Raw turkey products linked to second Salmonella outbreak

Butterball is recalling 39 tons of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund. The recalled products were shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide.

5 confirmed illnesses in Wisconsin and Minnesota

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state of Wisconsin have confirmed five cases of Salmonella illness, four of them in Wisconsin and one in neighboring Minnesota.

The four Wisconsin outbreak victims were residents of a single assisted living facility, according to a spokesperson with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Outbreak strain found in Butterball samples

Three intact packages of Butterball ground turkey were obtained from the Wisconsin residence of that state’s outbreak victims. The strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund recovered from the ground turkey was closely related, genetically, to the strain recovered from the patients.

List of recalled items

The following recalled raw ground turkey products were produced on July 7, 2018 and bear establishment number “EST. P-7345” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT)” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC codes 22655-71555 or 22655-71557 represented on the label.
48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT)” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71556 represented on the label.
16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT)” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71546 represented on the label.
16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT)” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC codes 22655-71547 or 22655-71561 represented on the label
48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “Kroger GROUND TURKEY FRESH 85% LEAN – 15% FAT” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC code 111141097993 represented on the label.
48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing “FOOD LION 15% fat ground turkey with natural flavorings” with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 3582609294 represented on the label.

2018 Salmonella Reading outbreak also linked to raw turkey products

CDC is continuing to monitor an earlier outbreak of multi-drug resistant Salmonella Reading illnesses, also linked to raw turkey products. As of the last report, 279 cases have been confirmed from 41 states and the District of Columbia.

One person has died, and 107 have been hospitalized.

An additional 72 illnesses linked to this same outbreak have been reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The illnesses have prompted several product recalls in the US and Canada, including two brands of raw pet food in additional to food for human consumption.

What consumers need to know about Salmonella

The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.
Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness.
Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

What consumers need to know about the recalled products

Do not consume any of the recalled products and do not offer it to your pets.
Check your refrigerator and freezer for any recalled products.
Discard all recalled products in a protected container (such as a trash bin with a secure lid) so that children and animals can not access the contaminated food.

Pet owners file civil suits against Hill’s Pet Nutrition in relation to dog deaths

The following story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

Pet owners have filed a total of three separate civil lawsuits in federal court against Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. following the company’s recent admission that some of its pet foods contained excessive levels of Vitamin D. The consumers are seeking class action status.

The named plaintiffs in the three lawsuits allege that their dogs became ill as a result of elevated vitamin D in the pet foods. Four of the sick dogs either died or had to be euthanized. The pet owner plaintiffs live in Florida, New York, California and North Carolina.

The lawsuits allege negligence, breach of express and implied warranty, strict product liability, failure to warn, unjust enrichment, and unfair and deceptive trade practices on the part of the company.

In addition, plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits accused Hill’s of “excessive and unwarranted delay” in notifying consumers and regulatory agencies of the Vitamin D toxicity issue.

According to a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration, Hill’s alerted the agency to a Vitamin D-related complaint on Jan. 30 this year. The company announced a recall of specific batches of 25 canned pet foods the following day.

The affected batch codes suggest the recalled products were likely manufactured during the time period of September 2018 through December 2018.

FDA has received a number of pet illness reports since the Jan. 31 recall notice. The agency is in the process of verifying the details of each complaint to determine which reports are related to the recalled products, and whether they are cases of Vitamin D toxicity.

The recalled products were distributed across the USA and exported to at least 57 other countries. In its recall notice, Hill’s advised consumers to refer to the company’s website for their country for a list of recalled products.

Recalled products were sold in Albania, Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City

Using information obtained from Hill’s websites around the world, eFoodAlert posted a list of recalled products and batch codes, sorted by country.

In November and December 2018, nine companies recalled several dry pet food products because of elevated Vitamin D issues. All of the foods were produced and packaged by a common contract manufacturer, identified by several of the companies as Sunshine Mills Inc.

FDA has not found any connection between the source of Vitamin D used to manufacture the recalled dry dog foods and the Vitamin D used in the Hill’s canned dog foods, according to an agency spokesperson.

