Category: botulism

Botulism Update: All Gaudiano Products Recalled

Botulism is a big deal. It is a rare – and potentially deadly – form of food poisoning that is caused by a potent neurotoxin produced during the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

In October 2011, two members of the same Finnish household developed symptoms of botulism after consuming commercially produced pasteurized olives stuffed with almonds (Bio-Gaudiano Olives Stuffed with Almonds; product of Italy). One of the two victims died two weeks after being admitted to hospital. The second victim also was hospitalized, but survived. One other family member also tasted the olives, but only suffered from diarrhea. A fourth member of the household had no symptoms – and never sampled the olives.

Lab analysis of the stomach contents and the stool of both hospitalized victims revealed the presence of the gene for botulinum toxin type B. Lab tests of various food samples retrieved from the patients’ household found botulinum toxin type B in the remaining contents of the jar of olives. All other food samples were negative for the toxin.

Finland’s Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) conducted a trace-back investigation of the implicated olives, and the offending batches were recalled from the market. During the trace-back, investigators found some leaking jars of Bio-Gaudiano olives; the contents of some jars were obviously spoiled. As a result, the Italian manufacturer withdrew all production batches of Bio-Gaudiano Olives Stuffed with Almonds, and suspended production pending investigation by Italian public health authorities.

The withdrawn products were distributed to several EU member countries, as well as to a number of countries outside the EU. Notification was sent to authorities in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan and the USA. No country other than Finland reported even one case of botulism that could be associated with the stuffed olives.

Consumers following the Italian Ministry of Health web site could be excused if they thought that the story ended there. No updates have been released since the original notice was posted on October 21st. But that was definitely NOT the end of the story.

On December 1st, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland announced that “[i]nvestigations in Italy and in Finland have led to the decision to extend the withdrawal to include all products manufactured by Societa Cooperativa Agricola GMG F.lli Gaudiano arl, Italy.” Finland’s EVIRA followed with its own announcement on December 2nd.

Based on the information released by Ireland and Finland, the product withdrawal includes all batch codes and “best before dates” of the following products (different products may have been exported to other countries):

  • Bio Stuffed Olives Almonds
  • Bio Sundried Tomatoes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Green Olives Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Peppers
  • Bio Semi-dry Tomatoes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Black Olives Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Garlic
  • Bio Salted Capers 9/10 mm
  • Bio Sundried Tomatoes Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Hot Chilli Peppers
  • Bio Hearts Artichokes in Sunflower Oil
  • Bio Artichokes Paté
  • Bio Stuffed Olives Cranberry
  • Bio Grilled Aubergines
  • Bio Garlic Paté
  • Gaudiano Black Olive in Salamoia (Brine)
  • Gaudiano Green Olive in Salamoia (Brine)

The withdrawn products were distributed to only one company in Ireland – Russell Gallery in New Quay, Co. Clare. In Finland, the products were supplied to K-food stores, KCM Big Apple (Espoo) KCM Jumbo (Vantaa) and KSM South Centre (Rovaniemi), and to three restaurants: Three Smiths (Helsinki), LaFamiglia (Helsinki and Vantaa), Rafaelo (Helsinki) and Apple (Helsinki).

No new Food Safety Alert has been posted as yet (December 8, 2011) on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that many of the countries identified in the original notice (#2011.1479) also received one or more additional withdrawn products. The likely recipient countries include: Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

eFoodAlert Consumer Advisory

Check your pantry and refrigerator for any product manufactured by Societa Cooperativa Agricola GMG F.lli Gaudiano arl, Italy. Discard all of these products in a safe manner. DO NOT TASTE THESE PRODUCTS. If you have consumed even a tiny amount of one of the withdrawn products and begin to experience any symptoms of botulism, including blurred vision or difficulty swallowing, seek immediate medical attention.

Recalls and Alerts: December 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

