Recalls and Alerts: June 27 – 30, 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.

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: FDA and CDC are alerting the public to an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses linked to papayas imported from Mexico.

Food Safety Recall: Central Aquatics recalls Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz jar; Item #100106051; Expiry dates EX04JUN22 and EX05JUN22; UPC 0 15905 06051 6) due to Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Clover Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Sanwu brand Spicy Hot Bean Curd (150g; All product codes; UPC 6 905475 352002) due to undeclared sesame and wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): VINESPA recalls certain Pandomar brand calamari products due to undeclared shellfish. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): TAYBA TRADING SPRL recalls certain YAMAN et BALADNA bulgar products due to undeclared wheat (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls four varieties of Chef Select tortelloni due to lack of Danish language allergen labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Lidl recalls My Best Veggie’s Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burger bean soup (200g; Batch code L69136; Best before July 16, 2016) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Leonidas recalls Various boxed Leonidas Belgium Chocolates due to undeclared sesame seeds and nuts.

Allergy Alert (Italy): THE LORENZ BAHLSEN SNACK-WORLD GMBH & CO KG recalls NIC NAC’S ORIGINAL (125g with Promo sticker; Lots 9205, 9222, 9232, 9252; Best before 02/16/2020, 02/27/2020, 03/03/2020, 03/17/2020) due to lack of Italian language allergen declaration.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco 2 British Cheese Burgers with Buns (469g; Use by 28, 29 and 30 June 2019 and 1, 3 and 4 July 2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Brugse Visrokerij Alloo recalls Alloo brand saumon doux fumé artisanal / mild smoked salmon (200g; Lot #32419 1306; Best before 09/07/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Kaufland Fleischwaren SB GmbH & Co. KG recalls certain K-Purland brand meat products due to foreign matter (red plastic pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Damse Kaasmakerij recalls Herbal Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 17/07/2019) and Pepper Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 11/07/2019, 17/07/2019, 22/07/2019, 23/07/2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Stübner recalls Mettwurst fein / Fine Mettwurst (sold between 05.06.2019 and 28.06.2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gül Lebensmittel und Grosshandel recalls CEBEL Kirma yesil Zeytin / Kirma green olives (700g; 20.12.2020 (Series 201218) and 21.01.2021 (Series 020119)) as the product is unsafe for consumption due to a production defect and incorrect packaging.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Zorn GmbH & Co.KG recalls certain meat products, because Salmonella was found in a raw sausage batch. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Britvic PLC recalls Robinson’s Fruit Shoot Apple and Blackcurrant bottles (24 x 200ml multipack (Tesco and Costco) and 200ml single bottle (McDonald’s); Batch codes NO5 L9164, NO5 L9171 and NO6 L9171; Best before March 2020) because the spout within the sports bottle cap may become detached unexpectedly.

Food Safety Recall (UK – Northern Ireland specific): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK): Homeland By Products Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Beef pet food (500g; Batch code 1510; Best before May 2021), Frozen Raw Turkey pet food ((500g; Batch code 1513; Best before May 2021), and Frozen Raw Tripe pet food (500g; Batch code 1518; Best before May 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Papayas from Mexico blamed for another Salmonella outbreak

For the sixth time in eight years, papayas grown in Mexico have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning consumers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island to avoid eating any fresh papayas from Mexico until further notice.

No recall has been announced.

CDC reports 62 cases of Salmonella Uganda illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, in eight states: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (12), New York (24), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1).

No deaths have been reported.

According to FDA, most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections.

By the numbers

Epidemiological evidence gathered by CDC, and product distribution information obtained by FDA, point to papayas grown in Mexico and distributed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Just over one-half of the victims are female, and approximately two-thirds of those interviewed are of Hispanic ethnicity. Ages of outbreak victims range from one to 86 years.

Of those victims who were interviewed, 76% reported having eaten papaya in the week before becoming ill.

The Florida victim reported having traveled to Connecticut in the week before becoming ill. It is unknown at this time whether the Texas victim had traveled to one of the six states to which the papayas were shipped.

FDA has not yet identified a source or grower of the contaminated papayas.

History

This is the sixth in a series of Salmonella outbreaks linked to papayas grown in Mexico and imported into the USA in the last eight years.

In 2011, Mexican papayas contaminated with Salmonella Agona were the source of a 25-state outbreak that sickened 106 individuals, sending 10 of them to hospital.

In 2017, history repeated itself four-fold. A total of 251 individuals were infected with one of several different strains of Salmonella after eating Mexico-grown papayas. Seventy-eight of the outbreak victims were hospitalized and two people died.

If history is any guide, it is likely that the number of cases and hospitalizations in this outbreak will increase.

What should consumers do?

If you have purchased a papaya grown in Mexico, throw it away.
Do not eat fruit salads or other mixes that include papayas from Mexico.
If you aren’t sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don’t eat the papaya. Throw it out.
Wash and sanitize places where papayas were stored: countertops and refrigerator drawers or shelves. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.

What should restaurants and retailers do?

In the event that restaurants, retailers and/or other food service operators are found to have handled potentially contaminated food in their facilities, they should:

Contact their local health department and communicate to their customers regarding possible exposure to a pathogen.
Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
Wash and sanitize display cases and surfaces used to potentially store, serve, or prepare potentially contaminated foods.
Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Conduct regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in processing to help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: June 19 – 23, 2019

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT (Update): FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated a multistate outbreak of foodborne illnesses associated with the consumption of raw oysters harvested in Estero El Cardon, Baja California Sur, Mexico between the dates of February 12, 2019 and April 9, 2019. As of June 21, 2019 the CDC has announced that this outbreak appears to be over. FDA has concluded that all potentially contaminated product has been recalled and the growing area of Estero El Cardon, Baja California Sur, Mexico was reopened on June 13, 2019.

