Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: May 8, 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

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Sold Gold Health Products for Pets, Inc. (El Cajon, CA) recalls Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (4-lb, 15-lb and 33-lb packs; Best before December 30, 2012; Batch code starting SGB1201) and Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (4-lb, 15-lb and 28.5-lb packs; Best before December 30, 2012; Batch code starting SGL1201), after being notified by Diamond Pet Foods regarding the presence of Salmonella in Diamond’s Gaston, South Carolina facility. The recalled products were distributed in the United States and Canada from between January and May 2012.
  • Consumer Product Safety Alert: Water Pik, Inc. will replace certain SinuSense™ Water Pulsator nasal irrigation devices it manufactured between May, 2010 and July, 2011. This program is being offered in response to consumer complaints that water being used in the Pulsator seeped into the battery compartment leading to battery corrosion, possible reservoir contamination and the need to prematurely replace batteries.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Buncombe County health officials report that the number of Salmonella Paratyphi B cases in the county has risen to 60. The outbreak has been traced to Smiling Hara Tempeh, a fermented soy bean product.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Notice of Violation and Order against Kanemitsu Inc. and George Kanemitsu dba Kanemitsu Bakery for selling, offering for sale, and distributing food products manufactured and prepared at its facility under unsanitary conditions. A penalty of $90,000 has been issued.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns O’Kroft, Inc. (Rockwall, TX) that a February 2012 inspection of the company’s facility revealed serious violations of the regulations for acidified foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Midwest Northern, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) that a December 2011 inspection of the company’s manufacturing facility found significant violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Riddle Brothers (Hornbeack, TN) that a March 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Purus Labs, Inc., d.b.a. Dark Cyde Supplements (Dallas, TX) that an April/May 2011 inspection of the company’s dietary supplement facility found violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packaging, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Boiron Freres SAS (Valence, France) that a December 2011 inspection of the company’s juice processing facility found serious violations of the juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.

Canada

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Dermolab Pharma (Sainte Julie, QC) and Dermtek Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Montreal, QC) recall REVERSA Cleansing Micellar Solution (300-mL clear bottle; UPC 06752000455 0; Lot code K0300D) due to possible contamination of the product by the bacterium Burkholderia cepacia. The recalled product was distributed to Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores across Canada.
  • Food Safety Alert: Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada remind the public that consumption of certain whole salted fish products like fesikh, a traditional dish in the Egyptian community, represents an increased risk of botulism because of the way they are prepared. The reminder comes on the heels of an outbreak of botulism in Ontario caused by the consumption of fesikh.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Office reports that the outbreak of gastroenteritis related to a roast beef dinner prepared by volunteers of the Princetown United Church on Saturday, April 28th has now affected 209 people. Testing of left over foods from the event have revealed the presence of Clostridium perfringens.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Heritage Fine Chocolates recalls four Macro Wholefoods Market brand Lactose-free chocolate products due to the presence of undeclared milk. Please see the recall notice for details of the recalled products, which were sold nationwide in Woolworths, Safeway, Flemings and Food For Less Supermarkets.

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: May 7, 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

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Apex Pet Foods recalls Apex Chicken and Rice Dog dry dog food (20-lb and 40-lb bags; Production code ACD0101B32; Best by date 24-Jan-2013), because the product, which was manufactured in Gaston, South Carolina for Apex by Diamond Pet Foods, may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in South Carolina only.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market advises its customers that Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food (5-lb bags; UPC 7 23633 80855 2; Lot code NBV1201; Best by Dec 9, 2012) has been recalled by Diamond Pet Foods and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Canada

  • Outbreak Alert Update: According to CBC News, New Brunswick health officials have confirmed an outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 in 13 people in the province, including 11 confirmed cases in Miramichi and two in Bathurst. An additional eleven cases are still under investigation. Five people remain in hospital. The source of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is still undetermined.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Finland): HK Ruokatalo recalls HK Aitonakki/HK Real Sausage (500g and 850g packages; Best before 05/13/2012) due to the possible presence of undeclared cheese.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Metro – Makro recalls Horeca Select Darnes d’Espadon/Swordfish Steaks (1000g; Frozen; UPC 5 400151 041023; Lot #737302078370011; Expiry date 21/03/2013), due to an elevated level of heavy metals in the product.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): A norovirus outbreak has been reported in four Plymouth hospital wards, including three wards at Derriford Hospital and one at Mount Gould. The four wards are closed to admissions due to the outbreak.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (China): Xinhua news agency reports that vegetable sellers in China have been caught spraying cabbages with a formaldehyde solution to keep them fresh in transit. The practice has become widespread in recent years. Formaldehyde is included in the list of illegal food additives published by China’s health ministry in 2008.
  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Hong Kong Medicine Manufactory recalls Germany Wintex Brand Herbal Sep Capsules, because the chromium level in the gelatin capsules is suspected to be in excess of the recommended 2ppm limit. Preliminary test results by the Government lab revealed a chromium level of 84ppm in a sample; more test results are pending.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): Two people are dead and 50 other hospitalized with symptoms of cholera in Kalamb town. Contaminated water is believed to be the source of the outbreak.
  • Outbreak Alert (Thailand): More than 8700 cases of diarrhea have been reported in Buriram Province during the first four months of 2012. Health officials are warning the public to eat cooked food, drink clean water and avoid food with swarming flies.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): Indore health officials report 318 confirmed cases of typhoid in the district between January 1st and April 28th, 2012.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Chile): Valparaiso health officials report an outbreak of food poisoning that affected 27 people at the Rosa Agustina Olmué resort. A potato salad (“potatoes with mayonnaise) is believed to be the source of the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert (Panama): More than 650 cases of diarrhea have been reported in Chiriqui province. Contaminated water is suspected to be the source.

