Category: Salmonella

Recalls and Alerts: September 20, 2012

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: GHSW, LLC (Houston, TX) recalls expired products that contain cut mangoes sourced by Food Source from Agricola Daniella (Code dates from 9/7/12 to 9/15/12), because the mangoes may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were shipped to retail distribution centers August 29 – September 5, 2012, and sold through retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas under the Garden Highway and Signature Café brands, and as generic products. Please refer to the Salmonella Braenderup – Mango tab for a list of recalled products and retail distribution information.
  • Food Safety Alert: Forever Cheese has decided to stop importing and selling all products manufactured by Fattorie Chiarappa Srl (Conversano, Italy), effective immediately, including Ricotta Salata Frescolina, Marte brand Roasted Ricotta and Hard Ricotta Salata. Forever Cheese has taken the action due to possible contamination of Marte brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata cheese with Listeria monocytogenes. Fattorie Chiarappa Srl was placed on Import Alert by FDA on September 13, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. recalls fresh-cut mangoes (32-oz clear plastic bowls; Best by 9/18/12 and 9/22/12; lot codes 05252101 and 03256100, respectively), because the product contains mangoes from Agricola Daniella and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.
  • Outbreak Alert: CDC reports that a total of 196 persons in 31 states have been infected with Salmonella Sandiego, Salmonella Pomona and Salmonella Poona since August 3, 2011 as a result of exposure to small pet turtles or their environments.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: The Poultry Place (Saint Jacobs, ON) recalls Krispy Chicken Wings (2 lb; Best before up to and including 13MR11), due to the presence of undeclared egg, and Marinated Chicken Wings (2 lb & 3 lb; Best before up to and including 13MR11), due to the presence of undeclared wheat. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods expands its earlier recall of ground beef products to include additional products supplied to Sobeys/IGA, Presto, Club Entrepot and CO-OP, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the Canada/USA Ground Beef Recall tab for a detailed list of recalled products and affected retailers.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Blue River Dairy LP recalls Milk Maid’s Vanilla Sheep Milk Ice-Cream (850ml tubs) after discovering that the product has been incorrectly labeled. The label states that the product is Allergy Tolerant, Lactose & Dairy Friendly, which could be incorrectly interpreted to mean that the product is lactose and dairy free.

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 Rumors – DFI Cantaloupe

When DFI Marketing Inc. (Fresno, CA) recalled some cantaloupe melons on September 12, 2012, the story went something like this:

  • DFI routinely samples products for food borne pathogens prior to harvest; the testing is carried out by third-party labs.
  • The company’s internal sampling of the cartons involved in the recall were negative for Salmonella.
  • USDA found Salmonella on a single sample of cantaloupe during routine testing conducted at a wholesale produce distribution center (terminal market).
  • DFI, in consequence, recalled approximately 28,000 cartons of cantaloupes packed on August 26, 2012 as a precaution.

As so often happens in today’s world of sub-distributors and further processors, the DFI recall triggered others – including a September 13th recall announcement from Cut Fruit Express, Inc. (Inver Grove Heights, MN) and several supermarket chains. This time, though, there was an unusual wrinkle to the story.

Yesterday morning (Sept. 18th), I received an email from the Director of Quality Systems at one of the affected companies. This person had just been advised by their supplier that Salmonella had been found on the knife used to sample the DFI cantaloupe, and that DFI had been “cleared.” Naturally, my correspondent was eager to get to the bottom of this. As was I.

While my correspondent checked with FDA and with DFI, I queried USDA. Both FDA and DFI responded that the rumor was false; DFI even commented that they had heard the same rumor the day before from a different source.

Today, I received the following detailed reply from Shayla Mae Bailey, from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services’ Public Affairs desk:

I received your inquiry about the DFI Cantaloupe recall, and spoke with the MDP program about the rumors surrounding the lab’s results. Below is more detail about how samples are handled during our testing.

The Microbiological Data Program (MDP) recently reported a positive Salmonella enteritidis detection in cantaloupe to the Food and Drug Administration. The cantaloupes were distributed by the firm, DFI Marketing, Inc. of California, and were collected and tested in Colorado. Questions have surfaced about the validity of MDP’s reported results, especially in regard to sample handling and possible control contamination. MDP stands by its results. To ensure the reliability of results MDP relies on the expertise of trained State Department of Agriculture sample collectors.

Collectors follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and use aseptic technique (one-time use sterile gloves and sterile collection bags) when collecting samples for MDP. Collected samples are properly packaged and shipped the same day for overnight delivery to a MDP testing laboratory. After chain-of-custody receipt requirements are met, experienced laboratory personnel also use aseptic technique and follow SOPs to prepare samples for testing. To remove the chance for contamination, no cutting or slicing occurs for any MDP samples prior to or during any testing procedures.

When a positive is initially detected, MDP requires additional confirmation and this usually involves as many as five additional tests to be performed on the positive samples. In addition to the multiple confirmatory tests, MDP requires the laboratories to use special fluorescent-tagged controls throughout all testing procedures. These fluorescent-tagged controls allow for quick identification and also insures that a positive detection is a true result and not a control contamination. All MDP laboratories have achieved ISO 17025 certification and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for handling bacterial pathogens. For more details on MDP testing procedures, SOPs are accessible online at the website, www.usda.ams.gov/mdp.

