Category: Clostridium

Recalls and Alerts: July 21, 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: Malcolm Meats (Northwood, OH) recalls Steak Sirloin ANG CC Aussie H-CH (16 x 10-oz pkgs/case; Code 6778708; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (20 x 8-oz pkgs/case; Code 0648683; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (16 x 10-oz pkgs/case; Code 0648691; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), Steak Sirloin Aussie CAB (14 x 12-oz pkgs/case; Code 8415721; Produced prior to April 20, 2011) and Steak Sirloin Culotte CH Aussie (20 x 8-oz pkgs/case; Code 0651299; Produced prior to April 20, 2011), because the products contain undeclared wheat and soy. The recalled marinated beef products were shipped to distribution centers in Indiana, Missouri and Ohio for institutional use.
  • Food Safety Recall: Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (Mount Pleasant, TX and Waco, TX) recalls Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Breaded White Chicken Nuggets Shaped Patties (2 x 5-lb bags/box; Date code 11471010; Est. P-7091; Produced May 27, 2011) and Pilgrim’s Pride Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Fillet with Rib Meat (6 x 5-lb bags/box; Date code 11801050; Use by date Dec 26, 2011; Est. P-20728; Produced June 29, 2011), because the ready-to-eat products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Chicken Nugget Shaped Patties were shipped to distribution centers in New Jersey and Texas for further distribution to food service institutions; The Chicken Breast Fillets were shipped to an Ohio distribution center for further distribution to food service institutions.
  • Food Safety Recall: Euphoria Fancy Food Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Herring Special Salting (Product of Russia; uncoded 48.58oz/1300g plastic container), because the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Marché Stéphane Beaulieu Inc., dba Metro Plus (Sainte-Julienne, QC) recalls several varieties of tarts, because they contain undeclared soy and/or sulfites.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sunsprout Natural Foods recalls Sprouts Alive Baby Onion Sprouts, 70g (BB JUL 28), due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled sprouts were supplied to retail stores in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Agropol International Trade Ltd. recalls Fest brand Oranzada Biala – “White” Soft Drink, 1.5L and Fest brand Oranzada Czerwona – “Red” Soft Drink, 1.5L due to the presence of unspecified chemical additives. The recalled beverages were supplied to retail stores in Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (Denmark): Urtekram A/S recalls Nutana Vegetarian Pâtés (170g can; Best before 25.04.14) and Organic Tofu (500g glass jar, 260g drained weight; Best before 26.04.2014 and 10.05.2014) because the products may contain botulinum toxin. A 16-year-old boy from Copenhagen has been hospitalized with suspected food-borne botulism. The case is suspected to be linked to the consumption either of Nutana Vegetarian Pâté or Organic Tofu, both of which were imported by Urtekram. The investigation is still in progress.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): SuperGros A/S recalls Save brand Mackerel in Tomato (4-pack; best before 19.05.2014) because pieces of aluminum were found in some of the gaskets.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Therabel Lucien Pharma recalls Helacidine 10% Syrup (250ml bottle; Lot #163912Z and 164912Z; Expiry 12/2014), because the label omits to mention that the syrup is contraindicated for children under the age of two years.
  • Cosmetic Product Recall and Enforcement Action (France): L’Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé (AFSSAPS) announces the recall and the suspension of manufacturing, marketing, distribution and export of the following skin restoration products, after inspection of the manufacturing facility reveals infractions of documentation and safety/sanitary laws and regulations: Choc Medical (Hyalskin®, Mesoface® and Reparestim®), Sun Communication  (Biostyle®), Philoderm Aesthetics (Rofilan Hylan Gel®, Philoderm Beauty Gel®, Zetaderm®, Zetavisc®, Esthirase®, Philoderm®, Professional® and Mesoface®) and Aesthetic Dermal (Repairs®, Refills® and Stimulates®).
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0979): Anthraquinone in wheat fiber produced in the Netherlands with raw material from Pakistan; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0982): Prohibited substance metronidazole in honey from Guatemala, via France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0983): Suspicion of botulinum toxin in organic tofu from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Consumer Product Safety Notification (EU #2011.0984): Migration of lead from ceramic soup plates from China; distributed to Lithuania and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0985): Suspicion of botulinum toxin in vegetarian pate from Sweden; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0986): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled hake from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0987): Mercury in food supplements from Poland; distributed to Bulgaria, Poland, Russian Federation and United Kingdom.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety announces that two samples of Taiwan-style drinks “peach red tea” and “lychee juice green tea” taken at two local drinks shops were found to contain the plasticizer DEHP. The CFS has instructed the concerned shops to immediately stop sale of those two kinds of drinks.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0979): Anthraquinone in wheat fiber produced in the Netherlands with raw material from Pakistan; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Australia and New Zealand

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.

