Category: Uncategorized

Recalls and Alerts: April 11, 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: Mexicantown Wholesale (Detroit, MI) recalls all lots of Pan Nuez, Magdalena, Pan de Maiz, Yoyo and Tacos de Pan Danes manufactured between 6/27/2010 and 12/28/2010 because they contain undeclared j8oikn wheat and FD&C Yellow #5. In addition, the Pan Nuez contains undeclared pecan chips. The recalled products were sold in retail stores in Michigan.
  • Food Recall/Withdrawal: Food City recalls/withdraws Food Club Mild Taco Sauce.
  • Cosmetics Product Recall: Procter & Gamble recalls ten Clairol Natural Instincts shades, due to a mismatched ColorFresh™ Revitalizer sachet in the kits that may create an unwanted color result. The recalled product was distributed in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Quality Natural Foods Ltd. (Scarborough, ON) recalls Haldiram’s Nagpur brand Gulab Jamun Indian Sweets (1 Kg and 4 Kg sizes; All codes and Best Before dates), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The products were distributed across Canada.
  • Food Safety Recall (Expanded): Farm Boy recalls all glass-bottled Farm Boy Organic Milk, Skim, 2 Percent, 1 Percent, 3.8 Percent, Unhomogenized and Chocolate, due to reports of glass fragments apparently originating from the packing process at Cochrane’s Dairy in Russel. The recalled products were distributed at Farm Boy stores in Ontario.
  • Health Hazard Alert (Update): The public is warned not to consume raw shelled walnuts sold between January 1 and April 8, 2011 at Kim’s Mart (519-523 E. Broadway, Vancouver, BC) and sold between March 30 and April 8, 2011 at Triple A Market (1626 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC), because the walnuts may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This Alert relates to the walnut recall announced last week by Amira Enterprises and the ongoing investigation into a series of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses reported in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick.
  • Health Hazard Alert/Safety Recall: The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the City of Montréal warn the public not to consume walnuts and mixed nuts containing walnuts sold at the following locations: Fruiterie Royal Gala, 2213 rue Beaubien Est, Montreal (between February 11 and April 8, 2011), Pâtisserie traiteur Adar, 5634 avenue Westminister, Côte-Saint-Luc (between January 17 and April 4, 2011) and Délices des nations, 185 Belvédère Nord, Sherbrooke (between January 1 and April 8, 2011). The walnuts were recalled after being implicated in an outbreak of E. coli o157:H7 that is still under investigation.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nys Pâtissier (Pâtisserie Belge Artisanale, Trois-Rivières) recalls Sauce à Spaghetti Maison (1000 glass jars), because it was produced and stored under conditions that could result in a food safety hazard.
  • Cosmetics Product Recall: Procter & Gamble recalls ten Clairol Natural Instincts shades, due to a mismatched ColorFresh™ Revitalizer sachet in the kits that may create an unwanted color result. The recalled product was distributed in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): ICA withdraws Euroshopper brand Fish Fingers x30 (900g package; all best-before dates) due to the presence of undeclared egg protein.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Bernard Matthews Farms recalls Bernard Matthews Farms Turkey Goujons (192g and 384g pack sizes; Use by 13 April 2011), because the product may contain small hard pieces of plastic.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public not to use Camera brand industrial nipples models 10095, 140 ml with Barcode 4711146100948, and model 10099, 250 ml with Barcodes 4711146100986 and 4711146100993 , made in Peoples Republic of China. Analysis of the nipples determined that they are made of polyvinyl chloride (the packages state silicon). The nipples do not comply with Saudi Standard Specifications for Nipples, as the nipples exceeded the permissible limits for transfer of plastic components into contacting food.

Australia and New Zealand

  • “Boil Water” Alert (Queensland): Queensland Health is warning Roma residents to use cooled, boiled water for drinking, cooking, washing raw foods, making ice and cleaning teeth, after Salmonella was detected in the Council’s drinking supplies connected to households in Roma. Residents experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis should contact their medical practitioner or health facility.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Cosmetics Product Recall: Procter & Gamble recalls ten Clairol Natural Instincts shades, due to a mismatched ColorFresh™ Revitalizer sachet in the kits that may create an unwanted color result. The recalled product was distributed in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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.

Salmonella Panama: Del Monte’s Dilemma

Cantaloupes grown in Guatemala have been blamed for a baker’s dozen of Salmonella Panama illnesses, according to CDC and various state health authorities.

CDC, which released an updated tally yesterday (March 29th), reports that the 13 outbreak victims fell ill between February 5th and March 4th. Three of the 13 infected individuals were hospitalized.

In response to the outbreak, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. recalled cantaloupe melons (packaged three to a bag in mesh bags) that were distributed through warehouse stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The recalled melons all came from a single Del Monte Fresh Produce farm – the Asuncion Mita farm in Guatemala – and were sold in Costco stores in those seven states between March 10th and March 21st.

