Tag: E. coli O157:H7

Here’s The Beef

On September 4, 2012, Canada’s Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) each, independently, recovered E. coli O157:H7 from a sample of raw beef trimmings from the Brooks, Alberta production establishment of XL Foods Inc., registered with CFIA as Est. 038.

According to the Summary of Events released by CFIA, no recall was initiated, because CFIA determined that neither of the contaminated batches of product (beef trimmings produced on August 24th and 28th) had reached the Canadian marketplace.

Here are a few of the key dates and events that followed the initial findings:

On September 6th, CFIA requested distribution information and testing results from XL Foods for all products from those two production dates.

On September 12th, FSIS reported two more positive E. coli O157:H7 findings to CFIA.

On September 13th, CFIA removed XL Foods from the list of establishments eligible to export meat to the USA. But, despite the multiple findings of E. coli O157:H7 in samples of beef trimmings from the Brooks plant, and despite noting several deficiencies in the plant’s operations and sampling protocols, no public recall was announced – because, in the words of CFIA, of “…the absence of evidence that any affected product from the initial discovery had reached the marketplace.”

Nevertheless, that same day, XL Foods began to advise its customers that it was recalling beef trimmings produced on August 24th, August 28th, and September 5th.

On September 16th, Canadians finally were let into the dirty little secret. CFIA released its initial Health Hazard Alert. It was another four days before FSIS issued its first Public Health Alert for Imported Canadian Raw Boneless Beef Trim from XL Foods. Both CFIA and FSIS have issued multiple updates as the number of production dates under recall increased.

On September 18th, the Public Health Agency of Canada told CFIA that the Alberta Health Services was investigating five cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses; there was a possible link, CFIA was informed, between four of those cases and steaks purchased at an Edmonton Costco Wholesale store – steaks that had originated at XL Foods Inc.’s Brooks facility.

On September 27th, CFIA temporarily suspended the operating license for XL Foods Inc. (Establishment 038) in Brooks, AB after determining that “…adequate controls for food safety were not fully implemented in the facility.”

On September 29th, CFIA acknowledged in an updated Health Hazard Alert (for the first time) that four E. coli 0157 illnesses were associated with the consumption of beef products originating from XL Foods Inc. (Est. 38). The following day, CBC News reported that a total of nine cases of E. coli were under investigation, including the four confirmed cases.

So what’s my beef?

1. CFIA should have insisted on a recall of the meat from August 24th and August 28th production dates as soon as it was clear that there was a contamination problem at Brooks that involved more than a single batch of beef trimmings.

2. CFIA’s initial Health Hazard Alert should have been issued as soon as a decision was taken to recall product – NOT THREE DAYS LATER.

3. Neither the Public Health Agency of Canada nor Alberta Health Services have posted any information on their web pages regarding the E. coli O157:H7 illness investigations.

4. FSIS waited four extra days after the Canadian Health Hazard Alert to issue its own Public Health Alert.

5. FSIS still has not released a list of recalled products in the USA; nor has it released names of any of the meat processing or grinding or food service or distribution companies that are impacted by this beef recall – just a list of affected retailers. FSIS is relying, instead, on the individual retailers to post information listing recalled products.

On the plus side, CFIA has been very forthcoming with detailed recall information, including full identification of products by name, UPC, and packing or expiration dates, and retail distribution information by retailer and province/territory.

For a full list of products recalled to date in both Canada and the USA, including retail distribution information, please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall page.

