Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: April 30, 2012

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: Isernio’s Sausage Co. withdraws 150 lbs of  Isernio’s Fresh Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage, because the labeling of the product failed to note that the product contains milk, a known allergen. Customers with questions or concerns about the voluntary product withdrawal should contact Michael Durand at 206-762-6207.
  • Food Safety Recall: Henry’s Farm Inc. (Woodford, VA) recalls Soybean Sprouts (approx 10-lb bulk bags; no lot number or date code) and Grown in Natural Spring Water Soybean Sprouts (approx 1.5-lb clear plastic packages; No lot or date code) , because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sprouts were distributed to retail stores in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B infections reported by the Buncombe (North Carolina) County Department of Health has grown to 34 cases as of today (April 30th). Cases still appear to have been associated with residence or travel to Buncombe County since February 28, 2012. Health labs do not yet have final lab results that would enable identification of a specific source of the infections. Final lab characterization of the outbreak strain is expected near the end of the week.
  • Outbreak Alert: At least 30 residents, staff and visitors at the Blue Water Lodge senior living center in Fort Gratiot, Michigan have been stricken with norovirus, according to the St. Clair County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: Twenty-seven participants at a luncheon event for the Pueblo Community Health Center developed gastroenteritis, according to the Pueblo City-County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed cases of E. coli O157 infection in three children who attend the same Cocke County day care facility. All three children were hospitalized; the investigation is ongoing.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Little B’s Bakery recalls Little B’s Bakery Chocolate Coconut Haystacks (380g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012) and Little B’s Bakery Coconut Haystacks (320g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.
  • Allergy Alert: New World Imports Ltd., Far East North America Food Ltd., Sea Links Foods Trading (Canada) and Choy Foong International Trading Co. Ltd. recall Koh-Kae Peanuts Coconut Cream Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664248) and/or Koh-Kae Peanuts Coffee Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664255), due to the presence of undeclared egg and additives. The recalled products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
  • Outbreak Alert (Prince Edward Island): The PEI Department of Health and Wellness is investigating a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among several people who at food distributed as part of a community meal from the Princetown United Church in Malpeque. The victims report having experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls Pierre Chanau chez Auchan Côtes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2010 (Lot L 12054; Bar code 3254569571946), due to the presence of glass fragments in certain bottles of the incriminated lot.
  • Outbreak Alert/Investigation (Russia): Consumption of Familiar Recipes brand Potato Cutlets, sold by the Vester supermarket (Soviet Prospect, 159, Kaliningrad) has been linked to nine cases of enterocolitis, including four Salmonella enteritidis infections, according to a report from IA Regnum. The investigation is ongoing.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Wales): Public Health Wales reports four additional cases of cryptosporidiosis associated with Cwmbran farm, bringing the total number of diagnosed cases to eight. All patients are either members of staff or volunteers who bottle fed unwell animals, which have since been removed from the farm.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Hip Wo Medicine Company Limited recalls Radix Aconiti Lateralis (all batches), because it has been found contaminated by another Chinese herbal medicine, processed Radix Aconiti, both of which contains aconitum alkaloids.
  • Outbreak Alert (China): A total of 129 students in a kindergarten today ill after eating school breakfast in the province of Yunnan, southwest China. Initial investigations implicate improperly cooked soy milk as the source of the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of typhoid has sickened approximately 100 people in Maydolong (Eastern Samar). Contaminated water is suspected.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): The Department of Health-Cordillera reports an increase in cases of acute bloody diarrhea in the region this calendar year. Health officials have recorded 479 cases during the first 16 weeks of 2012, up from 388 cases during the same period last year.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Eighty-four children and three adults were treated in hospitals in Acapulco for suspected poisoning after celebrating Children’s Day by sharing a meal of beef barbecue, spaghetti and cake at Juan R. Escudero grade school.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): At least 20 children and 3 teachers were treated for food poisoning after eating chicken salad, served during Children’s Day celebrations at the Day Care Centre located in subdivision DIF Prairie River in Ciudad Valles.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Health officials are investigating an outbreak of food poisoning among children at the Gilberto Owen Kindergarten located in the cidy of Los Mochis. Thirty six youngsters developed stomach pain, nausea and vomiting within minutes of eating chicken provided to them at the kindergarten. Four adults also complained of symptoms.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Recalls and Alerts: April 27, 2012

