Tag: chocolate

Recalls and Alerts: May 3-4, 2022

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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.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Food Safety Recall: Queen Bee LLC recalls multiple candy products, including a variety of honey caramel candy products and chocolates (production dates through April 26, 2022) due to undeclared milk and tree nuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Safeway Fresh Food, LLC recalls Dole FRESH Takes CLASSIC CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD (13.6-oz. plastic bowl; Lot S109000 1; Use by 05/05/2022) due to undeclared anchovies, egg and wheat.

Canada

Allergy Alert: TJX Canada recalls Pimlico Confectioners brand and Keats London brand vegan chocolate products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall:  Les Saveurs de l’archipel (Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, QC) recalls two products due to lack of storage temperature labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update: Foodfest International 2000 Inc. recalls various Elite brand products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Label information may appear in English or in Hebrew. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (France): TANG FRERES recalls Yuki & Love brand Taiwan Mochi (140g; Best before 07/10/2022) due to undeclared sesame.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Chocolade pasta melk / Milk chocolate spread (400g; Best before 31-08-2022) due to undeclared hazelnut.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AMANDEX recalls multiple Elite Strauss brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Jumbo recalls Jumbo fromage Abbaye en tranches / sliced cheese (150g; All expiration dates) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Carrefour recalls Carrefour Figues séchées Bio / Organic dried figs (200g; Best before 20/06/2022, 27/06/2022, 04/07/2022, 11/07/2022 & 18/07/2022) due to elevated ochratoxin level.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls FROMAGE BELGE TRANCHES – variante ABBAYE TENDRE / sliced Belgian cheese (175g; Best before 06/06/22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): KAASIMPORT JAN DUPONT recalls Kwaremont fromage à la bière / Beer cheese (225g; Best before 04/05/2022, 09/05/22, 10/05/22, 11/05/22, 14/05/22, 16/05/22, 17/05/22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Cora recalls Figues séchées bio cora / Cora dried organic figs (220g; Best before 25/05/2022, 28/05/2022 & 05/06/2022) due to elevated ochratoxin level.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl recalls Kania tomaattikeitto kasviksilla ja lihapullilla / Tomato soup with vegetables and meatballs (570 ml) due to foreign matter contamination (hard pieces of plastic).

Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE LE CENTURION recalls Pavé Hauts de France cheese (230g; multiple lot codes and Best before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE LE CENTURION recalls Petit Marché brand Fromage d’Abbaye en dés / Diced cheese (120g; Lot 54001545; Best before 28/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): NOUVELLE SALAISONS VOSGIENNES recalls OZTAT brand CHIPOLATA DE VOLAILLE TOMATE BASILIC HALAL / Halal poultry sausage with tomato and basil (5 kg tray; Lot 16152122; Use by 12/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): NOUVELLES SALAISONS VOSGIENNES recalls ORIENTAL VIANDES brand CHIPOLATA DE VOLAILLE TOMATE BASILIC HALAL / Halal poultry sausage with tomato and basil (1 kg tray; Lot 16312122; Use by 12/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Roulade jambon / Ham roll (1/2 roll; Lots 220328000 & 220407000; Use by 27/05/2022 & 07/06/2022, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Roulade champignons / Mushroom roll (1/2 roll; Lots 220328000 & 220407000; Use by 27/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Roulade à l’ail / garlic roll (1/2 roll; Lot 220407000; Use by 27/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Roulade hongroise aux piments / Hungarian roll with chili (1/2 roll; Lot 220321000; Use by 27/05/2022 & 31/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Pâté au confit d’oignon / Pâté with onion confit (3.2 kg; Lot 220413000; Use by 25/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DES BELIERS DEBEAUVOORDER recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand Pâté aux endives / Pâté with endives (3.2 kg; Lot 220413000; Use by 29/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAISON CHAPUIS recalls MAISON CHAPUIS brand FROMAGE DE TETE PERSILLE / Head cheese with parsley (350g; Lots 321030178 & 321040023; Use by dates between 13/05/2022 and 01/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ANDRE LOUSSOUARN recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand PATE A LA GRECQUE / Greek-style pâté (2 kg; Lot 220415000; Use by 31/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ANDRE LOUSSOUARN recalls DEBEAUVOORDER brand PATE 4 SAISONS/ 4 seasons pâté (2 kg; Lot 220415000; Use by 31/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE DU VIVARAIS  recalls FROMAGERIE DU VIVARAIS brand SALAD’OUX (Multiple sizes, lot codes and Best before dates) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Milcobel Kaasimport Jan Dupont recalls FROMAGE BELGE TRANCHES – variante ABBAYE TENDRE / sliced Belgian cheese (175g; Best before 06/06/22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): KAASIMPORT JAN DUPONT recalls Kwaremont fromage à la bière / Beer cheese (225g; Best before 04/05/2022, 09/05/22, 10/05/22, 11/05/22, 14/05/22, 16/05/22, 17/05/22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Germline recalls three varieties of organic sprouts due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Cora recalls Nature bio Figues séchées / Organic dried figs (220g; Use by 25/05/2022, 28/05/2022 & 05/06/2022) due to elevated ochratoxin level.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo abdijkaas plak / Abbey cheese slice (150g; All Best before dates) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Aldi recalls Abdij Zacht / Soft cheese (175g; Expiry 06/06/22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Norway): Kanda AS recalls Hamburger Homestyle (Batch #26042022; Bset before 26.02.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Israel): The Israel Ministry of Health reports 21 cases of Salmonella infections that may be linked to contaminated Strauss-Elite brand chocolate products. Strauss has recalled the entire production from its Nof HaGlil’ manufacturing facility and the operation has been shut down until the company addresses all outstanding food safety issues to the Ministry’s satisfaction.

