Dietary indiscretion – Ten tips to avoid holiday poisoning in pets and people

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

Some animals are scavengers, eating anything from poultry to poinsettias, and paying for their impulsive behavior with diarrhea, vomiting, or worse. Veterinarians call it “dietary indiscretion.”

The most dangerous time of year for pets in the United States is right now: the period leading up to, and including, the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is the time of year that presents both pets and people with a plethora of opportunities to be “indiscreet” eaters.

It is tempting to offer a pet a special holiday treat: an unfamiliar food, a chance to lick raw cake batter from a mixing bowl, or a dish of leftovers from the banquet table. It is easy to overlook the risks posed by Christmas decorations, snack foods, candies, and candles.

Some of these temptations are equally hazardous to the humans in our households. Both flour and raw eggs are potential sources of Salmonella, and raw flour may contain E. coli bacteria.

Leftover food that sits out for hours at room temperature during and after holiday meals are breeding grounds for toxin-producing bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and Clostridium perfringens. Both of these pathogens can make pets and people sick with acute nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Cats, especially, are sensitive to staph toxins. In fact, the earliest test for the presence of this toxin in a food sample was the aptly named Kitten Test, in which a portion of the food was fed to kittens. An episode of vomiting within a few hours confirmed the presence of the toxin.

Clostridium perfringens can be deadly for dogs. A 2012 article published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal reported on the death due to acute bloody diarrhea, of a two-year old Pomeranian show dog that had appeared perfectly healthy the day before. Large numbers of Clostridium perfringens were found in the dog’s intestinal tract on necropsy.

Following these tips will help you to keep your pets and family members safe during the holidays.

DO refrigerate leftovers promptly.

DO handle raw meat and poultry as though contains Salmonella and Campylobacter, because it probably is contaminated with one or both of these pathogens.

DO place all chocolate, candies and plants out of reach of pets.

DO brush up on practices for the safe handling of foods.

DO visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website to familiarize yourself with foods, plants and household products that may be toxic to your pets.

DON’T allow your pets or children to sample raw cake batter, raw cookie dough, raw pie crust or any other raw baked goods.

DON’T offer unusual food to your pets. This is not the time of year to experiment.

DON’T feed your pets raw poultry.

DON’T offer cooked bones of any type to your dog. Cooking makes bones more brittle and they may splinter and injure your pet.

DON’T set aside safe food handling practices in your hurry to prepare for the deluge of holiday guests.

Recalls and Alerts: December 17 – 18, 2018

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.

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United States

Allergy Alert: Russ Davis Wholesale, Inc. recalls Boar’s Head EVERROAST CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP (11.3-oz. plastic clamshell packages; Sell by dates 11/15/18 through 12/19/18) due to undeclared eggs.

Allergy Alert: ATHERSTONE FOODS INC recalls Greens and Grains Hummus and Quinoa Tabouleh Wrap (14.6 ounce (414g); Use by date 12/19/18) due to undeclared soy. The recalled product was distributed in retail supermarkets throughout the Northern California Region.

Food Safety Recall: Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. recalls red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce and cauliflower harvested on November 27 through 30, 2018 due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that sediment from a reservoir near where the produce was grown tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Inspired Organics, LLC recalls Inspired Organics Organic Almond Butter (16 oz; Lot #239; Best by 02/20; UPC 863669742540) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Damhert Nutrition recalls Damhert Vegan Schnitzel, Vegan Nuggets and Vegan Boulettes aux légumes due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): ALBERT HEIJN BELGIQUE recalls AH Verse curry Tandoori fresh curry (300g; Lot #0460192; Best before 26-12-2018) due to undeclared mustard and celery.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Heera recalls Heera Ground Almonds due to undeclared peanuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected pack sizes and batch codes.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Norenca N.V. recalls several products containing ground veal due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Valio recalls Valio Tuuti® 1 infant formula (500 mL; Best before 24.3.2019) as some of the packages may be contaminated.

Food Safety Recall (France): ACHVA recalls ACHVA Sesame Tahini, natural (500g and 18 kg; Lots #18-097 to 18-141; Best before 07/04/2020 to 21/05/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Marie Morin France recalls La Fabrique à Délices chocolate mousse à l’ancienne (Lot #183390004; Best before 26/12/2018) due to foreign matter (pieces of glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): PLUS Supermarkten recalls PLUS Shawarma meat (500g and 1 kg packages; Expiry date 17-12-2018 and before) due to potential contamination with Salmonella Goldcoast.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England specific): Daylesford Organic recalls Organic Cottage Pie (680g; Batch codes 18120504, 18121204; Use by 14 January 2019 and 21 January 2019) due to incorrect date labeling. The correct Use by dates should be 14 December 2018 and 21 December 2018.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Alert (Singapore): Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) alerts consumers that frozen raw pork products imported from the Netherlands have been linked to a foodborne outbreak in the Netherlands and may be contaminated with Salmonella Goldcoast. AVA has confirmed that there are imports of the implicated frozen raw pork products, and is working with importers to remove the implicated frozen pork consignments from the market.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Organic Dairy Farmers of Australia recalls True Organic Australian Organic Feta Marinated In Oil With Garlic and Herbs (280g net and 1kg bulk varieties; Best Before 20 DEC 19) due to incorrect date labeling.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Bowmont Wholesale Meats Ltd recalls Bowmont Wholesale Meats Traditional Leg Ham (Use by 21/01/2019) because the product is incorrectly labeled as fully cooked.

