Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: February 18-20, 2023

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.

United States

Infant Formula Safety Recall: Reckitt recalls ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula (12.9 oz; Batch codes ZL2HZF and ZL2HZZ; Use by 1 Mar 2024; UPC 300871214415) due to a possibility of cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. The recalled batches, which have tested negative for the pathogen, were distributed through retail stores nationwide in the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico. 

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Canada

Food Safety Recall:  La boucherie du centre-ville inc. (Trois-Pistoles, QC) recalls various cheeses, carrot soup and vegetable soup due to possible food safety risk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: 1001 Fondues recalls 1001 Fondues brand La Fondue au Village cheese products (125g & 350g; UPC 628110608086 & 628110608079, respectively; Multiple lot codes and Best before dates) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: 1001 Fondues recalls multiple varieties of 1001 Fondues brand Chic! Fondue Quebec artisan cheese fondues due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Maple Dale Cheese recalls Maple Dale Cheese Co. 1 year old cheddar (235g; Vat #211227 & 211197; Best before 23AU21; UPC 6 23164 22235 6) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Liquor Control Board of Ontario recalls Louis Latour brand Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2021 (375 ml; Lots L2217977, L2221076, L2221065 & L2221077; UPC 3 566922 002975) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass). The recalled product was sold in Ontario.

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Europe

Allergy Alert (France): BJORG ET COMPAGNIE recalls BJORG brand Lait de coco fluide / Coconut milk (3×20 cl; Lot 221205; Time stamp 13:11 to 14:07; Best before 05/12/2023) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls PECHE OCEAN brand QUEUES DE CREVETTES DECORTIQUEES CUITES SURGELEES / Shelled, frozen, cooked shrimp tails (300g; Lot VN325VI010; Best before 08/04/2024) due to undeclared sulphites.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Peijnenburg brand ontbijtkoek glutenvrij / Gluten-free gingerbread (Best before) and Peijnenburg brand ontbijtkoek glutenvrij parelkandij / Gluten-free gingerbread pearl candy (Best before 04/05/23 ) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA recalls multiple  Karvan Cévitam brand syrups (600 ml; Expiry date September or December 2023 or before) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl recalls Italiamo Strolghino-salami (250g; Batch code ID 16; Expiry date 4/28/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ERITHES INTERMARCHE recalls SAINT NECTAIRE FERMIER cheese (Lot AAD49; Best by 23/02/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Costco France recalls Trevijano brand Graines de Chia / Chia seeds (900g; Lots CH252T2 CH271T CH300T; Use by dates between 02/03/2023 and 19/04/2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass).

Food Safety Recall (France): JAPCOOK recalls Yakitori Tare Brochettes de cuisse de poulet mariné, cuites, surgelées / Marinated, cooked, frozen chicken-leg brochettes (Lot 5262.390522; Best before 30/03/2024) due to incomplete cooking.

Food Safety Recall (France): SAUTEL DISTRIBUTION E.LECLERC recalls Saumon fumé écosse / Scottish smoked salmon (Lots 20/01/2023 & 28/01/2023; Use by dates between 25/01/2023 & 02/02/2023 and between 10/02/2023 & 18/02/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MYTILIMER – PRODUCTION recalls La Cancalaise brand Rillettes de homard à la bretonne / Breton lobster rillettes and Duo Homard à la Bretonne/Saumon Aneth / Lobster and salmon dill (100g; Lot 23/11/2025; Best before 23/11/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).

Food Safety Recall (Italy): ALMENDRAS lopez recalls Mandorle dolci naturali / Natural sweet almonds (10 kg; Lot 280922-02; Best before 10/2023) due to aflatoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): ALMENDRAS lopez recalls Ambrosio brand Mandorle dolci naturali 36/38 / Natural sweet almonds (1 kg & 5 kg; Lot 280922-02; Best before 10/2023) due to aflatoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): SALUMIFICIO GALLI REMO SRL recalls STROLGHINO SOTTOVUOTO / Vacuum-packed strolghino salami (250g; Lot 16) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Coop recalls Coop Ägg Frigående inomhus / Indoor free range eggs (24-pack; Medium size; Best before dates from 08-03-2023 to 17-03-2023) and Xtra Ägg Frigående inomhus / Indoor free range eggs (15-pack, Small size, Best before dates from 13-03-2023 to 16-03-2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Axfood recalls Garant Ägg, Frigående inomhus, XL / Indoor free range eggs, XL size (6-pack; Best before dates from 08.03.2023 to 17.03.2023) and Garant Ägg, Frigående inomhus, Large / Indoor free range eggs, Large size (10-pack; Best before dates from 08.03.2023 to 17.03.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): ICA recalls multiple formats and pack sizes of ICA brand indoor free range eggs due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Ingelsta Kalkon recalls Ingelsta Kalkon Kalkonköttbulla / Turkey meatballs (400g; Batch 1046; Best before 11.03.2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Kronfågel recalls Kronfågel kycklingköttbullar / Chicken meatballs (1 kg; Best before 2023.03.10) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Tahira Foods Limited recalls a number of products due to a breakdown in temperature control. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products. Products sold at Morrisons, Coop and/or Asda are not affected.

