Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: April 14, 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: Bottom Dollar Food recalls Hannaford private label brand Hard Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count (Lot #ga-aug10125; UPC 41268-17572) and Hard/Soft Dinner Kit (Lot #ga-aug07125; UPC 41268-17573), because the products may contain undeclared milk, due to a manufacturer error. The recalled products were sold in Bottom Dollar Food stores. Hannaford Supermarkets are not affected.
  • Allergy Alert: Food Lion recalls additional taco dinner kits, including Food Lion store brand Hard Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count (UPC 35826-00661; Lot #ga-aug10125; Sold at Food Lion, Harveys and Reid’s stores), Hannaford store brand Hard Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count (UPC 41268-17572; Lot #ga-aug10125; Sold at Bloom stores), and Hannaford store brand Hard/Soft Dinner Kit (UPC 41268-17573; Lot #ga-aug07125), because the products may contain undeclared milk, due to a manufacturer error.
  • Allergy Alert: Mission Foods recalls Taco Dinner Kits distributed by Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Hannaford and Food Lion under their respective store brand names, because the products may contain undeclared milk. The recalled products include Kroger Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count, containing 12 crisp shells, sauce and seasoning (UPC 0-11110-85474-2; Code date GA AUG 10 12; distributed in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Kansas, Nebraska and Tennessee in Kroger, Scott’s Payless, owen’s Food-4-Less (Chicago stores only), JayC, Dillons, Gerbes and Bakers stores), Winn-Dixie Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count, containing 12 white corn taco shells, taco sauce and seasoning mix (UPC 0-21140-20569-8; Code date GA AUG 10 12; distributed in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama), Hannaford Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count, containing 12 taco shells, taco sauce and seasoning mix (UPC code 0-41268-17572-7; Code date GA AUG 10 12), Hannaford Hard & Soft Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count, containing 6 hard tacos and 6 soft tortillas, taco sauce and seasoning mix (UPC code 0-41268-17573-4; Code date GA AUG 07 12), and Food Lion Taco Dinner Kit, 12-count, containing 12 taco shells, taco sauce and seasoning mix (UPC code 0-35826-00661-5; Code date GA AUG 10 12; distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio).
  • Allergy Alert: Harry and David recalls Harry & David® Premium Kansas City Style Barbeque Almonds (2-oz bags; UPC 780994781986; Best by 09/28/12; Lot codes beginning with 0682M, 0722M, and 0752M), because the bags may contain peanuts. The recalled product was sold in Harry and David stores only in California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Moon Marine USA Corporation, aka MMI (Cupertino, CA) recalls 58,828 lbs of Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA Frozen Raw Yellowfin Tuna product, which has been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly that has caused 116 illnesses in 20 states and the District of Columbia. The recalled product is tuna backmeat, and looks like a ground product. It was sold through distributors to restaurants and grocery stores that make sushi, sashimi, ceviche and similar dishes.
  • Food Safety Recall: Quick Dry Foods, USA Inc. (Waukegan, IL) recalls Dehydrated Kibbled Mushrooms, 4-6mm pieces (25-lb polylined boxes; Lot W4111; Manufactured by Winfield (Linyl) Food Co., Ltd., Shandong Province, China), because the product was contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Canada. Customers were notified of the recall by telephone on March 13, 2012 and by email on March 14th and 15th.
  • Food Safety Recall: Slade Gorton & Company, Inc. (Boston, MA) recalls Sonoma Seafoods Atlantic Salmon Burger (8-oz net wt; Vacuum-packed, frozen; Use by 07/28/2012, 07/30/2012, 10/22/2012 and 10/30/2012) after a sample tests positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was manufactured by Clear Springs Foods, Inc. (Buhl, ID), M.S. Intertrade East, Inc. (Elgin, IL) and M.S. Intertrade Nevada, LLC (Sparks, NV) and was distributed to Colorado, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Customers were notified by email on November 3, 2011.
  • Pet Medication Safety Recall: Virbac AH, Inc. recalls Iverhart Max® Chewable Tablets (For large dogs, weighing 50.1-100 lbs; Lot #110482), after product testing revealed that the Ivermectin failed to meet the required stability specifications.
  • Outbreak Alert (Oregon): Oregon Public Health, Oregon Department of Agriculture and local health departments are investigating an outbreak of E. coli o157:H7 infections associated with consumption of raw milk from Foundation Farm in Clackamas County. Four children have lab-confirmed infections, and three of them have been hospitalized. Two of the hospitalized children are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome. Other customers of the dairy are reporting recent diarrhea and other symptoms consistent with E. coli O157:H7 infections. The Foundation Farm dairy distributes raw milk to 48 households that participate in a herd-share program.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Missouri): Thirteen residents of Central Missouri have been infected with E. coli O157:H7, and three additional cases are under investigation. Seven of the thirteen confirmed case-patients are infected with a single genetic (PFGE) strain; genetic profiling on three cases are pending. Of the seven confirmed outbreak cases, five have reported consuming raw dairy products from a single farm. One child (aged 2 years) has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). A second 17-month old child also has developed HUS, but that child was infected with a different genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: TWI Foods Inc. (Mississauga, ON) recalls Crispy by TWI Foods Pistachio Cookies (200g; UPC 6 27265 00161 2; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared almonds and milk, Crispy by TWI Foods Almond Cookies (200g; UPC 6 27265 00522 1; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk, and Crispy by TWI Foods Coconut Cookies (200g; UPC 6 27265 00521 4; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed nationally. This recall first was announced on March 29, 2012 and has been expanded to include additional product information.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments Deli Chef (Laval, QC) recalls Deli Chef brand Super Loaded Sub Sandwiches (330g pkg; UPC 0 56040 37452 6; Expiry/Best before May 18; Est. 318), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sandwiches were distributed in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety alerts the public not to consume Kimlan Satay Paste (128g; Product of Taiwan; Best before June 2, 2014), because a sample was found to contain the plasticizer Di-isodecyl phthalate.

