Category: E. coli O157:H7

Recalls and Alerts: November 10, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: United Natural Foods, Inc. recalls FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Olives Stuffed with Feta Cheese (4 oz; UPC 63172352780; Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012), FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese(4 oz; UPC 63172352790; Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012, 15 DEC 2011, and 30 DEC 2011) and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup (15 oz; UPC 07126229491; Best If Used By 05 04 14; sold at Safeway store in Corte Madera, CA only), because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. Affected Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup was distributed through Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming. Feta-stuffed Divina olives were sold in certain Safeway stores in South Dakota (Spearfish, store #0583), Wyoming (Lander, store #2761), and Colorado (Colorado Springs, store #1577; Boulder, store #1615; Falcon, store #1644; Conifer, store #2792; Longmont, store #2910)
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The North Carolina Division of Public Health and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs have traced the source of the recent outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illness in that state to the Kelley Building at the North Carolina State Fair. The Kelley Building is a permanent structure which housed sheep, goats and pigs for the fair’s livestock shows. As of November 9th, 12 confirmed and 16 suspect cases were reported in 8 North Carolina counties: Wake (13), Sampson (6), Cleveland (1), Durham (2), Johnston (1), Lenoir (1), Orange (2) and Wilson (2).

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Chocolat Lamontagne Inc. recalls Bite-Size Orange Flavour 73% Dark Chocolates (142g; Product #3335 & 3337), Assorted Chocolate Bite-Size (200g; Product #3333) and Assorted Dark Chocolate Bite-Size (200g; Product #3338), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed nationally between October 4th and November 4th, and were sold through catalogues for fund-raising activities at daycares, schools, clubs and associations.
  • Food Safety Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public not to consume Woody’s Mexican Lime Alcoholic Vodka Beverage (330mL, BB014/06/13, hh:mm S16516136; 330mL, BB 22/08/13, hh:mm S23516851; 4 x 330mL, BB014/06/13, hh:mm S16516136l3; 4 x 330 mL, BB 22/08/13, hh:mm S23516851), because the product may contain harmful glass particles. The recalled beverages were distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and may have been distributed to other provinces and territories.

Europe

  • Food Recall (Denmark): Løgismose Dairy A/S recalls Løgismose Organic Skyr, 0.2% natural (350g; Best before 26.11.2011, 30.11.2011 and 01.12.2011), due to yeast fermentation. The recalled skyr was sold in Netto stores across Denmark and in the Løgismore retail store Nordre Toldbod, Copenhagen.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): CO-RO FOOD A/S recalls Sunfresh Tropical (500ml; Best before 13-03-2012; Batch code 10010), due to product fermentation.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Pfizer recalls Zithromax tablets, 250mg (Batch A10029; Expiry March 2014) and Azithromycin tablets, 250mg (Batch A10018; Expiry March 2014), following the observation of plastic particles from raw material containers, which may have contaminated some tablets.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1609): Salmonella infantis in feed material from France; distributed to France, Italy and South Africa.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1612): Salmonella in chilled morning glory from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1614): Mercury in dried mushrooms from Poland; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1615): Insect larvae in roasted, unshelled peanuts from China, via Slovakia; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1616): Salmonella in la lot from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1617): Benzo(a)pyrene in smoked dried crayfish from unknown origin, via the United Kingdom; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1618): Mercury in chilled swordfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1619): Salmonella spp. in dry sausage from France; distributed to France, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1609): Salmonella infantis in feed material from France; distributed to France, Italy and South Africa.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia and New Zealand): The Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Company recalls Sanitarium So Good Rice Milk (1-liter UHT block pack; Batch code 31206; Best before 25 Mar 2012), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled beverage was exported to New Zealand and was sold in Australia in Coles Supermarkets nationally, IGA Supermarkets (WA, VIC, NSW, and QLD) and Franklins (NSW).

