Contaminated corn behind Canadian Salmonella outbreak

Frozen whole kernel corn is the source of an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis that has sickened at least 84 Canadians in five provinces, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Four of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

Confirmed outbreak cases have been reported by British Columbia (36), Alberta (30), Saskatchewan (4), Manitoba (12) and Ontario (2). The Ontario outbreak victims reported having traveled to British Columbia and Alberta prior to becoming ill.

The outbreak, which began in early September, appears to be ongoing.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified the source of the outbreak after analyzing multiple food samples obtained from restaurants where outbreak victims had eaten.

The CFIA recoverd the outbreak strain from an unopened package of Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn.

The investigation has spawned three recalls to date, and it is possible that further traceback investigation may result in additional recalls.

The recalls

New Alasko Limited Partnership recalls Alasko brand IQF whole kernel corn (12 kg (6×2 kg); Lot #GT21120; P.O. 112943; UPC 1 069505 816003 4), distributed to Hotels, restaurants and institutions and manufacturers in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba and possibly elsewhere in Canada.
New Alasko Limited Partnership recalls Alasko brand IQF whole kernel corn (12 kg (6×2 kg); Lot #GT21117, GT21123 & GT21143; P.O. 112954, 112944 & 112955, respectively; UPC 1 069505 816003 4) distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions, manufacturers and retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec and possibly elsewhere in Canada.
Fraser Valley Meats recalls Fraser Valley Meats brand Whole Kernel Corn (frozen) (~2 kg; Sold between December 3 and December 15, 2021; UPC 2 000921 000002), sold to the general public in British Columbia.

What consumers need to know

Do not eat, use, sell, or serve any recalled Alasko brand or Fraser Valley Meats brand frozen whole kernel corn. This advice applies to individuals, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and long-term care homes, across Canada.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection can include: fever, chills, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting.
If you believe you have consumed the recalled product and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact your health care professional.
Discard any recalled product or return it to the supplier.
Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product.
For more information, members of the public can contact the PHAC toll-free at: 1-866-225-0709

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Recalled salad mix blamed for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with state and local partners and the CDC, is investigating an outbreak of ten Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in eight states.

The onset dates for illnesses linked to the outbreak strain range from July 26, 2016 to October 19, 2021.

The outbreak strain is a genetic match for the Listeria monocytogenes recovered from Fresh Express Sweet Hearts salad mix by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARM) during the course of a routine sampling program.

The MDARM issued a Consumer Advisory on December 17, 2021.

In response to the Listeria monocytogenes finding and the outbreak investigation, Fresh Express, Inc. has recalled certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility.

Fresh Express, Inc. is a division of Chiquita Brands.

Affected brands include: Fresh Express, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Market District, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature Organic, Weis Fresh From the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic.

The recall includes all Use-By Dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350. Please refer to the Fresh Express recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

The recalled products were distributed in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Some of the recalled products were also exported to Canada. Please refer to the CFIA recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold in Manitoba and Ontario and also may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

A Repeat Offender

Fresh Express, which has suspended production at its Streamwood facility, has been the source of more than one previous foodborne disease outbreak.

In 2018, more than 500 customers of MacDonald’s in fifteen states were infected with Cyclospora after consuming a packaged romaine lettuce/carrot mix supplied to the restaurant chain by Fresh Express.

In December 2019, Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits were identified as the source of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in the United States and Canada.

And on October 20, 2020, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to the company as a result of the agency’s investigation into the source of yet another multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that was traced back to bagged salad mixes produced at the Streamwood production plant.

On November 10, 2021, the FDA issued a Close-out Letter acknowledging the company’s corrective actions to the violations listed in the October 2020 Warning Letter.

What Retailers Need to Know

Stop serving or selling recalled produce, whether it is fresh or frozen. Produce stored at cold temperatures can be contaminated. Listeria monocytogenes can grow even at refrigerated temperatures.
Keep recalled produce away from other foods and from any equipment, utensils, and linens, among other things.
Determine if cross-contamination with other foods may have happened.
Determine the source of the produce, or the supplier if the source of the fresh/frozen produce is unknown.
Follow the instructions from the source or supplier on how to return or dispose of the recalled produce.
Your employees should wash their hands thoroughly after handling recalled produce.
Wash any clothing and linens that have may be contaminated.

