Recalls and Alerts: July 29 – August 2, 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

OUTBREAK ALERT/Food Safety Recall: Kerry Inc. recalls Soy Honey Cluster (30 lb. case, plastic bag in cardboard box Product code 30666529.137) because an ingredient in this product was manufactured during the time-frame and on the same piece of equipment that was associated with a Salmonella outbreak.

Public Health Alert: USDA issues Public Health Alert for Beef, Pork, and Poultry Salad and Wrap Products due to concerns about contamination with Cyclospora. Please refer to the Alert for a list of affected products, which were distributed by Caito Foods LLC.

Allergy Alert: Sweet Earth Foods recalls Sweet Earth Aloha BBQ Quesadilla (8 oz; Best by 6/28/19; Lot #8149; UPC 016741000551) due to undeclared egg and milk.

Allergy Alert: Mojave Foods recalls MOJAVE HIBISCUS FLOWER – BULK PRODUCE ITEM (Random weight; Sold between 4/13/2018 – 7/31/2018; UPC 7946607198) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert: HP Hood LLC recalls Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk (half-gallon cartons; Use-by September 2, 2018) due to undeclared milk. The recalled product was shipped to AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.

Food Safety Recall: Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls Dole Classic Coleslaw (14 oz.; Use by 08-08-18; Mfg codes W201004, W201005, W201006, W201007, and W201008; Time stamps after 23:21 through 02:00am; UPC 7143001066) due to foreign matter (metal shavings) contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Trader Joe’s recalls Trader Joe’s Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap, Trader Giotto’s Caesar Salad with Chicken, and Trader Ming’s Chinese Inspired Salad with Chicken (Best by 07/21/18 through 07/23/18) due to possible Cyclospora contamination. The recalled products were sold in Trader Joe’s stores in IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, & WI.

Food Safety Recall: General Mills Inc. recalls Cheerios Protein Oats & Honey breakfast cereal (19 oz. & 14.1 oz. boxes; UPC 16000-44473 and 16000-45137 respectively; Best before 05MAY2019, 06MAY2019, 07MAY2019, 08MAY2019, 09MAY2019, and 10MAY2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was sold in Lucky, SaveMart, and Department of Defense Commissary stores and may also have been distributed elsewhere across the USA.

Food Safety Recall: Mojave Foods recalls El Guapo Flor de Hibiscus Flower (2.0 oz; Best by APR/07/21, APR/16/21, APR/17/21, MAY/16/21 and MAY/19/21; UPC 44989-00522) due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Bières de Chimay, S.A. and its U.S. importer, Manneken Brussel Imports recalls Chimay Grande Réserve Trappist Ale (750ml bottles; Lots L17-813 and L17-814) because bottles may spontaneously break causing a risk of injury from broken glass.

Food Safety Recall: Buehler’s recalls Buehler’s Deli Cole Slaw (UPC codes 7086 and 37086) due to possible foreign matter (metal shavings) contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Boar’s Head recalls Boar’s Head Sweet Vidalia Onions Sauce (9-oz jar; UPC 042421069563) due to possible foreign matter contamination. The recalled item was sold at Sprouts and may also have been available in other stores.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Poissonnerie du Havre ltée recalls various products due to undeclared mustard seed, sesame seed, sulfites, soy, wheat, milk and/or gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Pâtisserie Anna Pierrot recalls GÂTEAU DE VOYAGE CHOCOLAT ET CARAMEL FLEUR DE SEL (variable size; all stock) due to undeclared egg, milk, soy and wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Delhaize recalls Macaroni jambon-fromage (1kg; Lots 18303, 18303a, 18314A; Best before 06/08/2018 – 08/08/2018 & 10/08/2018) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Lidl Ireland recalls Vitasia Gyoza Dumplings with Chicken & Pork (400g; Batch code 16:52 G156 K MMG 0054; Best before 05.12.2019) due to undeclared Celery, Crustaceans, Milk, Molluscs, Sesame and Soya.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Coop recalls Coop brand Red Beet Soup (Best before 2018-08-20) because the product may contain undeclared allergens.

