Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: July 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

  • Food Recall: Buehler’s (Smith’s) recalls 2% Milk (1/2 gallon containers; Lot code July 27), because the milk may have oxidized. This is not a safety issue, according to Buehler’s.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: The US District Court for the Western District has granted FDA’s motion for summary judgment and entered an order of permanent injunction against Rhody Dairy, LLC and its owner, after Rhody Dairy failed to administer drugs to animals with adequate control measures, such as keeping complete records to ensure that animals are not over-medicated or sent to slaughter too soon after treatment with animal drugs. According to the ruling, these practices constitute “insanitary conditions” that may render food harmful to health under the Act. Legal action was taken after FDA investigators documented the farm’s unlawful practices during several inspections over the course of the past decade.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (France): Société Dumortier recalls Bouton d’Or chez Intermarché  Shallot Vinaigrette (Vinaigrette à Echalote), 500mL (Lot #L11126 S02; Best before 06/05/2012), due to the presence of undeclared mustard.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Taste the Difference Melting Middle 2 Smoked Haddock with Cheddar and Leek Fishcakes ( Use by 14 July 2011), because the product may be contaminated with small pieces of metal.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (Denmark): Romer Product recalls Romer Product Organic Tofu, 500g glass jar (Drained weight 200g; Best before 20/04-2014 and 10/05-2014), because the product may contain botulinum toxin.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): O. Kavli A/S recalls Sunsweet prunes (400g bag; Best before October 2012), because some of the prunes have fermented.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (Norway): Nelson Garden withdraws Product Number 5665 Hot Mix Series Primo Vitamino seed mix for sprouting, because the seed mix contains fenugreek seeds that were imported from Egypt. The withdrawn seed mix was on the market since November 2010.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): For the second time in a month, a ward at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry has been closed to new admissions due to an outbreak of Norovirus.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (France): The strain of E. coli O104:H4 that was behind the outbreak in Gironde (Bordeaux) has been determined to correspond genetically to the strain that was recovered during the German outbreak.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0988): Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning toxins in chilled mussels from the United Kingdom; distributed to France and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0990): Formetanate in peppers from Turkey; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0991): Salmonella in liquid egg protein from Austria; distributed to Austria and Croatia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0992): Aflatoxins in mold-infested dried rice flour from India; distributed to Austria, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0993): Aflatoxins in sunflower seeds from Turkey; distributed to Germany and Turkey.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0994): Excessive caffeine in food supplement from the United States, via Sweden; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0995): Mercury in chilled little tunny from Greece; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Medical Device Safety Recall (Brazil): Incomepe Indústria de Materiais Cirúrgicos Ltda. recalls Protese Parcial de Quadril Tipo Thompson Incomepe/Thompson Type Partial Hip Implant (Lot 013 921; Models 3003900/Ø39; 3004100/Ø41; 3004300/Ø43; 3004500/Ø45; 3004700/Ø47; 3004900/Ø49; 3005100/Ø51; 3005300 / Ø53), after tests identify gaps in the quality of raw materials and the manufacturing process.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: July 21, 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: Malcolm Meats (Northwood, OH) recalls Steak Sirloin ANG CC Aussie H-CH (16 x 10-oz pkgs/case; Code 6778708; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (20 x 8-oz pkgs/case; Code 0648683; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (16 x 10-oz pkgs/case; Code 0648691; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (14 x 12-oz pkgs/case; Code 8415721; Produced prior to April 20, 2011) and Steak Sirloin Culotte CH Aussie (20 x 8-oz pkgs/case; Code 0651299; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), because the products contain undeclared wheat and soy. The recalled marinated beef products were shipped to distribution centers in Indiana, Missouri and Ohio for institutional use.
  • Food Safety Recall: Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (Mount Pleasant, TX and Waco, TX) recalls Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Breaded White Chicken Nuggets Shaped Patties (2 x 5-lb bags/box; Date code 11471010; Est. P-7091; Produced May 27, 2011) and Pilgrim’s Pride Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Fillet with Rib Meat (6 x 5-lb bags/box; Date code 11801050; Use by date Dec 26, 2011; Est. P-20728; Produced June 29, 2011), because the ready-to-eat products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Chicken Nugget Shaped Patties were shipped to distribution centers in New Jersey and Texas for further distribution to food service institutions; The Chicken Breast Fillets were shipped to an Ohio distribution center for further distribution to food service institutions.
  • Food Safety Recall: Euphoria Fancy Food Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Herring Special Salting (Product of Russia; uncoded 48.58oz/1300g plastic container), because the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Marché Stéphane Beaulieu Inc., dba Metro Plus (Sainte-Julienne, QC) recalls several varieties of tarts, because they contain undeclared soy and/or sulfites.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sunsprout Natural Foods recalls Sprouts Alive Baby Onion Sprouts, 70g (BB JUL 28), due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled sprouts were supplied to retail stores in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Agropol International Trade Ltd. recalls Fest brand Oranzada Biala – “White” Soft Drink, 1.5L and Fest brand Oranzada Czerwona – “Red” Soft Drink, 1.5L due to the presence of unspecified chemical additives. The recalled beverages were supplied to retail stores in Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (Denmark): Urtekram A/S recalls Nutana Vegetarian Pâtés (170g can; Best before 25.04.14) and Organic Tofu (500g glass jar, 260g drained weight; Best before 26.04.2014 and 10.05.2014) because the products may contain botulinum toxin. A 16-year-old boy from Copenhagen has been hospitalized with suspected food-borne botulism. The case is suspected to be linked to the consumption either of Nutana Vegetarian Pâté or Organic Tofu, both of which were imported by Urtekram. The investigation is still in progress.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): SuperGros A/S recalls Save brand Mackerel in Tomato (4-pack; best before 19.05.2014) because pieces of aluminum were found in some of the gaskets.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Therabel Lucien Pharma recalls Helacidine 10% Syrup (250ml bottle; Lot #163912Z and 164912Z; Expiry 12/2014), because the label omits to mention that the syrup is contraindicated for children under the age of two years.
  • Cosmetic Product Recall and Enforcement Action (France): L’Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé (AFSSAPS) announces the recall and the suspension of manufacturing, marketing, distribution and export of the following skin restoration products, after inspection of the manufacturing facility reveals infractions of documentation and safety/sanitary laws and regulations: Choc Medical (Hyalskin®, Mesoface® and Reparestim®), Sun Communication  (Biostyle®), Philoderm Aesthetics (Rofilan Hylan Gel®, Philoderm Beauty Gel®, Zetaderm®, Zetavisc®, Esthirase®, Philoderm®, Professional® and Mesoface®) and Aesthetic Dermal (Repairs®, Refills® and Stimulates®).
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0979): Anthraquinone in wheat fiber produced in the Netherlands with raw material from Pakistan; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0982): Prohibited substance metronidazole in honey from Guatemala, via France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0983): Suspicion of botulinum toxin in organic tofu from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2011.0984): Migration of lead from ceramic soup plates from China; distributed to Lithuania and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0985): Suspicion of botulinum toxin in vegetarian pate from Sweden; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0986): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled hake from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0987): Mercury in food supplements from Poland; distributed to Bulgaria, Poland, Russian Federation and United Kingdom.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety announces that two samples of Taiwan-style drinks “peach red tea” and “lychee juice green tea” taken at two local drinks shops were found to contain the plasticizer DEHP. The CFS has instructed the concerned shops to immediately stop sale of those two kinds of drinks.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0979): Anthraquinone in wheat fiber produced in the Netherlands with raw material from Pakistan; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Australia and 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.

