Category: botulism

Recalls and Alerts: November 15 – 18, 2018

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: FDA reminds parents not to feed honey to children younger than one year old. Honey Pacificers purchased in Mexico suspected in four cases of infant botulism in Texas.

OUTBREAK ALERT/Food Safety Recall: Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC recalls 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products due to possible contamination with Salmonella Reading. The contaminated turkey meat may be linked to a 35-state outbreak of Salmonella Reading illnesses, including one death, 164 illnesses and 63 hospitalizations.

OUTBREAK ALERT (UPDATE): CDC reports outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to ground beef recalled by JBS Tolleson, Inc. has grown to 246 confirmed cases (59 hospitalized) in 25 states.

Allergy Alert: Chukar Cherries recalls Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries (7.5 oz; Best By date of 09/2019; UPC 0 11261 22307 7) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC recalls Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade, manufactured by Purveyors Kitchen (7.75oz glass jars with a black metal lid; Lot codes PKPP17179A, PKPP17179B, PKPP17179C and PKPP17230B; Best before June 2019 and August 2019 (Lot code PKPP17230B)) due to undeclared walnuts.

Food Safety Recall: The Quaker Oats Company recalls 21 boxes of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch cereal (17.1 oz; Best Before JUL 30 19 or JUL 31 19; UPC 0 30000 6211 1) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to five Target stores. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of the affected locations.

Food Safety Recall: Majestic Meat Company recalls approximately 532 pounds of bulk ground beef, ground beef patties, and meatballs due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to restaurants in the state of Utah.

Food Safety Recall: Green Cedar Dairy recalls Green Cedar Ackawi cheese (Sell by March 26, 2019 or later) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was distributed at retail locations East Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Michigan.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Paradise Kosher recalls various baked goods due to undeclared wheat, gluten, eggs, sesame seeds, mustard and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls Ottogi brand Jin Ramen Spicy (600g; BEST BEFORE AUG.20.2019) and Ottogi brand Jin Ramen Mild (600g; BEST BEFORE AUG.19.2019) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: L’Intermarché Lagoria recalls sardines due to elevated levels of histamine. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Chez Hector Prêt à manger recalls JAMBON À LA BIÈRE ET SIROP D’ÉRABLE  (500 mL; All product sold up to and including 16 November 2018) because the product may be unsafe for consumption.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Everyday mélange à la noix muscade (100g; Lot #P101372; Best before 08/2022) due to undeclared milk and mustard.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Allergy Alert (UK): Nisa recalls Heritage Dark Chocolate (90g; Best before 5 December 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Clive’s recalls Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts (190g; all Best before dates; All batch codes) due to undeclared mustard and sesame.

Allergy Alert (UK): Nisa recalls Heritage Dark Chocolate (90g; Best before 5 December 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Clive’s recalls Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts, chilled (190g; all dates up to and including 24 November 2018) and Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts, frozen (190g; all dates up to and including 24 May 2019) due to undeclared mustard and sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Salling Group recalls Bakersfield Skagenslapper frozen rolls (10 pieces/750g; Best before 01/10/2019, 02/10/2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dagrofa ApS recalls Gestus Pasta with hot-smoked salmon (360g; All dates from 15.11.2018 to 28.11.2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bergams recalls Bergams brand Purée de carotte, boeuf, épices cajun, patate douce (Best before 13/10 to 06/11, inclusive) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bergams recalls Bergams brand Wrap chaud, bœuf, légumes à l’orientale (Best before 12/10 to 05/11, inclusive) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché recalls Maredoc brand clams (1kg and 3kg; Sold November 6 – 12, 2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Ferme Chapuis recalls Perle de Compostelle raw milk cheese (Best before 16.11.2018; Product of France) due to verotoxin-producing E. coli.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Caffreys recalls Confectionery Halloween Bloodie Mallows (All batches; Best before 30 January 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Aldi recalls The Deli Green Pesto (140g; Use by 23.11.2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Goldsmith Goats recalls Goldsmith Goats Raw Goats Milk (All batch codes; All use-by dates) due to contamination with Escherichia coli O157 vt1.

Food Safety Recall (UK-England): Booths recalls Booths mince pies (4-pack; Batch code P/463246; Best before 12 January 2019) due to foreign matter (pieces of white plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK-Northern Ireland): Caffreys recalls Confectionery Halloween Bloodie Mallows (All batches; Best before 30 January 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK-England): The Raw Factory Ltd recalls various raw pet food products containing tripe and/or pork due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Angliss Hong Kong Food Service Ltd recalls Casa Modena brand Mortadella Bologna IGP con pistacchio (Use by November 28, 2018; Product of Italy) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): My Queen Pty Ltd recalls Mini Cici Jelly and Mini Cici Jelly with dairy (360g; All Best before dates; Product of China) due to a choking hazard.

