Category: recalls

Recalls and Alerts: February 16 – 18, 2017

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: Chapis Spice & Tea (Los Angeles, CA) recalls various Chapis brand Bread Crumbs due to possible presence of undeclared wheat, milk, eggs, tree nuts or soybean. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products, all of which were distributed through retail stores in Los Angeles and adjacent cities in Los Angeles County.

Allergy Alert: Licata Enterprises (Huntington Beach, CA) recalls The Supreme One/Theravits 100 multiple vitamin (all lots) due to undeclared fish oils and other labelling issues. The recalled products were distributed in Southern California, Ohio and Pennsylvania through health food stores, and also sold in Wyoming, Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Texas.

Allergy Alert: Ditos (Anchorage, Alaska) recalls Heart Plastic Platter Strawberries w/ Dip with Chocolate Frosting 32oz, and Heart Plastic Platter Mixed Fruit w/ Dip with Chocolate Frosting 40oz (Use by dates: 02/14/2017, 02/15/2017, 02/16/2017, 02/19/2017) due to undeclared soy and/or milk. The product was sold at seven Walmart stores in Debarr, Dimond, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Kenai, Midtown, and Wasilla.

Allergy Alert: Price Chopper recalls Market 32 Elegant Dessert Apple Crumb Tart (5.5 oz) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Biery Cheese Company recalls various specialty Longhorn Colby cheeses due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were distributed between November 11, 2016 and January 4, 2017 to distribution centers in Georgia, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of products.

Food Safety Recall: Saputo Inc. recalls certain Great Midwest brand Applewood Smoked Gouda cheese (Sell by MAY 22 17) and Dutchmark brand Pasteurized Processed Smoked Gouda cheese (Best when used by 11-18-17) that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall: Sargento Foods Inc. (Plymouth, WI) expands its earlier recall to include additional products and production dates due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes that originated from the facility of its supplier, Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC. Sargento also has terminated its relationship with the supplier. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Schlabach Branch, recalls various cheeses and cheese-containing items due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected items.

Food Safety Recall: Hallmark Management Services, Inc. (Columbus, OH) expands its February 2, 2017 recall to include approximately 11.25 pounds of additional Chicken Tikka Masala that was produced without the benefit of inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Food Safety Recall: Papa John’s Salads & Produce recalls Colby Cheese Half Moon, Colby Jack Cheese Half Moon, Monterey Jack Cheese Half Moon and Pepper Jack Half Moon (Use by dates for all products: 1/10/17 through 5/9/17), because the products contain cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were sold in Fry’s and Smith’s stores.

Food Safety Recall: Index Fresh recalls Index Fresh Avocados (UPC 76101-40154; Pack date 2/13/17; 4ct. bag) because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled avocados were sold in Ralphs stores.

Food Safety Recall: Meijer recalls Ham Sub on Artisan White Baguette (UPC 7-13733-76499-5; various expiration dates from 11/2/2016 through 12/30/2016) because the product contains cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall: GraceKennedy Foods recalls La Fe Papa Criolla Yellow Potatoes (14 oz; All date codes) due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold at Stop & Shop stores.

Food Safety Notice: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has closed some shellfish harvesting beds in Beaufort County due to a sewer overflow.

Food Safety Notice: Oregon has closed recreational and commercial mussel harvesting from Cape Arago, south of Coos Bay, to the California border, due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish toxins. Coastal scallops are not affected when only the adductor muscle is eaten.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Figues et Romarin (Blainville, QC) recalls Minestrone Soup (500 mL and 1 L sizes) due to undeclared wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): Poundstretcher recalls Chocolate Crème Oreos (176g; pkg of 4; Best before April, May, July and August 2017) due to undeclared wheat and milk.

Allergy Alert (Northern Ireland): Heatons recalls a consignment of Toblerones (100g; Best before 8 September 2017; Batch code 00Y4062333) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: Morrisons recalls Ready to Eat Peppered Beef Slices (150g; Use by 21 February 2017) because Listeria monocytogenes was found in the product.

 

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 website.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Expanded Baby Food Recall in Canada – Illnesses Reported

Example of recalled PC Organics baby food
Example of recalled PC Organics baby food

An unspecified number of illnesses that may be associated with consumption of PC Organics brand baby foods have been reported in Canada.

Loblaw Companies Limited has responded by expanding its initial recall notice to include all date codes of a long list of additional products. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected baby food pouches. According to the recall notice, published late yesterday on the  Canadian Food Inspection Agency website, a “… manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers.”