  • Allergy Alert: Popkoff Frozen Food, dba Blossom Foods (San Francisco, CA) recalls Blossom Foods Dark and White Meat Chicken with Vegetables (5-oz single serving cups and 5-lb bags; produced between May and Nov. 29, 2011), because the products are misbranded and contain undeclared soy. The recalled items were sold to institutions in the San Francisco and Oakland areas, and directly to consumers via the Internet.
  • Allergy Alert: Krasdale Foods Inc (White Plains, NY) recalls Krasdale Crispy Honey Oats and Flakes (14.5-oz cardboard box; Best if used by SEP 20 12 P4), because the product may contain undeclared almonds. The recalled product was distributed to independent retailers, C-Town Supermarkets and Bravo Supermarkets in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
  • Allergy Alert: Nishimoto Trading Company, Ltd. (Santa Fe Springs, CA) recalls Shirakiku Brand Dried Shiitake Whole Mushrooms (Product of China; 3-oz plastic rectangular pkg) and Shirakiku Brand Dried Shiitake Sliced Mushrooms (Product of China; 2-oz clear plastic rectangular pkg), because the products may contain high levels of undeclared sulfites.
  • Food Safety Recall: Flowers Foods (Thomasville, GA) withdraws Nature’s Own Butterbread (20-oz pkg; Best by date of 12/7/11; UPC 72250-04919), because the products may contain small flakes of aluminum. The recalled bread loaves were sold in grocery stores in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia counties in Florida and in Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Glynn, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne counties in Georgia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Golden Glen Creamery (Bow, WA) recalls Herbes de Provence Butter and Mushroom Trio Butter (4-oz pkgs; produced November 2, 2011; distributed between 11/7/11 and 11/28/11), because the butters may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Herbes de Provence Butter was sold at Whole Foods Market in Redmond, WA; the Mushroom Trio Butter was sold at Whole Foods Market in Redmond, WA and at various Metropolitan Market locations in Washington State.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Ocean Spray (Lakeville, MA) expands its earlier recall of Original Flavor Craisins® Dried Cranberries to include five additional production lots. The Dried Cranberries may be contaminated with very small hair-like metal fragments. The additional five recalled lots (please see the recall notice for details), were shipped to retailers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.
  • Food Safety Recall: Cal Poly Creamery (San Luis Obispo, CA) recalls Farmstead Made Eggnog (1-qt bottles; Expiration dates Dec 10 and Dec 17), due to possible E. coli contamination. The recalled egg nog was sold in Scolari’s Foods (Paso Robles, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo), Spencer’s Fresh Markets (Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria), SLO Fresh Market (San Luis Obispo) and Cal Poly Campus Store and Village Markets: Located on Cal Poly Campus (San Luis Obispo).

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc. (Ville Saint-Laurent, QC) recalls Fontaine Santé brand Sal-Couscous Royale (1kg and various weight containers (from deli counters); Best before 06 DE 2011), because the salad may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Quebec and Ontario, and may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Propack Foods Inc. (Toronto, ON) recalls Tropik Splash brand Lemonade (473 ml bottles; Lot code beginning with BB 2013 SEP 14), because the product may contain harmful glass particles. The recalled lemonade was distributed in Ontario and Quebec, and may also have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Golden Boy Foods recalls Ocean Spray Soft & Moist Sweetened Dried Cranberries (10-lb; Best before 30 OCT 2013 M, 31 OCT 2013 M, and 1 NOV 2013), due to possible contamination with metal particles. The recalled product was shipped to a warehouse in British Columbia.
  • Health Supplement Safety Alert: Health Canada warns that the following three unauthorized health products were sold at certain retail stores in British Columbia: Yanshiwang, Jin Kong Fu, and Chong Cao She Bian Zhuang Yang Dan. These product contain undeclared prescription medication.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo and Super de Boer recall Euro brand natural white biscuits and Euro brand whole wheat biscuits (all packages) due to the presence of undeclared egg.
  • Allergy Alert (Netherlands): C1000 recalls all Natural white biscuits and whole wheat biscuits, due to the presence of undeclared egg.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Beauvais Foods A/S recalls Glyngøre Tuna in Water (185g; Batch codes SEAE OU TSBBC BIH9 MHTM: 09/2014 THAILAND NO. 2072 and SEAE OU TSBBC BJ49 MHTM: 10/2014 THAILAND NO. 2072; Best before 09/2014 and 10/2014, respectively), because the tuna has an unexplained unusual taste.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Nestle Polska S.A. withdraws Nestle Kaszka ryzowa jablko / Infant rice with apple (180g; Batch code 03.2012. 106103352; best before 01/03/2012), due to elevated levels of cadmium.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): All Bio-Gaudiano brand products have been recalled as a follow-up precaution after Bio-Gaudiano Olives Stuffed with Almonds were found to be the source of an outbreak of botulism in Finland.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection urges the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside, after a suspected food poisoning was reported.
  • Chinese Medicine Recall (Hong Kong): Chuan Chiong Co. Ltd. recalls Tong Ren Tang & Chuan Chiong, Qing Yin Wan (Batch No. 1010098), due to a quality defect. The recalled product was manufactured in the Mainland.

