Category: peanut butter

FDA Confirms Salmonella Outbreak Strain At Sunland Facility

FDA announced today (October 13th) that it has confirmed a genetic match between the strain of Salmonella Bredeney that has sickened 35 persons and the strain that the agency recovered from Sunland Inc.‘s nut butter production environment in Portales, New Mexico.

In addition, FDA recovered Salmonella from the environment of a separate building where peanuts are processed, and from raw peanuts sampled in that building. Yesterday, Sunland expanded its previous recalls yet again to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts. The company has ceased production and distribution of all products from both its nut butter facility and its peanut processing facility.

CDC first reported the outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney illnesses on September 22nd. At that time, epidemiological evidence pointed to Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt as the likely source of the outbreak. Subsequent tests carried out by the Washington State Department of Agriculture recovered the outbreak strain from an opened jar of Trader Joe’s Valencia Cream Peanut Butter collected from the home of an outbreak victim.Trader Joe’s peanut and other nut butter products are manufactured by Sunland, Inc.

As of October 5th, 35 outbreak illnesses were confirmed in 19 states; eight people hospitalized; no deaths. Illness onset dates range from June 14, 2012 to September 18, 2012. Illnesses were reported by Arizona (1), California (5), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).

Here’s what FDA had to say today:

The FDA announced that on October 12, Sunland Inc. expanded its ongoing recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts sold in quantities from 2 ounces to 50 pounds which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.

Since late September, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health officials have been investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections linked to a peanut butter made by Sunland Inc. As part of the continuing investigation, the FDA has been inspecting the Sunland Inc. production facilities, including a building in which peanuts are processed and a separate building in which nut butters are made. FDA testing has found the presence of Salmonella in raw peanuts from the peanut processing facility. Environmental samples taken from this building also show the presence of Salmonella. Environmental samples are samples taken from various surfaces in the production or manufacturing facility that would likely harbor bacteria.

Additionally, FDA analysis has confirmed that environmental samples showing the presence of Salmonella in Sunland’s nut butter facility have a DNA fingerprint that is the same as the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

Sunland Inc. reports that it has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its nut butter facility and its peanut processing facility.

Sunland raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers are distributed primarily under the company’s own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet.

A list of all products being recalled by Sunland Inc. can be found in the company’s recall announcement.

Consumers should not eat the recalled products. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems.

The latest recall expansion already is triggering an additional series of secondary and tertiary recalls as Sunland’s customers scramble to pull foods containing the recalled peanuts and nut butters off the market. eFoodAlert’s Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recall page will be updated to reflect the additional recalls.

Recalls and Alerts: September 28, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Grand BK (Maspeth, NY) recalls goodies by nature brand Black Mix Crisp and Crisp Mix (7-oz plastic containers; All products sold prior to July 27, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared peanut.
  • Food Safety Recall: Harry and David, LLC recalls Harry & David® Crunchy Almond and Peanut Butter, Harry & David® Creamy Banana Peanut Spread, and Harry & David® Creamy Raspberry Peanut Spread (Best By dates of 01MAY13 through 24SEPT13), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The following multi-component food items also are affected: Harry & David® Apple Snack Box, Wolferman’s® Bee Sweet Gift Basket, Wolferman’s® Hearty Snack Gift Basket, Wolferman’s® All-Day Assortment Gift Basket, and Wolferman’s® Father’s Day Basket (Lot codes 1212M through 2372M, 1212H through 2372H, or 1212C through 2372C).
  • Food Safety Recall: Justin’s recalls Justin’s brand Classic Peanut Butter Jars (16 oz; UPC 855188003004; Best by 08-07-13), Honey Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs (1.15 oz; UPC 855188003042; Best by 07-24-13, 07-25-13) and Honey Peanut Butter 0.5 oz Squeeze Pack (0.5 oz; UPC 894455000391; Best by 07-14-13, 08-10-13, 08-13-13, 08-14-13, 08-15-13), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dale and Thomas Popcorn recalls the following flavors of Indiana-brand popcorn products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes: Aged White Cheddar, Almond Biscotti, American Cheese, Apple Crisp, Bacon Ranch, Black & White Drizzle, Caramel, Caramel Roasted Peanuts, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Sugar Drizzle, Dark Fudge Chocolate Chip Drizzle, Kettlecorn, Salt & Pepper, and Wasabi Reserve. Please refer to the recall notice for complete information on package sizes and “Best By” dates. The recalled products were distributed to various retailers (including Walmart), vendors, distribution centers and consumers through the Internet on or after August 8, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Oregon Ice Cream Company recalls Alden’s Organic Peanut Butter ‘n Chip Ice Cream (48 oz; UPC 0 72609 74191 2; Code dates 12195-12261) and Cascade Glacier Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream (3 gal; UPC 0 72609 60082 0; Code date 12223), because they contain peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Jer’s™ Chocolates recalls Peanut Butter Bars (3.0 oz; Original, Pretzo, Toffee and Caramella varieties), Jer’s Squares (16-oz Gable Box – Original/Pretzo) and Jer’s Squares Gable Box (4.0 oz; Original, Pretzo, Toffee and Caramella varieties), because the products contain peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: DOG for DOG, LLC recalls DOGSBUTTER brand DOG for DOG All Natural Jarred Peanut Butter Treat for Dogs (Manufacturing dates of May 1 through September 24, 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Fromagerie des Grondines (Deschambault-Grondines, QC) recalls Fromage Grand 2 (variable weight; Package dates before 21 September 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. One product-related illness has been reported.
  • Food Safety Recall: Champ’s Mushrooms (Aldergrove, BC) recalls Champ’s Mushrooms brand Sliced Crimini Mushrooms (200g / UPC 6 78286 99933 4 / Code 260 S4189; 227g / UPC 6 78286 88877 5 / Codes PO 15SEP2012 or PO 16SEP2012; and 454g / UPC 6 78286 88881 2 / Codes PO 15SEP2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled mushrooms were distributed in Alberta and British Columbia and may also have been distributed in other provinces.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has expanded its earlier Health Hazard Alert to include additional products and retail distribution information for Energy Nuggets (Imported from USA). These products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Please refer to the recall notice for full details.
  • Food Safety Recall: Costco advises its customers that XL Foods Inc. has expanded its recall to include additional beef and beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Some of this recalled beef may have been produced and sold in Costco Wholesale warehouses between August 28 and September 27, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: JD Sweid Foods Ltd. recalls various Ground Beef Patties supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market, because the beef may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Europe

