Tag: Health

Recalls and Alerts: February 11, 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: House of Spice (Hayward, CA) recalls Laxmi Brand Rewadi (Jaggery) Candy (7 oz; Imported from India; All date codes), due to unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled candy was distributed to retailers in Northern California and Washington state.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Washington State Department of Health has determined that norovirus caused at least 229 illnesses among participants and attendees at a February 4th state high school cheerleading tournament, held in Everett. At least 33 of the victims reported seeking medical care, although no one required hospital admission. State officials expect that the final outbreak tally will be higher than the 229 illness reported so far.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: Food Safety News reports that the Campylobacter outbreak associated with drinking raw milk supplied by The Family Cow dairy farm in Chambersburg, PA now encompasses 60 outbreak victims, in four states. Pennsylvania (51 illnesses), Maryland (4), West Virginia (3), and New Jersey (2) all have reported illnesses linked to this outbreak.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Ilana Robyn Foods Ltd. (Toronto, ON) recalls Sweets From The Earth brand Dairy Free Wild Blueberry Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001181; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (700 g; UPC 855144001044; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), Spiced Carrot Cake (100 g; UPC 855144001037; Best Before dates up to and including Feb 17, 2012), Dairy Free Chocolate Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001198; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), and Gluten Free & Dairy Free Espresso Cheesecake (800 g; UPC 855144001327; Lots #11338 to 11365 and 12002 to 12038), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled cake products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Outbreak Alert (Zimbabwe): Eyewitness News reports that the Harare Magistrates Court had to shut down after 5 magistrates and more than 20 clerks became ill with suspected typhoid. Zimbabwe has been suffering from a typhoid outbreak since November, but this is the first indication that the epidemic has affected the central part of the capital city.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert Update (Mexico): Staphylococcus aureus has been confirmed as the cause of an outbreak of food poisoning that sickened 709 attendees at a political rally in Guerrero. The bacterium was found in the meal of egg tacos with rice that was given to the attendees to take home with them at the end of the rally.
  • Outbreak Alert (Cayman Islands): The Public Health Department of teh Cayman Islands has issued a public health advisory that an unusually high number of cases of gastroenteritis – more than 60 cases per week – have been reported during the past two weeks. The usual rate of illnesses is 15 to 25 cases per week.

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: February 10, 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.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Summit Import Corp (Jersey City, NJ) recalls Bin Bin Snow Rice Cracker (5.3 oz pack; UPC 8 852098700124) and Bin Bin Rice Cracker (15.8 oz bulk pack; UPC 8 8520098701510), due to the presence of undeclared egg. The recalled products were distributed nationwide to Asian retail stores.
  • Allergy Alert: Han Yang Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) recalls Jang Chung Dong Han Yang King Joak Bal Cooked Pork Hocks (variable weight; shrink-wrapped; Est. 21880; Produced between October 7, 2011 and February 7, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared wheat. The recalled pork hocks were distributed for wholesale and retail use in the Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL areas.
  • Food Safety Recall: ZIP International Group LLC (Edison, NJ) expands its earlier recall of Sliced Herring Fillet in Oil/Forelka (330g and 600g plastic packaging; Product of Ukraine; Best by 5/18/2012), due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold to retail grocery stores in New York State.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Kraft Foods Global Inc. (Northfield, IL) recalls Tassimo Espresso T Discs, sold under the Gevalia, Maxwell House Café Collection and Nabob brands (8 or 16 T Discs/pkg; Codes ending with 11213 through 12020), because the recalled T Discs can become clogged and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds onto consumers and bystanders during or after brewing. The recalled products were distributed nationwide.
  • “Herbal” Medication Safety Recall: Wholistic Herbs Inc. (Dallas, TX) recalls Koff & Kold Spray with Herbal Extract (1 fl. oz spray; All “use by” dates), and Kold Sore Spray with Liquid Sea Mineral (1 fl. oz spray; All “use by” dates), as the products are not sterile and have the potential to cause eye infections and respiratory infections. The recalled products were distributed through retail stores in Texas, California, Washington, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, through acupuncture clinics nationwide and via the company’s website at http://www.naturalapothecary.com.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: At least 192 participants and attendees at the state high school cheerleading tournament held in Everett on February 4th have developed vomiting and diarrhea. Thirty of the victims sought medical treatment. The cause and source of the illnesses are still under investigation.
  • Outbreak Alert: Norovirus was behind an outbreak of gastroenteritis that affected more than 100 people who had eaten at a Subway restaurant in Hartford City, Indiana. Three people were hospitalized and treated for dehydration. It’s not known whether the virus was introduced by an employee or a customer of the Subway franchise.
  • Outbreak Alert: Norovirus is the suspect in another flare-up of “stomach flu” among eleven Rider University and seven Princeton University students. About 160 outbreak victims have been reported at the two schools since late January.
  • Outbreak Alert: Burke County, North Carolina also is experiencing norovirus outbreaks, including one reported by Grace Hospital. The total number of cases is not known.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Hazelnut Inc. (Agassiz, BC) recalls Canadian Hazelnut brand Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Bark (100g), Hazelnut Chocolate Butter (227g & 16 oz), Dark Chocolate Fruit and Hazelnut Bark (100g), Dark Chocolate Cranberry Hazelnut Bark (100g), and Dipped Dark Chocolate Hazelnut (62g and 124g), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The products were sold from the Canadian Hazelnut Inc. retail outlet in Agassiz, BC.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: Kraft Canada Inc. recalls Tassimo Gevalia and Tassimo Nabob brand Espresso T Discs (Product of USA; Code range 11213-12020), because the recalled T Discs can become clogged, and during brewing or upon opening of the brewing mechanism, hot liquid and/or coffee grounds could spray onto consumers and bystanders, posing a burn hazard. The recalled T Discs were sold by retailers across Canada and on websites from August 2011 through February 2012.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Consumers with milk allergies are alerted that Suma Organic Pesto Alla Genovese with Basil (190g glass jar; Best before 04/2014) contains undeclared milk. The product is labelled as “Suitable for Vegans”; however, this batch contains a non-vegan cheese.
  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Unilever Denmark A/S recalls Knorr Bearnaise Sauce (4 + 2 economy pack; Lot #L12551B802); due to a packaging error, some Bearnaise Sauce packages have been filled with Hollandaise Sauce, resulting in the presence of undeclared egg in these packages.
  • Allergy Alert (Germany): REWE Group recalls REWE Walnut Ice Cream (900ml; All batches), RIOS Premiumeis Walnut Ice Cream (1000 ml; all batches) and Sweet Emotion Walnut Ice Cream (1000 ml; all batches) because the products may contain traces of undeclared peanuts.
  • Food Product Withdrawal (Denmark): Semper AB withdraws Beauvais Risgrød 4 months (250g; Best before 12/2012), because microleaks in the foil pouch may allow the entry of oxygen into the packages, with the resulting risk of rancidity developing.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Warwick Hospital (Leamington) has been hit with a reoccurrence of norovirus. The Farries Ward will be shut to visitors until further notice.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (India): Nau Pnau village in Himachal Pradesh has been struck with an outbreak of typhoid, thought to be due to contamination in the drinking water pipeline. Sixteen people have been confirmed with typhoid out of a total of thirty who reported suffering from nausea and high fever. Eight people have been admitted to a primary health care center for treatment.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Outbreak Alert (Australia): North Queensland has been experiencing double the usual number of cases of Campylobacter gastroenteritis, according to a media statement released by Queensland Health. The public is being urged to maintain good food safety practices.

