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.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
FRANCE:Food Safety News reports five probable cases of botulism in one family, most likely linked to consumption of “O Ptits Oignons” brand wild garlic pesto. All five victims are in intensive care.
United States
Allergy Alert: Innovation Bakers, LLC recalls 7-Eleven Fudge Brownie (3.5 oz pack; Lot code Best By Wednesday 0911) due to undeclared walnut.
Canada
Food Safety Recall: Maple Leaf Foods Inc. recalls A & W brand Chicken Breast Portion Fully Cooked Breaded, Seasoned Boneless, Skinless, Fillets Removed (5 kg; Lot 4178; Production date 2024-JUN-26; UPC 63100 41087 2) due to undercooking. The recalled product was distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions across Canada.
Food Safety Recall: Boulangerie Bagels on Greene ltée (Montréal, QC) recalls Homemade hummus (All lots with expiration dates prior to September 7, 2024) due to possible Bacillus cereus contamination.
United Kingdom and Ireland
Allergy Alert (Ireland): Lidl recalls Deluxe Chicken & Vegetable/ Sweet Potato & Chicken soup (Batch code 5258; Use by 29.Sept.24) due to undeclared gluten.
Hong Kong and Singapore
Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Goodwell Sam Cheong Grocery Company Limited recalls Double Fruit Spread Garden Strawberry, 70% Fruit (200g; Batch/Lot no. 0422616 – L 173 4; Best before June 21, 2026; Product of Austria) due to possible presence of mold.
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (Australia): Grand Eastern Group recalls Mie Sedaap Rasa Baso Special (77g x 5 pack; Best before 28/10/2024) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (Australia): Ausfresh Pty Ltd recalls Epic Oddisee Santorini Marinated Pitted Olive Mix (920g; Use by 05 DEC 2024) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (Australia): The Food Trade recalls Papa Jax Shepherds Pie Mashed Potato (500g; All Use by dates up to and including 26 November 2024) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): All Good Bananas Ltd recalls All Good brand Barista Oat Milk (1 L; Batch code 234806; Date marking 04.02.2025 and 05.02.2025; Product of Sweden) due to possible Bacillus cereus contamination.
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“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.
On January 24, 2023, the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services alerted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a possible case of Clostridium botulinum in an infant.
Although primarily breastfed, the infant had also been fed some packaged refrigerated baby food on or around January 7th (pumpkin) and January 11th (broccoli). On January 18th, the infant began to show symptoms of botulism.
By January 22nd, the infant had been hospitalized, and treatment with an anti-toxin was initiated.
The treatment was successful and the infant survived.
The baby food was manufactured by Oceanitan, LLC, a contract manufacturer of baby food products located in Los Angeles, California.
The investigation
On February 3rd, a Missouri health inspector collected samples of the product from the infant’s home and submitted them to the FDA for analysis.
On February 16th, with the lab analysis underway, the FDA began an in-depth inspection of Oceanitan’s manufacturing facility—an inspection that would continue into early April.
The inspection revealed multiple, serious violations of various federal standards (“rules”) for safe manufacture of food products. These violations included:
Lack of preventive controls for bacterial growth and/or toxin formation by Clostridium botulinum in the finished, packaged ready-to-eat products
Use of uncalibrated and inaccurate thermometers to measure storage temperatures
Exposure of cooked ingredients and products to potential environmental contamination during cooling, production, and packaging
Lack of an environmental monitoring program
Inadequate sanitation controls procedures
Lack of a validation study to support cooking parameters specified in the written Process Control document
Dripping water, exposed rust, and peeling paint in various areas of the manufacturing facility
While the inspection was still in progress, the FDA laboratory completed its analysis. The products collected by the Missouri inspector from the home of the sick infant were contaminated with both a non-toxin strain of Clostridium botulinum and a strain of Clostridium beijerinckii.
Although both of these strains were non-pathogenic, they represented clear evidence that a toxin-producing strain of Clostridium botulinum would have been fully capable of growing in the baby food. The lab also reported that the pH and water activity of these products were well within the range to promote growth of the pathogen.
The follow-up
In keeping with the agency’s standard operating practice, the FDA investigator met with company management on April 6th at the completion of the inspection to make a formal presentation of FDA Form 483 (Inspectional Observations) and review the documented violations.
On April 27th, Oceanitan’s Chief Executive Officer, Nelson Lee, responded in writing to the list of observations. He informed the FDA that the company had purchased calibrated temperature data monitors for its coolers, contracted a third-party lab to initiate an environmental monitoring program, updated its sanitation program, cleaned and repaired ceilings and walls, and initiated steps to have other repairs performed by an outside contractor.
