Category: hepatitis

Recalls and Alerts: September 17, 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: Strong America Ltd (New York) recalls Huipu Chinese Wolfberry (5.28 oz clear plastic package), due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. The recalled Wolfberry was distributed in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Albany, NY.
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): USDA issues updated retail distribution list for ground turkey recalled by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation due to contamination with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway recalls Jumbo Cantaloupes from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado (supplied by Jensen Farms; sold between August 30 and September 6), because the cantaloupes may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The melons were sold in Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico (Aztec and Farmington), South Dakota and Wyoming.
  • Food Safety Recall: Del Bueno (Grandview, WA) recalls Queso Fresco Casero Fresh Cheese (16-oz. pkg; Date stamp Sept 14, 2011), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was sold in retail markets in Washington and at the Pasco, WA flea market.
  • Outbreak Alert: The City of Lubbock Texas has issued a health alert regarding a Cheddars restaurant employee who contracted hepatitis A. According to Marler Blog, the city is offering a free Hepatitis A vaccine clinic to anyone who ate at Cheddars during August 31st to September 8th, inclusive.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalls multiple lots of Cyclafem, Emoquette, Gildess, Orsythia, Previfem and Tri-Previfem oral contraceptives, due to a packaging error that makes the lot number and expiry date no longer visible. Please navigate to the Qualitest site for a list of affected lot numbers.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Five Continents International Ltd. recalls Hong Kong Zhi Zun Fu Gui Moon Cake (750g; Exp 20/10/2011), due to the presence of undeclared egg.
  • Allergy Alert: European Market Bakery recalls various European Market Bakery breads, due to the presence of undeclared milk.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Due to a packaging error, some packs of Cow and Gate Little Gourmet meals labelled (on outer sleeve) as Tender Beef Stroganoff; best before 24.6.2012; 2 x 200g bowls in an outer sleeve contained two bowls of Little Gourmet Tuscan Style Chicken Tagliatelle instead of the Tender Beef Stroganoff. This product may be unsafe for consumers who have an allergy or intolerance to egg, wheat or gluten.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): WIOS Food ApS recalls Apple Pie, Tarte aux Pommes (Product of Spain; 400g; Lot #1193C; Expiry 25/9-2011), because it contains excessive propylene glycol.
  • Food Safety Recall (Scotland): Tower Bakery recalls nine varieties of savoury product (use-by dates up to and including 29 September 2011), because the products were labelled with incorrect date codes.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Engagement Qualité Carrefour Petit Munster Fermier and Assortiment de Fromages au Lait Cru (sold between 25/08/11 and 13/09/2011, after Listeria monocytogenes was found in the cheese.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): UCB Pharma recalls VIMPAT, 15mg/ml (200ml vials; all lots; Product of Germany), after a precipitate was observed in certain vials.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Spain): UCB Pharma S.A. recalls VIMPAT 15mg/ml (200ml vials; all lots; produced by UCB Pharma GmbH, Germany), due to the appearance of precipitate in some vials.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Janssen recalls Eprex 2000 IU/ml (Lot #AHS4T00; Expiry January 2012), due to an elevated concentration of active agent.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1245): Glass fragments in glass bottles containing cider from the United Kingdom, manufactured in Belgium; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1246): Aflatoxins in ground nutmeg from Indonesia, via the Netherlands; distributed to Bulgaria, Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1248): Cadmium in horse meat from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1249): Escherichia coli O26:H11 in frozen minced veal meat from France, with raw materials from the Netherlands; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1250): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled mackerel from Norway, via Denmark; distributed to Germany, Greece and Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1252): Bemzopyrene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roasted seaweed from China; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1253): Rusty cans containing whole radish and shredded radish from China; distributed to Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU# 2011.1254): Lead in frozen rabbit haunches with bones from Austria; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU# 2011.1255): Nitrofuran in frozen prawns from China; distributed to Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (India): Thirty-seven girls at a Malegaon school were hospitalized for food poisoning after consuming khichdi at a midday meal.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Little Creatures Brewing Pty Ltd. recalls Little Creatures Pale Ale Pint (Between 7 JUL 12 and 5 Aug 12), Little Creatures Bright Ale Pint (7 APR 12) and Little Creatures The Dreadnought Single Batch Pint (4 MAY 12), because a packaging fault has resulted in the potential for glass contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Asahi Beverages recalls various Apple Time and Homebrand juices, due to the possible presence of metal shavings. Please refer to the recall notice for details of the affected products.
  • Outbreak Alert (Australia): South Australia Health has received notification of two cases of Shiga-E. coli (STEC) infections and one case of Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) in children who attended the Royal Adelaide Show. The child with HUS is receiving treatment in hospital, and is in serious but stable condition. Two of the three infected children are known to have been in contact with animals at the Animal Nursery during the Show.
