Category: Clostridium

Recalls and Alerts: November 17, 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: New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets warns consumers not to eat “Salted Smoked Herring” sold by Juncalito Abajo Meat Corp., d/b/a Associated (Brooklyn, NY) and distributed by P West In Food Inc. (Brooklyn, NY), because the uneviscerated product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores.
  • Food Safety Recall: The J.M. Smucker Company recalls Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky (16-oz jars; UPC 5150001701; Production Codes 1307004 & 1308004; Best if used by August 3, 2012 and August 4, 2012), because the peanut butter may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, and was sold between November 8 and 17, 2011 in stores belonging to Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Copps, Mariano’s Fresh Market, Metro Market, Pick’n Save, Price Chopper, Target, Tops Friendly Markets, and Walmart.  The recalled peanut butter may also have been available in other grocery stores. Please check your pantry and discard or return any recalled product.
  • Food Safety Recall: Ready Pac Foods, Inc. (Irwindale, CA) recalls bagged salad products containing Romaine lettuce (Use by date November 18, 2011), because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled salad products were shipped to Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington, and include the following: Ready Pac Caesar Romaine, 10-oz; Ready Pac Santa Fe Caesar Complete Salad, 9.25-oz; Ready Pac Classic Caesar Complete Salad, 10-oz; Ready Pac Bella Romaine, 10-oz; Dining In Classic Caesar Salad Kit, 10-oz; Raley’s Caesar Romaine, 10-oz; Trader Joe’s Romaine Salad, 10-oz; Trader Joe’s Very American Salad, 16-oz; Safeway Farms Caesar Romaine, 10-oz; Safeway Farms Hearts of Romaine, 9-oz; Safeway Farms Complete Caesar Supreme, 10-oz; and Safeway Farms Complete Southwestern Ranch, 10.25-oz. The recalled salad products were sold by stores belonging to the following supermarket chains: Safeway (Safeway, Carrs, Pavilions, Pak ‘N Save, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, California, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Washington, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Wyoming), Albertsons (Southern California and Nevada), and Trader Joe’s (Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington), and may also have been available in other grocery stores. Please check your refrigerator and discard or return any recalled product.
  • Contact Lens Safety Recall: CooperVision expands its worldwide recall of Avaira contact lenses to include Avaira Sphere contact lenses. The recall was initiated after silicone oil residue was found on some Avaira Sphere lenses.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Boucherie A.G.A. inc. (Montreal, QC) recalls Saucisse cacciatore douce and Saucisse cacciatore forte (all product sold up to and including 2 November, 2011), because the sausages were prepared in a manner that presents a risk to consumer health.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation recalls all Woody’s Vodka Coolers (330ml bottles) after glass was detected in some of the bottles in Manitoba and Ontario. The recalled Woody’s brand flavors include Sasparilla, Pink Grapefruit, Orangetini, Pomtini and Refresher.
  • Food Safety Recall: NB Liquor expands its public recall of Woody’s Mexican Lime Alcoholic Vodka Beverage to include the following additional flavors and brands (single and 4-pack formats): Orangetini Orange Vodka Cooler, Pomtini Vodka & Pomegranate Cooler, Woody’s Blackcurrant & Apple, Woody’s Light Orange, Woody’s Pink Grapefruit, Woody’s Refresher, Woody’s 99 Raspberry (Light), Woody’s Vodka Col, Woody’s Sasparilla, and Woody’s Party Pack (mixed flavours) after glass particles were detected in some bottles.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Contact Lens Safety Recall (Hong Kong): CooperVision Hong Kong recalls all Avaira and BioComfort XO contact lenses, because of the presence of silicone oil residue which may cause hazy vision or discomfort, severe eye pain or even eye injuries requiring medical treatment.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Nycomed (Hong Kong) Limited recalls Omnaris Nasal Spray, 50mcg (Batch #137930), due to pinholes or leakage in some pouches. This is part of a worldwide recall initiated by the German manufacturer, Nycomed Gmbh.

