Category: typhoid

Recalls and Alerts: August 22, 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

  • Medical Device Safety Recall: CooperVision, a subsidiary of The Cooper Companies (Pleasanton, CA) recalls certain lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses, because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lenses. The problem was discovered as a result of a “small number of complaints” of temporary hazy vision. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, this recall extends also to BioComfort XO Toric contact lenses, and affects lenses sold in the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Far East North America Food Ltd. (Richmond, BC) recalls Trung Nguyen brand G7 Coffee (24 x 16g outer pkg/16g inner pouch; NSX: 15.03.2011 20 or 21; HSD: 15.03.2013 T1), because the product contains undeclared milk. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta and British Columbia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Beverly Meats (1995) Ltd. (Edmonton, AB) expands its earlier recall to include all ready-to-eat meat products sold from Beverly Meats from August 4th up to and including August 17, 2011, because the meats may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled meat products were sold only at Beverly Meats (1995) Ltd. located at 4018 – 118 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.
  • Food Recall: Olympic Dairy Products Inc. recalls Krema Thick and Rich Yogurt Greek Style(100g; Code date 2011 SE 13), due to microbiological
  • Medical Device Safety Recall: CooperVision, a subsidiary of The Cooper Companies (Pleasanton, CA) recalls certain lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses, because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lenses. The problem was discovered as a result of a “small number of complaints” of temporary hazy vision. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, this recall extends also to BioComfort XO Toric contact lenses, and affects lenses sold in the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Carrefour Greece recalls several types of chocolate bars after insect larvae were detected in the products sampled from the company’s Cyprus operation.
  • Food Safety Recall (Finland): Raisio Nutrition Ltd. recalls Anni Helena wheat flour (2-kg bag; Best before 29/07/2012) due to infestation with insect larvae.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): SuperBest(Venusvej 10 , 7000 Fredericia) recalls all foods purchased at its location from 4 July 2011 to 18 August 2011 inclusive, after rats were found on the premises of the supermarket.
  • Medical Device Safety Recall: CooperVision, a subsidiary of The Cooper Companies (Pleasanton, CA) recalls certain lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses, because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lenses. The problem was discovered as a result of a “small number of complaints” of temporary hazy vision. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, this recall extends also to BioComfort XO Toric contact lenses, and affects lenses sold in the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Vietnam): A survey of 119 samples of fruit imported from China found 18 with pesticide residues – all under the allowed level. The Vietnam Department of Agriculture plans to verify pesticide residues in 1,300 vegetable samples by year end.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority has ordered the recall of several “health” products from Aghadeir Company Products of Morocco, after finding pharmaceutical ingredients such as cyproheptadine, tadalafil and anthraquinone in these products. Consumers are urged not to use these products to dispose of any remaining products in their possession.
  • Medical Device Safety Recall (Hong Kong): CooperVision Hong Kong recalls BioComfort XO Toric and Avaira Toric contact lenses (all lot codes), after some consumers report discomfort or blurred vision due to transient swelling of the surface layer of the cornea, due to a small amount of residues on the lens.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mali): One hundred and thirty people landed in hospital in Koutiala with symptoms of food poisoning after consuming fritters and pancakes that had been fried in adulterated oil. Three people have been arrested and investigations are continuing. The incriminated oil was imported from a “neighboring country.”
  • Outbreak Alert (PRC): Vinegar adulterated with anti-freeze is suspected to have killed 11 people – including six-year-old child – who participated in a Ramadan feast in the western region of Xinjiang. One person is still in critical condition; 120 people were poisoned by the tainted vinegar.
  • Outbreak Alert (Congo): Several thousand cases of cholera have been reported since March 2011 along the Congo River, both in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Republic of Congo, according to a travel notice from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
  • Outbreak Alert (Fiji): Eight serious cases of typhoid were recorded at the Lautoka Hospital in Western Fiji last month.
  • Outbreak Alert (Egypt): A homemaker and three children developed severe food poisoning after consuming spoiled food at home. All four victims were hospitalized.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Medical Device Safety Recall: CooperVision, a subsidiary of The Cooper Companies (Pleasanton, CA) recalls certain lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses, because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lenses. The problem was discovered as a result of a “small number of complaints” of temporary hazy vision. According to the Hong Kong Department of Health, this recall extends also to BioComfort XO Toric contact lenses, and affects lenses sold in the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and Spain.

