Recalls and Alerts: January 4–5, 2024

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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“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

United States

INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Lead in cinnamon applesauce pouches): In FDA’s testing of the recalled products and the cinnamon collected from the Austrofoods facility, the agency has found chromium. The lead-to-chromium ratio in the cinnamon apple puree sample is consistent with that of lead chromate (PbCrO₄).

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC has received reports of 24 confirmed Salmonella illnesses in 14 states linked to consumption of charcuterie meats. Five people have been hospitalized. Salmonella was identified in an unopened sample of “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa” collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a part of the investigation. Testing is being conducted to determine if the Salmonella in the sample is the outbreak strain.

Public Health Alert (California): The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat Shemshad’s Mulberry Molasses and Mulberry Jam food products due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination. The company has not yet recalled the products.

Allergy Alert: Win Luck Trading Inc. recalls Tasty Snacks brand Plum Queen Dried Plums (200g clear plastic containers) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert: USDA issues Public Health (Allergy) alert for Wild Fork Porcini Mushroom Risotto Bites (7.5-oz. cardboard packages; Lot 101231; Best by 10/11/2024) due to undeclared sesame. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

Allergy Alert: ToYou Snacks recalls TOYOU branded snack bars in flavors Coconut Mocha, Chocolate Mango, Salted caramel dark chocolate, Mint Dark chocolate, Banana foster, Mango Yogurt due to undeclared soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes and expiry dates.

Food Safety Recall: Foremost Foods International, Inc. recalls three milkfish (bangus) products due to potential for growth of Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the Enforcement Report for details on the affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Salm Partners, LLC recalls PARKVIEW TURKEY POLSKA KIELBASA (3-oz. plastic vacuum-sealed packages; Use by APR 24 24 and APR 27 24) due to possible foreign matter contamination (bone fragments).

Pet Food Safety Recall: D&D Commodities Ltd. recalls 3-D Pet Products Premium Parrot Food (4 lb; Lot 102525G; UPC 719195135045) due to Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Five Continents International Ltd. recalls Dalkoku brand Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles (415g; Batch code 24.1.21; UPC 4 904511 008929) due to improperly declared milk.

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Europe

Infant Formula Safety Recall (Spain): Mead Johnson Nutrition recalls Nutramigen 1 PRO (400g; Lot ZL3F6J; Product of USA) due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.

Allergy Alert (Austria): Lerchenmühle Wieser GmbH recalls Ja! Natürlich Bio Polenta / Organic polenta (500g; Lots 8312154, 8312155 & 7312270; Best before 15.12.2024, 16.12.2024 & 27.12.2024, respectively) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): De Piconboer recalls De Piconboer brand Artisanale picon / bitters (1 L & 20 cl; Sold from 05/02/2023 to 11/12/2023) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (France): VEGECROC AUGUSTE recalls AUGUSTE brand LASAGNES DE BOEUF / Beef lasagna (900g; Lot 24004V; Use by 29/01/2024) due to undeclared fish.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): The Whole Company A/S recalls Trope økologiske figner / Tropical organic figs (225g; Batch 8019714; Best before 18.06.2024) due to elevated ochratoxin A.

Food Safety Recall (France): ESPRI RESTAURATION recalls EPC brand PUREE BUTTERNUT NOISETTE / Butternut & hazelnut purée (1.5 kg; Lot 4393015278 with sub-lot 23.333.8205384801.02; Use by 23/01/2024) due to off-odor and swollen packages, suggesting possible underprocessing.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCA AGNEAUX DE LAIT DES PYRENEES AXURIA COOPERATIVE AXURIA recalls AXURIA brand Viande hachée de veau / Ground veal (8 x 150g and 240g DUO; Lot 2023354B; Use by 26/12/2023 & 27/12/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): NIKAIADIS LECLERC RIVIERADIS recalls Ambrosi brand Fromage Taleggio AOP / cheese (Lot L35328; Best before 28/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): EUROPAFROM SAS recalls EUROPAFROM brand PERAIL BERGERONNETTE BREBIS / Sheep milk cheese (Lot 23333; Use by dates between 23/12/2023 and 31/12/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR FRANCE recalls CARREFOUR SELECTION DE NOS BOUCHERS brand PAUPIETTE RECETTE DE VEAU TRADITIONNELLE / Traditional veal paupiettes (3-packs and 6-packs; Lot 73613860; Use by dates from 03/01/2024 to 06/01/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): HENRI RAFFIN recalls LE GALIBIER brand Saucisse sèche droite aux noisettes / Dried sausage with hazelnuts (200g; Lot 331292020; Best before 07/01/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).

