Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: May 25, 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: BCS Int’l Corp (Long Island, NY) recalls Dr. Snack brand Choco Raisin, 12 oz. (Sell by 03/05/2012), because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Globe All Wellness, LLC (Hollywood, FL) recalls Slim Xtreme™ Herbal Slimming Capsule (30 capsules/bottle; all lots), because the product contains undeclared simbutramine.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert: Minnesota Department of Health warns residents to stop using some types of skin lightening products, after testing revealed that they may contain dangerous levels of mercury.
  • Outbreak Alert: Three Ouachita Christian School students were admitted to local hospitals last week after contracting infections with E. coli O157:H7. The students had been playing in a mud pit on a farm where an end-of-the-year party was being held.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments Edesia Foods Inc. (Saint-Hubert, QC) recalls Fumagalli La Salumeria brand Seasoned Dry Cured Pork Loin (Batch 119062; Best before 30.08.2011), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Quebec.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Booja Booja recalls Hazelnut Crunch, Around Midnight Espresso, Cognac Banana, and Champagne chocolate truffles (all date codes and all pack sizes), because the products may contain undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Rieber & Son Denmark A/S recalls Salad Master Remoulade (400g; Best before 30/8/2011; Lot #L32), due to the development of gas in the packages, as a result of the growth of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Nature Drogeriet A/S recalls Paradisfrø (Item #4501), because the seeds are rated as unacceptable for human consumption.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (France): The Health Directorate advises the public that Burnermax 3000, sold as a weight-loss dietary supplement, has not been authorized for use or sale in France. The product was linked to a report of a heart attack in a 27-year old man with no prior history of coronary problems or risk factors. The man had been consuming Burnermax 3000 on a regular basis for three weeks.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0688): Unauthorized vinpocetine in food supplements from the United States, via Hungary; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0689): Prohibited metronidazole in honey from China; distributed in Belgium and Poland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0691): Vanadium in multi-vitamins and minerals food supplements from the United States, via Hungary; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0692): Salmonella in desiccated coconut from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Estonia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0693): Omethoate in water mimosa from Thailand; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0694): Salmonella anatum, Salmonella Schwarzengrund, Salmonella Galiema, Salmonella Haifa, and Salmonella Typhimurium in dog chews from Bahrain; distributed to Germany.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Health officials have confirmed an outbreak of seven cases of E. coli infections among students at Redfield Edge Primary School.
  • Outbreak Alert (France/Jersey): A group of 56 children from Granville developed vomiting while on a day trip to Jersey. The cause of the outbreak is under investigation.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Germany): Three people have died, 80 are confirmed with E. coli O104, and an additional 350 cases are under investigation in this multi-state outbreak.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): The Department of Health and the Consumer Protection Commission has ordered several dozen beverages and foodstuffs be removed from store shelves, because they may contain the plasticizing agent, Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, or DEHP.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): Zamboanga City Health Office officials report that 1,823 patients were sickened by diarrhea during the first four months of 2011, compared to 1,360 in the same period last year.

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: May 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

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Illinois): The number of Salmonella Typhimurium cases that appear to be linked to Portillo’s restaurant in St. Charles, IL stands at 14 confirmed cases from 4 Illinois counties – Kane (8), DuPage (4), Chicago (1), and DeKalb (1) – and one confirmed case from Minnesota. Epidemiological evidence suggests salad as the source.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection urges the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside, after receiving reports of two individuals who became ill after eating wild mushrooms picked from Lung Tsui Park.
  • Disinfectant Solution Safety Recall (Hong Kong): B. Braun Medical AG recalls three batches of Braunoderm iodine solution after the manufacturer found that the level of available iodine in some batches fell slightly under expected concentration of active ingredient before the expiry date was reached. The only recalled batch that was imported into Hong Kong was: Braunoderm Ungef Spruehfl ‘DE’ 250ml (Article No.: 3881105, Batch No.: 0253M14)
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has ordered punitive closure of the Madinat Zayed branch of Al Ibrahimi restaurant (license number 1040214) in the capital, after an inspection revealed several violations of the rules and regulations governing food safety.
  • Outbreak Alert (Indonesia): Around 300 employees of PT Shang J Fung (Cikupa, Tangerang) developed nausea and vomiting after eating food supplied by Asep Sawawi’s catering company. The affected employees were taken to hospital for treatment.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): An infectious diseases specialist in Mexico City reports having confirmed 14 cases of typhoid since March 2011 – 6 with blood cultures and 8 in stool samples.

