Recalls and Alerts: May 19-20, 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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Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Allergy Alert: White Cane Sockeye Salmon LLC recalls Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon (Sold frozen; No lot code or best by date on the packages) due to undeclared soy and wheat.

Food Safety Recall: QueensMade Lemonade LLC recalls all its juice-type products, including all lemonade flavors as well as its Ginger Turmeric shots, because they were produced without the benefit of inspection and the safety parameters were not able to be verified. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. recalls approximately 185,610 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon topping products due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Canada

OUTBREAK ALERT: Le ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) has received reports of an unspecified number of Norovirus cases possibly associated with consumption of frozen whole raspberries from China. See recall notice, below.

Food Safety Recall: Boucherie Fruits et Légumes Guiges inc. (Saint-Bruno-de Guigues, QC) recalls Mantab brand FRAMBOISES ENTIÈRES IQF / Frozen whole raspberries (1 kg; Lot XT21253; Best before 2023-SE-09; Product of China) due to possible Norovirus contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (France): BRETZEL BURGARD recalls BURGARD brand BOULES BRETZELS EMMENTAL / Pretzel rolls with Emmental (4-pack; Lot 12136; Use by 20/05/2022) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (Germany): FKS Frischkonzept Service GmbH recalls NORD HOLLÄNDISCHER SCHNITTKÄSE MIT GARTENKRÄUTERN 50% Fett / NORTH DUTCH SLICED CHEESE WITH GARDEN HERBS 50% fat (Best before dates up to and including 02-06-2022) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls DekaVers Stokbrood wit / French white bread (2 x 200g; All Best before dates) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Scotland): Aye Pickled Ltd recalls Aye Pickled Curried Kraut (330g; Batch code 019/1; Best before 30 September 2022) due to undeclared mustard.

Food Safety Recall (France): IDF AVRAINVILLE recalls Viande hachée / Ground meat (Ground on site and sold in bulk; Produced 19/05 et 20/05) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (France): LA BOVIDA SA LA BOVIDA LE SUBDRAY recalls LA GRANDE EPICERIE DE PARIS brand MELANGE TANDOORI / Tandoori mix (50g; Lot PR22050183; Best before 31/05/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA BOVIDA SA LA BOVIDA LE SUBDRAY recalls LA GRANDE EPICERIE DE PARIS brand MELANGE TAJINE / Tajine mix (40g; Lot PR22050247; Best before 30/04/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA BOVIDA SA LA BOVIDA LE SUBDRAY recalls LA BOVIDA brand SAFRAL COLORANTS RENFORCES / Safral reinforced dyes (500g; Lot PR22040542; Best before 30/04/2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls VOLANDRY brand POULET CUIT FUME / Cooked smoked chicken (Use by 08/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GERMLINE recalls GERMLINE brand Graines germées biologiques Alfalfa / Organic alfalfa sprouts (60g & 100g; Lot 220516; Use by 30/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GERMLINE recalls GERMLINE brand Graines germées biologiques Alfalfa-radis-fenouil / Organic alfalfa-radish-fennel sprouts (60g & 100g; Lot 220516; Use by 30/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GERMLINE recalls GERMLINE brand Graines germées biologiques Alfalfa-roquette / Organic alfalfa-rocket sprouts (60g & 100g; Lot 220516; Use by 30/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GERMLINE recalls GERMLINE brand Graines germées biologiques alfalfa-cresson / Organic alfalfa-watercress sprouts (60g & 100g; Lot 220516; Use by 30/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCEA DU CERISIER EARL du Cerisier recalls SCEA du Cerisier brand pâté croute moutarde ancienne / Old-fashioned mustard pâté with crust (Use by 24/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): METRO FRANCE recalls METRO CHEF brand Farine de blé noir fluide / Buckwheat flour (1 kg; Lot 503118CS11; Best before 28/10/2022 & 29/10/2022) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): BCT 500 recalls SOLEANE brand Taboulé libanais / Lebanese tabbouleh (230g; Lot 126; Use by 22/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): BCT 500 recalls SOLEANE brand Taboulé libanais / Lebanese tabbouleh (350g; Lot 129; Use by 25/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): BCT 500 recalls SOLEANE brand Piémontaise / Piedmontese salad (400g; Lot 129; Use by 25/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): L’Aquarium recalls Huitres No. 2 / Oysters (Lot 110522H) due to E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Germline recalls various Germline brand organic sprouts due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Dirk recalls 1 de Beste Baguettes wit / White bread baguettes (2-pack; Best before 14-08-2022) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Dr. Lemon’s recalls lemonade concentrate, orange concentrate, and lemon sorbet because the products were manufactured without benefit of inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Parsram Foods Pty Ltd recalls Deep Coriander Chutney (283g; All Use By dates up to and including 12.03.2023) due to undeclared sesame.

