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.
United States
Food Safety Recall: WOW Frozen Food LLC recalls approximately 488 pounds of meat and poultry sfihas products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Products Inc. recalls Kaytee® Wild Bird Food Birders’ Blend (8 lb; Lot PennPak1 102022 933; Best by 041224) due to potentially elevated levels of aflatoxin above the acceptable limit.
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Canada
Infant Formula Safety Recall: Perrigo Company plc recalls Nestlé Good Start brand Soothe (infant formula) (942g; Batch no. 301757651Z, 301757652Z & 301857651Z; Expiration dates 2024 JL 18, 2024 JL 18 & 2024 JL 19, respectively; UPC 0 55000 38369 1) due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.
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Europe
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Holland & Barrett recalls Pulsinbrand Keto Choc Fudge Peanut Bar (50g; Lot 23046) due to undeclared soy.
Allergy Alert (France): MONOPRIX recalls MINI BRIOCHETTES CHEVRE MIEL / Honey goat cheese mini briochettes (8/pack, 96g; Lots 22074074, 22074072 & 22355072; Use by 13/04/2023, 11/04/2023 & 11/04/2023, respectively) due to undeclared gluten, milk and egg.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Holland & Barrett recalls Pulsin brand Keto Choc Fudge Peanut Bar (50g; Lot 23046) and Pulsin brand Orange Chocolate Keto Bar (50g; Lots 23027 & 23053) due to undeclared soy.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): FIDAFRUIT recalls multiple brands and package sizes of popping corn due to elevated aflatoxin levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): LE FROMAGER DES HALLES recalls KER ARGOET brand Beurre motte aux cristaux de sel / Butter with salt crystals (250g; All lots; Use by 17/04/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): STE COOP FRUITIERE VAL D ARLY recalls Coopérative du Val d’Arly brand Reblochon de Savoie AOP raw milk cheese (Lot 331128; Best before 01/04/2023) due to possible Staphylococcus aureus contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ROCABILLI INTERMARCHE recalls Merguez sausages (Sold in trays or by the kg between 07/03/2023 and 12/03/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Nathan & Olsen recalls Krónan brand Orkublanda – blanda af jarðhnetum, rúsínum, kasjúhnetum og möndlum í hýði / Energy mix – a mixture of peanuts, raisins, cashews and almonds in the skin (Best before 29.09.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (hard plastic).
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Coppiello Giovanni srl recalls sfilaccio di manzo / beef tenderloin (100g; Multiple lot codes; All dates between 18/06/2023 and 06/08/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Coppiello Giovanni srl recalls freschissimi brand sfilaccio di bovino / beef sfilaccio (80g; Lots 2301135 & 2303063; All dates between 25/06/2023 and 13/08/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall Update (UK): The Old Cheese Room extends its recall of Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet Soft Cheeses to include additional batches due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
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Between August 2021 and August 2022, Primal Pet Foods, Inc.’s internal finished product testing program found forty-nine (49) pathogen-positive finished product samples, according to a Warning Letter released this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Primal Pet Foods, Inc. (Primal) is a manufacturer of raw frozen and raw freeze-dried dog and cat foods, toppers, and treats based in Fairfield, California.
On July 6, 2022, Primal announced a recall of a single production lot of Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs, Beef Formula (Lot #W10068709) after routine sampling by the FDA found Listeria monocytogenes in the product.
As a follow-up to the recall, the FDA visited the company’s Fairfield manufacturing facility on July 14, 2022, to begin an inspection that continued until October 11th.
During the course of the inspection, FDA investigators documented a large number of troubling issues
What the FDA found
The failures summarized in the Warning Letter and on the FDA Inspections Database include problems with preventive controls, supplier verification, record keeping, and inadequate monitoring.
Preventative controls that did not prevent pathogens
Primal’s food safety program includes adding a probiotic to its freeze-dried products as a preventative control for Salmonella.
Probiotics are so-called “good” bacteria found in the digestive system. They play an important role in digestion and also help to prevent pathogens from taking up residence in the large intestine.
When the FDA reviewed Primal’s documentation purporting to validate the effectiveness of the probiotic, they found significant flaws in the validation study, including the use of a relatively insensitive method for detecting residual Salmonella.