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: December 1, 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 Update: USDA releases retail distribution list for Cantella’s Fully Cooked Chicken Sausage with Apples, recalled by Papa Cantella’s Inc. due to misbranding and the presence of undeclared walnuts. The recalled sausages were sold in Von’s and Pavilions supermarkets in Southern California.
  • Food Safety Recall: Giant Eagle, Inc. recalls Valu Time Canned Pumpkin (purchased on or after August 30, 2011) and Food Club Canned Pumpkin (purchased on or after October 28, 2011), because the products do not meet quality standards. The canned pumpkin brands were produced by Topco Associates, LLC.
  • Food Safety Recall: Front Row Produce (St. Louis, MO) recalls Front Row Produce Grape Tomatoes (10-oz pkgs supplied in cases bearing lot #2310802, 2310405 or 2510401; 10-lb bulk in cardboard boxes bearing lot #2310801), because the grape tomatoes may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled tomatoes were supplied by Rio Queen Citrus (Mission, TX) and distributed throughout Missouri and Illinois to foodservice distributors and retail stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bavan Food Company (Sacramento, CA) recalls Bavan Brand Mix Goli Candy (14-0z/400gm clear pkg; all code dates), due to unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candies were sold in several East-Indian retail stores in Northern California.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bee International Creation (Chula Vista, CA) recalls Bee Brand Sunny Day Gummies candy (100g plastic package; all code dates), due to unacceptable levels of lead.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Jérome’s Steak House et Boucherie (Boucherville, QC) recalls Chicken Noodle Soup, Cream of Chicken, and Spaghetti Sauce (1-liter size; all dates and codes), due to the presence of undeclared soy.
  • Allergy Alert: Metro Ontario Inc. recalls Irresistibles Gluten-Free Honey Nut O’s Cereal and Apple Cinammon Flavour O’s Cereal (285g; all codes), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The recalled products were sold in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Allergy Alert: Axep Plus (Roxton Falls, QC) recalls several prepared foods due to the presence of undeclared soy, wheat, sulfites, egg, milk, and or anchovies. Please refer to the recall notice for details.
  • Unauthorized Health Product Safety Recall: CANA International Distributing Inc. recalls Stiff One Hard 169, after Health Canada finds an undeclared prescription medication (thiodimethylsildenafil) in the product. Stiff One Hard 169 was sold at retail locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and also over the Internet.
  • Health Alert: Alberta Health Services reminds residents of Central Alberta to take precautions to limit the spread of norovirus, after a recent increase in gastro-intestinal illnesses reported in the Central Zone.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Enotria withdraws Capriola Pino Grigio della Venezie 2010 (75cl; all 2010 batches), because the wine contains undeclared sulfites. The affected batches were sold only in Morrisons supermarkets.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Belgian Plain Chocolate (200g; Best before Aug 2012; Batch #L15423C), due to the presence of undeclared hazelnuts.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Natrazahor France recalls Ivoria Tablette de Chocolat au Lait Amandes Caramélisées (Lot #L29; Best before 10/2012), due to contaminated with glass particles.
  • Food Safety Alert (Norway): The Food Safety Authority has discovered that a batch of lamb meat may contain traces of penicillin and/or sulfonamides. The affected lamb was sold on or after 24 November in nine Oslo-area shoes. Please refer to the Health Alert notice for a list of the affected shops.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Helsinki Laziza Foods Ltd. recalls Natco® Jeera Ground Cumin (Packed by Natco Foods Ltd. in Great Britain; 100g, 400g, 1kg and 5kg pkgs; Best before dates of 11/2011, 4/2012, 5/2012, 6/2012, 8/2012, 9/2012, 12/2012, 1/2013, 3/2013, 4/2013, 7/2013) after the product was linked to a suspected food poisoning in a Helsinki restaurant. The recalled cumin is contaminated with Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella Caracas.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Gert Nielsen A/S recalls several products containing pork (produced 18/11-2011, 20/11-2011, 21/11-2011 and 22/11-2011, because the raw pork was found to be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Coop Denmark A/S recalls Italian Baby Spinach (75g; Packed by Alfano Tomasso, Italy; All lots sold during 24 to 29 November 2011), due to contamination with Campylobacter.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Creme d’Or Ltd. recalls Felko Christmas Figures with Candy (Batch codes 34557 and 38675; Best before 10/01/2013) and Gumball Machine with Candy (Batch codes 29557 and 3456; Best before 15/11/2012), due to the possible risk of a choking hazard.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Tadal  and Koylu Food BVBA recall Dardanel brand Canned Tuna and Dardanel brand Tuna packets sold after 21 September 2011, due to unacceptable levels of mercury in the tuna.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (Ireland): Food Safety Authority of Ireland announces the precautionary withdrawal of all products manufactured by Societa Cooperativa Agricola GMG F.lli Gaudiano arl, Italy, as a result of a follow-up investigation of a botulism outbreak in Finland that was traced to Bio Gaudiano Almond-stuffed Olives. The products were distributed to Russell Gallery in New Quay, Co. Clare. Please refer to the Alert for a complete list of affected products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Culina Foods bvba recalls Culina Foods brand Mustard Dill Dressing SLA, due to product fermentation. Please refer to the VWA safety warning for details on affected lot numbers.

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.