Recalls and Alerts: July 3, 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: ITO EN USA requests that Hawaii customers of its canned Aloha Maid Coconut Water with Pineapple (Code IHMAY0913; UPC 8-35146-00818-3; purchased since May 16, 2012) return the products to stores for a refund, due to an “off smell.”
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Mexicali Cheese Corp (Woodhaven, NY) expands its earlier recall to include additional product names, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product names include: Mexicali Queso Fresco Mexicano, Mexican Style Fresh Cheese; Acatlan Queso Fresco, Fresh Cheese; Mi Quesito Mexicano, Mexican Cheese; and Quesillo Ecuatoriano, Ecuadorian Style Cheese. The recalled cheeses are packaged in a 14-oz plastic tub (Plant No. 36-0128; Code 071512), and were sold in the metropolitan New York area, including Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dairy Goddess (Lemoore, CA) recalls Cream Top Chocolate Milk (8-oz, 1-qt and half-gallon sizes; Code date 7-11-2012) due to a lack of proper pasteurization. The product also is the object of a quarantine order, as dangerous pathogens may have survived in the milk. The recalled product was marketed only at Farmers’ Markets in San Luis Obispo and Clovis.
  • Medical Device Recall: Johnson & Johnson recalls K-Y Liquibeads 6 ct (UPC 38004008795; Lot codes 0361W, 0651W, 0921W, 2591W, 0219H, 0030H, 0080H, 0090H and 0159H; Expiration dates between 5/1/11 and 7/16/13) to address the FDA’s concerns that the product should be cleared under a separate medical device application.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Taiyo Seafood Boston Inc. (Quincy, MA) that a May 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility found 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 Good Herbs Inc. (Troy, MI) that a November 2011 through January 2012 inspection of the company’s manufacturing facility revealed significant violations of the CGMP regulations for dietary supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Oklahoma Respiratory Care, Inc. (Norman, OK) that an October 2011 inspection of the company’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility identified significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Finished Pharmaceuticals.
  • Outbreak Alert (Oregon): Three Central Oregon residents were hospitalized with symptoms of botulism, contracted at a private barbecue. Home-canned food is implicated as the source of the illnesses. The incident is under investigation by Deschutes County Health Services, and final testing results are pending.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Le Poisson Volant (La Prairie, QC) recalls Far de homard Lobster Pâté (125ml Mason jars; No label), because the product may be hazardous to consumers health if it was not kept refrigerated at all times after purchase.
  • Food Safety Recall: Phoenicia Group Inc. (St-Laurent, QC) expands its earlier tahina recall to include Alkanater brand Tahina (454g containers; UPC 6 92551 00002 0; Lot code TT3N-260112; Production code 26/01/2012; Exp 25/01/2014), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia Ontario and Quebec and may have been distributed nationally. This product is available in Whole Foods Markets supermarkets in Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Breckland Orchard recalls Breckland Orchard Blackcurrant & Raspberry (275ml), Cloudy Lemonade (275ml), Cream Soda (275ml), Ginger Beer with Chilli (275ml), Pear & Elderflower (275ml and 750ml), and Strawberry & Rhubarb (275ml) fruit-based drinks (Best before date of Marcy 2013 or April 2013), due to the potential risk of the glass bottles breaking.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Cott Beverages Ltd. recalls Emerge Isotonic Orange Flavour Sports Drink (500ml bottle; Best before December 2012; Batch code L156), because the beverages may be contaminated with pieces of plastic.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Britvic Soft Drinks recalls Robinsons Fruit Shoot and  Robinsons Fruit Shoot Hydro flavoured mineral waters due to a packaging safety issue with the new cap design, according to BBC.  Robinsons Fruit Shoot Orange Regular (8 x 200ml; Best before Mar 13) was available at Sainsbury’s stores. Sainsbury customers should return the product to their nearest store for a full refund.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Sardines à l’huile d’olive/Sardines in Olive Oil (120g; Lot codes between BJL001F and BJL043F), due to the presence of histamine.