Recalls and Alerts: May 2, 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: Organic Food Bar, Inc. (Fullerton, CA) recalls certain Raw Organic Cinnamon Raisin Food Bars, Raw Organic Chocolate Coconut Food Bars, Raw Organic Oooatmeal Apple Pie Food Bars, Raw Organic Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Food Bars, Raw Organic Fiber Chocolate Delite Food Bars, Raw Organic Keerunch Crunchy Chocolate Chip Food Bars and Raw Organic Oohmega Cherry Pie Food Bars, because the products may contain undeclared peanut, through cross contamination of cashew butter provided by a former supplier. Please refer to the recall notice for expiry code and lot code details.
  • Allergy Alert: Oberto Sausage Company (Kent, WA) recalls Lowrey’s Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky (3 individual snack packs of 6 beef jerky sticks; Best by 130412 01), because the product contains undeclared soy. The recalled beef jerky was produced on April 15, 2011 and was distributed to retail establishments in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
  • Allergy Alert: Bay Valley Foods, LLC (Pittsburgh, PA) recalls Great Value Reduced Sodium Chicken Noodle Condensed Soup (10.5-oz cans; Best By 09 29 12), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled canned soup was distributed through Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.
  • Allergy Alert: Simply Asia Foods, LLC recalls Thai Kitchen® Noodle Carts (Sweet Citrus Ginger, Thai Peanut, and Spicy Thai Basil) and Simply Asia® Noodle Bowl (Roasted Peanut), because the products contain undeclared milk. The recalled Thai Kitchen Noodle Carts were distributed to retail stores nationally beginning October 1, 2009; the Simply Asia Noodle Bowl – Roasted Peanut was distributed nationally beginning September 23, 2010.
  • Food Safety Recall: Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) recalls Cherry Berry Grape Tomatoes (packed in clam shells or 20 lbs. cardboard containers; Lot Code DW-H), after USDA detects Salmonella in a random sample obtained at a New York distributor. The recalled lot of grape tomatoes was harvested from and farm in Estero, FL and was distributed through retailers and to restaurants in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. (Tracy, CA) recalls certain products made for Albertsons, Raley’s Safeway, Savemart, Sam’s Club & Walmart, because the products contain grape tomatoes that were recalled by Six L’s due to possible Salmonella contamination. The affected products were sold under the Albertsons, Raley’s, Signature Cafe (Safeway), Savemart, Sam’s and Wal-Mart brand names in various states. Please refer to the recall notice for detailed lot code and distribution information.
  • Food Safety Recall: Satur Farms (Cutchogue, NY) recalls Satur Farms Cilantro (1/2 lb and 1 lb bulk bags; Lot code 6361), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cilantro was distributed in New York City and Long Island to food service customers. None of the cilantro was supplied to retailers.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rock Garden South, Inc. (Miami, FL) recalls Coosemans Worldwide Bunched Cilantro (UPC 0 33383 80104 9), after USDA finds possible Salmonella in Jacksonville, FL. The recalled product may have been distributed through Publix supermarkts in Florida, Georgia, Coastal South Carolina and Southern Alabama.
  • Food Safety Recall: Quinault Tribal Enterprise (Taholah, WA) recalls all canned seafood products including all Quinault Pride and Quinault Tribal Enterprises canned Salmons, smoked and non-smoked; Tuna, smoked and non-smoked; Smoked Sturgeon; Minced Razor Clams; smoked Razor Clams; and smoked Steelhead, because they were not adequately processed according to FDA low-acid canned food regulations. Inadequate processing could permit the survival of harmful microorganisms such as Clostridium botulinum, with the potential for causing possibly life-threatening illness. The recalled products were sold nationwide through distributors and retail stores.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall: Giant Food Stores and Price Chopper alert consumers to a recall of Colace Laxative, 100mg Capsules (30-count). The recall was issued due to the product being out of specification.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Bristol-Myers Squibb recalls Coumadin® Crystalline, 5 mg tablets (Lot #9H49374A; Expiry September 30, 2012; bottles of 1,000 tablets). The recalled product was distributed to pharmacies for dispensing to patients in prescription quantities. The manufacturer initiated the recall after a single tablet was found to be higher in potency than expected.
  • Marine Water Health Advisory (Update): The Oregon Health Authority lifts its health advisory for water contact at Cannon Beach (Clatsop County) after the bacterial contamination levels subside.
