Category: E. coli

Recalls and Alerts: March 2, 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

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Glatt’s Kosher Meat Products (Montreal, QC) recalls Glatt’s Beef Frankfurters Jumbo BBQ (375g packages; UPC 0 55627 00203 6; Best Before date of 12AL21), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Beef Frankfurters were distributed in Quebec and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel Inc. recalls La Belle Bretagne brand Our Cooked Ham – Original (Variable kg; Best before 12AL14 or 12AL21), La Belle Bretagne brand Sliced Cooked Ham (Variable kg; Best before 12AL01), La Belle Bretagne brand Our Cooked Ham – Original Sliced (175g; Best before 12MR30), Tour Eiffel Cooked Ham – Extra Lean (Variable kg; Lot 271), Tour Eiffel Parisian Cooked Ham (175g; Best before 12MR31), Tour Eiffel Shaved Parisian Cooked Ham (175g and 400g; Best before 12MR20 or 12MR21), and Tour Eiffel Chopped Cooked Ham (400g; Best before 12MR16), due to contamination with Clostridium perfringens. The recalled products were supplied to retailers, and to hotels, restaurants, and institutions in Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Withdrawal (UK): B&M Sausages withdraws the following meat products in Scotland, due to inadequate disinfection of food contact surfaces between raw and ready-to-eat foods, resulting in potential cross-contamination with pathogenic bacteria: Wiejka Sausage, Szynka Poledwica, Boczek Rdowany, Zwyczajna, Firmova, Szynkowa, Kabanos, Schab Rolonkiny, Krakowska, Biala, Przysmak Swietokrzyski, Parowkova, Pasztetowa, Frankfurterki, Salceson, Zeberka Wedzone, Boczek, Kaszanka, Blgosowka, Rolada Pieczen, Karczek Pieczony, and Boczek Pieczony (produced up to and including 1 March 2012).
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Spain): AEMPS mandates the recall of L-5HTP (60 capsules; 1000mg/capsule), because the product contains the unauthorized active ingredient L-5 hydroxytriptophan
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): The Royal Lancaster Infirmary (Lancashire) has banned visitors from nine wards in an effort to contain an outbreak of norovirus at the hospital.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0319): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli in onion mettwurst sausage from Germany; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0320): Cadmium in frozen ribbonfish from India; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0321): Dicofol and oxamyl in green beans from Morocco, via Spain; distributed to Germany.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.0322): Undeclared milk ingredient in dark chocolate spread from Belgium; distributed to Andorra, France and Spain.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): The Reject Shop Ltd. recalls Snack Stacks Potato Crisps Barbeque (160g cardboard tube; Product of China; All best before dates up to and including 20/02/2012), due to the presence of undeclared whey, a milk protein. The recalled product was sold in The Reject Shop retail stores across Australia.
  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Vitaco Health (NZ) Limited recalls Healtheries Kidscare Rice Wheels-Cheese-Sour Cream & Chives-Burger (All pack sizes; All Best before dates up to and including 24/11/12) and Healtheries Wiggles Ricey Bites-Cheese-Tomato (All pack sizes; All Best before dates up to and including 24/11/12), due to possible contamination with glass particles. The recalled products were sold in Supermarkets and Health Stores across New Zealand.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Vitaco Health Australia recalls Healtheries Kidscare Rice Wheels Roast Chicken (10 x 18g packets; Best before dates up to and including 4/01/13), Healtheries Kidscare Rice Wheels Burger (10 x 18g packets; Best before dates up to and including 4/01/13), Healtheries Kidscare Rice Wheels Cheese (10 x 18g packets; Best before dates up to and including 4/01/13) and Healtheries Wiggles Ricey Bites Cheese (8 x 15g packets; Best before dates up to and including 4/01/13), due to contamination with foreign matter (glass). The recalled products were imported from Indonesia and sold online and nationally at Coles, Woolworths, Safeway, The Reject Shop, IGA and other independent supermarkets.
  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): At least 19 cases of hepatitis A infections have been confirmed in Auckland, including a cluster of cases involving school-age children. The source of the outbreak is unknown.

