Recalls and Alerts: November 21 – 24, 2017

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

Food Safety Alert: FDA urges consumers who drank raw milk from Udder Milk, which the company described on its website as a “co-op on wheels,” to contact their health care providers, as they may have been exposed to the RB51 strain of Brucella abortus. A New Jersey woman who drank the company’s milk was infected with antibiotic-resistant Brucella abortus strain RB51. Please refer to the FDA notice for additional information.

Allergy Alert: Colorado Nut Company recalls Cashew Cranberry Cherry Jubilee, Oat Bran Nutty Crunch, Honey Nutty Granola, Peanut Delight, and Frontier Trail Mix due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details of the affect products, which were distributed from June 1, 2017 through November 7, 2017 with a sell by date range from December 1, 2017 through May 7, 2018 to AR, AZ, CA, CO, IA, IL, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WA, WY, to car washes, hospitals, colleges, retail stores, national parks, and liquor stores via UPS, FedEx or direct deliveries.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Agropur Coopérative recalls Agropur Signature Oka brand Oka Cheese Fondue (180g; Product code 289A; UPC 0 67201 10028 1) due to undeclared milk and wheat. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Ontario and Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Gibiers Canabec inc. recalls Gibiers Canabec brand RABBIT STEW WITH MUSTARD & FOREST MUSHROOM SAUCE (4 x 525g; Best before 2018FE16; UPC 00877914002341) due to inadequate processing.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Germany): Die healthy planet GmbH recalls Choco Cookie Dough Ice Cream (500mL; Best before 19.04.2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): Birds Eye recalls 4 x Shortcrust Chicken Pies (620g; Batch codes L7301MRN52, L7301ARN52, L7301NRN52; Best before 04/2019) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (UK): Dr Oetker recalls Dr Oetker Decor Kit (120g; Best before end November 2018) due to undeclared milk and wheat.

Allergy Alert (UK): P&B (Food) Ltd. recalls Heera Punjabi Wadi (300g; Best before end January 2018 and December 2019; Batch codes 19F15X35-1 and PB8370, respectively), due to undeclared gluten and soya.

Allergy Alert (UK): Cuisine Solutions Ltd. recalls Cake Club Carrot Cake (all best before dates up to and including November 30, 2017) due to undeclared milk, wheat, egg and walnuts and recalls Cake Club Chocolate Fudge Cake (all best before dates up to and including November 30, 2017) due to undeclared milk and soya.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): FairTrade Gruppen recalls Brazilian Erva Maté Bio Tea (100g; Best before 30.11.2017) due to excessive levels of the pesticide Antraquinone.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl Suomi Ky recalls Glenfell Young Oat Fed Goose Breast (900g; Best before 31.3.2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Micro Frucht Handels GmbH recalls Sera Börülce Black Cowpeas (900g; Lot 47602-11; Best before 09.11.18) due to contamination with the pesticide Chlorpyrifos.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Alnatura Produktions- und Handels GmbH recalls various Trafo Kartoffelchips / Trafo brand Potato Chips due to presence of wood splinters. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Firma Snack Food Poco Loco nv recalls ANTEP 8 Dürüm (800g; Best before 06/06/2018; Product of Netherlands) due to possible presence of pieces of plexiglass.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Supermarchés Auchan recalls various Lustucru brand frozen pastas due to possible contamination with pieces of plastic. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Riebeck Pty Ltd trading as Little Zebra Chocolates recalls Chai Supreme Dark Chocolate (85g; Lot 1162; Best before 1/12/18) due to undeclared dairy ingredient. The recalled product was sold at independent retailers in NSW and QLD and online.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Gluten Free Holdings recalls various Gluten Free Choice brand breads due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): CuisAnn recalls CuisAnn brand heat and eat meals due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Bin Inn Retail Group Limited recalls Buckwheat Flour (sold in bulk bins and various sized packets; Batch No. 170530-06-5T and 170920-06-5T) due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of stores where the recalled products were sold.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Bay Drive recalls Bay Drive brand Chocolate Chip Cookies (6 pack; Batch 01) due to undeclared gluten. The recalled product was sold at the Porirua Cobham Court Farmers Market.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Eco-Farms Pty Ltd recalls Ground Cinnamon (150g; Best before 20/07/20) due to Bacillus cereus contamination. The recalled product was sold at IGA’s, FoodWorks, independent and organic grocery stores and their online retailers in NSW, QLD and VIC.

Recalls and Alerts: August 17 – 22, 2017

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United States

Outbreak Alert Update: The Salmonella outbreak linked to consumption of Yellow Maradol Papayas from Mexico has grown to 173 cases reported in 21 states.

