Recalls and Alerts: December 22-23, 2022

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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Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Allergy Alert: Culture Fresh Foods recalls True Goodness by Meijer Oat-Based Plain Yogurt Alternative (24 oz; Lot #2002; UPC 7-13733-03918-5) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert: World Variety Produce, Inc. recalls Melissa’s Pasta Para Duros (12 oz / 340g; UPC 0-45255-15273-9) due to undeclared wheat.

Food Safety Recall: Morasch Meats Inc. recalls BEEF DICED 3/10# BAGS, raw frozen diced beef products (30 lb; Case code FM010152; Lot #082422; date of 8/24/2022 on case label) due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc recalls Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Micro Greens (1.75 oz; Use by dates 12/17/22 and 12/24/22; UPC 77890-25036), Wegmans Organic Baby Kale & Baby Spinach with Sweet Pea Leaves (5 oz; Use by 12/20/22; UPC 77890-52377) and Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Cat Grass (1 EA; Sold since 10/25/22; UPC 77890-50938) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Venetian Meat & Salami Co. Ltd. recalls Venetian Meats brand Finocchiona Salami Sweet Fennel (2 kg; All Best Before Dates bearing Lot 242) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie Carpati inc. (Vaudreuil-Dorion) recalls Fromage de style feta / Feta cheese (variable packaging; Sold up to 22 December 2022) due to possible E. coli contamination.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Sweden): Health authority reports 30 cases of Shigella infections associated with travel to Cape Verde.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): S.A. CORMAN recalls BALADE brand Pâte à tartiner au chocolat NOISETTE / Chocolate-hazelnut spread (230g; Lots 03035982, 03041396, 03050309 & 03058977; Best before 19/10/2022, 21/11/2022, 02/01/2023 & 09/02/2023) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Deliciest Oy recalls Deliciest Kasvispelmenit / Vegetable dumplings (400g; Best before 08.11.2023) and Deliciest Liha-Pinaatti Pelmenit / Meat & spinach dumplings (400g; Best before 09.11.2023) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (France): TOTOLA DeNeuville recalls DeNeuville brand Pâte de fruits mini pastilles acidulés / Sour fruit pastilles (170g & 320g; Lot 22828) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority announces recall of Balade brand Pâte à tartiner au chocolat et aux noisettes – I Love Choco / Chocolate hazelnut spread (230g; Lots 03058977 & 03050309; Best before 02/01/2023 & 09/02/2023) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (UK): Korea Foods Company Ltd recalls Sunshine in the Morning drink (180ml, 500ml and 1.5 L; All Best before dates) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (France): ESCARGOTS DU VERCORS SCEA recalls Esc’Apéro Sauce Corse, Picant / Escargots in spice Corsican sauce (Lot 33221130; Best before 31/01/2024) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES AUCHAN recalls AUCHAN brand JAMBON SUPERIEUR DECOUENNE DEGRAISSE 8 TRANCHES / Rindless, defatted superior ham, 8 slices (320g; Lot 1129587; Use by 02/01/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SARL FONFREYDE recalls l’aredienne brand pied au vin / Foot in wine (Lot 336; Best by 02/12/2024) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SARL FONFREYDE recalls l’aredienne brand boudin en boite / Canned sausages (190g; Lot 76; Best by 17/03/2025) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SARL FONFREYDE recalls l’aredienne brand patandouillettes / Chitterlings (190g; Lot 295; Best by 22/10/2024) due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Laiterie de la vallée de Munster – Fromagerie recalls Laiterie de la Vallée de Munster brand Tomme de la vallée Nature, Tomme de la vallée Truffe noire, & Tomme de la vallée Ail des Ours / Plain, Black truffle, & Wild garlic cheeses (Multiple lot codes and Best by dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Laiterie de la vallée de Munster – Fromagerie recalls Laiterie de la Vallée de Munster brand Tommette Nature, Tommette Ails des Ours, Tommette Fenugrec, & Tommette Truffe Noire / Plain, Wild garlic, Fenugreek & Black truffle cheeses (Multiple lot codes and Best by dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Laiterie de la vallée de Munster – Fromagerie recalls Laiterie de la Vallée de Munster brand Munster Grand Nature Munster Petit Nature Munster Grand Cumin Munster Petit Cumin au lait cru / Plain and Cumin flavoured Munster cheeses made with raw milk (Multiple lot codes and Best by dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Hans Riegelein & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG recalls Santa Claus in town brand Weihnachtsmann aus Vollmilch-Schokolade / Milk chocolate Santa (200g; Lot L-102293N; Best before 31.07.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): LA CASEARIA CARPENEDO SRL recalls ACCADEMIA DEL FORMAGGIO brand Brillo di TREVISO cheese (380g; Lot 08162J22; Best before 13/03/23, 16/03/23, 05/04/23, 09/04/23, 12/04/23 & 13/04/23) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): E. Ga. S.r.l. recalls La Bottega del Gusto brand Salame Milano / Salami (350g; Lot L22D259; Best before 17-01-2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Romania): Almondy recalls Almondy brand Almond cake with DAIM, sold at IKEA (400g; Lot L2140; Expiry date 11/18/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (Spain): Manufacturer recalls Susaeta brand Cooked pork head meat (100g; All lot codes and expiration dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Spain): IKEA FOOD SUPPLY AG recalls DAIM brand Almond and chocolate cake (400g; Lot L2140; Expiry date 11/18/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls several Smoked Trout and Smoked Salmon products, produced by St James Smokehouse, due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Campbell Soup Southeast Asia Sdn. Bhd. recalls Prego Carbonara Mushroom Pasta Sauce (665g; Lot 2022081716; Expiry date 17.08.2023; Time stamp 22:18 to 23:20; Product of Malaysia) due to spoilage.

