Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: June 10, 2011

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

  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that the illness outbreak that affected 64 passengers and 3 crew members on board the Coral Princess cruise ship during its May 4-19 Alaska cruise was due to norovirus.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: An outbreak of Salmonella Altona that has sickened 39 people in 15 US states has been traced to chicks and ducklings purchased at agricultural outlets that were supplied by Mt. Healthy Hatchery, an Ohio-based company.
  • Outbreak Alert: The New Mexico Department of Health, New Mexico Environment Department and the City of Santa Fe are investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis among 30 students and 4 staff members attending summer youth programs at Monica Roybal Center.
  • Outbreak Alert: Health officials in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia have reported a total of 13 cases of E. coli illness in what appears to be two separate outbreaks. The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed two cases of E. coli O157:H7 – a two-year old girl who died, and her 4-year old brother, who survived. Sullivan County reports one case of E. coli among the 11 Northern Tennessee cases, and advises that the cases in the Northern Tennessee region are not related to the German outbreak, and are NOT E. coli O157:H7.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Prairie Mushrooms recalls Premium brand Sliced Mushrooms With Gourmet Teriyaki Seasonings (12-oz pkg; all codes), due to the presence of undeclared soy and wheat. The recalled mushrooms were sold in retail stores in Alberta.
  • Allergy Alert: Le Goûtillon (Boucherville, QC) recalls several prepared entrées, that may contain undeclared soy, milk, eggs, mollusks or shellfish.
  • Allergy Alert: JFC International (Canada) Inc. recalls UCC Sumiyaki 3 in 1 Coffee Mix (170g; Code #J84205BB 2012.11.25) due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in retail stores in Alberta and British Columbia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Latinamerican Foods Inc. – TIFCO recalls San Marcos brand Taco Sauce – Salsa (530mL; Code AS 279 T 0, PREF 10/05/11) and San Marcos brand Mexican Sauce – Pico de Gallo – Salsa (530mL; Code AS 51 A 1, PREF 02/20/2012), due to the presence of extraneous material (glass). The recalled products were sold in retail stores nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: La Panthère Verte (Montreal, QC) recalls Thai Tofu Curry and Vegetable Soup, sold refrigerated in unlabeled glass jars, because the safety of the products cannot be assured.
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises consumers that recalled Simply Thick products may still be in the Canadian marketplace. Consumers are reminded not to purchase or use the recalled products.
  • Food Safety Recall: Tapio Tea Company recalls several fruit syrups, passionfruit jam and grape jelly, because the products may contain DEHP.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sweet Accessories Enterprises recalls Mango Drink Concentrate, Lychee Drink Concentrate, Sweet Yoghurt Drink Concentrate and Blueberry Drink Concentrate, because the products may contain DEHP.
  • Food Safety Recall: Canda Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd. recalls Uni-President brand Guava Drink, Calamondin & Lemon Drink and Sugarcane Drink, because the products may contain DEHP. The beverages were sold in retain stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: G.C. Galaxie Commerciale recalls various beverage syrups and Mint Conc. Juice, because the products may contain DEHP.
  • Food Recall: Quality Natural Foods Ltd. recalls Quality Brand Mughal E’ Azam and Quality Brand Nazrana mouth fresheners, because the products contain non-permitted food ingredients.
  • Food Recall: A. Lassonde Inc. recalls Oasis Classic 100% Juice Variety Pack (4 x 10 x 200mL; Code C20120320), due to non-hazardous microbiological spoilage.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Aldi Stores withdraws Greisinger Cheese Cabanossi Austrian air dried, hot smoked and seasoned sausages (300g; Batch code L1961; Best before 25 July 2011), because the product, which is labeled as dairy-free, contains cheese.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Aldi Stores withdraws Greisinger Cheese Cabanossi Austrian air dried, hot smoked and seasoned sausages (300g; Batch code L1961; Best before 25 July 2011), because the product, which is labeled as dairy-free, contains cheese.
  • Food Safety Recall/Alert (Netherlands): Netherlands VWA warns consumers to discard Hamu brand beetroot sprouts, because they may be contaminated with an enterohemorrhagic strain of E. coli that is different from the German outbreak strain. Hamu B.V. has withdrawn the product from the market.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Maerlu (Hamu) International BV recalls beet root sprouts imported from the Netherlands (106 units of 50g; Expiry date 11-06-2011), after E. coli – unrelated to the German outbreak strain – was found in a sample of the sprouts.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Gravenstein Poultry ApS recalls fresh organic chickens (Raised in Hungary and cut/wrapped in Austria), because the chickens are contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0750): Salmonella Havana in feather meal from the United Kingdom; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0751): Salmonella infantis in organic chicken from Austria, via Germany; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0752): Suspicion of shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli in sprouts mixture from Germany; distributed to Germany.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0753): Salmonella Liverpool in soybean meal from Germany/Switzerland; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0754): Salmonella in coriander powder from the United Kingdom, with raw material from India; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0755): Escherichia coli O103 and Escherichia coli O157 in beef carcass from Belgium; distributed to Belgium and France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0756): Unauthorized sucralose sweetener E955 in almond biscuits from Belgium; distributed to Greece.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0758): Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in beetroot sprouts from the Netherlands; distributed to Germany and Belgium.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0759): Mercury in chilled swordfish loins from Chile; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0760): Methiocarb in cherries from Israel; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0761): Carbendazim in pak wan vegetables from Vietnam; distributed to Germany.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alerts (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety CFS prohibits the import and sale of all batches of fruit syrup produced by Jin Zhuan Lifesciences Enterprise Co. Ltd, Taiwan, and has ordered the importer to recall related products. Additionally, has ordered the recall of Jin Ji Wang Food Co. Ltd. Peach Concentrated Juice (Product of Taiwan; all batches and sizes). and has prohibited the future import of this product. These actions were undertaken after DEHP was detected in samples of the products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore has ordered the recall, and suspended import, of the following products that failed tests for DEHP: Possmei brand fruit juice concentrates; Signwin brand pudding powder, fruit jam and jelly; Chen En Food Product Enterprise Co. fruit juice concentrates; Feng Sheng Food Company fruit juice concentrates; Jin Guo Wan brand fruit juice concentrates; Sunlight brand beverages; and Tachungho brand fruit juice concentrates.
  • Food Safety Recall (Japan): Japan recalls dried tea from a Shizuoka tea factory, after radiation above the legal limit was detected in a sample.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): GlaxoSmithKline Limited recalls Augmentin powder for syrup antibiotic for pediatric patients (Manufactured in France), after the plasticizer Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) was detected in the product.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Parmalat Food Products Pty Ltd. recalls Pura Milk full cream milk (1 L plastic bottle; Date 15 JUN), due to the possible presence of a food-grade sanitizer, resulting in a metallic taste. The recalled milk was sold in IGA, Foodworks, service stations, hospitals and corner stores in metro and regional areas of New South Wales and ACT.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Greens General Foods Pty Ltd. recalls Black & Gold Fruity Rings Cereal (300g; 7 Feb 2012, 8 Feb 2012), Coles Frooty Rings Cereal (300g; All dates up to and including 18 May 2012), and Woolworths Homebrand Fruity Rings Cereal (585g; All dates from 12 Jan 2012 to 19 May 2012, inclusive), because the products may contain fine wire pieces.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia):  The Therapeutic Goods Administration advises consumers that Pink Lady for Women capsules, which are sold over the internet and claim to be 100% herbal in origin, actually contain therapeutic quantities of tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, a prescription only medicine. Consumers are advised to cease using the product and discard any unused capsules.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutics Goods Administration advises consumers that St. Nirvana Herbal Slimming Capsules in Bottles and Blister Packs, which are sold over the internet and claim to be 100% herbal in origin, actually contain therapeutic quantities of sibutramine and phenolphthalein, and can cause serious side effects. Consumers are advised to cease using the product and discard any unused capsules.