Recalls and Alerts: May 14-18, 2022

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Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Allergy Alert: Dierbergs Markets recalls Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad (12 oz & 2 lb family pack; Sell by 5/31/22) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co., Ltd. recalls approximately 14,635 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage sticks and luncheon loaf products due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Public Health Alert: USDA/FSIS issues Public Health Alert for Great Value Black Forest Ham Water Added (1 lb resealable pkg; Best if used by 07/15/22) because the product may be underprocessed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Royal Import & Export Ltd. recalls Jumbo brand Melk Chocopasta (Milk Chocolate Spread) (400g; Lot 17921B; Best before 08/2022; UPC 8 718452 449873) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert: GB Foods recalls various GB Foods brand sausage products due to undeclared gluten and/or wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Le Centre d’action bénévole aux 4 vents (Waterloo, QC) recalls Saumon fumé / Smoked salmon (Sold up to 17 May 2022) due to lack of storage temperature specification on product label.

Food Safety Recall: Le Caveau FRUITS ET LÉGUMES (Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC) recalls MAQUEREAU FUMÉ / Smoked mackerel (Sold up to 17 May 2022) due to lack of storage temperature specification on product label.

Food Safety Recall: Canadian Choice Wholesalers recalls Suzie’s brand Organic Cocktail Sauce (237 ml; Best by 10/07/22; UPC 0 47281 20142 9) due to spoilage.

Food Safety Recall: Mantab Inc. recalls Below Zero brand Whole Raspberries IQF (1 kg; Lot XT21253; Best before 2023-SE-09; UPC 0 69821 06020 4) due to Norovirus contamination.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Multiple countries): ECDC reports 324 cases (266 confirmed and 58 probable) of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections in twelve EU countries and the UK have now been associated with consumption of Kinder – Ferrero chocolate products manufactured in Arlon, Belgium. Cases have also been identified in Canada (1 case), Switzerland (43 cases) and the United States (1 case), bringing the total to 369 cases.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Traindevie recalls multiple products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (France): Monoprix recalls Monoprix brand La Baguette Jambon Emmental / Ham and Emmental cheese baguette (Use by dates between 16/05/2022 and 21/05/2022 due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (Iceland): Kjöt & Pylsumeistarinn recalls Steikarpylsa / Steak sausage (400-480g pkgs and in bulk; All best before dates up to 18.05.2022) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Industry recalls Just Free Gluten Free Black Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) and Just Free Gluten Free White Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls several Vó Elisa brand products due to undeclared sesame. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Spain): Mulitple brands of chocolate products contain undeclared peanuts. Please see AESAN notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Asian Traders Ltd recalls Parle Premium Rusk (200g; Batch code PA ATL/3694; Best before 04 June 2022) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): SP Wholesale recalls Wonka Bar (Milk Chocolate) (100g; Batch codes 18121P & 33421P; Best before 30 June 2023 & 30 November 2023, respectively) due to undeclared almonds and peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK – Northern Ireland): Lidl NI recalls Just Free Gluten Free Black Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) and Just Free Gluten Free White Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert Update (UK): Lidl GB recalls Starovice Czech Lager 5.0% (500 ml; All Best Before dates up to and including 23 December 2022) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Detry sa recalls AUBEL brand Boulettes Rôties / Roasted meatballs (6+1 / 595g; Lot 7732; Use by 11/06/2022) due to defective package seals.

