Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: September 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

  • Allergy Alert: BUI Natural Tofu (Portland, OR) recalls BUI Shrimp Salad Roll (Expiration dates from 9/2 through 9/13) and BUI Vegetarian Salad Roll (Expiration dates from 9/2 through 9/13), because the products contain undeclared soy and wheat. The recalled Salad Rolls were distributed to retail stores in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.
  • Food Safety Recall: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Springdale, AR) recalls 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products (Est. #P-963; Produced on August 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2011), because the turkey meat may be contaminated with an antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg that was responsible for an outbreak of salmonellosis earlier this year.
  • Food Safety Alert: FDA warns consumers not to eat tapenade or spreadable dried tomato paste manufactured by the French company La Ruche and sold under the brand names Les délices de Marie-Claire, Terre de Mistral, and Les secrets d’Anaïs, because these products may contain botulinum toxin. Eight cases of botulism have been confirmed in France to be linked to the consumption of one of these products, and lab analyses have confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum and/or its toxin in several samples. French authorities have ordered the company to cease production and recall all outstanding products. While FDA has no indication that La Ruche products were imported into the USA, returning tourists may have purchased them in France as souvenirs or gifts.
  • Outbreak Alert: A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections – including one death – in Colorado (9 cases), Texas (2 cases) and Nebraska (1 case) has been linked – based on preliminary results – to the consumption of cantaloupe. All nine of the Colorado victims report having eaten cantaloupe. The source of the cantaloupe has not yet been identified. Confirmed Colorado cases are in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. The victims range in age from the 30s to the 90s. The average age is 84. The majority are female.
  • Outbreak Alert (California): Monterey County health officials advise the public not to consume raw or undercooked oysters, after receiving several reports of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illnesses in individuals who consumed raw oysters served or purchased in Monterey County.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Tulipa Crossanteria & Salao de Cha recalls its Strawberry Pie (700g), Apple Pie (700g), Lemon Pie (700g), Rosquilhas Portuguese Biscuits (224g) and Macaroon Coconut (400g), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The Macaroon Coconut also contains undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Johnvince Foods (Downsview, ON) expands its earlier recall and alert to include additional walnut products that were repackaged by retailers using bulk walnuts imported from the USA by Johnvince in 25-lb cardboard cases bearing Lot code W1866 and the name Anderson and Sons Shelling, Vina, California. These raw walnut products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Please navigate to the CFIA notice for a list of the additional recalled products, all of which were sold in Ontario.

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: September 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

  • Allergy Alert: Best Food Cash & Carry Inc. (Maspeth, NY) recalls Raisin Golden brand Deer Raisin Golden, 14-oz pkg, due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. The recalled raisins werer distributed in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
  • Allergy Alert: US Nutrition recalls SM Balanced B-50 Tab, because the product may contain undeclared wheat. The recalled product was sold in Giant Eagle stores, and may also be carried by other retailers.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert: The Texas Department of State Health Services warns the public that at least 18 mercury poisoning cases in South Texas appear to be linked to the use of Crema Aguamary, a cosmetic produced in Mexico and not approved for use in the USA.
  • Food Safety News: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has discontinued the testing of E. coli O157:H7 in certain ready-to-eat products. Sampling resources previously directed to the ready-to-eat product testing will be diverted to increase testing for E. coli O157:H7 in raw products.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food Ltd. (Richmond, BC) recalls Sweet Potato Shape Snack (200g and 55g) and Turbinate Shape Snack (200g and 50g), because the products contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled snacks were imported from Korea and distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. One illness has been reported.
  • Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food Ltd. (Richmond, BC) recalls Korean Snack (Gosoa), 55g, because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled snack was imported from Korea and distributed in BC, Alberta and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Johnvince Foods (Downsview, ON) expands its earlier recall of bulk walnuts, prepackaged nuts and snack products to include additional items. The recalled nut products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. For a complete list of recalled brands and products, please navigate to the CFIA recall notices dated 2011-09-01, 2011-09-06, 2011-09-07, and 2011-09-08, and to the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food notice dated 7 sept. 2011.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Woolworths Supermarkets Ltd. recalls Macro Whole Foods Markets Gluten Free Choc Brownie Mix (400g cardboard box; All best before dates up to and including 20 DEC 12 B), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled brownie mix was sold in Woolworths, Safeway and Thomas Dux supermarkets throughout Australia.
  • Herbal Supplement Safety Advisory (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns Australian consumers that Maxidus capsules, sold over the internet, have been found to contain sulfohydroxyhomosildenafil, a derivative of Sildenafil, the active ingredient in the approved Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd product Viagra, which is indicated for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

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: September 6, 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

