Recalls and Alerts: November 19, 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

  • Pet Food Safety Alert: FDA is warning pet owners that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. FDA advises consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

Canada

  • Food Safety Alert: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the Richardson’s Farm Market brand Pasteurized Apple Cider (1L plastic jugs; sold from November 5 to 9, 2011), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was sold at Richardson’s Farm Market in Dunnville, ON and Hagersville Farmer’s Market in Hagersville, ON.

Europe

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 15, 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

  • Allergy Alert: M&P Food Production (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Veal Russian Brand Dumplings (16-oz pkgs; Est 18832; Use By/Sell By date April 27, 2012), because the dumplings may contain undeclared pork. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores in Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall: United Natural Foods, Inc. expands the scope of its recall of FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives and Divina Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for affected date codes and an expanded list of Safeway Stores in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to which the Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives were shipped. Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese were distributed through Genuardis, Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Country Maid, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) 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.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Silver Moon Springs LLC (Elton, WI) 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 and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns CJ Labs, Inc. (Miami, FL) that a May/June 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Hayai Zushi (Salt Lake City, UT) 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 and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Wrapers Kitchen (Denver, CO) 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 and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Sea Fare Foods, Inc. (Detroit, MI) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the Fish and Fishery Products Regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns United Prosperity Group dba The Product Company (South San Francisco, CA) that a June/July 2011 inspection of the company’s food processing and storage facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Eastern Treats Specialty Foods, Inc. (Orlando, FL) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing establishment revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns DJ Tuna Express, Inc. (Hialeah, FL) that an August/September 2011 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • Food Safety Recall: Thai Golden Spices, Inc. (Hayward, CA) recalls Hans brand Sugar Rewari Candy (1-lb clear plastic package; Imported from India; All dates and lot codes), because the candy contains unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candy was distributed in California.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert: The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene warns consumers that certain skin creams may contain mercury. According to the warning, Crema Aguamary, which was purchased in Mexico and brought into Maryland, is thought to be responsible for at least once case of mercury poisoning in the State. The Government of Mexico issued an alert on Crema Aguamary on September 30, 2011.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: C.B. Powell Limited recalls Cream of Wheat Hot Cereal, 3-minutes cook time (800g; Best by AUG 0113S; UPC 0 58025 01161 7), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled cereal was distributed to consumers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Edeka recalls Gut & Günstig Apfelschorle (1.5L PET bottle; Best before 6th and 7 March 2012; All lot numbers beginning with L1 2922) because the beverage may be subject to fermentation due to contamination during the filling process. The recalled item was sold in Edeka markets in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse (South Hesse to Frankfurt area), and Bavaria (in the adjoining border areas of Baden-Wuerttemberg).
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany and Austria): Handl Tyrol (Austria) recalls Tyrolean Wild Game Salami (200g; Lot #1F906 and 1F913; Best before 12/20/2012 and 25/12/2012, respectively) because the product may be contaminated with shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).
  • Medical Diagnostic Product Safety Recall (Italy): Intermedical Srl recalls STREPTO A card, 30 tests (Product code C-37; Lot #STA9100090, STA0020045, STA0020046, STA0040055, STA0050064, STA0080034, STA0100039, STA0100040, STA1010005, STA1020063, STA1040035, STA1050015 and STA1060038), because the diagnostic cards have demonstrated an unacceptably high false-positive rate.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1637): Unauthorized chlorine dioxide in precooked Japanese noodles from China, via Hong Kong; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert (EU #2011.1638):Clostridium botulinum type A toxin, vegetative cells and spores in korma sauce from the United Kingdom; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1639): Arsenic infeed materials from Belgium, with raw material from Brazil; distributed to Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1640): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1641): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1642): Escherichia coli in chilled clams from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1643): Mold and dead insects in brown rice from Greece; distributed to Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1644): Aflatoxins in roasted salted pistachio nuts from Iran; distributed to the Czech Republic.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Urgent Allergy Alert (Japan): Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare advises the public to avoid using Cha no Shizuku Soap, manufactured by Phoenix Co. (Nara Prefecture) and sold by the mail-order firm Yuuka Co. between March 2004 and December 2010, after the soap is linked to at least 471 reports of allergic reactions. The reactions apparently are the result of hydrolysis of wheat, which is an ingredient of the soap. The manufacturer and the distributor are working to recall the remaining bars of soap.
  • Outbreak Alert (Kenya): BBC reports that one person has died and 60 are suffering from cholera in what is described as the world’s largest refugee camp. The Dadaab camp, which is located in Kenya, is home to Somali refugees.
  • Health Supplement Safety Alert (Taiwan): Doctors at the National Taiwan University Hospital reported yesterday that a patient – a hepatitis B carrier – who regularly took chlorella tablets to support his diet developed near-fatal liver and kidney failure as a result of long-term use of the supplement.

