Category: Clostridium

Recalls and Alerts: October 25, 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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Outbreak Alert Update (North Carolina): The Division of Public Health reports that, as of today, state and local health agencies have confirmed 104 cases of E. coli infections in attendees at the Cleveland County Fair. The victims include 63 children and 41 adults; one child has died and thirteen victims have been or are currently hospitalized. Animal exposure is thought to be the source of the infections.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Salamina Inc. recalls Sadis brand Pepperoni – 2″ Sliced (20kg; Code #275283), due to Listeria contamination. The recalled product was distributed to hotel, restaurant and institutional customers in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: BV Fisheries recalls BV Fisheries brand Hot Smoked Salmon (Variable size; no codes), due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was sold in retail stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Food Safety Recall: Outlandish Shellfish recalls Aquacultured Gallomussel Outlandish (10 lb; Lot S245; Harvest date 2012OC15; Subarea 13-12), due to the presence of marine biotoxin. The recalled product was distributed to hotel, restaurant and institutional customers in British Columbia and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mills Sea Food Ltd. recalls Mills Sea Food Ltd. Soft Shell Clams (4 lb; Code Oct. 17, 2012), due to the presence of marine biotoxin. The recalled product was sold to retail customers in New Brunswick.
  • Food Safety Recall: Listiguj Commercial Fisheries recalls Live Blue Mussels (25 lb; No codes) due to the presence of marine biotoxin. The recalled product was sold to retail customers in Quebec.
  • Natural Health Product Safety Recall: Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd. recalls Pollen Allergy, now sold as Tongqiao Biyan Pian after testing by Health Canada identifies the presence of arsenic in excess of allowable limits, in addition to low levels of undeclared chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) and acetaminophen. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Oy Hartwall Ab recalls FENIX Weight Control Beverage – Pineapple (0.5L bottles; best before 301112, item L2215 X9086, best before 160113, X9908 and L2262 installment of the best-before 160113, item L2262 X9916), because the product contains chromium, a supplement that is banned in the EU.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Uncle John Ltd. recalls Choco The Monster Croissant with hazelnut praline filling (Expiry 11/16/12), due to mold growth.
  • Vaccine Safety Recall/Alert (Several EU countries): Germany’s Paul Ehrlich institute has cancelled the approval of some batches of Novartis flu vaccine after the company reported the appearance of small particles in the manufacturing process, according to Associated Press. Italy banned the sale of four Novartis flu drugs – Fluad, Begripal (sold as Aggripal in Italy), Influpozzi Adiuvato and Influpozzi Subunita. Switzerland has suspended deliveries of flu vaccines from Novartis. No adverse reactions have been reported.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1488): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Lithuania; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1489): Mercury in crayfish from Tunisia; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1490, 2012.1491, 2012.1493, 2012.1494): Defective packaging of canned milk powder from the Netherlands; distributed to China, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1492): High aluminum content in vermicelli from South Korea, via the Netherlands; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1497): Imizol in chilled offals from Sweden; distributed to Denmark and Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (South Korea/Taiwan): The Taiwan Department of Health orders the recall of Neoguri Seafood & Mild Noodles and Neoguri Seafood & Spicy Noodles after the Korea Food and Drug Administration orders the recall of six instant noodle products made by Nongshim Co., due to the presence in these products of the carcinogen benzopyrene.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1490, 2012.1491, 2012.1493, 2012.1494): Defective packaging of canned milk powder from the Netherlands; distributed to China, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.

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 12, 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