The FDA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for Salmonella and other pathogens in all pet foods, and the standard method used by government and industry labs is able to find a single living Salmonella cell in 25 grams of sample. Yet the method used by Primal’s lab to support their validation study was only able to find Salmonella if it was present at a level of 10 or more Salmonella cells per gram.
Furthermore, the company offered no evidence that its probiotic control would have any effect at all on other pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes or E. coli O157:H7.
As further proof that the probiotic control was not working, the FDA cited Primal’s own records of 49 pathogen-positive production lots over a one-year period. An average of just under one contaminated batch per week.
Inadequate response to contaminated and out-of-compliance products
Primal’s standard operating procedure specified a maximum level for Vitamin D of 3000 International Units per kilogram (IU/kg). Yet the company shipped a batch of freeze-dried dog food containing 3410 IU/kg–more than 10% above the maximum specified level. And it did so before the sample of this batch even reached its third-party lab for testing.
Primal’s standard operating procedure also specified a minimum level for thiamine–an essential vitamin for cats–of 5.6 mg/kg in its feline diets. Yet the company shipped a batch of freeze-dried cat food containing only 3.96 mg/kg. Again, the product was shipped even before the sample reached the lab.
Primal found Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes in its finished products on 49 occasions during a one-year period, according to the company’s own records. There is no information in the Warning Letter as to what happened to those 49 contaminated production batches.
The only publically announced product recall occurred as a result of the FDA having found Listeria monocytogenes in a routine surveillance sample.
After learning of the FDA’s findings, the company issued a public recall. Yet it took no steps to evaluate the safety of other pet foods manufactured on the same production line immediately before and after the recalled batch.
Unhelpful response to records requests
Primal did not promptly provide all required records when requested to do so by the FDA investigator, impeding the ability of the FDA to complete its inspection and evaluation in a timely fashion.
It is unclear from the limited information available in the Warning Letter and the FDA Inspections Database whether or not the company eventually supplied all of the requested documentation.
What happens next?
The Warning Letter was dated February 21, 2023.
The company was been given the standard fifteen (15) working days following receipt of the letter in which to respond in writing with specific steps taken to correct the list of violations, including copies of related documentation to support its corrective measures.
The ball is now in Primal’s court.
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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.
United States
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION:CDC and FDA are investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis A virus that has sickened five people in the state of Washington, and hospitalized two of them. The outbreak has been traced to frozen organic strawberries. Please refer to the recall notices, below, for additional details.
Allergy Alert: BC Gourmet USA, Inc. recalls Scarpetta Brand Pink Pesto (Lot codes NN149 & NN164; Expiration dates 5/02/2023 and 12/09/2023, respectively) due to undeclared pine nuts.
Infant Formula Safety Recall: Perrigo Company plc recalls Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula in the U.S. (Multiple package sizes, lot codes and Use-by dates) due to potential for Cronobacter sakazakii contamination,
Food Safety Recall: California Splendor, Inc. recalls Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries (4-lb bags; Lot codes 140962-08, 142222-23, 142792-54, 142862-57, 142912-59, 142162-20, 142202-21, 142782-53, 142852-56, 142902-58, 142212-22, 142232-24, 142842-55) due to possible Hepatitis A virus contamination. The recalled products were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, Hawaii and two San Diego business centers.
Food Safety Recall: Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon recalls frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets and frozen organic tropical blend sold to Trader Joe’s due to possible Hepatitis A virus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Trader Joe’s recalls Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend (SKU# 51191; Best by 04/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, and 06/07/24) due to possible Hepatitis A virus contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Hoyo, SBC recalls HOYO Beef Sambusa Ground Beef Pastry with Onions and Spices (75 pieces/bulk box; Lot codes N341-S and N333-S) due to possible foreign matter contamination (thin, wire-like metal)
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Canada
Allergy Alert: Les 3 Maîtres Gourmands inc. (Laval, QC) recalls multiple prepared dishes due to undeclared wheat, milk, soy, sesame and sulphites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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Europe
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Dolcissimo warns consumers about undeclared soy in Dolcissimo brand Cannoli (3 pieces; Lot 16/03/2023; Use by 21/03/23).
Allergy Alert (France): PAPAYE ET COMPAGNIE Arhumatic recalls Arhumaticbrand Punch au rhum raisin (70cl, 35cl, 1.5L; All lots) due to undeclared sulphites.
