Recalls and Alerts: December 24 – 26, 2018

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

Food Safety Recall: Apio Inc. recalls several Eat Smart Salad Shake Ups varieties due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail and distributor customers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and also distributed in Canada.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Columbia River Natural Pet Foods recalls Cow Pie (2-lb pkg; Lot #72618) and Chicken & Vegetables (2-lb pkg; Lot #111518) due to possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled fresh, frozen raw meat foods for dogs and cats were distributed in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and direct delivery.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls various Eat Smart brand Salad Shake Ups due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to consumers nationwide.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls Délicieux brand Gourmet sauzen / Gourmet sauces (5 x 80 ml) due to undeclared wheat, celery and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Morello Cherry and Almond Tart (375g; Use by 27 December 2018) due to undeclared pistachios.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Boni Selection chipolatas de poulet (±1.2kg; Best before 27/03/2020) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Israel): S. Shestowitz recalls Barilla gluten-free fusilli (400g; Product of Italy; All Best before dates up to and including 31.10.2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited recalls Waitrose brand 6 Chunky Battered Haddock Fish Fingers (300g; Best before November, 2019; Product of UK) due to possible presence of large fish bones.

Recalls and Alerts: December 19 – 23, 2018

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United States

Allergy Alert: Funky Chunky, LLC recalls Nutty Choco Pop Gift Box (10 oz), Holiday Crowd Pleaser (50 oz) and Crowd Pleaser (50 oz), due to undeclared almonds and cashews. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes. The recalled products were distributed to AZ, AL, CA, CO CT, DC, DE, FL GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI and WY through mail order or direct delivery.

Food Safety Recall: Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, Inc. recalls approximately 164,210 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Reading. Raw turkey product from this company has been linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading illnesses. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Inspired Organics, LLC recalls Organic Almond, Peanut, and Tahini Butters due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods. LLC in Warren, Michigan to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.

Food Safety Recall: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. recalls fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower (Use by dates 12/11/18 through 12/22/18) due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The recalled products were distributed to 98 Wegmans stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Marché Hochelaga M&H recalls Creamy cole slaw and Macaroni Salad due to undeclared mustard seed, and eggs in both products and wheat in cole slaw.

Allergy Alert: Bulk Barn Foods Limited recalls certain Coco Polo brand Dark Cocoa Bars due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold to consumers nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Inspired Organics, LLC recalls Organic Almond, Peanut, and Tahini Butters due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods. LLC in Warren, Michigan to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Robert Damkjær A/S recalls Chicken sausages (300g; Best before 19/3-2019) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Aurion A/S recalls Aurion gluten-free organic oatmeal mixture (600g; Best before 25 / 5-2019) and Aurion gluten-free organic buckwheat flour mix (600g; Best before 15 / 5-2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Eliza Chokolade recalls Dessert Chocolates (80g; Best before 9/2-2019, 26/3-2019 & 25/7-2019) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (France): Auchan recalls Auchan brand Tzatziki (200g; Best before 08/01/2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Eurosnack S. A. recalls Chrupcie Maisstangen (60g; Best before 20.02.2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Vergani recalls DESPAR VEGGIE brand DOLCE DI NATALE AL CIOCCOLATO VEGANO (750g; Lot #8290; Best before 30-04-2019) due to undeclared milk protein.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Auchan recalls Auchan brand Tzatziki (200g; Best before 08/01/2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Dirk recalls 1 De Beste Gehakt Cordon Bleu Italiaans 2x (Best before 28-12-2018) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls 1 De Beste Gehakt Cordon Bleu Italiaans 2x (Best before 28-12-2018) due to undeclared celery.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Kook bvba recalls Lunchtime Cassolette de poisson (500g; Lot # 3518 3000; Best before 28/12/18) due to inadequate processing.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Mathonet-Gabriel s.a. recalls Mathonet-Gabriel s.a. brand Filets de Truites Saumonée fumée (Lot #M-02369; Best before 02/01/2019 03/01/2019, 04/01/2019, 05/01/2019 & 06/01/2019) and Mathonet-Gabriel s.a. brand Mousse de Truite Saumonée fumée (150g; Lot #M-0739; Best before 31/12/2018, 01/01/2019, 02/01/2019, 03/01/2019 & 04/01/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Raunsmed poultry farm recalls freshly slaughtered Danish turkey (5-8 kg; Lot #160; Best before 27-12-2018 and 28-12-2018) due to off-odor.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Max Krone ApS recalls Brødcooperativet Vaniljekranse (150g; Best before 2/1-2019 & 9/1-2019) due to foreign matter (small pieces of silver-colored plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bonduelle Frais France recalls Auchan Roquette (125g; Best before 25/12/2018 and 28/12/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Société Fromagère d’Eteaux recalls Beulet brand Reblochon de Savoie AOP (450g; Lot #185394230; Best before 10/12/2018) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Société Fromagère d’Eteaux recalls Pochat et Fils brand Reblochon de Savoie AOP (450g; Lot #185394214; Best before 24/12/2018) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fabry`s Food & Snack GmbH & Co. KG recalls Snack Time Sweet Chili Chicken on Wheat Bread (Best before dates 20.12.2018, 23.12.2018, 25.12.2018, 26.12.2018, 27.12.2018, 30.12.2018, 31.12.2018, 01.01.2019, 02.01.2019, 03.01.2019, 06.01.2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Achva recalls Téhina naturelle (500g; Expiration dates 07/04/2020 & 21/05/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): LACTIS S.A. recalls Boni lait entier and Boni lait demi-écrémé (1L; Best before 26/12/19) due to an incorrect ‘Best before’ date.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): H Karlssons Charkuterifabrik AB recalls Wiener Sausage (410g; Batch #234112) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England and Wales): Waitrose recalls 6 Chunky Battered Haddock Fish Fingers (300g; Best before November 2019) because the product may contain large fish bones.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England and Wales): Pieminister recalls Gluten Free Moo Pie (275g; Use by 14 December 2018) due to foreign matter (small pieces of plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Lactalis McLelland Ltd recalls Seriously Melting Pot Original and Seriously Melting Pot Roasted Onion (150g; All batch codes; All dates) because the glass pot may break when heated.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK – England and Scotland): Avondale Pet Foods Ltd recalls Just Natural Chicken & Tripe (20 x 454g and 8 x 1kg pkgs; Batch code 104-6/14105/339CT; Best before December 2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Vic’s Premium Quality Meat recalls Vic’s Meat BONE-IN HAM HALF LEG (4.5kg; Best Before 29/01/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): The New Zealand King Salmon Co. Ltd recalls Regal Marlborough King Salmon brand Wood Roasted Salmon Mixed Pepper & Spices (200g; Use by 10 Dec 19) due to incorrect “use by” date.

