Multi-state Campylobacter outbreak linked to contact with puppies

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a 13-state outbreak of 30 Campylobacter illnesses linked to contact with puppies.

Four of the 30 victims have been hospitalized.

The outbreak began early in January 2019.

Among the 24 outbreak victims who were interviewed, 21 (88%) reported contact with puppies. Fifteen of the victims indicated the puppy came from a pet store; 12 reported contact with a puppy from the Petland. Five of these were Petland employees.

Petland is an international pet store chain with operations in the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, El Salvador, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Outbreak cases have been reported in Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kentucky (3), Maryland (1), Minnesota (6), Nevada (4), Ohio (5), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Utah (3) and Wyoming (1).

The outbreak strain is resistant to multiple antibiotics, including: tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, azithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, telithromycin, and gentamicin.

No single, common source for the puppies has been identified.

The strain of Campylobacter identified with this outbreak is very similar genetically to the strain that was responsible for 113 illnesses and 23 hospitalizations in a similar outbreak in 2016-2018.

The earlier outbreak also was associated with contact between outbreak victims and puppies sold through Petland stores.

Puppies and dogs infected with Campylobacter may suffer from diarrhea lasting 5 – 15 days. The diarrhea may be watery to bloody with mucus, and is sometimes bile-stained. Not every infected dog exhibits symptoms, and apparently healthy dogs may still be able to transmit the bacteria to other animals or to people.

Symptoms of Campylobacter infection in people include diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps 2 to 5 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

According to CDC, the illness usually lasts about a week and most people recover without antibiotic treatment.

Recalls and Alerts: November 24 – 27, 2019

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 ALERT (UPDATE): FDA and CDC report that the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing region has increased in size to encompass 67 individuals in 19 states. Thirty-nine outbreak victims have been hospitalized. The federal agencies are recommending that consumers avoid all romaine lettuce indicated as having been grown in the Salinas growing region. Products labeled as greenhouse-grown or hydroponic lettuce are not affected by this warning.

Food Safety Recall: Hodgson Mill recalls Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour (5 lb bags; Lot #001042 & 005517; Use by 10-01-2020 & 10-02-2020) due to the potential presence of pathogenic E. coli.

Food Safety Recall: UNFI recalls Wild Harvest® Organic All-Purpose Flour, Unbleached (5 lb bags; Best if used by 010820 CC 15:58; UPC 711535509158) due to potential E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Expansion): Northern Fisheries LTD recalls Tuna King brand Tuna Medallions (2-3oz & 10x1lb; Lot #0058797; Production date 06/13/2019; UPC 815838020638) due to elevated histamine levels.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Olymel S.E.C. / L.P. recalls Lafleur brand Original Wieners (450g; Best Before 2020 JA 15; UPC 0 65305 02201 0) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Deli Queen recalls certain smoked fish products (variable weight; items sold up to and including 25 November 2019) due to lack of assurance of product safety. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Cap On Food recalls Tomato sauce (500 mL; Product sold up to and including November 21, 2019) and Hot pepper sauce (250 mL; Product sold up to and including November 21, 2019) due to lack of assurance of product safety.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): La société Hygiena SA recalls NATALI brand Préparation en poudre BIO pour dessert fermenté soja / Organic powder preparation for fermented soy dessert (2 x 6g; Lot #A1922405; Best before 10/02/2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): CPF Denmark A/S recalls Coop Chicken Tikka Masala (350g; Lots 0562092 B06 and 0562092 B07; Best before 2 / 4-2021) due to undeclared wheat (gluten), sesame and soy.