Food Safety Recall (France): PERIGORD FARINES MINOTERIE ALLAFORT recalls FARINE DE BLE NOIR SARRASIN FLUIDE / Buckwheat flour (1 kg; Lot 118CS11; Best before 29/10/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls ESCALOPES DE POULET / Chicken breasts (Sold between 11 and 16 April) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCEA DU CERISIER EARL du Cerisier recalls SCEA du Cerisier brand pâté croute moutarde ancienne / Old-fashioned mustard pâté with crust (Use by 01/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES AUCHAN NANCY TOMBLAINE recalls POITRINE DE PORC MARINEE TEX-MEX / marinated pork breast meat (Sold between 3 and 17 May 2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES AUCHAN SUPERMARCHE VOUVRAY recalls JAMBON TRADITIONNEL PERE CHAMPAIN / Traditional ham (Sold from 05/05/2022 to 17/ 05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Salaisons Michel Loge recalls saucisson sec / Dry sausage (Lot SA220701) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): DISTRIBUTION CASINO FRANCE CASINO – Produits Frais Traditionnels recalls Salade de Pieds de Bovins Emincés / Sliced cow’s food salad (Sold from 27/04/2022 to 09/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): JIRD INTERMARCHE recalls SIEBERT brand CUISSE DE POULET / Chicken leg (Lot 3160422922; Use by 27/04/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Lidl recalls Baguette Céréales Rustique / Rustic seeded baguette (Baked on site) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (France): J.C.David recalls La Cuisine du Poissonnier brand Filets de hareng doux fumé / Mild smoked herring fillets (200g; Lot 119; Use by 03/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Maggi GmbH recalls MAGGI 5 Minuten Terrine Kartoffelbrei mit Steinpilzen / 5-minute mashed potato with porcini mushroom terrine (Lots 21270703Z, 21280703Z, 21290703Z; Best before 31.05.2023) and MAGGI 5 Minuten Terrine Kartoffelbrei mit Röstzwiebeln & Croûtons +25% / 5-minute mashed potato terrine with roasted onions and croutons +25% (Lot 21280703Z; Best before 31.05.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): John Ross Junior ltd recalls John Ross brand Scottish smoked salmon (340g; Best before 28.05.22) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Industry recalls Villani Cacciatore Italiano salami (170g; Batch code 240222; Best before 15.07.22; Product of Italy) due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Villani SpA recalls Villani salame cacciatore (170g; Lots 240222 & 26/01/22; Best before 15/07/2022) due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls 1 de beste Baguettes wit 2 stuks (two-pack; Best before 14-08-2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Israel Ministry of Health has instructed Tnuva to recall powdered milk manufactured between 9/8 and 25/8/2021 due to possible Salmonella contamination. The milk powder was supplied to food manufacturers and not distributed on the retail market.

Abbott’s walk of shame

As reported yesterday, Abbott Nutrition has entered into a Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction that spells out the conditions under which the company will be permitted to recommence and continue powdered infant formula production at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant.

Despite the company’s protestations of innocence regarding the outbreak of four cases of Cronobacter sakazakii illnesses–including two deaths–in infants who consumed Abbott’s products, the formal Complaint filed by the US Justice Department sets out very clearly the extent of Abbott’s culpability.

The Complaint

After summarizing the relevant statutes, regulations and rules, the Complaint lists the following supporting evidence, found during the inspections carried out by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators in September 2021 and January-February 2022.