  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns GIB, LLC dba Brazilian Blowout (North Hollywood, CA) that Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution is an adulterated cosmetic, because it contains a deleterious substance, methylene glycol, that may render it injurious to users under conditions of use prescribed in the labelling.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns River Valley Ranch Ltd. (Burlington, WI) that an April/May 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed that the firms failure to fulfill the mandatory requirements for acidified foods renders the following products adulterated: River Valley Ranch brand Key Lime Mango Salsa, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Portabella Salsa with Key Lime Juice, Shroomschetta Mushroom Bruschetta, Portabella Pasta and Dipping Sauce, Spicy Shrooms, Dill and Garlic Pickled Mushrooms, and Wild Mushroom Burgundy Pasta and Dipping Sauce.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns King Juice Company, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) that an April 2011 inspection of the company’s juice processing facility revealed serious violations of the juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Farm and Wild Fresh Paradise Gourmet Foods (Portland, OR) that an April 2011 inspection of the company’s produce repacking operation revealed serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation in manufacturing, packing, or holding human food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Kimriv Restaurant Group, LLC (San Diego, CA) that an April 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Hickory Smokehouse Miami, Inc. (Hialeah, FL) that an April 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns National Bakery, Inc. (Scranton, PA) that a February 2011 inspection of the company’s food manufacturing facility revealed violations that cause several of your products to be misbranded within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Guenther’s Bakery Ltd. recalls Guenther’s Multigrain Cookies (425g; Best before up to and including Tue, 20 September 2011), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Marchese Import Co. Ltd. recalls Cutolo Rionero Limoni in Acqua Minerale Lemonade (1.5L) and Cutolo Rionero Kinotto in Acqua Minerale (350 mL and 1.5L), due to the presence of unspecified chemical additives. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (France): La Ruche (Cavaillon, Vaucluse) recalls all Les Délices de Marie Claire preserves and has suspended operations after a production batch of its Tapenade verte aux amandes was linked to eight cases of botulism. L’Institut Pasteur reports finding botulinum toxin type A in a sample of the implicated batch of tapenade.
  • Food Safety Alert (Belgium): Consumers are advised that Les Délices de Marie Claire brand Tapenade aux amandes (Lot #112005; Best before 16-12-2012) has been recalled by the manufacturer because it has been implicated in an outbreak of botulism in France. A trace-forward investigation is in progress in France; it is possible that the product may have been introduced into Belgium by summer tourists.
  • Food Safety Alert (Denmark): Consumers are advised that Les Délices de Marie Claire brand Tapenade aux amandes (Lot #112005; Best before 16-12-2012) has been recalled by the manufacturer because it has been implicated in an outbreak of botulism in France. A trace-forward investigation is in progress in France; it is possible that the product may have been introduced into Denmark by summer tourists.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): DB OKS, A/S  recalls Minced Beef, 10% (Item #2251; Production date 30-08-2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is found in the product.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): Beauvais Foods A/S recalls Beauvais Organic Oatmeal with spelt, banana and strawberries (200g) and Beauvais Organic 7-Grain porridge (200g), because micro-holes have been found in the foil pouches in some packages.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1186): Insect larvae in wheat flour from Malta; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1188): Unauthorized formic acid in sour cabbage from Poland; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1189): Listeria monocytogenes in salmon from Latvia; distributed to Austria.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1190): Dioxins in copper sulphite from Israel; distributed to Belgium.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1191): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1192): Mold in various nut and fruit bars from the Czech Republic; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1193): Excess cyclamate in lemon-flavored drink from Turkey, via the Czech Republic and via Slovakia; distributed to Slovakia.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1194): Undeclared gluten, milk ingredient and wheat in roast potatoes from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1195): Insect infestation in jasmine flavored rice from Thailand; distributed to Greece and Italy.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1197): Salmonella Senftenberg in soybean meal pellets from Brazil; distributed to Sweden.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1198): Salmonella Senftenberg in rape seed meal from Germany; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1199): Glass fragments in frozen blueberries from Romania; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1200): Excessive benzoic acid in guarana soft drink from Portugal; distributed to Italy.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.1201): Unauthorized sildenafil thiono analogue in food supplement from Portugal; distributed to Spain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Global Medical Solutions Hong Kong Ltd recalls Neurolite for Inj with Buffer Vial (Lot No. 0200U and 0200U1), as the drug’s US manufacturer (Ben Venue Laboratories Inc) has initiated an international recall after finding particulate matter – likely stainless steel – in the product.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): Thirty-six children were hospitalized in Hyderabad with food poisoning symptoms after consuming food purchased from a roadside vendor in Miyapur.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): More than 100 people – most of them students – were hospitalized in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts with food poisoning symptoms.
  • Outbreak Alert (Thailand): One woman is dead and 42 others in Sa Kaew’s Khao Chakan district have been hospitalized with food poisoning after consuming improperly cooked pork at a funeral.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Alert (New Zealand): High levels of norovirus have been found in shellfish in Canterbury river mouths, according to a report published in the New Zealand Herald online.

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.