Allergy Alert (France): E. Leclerc recalls Côté Table brand 4 paniers fromage de chèvre surgelés / Goat cheese baskets, frozen (4-pack / 400g; Lot #2019239; Best before 27/02/21) due to undeclared salmon.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Rigamonti recalls Rigamonti brand Bresaola di tacchino (90g; Lot #719470311; Best before 03-02-2020) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Bio’s Merenderia recalls various Bio’s Merenderia brand due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the individual recall notices for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): PLUS recalls PLUS Tortilla Wraps (component of PLUS Shopping Package) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls by Sainsbury’s brand Hot Buffalo Dip (90g; Use by 06 December 2019) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (UK): TJ Morris recalls Oxfordshire Tea Co. Butter Shortbread (119g; All date codes) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): SPAR recalls SPAR brand haché de poulet / ground chicken (500g; Lots 01947322, 01947323, 01947324, 01947325; Best before 25/11/2019; 26/11/2019; 27/11/2019; 28/11/2019, respectively) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Grignottes de poulet Barbecue / Barbeque chicken nibbles (250g; Lot A19317; Best before 03/12/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Fromageries de l’Etoile recalls AUCHAN Mmm brand 9 brochettes de fromage frais & saumon fumé / Fresh cheese and smoked salmon brochettes (80g; Lot #73175849; Best before 04/01/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Thalheimer Bauernwurst Deuerlein Vertriebs GmbH recalls Griebenschmalz / Lard (100g; various flavours; Best before 20.03.2020) due to foreign matter (metal wire) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Kaufland Dienstleistung GmbH & Co. KG recalls various K-Favourites brand Liverwurst sausages due to interruption in the correct holding temperature. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): UNSER LAND GmbH recalls Shell eggs (Best before 11.12.-18.12.19) due to Campylobacter coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Thomas Dinkel recalls Shell eggs (Best before 11.12.-18.12.19) due to Campylobacter coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Diedrich Eckhoff, Inh recalls Various meat and sausage products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Darwin’s Dairy recalls its entire milk and cream product range because the products may not have been effectively pasteurised. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Importer recalls la alegria brand Chorizo Picante (200g; Lots #37, 38 and 39; Best before April 30, 2020; Product of Spain) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Williger Industries Ltd. recalls Vking brand Smoked Salmon (100g; Expiry 07.12.19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): The Mickey Delicatessen Food Fish and Salads Company Ltd. recalls Tehina salad (100g; Expiry 24.11.19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Venerdi Ltd recalls Venerdi brand Paleo seeded buns (260g; Best before 28.11.19) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): New World Wellington City recalls New World Wellington City brand Red Velvet Cup cakes (6 pack; Use-by date up to and including 01.12.2019) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Kalleske Meats recalls Kalleske Meats Plain Mettwurst (500g, bonus 150g; Best Before 11 May 20) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Mercury Bay Creamery recalls all Mercury Bay Creamery brand cheese and milk products and raw (unpasteurized) drinking milk (All sizes, batches and flavours) as the business is not registered and there is no information on the process controls.

Recalls and Alerts: October 27 – 31, 2019

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

Allergy Alert: Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies Inc. recalls Golden Dragon Inc. Chinese Almond Cookies (5lbs box or the 100 count plastic bags; Best if Used Before 3/20; UPC 0 80005 23031 2) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Wawona Frozen Foods recalls packages of frozen raspberries and frozen berry mixes containing raspberries sold at Aldi Grocery Stores and frozen raspberries sold at Raley’s Family of Fine Stores due to potential Hepatitis A virus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: North Bay Produce, Inc. recalls 2,297 cases and 2 bulk bins of fresh apples, including McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious varieties (shipped between October 16th, 2019 and October 21st, 2019) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected brands and the distribution details.

Food Safety Recall: H&T Seafood Inc. recalls an undetermined amount of FISHERMAN’S WHARF SWAI FILLETS PRODUCT OF VIETNAM frozen fillets (1-lb; produced over an undetermined amount of time) that were packed and distributed without the benefit of USDA inspection and used the mark of inspection without authorization.

Food Safety Recall: OSI Industries, LLC recalls CHAR-BROILED BEEF PATTIES (CARAMEL COLOR ADDED), frozen, ready-to-eat (38-lb. bulk lined boxes; Lot code 22219) due to possible foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Thomas, Large & Singer Inc. recalls Popchips brand Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips (85g; Best before 2020 AU 06 & 2020 AU 07; UPC 0 82666 71240 4) due to undeclared wheat.

