Category: Staphylococcus

Recalls and Alerts: March 26, 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: The Kroger Company recalls Private Selection Fresh Salsa (12 oz), Private Selection Salsa, Hot (12 oz), and Private Selection Pico de Gallo (12 oz), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold in Kroger (Greater Cincinnati, including Northern Kentucky, Dayton, OH and South Eastern Indiana, Central and Northwest Ohio and N. West Virginia panhandle, Greater Memphis, TN, Arkansas, Mississippi and Western Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Eastern WV, Eastern Kentucky, SE Ohio), Jay C, Food4Less and FoodsCo stores. This recall may be linked to the March 24th recall of fresh jalapenos by Castellini Produce.
  • Food Safety Recall: Claravale Farm (Paicines, CA) recalls Raw milk (1 qt; yellow or green plastic cap; Code dates of Mar 27 and earlier), Raw nonfat milk (1 qt; blue plastic cap; Code dates of Mar 27 and earlier), and Raw cream (1 pt; white plastic cap; Code dates of Mar 27 and earlier), due to possible Campylobacter contamination. The California Department of Public Health has released a retail distribution list for these recalled raw milk products.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent Inc. recalls Fromage au lait cru à pâte molle affiné en surface (1 kg; Codes 04 12 11, 05 12 11, 11 12 11, 14 12 11, 23 12 11, 24 12 11, 25 12 11, 26 12 11, 30 12 11, and 31 12 11), due to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus. The recalled raw milk cheese was sold in retail stores in Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): Candyking withdraws Candyking Chokobunny (No. 310 789) and Candyking Påskmix (No. 310 798) due to the presence of undeclared whey powder.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Ella’s Kitchen Ltd. recalls Stage 3 Seriously Comforting Cottage Pie with a Pinch of Cinnamon (Best before February 2013), because the product pouch may contain hardened cinnamon, which could present a choking risk. The recalled product was supplied to Tesco stores only.
  • Food Poisoning Alert (Italy): The Ministry of Health reports that three people became suddenly ill after ingesting Cargill Manchester brand Sorbitol Food Grade (Produced in Italy by Cargill Srl. Div. Amidi-Der-Spec Castelmassa) as part of a test for food intolerance conducted at a private outpatient clinic in Barletta. One of the victims, a 29-year old woman died as a result of cardiac arrest; the other two people – one of them comatose – remain hospitalized.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (UK): Wockhardt UK Ltd. recalls Co-codamol 8/500 tablets (pkg of 32 tablets; codeine phosphate 8mg, paracetamol 500mg; Batch #LL11701; Expiry Sep 2014), because some blisters may contain the higher strength co-codamol 30/500 tablets. Physicians and pharmacists are requested to contact patients who may have received the recalled batch of tablets.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): The UK Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pathogens has reported 49 non-travel associated cases of Salmonella Poona between October 24, 2011 and March 19, 2012, compared to 21 and 33 cases during all of 2009 and 2010, respectively. Cases have occurred across England and Wales, although not in London or the East Midlands. Fourteen of the victims received hospital treatment. Forty of the cases are due to a single genetic strain of Salmonella Poona. Possible sources of the illnesses is under investigation.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0448): Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in lamb liver from Germany; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0449): Salmonella group O7 in dried black mushrooms from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0452): Parasitic infestation with Anisakis of chilled monkfish from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0454): Unknown hazard in sorbitol from the United Kingdom; distributed to Italy.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0455): Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed supplement for homing pigeons from the Netherlands; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0457): Glass fragments in strawberry conserve from France; distributed to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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: February 22, 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

