Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: November 11, 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 Update: USDA posts retail distribution list for Broiled Chicken Livers that were recalled by Schreiber Processing Corporation after having been linked to Salmonella illnesses.
  • Food Safety Recall: United Natural Foods, Inc. recalls Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas (10-oz; UPC 618032102021; Date code 12 7 11), because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Only those Tortillas shipped to the following stores are affected by this recall: Safeway #1110 (Salinas, CA), Safeway #2840 (Watsonville, CA), Pak N Save #3116 (S. San Francisco, CA) and Pak N Save #3125 (Emeryville, CA). The risk arises from lack of temperature control during the distribution process.
  • Food Safety Recall: Orval Kent Foods recalls Wegmans Mashed Sweet Potatoes (24-oz; Lot code of Use By Nov 18 11 DSA), because the product may contain plastic pieces of unknown origin. The recalled product was sold in the dairy department of Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts between September 22nd and November 9th, 2011.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Keime Incorporated recalls Virility Max dietary supplement (Lot 10090571), after lab analysis by FDA finds sulfoaildenafil (an analog of sildenafil) in the product. Sildenafil is an active ingredient of an FDA approved prescription drug for treating erectile dysfunction, and may cause serious adverse effects in some individuals.
  • Personal Care Product Safety Recall: Kimberly-Clark recalls Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency (18-count Carton Lot Number AC129321X; 36-count Carton Lot Number AC129325X), because the tampons were manufactured with a raw material contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii, which may cause vaginal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening. The recalled product was supplied to retail customers between October 29, 2011 and November 2, 2011 in specific Walmart stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas; specific Fry’s stores in Arizona; and specific Smith’s stores in Utah and Arizona.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Siprus Foods Inc recalls various Siprus brand and Fruit Farm brand fruit juices due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. Please refer to the recall notice for additional product identification details.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dan-D-Foods Ltd. recalls Dan-D-Organic 100% Organic Pitted Prunes (250g; EXP 2012APR14; LOT 11104) due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled product was distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission recall Woody’s Mexican Lime Alcoholic Vodka Beverage, in both single serve and four-pack format, because the product may contain glass fragments.
  • Public Health Alert: Saskatchewan health officials are reminding the public to be attentive to good hand hygiene in order to help prevent the person-to-person spread of Shigella. Since April 2011, Saskatchewan has recorded 48 cases of shigellosis – mostly in children – as compared to the usual annual rate of 10 to 15 cases. Most of the cases have been in central, northern and southeast parts of the province. No specific link to a single food item or event has been identified so far.

Europe

  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Health Protection Scotland urges the public to be aware of the symptoms of botulism as two members of the same family are hospitalized with an illness that is thought likely to be botulism. Both patients are in stable condition. Investigators are looking into possible sources of the two illnesses. Anyone who experiences blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and difficulty speaking should seek immediate medical attention.
  • Allergy Alert (Finland, Estonia, Lithuania): Inex Partners Oy reecalls Rainbow mixed dried fruits (500; Product of the Netherlands; Expiry 18.05.2012), because the product contains sulphites above the permitted limit. The product was sold in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Rieber & Son Denmark A/S recalls K-Salad Mayonnaise (400g plastic bottles; Lot L3017985; Best before 03.01.2012), due to the presence of undeclared mustard.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Irma Odense City /Coop Denmark A/S recalls IRMA’s warm/hot liver paté (500g; All dates up to and including November 11, 2011), due to incorrect labeling.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Newdan Food Trading recalls Fresh Turkey Breast (900g; Package date 24/10-2011; Best before 05/11-2011), due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Eliza Chocolate Wholesale ApS recalls Chocolatier Nut Bar Milk Chocolate/Dark Chocolate (35g; Best before 17-04-2012), due to the presence of moth larvae.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Company recalls Sanitarium So Good Rice Milk (1-litre carton; Best before 25 March 2012; Batch No. 31206), because the product contains undeclared traces of soy. The recalled product was sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