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

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Sunday Supplement: Canada’s Listeria outbreak. A study in opacity

Canada is experiencing an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Unfortunately, no one is prepared to reveal to the public how many people have been infected, how serious are the symptoms, or how widespread the outbreak is.

Here is what we know

  1. On January 14, 2023, Le Fromage au Village Inc. (Lorrainville, Québec) recalled five date codes of Le Cendré de Notre-Dame brand Semi-soft Surface-ripened Cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There was no indication of any illnesses associated with this recall.
  2. On January 19, 2023, just five days later, Le Fromage au Village Inc. recalled multiple lot codes of four different cheeses, again due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This time, the recall notice indicated that reported illnesses “may be associated with the consumption of these products.”
  3. On January 20, 2023, the CFIA suspended the company’s Safe Food For Canadians licence (Licence #9DM4P9DP), citing the “…absence of adequate corrective measures to prevent the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.” The suspension, which was announced to the public on February 3, 2023 will remain in effect until the CFIA is satisfied that the company has taken appropriate corrective measures.
  4. On February 11/12, February 14, February 15, and February 18, the CFIA announced additional recalls associated with the same investigation.

A search for answers

In response to our request for additional information on the status of its investigation, a CFIA spokesperson referred eFoodAlert to the published recall notices and suggested that we contact the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) du Québec (the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services).

The Public Health Agency of Canada also referred us to the Québec health authorities.

The MSSS referred us to the Public Health directorate for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Québec. This region of northwestern Québec is the home of Le Fromage au Village Inc., the manufacturer of the recalled cheese. The MSSS spokesperson also suggested we contact the province’s Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ), the Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue public health spokesperson declined to answer any of our questions, even refusing to reveal how many people have been confirmed or are suspected to be part of the outbreak. The spokesperson cited reasons of confidentiality for the refusal.

As of today, eFoodAlert has not received any reply from MAPAQ.

The bottom line

Even though the recalled cheeses were distributed in Québec, Ontario, and online, it would appear that this outbreak is limited to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of the province of Québec.

We don’t know how many people have been infected.

We don’t know how long ago the outbreak began.

We don’t know how many people (if any) have been hospitalized, whether any pregnant women were infected, or whether there were any deaths.

The good news is that the operations of Le Fromage au Village Inc. have been shut down until the company has cleaned up its act.

The bad news is that the health authorities in the province of Québec have chosen to keep its citizens in the dark.

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
Advertisements

Recalls and Alerts: February 16-17, 2023

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.

United States

Allergy Alert: Silvestri Sweets Inc. recalls Favorite Day branded Valentine’s Milk Chocolate Covered Caramels with Nonpareils (8 oz; Lot #33822; Best by 07 DEC 2023) due to an undeclared tree nut.

Allergy Alert: Whitson’s Food Service (Bronx) Corp. recalls approximately 8,713 pounds of frozen, ready-to-cook chicken alfredo with broccoli and penne pasta meals due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Xin Ao International Group Corp recalls Sss Enoki Mushroom (200g; Lot 6953150100677; Expiration date 02/15/2023) and K-Fresh Mushroom (200g; Lot 4892742010234; Expiration date 02/15/2023), due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products were sold at 99 Ranch Supermarket retail stores in Maryland.

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Canada

Allergy Alert: House of Sher 2018 Ltd. recalls Jahaan’s brand Falooda Drink with Almond, Falooda Drink with Chikoo, and Falooda Drink with Thandai (290 ml; All codes where milk is not properly declared on the label) due to improperly declared milk. The recalled products were sold in Alberta and British Columbia.

Allergy Alert: Wismettac Asian Foods Inc. recalls Shirakiku brand Chili Pepper Powder (Ichimi Togarashi) (300g; Batch code 12262023; UPC 0 74410 34116 9) due to undeclared sesame seeds.

Food Safety Recall: Loblaw Companies Limited recalls PC brand Canadian Cheddar Cheese (250g; Best Before 2023 AU 24; UPC 060383837464) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was sold nationally. This recall is completely unrelated to the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses associated with recent recalls of cheeses from Le Fromage au Village.

