Recalls and Alerts: June 17, 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: Cinderella Sweets (Woodmere, NY) recalls Shabtai Gourmet Brand Cindy’s Scrumptious Chocolate Chip Pound Cake, 16 oz (All lots; Kosher for Passover), because the product ingredient list indicates egg in the contents, while the package is labeled “Egg Free.”
  • Allergy Alert: Bariatric Advantage, a division of Catalina Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) recalls Chewable Multi Formula High in Vitamins A, D, E & K (Chocolate Mint Truffle flavor; single tablet, 60-tablet, and 180 tablet sizes; Lot #411499, 411499B and 411499D; Expiration date 5/24/2012) because the tablets contain undeclared milk protein.
  • Food Safety Recall: TGF Production LLC (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Herring Fish in Salt Water (1,300g/2.86-lb round plastic container; Code #20.02.11 PVI44AMIC2; Product of Russia), because the herring was not properly eviscerated prior to processing, and may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was sold nationally.
  • Food Recall: Bacardi USA recalls Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante, 1.5-liter bottles (Lot codes: L10236, L10237, L10238, L10239, L10242, L10243, L10244, L10278, L10279, L10281, L10284, L10285, and L10321), after the company received reports of bursting bottles.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: FDA and Ocean Harvest Inc. (San Diego, CA) have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction. The consent decree restrains Ocean Harvest from preparing, packing, or distributing seafood until the company complies with the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. The company also cannot prepare, pack or distribute seafood until it complies with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations.
  • Outbreak Alert: Residents and employees at Lemoore Naval Air Station (California) are being told not to drink the base’s water after 29 people became ill with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. at the base.
  • Outbreak Alert: Four people have contracted E. coli after visiting the Everett’s Animal Farm at Forest Park in Snohomish County, Washington.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Au Délices de la Plaine (Terrebonne, QC) recalls – and warns the public not to consume – refrigerated spaghetti sauce sold by the company in 500-mL glass jars (all product dated up to and including 9 juin 2011), because the product may not be safe for consumption.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: MGA Entertainment of Van Nuys, California recalls Bratz Makeup Design Sketch Book (Batch codes BV6997 and BV7040; Expiration 9/2012), because the eye shadow makeup in the Sketch Book may be contaminated with Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus intermedius. The recalled product was sold from February 2011 to May 2011 at Toys R Us stores across Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Iceland Foods Ltd. recalls Iceland Beef in Oyster Sauce Noodle Bowl (550g; Best before 11.09.2012), due to the presence of undeclared peanut, fish and shellfish, as the result of a packaging error.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Iceland Foods Ltd. recalls Iceland’s Beef Oyster Sauce Noodle Bowl (550g; Best before 11.09.2012), because the product contains undeclared peanut, fish and shellfish allergens.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): The Co-operative recalls The Co-operative brand of Healthier Choice French Dressing (250mL; all codes), Thousand Island Dressing (250mL; all codes) and Fresh Caesar Dressing (150mL; all codes), after detecting Salmonella in one of the ‘minor ingredients’ used in the products. Salmonella has not been recovered from any of the finished product samples.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Skiftekær Økologi ApS recalls organic fruits and vegetables, after rats were found in the potato storage area. Please navigate to the recall notice for a list of the affected products and the retailers that carried them.
  • Food Safety Recall Update (Netherlands): The EHEC bacteria found last week in red (pink) beet sprouts is of a strain that has not been reported previously in the Netherlands. The source of the contamination is still under investigation.
  • Food Safety Alert (Italy): On orders from the Ministry of Health, the Carabiniere has seized 5 tons of Steaks Country frozen hamburger patties and meatballs from the Lidl distribution center in Verona province. The seized products, which are currently being analyzed, have been linked to seven reported cases of E. coli O157 illness in children in the Lille area of France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0782): Listeria monocytogenes in cheese from France; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0785): Unauthorized octopamine hydrochloride in food supplement from the USA; distributed to the Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0786): Aflatoxins in pine nuts (unshelled) from China, via Germany; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0787): Unauthorized gold and silver in food supplements from Italy; distributed to Andorra and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0788): High aerobic plate count (bacteria) in mineral water from Italy; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0789): Salmonella in onion powder from Egypt; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0790): Salmonella in frozen salted chicken cuts from Brazil; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0791): Salmonella in lamb meal from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0794): Undeclared nuts in muesli from the United Kingdom; distributed to Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0795): Imazalil in mango from Guatemala, via the Netherlands and via Hungary; distributed to Romania.
  • Outbreak Alert (Sweden): Some 50 dog owners – and possibly several dogs – are believed to have been infected with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) after attending a dog show in eastern Sweden. The 120 participants at the show came from all over Sweden, as well as from Denmark, Norway and Finland. EHEC has been confirmed in two cases; fortunately, a milder strain than is responsible for the German outbreak.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (German sprouts): According to the World Health Organization, there are now a total of 3,517 HUS and non-HUS EHEC cases, including 39 deaths. Germany has reported 798 cases of HUS (25 deaths) and 2,610 cases of non-HUS EHEC (13 deaths).

