Category: allergy

Recalls and Alerts: May 5, 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: Smithfield Packing Company (Clinton, NC and Tar Heel, NC) recalls Smithfield Portobello Mushroom Pork Loin Filet (Est. 413 with use by date ranging from 12/26/10 to 6/03/11; Est 18079 with use by date ranging from 1/16/11 to 4/24/11), because the product may contain undeclared whey (a milk protein). The recalled products were distributed to retail outlets in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms Pacific (Tracy, CA) recalls certain ready-to-eat fresh salad products containing grape tomatoes supplied by Six L’s that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products include: Marketside Chef Salad (6.5-oz plastic trays; Use by 5/2/11), Marketside Cobb Salad (5.25-0z plastic trays; Use by 5/6/11), Signature Cafe BLT Salad with Chicken (12-oz. plastic trays; Use by 4/27/11), Signature Cafe Cobb Salad (12-oz. plastic trays; Use by 4/27/11 or 4/28/11) and Signature Cafe Chef Salad (11-oz. plastic trays; Use by 4/27/11). The recalled items were shipped to distribution centers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Washington State for further distribution to retail stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mastronardi Produce (Kingston, ON) recalls grape tomatoes that are associated with a recall by Six L’s Packing Company (Immokalee, FL) and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products include: Aldi “From the Vine” Grape Tomatoes (1 pt clamshell; Lot #41141, 41144, 41149; shipped to IL, MI, WI), Sunset Grape Tomatoes (1 pt. clamshell; Lot #40665, 40667, 40673, 40883, 40955, 40986, 40989, 40990, 40991, 41148, 41154, 41155 41160; shipped to FL, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, TX, WI), Sunset Grape Tomatoes (2 lb. clamshell; Lot #40680; shipped to NJ) and Trader Joe’s Splendido Little Tomatoes (12 oz. clamshell; Lot #40675, 40676, 41142; Eastern Seaboard & Midwest locations only).
  • Outbreak Alert: The New York State Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of 19 cases of Clostridium difficile infections – including 3 deaths – among patients at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, NY. The outbreak began on February 28th.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School (Mitchell, SD) cancelled classes for the remainder of the week in an effort to control an outbreak of “stomach flu” that has sickened 130 students (out of a student body of 400) and seven staff members.
  • Red Tide Alert (Massachusetts): The Massachusetts Department of Public Health urges consumers to discard shellfish harvested and sold after April 29th from the southern sections of the Nauset Marsh estuary, including waters on the border of Eastham and Orleans due to a local outbreak of red tide.
  • Outbreak Alert: Five cases of E. coli illness have been confirmed in Bell County, TX. No other details are available.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: G.A. Gertmenian and Sons, LLC (Los Angeles, CA) recalls Toy Story 3 Bowling Game (Made in China; Batch #JA 148: sold in Walmart Stores in the USA between September 1, 2010 and September 25, 2010), because the red paint used on some of the pins contains lead in excess of the maximum allowable level.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: McCall’s Bakers Warehouse (Mississauga, ON) recalls #1 Gluten Free brand Chocolate Cake Mix and #1 Gluten Free brand White Cake Mix (5-lb; Lot #33310-4), because the products contain undeclared milk. The cake mixes were recalled in the USA by the manufacturer, Raymond-Hadley Corporation, and distributed nationally by McCall’s.
  • Allergy Alert: Quality Natural Foods Ltd. ( Scarborough, ON) recalls Quality brand Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks (200g and 400g sizes), because the product contains undeclared wheat.  The recalled product was distributed nationally.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Philippines): Nestlé Philippines, Inc. recalls MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles Beef & Chicken Flavors (Lot codes #11020598A2 and 11030598A1) after routine testing uncovers Salmonella in the Beef Flavor. Nestlé has suspended production of all MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles pending completion of their investigation into the source of the contamination.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): A fourth death – a 70-year-old woman – has been confirmed in an enterohemorrhagic E. coli outbreak that has been linked to eating yakiniku, a raw meat dish, at outlets of the Foods Forus Co. restaurant chain based in Kanazawa. More than 30 people have been hospitalized in this outbreak; 20 are reported to be in serious condition. According to Japan Times, both E. coli O111 and E. coli O157 strains have been detected in many of the cases.
