Month: March 2024

Recalls and Alerts: March 23–25, 2024

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.


“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Amazon
Apple
Audible
Barnes & Noble
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Europe

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Boni Selection paninis précuits / Pre-cooked paninis (pack of 4; 240g; Lots B059DA, B060DA & B067DA; Best before 23/4/2024, 24/4/2024 & 1/5/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lerøy Finland Oy recalls Lerøy savulohi vakuumipakattu / Vacuum-packed whole smoked salmon (Expiry date 6.4.2024; Product of Norway) due to incomplete heat treatment.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA MONTLOUISIENNE recalls LA MONTLOUISIENNE brand Merguez (60g, 90g & 95g; Lot 120324; Use by 05/04/2024 & 06/04/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): JACQUET BROSSARD recalls JACQUET brand 4 PANINIS SANS SUCRE AJOUTES / 4-pack of paninis without added sugar (240g; Lots B059DA, B060DA & B064DA; Best before 23/04/2024, 24/04/2024 & 28/04/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (France): ALPHAPRIM recalls EMB 94073 Le brand SALADE NORDIQUE (250g, 500g & 800g; Lots F2407918, F2407919 & F2407920, respectively; Use by 07/04/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Saint Alby brand Jambon supérieur sans couenne Label Rouge / Superior ham, rindless (4 slices; 160g; Lot 07524; Use by 09/04/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Tomme de bailleul cheese (All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Steent’Joie cheese (All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Fromage de Bergues cheese (All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Camembert Flamand cheese (All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Brique rouge des Flandres cheese (All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls Beurre de vaches rouges Flammandes / Butter (250g; All lots) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MONTRABE DISTRIBUTION SUPER-U recalls Guanciale vendue à la tranche au rayon charcuterie-traiteur / Cured pork jowl sold by the slice (Lot 4030061000; Best before 29/07/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Singapore): CJ SE Asia Pte Ltd recalls Mandu Prawn Dumplings (350g; Best before 20/05/2024, 15/09/2024, 03/11/2024, 16/11/2024, 20/02/2025; Product of Vietnam) and Mini Mandu Prawn Dumplings (360g; Best before 22/05/2024, 19/09/2024, 04/11/2024, 16/11/2024, 21/02/2025; Product of Vietnam) due to undeclared egg.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): CJ Nutracon PTY LTD T/A CJ Foods Australia recalls certain dumplings and spring rolls due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of the affected products.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Lim Brothers Import & Export Company Limited and Asian Savour World Pty Ltd recall two varieties of Cau Tre brand frozen spring rolls due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of the affected products.

TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
Chapters/Indigo
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Recalls and Alerts: March 21–22, 2024

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.


“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Amazon
Apple
Audible
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

United States

Public Health Alert: USDA/FSIS issues a public health alert for imported FROZEN STRIPED PANGASIUS MAWS (12 oz (340g) plastic packages) that were illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China and are ineligible for entry into the United States.

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Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in collaboration with provincial partners, is investigating an outbreak of 35 confirmed cases of Salmonella Lome infections in seven provinces between March 2020 and January 2024. The illnesses have been linked to exposure to pet geckos. Cases have been confirmed in British Columbia (2), Alberta (2), Saskatchewan (2), Manitoba (2), Ontario (18), Quebec (8) and New Brunswick (1). Seven cases (20%) are in children 5 years of age or younger.

Allergy Alert: Coco Pralin (Montréal, QC) recalls various ready-to-eat products due to multiple undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Deli Samira (Montréal, QC) recalls PAIN À L’ORGE / Barley bread (450g; All lots) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Produits Eden (Montréal, QC) recalls three varieties of empanadas due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Abattoir les viandes du Pontiac (Shawville, QC) recalls ESTOMAC DE RUMINANT / Ruminant stomach (All product sold up to 15 March 2024) due to it being unfit for human consumption.