Bottom line: The USDA stands by its results. The rumor is false. The recall is real.

Recalls and Alerts: September 19, 2012

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: FreshLine/Caito Foods Service (Indianapolis, IN) recalls certain expired fresh-cut mango products (Printed code dates from 08/04/12 to 09/16/12), because the products contain mangoes from Agricola Daniella and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were processed by FreshLine between July 26, 2012 and September 6, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Kroger Co. Family of Stores recalls Fresh Selections Tender Spinach (10-oz pkgs; UPC 0001111091649; Best if used by September 16), because the product, which was supplied by NewStar Fresh Foods LLC, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled spinach was sold in Kroger stores in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, central and eastern Tennessee, and Michigan, in Kroger, Jay C, Owen’s, Pay Less, Scott’s and Food 4 Less stores in Indiana, Illinois and eastern Missouri, and in Dillons, Baker’s, and Gerbes stores in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
  • Food Safety Recall: US Foods alerts its customers that Liberty Fruit of Kansas City has recalled Agricola Daniella brand mango products packed under the Tomorrow’s Tropical label, due to possible presence of Salmonella. One US Foods division is affect by this recall.
  • Food Safety Recall: Winn-Dixie expands earlier voluntary cut fruit recall to include additional items produced by Renaissance Food Group, because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were prepared at two Renaissance production facilities (P-009 or P-008), packaged in plastic bowls, and distributed from Aug 30 – Sept 18, 2012. Please refer to the recall notice for additional product identification and retail distribution details.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Winter Gardens Quality Foods, Inc. (New Oxford, PA) that a June 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns SR Rosati, Inc. (Clifton Heights, PA) that a May-June 2012 inspection of the company’s processing facility found significant deviations from the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations for food manufacturers.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns MDK Enterprises, Inc. dba Maui Jelly Factory and Maui Fudge & Ono Chocolates (Pukalani, Maui, HI) that a May 2012 inspection of the company’s food processing facility determined that the facility produces an acidified food and revealed significant deviations from the requirements of the Acidified Food regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Caseificio Sociale Manciano (Manciano, Italy) that a February 2012 inspection of the company’s cheese processing facility found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Persimmon Hill Farm Gourmet Foods (Lampe, MO) that a May 2012 inspection of the company’s facility found serious deviations from the Acidified Food regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Sam & Son Wholesale Group, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) that a June 2012 inpsection of the company’s multiple food storage facility found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods, including evidence of rodent activity.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Sea One Enterprises, Inc. (Walton Hills, OH) that a June-July 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Blends Maker Manufacturing, Inc. (Caguas, PR) that a January/February/April 2012 inspection of the company’s juice and juice beverage manufacturing facility located in Comerio (PR) found serious repeat violations of the juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Naturavit, Inc. (Miami, FL) that a February-March 2012 inspection of the company’s facility found serious violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Kuang Pei San Food Products Public Col, PLC. (Thailand) that a review of the company’s HACCP plans determined that the firm continues to have serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Indian Food & Spices, LLC (Rahway, NJ) that an April 2012 inspection of the company’s food warehouse documented serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for manufacturing, packing, or holding human food.
  • Outbreak Alert (Illinois): Kane County Health Department is conducting a food-borne illness investigation into six cases of Salmonella that are linked to Aliano’s Ristorante in downtown Batavia. One person was hospitalized.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Best Express Foods, Inc. recalls First Grain Bars (Production code 2456168; Best before Nov 13, 2012), sold between September 5 and September 17, 2012 in Costco Wholesale warehouses in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, because the product contains undeclared sesame seeds.
  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods (Est 38) expands its earlier recall to include additional brands, products and retail distribution information, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the Expanded Health Hazard Alert for details. A complete list of recalled products can be found on the E. coli O157:H7 recall tab at the top of the eFoodAlert page.
  • Food Safety Recall: C & C Packing Inc. (Est S712) recalls ground beef products due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were distributed in Quebec.
  • Natural Health Product Safety Alert/Recall: Wing Quon Enterprises recalls Zhuifeng Tougu Wan, an unauthorized natural health product, due to levels of mercury that are far beyond the allowable limit set by Health Canada. The recalled products were sold by Sung Ming Hong in Toronto (ON) and by four retailers in British Columbia.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Greece): Parmenopoulos Anestis Confectionery Manufacturing recalls Glucose Corn Syrup for Pastries (400g; Expiry 30/07/2013), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Trofotechniki SA recalls Strawberry Syrup (1 L; Expiry 30/05/2013), because the product contains benzoic acid, which is not permitted for this food category.
  • Food Safety Alert (EU Countries): The United Kingdom and Sweden have issued warnings agains consuming sprits from the Czech Republic. Nineteen people in the Czech Republic are dead and 36 hospitalized after drinking bootleg spirits containing methanol. Cases also have been reported in Poland and Slovakia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Allergy Alert (Hong Kong/Taiwan): Metro Alliance Ltd. recalls Oats & Job’s Tear Powder (240g / 8 x 30 packets; Product of Taiwan; Best before December 5, 2013), because the product contains undeclared peanut.

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.