Recalls and Alerts: December 21-22, 2021

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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.

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United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: FDA, CDC and state and local agencies are investigating an outbreak of ten cases of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in eight states linked to consumption of Fresh Express Packaged Salad. Fresh Express has recalled multiple brands of packaged salad products (see below).

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: FDA, CDC and state and local agencies are investigating on outbreak of sixteen cases of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in thirteen states linked to consumption of packaged salads produced by Dole and sold under multiple brand names. Two people have died. Please see the Dole recall notice, below, for additional information.

Allergy Alert: Dream Pops recalls select Dream Pops Bites products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Local Fixe LLC recalls Classic Lasagna Sheets, Soup Noodles, Dinner Rolls, Pie Dough, Squid Ink – Fettucine, and Fresh Flour Tortillas due to undeclared wheat (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes for each product.

Allergy Alert: Joy’s International Foods recalls Joy’s Gourmet Bloody Mary Mix (24-oz bottle; Best by 08-18-2023) due to undeclared soy and fish.

Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express recalls certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility after one of its products was linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in eight states (see above). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at its Bessemer City, NC and Yuma, AZ processing facilities (Best if Used By dates between November 30, 2021, and January 8, 2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Affected salad brands include: Ahold, Dole, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature’s Promise, and Simply Nature. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: HAIFA SMOKED FISH recalls TURBOT COLD SMOKED (8 oz / 227g; Lot #246) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: RIPPLE FOODS PBC recalls Ripple Dairy-Free. As It Should Be 8g Plant Based Protein (6 x 48 fl oz. bottles/case; Lots YF21250 and YF21251; Best by 3/6/2022 & 3/7/2022, respectively) due to Bacillus cereus contamination. This product was recalled by letter notification only on 11/20/2021 and has only just been posted on the FDA Enforcement Report web page.

Food Safety Recall: Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients, Inc. recalls Yeast Extract Ajirex (15 kg bag in box; Lot AR21B13401; Expiration date Aug 2, 2022; Product number 6225796 205 01M) due to possible Salmonella contamination. This product was recalled by email notification only on 11/29/2021 and has only just been posted on the FDA Enforcement Report web page.

Food Safety Recall: MOTHERS MILK BANK OF NORTH TEXAS recalls Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas 817-810-0071 Pasteurized Donor Human milk (100 ml / 1.00g/dL protein; Batch #025958-1; Order #ORD0321480) due to foreign matter (piece of glass) contamination. This product was recalled on 11/29/2021 and has only just been posted on the FDA Enforcement Report web page.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA issues Warning Letter to The Famous Lantigue Seafood after an inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed multiple serious violations of the Seafood Hazard Regulations.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA issues Warning Letter to Banner Smoked Fish Inc. after an inspection of the company’s ready-to-eat (RTE) cold- and hot-smoked seafood processing facility revealed multiple instances of Listeria monocytogenes in the production environment and serious violations of the Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.

Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: PHAC reports 84 confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in British Columbia (36), Alberta (30), Saskatchewan (4), Manitoba (12) and Ontario (2). The outbreak has been linked to Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn.

Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express Incorporated recalls certain Fresh Express brand salad products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Finland): Health and Sports Nutrition Group HSNG AB recalls several Walden Farms products due to undeclared sulphites, milk, fish or soya. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Dunnes Stores recalls Dunnes Stores Green Olives – Greek Green Pitted Olives (275g; Use by 14.01.2022) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Allergy Alert (Italy): C.S.I Compagnia Surgelati Italiana S.p.A. recalls Findus brand Gnocchetti alla Sorrentina (550g; Lots L1319 & 1320; Best before 12/2022) due to undeclared fish and shellfish.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Authorities recall Gaby’s Nudelküche brand Currynudeln / Curry noodles (250g; Best before 15.08.2021, 1.10.2022 & 30.09.2023) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Health and Sports Nutrition Group HSNG AB recalls several Walden Farms products due to undeclared sulphites, milk, fish or soya. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Bennett Opie Ltd recalls Opies Pickled Walnuts (390g; Batch code L1327; Best before 11/2024) due to undeclared mustard and sulphites.

Allergy Alert (UK): Dunnes Stores recalls Dunnes Stores Green Olives – Greek Green Pitted Olives (275g; Use by 14 January 2022) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Vleeswaren Bruynkens nv recalls Vleeswaren Bruynkens nv brand Mini-boulettes de soupe / Mini soup balls (500g; Lots 4801, 4802, 4803, 4906, 4907 & 4908; Best by 22/12/2021, 23/12/2021, 24/12/2021, 27/12/2021, 28/12/2021 & 29/12/2021) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Allergikost A/S recalls G-Foods Mørkt fuldkornsbrød i skiver (glutenfrit) / Dark, sliced whole-meal bread, gluten-free (500g; Lot 18.03.2022; Best before 18.03.2022) due to mold contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lejos Oy recalls Ella’s Kitchen-tuotemerkin tuotetta Banaani-rusina kaurapatukka luomu / Organic Banana-raisin oat bar (25g; Best before 29.03.2022) due to elevated ochratoxin A levels.

Food Safety Recall (France): PAIMPOLDIS recalls charcuterie de campagne Ollivier brand pâté de tête persillé / Head cheese with parsley (Use by 15/12/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Slimane Foie Gras recalls Slimane Foie Gras brand Rillettes de canards / Duck rillettes (180g; Lots 2110 to 2157; All best before dates between 03/08/24 and 08/11/24) due to insufficient heat processing.