  • Outbreak Alert: King County (Washington) Public Health warns residents of Snoqualmie Valley to “mind their hygiene and vaccines” after six cases of hepatitis A were reported in the Valley in the last three months. The source of the virus is not known. King County recorded a total of seven cases of hepatitis A in all of 2010.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Simply Asia Foods/McCormick Canada (London, ON) recalls Simply Asia Roasted Peanut Noodle Bowl (240g; Best before MAY 10 12 B, APR 24 12 B, and JUN 21 12 B), because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed across Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall: Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) recalls Cherry Berry Grape Tomatoes (clam shells or 20lb cardboard containers; Lot Code DW-H; Packed April 11, 2011), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Grape Tomatoes originated from a farm in Estero FL and were distributed through retail stores and restaurants in several US states and Canada.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Belgomilk recalls Supramil 1 Brand Infant Powder Milk Advanced Formula (400g metal containers; Product of Belgium; Expiry 7/2011; Lot Code BN0014), because the product may be contaminated with Chronobacter (formerly Enterobacter) sakazakii, which can be harmful to infants’ health.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): The Japan Times reports 38 cases of food-poisoning cases in Toyama Prefecture and two deaths since mid-April. The illnesses and deaths have been linked to a raw beef dish served at a Foods Forus Co. outlet. A highly toxic strain of E. coli O:111 was recovered from one of the dead boys.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): Nearly 30 people in Dyavappahalli village have complained of vomiting and diarrhea, and may be infected with cholera. Mixing of sewage with drinking water is suspected to be the source of the outbreak.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Tasti Products Limited recalls Tasti Double White Choc Muffin Bakes (240g; Best Before 29 March 2012), because some of the bars may be contaminated with hard clear plastic from a machine guard. The recalled snack bars were sold on or after April 8th in Four Square, Write Price, Pak N Save and New World stores across the North Island only.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0567): Listeria monocytogenes inLou Peyrou brand raw milk ewe cheese from France; distributed to France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand and Spain.

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: April 29, 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/Incident Report: A & J Bakery (Cranston, RI) recalls chocolate five-ounce Easter Bunnies (unlabelled cellophane bags) sold in the store because they may contain undeclared milk. The Rhode Island Department of Health has received one complaint of an allergic reaction.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Ethos Environmental, Inc. recalls Regenerect dietary supplements (Lot #100521, blue capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 5/2012; Lot #112850, clear capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 11/2013), after FDA confirms the presence of Sulfosildenafil (an analogue of Sildenafil), making these products unapproved new drugs. The recalled products were distributed over the internet to consumers in the USA and Puerto Rico.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Withdrawal: Procter & Gamble withdraws Vicks Cold Remedy Child Nyquil – Contains Dextromethorphan – 18+ Age Restriction (UPC 32390001097 and 32390000742), because the current label is missing a statement about potassium content per dose.
  • Dietary Supplement False Marketing Alert: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is investigating several OTC Dietary Supplement products being falsely marketed as antibiotics under names such as Amoxilina, Pentrexcilina, Ampitrexyl, Citricillin, Amoximiel and Pentreximil. The products are distributed statewide in Texas and are targeted toward Hispanic consumers. For more information, or to file a complaint, contact DSHS at 512-834-6755.
  • Outbreak Alert (Update): As of April 21, 2011, a total of 218 individuals from 41 states have been infected with a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium since April 21, 2009. The infections are associated with African Dwarf Frogs and water from their habitats. A single water frog breeder in California has been identified as the source of the implicated frogs.
  • Outbreak Alert: As of April 20, 2011, a total of 73 individuals from 35 states have been infected with a commercial lab strain of Salmonella Typhimurium since August 20, 2011. Ten people have been hospitalized, and one has died. Most of the outbreak victims either work or study in a microbiology lab, or live in the same household as someone who does.
  • Outbreak Alert (Worcester, MA): Worcester health inspectors are investigating an outbreak of illnesses in patrons who ate Easter brunch at Luciano’s Cotton Club restaurant at Union Station. Eight people have reported their illnesses to the city’s Health Department; as many as 35 people may have been affected, according to a report in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods International Limited recalls Rasm The Great Indian Tradition Minced Ginger Garlic and Rasm The Great Indian Tradition Minced Ginger, due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in Albert, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
  • Allergy Alert: Nikolaos Fine Foods Limited recalls various Breaded Seasoned Chicken Breast Fillets, because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled items were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island under the Nikolaos (Codes 04051104, 02241104, 03311104), Savory Secret Gold Coast (Code 02241104), Woodward Meat Purveyors (Code 02241104), Gabriel Pizza (Code 02241104) and Evanston Farms (Code 03311104) brands.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (Update): The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to investigate a series of 14 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses from three provinces. There have been no new cases reported since PHAC’s initial Public Advisory, issued on April 7th. Ten of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized; three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One individual with an underlying medical condition died. The illnesses are thought to be linked to the consumption of certain raw, shelled walnuts that were imported from the USA. Ten of the outbreak victims are from Quebec; the other four are from Ontario and New Brunswick. The suspect walnuts were recalled by the importer earlier in April.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0557): Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning toxins in razor clams from the United Kingdom; distributed to Hong Kong, Spain and the United Kingdom.
  • Outbreak Alert (Sri Lanka): At least 70 students from a Christian Boys Hostel were admitted to Mannar Base Hospital due to food poisoning. The students complained of vomiting and severe headaches after consuming their midday meal.
  • Outbreak Alert (Xinghua City, PRC): Arrangements have been made to carry out emergency vaccination against hepatitis A in the village of Longnan Shimen after an outbreak of hepatitis was identified.The village is in a remote mountainous area, and has poor sanitation facilities.