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Les Mechelse Veilingen recalls Chou rouge/Red cabbage (Bulk packaged; Registration #33748-0328; sold from June 19-27, 2012), due to unacceptably high residues of the pesticide dimethoate.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): DK Trading ApS recalls Fresh chicken breast (120-160g each, sold in 300-400g retail packs of 3 pieces or wholesale in 2.5kg packs; Lot 120618003; Expiry 03.07.2012; Product of Poland) due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Aldi K/S recalls Country Pleasure brand Whole fresh chilled chicken (1300g; Best before 27-06-2012; Product of  Germany), due to Campylobacter contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Samso Cannery recalls First Price Cucumber Salad (550g; Expiry June 2014; Batch No. staring with 1506112200 or 1506112400), after receiving a report of a piece of glass in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Unilever recalls Du darfst Feine Teewurst (125g; Expiry 07/25/2012 and 30/07/2012; Lot #L217 802 217755 u), due to microbiological contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Abraham Ham GmbH recalls Abraham herzhafter Katenschinken gewürfelt/Abraham Chopped Savory Smoked Ham (2 x 125g; Expiration 3:08:12; Batch #40K773 09:51), due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Käserei H. Birkenstock GmbH recalls Birkenstock Mainzer Cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Consumer Product Safety Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency warns that Miracle Mineral Solution (also known as Miracle Mineral Supplement) and Chlorine Dioxide Solution should not be consumed, as they can be hazardous. Miracle Mineral Solution is a 28% sodium chlorite solution, which is equivalent to industrial strength bleach. Chlorine Dioxide is more dilute, but can still irritate the skin and gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. Other similar products also should be avoided.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0908): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0910): Unauthorized 1,3 dimethylamylamine in food supplement from the United States; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0912): Salmonella spp. in tea sausage spread from Germany; distributed to Germany, Italy and Luxembourg.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0913): Foodborne outbreak (histamine poisoning) caused by chilled tuna from Spain; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0914): Salmonella Infantis in chicken breast fillets from Poland; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0915): Methiocarb in red cabbage from Belgium; distributed to Belgium, France, Germany and Netherlands.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Argentina): El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (Senasa) seizes and destroys 365 kg of uneviscerated frozen whole chicken and 9 kg of chicken sausage, because the poultry products were transported without any authorization or veterinary records, and in a truck that did not meet standards for food transport.

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: June 23, 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Healthy Choice Island Blends, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) recalls Liquid Gold Carrot Juice (16-oz, 32-oz and 64-oz plastic see-through containers; UPC 7 63213 00130; All codes), because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled Carrot Juice was distributed in California and sold wholesale to produce companies.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls Kroger Fresh Selections Greener Supreme bagged salad (Code N158 211B 1613 KR04; Use-by June 19; UPC 11110 91039), Kroger Fresh Selections Leafy Romaine bagged salad (Code N158 111B KR11; Use-by June 19; UPC 11110 91046) and Wal Mart Marketside Leafy Romaine bagged salad (Code N158111B; Use-by June 19; UPC code 81131 02781), because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was initiated after the State of North Carolina found Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of Marketside Leafy Romaine salad.
  • Food Safety Recall: Hidden Valley recalls Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Crispins (2.5 oz; Lot #DBG1; Best before NOV 27 2012; UPC 10071100008347), because the product may have been manufactured with a seasoning blend ingredient that is the subject of the recent Kerry Ingredients recall (potential for contamination with metal fragments).