Food Safety Recall (France): PINTEAUX RENET recalls Huitres de Saint Vaast / Oysters (multiple lot codes) due to Norovirus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected product.

Food Safety Recall (France): JANSENS SCEC recalls LES JARDINS OSTREICOLES DE TATIHOU brand HUITRES FINES DE NORMANDIE / Oysters (All lot codes) due to Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAISON TAILLEPIED recalls MOULES MAISON TAILLEPIED / Cultured mussels (10 et 15 Kg bags; All lots) due to Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): H MEAT H MARKET recalls Chicken chicka halal / Halal sliced chicken (5 kg; Lots 492/2/P & 14.12.2023; Use by dates 19/12/2023 and between 14/12/2023 and 17/12/2023, respectively) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAISON TAILLEPIED recalls LA ROYALE D’ISIGNY brand HUITRES CREUSES / Hollow oysters (All lots) due to Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): HANNA-Feinkost AG recalls Hähnchen-Wrap Aktiv / Chicken wrap (170g; Lots L123456789, L366269202, L380114201, L396194202, L326339210; Best before 04.03.2024, 10.08.2024, 10.08.2024, 26.09.2024, 06.12.2024, respectively) due to foreign matter contamination (hard blue plastic pieces).

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Firma Wolf GmbH recalls Pizzafleischkäse im Ofen gebacken / Oven-baked pizza meatloaf and other meat products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Fromagerie Moléson SA recalls BRIQUE SAKURA NO-HA / Cheese (220g; Lot EBE317/EBE313; Best before 06.01.2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Kiwigarden Ltd recalls Kiwigarden brand Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt Drops (10 x 5g; Batch 6237111; Best before 09/05/2025) due to undeclared milk.

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Consumers allege Purina products behind pet illnesses/deaths

Dozens of pet owners have posted reports on social media about their dogs and cats falling sick after eating a Purina Pro Plan pet food.

As of January 4, 2024, the public Facebook group, Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time, has received 197 anecdotal reports of sick animals, including 151 dogs and 46 cats.

Fifty-one (51) animals have died.

What pet owners are reporting

The following is a small sampling of stories that have been posted on Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time over the last month.

I have 5 sick dogs on Purina pro plan. Severe diarrhea and dehydration. One dog was hospitalized on Friday and then another today which led me to think it had to be the feed. My 2 dogs who are raw fed are perfectly fine. Purina Pro plan adult.
posted January 2, 2024

We were feeding Purina Pro Plan to our 3 rottweilers. One of which lost an entire litter of puppies and is waiting official diagnosis of PLE. Surgery for biopsies in 2 weeks. Severe diarrhea,vomiting and loss of litter where devastating for us and our girl.
posted January 3, 2024

I want to share my story of Gracie Lou, a 12 year old pit bull boxer mix with the spirit of a 3 year old puppy.

We were almost out of her food on Christmas Eve so I ran to the local grocery store and grabbed a bag of purina lamb and rice adult. She doesn’t usually eat purina, I actually just grabbed whatever (It was Christmas Eve, there was A LOT going on).

We had fed her a little chicken and brown rice on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the last of her of her old food.

Christmas Day about 4:30 she had her first bowl of purina. 2-3 hours later she had her first seizure. She has NO health problems except arthritis. She has NEVER had a seizure. She was running around all day, playing with her toys, being her totally normal crazy self she always is. We were naturally terrified and had no clue what was happening. We journaled everything and watched her like a hawk all night and she finally got back to almost normal by early afternoon on 12/26.

On 12/26 around 4:30ish she had another bowl of purina and literally 2-3 hours later had her second seizure. We rushed her to the emergency vet in Annapolis and without having an MRI we won’t know if it’s a brain tumor or not. We cannot afford an MRI right now. We also just took the word of the doctor saying it’s the age and these things happen. The dr said the labs looked fine (I’m not sure what they test for) and that without something else to rule it out they will treat her for epilepsy due to a possible brain tumor and she has to be on medication for the rest of her life. They gave us seizure medication and sent us on our way.
excerpted from a longer story posted December 30, 2023

Where there’s smoke?

In at least one instance, Purina has offered to cover the pet owner’s veterinary bills.

So since Trinitys seizure I’ve been in contact with Purina. The only change since her ultrasound & bloodwork in November was a food change I went from Purina Brightminds to Sensitive skin & stomach Salmon Senior.

I read a post on here about a couple dogs having seizures also on this food but adult version.

Last week Purina asked me for all information about Trinity, my vets & copies of my vet bills.