Recalls and Alerts: July 20, 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: Arizona Canning Company recalls Sun Vista Red Enchilada Sauce, 29-oz cans (Mild, Medium and Hot varieties; all lots), because they may contain undeclared soy. The recalled products were distributed in California and Arizona.
  • Food Safety Recall: Flying Food Group, LLC (Lawrenceville, GA) recalls Starbucks Chipotle Chicken Wraps Bistro Box (8.4 oz; Expiry 071511; Est. No. P-34373) and Starbucks Chicken & Hummus Bistro Box (6.3 oz; Expiry 071511; Est. No. P-34373), because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled ready-to-eat products were produced on July 13, 2011 and supplied to Starbucks coffee shops in Georgia and Alabama.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that, as of July 18, 2011, 241 people in 42 states have been infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The infections are associated with African dwarf frogs from Blue Lobster Farms, an African dwarf frog breeding facility in Madera County, California. The owner of the breeding facility voluntarily stopped shipping frogs in late April 2011, but resumed shipments in early June.

Canada

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix (Toronto, ON) recalls Baléa Kids Hair Putty in Tropical Fruit Punch Scent styling gel (150 ml clear jar; Lot code C117), because the product may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia, This bacterium can cause serious illness in individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic lung issues, such as cystic fibrosis. The recalled products were sold in Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores across Canada from April 2011 until July 8, 2011.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving two groups of four people who lunched at a restaurant in Shatin on July 18th. Four of the eight people sought medical treatment; one required hospitalization, but has since been discharged.
  • Counterfeit Product Alert (Singapore): The Health Sciences Authority alerts the public to the sale in local optical shops of counterfeit colored contact lenses, fraudulently labeled as “FreshLook® ColorBlends® Contact Lenses from CIBA VISION“. Please navigate to the HSA notice for details.

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.