  • Medical Device Safety Recall Update (Australia): Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd. recalls LifeScan OneTouch Verio blood glucose meter system kits, manufactured by LifeScan Inc., USA. Users are experiencing repeated ‘Error 2’ warning messages when used in conditions of high temperature and/or humidity due to contamination on one of the meter’s components, which occurred during the manufacturing process.

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: August 11, 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: Mama LaRosa Foods, Inc. (Taylor, MI) recalls Mama LaRosa, SOFO, Derby, and Flavor Peak Italian Style Dough Balls for use as pizza dough or bread sticks and SOFO Supreme 1 Italian Style Dough Balls for use as pizza dough or bread sticks, because the products contain undeclared wheat and milk. Please navigate via the live link to view the list of affected lot numbers. The recalled products were distributed in Michigan, Indiana, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
  • Allergy Alert: Unilever United States, Inc. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) recalls Popsicle® brand Sugar Free Orange, Cherry and Grape flavored ice pops (24-count; Date codes OCT0312GCD, OCT0412GCD, OCT0512GCD, OCT0612GCD and OCT0712GCD), due to the presence of undeclared milk. Due to an error, the boxes contain Popsicle® brand Sugar Free Healthy Bunch® Fudgsicle® and Creamsicle® ice pops. The recalled products were distributed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC (North Branch, MI) recalls McNees Ground Beef Bulk (36 – 10 lb. bags; Est 33971; Produced July 15 and July 21, 2011) because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:NM. The recalled products which were sold to restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, MI and also from McNees retail store, have been linked to nine confirmed and probable cases of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli illnesses in Lapeer, Genesse, Isabella and Sanilac counties in Michigan. Six of the nine victims were hospitalized.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Island Sea Farms Inc. (Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada) recalls raw mussels packed in 40 lb cases containing 8 x 5 lb. bags (Saltspring Island Mussels Aquacultured Edulis Mussels – 5 lbs. All lots including Lot #289), because the mussels have been linked to cases of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning in Canada. The mussels were distributed in California, Hawaii and Washington states.
  • Food Safety Recall: Specialty Commodities, Inc. (Fargo, ND) recalls Organic Spinach Flakes (10Kg net; Product of China; Lot #SF11001 and #37582), because the product is contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert Update: USDA issues updated retail distribution list for ground turkey recalled by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation due to contamination with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg. The recalled meat has been linked to a 31-state outbreak of illness that has affected 107 people and killed one.
  • Outbreak Alert: Patrons of the Olive Garden restaurant at 234 North McPherson Church Road who visited the restaurant on or before August 8, 2011 may have been exposed to a restaurant employee who was diagnosed with a hepatitis A viral infection. The Cumberland County Public Health Department has administered approximately 1,450 doses of Hepatitis A immunizations since Tuesday (August 9th), and is continuing to offer the immunization to restaurant patrons. Please refer to the County’s News Release for details on who is eligible for the immunization.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a cluster of five acute hepatitis A virus infections in Northern Lincoln County. Two cases have been confirmed. The index case reported recent international travel; the other four individuals had close contact with the first patient.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Taibah Group Inc. recalls Simba Mbili Virani Curry Powder, 100g (Sell by 31 Oct 2012; Batch 19 11), due to the presence of undeclared gluten.
  • Allergy Alert: Dorgel Ltd. recalls Farm Boy Mango Sorbet, 700 mL (Lot 1611, BB 12-06-10), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Recall: Thrifty Foods recalls several Sterling Silver brand ground beef products (Best Before August 11, 2011), because they may contain small pieces of metal and plastic. The recalled ground beef products were sold only at Thrifty Foods, Store #8-Colwood, 1860 Island Highway, Victoria, BC.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: The Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are investigating a multi-provincial outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The illnesses have been linked to consumption of White Valley brand Grain Fed Veal Liver products, which were distributed in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. (Est. 412) has recalled the implicated products.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Raw mussels from Salt Spring Island, contaminated with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning biotoxin, have sickened 50 people.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public that laboratory analysis of potable drinking water samples from Athiba Water Limited Company Factory and Manahil Al Qassim Health Water Factory revealed excessive levels of Bromate in the water samples.
  • Food Recall (Israel): Coca-Cola Israel recalls Diet Kinley Mandarin flavored beverages (1.5-liter bottles), because the beverages contain undeclared Phenylalanine.
  • Chinese Medicine Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health (DH) today (August 10) urges members of the public not to buy or use three proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) named [LuShenPai] Specific Hou Ton Qing (HTQ) (registration no.: HKP-01694; batch no.:100601), [Chung Lien] Bi Yan Pian (BYP) (registration no.: HKP-00241; batch no.:48911004), and [AA] Pe Min Kan Wan (PMKW) (registration no.: HKP-13005; batch no.: 1495), as DH’s drug surveillance programme found them to contain excessive amount of heavy metals.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a cluster of 14 food poisoning illnesses. The victims had lunch during a private party at a private clubhouse in Tsim Sha Tsui.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: May 3, 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: Mann Packing (Salinas, CA) recalls certain vegetable platter and Snacks on the Go items, because the grape tomato ingredients were supplied by Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The following items labeled with Best If Used By dates ranging from May 9, 2011 to May 16, 2011 were recalled: Small Vegetable Platter (UPC  16519 01411-6), Snacks on the Go with Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes (sold in Kroger stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Eastern WV, Eastern Kentucky, SE Ohio, in Food 4 Less, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs stores, in Stop & Shop stores, in Giant Food stores, and exported to Canada), Mann’s Large Party Platter (UPC 16519 01405-5) and Vegetable Platter Large (UPC 16519 01407-9).