Allergy Alert: Taza Food Products Ltd. recalls Taza brand Chat Papdi – Gram Flour Snack (360g; Best Before 20FE20 and 20JL07; UPC 8 96546 00089 1) due to undeclared wheat.

Food Safety Recall Update: Industry recalls various raw beef and raw veal products due to E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Walmart Canada Corp. recalls Parent’s Choice brand Infant Formula for Babies Sensitive to Lactose (638g; Product code EXP 2020 NO 05 T05DVBV; UPC 6 28915 09517 3) due to Cronobacter spp. contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Boucherie Beau-Bien recalls various products due to lack of specific storage temperature labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Pousse-Santé inc. recalls various products due to lack of specific storage temperature labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie Bergeron Inc. recalls various Fromagerie Bergeron brand Fromagerie Bergeron brand Gouda Curds and “Le Populaire” cheeses due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Sobeys Inc. recalls Compliments brand Sweet Kale Blend (255g; Best before 19 OC 28, 19 OC 31, 19 NO 01, 19 NO 02, 19 NO 03; UPC 0 68820 13305 6) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Hemar recalls King Monty brand Pure Darkness chocolat fondant (130g; Lot #L10042018; Best before 03/02/2020) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour Bio brand Mini lunette, strawberry flavour (156g; Lot #19147.3; Best before 21/02/20) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (UK – England, Wales and Scotland specific): Costa Coffee recalls Millionaire Mallow Bites (Batch code 19289; Best before 7 and 8 January 2020) due to undeclared egg and gluten (wheat).

Food Safety Recall (Austria): HOFER and Lieferant Märsch Importhandels GmbH recall Happy Harvest Mandeln gemahlen / milled almonds (200g; Best before 13.04.2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): dm drogerie markt recalls dmBio Hühnchenfleisch Zubereitung nach dem 4. Monat / chicken meat preparation after the 4th month (125g; Best before 21.01.2021) due to foreign matter (glass particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Geia Foods A/S recalls Kykling Kyllinge Panetter (250g; Best before 29/1-2021) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): TARTEFRAIS recalls Tartefrais brand Paris-Brest pastry (500g; Lot numbers beginning with L288B; Best before 26/10/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls PASCO brand ready-to-use sauces due to packaging issues leading to a possible microbiological health hazard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Roland Monterrat recalls POUCE brand Pâté en croûte (450g; Lot #928301; Best before 18/11/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CHARCUTERIE VALLE DE LA BRUCHE recalls AUCHAN MMM ! brand Véritables cervelas d’Alsace 2×2 (306g; Lot #281282; Best before 08/11/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gerald Bartke GmbH recalls Cheddar Medium (Manufactured by Belton Farm UK; sold from 20.September 2019 on) due to possible foreign matter (glass fragments) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): AB Vilniaus Paukstynas recalls Kykling Kyllinge Panetter (250g; Best before 29/1-2021) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): nutwork Handelsgesellschaft mbH recalls ARDILLA Walnüsse in der Schale / Walnuts in the shell (1,000g; Lots L1921987 & L1922023; Best before 01.07.2020 & 02.07.2020 respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Zorba Delicacies Limited recalls various brands and flavours of houmous due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Cora recalls Profuma brand Pastrami (Lot #393850; Best before 06/12/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Auchan recalls POUCE brand Pâté en croûte (450g; Lot #928301; Best before 18/11/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Skånemejerier recalls Standard milk (3%) (1 liter; Best before 2019-10-31) due to improper pasteurization.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Zorba Delicacies Limited recalls various brands and flavours of houmous due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update (UK): Zorba Delicacies Limited updates its earlier recall of various brands and flavours of houmous to include additional brands, due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Riverside Milk recalls Riverside Milk brand raw (unpasteurised) drinking milk (Batches purchased at vending machine, including and between 23/10/19 and 29/10/19) due to possible Campylobacter contamination.