Category: E. coli O157:H7

Recalls and Alerts: February 23, 2013

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 up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the horse meat investigation, please consult the Horse Meat Synopsis and Recalls page.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Herbalife recalls Instant Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix packets (cartons of 12 packets & single-serving packets in introductory business pack; Lot Nos. 133405G10, 133408G10, & 133409G10) due to undeclared traces of milk proteins. The label identifies the product as dairy-free. The recalled product was distributed in the USA from January 16, 2013 through February 16, 2013, exclusively to individual independent distributors.
  • Allergy Alert Update: Bruce Foods Corporation (New Iberia, LA) recalls Food Club Red Enchilada Sauce (10 oz cans; Code GES 462449; Best before 12/3/2016) due to undeclared wheat and soy. The recalled product was distributed between 1/15/2013 and 1/28/2013 in Virginia, Minnesota and Indiana. The original recall notice did not include Indiana in the distribution lits.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dakota Specialty Milling recalls certain specialty flours and grain blends due to the possible presence of fragments of thin metal wire from a defective screen on one of its manufacturing lines. The recalled flours and blends were supplied to manufacturers of leading brands of variety breads, cereals, crackers, granola, and nutrition bars, and were not sold directly to consumers.
  • Food Safety Recall: King Arthur Flour (Norwich, VT) recalls King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5-lb bags; UPC 0-71012-01050-9; Best used by 12/26/2013 & Lot code L12A26B, 12/26/2013 and L12A26C, 12/27/2013 and L12A27A, 01/18/2014 and A13A18A, 01/18/2014 and A13A18B, 01/21/2014 and A13A21A, 01/22/2014 and A13A22B, 01/30/2014 and A13A30A, 01/31/2014 and A13A31A) and King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour (5-lb bags; UPC 0-71012-04105-3; Best use by 12/26/2013 and Lot code L12A26A, 12/26/2013 and L12A26B, 01/03/2014 and A13A03A, 01/03/2014 and A13A03B, 01/16/2014 and A13A16B, 01/17/2014 and A13A17A, 01/23/2014 and A13A23A, 01/28/2014 and A13A28A, 01/31/2014 and A13A31A), due to the presence of small blue polyurethane balls that are used in the sifting process. Only those bags where the Best Used By Date and Lot code numbers are printed on the side of the bag beneath the nutrition panel are affected.
  • Food Recall: Price Chopper recalls Price Chopper Cooked Squash (12 oz; UPC 41735-30346; Lot #1PNNUA21; Best by November 21, 2013), due to taste and odor not meeting quality expectations.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Hy-Vee, Inc. recalls Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) dog food (34-lb, 8-lb and 4.4-lb bags; UPC 07545005647, 07545005667 & 07545005665, respectively; Lot # ending with 29812KC; Best by date 11/24/13), Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) dog food (4.4-lb bags; UPC 07545005665; Lot # ending with 29912KC; Best by date 11/25/13) and Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) dog food (20-lb and 4.4-lb bags; UPC 07545005680 & 07545005560, respectively; Lot # ending with 29312KC; Best by date 11/19/13), after the iowa Department of Agriculture found higher than normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet, LLC. The recalled products were distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin between October 26, 2012 and January 11, 2013.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The State of Alaska reports that 18 individuals have been identified in an outbreak of Campylobacter infections associated with consuming raw milk distributed by a Kenai-based cow-share program. Some of the outbreak victims reported recurrent illness, and two people required hospitalization. The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is contacting individuals suspected of receiving or consuming raw milk from the implicated far and expects the number of probable and confirmed cases to rise. The implicated raw milk was distributed to shareholders throughout the Kenai Peninsula, in Anchorage and in Sitka. There is at least one secondary case – an infant who had close contact with a confirmed case-patient. Anyone in Alaska who consumed raw milk in 2013 and subsequently developed a diarrheal illness should contact the Alaska Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000 (in Anchorage) or toll-free at 1-800-478-0084 and ask to speak to a member of the Infectious Disease Team.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Nu-Tea Company Ltd. (Abbotsford, BC) recalls Tega brand Organic Lemon Hibiscus Green Rooibos Herbal Tea (24 tea bags/48g/1.69 oz; UPC 6 64322 10406 0; Best before dates 2014FE01, 2014MR27, and 2014MR28) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was distributed at the retail level in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that two more cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness have been linked to frozen beef burgers from Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. The latest illnesses, which were reported in Manitoba and Ontario, brings the total number of outbreak victims to seven people in three provinces: Ontario (4), Alberta (2) and Manitoba (1). The most recent illness reports triggered a reopening of CFIA’s investigation into operations at Cardinal, and prompted the recall of additional products by the company.