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 9, 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/Outbreak Alert: Schreiber Processing Corporation (Maspeth, NY) recalls Meal Mart Broiled Chicken Liver Made for Further Thermal Processing (2 x 5-lb bags/box; Est. P-787) and Chicken Liver Broiled (10-lb boxes, loose-packed; Est. P-787), because the chicken liver products have been linked to a cluster of salmonellosis illnesses in New York and New Jersey. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg was recovered from samples of broiled chicken livers, and from chopped chicken livers produced at retail from these livers. The outbreak strain is different from the strain of Salmonella Heidelberg that was associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis linked to ground turkey meat earlier this year. The recalled broiled chicken liver products were distributed to retail stores and institutional users in Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA posts retail distribution list for beef jerky products recalled by Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. (Johnson City, TX) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Golden Glen Creamery (Bow, WA) recalls Raw Cheddar (sold between September 22 and November 5, 2011; Code 864) after a routine sample of the cheese, collected and analyzed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company has ceased production and distribution of the product while FDA, WSDA and the company continue an investigation into the source of the contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: India Imports & Exports, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) recalls Roopal Swad candy (7-oz/200g clear plastic package; Imported from India) after tests conducted by the California Department of Public Health found unacceptably high levels of lead in the candy.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Importers of frozen oyster products from Korea expand their recall after additional the products were linked to norovirus cases in Washington state. The recall includes: ASSI Brand frozen oysters packed in bags and in boxes, and Shirakiku frozen breaded oysters packed in boxes. Please refer to the FDA Consumer Alert for a detailed list of exporters, distributors, importers, and affected lot numbers. Direct importation of the frozen oyster products was limited to distributors in California, New Jersey and Maryland, but the products have been shipped to additional states, including Alaska.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Tropical Impex recalls Amul Shrikhand Mango, Elaichi, Kesar and Badam Pista (500g; all pkgs), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert: Corwin Distribution Limited, Horizon Distributors, Puresource Inc. and Nationwide Natural Foods recall Bumble Bar Organic Energy Bar – Cherry Chocolate (40g; all codes; UPC 7 60590 05023 5), due to the presence of undeclared milk. Some Bumble Bars were supplied by Corwin to Whole Foods Market stores in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Sawmill Bay Shellfish Company Ltd. (Heriot Bay, BC) recalls Aquacultured Gallo Mussels (10-lb bags; Lot #SB174; Processed by Walcan Seafood Ltd.; Harvested November 3, 2011 from Area BC13, sub area 13), because the mussels may contain paralytic shellfish toxins. The recalled mussels were distributed in British Columbia primarily to institutional clients, including restaurants, and were sold as Sawmill Bay Mussels at the Daily Catch (1418 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC) between November 4th and 6th.
  • Food Safety Recall: Maison Isabelle inc. (Trois-Rivières, QC) recalls Biscuits à l’avoine et raisins/Oatmeal-raisin cookies (770g pkg; All expiry dates up to and including November 22, 2011), because the product may contain metal particles. The recalled cookes were sold in a number of Super C stores in Québec.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert: Panzani recalls Panzani brand Gnocchi à Poêler/Gnocchi for frying (300g; Lot #2381; Best before 22/04/12), because the product contains undeclared cheese, due to a packaging error.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland and Sweden): Semper Oy Ab recalls Småfolk Apple Raspberry Oat Stix (Best before 06/30/2012) and Fruity Banana Stix (Best before 06/10/2012) because the products contain unacceptable levels of mycotoxins.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Fredsted The A/S recalls Organic teas (Lot #001-16; Expiry date 30-06-2013), due to the presence of clomazone (pesticide) residues in the product.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Germany): International Food Corporation Germany GmbH recalls Disney Advent Calendar (Best by 09/13/2013), due to possible microbial contamination. The recalled product was sold exclusively through Penny stores in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Food Safety Recall (Italy): Pensabene & Chiasson (Palermo, Italy) recalls Caponata di melanzane “Donna Rosa”/Donna Rosa Eggplant Caponata (200g; Lots R106 and N193), due to lack of approval of the establishment by the State.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1585): Listeria monocytogenes in chilled smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1586): Campylobacter in fresh baby corn from Thailand via the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1587): Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1589): Salmonella enteritidis in frozen breaded raw chicken fillets from Germany; distributed to Finland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1590): Histamine in chilled tuna fillets from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.1591): Undeclared sulphite in apple cider from Belgium; distributed to Luxembourg.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1597): Mercury in angler fish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.1598): Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in dried sugar beet pellets from Germany; distributed to Germany and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1599): Mercury in chilled swordfish from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1600): Aflatoxins in nutmeg powder from India; distributed to Romania.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1601): Unauthorized operator for dumplings from Italy; distributed to Italy and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1602): Salmonella in frozen poultry meat from Poland, via France; distributed to Luxembourg.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1603): High Escherichia coli count in fresh mussels from the Netherlands; distributed to France, Lithuania, Poland and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1604): Aflatoxins in cashew nut kernels from Brazil, via Germany; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1605): Benzo(a)pyrene in smoked prawns from Vietnam; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1606): Escherichia coli in mussels from Spain; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health reminds the public not to buy or consume slimming products of unknown or doubtful composition as they may contain undeclared drug ingredients that are dangerous to health, after receiving notification of two cases involving women with a history of consuming slimming products.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Lay Brothers Pty Ltd. recalls Good Luck Dried Seaweed Stripe (150g net wt plastic bag; Imported from China; Best before 07 09 2013), because of high levels of naturally occurring iodine in the product.

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.