Category: E. coli

15-State E. coli Outbreak Triggers Recall

Rich Products Corporation (Buffalo, NY) has recalled more than 196,000 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat-treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items in the wake of an outbreak of 24 confirmed cases of E. coli O121 illnesses in 15 US states.

Eight of the outbreak victims – residents of Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia – reported consuming Farm Rich brand products. The New York Department of Health found the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 in a sample of Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product obtained from a victim in that state. USDA is working with state and federal public health agencies – including FDA and CDC – on this outbreak investigation. CDC has not yet released a complete list of the 15 states.

E. coli O121 is one of six non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli serogroups that is recognized by the USDA as an adulterant in certain raw beef products.

The manufacturer has recalled the following products in cooperation with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (items 1-4) and FDA (items 5-7):

  1. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (7.2-oz cartons; UPC 041322376909; Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  2. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322356437 Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  3. Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust (18-oz bags; UPC 041322356352; Best by date of May 14, 2014)
  4. Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust (21-oz bags; UPC 041322356345; Best by date May 13, 2014)
  5. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322374431; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  6. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (7-oz cartons; UPC 041322376916; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  7. Market Day Mozzarella Bites (22-oz bags; UPC 041322804358; Best by date of May 12, 2014)

The recalled products were manufactured between November 12, 2012 and November 19, 2012 and supplied to Walmart for nationwide distribution. Consumers who may have purchased any of the recalled products should check their freezers and discard these items, or return them to Walmart.

According to USDA, infection with E. coli O121 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Food Safety Recalls: March 1-24, 2013

Here is a summary of food safety recalls from around the world. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each one.

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

  • Byron Center Wholesale Meats (Byron Center, MI) recalls approximately 6,586 pounds of ham products that were produced without a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan.
  • Home Market Foods recalls Cooked Perfect Homestyle Meatballs because the product may contain pieces of metal.
  • La Preferida, Inc. recalls 4,734 cases (56,808 cans) of La Preferida Whole Pinto Beans 29 oz. (Water & Salt), because the manufacturer’s preliminary inspection indicates 420 cans may not have been fully processed.
  • Bumble Bee Foods, LLC recalls specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products, because the products do not meet the company’s standards for seal tightness.
  • Tri-Union Seafoods LLC recalls a limited amount of Chicken of the Sea brand 5-ounce cans of chunk white albacore tuna in water, because the seams on the lids of the cans do not meet the standard for seam quality.
  • Tri-Union Seafoods LLC expands its earlier recall to include a limited amount of Chicken of the Sea brand 5-ounce chunk light tuna in oil, because the seams on the lids of the cans do not meet the standard for seam quality.
  • Hot Springs Packing Co., Inc. (Hot Springs, AR) recalls approximately 6,120 pounds of chicken Polish sausage and chicken breakfast link products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • FPL Food, LLC (West Columbia, SC) recalls approximately 5,820 pounds of ground beef chuck that may contain small pieces of plastic.
  • Ben-Lee Processing, Inc. (Atwood, KS) recalls ready-to-eat and heat-treated bacon and ham products that were produced without a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan.
  • Grippo Foods Inc. recalls all bags and boxes of their Plain Potato Chips, Bar-B-Q Potato Chips, Cheddar Cheese with a touch of Jalapeno Potato Chips, Hot Dill Pickle Potato Chips, Sweet Bermuda Onion Potato Chips and Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips, because these products may have the potential to contain metal fragments.
  • FDA warns consumers not to eat ProtiDiet High Protein Chocolate Dream Bar, sold in 210 gram (7.4 oz.) packages, 7 bars per package, bearing UPC 6 21498 42238 1, lot code CR 18 13B, and Best Before date of 2015-08, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella and has been recalled by the Canadian manufacturer (Pro-Amino International Inc.).

