Category: recalls

Possible Canadian Norovirus outbreak linked to imported raspberries

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation into the possible Norovirus contamination of products containing Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) raspberries.

At least one product recall has been triggered by findings emanating from a foodborne disease outbreak investigation.

In response to an inquiry from eFoodAlert, a CFIA spokesperson stated that the recall in question was associated with raspberries from Québec.

The Ministre d’Agriculture, Pêcheries et Alimentation de Québec (MAPAQ) has posted recall notices indicating the origin of the raspberries to be Chile.

As of June 5, 2019, the following recalls are in effect:

The current situation is reminiscent of a 2017 Norovirus outbreak that also was traced to imported IQF raspberries.

Between March 2017 and July 2017, the consumption of frozen raspberries imported from China was blamed for 615 confirmed cases of Norovirus in Québec. Many of the cases occured in seniors’ residences and child daycare centers.

Symptoms of Norovirus infection include nausea, vomiting and copious watery diarrhea, typically lasting from 24 to 60 hours in healthy adults.

Young children and the elderly are susceptible to severe dehydration. Approximately 1% of Norovirus victims may require hospitalization as a result of their illness.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Compliments brand chicken strips linked to Salmonella illnesses in Canada

Sofina Foods Inc. (Sofina) has recalled Compliments brand raw, breaded chicken strips after the product was implicated in a Salmonella outbreak, according to a recall notice posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

The public is advised to avoid consuming the following product, and to discard the product or return it to the place of purchase.

Compliments brand Chicken Strips – Breaded Chicken Cutlettes – Uncooked (907g; Product code (Outer package) 2019 NO 24 / (Inner package) 3288M; UPC 0 57742 33687 0)

The chicken strips were sold nationally until May 1, 2019 but some consumers may still have the product in their freezer.

This is one of 17 Salmonella outbreaks traced to raw, breaded chicken products in Canada since May 2017. The most recent outbreak was declared over by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on May 13th.

Symptoms of Salmonella illness may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever. Typically, symptoms appear from six to 72 hours following infection, and can last up to a week.

The very young, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms, including dehydration or potentially life-threatening systemic infection.

Individuals who consumed a raw, breaded chicken product and experienced symptoms of Salmonella infection should consult a healthcare provider.

Frozen, breaded chicken strips or nuggets are raw products and should be handled with care. PHAC recommends the following precautions when preparing these products:

  • Do not eat raw or undercooked frozen breaded chicken products. Cook all frozen raw breaded chicken products to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F) to ensure that they are safe to eat. Use a digital food thermometer to verify the temperature. Insert the digital food thermometer through the side of the product, all the way to the middle. Oven-safe meat thermometers that are designed for testing whole chicken and roasts during cooking are not suitable for testing nuggets, strips or burgers.
  • Microwave cooking of frozen raw breaded chicken products – including chicken nuggets, strips, burgers, popcorn chicken or chicken fries – is not recommended because of the possibility of uneven heating.
  • Always follow the cooking instructions on the package, including for products labelled Uncooked, Cook and Serve, Ready to Cook, and Oven Ready.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling frozen raw breaded chicken products.
  • Use a separate plate, cutting board and utensils when handling frozen raw breaded chicken products to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.
  • Do not re-use plates, cutting boards or utensils that have come in contact with frozen raw breaded chicken products to serve the cooked product unless they have been thoroughly washed.

 

Recalls and Alerts: April 12 – 14, 2019

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

OUTBREAK ALERT / FOOD SAFETY RECALL: CDC reports 93 cases of Salmonella Carrau illnesses linked to consumption of pre-cut melons from Caito Foods, LLC. The company has recalled an extensive list of products. Please refer to the CDC Food Safety Alert and the Caito recall notice for additional details, including a complete list of affected products.

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC reports 109 cases of E. coli O103 illnesses in 6 states. Preliminary epidemiological evidence points to ground beef as the source of the outbreak. No common distributor, supplier or brand of ground beef has been identified as yet.

Food Safety Recall: Denver Processing LLC recalls approximately 13,865 pounds of raw pork and beef products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and outside inspection hours. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food recalls I’m Real brand Dehydrated Premium Mango (300g; All batch codes; UPC 8 850026 212138) due to improperly declared sulphites.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls Lidl Delicieux brand Maïsburger (Expiry dates 7-5-2019 and 8-5-2019) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (UK – England and Wales specific): Lidl recalls HealthyCo Proteinella Smooth Hazelnut and Cocoa Spread (400g; Best before 3 April 2020) due to undeclared hazelnuts, almonds and milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Essential Trading recalls Essential Wholefoods Curry Powder Madras Hot (1kg and 500g; Best before between 04.01.2020 and 04.03.2021) due to undeclared mustard.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA initiates a massive recall of cheeses manufactured by la fromagère de la Brie (France) and distributed in Belgium. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): FROM-UN recalls Jacquin brand Chèvre Pouligny St Pierre raw milk cheese (250g; Lots J90740112, J90740109, J90800104; Best before 04/05/2019 and 10/05/2019) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl Finland recalls Culinea Chicken Nuggets (750g; Best before 14.11.2019) due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Industry recalls cheeses manufactured by la fromagère de la Brie (France) and distributed in Germany. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Match Supermarkets recalls various STE brand cheesesmanufactured by Fromagere de la Brie due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Mora recalls Mora Kipkorn (5 x 60g; Lot code 9067) due to foreign matter (metal pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Société Fromagèrie de la Brie recalls various cheeses due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products distributed in the Netherlands.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Washed Rind Pty Ltd recalls Washed Rind Pty Ltd Washed Mould Cheeses due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.