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.

FDA Identifies Source of Salmonella Bareilly Outbreak

Frozen, scraped, raw yellowfin tuna backmeat, known as Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA has been fingered as the source of an outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly illnesses that sickened at least 116 people in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Here is what FDA reported late this afternoon:

Moon Marine USA Corporation (also known as MMI) of Cupertino, Calif. is voluntarily recalling 58,828 lbs of a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, labeled as Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA. Nakaochi Scrape is tuna backmeat, which is specifically scraped off from the bones, and looks like a ground product.

The Nakaochi Scrape is associated with an outbreak of 116 cases of Salmonella Bareilly in multiple states: Alabama (2), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (5), District of Columbia (2), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Illinois (10), Louisiana (2), Maryland (11), Massachusetts (8), Mississippi (1), Missouri (2), New Jersey (7), New York (24), North Carolina (2), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode Island (5), South Carolina (3), Texas (3), Virginia (5), and Wisconsin (12).

The raw yellowfin tuna product may have passed through several distributors before reaching the restaurant and grocery market, and may not be marked with lot information. Distributors and end users should consult their suppliers to determine the origin of any Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA in their possession.

The recalled product was not distributed for retail sale to consumers, but may have been used to make sushi, sashimi, ceviche and similar dishes available in restaurants and grocery stores. While the company name and “Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA were printed on boxes of product supplied to distributors, the tuna may not be readily identifiable by consumers as being from implicated lots.

News of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak first broke on April 3rd. As of the CDC’s last update (April 13th), twelve people are known to have been hospitalized out of the 116 confirmed case patients. Reported onset dates for illnesses range from January 28th to March 31st. The youngest outbreak victim is 4 years of age; the oldest is 78 years old. Half of the confirmed case patients are female.

FDA has this advice for consumers:

  • Because raw seafood is not fully cooked to assure that pathogens are destroyed, it is not considered as “safe” as cooked seafood. The handling of raw seafood can also affect the safety of the product. Because the tuna may have been broken into unmarked sublots and may not be readily identifiable, consumers should take precautions in choosing to eat raw Nakaochi Scrape and be sure that it is not from the implicated lots.
  • If you purchase “spicy tuna” or other sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or similar dishes that might contain Nakaochi Scrape 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, also known as MMI. When in doubt, don’t eat it.
  • Consumers who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw Nakaochi Scrape should consult their health care providers.

Recalls and Alerts: April 13, 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: John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc. (Elgin, IL) recalls Full Circle Concierge Snack Nut Blend (11 oz; UPC 036800 28392; Best by Nov 02 12), due to the presence of undeclared soy and milk ingredients. The recalled item was sold in Lunds Stores in Minnesota and in Weis Markets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and New Jersey.
  • Food Safety Recall: H.C. Foods Co. Ltd. recalls Pacific Isles Brand Dried Mackerel/Hasa Hasa (Product of Philippines; 8-oz in plastic bags; lot #3228 and 0760) and Pacific Isles Brand Dried Round Scad/Galunggong (Product of Philippines/ 8-oz in plastic bags; lot #3228 and 3168), because the products were not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum. The recalled products were distributed nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: Washington State health officials closed Samish Bay to shellfish harvest due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the Samish River, and recalled shellfish harvested from the area since Tuesday, April 10th.
  • Outbreak Alert (Alaska): Three suspected cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning were reported this week to the Alaska Section of Epidemiology. All three victims reported eating shellfish (razor clams or butter clams) harvested in the Juneau region over Easter weekend.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour Bière d’Abbaye 6-pack (6 x 25 cl glass bottles; UPC 3 560 070 138 500), due to the presence of undeclared sulfites.
  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): Garbo Food AB recalls Joss Puff Pastry (Batch #113551st; Best before 21/11.2012), due to the presence of undeclared egg powder. Other batches may also be affected.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Stryhns A/S recalls Graasten Russian Salad (175g; Produced 21 March 2012; Best before 2 May 2012), due to the presence of undeclared gluten.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): SIR (Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Reblochon) recalls Le Campagnard/Gaston Reblochon style cheeses (450g; Manufactured by Pernet-Mugnier, Christian Les Mouilles 74; Lots #1440703, 1441403, 1442303 and 1442902; Best by 20/04/12, 01/05/12 and 10/05/12), after Brucella bacteria were discovered in cattle in Haute Savoie.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Sweden): The National Food Administration warns the public that Viamax Pure Power and Powertabs have been found to contain a variant of the drug sildenafil, which is not declared on the label.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Public Health Wales has confirmed four cases of Cryptosporidium at a community farm in Cwmbran, Torfaen and is investigating an additional thirteen suspect cases. All four of the confirmed outbreak victims reported having bottle-fed lambs and goats. There have been no reported illnesses among visitors to the farm or among the general public.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0527): Zearalenone in popcorn-mais from France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0528): Unauthorized potassium sorbate in tapioca pearls from Taiwan; distributed to Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0529): Aflatoxins and high cyanide content in apricot kernels from the USA; distributed to Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.0530): Undeclared egg in frozen breaded and prefried plaice fillet stuffed with spinach and feta sauce from the Netherlands; distributed to Italy.

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.