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Healthy People Co. recalls all lot numbers of the following products, due to the presence of the prescription drugs Sibutramine and Tadalafil: Mince Belle (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203305), Everlax (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203046), Ever Slim (30 capsules; UPC 7503013203053), Ever Slim Shake Mix – Strawberry (17.6 oz; UPC 7503013203084), Ever Slim Shake Mix – Chocolate (17.6 oz; UPC 7503013203077), Acai-Man Mangosteen Herbal Drink (16.6 oz; UPC 7503013203015), and Perfect Men (10 capsules; UPC7503013203190).
  • FDA Enforcement Action: A federal court has granted FDA a permanent injunction preventing Daniel L. Allgyer and his Rainbow Acres Farm from distributing raw milk and raw milk products in final package form for human consumption across state lines. The FDA sought the injunction against Allgyer after documenting multiple and repeated violations of federal law. The agency issued a warning letter to Allgyer in April 2010, informing him of these violations and requesting that he take corrective measures to avoid regulatory action. Despite such warning, Allgyer continued to operate in violation of federal law.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: IGA – Marchés Pépin inc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) recalls several ready-to-eat products due to the presence of undeclared soy, sesame, milk and/or wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected products.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent Inc. recalls Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent Fromage au Lait Cru à Pâte Molle Affiné en Surface (1kg; Date Code 10 12 2011), due to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus. The recalled cheese was distributed in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel (Blainville, QC) recalls Tour Eiffel brand Parisian Cooked Ham, because the product may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria or parasites. The recalled product was sold from deli counters at certain Sobeys stores (including IGA and IGA extra) and Metro stores (including Metro and Marché Richelieu) as well as certain independent grocers and delicatessens in Quebec between February 10 and 21, 2012.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose Gammon in Parsley Sauce (400g; Use by 23 February 2012), because the product may contain haddock instead of gammon.
  • Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Migros recalls Tail-on Cooked Shrimp (500g; Raised in Indonesia; Sell by dates 19.02.2012 – 23.02.2012 inclusive; Consume by dates of 20.02.2012 – 24.02.2012, inclusive), after internal quality control tests reveals the presence of pathogenic Listeria.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (Spain): B. Braun Medical, S.A. recalls a number of Nutriflex products for infusion, due to the detection of particles in the products. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0267): Absence of health mark on fresh eggs from Poland; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0268): Mercury in frozen fish from Madagascar; distributed to France.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2012.0269): Incorrect labeling on ampoules of Vitamin C from Spain; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0270): Mercury in frozen fillets of swordfish with skin from Vietnam, via the Netherlands; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0271): Excessive benzoic acid, undeclared caffeine in, and insufficient labeling of, energy drink from Japan; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0272): Unauthorized morpholine in plums from the United States; distributed to Austria and the Czech Republic.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0273): Arsenic in sea algae meal from France; distributed to Austria.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • OTC Medical Device Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Coloplast (Hong Kong) Limited recalls Biatain Ibu dressing (Product of Denmark), as the product contains Ibuprofen, and has not been registered as a pharmaceutical product. The recall was initiated at the instruction of the Hong Kong Department of Health.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Allergy Alert (Australia): Oriental Merchant Pty Ltd recalls Koh-Kae Peanuts Coconut Cream Flavour Coated (125g and 265g orange tin cans; All Best before dates; Product of Thailand), due to the presence of undeclared milk and egg. The recalled products were sold nationally at Woolworths, Coles and IGA supermarkets, Asian grocery stores and other independent outlets.

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: February 11, 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: House of Spice (Hayward, CA) recalls Laxmi Brand Rewadi (Jaggery) Candy (7 oz; Imported from India; All date codes), due to unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candy was distributed to retailers in Northern California and Washington state.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Washington State Department of Health has determined that norovirus caused at least 229 illnesses among participants and attendees at a February 4th state high school cheerleading tournament, held in Everett. At least 33 of the victims reported seeking medical care, although no one required hospital admission. State officials expect that the final outbreak tally will be higher than the 229 illness reported so far.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Food Safety News reports that the Campylobacter outbreak associated with drinking raw milk supplied by The Family Cow dairy farm in Chambersburg, PA now encompasses 60 outbreak victims, in four states. Pennsylvania (51 illnesses), Maryland (4), West Virginia (3), and New Jersey (2) all have reported illnesses linked to this outbreak.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Ilana Robyn Foods Ltd. (Toronto, ON) recalls Sweets From The Earth brand Dairy Free Wild Blueberry Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001181; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (700 g; UPC 855144001044; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (100 g; UPC 855144001037; Best Before dates up to and including Feb 17, 2012), Dairy Free Chocolate Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001198; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), and Gluten Free & Dairy Free Espresso Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001327; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled cake products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Outbreak Alert (Zimbabwe): Eyewitness News reports that the Harare Magistrates Court had to shut down after 5 magistrates and more than 20 clerks became ill with suspected typhoid. Zimbabwe has been suffering from a typhoid outbreak since November, but this is the first indication that the epidemic has affected the central part of the capital city.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Mexico): Staphylococcus aureus has been confirmed as the cause of an outbreak of food poisoning that sickened 709 attendees at a political rally in Guerrero. The bacterium was found in the meal of egg tacos with rice that was given to the attendees to take home with them at the end of the rally.
  • Outbreak Alert (Cayman Islands): The Public Health Department of teh Cayman Islands has issued a public health advisory that an unusually high number of cases of gastroenteritis – more than 60 cases per week – have been reported during the past two weeks. The usual rate of illnesses is 15 to 25 cases per week.

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.