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.

Profiling E. coli O157:H7 and Other STECs

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) can be found in meat and in a number of different fruits and vegetables, and may cause potentially deadly infections, especially in children and in the elderly. STEC also are referred to as verocytotoxic E. coli (VTEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)

Some history

Many decades ago, a run-of-the-mill strain of E. coli acquired the ability to produce a toxin known as stx2 – probably courtesy of a bacteriophage that transported it from a random Shigella microbe. After undergoing mutations that changed its antigenic structure and its ability to ferment certain carbohydrates, our E. coli acquired the capacity to produce a second toxin – stx1 – and shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 was born.

E. coli O157:H7 was isolated for the first time in 1970, from an Irish piglet that had developed enteritis. Five years later, the microbe was found in the stool of a California woman who was suffering from bloody diarrhea. The first confirmed foodborne disease outbreaks caused by E. coli O157:H7 took place in 1982, among patrons of McDonalds – the first on in Oregon, the second in Michigan.

E. coli O157:H7 is just one of several shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains, known collectively as STEC. Other strains include O104:H4 (the cause of a massive sprout-related outbreak in Germany in 2011), as well as O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.

What are shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STECs) and what is their natural habitat?

E. coli O157:H7 and other STECs are members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are motile, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of growing either with or without oxygen. STECs are found in the large intestines of many animals, especially in ruminants such as cattle. They are introduced into the soil and surface water through contaminated feces or the use of raw manure as fertilizer.

How is STEC transmitted? What is the incubation period of the infection?

STEC food poisoning results when an individual eats food that is contaminated with the microbe. The infection also can be transmitted secondarily by contact with stool from an infected individual. It takes only 100-200 STEC microbes to cause an infection.The incubation period varies from one to eight days, depending on the dose, and on the susceptibility of the victim.

What are the symptoms of an infection with STEC? How long do they last?

Symptoms of STEC infections include severe – often bloody – diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Unless complications arise, symptoms typically last for 5 to 10 days.

What is the prognosis?

STEC infections are self-limiting in most cases involving healthy adults. Young children and some elderly victims are at risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe and sometimes fatal complication. HUS strikes approximately 5-10% of STEC-infected children under the age of 10 years, affecting the function of the kidneys, digestive system and other organs. HUS is fatal in 3 to 5% of cases; 12-30% of HUS victims continue to suffer long-term consequences of their illness, including hypertension or impaired kidney function.

What foods carry STEC?

E. coli O157:H7 and other STEC bacteria can be found most commonly in raw beef, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw produce.

How can people protect themselves from STEC?

People acquire STEC infections by person-to-person transmission; by ingesting contaminated food, milk or water; by coming into contact with infected animals (for example at petting zoos); or by swimming or playing in contaminated water.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these suggestions for avoiding STEC infections:

  1. WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.
  2. WASH YOUR HANDS after contact with animals or their environments (at farms, petting zoos, fairs, even your own backyard).
  3. COOK meats thoroughly. Ground beef and meat that has been needle-tenderized should be cooked to a temperature of at least 160°F/70˚C. It’s best to use a thermometer, as color is not a very reliable indicator of “doneness.”
  4. AVOID raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices (like fresh apple cider).
  5. AVOID swallowing water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools.
  6. PREVENT cross contamination in food preparation areas by thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.

Additionally, always pay attention to recall notices, and return any recalled item to the store, or discard it in a sealed bag.

For more information on STECs and other food-borne pathogens, visit the CDC website or read Food Safety: Old Habits, New Perspectives.