  • Outbreak Alert (Germany): The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the Robert Koch Institute are investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis that appears to be food-related. As of 28 September 2012, at least 4,658 cases have been reported in Brandenburg (1,194), Berlin (600 or more), Saxony (2,100) and Thuringia (764). Most of the outbreak victims are children and teenagers. Earliest onset of illness was the evening of September 25th, with additional cases occurring on September 27th and 28th. Most cases have been of short duration and self-limiting. Authorities believe that the outbreak is related mainly to canteens at child and adolescent care facilities. All of the suspect facilities were supplied with meals by the same food service company. Lab studies of patients and food samples are in progress.
  • Allergy Alert: Flying Trade withdraws Big Bamboo Jamaican Irish Moss Vanilla Flavoured Drink (284 ml; Best Before end date 24 February 2014) because the product contains milk that is not mentioned on the label.
  • Food Safety Recall (Germany): Lackmann Fleisch- und Feinkost GmbH recalls  Tuschonka Vostochnaya Turkey in its own juice (400g cans; Expiry 17/02/2013; SKU #167) and Tuschonka is Konini Horse Meat in its own juice (400g cans; Expiry 17/02/2013; SKU #155), due to a lack of heat treatment.
  • Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Foppen recalls Smoked Salmon (Oval logo on the packaging containing the codes EL-41A82EC or EN-6115EG; All lots), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled smoked salmon was sold by stores in the Albert Heijn, Aldi and Superunie supermarket chains.
  • Food Safety Recall: P&B (Foods) Limited recalls Heera Dry Dates (various package sizes, batch codes and Best before dates), due to insect infestation. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.
  • Topical Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Laboratoire ARROW Génériques recalls Amorolfine Arrow 5% medicated nail polish (Lot K004; Expiry 03/2014), due to an error in the expiration date, which should be shown as 2013 instead of 2014.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Oral Medication Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to buy or consume the oral product called Long Ren Tang Fu She Gu Rang Jiao Nang, as it contains multiple undeclared and unauthorized Western drugs, including including diclofenac, piroxicam, indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen, dipyridamole, hydrochlorothiazide, metoclopramide and cimetidine.

