Category: Salmonella

Wegman’s Puzzling Pine Nut Salmonella Outbreak

What is puzzling about a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that is linked to contaminated Turkish pine nuts?

Surely not the possibility that pine nuts can be contaminated with Salmonella. In 2009, Hines Nut Company recalled pine nuts that were contaminated with Salmonella.

And a nut-borne Salmonella outbreak certainly is not unique. Who can forget the 2008/2009 outbreak sparked by contaminated peanuts from Peanut Corporation of America?

In fact, what is puzzling is not the outbreak vehicle. Rather, the puzzle lies in FDA’s and Wegman’s response to the outbreak, and in a noticeable discrepancy between the information released just two days ago by CDC, and the information released today by FDA.

Two days ago – on October 26th – CDC announced that it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis that had sickened 42 people in six states: Arizona (1), Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (26), Pennsylvania (8), and Virginia (4). Epidemiological and lab investigations linked the illnesses to Turkish Pine Nuts sold in Bulk Bins – or consumed as an ingredient in a prepared food – sold in Wegmans stores in five states: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. The report specifically mentioned Caprese salad and asparagus with pine nuts.

That same day, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. recalled the bulk Turkish Pine Nuts sold in its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. The implicated pine nuts were supplied to Wegmans by Sunrise Commodities of Englewood Cliffs, N.J. FDA is looking into whether any of these pine nuts were also supplied to other Sunrise Commodities customers.

Today (October 28th), FDA issued a warning to consumers not to eat “…Turkish pine nuts purchased from unlabeled plastic bulk containers at Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. or any food items they may have prepared using the bulk Turkish pine nuts, such as pesto, salads, or baked goods.” The FDA Press Release added that CDC was reporting 43 confirmed illnesses in seven states: California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Here’s what has me puzzled:

  1. If some of the contaminated pine nuts were used as an ingredient in ready-to-eat items prepared and sold by Wegmans, why has the retailer limited its recall to just the bulk nuts?
  2. Why has FDA not warned consumers not to eat the prepared items sold by Wegmans that contain the implicated pine nuts as an ingredient?
  3. Why is there a discrepancy between CDC’s illness report and FDA’s illness report? I’m not quibbling about 42 versus 43 confirmed illnesses. But, why is the list of affected states so different?
  4. Why does the Sunrise Commodities web site offer Pine Nuts from China and Spain, but not from Turkey?

Until more light is shed on these mysteries, I strongly urge consumers not to eat any bulk pine nuts, or any ready-to-eat dishes, spreads or dips that contain pine nuts.

Recalls and Alerts: October 28, 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: Wells Enterprises, Inc. (Le Mars, IA) recalls Blue Bunny® Personals® Ice Cream (5.5 fl oz cartons; UPC 0 70640 00463; Lot #10009; Best Used By 10/1/2012), due to the presence of undeclared wheat as a result of a packaging error. The recalled ice cream was shipped to Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas.
  • Allergy Alert: The Kroger Co. recalls Nates Spiced Prawns (16 oz), because the product may contain undeclared sulfites. The recalled prawns were sold in Fred Meyer stores.
  • Food Recall: Original Fried Pies, Inc. (Davis, OK) recalls approximately 8,888 pounds of frozen meat and poultry pie products, because they are misbranded and contain sodium benzoate, a food preservative, which does not appear on package labels and is not approved for use as an added ingredient in meat and poultry products.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is testing lab specimens from 16 patients in the Saint Louis County area, in order to identify the strain of E. coli that has made them ill. Four the specimens already have tested positive for shiga toxin. Six people from surrounding counties also have reported illness. The State also is assisting Saint Louis County with an epidemiological investigation aimed at determining the source of the outbreak. Federal CDC investigators also have joined the investigation. Although no food source has yet been identified, stltoday.com reports that Schnuck Markets Inc. has voluntarily removed some items from its in-store salad bars.
  • Outbreak Alert: The North Carolina Department of Health is investigating 21 cases of confirmed and suspected E. coliillness, including 11 cases in Wake County. The effort to pinpoint a source of the outbreak has been unsuccessful so far.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Grant Chocolatier recalls Grant Chocolatier brand Hazelnuts Bar Dark Chocolate and Almonds Bar Dark Chocolate, due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed in Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Société Sun-Sate recalls You Huy chez Paris Store brand Dried Pork Rind Strips/couenne de proc séchée en filaments (100g; Sold between 11 and 26 October 2011; Best Before date of 08/06/2012), after Listeria was found in a sample of the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarekts plc recalls Morrisons Shredded Duck Kit (230g; Use by 31 November 2011), due to an incorrect ‘use by’ date code.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Glasgow City Council has initiated a recall of a number of Ryan Foods ready-to-eat products that were produced in unapproved premises under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and distributed in the Glasgow area. The recalled products include Aysha’s Bite Size Chicken Pakora, Aysha’s 5 Bite Size Chicken Samosas, Aysha’s 5 Bite Size Vegetable Samosas, Aysha’s Chicken Tikka, Ryan’s Chinese Lemon Chicken, and Rico’s Pizzas (all varieties).
  • Food Safety Withdrawal (Sweden): Semper withdraws Småfolk Fruity Stix, Banana and Dadel and Småfolk Oat Stix / Oaty Stix, Apple and Raspberry after mold was found during a quality control test.
  • Food Withdrawal (Denmark): Harboe Brewery A/S withdraws Wheat Beer (50 cl; Product of Estonia; Best before 27.09.2012), because the beer is cloudy and tastes sour due to the growth of lactic acid bacteria.
  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1508): High aluminium content in vermicelli noodles from Vietnam; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1509): Salmonella spp. in mussels from France; distributed to France and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1510): Listeria monocytogenes in munster cheese from France; distributed to France, Luxembourg and Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1511): Salmonella in paan leaves from Bangladesh; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1513): Mercury in monkfish tail from France; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1514): Salmonella in chilled green herbs in bags from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1515): Arsenic and elevated lead in bentonite from France, via Germany; distributed to Poland.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1517): Escherichia coli in basil mint from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1518): Escherichia coli in green mint from Vietnam; distributed to Norway.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1520): Salmonella spp. in frozen octopus from Indonesia; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1522): Aflatoxins in halva with pistachio nuts from Turkey; distributed to Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania and Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1523): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Poland; distributed to France.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.1525): Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon from Denmark; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Australia): The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns consumers not to use Horror Make Up face paint, after testing reveals excessive levels of lead in the face paint. JP SAS Trading Pty Ltd. has recalled the face paint, which was sold through various discount variety stores in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Notification/Outbreak Alert Update (EU #2011.1479): Botulinum toxin in Gaudiano organic olives stuffed with almonds in glass jars from Italy; distributed to Armenia, Barbados, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