Today they called me to verify all information. Told me they are sending a check to cover my vet bills & coupons for food reimbursement. They never said yes there is a problem with that particular food but were super nice & offered all help. They also stated any future vet bills on Trinity I can submit & they will cover.
posted on December 28, 2023

What is the FDA doing?

FDA is aware of reports of pet illnesses and is in the process of evaluating those reports.

In response to our request for comment, we received the following statement:

“We encourage pet owners or their veterinarians to submit reports of illness or other adverse events associated with pet food directly to FDA by following the instructions on this page: How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.”
FDA spokesperson, January 4, 2024

How to report a pet illness

The FDA relies heavily on reports from pet owners and veterinarians to alert them to safety issues with pet foods.

If your pet is sick or has died, and you suspect the pet food to be the cause, please ask your veterinarian to file an Adverse Event report with the FDA.

Whether or not a veterinarian agrees to file a report, pet owners can file directly with the FDA. Prepare to make your report by assembling as much information about your pet’s symptoms, any lab reports (eg., blood work), and whatever information you have on the specific product(s) you have fed your pet. This includes brand and variety names, lot code, expiration date, and bar code information, all of which can be found on the package.

There are two options for filing, which are explained on the FDA web page, How to Report a Pet Food Complaint

Option 1: Contact the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for your state by telephone (in the case of California, there are separate coordinators for Northern and Southern California). The list of telephone numbers is available at: Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

Option 2: File on-line using the FDA Safety Reporting Portal. Simply click on the “Report as Guest” button and follow the step-by-step directions.

Share your story

If you would like to share your story with eFoodAlert readers, choose the About menu option to access our email contact information. Alternatively, post your experience in the comments section, below.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Recalls and Alerts: December 21–22, 2023

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC is investigating 205 reports of suspected lead poisoning linked to Cinnamon Applesauce products. This includes 67 confirmed cases, 122 probable cases, and 16 suspect cases. Incidents under investigation have been identified in 33 states.

Public Health Advisory: FDA advises restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay, harvested on 11/08/2023 from harvest area BC 14- 8 with Landfile # 1402294 and Oyster Malaspina Live, harvested on 11/09/2023 from harvest area BC 14-8 with Landfile # 278761 and shipped to distributors in Utah and Wisconsin because they may be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.

Allergy Alert: Astor Chocolate Corporation recalls Burnt Caramel Candy Bars (Lot 0101614649; Best by 12/11/2024; UPC 4099100202809) due to undeclared coconut.

Food Safety Recall: Scanga Meat Company recalls approximately 563 pounds of ground beef products due to possible E. coli O103 contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Blue Ridge Beef recalls Blue Ridge Beef brand Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix, and Puppy Mix (2-lb plastic-wrapped tubes; All lot numbers and Best by dates from N24 1114 to N24 1224; UPC 8 54298 00101 6, 8 54298 00243 6, & 8 54298 00169 6, respectively) due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: PHAC reports 7 deaths and 164 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella infections linked to contaminated cantaloupes from Mexico. Cases have been reported in British Columbia (18), Alberta (4), Ontario (21), Quebec (111), Prince Edward Island (2), New Brunswick (2), Nova Scotia (4) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2). Sixty-one (61) victims have been hospitalized. Additional cases are under investigation.

Food Safety Recall: GDE Grocery Delivery E-Services Canada Inc. recalls Factor brand Parmesan Pesto Chicken with Steamed Spinach, Roasted Green Beans & Grape Tomatoes (325g; Best before 2023 DE 25) due to possible undercooking.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls multiple brands of energy drinks due to various non-compliances related to caffeine content and labelling requirements. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

