Recalls and Alerts: July 4–5, 2024

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.

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“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

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Outbreak/Illness Investigations

United Kingdom (Update): The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 13 new cases of E. coli O145 illnesses in an outbreak that has now affected 288 individuals, sending approximately one-half of the victims to hospital. Cases have been reported in England (191), Scotland (62), Wales (31) and Northern Ireland (4). The outbreak has been linked to a type of lettuce used in sandwich products.

United States

Food Safety Recall: Al-Safa US LLC recalls Al Safa Halal Charcoal Grilled Chicken Seekh Kebab Grilled, Minced, Chicken Patty Kebab (12.1 oz; Batch 0605404; Date code NOV 30 25) and Al Safa Halal Fully Cooked Chicken Chapli Kebab Seasoned Chicken Patty (14.11 oz; Batch 0605416; Date code NOV 30 25) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Pastina (Gatineau, QC) recalls Pesto and Pesto aux tomates séchées / Pesto with dried tomatoes (250 ml; All units sold up to 4 July 2024) due to potential for growth of Clostridium botulinum.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls ASDA Extra Special Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps (150g; Best before 21 September 2024) due to undeclared milk

Food Safety Recall (UK): AB World Foods Ltd recalls Al’Fez Natural Tahini (160g; Batch codes 3355, 4004, 4023, 4024, 4039, 4040; Best before June 2025, July 2025 and August 2025) due to Salmonella contamination.

Hong Kong and Singapore

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): LIU MA KEE LIMITED recalls bottled preserved bean curd (255g; Best before April 16, 2025) due to excessive Bacillus cereus contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

No Alerts

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Links to national recall sites

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czechia (Czech Republic)

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland (Republic of)

Israel

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Spain (food safety alerts)

Spain (allergy alerts)

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States of America (FDA)

United States of America (USDA/FSIS)

Recalls and Alerts: July 2–3, 2024

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Outbreak/Illness Investigations

Denmark: The Statens Serum Institut is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella monophasic Typhimurium (sequence type 34) that has infected 58 people during the April-June 2024 period. Cases have been confirmed from several regions of the country. A

USA (Update): FDA has initiated a traceback investigation for an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses that has not yet been linked to a specific food source. The number of cases has increased to 80 from the initial report of 53.

USA (Update): CDC and FDA report 449 illnesses and 125 hospitalizations in an outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup infections traced to contaminated cucumbers from Florida.

USA (Update): CDC and FDA report 48 illnesses, 27 hospitalizations and one possible death associated with consumption of Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies.

United States

Food Safety Recall: GNS Foods, Inc recalls Drug Emporium Yogurt Flavored Pretzels (8 oz / 227g; Lot 30723; Use by 2025-01-22) due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Reser’s Fine Foods recalls Hill Country Fare Mustard Potato Salad (48 oz; Use by JUL/26/24) due to possible foreign matter contamination (hard plastic).

Food Safety Recall: Urban River Spirits recalls Urban Spirits non-alcoholic drink mixes due to being produced in an unlicensed and uninspected facility. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Five Continents International Ltd. recalls Baixiang brand Chicken Soup Flavor Instant Noodle (555g (5 x 111 g package); UPC 6 935270 34198 8 or 6 935270 641988; All batch codes) and Baixiang brand Instant Noodles Artificial Pork Bone Soup Flavor (565 g
(5 x 113 g package); UPC 6 935270 64197; All batch codes) due to undeclared peanut.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (Ireland): FSAI warns consumers of the presence of undeclared soy in Al- Arjawi Red Thyme Spice Preparation Mix (450g; Batch code A.49; Best before 04/2025; Product of Syrian Arab Republic).

Hong Kong and Singapore

No Alerts

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Josh Isaki Pty Ltd recalls Leslie’s Clover Chips Products (Best before 15/06/25 & 06/09/25) due to undeclared gluten.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Tokyo Food Company Ltd and Wholesale Club recall Morinaga brand Manna Bolo (34g; All batches and all dates) due to foreign matter contamination (animal droppings).

Links to national recall sites

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czechia (Czech Republic)

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland (Republic of)

Israel

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Spain (food safety alerts)

Spain (allergy alerts)

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States of America (FDA)

United States of America (USDA/FSIS)

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Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

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Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

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“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

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Contaminated cucumbers send 125 to hospital

Cucumbers grown and packed by Bedner Growers, Inc. (Boynton Beach, Florida) are responsible for 449 confirmed cases of Salmonella infections in 31 states and the District of Columbia, according to updated information released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Two outbreak strains have been identified: Salmonella Africana (234 cases) and Salmonella Braenderup (215 cases). There have been no deaths reported.

On June 1, 2024, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. recalled 6167 cases of Whole Cucumbers grown in Florida after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) found Salmonella in a sample of the company’s cucumbers.

The recalled cucumbers are beyond shelf life and should no longer be available for sale to consumers in stores.

The FDA conducted an onsite inspection at Bedner Growers, and samples collected during the inspection, and Salmonella Braenderup was detected in samples of untreated canal water. Whole genome sequencing determined that the strain found in the water was identical to the strain recovered from some of the outbreak patients.

Other strains of Salmonella also were found in soil and water samples at Bedner Growers. CDC and FDA are working together to determine whether those strains have been associated with any reported illnesses.

Bedner Growers’ growing and harvesting seasons are over. There is no product from this farm on the market and likely no ongoing risk to the public, according to the FDA.

Not all cases accounted for

Bedner is just one among many cucumber growers in the state of Florida, and the CDC reports that Bedner’s cucumbers do not account for all of the outbreak cases.

The FDA is continuing to conduct traceback investigations to identify other possible sources.

CDC’s advice to consumers

Follow these four food safety steps to prevent getting sick from Salmonella.

Clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces often. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or peeling.
Separate: Keep food that won’t be cooked separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure you have cooked your food to a temperature high enough to kill germs.
Chill: Refrigerate perishable food (food that goes bad) within 2 hours. If the outside temperature is hotter than 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour. Thaw food in the refrigerator, not on the counter.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:

Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

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Outbreak/Illness Investigations

United States

Canada

United Kingdom and Ireland

Hong Kong and Singapore

Australia and New Zealand

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Links to national recall sites

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Outbreak/Illness Investigations

United States

Canada

United Kingdom and Ireland

Hong Kong and Singapore

Australia and New Zealand

Links to national recall sites

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

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Not all cases accounted for

CDC’s advice to consumers

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

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