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: November 10, 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: United Natural Foods, Inc. recalls FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Olives Stuffed with Feta Cheese (4 oz; UPC 63172352780; Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012), FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese(4 oz; UPC 63172352790; Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012, 15 DEC 2011, and 30 DEC 2011) and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup (15 oz; UPC 07126229491; Best If Used By 05 04 14; sold at Safeway store in Corte Madera, CA only), because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. Affected Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup was distributed through Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming. Feta-stuffed Divina olives were sold in certain Safeway stores in South Dakota (Spearfish, store #0583), Wyoming (Lander, store #2761), and Colorado (Colorado Springs, store #1577; Boulder, store #1615; Falcon, store #1644; Conifer, store #2792; Longmont, store #2910)
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The North Carolina Division of Public Health and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs have traced the source of the recent outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illness in that state to the Kelley Building at the North Carolina State Fair. The Kelley Building is a permanent structure which housed sheep, goats and pigs for the fair’s livestock shows. As of November 9th, 12 confirmed and 16 suspect cases were reported in 8 North Carolina counties: Wake (13), Sampson (6), Cleveland (1), Durham (2), Johnston (1), Lenoir (1), Orange (2) and Wilson (2).

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Chocolat Lamontagne Inc. recalls Bite-Size Orange Flavour 73% Dark Chocolates (142g; Product #3335 & 3337), Assorted Chocolate Bite-Size (200g; Product #3333) and Assorted Dark Chocolate Bite-Size (200g; Product #3338), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed nationally between October 4th and November 4th, and were sold through catalogues for fund-raising activities at daycares, schools, clubs and associations.
  • Food Safety Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public not to consume Woody’s Mexican Lime Alcoholic Vodka Beverage (330mL, BB014/06/13, hh:mm S16516136; 330mL, BB 22/08/13, hh:mm S23516851; 4 x 330mL, BB014/06/13, hh:mm S16516136l3; 4 x 330 mL, BB 22/08/13, hh:mm S23516851), because the product may contain harmful glass particles. The recalled beverages were distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and may have been distributed to other provinces and territories.

Europe

  • Food Recall (Denmark): Løgismose Dairy A/S recalls Løgismose Organic Skyr, 0.2% natural (350g; Best before 26.11.2011, 30.11.2011 and 01.12.2011), due to yeast fermentation. The recalled skyr was sold in Netto stores across Denmark and in the Løgismore retail store Nordre Toldbod, Copenhagen.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): CO-RO FOOD A/S recalls Sunfresh Tropical (500ml; Best before 13-03-2012; Batch code 10010), due to product fermentation.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Pfizer recalls Zithromax tablets, 250mg (Batch A10029; Expiry March 2014) and Azithromycin tablets, 250mg (Batch A10018; Expiry March 2014), following the observation of plastic particles from raw material containers, which may have contaminated some tablets.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1609): Salmonella infantis in feed material from France; distributed to France, Italy and South Africa.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1612): Salmonella in chilled morning glory from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1614): Mercury in dried mushrooms from Poland; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1615): Insect larvae in roasted, unshelled peanuts from China, via Slovakia; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1616): Salmonella in la lot from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1617): Benzo(a)pyrene in smoked dried crayfish from unknown origin, via the United Kingdom; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1618): Mercury in chilled swordfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1619): Salmonella spp. in dry sausage from France; distributed to France, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1609): Salmonella infantis in feed material from France; distributed to France, Italy and South Africa.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia and New Zealand): The Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Company recalls Sanitarium So Good Rice Milk (1-liter UHT block pack; Batch code 31206; Best before 25 Mar 2012), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled beverage was exported to New Zealand and was sold in Australia in Coles Supermarkets nationally, IGA Supermarkets (WA, VIC, NSW, and QLD) and Franklins (NSW).

