Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: December 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

  • Allergy Alert: Maribel Sweet’s Inc. of New York recalls New York Handbag Collection Gourmet Chocolate Candies (various packages sizes; distributed between November 1, 2011 and December 23, 2011), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts and pistachios. The recalled chocolates were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.
  • Allergy Alert: Eillien’s Candies, Inc. recalls Yogurt Raisins (Royal Snacks, Nutty Bros., Eillien’s, Piggly Wiggly, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, and Mills Fleet Farm brands; Sell by prior to December 22, 2012), Granola Mix containing Yogurt Raisins (Eillien’s and Mills Fleet Farm brands; Sell by prior to December 22, 2012) and Cinnamon Granola Mix contain Yogurt Raisins (Eillien’s and Mills Fleet Farm brands; Sell by prior to December 22, 2012), because they may have been mixed with undeclared Yogurt Covered Peanuts. The recalled products were distributed throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado.
  • Food Safety Recall: Avon Heights Mushrooms, Inc. recalls Krisp Pak Spinach (10-oz bags; Best if used by DEC 16; Code DP 340 and T691), Better Brand Spinach (10-oz bags; Best if used by DEC 16; Code DP 340 and T691), and Avon Heights Spinach (4 x 2.5-lb bags; Best if used by DEC 16; Code DP 340 and T691), after one package of Better Brand Spinach tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. No retail distribution information has been provided in the recall notice.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Cosmetics Products Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public that the country’s cosmetics monitoring program found three samples of facial makeup that are contaminated with a high level of lead. Please refer to the Saudi FDA web site for details of the lead-contaminated products.

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: December 23, 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: Sirocco Enterprises, Inc. (Jefferson, LA) recalls Pat O’Brien’s Blood Cocktail Mix (33.8 fl. oz./ 1-L bottles), because the product contains undeclared soy and wheat. The recalled product was distributed nationally in retail stores and over the internet.
  • Food Safety Recall: Green Valley Food Corp. recalls Let’s Grow Healthy Together Alfalfa Sprouts (5-oz containers; Product code 3440210; Code date 1/1/2012), after a random sample taken from a customer revealed Salmonella contamination. The company advises, “Till this present day there has been no related illnesses CONFIRMED because of this recall.” (emphasis in original Firm Press Release) The recalled sprouts were distributed in Texas via truck deliveries to retail chains (including Brookshire’s food & pharmacy) and food distribution centers.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases updated retail distribution list for 10-lb chubs of Chuck Fine Ground Beef 80/20 that were recalled by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: FDA announces that Triple A Services, Inc. and its owners and operators have agreed to stop producing and distributing ready-to-eat sandwiches and produce as part of a consent decree. The consent decree followed filing of a complaint by FDA that describes Triple A’s history of operating under unsanitary conditions and Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the processing facility, and its failure to comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practice and seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point regulations.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Groupe Alimentaire Miron recalls Minos Honey (5kg; Lot code L100913;  Best before 30-09-2012), due to the presence of drug residues in the product.
  • Medical Device Safety Recall: Smiths Medical recalls Bivona® Neonatal, Pediatric and Flextend Tracheostomy Tubes (Lot #1631477 through 1923406), because some customers experienced difficulty disconnecting accessories from the connectors of the affected tubes.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency advises that some bottles of Chapelle des Bois – 2990 Ac Fleurie Wine may contain undeclared sulfites.
  • Allergy Alert (Finland): Kraft Food Ireland Ltd. Ab withdraws certain chocolates, because the product packages lack Finnish labeling, including allergy information. Please see the EVIRA notice for details.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): Harboe Brewery A/S recalls Super Peak Soda (2-liter bottle; Best before 24.07.2102), due to an off-flavor and possible turbidity.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert Update: Red Label dried sausages from France, implicated in an unspecified and unpublicized foodborne Salmonella outbreak, was distributed to Andorra, France, French Polynesia, Mauritius, Poland, Portugal, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Slovenia, according to updated RASFF Notification #2011.1880.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pet Food Alert (Taiwan): The Taipei Government orders the removal of four pet food brands – Belicom’s Tuna and Beef Cat Food, Dobi’s Beef, Chicken and Potato Dog Food, Ever Red’s Beef Dog Food, and Maxwell’s Beef Dog Food – because none of the four products actually contained any beef.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to take an oral product named 糖人365康巽牌桑葛活胰素膠囊, as the product has been found to contain at least four undeclared western drugs, one of which – phenformin – is banned in Hong Kong.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert Update: Red Label dried sausages from France, implicated in an unspecified and unpublicized foodborne Salmonella outbreak, was distributed to Andorra, France, French Polynesia, Mauritius, Poland, Portugal, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Slovenia, according to updated RASFF Notification #2011.1880.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Quality Patisserie Food Pty Ltd. recalls Pepe’s Vegetable Peas Pastizzi, Pepe’s Apple Pastizzi, and Pepe’s Pea and Bacon Pastizzi (500g plastic packet containing 12 individual pastizzis; All use by dates up to and including 10 DEC 12), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed in grocery stores, corner stores and butcher shops in the Sydney metropolitan area.