What pet owners and veterinarians should know
Symptoms of Vitamin D toxicity may include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, excessive drooling and/or weight loss. FDA urges dog owners who observe these symptoms in their pets to contact a veterinarian immediately.

Pet owners should be prepared to furnish a full diet history to the veterinarian, and to document the pet food label and lot number. Any leftover food should be retained in its original packaging in case testing is required.

FDA encourages veterinarians to submit case reports involving vitamin D toxicity diagnoses associated with pet food.

Consumers and veterinarians can submit complaints and case details to the FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For additional information on submitting a pet food complaint, see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

NB: The original story in Food Safety News listed fewer affected countries. This reposting has been updated to include the latest information from the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

Recalls and Alerts: February 7 – 9, 2019

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

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC alerts consumers to potential exposures to a drug-resistant Brucella strain RB51 (RB51) in 19 states, connected to consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. One case of RB51 infection (brucellosis) has been confirmed in New York.

Allergy Alert: Birdseed Food Co. recalls Craft Granola Goldenola Turmeric & Ginger (11oz and 3oz pkgs; All expiration dates up to and including 061419) due to undeclared cashews.

Allergy Alert: Don Paco Lopez Panaderia Inc. recalls Sweet Bread (16-oz packages; all batches and dates) due to undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed in New York State.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Boucherie-charcuterie Piano & Fils inc. recalls three prepared foods due to undeclared wheat, milk, eggs, soy and sulfites.

Allergy Alert: Fumeur en nord recalls Beef jerky (variable sizes; product sold up to 4 February 2019) due to undeclared barley, soy and fish.

Allergy Alert: Indigo Natural Foods Inc. recalls Indigo Packaged Goodness brand Brewers Yeast Debittered (400g; All units sold from October 24, 2018 up to and including February 7, 2019; UPC 6 99692 00659 1) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls certain Ottogi brand noodle products due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls certain RXBAR brand Protein Bars due to undeclared peanut. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls Betty brand and Nancy’s Fancy Yummy-in-the-Tummy brand bakery products from the marketplace due to possible contamination from mice infestation. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed in Ontario and Québec. The bakery products were manufactured by Les Services alimentaires Firouz inc.

Food Safety Recall: Les Services alimentaires Firouz inc recalls numerous breads and baked goods that were manufactured or packaged under conditions that threaten food safety. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Renard bleu inc. recalls Spaghetti sauce (500 mL and 1L jars; All product sold up to and including 6 February 2019), which was prepared and packaged under conditions that threaten food safety.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls various BonVita brand ice cream products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Thalassa Excellence recalls Fumage du val de lys brand Flétan fumé tranché / Sliced smoked halibut (150g; Lot #19025024; Best before 14/02/19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): RYDBERGS recalls Rydbergs Rhode Island Dressing (50g; Best before 08.04.2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Rayan Patisserie recalls Rayan Patisserie Assorted Baklawah (200g and 500g; All dates up to and including 07 May 2019) due to undeclared milk and wheat.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Ökoland GmbH North recalls Lamb salami air-dried (150 g; Batch #23394; Best before 07.03.2019) and Colbassa salami air-dried (150g; Batch 23395; Best before 07.03.2019) due to foreign matter (small blue plastic particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Dunnes Stores recalls Dunnes Stores Poached Side of Salmon (400g; Use by 19/02/19) due to uncorrect ‘Use by’ date.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Grönsaksmästarna recalls Nyttogrönt brand Beetroot sprouts (Best before 2019-02-07 through 2019-02-12) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Hill’s Pet Products (Benelux) NV-SA recalls certain Hill’s canned dog food products due to elevated Vitamin D levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Riverside Milk recalls Riverside Milk brand raw (unpasteurized) milk, sold from a vending machine (Batches purchased between 28 January and 7 February 2019), due to Campylobacter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): New World Greymouth recalls certain New World Greymouth brand Hot cross bun products (Best before: 08.02.2019) due to foreign matter (glass) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.