Allergy Alert (Israel): Motishaf Ltd. recalls Pesto spread (180g; All production dates up to and including 4/4/22) due to undeclared walnuts.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Roasting House Rama Ltd. recalls Rama Roasting House brand ground black pepper (100g & 400g plastic jars; All expiration dates up to and including 05/04/2023) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Carmel Delicacies Ltd. recalls Mercato brand Acorn mini-kabob (880g; Expiration date 19.6.2022) due to Clostridium perfringens contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd recalls Pams brand Mini Hash Browns (750g; Best before 24 Apr 2024) due to foreign matter contamination (blue plastic pieces).

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Elite chocolate products linked to Israeli Salmonella outbreak

Twenty-one cases of Salmonella infection may be linked to Strauss-Elite chocolate products manufactured in Nof HaGlil’, Israel, according to a report from the Israel Ministry of Health.

Six of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

Samples have been collected from 16 of the victims for lab analysis.

The timeline

On April 19, 2022, Strauss notified the Ministry of Health that Salmonella had been detected in the manufacturing area.

In response, the Ministry instructed Strauss to conduct more extensive testing of its finished products, raw materials, and production environment.

No recall was ordered, and there is no indication that either retailers or consumers were alerted to a potential problem at that time.

After finding additional Salmonella-positive samples, Strauss announced a voluntary recall of multiple Elite brand chocolate products on April 25th.

The following day, the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection of the Nof HaGlil’ production facility.

On April 27th, Strauss expanded its recall to include all expiration dates of “…all of the products manufactured by Elite’s chocolate factory, Elite cakes, Elite wafers, cereal energy bars, chocolate-coated energy rice crisps, bubble gums and taffy candies.”

Inspection results

During the course of its inspection, the Ministry of Health found “significant failings in the Company’s protocols and its conduct.”

As a result, the Ministry has suspended the company’s manufacturing certificate for a period of three months, or until all of the failings have been recitfied.

The issues highlighted in the Ministry’s news release include:

