Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: May 31-June 1, 2022

TAINTED formats 3

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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

For up-to-date information on the multi-national Jif peanut butter recall and the associated Salmonella outbreak in the United States, please point your cursor to the Jif/Smucker Recalls menu item at the top of the page.

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA reports a multistate outbreak of 17 hepatitis A infections (12 hospitalizations) in the United States linked to fresh organic strawberries. These potentially contaminated strawberries were imported from Baja California, a state in northern Mexico and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier. The strawberries may have been sold at HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods, and may also have been available at other retailers.

Food Safety Recall: Paris Brothers, Inc. recalls several specific cheese products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION / Food Safety Recall: Tri-Star Seafood Supply Ltd. recalls Tri-Star Seafood Supply Ltd. brand Live Spot Prawns (Variable size; Codes AJ200-021, CA001-1532, CA001-1540) due to possible Norovirus contamination. The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. This recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak.

Food Safety Recall: Épicerie Frenette (Beresford, NB) recalls Whole rasberries (frozen) (350g; Packaging (“Emballage”) dates from 17-AL-22 to 17-MA-22 inclusive; UPC 0 201250 705008) due to possible Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Épicerie Segal (Montréal, QC) recalls Framboises entières IQF / Whole raspberries, frozen (1 kg; Lot #XT21253; Best before 2023-SE-09) due to possible Norovirus contamination. Illnesses have been reported that may be associated with this product.

Food Safety Recall: La Bernoise boucherie charcuterie inc. (Pierrefonds, Montréal, QC) recalls SAUMON FUMÉ / Smoked salmon (Variable sizes; Sold up to 31 May 2022) due to lack of food safety assurance.

Food Safety Recall: Euro Victoria Marché européen (Montréal, QC) recalls Darne de saumon fumé à froid / Cold-smoked salmon steak, Sprats fumés à froid / Cold-smoked sprats (Variable sizes; Sold up to 31 May 2022), and Smoked Atlantic salmon slices (454g; Sold up to 31 May 2022) due to lack of food safety assurance.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Aguulp recalls Aguulp For Gut Liquid Food Supplement Natural Mint Flavouring (All pack sizes; all date codes up to and including March 2024 ) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Italy): PEDON S.P.A. recalls CUCINA E SAPORI brand SEMI DI CHIA (Salvia Hispanica) / Chia seeds (250g; Best before 11/06/23) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): PEDON S.P.A. recalls DBT brand SEMI DI CHIA (Salvia Hispanica) / Chia seeds (250g; Best before 19/06/23) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Italy): PEDON S.P.A. recalls DBT brand SEMI DI CHIA (Salvia Hispanica) / Chia seeds (150g; Best before 18/06/23) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Delhaize recalls McCain brand Purè al naturale / Natural purée (Use by 07/2023) due to undeclared milk and gluten.

Allergy Alert (Italy): PEDON S.P.A. recalls Squire brand Chia seeds (150g; All Batch numbers) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): IKEA recalls SYLT JORDGUBB luomumansikkahillo / Organic strawberry jam (400g; Best before 1.3.2023, 2.3.2023, 3.3.2023 and 28.3.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).

Food Safety Recall (France): MAISON RIVET recalls Jambon persillé maison / Homemade ham with parsley (Sold by the slice; produced 19/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Ikea of Sweden AB recalls Sylt Jordgubb Confettura di fragole bio / Organic strawberry jam (400g; Best before 1.3.2023, 2.3.2023, 3.3.2023 and 28.3.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls Verival brand Bio Buchweizen / Organic Buckwheat (500g; Lot 1022311321; Best before 23/08/2022) due to elevated aflatoxin level.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Co-op recalls Co-op Tuna Chunks in Sunflower Oil (3 x 145g; Best before 31 August 2026) and Co-op Tuna Chunks in Springwater (3 x 145g; Best before 31 August 2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of metal).

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Subhi Nahala & Sons Ltd recalls Nahala Spices Brand Ground Nutmeg (100g; all expiration dates up to and including 13/04/23) due to elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Dineamic Australia Pty Ltd recalls Dineamic Creamy Pesto Pumpkin Gnocchi With Broccoli (360g; Use by 08 JUN 22, 10 JUN 22, 12 JUN 22) due to foreign matter contamination (plastic).

Recalls and Alerts: May 28-30, 2022

TAINTED formats 3

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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

For up-to-date information on the multi-national Jif peanut butter recall and the associated Salmonella outbreak in the United States, please point your cursor to the Jif/Smucker Recalls menu item at the top of the page.

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of 17 hepatitis A infections potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB, purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022.

Allergy Alert: Taylor Farms Retail recalls Trader Joe’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit (9.75 oz bag; Best before June 2, 2022; UPC 0066 2932) due to undeclared wheat and egg.

Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): Aguulp recalls Aguulp for Gut (All sizes; All dates codes up to and including March 2024) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (France): HENNART FRERES recalls HENNART brand PAMPILLE CHEVRE LAIT CRU / Raw goat-milk cheese (Lot 217101; Best before 16/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Organic strawberries behind hepatitis A outbreak

The FDA, the CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in cooperation with their partner agencies, are investigating a cross-border outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses linked to organic strawberries.

A total of 27 outbreak cases have been confirmed in all, including ten in Canada and seventeen in the United States.

Canadian cases are reported in Alberta (4) and Saskatchewan (6), in individuals between 10 and 75 years of age. Four of the ten victims have been hospitalized.

Cases in the United States have occurred in California (15), Minnesota (1) and North Dakota (1), with 12 hospitalizations reported.

Illness onset dates range from March 28 to April 30, 2022 in the US, and between early and mid-April in Canada.

Patient interviews conducted in both countries linked the outbreak to consumption of fresh organic strawberries sold in the United States between March 5th and April 25th, and in Canada between March 5th and March 9th.

The strawberries, which have passed their shelf life, were sold in Co-op stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan and at the following retailers in the United States under FreshKampo and HEB brand names:

  • Aldi
  • HEB
  • Kroger
  • Safeway
  • Sprouts Farmers Market
  • Trader Joe’s
  • Walmart
  • Weis Markets
  • WinCo Foods

The strawberries were distributed across the United States, but only sold in the two Canadian provinces where hepatitis cases were reported.

Neither the FDA nor the PHAC have indicated in what country the strawberries were grown.

Consumers who may have frozen the strawberries for later use should check their freezer and throw away any suspect product.

What consumers should do

  • Check your freezer for these fresh organic strawberries purchased between March 5 and 9, 2022 at Co-op stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan or between March 5 and April 25th at one of the US retailers listed above. If you froze them to eat later, do not eat them. Throw away any remaining organic strawberries. If you don’t know where the strawberries came from, throw them out.
  • Wash and sanitize any drawers, shelves, or containers where the products were stored using a kitchen sanitizer (follow the directions on the container) or prepare a bleach solution in a labelled spray bottle (you can use a ratio of 5 ml of household bleach to 750 ml of water) and rinse with water.
  • If you have eaten these organic strawberries, purchased fresh and later frozen, or have symptoms consistent with hepatitis A, see your health care provider immediately. Vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of exposure.
  • Wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food, and after using the washroom or changing diapers.
  • If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, do not prepare or serve food and drinks to others.