Category: E. coli

Recalls and Alerts: February 15, 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 Safety Recall: AA Meat Products Corporation (Maywood, CA; Espt. 21492) recalls various meat and poultry products, produced between January 11, 2011 and February 8, 2012, because they may have been produced without the benefit of federal inspection. The recalled products were sold within California. Please see the recall notice for details.
  • Outbreak Alert: Forty people at the Carriage House Estates retirement community have been quarantined after having become infected with norovirus. The facility has undergone extensive cleaning and sanitation, and visitors are asked to wear masks and gloves to prevent further spread of the virus.
  • Outbreak Alert: Framingham State University is reporting an increase in the number of cases of gastroenteritis over the past month. Norovirus is suspected.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Campylobacter outbreak associated with consumption of raw milk from Your Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, PA has grown to 71 confirmed victims. At least 9 people have been hospitalized. Confirmed cases are reported from Pennsylvania (62), Maryland (4), West Virginia (3) and New Jersey (2).
  • Outbreak Alert: Twelve people in five states have been infected with a shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli O26. The infections are due most probably to infected raw clover sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurant outlets.

Canada

  • Consumer Product Safety Alert: Health Canada advises Canadians not to buy an unregistered, highly toxic pesticide product being imported from China and sold in various retail outlets as “insecticide chalk.” The Insecticide Chalk is not registered for use in Canada. Children are especially at risk from insecticide chalk because they can easily mistake the product for blackboard or sidewalk chalk and play with it or put it in their mouths.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert: Health Canada advises Canadians that using “MMS”, also known as Miracle Mineral Solution or Miracle Mineral Supplement may cause serious health problems. The product information lists sodium chlorite as an ingredient and is promoted as a substance that can cleanse toxins from the human body. There are no therapeutic products containing sodium chlorite authorized for oral consumption by humans in Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Alert (Russia): Russia has banned cheese imports from Ukraine over the failure of three Ukrainian producers to meet Russian food standards. The action has resulted in the suspension five tons of Ukrainian cheese, and has prevented the import of 128,500 tons of cheese.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Skare Meat Packers K/S recalls Vilstrup Farm minced pork/veal, 8-12% (500g; Packaged 06.02.12; Best before 14.02.12; modified atmosphere packaging), due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled meat was sold at LIDL stores.
  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): Eighteen kindergarten children in Chita developed gastroenteritis. Three of the children were hospitalized and the others were treated at home. Norovirus was confirmed in four of the sick children.
  • Food Safety Notification (2012.0240): Norovirus in oysters from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0241): Suspicion of fraud in relation to horse carcasses from Hungary; distributed to Italy.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0242 & 2012.0243): Unauthorized tadalafil in food supplement from China; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0244): Tin in baked beans in tomato sauce from Italy; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0247): Aflatoxins in dried figs from Turkey; distributed to Slovenia.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0248): Unauthorized sildenafil in food supplement from Spain; distributed to France, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0248): Unauthorized sildenafil in food supplement from Spain; distributed to France, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0248): Unauthorized sildenafil in food supplement from Spain; distributed to France, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela.

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 Johns + Sprouts = E. coli O26 Outbreak

Raw clover sprouts served at Jimmy Johns restaurants are to blame for an outbreak of E. coli O26 – a shiga-toxin producing strain of E. coli – that has sickened at least 12 people in 5 states, according to a report released today by CDC. The illnesses developed between December 25, 2011 to January 15, 2012.

The outbreak-related illnesses were confirmed in Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). Two people were hospitalized.

Ten of the 12 outbreak victims reported having eaten at a total of 9 different Jimmy Johns restaurant locations in the week before becoming ill. Eight of the 10 said that they had consumed a sandwich containing raw sprouts; 9 reported eating a sandwich that contained lettuce. FDA has been conducting traceback investigations, with the following preliminary result:

FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing. Preliminary traceback information has identified a common lot of clover seeds used to grow clover sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurant locations where ill persons ate. FDA and states conducted a traceback that identified two separate sprouting facilities; both used the same lot of seed to grow clover sprouts served at these Jimmy John’s restaurant locations. Preliminary distribution information indicates that sprouts grown from this seed lot were sold at a number of restaurant and grocery store locations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and were likely distributed beyond these states. On February 10, 2012, the seed supplier initiated notification of sprouting facilities that received this lot of clover seed to stop using it. Investigations are ongoing to identify other locations that may have sold clover sprouts grown from this seed lot.

This is the third outbreak in five years that has been traced to raw sprouts consumed at Jimmy Johns restaurants. In 2008, twenty-one University of Colorado students fell ill after eating items containing raw alfalfa sprouts at two Jimmy Johns locations; 14 of the 21 students were confirmed to have been infected with E. coli O157:NM. And in 2010/2011, a 26-state (plus the District of Columbia) Salmonella outbreak was traced to contaminated Tiny Greens Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts served at Jimmy Johns restaurant outlets. That outbreak sickened 140 people, and sent almost one in four of the victims to hospital.

A single lot of clover seeds appears to have been the source of the contaminated sprouts, based on FDA’s traceback investigation. The agency has not yet determined where – other than Jimmy Johns – the clover sprouts grown from these seeds were distributed. While CDC has not issued specific recommendations, I urge eFoodAlert readers to avoid all clover sprouts – including those grown at home.