  • Food Safety Alert (Taiwan): The Consumers Foundation warns consumers that more than 90% of randomly tested cakes sold online lacked clear expiration date and nutritional information labels. None of the cakes offered information on food additives that might be present.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Accord United Pty Ltd. recalls Yummy Brand Lychee Flavoured Fruit Jelly and Mango Flavoured Fruit Jelly (Manufactured by Han Shuo Food Co. Ltd, Taiwan; Expiry 10/2011), due to a choking hazard. The mini jelly cups contain conjac, which is banned in Australia.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Cholera Outbreak Report (Haiti): The United Nations has released the Final Report from an Independent Panel of Experts who investigated the cholera outbreak in Haiti. The experts concluded that “. . .the 2010 Haiti cholera outbreak was caused by bacteria introduced into Haiti as a result of human activity; more specifically by the contamination of the Meye Tributary System of the Artibonite River with a pathogenic strain of the current South Asian type Vibrio cholerae.”

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.

Recalls and Alerts: May 4, 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: The Raymond-Hadley Corp. (Spencer, NY) expands its earlier recall of Better Batter Mixes to include #1 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix (Lot #33310-4) and #1 Gluten Free White Cake Mix (Lot #33310-4), because the products may contain undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert: Tops Markets advises consumers that Smithfield Pork Fillet with Portabella Mushrooms, 27.2 oz (UPC 7080074210; Code dates 2/10/2011 through 4/23/2011) has been recalled due to an incomplete ingredient listing on the label.
  • Food Safety Recall: Flowers Foods (Thomasville, GA) recalls the following products (Best By date codes of May 11th 0355 119 and May 12th 0355 120), because the products may contain small pieces of metal: Cobblestone Mill 16 oz. 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Natural Grains Honey Wheat English Muffins, Nature’s Own Light Multi Grain English Muffins, Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins, Nature’s Own Honey Wheat English Muffins, and Sweetbay 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins. The recalled products may have been distributed to supermarkets and retail grocers in the following states and regions: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,West Virginia, Southern California, southwest Colorado, southern Illinois, southeastern Kansas, south and central Nevada, southern New Jersey, southern Ohio, southern Pennsylvania, and extreme southwestern Utah. Some of the products were sold in Publix supermarkets and Walmart stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Porky Products (Carteret, NJ) recalls Salted Smoked Split Herring “Bloaters” (Imported from Canada; 18 lb boxes; Lot #274 10), because the uneviscerated product has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled Bloaters were sold in supermarkets in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania from April 14-28, 2011.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway recalls Kabobs made using grape tomatoes supplied by Taylor Farms, because the grape tomatoes, which were sourced from Six L’s, may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled kabobs were sold between April 26, 2011 and May 3, 2011 and have a Sell By Date up to and including May 3, 2011. The kabobs were sold in Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak N Save stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota and Southwest Washington State. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of recalled Kabob varieties.
  • Food Safety Recall: Trader Joe’s recalls Trader Joe’s Splendido Little Tomatoes (Packed On Dates: 11 AL 16 and 11 AL 17), because the product was packed on a shared line with tomatoes from a different farm that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall affects Splendido Little Tomatoes sold in Trader Joe’s locations in CT, DC, DE, , IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, WA & VA (only Alexandria, Centrevill, Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston & Sprinfield stores).
  • Bottled Water Safety Recall: Mountain Pure Water Company recalls Mountain Pure bottled drinking water, 16.9 fl. oz.,(Best By 2-27-2013 MPWA or Best By 2-28-2013 MPWA), after the Arkansas Department of Health finds biological (mold) contamination in a sample. The recall includes water ordered by the city of Clinton for use during disaster response efforts.
  • Pet Treat Safety Recall: Keys Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Paris, IL) recalls Pig Ears for Pet Treats (100-count cases packed in cardboard boxes and shipped between Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2010; Nov. 1-Nov. 29, 2010; and Jan. 3-Jan. 25, 2011), due to Salmonella contamination. One illness (a dog in Missouri) has been linked to the treats. The products were sold to distributors in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. No lot numbers or date codes have been specified.
  • Alcohol Prep Pad Safety Recall (Update): Rite Aid Pharmacy advises consumers that Smith and Nephew has expanded its earlier recall of Skin-Prep Wipes, manufactured by H&P Industries (d.b.a. Triad Group), because the recalled products were made in the same facility as other product that was potentially contaminated with bacteria (Bacillus cereus). Please refer to the Rite Aid notice for a detailed list of recalled products.