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Bonaterra Products, Inc. (Maywood, CA) that a January 2011 inspection of the company’s food storage facility revealed serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human food.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Happy Crab Seafood, Inc. (Portland, OR) that a January 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 Del Bueno (Grandview, WA) that an October 2010 inspection of the company’s cheese processing establishment revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the company’s processing facility, causing its cheese products to be adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. FDA also recovered Listeria monocytogenes from two finished product samples of Queso Fresco Cheese obtained at retail stores.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: The following additional 50g Raw Organic Food Bars have been recalled due to the presence of undeclared peanuts: Chocolately Chocolate Chip (Lot codes 1062810, 3062810, 1072810, 1102010), Chocolate Coconut (Lot codes 5071210, 4072810, 3081710, 2092010, 4102010), Cinnamon Raisin (Lot codes 2062410, 2070910, 2083110) and Fibre Chocolate Delite (Lote codes 5062810, 6072110, 1092010). The recalled products are known to have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario, and may be distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mastronardi Produce Ltd. (Kingsville, ON) recalls Field & Farm brand Grape tomatoes (1 pint clamshell; Lot #40398) and Compliemnts brand Santalina Grape tomatoes (280g; Lot #40664 in Quebec and #40640 & 40664 in Atlantic Canada), because the tomatoes may be contaminated with Salmonella Anatum. The Farm & Field product was sold in Ontario by Metro Ontario Inc., and the Compliments product was distributed by Sobeys in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and at the Bonichoix located at 1244 St-Augustin Road, Embrun, Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mann Packing (Salinas, CA) Snacks on the Go with Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes (UPC 16519 01505-2), because the grape tomato ingredients were supplied by Six L’s (Immokalee, FL) and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Dietary Supplement Enforcement Action (Hong Kong): A woman has been arrested following an investigation into the suspected illegal sale of a slimming product, Botanical Slimming, which was found to contain two banned Western drugs – phenolphthalein and sibutramine – both of which can cause serious side effects.
  • Outbreak Alert (PRC): More than 70 villagers in Baise (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning after attending a private banquet in the village. The youngest victim was a 6-month old baby. None of the illnesses are life-threatening.
  • Outbreak Alert (PRC): More than 200 people were sickened after eating lunch at Ruizhou Grand Restaurant in Datong City. Four of the victims are in serious condition. The outbreak victims were celebrants at two weddings and a birthday party held in the restaurant.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (PRC): Fourteen people in northern China have been convicted and received prison sentences – two of them for life – for their involvement in producing or selling melamine-adulterated milk powder. Fifty-three officials have been discharged, demoted, or given lesser punishment for their involvement in the same cases.
  • Outbreak Alert (Abu Dhabi): Some 117 workers at a labor camp were taken to Mount Zayed Hospital after falling ill with vomiting, nausea, fever and diarrhea. An additional 119 workers were treated for their food poisoning symptoms at the camp. The cause of the food poisoning outbreak is under investigation by the Abu Dhabi Health and Food Control Authorities.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of typhoid fever has sickened 98 residents of the remote village of Sappaac, Bangued, Abra in the northern Philippines. Water from a shallow well – the main source of drinking water for the village – was found to be contaminated with Salmonella typhi.
  • Outbreak Alert (Egypt): More than 62 students living on-campus at the University of Tanta Bsbarbai developed food poisoning; 18 were hospitalized for treatment. A committee has been formed to look into the cause of the incident.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mozambique): One person has died and four others were hospitalized in Maputo, following an outbreak of cholera in the Costa do Sol neighborhood of the Mozambican capital. This is the first reported outbreak of cholera in Maputo since 2007.
  • Outbreak Alert (Japan): The number of illnesses in the Fukui Prefecture outbreak of E. coli O111 has risen to fifty-six; two boys have died. The victims all consumed a raw meat dish called Yukhoe, served at restaurants run by Foods Forus Co.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Therapeutic Goods Safety Advisory (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns consumers that Natural Vigra VIAGRA Tablets, sold over the Internet contain therapeutic quantities of the prescription medication sildenafil. Natural Vigra is sold as a 100% herbal product. Sildenafil may be harmful – especially to people with a history of cardiovascular disease – if taken without the supervision of a medical professional.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Venezuela): Ninety cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Arenas. Most of the victims are students in primary and secondary schools in Arenas.

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.