Allergy Alert: United Trading Inc. recalls Gazab Green Raisins (Chinese) (7 ounce and 14 ounce clear packages; UPC 841970015218 and 841970015225, respectively) due to undeclared sulfites. The recalled product was distributed in IL, MN, WI, IN, FL, MI, and TX in retail stores that sell Indian grocery products.

Food Safety Recall: Fair Oaks Farms, LLC recalls BREAKFAST Best FULLY COOKED ORIGINAL PORK SAUSAGE PATTIES (2-lb. plastic sleeve packages; Sell by 05/15/2018) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was shipped to distribution and retail locations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Food Safety Recall: Spanish Sonrise Dairy recalls whole retail raw milk (half-gallon glass bottles; Expiry August 23) due to contamination with shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli. The recalled product was sold directly to private customers and at one retail store in Washington State.

Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: K-Bar Dairy (Paradise, TX) recalls unpasteurized milk because it may be contaminated with Brucella bacteria. A person who drank milk from the dairy has been hospitalized for an infection of a strain of Brucella bacteria.

Canada

Allergy Alert: D.J. Distributing recalls Lucky 7 brand 2 in 1 Instant Black Coffee (288 g (18 bags x 16 g); Mfg MAY 20 2016; Expiry MAY 19 2018; UPC 8 936015 504283) due to undeclared milk. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in Ontario and Quebec.

Allergy Alert: Kuo Hua Trading Company Ltd. recalls Provence Mixed Seasoning (32g; Product code SCC 1120ETI04; UPC 4 710059 000314) due to undeclared milk. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in British Columbia and Ontario.

Allergy Alert: Manufacturer recalls Wings brand Japanese style noodles due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to hotels, restaurants and institutional customers in Quebec.

Food Safety Recall Update: Pâtisserie Jessica Inc. and Produits Pâtisserie Michaud Inc. recall various mousse cakes containing raspberries due to potential Norovirus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products, which were distributed to consumers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and may have been distributed nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Pâtisserie Jessica recalls par Sophie! brand Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake (650g; Product code 17185; UPC 8 10175 00926 1) due to possible Norovirus contamination. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Marché du Village recalls Signature Spaghetti Sauce (500 mL and 1 L; All lots sold up to and including August 21, 2017) due to possible contamination with metal fragments.

Food Safety Recall: Ferme Leblanc recalls Horse Jerky (100g; All lots sold up to and including August 21, 2017) due to insufficient warnings regarding safe storage of the product after purchase.

Food Safety Recall: Abattoir Bouwman inc. recalls Beef Jerky and Wild Boar Jerky (50g and 100g; All lots sold up to and including August 18, 2017) due to insufficient warnings regarding safe storage of the product after purchase.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Coop Danmark A/S recalls C Salad Mixed salad with Regato cheese, cucumber, red pepper and a spoonful of dressing (250g; Use by 26 / 8-2017) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Midsona recalls Kung Markatta Peanut Butter (360g) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Hanegal A/S recalls Organic Beef Casserole (200g; various ‘Best before’ dates) due to growth of gas-producing bacteria causing swelling of the packages. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected ‘Best before’ dates.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): De 5 Gaarde recalls Kyllinge Breast Fillet (1200g; Lot no. 11.08.2017) due to incorrect shelf life date.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Kesko Oyj recalls Pirkka frozen Chicken Wings (400g; Best before 15.07.2018 or 07.09.2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Lait Candia recalls Auchan Part-skim Milk (50 cl bottle; All Best by dates up to and including 08/11/2017) and Auchan Organic Part-skim Milk (50 cl bottle; All Best by dates up to and including 08/11/2017), due to mold growth in the neck of the bottle.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Suntjens Candyland recalls Wakies mini Jelly Caps (250g; Lot 06249, Best by 25/11/2017 and Lot 06274, Best by 10/08/2018) due to choking hazard.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Cornish Charcuterie recalls various types of pâtés and rillettes because of a failure of procedures to control Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Tak Fat Edible Salt & Provisions Limited recalls Dali brand Preserved Red Bean Curd (500g bottle; Best before November 23, 2018; Product of China; Manufactured by Zhejiang Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs I/E Co., Ltd.) due to elevated levels of Bacillus cereus.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Parmalat Australia Ltd recalls Calciyum, Woolworths and Aldi Brookies brand yoghurt pouches due to a potential choking hazard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected Use-by dates.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Parmalat recalls various flavours of Tamar Valley Kid’s Yoghurt Pouches (110g) due to a potential choking hazard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected flavours and Use-by dates.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall website.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains

**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Shocked and Saddened

Dear Readers,

On March 31, 2013, I announced that I was “moving on,” and I ended my daily posts on eFoodAlert. Since then, I have been concentrating on my creative writing projects. Nevertheless, I’ve continued to monitor food safety stories, muttering under my breath from time to time about the quality of some of the coverage. But I have not been motivated to comment publicly on any of these stories until today’s release of a pet food safety study carried out under the auspices of The Association For Truth In Pet Food (ATPF). I decided that I could not let this report stand unchallenged and unanswered.