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: May 4, 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: Old Fashioned Foods, Inc. recalls Old Fashioned Cheese Snack Spread – Pepper Jack, Old Fashioned Cheese Snack Spread – Jalapeno, and Old Fashioned Cheese Snack Spread – Nacho (8 oz; Best by dates April 17, 2012 through April 17, 2013), because milk was inadvertently omitted from the ingredient statement.
  • Food Safety Recall: Cleveland Beansprouts Co. (Cleveland, OH) recalls all Alfalfa Sprouts, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The contamination was discovered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture while collecting and testing samples under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Microbiological Data Program.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Buncombe County Department of Health reports that the bacteria found in tempeh produced by Smiling Hara is a match to the Salmonella Paratyphi B outbreak strain that has sickened 46 people, and hospitalized seven of them. Smiling Hara withdrew all of its products from restaurants and retail outlets on May 1st.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Régine Fine Chocolate recalls Régine Fine Chocolate brand Chocolate Licorice (10-count; UPC 8 76689 00002 6), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled product was sold in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Walmart Canada Corp recalls Great Value brand Polskie Ogorki Dill Pickles, Sweet Mixed Pickles, Baby Dill Pickles, Bread and Butter Pickles, and Garlic Dill Pickles (1L; All best before dates up to and including 13 DE 28), due to extraneous material (insect) contamination. The recalled pickles were sold nationally.
  • Food Recall: Costco Store #533 (Kingston, ON) recalls Kirkland Signature brand Pork Rib Chops, Pork Loin Centre Chops, Lamb Loin Chops Australian and Pork Side Ribs Breast Bone Off (various weights; Packed 12/AL/30), due to contamination with “non-harmful” unspecified extraneous material.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gort’s Gouda Cheese recalls Gort’s Gouda Heavy Cream (250mL, 500mL and 750mL; Best before April 20, 2012), due to unspecified microbiological contamination. The recalled product was sold in British Columbia.
  • Outbreak Alert (New Brunswick): New Brunswick Public Health is investigating 24 cases of bloody diarrhea suspected to be caused by E. coli; 20 of the cases are in Miramichi, 2 in Saint John and 2 in Bathurst. Several of the cases have been confirmed as E. coli o157:H7. The source has not yet been identified.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Prince Edward Island): PEI’s Chief Public Health Office continues to investigate an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses that has afflicted 205 people so far. The illnesses are associated with the consumption of a roast beef dinner prepared by volunteers as part of a fundraiser for Princetown United Church on Saturday, April 28th.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): Saltå Mill Ltd. recalls Buckwheat Flour (500g; Best before date 02 2013; Batch 47th), because the product, which is labeled gluten-free, contains gluten.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lunden Catering Ltd recalls Gourmet Quality Barberry Duckbreast, frozen (800g vacuum-pack; Best before and batch code 21/03/2014 280 312), due to Salmonella contamination. The product was supplied to cruise ships.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): DK Trading ApS recalls Chicken breast fillets and cuts thereof (eg strips) and marinated fillets and cuts (varying pack sizes; Labeled with stores own label; Expiry dates 22/4 – 30/4-2012), after Salmonella Newport is found in samples of the chicken breast fillet. The products have passed their expiration date, but may still be in consumers’ freezers.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Carrefour SA Marinopoulos recalls certain yogurt desserts due to mold growth. Please refer to the recall notice for details.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0611): High level of alkalinity (pH 14; 3% active chlorite solution) in sparkling mineral water from France, via Belgium; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0612): Glass fragments in nut cream from Italy; distributed to Italy and Slovakia.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0615): Salmonella spp. in dog chews from India; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0616): Mercury in swordfish steaks from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health advises consumers not to buy or use Dokter Pemutih Special cosmetic cream, as it may contain excessive mercury that is dangerous to health.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Synmosa Biopharma (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. recalls Noderin Tablets, 200mg, after one batch of the product fails the dissolution test.

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.