Author: Phyllis Entis

Recalls and Alerts: June 3, 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

  • Food Recall: Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens, Inc. (Moore, OK) recalls Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens Gourmet White Meat Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens Fruits and Nut Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Baker’s Kitchen Chicken Salad (3-lb plastic tub), Hill Country Fare, Deli Style Classic Ham Salad With Pineapple (12-oz plastic cup) and Hill Country Fare, Classic Chicken Salad With White Meat (12-oz plastic cup and 3-lb plastic tub), because these products contain undeclared potassium sorbate and/or sodium benzoate.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kashi Company, part of The Kellogg Company, recalls Kashi Mediterranean Pizza (Product codes May 10, May 18, & May 19 followed by 2012NU), Kashi Roasted Vegetable Thin Crust Pizza (Product codes May 9 & May 14 followed by 2012NU) and Kashi Mushroom Trio and Spinach Thin Crust Pizza (Product code May 17 2012NU), because the pizza crust may contain fragments of plastic.
  • Outbreak Alert (Oklahoma): The Tulsa Health Department is investigating four cases of E. coli gastroenteritis – two confirmed and two suspected cases – in Tulsa County children. Three of the four children attend Boston Avenue Church’s childcare center.
  • Outbreak Alert (Colorado): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Denver Public Health and Environmental Health departments are investigating three reported cases of Listeria in Denver since May 20th. Two of the three victims – a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s – have died. All three outbreak victims are of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: I.F.T.O. Canada (Toronto, ON) recalls Mamta Mom’s Best Punjabi Wadi (200g and 400g sizes), because the products contain undeclared wheat. The recalled products were sold from Iqbal Halal Foods, Toronto, ON.
  • Allergy Alert: Lindt & Sprungli Canada recalls Lindt brand Lindor – Milk Chocolate With A Delectably Smooth Centre – 18 Pieces (100g; Best before 31 12 2011 L4510), because the chocolates contain undeclared tree nuts. The recalled products were distributed to retailers nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Heinz Canada (Leamington, ON) recalls Heinz Strained Beef with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013JA08, 2013FE17, and 2013AL07), Heinz Strained Chicken with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013JA09 and 2013FE18), and Heinz Strained Lamb with Broth (100ml glass jars; Best before 2013FE19), because some jars have a glass deformity that could break off during normal use. The recalled products were distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ten Ren’s Tea & Ginseng Co. (Calgary) Ltd. recalls Tenren’s Tea Passion Fruit Juice, Litchi Juice and Mango Juice (2200mL; all codes), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled items were distributed to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chuang’s Co. Ltd. recalls Cosine brand fruit-flavored drinks and grape-flavored syrup (2-liter size), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ten Ren Tea Co. (Ontario) Ltd. recalls Tenren’s Tea Passion Fruit Juice (2200mL; all codes), Litchi Juice (2200mL; all codes) and Kiwi Jam (4.5-kg), because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Possmei Canada Ltd. recalls Possmei brand fruit juices and jams, because they may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Manitoba and Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Recall (Ireland): Nordzucker Ireland recalls Siucra Caster Sugar (3-kg catering packs; batch code L5831RF01; Product of Germany), because the sugar is contaminated with salt.
  • Import Suspension (Russia): Russia has suspended the importation of potatoes from Egypt due to health and sanitation concerns.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Cosway recalls Oriyen Nutri Grow (boy) Orange Drink Premix (330g; Use by August 13, 2013) and Oriyen Nutri Grow (girl) Cranberry Drink Premix (330; Use by August 13, 2013), because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled items were manufactured in Taiwan by Jin Zhuan Lifesciences Enterprise Co. Ltd.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): AVA announces the recall of Possmei brand of fruit juice concentrates after detecting DEHP in the products, and also has suspended the import of these products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Philippines): The Philippines Food and Drug Administration has released a list of recalled food products contaminated with DEHP that were imported from Taiwan. Please navigate to the list for details of the recalled items.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0724): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli were detected in deer (venison) salami from Italy. The contaminated salami was distributed to Austria and Singapore. There is no indication of brand name or production codes.
  • Food Safety Recall/Seizure (Taiwan): Eight more DEHP-contaminated juices were discovered by the Shihlin District Prosecutors Office. The juices were produced by Jin Guoo Wang Food Co. The discovery resulted from a raid on Creation Food Corp, a distributor of Jin Guoo Wang’s juice products.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Taiwan): Taiwan has suspended all food exports that are at risk of being contaminated with DEHP. The affected product categories include sports drinks, juices, tea drinks, fruit jams/jellies/syrups, and supplements in tablet, powder and capsule form.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): Customers of a Toyama Prefecture outlet of the Gyukaku Korean-style restaurant chain became ill after eating at the restaurant on May 6th. Fifteen of the 20 affected diners have been lab-diagnosed with E. coli O157 infections. Local officials suggested that diners used the same chopsticks to cook raw meat slices at the restaurant and to eat them. This outbreak is unrelated to the deadly Japanese E. coli outbreak that occurred in April and was linked to a different Korean-style restaurant chain.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: June 2, 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