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: November 9, 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/Outbreak Alert: Schreiber Processing Corporation (Maspeth, NY) recalls Meal Mart Broiled Chicken Liver Made for Further Thermal Processing (2 x 5-lb bags/box; Est. P-787) and Chicken Liver Broiled (10-lb boxes, loose-packed; Est. P-787), because the chicken liver products have been linked to a cluster of salmonellosis illnesses in New York and New Jersey. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg was recovered from samples of broiled chicken livers, and from chopped chicken livers produced at retail from these livers. The outbreak strain is different from the strain of Salmonella Heidelberg that was associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis linked to ground turkey meat earlier this year. The recalled broiled chicken liver products were distributed to retail stores and institutional users in Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA posts retail distribution list for beef jerky products recalled by Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. (Johnson City, TX) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Golden Glen Creamery (Bow, WA) recalls Raw Cheddar (sold between September 22 and November 5, 2011; Code 864) after a routine sample of the cheese, collected and analyzed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company has ceased production and distribution of the product while FDA, WSDA and the company continue an investigation into the source of the contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: India Imports & Exports, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) recalls Roopal Swad candy (7-oz/200g clear plastic package; Imported from India) after tests conducted by the California Department of Public Health found unacceptably high levels of lead in the candy.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Importers of frozen oyster products from Korea expand their recall after additional the products were linked to norovirus cases in Washington state. The recall includes: ASSI Brand frozen oysters packed in bags and in boxes, and Shirakiku frozen breaded oysters packed in boxes. Please refer to the FDA Consumer Alert for a detailed list of exporters, distributors, importers, and affected lot numbers. Direct importation of the frozen oyster products was limited to distributors in California, New Jersey and Maryland, but the products have been shipped to additional states, including Alaska.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Tropical Impex recalls Amul Shrikhand Mango, Elaichi, Kesar and Badam Pista (500g; all pkgs), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert: Corwin Distribution Limited, Horizon Distributors, Puresource Inc. and Nationwide Natural Foods recall Bumble Bar Organic Energy Bar – Cherry Chocolate (40g; all codes; UPC 7 60590 05023 5), due to the presence of undeclared milk. Some Bumble Bars were supplied by Corwin to Whole Foods Market stores in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sawmill Bay Shellfish Company Ltd. (Heriot Bay, BC) recalls Aquacultured Gallo Mussels (10-lb bags; Lot #SB174; Processed by Walcan Seafood Ltd.; Harvested November 3, 2011 from Area BC13, sub area 13), because the mussels may contain paralytic shellfish toxins. The recalled mussels were distributed in British Columbia primarily to institutional clients, including restaurants, and were sold as Sawmill Bay Mussels at the Daily Catch (1418 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC) between November 4th and 6th.
  • Food Safety Recall: Maison Isabelle inc. (Trois-Rivières, QC) recalls Biscuits à l’avoine et raisins/Oatmeal-raisin cookies (770g pkg; All expiry dates up to and including November 22, 2011), because the product may contain metal particles. The recalled cookes were sold in a number of Super C stores in Québec.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert: Panzani recalls Panzani brand Gnocchi à Poêler/Gnocchi for frying (300g; Lot #2381; Best before 22/04/12), because the product contains undeclared cheese, due to a packaging error.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland and Sweden): Semper Oy Ab recalls Småfolk Apple Raspberry Oat Stix (Best before 06/30/2012) and Fruity Banana Stix (Best before 06/10/2012) because the products contain unacceptable levels of mycotoxins.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Fredsted The A/S recalls Organic teas (Lot #001-16; Expiry date 30-06-2013), due to the presence of clomazone (pesticide) residues in the product.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Germany): International Food Corporation Germany GmbH recalls Disney Advent Calendar (Best by 09/13/2013), due to possible microbial contamination. The recalled product was sold exclusively through Penny stores in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Food Safety Recall (Italy): Pensabene & Chiasson (Palermo, Italy) recalls Caponata di melanzane “Donna Rosa”/Donna Rosa Eggplant Caponata (200g; Lots R106 and N193), due to lack of approval of the establishment by the State.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1585): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1586): Campylobacter in fresh baby corn from Thailand via the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1587): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1589): Salmonella enteritidis in frozen breaded raw chicken fillets from Germany; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1590): Histamine in chilled tuna fillets from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1591): Undeclared sulphite in apple cider from Belgium; distributed to Luxembourg.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1597): Mercury in angler fish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1598): Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in dried sugar beet pellets from Germany; distributed to Germany and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1599): Mercury in chilled swordfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1600): Aflatoxins in nutmeg powder from India; distributed to Romania.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1601): Unauthorized operator for dumplings from Italy; distributed to Italy and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1602): Salmonella in frozen poultry meat from Poland, via France; distributed to Luxembourg.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1603): High Escherichia coli count in fresh mussels from the Netherlands; distributed to France, Lithuania, Poland and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1604): Aflatoxins in cashew nut kernels from Brazil, via Germany; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1605): Benzo(a)pyrene in smoked prawns from Vietnam; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1606): Escherichia coli in mussels from Spain; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health reminds the public not to buy or consume slimming products of unknown or doubtful composition as they may contain undeclared drug ingredients that are dangerous to health, after receiving notification of two cases involving women with a history of consuming slimming products.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Lay Brothers Pty Ltd. recalls Good Luck Dried Seaweed Stripe (150g net wt plastic bag; Imported from China; Best before 07 09 2013), because of high levels of naturally occurring iodine in the product.

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.