  • Outbreak Alert: The Onondaga County Health Commissioner announces that there have been 15 lab-confirmed and an additional 10 probable cases of Shigella infections identified in the county. The source of the outbreak is under investigation.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Pâtisseries Sanda Inc. (Brossard, QC) recalls Milles-Feuilles – Custard (450g packages; Code 12151; UPC 8 93837 00048 6), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Deltason Trading Ltd. recalls Yellow Croaker – Fresh (various sizes; Sold at retail between May 16, 2012 and May 20, 2012, inclusive), due to the presence of drug residues. The recalled product was sold in British Columbia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Loblaw Companies Ltd. recalls Kettle Cheddar & Sour Cream Krinkle Cut Potato Chips (397g; Code 2012 NO 22; UPC 0 84114 11731 1) and Kettle New York Cheddar Potato Chips (220g; Code 2012 NO 15; UPC 0 84114 11907 0), due to extraneous material (metal) contamination.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (France): La Société des viandes élaborées d’Estillac recalls Jean Roze, Netto and Top Budget brands fresh ground steak, 15% and 20% fat (Expiration dates from 28 May to 15 June 2012), in connection with an investigation into cases of E. coli infections that may be linked to the consumption of fresh ground steak (ie., hamburgers). The recalled meat was sold in the self-serve fresh meat departments between May 22nd and June 15th in Intermarché and Netto stores in the following South-West region départements: 12, 16, 17, 19, 24, 31, 32, 33, 40, 46, 47, 64, 65, 81, 82, 87.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Belgium): Two new cases of E. coli infection have been confirmed in Limburg Province, bringing the total number of outbreak victims to 23.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.0855): Undeclared soy in chocolate mousse from France; distributed to Denmark and Iceland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0856): Risk of physical injury due to explosion of overpressurised bottles containing juices from the United Kingdom; distributed to Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0858): Suspicion of food poisoning caused by dietetic food product from unknown origin, via Norway; distributed to Poland.

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: June 20, 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Euphoria Fancy Food Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Dried Bream (Product of Russia; 7.5-oz vacuum-packed plastic bag; No code; UPC 7 930042 250954), because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled Dried Bream was sold nationwide.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Scholtens Inc. recalls Granny Appleton Flavoured Pineapple Wedges (225g; All codes; UPC 6 79079 64330 4), due to the presence of sulphites. The recalled product was sold in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Loblaw Companies Ltd. recalls Kettle Cheddar & Sour Cream Krinkle Cut Potato Chips (220g; Code 2012 NO 15; UPC 0 84114 11902 5), due to contamination with harmful extraneous material (metal). The recalled product was sold nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: Itwal Ltd. recalls Popchips Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips (85g; 13MA08; UPC 0 82666 71240 4), due to contamination with harmful extraneous material (metal). The recalled product was sold in British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Recall: Shah Trading Co. recalls Suraj Light Red Kidney Beans (2kg; All codes; UPC 0 57197 33133 2), due to contamination with “non-harmful” extraneous material (insects) and microbes. The recalled product was sold nationwide.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): La société Chevallier recalls Chevallier brand Neufchâtel cheese (All lots available for sale since 17/05/12 in départements 27, 60, 62, 76 and 80), due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of stores where the recalled cheese was sold.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Kattegat Seafood A/S recalls Capella smoked mackerel fillet with pepper (100g; Production date 08.06.2012; Best before 06.07.2012), due to mold growth on some of the smoked fish.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0845): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of fresh hake from Denmark; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0846): Dioxins in organic eggs from Germany; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0847): Monoethylene glycol in wine from Italy; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0848): Unauthorized dichlorvos in fresh mint from Israel; distributed to Belgium.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0849): Excessive sulphite in sun dried tomatoes from Turkey; distributed to Greece.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0850): Salmonella Tennessee in rape seed meal from Germany; distributed to Finland and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0851): Undeclared citric acid in frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (India): An outbreak of Hepatitis E has killed at least 12 people and sickened 4089 others in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, according to a BBC report. The outbreak is blamed on contaminated water from the Panchganga River.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): Sixty tribal students at the Chayanpur primary school in West Bengal fell ill after eating their mid-day meal, according to The Times of India. The meal was provided by the school.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Australia): Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd. recalls Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) 1.5 mg powder for injection; multidose vial with diluent vial (Lot C3787AA/Expiry Aug 2012; Lot C3787AC/Expiry Dec 2012; Lot C3787AE/Expiry Feb 2013; Lot C3787AG/Expiry Feb 2013), because the product’s sterility cannot be assured due to an environmental monitoring excursion during the manufacturing process.

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.