Category: pet food

Recall Roundup: January 29, 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: Keebler® (Battle Creek, MI) recalls Fudge Shoppe® Jumbo Fudge Sticks (8-count cartons; UPC 3010053332; Lot code AS 07 27 1A), sold at convenience stores, because the packages contain Jumbo Peanut Butter Sticks; peanuts are not declared on the carton label.
  • Allergy Alert: Publix Super Markets recalls Publix Premium Light Tiramisu Ice Cream (UPC 41415-13343; Lot code Sep 12 2011 B7 PLT 12-444), because the ice cream contains undeclared almonds, due to a packaging error. The recalled ice cream was available in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee.
  • Allergy Alert: Nina Mia, Inc. (Fullerton, CA) recalls Pasta Mia Veal Ravioli Gastronomica (6-lb case; Est. No. 20314; Produced from Feb 11, 2010 to Sept 24, 2010), because the products contain undeclared soy. The recalled ravioli products were shipped to food service establishments in California.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: The Hawaii State Department of Health issues a revised list of recalled products manufactured by First Commercial Kitchen LLC. The products identified on the list may have been manufactured under inadequate control measures and pose a potential health risk if consumed. First Commercial Kitchen LLC has requested a hearing to contest the State’s issuance of a Notice of Permit Suspension and Order to Cease and Desist.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Circle City Marketing and Distributing, d.b.a. Candy Dynamics (Indianapolis, IN) recalls all flavors and lots of Toxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge products, 0.3 oz/8g size, because some of the product contains elevated levels of lead that surpass the FDA limit. The recalled Nuclear Sludge® products were distributed in the USA, Canada, Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Korea, Mexico and El Salvador.
  • Food Safety Alert: The California Department of Public Health warns the public not to consume certain fresh cilantro distributed by Tanimura & Antle (Salinas, CA), because the cilantro may be contaminated with Salmonella. The implicated cilantro was sold at retail locations in California from January 14 through January 28th, in bunches containing a white twist-tie printed with blue lettering containing the words “Produce of USA, Cilantro #4889.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bavan Food Company recalls Bavan brand Santra Goli and Bavan brand Khati Mithi Goli candies after the California Department of Public Health finds unacceptable levels of lead in the products.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Merrick Pet Care, Inc. (Amarillo, TX) recalls Jr. Texas Taffy pet treats (Item #27077; UPC #02280827077; All lots up to and including 10364), because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled pet treats were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the United States.
  • Animal Feed Safety Recall: Manna Pro Products, LLC recalls Family Farm Complete Horse 10 horse feed (40-lb bags; Lot 1006; UPC 0 95668 90151 6), because the feed may contain monensin sodium, a medication that can be fatal to horses if fed at sufficiently high levels. The recalled batch of feed was distributed January 11, 2011 through January 21, 2011 to retailers in California, Nevada and Oregon.
  • Food Recall/Withdrawal: Food City advises its customers that Food Club Premium Self-Rising Flour (8-lb bag) has been recalled/withdrawn.
  • Alcohol Prep Pad/Swab Recall Update: GlaxoSmithKline advises that patients using Arixtra Starter Kits titled “Looking Ahead with ARIXTRA” should immediately discontinue using the Triad alcohol prep pads included in the kits. Instead, patients should use alcohol prep pads from another manufacturer or use a sterile gauze pad moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public that Wally & Molly Salt Water Taffy (190g packages; UPC 6 28162 81013 0) has been recalled by the importer because it contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled candy was distributed across Canada.
  • Allergy Alert: Marché Richelieu (Longueuil, QC) recalls Salade de patates Mérite and Salade de macaroni, because the salads may contain several undeclared allergens, including milk, fish, shellfish, nuts, and sesame seeds.
  • Food Safety Recall (Update): Circle City Marketing and Distributing, d.b.a. Candy Dynamics (Indianapolis, IN) recalls all Toxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge® products (all flavours; Product of Pakistan), because the candy may contain lead in excess of the permitted levels.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: True North Nutrition (the importer and distributor) has been asked by Health Canada to recall Nutrex Research Lipo 6X, because it contains caffeine and synephrine. These ingredients may cause serious adverse reactions in some individuals.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall Update (Ireland): Circle City Marketing and Distributing, d.b.a. Candy Dynamics (Indianapolis, IN) recalls all flavors and lots ofToxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge products, 0.3 oz/8g size, because some of the product contains elevated levels of lead that surpass the FDA limit. The recalled Nuclear Sludge® products were distributed in the USA, Canada, Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Korea, Mexico and El Salvador.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0103): Unauthorized substance morpholine in lemons from Turkey; distributed to Greece.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0104): Prohibited substance chloramphenicol in vitamins for feed from China; distributed to Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation and Sweden.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0105): Salmonella and high count of Enterobacteriaceae in dog chew from Thailand; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0106 and #2011.0109): Diazinon in tajerleaf from the Dominican Republic; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0107): Methomyl in fresh papaya from Thailand; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0108): Carbendazim in papaya from the Dominican Republic; distributed to the Netherlands.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0110): Wires in starches from Germany; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0111): Prohibited substance chloramphenicol in frozen shrimps from India; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall Update: Circle City Marketing and Distributing, d.b.a. Candy Dynamics (Indianapolis, IN) recalls all flavors and lots ofToxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge products, 0.3 oz/8g size, because some of the product contains elevated levels of lead that surpass the FDA limit. The recalled Nuclear Sludge® products were distributed in the USA, Canada, Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Korea, Mexico and El Salvador.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Biofarm Products recalls its Bush Honey Yoghurt (1-litre containers; Best before March 5) after lab tests detect E. coli.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Recall Update: Circle City Marketing and Distributing, d.b.a. Candy Dynamics (Indianapolis, IN) recalls all flavors and lots ofToxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge products, 0.3 oz/8g size, because some of the product contains elevated levels of lead that surpass the FDA limit. The recalled Nuclear Sludge® products were distributed in the USA, Canada, Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Korea, Mexico and El Salvador.