  • Over the last few months, maintenance works have been performed in the factory all the while the chocolate manufacturing actions continued unchanged, without taking into account the potential risks that may influence the manufacturing process and the factory’s quality control. 
  • During the Ministry of Health’s inspection, the Manufacturer disclosed that several weeks before there was an incident of pigeon infestation in the manufacturing area in the factory. The Company stated that the matter was dealt with immediately and that an exterminator was brought in. However, the Company was required to conduct extensive tests to check whether or not the pigeon infestation influenced the safety of the product in any way. 
  • It was found that the factory’s quality assurance staff has been replaced over the course of last year and that furthermore. Furthermore, the factory’s position for director of food safety was left temporarily vacant. These facts are indicative of the fact that the quality assurance and safety array in the factory was lacking. 
  • Upon the Ministry of Health’s inspection, it was found that a client of the factory has filed a complaint that salmonella indicators were higher than the levels permitted for liquid chocolate. However, the complaint was not processed by the factory as required and no tests were performed to determine the presence of salmonella bacteria. 
  • Upon inspection, a significant failing has been detected in the defrosting of the dairy fat component of milk chocolate. It was found that the defrosting process was not executed in accordance with the manufacturer’s defrosting and storage instructions, a failing that may lead to contamination. 

No link to Ferrero-Kinder Salmonella outbreak

To date, approximately 300 samples have been tested, and Salmonella has been recovered from thirty of them.

Fourteen of the cultures have been identified as Salmonella enterica S.16:1, v. –. Work is still in progress on the other samples.

This strain is completely different from the monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium cultures recovered from Ferrero-Kinder chocolates and from clinical samples in the multinational outbreak linked to those products.

Advice for consumers

The recalled chocolates were distributed to a number of countries around the world, including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and United States.

  • Discard all Elite chocolate products.
  • If you have consumed an Elite chocolate product and are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella (diarrhea, fever, cramps and vomiting), consult your healthcare professional.

Learn more about Salmonella in chocolate in TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures, now available in digital, print and audiobook editions.

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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Recalls and Alerts: April 28-30, 2022

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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.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: FSIS issues Public Health Alert for TRADER JOES BUTTER CHICKEN WITH BASMATI RICE (12.5 oz. tray in-box packages; Lots 208068 & 208228; Best by April 14, 2023, and April 16, 2023) and TRADER JOES MINI CHICKEN TIKKA SAMOSAS (8.5 oz. bag in-box packages; Lots 208072 & 207772; Best by April 14, 2023) as the products did not receive the benefit of import reinspection.

Food Safety Recall: Strauss Israel recalls multiple varieties of Elite Chocolate, Cakes, Wafers, Energy Grain Snacks, Energy Chocolate Rice Cakes, Chewing Gum and Toffee Candies (all product codes distributed in the United States) due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which have been distributed in the kosher market nationally, primarily in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Florida, and sold directly to customers via Amazon.com, Fresh Direct, Passover.com and all Retailer Online Sites.

Food Safety Recall: Gorton’s Seafood recalls Gorton’s Fish Sandwich – 100% Whole Fillets (18.3 oz; Date code 2060F2; Time range 15:30-17:30; UPC 0 44400 15440 6) due to foreign matter contamination (large and/or sharp bone fragments).

Food Safety Recall: Wayne Farms, LLC recalls approximately 30,285 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast fillet product that may be undercooked. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: H-E-B recalls H-E-B Bakery Two Bite Brownies (12OZ; UPC 4122010951) and Simply Delicious Cookies with Brownie Bites Party Tray (UPC 4122048898) due to potential foreign matter contamination (metal fragments).

Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION FINAL UPDATE: PHAC reports a total of 339 confirmed cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness in British Columbia (301), Alberta (3), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (15) and Ontario (19). The outbreak, which was linked to consumption of raw oysters from British Columbia appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

Allergy Alert: Royal Import & Export Ltd. recalls Jumbo brand Puur Chocopasta Dark Chocolate Spread (400g; Lot 17921B; Best before 08/2022; UPC 8 718452 449866) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert: Toscana Meat Distributors 1987 Ltd. recalls certain breaded meat products due to undeclared gluten, milk, sesame seeds, soy and wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Foodfest International 2000 Inc. recalls various Elite brand products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Metro Plus Ste-Foy (Québec, QC) recalls Lasagne / Lasagna (Best before 03.MA2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).