The Association for Truth In Pet Food (ATPF), headed by Susan Thixton, has just released a report that details the results of mycotoxin, nutrient and bacteria tests carried out on a number of brands of canned and dry cat foods and dog foods. According to James Andrews, writing for Food Safety News, the testing program was sponsored by consumers through crowdfunding and coordinated by ATPF.

Susan Thixton, writing in her TruthAboutPetFoods.com blog, describes the results of the study as “shocking and sad.” In my opinion, her adjectives are correct, but misapplied. What I find “shocking and sad” is the waste of consumers’ money in a wild goose chase after low-level pathogens of minimal risk to either humans or their pets.

Consider the “qualifying pathogens” reported in the detailed study:

Acinetobacter. This is a low-grade pathogen that is mainly associated with hospital-acquired infections (especially in intensive care units), or with community-spread outbreaks in war zones and natural disaster areas.
Pseudomonas. These bacteria are present in the environment, in our water, and in food. It is a cause of “swimmer’s ear.” Otherwise, Pseudomonas is an opportunistic pathogen, typically either hospital-acquired or affecting individuals with compromised immune systems or respiratory systems, such as cystic fibrosis patients.
Streptococcus. While some species of Streptococcus are pathogenic (eg., Streptococcus pyogenes), others are benign. Some species of Streptococcus are used in the production of fermented dairy products, and are considered to be probiotic.
Staphylococcus. While Staphylococcus aureus is associated with food poisoning (via its production of enterotoxins), and with infections, other species of Staphylococcus are either benign or are low-grade pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common inhabitant of the skin of humans and animals. Even Staphylococcus aureus is carried on the skin and in the nasal passages of many individuals.
Bacillus. Most species of Bacillus are benign and are widely dispersed in the environment. Bacillus is a spore-former and very heat-resistant. It can be found with great frequency in dried foods, including spices, flour, and powdered dairy products. Bacillus cereus is a source of foodborne illness, but it must attain high concentrations before it can cause illness.

In addition to these “qualifying pathogens,” the study organizers decided to troll through the foods for a long list of other irrelevant microbes, including: Anaerococcus, Comamonadaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Halomonas (another low-risk pathogen associated with contamination of intravenous lines), Cloacibacterium, Bifidobacterium (a probiotic), Pantoea, Gemella, Peptoniphilus, Actinomyces, Sphingobium, Bradyrhizobium, Tumebacillus, Paracoccus, Paenibacillus, Lactococcus, Acetobacter, Chloroplast, and Lactobacillus (a probiotic).

The author of the study provided absolutely no rationale for this selection. Nor was any explanation offered for excluding known human and animal pathogens, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, from the list. Where was the logic in this? What was the point in throwing money at a laundry list of irrelevant microbes? The funding did not allow species-level identification of any of the bacteria, according to the study report. Yet, without species-level identification, the results of the bacterial testing of the pet foods are worthless.

I also take issue with the presentation of the mycotoxin test results. The results are reported at levels of parts per billion (PPB), whereas these results are usually reported as parts per million (ppm) . By changing the manner of reporting the results, the study makes the data appear more shocking. For example, FDA recommends a limit of 10ppm for fumonisins in grain destined for pet food. This is the same as saying10,000 parts per billion. Even the worst performing pet food sample was well within this guidance level. Furthermore, the comparison table presents an arbitrary set of risk values generated using a proprietary formula developed by Alltech, an animal nutrition company. There is no way to substantiate the validity or the significance of these so-called risk levels.

I have refrained from commenting on the portion of the report dealing with nutritional analysis, as this is outside of my expertise. I sincerely hope that someone else will put this portion of the report under a microscope.

I acknowledge the good intentions of Susan Thixton and the Association for Truth in Pet Food, but I am appalled at the way in which this study was designed and carried out. The portions of the study relating to bacterial analysis and presentation of the mycotoxin results are the epitome of junk science. The pet-loving consumers who funded this study – and their dogs and cats – deserved far better.