Category: E. coli O157:H7

Recalls and Alerts: December 11, 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 international and retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Sugar Flowers Plus Inc. (Glendale, CA) recalls Cake Decors Pastillage (gumpaste) Flowers (various varieties and colors – see recall notice for detailed list), due to the presence of undeclared egg white. The recalled products were distributed to Hobby Lobby Stores and by direct online sale through the company website. The products may have been available Hobby Lobby stores in the following states between March 2004 and November 2012: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MS, MO, MT, NY, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OH, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY.
  • Allergy Alert: Mister Snacks, Inc. (Amherst, NY) recalls Sunbird Snacks Yogurt Raisins (5 oz pkgs; Lot Number/Expiration date EXP 0513 265), because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was sold through retail stores nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: Freshway Foods recalls Sonics Red Apple Slice (2.4 oz pkgs; Use by 11/30/2012; Shipped to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Tennessee, Wisconsin), Motts Red Apple Slice (14 oz Innerlock bag; Use by 20/03/2012 and 12/6/2012; UPC 95829 20000; Shipped to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina) and Motts Green Apple Slice (14 oz Innerlock bag; Use by 12/03/2012; UPC 95829 20042; Shipped to North Carolina), because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: California Department of Public Health releases California retail distribution list for products recalled by Suzanna’s Kitchen.
  • Outbreak Alert (Pennsylvania): Kimberton Whole Foods has removed from its Kimberton and Downingtown stores raw milk products packaged by Kimberton Farms Dairy (also known as Camp Hill Dairy or Kimberton Hills), after the Chester County (PA) Health Department received information of an increase of “severe gastroenteric symptoms” among consumers of raw milk supplied by the dairy.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that the outbreak of E. coli o157:H7 infections linked to Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend produced by State Garden (Chelsea, MA) appears to be over. In all, 33 infected persons were reported from five states; 13 people were hospitalized.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Cherry Point Products Inc. (Milbridge, ME) that a September-October 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 O Guest Ranch Maui LLC, dba Surfing Goat Dairy (Kula, HI) that an August 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 B&A Seafood (Philadelphia, PA) that a September – October 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 Massimo’s Dallas, Inc. (Dallas, TX) that a June 2012 inspection of the company’s food manufacturing firm found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Sharkco Seafood International, LLC (Venice, LA) that an August 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Kamawi, Inc. (Lorton, VA) that an October 2012 inspection of the company’s firm found significant violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations in manufacturing, packing, or holding human food, including contamination with bird and rodent excreta.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Walmart Canada Corp. recalls Great Value Chicken Rice Condensed Soup (284 mL; All codes; UPC 6 81131 76044 7), due to the presence of undeclared egg. The recalled product was sold nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Taylor Shellfish Canada/Fanny Bay Oysters recalls Fanny Bay Oysters brand Farmed Mattaki Oysters and Farmed Boathouse Kiss Oysters (Lot #7496; Harvested area 23- 3/1405569, Bernard Point, BC; Harvest date 12/02/2012; Process date 12/06/2012), due to the presence of marine biotoxin. The recalled oysters were distributed in British Columbia to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Canada Inc. (North York, ON) recalls certain Buitoni brand pizzas (product of Germany), because the products may contain pieces of metal. The recalled items, which were distributed nationally, include: Buitoni Funghi Rustico (365g; UPC 0 55000 59984 9; Production codes 21952276G2, 21952276G3, 22952276G3), Buitoni Margherita (350g; UPC 0 55000 59985 6; Production codes 21672276G3, 21682276G1, 22092276G1, 22822276G2, 21952276G2), Buitoni Pepperoni Diavolo (340g; UPC 0 55000 59986 3; Production codes 22092276G3, 22102276G1, 22822276G3), Buitoni Pollo Toscano (350g; UPC 0 55000 59987 0; Production code 22092276G2) and Buitoni Spinaci Fresca (360g; UPC 0 55000 59990 0; Production codes 21952276G3, 21962276G1).
  • Outbreak Alert: St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) has been closed to visitors due to an outbreak of suspected Norwalk-like virus (norovirus), according to CBC News.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency has been advised that the following three marinated mushroom products, manufactured in Poland and bearing ‘best before’ dates between 31 December 2013 and 31 May 2014, contain undeclared sulphites: Provitus Podgrzybki Marynowane-Xerocomus badius (250g), Provitus Kurki Marynowane-Cantharellus cibarius (250g), and Provitus Opienki Marynowane-Armillaria mellea (250g).
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Le Chevret Chimacien recalls Chevret Chimacien fresh goat cheeses (Expiry date 10/12/12; Sold between 23/11/12 and 07/12/12), due to Listeria contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Salads Kolding A/S recalls Irma’s selected Curry Salad with pickles (200g; Best before 17/12, 20/12 and 27/12-2012), because small rust flakes have been found in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): ARDO A/S recalls Green Beans (700g plastic bag; Production date 6/8-2012; Best before 6/12-2014; Lot #L06082012JE; Packed in France), after herbivore excrement (probably from a rabbit or hare) was found in a bag of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Nestlé Grand Froid recalls the following Buitoni brand Pizzas Sensazione (Expiry dates between June 2013 and August 2013, inclusive), because the products may contain metal particles: Thon cuisinée aux câpres et oignons rouges, Mozzarella et Provolone cuisinée au basilic et huile d’olive, Pepperoni cuisinée au basilic et origan, and La Spéciale cuisinée au pesto.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Wagner GmbH recalls The Fresh Baked and Big Pizza brand pizzas (Best before dates March 2013 to November 2013), after two consumer complaints regarding small pieces of metal found in the pizza.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1691): Glass fragments in organic baby food from Germany; distributed to Germany, Hungary, Poland and Serbia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1694): Salmonella Brunei in Can Tay celery from Vietnam; distributed to Denmark.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.1695): Undeclared soy in sweet pepper twists from the Netherlands; distributed to France and the Netherlands.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1696): Excessive Enterobacteriaceae in dog chews from China; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1697): Norovirus in clams from the United Kingdom; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1698): Dimethoate in apples from Croatia, via Slovenia; distributed to Austria and Slovenia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1700): Excessive sulphite in dried and pitted apricots from Turkey, via Slovakia; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.1701): Undeclared sulphite in bordeaux wine from France; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1705): Salmonella in chilled beef meat from Germany, via the Netherlands; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1707): Clostridium and potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli in green beans from France contaminated with hare or rabbit faeces; distributed to Denmark.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Japan): Ito En (Japan) has recalled 400,000 packages of Oolong tea grown in China after a test revealed pesticide residues that exceed Japanese food safety limits.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is invetigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 15 men and 19 women who became ill about 13 hours after dining at a restaurant in Kwai Tsing on December 9th.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Alert (Brazil): Brazil has reported a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) to the World Organization for Animal Health). The case was first observed in 2012, but only reported now.