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: November 15, 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: M&P Food Production (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Veal Russian Brand Dumplings (16-oz pkgs; Est 18832; Use By/Sell By date April 27, 2012), because the dumplings may contain undeclared pork. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores in Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall: United Natural Foods, Inc. expands the scope of its recall of FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives and Divina Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for affected date codes and an expanded list of Safeway Stores in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to which the Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives were shipped. Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese were distributed through Genuardis, Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Country Maid, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Silver Moon Springs LLC (Elton, WI) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed 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 CJ Labs, Inc. (Miami, FL) that a May/June 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Hayai Zushi (Salt Lake City, UT) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed 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 Wrapers Kitchen (Denver, CO) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed 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 Sea Fare Foods, Inc. (Detroit, MI) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the Fish and Fishery Products Regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns United Prosperity Group dba The Product Company (South San Francisco, CA) that a June/July 2011 inspection of the company’s food processing and storage facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Eastern Treats Specialty Foods, Inc. (Orlando, FL) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing establishment revealed 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 DJ Tuna Express, Inc. (Hialeah, FL) that an August/September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • Food Safety Recall: Thai Golden Spices, Inc. (Hayward, CA) recalls Hans brand Sugar Rewari Candy (1-lb clear plastic package; Imported from India; All dates and lot codes), because the candy contains unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candy was distributed in California.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert: The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene warns consumers that certain skin creams may contain mercury. According to the warning, Crema Aguamary, which was purchased in Mexico and brought into Maryland, is thought to be responsible for at least once case of mercury poisoning in the State. The Government of Mexico issued an alert on Crema Aguamary on September 30, 2011.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: C.B. Powell Limited recalls Cream of Wheat Hot Cereal, 3-minutes cook time (800g; Best by AUG 0113S; UPC 0 58025 01161 7), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled cereal was distributed to consumers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Edeka recalls Gut & Günstig Apfelschorle (1.5L PET bottle; Best before 6th and 7 March 2012; All lot numbers beginning with L1 2922) because the beverage may be subject to fermentation due to contamination during the filling process. The recalled item was sold in Edeka markets in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse (South Hesse to Frankfurt area), and Bavaria (in the adjoining border areas of Baden-Wuerttemberg).
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany and Austria): Handl Tyrol (Austria) recalls Tyrolean Wild Game Salami (200g; Lot #1F906 and 1F913; Best before 12/20/2012 and 25/12/2012, respectively) because the product may be contaminated with shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).
  • Medical Diagnostic Product Safety Recall (Italy): Intermedical Srl recalls STREPTO A card, 30 tests (Product code C-37; Lot #STA9100090, STA0020045, STA0020046, STA0040055, STA0050064, STA0080034, STA0100039, STA0100040, STA1010005, STA1020063, STA1040035, STA1050015 and STA1060038), because the diagnostic cards have demonstrated an unacceptably high false-positive rate.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1637): Unauthorized chlorine dioxide in precooked Japanese noodles from China, via Hong Kong; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert (EU #2011.1638):Clostridium botulinum type A toxin, vegetative cells and spores in korma sauce from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1639): Arsenic infeed materials from Belgium, with raw material from Brazil; distributed to Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1640): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1641): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1642): Escherichia coli in chilled clams from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1643): Mold and dead insects in brown rice from Greece; distributed to Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1644): Aflatoxins in roasted salted pistachio nuts from Iran; distributed to the Czech Republic.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Urgent Allergy Alert (Japan): Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare advises the public to avoid using Cha no Shizuku Soap, manufactured by Phoenix Co. (Nara Prefecture) and sold by the mail-order firm Yuuka Co. between March 2004 and December 2010, after the soap is linked to at least 471 reports of allergic reactions. The reactions apparently are the result of hydrolysis of wheat, which is an ingredient of the soap. The manufacturer and the distributor are working to recall the remaining bars of soap.
  • Outbreak Alert (Kenya): BBC reports that one person has died and 60 are suffering from cholera in what is described as the world’s largest refugee camp. The Dadaab camp, which is located in Kenya, is home to Somali refugees.
  • Health Supplement Safety Alert (Taiwan): Doctors at the National Taiwan University Hospital reported yesterday that a patient – a hepatitis B carrier – who regularly took chlorella tablets to support his diet developed near-fatal liver and kidney failure as a result of long-term use of the supplement.

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: November 14, 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.

Canada

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Belgium): Stassen Premium Belgian Cider withdraws Excellence brand ciders (Lot #L02316/Expiry 05.2012; Lot #L12073/Expiry 08.2012; Lot #L12199/Expiry 02.2013), due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. The oversight was the result of a labeling error.
  • Allergy Alert (Finland): Saarioinen OY withdraws Thai-kanakeitto chicken soup (300g; Batch #02.11.2011; Expiry 23/11/2011), due to the presence of undeclared peanut traces.
  • Allergy Alert (Finland): Fazer Confectionery Ltd. recalls Rider-Choco Candy Mixture (325g bags; Lot 1227 (Best before 04/09/2012) and Lot 1277 (Best before 05/29/2012)), because the product contains undeclared wheat flour.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Tulip Food Company withdraws Green Butchers Meatballs, 200g (see recall notice for list of production and expiry dates), because wheat flour was used instead of potato flour.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (UK): Premier Foods recalls Loyd Grossman’s Korma sauce (350g; Best before February 2013; Batch code 1218R), due to contamination with Clostridium botulinum. One jar from this batch has been linked to two cases of botulism in a single family in Scotland.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Premier Foods recalls Loyd Grossman Korma Sauce (350g jars; Batch code 1218R; Best before February 2013), following the detection of botulinum toxin in one jar of this batch. Some of the recalled jars were distributed to Tesco stores in the Republic of Ireland.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Saarioinen OY recalls Frozen Ground Beef Patties (Product #4754; Best before 03/09/2012; Batch #8.9.2011), because the patties may contain small metal fragments introduced via the breadcrumbs used as an ingredient.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Albhof recalls Mountain Cheese Schwobakäse, Bauernrahmkäse, Fit & Light, Albhof dollars, Raclette, and Swiss Tilsit cheeses, after Listeria monocytogenes was found in two batches of cheese during the company’s testing program.
  • Consumer Product Safety Alert (Italy): Consumers are warned that Superglue manufactured in China and distributed in Italy by Boldrini S.p.A. (Cremona), contains chloroform in excess of permitted levels.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1620): Listeria monocytogenes in roompate with mushrooms from Belgium; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1621): Organophosphate pesticides in chamomile tea from Macedonia; distributed to Denmark.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1625): Undeclared wheat in candy mix from Finland; distributed to Estonia and Finland.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1626): Salmonella spp. and excessive Enterobacteriaceae in meat meal from Spain; distributed to Spain.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1629): Undeclared soya in chilled pork pate from Poland; distributed to Slovakia.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert (EU #2011.1630): Salmonella Strathcona foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by datterino tomatoes from Italy; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1631): Listeria monocytogenes in sausage from Italy; distributed to Italy and France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1633): Salmonella spp. in frozen snake meat from Vietnam; distributed to Belgium.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1634): Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli in game salami from Austria; distributed to Austria and Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1635): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1636): Salmonella Kentucky in chilled turkey breast filets from Germany; distributed to Denmark.

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.