Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: May 3, 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: Figi’s Inc. (Marshfield, WI) recalls Lemon Bar Bliss (1# tins; No expiration date codes) due to the presence of undeclared almonds. The recalled product was distributed in Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, California, Louisiana, Oregon, and Utah by UPS mail directly to purchasers or recipients.
  • Food Safety Recall: H-E-B recalls 19 Asian Ready-to-Eat entrées and meals (4-oz, 8-oz, 12-oz, and 24-oz black containers with clear lid, single serve sizes and to-go containers; all products sold prior to 5/3/12) due to possible undercooking of chicken in those meals. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products. The recalled items were sold in 40 stores in Texas, including one Houston store. They were available at the Grab ‘N Go section in H-E-B Delis.
  • Outbreak Alert: CDC reports an outbreak of 14 cases of Salmonella Infantis infections in nine states. The infections are linked to contaminated dry dog food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at their Gaston, South Carolina manufacturing facility.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Church & Dwight Co. Inc. recalls Spinbrush® Recharageable SONIC toothbrushes (Lot # ranges DD9310 to 9365 or DD0002 to 0122; distributed between February 2010 and October 2011 in the USA and Canada), because the charging battery may overheat with localized melting and sparking, possibly causing fire, shock or burns.

Canada

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Church & Dwight Co. Inc. recalls Spinbrush® Recharageable SONIC toothbrushes (Lot # ranges DD9310 to 9365 or DD0002 to 0122; distributed between February 2010 and October 2011 in the USA and Canada), because the charging battery may overheat with localized melting and sparking, possibly causing fire, shock or burns.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): PepsiCo recalls Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drink – Orange and a Splash of Water (4 x 200ml; illegible coding), because they contain water instead of orange juice drink. The water is not of a satisfactory microbial quality and should not be consumed.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): The Danish Gærfabrikker A / S recalls Maltese Cross Baker’s Yeast (50g; Package date 10/4-2012; Best before 15/5-2012), due to mold growth.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Market In supermarkets recalls Daily-Toasted Unsweetened Croutons (Manufactured in Poland by Daily Orange SA; 285g; Batch #08.02.2013), because the product was manufactured with the illegal use of prepared egg yolk powder and is contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (France): The Directorate for Competition, Consumption and Repression of Fraud advises the public of the recall of POWERtabs Dietary Supplement for Men (10- and 20-capsule packages, with Best before date of 2013-12 and 2-capsule blister-pack, with Best before date of 2015-01), because the products contain the undeclared and unauthorized pharmaceutical substance dithio desmethyl carbodenafil.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0593): Omethoate in okra from Thailand; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0594): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of frozen mackerel from Ireland; distributed to Slovakia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0596): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0597): Plastic fragments in cinnamon sugar from Austria; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0598): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of smoked salmon from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.0599): Undeclared gluten in crispy puffed corn from Poland; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0600): Mycobacterium tuberculosis suspected in chilled raw milk from Germany; distributed to Austria and Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0602): Fenitrothion in wheat from Brazil; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0604): Aflatoxins in corn dough from Ghana; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0605): Staphylococcus saprophyticus in oyster sauce from China, via Poland; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0607): Escherichia coli and Salmonella Javiana in fresh basil leaf from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0608): Presence of coliforms in orange juice drink from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0609): High Escherichia coli count in chilled cocksomb mint from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0610): High Escherichia coli count in chilled houttuynia from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): LHF Ltd. recalls Lisa’s Organic Hummus Roasted Garlic (200g tub; Best before 11/05/12), due to contamination with Listeria. The recalled product was sold in supermarkets and some specialty stores throughout the South Island, and in two specialist organic stores in the Auckland region.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Euro Spices Pty Ltd. recalls Ground Coriander and other spice mixes (Product of India; Best before December 2015; Please refer to recall notice for a complete list of products and package sizes), due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were sold in fruit and vegetable shops and independent supermarkets in New South Wales.

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 2, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Henry’s Farm, Inc. expands its April 27th recall of Soybean Sprouts to include Grown In Natural Spring Water Natto Soybean Sprouts (1-lb clear plastic packages; No lot or date codes), because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sprouts were distributed to retail stores in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Liberté Brands Inc. recalls Liberté Plain Goat Yogurt 2.7% M.F. (500g; Lot #13AL12P5; Best before MA 23), due to drug residues. The recalled product was distributed in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Tulip Food Company recalls Steff-Houlberg Bavarian Sausages (435g/7 pcs; Best before 24/5-2012; Packaged 24/4-2012; Manufactured in Germany), because small black soft plastic pieces were found in some of the sausages. The recalled product was sold in a few Spar stores and in Rema 1000 and Kiwi stores throughout Denmark.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): PepsiCo recalls Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drink (4 x 200ml multipack; No batch or date codes), as they contain only water, rather than the orange juice blend. The water in these packs is of an unsatisfactory quality due to microbiological contamination.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Withdrawal (Finland): Active Nutrition International Oy withdraws WNT Super Mineral Tabs (60 tablets/bottle), because the mineral supplement contains nickel, vanadium and cobalt, none of which are approved in the EU for addition to food supplements or foods. The product is sold online in Finland.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Allergy Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety advises consumers who are allergic to milk protein not to eat Thin Pizza Mix With Rice Flour – Muji (150g; Best before November 1, 2012; Manufactured in Japan by Ryohin Keikaku Company Limited; Imported by Muji), because the product contains undeclared milk protein. Warning letters have been issued to importer and to the vendor where the sample was purchased.

