Recalls and Alerts: March 16, 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 Update: USDA releases updated retail distribution list for various meat and poultry products recalled on February 15, 2012 by AA Meat Products Corporation that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Franck’s Compounding Lab (Ocala, FL) recalls Brilliant Blue G (All lot codes) after receiving reports that some patients treated with the product have experienced fungal infections in the eye. Physicians are instructed to return any remaining product to Franck’s.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency announces the recall of Koh-Kae brand Peanuts Shrimp Flavour Coated snack product (230g pkgs; UPC 8 852023 665481; All lot codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in Ontario and Quebec, and may have been distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Orque Tradevelop Corporation recalls Cup Star Shoyu (71g; UPC 4 901734 014676), due to the presence of undeclared crustacean/shellfish. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: Whole Foods Market advises its customers that Dion brand Organic Curry Powder (36g; UPC 6 20383 02007 7; Lot 02B12G & 12A05G), which was recalled by G. Dion Foods due to potential contamination with Salmonella, was sold in Canadian Whole Foods Market stores.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Naturadif Inc. (Montreal, QC) recalls HD Life Style Hairspray Extreme hairsprays (500mL black aerosol container; Manufactured in Italy by Farmavita), because the product contains methylene chloride, which is banned as an ingredient in pressurized products. The recalled product was sold at salons in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ontario): Ottawa Public Health reports an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses that has affected 27 people, including 23 children aged 15 months to 14 years. Six schools and daycare facilities have reported at least one confirmed case. Three of the outbreak victims were hospitalized, but have been released.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Goodman Fielder New Zealand Ltd. recalls Deli Kitchen Classic Ham & Mustard Sandwich (155g; Use by 17/03/12 and 18/03/12) and Deli Kitchen Classic Ham & Mayo Sandwich (155g; Use by 17/03/12 and 18/03/12), due to the possible presence of plastic in the sandwiches. The recalled products were sold in service stations, some corner stores, some mini-marts and some supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

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.

The Real Pink Slime

OK. I get it. You want to have the option of choosing whether or not to buy ground beef that contains Lean Finely Textured Beef. Sorry, I meant “pink slime.”

Now, how would you like the packages of ground beef to be labeled?

Hmmm…

May contain beef that has been treated to kill harmful bacteria? Definitely not. Sounds too healthy.

May contain ammoniated Lean Finely Textured Beef? No. Too technical sounding.

May contain ammoniated defatted finely ground beef? No. Not disgusting enough.

Guess the label should simply declare “Contains pink slime.

Now that we’ve got that issue resolved, let’s not forget the real risks hiding in those packages of ground beef and pre-formed burger patties – SalmonellaE. coli O157:H7 and other shiga-toxin producing E. coli.

E. coli O157:H7 Photo by Janice Haney Carr, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

These pathogenic bacteria are the real hazards associated with eating beef burgers. These are the culprits that maim thousands of victims annually – killing some and leaving many others to deal with life-long chronic ailments.

These are the real Pink Slime.

Recalls and Alerts: March 14, 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

  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Withdrawal: Giant® Food Stores advises its customers that the manufacturer has withdrawn Pepto Bismol Cherry (12 0L; UPC 30149032047) due to a deviation from the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Raw Elements Inc. recalls Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Raw Protein Plant – Based (1kg; Lot AC25111; Enjoyed Best by 03/2013; UPC 7 18122 58829 9), due to the presence of undeclared tree nuts. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
  • Allergy Alert: Perestroika Products Ltd. (Burnaby, BC) recalls Red Square brand Powerflax Energy  Cookies – High Fiber (650g/8-bar pkg; UPC 7 75461 76107 3; Lot code 35220.11), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed through London Drugs stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall: G. Dion Foods (Saint-Jerome, QC) recalls Dion brand Organic Curry Powder (36g; UPC 6 20383 02007 7; Lot code 01B12G & 12A05G), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled curry powder was distributed in Ontario and Quebec. This is an expansion of a previously announced recall.
  • Outbreak Alert (Ontario): CBC News reports that Ottawa Public Health is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning that is believed to be linked to a catering service named “The Lunch Lady.” Sixteen children and four adults are confirmed to have been infected so far; the number is expected to grow.

Europe

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Hellers Limited recalls certain Hellers Precooked Flavoured Sausages (1kg packs; All use by dates up to and including 18 April 2012), due to the presence of traces of gluten. The recalled sausages include Chinese Honey, Spicy Italian, Super Savoury, Chunky Cheese, and Original Gluten-Free flavours and were sold in retail outlets throughout the North Island.

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.