Category: norovirus

Recalls and Alerts: May 15, 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: Cinderella Sweets (Woodmere, NY) recalls Shabtai brand Kosher for Passover cookies with an “egg free” notation on the product label, even though the products contain egg. The ingredient label and allergy statement both indicate the presence of egg in the recalled cookies. The recall encompasses Shabtai Gourmet Daisy Cookies, Shabtai Gourmet Leaf Cookies, Shabtai Gourmet Coconut Macaroons, and Shabtai Gourmet Choc Coated Coconut Macaroons only.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rose & Shore Meat Co. (Vernon, CA) recalls Olympic Gold Beef Pastrami (Lot #20911; Lot code 10951), Rose and Shore N.Y. Style Pastrami (Lot #20911; Lot code 10951), Cooked Angus Roast Beef (Lot #20941; Use by 05-17-11), and Togo’s Pastrami (Lot #20911; Use by 05-23-11), because the products may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Togo’s Sandwiches has announced that the company has taken measures to ensure that none of the recalled pastrami is currently being used in any of its restaurants.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Mann Packing reissues and expands its voluntary recall of Party Trays and Snacks on the Go items containing grape tomatoes, because one item was inadvertently omitted from a follow-up announcement. Please refer to the revised recall notice for a complete list of recalled products that were distributed in the USA and Canada.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification: FDA warns the public about a counterfeit version of ExtenZe dietary supplements. The counterfeit products bear Lot #1110075 or Lot #F050899, and contain tadalafil or a combination of tadalafil and sildenafil, which are prescription medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification: FDA warns consumers not to use products marketed as dietary supplements that also claim to be antimicrobial drugs.
  • Pet Product Safety Alert: FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine warns pet owners to be cautious when using an unapproved animal drug product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo (0.1% phytosphingosine), distributed by Sogeval Laboratories, Inc. (Coppell, TX), after receiving a report of the death of a woman who used the product on her dog. The woman, who had severe, preexisting asthma, had a sudden, severe asthma attack and died while bathing a dog with this product. A few days later, according to the FDA report, another asthmatic family member bathed the dog using the same product and experienced a mild asthma attack, but recovered.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Worcester, MA): The gastrointestinal illness outbreak that affected some 200 people who ate Easter brunch at Luciano’s Cotton Club restaurant is thought to have been caused by a norovirus, which was spread by an infected employee. Three food handlers at the restaurant had symptoms of gastroenteritis, and one of them tested positive for norovirus. The outbreak could not be traced to any single food item, making direct or indirect contact with the infected employee the most likely explanation for the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Kane County, IL): Thirteen people – 12 from Illinois and one from Minnesota – have now been confirmed as having been infected with a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Nine of the 13 individuals reported eating at Portillo’s restaurant in St. Charles, IL during April. Three of the victims were hospitalized, but all have been released.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises that Punjabi Wadi Spicy Lentil Chunks (Product of India; Asian, afc, and BANSI brands) have been recalled by the importers, due to the presence of undeclared wheat. The products may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Mann Packing reissues and expands its voluntary recall of Party Trays and Snacks on the Go items containing grape tomatoes, because one item was inadvertently omitted from a follow-up announcement. Please refer to the revised recall notice for a complete list of recalled products that were distributed in the USA and Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall Update: Lidl Germany recalls St. Maarten Classic Cheeses Slices, 200g packages, sold prior to May 11, 2011 in Lidl stores in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony only. The recall was undertaken after Belgomilk detected Listeria monocytogenes in batches of cheeses produced in its Moorslede facility and recalled all cheeses manufactured in that factory.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Northland, New Zealand): Norovirus has claimed the lives of two elderly residents of Northland resthomes, and has sickened at least 298 people in five different resthomes in the region in the last month. The dead include Betty Friend (May 5th at Puriri Court Resthome) and Ian Grant (April 27th at Jane Mander Retirement Village. Mr. Grant suffered from a muscle wasting condition and was confined to his unit, raising concerns that he may have contracted the infection through a staff member.

