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:
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDAhas updated the list of recalled products associated with an outbreak of 26 confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infections over the last ten years. Two people have died and 23 have been hospitalized. Confirmed cases have been reported in 11 states.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak):Braga Fresh recalls Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kits (12.76 oz; Lot codes start with “BFFS”; Best if used by Jan 20 2024 through Feb 19 2024; UPC 6 8113130544 0) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak):Taylor Fresh Foods recalls Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kit (12.76 oz; Lot codes start with “TFRS”; Best if used by dates on or before Feb 21, 2024) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak):Stater Bros. Markets recalls CHICKEN STREET TACO KIT (20 oz; All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024; UPC 0102864343013992) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Salmonella outbreak): Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. recalls an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa that may be under processed, which may have resulted in possible contamination withfoodborne pathogens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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Canada
Allergy Alert: Bombay Wholesale & Trading Ltd. recalls Indian Heritage brand Soya Chaap (850g; All lot codes; UPC 6 62169 29621 4) due to undeclared wheat, gluten and soy.
Food Safety Recall: Marché Kohinoor (Longueuil, QC) recalls Pain baguette / bread (6 x 100g; Sold up to 12 February 2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
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Europe
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Ice Maudrian recalls Nicoli brand Sorbet fraise / Strawberry sorbet (500 ml; All lot codes and Best before dates) due to undeclared soy.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC MOUSTIRATS ET FILS recalls MOUSTIRATS brand Fromage frais fermier de vache au lait cru / Fresh farmhouse cheese made from raw cow’s milk (300g; Lot 036 2; Use by 19/02/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): PISCICULTURE DU CIRON recalls Ferme du Ciron brand Truite fumée / Smoked trout (Various package formats; Use by 20/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Royal Canin recalls Royal Canin brand Dog URINARY S/O CAN (410g; Lot 306B9STD10; Use by 06/02/2025) and Royal Canin brand Dog GI LOW FAT CAN (410g; Lot 306B9STD10; Use by 06/02/2025 & 07/02/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (plastic).
“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.
In September 2023, an employee of Arrow Reliance, Inc. (doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products) assured a consumer that Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot 9830, manufactured on Jul 19, 2023), was “fine,” even though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had advised the public the month before that the batch in question was contaminated with Salmonella.
The consumer contacted the company after their cat was diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, according to documents obtained by eFoodAlert in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
The consumer discarded the unused portions of the cat food and on September 14, 2023, filed a Pet Food Report with the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
In response to a separate complaint, filed a few days earlier, the FDA collected an unused portion of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selection Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot code unknown) from the home of a consumer in a different state. The consumer reported that all four of their cats developed gastrointestinal problems after having consumed the product.
The FDA lab found two different Salmonella serotypes (Typhimurium and Hadar) in the sample.
Company aware of contamination
In August 2023, the FDA conducted the latest in a series of investigations into conditions at the Darwin’s Tukwila (Washington State) manufacturing facility.
On August 11, 2023, at the completion of their inspection, FDA investigators presented the company’s owner, Gary Tashjian, with a list of outstanding issues (FDA Form 483, Inspectional Observations). These observations included:
The detection of Salmonella in three different products, manufactured on June 13, June 28, and July 19, 2023.
Use of an unvalidated process as a preventative control for pathogens in the products over a four-month time span.
Lack of documentation that the preventative control process was carried out.
When the company declined to recall the three Salmonella-positive product batches, the FDA issued an Advisory to pet owners, cautioning them to avoid feeding the potentially hazardous batches to their pets.
In a written response to the list of observations, the company asserted (not for the first time) that it was a “…Retail Food Establishment and therefore … not subject to the provisions in the Food Safety Modernization Act which require a food safety plan and preventive controls.”
Notwithstanding this assertion, the company arranged for an independent lab to test retained samples from the implicated products, and reported that their lab found “only trace amounts” of Salmonella in just one of the batches identified by the FDA.
Darwin’s also claimed that the unvalidated process was a “temporary substitution” for its usual, validated process, was initiated as a result of an equipment failure, and that the company had since reverted to the validated process.
Finally, the company reported that it had initiated proper documentation of its preventative control process in response to the FDA’s final observation.
Fraught history
The relationship between Arrow Reliance (Darwin’s) and the FDA has been fraught with discord and disputes almost since the initial inspection of the company’s facilities in 2016. The story is told in some detail in TOXIC: From Factory To Food Bowl, Pet Food Is a Risky Business. More recent chapters in the evolution of Darwin’s relationship with the FDA can be found by entering “Darwin” in the eFoodAlert search box at the top of the page (right hand side).
Do your part to support pet food safety
The FDA relies heavily on reports from consumers and veterinarians to highlight possible pet food safety issues. If you suspect that a pet food or pet treat has caused your furry or feathered companion to become ill, please report your concerns to the FDA.
Pet owners can report suspected illness to FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you work with your veterinarian to submit a pet’s medical records as part of the report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
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“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:
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:
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a deadly decade-long Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has been traced to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. of Modesto, California. Twenty-six outbreak cases have been confirmed in eleven states since mid-2014; twenty-three of the victims required hospitalization. The outbreak strain has been recovered from a sample of cotija cheese and from an environmental sample collected by FDA investigators during their inspection of the manufacturing facility. Multiple recalls have been announced. The FDA has assembled a list of 2024 recalls of food products associated with this outbreak. The list will be updated as additional recalls are announced.