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Recalls and Alerts: December 20-21, 2022

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Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: CDC reports 298 confirmed cases of Norovirus gastroenteritis linked to consumption of raw oysters from a single growing zone in Galveston Bay, Texas. Outbreak cases have been reported in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Allergy Alert: Falcon Import and Export LLC recalls Alsultan Sweets branded Baklava (350g & 750g; Expiration dates 02/04/2023 & 01/19/2023, respectively) due to undeclared milk and wheat and recalls Alsultan Sweets branded Betefour (600g; Expiration date 02/04/2023) due to undeclared cashews, pistachios, and almonds.

Allergy Alert: Miso Brothers, Inc. dba Alpha Foods recalls various Meatless Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos due to undeclared casein (milk protein). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products. The recalled products were distributed nationally throughout retail stores and shipped directly to consumers who purchased our products online.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Venetian Meat & Salami Co. Ltd. recalls Venetian Meats brand Finocchiona Salami Sweet Fennel (2 kg; Lot 242; Expiration date 2023.AU.09) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Norway, Netherlands and Sweden): Norway’s Institute of Public Health reports 72 confirmed cases of Salmonella Agona infections across the country. Twenty-four of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized. Sweden is reporting 31 cases that are part of the same outbreak and also advises that additional outbreak cases have been identified in the Netherlands. Based on patient interviews, the likely source of the outbreak appears to be cucumbers from a Spanish supplier. The implicated product is no longer available on the market.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): BMS Wijndepot recalls épice poisson / fish spice (50g; Lot 11682; Best before 06/2023) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): BMS Champetterke recalls Cocktail Spotvogel (Lots 221036, 221041, 221045, 222001, 222006, 222015, 222019, 222025, 222029, 222033, 222044, 222045, 222048, 222050) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (France): SOCIETE COOPERATIVE APPROVISIONNEMENT – SCAPMAREE LECLERC recalls PREMIER brand LANGOUSTINES CUITES / Cooked Langoustines (Lot 235351; Use by 26/12/2022) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (France): LDC SABLE LDC recalls SAVEURS FORESTIERES brand Cuissot de chevreuil avec crosse mariné / Venison leg with marinated butt (Lot 0092035081; Use by 24/12/2022 & 25/12/2022) due to undeclared gluten and lactose.

Allergy Alert (France): TOTOLA DeNeuville recalls DeNeuville brand PATE DE FRUITS MINI-PASTILLES ACIDULES / Sour fruit pastilles (175g & 320g; Lot 22828) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (France): BJORG ET COMPAGNIE recalls Bjorg brand Croustillant chocolat bio / Organic chocolate crisps (500g; Lot A1 12/10 15:29 up to A1 12/10 16:15; Best before 13/07/2023) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (UK): Ella’s Kitchen recalls Ella’s Kitchen Banana Multigrain Baby Rice (125g; Batch code 27922; Best before 05 October 2023 and 06 October 2023) due to undeclared oats (gluten).

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Ardo Austria Frost GmbH recalls Nature’s Gold Letscho (500g; Best before 01.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (hard plastic pieces).