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Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA orders recall of Buhara brand Kerrie Masala / Curry Masala (Lot 422832023; Best before 10/10/2025) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (France): MONOPRIX HOLDING recalls MONOPRIX brand SAUMON DUO DE RIZ Petits pois / Salmon with rice and peas (300g; Lot 341 E341; Use by 18/01/2024) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls Gran Pavesi Crackers mais / Corn crackers (150g; All Best before dates), Gran Pavesi Crackers olive (150g; All Best before dates) and Gran Pavesi Crackers classic (180g; All Best before dates) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): Jumbo Midlands Ltd recalls Home Taste Suya Mix (80g; Batch code IAN0222SM; Best before end of April 2024) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): Country Kitchen recalls Double Chocolate Chip Muffins (Best before 26 December 2023 and 2 January 2024) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): dennree Naturkost GmbH recalls dennree Goji Beeren getrocknet / Dried goji berries (100g & 250g; Best before dates from 28.03.2024 – 21.07.2024 and 28.03.2024 – 18.07.2024, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Alnatura recalls Alnatura Gojibeeren / Goji berries (Best before dates from 04.07.2024 to 22.10.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA orders recall of various Isla Délice deli products due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Cora recalls various Isla Délice deli products due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Lidl Belgique recalls Saint Alby Selection brand pâté cuit au four, aux champignons des bois / Oven-cooked pâté with wild mushrooms (~150g; Use by 25/12/2023, 30/12/2023 & 01/01/2024) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): ISLA DELICE recalls ISLA DELICE brand SAVEURDELICE GOUT BŒUF (230g & 500g; Lots 33200015 & 33140007, respectively; Best before 14/05/2024 & 08/05/2024, respectively) and ISLA DELICE brand ID LES TRANCHETTES AUX OLIVES (10 slices / 120g; Lots 33340094 & 33350042; Best before 07/01/2024 & 08/01/2024, respectively) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls FONT SAINT HUILE 03 BEZENET brand LES FROMAGES FERMIERS AU LAIT CRU: BEZENET, TOMMES, DEMI-SECS / Raw milk farm cheeses (All lots) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE DE HYELZAS recalls FEDOU brand BRIQUE MEJEANNE Cheese (Lot 23.333.002; Best before 09/01/2024) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SAS FROMAGERIE DONSIMONI recalls DONSIMONI brand PETIT BREBIS AU LAIT CRU / Raw sheep’s milk cheese (180g; Lot 140108; Best before 04/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUVERGNE VIANDE recalls AUVERGNE VIANDE brand Chorizo U / Sausage (Lot 47; Use by 21/01/2024) due to Salmonella contamination and possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LE FUMOIR SAS recalls saslefumoir brand Saumon fumé Norvège prétranché machine / Sliced smoked Norwegian salmon (1 kg; Lot 11173011; Use by 01/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ALDI CENTRALE D’ACHAT recalls REGAL AUX OLIVES HALAL / Sliced Halal deli meat with olives (120g; Lots 33320036 & 33350029; Use by 05/01/2024 & 08/01/2024, respectively) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ALDI CENTRALE D’ACHAT recalls CACHIR GOUT BOEUF / Beef deli meat (500g; Lot 33170031; Use by 11/05/2024) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): DETA DISTRIBUTION E. Leclerc recalls E. Leclerc Bellaing brand Rillettes de saumon / Salmon patties (Lot 336; Use by 08/12/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): STEPADIS SUPER-U Villebois Lavalette recalls U brand Jambon cuit supérieur découenné dégraissé torchon / Boneless, rindless Superior cooked ham (Lot 01222044; Use by 20/12/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): L’ATELIER DU FROMAGE recalls Saint-Nectaire AOP fermier – pré -emballé / Prewrapped farm-style cheese (Lots A33480084 & A33500041; Use by 27/12/2023 & 29/12/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LOSFELD DISTRIBUTION recalls MORBIER LAIT CRU / Raw milk cheese (All lots; All Best before dates between 09/12/2023 and 09/01/2024) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LE VIEUX BOURG Fromagerie du lié recalls RondChon cheese (Lot S46; Best before 29/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH recalls Alnatura Gojibeeren / Goji berries (100g; Best before dates from 04.07.2024 to 22.10.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): BIO Company SE recalls BIO COMPANY Gojibeeren getrocknet / Dried goji berries (100g; Lot D308280; Best before 28.05.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): dennree GmbH recalls dennree Goji-Beeren getrocknet / Dried goji berries (100g & 250g; Best before dates from 28.03.2024 – 21.07.2024 and 28.03.2024 – 18.07.2024, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gärtner Carl recalls Hirschfleisch, verpackt / Packaged venison (Lot 31.10.2023; Best before 31.10.2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Alnatura recalls Alnatura brand Baies de Goji / Goji berries (100g; Best before dates from 04.07.2024 to 22.10.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Cobolux Production SA recalls HACHE MELANGE LS / Mixed ground meat (Lot 20231204; Use by 10.12.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Fromagerie Moléson SA recalls Le Duo des Gors brand Käse / cheese (180g; Lot 200223046242; Best before 06.01.2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Route des Terroirs recalls Morbier Maison Monts & Terroirs Chalet De Vevy Raw Cows’ Milk Cheese (All batch codes; All best before dates up to and including 24 January 2024) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Woolworths recalls Woolworths Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies (6-pack; Best before 13/06/2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Woolworths New Zealand Ltd recalls Woolworths brand Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies (360g; Best before 12/06/2024 and 13/06/2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen