Recalls and Alerts: September 18 – 26, 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

Allergy Alert: Silver Spring Foods, Inc. recalls Waterfront Bistro Tartar Sauce (9 oz jar; Best By date of JUL 31 18 S3551 or AUG 28 18 S3351; UPC 21130 12242) because of the possibility that an incorrect back label was applied, resulting in undeclared egg. The recalled product was distributed at Albertsons, Amigos, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Market Street, Pak N Save, Pavilions, Randall’s, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, & Vons stores in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wyoming.

Allergy Alert: America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co. Ltd. recalls various frozen seafood products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of products, which were distributed in NY, NJ, MA, RI, PA, MD, IL, and reached consumers via retail stores and were also distributed to food service providers.

Allergy Alert: First Source recalls Tasty Treats Nonpareils Milk Chocolate (5-oz plastic pouch; distributed between 12/20/2016 and 9/20/2017; UPC 7 97299 00476 4) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Detjen’s Northern Trails (Watertown, WI) recalls Teri-Yaki Marinated Boneless Chicken Breasts (Lot # 8973; sold prior to September 22, 2017) and Teri-Yaki Marinated Whole Chickens (Lot # 8880 and 9422; sold prior to September 22, 2017) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall: Death Wish Coffee Co. recalls Death Wish Nitro Cold Brew cans (11-oz cans; all lots) because the current process could lead to the growth and production of the deadly toxin, botulin, in low acid foods commercialized in reduced oxygen packaging.

Food Safety Alert: Martin Yoder Farms (Medina, NY) suspends sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk due to possible Campylobacter jejuni contamination.

Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Natures Supplement, Inc. recalls Vegetable Vigra (all lots in distribution) due to presence of Sildenafil. The recalled product was distributed in Florida to consumers via 3rd party distribution company.

Dietary Supplement Safety Recall: Gadget Island, Inc. Dba Gear Isle recalls Rhino 7 Platinum 5000 capsules (LOT# R7-D5K1011H), Papa Zen 3300 capsules (LOT# NSS050888), Fifty Shades 6000 capsules (all Lots), and Grande X 5800 capsules (all Lots) due to presence of Sildenafil and Tadalafil. The recalled products were distributed Nationwide via internet sales.

Canada

Allergy Alert (Update): Canada Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd. recalls Ri Wang Food brand meat and fish products due to undeclared milk, egg and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed to retailers nationwide.

Allergy Alert: Quality International Foods Ltd. recalls Aman’s brand Masar Whole Crimson Lentil (various sizes) due to undeclared wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Allergy Alert: Fontaine Marcel recalls Raisin Pie and Apple Cranberry Pie (all lots sold up to and including September 18, 2017) due to undeclared sesame seeds, peanuts, mustard grain, egg, milk, nuts, soy and seafood.

Food Safety Recall: La Maison d’affinage Maurice Dufour Inc. recalls Le Secret de Maurice brand Soft Surface-Ripened Cheese (170g; Lot #310717; UPC 6 98822 00170 3) due to generic E. coli. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Dot Foods Canada Inc. recalls Simplot brand Traditional Tater Gems (13.6 kg; Lot code 420 AUG 0717 03; UPC 100 71179 00418 9) due to pieces of plastic. The recalled product was distributed to the warehouse level in Alberta.

Food Safety Recall: Boulangerie Fréchette & Frères recalls Vegetable Soup and Rice Soup processed in 500ml glass jars (all lots sold through September 20, 2017), because the products were not processed in a manner adequate to ensure their safety.

Food Safety Recall: Produits alimentaires Hosanna recalls various products sold through September 25, 2017, as they were not prepared and processed in a manner adequate to ensure their safety.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): S.A. CORA recalls Rosengarten, Muesli fruits rouges due to undeclared milk and soya.

Allergy Alert (Czech Republic): Tesco recalls TESCO Wafers With Cocoa Flavoured Filling (175g; Batch DMT 241017; Product of Poland) due to undeclared nuts and peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Royal Biscuit Co. A/S recalls Royal Tiger Flakes with glaze (300g; All Best before dates through 24/8/2018) and Royal Havre Flakes (300g; All Best before dates through 07/09/2018) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Apetit Ruoka Oy recalls Makula Feta Salad and Makula Africana Salad (all dates through 27 September 2017) due to undeclared mustard seed.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Minderleinsmühle GmbH & Co. KG recalls Rosengarten Bio Beeren Muesli (750g; Best before 28.05.18; Product of Germany) due to undeclared milk and soya.

Allergy Alert (UK): 9Nine Brand Foods Ltd recalls 9NINE Super Seeds Breakfast Apricot & Strawberry Bar (50g; Best before 23 May 2018; Batch code C2 206) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): West by Three Brewing Co. recalls The Pilot Series Berry White IPA (330ml bottle; Best before 14 March 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Løgismose recalls various chicken products (Lot 1725036081; Best before 21 / 09-2017) due to high levels of Campylobacter bacteria.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Solhjulet A/S recalls Organic dried figs (500g and 5kg packages; Product of Spain; for institutional use) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gewürzmühle Friedberg recalls Thyme-rubbed Esas Kekik (25g, 35g, and 250g bags and 50g and 130g PET; Expiry 09/2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Parey Farm recalls table eggs (Best before 20.09.2017 to 12.10.2017) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Khoisan Tea recalls Khoisan Tea’s Organic Bourbon Vanilla Powder (10g; Lot 00413/211; Best before end 2019) due to possible glass particles.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Lantmännen Cerealia recalls Gooh Sausage Stroganoff (Best before 28-10-2017) due to possible plastic pieces.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Di Luca & Di Luca recalls Zeta brand Fuet and Zeta brand Smoked Fuet (170g pkgs; All batches) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Hatikvah Smoked Fish Company recalls Danny Meadani hummus and tahini products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Pure Foods Tasmania no.1 recalls Single Selection Classic Original Pate (125g; Use by 23/10/2017; Batch 53) due to undeclared fish. The recalled product was sold at IGA’s, Ritchies, Food Works and independent stores in NSW, VIC and WA.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Venerdi Ltd recalls Venerdi brand Gluten Freedom Quinoa and Chia bread (495g loaves; Best before 28 09 17) due to unclear labelling about the presence of an allergen (sesame). The recalled product was sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Pinnacle drinks recalls various Mishka Vodka Drinks due to the potential for glass bottle to break upon opening. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products which were sold nationally in BWS and Dan Murphy’s from 7th August 2017 to 20th September 2017.

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.

Recalls and Alerts: March 16 – 18, 2017

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United States

Allergy Alert: Nutiva recalls Organic Plant Based Protein Superfood 30 Shake – Vanilla Flavor (10 – 1.2OZ (34g) Packets, Lot code 20SEP2016I, Expiry 20 SEP 2018; and 21.6 OZ HDPE Jar, Lot codes 26SEP2016I & 27SEP2016I, Expiry 26 SEP 2018 & 27 SEP 2018) due to undeclared peanuts. The recalled items were sold on the internet and through distributors in California, Colorado, Florida, New Hampshire, Oregon and Texas.

Food Safety Advisory: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) advises the public not to consume dried, uneviscerated fish sold from Shwe Karen Market (St. Paul, MN), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Food Safety Recall: King’s Command Foods, LLC (Kent, WA) expands it earlier recall to include 63,252 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials. The company has received several consumer complaints stating that metal objects were found in the beef products. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Flagship Food Group (Albuquerque, NM) recalls TRADER JOSE’S BREAKFAST BURRITOS Eggs, Potatoes, Cheese, Turkey Bacon (Lot code 266; SKU 96132; package code A26616PFFG3; case code 100-101280) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials. The company has received three consumer complaints, one of which resulted in minor oral injury. The recalled products were sold at Trader Joe’s stores in the following states: CT, DC, DE, Il, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VT, VA and WI.

Food Safety Recall: Hannaford recalls 80% lean ground beef (sold in Queensbury store on March 14th; use or freeze-by date of March 16) because the product may contain metal fragments.

Food Safety Recall: Schnuck Markets Inc. recalls Regular Ground Beef 73 Lean, Lean Ground Beef 80 Lean, Extra Lean Ground Beef 90%, Ground Sirloin, Ground Round, Ground Chuck, and Grass Fed Beef (Produced Fresh on 03/13/17 or Sell-By 03/14/17; sold only at 5055 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO) after a package was returned containing pieces of a metal meat package clip.

Food Safety Recall: Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp. (Rancho Dominguez, CA) recalls Edamame – Soybeans in Pods (8-oz/227g pkgs; UPC 0-23012-00261-9; dates 01/03/2017 and 03/17/2017) due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold at designated retail sushi counters within grocery stores, cafeterias, and corporate dining centers in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WY. Affected retailers include Big Y, Price Chopper, Publix, and Schnucks.