Recalls and Alerts: September 29, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Foster Farms (Demopolis, AL) recalls Foster Farms Honey Crunchy Corn Dogs (2.67-lb, 16-ct pkgs; Est P-7322; Use by July 2, 2013; Time stamp between 06:30 and 08:30), because of misbranding and the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed to Kroger, Walmart and Food Lion stores in the Southeastern USA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market recalls Bulk Sweets Mix containing Peanut Butter Power Chews (Bulk, PLU 9663), sold in the El Segundo, California store and Treasure Trove Mix (Bulk, PLU 6922), sold in several Florida stores, because the products contain peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fairytale Brownies recalls Peanut Butter Sprites, Peanut Butter Brownies, and Peanut Butter Cookies (manufactured on or after August 15, 2012), because the products contain peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.
  • Food Safety Recall: Walmart alerts its customers to the recall of ground beef and ground beef products due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products sold in Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods Inc. (Est 38) expands its earlier recalls to include additional raw beef and beef products manufactured on August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5, 2012, due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for product and distribution details.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Bønnelykken A/S recalls Simply Fresh brand Salad with Salmon (Packaged in the Netherlands; Best before 1/10, 2/10, 3/10 and 4/10-2012), because the smoked salmon is thought to be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Société Andouille ASSELOT recalls Andouille Asselot brand Andouilles de Vire (Lot #2612, 3012, 3112), after Salmonella was detected in the product. The recalled sausages were sold directly at the Asselot store in Vire (14500), in retail stores in the Normandie region or in Carrefour, Leclerc and Intermarché stores in Vire, either as packaged product or “by the slice.”
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Germany): The food borne disease outbreak in Germany has sickened at least 8,365 individuals, including mostly children, teenagers and support staff at 342 schools and child care facilities. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized. Cases are reported from Brandenburg (97 facilities; 2,415 illnesses; 14 hospitalized), Berlin (82 facilities; 2,213 illnesses; 3 hospitalized), Sachsen (118 facilities; 2,800 illnesses; 2 hospitalized), Sachsen-Anhalt (6 facilities; 50 illnesses; none hospitalized) and Thüringen (39 facilities, 887 illnesses; 4 hospitalized). The identity of the pathogen has not yet been determined. Nearly all of the affected facilities in Brandenburg, Berlin and Thüringen were supplied with food from a common source.