Canada

Europe

  • Belgium: Ponroy Vitarmonyl BENELUX recalls Argile – Ventre Plat dietary supplement from Laboratoires Vitarmonyl due to excessive lead in the product.
  • Belgium: Haute Cuisine recalls marmites sold through l’Action-Epargne in stores belonging to the group AD Delhaize, because the enamel seals break on first contact.
  • Belgium: Kaasaffineurs Van Tricht recalls raw milk Goat cheese produced by Hardy de Selles Sur Cher (France) due to possible contamination with shiga-toxin producing E. coli.
  • Belgium: Colruyt recalls Everyday Salade de viande, 275g due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Czech Republic: Verner Kotula recalls two kinds of deli products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Czech Republic: dm drogerie markt Ltd recalls Alnatura příkrm dýně, brambor, fenykl due to possible occurrence of glass fragments in the baby food.
  • Denmark: Lembcke recalls Fresh Mini Corn from Thailand due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Denmark: delica as recalls Carl Vollstedt eftf brand Deer Salami due to metal fragments.
  • Denmark: KD-Food recalls Hummus due to Listeria contamination.
  • Denmark: Reitan Distribution A/S recalls Rema1000 Red cheddar due to mold contamination.
  • France: Carrefour recalls Carrefour BIO brand Jus d’Orange BIO and Jus de Pomme BIO because the bottles may contain glass fragments.
  • France: Casino recalls Casino / Tous les Jours Brioche Tranchée and Pain au Lait due to possible presence of steel shavings.
  • France: IKEA recalls TÅRTA CHOKLADKROKANT chez IKEA brand Almond, Chocolate and Caramel tart, due to possible fecal contamination.
  • France: Etablissements HARDY recalls SELLES SUR CHER AOP FERMIERS Fromages de Chèvre (150g) due to contamination with Escherichia coli.
  • Germany: Firma Werz Wurst-Fleisch-Convenience GmbH recalls Pfälzer Leberknödel (Palatine Liver Dumplings) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Germany: Iglo GmbH recalls Viva Italia Tortelloni Käse-Sahne due to contamination with small metal fragments.
  • Germany: Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH recalls Alnatura Babygläschen Kürbis mit Kartoffeln und Fenchel nach 4. Monat because of glass fragments.
  • Germany: Nestlé Kaffee & Schokoladen GmbH recalls KitKat Chunky der Sorten Hazelnut, Caramel und Peanut Butter due to foreign body (plastic fragment) contamination.
  • Greece: I & S Sklavenitis S.A. recalls Marata Plums without stone, dried, after stones were found in packages of the prunes.
  • Ireland: Food Safety Authority of Ireland announces the recall of prohibited products containing Non-Food Grade Grapefruit Seed Extract supplied by The Aisling Foundation in breach of a Prohibition Order.
  • UK: Edward Gray of Dudley Ltd, aka Teddy Grays, is recalling certain date codes of their sweet products (rock and boiled sweets) because of a possible rodent infestation at the manufacturing premises.
  • UK: Loch Arthur Creamery recalls all of its dairy products because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This is an expansion of earlier recalls.
  • UK: Nestle recalls four Kit Kat Chunky special varieties (48g size bars in Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Choc Fudge and Caramel flavours) and Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Egg due to seven people reporting small pieces of plastic in the bars.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Israel: Strauss recalls Strauss Cottage 250, 5% fat with an expiration date of 21/03/2013 due to excessive coliform levels.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia: Melbourne Kosher Meats recalls Chicken and Veal Wurst from Melbourne Kosher Meats in St Kilda and Meal Mart in Balaclava (Victoria) due to  Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Australia: Shaw River Buffalo Cheese recalls Shaw River Buffalo Yoghurt from some small gourmet retailers and health food stores in NSW, VIC, TAS and SA due to microbial (E. coli) contamination.
  • New Zealand: Foodstuffs (Auckland) Ltd. recalls in store processed Trevally Fish Fillets due to possible high levels of Histamine which may result in Scombroid (histamine) poisoning.

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 website.

*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 28, 2013

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.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the horse meat investigation, please consult the Horse Meat Synopsis and Recalls page.

For up-to-date information on recalls and product withdrawals associated with the Kasel pet treat recalls and investigation, please consult the Kasel Dog Treat Recalls: 2012-2013 page.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: Amport Foods recalls Vanilla Almond Granola (22 oz; UPC 71725 72512), due to the possible presence of flexible metal mesh in the product. The recalled granola was sold at Price Chopper.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Les Caprices du Boucher inc (Gatineau, QC) recalls Pâté Chinois (undeclared milk and soy) and All varieties of pies, pâtés and tourtières (undeclared soy and sulfites), due to undeclared allergens.
  • Allergy Alert: Summer Star Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Preserved Lemon (150g; Code 32.5.17.9.01.2; UPC 6 902141 325179), Preserved Star Fruit (150g; Code 32.5.17.9.01.2; UPC 6 902141 325179), and Preserved Mandrin (170g; Code 3.251.7901.0; UPC 6 902141 325179), due to undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were supplied to retailers in Ontario.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Alert: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Incorporated and Health Canada warn the public regarding serious skin reactions suffered by some patients taking INCIVEK™ combination therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adults. The reactions have resulted in a hospital treatment and death.

Europe

  • Food Fraud Recall (Sweden): Axfood recalls Eldorado Frozen Meatballs (1000g; Best before date 12/2-2014 or earlier), Eldorado Fresh Meatballs (1000g; Best before date 8/3-2013 or earlier), Garant Frozen Meatballs (600g; Best before date 12/2-2014 or earlier), and Garant Fresh Meatballs (350g; Best before date 8/3-2013 or earlier), after the company finds horse meat in the products.
  • Food Fraud Withdrawal (Greece): FSA for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace orders the removal of AP-APC Armenian Formula Kebab (1 kg pack; manufactured by Packer Bros; sold at Kavala branch of Metro SA) and Destan Beef Salami (500g pkg; Manufactured by Dutch company DEMKA GmbH; sold at Yakup grocery store), after horse meet is found in the products.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ireland): Health officials have confirmed a case of E. coli infection in a baby at the First Steps crèche in Midleton (Cork). all 85 children and 15 staff at the crèche are now being tested for the infection.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0264): Norovirus in chilled oysters from France; distributed to France.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administraton (TGA) has tested Natural Miaotiaoyishen Capsules and found that the so-called natural product contains undeclared sibutramine (a prescription-only medicine that was withdrawn in 2010 due to increased risk of major cardiac events) and phenolphthalein (previously used as an oral laxative, but no longer sold in Australia due to serious safety concerns). TGA advises consumers to stop taking this product and to take any remaining capsules to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.

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 website.

*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.