Tag: Cronobacter

URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING

Powdered infant formula made by Abbott Nutrition linked to Cronobacter and Salmonella illnesses.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating four consumer complaints of infant illnesses linked to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility.

The complaints span a period of time from September 6, 2021 to December 18, 2021, and were reported from Minnesota (1), Ohio (1) and Texas (2).

All four infants were fed powdered infant formula produced in Abbott’s Sturgis facility.

The complaints include three reports of Cronobacter illness and one report of Salmonella Newport illness in infants.

All four infants were hospitalized, and one of the infected infants has died.

The death may not be solely attributable to the Cronobacter infection.

The FDA has been conducting an inspection of the facility and has found Cronobacter in several environmental samples. In addition, the company’s internal records include findings of environmental contamination with Cronobacter.

Company records also document the destruction of finished product due to Cronobacter contamination.

The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas if:

  • the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
  • the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
  • the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

At this time, the FDA’s advisory is limited to these specific products.

Abbott Nutrition is working with the FDA to initiate a voluntary recall of these products.

Affected products were distributed across the United States and also were likely exported to other countries.

How serious is Cronobacter?

Cronobacter is a foodborne bacterium that can cause a rare, but serious illness in infants. Newborn infants are especially susceptible.

In 2001, nine infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tennessee hospital were infected with Cronobacter as a result of being tube-fed a batch of Portagen powdered infant formula manufactured by Mead Johnson. One of the babies died.

According to the FDA’s advisory, Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths, and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should notify your child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for your child immediately. Healthcare providers and health departments are encouraged to report any confirmed cases of Cronobacter sakazakii to CDC.

Additional information about Cronobacter can be found on the CDC’s website. A history of Cronobacter infections (including the 2001 outbreak linked to Portagen infant formula) can be found in Chapter One of TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures.

Recalls and Alerts: July 10-12, 2021

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 a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital or print copy to your personal library.

United States

Pet Food Safety Recall: NomNomNow Inc. recalls NomNom Cat Chicken Cuisine (50g, 70g, 90g, and 110g bags; Product numbers CC5, CC7, CC9, CC11, respectively; Lot numbers 18700, 18714, 18728, 18742, 18756, 18770) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products were distributed in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Halvana North America Inc. recalls three varieties of Halvana brand Hummus due to undeclared sesame. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: UnjhaSpice Inc. recalls UnjhaSpice brand Cumin Powder (454g; Lot code 1610001; Best before October 2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Sainsbury’s Love Your Veg Butternut Squash & Lentil Lasagne  (Use by 17 July 2021) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): De Zuivelarij BV recalls Berloumi été cheese (270g; Lot #1265; Best before 31/08/2021) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Said supermarkt recalls Ipek brand Pirinc unu / rice flour (200g; Lot #1001; Best before 30/05/2022) due to Cronobacter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Finland): Tiger Store Oy recalls Banana chips (125g; Batch #8008634; Best before 16.9.2021) and Muesli-Mix (150g; Batch numbers 8008911 and 8009035; Best before 14.10.2021) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SAINT PIERRE U express Die recalls Merguez sausages (Lot 11590274/24061411019; Use by 05/07/2021) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SAINT PIERRE U express Die recalls Chipolatas sausages (Lot 00179/12536556; Use by 05/07/2021) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Tiger recalls Tiger brand Banana Chips (125g; Lot #8008634; Best before 16.09.2021) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK-Wales specific): Shores Seafood Pembrokeshire recalls all cooked seafood (purchased on or after 26 April 2021) because the products have been produced in an establishment without the necessary approval.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Alert (Singapore): Two food operators, one located on Admiralty Street and the other on Beach Road, are under investigation for illegal production and sale of food.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Speirs Foods (2018) Limited recalls Chicken Caesar Penne (200g, 350g, and in-store deli counters; Use-by 13 JUL 21), Hawaiian Pasta with Creamy Dressing (250g, 400g, and in-store deli counters; Use-by 11 JUL 21) and Loaded Potato (400g, and in-store deli counters; Use-by 0 12 JUL 21) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: June 15–16, 2021

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 a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital or print copy to your personal library.

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA continues to investigate the source of an outbreak of six cases of Salmonella Weltevreden infections. The outbreak appears to be associated with consumption of pre-cooked shrimp. It appears that the product lots linked to outbreak illnesses are past its shelf life and are no longer available for sale. 