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.

E. coli O104 Found In German Sprouts

The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office of Rhine-Ruhr-Wupper has found E. coli O104 in an opened package of sprouts retrieved from the trash of a household in Rhein-Sieg-Kreis. Two of the three family members in the household ate the sprouts and were infected with the outbreak pathogen.

The sprouts came from Gärtnerhoff Bienenbüttel GmbH, the Lower Saxony grower whose sprouts had been implicated as the source of the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak that has sickened more than 3,000 people and killed 30 since the beginning of May.

John Remmel, Consumer Protection Minister for North Rhine-Westphalia, cautions that the new finding is not definitive, as the package of sprouts had already been opened. Additional studies are still in progress.

Following is the complete German text of the Press Release, kindly provided to me by Kirsten Reinhardt of foodwatch e.v.

Pressemitteilung

Gefährlicher EHEC Serotyp O 104 auf Sprossen in NRW gefunden – Zwei Familienmitglieder erkrankt

In Nordrhein-Westfalen hat das Chemische und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Rhein-Ruhr-Wupper EHEC-Bakterien in einer Packung Sprossen nachgewiesen. Es handelt sich um den aggressiven Serotyp O 104. Allerdings war die Packung geöffnet und befand sich bereits in der Mülltonne eines Haushalts im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis. Zwei der drei in diesem Haushalt lebenden Familienmitglieder haben Sprossen verzehrt und sind Mitte Mai an den EHEC-Bakterien erkrankt. Die Sprossen stammen nach den bisherigen Erkenntnissen aus dem Betrieb im niedersächsischen Bienenbüttel. Damit ist erstmalig eine ununterbrochene Kette mit dem Erreger O 104 infizierten Sprossen aus dem Betrieb in Bienenbüttel und erkrankten Personen hergestellt.