  • Allergy Alert: Hannaford Supermarkets recalls Red Velvet Cake Truffle (UPC 20335800000) and Triple Chocolate Cake Truffle (UPC 20335700000) due to the presence of undeclared egg, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts. The recalled product was distributed in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont.
  • Allergy Alert: Asia Cash & Carry Inc. (Maspeth, NY) recalls Nova Salted Biscuit (14.08 oz/400g paper box; Expiration dates March 2013, November 2013 and December 2013; Product of Bangladesh), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: S & P Company, Limited (Paramount, CA) recalls Su-non Crush Roasted Thai Red Pepper ‘Super Hot’ Flakes (10.58 oz; Bar code 659613000770), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in Los Angeles Area Grocery stores (between July of 2012 to October 2012) including Bell and Long Beach, in Rockford, IL, in Phoenix, AZ, in Omaha, NE and in Brooklyn, NY.
  • Food Safety Recall: Justin’s recalls various peanut butter products after receiving notification from their contract manufacturer, Fresca Foods, Inc. (Louisville, CO) that the products may contain peanut butter from Sunland and may be contaminated with Salmonella. Please refer to the recall announcement for a detailed list of products and code dates. The items were distributed nationally to numerous supermarket chains and were available for purchase on the internet from 3/23/10 to 9/26/12.
  • Food Safety Recall: AdvancePierre Foods recalls select frozen products including Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, Peanut Butter and Jelly Graham Cracker sandwiches and Peanut Butter cup products (produced in Easley, SC), because the products contain peanut butter supplied by Sunland and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were manufactured between the dates of July 17, 2011 through May 18, 2012 and distributed nationwide through retail stores, food service, convenience stores and the USDA commodity foods programs
  • Food Safety Recall: Lin-Mar Partners, Inc. (Austin, TX) recalls Longhorn Roasted Peanut with Chocolate Energy Bars (UPC 8-57087-00301-7; Best by date 11/10/12) and Longhorn Peanut Butter Trail Mix Protein Bars (UPC 8-57087-00303-1; Best by date 11/11/12), because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were distributed in Texas through Randall’s, Tom Thumb, HEB, University of Texas Coop, and Academy retail stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: JagRma LLC (San Diego, CA) recalls NuttZo Original (16 oz; UPC 894697002030; Best By 10/7/12 – 12/31/12), because the product may contain peanuts supplied by Sunland, and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed from October 2011 to February 2012 through natural grocery retail stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii; and through mail order in 50 states.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that, as of October 11th, 20 people in 12 states and the District of Columbia were infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes associated with Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy. Nineteen of the 20 victims were hospitalized. Four people died and there was one miscarriage ending in death of the fetus.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that the Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Hadar outbreaks associated with live poultry in backyard flocks appear to be over. A total of 93 people from 23 states and Puerto Rico were infected with Salmonella Montevideo; 21 people were hospitalized and one person died. A total of 46 people from 11 states were infected with Salmonella Hadar; 13 were hospitalized, and all survived.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Clark County Washington Public Health reports 15 confirmed and 44 probable cases of Salmonella linked to On the Border restaurant in Vancouver, WA. The source of the outbreak has not been determined.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc. (Toronto, ON) recalls Starbucks Protein Bistro Box kits (192g pkgs; UPC 7 62111 88794 8; Best before 12SE29 to 12OC07, inclusive), because the Bistro Box contains Justin’s brand Honey Peanut Butter Blend (0.5 oz pouch; UPC 894455000391; Best by between 07-14-13 and 08-30-13), which may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: G. Brandt Meat Packers Ltd. recalls Brandt Polish Ham (4 kg; Best before 2012 Oct 21, 2012 Oct 29, and 2012 Nov 04), due to contamination with Clostridium perfringens. The recalled product was sold in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that 15 cases of E. coli O157 illness have been linked to beef from XL Foods Inc. (Brooks, AB). Cases were confirmed in Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (4) and British Columbia (3).