OUTBREAK ALERT (Update): Several products from Brand Castle, LLC containing flour milled by ADM Milling Co. have been added to the list of recalled items potentially associated with this outbreak of E. coli O26 infections. Seventeen people have been infected with the outbreak strain to date, with three requiring hospitalization.

Food Safety Recall: Alma Pak recalls Great Value Frozen Blackberries (16 oz; Lots AP1555, AP1640, AP1655; Expiry dates 1/25/2021, 3/07/2021, 4/08/2021) and Tipton Grove Frozen Mixed Berries (12 oz; Lot AP 1700; Expiry dates 4/22/2021, 4/23/2021, 4/24/2021) due to Norovirus contamination. The frozen blackberries were imported from Chile.

Food Safety Recall: Brand Castle, LLC in conjunction with ADM Milling Co. recalls 25 oz and 32 oz glass jars of cookie and brownie mix due to potential shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. recalls a number of perishable products sold at two Long Island Target stores due to a mechanical malfunction in the temperature control during transportation. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: C&S Wholesale Grocers recalls an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. due to temperature abuse during transport. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold at two Long Island Target stores.

Food Safety Recall: UNFI recalls Woodstock frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers (10 oz pkg; Lot #60B; Expiration date April 2020) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods (West) Inc. recalls Signature Select Avocado Chunks (12 oz; Best Before OCT 11 20; UPC 2113009412) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Pâtisserie Aveline recalls MOUSSE L’ENSOLEILLÉ / Sunny mousse (Sold up to and including 20 June 2019) due to potential Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Update): France Délices Inc. recalls France Délices brand Choco-Raspberry Crunchy (95g; Product code 08519; UPC 7 74461 16122 7) due to potential Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Farinex Distribution recalls Gelsius brand IQF (frozen) Raspberries (5 x 1 kg; Lot 003; Production dates 26/09/2018 and 27/09/2018; UPC 18269030415 & 018270033134) due to Norovirus contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): H. V Jørgensen Slagterforretning recalls Rørvig Spegepølsen (350g & 700g; All best before dates up to and including 05.08.19) due to undeclared milk and soy.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): GnC Engros recalls Birkegaarden’s Tomatsuppe / Tomato soup (550 mL; Best before dates up to and including 28.08.2019) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (France): Celtigel recalls Auchan Hachis Parmentier / shepherd’s pie (1 kg; Lot #19 004; Best before 07/2020) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): SuperValu recalls SuperValu Prepared for YOU 12 INDIAN STYLE SNACKS Selection of 6 onion bhajis & 6 vegetable samosas (162g; All batches; All ‘use by’ dates) due to undeclared peanuts, nuts and sesame seeds.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Amazing Oriental recalls Xiang Xiang Crisp Cakes (200g; Expiry dates 26-09-2019 and 09-12-2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lady Fruitcake recalls Raw Strawberry-coconut bar (Batch #100; Sold from 16-04-2019 to 18-06-2019) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (UK): Shazans Foods recalls Shazans 10 Bitesize Punjabi Samosas (200g; Batch code LDS; Best before End of April 2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Yorkshire Provender recalls Yorkshire Provender brand Rustic Vegetable Broth with Kale, Lentils & Quinoa (600g; Use by 8 July 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Bio-Planet recalls Frais Devant ! Lomo brand ham (70g; All lots; Sold from 15/02/2019 to 20/06/2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Cora S.A. recalls Frais Devant ! Lomo brand ham (70g; All lots; Sold from 15/02/2019 to 20/06/2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Damse Kaasmakerij recalls Damse Mokke Koe cheese (Lot #190523; Best before 16/07/2019—17/07/2019—22/07/2019—23/07/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): FRAIS DEVANT recalls Frais Devant ! Lomo brand ham (70g; All lots; Sold from 15/02/2019 to 20/06/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): DMK Group recalls Mucci – Mini Mix Ice cream, 3 types of chocolate (12 x 50 mL; Best before 03.04.2021, 04.04.21 and 05.04.21) due to foreign matter (wood splinters) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Sprehe Geflügel- and Tiefkühlfeinkost Handels GmbH & Co. KG recall GUT&GÜNSTIG brand Knusper Dinos / Crisp Dinos (400g; Best before 01.04.2020) due to foreign matter (red plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Cora recalls Frais Devant ! Lomo brand ham (70g; All lots; Sold from 15/02/2019 to 20/06/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls various packages of Hoogvliet tartar and German steak due to potential Listeria contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls Hoogvliet grillworst naturel / grilled sausage natural (Sold in slices and pieces; Shelf life 19 to 23 June 2019) due to possible undercooking.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Semper recalls Eco äpple & pärondryck / Eco Apple & Pear Juice (Best before 22.02.2020) due to elevated chlorine levels.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England specifiic): Lactalis McLelland Ltd recalls Galloway Coloured Medium Grated Cheddar (200g; Batch code 9154G53; Best before 26 August 2019) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Eureka Operations trading as Coles Express recalls Coles Fresh Full Cream Milk (2 L; Use by date 02 JULY 2019) due to E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd recalls certain fluid milk products (Use by date 02 JULY 2019) due to potential E. coli contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.