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: May 10, 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: Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (Coral Gables, FL) recalls Roche Bros. Vegetable Tray (3-lb oval transparent; UPC 717524888013; Best if used by dates: 4/23/2011, 4/24/2011, 4/26/2011, 4/27/2011, 4/28/2011, 4/30/20115/1/2011 and 5/3/2011), and Roche Bros. Vegetable Trio tray (16-oz transparent; UPC 715524304162; Best if used by dates: 4/23/2011, 4/24/2011, 4/27/2011, 4/28/2011, 4/30/2011, 5/1/2011 and 5/3/2011), because the grape tomatoes that were used in these trays were supplied by Six L’s Packing Company and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold in Roche Bros. Supermarkets in Massachusetts.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway Inc. recalls Eating Right Veggie Party Platter (UPC 79893-10708; sold from 04-29-2011 to 05-07-2011; “Best if Used By” dates ranging from 05-09-2011 to 05-16 2011), supplied by Mann’s Packing, because the platters contain grape tomatoes sourced from Six L’s and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold at all Safeway and Safeway-owned stores, including Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save stores.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Multi-Mex Distributor Inc. (Tucker, GA) recalls dietary supplements that are packaged to resemble antibiotics. The recalled products were distributed in Georgia, Tennessee, California, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado and Indiana (Indianapolis only). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
  • Veterinary First Aid Kits Recall (Alcohol Prep Pads): Creative Pet Products, Inc. and MAI/Genesis (Veterinary Concepts) recall several Pet Supply First Aid Kits containing alcohol prep pads and/or iodine prep pads manufactured by H&P Industries Inc. (Triad or NovaPlus brands), as the prep pads may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus. The affected kits include: 10140 Horse Aid™ Kit, 10145 Sporting Dog Kit, 10148 Sporting Dog II Kit, and 10151 K9 First Aid Police & Military Kit.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns God’s Garden Pharmacy (San Diego, CA) that a January 2011 inspection of the company’s facility identified a number of significant violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Tufo’s To Go, L.L.C. (Pataskala, OH) that a December 2010/January 2011 inspection of the company’s airline catering facility resulted in the classification of the facility being changed from “Approved” to “Provisional” after the inspection revealed significant violations of the Interstate Conveyance Sanitation regulations promulgated under the Public Health Service Act.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Dangjin Food, Inc. (Republic of Korea) that a review of the company’s HACCP plans revealed serious deviations from the requirements of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns International Fish Canners (Scotland) Ltd. (United Kingdom) that an October 2010 inspection of the company’s canned seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the United States’ Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Regulation.