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Stryhns A/S, Graasten Salater recalls Lunch Salad brand Russian Salad (200g plastic cups), because the product contains undeclared milk and soy.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Coöbra recalls Green Celery (Lot 2527), because the product contains excessive levels of dimethoate and cyhalothrine (lambda).
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Max Krone recalls Nordic Gourmet Crispbread (150g; Best before 1/12-2012 and 1/1-2013), because moths and larvae have been found in some individual packages.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Eliza Chocolate Wholesale ApS recalls Chokolatier nøddebar, milk and dark varieties (35g; All date codes), because moth larvae were found in some packages.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Løgismose Dairy A/S recalls Løgismose Organic Skyr, Natural (350g; Best before 23/10-2012), Løgismose Organic Skyr with raspberries, rhubarb and vanilla (250g; Best before 23/10-2012) and Løgismose Organic Skyr with mango, passion and ginger (250g; Best before 23/10-2012), due to a high level of yeast in the products.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Brasserie de Saint-Omer extends its recall of several brands of beer, as a limited number of bottles may contain small pieces of glass. Please refer to the recall notice for details of the recalled products, which were sold by Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.
  • Outbreak Alert (France): Eighteen cases of food poisoning have been reported between September 21st and October 10th in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The cause of the poisonings was traced to contamination of organic buckwheat flour with datura, a wild plant that naturally contains high levels of  atropine and scopolamine. These alkaloid chemicals are toxic to humans.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Twenty-seven guests at the Bay Great Western Hotel in Oban have developed symptoms consistent with norovirus infection. The hotel remains open for business, but is working to contain the virus.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Proprietary Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Wah Shun Medicine Limited recalls Tian Ma Toutong Wan (Batch #80090TR3; Manufactured in Mainland China), because the product contains approximately 1.6 times the permitted level of lead.
  • Proprietary Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Peking Medicine Manufactory recalls Bak Foong Pills (Batch #AL0225), because the product contains approximately 1.7 times the permitted level of mercury.
  • Proprietary Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Kin Lik Trading Company Limited recalls 24 brands of unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines.
  • Herbal Medicine Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health advises the public not to buy or consume the oral product known as Snake Powder Capsule for Rheumatism, as it may contain undeclared Western medicines, including piroxicam, dexamethasone, hydrochlorothiazide and cimetidine.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Roche Hong Kong Limited recalls Rocephin for Inj 250mg IM (HK-20182), Rocephin for Inj 500mg IM (HK-20187), Rocephin for Inj 500mg IV (HK-20188), Rocephin for Inj 1g IV (HK-20190), Rocephin for Inj 1g IM (HK-20192) and Rocephin for Inj 250mg IV (HK-52844) because of a stability issue.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Vaccine Recall (Australia): GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. recalls Infanrix hexa vaccine (Batch #A21CB144A, A21CB188D, A21CB188E, A21CB190A, A21CB197A and A21CB221B; Expiry 21 January 2014), because a surface in the area where one of the manufacturing steps for the vaccine takes place was found to be contaminated with a small amount of Bacillus cereus. No contamination was found either in the ingredients or in the vaccine itself.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration advises the public that Naturally Kouxan Best Slim Capsules contain the undeclared prescription drug sibutramine and should not be used.

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 8, 2012 – Part A (USA)

