Category: botulism

Recalls and Alerts: October 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: Wells Enterprises, Inc. (Le Mars, IA) recalls Blue Bunny® Personals® Ice Cream (5.5 fl oz cartons; UPC 0 70640 00463; Lot #10009; Best Used By 10/1/2012), due to the presence of undeclared wheat as a result of a packaging error. The recalled ice cream was shipped to Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas.
  • Allergy Alert: The Kroger Co. recalls Nates Spiced Prawns (16 oz), because the product may contain undeclared sulfites. The recalled prawns were sold in Fred Meyer stores.
  • Food Recall: Original Fried Pies, Inc. (Davis, OK) recalls approximately 8,888 pounds of frozen meat and poultry pie products, because they are misbranded and contain sodium benzoate, a food preservative, which does not appear on package labels and is not approved for use as an added ingredient in meat and poultry products.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is testing lab specimens from 16 patients in the Saint Louis County area, in order to identify the strain of E. coli that has made them ill. Four the specimens already have tested positive for shiga toxin. Six people from surrounding counties also have reported illness. The State also is assisting Saint Louis County with an epidemiological investigation aimed at determining the source of the outbreak. Federal CDC investigators also have joined the investigation. Although no food source has yet been identified, stltoday.com reports that Schnuck Markets Inc. has voluntarily removed some items from its in-store salad bars.
  • Outbreak Alert: The North Carolina Department of Health is investigating 21 cases of confirmed and suspected E. coliillness, including 11 cases in Wake County. The effort to pinpoint a source of the outbreak has been unsuccessful so far.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Grant Chocolatier recalls Grant Chocolatier brand Hazelnuts Bar Dark Chocolate and Almonds Bar Dark Chocolate, due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed in Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Société Sun-Sate recalls You Huy chez Paris Store brand Dried Pork Rind Strips/couenne de proc séchée en filaments (100g; Sold between 11 and 26 October 2011; Best Before date of 08/06/2012), after Listeria was found in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarekts plc recalls Morrisons Shredded Duck Kit (230g; Use by 31 November 2011), due to an incorrect ‘use by’ date code.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Glasgow City Council has initiated a recall of a number of Ryan Foods ready-to-eat products that were produced in unapproved premises under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and distributed in the Glasgow area. The recalled products include Aysha’s Bite Size Chicken Pakora, Aysha’s 5 Bite Size Chicken Samosas, Aysha’s 5 Bite Size Vegetable Samosas, Aysha’s Chicken Tikka, Ryan’s Chinese Lemon Chicken, and Rico’s Pizzas (all varieties).
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (Sweden): Semper withdraws Småfolk Fruity Stix, Banana and Dadel and Småfolk Oat Stix / Oaty Stix, Apple and Raspberry after mold was found during a quality control test.
  • Food Withdrawal (Denmark): Harboe Brewery A/S withdraws Wheat Beer (50 cl; Product of Estonia; Best before 27.09.2012), because the beer is cloudy and tastes sour due to the growth of lactic acid bacteria.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1508): High aluminium content in vermicelli noodles from Vietnam; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1509): Salmonella spp. in mussels from France; distributed to France and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1510): Listeria monocytogenes in munster cheese from France; distributed to France, Luxembourg and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1511): Salmonella in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1513): Mercury in monkfish tail from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1514): Salmonella in chilled green herbs in bags from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1515): Arsenic and elevated lead in bentonite from France, via Germany; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1517): Escherichia coli in basil mint from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1518): Escherichia coli in green mint from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1520): Salmonella spp. in frozen octopus from Indonesia; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1522): Aflatoxins in halva with pistachio nuts from Turkey; distributed to Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania and Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1523): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1525): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Australia): The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns consumers not to use Horror Make Up face paint, after testing reveals excessive levels of lead in the face paint. JP SAS Trading Pty Ltd. has recalled the face paint, which was sold through various discount variety stores in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: October 26, 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: Supreme Meat Purveyors (San Antonio, TX) recalls frozen Carne Guisada (2 x 5-lb bags/cs; Case code of 71087/506004, 500233 or 600100; Produced on various dates from 10/25/10 to 10/19/11), because the products contain undeclared soy.