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 website.

*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: February 20, 2013

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 up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the horse meat investigation, please consult the Horse Meat Synopsis and Recalls page.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: MKG Provisions (Miami, FL) recalls Atlantic Smoked Salmon (Batch #1768) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The following recalled products were distributed from January 23, 2013 through February 1, 2013 to Gold Kosher (North Miami Beach, FL), Sally Sherman Salads (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Boca Raton Resort & Club (Boca, FL), US Foodservice South Florida, US Foodservice Baltimore, Deer Run (Longwood, FL), L’Chaim (Delray Beach, FL), Prestige Smokehouse (Riviera Beach, FL), and Best Value (Miami, FL): UpRiver Brand Norwegian presliced sides (Upriver vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand Scottish presliced sides (clear vacuum pouch bags), Legendary Brand Norwegian pre-sliced sides (Legendary vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand Pastrami pre-sliced sides (clear vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Scottish pre-sliced sides (UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Trimmings in clear bags (clear vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Pastrami pre-sliced sides (UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Peppered pre-sliced sides (UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Tequila/Cilantro pre-sliced sides (UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand retail packs (16 oz.; clear vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Nwgn retail packs (4 oz.; UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand Irish retail packs (4 oz.; clear vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand Nwgn retail packs (4 oz.; clear vacuum pouch bags), Prestige Brand Nova retail packs (4 oz.: clear vacuum pouch bags), UpRiver Brand Gravalax retail packs (4 oz.; UpRiver vacuum pouch bags), and UpRiver Brand Norwegian Presliced sides (UpRiver vacuum pouch bags).
  • Food Safety Recall: Wegmans recalls Wegmans brand All-Purpose Bleached Flour (UPC 0 77890 22797; Best by 12/20/13), because the product may contain 7-9 mm blue polyurethane balls from the product sifting equipment. The recalled product was sold between December 24, 2012 and February 15, 2013.
  • Pet Treat Safety Recall: Kasel Associated Industries (Denver, CO) recalls ALL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED AT ITS DENVER, COLORADO FACILITY FROM APRIL 20, 2012 THRU SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were distributed nationwide through various retailers from April 20th to September 19th, 2012. Affected brand names include Boots&Barkley, BIXBI, Nature’s Deli, Colorado Naturals, Petco and Best Bully Stick. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products and ‘Best By’ dates.
  • Health Alert (North Carolina): Mecklenburg County (NC) Health Department advises that an employee of Hooters Restaurant (7702 Gateway Lane NW, Concord, NC) and the Whiskey Warehouse (1221 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC) has been confirmed to be infected with hepatitis A virus. Patrons who ate at the Hooters location on Feb. 7th or 8th between 10:30am and 5pm, and patrons who ate or drank at the Whiskey Warehouse location on Feb 6th between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, on Feb 9th between 4:30pm and 3:30am or on Feb 13th between 7pm and 8:30pm may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Canada Safeway Limited recalls The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Big & Juicy Burger (1.13 kg; UPC 0 58200 10650 3; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752), The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Prime Rib Burger (907g; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752), and The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties (10, 20 and 40 patties; 1.13 kg, 2.27 kg & 4.45 kg, respectively; UPC 0 58200 21604 2, UPC 0 58200 21592 2 & UPC 0 58200 21594 6, respectively; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752), due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. This recall is the result of an ongoing outbreak investigation. The recalled products were sold in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories.
  • Food Recall: Cie 2 Ameriks Inc. recalls Gogo Quinoa brand Amaranth and Kaniwa Cream (400g; Code MR 2014 212KR516; UPC 8 96899 00055 5), for unspecified reasons. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Sweden): ICA recalls ICA Mashed Potatoes (12-serving container, 3 x 140g; Best before 2014-08-08), because the product may contain metal particles.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Loch Arthur Creamery recalls Loch Arthur Creamery Criffel full fat semi-soft unpasteurized cheese (Production dates 7 January 2013 and 9 January 2013), because the cheese contains high levels of Listeria monocytogenes. This is an expansion of an earlier recall.
  • Food Fraud Recall (Czech Republic): Tesco recalls Nowaco Lasagne Bolognese, frozen (400g pkg; Best before 24. 2. 2014; Batch code 24/02/14 240/12 8:30; Country of Origin Luxembourg) and Nowaco Lasagne Bolognese, frozen (400g pkg; Best before 18.10.2013; Batch code 18/10/13 111/12 17:03; Country of Origin Luxembourg) because the products were found to contain horse DNA.
  • Food Safety/Outbreak Notification Update (EU #2013.0191): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in frozen hamburgers from Sweden, with raw materials from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0211 & 2013.0216): Salmonella in paan leaves from India; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0212): Suspicion of fraud (unlabeled horse meat) in relation to beef tortelloni from Germany; distributed to Austria and Switzerland.
  • Food Fraud Notification (EU #2013.0213): Suspicion of fraud (equine DNA) in relation to meat ravioli, meat tortellini with raw material from Brazil, Belgium and Germany; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0214): Omethoate and unauthorized dinotefuran in yard long beans from Jordan; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0215): Methamidophos, acephate, profenofos and tetramethrin in green chillies from Sri Lanka; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0218): Excessive Escherichia coli in fresh basil leaves from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0219): Histamine in chilled tuna fillets from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0220): Norovirus in oysters from France; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0221): Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in frozen boneless beef from Brazil; distributed to 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 website.