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: September 27, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: General Mills recalls Almond Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars (6-count boxes; Better if used by date 26FEB2013) because the product may contain undeclared peanuts, due to a packaging error.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chattanooga Bakery Inc. recalls MoonPie® Crunch brand Peanut Butter Crunchy Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (9.6 oz/272g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13) and MoonPie Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (2.4 oz/68g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13), because the products contain peanut butter supplied by Sunland, Inc., and may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Forever Cheese Inc. recalls Marte brand Ricotta Salata Frescolina cheese (Product of Italy; All lots and production codes, including T5086/440220, T5520/440315, T6048/440417, T6528/440519, T7012/440703, T7452/440601, T7939/440822, T8419/441003, T8899/441020, T9425/441202, T9962/441227, U1392/450126), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was sold between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012 to distributors for retailers and restaurants in AL, CA, CO, CT, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market recalls Peanut Butter Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case), Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case) and Mini Peanut Butter Cookie (12 pk; PLU 22096100000), because they were made using peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cookies were sold before Sept. 29, 2012 in all Whole Foods Market stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gretchen’s Shoebox Express recalls Evolution Fresh Cinnamon Apple & Almond Butter Sandwich (5.75 oz; UPC 762111926371; Enjoy By 07/26/12 – 09/25/12) and Evolution Fresh Almond Butter (2 oz; UPC 762111-26838; Enjoy By 08/07/12 – 10/07/12), because the Almond Butter contained in both products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were supplied to two Evolution Fresh stores in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington from 7/24/12 to 9/23/12.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh & Easy recalls several nut butters marked with Best Before dates from May 1, 2013 to September 24, 2013 due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled items, which were sold at fresh&easy, include: Sunland Creamy Peanut Butter Salt Free (16 oz), Sunland Tahini (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (40 oz), fresh&easy Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Organic Creamy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Goodness Creamy Valencia Peanut Butter (8 / 1.1 oz cups), fresh&easy Deli Box Protein Power Lunch, and fresh&easy Creamy Cashew Butter.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway expands its earlier recall of ground beef products to include all fresh ground beef sold from the self-service meat cooler and full-service meat counter with Sell By dates of 08-28-12 to 09-23-12, as these products include trimmings that were subject to XL Foods Inc.’s expanded recall and may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This includes all items that use fresh ground beef as an ingredient, such as meatballs, sliders and gourmet burgers. The expanded recall also includes additional pre-packaged products distributed by Interstate Meat Distributors. The expanded recall includes Safeway stores in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington (State).
  • Food Safety Recall: Publix Super Markets recalls Publix Hearts of Romaine (Chopped Hearts of Romaine), supplied by Ready Pac (10-oz pkg; UPC 41415 03886; Distributed to Publix stores between September 8, 2012 through September 20, 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Romaine was supplied to Publix stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and in the following Florida counties: Alachua, Baldwin, Bay, Beaufort, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Clay, Coffee, Columbia, Dougherty, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Glynn, Houston, Jasper, Lee, Leon, Lowndes, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Putnam, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, Suwannee, Thomas, Tift, Volusia and Walton.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases updated retail distribution list for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express Incorporated recalls Hearts of Romaine salad (18 oz.; expired Use By Date of September 26, 2012; Product Code H256808), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in the Northeast and Midwest USA, possibly including CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, and WASHINGTON D.C.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods Inc. (Est 38) expands earlier recall to include additional ground beef products and retail distribution information. The recalled products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Costco recalls Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks (Packed On dates 12/SE/04, 12/SE/05, 12/SE/06 & 12/SE/07), because the steaks may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled product was sold September 4, 2012 through September 7, 2012 at Costco Wholesale store #156 (13650, 50th Street, Edmonton, AB). Alberta Health officials have linked this product to four cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Edmonton.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kiosque Geneviève Gingras (Saint-Marc-des Carrières, QC), recalls sauce à spaghetti maison/homestyle spaghetti sauce (500ml glass  Mason jars; All lots), because the product does not carry a “Garder réfrigéré” warning and may not be safe for human consumption if stored without refrigeration.
  • Food Safety Recall: JD Sweid Foods Ltd. recalls various beef patties and burgers supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the White Spot, Burger King, DQ, Nossack Fine Meats, and W brands; some products were supplied unbranded.
  • Food Safety Recall: Centennial Foodservice recalls various ground beef products supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the Keg Brands and Centennial Foodservice brands.
  • Food Safety Recall: Groupe Phoenicia Inc. recalls Phoenicia Wildflower Honey Grade No. 1 Amber (500g / UPC 7 70338 19108 3 / Code 3421 E12-2014;  1 kg / UPC 7 70338 19111 3 / Code 0302 EX01-2015), due to the presence of drug residues. The recalled product was sold through retailers nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts Canadians to the recall of Sunridge Farms brand Energy Nuggets (Product of USA), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold from the Organic Bulk section of Fortino’s (55 Mountainash Road, Brampton, ON) between September 5 and September 26, 2012).
  • Food Safety Recall: Transilvania Trading (Vancouver, BC) recalls Trader Joe’s Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0094 0795; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013) and Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0098 9275; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold at Transilvania Trading (Pirate Joe’s), 3474 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): La Cucina Italiana recalls all expiration dates of Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Chicken, frozen (2 pieces/380g), Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Beef, frozen (2 pieces/280g), and Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables, frozen (2 pieces/380g), because the products contain undeclared egg.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Natur’Inov sprl recalls Holle Bouillie 3 céráles / Holle Babypap 3 granen (Product of Germany; 250g; Lot R11171; Expiry date 25/04/2013), after traces of Ochratoxin A in excess of the legal limit were found in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Det Eksotiske Catering ApS recalls Wheat Kernel Salad (325g; Best before 28.09.2012), Exotic pasta salad with chicken (275g; Best before 28.09.2012), Humus (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012) and Cacik, Tzatziki (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012), because Listeria was detected in the products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Tip Top Fiskeindustri A/S recalls Fresh Herring Fillets, bulk (Sold beginning on 11/9-2012), after high levels of histamine were found in the product.
  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.1300): Ochratoxin A in Holle brand organic baby mash from Switzerland/Germany; distributed to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1364): Salmonella enterica in beef meat from Germany; distributed to Sweden.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.1366): Undeclared egg in spring rolls from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1367): Salmonella in moringa powder from India; distributed to Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1368): Parasitic infestation of ham from Italy; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1370): Histamine in fresh vacuum packed tuna loin from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1371): Salmonella in clams from Italy; distributed to Italy and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1372): Insect larvae infestation in dates from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

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.