After reviewing the company’s response, the FDA issued a Warning Letter on September 7, 2023. In its letter, the agency noted that Oceanitan had not taken steps to update its hazard analysis or implement written procedures for monitoring a preventive control. Nor did the company provide a validation study for its process control parameters.
The FDA gave Oceanitan fifteen working days from receipt of the letter to notify the agency in writing of the steps it was taking to correct the remaining violatiosn and prevent a recurrence, and also advised the company that the agency would be conducting a follow-up inspection to determine Oceanitan’s compliance with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its asssociated regulations.
Botulism—Infant and otherwise
Botulism is not a common occurrence.
In 2019, the most recent year for which data are posted on its website, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 152 cases of infant botulism and just 21 cases of foodborne botulism.
Infant botulism can be associated with consumption of honey that is contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum. In fact, in Canada, raw honey is the only food that has been specifically linked to infant botulism.
In foodborne botulism, individuals become ill from eating a food that contains pre-formed toxin. But in the case of infants, it’s not necessary for the toxin to be present in the food. Clostridium botulinum spores can multiply and produce their deadly toxin in the baby’s intestine.
The take-aways
The baby food products manufactured under contract by Oceanitan were neither commercially sterile nor shelf-stable.
The products were sold as refrigerated, “ready-to-eat” baby foods.
Information on the brand(s) of baby food products manufactured by Oceanitan was redacted from the documents obtained by eFoodAlert under the Freedom of Information Act, as this information is considered to be proprietary.
The manufacturing process consisted of cooking the individual ingredients before they were mixed and puréed. There was no second “kill” step either before or after the products were filled into their 4-ounce plastic jars. And there were serious flaws in the company’s hazard analysis, environmental monitoring, and facility maintenance.
By neglecting fundamental principles of safe food manufacture, the company and its commercial customers put a vulnerable population at risk.
“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.
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.
TOXIC
From Factory To Food Bowl PET FOOD IS A RISKY BUSINESS
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
Enjoy the slideshow as you listen to a sample of TOXIC, narrated by the author.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
United States
Public Health Alert: FDA alerts parents and caregivers to concerns about LittleOak infant formulas, which are being sold illegally in the USA without the required premarket notification. Please refer to the Alert notice for complete details.
Allergy Alert:Knickerbocker 365, Inc. recalls Homestyle Hamburger Buns (16-oz pkg; Lot codes I31C, J01C, J02C, J06C, J07C, J08C, J09C and J11C) due to undeclared milk.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Calgary daycare outbreak): The number of confirmed cases of E. coli O157 has risen to 337. Ten of the victims are sufferening from hemolytic uremic syndrome and three are on dialysis.
Public Health Notice: Three of the fifteen victims of botulism being investigated by French public health authoritiesare Canadian residents. Travellers to France who consumed a meal at Tchin Tchin Wine Bar restaurant in Bordeaux between September 4 and 10, 2023 should self-monitor for symptoms, and seek immediate medical care if they develop symptoms.
Allergy Alert:Susie sans gluten (Laval, QC) recalls BISCUIT À L’AVOINE / Oatmeal cookies (192g; Sold up to 14 September 2023) due to undeclared gluten.
Allergy Alert: La bouche qui rie recalls multiple sausages and butcher shop products due to undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert: Probouchées probites recalls multiple Probite brand protein snacks due to undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Springwater Meats recalls Springwater Packers brand Mild Pepperonistix (ca. 454g; Packed on 21.06.23) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Les aliments Wah Hoa (Montréal, QC) recalls various tofu and soy products that were prepared or packaged under unsanitary conditons and may be unsafe to consume.