Recalls and Alerts: February 9, 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 Safety Withdrawal: Spartan Central Kitchen withdraws several prepared salads and sandwiches containing hard-cooked eggs that were recalled by Michael Foods due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list for Harold Food Co. Grand Strand Deluxe Chicken Salad, recalled by Bost Distributing Company because the product contains hard-cooked eggs that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled salads were sold in Wilco-Hess Gas Stations convenience stores in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: BSH Home Appliances Corp (Irvine, CA) recalls Tassimo Professional Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers beginning with TAS6512CUL; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range of 8905 through 9109) and Bosch® Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers TAS100, TAS200, TAS451, TAS46 and TAS651; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range 8806 through 9109), because the plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewers and onto bystanders. The recalled brewers were manufactured in Slovenia and China and were distributed throughout the USA and Canada.
  • Outbreak Alert: Ninety-five passengers and 12 crew members on board the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Constellation have developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea during a cruise that began on January 28 and is scheduled to end at Ft. Lauderdale on February 11th. The ship will be met by CDC environmental health officers on its arrival in port.
  • Outbreak Alert: One hundred and seventy-four (174) passengers and 11 crew members on board the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Silhouette have developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea during a cruise that began on January 29 and is scheduled to end at Newark, NJ on February 10th. The ship will be met by a CDC environmental health officer and an epidemiologist on its arrival in port.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Metro Marchée Verchères inc. (Waterloo, QC) recalls Pâté au poulet/chicken paté (500g; all units), Pâté au saumon/salmon paté (Frozen; 500g; all units), Pâté mexicain/Mexican paté (525g; all units) and Sous-marin trois viandes/Three-meat submarine (190g; all units), due to the presence of undeclared soy, mustard, and/or egg.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Produits Kara-mel inc. (L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC) recalls Sauce à spaghetti Lorraine (500ml and 1 liter), Palourde Lorraine (500ml) and Moules fumées (250ml), because the perishable products were sold without refrigeration and may not be safe for human consumption.
  • Food Safety Recall: Société des Alcools du Québec recalls Vignoble Gagliano Vineyards Red Wine (750ml; 2009 vintage; UPC 8 27924 01401 8), due to the presence of process residues.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: BSH Home Appliances Ltd.  recalls Tassimo Professional Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers beginning with TAS6512CUL; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range of 8905 through 9109) and Bosch® Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers TAS100, TAS200, TAS451, TAS46 and TAS651; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range 8806 through 9109), because the plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewers and onto bystanders. The recalled brewers were manufactured in Slovenia and China and were distributed throughout the USA and Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Suma recalls Suma Organic Pesto Alla Genovese with Basil (190g; Best before April 2014), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Weetabix withdraws Oatibix Bites Sultana and Apple Breakfast Cereal (550g; Batch/date codes BB2201/2013 2022), due to the presence of undeclared wheat.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Weetabix withdraws Oatibix Bites Sultana and Apple cereal (550g; Best before 22.01.2013; Batch 2022), due to the presence of undeclared wheat and gluten.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Doves Farm withdraws Doves Farm Chocolate & Crispy Rice Bars (5 x 35g; Batch codes 1276, 2026, 1349, 1340, 1312, 1305, 1252, 2010, 1335, 1319, 1290, 1266 and 1243), because the product may contain undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose LOVE Life You Count Spiced King Prawn Noodle Salad (230g; All use by dates), due to the presence of undeclared sesame seeds.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Marks and Spencer recalls Marks & Spencer Crispy Prawn Wonton, Marks & Spencer Crispy Vegetable Balls, Marks & Spencer Prawn Baguette Toast, and Marks & Spencer Prawn Siu Mai Selection (Use by date of 9 March 2012), because the products should have been labeled with a Use by date of 9 February 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Marks and Spencer recalls Marks & Spencer Crispy Prawn Wonton, Marks & Spencer Crispy Vegetable Balls, Marks & Spencer Prawn Baguette Toast, and Marks & Spencer Prawn Siu Mai Selection (Product of Vietnam; Use by date of 9 March 2012), because the products should have been labeled with a Use by date of 9 February 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Carrefour recalls Mini Carrefour Kids Dutch Gouda cheese. Please see recall notice for details.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK and Netherlands): Eurosurveillance reports possible food-borne outbreaks of hepatitis A in the UK and the Netherlands that appear to be linked to consumption of semi-dried tomatoes.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0204): Arsenic in mineral feed from France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #0212.0205): Cadmium in frozen cuttlefish from Vietnam; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0206): Methomyl in cocktail tomatoes from Morocco, via France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0207): Insect infestation in dried figs from Turkey via Slovakia; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0210): Salmonella in chilled minced pork from Sweden, with raw material from Germany; distributed to Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Denis Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. recalls Ayam Brand Salmon Mayonnaise (185g; Best before 27 July 2014; Production Code MNLIAY SHIDBJN, MFG: 2011.07.27:J) after a consumer reports finding a metal fragment in one can.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to buy or consume the slimming product Xiu Zhi Su L-Carnitine Slimming Capsule, as it may contain the banned Western medicines sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a confirmed case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection in a 46-year old male tourist from the USA. The patient left Hong Kong on January 19th.

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.