Recalls and Alerts: March 1, 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

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Shaklee Corp (Pleasanton, CA) recalls Shakleebaby Multivitamin & Multimineral Powder for Infants and Toddlers (net wt. 4.2 oz / 120g; Lot Code AR1E01 and AR9K01; Expiry 10/12 and 4/11, respectively), because the recalled batches have an iodine level higher than that claimed on the label. The recalled supplement was manufactured by Arnet Pharmaceutical Corp (Davie, FL). This Class II recall of 8,882 bottles was announced by letters on January 24, 2012 and appeared in the February 29, 2012 FDA Weekly Enforcement Report. The products were distributed nationwide.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Nisa withdraws Nisa Heritage Blueberry Muffins (4-pack; Best before 20 April 2012), due to the presence of undeclared soy.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Surya Foods Ltd. withdraws J.F. Mills Rich ‘n Moist Luxury White Cake Mix (500g; Lot 11272 00; Best before Sep 12) and J.F. Mills Rich ‘n Moist Luxury Yellow Cake Mix (500g; Lot 1251 UA; Best before Sep 12), due to the presence of undeclared wheat flour.
  • Allergy Alert (Belgium): Mannavita recalls Schock Sesam schoko krokant bars (35g; Lot I-0701; Best before 150412; Product of Germany), due to the presence of undeclared milk, which could cause problems for consumers who are either lactose-intolerant or allergic to milk.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl Finland Ky withdraws Harvin Pineapple Slices in pineapple juice (565g cans; Sold prior to 29/02/2012), because some batches have been found to contain tin levels in excess of the maximum permissible concentration.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): William Brandenburg recalls Timmendorfer ham Zwiebelmettwurst (2 x 100g; Best before 09.03.2012) and Master Class Ham Sausage Onion (200g; Best before 03.12.2012), due to contamination with shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The recalled products were distributed in REWE and PENNY stores in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Fatachi Farzan (Athens) recalls N & A Eastern Trading Ground Turmeric (100g packages; Lot #1115; Expiry date 26.02.2014), due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall (Spain): Tunaliment recalls Compy wet dog food (sold in cartons) after tests on the pet food confirmed excessive levels of Vitamin D in the product. The recall followed complaints from dog owners of vomiting and kidney problems. Mercadona supermarket chain has withdrawn carton-packaged Compy wet dog food from its shelves in 190 stores in Albacete, Almeria, Alicante and Murcia provinces.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Withdrawal (Denmark): Natupharma A/S withdraws Prosan Propolis Throat mixture (strong), Danisan Neck Mixture with Propolis, and Fitness Pharma Propolis Throat Mixture strong, packaged in 200 ml brown glass bottles, because the products contain parabens that are not permitted as preservatives in food supplements.
  • Outbreak Alert (Germany): Hamburg health authorities are reporting four confirmed cases of shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections – two of them in children. The serotype and the source of the infections is not yet known.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.0240): Norovirus in oysters from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.0257): Norovirus in oysters from Ireland, via France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, French Polynesia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU 2012.0264): Salmonella enteritidis in fresh eggs from Poland; distributed to Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iraq, the Netherlands and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0302): Salmonella in chilled mixed minced meat from Denmark and Ireland; distributed to Sweden.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0304): Benzethonium chloride in grapefruit seed extract from the USA; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0305): Salmonella in chilled sheep carcasses from Sweden; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0306): Norovirus in oysters from Ireland, via the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0307): Salmonella enteritidis in fresh chicken fillets from Lithuania; distributed to Latvia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0308): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled anglerfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0309): High count of Pseudomonas spp. in and high aerobic plate count for nile perch from Kenya; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0310): Prohibited substance nitrofuran nitrofurazone in salted sheep casings from Mongolia; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0311): Histamine in frozen yellow fin tuna from Indonesia, with raw material from Vietnam, via Belgium; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0313): Dioxins in lamb liver from the Netherlands; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0314): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to France.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.0257): Norovirus in oysters from Ireland, via France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, French Polynesia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU 2012.0264): Salmonella enteritidis in fresh eggs from Poland; distributed to Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iraq, the Netherlands and Poland.
  • Outbreak Alert (India): More than 50 children and a few adults developed symptoms of food poisoning thought to be linked to consuming ice cream from a make-shift stall outside the premises of the Subramanian Kovil temple at Kiliyalam in Kinanur-Karindalam village.

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.