Tag: Food

Tardy Testing Endangers Consumers

Once upon a time, a routine E. coli O157:H7 presence/absence test required at least two days to complete.

Once upon a time, a routine Salmonella presence/absence test took at least four days to complete.

Once upon a time, a routine Listeria monocytogenes presence/absence test required at least four days.

Today, all of these analyses can be performed in 24 hours or less, using recognized, readily available rapid test kits.

So, why are we still seeing recall notices that state “…the bacterium was discovered during routine sampling?“

On August 22, 2012, Spence & Co. Ltd. (Brockton, MA) recalled approximately 635 pounds of Wellsley Farms brand Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon Trim. The recall was initiated after routine sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in the product. The products already were in circulation for two months at the time of the recall. No illnesses were reported, according to the recall notice.

Did the company learn from this? You can bet your life it did NOT! On November 9, 2012, Spence issued a second recall notice, this time for approximately 390 pounds of New York Style Nova Lox that were distributed – you guessed it – more than one month earlier. This time, Spence’s Lox may be responsible for two cases of listeriosis.

With affordable rapid testing kits readily available, there is no justification for releasing untested products – even highly perishable products – into the retail marketplace.

I am the first to acknowledge that finished product testing isn’t foolproof. A proper microbiological testing program must include ingredient testing and environmental monitoring in addition to finished product tests. Nevertheless, the retail distribution of a product without any testing whatsoever is unconscionable, especially when that same product already has a history of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Consumers have every right to expect that the food they purchase has been processed and handled in a safe manner – and that manufacturers have taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that this is so.

It’s time to make “test and hold” a standard food industry practice.

Recalls and Alerts: November 12, 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: Jimmy Dean® recalls Jimmy Dean French Toast & Sausage Sandwich butcher-wrapped food service product (Code 12292P1; UPC 5450051434), because the product may contain undeclared egg and soy. The recalled product was distributed in Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
  • Allergy Alert: Frito-Lay recalls GRANDMA’S Peanut Butter Sandwich Crème Cookies (3.025 oz pkgs; Sell by March 12, 2013 or earlier; UPC 28400-00153) and GRANDMA’s Peanut Butter Mini Sandwich Crème Sandwich Cookies (1.71 oz pkgs; Sell by May 21, 2013 or earlier; UPC 28400-00901), due to the presence of undeclared milk and egg.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Spence & Co. Ltd. (Brockton, MA) recalls New York Style Nova Lox (Lot code 9720704), because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Two possible product-related illnesses have been reported. The recalled product was distributed through distributors in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Massachusetts and the Detroit (MI) area between 9.26.12 and 10.5.12, and also was distributed to the follwoing stores: Earthfare (AL, NC, GA, SC, TN, FL & OH between 9.28.12 and 10.5.12), Shaws Supermarkets (New England, on 9.28.12; expiration date 10.21.12), Roche Bros. (Massachusetts on 9.26.12; Expiration date 10.19.12), and Fresh Markets (FL, GA, KY, IL, AL, AZ, OH, TN, SC, VA, IN, MI, OK & KS).
  • Food Safety Recall: Black Earth Meat Market Inc. (Black Earth, WI) recalls Black Earth Meats Natural Beef Tongues and Black Earth Meats Local Beef Tongues (Various size cases; Est 34379; produced on October 8, 11, 17 and 18, 2012), because the tonsils may not have been removed completely. The recalled product was supplied to a restaurant in Wisconsin and a distributor in Illinois.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Public health investigators from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services have determined that the petting zoo at the Cleveland County Fair was the initial source of exposure to E. coli that resulted in 106 illnesses and one death. Weather may have played a role in spreading the contamination to the area surrounding the petting zoo exhibit. One child died, and 105 other children and adults became ill as a result of the contamination at the petting zoo.
  • Food Safety Recall: Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese (Austin, KY) recalls several cheese products after routine testing finds Listeria monocytogenes in some samples: Colby, Colby Cheese (8oz, 5 lb, 10 lb, or 25 lb block, vacuum packed, Lot # 120724), Chipotle Colby, Flavored Colby Cheese (8 oz, 5 lb, 10 lb, or 25 lb block, vacuum packed, Lot #120711), Monterey Jack, Jack Cheese (8 oz, 5 lb, 10 lb, or 25 lb block, vacuum packed, Lot # 120719), and Mild Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese (8 oz, 5 lb, 10 lb, or 25 lb block, vacuum packed Lot # 120625). The recalled cheeses were distributed or sold beginning on September 20th, 2012 to locations in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to distributors, restaurants and farmer’s markets.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection has received reports of 25 additional cases of food poisoning associated with a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. Thirty-seven people have been affected so far. All are in stable condition.

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: November 9, 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

  • Food Safety Recall: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship recalls and impounds dairy products from Meinders Farm Fresh Dairy (Buffalo Center, IA), due to concerns that some of the products did not meet regulatory requirements. The products were sold at retailers under the Meinders Farm Fresh Dairy label.
  • Food Recall: Price Chopper recalls Price Chopper Single Cup Original Donut Blend Coffee (12-pack; UPC 4173506881), because the product does not meet Price Chopper’s quality standards.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Berchicci Importing Ltd. recalls Cilento Burrata Fresh Pulled Cheese (200g; Best before 11/09/2012; Lot #770; UPC 0 60085 31416 4), due to E. coli contamination. The recalled product was sold in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Tree Brewing Co. Ltd. recalls Duke’s Dry Apple Cider (355 mL; Best before dates from 20/01/13 to 30/01/13; UPC 6 24524 20231 5), due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled product was sold in Alberta and British Columbia.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Proprietary Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Wah Shun Medicine Limited recalls Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan (Batch #8011 WP 1), a proprietary Chinese medicine,  because the indicated batch was found to contain about 1.3 times the permitted limit of lead.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving a total of nine persons, all of whom dined at the same restaurant in Admiralty on the evening of November 6th.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Australia): The Therapeutic Goods Administration advises consumers to avoid using Majestic Slimming Capsules, because the product contains undeclared sibutramine (a prescription-only medicine) and phenolphthalein. The supply of Majestic Slimming Capsules is illegal in Australia.

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.