What Consumers Need to Know

Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
People infected with L. monocytogenes may start to see symptoms in a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating contaminated food. More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop.
Consult your health care provider if you suspect that you or a family member has developed symptoms that resemble a L. monocytogenes infection.
Discard any of the recalled products or return them to the retailer for a refund.
Wash and sanitize any surfaces in your refrigerator or your kitchen that may have come into contact with one of the recalled products.
Canadian consumers should be on the alert for any recall notices issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In the meantime, do not purchase, serve or eat any of the products listed on the US recall notice.

For more information, members of the public can contact the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free line at: 800-242-5472

Recalls and Alerts: December 18-20, 2021

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

PUBLIC HEATH ALLERGY ALERT: USDA issues a public health alert for TRADER MING’S CHICKEN & VEGTABLE Wonton Soup (10.75-oz; Lot code 31FA322; Produced by Fortune Avenue Foods, Inc.) due to undeclared shrimp.

PUBLIC HEATH ALLERGY ALERT: USDA issues a public health alert for RTE Swiss Meat & Sausage Co. HAWAIIAN STYLE SUMMER SAUSAGE (8-oz chubs; MADE ON date code 111821) due to foreign matter (pieces of metal) contamination.

Allergy Alert: Bosket Bread Company LLC recalls 54 units total of the 15 bread products due to undeclared soy, wheat, milk, sesame, and egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development warns consumers not to eat Fresh Express Sweet Hearts Romaine Lettuce Sweet Butter Lettuce (9 oz pkg; Use-by date and lot code DEC 08 Z324B05A 16:04 07; Product of USA) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express recalls multiple varieties of Fresh Express, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Market District, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature Organic, Weis Fresh From the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic brands of fresh salad products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Dream Pops Inc. recalls various flavours of Dream Pops brand Bites (118 ml; All codes up to and including 11/9/22) due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Phoenicia Group Inc. recalls Aoun brand Tahineh ground sesame 100% (907g; Lot #1410H/THA; Best before 10/2022; UPC 5 283000 902160) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Fraser Valley Meats recalls Fraser Valley Meats brand Whole Kernel Corn (frozen) (~2 kg; Sold between December 3 and December 15, 2021; UPC 2 000921 000002) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: New Alasko Limited Partnership recalls Alasko brand IQF whole kernel corn (12 kg (6 x 2 kg); Lots GT21117, GT21123 & GT21143; UPC 1 069505 816003 4) due to possible Salmonella contamination. There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Authorities recall Gaby’s Nudelküche brand Currynudeln / Curry noodles (250g; Best before 15.08.2021, 1.10.2022, 30.09.2023) due to undeclared mustard.

Food Safety Recall (France): OCCITANE PLATS CUISINES recalls LES BRASERADES brand BOUDINS BLANCS COGNAC FINE CHAMPAGNE SAUSAGES (Multiple lot codes and Use-by dates) due to Clostridium perfringens contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Quercynoise recalls MAITRES OCCITANS brand MAGRET DE CANARD FUME TRANCHE / Smoked sliced breast of duck (80g; Use by 13/12/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Quercynoise recalls MAGRET DE CANARD FUME TRANCHE / Smoked sliced breast of duck (80g & 90g pkgs; Lot #212573; Use by 13/12/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Quercynoise recalls CLOS SAINT SOZY brand MAGRET DE CANARD FUME TRANCHE / Smoked sliced breast of duck (80g, 90g & 250g; Use by 13/12/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Quercynoise recalls MAITRES OCCITANS brand MAGRET DE CANARD FUME TRANCHE / Smoked sliced breast of duck (90g; Use by 13/12/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): St Helen’s Farm recalls St Helen’s Farm Goats Butter (250g; All packs with a best before date up to and including 13 March 2022) due to foreign matter (small pieces of metal) contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Classic Fine Foods (Hong Kong) Limited recalls three kinds of Les Frères Marchand brand cheese imported from France due to possible shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Itzik HaGadol Ltd./Mitt Boutique recalls Itzik the Great Mitt Boutique brand Meatballs for cooking (~950g; Expiry date 7.2.2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Avikam Singer Trade and Marketing Ltd. recalls Natural Peanut (1 kg; Best before 30.06.22) due to aflatoxin contamination.