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: May 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: Narala Bakery Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Halal Plain Cake and Halal Fruit Cake, because the products contain undeclared eggs. The recalled cakes were sold to various locations in the five boroughs of New York City.
  • Food Safety Recall: Atalanta Corp. (Elizabeth, NJ) recalls Nazareth Classic Cheese and Nazareth Light Cheese (Product of Belgium; Lot Nos. 5030008, 5030009, 11350044, 11350045, 11350046, and 10840120; Expiry 3/13/2011 through 7/29/2011) because the cheeses may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products come in bulk and were distributed in the North East region for sale in retail stores in random weight cuts.
  • Food Safety Embargo (Illinois):  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has embargoed all products from Tran’s Tofu in Chicago after learning during a routine inspection that the company had been operating without hot water. IDPH inspectors also found a rodent infestation problem at the Tran’s Tofu facility. Embargoed products include all date codes of Fresh Tofu (Dau Hu Tuoi), Fried Tofu (Dau Hu Chien) and Fresh Soybean Drink (Sua Dau Nanh). The products are sold mainly to Asian grocery stores and restaurants in the Chicago area.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: FDA seeks seizure of cheese products distributed by Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Inc. (Darlington, WI) after FDA finds evidence of rodent infestation.
  • Food Safety Alert: FDA warns the public not to feed SimplyThick (a thickening product) to infants born before 37 weeks, after receiving reports that some premature infants who were fed this product developed a life-threatening intestinal inflammation known as necrotizing enterocolitis. The cause of the adverse reaction is under investigation.
  • Food Safety Alert: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) today issued a warning to consumers to avoid eating carnivorous gastropods (snails, such as whelks, conchs and moonsnails) and the hepatopancreas (tomalley) of blue claw crabs and lobsters harvested from the following areas: Western Shinnecock Bay (Town of Southampton) and Huntington Bay, Huntington Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Northport Bay, Northport Harbor, Centerport Harbor and Duck Island Harbor (Town of Huntington), due to the presence of marine biotoxins.
  • Outbreak Alert: CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is reporting back-to-back outbreaks of gastroenteritis on board the Coral Princess (Princess Cruises). The first outbreak occurred during the April 24th to May 4th cruise. It affected 66 passengers and 3 crew members, and was due to Enterotoxigenic E. coli. The second outbreak developed on the May 4th to May 19th cruise, and affected 64 passengers and 3 crew members. The cause of the second outbreak is still under investigation; onboard Norovirus tests were negative.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Pro-Amino International Inc. recalls Protilife Chocolate Truffle & Cream Bar (5 x 45g; Lot code PCC 12 11A, 2013 07), because the product contains undeclared peanuts.
  • Allergy Alert: Quality Natural Foods Ltd. recalls Quality Brand Lemon Juice (250mL & 750mL; Lot #L-120410) MTR Garlic Pickle (300g; Lot 90829.QNF-02BB: SEP 2011), MTR Mixed Vegetable Pickle (300g; 91221.QNF-05BB: DEC 2011), and MTR LIme Pickle (300g; 91221.QNF-05BB: DEC 2011), because the products contain undeclared sulfites.
  • Allergy Alert: CFIA warns the public that Ravi brand Amritsari Punjabi Wadi contains undeclared wheat, and has been recalled by the importers.
  • Food Safety Alert: Health Canada warns parents, caregivers and healthcare providers not to feed SimplyThick to premature infants. FDA reports 15 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis, including two deaths, involving infants who were fed this product. Health Canada is not aware of any Canadian illnesses.
  • Boil Water Advisory (Alberta): Alberta Health Services warns residents of Red Earth, Gift Lake and the Town of Slave Lake to boil water used for drinking, cooking or bathing/washing, or to use an alternative water source until further notice. The advisory was issued as a result of disruptions caused by wildfires.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): CERF recalls unbranded Frozen Cheeseburgers sold in Auchan’s Self Discount department (6 x 125g packages; Expiry dates 26/04/2012, 27/04/2012, 06/05/2012, 09/05/2012), because the meat is contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

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.