FDA lab analysis found C. sakazakii on several surfaces in the production area, including the cover of a hopper that feeds scoops directly into infant formula containers. The sample was collected at the time a batch of formula was being packaged, and the scoops come into direct contact with product.
Abbott’s own environmental samples confirmed the presence of Cronobacter spp. on surfaces in the powdered infant formula production area between September 25, 2019, and February 20, 2022. The company did not perform the necessary test to determine whether or not the bacteria were Cronobacter sakazakii.
On January 31, 2022, FDA investigators noted the presence of pooled water on several levels of a multi-story spray dryer tower while the spray dryer was being used to produce a batch of powdered infant formula.
Abbott’s own records documented a total of 310 “water events” (leaks and condensation) between January 1, 2020, and February 1, 2022, in dry-production areas for powdered infant formula (e.g. during spray-drying and/or container-filling operations). Several of those leaks are described in the company’s records as necessitating repairs to a roof.
Abbott had never validated the dry-out step for their spray dryers to ensure that the interiors of the dryers are completely dry following cleaning.
Abbott’s own records documented a history of internal deterioration of the spray dryers dating back to September 2018, including (but not limited to) pits and cracks inside the dryers’ main chambers.
Plant personnel working in the infant formula production area did not always wear necessary protective apparel.
The company failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the validity of a complaint that showed a possible health hazard existed, and failed to test any retained samples of the suspect production lot for microbiological contamination.
At the completion of the September 2021 inspection, the FDA issued an FDA-483 form, listing several deficiencies. Although Abbott promised to take corrective action, the company did not implement sustained corrections or demonstrate ongoing compliance with statutory requirements.

On behalf of the FDA, the US Department of Justice has petitioned the Court to issue a permanent injunction requiring Abbott to “… cease manufacturing, processing, preparing, packing, labeling, holding, and/or distributing any article of food unless and until Defendants bring their manufacturing, processing, preparing, packing, labeling, holding, and distribution operations into compliance with the Act and its implementing regulations to the satisfaction of FDA.”

The request also includes authorization for FDA to inspect the company’s “… place(s) of business and all records relating to the receipt, manufacture, processing, preparing, packing, labeling, holding, and distribution of any article of food to ensure continuing compliance with the terms of the injunction, and that Defendants bear the costs of such inspections, including testing and sampling …” and to award costs to the government, including the cost of the investigation to date.

A short leash

The conditions stipulated in the Consent Decree under which Abbott Nutrition will be allowed to resume and maintain production will keep the company on a very short leash.

Abbott will be required to retain an independent expert or experts to evaluate all of the facilities and processes at the Sturgis, Michigan, location, and conduct an inspection to determine what will be necessary to bring the operation into compliance with FDA regulations. The company will be required to notify FDA of the identity and qualifications of the expert within two days after retaining him or her.

Abbott will need to verify the dry-out procedures and validate its method of testing for moisture in production equipment and processing environments.

A pre-production cleaning, sanitizing and dry-out followed by environmental testing for pathogens will be required.

Before starting production, Abbott will be required to provide FDA with a report from the expert that documents completion of all of the verification and validation activities and the pre-production review.

Once production has started, a qualified individual within Abbott’s quality unit will be required to review the batch record, product test results and environmental monitoring for every production lot prior to distribution of the lot. The responsible individual must certify in writing to FDA that each lot meets all specifications.

The consent decree also specifies the testing that must be conducted, and that production be halted and FDA be notified immediately in the event that any in-process or finished product test detects Cronobacter and/or Salmonella. Production will only resume after Abbott receives written permission from FDA.

Abbott must maintain a record of all sales and distribution of its products and make those records available to FDA immediately upon request.

Additional details include specifics as to the required environmental monitoring, training of personnel, preparation and submission to FDA of a plan for building and/or equipment repair, hiring of an auditor to conduct audit inspections of the production facility, methods and processes.

Under the provisions of the decree, in the event the FDA determines that Abbott has not lived up to its agreement, the agency has the authority to order the company to cease manufacturing, and to take whatever other corrective actions the agency deems necessary for protection of public health.

The foregoing is just a sample of the details contained in the 33-page Consent Decree and the 21-page Complaint. Nor is this the end of the story.

In his blog post this morning, Bill Marler warns that criminal sanctions may be in the offing.

Let’s hope the FDA and the US Department of Justice don’t consider Abbott Nutrition to be “too big to nail.”

Learn more about Cronobacter sakazakii and other foodborne disease outbreaks in TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures, now available in digital, print and audiobook editions.