six provinces. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were manufactured in Thailand.

Allergy Alert: Concord Premium Meats recalls Marc Angelo brand Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin – BBQ Flavoured (700g; Batch code 2019AL 22; UPC 6 27907 07848 4) and Marc Angelo brand Sweet BBQ Chicken Breast Portions (220g; Batch codes 2019AL08, 209AL10, 2019AL15, 2019AL18, 2019AL22; UPC 6 27907 03489 3) due to undeclared soy and wheat.

Food Safety Recall: Boucherie St-Chrysostome recalls Dried beef jerky (75g; Pack date 24 April 2019) due to lack of temperature storage labeling.

Food Safety Recall: Ecoideas recalls Ecoideas brand Organic Skinned Tigernuts (227g; Product code 84919101 / Best By 013121; UPC 8 75405 00284 9) and Ecoideas brand Organic Skinned Tigernuts (454g; Product code 85619101 / Best By 013121; UPC 8 75405 00285 6) due to Salmonella contamination.

Europe

OUTBREAK ALERT / FOOD SAFETY RECALL (France): La société Fromagerie Alpine recalls FROMAGERIE ALPINE, CARREFOUR, REFLET DE FRANCE, LECLERC, LIDL, AUCHAN, ROCHAMBEAU, PRINCE DES BOIS, SONNAILLES ET PREALPIN brands SAINT- FELICIEN et SAINT MARCELLIN raw milk cheeses due to E. coli O26 contamination. The recalled cheeses have been linked to 13 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome in young children resulting from E. coli O26 infections.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Colruyt recalls various cooked roast beef, raw ground beef and products containing raw ground beef due to potential shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Purasana recalls Purasana brand Raw Chlorella Powder (200g; Lot #CB045I17/12; Best before 30/12/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Rösner Backstube recalls bread (no details given) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): GRANDI SALUMIFICI ITALIANI S.p.A. recalls CONAD S.C. SALAME GOLFETTA® (100g; Lot #26910002; Best before 08 05 2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): ARC EN CIEL SOC. AGR. COOP. recalls Sanabios CREMA DI MARRONI DA AGRICOLTURA BIOLOGICA (350g; Lot #17.07.21; Best before 17-07-2021) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): ARC EN CIEL SOC. AGR. COOP. recalls ARC EN CIEL brand CREMA DI MARRONI (Lot #17.07.21; Best before 17-07-2021) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Asda recalls Asda Cranberry and Nut Cereal Bars (4 x 35g; Best before end September 2019) and Asda Peanut and Almond Cereal Bars (4 x 35g; Best before end September 2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco Apricot Almond and Yogurt Bars (4 x 35g; Batch codes 9100 and 9101; Best before 31 January 2020) due to Salmonella contamination.