  • Water Safety Advisory (Kansas): Kansas Department of Health and Environment advises the public that it continues to find elevated levels of E. coli at some sites in Hog Creek (near Basehor).
  • Water Safety Advisory (Washington): The Washington State Department of Health has closed much of Samish Bay to shellfish harvesting, due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Boulangerie, pâtisserie, charcuterie, fromage Lachenaie (Terrebonne, QC) recalls Raspberry Pie, Strawberry Pie, Apple Pie and Blueberry Pie, due to the presence of undeclared eggs.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals Inc. recalls all lots of Omega Alpha Kidney Flush, due to the omission of cautionary and warning statements on the product label. The recalled product was sold at retail locations in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert: Magasins Monoprix recalls Monoprix Filet de Poulet Rôti Cuit au Four Nature, 150g (Lot # L11109, Best By 06/05/2011) (Monoprix Organic Oven-Roasted Chicken Fillet, 150g), because the product contains undeclared milk, eggs and celery.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Twenty-eight patients in three wards at Sandwell General Hospital have been infected with Norovirus. Health officials have closed six wards to visitors in an effort to contain the outbreak.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0574): Procymidone in tomatoes from Spain; distributed to Hungary.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0575): Aflatoxins in white sunflower seeds from Egypt; distributed to Belgium.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0577): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled swordfish from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0578): Salmonella Agona in fishmeal from Germany; distributed to Belgium.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety urges members of the public not to consume two consignments of Buckhaven Shellfish razor clams imported from Scotland, because the shellfish may be contaminated with phycotoxins (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning). The imported shellfish were sold on May 1st at Union Marine Products Trading Co. in the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market.
  • Bottled Water Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns members of the public not to consume Ouyun Makkah Factory Potable Water (Jeddah Province), after analysis of the water revealed that it exceeded the maximum allowed limit of Bromate.
  • Food Safety Alert (Vietnam): The National Institute of Nutrition reports that food samples recently taken from four major markets in Ha Noi revealed that many of the samples contained lead.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong & Macao): Healthcare Pharmascience Ltd recalls Cyclovax Cream 5% (Lot #44254; manufactured in Cyprus), after lab analysis revealed that the active ingredient (aciclovir) was only present at 3.2% instead of the claimed 5%. The recalled product is a prescription topical antiviral drug for treatment of herpes simplex virus skin infections.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority recalls Hadidah cosmetic product, after several samples are found to contain high percentages of lead and arsenic.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): A woman was the third person to die as a result of eating a raw meat dish contaminated with E. coli O111. Fifty-six people have been infected with the outbreak strain, which has been traced to meat served at outlets of the restaurant chain run by Foods Forus Co (Kanazawa). At a news conference, a company spokesperson confirmed that the company had not conducted hygiene inspections of its raw meat supplier (a Tokyo-based wholesaler) for the last two years.
  • Outbreak Alert (Rwanda): Twenty-six people were hospitalized after drinking contaminated milk supplied by the owner of the Seeds of Peace restaurant on the shores of Lake Muhazi. Ten of the victims were students or staff at Gahini College and obtained the milk from the school canteen; the others consumed the milk at the Seeds of Peace restaurant.
  • Outbreak Alert (Israel): Eighteen children at the Neve Tzuf day care center have been hospitalized with symptoms that could either be due to pesticide exposure or food poisoning.
  • Food Safety Inspections (Taiwan): Taiwan FDA officials report that 15 out of 37 bakeries inspected by the agency need to improve their sanitation; one of the bakeries failed to meet even the minimum standards of hygiene. A common infraction were the mixing of raw with cooked food and placing food on the floor.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): About 200 people at five Northland rest homes have been infected since April 20th with what is suspected to be Norovirus. The five homes are urging non-essential visitors to stay away in order to help contain the spread of the outbreak.

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 3, 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: Mann Packing (Salinas, CA) recalls certain vegetable platter and Snacks on the Go items, because the grape tomato ingredients were supplied by Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The following items labeled with Best If Used By dates ranging from May 9, 2011 to May 16, 2011 were recalled: Small Vegetable Platter (UPC  16519 01411-6), Snacks on the Go with Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes (sold in Kroger stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Eastern WV, Eastern Kentucky, SE Ohio, in Food 4 Less, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs stores, in Stop & Shop stores, in Giant Food stores, and exported to Canada), Mann’s Large Party Platter (UPC 16519 01405-5) and Vegetable Platter Large (UPC 16519 01407-9).