Australia and New Zealand

  • Medical Device Safety Recall/Alert (Australia): Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd recalls Life Scan One Touch Verio Blood Glucose Monitoring System, manufactured by Lifescan Inc, USA during August 2010 to December 2010, because users are experiencing repeated ‘Error 2’ warning messages when used in conditions of high temperature and/or humidity due to contamination on one of the meter’s components, which occurred during the manufacturing process. Please navigate to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s recall notice for a list of the affected serial numbers.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0782): Listeria monocytogenes in cheese from France; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

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: June 16, 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: Big B Distributors, Inc. (Evansville, IN) recalls Moonlite Bar-B-Q Burgoo Soup (16-oz and 32-oz jars; Est. 1717; Case codes 2022141, 2022142, 2052171 or 2052172; produced on February 24, 2011 and May 27, 2011), because the product contains undeclared sodium caseinate, a milk protein. The recalled product was shipped to a distribution center in Kentucky for retail distribution.
  • Allergy Alert: Blount Seafood Corporation dba Blount Fine Foods (Fall River, MA) recalls Turkey Gravy (12 oz, 24 oz plastic and 32 oz sealed cups; packaged for Stop & Shop, Giant (AHOLD), Kings Supermarket, and Hannafords Brothers) and Poultry Gravy (12 oz., 16 oz sealed cups; packaged for Shaws, Hannaford Brothers Blount Fine Foods Poultry Gravy), due to the presence of undeclared hydrolyzed soy protein.
  • Food Safety Recall: Quesos CentroAmericano Corp (Freeport, NY) recalls Queso Fresco “Fresh Cheese” (5-pound foil tray packages; Plant No. 36-9845; Product lot code 05/31/11), after a routine sample tested by the New York State Food Laboratory was found to be contaminated with high levels of Staphylococcus aureus. The recalled Queso Fresco was distributed to stores, delis and restaurants on Long Island, NY.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: C.W. Hendrix Farms, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL) recalls 15,832 cartons of Fresh Cucumbers (Lot #4329 and 4314), after FDA lab analysis detected Salmonella. The recalled cucumbers were distributed in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey, and were used in the following vegetable tray brands, which were recalled by Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A. Inc. (Miami, FL and Canton, MA): Roche Bros. Pick of the Crop, Del Monte, Del Monte Quality, and CIBO Express Gourmet Markets. Please see the Enforcement Report for June 15, 2011 for details. These recalls are ongoing.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Le Culinaire (Saint-Cyprien, QC) recalls several terrines, due to the presence of undeclared soy protein.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Morrisons withdraws Morrisons The Best Fruit Muesli 500g (Best before end May 2012), due to the presence of undeclared nuts.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (France): La société Seb recalls Steak Country brand frozen hamburger patties, sold at Lidl (1-kg boxes containing 10 x 100g patties; Lots 10/05/11, 11/05/11, and 12/05/11; Best if used by 10/05/12, 11/05/12 and 12/05/12), due to possible contamination with E. coli. Seven children, aged 20 months to 8 years, have been hospitalized with bloody diarrhea due to E. coli after consuming the hamburgers. At least three of the children are still being treated with dialysis. The hamburgers were produced using meat originating in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Le laboratoire D&A Pharma recalls Rocgel, 1.2g oral suspension of aluminium oxide (Lots H020 and H021), after certain packages are found to be out of specification for microbiological content.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Germany reports 786 cases of HUS (including 25 deaths) and 2518 cases of non-HUS EHEC (with 13 deaths) in the outbreak of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O104:H4 has been traced to contaminated sprouts. Fifteen other countries – 13 European countries, the USA and Canada – also have reported cases, producing a total of 825 HUS and 2,587 non-HUS EHEC infections, and 39 deaths.
  • Water Safety Alert (UK): Dawlish town beach (south Devon) has been closed to swimmers after filing a routine water quality test.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (PRC): Ten people, including four government staff and six butchers, have been arrested in a case involving clenbuterol-tainted pork.
  • Food Safety Seizure/Recall (Taiwan): The Public Health Bureau of Taichung City has seized more than 80,000 nutritional supplement capsules made with imported ginger powder contaminated with DIPB, a toxic chemical. Distributors were order to remove the product from store shelves.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Water Safety Alert (Christchurch, NZ): The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is reminded food businesses in Christchurch that water used in coffee machines needs to be pre-boiled, due to recent earthquakes.

