Category: E. coli

Recalls and Alerts: February 27, 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.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Veggie Favour Food Store recalls Veggie Favour Super Mushroom Ball – Vegan style soy product (300g; undeclared milk), Veggie Favour Veggie Half of Kidney style soy product (300g; undeclared milk), Veggie Favour Vegan Black Pepper Mini Burger style – soy product (280g; undeclared milk and wheat), Veggie Favour Vegan Half Chicken Style – soy product (180g; undeclared milk), and Veggie Favour Vegan Black Pepper Chicken – soy product (290g; undeclared egg and wheat), due to presence of undeclared allergens. The recalled products were distributed in British Columbia.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc recalls Morrisons Whole Nut Milk Chocolate (200g; Best before 16 June 2012), because the product may be contaminated with small pieces of metal.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Kewa fisk Danmark ApS recalls #2 size Oysters (Product of Ireland; Lot No. A5805, A5793, and A5796; Expiry dates 20/2-2012, 24/2-2012 and 25/2-2012, respectively), after norovirus was detected in all three batches.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): COOP Danmark A/S recalls COOP brand Broken Rye Kernels (1kg; Expiry 12/7-2012), after ergot – a fungus that can produce alkaloid toxins – was found in the product.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Russia): Russia extends its ban on cheese supplies from the Ukrainian firms Bashtansky, Lozovsky and Khmelnytskyi cheese-making plants and Bel Shostka Ukrainy firm, due to their failure to meet Russian food standards.
  • Outbreak Alert (Italy): Three children who attend the nursery of the parish Centro per la famiglia di Cassinone a Seriate were diagnosed with Salmonella infections after developing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The three victims were treated in hospital with antibiotic and rehydration therapy, and are expected to be discharged in a few days.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Denmark): The Food & Drug Administration warns consumers against using the dietary supplement Ginseng Kianpi Arrow, as the product contains the root of the potentially toxic plant Polygomum multiflorum Thunb. Roden. The product is marketed from foreign websites, and via the Danish website http://www.bodymuscle.dk – a website that is registered in India and hosted in Ukraine.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Italy): Ditta Bennet (Tortona, AL) withdraws Splat-Shot Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Splat Shot Bakugan Battle Brawlers and Splat Shot Spider Sense Spiderman (Product of China; Imported by  Startrade s.r.l.), because the liquid present in the toys contains a total microbial population in excess of numbers permitted by the Draft Microbiological Safety of Toys.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0287): Aflatoxins in ground nutmeg from Germany with raw material from the Netherlands; distributed to Austria, Germany and Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0288): Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli in Ermitage Morbier cheese from France; distributed to Germany.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0289): Unauthorized sibutramine in green coffee food supplement from the USA, via Hong Kong; distributed to Slovenia.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0290): Unauthorized propyl p-hydroxybenzoate in liquid sweetener from Spain; distributed to Spain and Portugal.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0291): Excessive Enterobacteriaceae count in dog chews from Colombia; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0292): Aflatoxins in rice snack from India; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0293 & 2012.0294): Mold-infested barley groats from Slovakia; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0295): Salmonella in tumeric from unknown origin; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0296): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled swordfish from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0297): Histamine in frozen skinless tuna steaks from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0300): Mold-infested chicken meat from France; distributed to Ireland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0301): Escherichia coli in mussels from Italy; distributed to Austria and Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Wing Chun Company recalls Wing Chun Chinese Style Pork Sausage (375g vacuum package; Use by 23 JAN 2013 or earlier), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled product was distributed in NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD and WA.
  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Delmaine Fine Foods Ltd. (Auckland) recalls Delmaine Pitted Cherries (680g jars; Batch VERE11-00028; Best before BBE: 15.07.2014; Jar numbers 1728 to 2592; and 9504 to 12096), because the product may contain glass fragments.

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: February 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