Based on information contained in the CDC report and obtained from health officials in the affected states, the 13 confirmed cases of Salmonella Panama infections are located in:

  • Alaska.- No cases of Salmonella Panama have been reported.
  • California.- Two confirmed cases. Based on the retail distribution list posted by the California Department of Public Health, the recalled melons were sold in Costco stores in Northern California.
  • Colorado.- One confirmed case. The victim reported having eaten cantaloupe “from a warehouse store” prior to becoming ill.
  • Idaho.- No cases have been confirmed. The Central District Health Department is investigating a cluster of approximately 40 people who fell ill after attending a March 12th wedding reception in the Boise area at which cantaloupe from Costco was served. Two of the ill individuals submitted stool samples, which are still undergoing lab tests for Salmonella and Norovirus. Two melons were obtained from Costco for testing, but the store could not confirm whether the melons were from an implicated lot. Neither melon yielded Salmonella.
  • Maryland.- One confirmed case matching the outbreak strain. This victim reported having eaten cantaloupe in the week prior to becoming ill. The cantaloupe WAS NOT purchased at Costco.
  • Montana.- No cases of Salmonella Panama have been reported.
  • Oregon.- Five confirmed cases, among attendees at a church supper where cantaloupe purchased from Costco was served. An additional three attendees at the supper also were ill, but have not been lab-confirmed. One more person was infected with a very similar (but distinguishable) genetic variant of Salmonella Panama, and also reported having consumed melon from Costco.
  • Washington.- Four confirmed cases, including one adult (male), and three children (2 boys and one girl). The adult victim is from Whatcom County; the children live in Thurston County (one boy) and King County (one boy and one girl).

According to Bill Keene, Oregon’s No. 1 Disease Detective, Costco receives only about 6% of the cantaloupes grown on Del Monte’s Asuncion Mita farm. The rest of the crop is shipped to numerous other wholesalers and retailers – most, but not all, of them in the USA. The farm comprises some 15 cantaloupe fields, which are planted and harvested in series to ensure a continuous supply of melons. The last of the 15 fields to be harvested has been shut down since early March.

I asked Bill Keene about the rationale behind the recall. He said that the situation presented quite a dilemma, both to public health officials and to Del Monte. By the time the outbreak was identified and a probable source determined – which happened rather quickly, thanks to the relative rarity of Salmonella Panama and the Oregon illness cluster – the implicated melons had passed their usable shelf life. There was no point in recalling fruit that was no longer edible.

Why, then, did Del Monte recall the cantaloupes that were sold in Costco stores in several states beginning on March 10th? According to Keene, it was unclear whether the outbreak was a “one-off” problem relating to a small quantity of melons from one portion of a single field or whether it was a continuing situation. Del Monte Fresh Produce, therefore, decided on the recall.

And why was the recall limited to cantaloupes shipped to Costco in seven states? Because, except for the Maryland case, all of the illnesses were clustered within that group of states and were linked to cantaloupes purchased from Costco stores. It did not seem logical to recall the entire remaining production from the Asuncion Mita farm for what appeared to be a limited contamination problem.

Was Del Monte’s decision justified? So far, it looks as though the company, in consultation with public health officials, made a reasonable call. While it’s too soon to say for sure, the outbreak appears to have burned out.

Nevertheless, consumers should remain wary of cantaloupes. Avoid purchasing or consuming melons with bruised or broken skin. Wash the cantaloupes before cutting them open, and store cut cantaloupe in the refrigerator to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.

Finally, if you think that you have become ill after eating cantaloupe – or any other food – seek medical advice and cooperate with your public health authorities. This includes providing stool or any other clinical samples on request. “It is the only way,” says Tom Shanahan of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, ” to confirm a link.”