  • Allergy Alert: Emporium Packaging & Spice Co (Temple, TX) recalls Ponchatrain Sauce Mix (0.17-lb plastic bag; all lots), because the product may contain undeclared milk and soy. The recalled sauce mix was sold in Temple, Texas through the firm’s retail store.
  • Food Recall: Food City advises consumers that Food Club Graham Crumbs, 15-oz pkg has been recalled. No details are available.
  • Food Safety Alert: The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that all commercial and recreational harvesting of oysters, clams and mussels in all Texas waters is closed until further notice due to red tide, an algal bloom.
  • Outbreak Alert: The North Carolina Division of Public Health and the Wake County Health Department are investigating seven cases of E. coli illnesses, including 6 children. Four people have been hospitalized, and two – both of them children – remain in intensive care.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Fumoir du Nord (Quebec, QC) recalls Sensations by Compliments brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon (120g pkgs; Best before 11NO25), because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled smoked salmon was sold in Quebec, and in IGA Extra in Edmundston, NB.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mannarich Food Inc. (Markham, ON) recalls an extensive list of Mannarich Food Inc. brand and Ocean Chinese Food Products brand vacuum-packed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat fish products (All Best Before dates up to and including December 16, 2011) because the products may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The products were distributed nationally. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.
  • Food Safety Recall: La Siembra Co-operative recalls Camino 55% Dark Chocolate with Almond (100g; Code BBD 23 08 12 and 22 06 12), due to the presence of glass particles.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Les fromageries de Blâmont recalls Munster géromé made from unpasteurized milk (200g; Lot 251, followed by the 6 digits from 237833 to 237839), after Listeria was detected in a sample. The recalled cheese was sold under the brands Reflets de France, Nos régions ont du talent, Auchan Terroir and Val de Weiss in the following grocery chains: Auchan, Leclerc, Carrefour, Cora, Simply Market, Partisans du Goût, Prixbas, A 2Pas et Auchan City.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Naturfleisch GmbH recalls Coarsely minced pork (Foil packaging; Batch #3-18-41; Best before 11/08/2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is found in a sample. The product was distributed in South Thuringia.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Asian Trading recalls Fresh Coriander from Thailand (50g plastic bags; Labeled as “Coriander, TL.1, 50gr Vietnam”), after Salmonella is detected in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Aldi recalls Country Pleasure brand Fresh turkey breast (700g-1100g; Lot #2169433 065401; Best before 13 October 2011; Product of Germany), after Salmonella is detected in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Danish Crown recalls Pork Belly cuts (Retail Package Dates 06.10.2011 to 12.10.2011), after Salmonella is detected in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Royal Biscuit recalls Much More Coconut Tops (210g; Batch 110715; Best before 15.01.2012) due to fermentation.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1501): Diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning toxins in chilled mussels from Italy; distributed to Austria and Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1502): Listeria monocytogenes in Ardenner paté from Belgium; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1503): Salmonella in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1504): Defective packaging and mold growth in chorizo sausages from Spain; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1506): Chloramphenicol in chilled lobster from the United States; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Recall (EU #2011.1507): Cadmium in spinach from Belgium; distributed to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Hovid Ltd. recalls Ternolol 100mg Tablets (Batch #AJ12560), after a sample fails a disintegration test.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: October 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. recalls f&e™ brand fresh bagged Washed Spinach (12 oz; Enjoy by date of OCT 16), after FDA tests confirmed one bag of the spinach to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled spinach was sold in Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores in California, Nevada and Arizona.
  • Food Safety Recall: American Egg Products (Blackshear, GA) recalls 5-lb cartons of frozen egg product (Lot #272-1; Plant #P 1105), because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled frozen egg product was distributed to Georgia and Florida, and sold to three distributors and/or further food manufacturers.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: U.S. Marshals, acting at the request of the FDA, seized various food products stored in a warehouse owned by Chetak Chicago LLC, in Streamwood, Ill., on October 17, 2011. FDA initiated the seizure after finding extensive evidence of unsanitary conditions throughout the warehouse during a recent inspection. These conditions included live rodent and birds, rodent carcasses, gnawed product packaging, significant amounts of rodent fecal matter, rodent urine stains, and rodent nesting material.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Beyer Lightning Fish Co. Inc. (Bronx, NY) that a September/October 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Health Advances USA, Inc. (Chula Vista, CA) that a May 2011 inspection of the company’s facilities revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for dietary supplements. Supplements manufactured at the facility include: Pentrexcilina Citricilina, Duro Neuro Extra Forte, Angin, Angin Xtra Forte, Delgadex, Desin-Flanex 850, Super Sleeper, Super Complejo B, Colesstol 200, Delgadex, Radiaxina, and M-Stane.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Old Point Packing, Inc. (Newport News, VA) that a June 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Jansen’s Sweet Sinsations, Inc. (Mason, OH) that a June 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed improper labeling  and a significant violation of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation .