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Almondy recalls Almondy DAIM Mandeltorte Schoko-Krokant / Almond Cake with Daim (400g; Best before 18.11.2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Coop Danmark A/S recalls laksesalat med havreris / salmon salad with oatmeal (350g; All Use by dates from 20.12.2022 up to and including 26.12.2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): IKEA recalls Almondy Almond cake with Daim (400g; Lot L2140; Best before 18.11.2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Deluxe brand Homard Américain précuit / Whole cooked lobster (350g; Best before 17/08/2024, 24/08/2024 & 25/08/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SA ALFA INTERMARCHE recalls Steak Haché à la demande / Chopped steak (Lots 2247382594 & 2245378457) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME D’ESTELLE recalls Ferme d’Estelle brand Jambon blanc à la coupe / White ham by the slice (Produced 01/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): THIRIEZ AGRO recalls Thiriez Selection brand Thon Fumé Entier / Smoked tuna (500g; Lots 22110409 & 22112509; Use by 03/01/2023 & 24/01/2023, respectively) and Thiriez Selection brand Thon Fumé Tranché / Sliced smoked tuna (100g; Lots 22112509 & 22110409; Use by 09/01/2023 & 19/12/2022, respectively) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Almondy AB recalls Almondy Almond cake with Daim (400g; Lot L2140; Best before 18.11.2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Lobetaler Bio-Molkerei recalls Qurt Vanille / Vanilla quark (200g; Best before 03.01.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Stjörnugrís recalls Grísahakk / Minced pork (Best before 24.12.2022 – 28.12.2022) due to foreign matter contamination (bone chips).

Food Safety Recall (Italy): E.Ga. S.r.l. recalls Il Tagliere del Re brand Salame Milano (350g; Lot L22D259; Best before 17/01/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Birds Eye recalls Birds Eye Original 4 Beef Quarter Pounders with Onion (454g; Batch code L2343DB124; Best before March 2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (small pieces of plastic).

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Israel): Motishef Ltd. recalls SHEMO brand Pesto spread (180g; All Use by dates up to and including 07/23/16) due to undeclared walnuts.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Catalano’s Seafood Pty Ltd recalls Fresca Fish Co Spicy Sriracha Tempura Prawns (375g; Best before 08/03/2024) due to undeclared soy and gluten.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Future Bake Australia PTY LTD recalls Future Bake Plant Based & Gluten Free White Choc & Berry Cookie (Best before 26/07/2023) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Purely Natural Yoghurt recalls The Yoghurt Shop Caramel Crumble Yoghurt (190g; Best before 23/01/23) due to E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): IKEA Pty Ltd recalls Almondy Almond Cake with Daim (400g; Best before 18.11.2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

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Publicize inspection scores to reduce foodborne outbreaks – Opinion

Jurisdictions that require restaurants to post their inspection scores experience fewer foodborne disease outbreaks than those that do not.

This conclusion is the result of a pair of recent studies funded by the US Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).

Point-of-service vs. online disclosure

A survey of 790 government-run state and local food establishment inspection programs conducted in January-April 2000 found that mandatory display of inspection grades by restaurants and other food establishments was more effective than simple online disclosure.

15% fewer re-inspections
38% fewer illness complaints
55% fewer outbreaks
12% fewer Salmonella cases

Grading systems improved food safety

The survey also compared agencies that used a grading method versus those that did not. Grading the results of inspections, whether by a letter or numerical system, made a significant difference to performance.

37% fewer re-inspections
22% fewer complaints
61% fewer outbreaks
23% fewer cases of Salmonella

Knowledge is power

If you were offered the choice between two restaurants, one with a prominently posted “A” inspection grade and the other with an equally visible “B” or “C” grade, which would you choose?

If those grades were available only online at a local or state/provincial government website, would you bother to check?

Would you even know to look for the information?

Making the results of food safety inspections available AND VISIBLE puts power into the hands of consumers.

This, in turn, gives greater incentive to food establishments to maintain a top food safety rating.

The numbers don’t lie.

Applying the lessons

The US Food and Drug Administration conducts hundreds of inspections each year and has made a searchable inspection database available to the public on its website.

The CDC inspects all cruise ships that call at US ports and posts the results of those inspections on its website.

How many consumers even know that this information is available, much less know how to access it?

If cruise lines were required to post the results of their latest inspections on their websites, consumers could easily choose to avoid ships and/or cruise lines with a poor sanitation history.

Similarly, if food manufacturers were required to disclose the grade received on their most recent inspection, consumers could use that information when deciding which brand of product to buy.

Putting this information into the hands of consumers would put pressure on cruise lines and food manufacturers to strive for and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and food safety.

The bottom line

I have encountered complaints from individuals in the food industry who claimed that a recall notice posted on the FDA web site affected their company’s reputation and sales.

Some companies (I can think of two pet food companies in particular) even sued the FDA to prevent the release of a recall notice or a public alert about a contaminated food, claiming that such publicity had a negative affect on their sales in the past.

People care about the safety of the food they eat and the food they feed their families. But consumers must have easy access to current and accurate information in order to make informed decisions.

I look forward to the day when all government agencies responsible for overseeing food safety mandate point-of-service and point-of-sale disclosure of inspection results.

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