NRW-Verbraucherschutzminister Johannes Remmel: „Der Fund bestätigt unsere aktuelleWarnung vor dem Verzehr von Sprossen. Es wird damit immer wahrscheinlicher, dass Sprossen die Ursache der EHECErkrankungen sind.“ Da aber nur eine geöffnete und keine geschlossene Packung untersucht wurde, verbleibt ein Rest an Unsicherheit. „Auch deshalb rufen wir weiterhin zur Einhaltung strenger Hygiene und besonderer Vorsicht im Umgang mit rohen Lebensmitteln auf“, so Remmel. Ergänzende Untersuchungen werden derzeit durch das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung durchgeführt.

Minister Remmel steht heute um 17.00 Uhr für Interviews zur Verfügung.

 

Germany Outs Sprouts

After vacillating from Spanish cucumbers to Germany sprouts and back to cucumbers, Germany’s outbreak task force has settled on sprouts.

According to information released earlier today (June 10th), epidemiological and traceback studies of disease clusters in five affected provinces point conclusively to bean and/or seed sprouts produced by Gärtnerhoff Bienenbüttel GmbH, an organic grower in Lower Saxony. The official government news release did not name the grower.

Although lab tests have not yet revealed the presence of the outbreak strain in samples of sprouts produced by the grower, all of Gärtnerhoff Bienenbüttel’s produce – including fenugreek, mung bean, lentil, adzuki bean, and alfalfa sprouts – has been recalled, and the grower has suspended operations. Federal and State inspectors are working to determine how the sprouts became contaminated – possibly through the water supply, a human source, or the seeds themselves.

The Germany government has rescinded its warning against consuming raw tomatoes, cucumbers and salad greens.

As of June 9th, Germany has recorded 759 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), with 21 deaths, and 2,229 cases of non-HUS E. coli O104:H4 infections (with 9 deaths), for a total of 2,988 documented illnesses and 30 deaths. Thirteen other European countries, Canada and the USA have reported outbreak-related illnesses, as follows:

  • Austria: 4 cases, including 1 HUS
  • Canada: 1 case
  • Czech Republic: 1 case involving a tourist from the USA who had travelled in Germany
  • Denmark: 20 cases, including 8 HUS
  • France: 2 confirmed cases + 7 cases of bloody diarrhea not yet lab-confirmed
  • Greece: 1 case involving a German tourist
  • Luxembourg: 1 case
  • Netherlands: 8 cases, including 4 HUS
  • Norway: 1 case, involving contact with a German in Norway
  • Poland: 2 cases of HUS
  • Spain: 2 cases, including 1 HUS
  • Sweden: 47 cases, including 17 HUS (one fatal HUS case)
  • Switzerland: 5 cases
  • United Kingdom: 5 cases, including 3 HUS
  • USA: 4 cases, including 3 HUS. One of the HUS cases is confirmed; the other 2 HUS cases and the EHEC case are awaiting lab confirmation.

Including all European and North American cases, there are a total of 3092 reported outbreak cases – 798 HUS and 2,294 non-HUS EHEC. All but 2 of the 3092 outbreak victims either travelled to or lived in Germany during the incubation period for the infection.

Germany explains its delay in identifying sprouts as the source of the second largest – and the most deadly – E. coli outbreak ever recorded as follows (copy-edited* Google translation of relevant portion of the official news release):

A range of animal and vegetable foods, including sprouts, were taken into account during the first intensive survey of of patients from Hamburg (20.5./21.5). In this exploratory survey, only 3 of 12 patients reported having eaten sprouts. The patients who were interviewed were very clear and deliberate about their eating habits; it seemed unlikely that they would have under-reported eating sprouts. It is a methodological requirement and standard practice to include only those possible exposures that are potentially able to explain most of the epidemiological outbreak events. Including a large number of exposures increases the risk of false positive correlations. Therefore, sprouts were not immediately pursued. Sprouts were taken into account in subsequent detailed RKI surveys. In total, 16 (30%) of the 54 patients who were interviewed in-depth reported having consumed sprouts during the assumed infectious period.

An in-depth raw food case-control study, which included 26 HUS patients from Lubeck, Bremerhaven and Bremen, was begun on 05/29/2011 to differentiate more accurately between various vegetable foods. In this study, 6 out of 24 (25%) case-patients reported having sprouts, compared with 7 out of 80 (9%) control patients. The statistical significance of this difference was limited – significant in the unvariate analysis, but not in the multivariable analysis. The consumption of other plant foods – tomato, cucumber or lettuce – could not readily be differentiated, as these vegetables are so often consumed together.

Bottom line – the German investigators took at face value the initial questionnaire responses, instead of probing further to jog the memories of the interviewees.

It’s fortunate that sprouts have a relatively short shelf life. Between the exhaustion of the existing supply, the recall of sprouts from the market, and the suspension of production by Gärtnerhof Bienenbüttel, this outbreak should be on the wane.

Cold comfort to European growers of tomatoes, cucumbers and salad greens.

And very cold comfort to the more than 3,000 outbreak victims and their families, and to the families and friends of the 31 people who died as a result of “healthy” eating habits.

*I took the liberty of editing the Google translation for improved comprehension.