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: Fatima Brothers (Maspeth, NY) recalls Shad Javantri/Whole Mace (uncoded 3.5-oz plastic bag), due to the presence of undeclared sulfites and FD&C Yellow #5, and unauthorized Rhodamine B and Malachite Green dyes. The recalled product was sold in New York City.
  • Allergy Alert: Café-Tasse S.A. recalls Café-Tasse Noir (Dark) Belgian Chocolate Bar (1.58-oz/45g bar; UPC 54000219 505504; Expiry 15-September 2013), because it may contain traces of milk. The recalled product was sold in retail stores in Virginia, Massachusetts, Washington and California from January 2012 through mid-April 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Alfa Sprouts Inc. (Honeoye Falls, NY) recalls Springwater Sprouts brand Organic Alfalfa Sprouts (4-oz containers; Sell by 4/28/2012; UPC 688267047411 and  042891000523) and Clover Sprouts (3# Bulk containers; Production code P93), due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Clover Sprouts were sold to institutional accounts in Upstate New York. The Alfalfa Sprouts were sold in New York State, including in Tops Friendly Market stores and in the Wegmans store located in Penfield, NY.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Diamond Pet Foods expands an earlier recall of dry dog food to include the following additional product, after one bag of the product tested positive for Salmonella: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula – dry dog food (35-lb bag, Production code CLF0102B31XCW, Best by 27/JAN/2013 and 28/JAN/2013; 35-lb bag, Production code CLF0102B32XWR, Best by 23/JAN/2013; and 6-lb bag, Production code CLF0102B3XALW, Best by 28/JAN/2013).
  • Animal Feed Safety Recall: Feed Solutions recalls DuMOR® Poultry Layer 16% Crumbles (Item #0046445; Formula #60Y9; Lot #2MAR15OKC1), because the feed was incorrectly packed and shipped in DuMOR® Poultry Grower/Finisher bags. The recalled feed was produced for Tractor Supply Company and distributed to 12 stores in north and west Texas between March 22 and April 12, 2012.
  • Outbreak Alert (North Carolina): The Buncombe County Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of 27 possible cases of Salmonella Paratyphi B infections. All cases appear to have been associated with residence or travel to Buncombe County since February 28, 2012. The source of the contamination has not yet been confirmed.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Boucherie hongroise (1984) inc. (Montreal, QC) recalls Saucisse Csabai/Csabai sausage (sold either refrigerated or at room temperature up to and including April 24, 2012), because the product was not manufactured under conditions that would ensure microbiological safety.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): La Société Chevallier recalls all lots of Neufchâtel-Coeurs-bondes-briquettes cheeses due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheeses were sold between March 21, 2012 and April 27, 2012 in cheese departments of the following retailers: Simply à Ferrieres en Bray, Simply à Formerie, Carrefour Mont St. Aignan, and Primevère au Havre.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Anelixi Ltd recalls Grzanki Tradycyjne/Natural flavor croutons and Grzanki Ziolowe/Garlic & Onion croutons (Manufactured by Mamut Sp. z.o.o. ul, Poland), after Polish authorities found Salmonella in illegally manufactured egg powder used to manufacture the croutons. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected lot and date codes.
  • Food Safety Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency warns people who may have bought any of Le Campagnard, Gaaston or Pernet Mugnier Christian brands of reblochon cheese in France to discard them. The French authorities have issued an alert about potential contamination with the bacteria that causes brucellosis. The affected cheeses were sold from February to April 2012 in 450g packs.
  • Veterinary Medicine Safety Recall (Spain): Novartis Sanidad Animal, S.L. recalls Milbemax Chewable Tablets for Small Dogs and Puppies (Lots #33637, 33650, 33664 and 34021), because of out-of-specification results for the concentration of the active ingredient, Milbemicina oxima.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.0454): Sodium nitrite marketed as sorbitol from the United Kingdom; distributed to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Australia): Solaire Pty Ltd recalls Solaire Teeth-Whitener with 16% Hydrogen Peroxide (THP16%), because the product contains hydrogen peroxide in excess of the safe limit of 6% weight/weight. The product was sold nationally in beauty salons and tanning salons.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Australia): Solaire Pty Ltd recalls Solaire Teeth-Whitener Carbamide Peroxide 44% (TCP44%), because the product contains carbamide peroxide in excess of the safe limit of 18% weight/weight. The product was sold nationally in beauty salons and tanning salons.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Two Salmonella Strains In Sushi Outbreak – 200 Ill

The outbreak of Salmonella illnesses traced to eating sushi containing contaminated raw yellowfin tuna known as Nakaochi scrape has grown to encompass 200 confirmed illnesses in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Vermont was the latest state to be added to the list.

There is no longer even the slightest shadow of a doubt that the scrape yellowfin – which resembles ground tuna – is the source of this outbreak. Both FDA and the state of Wisconsin have confirmed the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak strain in food samples.

Two days ago, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection laboratory reported confirming the presence of the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bareilly in the recalled yellowfin tuna and in a spicy tuna roll made with the recalled tuna. The DNA fingerprinting of the Salmonella was carried out by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, located at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Earlier today, FDA chimed in with its own announcement. FDA labs reported finding the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak strain in a sample of Nakaochi scrape yellowfin tuna obtained from a distributor of the raw fish product. The same sample contained a strain of Salmonella Nchanga that was indistinguishable from bacteria isolated from an additional cluster of 10 infections in 5 states. FDA also recovered Salmonella Bareilly from a sample of Nakaochi scrape yellowfin tuna obtained from a different distributor.

As a result of FDA’s lab findings, CDC has expanded its definition of the outbreak to include both Salmonella Bareilly and Salmonella Nchanga.

The raw tuna product was imported from India. On April 19th, FDA’s New Delhi office initiated a seafood (HACCP) inspection of the manufacturer’s facility (Moon Fishery Pvt Ltd, Aroor, India). The agency was informed that April 12, 2012 was the last day of tuna processing at the firm due to the seasonal nationwide ban on tuna harvest from the Indian Ocean. FDA has promised to post the inspection results once the report has been finalized.

CDC advises retailers and establishments not to serve raw recalled frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, from Moon Marine USA Corporation. Establishments and retailers should check with their suppliers to confirm the source of the tuna product.

CDC offers the following Advice to Consumers

  • Do not eat the recalled frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, from Moon Marine USA Corporation. This product is tuna backmeat that is scraped from the bones of tuna and may be used to make sushi, particularly “spicy tuna” sushi.
  • If you purchase “spicy tuna” or other sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or similar dishes that might contain Nakaochi Scrape tuna product from a restaurant or grocery store, check with the establishment to make sure that it does not contain raw recalled product from Moon Marine USA Corporation. When in doubt, don’t eat it.
  • Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw Nakaochi Scrape tuna product should consult their healthcare providers.
  • Infants, older adults, pregnant women, and persons with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness and should not eat raw or partially cooked fish or shellfish. If you are unsure of your risk, ask your healthcare provider.