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: Nestle Prepared Foods Company, dba Buitoni North America recalls Buitoni® spinach & Portobello Mushroom All Natural Ravioli (18 oz/510g bags; UPC 24842-99186; Production code 225451757; Best before OCT 2013), because the product may contain Shrimp and Lobster ravioli due to a packaging error; the mislabelled products potentially contain undeclared shrimp and lobster. The recalled product was sold exclusively at Target stores.
  • Allergy Alert: Stefano Foods, Inc. (Charlotte, NC) recalls Quesadilla Chick Ins (12/24 oz; Case code F2829; Use by 03/31/2013), because the product contains undeclared isolated soy protein. The recalled product was produced on August 3, 2012 and shipped to a distributor in Georgia for further distribution to retail locations.
  • Allergy Alert: Baensch Food Products Co. recalls Ma Baensch Marinated Herring in Wine Sauce (24-oz glass jar; UPC 71444910220; Best If Used By 06NOV12; Lot Code 158), because the product may contain undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed to select retail stores in Wisconsin and Rockford, Ill. beginning on June 6, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese recalls Kentucky Rose bleu cheese (8 oz wedge, 3.5 lb or 7.0 lb wedge or 15 lb wheel, vacuum packed; Lot #120531), Kentucky Bleu, bleu cheese (8 oz wheel or 1.5 lb wheel, waxed, hand wrapped; Lot #120531 & 120612), Awe-Brie, brie cheese (8 oz wheel or 1.5 lb wheel, hand wrapped; Lot #120614, 120629 & 120716), and Tomme de Nena, tomme cheese (8 oz wedge, 3.5 lb or 7.0 lb wedge or 14 lb wheel, vacuum packed; Lot #120614 & 120716), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheeses were sold to farmers markets, restaurants, distributors and retailers in Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia between August 22nd and September 25, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Krasnyi Oktyabr (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Beer Set Dried Rudd (7 oz/200g vacuum packed bag; Best before 10.22.12; Product of Russia), because the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores. The recalled product was sold to one retail store on June 14.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gretchen’s Shoebox Express expands its earlier recall of Protein Bistro Boxes to include Starbucks Protein Bistro Bars (6.8 oz; UPC 762111881502; Enjoy By 09/28/12, 09/30/12 – 10/06/12) in response to the expanded peanut butter recall announced by Sunland, Inc. due to potential Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Stewart Brothers (Decatur, IL) recalls ground beef products (Code 255 or 256; Establishment #447), because the products were made from beef trim that may be contaminated with E. coli. The recalled products were produced on Sept. 12 and distributed to local restaurants.
  • Food Safety Recall: Talenti Gelato recalls Talenti Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Gelato (1 pt/473 ml; UPC 1 86852  00094 5; Best by 3/21/13 through 3/26/14)  because the peanut butter used in the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores nationwide between September 2011 and September 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kilwins Quality Confections, Inc. (Petoskey, MI) recalls Kilwins Sugar Free (S/F) Peanut Butter Fudge (7 oz pkgs; Bar code 000648; Lot #67936, 67105, 66959, 66413, 66248, 65123, 63124, 62693, 62612, 61658, 61621), because the product contains peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold in Kilwins retail stores in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Trader Joe’s recalls the following products (All code dates up to and including 24SEPT13) due to potential contamination with Salmonella: Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter (sku 97111), Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds (sku 98927), Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds (sku 94079), Organic Creamy Valencia Peanut Butter (sku 81955), Organic Crunchy Valencia Peanut Butter (sku 81953), Organic Creamy Unsalted Valencia Peanut Butter (sku 91587), and Organic Crunchy Unsalted Valencia Peanut Butter (sku 91581). This is an expansion of an earlier recall.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kraft Foods Group, Inc. recalls Kraft String Cheese – Jalapeño Variety (12 oz bag with 12 individual 1 oz snacks; Best by 23 NOV 2012; UPC 2100002977), because a thin layer of plastic film from the package may remain adhered to the product and cause a possible choking hazard. The affected product was distributed across the USA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kellogg Company recalls Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats® Bite-Size cereal (24 oz; Lot 4/1/13KB through 9/21/13KB; UPC 38000-31834), due to possible contamination with flexible metal mesh fragments.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chattanooga Bakery, Inc. recalls additional MoonPie® Crunch Peanut Butter (Code dates 10/29/12, 12/10/12, 01/07/13 and 01/29/13), because they contain peanut butter recalled by Sunland, Inc. due to potential Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Haggen Northwest Fresh and TOP Food & Drug recall All Natural Black Licorice (UPC 0-41364-08481) due to potential for elevated levels of lead.
  • Food Safety Recall: Foppen (Netherlands) recalls Foppen Norwegian Smoked Salmon Slices (12 oz) and Kirkland Signature Norwegian Imported Smoked Salmon (2 x 12 oz), due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled products were manufactured in Greece by Foppen (a Dutch company) and sold at Costco.
  • Food Recall: Bi-Lo advises its customers that the manufacturer has recalled Activia Light Peach Yogurt (4 packs of 4-oz cups; UPC 0-36632-02366; Item code 268011; Lot #NOV 07 2012 MZ, NOV 09 2012 MZ and NOV 10 2012 MZ).
  • Public Health Alert Update: USDA/FSIS expands its earlier Public Health Alert to include all beef and beef products produced on August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 by XL Foods, Inc. (Canadian Est. 038), Brooks, Alberta, Canada, because the beef may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS has not released a list of affected products, but has posted a retail distribution list.
  • Food Safety Recall / Outbreak Alert Update: Sunland, Inc. expands its earlier recall to include all products manufactured in its Peanut Butter Plant after March 1, 2010. The expanded recall covers all previously identified Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Tahini products as well as Roasted Blanched Peanut Products. New product categories being added to the list are several varieties of flavored butters and spreads, including Thai Ginger Butter, Chocolate Butter and Banana Butter. The expanded recall is in response to the recovery of Salmonella from an opened jar of Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Peanut Butter collected from a case-patient’s home during the ongoing investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections. As of October 5, 2012, a total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney had been reported from 19 states.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kasel Associated Industries (Denver, CO) recalls Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats (2.5 lb clear plastic bag; UPC 647263800208; Best By 091913 DEN), after FDA found Salmonella in a sample of this batch as part of a routine testing program. The recalled treats were distributed to 57 Sam’s Club locations in Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Premium Nutritional Products, Inc. recalls ZuPreem® Medium/Large and Large FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods (Expiry dates 11/30/13 or 11/13; Lot #598405052 or 598405072), because the products may contain higher-than recommended levels of calcium.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating a Salmonella outbreak – possibly food-borne – among staff and students at Fayetteville High School. Thirty-five people are reported ill and six have been hospitalized. One clinical sample tested positive for Salmonella. Additional test results are pending.

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.