Author: Phyllis Entis

Evanger’s “Muddy” Duck Story

In the latest twist to the duck tale, Susan Thixton, writing in Truth About Pet Food, reports the following clarification from Genetic ID, the third-party lab that tested Evanger’s Duck dog food:

“Genetic ID NA, Inc., the lab used by Evangers Pet Food, confirms the food tested was Grain Free Duck pet food – appearing to be the same food tested by the FDA.”

Susan adds that, as yet, she has been unable to obtain confirmation from FDA that the lot number of the Duck dog food tested by the agency matches the lot number tested by Genetic ID. Evanger claims that both FDA and Genetic ID tested samples from the same production lot of Grain Free Duck pet food.

Evanger’s web site contains the following update to their initial comments on FDA’s Warning Letter:

It has come to our attention that we used the term, “Super Premium Duck” in our response referencing the product that was tested. The product that was tested by both FDA and Evanger’s was “Grain Free Duck” in a 6 oz can, Lot #2401E02DK2. The term “Super Premium” refers to the Evanger’s line of food that the Grain Free Duck is categorized in. Again, both references refer to Evanger’s brand 6 oz duck can Lot #2401E02DK2.

For anyone who is curious about the lot numbering system used by Evanger, “24” refers to December; the third digit (in this case, “0”) represents the last digit of the year of production, meaning that the product in dispute was manufactured in December 2010 – just as Evanger indicated. “DK” – of course – identifies the product as duck. I have been unable to verify the meaning of the remainder of the lot code; I’m still waiting for an answer from Brett Sher on that. I suspect that the day of the month is identified by the pair of digits that follow the letter E.

Assuming that FDA and Genetic ID ran their analyses on samples from the identical batch, we are still left with a significant mystery; namely, how can two supposedly competent labs arrive at diametrically opposite test results using similar analytical methods on two samples from the same production batch?

Also, if FDA didn’t find any duck in the Grain-Free Duck product, what type of meat did they find instead?

I have been in touch with FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, and I am hoping for an answer to these questions in fairly short order. Please stay tuned.

Recalls and Alerts: May 25, 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: BCS Int’l Corp (Long Island, NY) recalls Dr. Snack brand Choco Raisin, 12 oz. (Sell by 03/05/2012), because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Globe All Wellness, LLC (Hollywood, FL) recalls Slim Xtreme™ Herbal Slimming Capsule (30 capsules/bottle; all lots), because the product contains undeclared simbutramine.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert: Minnesota Department of Health warns residents to stop using some types of skin lightening products, after testing revealed that they may contain dangerous levels of mercury.
  • Outbreak Alert: Three Ouachita Christian School students were admitted to local hospitals last week after contracting infections with E. coli O157:H7. The students had been playing in a mud pit on a farm where an end-of-the-year party was being held.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments Edesia Foods Inc. (Saint-Hubert, QC) recalls Fumagalli La Salumeria brand Seasoned Dry Cured Pork Loin (Batch 119062; Best before 30.08.2011), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Quebec.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Booja Booja recalls Hazelnut Crunch, Around Midnight Espresso, Cognac Banana, and Champagne chocolate truffles (all date codes and all pack sizes), because the products may contain undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Rieber & Son Denmark A/S recalls Salad Master Remoulade (400g; Best before 30/8/2011; Lot #L32), due to the development of gas in the packages, as a result of the growth of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Nature Drogeriet A/S recalls Paradisfrø (Item #4501), because the seeds are rated as unacceptable for human consumption.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (France): The Health Directorate advises the public that Burnermax 3000, sold as a weight-loss dietary supplement, has not been authorized for use or sale in France. The product was linked to a report of a heart attack in a 27-year old man with no prior history of coronary problems or risk factors. The man had been consuming Burnermax 3000 on a regular basis for three weeks.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0688): Unauthorized vinpocetine in food supplements from the United States, via Hungary; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0689): Prohibited metronidazole in honey from China; distributed in Belgium and Poland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0691): Vanadium in multi-vitamins and minerals food supplements from the United States, via Hungary; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0692): Salmonella in desiccated coconut from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Estonia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0693): Omethoate in water mimosa from Thailand; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0694): Salmonella anatum, Salmonella Schwarzengrund, Salmonella Galiema, Salmonella Haifa, and Salmonella Typhimurium in dog chews from Bahrain; distributed to Germany.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Health officials have confirmed an outbreak of seven cases of E. coli infections among students at Redfield Edge Primary School.
  • Outbreak Alert (France/Jersey): A group of 56 children from Granville developed vomiting while on a day trip to Jersey. The cause of the outbreak is under investigation.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Germany): Three people have died, 80 are confirmed with E. coli O104, and an additional 350 cases are under investigation in this multi-state outbreak.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): The Department of Health and the Consumer Protection Commission has ordered several dozen beverages and foodstuffs be removed from store shelves, because they may contain the plasticizing agent, Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, or DEHP.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): Zamboanga City Health Office officials report that 1,823 patients were sickened by diarrhea during the first four months of 2011, compared to 1,360 in the same period last year.

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: May 24, 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 (Illinois): The number of Salmonella Typhimurium cases that appear to be linked to Portillo’s restaurant in St. Charles, IL stands at 14 confirmed cases from 4 Illinois counties – Kane (8), DuPage (4), Chicago (1), and DeKalb (1) – and one confirmed case from Minnesota. Epidemiological evidence suggests salad as the source.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection urges the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside, after receiving reports of two individuals who became ill after eating wild mushrooms picked from Lung Tsui Park.
  • Disinfectant Solution Safety Recall (Hong Kong): B. Braun Medical AG recalls three batches of Braunoderm iodine solution after the manufacturer found that the level of available iodine in some batches fell slightly under expected concentration of active ingredient before the expiry date was reached. The only recalled batch that was imported into Hong Kong was: Braunoderm Ungef Spruehfl ‘DE’ 250ml (Article No.: 3881105, Batch No.: 0253M14)
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has ordered punitive closure of the Madinat Zayed branch of Al Ibrahimi restaurant (license number 1040214) in the capital, after an inspection revealed several violations of the rules and regulations governing food safety.
  • Outbreak Alert (Indonesia): Around 300 employees of PT Shang J Fung (Cikupa, Tangerang) developed nausea and vomiting after eating food supplied by Asep Sawawi’s catering company. The affected employees were taken to hospital for treatment.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): An infectious diseases specialist in Mexico City reports having confirmed 14 cases of typhoid since March 2011 – 6 with blood cultures and 8 in stool samples.

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.