Category: produce

Guatemalan Cantaloupe Spreads Salmonella Panama

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA), report that cantaloupes grown in and shipped from the Asuncion Mita farm in Guatemala are responsible for at least 12 cases of gastroenteritis due to Salmonella Panama in four states. The Asuncion Mita farm is owned and operated by Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte”).

According to CDC,  confirmed cases of Salmonella Panama illness “… have been reported from Oregon (5 cases), Washington (4 cases), California (2 cases), and Maryland (1 case). Reported dates of illness onset range from February 5, 2011 to February 23, 2011. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year old to 68 years old, with a median age of 12 years old. Sixty-six percent are male. Among ill persons, two have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.” The agency warns that more illness might yet come to light.

Yesterday (March 22, 2011) Del Monte recalled 4,992 cartons of cantaloupes. The cartons each contained 4 plastic beige mesh sleeves sealed with a plastic orange handle with the Del Monte logo and the statement “3 count, Product of Guatemala.” The cantaloupes were identified with lot codes 02-15-24-10, 02-15-25-10, 02-15-26-10 and 02-15-28-10, and were available for sale between March 10th and March 21st.

The recalled cantaloupes were sold in Costco Warehouse stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Costco has posted a recall notice on its web site. Del Monte has put on hold production and distribution of cantaloupes from its Asuncion Mita farm.

An efficient trace-back system helped FDA and CDC determine the likely source of the illnesses. CDC described the process in the following way:

“Eleven of 12 ill persons reported eating cantaloupe in the week before illness. Ten of these 11 ill persons purchased cantaloupes before becoming ill at seven different locations of a national warehouse clubs. Information gathered with patient permission from membership card records helped determine that ill persons purchased cantaloupes sourced from a single farm. Product traceback information indicates these cantaloupes were harvested from single farm in Guatemala.”

Notwithstanding CDC’s confidence in the outcome of its investigations, one flagrant discrepancy begs for an explanation. The Del Monte recall notice says that the implicated cantaloupes were available for sale from March 10th to March 21st, inclusive. But the confirmed illness reported to CDC occurred from February 5th to February 23rd, 2011. This suggests to me that the contamination problem pre-dates by more than one month the shipping dates of the cantaloupes formally recalled by Del Monte.

I also wonder how the Maryland case fits into the epidemiological equation, when the implicated melons are said to have been distributed only in seven western US states.

Del Monte has experienced two prior instances of Salmonella contamination in its cantaloupes. In October 2010, the company recalled 81 cartons of cantaloupes grown in and shipped from Arizona. The cantaloupes, which “… had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella …” were  distributed to wholesalers in the Detroit area. One year earlier, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores recalled Del Monte cantaloupes from its Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores in Nevada and Northern California between Oct. 5 and Oct. 16, 2009 after Salmonella was detected in a sample of the melons during routine testing. No confirmed illnesses were associated with either recall.

While the recall and the investigation continue, CDC offers the following advice to consumers and retailers:

  • Consumer should not eat recalled cantaloupes and restaurant and food service operators should not serve them.
  • Consumers who have cantaloupes in their homes can check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from this company.
  • Recalled cantaloupes should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating them.
  • Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated cantaloupes should consult their health care providers.
  • Consumers and food preparers should wash their hands before and after handling any melon.  Wash the surface of melons such as cantaloupes, and dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting.

Alternatively, consumers might switch to honeydew melons and watermelons for the duration.

