Recalls and Alerts: June 27–28, 2024

“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

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.

Outbreak/Illness Investigations

UK (Update): The UK Health Security Agency reports two deaths and seven cases of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in the ongoing outbreak of E. coli O145 illnesses across the country. As of June 25, authorities have confirmed a total of 275 outbreak cases in the UK, including in England (182), Scotland (58), Wales (31) and Northern Ireland (4). Five of the victims suffering from HUS were reported in England, and 2 in Scotland.

USA (Update): FDA and CDC have received reports of 39 illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, associated with consumption of Diamond Shruumz infused cones, chocolate bars, and gummies. Muscimol, a chemical found in Amanita mushrooms, has been detected in some samples of the products. A recall has been initiated (see below).

United States

Allergy Alert: FGF Brands Inc recalls ALDI – Bakeshop Chocolate Chip Muffin (4-count; Lot NF1 142Y; UPC 4099100048278) due to undeclared walnuts.

Food Safety Recall: Solata Foods LLC recalls Solata, Gaia Organic, Full Circle Organic, Farmer Direct, Uncle Vinny’s, Bogopa brands of Fresh Spinach and Salad Mixes due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Sunco and Frenchie LLC recalls Terrafina Brand Macadamia in the Raw (6-oz plastic containers; Lot RMA241201; Best by 05/2025; UPC 847938003570) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Prophet Premium Blends recalls Diamond Shruumz Infused Cones, Chocolate Bars, and Gummies (Micro- and Mega/Extreme-Dose) due to possible contamination with Muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita. Consumption of these products has been associated with 39 illnesses to date.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Eclipse Coffee Roasters Ltd. recalls Eclipse Coffee Roasters brand Elevate Snapchill Coffee (354 ml; Batch code 13245; Expiration date 07/07/24; UPC 7 86899 57461 6) due to potential for growth of Clostridium botulinum.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 4 Golden Savoury Rice Steam Bags (600g; Best before 16 November 2025) due to undeclared crustaceans, fish, milk and molluscs.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Your Organic Nature Fruit Spread Strawberry (375g; Lot 019434; Best before 31/01/2026) due to foreign matter contamination (glass).

Hong Kong and Singapore

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): JFC Hong Kong Limited recalls Morinaga brand Manna BOLO <Plain> biscuits (36g; Best before June 26, 2025; Product of Japan) and Morinaga brand Manna BOLO <Vegetable> biscuits (31g; Best before June 27, 2025; Product of Japan) due to possible contamination with animal faeces.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Davis Trading Company Ltd recalls Essente brand Mixed Nuts (250g; All batches; All dates) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Advertisements

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)

TAINTED formats 3 — “Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

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.

“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

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Advertisements

Listeria in Viva pet foods prompts recall

The Lewis Sausage Company, Inc. (Burgaw, NC) has recalled a single production batch of five varieties of Viva brand raw dog and cat foods due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The contamination was discovered as a result of an inspection carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is no indication as to what triggered the FDA inspection.

The recalled products were co-packed by Lewis Sausage on behalf of Viva Raw, LLC (Durham, NC) and were distributed by Viva Raw.

Viva Raw does not carry out any manufacturing at its location of record. The company’s address of record, as listed by the North Carolina Secretary of State, belongs to a single-family home in a residential area of Durham, North Carolina.

No press release was issued for this recall, which was initiated on June 12, 2024 and includes the following products.

VIVA for cats turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
VIVA for dogs CHUNKED turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
VIVA for dogs GROUND turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
VIVA for puppies beef & turkey GROUND (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
VIVA PURE turkey for cats & dogs (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)

The recalled products were shipped to distributors in California, North Carolina, and New Jersey.

Who’s in charge here?

A claim of “human-grade meat” made for a pet food product is no guarantee that the food will be pathogen-free.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) allows the sale of raw meats and raw poultry that are contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Lewis Sausage is a FSIS-inspected facility (Establishment No M8001+P8001).

However, pet food manufacturers—including FSIS-inspected facilities—fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA. And the FDA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for pathogens in any animal food that is sold as “ready-to-eat” (ie., that will not by subjected to a cooking step before being fed).

How to report a pet food problem to the FDA

The FDA relies heavily on reports from pet owners and veterinarians to alert them to safety issues with pet foods. Especially useful are reports that include veterinary information and details on the suspect food (brand, variety, batch codes, et cetera).

The following links will help you to make your report to the FDA. Just click anywhere on the blue to be taken directly to the appropriate FDA web page.

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint. Read this web page before beginning to file your complaint. It provides a list of the information you should try to have at hand before you begin to file. If you are missing some information, do not despair. Even partial information will be helpful.

Consumer Complaint Coordinators. This FDA page supplies the telephone number for the agency’s Consumer Complaint Coordinator in each state. Use this approach if you wish to make your complaint by telephone. If you do not reach a live voice, please leave a detailed message so that the coordinator can return your call.

Safety Reporting Portal. Use this FDA page if you prefer to file your report on-line with the agency. Begin by clicking on the button “Report as Guest” and continue by answering each question as it is presented to you.

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

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Recalls and Alerts: June 25–26, 2024

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

Outbreak/Illness Investigations

USA (Update): FDA and CDC report 39 illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, linked to consumption of Diamond Shruumz- Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies. The investigation is on-going.

United States

Allergy Alert: Feve Artisan Chocolatier and Dandelion Chocolate jointly recall Feve Artisan Chocolatier x Dandelion Chocolate Chocolate-Covered Cocoa Nibs (4 oz; Batch code FNDHI4C4; Expiration date 3/14/2025) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Food Safety Recall: EL CANGREJO GUAYACO LLC recalls Queso Chonero Special White Cheese (Expiration date June – 22 – 2024; UPC 7 861105 900496) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Foppen Seafood recalls Foppen Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices – Toast sized (8.1 oz; Lot 412; UPC 8 40137 10000 2) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was sold in Kroger and Payless Supermarkets across 15 states.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Lewis Sausage Company, Inc. recalls five varieties of Viva brand raw dog food and raw cat food (Lot 21244) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the Enforcement Report for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

No Alerts

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Taste the Difference Sea Salt and Suffolk Cider Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps (Best before 26 October 2024) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Alert (UK): The Food Standards Agency has alerted Environmental Health, Trading Standards Services and Official Veterinarians to take action to remove meat and meat products manufactured by Block and Cleaver (Use by dates 21 and 22 June 2024) from the market.

Hong Kong and Singapore

No Alerts

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Elixinol Wellness (Byron Bay) Pty Ltd recalls Mt Elephant Banana Oat Wholefood Cookie Mix (375g; Best before 13/MAR/2025) and Mt Elephant Choc Chunk Wholefood Brownie Mix (350g; Best before 21/MAY/2025 and 22/MAY/2025) due to undeclared milk, almond, and peanut.

Advertisements