Allergy Alert (Iceland): Brauð & co. ehf recalls Brauð & Co Pestó (Best before 27.03.23) due to undeclared egg.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Gillot recalls Gillot brand PETIT CAMEMBERT BIO au lait cru / Raw milk organic Camembert cheese (150g; Lot 018551; Use by 23/03/2023) due to possible shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): 2VD sprl recalls varieties of popping corn due to excessive aflatoxin levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Pit & Pit recalls Pit & Pit brand Popcorn Maïs / Popping corn (450g & 1.3 kg; Lots ULTGVTF8 & ULTGVTF9, respectively; Best before 30/09/2024) due to excessive aflatoxin levels.
Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dagrofa ApS recalls Banderos tortillawrap med fuldkorn / Whole grain tortilla wraps (370g; Best before 19.06.2023) due to mold contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): BLAINDIS LECLERC Blain recalls Wrap et sandwich thon vendu en Snacking / Tuna wrap and tuna sandwich (Sold 15/03/2023 and 16/03/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (France): BLAINDIS LECLERC Blainrecalls Sandwich au poulet vendu en Snacking / Chicken sandwich (Sold 15/03/2023 and 16/03/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (France): T.L.C. recalls Plat de côte cuit en gelée / Rib dish cooked in jelly (~3,6 kg; Lot 23068; Use by 13/04/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): HELLOFRESH FRANCE SAS recalls Planet deli brand 2 Pains Naan natures / Plain naan bread (2 pieces; Lots 3017 & 3019; Best before 09/05/2023 & 11/05/2023) due to mold contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC du Chêne Clair recalls Meule de Sion Jeune (affinée de 2 à 3 mois) / Raw milk farm cheese, aged 2-3 months (Multiple Best before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected dates.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): EDEN Fruits GmbH recalls Gefüllte Datteln mit Walnusskern / Dates stuffed with walnuts (125g; Lot 265-22; Best before 22.09.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (glass splinters),
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Coppiello Giovanni srl recalls multiple Sfilaccio made with pork or horse meat due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall website for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls multiple varieties and brands of popping corn due to excessive aflatoxin levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Societé Gillot SAS recalls Gillot brand Petit Camembert au lait cru/ Raw milk camembert cheese (150g; Lot 018551; Best before 23/03/2023) due to possible shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Fidafruit recalls Match brandMaïs grain Popcorn / Popping corn (250g; Best before 23/12/2023) due to excessive aflatoxin levels.
Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Cooprecalls Coop Ägg Frigående inomhus, storlek ML / Free-range eggs, ML (12-pack; Best before 27-03-2023), Coop Ägg Frigående inomhus, storlek M / Free-range eggs, M (24-pack; Best before 25-03-2023 and 27-03-2023) and Xtra Ägg Frigående inomhus, storlek S / Free-range eggs, S (15-pack; Best before 27-03-2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Sweden): DAVA Foods Sweden AB recalls Ägg Brunch Frig 6 LXL / Free-range Brunch eggs, LXL (6-pack; Best before 25.03.2023) and Ägg Fam. val Frig ML / Free-range Family value eggs, ML (15-pack; Best before 27.03.2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Allergy Alert (Israel): Shufersal recalls Shufersal Green gluten-free cornflour (500g; Expiration dates 25/02/2024, 27/02/2024, 29/02/2024, 01/12/2024, 22/01/2024) due to undeclared soy.
Food Safety Recall (Israel): Meir Bagel Industries Ltd. recalls Classic Grisni crumbs (200g; Batch 04823 S; Sell by 17/02/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (blue rubber residue).
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (Australia): Premier Food Brands Pty Ltd recalls Mediterranean Delicacies – Baklava Traditional Assortment (Best before 23-10-2023) due to undeclared peanut.
Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Kusingero Ltd recalls Kusingero brand Korean Sweet Chilli (195g; All batches; All dates) and Kusingero brand Siomai Pork Shrimp (360g; All batches; All dates) due to undeclared gluten, wheat and phenylalanine.
Food Safety Recall (Australia): CERES ORGANICS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD recalls Ceres Organics Organic Hulled Tahini (300g; Best before 25/05/2023, 22/08/2023 and 01/08/2024; Product of Turkey) and Ceres Organics Organic Unhulled Tahini (300g; Best before 25/05/2023 and 22/08/2023; Product of Turkey) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
“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.