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Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Carrefour recalls Carrefour Simply brand Filet de poulet / Chicken filet (300g; Use by 16/04/2024) due to undeclared milk protein.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Salling Group recalls Salat bowl – klassisk / Classic salad bowl (Best before 23/3-2024) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Padovana Macinazione recalls  FIBRA DI PSYLLIUM POLVERE BIO 99% / Organic psyllium fiber powder, 99% (1 kg; Lot NO/PHP/25/21; Best before 11-07-2025) due to undeclared sesame and mustard.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Padovana Macinazione recalls  FIBRA DI PSYLLIUM POLVERE BIO 99% / Organic psyllium fiber powder, 99% (1 kg; Lot NO/PHP/25/21; Best before 31-12-2024) due to undeclared sesame and mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH Excellent Meergranen Bagels / Multigrain bagels (4-pack; Best before 29-04-2024) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Jacquet Brossard Distribution / Jacquet Belgium recalls JACQUET brand CROISSANT BEURRE / Butter croissants (4/pkg; Lots B057DA & B065DA; Best before 20/05/2024 & 28/05/2024, respectively) and JACQUET brand PANINI NATURE / Plain panini (240g; Lots B059DA, B060DA & B064DA; Best before 23/04/2024, 24/04/2024 et 28/04/2024, respectively) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (France): Lidl recalls Saint Alby brand Jambon supérieur sans couenne Label Rouge / Red Label superior rindless ham (4 slices per 160g; Lot 07524; Use by 09/04/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GUILLOT COBREDA recalls CREPINETTES DE VOLAILLE S/ AT / Poultry crepinettes (20/pkg; Lots 041004312 & 0414004452; Use by dates between 23/03/2024 and 29/03/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): JACQUET BROSSARD recalls JACQUET brand 4 PANINIS SANS SUCRE AJOUTES / 4 paninis without added sugar (240g; Lots B059DA, B060DA, B064DA; Best before Best before 23/04/2024, 24/04/2024 et 28/04/2024, respectively) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC FERME DU MOURIE recalls Ferme du mourié brand Le Quercy Le Mourié Fromage au lait cru / Raw milk cheese (Lot 05/03) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): NANTES NORD DISTRIBUTION E.Leclerc Orvault Grand Val recalls Mothais sur feuille au lait cru de chèvre / Raw goat’s milk cheese (No lot number; Sold from 01/03/2024 to 11/03/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): FLEURANCE NATURE recalls FLEURANCE NATURE brand PUREE DE PRUNEAUX BIO / Organic prune purée (295g; Lot 8.04.2026; Use by 18/04/2026) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass splinters).

Food Safety Recall (France): ACHATS MARCHANDISES CASINO recalls CASINO brand Panini à garnir nature / Plain paninis (240g pack of 4; Lots B059DA & B060DA; Best before 23/04/2024 & 24/04/2024, respectively) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls EPI D’OR brand PAINS POUR PANINI PRECUITS et PETITS PAINS PRECUITS GRAINES / Panini breads and seeded panini rolls (240g & 360g; Multiple lot codes and Best-before dates) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (France): CORICO recalls MEDINA brand Rondelle de saucisson sec de dinde, Halal / Sliced, dry Halal turkey sausage (150g; Lot 9774000078; Use by 27/04/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CORICO recalls SAUCISSON COURBE NOISETTE ETUI / Curved sausage with hazelnuts, Halal (Lot 9774000067; Use by 05/07/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ALGUE SERVICE recalls Bord à bord brand Salade d’algues à la japonaise / Japanese style seaweed salad (40g; Lots 25404 & 25318; Best before 16/07/2025 & 28/07/2024) due to E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ETABLISSEMENT PUBLIC LOCAL D’ENSEIGNEMENT ET DE FORMATION PROFESSIONNEL AGRICOLE DE BESANCON GRANVELLE Ferme du lycée agricole de Besançon recalls L’escargot de Cendrey brand Escargots au Court-bouillon (6 dozen; Lot 1499; Best before 30/11/2025) due to manufacturing defect.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): LevlUP GmbH recalls LevlUP Hydration Drink Galaxy (500 ml; Lot L431; Best before 31.10.2024) due to mold contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): REWE Dortmund SE & Co. KG recalls Lyoner mit Paprika und Ei / Sausage with paprika and egg (~100g; Best before 31.03.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (small, transparent plastic fragments).

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Aldente GmbH recalls Aldente brand Original französische Butter Croissants / Original French Butter Croissants (180g; Lot B066DA; Best before 29/05/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (Hungary): AUCHAN Magyarország Kft. recalls Auchan Kedvenc panini / Panini (4-pack, 240g; Lot B058DA; Use by 22.04.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Aldi recalls Roomboter Croissants / Butter croissants (4 pieces, 180g; Best before 20-05-2024, 21-05-2024, 28-05-2024, 29-05-2024) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Food Safety Recall (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls by Sainsbury’s Flaked Almonds (200g; Batch codes 4044 & 4045; Best before February 2025) due to Salmonella contamination.

TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
Chapters/Indigo
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Botulism and baby food. The Oceanitan affair

Image courtesy of CDC.gov

On January 24, 2023, the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services alerted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a possible case of Clostridium botulinum in an infant.

Although primarily breastfed, the infant had also been fed some packaged refrigerated baby food on or around January 7th (pumpkin) and January 11th (broccoli). On January 18th, the infant began to show symptoms of botulism.

By January 22nd, the infant had been hospitalized, and treatment with an anti-toxin was initiated.

The treatment was successful and the infant survived.

The baby food was manufactured by Oceanitan, LLC, a contract manufacturer of baby food products located in Los Angeles, California.

The investigation

On February 3rd, a Missouri health inspector collected samples of the product from the infant’s home and submitted them to the FDA for analysis.

On February 16th, with the lab analysis underway, the FDA began an in-depth inspection of Oceanitan’s manufacturing facility—an inspection that would continue into early April.

The inspection revealed multiple, serious violations of various federal standards (“rules”) for safe manufacture of food products. These violations included:

  • Lack of preventive controls for bacterial growth and/or toxin formation by Clostridium botulinum in the finished, packaged ready-to-eat products
  • Use of uncalibrated and inaccurate thermometers to measure storage temperatures
  • Exposure of cooked ingredients and products to potential environmental contamination during cooling, production, and packaging
  • Lack of an environmental monitoring program
  • Inadequate sanitation controls procedures
  • Lack of a validation study to support cooking parameters specified in the written Process Control document
  • Dripping water, exposed rust, and peeling paint in various areas of the manufacturing facility

While the inspection was still in progress, the FDA laboratory completed its analysis. The products collected by the Missouri inspector from the home of the sick infant were contaminated with both a non-toxin strain of Clostridium botulinum and a strain of Clostridium beijerinckii.

Although both of these strains were non-pathogenic, they represented clear evidence that a toxin-producing strain of Clostridium botulinum would have been fully capable of growing in the baby food. The lab also reported that the pH and water activity of these products were well within the range to promote growth of the pathogen.

The follow-up

In keeping with the agency’s standard operating practice, the FDA investigator met with company management on April 6th at the completion of the inspection to make a formal presentation of FDA Form 483 (Inspectional Observations) and review the documented violations.

On April 27th, Oceanitan’s Chief Executive Officer, Nelson Lee, responded in writing to the list of observations. He informed the FDA that the company had purchased calibrated temperature data monitors for its coolers, contracted a third-party lab to initiate an environmental monitoring program, updated its sanitation program, cleaned and repaired ceilings and walls, and initiated steps to have other repairs performed by an outside contractor.

After reviewing the company’s response, the FDA issued a Warning Letter on September 7, 2023. In its letter, the agency noted that Oceanitan had not taken steps to update its hazard analysis or implement written procedures for monitoring a preventive control. Nor did the company provide a validation study for its process control parameters.

The FDA gave Oceanitan fifteen working days from receipt of the letter to notify the agency in writing of the steps it was taking to correct the remaining violatiosn and prevent a recurrence, and also advised the company that the agency would be conducting a follow-up inspection to determine Oceanitan’s compliance with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its asssociated regulations.

Botulism—Infant and otherwise

Botulism is not a common occurrence.

In 2019, the most recent year for which data are posted on its website, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 152 cases of infant botulism and just 21 cases of foodborne botulism.

That same year, the CDC logged 58,371 non-typhoidal Salmonella reports and 16,939 reports of shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Infant botulism can be associated with consumption of honey that is contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum. In fact, in Canada, raw honey is the only food that has been specifically linked to infant botulism.

In foodborne botulism, individuals become ill from eating a food that contains pre-formed toxin. But in the case of infants, it’s not necessary for the toxin to be present in the food. Clostridium botulinum spores can multiply and produce their deadly toxin in the baby’s intestine.

The take-aways

The baby food products manufactured under contract by Oceanitan were neither commercially sterile nor shelf-stable.

The products were sold as refrigerated, “ready-to-eat” baby foods.

Information on the brand(s) of baby food products manufactured by Oceanitan was redacted from the documents obtained by eFoodAlert under the Freedom of Information Act, as this information is considered to be proprietary.

The manufacturing process consisted of cooking the individual ingredients before they were mixed and puréed. There was no second “kill” step either before or after the products were filled into their 4-ounce plastic jars. And there were serious flaws in the company’s hazard analysis, environmental monitoring, and facility maintenance.

By neglecting fundamental principles of safe food manufacture, the company and its commercial customers put a vulnerable population at risk.

TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
Chapters/Indigo