  • Outbreak Alert (Isabela, Philippines): Twenty-six children aged 3 to 12 suffered from suspected food poisoning in Barangay Rang-ayan, Ilagan, Isabela. The victims apparently fell ill after eating snacks provided in a Disaster and Calamity Preparedness seminar organized by a private sector organization. Eleven of the children are still hospitalized.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Ethos Environmental, Inc. recallsRegenerect dietary supplements (Lot #100521, blue capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 5/2012; Lot #112850, clear capsule sold individually in foil packets, expiry 11/2013), after FDA confirms the presence of Sulfosildenafil (an analogue of Sildenafil), making these products unapproved new drugs. The recalled products were distributed over the internet to consumers in the USA and Puerto Rico.

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: April 28, 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: Giant Eagle alerts consumers to a recall of Pierre Smooth Churned Moose Tracks Light Ice Cream (UPC 4817833036), due to the presence of undeclared wheat.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: At the request of FDA, U.S. Marshals seized breaded seafood products repacked by Fellerson, Inc. (d.b.a. K&S Wholesale Meats), for Soderholm Wholesale Foods, both of Sun Prairie, WI, because the products are adulterated. K&S Wholesale Meats allegedly repacked breaded seafood, including shrimp, haddock fillets, pollock fillets, and ocean perch fillets, under Soderholm’s “Seaside” label without having a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA issued a Warning Letter to K&S Wholesale Meats on Jan. 13, 2010, for not having a HACCP plan in place for their breaded seafood products. Although the company responded to the Warning Letter promising corrections, subsequent inspections in September 2010 and March 2011 revealed that the firm continued to repackage breaded fish without a written HACCP plan.
  • Recreational Water Health Alert: Oregon Public Health issues health advisory due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Cannon Beach, Clatsop County. Direct contact with the water should be avoided until the advisory has been lifted.
  • Recreational Water Health Advisory: County of San Diego closes Carlsbad State Beach access points from 1000 feet north and south of Batiquitos Lagoon Outlet, due to sewage spill into the lagoon.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert (Update): Raymond-Hadley Corp (Spencer, NY) recalls Better Batter Pancake & Biscuit Mix (20oz., UPC 896439002070, Best Before July 2012 – March 2013), Better Batter Gluten Free Pancake/Biscuit Mix (2.5lbs., UPC 896439002032, Best Before December 2011, February – August 2012 & March 2013), Better Batter Yellow Cake Mix (18.25oz., UPC 896439002100, Best Before January – March 2013), and Better Batter Chocolate Cake Mix (18.25oz., UPC 896439002094, Best Before January – March 2013), because the products may contain undeclared milk. The recalled items were imported into Canada from the USA and may have been distributed nationwide.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Inex Partners Oy recalls Rainbow Hampurilaispihvi frozen raw hamburger steak (8 x 50g hamburger patties/pkg; Product of Denmark; Best before dates 03/14/2012, 03/21/2012 and 22/03/2012), due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall Update (Ireland): McCarren & Co. Ltd. expands its earlier recall of McCarren Cooked Ham to include Batch code 4172 (use by 05/05/2011 and 07/05/2011) and Batch cod 4178 (use by 15/05/2011). The recall was initiated due to potential processing errors which may lead to microbial contamination.
  • Food Safety Outbreak Alert (France): Health authorities alert the public that certain fresh liver sausages – consumed either raw or insufficiently cooked – recently have been linked to about 10 cases of hepatitis E infections in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region. The alert cites pork liver sausages made using either fresh or dried pork liver, dried liver, and sausages made from dried liver. Authorities urge the public to cook these products thoroughly or to avoid them altogether.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Denmark): Denmark’s Food Administration warns consumers against using certain dietary supplements sold through the Danish language website http://www.24h7diet.com, because the products contain harmful ingredients.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Recall (France): Special Products Line SPA (Pomezia, Italy) recalls Fosfomycine 3g, powdered for oral solution, due to inadequate sealing of the packets. The products were sold in France by Actavis, Arrow Generiques, Biogaran, EG Labo, Mylan SAS, Ranbaxy Pharmacie Generiques, Ratiopharm, Sandoz, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva Santé. Please see the recall notice for a list of affected product codes and lot numbers.
  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): Fifty-two Korean factory workers at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus LLC in St. Petersburg developed acute intestinal infections after eating in the factory canteen. Forty-seven of the workers were hospitalized. The food was supplied by the Cedar catering company.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0543): Small pieces of rubber in Nestlé Milkybar Buttons from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0544): Cadmium in frozen blue shark steaks from Spain; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0547): E. coli O157:H7 in frozen minced beef steaks from Germany; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0548): Histamine in fresh tuna fish loins from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0549): Glyphosate in red lentils from Turkey; distributed to Germany and Lithuania.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0550): Aflatoxins in L.I.F.E Chestnut Flour from Italy; distributed to Hungary and Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0551): Procymidone in red peppers (paprika) from China; distributed to Germany.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0552): Traces of milk in oxtail soup from the United Kingdom; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0553): Aflatoxins in kenkey manufactured in the United Kingdom, with raw material from Ghana; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0554): Fluazifop-P-butyl in fresh broccoli from Italy; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0555): Unauthorized import of roasted hazelnuts and roasted mixed nuts from Turkey; distributed to Denmark and Sweden.

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.