Tag: Food

Hannaford Hamburger Behind Northeast US Salmonella Outbreak

Fourteen people in the US northeast have been infected with a strain of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium. Eleven of the 14 victims reported having eaten ground beef; in ten cases, the beef was purchased at a Hannaford store. Seven of the 14 victims (50%) were hospitalized.

Three illnesses were reported in New Hampshire. Other outbreak victims are from Maine (4), New York State (4) and Vermont (1). Three of the four New York State victims were among the seven who were hospitalized.

The outbreak has been traced epidemiologically to fresh in-store ground beef prepared in and purchased at Hannaford stores in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont between October 12 and November 20, 2011. The 85% ground beef was the most common variety associated with the outbreak.

Hannaford has recalled the following ground beef products (all package sizes) bearing Sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier that were sold at the supermarket’s stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont:

  • 73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
  • 75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
  • 80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
  • 85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
  • 90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
  • 80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
  • 85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
  • 90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
  • 85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef
  • 90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has not been able to identify the suppliers who furnished Hannaford with the raw meat that was used to prepare the recalled ground beef, due to what the agency described as the retailer’s “limited records.” The possibility exists that raw beef contaminated with the Salmonella outbreak strain may also have been supplied to other retailers in the region.

Consumers who purchased ground beef from a Hannaford Supermarket should check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled product. Hannaford is urging its customers to discard or return any packages of ground beef bearing a sell-by date of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier. Anyone experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis should seek medical attention.

FSIS reminds consumers to “safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F.”

Recalls and Alerts: December 15, 2011

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

  • Allergy Alert: Rising Moon Organics® recalls Rising Moon Organics Mediterranean Garlic & Herb Ravioli (8-oz pkg; Sell by Apr 05 2012) due to the presence of undeclared soy. The recall was initiated as a result of a labeling error on the part of the copacker. The recalled product was distributed through retail stores nationwide.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Metro Plus (435, montée Paiement, Gatineau, QC) recalls Sandwich Smoke Meat (all products sold on or before 14 décembre 2011), due to the presence of undeclared egg.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Japan): Japan’s Ministry of Health reports that it has detected E. coli O157 within beef liver for the first time. Until now, it has only found surface contamination of beef livers with the pathogen. The findings may soon result in the government issuing a ban on the sale of raw liver by butchers and restaurants.

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: December 14, 2011

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

  • Allergy Alert: Rhee Bros., Inc. (Hanover, MD) recalls ASSI brand Gyeong Dan Korean Cake (8-oz pkg; Item #20649D) due to the presence of undeclared egg. The recalled product was distributed nationwide in Asian food retail stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) recalls Sunrise Assorted Flavor Gummy Bears (self-serve bulk bins; sold between November 14 and December 13) due to the possibility of metal contamination. The recalled bulk Gummy Bears were available in five Winn-Dixie stores in Florida and Louisiana, including St. Johns Commons (Jacksonville, FL), Concord Shopping Mall (Miami, FL), Pepper Tree Plaza (Margate, FL), Main Street Square (Fern Park, FL) and 70431 Hwy 21 (Covington, LA).
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: O’Neal’s Feeders Supply Inc. recalls Arrow Brand 21% Dog Chunks (40-lb bag; Packaging date codes 4K0335 to 4K1335), Arrow Brand Super Proeaux Dog Food (40-lb bag; Packaging date codes 4K0335 to 4K1335) and Arrow Brand Professional Formula Dog Food (50-lb bag; Packaging date codes 4K0335 to 4K1335), due to elevated levels of aflatoxin.  The recalled dog foods were distributed in Louisiana and Texas.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Vincor International Inc. recalls Jackson Triggs 2009 Méthode Cuve Close – Sparkling Wine (750 mL; Code 2011-05-11), Jackson Triggs 2010 Méthode Cuve Close – Sparkling Wine (750 mL; Codes 2011-08-08 and 2011-08-09), and Open 2010 Sociable – Sparkling Wine (750 mL; Code 2011-07-01), due to contamination with glass fragments. The recalled wines were distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: 3903052 Canada Inc. (Establishment #1874; Boisbriand, QC) expands its earlier recall and public warning to include the following Clic brand cheese products, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes: Moujadalé (300-400g; Best before date up to and including 11 Mar 2012), Riviera (300-400g; Best before date up to and including 11 Feb 2012), Tressé (300-400g; Best before date up to and including 11 Nov 2012), Vachekaval (300-400g; Best before date up to and including 11 Mar 2012), and Desi Butter Chee (454g and 907g; Lot code ending in 45 or lower). The products were distributed in Québec and Ontario and may also have been shipped to other provinces. One illness has been linked to consumption of the recalled cheese.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls Asda ‘Choosen by You’ Hot & Spicy King Prawns with Garlic Mayonnaise Dip (240g; Use by 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 December 2011), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (Sweden): Axfood AB withdraws Eldorado Instant Noodles (85g pkgs; pork, chicken, shrimp, and mushroom flavors), and Eldorado Instant Noodles (65g cardboard cups; chicken and shrimp flavors) due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Greece): EFET alerts the public to the seizure of 34 tonnes of finished confectionery products and raw materials, and to the suspension of operations of Bolero Sugar Trace SA, because the foodstuffs were unsafe and unfit for human consumption. Please refer to the official notice for additional details.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall (France): Laboratoires Cooper recalls Arnican 4 pour Cent Crème (50g tube; Lot #005586, 005587, 005588, 005589, 005590, 005591, 005592, 005593, and 005594; Expiry 02/2014), due to contamination with an unidentified non-pathogenic microorganism.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Personal Care Product Safety Recall (Australia): Whiter Smile recalls Dr. Collins All-White Bleaching Kit (22% Carbamide Peroxide), Smile Fusion System with Viocin (22% Carbamide Peroxide) and Tres-White Pre-Filled Trays (Hydrogen Peroxide), because the products contain peroxide concentrations in excess of the recognized safe limits.

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.