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Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (France): Santé publique France reports that 15 people have now been stricken with botulismin an outbreak traced to artisanal sardines prepared and served in a restaurant in Bordeaux. Ten people remain hospitalized and there has been one death.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Norway):Folkehelseinstituttet (Public Health Institute) reports that an outbreak of shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections appears to be linked to consumption of hamburger and minced meats. The number of affected individuals has grown to seventeen.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Spakenburg Paling B.V. recalls forel.nl filets de truite fumée / Smoked trout filets (125g; Lots L23234, L23240, & L23248; Use by 07/09/2023, 14/09/2023, 21/09/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA recalls forel.nl filets de truite fumée / Smoked trout filets (Lots L23233, L23234, L23235, L23236, L23240, L23241, L23242, L23243, L23244, L23247, L23248, L23249, L232450, L23251 (125g) and Lots L23233, L23234, L23240, L23242, L23248, L23249 (500g); Use by dates from 08/09/2023 to 05/10/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Cru recalls Salade de truite fumée / Smoked trout salad (150g; Use by dates from 15/9/2023 to 17/9/2023, inclusive) and Plateau de poisson fumé / Smoked fish platter (2p; Use by dates from 1/9/2023 to 22/9/2023, inclusive) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Frapa-Geitenkazen recalls Frapa-Geitenkazen brand Spekkaasje / Goat cheese coated in lard (2 x 65g; Lots 22734, 22735, 2734,2735; Best before 15-11-2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Geia Food A/S recalls Seafood Selection brand varmrøget ørredfilet / Hot-smoked trout filets (100g; All best before dates from 08.09.2023 to 05.10.2023, inclusive) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Agustson A/S recalls Agustson brand varmrøget dansk ørredfilet / Danish hot-smoked trout filet (80g; Lots L23233, L23234, L23235, L23236, L23237, L23240, L23241, L23242, L23243, L23244, L23247, L23248, L23249, L23250, L23251; All use by dates up to and including 10.10.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): KERBAR CENTRE E. LECLERC GOUESNOU recalls multiple varieties of PATISSERIE Centre E Leclerc de Gouesnou brand gateaux à base de crème patissière / Cake with pastry cream base (All use by dates between 06/09/2023 and 10/09/2023) due to possible Bacillus cereus contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): K+S FRANCErecalls CEREBOS brand sel gros / Coarse salt (5 kg bucket; Lot L73814464) due to foreign matter contamination (small pieces of wood, ~1-10 mm).
Food Safety Recall (France): ZYRAX recalls Lauburu brand CHEVRE SAVEUR BASQUE / Basque-style goat cheese (Lot 101 1255; Best before dates between 17/10/2023 and 11/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ZYRAX recalls Lauburu brand VACHE ECHALOTE / Cow milk cheese (Lot 207 1363; Best before dates between 05/12/2023 and 11/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ZYRAX recalls Lauburu brand BREBIS PIMENT / Sheep milk cheese with chili (Lot 1861343; Best before dates between 27/12/2023 and 02/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): CHARCUTERIE PIERRAT recalls CHARCUTERIE PIERRATbrand FILET MIGNON DE PORC SALE AU SEL SEC ET FUME – VPF / Salted and smoked pork filet mignon (Lot 344; Multiple Use by dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): HIRUAK BAIONADE recalls Baïonade brand Cèpes en morceaux / Porcini mushroom pieces, canned (Lot 22JR; Best before 31/12/2027) due to canning defect leading to unstable product.
Food Safety Recall (France): KING SEA FOOD ENTREPRISE IAA recalls TRUITE FUMEE FILET / Smoked trout filet (150g; Lot 23240; Use by dates between 29/09/2023 and 05/10/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): TESTEDIS E.LECLERC recalls JAMBON SUPERIEUR 3 NOIX AVEC COUENNE / Superior ham with rind (All Use by dates between 08/08/2023 and 13/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): DISTRILYS E. LECLERC recalls SOUBRESSADE DOUCE A CUIRE / Mild soubressade sausage, not ready-to-eat (Lot 230243; Use by 30/09/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Agustson a/s recalls Finest Seafood Geräucherte Regenbogen-Forellenfilets Natur / Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillets Natural and Finest Seafood Geräucherte Regenbogen-Forellenfilets Pfeffer / Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillets – Pepper (125g; Lots L23233, L23234, L23235, L23235, L23236, L23240, L23241, L23242, L23243, L23244, L23247, L23248, L23249, L23250, L23251; All best before dates up to and including 27.09.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Globus Handelshof GmbH & Co. KG recalls Globus Regenbogen Forellenfilets Natur / Rainbow trout fillets, plain (125g; Best before 08.09.2023 – 05.10.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Agustson A/S recalls Heißgeräucherte Forellenfilets ohne Haut Verkauf über die Bedientheke / Hot smoked skinless trout fillets, sold over the counter (All best before dates up to and including 05.10.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Agustson a/s recalls Nautica Regenbogen Forellenfilets in den Sorten ‘Natur’ und ‘Pfeffer’ / Smoked trout fillets, plain and pepper varieties (125g; All best before dates up to and including 05.10.2023) and XXL Nautica Regenbogen Forellenfilets ‘Natur’ / Smoked trout fillets, plain (140g; (All best before dates up to and including 05.10.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls DekaVers Stokbrood tijger / Tiger baguettes (2 loaves; Expiry date 28-09-2023) due to mold contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Norway): Nordfjord Kjøtt AS recalls multiple brands and varieties of hamburger and minced meat in connection with an outbreak of shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Agustson A/S recalls multiple varieties of smoked trout products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Morrisons recalls Morrisons Spanish Chorizo Ring (200g; Best before 08 December 2023) due to 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.