Recall Roundup: February 17, 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: f’real® foods expands its recall of f’real® Strawberry Banana Smoothies (Lot # 06/21/2012) produced at Smith Dairy Products Company (Orrville, OH). The expansion to additional states is due to customer input regarding the extent of their distribution areas. The recalled product was distributed in AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, WA, WI.
  • Allergy Alert: Prime Choice Foods recalls specific lots of Garden of Eatin’® Multi Grain Sea Salt Tortilla Chips (9 oz bags), Garden of Eatin’® Multi Grain Everything Tortilla Chips (9 oz bags) and Garden of Eatin’® Multi Grain Blues Sea Salt Tortilla Chips (9 oz bags) due to the presence of undeclared wheat and soy.
  • Allergy Alert: Gold Star Sausage (Denver, CO) recalls Johnson’s Chili (16 oz plastic containers) and Johnson’s Chili, Hot & Spicy (16 oz plastic containers), due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recalled products were packaged from Feb 15, 2010 to Feb 15, 2011 and shipped to wholesalers nationwide.
  • Allergy Alert: Echo Falls recalls Echo Falls Smoked Salmon Pinwheels (6 oz.) due to the presence of undeclared MSG. The recalled product was sold in Price Chopper (Pennsylvania stores only) and Food City stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Hua Shing International Trading Corp (New York, NY) recalls Frozen Scda fish (400g vacuum packed plastic bag; Code #111; Product of China), because the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing and may, therefore, be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (Maple Grove, MN) recalls the anticoagulant Jantoven® Warfarin Sodium, USP, 3mg Tablets (Lot #284081; Expiration September 2012) after a single bottle was found to contain tablets at a 10mg strength. The recalled product was distributed to wholesalers, retail chains and independent pharmacies throughout the United States.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Czimer Foods, Inc. (Homer Glen, IL) that July, August and September 2010 inspections of the company’s food processing facility revealed serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) and associated regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Juice Tyme, Inc. (Chicago, IL) that a July-September inspection of the company’s juice processing facility revealed serious deviations from the juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: East-West Foods Distribution Inc. (Concord, ON) recalls Evald Collection Sauce Marinade, 310g (Product of Latvia; Lot code APR.01.11 L 02202), because it contains undeclared hazelnuts. The recalled product is known to have been distributed in Ontario, but may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments JR (Montreal, QC) expands its earlier recall of  Food House brand products (imported from the Syrian Arab Republic), because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products include Tahini of Sesame (400g and 1000g size; Exp. 01/11/2012) and Premium Halawa (400g and 1000g size; Exp. 01/11/2012). The recalled products were distributed in Québec.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the public not to consume Smoked Meat, Jambon fumé à l’ancienne (Ham), and Capicollo sold from Cochon Cent Façons (St-Jacques de Montcalm, QC), because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The implicated products were sold over the counter from Cochon Cent Façons (St-Jacques de Montcalm, QC) from January 28 to February 7, 2011.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food warns the public not to consume Jambon à l’Ancienne (Best before 3 mars 2011), packaged by Supermarché P.A. (rue Du Fort, Montréal, QC), because the product is contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments Naturels Des Quatre Soeurs (Gatineau, QC) recalls several soup varieties packed in 500mL glass jars, because the products were not prepared in a manner that would ensure their safety when consumed.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Triad Group recalls Triad Group Sterile Lubricating Jelly (all lots, with expiration dates back to 2007) due to the possibility that the product may not have been sterilized properly. The recalled Lubricating Jelly was supplied to Medline Canada, Coloplast Canada Corporation, CAN-med Healthcare, Dismed Inc., Cardinal Health Canada and Omega Medical Canada for co-packing in with various products and kits, and was distributed nationwide to hospitals and retailers.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Urtekram International A/S recalls Tortilla Chips Cheese Organic, 125g (Best before 14-04-2011; Batch No. 30195; Product of Belgium), due to the presence of undeclared soy.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): CM Food A/S recalls Kalkunschnitzel Frozen (Produced 25-10-2010; Best before 31-10-2012), because the meat is contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Wernersson Ost Denmark A/S recalls Pecorino Romano Cheese, 33% fat (200g; Lot No. L 357; Product of Italy) because the cheese is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Aconbury Sprouts recalls its Organic Mixed Sprouts and Organic Rainbow Salad (Use by 19 February 2011), because the products are contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): System Fruit A/S recalls The Zen of nature, frugt.dk, and Banana Chips brands of banana chips after a sample was found to contain elevated PAH, a compound generated during heat treatment.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Sté Arcadie recalls Cook brand jars of Ground White Pepper (Lot #T6005 and T5833), because of Salmonella contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Magasins Monoprix recalls Monoprix Gourmet Pots de Mousseline d’Epinards (Best before 19/01/2013), because the product may contain slivers of glass.
  • Food Safety Recall (France and Belgium): Ste Dujardin recalls Saint Eloi brand Sachets d’Epinard Surgelés, 1kg (Best before 10/2012), due to the presence of traces of diesel. The recalled spinach was distributed in Intermarché and Ecomarché stores in Belgium.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): Rolling Mill A/S recalls Finax organic pine nuts (Best before 29.11.2011), due to an off-taste.
  • Food Withdrawal (Denmark): Popco recalls Organic microwave popcorn (3 x 100g packs; various expiry dates), due to a production error that resulted in a burnt oil taste.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Recall (Singapore): Mars Foods Australia recalls some batches of PODS Mars, Mint, Snickers, and Twix products due to premature staleness. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has required importers to withdraw the implicated batches of the products from sale.
  • Herbal Product Safety Alert (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Food & Drug Authority warns the public about two herbal products that have been found to contain high concentrations of undeclared Sildenafil, the active agent in Viagra.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Herbal Product Safety Advisory (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration advises consumers that SATURO capsules, sold over the internet, contains therapeutic quantities of Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. SATURO is marketed as 100% herbal in origin.

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.