Recall Roundup: February 4-11, 2011

Here is this week’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: American Spoon Foods recalls various lot codes of Apple Chipotle Salsa, Maple BBQ Grilling Sauce, and Pumpkin Chipotle Roasting Sauce, because these products may contain undeclared wheat flour.
  • Allergy Alert: Simmons’ Barbecue, Inc. (Guntersville, AL) recalls Simmons’ Barbecue, Inc. Bar-be-cue Pork With Sauce (5-lb vacuum sealed packages) and Simmons’ Barbecue, Inc. Bar-be-cue Pork With Thick Sauce (5-lb vacuum sealed packages), because they contain undeclared whey. The recalled products were packaged on Nov. 30, 2010 through Feb. 8, 2011 and shipped to wholesalers for distribution to restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
  • Allergy Alert: Magic Valley Fresh Frozen, Inc. (McAllen, TX) recalls breaded okra produced under the HEB label from July 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011, because the product may contain undeclared whey. The recalled product (24-ounce and 5pound plastic poly bags) was sold in retail grocery stores in Texas under the HEB label
  • Allergy Alert: f’real® foods recalls f’real®Strawberry Banana Smoothies (Lot # 06/21/2012) produced at Smith Dairy Products Company in Orrville, Ohio, because the product may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed in New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia, Oregon, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.
  • Allergy Alert: Biosan Laboratories recalls Vitamin and Nutritional Supplements sold under the Essentials™ and RightFood™ brands, as well as Therapeutix Cardio Strength and Innate Cardio Response, because these products may contain undeclared soy flour.
  • Allergy Alert: Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. recalls various Nibble With Gibble’s and Kay & Ray’s brand snack products (Sell-by February 9 to March 30, 2011) because the products may contain undeclared soy protein. The recalled snack products were distributed to institutional/restaurant accounts, club stores, and retail grocery stores, including Giant, Price Chopper (PA stores only), Walmart and Sam’s Club.
  • Food Safety Recall: St. James Smokehouse Inc. recalls Scotch Reserve Whiskey & Honey Smoked Scottish Salmon (4oz retail packs; Lot code 5797 & batch code 4759) due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were sold only in The Fresh Market stores in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Maryland, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.
  • Food Safety Recall: Rouses Markets recalls wild-caught yellow fin tuna steaks sold at Rouses Markets (Product of USA; UPC Code beginning with 208732; Sell By dates between December 1, 2010 and January 27, 2011), because the previously frozen tuna steaks may have elevated levels of histamine.
  • Food Safety Recall: American Food Service (Pico Rivera, CA) recalls fresh ground beef patties and other bulk packages of ground beef products, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were distributed to restaurants throughout southern California.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Country Market (Medical Lake, WA) recalls raw fluid milk (half-gallon containers; expiration dates of 2-4-11 through 2-11-11), because the milk may be contaminated with toxin-producing E. coli.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: The Hawaii State Department of Health issues a revision to the list of recalled products manufactured by First Commercial Kitchen LLC based on new information.
  • Alcohol Prep Pads/Alcohol Swab Recall Update: Neuro Resource Group, Inc. and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. alert their customers that alcohol prep pads co-packaged with their respective devices have been recalled by the manufacturer, Triad Group, due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Customers should not use these alcohol prep pads.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recalls Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets (USP 10mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3888-20, 60 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A) and Phenobarbital Tablets (USP 32.4 mg, NDC 0603-5166-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A), due to a labeling mixup.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Shaping Beauty, Inc. (Southampton, PA) recalls Celerite™ Slimming Capsules (all lots) after being informed by FDA that the weight loss dietary supplement contains undeclared Sibutramine.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: 9225-6767 Québec Inc., d.b.a. Métro (Shannon, QC) recalls Metro Canex Saucisse enrobée de bacon (bacon-wrapped sausage), because the product may contain undeclared milk, wheat and/or soy.
  • Allergy Alert: Metro Richelieu Inc. recalls Muffin Brisure Chocolat (Chocolate Chip Muffins) and Muffin Carotte Noix (Carrot Nut Muffins) because the products may contain undeclared peanuts, almonds or pecans.
  • Allergy Alert: Super Marché Mont-Royal (1988), d.b.a. Metro (Montréal, QC) recalls Brownies, Pouding au pain and Pouding chômeur, because the products may contain undeclared egg, milk, soy, sulfites, nuts or peanuts.