Food Safety Recall (France): Slimane Foie Gras recalls Slimane Foie Gras brand Gésier de canard confit / Duck gizzard confit (400g & 800g; Lots 2110 to 2157; All best before dates between 03/08/24 and 08/11/24) due to insufficient heat processing.

Food Safety Recall (France): AVREDIS recalls PONT L’EVEQUE AOP LAIT CRU / Raw cows’ milk cheese (200g; No lot codes) due to E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): USSEL DISTRIBUTION LECLERC recalls Pâté basque au piment d’Espelette / Basque pâté with Espelette peppers (No lot code information) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): House of Biskota recalls Gluten Free Choc Almond Handmade Biscuits (All BEST BEFORE dates from and including 09JUN22 up to and including 07DEC2022) due to undeclared milk.

Contaminated corn behind Canadian Salmonella outbreak

Frozen whole kernel corn is the source of an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis that has sickened at least 84 Canadians in five provinces, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Four of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

Confirmed outbreak cases have been reported by British Columbia (36), Alberta (30), Saskatchewan (4), Manitoba (12) and Ontario (2). The Ontario outbreak victims reported having traveled to British Columbia and Alberta prior to becoming ill.

The outbreak, which began in early September, appears to be ongoing.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified the source of the outbreak after analyzing multiple food samples obtained from restaurants where outbreak victims had eaten.

The CFIA recoverd the outbreak strain from an unopened package of Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn.

The investigation has spawned three recalls to date, and it is possible that further traceback investigation may result in additional recalls.

The recalls

New Alasko Limited Partnership recalls Alasko brand IQF whole kernel corn (12 kg (6×2 kg); Lot #GT21120; P.O. 112943; UPC 1 069505 816003 4), distributed to Hotels, restaurants and institutions and manufacturers in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba and possibly elsewhere in Canada.
New Alasko Limited Partnership recalls Alasko brand IQF whole kernel corn (12 kg (6×2 kg); Lot #GT21117, GT21123 & GT21143; P.O. 112954, 112944 & 112955, respectively; UPC 1 069505 816003 4) distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions, manufacturers and retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec and possibly elsewhere in Canada.
Fraser Valley Meats recalls Fraser Valley Meats brand Whole Kernel Corn (frozen) (~2 kg; Sold between December 3 and December 15, 2021; UPC 2 000921 000002), sold to the general public in British Columbia.

What consumers need to know

Do not eat, use, sell, or serve any recalled Alasko brand or Fraser Valley Meats brand frozen whole kernel corn. This advice applies to individuals, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and long-term care homes, across Canada.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection can include: fever, chills, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting.
If you believe you have consumed the recalled product and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact your health care professional.
Discard any recalled product or return it to the supplier.
Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product.
For more information, members of the public can contact the PHAC toll-free at: 1-866-225-0709

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Recalled salad mix blamed for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with state and local partners and the CDC, is investigating an outbreak of ten Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in eight states.

The onset dates for illnesses linked to the outbreak strain range from July 26, 2016 to October 19, 2021.

The outbreak strain is a genetic match for the Listeria monocytogenes recovered from Fresh Express Sweet Hearts salad mix by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARM) during the course of a routine sampling program.

The MDARM issued a Consumer Advisory on December 17, 2021.

In response to the Listeria monocytogenes finding and the outbreak investigation, Fresh Express, Inc. has recalled certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility.

Fresh Express, Inc. is a division of Chiquita Brands.

Affected brands include: Fresh Express, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Market District, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature Organic, Weis Fresh From the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic.

The recall includes all Use-By Dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350. Please refer to the Fresh Express recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

The recalled products were distributed in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Some of the recalled products were also exported to Canada. Please refer to the CFIA recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold in Manitoba and Ontario and also may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

A Repeat Offender

Fresh Express, which has suspended production at its Streamwood facility, has been the source of more than one previous foodborne disease outbreak.

In 2018, more than 500 customers of MacDonald’s in fifteen states were infected with Cyclospora after consuming a packaged romaine lettuce/carrot mix supplied to the restaurant chain by Fresh Express.

In December 2019, Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits were identified as the source of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in the United States and Canada.

And on October 20, 2020, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to the company as a result of the agency’s investigation into the source of yet another multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that was traced back to bagged salad mixes produced at the Streamwood production plant.

On November 10, 2021, the FDA issued a Close-out Letter acknowledging the company’s corrective actions to the violations listed in the October 2020 Warning Letter.

What Retailers Need to Know

Stop serving or selling recalled produce, whether it is fresh or frozen. Produce stored at cold temperatures can be contaminated. Listeria monocytogenes can grow even at refrigerated temperatures.
Keep recalled produce away from other foods and from any equipment, utensils, and linens, among other things.
Determine if cross-contamination with other foods may have happened.
Determine the source of the produce, or the supplier if the source of the fresh/frozen produce is unknown.
Follow the instructions from the source or supplier on how to return or dispose of the recalled produce.
Your employees should wash their hands thoroughly after handling recalled produce.
Wash any clothing and linens that have may be contaminated.

What Consumers Need to Know

Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
People infected with L. monocytogenes may start to see symptoms in a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating contaminated food. More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop.
Consult your health care provider if you suspect that you or a family member has developed symptoms that resemble a L. monocytogenes infection.
Discard any of the recalled products or return them to the retailer for a refund.
Wash and sanitize any surfaces in your refrigerator or your kitchen that may have come into contact with one of the recalled products.
Canadian consumers should be on the alert for any recall notices issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In the meantime, do not purchase, serve or eat any of the products listed on the US recall notice.

For more information, members of the public can contact the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free line at: 800-242-5472