  • Allergy Alert: Azar Nut Company recalls Azar Mountain Trail Mix (Item #9613896, 2/5#; Date codes 10256, 10284, 10313, 10320, 10342, 10357, 11017, 11031, 11066, 11089, 11109, 11123, 11138, and 11144), because the product may contain undeclared milk. The recalled trail mix was distributed through various food service distributors in Florida, Montana, Colorado, California, Oregon, Idaho, Arkansas, and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Michel and Charles LeBlanc Fisheries (Cap-Pele, New Brunswick, Canada) recalls Michel and Charles LeBlanc Brand Smoked Split Herring (Production dates January 4, 2011 and April 14, 2011) because the product was found to be uneviscerated. The sale of uneviscerated or incompletely eviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. The recalled products were distributed in Brooklyn and Bronx, New York.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal: California-based 99 Ranch Market has removed two kinds of Taiwanese beverages from its 35 stores, because the products may be contaminated with DEHP.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: FDA seeks permanent injunction against BCS African Wholesale Food Supply LLC (Brooklyn Park, MN) and its principal officers. The requested injunction would force defendants to stop importing, processing, and selling seafood products that can put consumers at risk for botulism or other food safety hazards.
  • Shellfish Growing Area Pollution Alert: Nine of Washington State’s commercial shellfish growing areas are threatened with closure this year due to pollution. The affected growing areas, by county, are: Grays Harbor (Pacific coast), Jefferson (Port Townsend), Kitsap (Dyes Inlet), Mason (Pickering Passage), Pacific (Naselle River), Pierce (Burley Lagoon, Filucy Bay), Skagit (Padilla Bay), and Snohomish (South Skagit Bay).
  • Outbreak Alert: Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating an increase in cases of shigellosis originating in Lauderdale County.
  • Outbreak Alert: Public health authorities in Amarillo, TX are warning residents that a “cluster” of seven cases of E. coli infections – all in children, mostly under five years of age – have been reported in Amarillo in the last few days. Four of the infected children have been hospitalized.

Canada

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has ordered a recall of Sheng Shiang Jen Konjac Coconut Jelly, Taro Flavour (Manufactured in Taiwan by Triko Foods Co., Ltd.; all batches; all sizes), after DEHP was detected in a sample of the product. CFS also has announced a prohibition on the importation and supply of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) orders the recall of Jin Guo Wan Peach Concentrate Juice (manufactured in Taiwan) after a sample fails a test for DEPH. AVA also has suspended the importation of Jin Guo Wan brand of fruit juice concentrates. These products are packaged in bulk and used as an ingredient for bubble tea.
  • Food Safety Alert (Taiwan): The Taiwan FDA has published a list of ingredients (available for download) that were found to be contaminated with DEHP. Please navigate to the Taiwan FDA site for a link to the file.
  • Food Safety Recall (Vietnam): On orders from the Vietnam Food Administration, New Choice Foods Company recalls products containing DEHP (imported from Triko Foods Co. Ltd., Taiwan).
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Kai Yuen Pharmaceutical Company recalls Well Tab (Manufactured in Taiwan by China Chem and Pharm Company, Limited), and Marching Pharmaceutical Limited recalls five Vitamin C and dietary supplement products (manufactured in Hong Kong using an ingredient from Taiwan that may contain DEHP) because the recalled products may contain DEHP.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: June 1, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: C.W. Hendrix Farms, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) recalls fresh cucumbers distributed from its facility between May 6 and May 13, 2011, because the cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled produce was distributed to retailers (including Giant Eagle) and for food service distribution.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Washington): The Department of Health has issued a fish consumption advisory for carp from the lower part of the Okanogan River. Health officials recommend that people who fish the lower Okanogan limit their carp intake to one meal per month, due to the presence of harmful chemical contaminants in that part of the river.
  • Outbreak Alert (Canada/Alaska): CDC reports that 113 passengers (5.5%) and 12 crew members (1.4%) aboard the Sea Princess (Princess Cruises) are reported to have suffered vomiting and diarrhea during the May 20-30, 2011 cruise. Environmental Health officers with CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program boarded the ship on its arrival in Juneau, Alaska on May 24th to conduct a health assessment. Stool samples from ill passengers have been submitted to Health Canada labs. The cause of the outbreak has not yet been established.
  • Outbreak Alert (Alaska): CDC reports that 104 passengers (5.1%) and 9 crew members (0.98%) aboard the Celebrity Millennium (Celebrity Cruises) are reported to have suffered vomiting and diarrhea during the May 20-27, 2011 Alaska cruise.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Kuo Hua Trading Company Ltd. recalls certain Possmei brand and Trojan brand juices and jams, because the products may contain the chemical Di-Ethyl Hexyl Phthalate (DEHP). The recalled products were distributed to retailers, and to food service operations (hotel/restaurant/institution) in British Columbia and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Tasty Enterprises recalls Tasty brand syrups, because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled products were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: KO & C Enterprises Ltd. recalls Sheng Hsiang Jen brand Fruit Jelly Aloe Vera and Fruit Jelly assorted, because the products may contain DEHP. The recalled items were distributed to retailers in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sysco Central Ontario, Inc. recalls C.W. Hendrix Farms, Inc. Cucumber – Super Select (24-count; code #141 6 126 47935141 9 129 47975), because the produce may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cucumbers, which were imported from Florida, were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario
  • Food Safety Recall: Subzi Mandi Cash & Carry recalls A-One Products Pan Gilori, 75g due to the presence of unspecified non-permitted food ingredients. The recalled products were sold in retail stores in Ontario.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): The Ministry of Health has issued a “stop sale” order for sport drinks, fruit juices, tea drinks, fruit jam/fruit nectar/fruit jelly, and food in tablet, capsule or powder form that might be contaminated with the carcinogenic plasticizer DEHP, and has ordered a recall of all affected products.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating four suspected cases of ciguatoxin poisoning cases affecting nine people who have consumed coral reef fish.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Advisory Update (New Zealand): Following an investigation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has cleared Kiaora New Zealand, marketers of Heitiki infant formula, of any food safety and export regulations concerns.

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.