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.

USDA’s ‘Hold and Test’ Policy: Limitations and Loopholes

This morning, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released the details of its new ‘hold and test’ policy for meat and poultry products. While the policy marks a step forward for food safety, the details reveal several limitations and loopholes that will limit its effectiveness at reducing the number and magnitude of recalls.

1. The policy will apply to “non-intact raw beef product or intact raw beef product intended for non-intact use” that is tested by FSIS for E. coli O157:H7 and six other shigatoxin-producing E. coli (STECs) that FSIS has designated as adulterants in these products. It does not apply to “…raw meat or poultry products tested for Salmonella or other pathogens that FSIS has not determined to be adulterants in those products.”

2. The policy will apply to any ready-to-eat products tested by FSIS for pathogens, and to ready-to-eat products that passed over food-contact surfaces that have been tested by FSIS for the presence of a pathogen.

3. The policy will apply to livestock carcasses tested by FSIS for the presence of veterinary drugs. It will not apply to poultry carcasses tested for those drugs.

For those who may have missed it, THIS POLICY ONLY APPLIES TO TESTS CARRIED OUT BY FSIS. FSIS tests only a small fraction of the meat and poultry products that are released into commerce every day. Most production line and finished product testing is carried out by food establishments; some using their own in-house labs, and others by sending samples to free-standing independent testing labs. FSIS encourages, but does not mandate, ‘hold and test’ under these circumstances.

In spite of these limitations, FSIS calculates that its new policy will yield an economic benefit of between $12.8 million and $37.8 million annually, comprising:

  • Reduced cost of recalls: $12 million to $37 million
  • Actual averted illnesses: $650,000
  • Estimated averted illnesses from E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella: $106,724

This benefit will more than offset the estimated costs to industry of $923,000 to $1.4 million annually, according to FSIS calculations.

It is said that every journey begins with a single step. FSIS, to its credit, has made some strides in the right direction over the last few years – releasing retail distribution lists for recalled products, expanding the list of pathogens that it considers to be adulterants, and now mandating a limited ‘hold and test’ initiative.

What do you think should be FSIS’s next step? Please take this eFoodAlert survey.

Recalls and Alerts: November 19, 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: CDC reports 28 persons infected with the outbreak of strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli o157:H7 from five states, including New York (22), Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (2), Pennsylvania (1) and Virginia (1). Most of those ill in New York state had consumed Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend, produced by State Garden (Chelsea, MA). Lab tests conducted on four leftover packages of this product from four outbreak victims’ homes, yielded the outbreak strain. Outbreak victims from states other than New York reported having eaten other brands of pre-packaged leafy greens.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Oregonian reports that a petting zoo and pumpkin patch in Longview, WA has been linked to an outbreak of at least 10 cases of E. coli illnesses. The Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch has shut down and is not planning to reopen.
  • Food Recall: Bi-Lo and Food City advise their customers that Bailey’s Hazelnut Creamer (16 oz; UPC 0-44100-10753; Item code 581465; Expiry February 26, 2013) has been recalled due to a quality issue.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Pak National Foods Ltd. recalls National Apple Spread (440g; Batch 20 19 2011 (Best before Dec 2012) and Batch 12 18 2011 (Best before 11 12 13); UPC 6 20514 00192 0), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises the public not to consume, sell or serve Sunland Inc. Organic Dark Chocolate Creamy Peanut Butter (375g; UPC 0 48687 89829 9; Lot code 100326), because the product has been recalled by the manufacturer due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was distributed in Quebec, and may have been sold across Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Euro Shopper brand Dark Chocolate Sprinkles (500g; Lot codes L12275 and L12276), due to the presence of undeclared milk powder.
  • Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Disschof (Diksmuide, Belgium) recalls the following cheeses, sold in the Netherlands, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes: Keiems Bloempje with and without herbs, Keiem Lean To Nature, KeimerBloemetje with Herbs, Keiemnaer, Keiemse White, KeiemseBloemGroot, and Keiem Skinny with herbs.
  • Outbreak Alert (Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom): The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports an increase in cryptosporidiosis notifications in the UK (England and Wales), Netherlands and Germany in late summer-autumn 2012. No other countries have reported an unusual increase, and there is no evidence pointing to a single, common source. Lab and epidemiological investigations are in progress to explore the source of this increased incidence of infections.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Organic Echo Limited recalls Organic Echo brand Les Viva Infant Milk Powder, for 0 – 12 months (800g; Batch CPF0212064; Best before September 6, 2013; Packaged in Malaysia), because the potassium and protein content exceed the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex).

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.