Recalls and Alerts: June 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

  • Allergy Alert: Cinderella Sweets (Woodmere, NY) recalls Shabtai Gourmet Brand Cindy’s Scrumptious Chocolate Chip Pound Cake, 16 oz (All lots; Kosher for Passover), because the product ingredient list indicates egg in the contents, while the package is labeled “Egg Free.”
  • Allergy Alert: Bariatric Advantage, a division of Catalina Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) recalls Chewable Multi Formula High in Vitamins A, D, E & K (Chocolate Mint Truffle flavor; single tablet, 60-tablet, and 180 tablet sizes; Lot #411499, 411499B and 411499D; Expiration date 5/24/2012) because the tablets contain undeclared milk protein.
  • Food Safety Recall: TGF Production LLC (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Herring Fish in Salt Water (1,300g/2.86-lb round plastic container; Code #20.02.11 PVI44AMIC2; Product of Russia), because the herring was not properly eviscerated prior to processing, and may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was sold nationally.
  • Food Recall: Bacardi USA recalls Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante, 1.5-liter bottles (Lot codes: L10236, L10237, L10238, L10239, L10242, L10243, L10244, L10278, L10279, L10281, L10284, L10285, and L10321), after the company received reports of bursting bottles.
  • FDA Enforcement Action: FDA and Ocean Harvest Inc. (San Diego, CA) have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction. The consent decree restrains Ocean Harvest from preparing, packing, or distributing seafood until the company complies with the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. The company also cannot prepare, pack or distribute seafood until it complies with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations.
  • Outbreak Alert: Residents and employees at Lemoore Naval Air Station (California) are being told not to drink the base’s water after 29 people became ill with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. at the base.
  • Outbreak Alert: Four people have contracted E. coli after visiting the Everett’s Animal Farm at Forest Park in Snohomish County, Washington.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Au Délices de la Plaine (Terrebonne, QC) recalls – and warns the public not to consume – refrigerated spaghetti sauce sold by the company in 500-mL glass jars (all product dated up to and including 9 juin 2011), because the product may not be safe for consumption.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: MGA Entertainment of Van Nuys, California recalls Bratz Makeup Design Sketch Book (Batch codes BV6997 and BV7040; Expiration 9/2012), because the eye shadow makeup in the Sketch Book may be contaminated with Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus intermedius. The recalled product was sold from February 2011 to May 2011 at Toys R Us stores across Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Iceland Foods Ltd. recalls Iceland Beef in Oyster Sauce Noodle Bowl (550g; Best before 11.09.2012), due to the presence of undeclared peanut, fish and shellfish, as the result of a packaging error.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Iceland Foods Ltd. recalls Iceland’s Beef Oyster Sauce Noodle Bowl (550g; Best before 11.09.2012), because the product contains undeclared peanut, fish and shellfish allergens.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): The Co-operative recalls The Co-operative brand of Healthier Choice French Dressing (250mL; all codes), Thousand Island Dressing (250mL; all codes) and Fresh Caesar Dressing (150mL; all codes), after detecting Salmonella in one of the ‘minor ingredients’ used in the products. Salmonella has not been recovered from any of the finished product samples.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Skiftekær Økologi ApS recalls organic fruits and vegetables, after rats were found in the potato storage area. Please navigate to the recall notice for a list of the affected products and the retailers that carried them.
  • Food Safety Recall Update (Netherlands): The EHEC bacteria found last week in red (pink) beet sprouts is of a strain that has not been reported previously in the Netherlands. The source of the contamination is still under investigation.
  • Food Safety Alert (Italy): On orders from the Ministry of Health, the Carabiniere has seized 5 tons of Steaks Country frozen hamburger patties and meatballs from the Lidl distribution center in Verona province. The seized products, which are currently being analyzed, have been linked to seven reported cases of E. coli O157 illness in children in the Lille area of France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0782): Listeria monocytogenes in cheese from France; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0785): Unauthorized octopamine hydrochloride in food supplement from the USA; distributed to the Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0786): Aflatoxins in pine nuts (unshelled) from China, via Germany; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0787): Unauthorized gold and silver in food supplements from Italy; distributed to Andorra and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0788): High aerobic plate count (bacteria) in mineral water from Italy; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0789): Salmonella in onion powder from Egypt; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0790): Salmonella in frozen salted chicken cuts from Brazil; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0791): Salmonella in lamb meal from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0794): Undeclared nuts in muesli from the United Kingdom; distributed to Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0795): Imazalil in mango from Guatemala, via the Netherlands and via Hungary; distributed to Romania.
  • Outbreak Alert (Sweden): Some 50 dog owners – and possibly several dogs – are believed to have been infected with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) after attending a dog show in eastern Sweden. The 120 participants at the show came from all over Sweden, as well as from Denmark, Norway and Finland. EHEC has been confirmed in two cases; fortunately, a milder strain than is responsible for the German outbreak.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (German sprouts): According to the World Health Organization, there are now a total of 3,517 HUS and non-HUS EHEC cases, including 39 deaths. Germany has reported 798 cases of HUS (25 deaths) and 2,610 cases of non-HUS EHEC (13 deaths).