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Bonaterra Products, Inc. (Maywood, CA) that a January 2011 inspection of the company’s food storage facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Happy Crab Seafood, Inc. (Portland, OR) that a January 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 Del Bueno (Grandview, WA) that an October 2010 inspection of the company’s cheese processing establishment revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the company’s processing facility, causing its cheese products to be adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. FDA also recovered Listeria monocytogenes from two finished product samples of Queso Fresco Cheese obtained at retail stores.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: The following additional 50g Raw Organic Food Bars have been recalled due to the presence of undeclared peanuts: Chocolately Chocolate Chip (Lot codes 1062810, 3062810, 1072810, 1102010), Chocolate Coconut (Lot codes 5071210, 4072810, 3081710, 2092010, 4102010), Cinnamon Raisin (Lot codes 2062410, 2070910, 2083110) and Fibre Chocolate Delite (Lote codes 5062810, 6072110, 1092010). The recalled products are known to have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario, and may be distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mastronardi Produce Ltd. (Kingsville, ON) recalls Field & Farm brand Grape tomatoes (1 pint clamshell; Lot #40398) and Compliemnts brand Santalina Grape tomatoes (280g; Lot #40664 in Quebec and #40640 & 40664 in Atlantic Canada), because the tomatoes may be contaminated with Salmonella Anatum. The Farm & Field product was sold in Ontario by Metro Ontario Inc., and the Compliments product was distributed by Sobeys in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and at the Bonichoix located at 1244 St-Augustin Road, Embrun, Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mann Packing (Salinas, CA) Snacks on the Go with Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes (UPC 16519 01505-2), because the grape tomato ingredients were supplied by Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Dietary Supplement Enforcement Action (Hong Kong): A woman has been arrested following an investigation into the suspected illegal sale of a slimming product, Botanical Slimming, which was found to contain two banned Western drugs – phenolphthalein and sibutramine – both of which can cause serious side effects.
  • Outbreak Alert (PRC): More than 70 villagers in Baise (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning after attending a private banquet in the village. The youngest victim was a 6-month old baby. None of the illnesses are life-threatening.
  • Outbreak Alert (PRC): More than 200 people were sickened after eating lunch at Ruizhou Grand Restaurant in Datong City. Four of the victims are in serious condition. The outbreak victims were celebrants at two weddings and a birthday party held in the restaurant.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (PRC): Fourteen people in northern China have been convicted and received prison sentences – two of them for life – for their involvement in producing or selling melamine-adulterated milk powder. Fifty-three officials have been discharged, demoted, or given lesser punishment for their involvement in the same cases.
  • Outbreak Alert (Abu Dhabi): Some 117 workers at a labor camp were taken to Mount Zayed Hospital after falling ill with vomiting, nausea, fever and diarrhea. An additional 119 workers were treated for their food poisoning symptoms at the camp. The cause of the food poisoning outbreak is under investigation by the Abu Dhabi Health and Food Control Authorities.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of typhoid fever has sickened 98 residents of the remote village of Sappaac, Bangued, Abra in the northern Philippines. Water from a shallow well – the main source of drinking water for the village – was found to be contaminated with Salmonella typhi.
  • Outbreak Alert (Egypt): More than 62 students living on-campus at the University of Tanta Bsbarbai developed food poisoning; 18 were hospitalized for treatment. A committee has been formed to look into the cause of the incident.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mozambique): One person has died and four others were hospitalized in Maputo, following an outbreak of cholera in the Costa do Sol neighborhood of the Mozambican capital. This is the first reported outbreak of cholera in Maputo since 2007.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): The number of illnesses in the Fukui Prefecture outbreak of E. coli O111 has risen to fifty-six; two boys have died. The victims all consumed a raw meat dish called Yukhoe, served at restaurants run by Foods Forus Co.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Therapeutic Goods Safety Advisory (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns consumers that Natural Vigra VIAGRA Tablets, sold over the Internet contain therapeutic quantities of the prescription medication sildenafil. Natural Vigra is sold as a 100% herbal product. Sildenafil may be harmful – especially to people with a history of cardiovascular disease – if taken without the supervision of a medical professional.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Venezuela): Ninety cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Arenas. Most of the victims are students in primary and secondary schools in Arenas.

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.