Food Safety Recall: Healthy Planet – Markham recalls Organic Poppy Seeds (Bulk; All packages sold from March 16, 2022 up to and including April 4, 2022) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Finland): HKScan Finland Oy recalls HK Lihapyörykät ja muusi / HK Meatballs and Muusi ready-to-eat meal (300g; All packages with VKP of 11.5. or sooner) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Germany): QUARGENTAN S.P.A. recalls K-take it veggie Bio Haferdrink / Organic veggie Haferdrink (1 L; Lot L.J22/017 018; Best before 13.03.2023) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Norway): Solvinge recalls Satay Sticks kylling grill bites, grillspyd / Barbecue chicken satay sticks (150g; Expiration dates 16.5.22 & 17.5.2022) due to undeclared wheat (gluten) and soy.

Allergy Alert (UK): Lidl GB recalls Starovice Czech Lager 5.0% (500 ml; Best before 16 October 2022) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Food Safety Recall (France): UNION FROMAGERE JEUNE MONTAGNE recalls Laguiole Sélection Affinage 6 mois / Laguiole cheese, aged 6 months (~275g; Lots 21229 et 21248; Use by 18/04/2022, 23/04/2022 & 26/04/2022) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): UNION FROMAGERE JEUNE MONTAGNE recalls Laguiole Sélection Affinage 6 mois / Laguiole cheese, aged 6 months (~200g; Lot 21229; Use by 17/04/2022; 18/04/2022 & 21/04/2022) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): UNION FROMAGERE JEUNE MONTAGNE recalls Laguiole Sélection Affinage 6 mois / Laguiole cheese, aged 6 months (~250g; Lot 21229; Use by 08/04/2022; 15/04/2022 & 26/04/2022) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): METRO France recalls Metro Chef brand JAMBON CUIT SUPERIEUR AVEC COUENNE / Superior cooked ham with skin (16 slices / 720g; Lot 1067238; Use by 19/05/2022) due to a defect in the package seal.

Food Safety Recall (France): MAISON VAUX CHARCUTERIE DE CAMPAGNE recalls MAISON VAUX CHARCUTERIE DE CAMPAGNE brand ROTI DE PORC CUIT / Cooked pork roast (Lot Lot 215 AB; Use by 01/05/ 2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SA SODIBAG LECLERC recalls leclerc sapiac brand joue de porc / Pork cheek (Lot #21542555; Use by 21/04/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls BIO VILLAGE brand NOIX D’AMAZONIE BIO / Organic Amazonian nuts (Bulk; Best before 24/01/2023) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (France): SOLEANE recalls SOLEANE brand RIZ AU CRABE / Rice with crab meat (Multiple lot codes and Use by dates) due to potential health hazard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected product codes.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Strauss, Israel recalls multiple Elite confectionery products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Hnýfill ehf. recalls Kofareyktur regnbogasilungur / Hut-smoked rainbow trout (Lot 23116295; Production date 11.04.2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Superunie recalls G’woon tomatensoep Hollandse stijl / Dutch style g’woon tomato soup (570 ml; Expiration dates 17-06-2023 & 20-07-2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of hard plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Tomatensoep / Tomato soup (300 ml & 570 ml; Lots L20502, L20702 & L21052; Best before 10-6-2023, 19-8-2023, 15-10-2023 & 11-9-2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of hard plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls Hollandse Tomatensoep / Tomato soup (All dates up to and including 14-10-2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of hard plastic).

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Amazing Oriental recalls Kung Fu brand Siu Loong Bun Pork & Cheese (300g; Best before 02/01/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Ferrero expands its previous recall of Kinder novelty chocolate products to include three additional products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Greggs recalls Greggs frozen 2 pack Chicken Bake (306g; Best before 19 September 2022) due to foreign matter contamination (hard plastic).

Food Safety Recall (UK): Strauss Israel recalls multiple Elite confectionery products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Tufinit Ltd. recalls Excellent milk chocolate Neapolitans Packed One By One (150g; Best before dates from 01/02/23 to 28/02/2023) and Excellent Bitter Chocolate Neapolitans Packed One By One (150g; Best before dates from 01/02/23 to 28/02/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia and New Zealand): Benedikt Imports Ptd Ltd recalls various Elite branded confectionery products including Elite Chocolate, Elite Cakes, Elite Wafers, Energy Grain Snacks, Energy Chocolate Rice Cakes, Gum and Toffee Candies (All batch codes and Best before dates) due to possible Salmonella contamination.