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: November 8, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. (Johnson City, TX) recalls Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky (2-oz & 4-oz pkgs; Est 21257; Produced Oct 31, 2011) after routine USDA testing revealed Salmonella in a sample. The recalled Jerky was distributed to convenience stores in West Texas and also sold at the company’s retail operation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Frank Harter & Sons (Cincinnati, OH) that a July/July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Alabama Sunshine, Inc. (Fayette, AL) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed significant deviations from the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and from regulations relating to the processing of acidified foods, causing the companies acidified products to be adulterated and in violation of the Act, in that they were prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Onorato & Company, Inc. (South San Francisco, CA) that an August 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Fremont Farms L.C. (Oskaloosa, IA) that a June 2011 inspection of the company’s shell egg production facility revealed serious violations of the Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Bacalao Brothers, Inc. dba New England Fish Market (Jensen Beach, FL) that a July 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 30 confirmed E. coli O157:H7 cases connected to the St. Louis area outbreak. None of the 55 food samples tested so far have yielded E. coli. The source of the outbreak remains unknown.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The North Carolina Division of Public Health reports twelve confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 connected to the North Carolina State Fair outbreak; 16 cases remain under investigation. The 28 cases were reported from the following counties: Wake (13), Sampson (6), Cleveland (1), Durham (2), Johnston (1), Lenoir (1), Orange (2) and Wilson (2).

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Grant Chocolatier recalls Grant Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Hallowe’en Figures (variable weight; no codes) due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert: Salle Châtelaine (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) recalls Lasagna and Spaghetti Sauce (all lots), due to the presence of undeclared soy (both products) and wheat (spaghetti sauce only).
  • Food Safety Recall: Cie 2 Ameriks Inc. recalls Gogo Quinoa Multigrains Crunchy Muesli (300g; Code L130546; UPC 8 96899 00017 3), due to the presence of insect fragments.

Europe

  • Food Withdrawal (Finland): Unilever withdraws Viennatta Choco Nut ice cream cake (350g/650ml; Best before 01.056.2013; Batch code L1166CU020 and L1166DC020), because the products are missing Finnish and Swedish labels.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Denmark): An outbreak of 40 illnesses was traced to imported datterino tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella Strathcona, a serotype that was not previously detected in Denmark. The tomatoes were imported from southern Italy and sold primarily by the Rema 1000 supermarket chain. The source of the outbreak was determined by patient interviews and a review of electronic purchase records from the supermarket chain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong ex. Thailand): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a food poisoning outbreak involving 19 members of a tour group who visited Phuket, Thailand from November 1 to 5. One of the 19 people was hospitalized after returning to Hong Kong.
  • Outbreak Alert (Taiwan ex. Thailand): The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control has confirmed shigellosis in three travelers returning from Thailand. All three became ill after consuming raw fish during their stay in Thailand.