Allergy Alert (UK): Lidl Ireland recalls McEnnedy Peanut flavoured Supersize Flips (450g; Batch code L35104; Best by 12 November 2018) duie to undeclared nuts or gluten.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls Freshona chopped tomato with basil (400g; Lot L327NDB 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224; Best before 31.12.2020) due to foreign matter (plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Florette and Cueillette recall Dill (11g sachets; various lot numbers and best before dates) due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes.

Food Safety Recall (France): McDonald’s recalls Chicken Caesar Salad (sold in McDonald’s restaurants between 9 & 14 July 2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Tallec recalls Tallec brand Jambon à l’ancienne (Lot #01818606; Best before 07/08/2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Festein d’Alsace recalls Festein d’Alsace Brochettes de poulet texanes (Lots 25/07/2018 to 01/08/2018; Best before 06/08/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Capitaine Houat recalls Crevettes entières cuites réfrigérées CAL 80/100 pièces/kg (500g; Lot #389 31 198; Best before 29/07/2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Charcuterie Ader recalls Charcuterie Ader brand Rosette courte, Saucisson pur porc et Chorizo (All lots; All best before dates) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Lidl Deutschland recalls Italiamo Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice with Basil (400g; Batch code L327NDB 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224; Best before 31.12.2020) due to foreign matter (plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Lidl Ireland recalls Lidl Freshona Chopped Tomatoes with Herbs (400g; Batch code 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224; Product of Italy) due to possible foreign matter (small pieces of plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Whitworths recalls Whitworths Granulated Sugar (1kg and 5kg; Batch codes F201U81873, FS02U81783 & FS02U81853; Product of UK) due to possible foreign matter (pieces of metal wire) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Newbridge Meats recalls various sausages due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Caseificio Sociale Comprensoriale de Primiero recalls Formaggio Dolomiti Aromatizzato Alle Erbe L.T. (variable weights; Lot #18164) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Lidl recalls Italiamo brand Chopped Tomatoes with Basil (400g; Best before 31.12.2020) due to foreign matter (plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet supermarkten recalls various meat products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Hong Kong): Well Synergy International Limited and UNIGRA S.R.L (Hong Kong) recall OraSi Walnut (1L pack; Best before February 14, 2019; Product of Italy) due to undeclared milk.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Woombye Cheese Company recalls Blackall Gold Washed Rind (200g; Best Before 10.09.18), Camembert (200g Best Before 06.09.18), Truffle Triple Cream Brie food service size only (various weights, approx. 1.4kg each; Best Before 17.09.18), and Triple Cream Brie (200g; Best Before 17.09.18) due to high E. coli count.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Metcash recalls Black & Gold Frozen Mixed Vegetables and Black & Gold Mixed Vegetables (1kg; All Stock) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Darwin’s QA program evolves in response to FDA enforcement measures

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

Arrow Reliance Inc., dba Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, is taking steps to correct multiple violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act discovered during an investigation of Darwin’s raw pet food manufacturing facility in December 2017 and January 2018.

The Food and Drug Administration detailed the problems in a warning letter April 2.

A redacted copy of Darwin’s response letter was obtained by Food Safety News in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The investigation was triggered by a series of product recalls announced by the company in late 2017 due to Salmonella contamination in samples of Darwin’s raw frozen pet foods, following customers’ complaints of a kitten death and other ill pets. The joint investigation was carried out by the FDA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

The FDA warning letter, and the Establishment Inspection Report that preceded it, highlighted several issues, including:

Bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and/or E. coli O128) present in samples of various Darwin’s Natural Selections and ZooLogics brands of raw pet food;
The identical strain of Salmonella was recovered from both the dead kitten and a sample of food that had been fed to the kitten;
The protocol used by Darwin to reduce pathogen contamination through the application of bacteriophages had not been validated;
Failure to conduct operations under cGMPs (current Good Manufacturing Practices)
Raw materials not thawed under conditions that would minimize potential for growth of undesirable pathogens;
Animal food contact surfaces not made of appropriate materials or maintained to protect animal food from becoming contaminated; and
Equipment and utensils not used appropriately to avoid adulteration of animal food with contaminants.