Public Health Alert (Listeria outbreak): FSIS issues Public Health Alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry burrito products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated dairy products that have been recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh Express recalls Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad Kit (10.3 oz; Package code G364 & G002; Use by 1/14/2024 & 1/17/2024 (Package); Use by 3/3/2024 (condiment pack); UPC 681131305129) and Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit (12.1 oz; Package codes S353 – S363 and S002 – S033; Use by 1/6/2024 – 1/18/2024 and 1/21/2024 – 2/20/2024 (Package); Use by 2/28/2024 – 4/4/2024 (condiment pack); UPC 071279309026) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Ready Pac Foods, Inc. recalls four salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak):Fresh & Ready Foods recalls four torta sandwiches (distributed between 01/21/2024 and 02/06/2024 and sold exclusively in locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): BrightFarms Inc. recalls BrightFarms Southwest Chipotle Crunch Kit (5.85 oz; Best by 12/31/23 – 2/22/24; UPC 8-50051-82500-4) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. recalls multiple Dole-branded and private label salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert: Zingerman’s Bakehouse recalls Zingerman’s Bakehouse Black Magic Brownie, Individually Packaged (4 oz; Lots 355 & 356; Sell by 2/11 & 2/12; UPC 844397000706) and Zingerman’s Bakehouse Black Magic Brownie 4 Pack (1 lb; Lots 355 & 356; Sell by 2/11 & 2/12; UPC 844397008795) due to undeclared walnuts.
Pet Food Safety Recall: Viva Raw recalls VIVA for cats duck (1 lb; Lot 22853), VIVA for dogs Chunked duck (1 lb; Lot 22853 11:04 1), VIVA for dogs GROUND duck (1 lb; Lot 22853) and VIVA PURE duck PETFOODMIXER (1 lb; Lot 22853) after being advised that the FDA found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the product.
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Canada
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh Express Incorporated recalls Fresh Express brand Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit (343g; All Best Before dates from Jan-08-24 up to and including Feb-22-24; UPC 0 71279 30951 4) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak):Dole Canada Company recalls certain Dole and President’s Choice brands of salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert: OGGI Foods Inc. recalls OGGI brand Americana Pizza made with Beyond Meat (390g; Lot 23 200; Best before 2024 JL 19; UPC 6 28451 68477 0) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: Marché Al-Hilal (Montréal, QC) recalls BURGER DE POULET / Chicken burger (All lots) due to undeclared egg, sesame, wheat and soy.
Allergy Alert: Charcuterie Noël (Montréal, QC) recalls SMOKED MEAT DE PORC FABRICATION ARTISANAL / Old-fashioned smoked pork and SMOKED MEAT BŒUF FABRICATION ARTISANAL / Old-fashioned smoked beef (All lots) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert: BOSSA Prêt à manger (Montréal, QC) recalls multiple products due to undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Avril (Québec, QC) recalls Sand. poulet noix ble entie / Chicken sandwich on whole wheat (Best before 11 février 2024) due to possible E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall: La fromagerie Qualité Summum (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) recalls various cheeses (Sold up to 8 February 2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of metal). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Norway): The Norwegian Food Safety Authority reports that between November 2023 and January 2024, several infants aged 5-6 months old fell ill after consuming products manufactured by Den Sorte Havre. The illnesses have been traced to the presence of Bacillus cereus toxins in the implicated products.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Charles NV recalls Charles brand Salami classic (150g; Best before 14/02/2024, 27/02/2024 & 12/03/2024) due to undeclared milk, soy and mustard.
Allergy Alert (France): PRO NATURA recalls ProNatura brand Noix de cajou grillées au curry / Grilled cashews with curry (6 x 250g; Multiple Lot codes; Best before between 31/01/2024 and 29/11/2024) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (France): PRO NATURA recalls Bioday brand Noix de cajou grillées au curry / Grilled cashews with curry (125g x 12 and 100g x 12; Best before between 31/01/2024 and 21/08/2024 and between 30/03/2024 and 23/10/2024, respectively) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (Germany): AL HASNAA Group & HEKAYAD UG recalls Hekayat Sity – Moghrabieh CousCous / Moroccan couscous (800g; Lot N 2302219; Expiry to end 02/2025) due to undeclared wheat.
Allergy Alert (Italy): Euroverde soc. agr. S.r.l. recalls GOOD CHOICE brand Zuppa alla Toscana (620g; Lot 237022; Best before 25/02/2024) due to undeclared gluten.
Allergy Alert (Romania): CONTEC FOODS SRL recalls American Dip KFC (325g; All lot codes) due to undeclared gluten (wheat).
Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILET DE HARENG FUMES DOUX / Smoked herring filet (Lots 2095408, 2095955, 2096550; Use by 31/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILET DE HARENG FUMES DOUX / Smoked herring filet (Lot 2099138; Use by 09/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILETS MAQUEREAU FUMES POIVRE / Smoked mackerel with pepper (Lot 2096552 & 2097178; Use by 04/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): COOPERATIVE U recalls U brand Boudin noir oignon, 3x / Black sausage with onion, 3-pack (375g; Lot E3546130; Use by 13/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SA SARA recalls poules entières , cuisses, filet et ailes / Whole raw chickens, legs, filets, and wings (Lot 00005825; Multiple Use-by dates) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN recalls POUCE brand DINDE / Turkey (1 kg; Lot 0344168624; Use by 28/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Salumificio Volpi recalls SALAME NAPOLI (80g; Lots L231220, L231227, L240103, L240105; Best before 08.02.2024, 15.02.2024, 22.02.2024, 24.02.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.
Allergy Alert (Singapore): Li Chuan Food Products Pte Ltd recalls Li Chuan’s Seafood Roll (750g; Expiry date 7 Jan 2026; Product of Vietnam) due to undeclared egg.
Food Safety Recall (Israel): Tea Wysotsky (Israel) Ltd recalls Zita brand Green Shakshuka (420g; All batches and date codes; Product of Italy) due to foreign matter contamination.
“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.
eFoodAlert 