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: April 30, 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: Isernio’s Sausage Co. withdraws 150 lbs of  Isernio’s Fresh Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage, because the labeling of the product failed to note that the product contains milk, a known allergen. Customers with questions or concerns about the voluntary product withdrawal should contact Michael Durand at 206-762-6207.
  • Food Safety Recall: Henry’s Farm Inc. (Woodford, VA) recalls Soybean Sprouts (approx 10-lb bulk bags; no lot number or date code) and Grown in Natural Spring Water Soybean Sprouts (approx 1.5-lb clear plastic packages; No lot or date code) , because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sprouts were distributed to retail stores in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B infections reported by the Buncombe (North Carolina) County Department of Health has grown to 34 cases as of today (April 30th). Cases still appear to have been associated with residence or travel to Buncombe County since February 28, 2012. Health labs do not yet have final lab results that would enable identification of a specific source of the infections. Final lab characterization of the outbreak strain is expected near the end of the week.
  • Outbreak Alert: At least 30 residents, staff and visitors at the Blue Water Lodge senior living center in Fort Gratiot, Michigan have been stricken with norovirus, according to the St. Clair County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: Twenty-seven participants at a luncheon event for the Pueblo Community Health Center developed gastroenteritis, according to the Pueblo City-County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed cases of E. coli O157 infection in three children who attend the same Cocke County day care facility. All three children were hospitalized; the investigation is ongoing.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Little B’s Bakery recalls Little B’s Bakery Chocolate Coconut Haystacks (380g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012) and Little B’s Bakery Coconut Haystacks (320g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.
  • Allergy Alert: New World Imports Ltd., Far East North America Food Ltd., Sea Links Foods Trading (Canada) and Choy Foong International Trading Co. Ltd. recall Koh-Kae Peanuts Coconut Cream Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664248) and/or Koh-Kae Peanuts Coffee Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664255), due to the presence of undeclared egg and additives. The recalled products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
  • Outbreak Alert (Prince Edward Island): The PEI Department of Health and Wellness is investigating a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among several people who at food distributed as part of a community meal from the Princetown United Church in Malpeque. The victims report having experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls Pierre Chanau chez Auchan Côtes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2010 (Lot L 12054; Bar code 3254569571946), due to the presence of glass fragments in certain bottles of the incriminated lot.
  • Outbreak Alert/Investigation (Russia): Consumption of Familiar Recipes brand Potato Cutlets, sold by the Vester supermarket (Soviet Prospect, 159, Kaliningrad) has been linked to nine cases of enterocolitis, including four Salmonella enteritidis infections, according to a report from IA Regnum. The investigation is ongoing.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Wales): Public Health Wales reports four additional cases of cryptosporidiosis associated with Cwmbran farm, bringing the total number of diagnosed cases to eight. All patients are either members of staff or volunteers who bottle fed unwell animals, which have since been removed from the farm.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Hip Wo Medicine Company Limited recalls Radix Aconiti Lateralis (all batches), because it has been found contaminated by another Chinese herbal medicine, processed Radix Aconiti, both of which contains aconitum alkaloids.
  • Outbreak Alert (China): A total of 129 students in a kindergarten today ill after eating school breakfast in the province of Yunnan, southwest China. Initial investigations implicate improperly cooked soy milk as the source of the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of typhoid has sickened approximately 100 people in Maydolong (Eastern Samar). Contaminated water is suspected.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): The Department of Health-Cordillera reports an increase in cases of acute bloody diarrhea in the region this calendar year. Health officials have recorded 479 cases during the first 16 weeks of 2012, up from 388 cases during the same period last year.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Eighty-four children and three adults were treated in hospitals in Acapulco for suspected poisoning after celebrating Children’s Day by sharing a meal of beef barbecue, spaghetti and cake at Juan R. Escudero grade school.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): At least 20 children and 3 teachers were treated for food poisoning after eating chicken salad, served during Children’s Day celebrations at the Day Care Centre located in subdivision DIF Prairie River in Ciudad Valles.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Health officials are investigating an outbreak of food poisoning among children at the Gilberto Owen Kindergarten located in the cidy of Los Mochis. Thirty six youngsters developed stomach pain, nausea and vomiting within minutes of eating chicken provided to them at the kindergarten. Four adults also complained of symptoms.

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.