Tag: Food

Two Dead In Australia’s Listeria Outbreak

Two people are dead and one person has miscarried in an Australia-wide outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses that have been linked to cheese manufactured by Lactalis Jindi Pty Ltd.

In all, Australian health authorities have confirmed 18 cases of Listeria monocytogenes in an outbreak that first was made public on December 18, 2012. According to the Victoria Department of Health, the 18 illnesses were confirmed in Victoria (8 cases), New South Wales (6 cases), Queensland (2 cases), Tasmania (1 case) and Western Australia (1 case). One of the fatalities occurred in Victoria (an 84-year-old man) and one in Tasmania (44-year-old man). In addition, a New South Wales woman who was infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes miscarried.

Earlier today, Lactalis Jindi Pty Ltd. expanded its December 19th recall to include all cheeses manufactured in its Jindivick production facility up to and including January 6, 2013. The recalled cheeses were sold nationwide under the following brand names: Aida Valley, Blue Cow, Coles Finest, Dynasty, Emporium, Enterprize, G&K, Harris Farm, International, Jindi, Jindi Reserve, Kenilworth, Kingaroy, Old Telegraph Road, Raw Materials, Siena, Tomewin Farm, Tomme Farm, Top Paddock, Wattle Valley, and Willow Grove. Please refer to the complete product list for details of package sizes and Best Before dates affected by this recall.

On January 16th, Victorian health officials visited the Jindi factory to assess the appropriateness of the company’s food processing, hygiene and monitoring practices. Jindi implemented a new ‘stricter’ regime of product testing and quality control beginning on January 7th, and health officials are satisfied that appropriate controls are now in place to ensure the safety of the company’s cheeses manufactured on or after that date.

Australia’s current population is approximately 22.9 million people, versus the US population of 313.9 million. On a proportional basis, the size of the Australian outbreak would translate in the USA into 246 confirmed illnesses and 27 deaths. Listeria monocytogenes has a long incubation period, and additional cases may yet be identified. To help protect yourself and your family members from becoming statistics in this outbreak, please read and follow the Advice to Consumers, below.

Advice to Consumers

  • Check your refrigerator for recalled cheeses, and return any to the place of purchase for refund. If you are unsure of the origin of a cut portion of cheese, dispose of it without tasting it.
  • Refer to the list of recalled cheeses periodically; more items may be added to the list as additional information becomes available.
  • If you think that you or a family member may have become ill from eating the affected cheese, consult a doctor immediately. Early symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infections include fever, headache, fatigue, aches and pains. This infection is particularly dangerous for the elderly, for pregnant women, and for anyone whose immune system is compromised.

Recalls and Alerts: January 17, 2013

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: Kinnikinnick Foods (Edmonton, AB, Canada) recalls Kinnikinnick Frozen Pie Crust (290g/10-oz; 2/pkg; UPC 62013300600 9; Lots BB2013NO30, BB2013NO19, BB2013DE04, BB2013DE12, BB2013NO23, BB2013DE05, BB2013DE13, BB2013NO27, BB2013DE06, BB2013DE14, BB2013NO28, BB2013DE11, BB2013DE17, BB2013NO29), due to undeclared eggs. The recalled product was distributed across the USA.
  • Allergy Alert and Food Safety Recall: Humphrey’s Market, Inc. (Springfield, IL) recalls frozen ready-to-eat products and raw poultry products, repackaged on or before January 7, 2013, because they were produced without the benefit of inspection. In addition, the products may contain undeclared soy, wheat and milk. The affected ready-to-eat products include: Mesquite Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 4-oz portions), Italian Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 3.5-oz portions), Grilled Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 4-oz portions), Italian Tomato Basil Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 4-oz portions) and BBQ Glazed Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 3.1-oz portions). The raw products include: Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast (cryovac packages containing 5-oz portions) and Bacon-wrapped Turkey Breast Filet (cryovac packages containing 5-oz portions). The recalled products were supplied to a distributor for direct home delivery in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
  • Food Safety Recall: House’s Butchering LLC recalls sliced bacon and summer sausage (Est. 54; Some packages are labeled with a 5-digit code beginning with 12 (range 12001 through 12366); Sold from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012), because the products were misbranded and packaged without a food safety plan.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC alerts customers to the recall by Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC of Lascco Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon (8 oz; UPC 7284001708; All Sell-by dates), due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Advance Pharmaceutical Inc. recalls Rugby NATURAL IRON SUPPLEMENT Ferrous Sulfate Tablets, 325mg (Lot 12G468; Exp. 07/14; UPC 0 0536-5890-01 3) because the bottles may actually contain Meclizine HCl, 25 mg tablets.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Peak Performance Products Inc. recalls Dymatize Nutrition brand Elite Gourmet Fudge Brownie Bar (Product of USA; 42.5g pkg; UPC 7 05016 99313 0; Best before SEP 2013 12199A), due to undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was distributed nationally.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (UK): The Food Standards Agency announces the recall of all dates and batch codes of bacon ribs and cooked pig stomachs from Watson’s Whole Meats and Savouries Ltd., because the company produced these items in unapproved premises under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions. The affected products were marketed under the following brand names: Watson’s Wholesale Meat and Savouries Ltd., Stephen and Lynzi Kenny, and Super Savouries.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0049): Aflatoxins in egusi from Ghana; distributed to the United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0050 & 2013.0051): Nicotine in mushrooms from the Netherlands; distributed to Belgium.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2013.0052): Mercury in food supplement from Germany, with raw material from Belgium; distributed to Germany.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Proprietary Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Ka Loong Pharmaceutical (HK) Co. Limited recalls the unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine Tongren Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Batch #2010003).
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to buy or consume the oral product ‘Chashoot‘ as it may contain the undeclared Western drugs prednisone, ibuprofen, piroxicam, theophylline, diazepam, trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole and chlorpheniramine.