In its response to the FDA warning letter, Darwin officials reported conducting a risk assessment to identify the root cause or causes of contamination. Based on the results of their assessment, the company concluded that the primary source of their contamination problem was pathogens present in some raw materials.

To address that issue, Darwin has adopted new approaches to reducing or eliminating pathogens in those raw materials, including:

Requiring all meat suppliers and produce suppliers to use a pathogen-reducing treatment (details redacted) prior to shipping raw materials;
On-site audits of meat suppliers and primary produce supplier;
Pathogen testing conducted by an independent testing lab of a number of inbound raw materials;
Additional “interventions” that are being evaluated (details redacted) for possible inclusion in the company’s processes to further reduce pathogen levels;
Increasing the dosage of bacteriophages to match the manufacturer’s “standard” recommended dosage and tested a revised method of application; and
Conducting validation tests, which were carried out by an independent testing lab, to confirm the effectiveness of the higher bacteriophage dosage and revised application method.

According to Darwin’s response letter, in 2016, the company hired a Quality Assurance (QA) manager who developed the company’s first formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and expanded the company’s sanitation and environmental testing programs. Prior to 2016, the sanitation and quality assurance functions were handled by the production department.

In response to the violations detailed in the FDA warning letter, the company expanded its QA team, adding an assistant manager and technicians. It also conducted a comprehensive review and update of its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) conducted training sessions for employees, and corrected other issues raised by FDA and WSDA inspectors during the inspections initiated in December 2017 and completed in January 2018.

When asked to comment on the remedies outlined in Darwin’s response letter, a spokesperson for FDA said “… we aren’t able to share … any information about discussions with firms regarding their responses to warning letters.”

FDA’s investigation remains open, according to the agency spokesperson.

Did FDA just reveal manufacturer of contaminated Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal?

When CDC alerted the public on June 14th to an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks breakfast cereal, the agency was coy as to who was the actual manufacturer of the contaminated product.

Today, with its weekly release of Warning Letters, FDA may have answered the question.

On July 26, 2018, FDA issued a formal Warning Letter to Kerry Inc., headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin after an inspection of the company’s cereal-production facility in Gridley, IL revealed a manufacturing environment in which Salmonella had made itself at home.

The Warning Letter listed several serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, including:

The Gridley facility’s hazard analysis did not include contamination of ready-to-eat cereal with environmental pathogens such as Salmonella, even though this type of contamination has occurred in the past
Gridley repeated found Salmonella in its production environment, but took no corrective action
Gridley recorded 81 positive Salmonella environmental samples and 32 positive Salmonella vector samples between September 29, 2016 and May 16, 2018
Gridley did not implement sanitation or preventive control procedures upon finding Salmonella in its manufacturing environment
Gridley did not implement the company’s own written environmental monitoring program procedures.

The Warning Letter does not refer to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, or to any other brand or variety of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal by name, nor does it make reference to the Salmonella outbreak linked to Honey Smacks.

This Salmonella-laced production plant manufactures ready-to-eat cereals and “rice crisps intended for pet food“, according to the Warning Letter. One of the Salmonella-positive environmental samples found as a result of the FDA inspection was from the “…bottom of the roll-up door between [the] cereal coating room and [the] processing room for rice crisps intended for pet food.”

In its initial Outbreak Investigation release, CDC said, “Thirty (77%) of 39 people interviewed reported eating cold cereal. In interviews, 14 people specifically reported eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.”

The Salmonella problem at Gridley dates back almost two full years, to September 2016. It is very likely that other brands of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal manufactured in this facility during the last two years also harbor Salmonella. Some pet foods may be at risk as well.

Where are the other recalls?