Although food contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum may not look, smell or even taste spoiled, it may contain a toxin that, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, the toxin can cause death.

The reported illnesses have not been definitively linked to the recalled baby food; nor have they been described as being caused by ingestion of botulinum toxin. But, the manufacturing error that triggered the food recall could have opened the door to the growth of other harmful bacteria in the baby foods – bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, which can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Which PC Organics baby food pouch products have been recalled?

The expanded recall encompasses all date codes of the following items (128mL unless otherwise noted):

  • Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food
  • Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack
  • Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet strained baby Food
  • Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry strained baby food
  • Apple strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Apple Cherry strained baby food
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food
  • Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack
  • Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food
  • Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat strained baby food
  • Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa strained baby food
  • Pear strained baby food
  • Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach strained baby food
  • Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack
  • Banana & Kiwi strained baby food
  • Mango strained baby food
  • Banana & Raspberry strained baby food
  • Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice strained baby food
  • Banana Bread Flavour puree snack
  • Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food
  • Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot strained baby food
  • Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
  • Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt strained baby food
  • Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
  • Prunes strained baby food
  • Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
  • Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)

How can something as simple as too much water lead to this?

Food processors walk a food-safety tightrope every day. The conditions under which sealed packages of food are processed to ensure their safety are always in a delicate balance. Even minor changes in a recipe can affect the cooking conditions required to kill harmful bacteria. One of those changes is the amount of water that is available to the bacteria, allowing them to multiply in the food. A food with little free water will need milder cooking cooking conditions (time and temperature combination) than a food with abundant free water.

Then why not treat every food with the same severe cooking conditions?

Palatability, appearance and cost. Foods processed at a higher temperature taste overcooked, lose their natural color, and their natural texture. And, higher cooking temperatures for extended periods of time are more expensive.

What should consumers do about this recall?

  1. Check your pantry and set aside any of the products listed in the expanded recall notice.
  2. DO NOT try to determine whether the food is safe by smelling or tasting them. Clostridium botulinum can multiply and produce its toxin in a food without changing its appearance, smell or taste in any way.
  3. Return any packages of recalled product to the place of purchase for a refund.

Where were the recalled products sold?

Ontario: Fortinos, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Cash&Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Québec: Club entrepôt, Maxi, Maxi & Cie, Presto, Provigo, Provigo le Marché, AXEP, Pharmaprix, and Intermarché

West: Extra Foods, Loblaws City Market, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Finally, if you have fed one of the recalled products to your infant or toddler, and your child is experiencing any unusual symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.

15-State E. coli Outbreak Triggers Recall – Update

Rich Products Corporation (Buffalo, NY) has recalled more than 196,000 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat-treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items in the wake of an outbreak of 24 confirmed cases of E. coli O121 illnesses in 15 US states.

Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Michigan (2), Mississippi (1), New York (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2) reported illnesses to CDC. More than three-fourths (78%) of the victims are under 21 years of age; seven people were hospitalized.

Eight of the outbreak victims – residents of Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia – reported consuming Farm Rich brand products. The New York Department of Health found the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 in a sample of Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product obtained from a victim in that state. USDA is working with state and federal public health agencies – including FDA and CDC – on this outbreak investigation. CDC has not yet released a complete list of the 15 states.

E. coli O121 is one of six non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli serogroups that is recognized by the USDA as an adulterant in certain raw beef products.

The manufacturer has recalled the following products in cooperation with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (items 1-4) and FDA (items 5-7):

  1. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (7.2-oz cartons; UPC 041322376909; Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  2. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322356437 Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  3. Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust (18-oz bags; UPC 041322356352; Best by date of May 14, 2014)
  4. Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust (21-oz bags; UPC 041322356345; Best by date May 13, 2014)
  5. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322374431; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  6. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (7-oz cartons; UPC 041322376916; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  7. Market Day Mozzarella Bites (22-oz bags; UPC 041322804358; Best by date of May 12, 2014)

The recalled products were manufactured between November 12, 2012 and November 19, 2012 and supplied several major retail chains for distribution nationwide, including: Food City, Giant Eagle, Hannaford, Kroger, ShopRite, Spartan Stores and it’s affiliated chains, Tops, Walmart (nationwide), Wegmans, Winn-Dixie (South Florida stores), and various independent grocery stores. Other retailers also may have carried the recalled products. Consumers who may have purchased any of the recalled products should check their freezers and discard these items, or return them to the retailer.

According to USDA, infection with E. coli O121 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.