Recalls and Alerts: December 12 – 16, 2018

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United States

Food Safety Recall: Spokane Produce Inc. recalls sandwiches containing green leaf lettuce and foodservice lettuce filets following notice of a produce industry ingredient recall by Adam Bros. Farming Inc., because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Apio, Inc. recalls various Eat Smart® Single-Serve Salad Shake Ups™ (bowls), due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Mannarich Food, Inc. recalls approximately 145,245 pounds of Siluriformes products that were not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Del Monte Foods Inc. recalls 64,242 cases of FIESTA CORN Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers due to under-processing. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected production lots.

Food Safety Recall: Vermont Packinghouse, LLC recalls approximately 10,828 pounds of raw intact bone-in beef quarters from cattle identified as being over 30 months of age because the products may contain specified risk materials (SRM), specifically vertebral column. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Souk Michelet recalls various ground meat products due to undeclared sulfites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Jardins Val-Mont recalls various food products that may not be safe for consumption. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls certain cauliflower, red leaf lettuce and green leaf lettuce produced by Adam Bros. Farming Inc. of Santa Maria, California due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which are known to have been sold in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador and may have been sold in other provinces.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls Eat Smart brand Salad Shake Ups (single serve) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold nationwide.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls AH Chocopasta melk (400g jar; Batch code/Best before 01/2020) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (France): Monoprix recalls Monoprix Olives vertes entières P’tit prix (200g jar; Lot #8302; Best before 30/09/2021) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (Germany): P & B (Foods) Limited recalls Heera Ground Almonds (300g; Batch code 2G1191018; Best before April 2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Dutch Bakery recalls Easy Bakery Christmas Tree Rolls (Best before 27-12-2018) due to undeclared gluten, sesame seeds and lupine.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH fresh curry Tandoori (300g; Best before 26-12-2018) due to undeclared celery and mustard.

Allergy Alert (UK – England only): E H Booth & Co. Limited recalls Booths Chicken, Quinoa and Tenderstem Broccoli Super Salad (252g; Use by 14 December 2018) and Booths Sweet Potato, Falafel and Houmous Supergrain Salad (252g; Use by 15 December 2018) due to undeclared mustard or soya and wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (UK): Poundstretcher recalls Hazelnut Cream Truffles Crisp Wafer Ball (36g; Product/Batch code M5028389; Best before 20 Sept 2019) due to undeclared whey (milk) and peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): P & B (Foods) Limited recalls Heera Ground Almonds (300g; Batch code 2G1191018; Best before April 2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Abattoir de volailles Lammens recalls various products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): ALDI recalls Tupelo Farms brand Chicken sausages (1000g pkg; Lot #182038007; Best before 11/04/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Société CSA recalls Lait d’Ici Lait demi-écrémé (1L brick; Lot #18312; Best before 08/03/2019G) due to cleaning product residue in some of the packages.

Food Safety Recall (France): TerraSana recalls TerraSana Pâte à tartiner aux arachides bio crunchy (500g; Best before 23/07/2020) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (France): Casino recalls Casino Saucisson à l’ail fumé (300g; Lot #97 46; Best before 05/01/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): dm-drogerie markt recalls dmBio Langkorn Reis Natur (Best before 26.10.2019 and 23.11.2019) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Salumificio Ciliani S.r.l. recalls Siena salsiccia secca (Lot #01131118; Best before 23/05/2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Ciriaci recalls Ciauscolo IGP (500/600g; Lot 181109C) due to non-conformance with food safety regulations.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): CPA Arborea recalls Nieddittas – Cozze (Mussels) raccolte nel Golfo di Oristano (1Kg; Lot NS-183778-17 from 17/11/2018) due to Vibrio cholerae contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Caseificio La Fonte recalls Formaggio Pecorino semistagionato (1.4 Kg; Lot #18202; Best before 02/05/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Rovetano recalls salame morbido (ca. 500g; Lot #40.18; Best before 06/08/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): ALDI recalls Délifin brand Filet De York ultrafin (150g; Lots 4065, 4073, 4077, 4079, 4088, 4091, 4095; Best before 04/12/2018, 13/12/2018, 18/12/2018, 20/12/2018, 31/12/2018, 03/01/2019, 08/01/2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Lidl recalls Jambon D’Ardenne, Saint Alby (100g; Expiry dates 30/11/18, 02/12/18, 11/12/18, 13/12/18, 23/12/18, 26/12/18, 03/01/19, 05/01/19, 10/01/19, 15/01/19 et 18/01/19) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Delhaize recalls Marcassou Jambon D’Ardenne (80g; Lots L004065 – 004079 – 004092; Best before 04/12/2018 – 11/12/2018 – 20/12/2018 – 04/01/2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls Hoogvliet filet cordon bleu, fillet steak marinated and wienerschnitzel (various expiry dates – see recall notice for details) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Arla recalls Pucko Original (270 mL; Best before September 26, 2019) due to possible foreign matter (glass particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England only): HEMA recalls hazelnut milk chocolate letters due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Bakery Elkhabaz recalls Chocolate Balls (Various weights; Best before 17.12.2018) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Hermes Fish Ltd. recalls Smoked and Salted Sprats (All weights; Best by 10/12/2018) due to suspected use of expired raw material.