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.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Recalls and Alerts: October 27, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Landshire, Inc. (St. Louis, MO) expands its earlier recall of Nike Sandwich to include additional production dates and products, because the sandwiches may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.. The expanded recall includes Landshire Nike All-American Sandwich (7.25 oz/206g; UPC 0 9748801741 5; Production lot codes 11 237 6 through 11 285 6) and Landshire Nike Super Poor Boy Sandwich (2-count pkg (UPC 0 9748800765 2) or 8-count pkg (UPC 0 9748800712 6); Production lot codes 11 237 6 through 11 285 6). The recalled sandwiches were distributed nationwide at convenience stores, wholesale food distributors and retail supermarkets, including Ralphs and Walmart.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. recalls Turkish Pine Nuts sold in the Bulk Foods department of Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland between July 1 and October 18, 2011, after consumption of the pine nuts was linked to 42 confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in six states.
  • Food Safety Recall: Judy’s Catering, LLC (Burbank, CA) recalls ready-to-eat meals produced on 4/27/11, 6/15/11, 8/10/11, 9/12/11, or 9/13/11, because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. The ready-to-eat meals were sent to distribution centers in the Los Angeles County area, and may have been sold to airlines and hospitals. The recalled products carry expiration dates of 10/27/11, 12/15/11, 2/10/12, 3/12/12 or 3/13/12.
  • Food Safety Recall: A.L. Bazzini recalls Honey Nut & Seed Crunch (all lots) and Honey Nut & Seed Crunch Mix (all lots), due to possible foreign material in the product, according to a notice posted by Giant Eagle.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Saint Louis County Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of shiga toxin-producing E. coli that has sickened 14 people so far this week. The outbreak victims range from 4 to 94 years of age, and have been suffering from bloody diarrhea, according to a report on stltoday.com. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is assisting in the lab analysis and in the outbreak investigation, and has notified CDC.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: McCormick Canada Co. (London, ON) recalls McCormick International Roast Gravy Sauce Mix (32g; UPC 0 66200 90556 9; Date codes 1214A, 1214B, 1214C and 1215C), because the product may contain undeclared milk. The recalled sauce mix was distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Viande Richelieu Inc. recalls Viande Richelieu Horse Meat Deboned (Code 1237), Ground (code 1242) and Sliced (Code 1244), due to the presence of drug residues in the meat. The recalled horse meat was distributed to retailers in the province of Québec.

Europe

  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Apotex SPAIN SL recalls OLANZAPINA APOTEX 15MG 28 COMPRIMIDOS BUCODISPERSABLES EFG (Product of Apotex Inc (Canada); Lot JW5630; Expiry date 30/04/2013), due to the presence of 10mg blisters inside some containers.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Murray Goulburn Company Ltd. recalls Devondale UHT Skim Milk (2L tetra brik pkg; Best Before 05 June 12-3; Batch code 06:08 to 07:08), due to bacterial spoilage in some packs. The recalled milk was sold in Coles Supermarkets nationwide, in IGA stores in West Australia and Queensland, and at the Murray Goulbourne Trading Store in Corryong, VIC.
  • Food Safety Alert (West Australia): The public is reminded not to eat shellfish collected from within the Peel-Harvey Estuary (South of Mandurah), or wild shellfish from elsewhere in West Australia, due to the presence of algae that are capable of causing Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Medical Device Safety Recall (Brazil): Bayer SA recalls Countour TS Test Strips for Blood Glucose, because under certain conditions, some test strips can produce a falsely low blood glucose reading.

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.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.