Europe

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Denmark): Denmark’s Food Administration warns consumers against a range of dietary supplements containing the potentially harmful herbal ingredient Maca. These dietary supplements are marketed under the names Maca 500 mg, Horny Goat Weed & Catuaba, Tribolan, Maca Pro powder, Maca Extreme, Red Maca, Maca Powder Pro 6.1 CAC Organize and Raw Maca Powder.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Multiple links in Jamie Oliver’s chain of Italian restaurants has been named as the possible source of food poisoning incidents in an article by Nick McDermott, writing for MailOnline. According to the article, food safety violations were detected during spot-checks at 11 restaurants in the chain between November 2009 and November 2010. The information was obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0606): Foreign body (bone) in mussels in brine from Denmark; distributed to Malta.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0607): Mold in rye whole grain crackers from Germany; distributed to Germany and Austria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0608): Adulteration (vegetable sugars added) of honey from Spain; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0609): Glass fragments in jars containing gherkins from Turkey; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0610): Glyphosate in dried lentils from Italy; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0611): Salmonella enteritidis in biscuits from Poland; distributed to Poland.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0612): Ammonium sulphate adulteration in protein feed from Italy, via Slovakia; distributed to Hungary.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2011.0613): Salmonella in chilled chicken kebab from Denmark; distributed to Sweden.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2011.0614): Salmonella Livingstone in poultry meat and bone meal from Germany; distributed to Latvia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): Nestlé recalls Milkybar Buttons (Product of UK), because the candy may be contaminated with pieces of rubber.
  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public that herbal and cosmetic products marketed by Al Bussma Al Thahabiyah Company are not registered with the FDA and have been found to contain harmful substances. Please refer to the official notice for a list of the affected products.
  • Contact Lens Safety Alert (Philippines): The Philippines FDA warns the public that sidewalk vendors in Metro Manila are selling contact lenses without a license in violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act. These unregistered products pose a risk of injury to anyone who uses them.
  • Outbreak Alert (Taiwan): A snack bar serving Indonesian noodles in Hsinchu Science Park has been identified as the source of four cases of typhoid fever. A 60-year old restaurant cook – an immigrant from Indonesia – was found to be the source of the contamination.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Vietnam): The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will be carrying out a nationwide food hygiene survey in anticipation of the implementation of the country’s new Food Hygiene Law, which comes into effect on July 1st.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Name and Shame (New South Wales): The NSW Food Authority has published a list of 33 establishments that received Penalty Notices under the Name & Shame program. The establishments are located in Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Wyong, Canada Bay, Waverley, Warringah, Penrith, Sydney, Marrickville, Gosford, Blacktown, Holroyd, Baulkham Hills, Mosman, Maitland, Willoughby and Auburn.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: April 14, 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: Spice Hunter recalls Spice Hunter Curry Seasoning, 1.8oz (Lots 09 198 and 09 225) and Spice Hunter Ground Turmeric, 2.0oz (Lots 09 196, 09 201 and 09 264) due to the possibility of high levels of lead in the products. The recalled items were sold at Top Food & Drug store locations, and may also have been available elsewhere.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Investigation: On Friday, March 25th, the Rhode Island Department of Health issued a recall of all baked goods from DeFusco’s Bakery in Johnston, RI. As of April 13, 2011, the recalled zeppole and other baked goods have been implicated in 75 cases of Salmonella gastroenteritis (74 in Rhode Island and one in Massachusetts); 46 of the cases have been lab-confirmed; 29 victims were hospitalized (2 remain in hospital), and two people have died.
  • Recreational Water Safety Advisory (Oregon): A Health Advisory has been issued due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Seaside Beach in Clatsop County. Direct contact with the water should be avoided until the advisory is lifted.
  • Cosmetics Product Safety Recall: Redken recalls Redken Guts Volume Foam Mousse (UPC 82214226107), because the aerosal can liner may corrode over time, leading to possible explosion of the can.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: L’Épicerie du Village (Sainte-Sophie) recalls a large number of prepared soups, entrées, pâtés and sauces, due to the presence of undeclared egg, wheat, soy, milk protein and/or sulfite.
  • Outbreak Alert (Saskatchewan): Four residents and six staff members at the Gull Lake Special Care Centre have been identified as suffering from an enteric illness, the cause of which has not been determined. The Cypress Health Region has declared a “Full Outbreak” at the facility. In order to prevent the outbreak from spreading further, visitation to the entire facility is restricted until further notice.
  • Health Advisory (Saskatchewan): The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and Ministry of Health warn that heightened risk of flooding in many parts of the province this spring may pose a threat to private water wells and cisterns used for drinking water sources. As a safety measure during spring runoff, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is offering free testing of private wells and cisterns used as sources of drinking water that have been potentially impacted by flooding across the province.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Singapore): Singapore has lifted its suspension on the import of fruites and vegetables from Japan’s Ehime prefecture.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (China): Chinese authorities have detained five people and shut down the Shanghai Shenglu Food Co, a steamed bun manufacturer, after finding that the company’s products had been dyed, were expired, or contained undeclared chemicals.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): The Provincial Health Office has warned of an outbreak of typhoid fever in Negros Occidental province. The number of cases reported so far in 2011 is 60% higher than during the same period last year. Three deaths due to typhoid have been recorded this year.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of cholera has been declared in Bataraza town in Palawan. At least 430 cases of diarrhea have been reported since March 1st; at least 30 people – mostly children belonging to a tribe – have died.
  • Outbreak Alert (Congo DR): Fifty-one people have died as a result of cholera in eastern Congo (Democratic Republic) since February. Since the onset of the outbreak, 913 people have been hospitalized. It is feared that the onset of heavy rains could worsen the outbreak.
  • Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigation (Mauritius): Eighty-two people were diagnosed with food poisoning by staff of the Flacq Hospital on April 10th. Sixty people were admitted to hospital due to the severity of their symptoms. One death may be linked to the outbreak. All of the victims report having eaten cream pie purchased at the Marday White Mountain bakery on April 7th. The bakery’s manager, who also suffered from the food poisoning incident, has been questioned by police.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Colombia): The Ministry of Health reports that 19 confirmed cases of hepatitis A infections have been diagnosed in La Paz within the last month; an additional 10 suspect cases are under investigation. Approximately one-half of the victims are under 14 years of age. The source of the outbreak has not been determined, but contaminated food and/or unsafe drinking water are suspected.
  • Outbreak Update (Haiti): The rainy season is bringing with it a flare-up in the number of reported cases of cholera. In the last two weeks – since the onset of the rainy season – the Partners in Health cholera center in Mirebalais has seen 1,000 new cases. As a whole, Haiti is reporting some 2,000 new cholera cases a week.
  • Health Alert (Mexico): The Ministry of Health reports that 27,476 cases of acute diarrheal disease have been documented in Yucatan so far in 2011 – up 19% over the same period last year. Forty percent of the cases are children under five years of age.

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.