Recalls and Alerts: November 28 – 30, 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

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC is investigating an outbreak of 4 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections in Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas. The illnesses are linked to ready-to-eat pork products manufactured by 165368 C. Corporation, doing business as Long Phung Food Products in Houston, TX.

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC is investigating an outbreak of 5 cases of Salmonella Concord infections in Michigan and New York. The illnesses are linked to tahini from Achdut Ltd. (Israel).

OUTBREAK ALERT (UPDATE): FDA traceback investigation has identified the following California counties as possible sources of E. coli O157:H7-contaminated lettuce: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura. Consumers are advised to avoid purchasing or consuming Romaine lettuce unless the geographic origin of the product is clearly marked.

Allergy Alert: Gemini Food Corporation recalls Imperial Taste Fried Red Onion and Imperial Taste Fried Garlic due to undeclared wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details on the recalled products.

Allergy Alert: Kwik Trip, Inc. recalls Kitchen Cravings Strawberry and Mixed Berry Parfaits (8.25-oz cup; Sell by 12/6/2018) due to undeclared traces of cashews or almonds. The recalled products were sold at Kwik Trip convenience stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa (Kwik Star).

Food Safety Recall: Sprout Creek Farm recalls “Kinkead” raw semi-firm, washed natural rind cheese (Manufactured 5-10-18) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for information on where the recalled product was sold.

Food Safety Recall: F&S Produce Co., Inc recalls SAMS TAHINI CARROT SALAD (BULK – 1 LB; All batch codes; UPC 024064800000) and SAMS TAHINI CARROT SALAD (PPK – 1 LB; All batch codes; UPC 024066100000) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall: ANF Pet Inc. recalls specific production lots of ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food due to elevated levels of vitamin D. Please refer to the recall notice for complete information on the recalled product.

Pet Food Safety Recall: ELM Pet Foods, Inc. recalls specific production lots of ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE Dry Dog Food due to elevated levels of vitamin D. Please refer to the recall notice for complete information on the recalled product.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Marché Sénécal inc. recalls pork filet and Italian sausage due to undeclared soy and milk. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Food Safety Recall: Chef’s Warehouse recalls Soom brand tahini products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed to consumers nationwide. 

Food Safety Recall: Altra Foods Inc. and S & F Food Importers Inc. recall Achva and S&F brand tahini products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which weresold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec and maybe have been distributed in other provinces.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): PLUS recalls PLUS Meal salad chicken madras (Best before 05-12-2018) due to undeclared mustard, sesame, sulphite and / or wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): English Heritage recalls Cherry Brandy, Ginger Liqueur, Elderberry & Port and Scrumpy Cider due to undeclared sulfites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Nestlé recalls La Laitière Clafoutis Aux Cerises (340g 4-pack; Use by 03 December 2018) due to undeclared milk, egg, wheat (gluten) and nuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): Poundstretcher recalls Aldiva Mosaik Cake Break (100g; All batch codes and use-by dates) due to undeclared egg, wheat (gluten), hazelnuts, milk, peanuts, sesame and sulphite.

Allergy Alert (UK): Poundstretcher recalls Aldiva Waffo Roll (250g; All batch codes and use-by dates) due to undeclared egg, wheat (gluten), hazelnuts, peanuts, sesame, soya, and milk.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Carlsberg Danmark recalls Carlsberg pilsner (330 ml bottles; Best before 12-07-2019) due to foreign matter (glass particles and label residue) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Le GAEC Ferme Chapuis recalls La Ferme Chapuis brand Fromages de vache au lait cru due to highly pathogenic E. coli. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Reflets de France brand Cidre Fermier de Bretagne Brut (75 cl; Lot #E11AD/18 MEB 236/18) due to foreign matter (glass particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): EDEKA recalls EDEKA chocolate gingerbread, hearts, stars and pretzels bittersweet (500g; Batch #748; Best before 30/05/2019) due to foreign matter (green plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): FROMAGERIE LA TOURNETTE recalls REBLOCHON DE SAVOIE cheese (450g; Best before 25/11/18 and 01/12/18) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Foods of Scotland SRL recalls Scottish Pride brand Smoked Salmon (100g; Lot #504903; Best before 12/01/2019, 13/01/2019 and 09/11/2019) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Al Mina recalls Al Mina brand Almond Baklava Triangle (250g; Best Before 25 Apr 19) and Al Mina brand Four Finger Baklava (200g; Best Before All dates) due to undeclared pistachios.

Retailers remove Romaine lettuce from their stores

Retailers across the USA and Canada are removing Romaine lettuce and products containing Romaine lettuce from their stores in response to alerts issued today by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Epidemiological evidence in both countries has linked consumption of Romaine lettuce to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in eleven US states and two Canadian provinces.

Traceback investigations are in progress to determine the source of the contaminated Romaine.

The following US supermarket chains and food stores have alerted customers to the illness outbreak and, in many cases, have removed all products containing Romaine from their stores:

The following Canadian supermarket chains and food stores have alerted customers to the illness outbreak and, in many cases, have removed all products containing Romaine from their stores:

Do not consume any romaine lettuce or any product containing romaine lettuce. Please follow the live links to your retailer’s web page for a complete list of affected products sold by that retailer.

Jennie-O ground turkey linked to deadly Salmonella outbreak

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC (Jennie-O) is recalling more than 45 tons (approximately 91,388 pounds) of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Reading strain.

The Salmonella was recovered from an unopened package of Jennie-O raw ground turkey obtained from the home of an outbreak victim. The strain was a genetic match to the Salmonella Reading strain that has killed one person and sickened at least 164 people in 35 states.

The following recalled products were produced on September 11, 2018 and shipped to retail locations nationwide:

  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 93% LEAN | 7% FAT” with “Use by” dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O TACO SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 85% LEAN | 15% FAT” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O ITALIAN SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.

All of the recalled packages bear the establishment number P-190 inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

According to CDC, outbreak victims have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Three ill people lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) cautions that additional product from other companies may also be recalled.

CDC offers the following advice to consumers and retailers

Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey products can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and can make you sick.

CDC is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.

CDC advises consumers to follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:

  • Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.
  • Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.
  • Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.
  • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter.
  • CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.