Food Safety Recall:  Boucherie L & L Boucher (Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC) recalls Beef Jerky (Best before 2023.FE.11) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): My Sweet Chickpea recalls various Dark Chocolate My Sweet Chickpea products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Snellman recalls Paahdettu kanalastu original / Original roasted chicken chips (180g; Expiration dates of March 6, 2023 or earlier) due to inadequately declared spices.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Schuster srl recalls Schuster brand Spitzbube pastries (4 pieces, 250g; Best by 08.01.2023) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Panificio Bäckerei Moser KG der Moser Ruth & Co recalls Biscotti al farro altoatesino-Dinkelspitzbuben aus Südtirol / South Tyrolean spelt biscuits (200g; Best by 01.03.2023) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Motta s.r.l. recalls Motta brand Prosciutto cotto a tranci / Sliced ham (~1.3 kg; Lot L225139; Best by 21-02-2023) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Motta s.r.l. recalls Sapor di cascina brand Prosciutto cotto A.Q / Sliced ham (750g; Lot L225139; Best by 21-02-2023) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Motta s.r.l. recalls La Bottega del Gusto brand Prosciutto cotto alta qualita’ / Sliced ham (750g; Lot L225139; Best by 21-02-2023) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Panificio Harrasser srl recalls Biscotti frolla- Mini-Spitzbuben / Shortbread cookies (250g; Best by 21.02.2023) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls NATURALIA brand Tablette de chocolat noir noisette fleur de sel / Dark chocolate bar with hazelnuts and sea salt (180g; Lot L311/22; Best before 30/11/2023) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): RBR SMAK recalls Victus brand Salade de betteraves et de poivrons / Beet and peppers salad (470g; Lot 23.08.2023/A; Best before 23/08/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (small pieces of glass).

Food Safety Recall (France): SODIROCHE E. LECLERC recalls Filet de Saumon Ecosse fumé / Smoked Scottish salmon (2 slices, 4 slices and scraps; All lots; Use by 01/02/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR HYPERMARCHES recalls PÂTÉ À LA LOUCHE / Pâté for scooping (Sold at CARREFOUR SAINT POL SUR MER between 21/01/2023 and 28/01/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): RELAIS VERT recalls NATUR’AVENIR brand PUR JUS DE RAISIN ROUGE FRANCE / Pure red grape juice (75 cl; Lot Z508; Best before 30/09/2025) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): PARTHENAY DISTRIBUTION E.LECLERC recalls Filet de saumon fumé / Smoked salmon filet (2 slices, 4 slices and scraps; Lot 260123; Use by 07/02/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SILVE INTERMARCHE recalls Jean Roze brand CHIPOLATAS SUPERIEURES -25% DE SEL / Superior chipolata sausages with 25% less salt (6-pack, 300g; Lot J30370568; Use by 20/02/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): sogut Fleisch- und Wurstwaren GmbH recalls sogut Schlachtplatte mit Sauerkraut / Platter with sauerkraut (4 x 100g; All lots; Best before 23.02.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Milchwerke Oberfranken West eG recalls „Hofburger“ Gratinkäse leicht / Cheese gratin (250g; Best before 03.04.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (plastic particles)

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Essalunga spa recalls Esselunga Bio brand Pesto con basilico genovese DOP senz’aglio biologico / Organic pesto with Genovese basil and without garlic (140g; Lot pr. 01/02/2023; Best by SC.22/02/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Axfood recalls Garant färdiglagade köttbullar / Ready made meatballs (350g & 1 kg; Best before 13.03.2023 and 12.03.2023, respectively) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): STUTZER & Co. AG recalls KahramanTahini Sesampaste / Tahini sesame paste (500g; Lot T220610; Best before 10.06.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls Deluxe Strolghino Salami (250g; Use by 13 Apr 2023 and 08 May 2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK ALERT (Australia): New South Wales Health is advising the public not to consume Inside Out Unsweetened Almond Milk (Use by 1 March 2023) after the product was linked to a case of botulism. The NSW Food Authority has launched an investigation to determine the source of the contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Inside Out Nutritious Goods Pty Ltd recalls JS Health x ​​Inside Out Unsweetened Almond Milk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics, JS Health x ​​Inside Out Unsweetened Oat Milk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics, and JS Health x ​​Inside Out Barista Oat Milk Collagen + Calcium + Prebiotics (1 L; All Use by dates  up to and including 18 MAY 2023) due to missing storage instructions and the potential for botulinum toxin.

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
Advertisements