Australia and New Zealand

  • Medical Device Safety Recall/Alert (Australia): Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd recalls Life Scan One Touch Verio Blood Glucose Monitoring System, manufactured by Lifescan Inc, USA during August 2010 to December 2010, because users are experiencing repeated ‘Error 2’ warning messages when used in conditions of high temperature and/or humidity due to contamination on one of the meter’s components, which occurred during the manufacturing process. Please navigate to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s recall notice for a list of the affected serial numbers.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0782): Listeria monocytogenes in cheese from France; distributed to Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: June 2, 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: Azar Nut Company recalls Azar Mountain Trail Mix (Item #9613896, 2/5#; Date codes 10256, 10284, 10313, 10320, 10342, 10357, 11017, 11031, 11066, 11089, 11109, 11123, 11138, and 11144), because the product may contain undeclared milk. The recalled trail mix was distributed through various food service distributors in Florida, Montana, Colorado, California, Oregon, Idaho, Arkansas, and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Michel and Charles LeBlanc Fisheries (Cap-Pele, New Brunswick, Canada) recalls Michel and Charles LeBlanc Brand Smoked Split Herring (Production dates January 4, 2011 and April 14, 2011) because the product was found to be uneviscerated. The sale of uneviscerated or incompletely eviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. The recalled products were distributed in Brooklyn and Bronx, New York.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal: California-based 99 Ranch Market has removed two kinds of Taiwanese beverages from its 35 stores, because the products may be contaminated with DEHP.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: FDA seeks permanent injunction against BCS African Wholesale Food Supply LLC (Brooklyn Park, MN) and its principal officers. The requested injunction would force defendants to stop importing, processing, and selling seafood products that can put consumers at risk for botulism or other food safety hazards.
  • Shellfish Growing Area Pollution Alert: Nine of Washington State’s commercial shellfish growing areas are threatened with closure this year due to pollution. The affected growing areas, by county, are: Grays Harbor (Pacific coast), Jefferson (Port Townsend), Kitsap (Dyes Inlet), Mason (Pickering Passage), Pacific (Naselle River), Pierce (Burley Lagoon, Filucy Bay), Skagit (Padilla Bay), and Snohomish (South Skagit Bay).
  • Outbreak Alert: Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating an increase in cases of shigellosis originating in Lauderdale County.
  • Outbreak Alert: Public health authorities in Amarillo, TX are warning residents that a “cluster” of seven cases of E. coli infections – all in children, mostly under five years of age – have been reported in Amarillo in the last few days. Four of the infected children have been hospitalized.

Canada

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has ordered a recall of Sheng Shiang Jen Konjac Coconut Jelly, Taro Flavour (Manufactured in Taiwan by Triko Foods Co., Ltd.; all batches; all sizes), after DEHP was detected in a sample of the product. CFS also has announced a prohibition on the importation and supply of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) orders the recall of Jin Guo Wan Peach Concentrate Juice (manufactured in Taiwan) after a sample fails a test for DEPH. AVA also has suspended the importation of Jin Guo Wan brand of fruit juice concentrates. These products are packaged in bulk and used as an ingredient for bubble tea.
  • Food Safety Alert (Taiwan): The Taiwan FDA has published a list of ingredients (available for download) that were found to be contaminated with DEHP. Please navigate to the Taiwan FDA site for a link to the file.
  • Food Safety Recall (Vietnam): On orders from the Vietnam Food Administration, New Choice Foods Company recalls products containing DEHP (imported from Triko Foods Co. Ltd., Taiwan).
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Kai Yuen Pharmaceutical Company recalls Well Tab (Manufactured in Taiwan by China Chem and Pharm Company, Limited), and Marching Pharmaceutical Limited recalls five Vitamin C and dietary supplement products (manufactured in Hong Kong using an ingredient from Taiwan that may contain DEHP) because the recalled products may contain DEHP.

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.