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 website.

*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: January 16, 2013

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

  • Food Safety Recall: BBU, Inc. (Parent of Bimbo Bakeries companies) recalls Thomas’ Bagels (1 lb 4 oz; various varieties; Best by JAN 18 to JAN 27, inclusive; Distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee), Sara Lee Deluxe Bagels (20 oz; various varieties; Best by JAN 18 to JAN 27, inclusive; Distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee), Publix Premium Bagels (20 oz; various varieties; Best by JAN 18 to JAN 27, inclusive; Distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee) and Weight Watchers 6 Original Bagels (15 oz; Best by JAN 18 to JAN 27, inclusive; Distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee), due to possible presence of metal fragments resulting from a faulty manufacturing part. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected varieties.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Peak Performance Products Inc. (Toronto, ON) recalls Dymatize Nutrition brand Elite Gourmet Cookies & Cream Bar (42.5g & 85g; Lot Code BB SEP 2013 12200A and BB JAN 2014 12310A, respectively), Dymatize Nutrition brand Elite Gourmet Fudge Brownie Bar (42.5g; Lot code BB OCT 2013 12244A) and Dymatize Nutrition brand Elite Gourmet Fudge Brownie Bar (85g; Lot codes BB MAY 2013 12084A and BB SEP 2013 12199A), due to undeclared peanuts. The recalled products were distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Heidelberg Foods Ltd. (Est 644) recalls Noah Martin’s Black Forest Salami (variable kg; Sold up to and including January 11, 2013) and Noah Martin’s Black Forest Salami (1.5 (min.) kg; Best before 2013 MR 07, 2013 JN 27 and 2013 NO 13), due to undeclared mustard. The recalled products were supplied to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fromagerie Bergeron Inc. recalls Fromagerie Bergeron Brins de Gouda Firm Unripened Cheese (500g; Best before 2013 JA 29; Lot 13-0065 & 13-0066; UPC 062036020506) and Fromagerie Bergeron Le Populaire Firm Unripened Cheese (675g; Best before 2013 AV 14; Lot 13-65; UPC 62036007453)  due to the potential presence of metal shards resulting from an equipment malfunction. The recalled products were supplied to Costco Canada warehouse stores.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed a twenty-ninth case of E. coli O157:H7 associated with the consumption of shredded lettuce originating in California and distributed in Canada by FreshPoint Inc. The 29 illnesses occurred in New Brunswick (6), Nova Scotia (10) and Ontario (13) between December 22, 2012 and January 5, 2013. Fourteen people have been hospitalized.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Sainsbury’s Honey Roasted Jumbo Cashews (200g; Best before 18 May 2013), due to undeclared peanuts.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Makro Belgique recalls Fine Food brand mushrooms (various varieties, lot codes and expiration dates) due to potential contamination with nicotine. Please refer to the recall notice for details.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Carrefour recalls various Carrefour brand mushrooms (various varieties, lot codes and packaging dates) due to potential contamination with nicotine. Please refer to the recall notice for details.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Univeg Belgium recalls White Mushrooms (500g; Code 02A-4127811; Sold at Aldi), Paris bruns/Paris Brown Mushrooms (350g; Package dates 5/1, 7/1 and 8/1) and Mixed Cultured Mushrooms (400g; Package dates 5/1, 7/1 and 8/1) due to possible nicotine contamination.
  • Contact Lens Recall (UK): Johnson & Johnson Vision Care recalls 1-Day Acuvue® Moist® Brand Contact Lenses (Lot 2054890521 & 2054895620) and Acuvue® Advance® brand Contact Lenses with Hydraclear® (Lot B00DJPQ), due to the potential for a limited number of contact lens packages to not have completely sealed, which may result in the loss of or leaking of the packaging solution in some individual contact lens units and could compromise contact lens sterility.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0045): Mold infestation in cottage cheese from Germany; distributed to Greece.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0046): Excessive sulfadiazine in pork meat from Belgium; distributed to Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Republic of Korea, Netherlands and United Kingdom.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0047): Salmonella enteritidis in kebab meat from Poland; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2013.0048): Aflatoxins in peanuts from China; distributed to Slovakia.

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 website.

*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.