Category: E. coli O157:H7

Recalls and Alerts: May 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.

United States

  • Food Withdrawal: Giant Eagle reports the withdrawal of Bumble Bee Oysters Canned (8-oz; UPC 8660070030). The product is being pulled and held pending further instructions from FDA and the supplier regarding the possibility that the product could be adulterated. No production code or date code information was provided.

Canada

  • Food Safety Health Hazard Alert/Recall: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public, importers and manufacturers not to use Tempeh Starter Yeast and Super Starter Yeast (30g, 50g, 250g and 1000g sealed, clear plastic packages), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold through direct mail orders by the US supplier, Indonesianfoodmart.com (Rockville, MD), and were distributed across Canada. There have been dozens of reported cases of Salmonella Paratyphi B illnesses in the USA that were associated with tempeh that was manufactured using the Tempeh Starter Yeast. No cases have been reported to date in Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall: Marché Napoléon inc (Sept-Îles, QC) recalls Poivrons Rouges Grillés à l’Ail/ Grilled Red Peppers with Garlic (125mL and 250mL glass jars; Lot code 2 03 2013) and Tartinade de Poivrons Rouges Grillés à l’Ail/Grilled Red Peppers with Garlic Spread (125mL and 250mL glass jars; Lot code 2 03 2013), because the product label does not carry the instruction “Garder réfrigérés (Keep refrigerated), and the products were displayed for sale without refrigeration, rendering the products potentially unsafe for consumption.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): The Aargau consumer protection agency reports that Filet d’anchois avec câpres/Anchovy filets with capers (120g jar; Expiration date 28.02.2013; Lot #11241), represents a health hazard, due to the presence of histamine in the product. The recalled product was sold by Globus. Consumers who purchased the product should return it to the store.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Belgium): Body in Style recalls Body in Style Slimming Green Coffee (Lot #SS 201203; Expiration date 03/2014), due to the presence of sibutramine, a substance that is prohibited in foods.
  • Outbreak Alert (Scotland): Health authorities are investigating two confirmed cases and four suspected cases of E. coli O157 illnesses in children who attend Rose Lodge Nursery School in Aboyne, Royal Deeside. The baby nursery at the school has been closed while the investigation is carried out.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0706): Green glass fragments in rice cakes from Italy; distributed to Ireland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0708): Salmonella spp. in ground black pepper from Vietnam; distributed to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0709): Ochratoxin A in chili powder from China; distributed to Germany and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0710): Parasitic infestation of chilled frogs’ legs from Turkey; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0711): Salmonella spp. in chilled stuffed meat product from Romania; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0712): Salmonella spp. in tahini from Syria; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0713): Histamine in anchovies with oil and capers from Italy; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0714): Salmonella spp. in tumeric powder from the United Kingdom, with raw material from India; distributed to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0715): Salmonella spp. in turmeric powder from India, via Germany; distributed to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0716): Unauthorized sibutramine in diet coffee from Australia; distributed to Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0717): Salmonella spp. in ground cumin from Turkey; distributed to Germany and the Netherlands.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Consumers are warned not to use or sell Tempeh Starter Yeast and Super Starter Yeast (30g, 50g, 250g and 1000g package sizes; all batches), which were recalled in the USA due to reported cases of salmonellosis associated with consumption of Tempeh made with the recalled yeast products. The products were distributed by the US-based company IndonesianFoodMart.com via direct mail order or online. Anyone who has these products should discard them.

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: May 17, 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: Bakery El Monte Sinai Corp. (Hempstead, NY) recalls Rainbow Cake (10-oz Styrofoam tray; Code date 7/8/12; UPC 5273500209), due to the presence of undeclared eggs. The recalled product was sold in Nassau, Suffolk, and New York counties in New York State.
  • Food Safety Recall: Raj Foods LLC (Houston, TX) recalls Raj Foods Halal Beef Samosa(s) (12 x 1-oz beef samosas per bag; Produced between Aug 9th and 23rd, 2011; Est 44163), because a meat ingredient used in the product may have been produced in a facility that is not federally inspected.
  • Food Safety Recall (via FDA Enforcement Report): Papayas & More LLC (Hidalgo, TX) recalls Papayas Delicious Fruit (Produce of Mexico; Lot #CH347; Codes 6909014, 6909914, and 6909318), because the papayas tested positive for Salmonella. The recalled fruit was produced by Empaque de Frutas Chulavista S.A. de C.V. (Tecoman, Mexico) and was distributed only to New York state. The recall was announced by letter on April 14, 2012.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Salmonella Bareilly outbreak attributed to a contaminated raw scraped tuna product imported from India has grown to 316 persons from 26 states and the District of Columbia. Thirty-seven of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (South Carolina): The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has been unable to conclusively link a recent outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 and hemolytic uremic syndrome to a Spartanburg Mexican-style restaurant. Health officials identified the restaurant as the El Mexicano, and revealed that the facility scored an “A” rating on its two most recent inspections. The investigation is continuing.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Folie en Vrac (Montréal, QC) recalls Folie en Vrac salads and ready-to-eat dishes, due to the presence of undeclared pistachios and cashew nuts.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ontario): The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed 89 cases of people suffering symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and nausea after visiting This Old Barn on Oliver Road. A dozen were admitted to hospital. The health unit found E. coli in the well water used by the restaurant, according to a CBC report.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Delica recalls Grand-Mère Pâté (340g; Lot 138 919; Best before 7/6-2012; Product of Belgium) after bits of chicken bones were found in the pâté. The recalled product was distributed in Netto stores across Denmark.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a confirmed case of E. coli O157:H7 infection in a one-year old girl who experienced bloody diarrhea. There was no recent travel history.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Medical Device Safety Recall (Australia): Endeavour Industries Pty Ltd. recalls Endeavour Industries brand Quad (4 X Point) Walking Stick, because the product was manufactured using a grade or gauge of aluminum tube which is inadequate. Bending of the adjustable handle has been reported in some cases at less than the recommended user weight, and the product has faild government static loading (strength) testing.

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: May 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: Whole Foods Market recalls its variety cupcake six-packs (All expiration packed on dates prior to May 10th 2012), because the carrot cake cupcakes of the products contain undeclared walnuts. Six-packs that do not contain carrot cake cupcakes are unaffected by the recall. The affected six-packs were sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Northern California, including Folsom, Lafayette, Los Altos, Mill Valley, Novato, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Sonoma.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Purina PetCare recalls Purina Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula canned cat food (5.5 oz can; Best by JUN 2013; Product code 11721159; UPC 38100-13810), because analytical testing of a product sample by FDA indicated a low level of thiamine (vitamin B1). The recalled cat food was distributed to veterinary clinics in the USA and Canada between June 2011 and May 2012.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall Update: Natural Balance Pet Foods announces a correction to the date code for one of the Natural Balance Pet Foods recalled on May 4th due to potential Salmonella contamination. The Best By date code of March 12, 2013 listed for Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog, 5-lb size should be corrected to read “March 13, 2013”
  • Outbreak Alert: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) related to dining at Spartanburg-area Mexican restaurant during the last week of April 2012. Preliminary lab results indicated that the outbreak microbe is a strain of E. coli O157:H7. At least eleven cases are under investigation. Two of the three case-patients interviews so far have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Canada

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Purina PetCare recalls Purina Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula canned cat food (5.5 oz can; Best by JUN 2013; Product code 11721159; UPC 38100-13810), because analytical testing of a product sample by FDA indicated a low level of thiamine (vitamin B1). The recalled cat food was distributed to veterinary clinics in the USA and Canada between June 2011 and May 2012.
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.