  • Allergy Alert: L’intermarché (Saint-Pie, QC) recalls several prepared entrées, because the products may contain undeclared egg, soy, wheat, milk or sulfites.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Taste Produce Ltd. (Toronto, ON) recalls Nature’s Reward brand fresh cilantro bunches (Product of USA; PLU 4889), because the cilantro may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cilantro was sold at Walmart stores in Ontario from January 17th to January 27th.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments JR (Montreal, QC) recalls Food House brand Tahini of Sesame (400g and 1000g sizes; Exp 20/2/2012 and 21/6/2012; Product of the Syrian Arab Republic), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Tahini was distributed in the province of Quebec.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Pharmetics Inc. recalls six health products after Health Canada’s Good Manufacturing Practices inspection at the company’s Laval manufacturing site detects deficiencies related to the production line, including possible contamination between the product lines and some products labelled with the wrong expiry dates. The recalled products include  various production lots of Acetaminophen 500mg Tablets Extra Strength (sold at Shoppers and Loblaws), Acetaminophen, Caffeine & 8mg Codeine Phosphate Tablets (sold at Shoppers, Rexall, Loblaws and Procurity), Muscle and Back Pain Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at Federated Coop, and Loblaws), Sinus Medication Night Tablets (sold at Shoppers, Proxim and Rexall), Daytime Sinus Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at Proxim, Jean Coutu and Shoppers), Muscle and Back Pain Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at Loblaws, Rexall, Safeway, Uniprix, Federated Coop, Jean Coutu and Value Drug Mart) and Allergy & Sinus Relief Extra Strength Tablets (sold at Rexall and Shoppers).
  • Alcohol Swab Safety Recall Update: ICU Medical and Merck Canada Inc. warn their customers that recalled alcohol prep pads manufactured and recalled by Triad Group were co-packaged with Orbit subcutaneous infusion sets and Pegetron®, respectively. ICU has recalled its Orbit sets and Merck advises consumers not to use the alcohol prep pads co-packaged with its Pegetron® Redipen® kits.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert: Auchan recalls Auchan Le Fromager Portion de Fromage St. Nectaire (Best before 10/02/11), because the cheese may be mislabeled and may contain egg lysozyme.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Kakshidi Food Imports Ltd. recalls C&P Asian Products Group Marinated Garlic (Best before 25-04-2012), due to the presence of undeclared sulfite.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Kraft Foods Denmark ApS recalls Kraft French Dressing Classic, 380 ml (Best before 09.12.2011), due to undeclared celery.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Danish Helios recalls Egg-free Salad Mayonnaise (Best before 14.06.2011; Lot #L39083), due to the presence of undeclared egg.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): WP Meat A/S recalls several varieties of minced meats, due to Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Magnihill recalls Scan brand Agra frozen raspberries due to norovirus contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): A Frost A/S recalls Alletiders frozen raspberries due to norovirus contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Arla Foods recalls Lark Vang semi-skimmed milk, 1-liter carton (Production date 03.02.2011), due to an incorrect expiry date.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Pacific Trading International Pty Ltd recalls Gourmet Plus Beef Tomato Cevap – Skinless Sausage (450g packet; Best before 16/02/2011), due to unknown microbial contamination leading to early spoilage of the product. The recalled sausages were sold in IGA/Foodworks stores in Victoria.
  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Vili recalls custard-filled berliners and St George Cakes & Gelati’s recalls custard filled cannolis and éclairs because the custard-filled bakery items may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 9. South Australia Health has received 84 confirmed reports of illness due to Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 9 so far this year. Two custard filled product samples from St George Cakes and Gelati, purchased at retail stores, have returned positive with STM9.
  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): DB Breweries Ltd recalls ‘Fuse’ vodka drink (all flavours), ‘Barrel 51’ Bourbon & Cola drink and ‘Flame’ lager (330ml; various best before date ranges), because the glass rim may break during opening due to a packaging defect.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Alert (Mexico): The Tijuana Health Department has warned residents and tourists that Salmonella-contaminated cilantro from the USA  has been introduced into the Mexican taco-production food chain. Mexican restauranteurs have been advised to avoid using cilantro distributed by Sabor Farms under the Tanimura & Antle, Ocean Mist, Nature’s Reward and Queen Victoria brand names.

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 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.