Jerky pet treats: Anatomy of an investigation and lingering concerns

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

More than 10 years after the first reports of pet and people illnesses linked to jerky treats from China, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is no closer to finding the root cause of the problem.

From August 2007 through Dec. 31, 2015, the number of illness complaints linked to jerky pet treats included more than 6,200 dogs, 26 cats, and three people. More than 1,140 of the dogs died.

In a Grand Rounds webinar in recent days, Dr. Lee Anne Palmer of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) summarized the outcome of the agency’s decade-long investigation.

The first hint of trouble appeared in August 2007, when bloggers reported the removal of chicken jerky pet treats from the shelves of a major retailer due to traces of melamine in the treats.

In September 2007, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) alerted its members to reports of an acquired form of Fanconi syndrome in dogs. Fanconi syndrome is a potentially fatal disorder of the urinary tract.

Later that same month, FDA advised pet owners of a “… potential association between development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products…” The agency reported having received in excess of 70 complaints involving more than 95 dogs. In addition, FDA received information from Banfield, The Pet Hospital suggesting an association between exposure to chicken jerky products and signs of gastrointestinal illness in dogs, including vomiting and diarrhea.

FDA investigated the reports, but was unsuccessful in finding the cause of the illnesses.

In late 2013, FDA issued a comprehensive update on its investigation, including a fact sheet for pet owners and a “Dear Veterinarian” letter requesting specific clinical data. The update triggered an immediate, massive increase in illness reports.

In 2014, FDA enlisted the help of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to design and run a case control study. Scientists from CVM and CDC enrolled 95 affected dogs from 31 states for the study, matching them with 261 controls.

The case control study, first of its kind for a pet illness investigation, determined that the illnesses were highly associated with consumption of pet jerky treats from China. There was also some association with jerky treats from the United States.

Ill dogs were more likely to be female, and small breeds were more likely to be affected than larger breeds. No other exposures were associated with the pet illnesses.

Since 2007, FDA has received reports of pet illness related to jerky treats from all 50 U.S. states, most Canadian provinces, and several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, according to Palmer.

In 2007, the only way for consumers or veterinarians to report pet illnesses to FDA was by contacting a Consumer Complaint Coordinator by telephone. There was no system in place to coordinate or collate the reports. Even today, as Palmer observed, there is no CDC for pets.

In May 2010, CVM introduced the Safety Reporting Portal, an on-line form that can be used by consumers and veterinarians to report illnesses linked to pet foods, treats or medications.

In January 2011, CVM combined the two parallel information streams into a single database and initiated a weekly review of the data to identify trends.

FDA obtained funding in 2010 to establish the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a collaborative network of government and university laboratories that form the backbone of FDA’s ability to document, investigate, and diagnose animal feed, pet food, and animal drug-related illnesses. This powerful resource was activated in August 2011 and has now grown to include 43 participating laboratories.

While FDA’s efforts did not establish a single root cause of pet illnesses linked to jerky pet treats, the investigations revealed a number of issues resulting in recalls or import alerts for various problems, including:

Salmonella contamination
Residues of antibiotic and antiviral agents
Mislabelling
Melamine traces
Excessive levels of glycerin

The cumulative effect of these recalls and import alerts produced, over time, a significant reduction in the number pet illnesses associated with pet jerky treats.

According to a spokesperson for FDA, the number of reported illnesses associated with jerky pet treats has waned in recent years and returned to baseline levels. The agency is dialing back its use of investigative resources on jerky pet treats to focus on other types of pet food product complaints.

FDA expects to publish a final update on its website summarizing the investigation at a future date.

Although a single root cause of the treat-related illnesses was never found, the analytical and tracking tools developed during the treat investigation have helped CVM to more quickly identify and respond to several other pet food issues in recent years. These include:

Pentobarbital contamination in canned dog foods
Thiamine deficiency in cat food
Vitamin D excess in dog food
Thyroid gland contamination of canned dog food and domestic jerky treats
Salmonella contamination of dry dog foods
Listeria and Salmonella in raw pet foods
Dilated cardiomyopathy and grain-free dog foods

Consumers and veterinarians who are concerned about a pet illness that appears to be linked to a pet food or pet treat should report the incident using FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal or by contacting the Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their district.