Food Safety Recall: Aroma Imports Inc. (Dearborn Heights, MI) recalls Nabelsi brand Thyme (450g and 4.5 kg packages; production date 08/20/2016; expiry date 08/20/2018) because the products have the potential to contain excessive levels of lead. The affected product was distributed from Nov. 7, 2016 until Feb. 22, 2017 to retailers, food service establishments, and wholesalers in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey and Virginia.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Wellpet recalls Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs (13.2 oz cans; Best-By Dates of 02 FEB 19, 29 AUG 19 and 30 AUG 19) due to potential elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone. The recalled product was sold at PetSmart and other pet specialty retailers throughout North America and was also distributed online.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Blue Buffalo recalls Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner (12.5 oz. cans; Best by June 07, 2019; UPC 84024310115) due to potential elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone. The recalled product was distributed nationally through pet specialty and on-line retailers, including PetSmart.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: T. Verk Trading Inc. recalls Atlantic Veal & Lamb brand boneless veal (60 lbs; Product codes 507030 and 511341) due to contamination with E. coli O103. The recalled product was distributed only to warehouse level and not to retailers.

Food Safety Recall: PastaCo recalls PastaCo brand Bolognese Sauce (750 mL; All codes up to and including Best Before August 23, 2017 with the exception of codes 9/01123 Best Before July 20, 2017 and 9/01104 Best Before May 07, 2017) because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Europe

Outbreak Alert/Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Tulip Food Company recalls COOP Forloren Hare (350g; Produced 04/11/2016; Best before 01/08/2017; EAN 7340011419334) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled frozen microwaveable Meatloaf & Potato dinner has been linked through epidemiological evidence to 19 Salmonella infections in Denmark. Two of the outbreak victims have died. The implicated product was sold in Kvickly, SuperBrugsen, Brugsen, Dagli´-/LokalBrugsen, Fakta, and Fakta Q supermarkets and convenience stores and on-line at Coop.dk/mad.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Hühnerhof Heidegold GmbH recalls shell eggs (Sizes S, M, L & XL; Codes 2-DE-0351921 and 2-DE-1327781) due to possible Salmonella contamination on the outer surface of the egg shells

*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.

Expanded Baby Food Recall in Canada – Illnesses Reported

Example of recalled PC Organics baby food

An unspecified number of illnesses that may be associated with consumption of PC Organics brand baby foods have been reported in Canada.

Loblaw Companies Limited has responded by expanding its initial recall notice to include all date codes of a long list of additional products. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected baby food pouches. According to the recall notice, published late yesterday on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website, a “… manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers.”

Although food contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum may not look, smell or even taste spoiled, it may contain a toxin that, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, the toxin can cause death.

The reported illnesses have not been definitively linked to the recalled baby food; nor have they been described as being caused by ingestion of botulinum toxin. But, the manufacturing error that triggered the food recall could have opened the door to the growth of other harmful bacteria in the baby foods – bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, which can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Which PC Organics baby food pouch products have been recalled?

The expanded recall encompasses all date codes of the following items (128mL unless otherwise noted):

Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food
Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack
Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet strained baby Food
Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry strained baby food
Apple strained baby food
Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food
Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food
Apple Cherry strained baby food
Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food
Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack
Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food
Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat strained baby food
Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa strained baby food
Pear strained baby food
Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach strained baby food
Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack
Banana & Kiwi strained baby food
Mango strained baby food
Banana & Raspberry strained baby food
Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice strained baby food
Banana Bread Flavour puree snack
Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food
Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot strained baby food
Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt strained baby food
Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack
Prunes strained baby food
Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
Mango strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)
Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food (6 x 128 mL)

How can something as simple as too much water lead to this?

Food processors walk a food-safety tightrope every day. The conditions under which sealed packages of food are processed to ensure their safety are always in a delicate balance. Even minor changes in a recipe can affect the cooking conditions required to kill harmful bacteria. One of those changes is the amount of water that is available to the bacteria, allowing them to multiply in the food. A food with little free water will need milder cooking cooking conditions (time and temperature combination) than a food with abundant free water.

Then why not treat every food with the same severe cooking conditions?

Palatability, appearance and cost. Foods processed at a higher temperature taste overcooked, lose their natural color, and their natural texture. And, higher cooking temperatures for extended periods of time are more expensive.

What should consumers do about this recall?

Check your pantry and set aside any of the products listed in the expanded recall notice.
DO NOT try to determine whether the food is safe by smelling or tasting them. Clostridium botulinum can multiply and produce its toxin in a food without changing its appearance, smell or taste in any way.
Return any packages of recalled product to the place of purchase for a refund.

Where were the recalled products sold?

Ontario: Fortinos, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Cash&Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Québec: Club entrepôt, Maxi, Maxi & Cie, Presto, Provigo, Provigo le Marché, AXEP, Pharmaprix, and Intermarché

West: Extra Foods, Loblaws City Market, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Finally, if you have fed one of the recalled products to your infant or toddler, and your child is experiencing any unusual symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.