Recalls and Alerts: February 13–14, 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

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA updates list of recalls announced in connection with the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses associated with cotija and queso fresco cheeses from Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. Also, a second environmental sample collected during the ongoing inspection of the company’s manufacturing facility has yielded the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): MG Foods recalls S&S Ham & Cotija Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll (8.3 oz; Use by dates 02/09/24 to 02/16/24; UPC 100001002017) due to potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Bristol Farms recalls Chicken Taco Kit (9 oz; Sell by 1/18/24) due to potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Iowa Egg Company Inc. that a June 2023 inspection by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, under contract with the FDA of the company’s shell egg farm and egg processing facility revealed serious violations of the Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation regulation.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Lucky K.T. Co., Inc. that an April/May 2023 inspection of the company’s food manufacturing facility revealed serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Human Food regulation.

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Europe

Allergy Alert (France): INTERSNACK FRANCE recalls Alesto brand noix de cajou grillées et salées / Roasted, salted cashews (150g; Lot L196057; Best before 30/11/2024) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Anka EU GmbH recalls Mohnpaste / Sera Hashas Ezmesi / Poppy seed paste (350g; Lot PN:15214; Best before 04.04.2025) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): Biona recalls Biona Organic Cashew Nut Butter (Batch code E233189; Best before 31 December 2026) due to undeclared almonds, hazelnuts, and peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 4 Creamy Chicken Pies (568g; Best before 12 September 2025) due to undeclared sulphites.

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Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Fiers NV recalls Fiers brand bûchettes de volaille / poultry logs (Lots 100040, 100073, 100172, 100243; Use by dates from 13/02/2024 to 15/02/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Manufacturer recalls 14 La ferme au délice royal brand duck terrines and confits due to manufacturing and other food-safety defects and omissions. Please refer to the Rappel Consommateur website for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): MONS – FROMAGER AFFINEUR SAS recalls Mons brand Saint Nectaire Fermier au lait cru / Farmhouse raw-milk cheese (Lot 240400527; Best before dates between 14/03/2024 and 31/03/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MONS – FROMAGER AFFINEUR SAS recalls Mons brand Saint Nectaire Fermier au lait cru / Farmhouse raw-milk cheese (Lot 240400527; Best before dates between 17/02/2024 and 20/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LES ATELIERS recalls La belle nature brand TARTARES COUTEAU 3% MONTBELIARD / Raw beef patties (2 x 180g; Lot 24036-9243; Use by 17/02/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): R Z BAB2 CARREFOUR recalls Maritchu brand ANDOUILLE BASQUAISE / Sausage (Sold between 31/01/2024 and 05/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MIGROS FRANCE recalls Steak haché rayon trad à la demande / Ground beef (Lot 9063471; Use by 30/01/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Manufacturer recalls palzola brand Gorgonzola DOP / cheese (Lot 18D16423A; Use by 20/03/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Mini Market recalls Sultan brand Chalwa Sezamowa / Halva sesame paste sweets (100g; All Best before dates up to and including 09.07.2025; Product of Poland) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): BEPPINO OCCELLI recalls BEPPINO OCCELLI brand CASTELMAGNO DOP cheese (Lot 23151011; Best before 09-03-2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): BEPPINO OCCELLI recalls BEPPINO OCCELLI brand CASTELMAGNO DOP cheese (Lot 23151011; Best before 08, 10, 12.03.2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): TINO PAIOLO recalls TINO PAIOLO brand CASTELMAGNO DOP PRODOTTO DELLA MONTAGNA cheese (~2 kg; Lot 23151011; Best before 29/02/2024) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Strauss recalls Milk Chocolate Crunch Biscuit (100g; Best before 08.15.24) due to foreign matter contamination (plastic particles).

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?

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Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

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Recalls and Alerts: February 10–12, 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.

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

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA has updated the list of recalled products associated with an outbreak of 26 confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infections over the last ten years. Two people have died and 23 have been hospitalized. Confirmed cases have been reported in 11 states.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): The Save Mart Companies recalls Chicken Street Taco Kits (17 oz; All lot and date codes) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Braga Fresh recalls Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kits (12.76 oz; Lot codes start with “BFFS”; Best if used by Jan 20 2024 through Feb 19 2024; UPC 6 8113130544 0) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Taylor Fresh Foods recalls Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kit (12.76 oz; Lot codes start with “TFRS”; Best if used by dates on or before Feb 21, 2024) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Stater Bros. Markets recalls CHICKEN STREET TACO KIT (20 oz; All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024; UPC 0102864343013992) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): The Perfect Bite Co. recalls MEXICAN STYLE STREET CORN BITE (Lot 223231; Best by 02/21/2025) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Rizo-López Foods and Fresh Creations Foods recall Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit (Best by 11/29/2023-3/4/2024; UPC 205916414990) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Salmonella outbreak): Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. recalls an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa that may be under processed, which may have resulted in possible contamination with foodborne pathogens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

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Canada

Allergy Alert: Bombay Wholesale & Trading Ltd. recalls Indian Heritage brand Soya Chaap (850g; All lot codes; UPC 6 62169 29621 4) due to undeclared wheat, gluten and soy.

