Tag: Cyclospora

Recalls and Alerts: July 14-16, 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

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs reports that lab analyses recovered Listeria monocytogenes from almost all of the environmental and ice cream product samples taken from the Big Olaf Creamery production plant located in Sarasota, Florida. According to the CDC, 23 illnesses, 22 hospitalizations, one death and one fetal loss have been linked to consumption of ice cream products from this manufacturing location.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: The FDA is investigating ~277 Adverse Event Reports that may be linked to consumption of Daily Harvest French Lentil & Leek Crumbles frozen product. Ninety-six people have been hospitalized with gastrointestinal illness and/or abnormal liver function. Reports have been received from consumers in 34 US states. The manufacturer initiated a product recall on June 23rd, and the investigation is ongoing.

Allergy Alert and Food Safety Recall: Ready Dough Pizza Inc. recalls PIZZA CUBANA CUBAN STYLE PEPPERONI PIZZA (14 oz box; produced from Jan. 12, 2022, through July 13, 2022) because the products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and also contain undeclared milk, wheat, and soybeans.

Food Safety Recall: BrandStorm Inc. recalls Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberry (1.2 oz pouches; Lots 2021363-1 & 2022026-1; Best by 12/2024 & 01/2025, respectively; UPC 812907011160) due to the potential presence of lead above the FDA’s recommended limits.

Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: The Public Health Agency of Canada is now investigating 155 cases of non-travel related Cyclospora infections in British Columbia (2), Ontario (139) and Québec (14). Eight people have been hospitalized. No specific source of the infections has been identified.

Allergy Alert: Xinpangao International Trade Corporation recalls Stuffed Fish Ball (340g; Expiry 07/02/2024; UPC 6 920732 127896) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert: Big Venture Sales Ltd. recalls Crave Stevia brand chocolate products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Marché Senneterre inc. (Senneterre, QC) recalls Alasko brand framboises entières surgelées / Frozen raspberries (1 kg; Lot SY21278; Best before 2023-OC-04; Product of China) due to Norovirus contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Fromage Warwick inc. (Warwick, QC) recalls multiple dairy products including cheeses and fresh milk (Sold up to 13 July 2022) due to a food safety hazard.

Food Safety Recall: Florimeault Les Sucres (Saint-Aubert, QC) recalls VINAIGRETTE À L’ÉRABLE / Maple vinaigrette (250 ml; Sold up to 14 July 2022) due to a food safety hazard.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Barilla Belgium recalls Barilla brand  Lasagne Collezione n189 (500g; Lots  I12414282 & I12424292; Best before 20/09/2023 & 21/09/2023, respectively) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo multigrain reduced salt bread (400g; Sold from 18-06-22 to 14-07-22) due to undeclared lupine.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Odin recalls Bioverde brand fresh tortellini with ricotta & spinach (Best before  06-09-2022) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Norway): Normal i Norge recalls Lu Prince Biscuit Creme Goût Chocolate / Chocolate flavoured creme biscuit (130g; Lot 105; Best before 05.04.2023) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): GoodMills Österreich GmbH recalls Finis Feinstes Roggen-Vollkornmehl / Whole grain rye flour (1000g; Batch Februar2023/L19D) due to potentially harmful levels of ochratoxin A.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): FUMAGALLI INDUSTRIA ALIMENTARI S.p.A. recalls Fumagalli brand SALAME PIC NIC / Salami (~200g; Lot 229137) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Luxembourg recalls TRS brand Hot Madras Curry Powder (100g; Lot 20215183885; Best before 30/06/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH houdbare halfvolle melk / Long-life part-skimmed milk (6 x 200 ml; Lot 513867 E; Best before 27-11-2022) due to Bacillus cereus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Aldi recalls Primula Spicy Cheese N Jalapeno (150g; All dates up to and including 07 February 2023) due to a temperature control issue that could potentially spoil the product, which may be unsafe to eat.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Powered by Plants Pty Ltd recalls Cleanfit​ Plant Protein Bar Chocolate Brownie (50g; Best before BB170623) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Aldi recalls Reese’s Dipped Pretzels (120g; All batch codes and Best Before dates) due to undeclared peanuts.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Pak’n Save Rangiora recalls in-store Double Pepperoni and BBQ Chicken & Bacon Pizzas (Best before 14.07.22) due to foreign matter contamination (plastic).