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Regeneca, Inc. recalls RegenErect (single capsule packet; UPC 816860010055; all lots), because the product, which is labeled as a dietary supplement, contains the prescription drug Tadalafil. The recalled product was distributed via the internet to consumers in the USA and Puerto Rico, and given as samples at public events.
  • Pharmaceutical Products Safety Recall: Glenmark Generics Inc recalls the oral contraceptive Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets USP, 0.18 mg/0.035 mg, 0.215 mg/0.035 mg, 0.25 mg/0.035 mg (NDC 68462-565-29; Lot Nos. 04110101, 04110106, 04110107, 04110114, 04110124, 04110129 and 0110134; Expiration 07/31/2013, 08/31/2013 and 09/30/2013), due to a packaging error that resulted in a reversal of the weekly tablet orientation.
  • Outbreak Alert: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has investigated  more than twice the usual number of reported outbreaks thought to be associated with norovirus since the the start of 2012. Outbreaks have occurred in schools, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Veggie Favour Food Store recalls Veggie Favour Super Mushroom Ball – Vegan Style Soy Product (300g; no codes), Veggie Favour Veggie Half of Kidney Style Soy Product (300g; no codes), Veggie Favour Vegan Black Pepper Mini Burger Style – Soy Product (280g; no codes), Veggie Favour Vegan Half Chicken Style – Soy Product (180g; no codes), and Veggie Favour Vegan Black Pepper Chicken – Soy Product (290g; no codes), due to the presence of undeclared egg, milk, and wheat in these products. The recalled items were distributed in British Columbia.
  • Allergy Alert: Israel’s Judaica Centre, aka Israel Book and Gift (Toronto, ON) recalls Lin’s Farm brand Pure Honey (250g and 130g; Lot code BB 07/2014), and Lin’s Farm brand 3 Healthy delights 3-jar gift pack (3 jars x 30g; Lot code BB 07/2014), because they may contain harmful sulphonamide antibiotic drug residue. The recalled products were imported from Israel and distributed in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: New Food Classics (Burlington, ON) recalls Grillhouse brand Angus Beef Burgers (4.59kg; Est no. 761; Product code 55377; Lot code 11 OC 11), Grillhouse brand Beef Burger with Seasoning, 3.2 oz (4.54 kg; Est no. 761; Product code 52988; Lot code 11 OC 12), and Grillhouse brand Beef Burger with Seasoning, 4 oz (4.54 kg; Est no. 761; Product code 52981; Lot code 11 OC 12), because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of these products. The recalled Grillhouse beef burger products were distributed nationally through restaurants and institutional establishments.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): SPAR (UK) Limited recalls SPAR Flame Grilled Chicken Chunks (140g packs; Use by 3 March 2012), after low levels of Listeria monocytogenes were detected in one sample during routine monitoring. The affected batch was distributed to stores in the Midlands and Wales.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): FTRECAL – Fromagerie de l’Ermitage (Bulgnéville, France) recalls Ermitage Morbier semi-hard cheese, 45% fat after shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were found in two samples of the Morbier cheese. The recalled cheese was sold at service counters up to and including Monday, February 20, 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.

Jimmy John’s Sprout Toll Now 14, And Rising

CDC reported today that the number of victims confirmed to be infected with E. coli O26 after consuming raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants has risen to 14 people in 6 states.

Michigan was the latest state to be added to the outbreak map, with two confirmed cases reported in early February. The Michigan Department of Community Health reports that an additional five cases are under investigation. All seven people consumed raw sprouts at sandwich shops in mid and southeast Michigan.

The Michigan confirmed and suspected victims range in age from 19 to 50 years old. Two of the seven were hospitalized. While the Michigan public health alert makes it clear that these cases of E. coli O26 are part of the 6-state Jimmy John’s outbreak, the department is warning Michigonians to avoid the consumption of raw clover sprouts, regardless of the source or venue, until more information about the source of the contamination is available. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is investigating.

As of today’s report, outbreak illnesses are confirmed in Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Michigan (2), Arkansas (1) and Wisconsin (1). Outbreak victims range from 9 to 49 years old. All of the 14 confirmed victims are female. Illness onset dates range from December 25, 2011 to February 7, 2012. The onset dates for the seven Michigan cases (2 confirmed + 5 under investigation) range from February 6th to 12th.

E. coli O26 is a Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, and causes illness similar to that caused by infections with E. coli O157:H7. The most common symptoms are acute diarrhea (often bloody), and abdominal cramps. While young children and the elderly are susceptible to developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of an infection with a shiga-toxin producing E. coli, there have not yet been any reports of HUS in this outbreak.

FDA has been conducting a traceback investigation, and reported the following updated information today:

  • The traceback investigation involving iceberg lettuce found no common source to link that commodity to the ongoing outbreak.
  • FDA has determined that the common seed lot identified (lot SCCTSX) was distributed nationwide.
  • On February 10, the seed supplier of the common seed lot identified agreed to notify its customers to remove the lot in question from distribution. On February 13, the supplier informed FDA that notification of all customers was complete and that instructions had been given to return any of the seed lot in question to the supplier.
  • FDA continues to monitor the removal of the seed lot in question from the supply chain.
  • Sprouts have a short shelf life (2-3 weeks). It is unlikely that sprouts produced from the seed lot in question are currently in the marketplace.

Jimmy Johns announced on February 17th that it has permanently removed raw clover sprouts from its menu.