Food Safety Recall: Marché Kohinoor (Longueuil, QC) recalls Pain baguette / bread (6 x 100g; Sold up to 12 February 2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

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Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Ice Maudrian recalls Nicoli brand Sorbet fraise / Strawberry sorbet (500 ml; All lot codes and Best before dates) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC MOUSTIRATS ET FILS recalls MOUSTIRATS brand Fromage frais fermier de vache au lait cru / Fresh farmhouse cheese made from raw cow’s milk (300g; Lot 036 2; Use by 19/02/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): EURL FROMAGERIE LA COMBE DU VAL recalls Comté Rapé cheese (Lot 03206; Best before 29/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): PISCICULTURE DU CIRON recalls Ferme du Ciron brand Truite fumée / Smoked trout (Various package formats; Use by 20/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Royal Canin recalls Royal Canin brand Dog URINARY S/O CAN (410g; Lot 306B9STD10; Use by 06/02/2025) and Royal Canin brand Dog GI LOW FAT CAN (410g; Lot 306B9STD10; Use by 06/02/2025 & 07/02/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (plastic).

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.

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Chapters/Indigo

Advertisements

Darwin’s to customer: Salmonella-contaminated food “is fine”

In September 2023, an employee of Arrow Reliance, Inc. (doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products) assured a consumer that Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot 9830, manufactured on Jul 19, 2023), was “fine,” even though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had advised the public the month before that the batch in question was contaminated with Salmonella.

The consumer contacted the company after their cat was diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, according to documents obtained by eFoodAlert in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The consumer discarded the unused portions of the cat food and on September 14, 2023, filed a Pet Food Report with the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

In response to a separate complaint, filed a few days earlier, the FDA collected an unused portion of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selection Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot code unknown) from the home of a consumer in a different state. The consumer reported that all four of their cats developed gastrointestinal problems after having consumed the product.

The FDA lab found two different Salmonella serotypes (Typhimurium and Hadar) in the sample.

Company aware of contamination

In August 2023, the FDA conducted the latest in a series of investigations into conditions at the Darwin’s Tukwila (Washington State) manufacturing facility.

On August 11, 2023, at the completion of their inspection, FDA investigators presented the company’s owner, Gary Tashjian, with a list of outstanding issues (FDA Form 483, Inspectional Observations). These observations included:

The detection of Salmonella in three different products, manufactured on June 13, June 28, and July 19, 2023.
Use of an unvalidated process as a preventative control for pathogens in the products over a four-month time span.
Lack of documentation that the preventative control process was carried out.

When the company declined to recall the three Salmonella-positive product batches, the FDA issued an Advisory to pet owners, cautioning them to avoid feeding the potentially hazardous batches to their pets.

In a written response to the list of observations, the company asserted (not for the first time) that it was a “…Retail Food Establishment and therefore … not subject to the provisions in the Food Safety Modernization Act which require a food safety plan and preventive controls.”

Notwithstanding this assertion, the company arranged for an independent lab to test retained samples from the implicated products, and reported that their lab found “only trace amounts” of Salmonella in just one of the batches identified by the FDA.

Darwin’s also claimed that the unvalidated process was a “temporary substitution” for its usual, validated process, was initiated as a result of an equipment failure, and that the company had since reverted to the validated process.

Finally, the company reported that it had initiated proper documentation of its preventative control process in response to the FDA’s final observation.

Fraught history

The relationship between Arrow Reliance (Darwin’s) and the FDA has been fraught with discord and disputes almost since the initial inspection of the company’s facilities in 2016. The story is told in some detail in TOXIC: From Factory To Food Bowl, Pet Food Is a Risky Business. More recent chapters in the evolution of Darwin’s relationship with the FDA can be found by entering “Darwin” in the eFoodAlert search box at the top of the page (right hand side).

Do your part to support pet food safety

The FDA relies heavily on reports from consumers and veterinarians to highlight possible pet food safety issues. If you suspect that a pet food or pet treat has caused your furry or feathered companion to become ill, please report your concerns to the FDA.

Pet owners can report suspected illness to FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you work with your veterinarian to submit a pet’s medical records as part of the report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.