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Costco Canada advises its customers that Handi Foods Ltd (Weston, ON) has recalled Handi brand 100 calories Multigrain Bagels (Fresh or frozen; all lot codes and best before dates), due to the presence of sunflower seeds that were not declared on the French label. The recalled bagels were sold in Costco stores in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Allergy Alert: Comptoir B.M. (Granby, QC) recalls prepared sandwiches, entrées, wraps and brownies, (see recall notice for list of products), due to the presence of undeclared eggs, soy, milk, wheat and/or sulfites.
  • Allergy Alert: Puresource Inc. recalls NOW Brewer’s Yeast (10 grain) Tablets (200 tablets/bottle; Lots #1401411, 1365681 and 1343111), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Food Recall: Loblaw Companies Ltd. recalls No Name Potato and Bacon Perogies (1kg; Lot code 2012 OC 06), due to unspecified “non-harmful” extraneous material contamination.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Dorset Cereals withdraws Dorset Cereals Gingerbread Hearty Porridge (420g; Best before April 2012 and May 2012), because the product contains undeclared wheat.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Aunt Bessie’s Ltd recalls Aunt Bessie’s Scrumptious Bramley Apple Crumble family size (500g; Best before End of January 2013), because there may be small pieces of plastic on the top surface of the crumble. The product was sold only in Farmfoods stores after 21 October 2011.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Landfleischerei Dörnfeld GmbH recalls coarsely minced pork/matured Rohwursterzeugnis sausages (140g; produced during the 41st Calendar week), after Salmonella Agona is found in a sample. The sausages were sold only through company-owned stores and vehicles in Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Lichtenberger Fleisch- und Wurstproduktion GmbH recalls Fresh Ham and Onion Sausage (330g pkgs; Lot #L 390 434; Best before 10/23/2011), after microbial contaminants are found in a sample.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (UK): Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds (Product of Italy; 314ml glass jars; Best before date of 09/2012) have been withdrawn from sale in the UK after two people in Helsinki, Finland who consumed the product were diagnosed with botulism. Forty jars from the implicated batch were distributed to Greencity Wholefoods of Glasgow in September 2010, and were resold to a number of smaller retailers and caterers. None of the affected batch remains on store shelves, but some consumers may still have the product in their pantries. Anyone who purchased this product should discard it.
  • Outbreak Alert (Finland/Italy): Italian health authorities have suspended all operations at Società Cooperativa Agricola G.M.G. a r.l. dei F.lli Gaudiano, S.P. 65 – 71042 Cerignola after being advised of two cases of botulism associated with – and the finding of botulinum toxin in – Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds (Batch H2510X), and have seized various canned vegetables produced by the company. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the contamination. Consumers are advised not to eat the product.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert (Netherlands): Health authorities have ordered the removal of two hair gels from sale, because they contain high levels of dioxane, which is prohibited in cosmetic products in the EU.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1491): Listeria monocytogenes in cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, France, Germany and Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1492): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from India; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1493): Salmonella in fenugreek leaves from India, via the United Kingdom; distributed to Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Spain.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1494): Undeclared gluten in pork and apricot coarse paté from Belgium; distributed to Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1495): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Thailand; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2011.1498): Migration of bisphenol A from plastic nursing bottles from Germany; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1499): Nitrofuran furazolidone in frozen raw shrimps from China; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1500): Excessive sulphite in frozen shrimps from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to buy or consume SlimEasy Herbs Capsules, because the product contains the banned drug ingredients sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Kerry Pinnacle Pty Ltd. recalls Choc Cherry Slice and Choc Chip Flapjack Slice (500g plastic flo wrap – 12 Pack; multiple best before dates), due to the presence of undeclared egg and sulphites. The recalled product was sold in Coles Supermarkets in NSW, VIC, QLD and TAS between 17 October and 25 October 2011.

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.