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: November 4, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Foremost Foods International, Inc. (Pomona, CA) recalls Pangasinan Roundscad Smoked Galunggong (Product of FITRITE Incorporated, Philippines; 6 oz; UPC 2239257451) and Pangasinan Mackerel Smoked Hasa Hasa (Product of FITRITE Incorporated, Philippines; 6 oz; UPC 2239257470), because the partially eviscerated products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled products were sold between March 2010 and October 2011 in California, Nevada and Washington, through Seafood City and Manila Seafood. Please refer to the California Department of Public Health for the California retail distribution list.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Missouri health officials report that 24 people have been confirmed to be part of the St. Louis area E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, after two new cases were added to the list, and four other cases previously thought to be part of the outbreak were removed. The state lab is testing specimens from four Boone County cases; three have tested positive for E. coli, and the fourth is pending. At this point, however, the Boone County cases are thought not to be connected to the St. Louis area outbreak. All food samples tested so far in the St. Louis outbreak have been negative for E. coli.
  • Outbreak Alert (Utah): An unnamed man, given the nickname “Mr. Cheese” by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, has been supplying homemade queso fresco to a Salt Lake City restaurant/deli since 2009. The queso fresco, which was made from raw milk, is blamed for a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 73 people in Salt Lake, Tooele, Davis, Utah, Weber and Morgan counties. Officials believe that hundreds more people were sickened by the contraband cheese, but never reported their illnesses. Officials have ordered the deli – not identified by name – to stop purchasing cheese from illegal sources.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: CFIA advises that Bumble Bar Organic Energy Bar – Chocolate Crisp (45g; All codes; UPC 7 60590 10072 5), is recalled due to the presence of undeclared milk, peanuts and soy. The recalled Energy Bar was distributed through Nationwide Natural Foods (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), Puresource Inc. (nationwide), Horizon Distributors (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon), and Corwin Distribution Limited (Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario).
  • Allergy Alert: Grant Chocolatier recalls Grant Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Cups for Liquor in a Box (variable count) and Grant Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Nuggets (variable weight), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled chocolate products were distributed in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Pâtisserie La Faradole inc. (Sainte-Adèle, QC) recalls Foie gras maison à l’armagnac, Catégorie A, Foie gras nature maison, and Foie gras maison au cognac, Catégorie A, sold in glass Mason jars, because the product labels do not include the instruction “Garder réfrigéré” even though these products must be stored in the refrigerator for safety.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): Candy King warns that Lösgodiset Halloween Balls may contain undeclared peanuts.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Eurofrugt A/S recalls Sweet Peas (500g; Product of Kenya; Lot #L11278EU), after Camplyobacter is detected in samples.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Lembcke A/S and Total Produce Nordic A/S recalls Blue River brand Mini Corn (125g; Lot #L11411), after Campylobacter is found in a sample.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Rieber & Son Denmark A/S recalls Salad Master Remoulade (Lot 03), Budget Remoulade (Lot L92), Rema1000 Remoulade and REMO Remoulade (Lot L78), due to yeast growth in the product, resulting in gas production and package swelling.
  • Outbreak Alert (Denmark): Datterino tomatoes imported from Italy are blamed for an outbreak of salmonellosis that sickened 40 people in Denmark this fall. The tomatoes were sold mainly in stores belonging to the Rema1000 supermarket chain. The implicated tomatoes are no longer available. The Salmonella outbreak appears to be over.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Spain): Colgate-Palmolive España, S.A. recalls COLGATE PERIOGARD CLORHEXIDINA COLUTORIO BUCAL SIN ALCOHOL (Registration No. 1173-DENT; all production lots), due to contamination with Burkholderia cepacia.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Recall (Spain): Estelca SLU has been ordered to cease the marketing of, and to recall all outstanding inventory of, seven cosmetic products, as the products were being sold even though they had exceeded their expiration dates.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1547): Campylobacter spp. in sugar snaps from Kenya; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1548): Ochratoxin A in spice mix from Israel; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1549): Unauthorized operator for canned mix of fish and vegetables form Italy; distributed to Belgium and Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1550): Listeria monocytogenes in paté from Belgium; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1551): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked bacon from Poland; distributed to Poland and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1553): Aflatoxins in dried figs from Turkey; distributed to France and Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1554): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.1555): Unauthorized tin, nickel and vanadium in food supplement from the USA, via China; distributed to Cyprus.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1556): Salmonella in dry sausage from Spain; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1557): Unauthorized Sudan 1 and Sudan 4 colors in sumac spice from Germany; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1558): Dioxins in molasses sugar beet pellets from Germany; distributed to Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1559): Salmonella in chilled Perilla spp. from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1560): Salmonella in Piper sarmentosum from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1561): Salmonella in Vietnamese coriander from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1562): Salmonella in chilled Malabar spinach from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1563): Salmonella in chilled green mint from Vietnam; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1564): Benzo(a)pyrene in sesame oil from China; distributed to Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1565): Benzo(a)pyrene in canned sprats in oil from Latvia; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1566): Abamectin in corned beef from Brazil; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1567): Salmonella in paan leaves from Thailand; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1568): Unauthorized leucomalachite green in live trouts from Poland; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1569): Excessive sorbic acid in dried prunes from France; distributed to Slovakia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1570): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled tuna loins from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1572): Glass fragments in currants in syrup from Germany; distributed to Spain.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): Analysis carried out by the Therapeutic Goods Administration has confirmed the presence of therapeutic quantities of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in capsules of Reduce Weight Fruta Planta, sold over the internet. The package label claims that this product is 100% Natural. Neither sibutramine nor phenolphthalein are currently approved for use in Australia.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): Analysis carried out by the Therapeutic Goods Administration has confirmed the presence of therapeutic quantities of sibutramine in Ying Da Wang tablets, sold over the internet. The package label claims that this product is 100% Natural. Sibutramine is not currently approved for use in Australia.

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.