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 web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Recalls and Alerts: September 27, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: General Mills recalls Almond Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars (6-count boxes; Better if used by date 26FEB2013) because the product may contain undeclared peanuts, due to a packaging error.
  • Food Safety Recall: Chattanooga Bakery Inc. recalls MoonPie® Crunch brand Peanut Butter Crunchy Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (9.6 oz/272g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13) and MoonPie Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Sandwich (2.4 oz/68g; Best By dates of 02/26/13, 03/25/13, and 04/29/13), because the products contain peanut butter supplied by Sunland, Inc., and may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall: Forever Cheese Inc. recalls Marte brand Ricotta Salata Frescolina cheese (Product of Italy; All lots and production codes, including T5086/440220, T5520/440315, T6048/440417, T6528/440519, T7012/440703, T7452/440601, T7939/440822, T8419/441003, T8899/441020, T9425/441202, T9962/441227, U1392/450126), because the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled cheese was sold between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012 to distributors for retailers and restaurants in AL, CA, CO, CT, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market recalls Peanut Butter Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case), Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie (3-oz; sold in self-serve pastry case) and Mini Peanut Butter Cookie (12 pk; PLU 22096100000), because they were made using peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled cookies were sold before Sept. 29, 2012 in all Whole Foods Market stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gretchen’s Shoebox Express recalls Evolution Fresh Cinnamon Apple & Almond Butter Sandwich (5.75 oz; UPC 762111926371; Enjoy By 07/26/12 – 09/25/12) and Evolution Fresh Almond Butter (2 oz; UPC 762111-26838; Enjoy By 08/07/12 – 10/07/12), because the Almond Butter contained in both products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were supplied to two Evolution Fresh stores in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington from 7/24/12 to 9/23/12.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh & Easy recalls several nut butters marked with Best Before dates from May 1, 2013 to September 24, 2013 due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled items, which were sold at fresh&easy, include: Sunland Creamy Peanut Butter Salt Free (16 oz), Sunland Tahini (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Almond Butter (16 oz), fresh&easy Crunchy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (18 oz), fresh&easy Creamy Peanut Butter (40 oz), fresh&easy Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Organic Creamy Peanut Butter with Sea Salt (16 oz), fresh&easy Goodness Creamy Valencia Peanut Butter (8 / 1.1 oz cups), fresh&easy Deli Box Protein Power Lunch, and fresh&easy Creamy Cashew Butter.
  • Food Safety Recall: Safeway expands its earlier recall of ground beef products to include all fresh ground beef sold from the self-service meat cooler and full-service meat counter with Sell By dates of 08-28-12 to 09-23-12, as these products include trimmings that were subject to XL Foods Inc.’s expanded recall and may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This includes all items that use fresh ground beef as an ingredient, such as meatballs, sliders and gourmet burgers. The expanded recall also includes additional pre-packaged products distributed by Interstate Meat Distributors. The expanded recall includes Safeway stores in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington (State).
  • Food Safety Recall: Publix Super Markets recalls Publix Hearts of Romaine (Chopped Hearts of Romaine), supplied by Ready Pac (10-oz pkg; UPC 41415 03886; Distributed to Publix stores between September 8, 2012 through September 20, 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Romaine was supplied to Publix stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and in the following Florida counties: Alachua, Baldwin, Bay, Beaufort, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Clay, Coffee, Columbia, Dougherty, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Glynn, Houston, Jasper, Lee, Leon, Lowndes, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Putnam, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, Suwannee, Thomas, Tift, Volusia and Walton.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases updated retail distribution list for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express Incorporated recalls Hearts of Romaine salad (18 oz.; expired Use By Date of September 26, 2012; Product Code H256808), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in the Northeast and Midwest USA, possibly including CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, and WASHINGTON D.C.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: XL Foods Inc. (Est 38) expands earlier recall to include additional ground beef products and retail distribution information. The recalled products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Costco recalls Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks (Packed On dates 12/SE/04, 12/SE/05, 12/SE/06 & 12/SE/07), because the steaks may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled product was sold September 4, 2012 through September 7, 2012 at Costco Wholesale store #156 (13650, 50th Street, Edmonton, AB). Alberta Health officials have linked this product to four cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Edmonton.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kiosque Geneviève Gingras (Saint-Marc-des Carrières, QC), recalls sauce à spaghetti maison/homestyle spaghetti sauce (500ml glass  Mason jars; All lots), because the product does not carry a “Garder réfrigéré” warning and may not be safe for human consumption if stored without refrigeration.
  • Food Safety Recall: JD Sweid Foods Ltd. recalls various beef patties and burgers supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the White Spot, Burger King, DQ, Nossack Fine Meats, and W brands; some products were supplied unbranded.
  • Food Safety Recall: Centennial Foodservice recalls various ground beef products supplied to the hotel/restaurant/institutional market in Alberta, because the products contain beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products were sold under the Keg Brands and Centennial Foodservice brands.
  • Food Safety Recall: Groupe Phoenicia Inc. recalls Phoenicia Wildflower Honey Grade No. 1 Amber (500g / UPC 7 70338 19108 3 / Code 3421 E12-2014;  1 kg / UPC 7 70338 19111 3 / Code 0302 EX01-2015), due to the presence of drug residues. The recalled product was sold through retailers nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency alerts Canadians to the recall of Sunridge Farms brand Energy Nuggets (Product of USA), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was sold from the Organic Bulk section of Fortino’s (55 Mountainash Road, Brampton, ON) between September 5 and September 26, 2012).
  • Food Safety Recall: Transilvania Trading (Vancouver, BC) recalls Trader Joe’s Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0094 0795; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013) and Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy & Salted (16 oz/454g; UPC 0098 9275; All Best if used by dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were sold at Transilvania Trading (Pirate Joe’s), 3474 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): La Cucina Italiana recalls all expiration dates of Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Chicken, frozen (2 pieces/380g), Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables and Beef, frozen (2 pieces/280g), and Irma Selected Spring Rolls with Vegetables, frozen (2 pieces/380g), because the products contain undeclared egg.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Natur’Inov sprl recalls Holle Bouillie 3 céráles / Holle Babypap 3 granen (Product of Germany; 250g; Lot R11171; Expiry date 25/04/2013), after traces of Ochratoxin A in excess of the legal limit were found in the product.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Det Eksotiske Catering ApS recalls Wheat Kernel Salad (325g; Best before 28.09.2012), Exotic pasta salad with chicken (275g; Best before 28.09.2012), Humus (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012) and Cacik, Tzatziki (175g and 1 kg; Best before 22.10.2012), because Listeria was detected in the products.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Tip Top Fiskeindustri A/S recalls Fresh Herring Fillets, bulk (Sold beginning on 11/9-2012), after high levels of histamine were found in the product.
  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
  • Food Safety Notification Update (EU #2012.1300): Ochratoxin A in Holle brand organic baby mash from Switzerland/Germany; distributed to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1364): Salmonella enterica in beef meat from Germany; distributed to Sweden.
  • Allergy Alert Notification (EU #2012.1366): Undeclared egg in spring rolls from the Netherlands; distributed to Denmark.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1367): Salmonella in moringa powder from India; distributed to Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1368): Parasitic infestation of ham from Italy; distributed to Bulgaria.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1370): Histamine in fresh vacuum packed tuna loin from Sri Lanka; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1371): Salmonella in clams from Italy; distributed to Italy and Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1372): Insect larvae infestation in dates from Tunisia; distributed to Italy.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety/Outbreak Alert Notification Update (EU #2012.1302): Foodborne Salmonella Dublin outbreak suspected to be caused by raw milk cheese from France; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

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 web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.