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.

Recall Roundup: January 6, 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.

Canada
  • Allergy Alert: Mocaroma (Canada) Ltd. (Scarborough, ON) recalls Dai Pai Dong brand No Sugar Added Instant Soya Milk (160g box; Best before 31-10-11), because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled instant soya milk was distributed in Ontario.
Europe
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Wm Morrisons Supermarkets PLC recalls Morrisons Free From Chocolate and Orange Bar, 35g (Best before end December 2011) because the product contains undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): SFC Ltd. recalls SFC Chicken Mini Fillets, 200g (Best before December 2011 and March 2012; Batch codes L0315 and L0336, respectively), because the product contains undeclared celery. The recalled product is only sold in Sainsbury’s stores.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): The Food Safety Authority of Ireland warns consumers that soya was detected in Amaizin Organic Chilli Cornrolls (Best before 14.04.2011; Batch code 301950331). The soya was not declared on the product label.
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (Ireland): UK authorities have requested a withdrawal of Natco Brown Basmati Rice (Product of Pakistan; Batch No. 0902107067; Best before 28.02.2012), due to the presence of aflatoxins. Some of the implicated product was distributed to a small number of food businesses in Cork and Dublin, and has been withdrawn from sale.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Aguettant recalls Aguettant brand Morphine (chlorhydrate) 10 mg/ml – 1 ml injectable solution, after an ampoule of Atropine was found in a box of ampoules labelled Morphine.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0012): Salmonella Agona in rapeseed meal from Belgium; distributed to Finland.
  • Pet Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0013): Salmonella Senftenberg in dog chew from India; distributed to Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0014): Salmonella in pork fat from Germany; distributed to Italy.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2011.0015): Undeclared soya in chili flavoured corn chips from the Netherlands; distributed to Ireland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0016): Aflatoxins in unsalted pistachio nuts in shell from Italy; distributed to Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Update): Coles Supermarkets Australia Ltd. recalls Coles Frozen Crumbed Fish Fillets Lemon Flavoured (1 kg and 425g; product of China; all Best before dates up to and including 05/01/2013), because the product contains undeclared peanuts. The recalled frozen fish was distributed nationally in Australia; no information on distribution outside Australia is available.
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.

Chicken Jerky Dog Treats: The Latest Word From FDA

December 30, 2008

As we wrote earlier this month, there appears to be a connection between kidney failure in dogs and consumption of chicken jerky dog treats made in China. The problem has been reported in Australia, where one brand of treats already has been recalled by The Kramar Pet Company as a precaution. The Kramar treats had been manufactured in China.
The US investigation into this mysterious kidney ailment has been in progress for more than a year. FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a warning to consumers in 2007, and repeated the advisory earlier this month – shortly after the Australian recall was announced.
FDA posted a Consumer Update on its website on December 24th, entitled Caution to Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products. This update summarized the information contained in the agency’s earlier 2007 and 2008 warnings, but provided no new information. Our curiosity was piqued, and we e-mailed the Center for Veterinary Medicine to ask some direct questions on the status and progress of the FDA investigation.
Earlier today, we received the following statement from FDA spokeswoman, Laura Alvey:
“FDA is actively investigating the matter and conducting analysis for multiple different chemical and microbiological contaminants. We have tested numerous samples of chicken jerky products for possible contaminants including melamine. 
The complaints received have been on various chicken jerky products but to date we have not detected any contaminants and therefore have not issued a recall or implicated any products. We are continuing to test and will notify the public if we find evidence of any contaminants.”
What should we conclude from this statement?
  • The problem is not linked to a single manufacturer or importer of chicken jerky dog treats.
  • The problem is chronic and long-standing – not of short duration.
  • The contaminant still has not been identified, but is probably NOT melamine.
  • FDA is taking this problem seriously, and has not put it on the back-burner.
As for any possible recalls, FDA’s hands are tied – understandably so. Before requesting a recall, the agency must have evidence that links a specific product and/or contaminant to the problem. Until FDA is able to pinpoint the source of the problem, it can do no more than issue generalized warnings to consumers – at it has done twice this month.
Until this mystery is solved, consumers can take certain actions to protect their dogs:
  • Pay attention to the country of origin when purchasing dog treats.
  • Only offer treats in very small quantities, and not as a substitute for a meal.
  • Watch closely for any unusual behavior or symptoms.
  • Report any adverse reactions to pet foods or treats to FDA.
We’ll continue to watch for, and report, any new developments