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: June 15, 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: Atalanta Corp. (Elizabeth, NJ) recalls Royal Blue Stilton Cheese (Product of UK; Batch code B038; one 8-9 lb. wheel), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cheese was manufactured in England by Quenby Hall Dairy and exported to the USA by Coombe Castle International.
  • Outbreak Alert (Cruise): CDC reports back-to-back outbreaks of gastroenteritis on the Sea Princess (Princess Cruises). The first outbreak, which occurred during the May 20-30, 2011 cruise and sickened 128 passengers and 13 crew members, was confirmed by Health Canada labs to be due to Norovirus, genotype II. The second outbreak, which took place during the May 30-June 9, 2011 cruise, has sickened 135 passengers and 6 crew members. This outbreak is still under investigation.
  • Outbreak Alert: At least 16 people have been sickened by an outbreak of gastroenteritis, which appears to be linked to a celebration for fourth-graders at North Cape Elementary School in Western Racine County, Wisconsin. Raw milk was served at the event, but a specific source of the illnesses has not been established, nor was the pathogen identified in the news report.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Jérôme’s Steakhouse et Boucherie (Boucherville, QC) recalls several ready-to-eat products, due to the presence of undeclared wheat, soy, and/or eggs.
  • Health Advisory: Health Canada advises the public that a number of unauthorized health products, including sexual enhancement products, were removed from sale at Male and Female Harmony retail stores in Richmond and Burnaby, BC and at the Happy Paradise Adult Store in Burnaby, BC. The action was in response to a consumer complaint.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): CGC recalls BIO LP chez LEADER PRICE – FRANPRIX – LEADER EXPRESS – MIRANDA – GEIMEX brands of Extra-fine Organic Green Beans in glass jars (Lot #1598 L:N2M 7; Best before 31/08/2014), because the product may be contaminated with fragments of glass.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (E. coli O104:H4): As of June 14th, Germany has reported 784 cases of HUS (23 deaths) and 2,470 cases of non-HUS enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), with 13 deaths, for a total of 3,254 illnesses and 36 deaths. Including international cases, the total number of illnesses and deaths stands at 3,343 HUS and EHEC cases, and 37 deaths. The number of new cases reported in Germany has decreased considerably in the last few days.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0774): Salmonella in rocket leaves from Italy; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0775): Salmonella Mbandaka in organic soya from Italy; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0776): Unauthorized leucomalachite green in cultured caviar from China; distributed to Germany, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0777): Traces of sesame and peanuts in diet meal from Finland; distributed to Norway, Sweden and Taiwan.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0780): Taste disturbance caused by pine nuts from China, packaged in Malta, via Italy; distributed to Malta.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0781): Undeclared milk ingredient in roasted meat loaf (garlic) from the Czech Republic; distributed to Slovakia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): Chuang’s Square Cookies has recalled brown sugar square cookies from the retail market pending tests, after Hong Kong reported finding traces of plasticizers in the cookies. The company denied using plasticizer-contaminated ingredients, and said that the contaminant found by Hong Kong may have come from the packaging.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0776): Unauthorized leucomalachite green in cultured caviar from China; distributed to Germany, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0777): Traces of sesame and peanuts in diet meal from Finland; distributed to Norway, Sweden and Taiwan.

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.