*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.

E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak In Canada – Again!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume certain frozen beef burgers, due to a risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination after finding E. coli O157:H7 in products tested as part of an “ongoing outbreak investigation.” The Public Health Agency of Canada has not yet released any information about this new outbreak.

Canada Safeway Limited has recalled the following products, which were distributed in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories:

  • The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Big & Juicy Burger (1.13 kg: UPC 0 58200 10650 3; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Prime Rib Burger (907g; UPC 0 58200 10733 3; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 10 Patties (1.13 kg; UPC 0 58200 21604 2; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 20 Patties (2.27 kg; UPC 0 58200 21592 2; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 40 Patties (4.45 kg; UPC 0 58200 21594 6; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)

All of the above-listed products originated from Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited (Establishment 752. 155 Hedgedale Road, Brampton, Ontario). This is the same establishment that was linked to a 5-case outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in December 2012. The same establishment that was investigated ‘extensively’ – and fruitlessly – by CFIA in December 2012.

The detailed report promised in its final investigation update, posted on December 24th, has not yet been released to the public. Perhaps it’s just as well; that ‘final’ report would have been premature.

At this stage of the investigation, all we have are questions:

  1. How large is this outbreak? How many patients? Which provinces?
  2. Is this the same genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 that was responsible for the December 2012 outbreak?
  3. Has production been suspended at the Cardinal Meat facility? If not, why not?
  4. What does CFIA plan to do this time to improve on its December 2012 performance?

This is the third meat-related E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Canada in less than one year. What is the federal government doing to prevent E. coli O157:H7 from spiraling out of control in Canadian beef?