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: December 22, 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: Market Basket recalls Market Basket Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water (5oz; Best buy dates of August 18, 2014 and August 19, 2014), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The product was sold only at Market Basket stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
  • Food Safety Recall: Starwest Botanicals (Rancho Cordova, CA) recalls Starwest Organic Whole Celery Seed (2-oz, Lot #F7073; 1-lb, Lot #40203), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold between April 26, 2011 and December 14, 2011.
  • Food Safety Recall: Cal Fresco, LLC recalls fresh Jalapeño (Lot #205610) and Serrano (Lot #205467) chili peppers that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Jalapeño peppers were shipped in cases under the Cal Fresco and Grower Alliance labels to retail stores within California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Canada between December 3 and December 5, 2011. The Serrano peppers were shipped to retailers in Canada (Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver), Southern California, Alaska, Washington and Texas (Dallas). Both products originated in Mexico.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Eclectic Institute (Sandy, OR) recalls various freeze-dried capsules containing Gotu Kola and Bladderwrack, because of potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details of affected products, including lot numbers and dates of sale.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns The Cake Box, Inc. (Lafayette, CA) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s bakery documented serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods. Violations included lack of effective pest control and insanitary conditions.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Global Sweet Polyols, LLC (Rehoboth, MA) that a May/June 2011 inspection of the company’s dietary supplement facility revealed failure to comply with the requirements of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for dietary supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Golden Temple of Oregon, LLC (Portland, OR) that a May 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed significant violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for dietary supplements.
  • Outbreak Alert/Product “Pull”: Walmart has pulled a single production batch of  Enfamil Newborn infant formula (a Mead Johnson Nutrition brand) from its stores nationwide after the death of a Lebanon, Missouri infant, according to media reports. The infant died from Cronobacter sakazakii (previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii), a rare and often fatal bacterium that occasionally contaminates powdered infant formula.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall: McNeil Consumer Healthcare recalls from retailers certain lots of Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA310, ACA460, ADA407 AEA262, AFA226, AJA170 ALA037, ALA163, AMA012 AMA331, AMA342, APA035 ASA082, ASA123, ASA285 BDA238, BDA260, BDA383 BEA065, BEA148, BEA269 BEA277, BFA064, BFA144 BFA244, BHA078, BHA147 BHA167, BHA198, BJA164 BJA221, BMA144, BMA215 BMA271, BSA022, BSA056 CBA063, CBA107, CCA028 CDA003, CFA065, CFA100 CHA012, CHA044, CHA066 CHA080, CMA028, CMA035 CMA057, CMA102, and CMA108), Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Tablets (Lot #ADA069, ALA168, ALA244 AMA286, APA001, and ASA001) and Motrin® 24+6 count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA761 and ALA265), because testing product samples showed that some caplets may not dissolve as quickly as intended when nearing their expiration date. This is not a consumer-level recall. The recalled products were distributed in United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Fiji, Belize, St. Lucia and Jamaica.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Target Corporation (Minneapolis, MN) recalls Circo Childrens’ 17″ Travel Cases (Cate codes 01/11 through 08/11) because the surface coating on the travel cases contains excessive levels of lead.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Uruthira Brothers Ltd. recalls MD brand Lime Cordial (750mL), Passion Fruit Cordial (750mL), Mango Cordial (750mL), Garlic Paste (250g), and Ginger Paste (225g and 350g), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Maple Crisp Orchards Maple Products recalls Maple Crisp Orchards 100% Pure Pasteurized Apple Cider (2L and 4L; Processed Nov 3/11), due to the presence of patulin, a toxin produced during the growth of certain molds.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Canada Safeway Ltd. (Calgary, AB) recalls Fresh Serrano Peppers (Product of Mexico, imported from the USA; unlabeled from bulk; sold between December 5 and 20, 2011 inclusive), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Serrano peppers were sold from bulk at Safeway stores and various independent grocery stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Distributions (Daniel Coderre), Inc., Arden Holdings Inc., Groupe Dynamite Inc., John Bead Corporation Ltd., Bizou International, Frabels Inc., and DeeJay Jewellery Inc. recall various childrens’ trinkets (including necklaces and charms), due to excessive levels of lead and/or cadmium. Please navigate to the individual recall notices for details on the recalled items.