Food Safety Recall: Designed by Nature recalls Goat’s Milk Powder, Cow’s Milk Powder and Base Milk Powder formulas (Expiration dates from May 01, 2021 thru June 11, 2022), because they are deficient in multiple nutrients required for infant formula, and the products have not been tested for the presence of Cronobacter, a pathogen that can be particularly dangerous to infants and is required testing for powdered infant formula. The company plans to change its labeling to make it clear that these products are not intended to be used as infant formula for infants 12 months and younger.

Food Safety Recall: BCFoods, Inc. recalls BC Foods Celery Stalk and Leaf Dice 3/8, AD Sulfites (11 lb. Poly lined bulk fiber carton; Item code: VCE1-D38-AXG-AB-AR; Lot 2615A112) due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to manufacturers and distributors in WI, OH, FL, MD, WA, PA, MN, and CA.

Food Safety Recall: BCFoods, Inc. recalls BC Foods AD Celery Stalk Canners (25 lb. Poly lined bulk fiber carton; Item code VCES-TCA-BJA-AA-AB; Lots 770C2307 670C2303 660C2214) BC Foods AD Celery Stalk Cross Cut (25 lb. Poly lined bulk fiber carton; Item code VCES-TC9-BQS-AC-AB; Lots 770C2307 670C2303 660C2214) and BC Foods AD Celery Stalk Cross Cut (25 lb. Poly lined bulk fiber carton; Item code VCES-TC9-BQS-AG-AB; Lots 770C2307 670C2303 660C2214) due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to manufacturers and distributors in WI, OH, FL, MD, WA, PA, MN, and CA.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA issues Warning Letter to Market of Choice, LLC, citing deficiencies in identifying undeclared allergens in identifying contamination with environmental pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, as a hazard requiring a preventive control in the company’s ready-to-eat salads.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Phoenicia Group Inc. recalls Al-Rabih brand Tahini (100% Sesame) – Sesame Paste (454g; Lot #157 29420; Best before 22/OC/19) due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Kohberg Bakery Group A/S recalls Kohberg Grødboller / porridge buns (450g; Use by 22.06.2021) due to undeclared yoghurt powder (milk protein).

Allergy Alert (France): JACQUET BROSSARD DISTRIBUTION recalls Brossard brand  Le Brownie Pocket Duo Choco (8 pieces; Lot #U067PB1; Best before 13/09/21) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (France): Bio Co-op recalls Ikalia brand Chocolat noir fourré caramel 70% / Dark chocolate with caramel filling (80g; Lot #11450006; Use by 20/05/2022) because the product contains milk, even though it is labeled “vegan.”

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH brand 100% Notenpasta amandel / Almond Nut Paste (Expiration dates 31-05-2021, 30-06-2021, 31-07-2021, 31-08-2021, 30-09-2021 and 30-11-2021) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): The Skinny Food Co recalls a variety of Skinny High Protein Low Sugar Duo Bars because they contain milk at higher levels than indicated on the label. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Berglandmilch eGen recalls Schärdinger Brat- und Grillkäse Natur, 45% / Roast- and grill cheese (150g; Lot #115890; Best before 02.08.2021) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Pågen A/S recalls Pågen Vanillas (220g; Use by 29.06.2021-07.07.2021) due to potential for mold formation.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Carottes râpées au jus de citron de Sicile / Grated carrots with Sicilian lemon juice (300g; Lot #116101 between 6h00 and 9h00; Best before 30/06/2021) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard, blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): E. Leclerc recalls ECO+ brand Mini pâté en croûte / Pâté in pastry crust (450g; Best before 24/06/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC LE MERINOS recalls various Gaec le Merinos brand Veloutés et soupes « Les mitonnés de la Ferme  » (500 ml and 1L jars) due to defective sterilization that could render the products unsafe to consume. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Gaec Le Merinos recalls various Gaec le Merinos brand delicatessen products due to defective sterilization that could render the products unsafe to consume. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Dunlavin Dairy recalls all Dunlavin Dairy raw and pasteurised milk, semi-skimmed milk, buttermilk, cream and butter, because they were produced in an unapproved establishment. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Pastificio Novella sas recalls Pastificio Novella sas brand pesto genovese senza aglio / Genoese pesto without garlic (130g; Lot L171; Best before 19.06.2021) because the product does not meet safety standards.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK): Fold Hill Foods recalls several hypoallergenic cat food products due to an increase in cases of pancytopenia in cats and a possible link to the cat food products. Pancytopenia is a very rare condition wherein the number of blood cells (red, white and platelets) rapidly decreases, causing serious illness. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (New Zealand): New Zealand Food Safety is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that may be linked to consumption of poultry and/or eggs.