Advertisement

Expanded Baby Food Recall in Canada – Illnesses Reported

Example of recalled PC Organics baby food
Example of recalled PC Organics baby food

An unspecified number of illnesses that may be associated with consumption of PC Organics brand baby foods have been reported in Canada.

Loblaw Companies Limited has responded by expanding its initial recall notice to include all date codes of a long list of additional products. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected baby food pouches. According to the recall notice, published late yesterday on the  Canadian Food Inspection Agency website, a “… manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers.”

Although food contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum may not look, smell or even taste spoiled, it may contain a toxin that, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, the toxin can cause death.

The reported illnesses have not been definitively linked to the recalled baby food; nor have they been described as being caused by ingestion of botulinum toxin. But, the manufacturing error that triggered the food recall could have opened the door to the growth of other harmful bacteria in the baby foods – bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, which can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Which PC Organics baby food pouch products have been recalled?

The expanded recall encompasses all date codes of the following items (128mL unless otherwise noted):

  • Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food
  • Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack
  • Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet strained baby Food
  • Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry strained baby food
  • Apple strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Apple Cherry strained baby food
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food
  • Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack
  • Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food
  • Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat strained baby food
  • Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa strained baby food
  • Pear strained baby food
  • Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach strained baby food
  • Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack
  • Banana & Kiwi strained baby food
  • Mango strained baby food
  • Banana & Raspberry strained baby food
  • Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice strained baby food
  • Banana Bread Flavour puree snack
  • Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food
  • Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot strained baby food
  • Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
  • Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
  • Prunes strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)

How can something as simple as too much water lead to this?

Food processors walk a food-safety tightrope every day. The conditions under which sealed packages of food are processed to ensure their safety are always in a delicate balance. Even minor changes in a recipe can affect the cooking conditions required to kill harmful bacteria. One of those changes is the amount of water that is available to the bacteria, allowing them to multiply in the food. A food with little free water will need milder cooking cooking conditions (time and temperature combination) than a food with abundant free water.

Then why not treat every food with the same severe cooking conditions?

Palatability, appearance and cost. Foods processed at a higher temperature taste overcooked, lose their natural color, and their natural texture. And, higher cooking temperatures for extended periods of time are more expensive.

What should consumers do about this recall?

  1. Check your pantry and set aside any of the products listed in the expanded recall notice.
  2. DO NOT try to determine whether the food is safe by smelling or tasting them. Clostridium botulinum can multiply and produce its toxin in a food without changing its appearance, smell or taste in any way.
  3. Return any packages of recalled product to the place of purchase for a refund.

Where were the recalled products sold?

Ontario: Fortinos, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Cash&Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Québec: Club entrepôt, Maxi, Maxi & Cie, Presto, Provigo, Provigo le Marché, AXEP, Pharmaprix, and Intermarché

West: Extra Foods, Loblaws City Market, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Finally, if you have fed one of the recalled products to your infant or toddler, and your child is experiencing any unusual symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.

Recalls and Alerts: December 19, 2012

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.

For current information on international and retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: True Taste, LLC (Kenosha, WI) recalls vacuum packaged Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel, and Cold Smoked Whitefish (all production dates beginning with 01/01/2012 through current), because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled vacuum packaged smoked fish products were sold under the True Taste label in California and Illinois, and under the Lowell Foods label in Illinois. The potential for contaminated was identified when the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection found that the product did not meet the 3.5% minimum requirement for water phase salt. True Taste LLC has halted production and is cooperating with regulatory authorities.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Matrixx Initiatives recalls Zicam® Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Gel (0.5 oz spray bottle; NDC #62750-005-10; Lot #2J23; Expiration date 09/15), after Burkholderia cepacia was found in a sample of the product.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: 9136-4802 Quebec Inc., dba Délices Al-Manar (East-Angus, QC) recalls Imane Chicken Salami with Fine Herbs (450g; UPC 6 81408 00014 6) and Imane Chicken Wieners (375g; UPC 6 81408 00022 1), due to the presence of undeclared mustard, and recalls Imane Beef Wieners (450g; UPC 6 81408 00020 7), Imane Hot Beef Wieners (450g; UPC 6 81408 00021 4) and Imane Turkey Salami (450g; UPC 6 81408 00024 5), due to the presence of undeclared soy. All Best before dates are affected. The products were distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Jindi Cheese Pty Ltd. recalls 1-kg size of Jindi Brie, Jindi Camembert, Jindi Food Service Brie, Wattle Valley Brie, and Wattle Valley Camembert (Best before 21 December 2012), due to potential Listeria spp. contamination. The recalled cheeses were sold in independent supermarkets and delicatessens in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): The Ministry for Primary Industries warns that people are risking their lives when they take and eat shellfish from areas where warnings are in place regarding paralytic shellfish toxins. Some people who ate shellfish from the Bay of Plenty have been admitted to intensive care. Marine biotoxins are heat stable and are not inactivated by cooking.

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.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.