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Consumer Product Safety Alert (Philippines): Several types of beverage and food containers sold in the market in Metro Manila have been found to contain high levels of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead, according to a survey carried out by the EcoWaste Coalition.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 21 people following a workplace Christmas party. The 3 males and 18 females developed abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting approximately 9 to 49 hours after sharing a lunch on December 17. One person required hospitalization.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall (Fiji): McNeil Consumer Healthcare recalls from retailers certain lots of Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA310, ACA460, ADA407 AEA262, AFA226, AJA170 ALA037, ALA163, AMA012 AMA331, AMA342, APA035 ASA082, ASA123, ASA285 BDA238, BDA260, BDA383 BEA065, BEA148, BEA269 BEA277, BFA064, BFA144 BFA244, BHA078, BHA147 BHA167, BHA198, BJA164 BJA221, BMA144, BMA215 BMA271, BSA022, BSA056 CBA063, CBA107, CCA028 CDA003, CFA065, CFA100 CHA012, CHA044, CHA066 CHA080, CMA028, CMA035 CMA057, CMA102, and CMA108), Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Tablets (Lot #ADA069, ALA168, ALA244 AMA286, APA001, and ASA001) and Motrin® 24+6 count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA761 and ALA265), because testing product samples showed that some caplets may not dissolve as quickly as intended when nearing their expiration date. This is not a consumer-level recall. The recalled products were distributed in United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Fiji, Belize, St. Lucia and Jamaica.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): B. Braun Medical (H.K.) Limited recalls three Nutriflex Lipid products manufactured in Germany by B. Braun Melsungen AG, because stability testing on the above products had identified potential particulate formation over time.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health urges the public not to purchase or use a slimming product identified as 之素囊, as the product may contain the banned ingredients sibutramine, phenolphthalein, fenfluramine and animal thyroid tissue. The product was purchased on the Mainland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health urges the public not to purchase or use Jin Yu Tang Tai Han Kang Pai Pu Ling Jiao Nang, because it was found to contain the undeclared western drugs metformin, rosiglitazone, glibenclamide and phenolphthalein.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre of Health Protection is investigating a confirmed case of listeriosis involving a 32-year old pregnant woman. The baby passed away one day after birth. The woman is in stable condition.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Anchor Foods Pty Ltd. recalls Spencers Cocoa Powder (500g cellophane sachet; all best before dates between 1 JUL 2013 to 5 OCT 2013), IGA Signature Chocolate Cake Mix (500g cardboard packet; Best before 22 NOV 2012 and 12 DEC 2012), IGA Signature Fudge Brownie Mix (500g cardboard packet; Best before 21 AUG 2012 and 21 NOV 2012) and IGA Signature Chocolate Baby Cake Mix (300g cardboard packet; Best before 29 NOV 2012 and 15 Dec 2012), due to the presence of undeclared sesame. The recalled products were manufactured in Australia, using cocoa imported from China.
  • Diet Pill Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns consumers that Lipro Diet Pills, which are labeled as 100% herbal, contain the undeclared prescription substance sibutramine. Taking Lipro Diet Pills for weight loss posses a serious health risk. Commercial supply of this product is illegal in Australia; however, it is available through the Internet.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1883): Salmonella in ground cumin from the United Kingdom, with raw material from Syria; distributed to Gibraltar, Netherlands Antilles, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The ground cumin is sold under the Natco Foods brand (100g jar, 100g pack, 400g pack, 1kg pack and 5kg pack), and carries Best before dates of September 2013 and October 2013.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall (several Caribbean countries): McNeil Consumer Healthcare recalls from retailers certain lots of Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA310, ACA460, ADA407 AEA262, AFA226, AJA170 ALA037, ALA163, AMA012 AMA331, AMA342, APA035 ASA082, ASA123, ASA285 BDA238, BDA260, BDA383 BEA065, BEA148, BEA269 BEA277, BFA064, BFA144 BFA244, BHA078, BHA147 BHA167, BHA198, BJA164 BJA221, BMA144, BMA215 BMA271, BSA022, BSA056 CBA063, CBA107, CCA028 CDA003, CFA065, CFA100 CHA012, CHA044, CHA066 CHA080, CMA028, CMA035 CMA057, CMA102, and CMA108), Motrin® IB 24-count Coated Tablets (Lot #ADA069, ALA168, ALA244 AMA286, APA001, and ASA001) and Motrin® 24+6 count Coated Caplets (Lot #ACA761 and ALA265), because testing product samples showed that some caplets may not dissolve as quickly as intended when nearing their expiration date. This is not a consumer-level recall. The recalled products were distributed in United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Fiji, Belize, St. Lucia and Jamaica.
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.