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Norish Ltd recalls Norish brand Flourishing Cauliflower & Corn and Growing Greens Baby Purée Powder (All batches and date codes) due to high iodine levels.

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Recalls and Alerts: March 31-April 1, 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

Allergy Alert: Giant Eagle, Inc. recalls Happy Face Cookies (Pack of 4; sell by dates through 04/01/22) due to undeclared milk. The recalled cookies were sold in two Ohio Giant Eagle supermarkets in Geneva and Ashtabula.

Food Safety Alert: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is advising consumers to avoid purchasing or eating Ocean Mist Farms brand Romaine Hearts / Coeurs de laitue Romaine (22oz; Lot 22RHDM2L; Harvest date MAR 10; grown in Coachella, CA; sourced from Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, CA) due to Cyclospora contamination.

Canada

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of 279 cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness linked to the consumption of oysters from British Columbia. Cases have been reported in B.C. (262), Alberta (1), Saskatchewan (1), and Ontario (15). This investigation has led to multiple recalls of oysters. See the most recent recall notice, below.

Food Safety Recall: Daily Fresh Shellfish Inc. recalls certain Daily Fresh Shellfish Inc. brand Oysters due to possible Norovirus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products. These oysters may be linked to an outbreak of foodborne disease.

Food Safety Recall: Gastronomia Roberto recalls ARRABIATA SAUCE TOMATE PIQUANTE / Spicy tomato sauce (1 L; Sold up to 31 March 2022) due to potential food safety hazard.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand SAUCE AMERICAINE (300 ml; Lot DE 22 BNP; Best before 14/02/2023) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Tayaba group / AYAM FOOD recalls AL Hussein brand Boulgour fin rouge / Fine red bulgur (800g carton; Best before 31/10/2020) due to undeclared wheat.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA orders recall of Xoai Say Deo – Dried Mango (Lot TO8D21; Best before 30/11/2022) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): GELATERIA JOHN JOHN recalls John John brand Glace Cookies / Cookie ice cream (480 ml; All lot and date codes) due to undeclared eggs and hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (Germany): WSF Fischfeinkost GmbH recalls NADLER Garnelen Salat mit Cocktail-Creme / Shrimp salad with cocktail cream (125g; Lot #L443; Best before 22.04.2022) due to undeclared shrimp, cream, sodium metabisulphite, fish, soy, celery, sesame and gluten.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): FSAI reports that Xoài Sấy Dẻo Dried Mango (75g; Batch code TO8D21; Best before 30/11/2022) contains undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Laboratoire PYC SAS recalls TISANOREICA GIANLUCA MECH brand Preparato alimentare tipo zuppa al gusto verdure / Vegetable flavoured soup (4 x 34g; Lot 21S3-03388; Best before 01/2024) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Laboratoire PYC SAS recalls TISANOREICA GIANLUCA MECH brand  KIT INTENSIVA, Contenete Preparato alimentare tipo zuppa al gusto verdure / Vegetable flavoured soup kit (4 x 34g; Lot 220207; Best before 06/2023) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Laboratoire PYC SAS recalls TISANOREICA GIANLUCA MECH brand  KIT INTENSIVA, Contenete Preparato alimentare tipo zuppa al gusto verdure / Vegetable flavoured soup kit (4 x 34g; Lot 220214, 220221; Best before 10/2023) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH Excellent paastartelettes / Easter Tartlettes (Best before 07-04-2022) due to undeclared almonds and pistachios.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): La Ferme Champignol recalls three dairy products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): TADAL recalls Kerem brand Figues séchées / Dried figs (250g; Lot 21003123; Best before 25/11/2022) due to ochratoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Products and Brands Group recalls Organix Cheese & Onion Dragon Claws Chips (60g / 4 x 15g; Lot L1403; Best before 06/06/2022) due to possible mycotoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fa. Kosebate GmbH recalls Alburj – Halva mit extra Pistazien / Halvah with extra pistachios and Alburj – Halva mit Pistazien / Halvah with pistachios (400g & 800g; Production dates 01.01.2021-31.03.2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Centra recalls Centra Hot Smoked BBQ Salmon (200g; Use by 01/04/2022; Product of Norway) because the packages contain raw salmon darnes, which require cooking.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Products and Brands Group recalls Organix Cheese & Onion Dragon Claws Chips (60g / 4 x 15g; Lot L1403; Best before 06/06/2022) due to possible mycotoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Skopos recalls AB (Alfa-Beta) brand Manouri Grecque AOP Cheese (200g; Best before 03/06/2022) due to shigatoxin producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Spain): Manufacturer recalls Vicente Lopez PIG’S HEAD I – COOKED AND FRIED PORK MEAT (200g; Batch nos. 22501 and 22502; Expiry date April 15, 2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Village Quality Products recalls Al Burj Halwa Pistachio (400g & 800g; Production date 07 February 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert Update (Israel): Holy Cocoa expands earlier recall to include additional products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd recalls Ploughmans Bakery brand Country Grains Bread (750g; Best before 02APR22 and 03APR22) due to foreign matter contamination (plastic).