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 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: Doctor’s CarbRite Diet (New Brunswick, NJ) recalls certain 2-ounce Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Bars and 3-ounce Universal Hi Protein Bars (Expiry dates on or before June 30, 2012), because the bars may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled bars were distributed nationwide through a variety of channels, including health food stores, gyms, and e-commerce sites. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected products.
  • Allergy Alert: Oberweis Dairy, Inc. (North Aurora, IL) recalls Brownie Fudge Twirl Ice Cream (qt-size; Plant #17-61; all dates) because the product contains undeclared eggs. The recalled ice cream was distributed mostly through the company’s retail stores and through its home delivery service with limited distribution through seven grocery locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
  • Allergy Alert/Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list forSmithfield Packing Company’s recent recall of Portobello Mushroom Pork Loin products due to the presence of undeclared whey.
  • Food Safety Recall: Goodness Gardens, Inc. (New Hampton, NY) recalls Goodness Gardens Chives (various sizes and packaging; Lot #0201111; Sell by date of May 6) after the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection detects Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the product. The recalled chives were distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama, Illinois and Virginia, primarily to retail stores, and to one wholesaler in Pennsylvania.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. (Horsham, PA) recalls Entenmann’s bagged Pop’Ems donuts (Powdered, Cinnamon, and Rich Frosted varieties) and Bimbo 8-pack Donitas donuts (Sugared, Powdered, and Chocolate Frosted varieties). The Entenmann’s donuts (Code dates: May 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29, 2011 and June 1, 2, 6, 2011) were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. The Bimbo products (Code dates: May 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29, 2011 and June 1, 2, 6, 2011) were shipped to Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mountain Pure Water Company is advised by the Arkansas Department of Health to recall Great Value bottled water (16.9 fl. oz.; Sell by date of 10-06-11) after the agency finds  a biological contaminant in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recallsBelgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were distributed in the USA.
  • Outbreak Alert – Cholera: FDA advises consumers, restaurant operators, commercial shippers and processors of shellfish not to eat, serve, purchase, sell or ship oysters from Area 1642 in Apalachicola Bay, FL, because the oysters may be contaminated with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae serogroup O75. Nine persons have been reported with illness. For eight, the illness was confirmed as caused by toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O75; laboratory confirmation is pending in the other person. All nine people reported consumption of raw or lightly steamed oysters that were traced back to Area 1642. The oysters were distributed initially in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina; however, secondary distribution to other states may have taken place.
  • Outbreak Alert – Salmonella: Kane County Health Department, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health Laboratories and other local health departments are investigating 10 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses with a matching genetic pattern, which have been reported in the state in the past two weeks. Two additional cases are awaiting lab confirmation. Cases in other states also have been identified. Seven of the affected people reported having eaten at Portillo’s in St. Charles, IL, during April. No specific food item has been identified. Portillo’s is a chain of casual dining restaurants with more than 30 locations in Illinois, one in Indiana and two in California.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Gagan Foods International Limited recalls Haldiram’s Nagpur brand Gulab Jamun Indian Sweets (1-kg; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recallsBelgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were distributed in Canada.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (EU): Belgomilk scrl (Moorslede, Belgium) recalls Belgolight, Bocholter fromage à pain, Brugge d’Or, Nazareth Light & Classic, Affligem Tranches and Belgolight Jeune cheeses (all product sold before May 11, 2011), after Listeria monocytogenes is detected in certain production lots. At least some of the recalled cheeses were sold in Colruyt, OKay, Alvo and Spar retail stores. Please refer to the recall notices for additional details. The recalled cheeses also were distributed in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, the United Kingdom and the USA (EU #2011.0619).
  • Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): B.K. SA (Versele-Laga) recalls Nutritional Balance Lamb & Rice all breeds Growth (1-kg: Lots OW 246, OW 320, OW 321; 3-kg: Lots OW 221, OW 320, OW 321, OX 039, OX 040; 15-kg: Lots OW 222, OW 249, OW 291, OW 312, OW 336, OW 356, OX 025, OX 055) after receiving reports that some puppies who were fed Lamb & Rice Growth experienced behavioral problems and, in some cases, epileptic seizures. According to the company’s web site, its animal food products are marketed in more than 75 countries.
  • Outbreak Alert (Russia): As many as 202 people in Izhevsk have been infected with Salmonella after eating food in from the cafeteria and vending operations at Izhevsk City Electric Transport Enterprise. Nineteen of the victims are cafeteria workers; 158 are employed by Izhevsk Electric Transport, and an additional 25 people simply ate at the cafeteria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0617): Altered organoleptic characteristics of frozen pike perch filets from Estonia; distributed to Finland.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2011.0618): Excessive selenium in food supplement from the United Kingdom; distributed to Austria, Germany the Netherlands and Switzerland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0620): Dimethoate in fresh cucumbers from Greece; distributed to Greece.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0621): Formetanate and clofentezine in fresh peppers from Turkey; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0622): Aflatoxins in pistachio paste from Italy; distributed to Spain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (PRC): Food safety authorities in Dongguan (Guangdong Province) raided two plants producing illegal cooking oil, known as “gutter oil” after receiving tips from the public. The illegal oil is made from leftover oil that is dredged from gutters behind restaurants, processed and resold to other restaurants.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected cases of ciguatoxin poisoning that affected four people who consumed coral reef fish that was purchased from a fish stall in a wet market in Fanling.
  • Outbreak Alert (Fiji): The Ministry of Health has imposed a temporary ban on all public gatherings in Bua province after recording 41 cases of typhoid in the province since January.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (New Zealand): Health officials in Northland are monitoring an outbreak of Norovirus gastroenteritis that has been confirmed in one Northland rest home; four rest homes in Whangarei are under public health surveillance. As many as 283 people have either been confirmed or are suspected to be suffering from the viral infection.

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 7, 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: Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products, Inc. (Downers Grove, IL) recalls Target Market Pantry Snickerdoodles Cookies, 15-oz. clear clamshell pkg. (Lot #110592W03, 110933W03, 110941W03, 111152W03 and 111232W03), because the product contains undeclared whey. The recalled product was distributed nationwide to Target retail stores beginning in March 2011.
  • Food Recall: Food City recalls Food Club French Roast Coffee, 11.05-oz can and Food Club Classic Decaf Can Coffee, 13-oz can.
  • Outbreak Alert: CDC is investigating an outbreak of diarrhea that has affected 66 passengers and three crew members on the Coral Princess (Princess Cruises). Cruise ships are obliged to report to CDC illness outbreaks affecting 3% or more of the passenger roster on any cruise. The affected voyage was completed on May 4th. Onboard tests for Norovirus were negative; CDC is analyzing stool samples from passengers and crew to try to determine the cause of the outbreak.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The South Dakota Department of Health has determined that Norovirus was the cause of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis that sickened about 130 children at Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School in Mitchell.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): La Marche Francais recalls Fromi Ossau Iraty raw milk sheep’s cheese, imported from France and sold at its Thorndon Quay deli and at the City Market between April 15 and April 26, because the cheese was found by the manufacturer to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was exported to New Zealand and to several European countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Domincan Republic): A Haitian man died of cholera, bringing the total number of cholera-related deaths to 13 since the outbreak spread into the Dominican Republic from Haiti last year; 34 new cases of cholera were confirmed during the last week.

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.