Recalled salad mix blamed for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with state and local partners and the CDC, is investigating an outbreak of ten Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in eight states.

The onset dates for illnesses linked to the outbreak strain range from July 26, 2016 to October 19, 2021.

The outbreak strain is a genetic match for the Listeria monocytogenes recovered from Fresh Express Sweet Hearts salad mix by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARM) during the course of a routine sampling program.

The MDARM issued a Consumer Advisory on December 17, 2021.

In response to the Listeria monocytogenes finding and the outbreak investigation, Fresh Express, Inc. has recalled certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility.

Fresh Express, Inc. is a division of Chiquita Brands.

Affected brands include: Fresh Express, Giant Eagle, Little Salad Bar, Market District, Marketside, O Organics, Signature Farms, Simply Nature Organic, Weis Fresh From the Field, and Wellsley Farms Organic.

The recall includes all Use-By Dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350. Please refer to the Fresh Express recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

The recalled products were distributed in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Some of the recalled products were also exported to Canada. Please refer to the CFIA recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold in Manitoba and Ontario and also may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. 

A Repeat Offender

Fresh Express, which has suspended production at its Streamwood facility, has been the source of more than one previous foodborne disease outbreak.

In 2018, more than 500 customers of MacDonald’s in fifteen states were infected with Cyclospora after consuming a packaged romaine lettuce/carrot mix supplied to the restaurant chain by Fresh Express. 

In December 2019, Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits were identified as the source of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in the United States and Canada.

And on October 20, 2020, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to the company as a result of the agency’s investigation into the source of yet another multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis that was traced back to bagged salad mixes produced at the Streamwood production plant.

On November 10, 2021, the FDA issued a Close-out Letter acknowledging the company’s corrective actions to the violations listed in the October 2020 Warning Letter.

What Retailers Need to Know

  • Stop serving or selling recalled produce, whether it is fresh or frozen. Produce stored at cold temperatures can be contaminated. Listeria monocytogenes can grow even at refrigerated temperatures.
  • Keep recalled produce away from other foods and from any equipment, utensils, and linens, among other things.
  • Determine if cross-contamination with other foods may have happened.
  • Determine the source of the produce, or the supplier if the source of the fresh/frozen produce is unknown.
  • Follow the instructions from the source or supplier on how to return or dispose of the recalled produce.
  • Your employees should wash their hands thoroughly after handling recalled produce.
  • Wash any clothing and linens that have may be contaminated.

What Consumers Need to Know

  • Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. 
  • People infected with L. monocytogenes may start to see symptoms in a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating contaminated food. More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop.
  • Consult your health care provider if you suspect that you or a family member has developed symptoms that resemble a L. monocytogenes infection.
  • Discard any of the recalled products or return them to the retailer for a refund.
  • Wash and sanitize any surfaces in your refrigerator or your kitchen that may have come into contact with one of the recalled products.
  • Canadian consumers should be on the alert for any recall notices issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In the meantime, do not purchase, serve or eat any of the products listed on the US recall notice.

For more information, members of the public can contact the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free line at: 800-242-5472