Latin America and the Caribbean

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: February 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Withdrawal: Spartan Central Kitchen withdraws several prepared salads and sandwiches containing hard-cooked eggs that were recalled by Michael Foods due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall Update: USDA releases retail distribution list for Harold Food Co. Grand Strand Deluxe Chicken Salad, recalled by Bost Distributing Company because the product contains hard-cooked eggs that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled salads were sold in Wilco-Hess Gas Stations convenience stores in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: BSH Home Appliances Corp (Irvine, CA) recalls Tassimo Professional Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers beginning with TAS6512CUL; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range of 8905 through 9109) and Bosch® Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers TAS100, TAS200, TAS451, TAS46 and TAS651; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range 8806 through 9109), because the plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewers and onto bystanders. The recalled brewers were manufactured in Slovenia and China and were distributed throughout the USA and Canada.
  • Outbreak Alert: Ninety-five passengers and 12 crew members on board the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Constellation have developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea during a cruise that began on January 28 and is scheduled to end at Ft. Lauderdale on February 11th. The ship will be met by CDC environmental health officers on its arrival in port.
  • Outbreak Alert: One hundred and seventy-four (174) passengers and 11 crew members on board the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Silhouette have developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea during a cruise that began on January 29 and is scheduled to end at Newark, NJ on February 10th. The ship will be met by a CDC environmental health officer and an epidemiologist on its arrival in port.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Metro Marchée Verchères inc. (Waterloo, QC) recalls Pâté au poulet/chicken paté (500g; all units), Pâté au saumon/salmon paté (Frozen; 500g; all units), Pâté mexicain/Mexican paté (525g; all units) and Sous-marin trois viandes/Three-meat submarine (190g; all units), due to the presence of undeclared soy, mustard, and/or egg.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Produits Kara-mel inc. (L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC) recalls Sauce à spaghetti Lorraine (500ml and 1 liter), Palourde Lorraine (500ml) and Moules fumées (250ml), because the perishable products were sold without refrigeration and may not be safe for human consumption.
  • Food Safety Recall: Société des Alcools du Québec recalls Vignoble Gagliano Vineyards Red Wine (750ml; 2009 vintage; UPC 8 27924 01401 8), due to the presence of process residues.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall: BSH Home Appliances Ltd.  recalls Tassimo Professional Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers beginning with TAS6512CUL; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range of 8905 through 9109) and Bosch® Single-Cup Brewers (Model Numbers TAS100, TAS200, TAS451, TAS46 and TAS651; Date codes beginning with FD and within the range 8806 through 9109), because the plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewers and onto bystanders. The recalled brewers were manufactured in Slovenia and China and were distributed throughout the USA and Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Suma recalls Suma Organic Pesto Alla Genovese with Basil (190g; Best before April 2014), due to the presence of undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Weetabix withdraws Oatibix Bites Sultana and Apple Breakfast Cereal (550g; Batch/date codes BB2201/2013 2022), due to the presence of undeclared wheat.
  • Allergy Alert (Ireland): Weetabix withdraws Oatibix Bites Sultana and Apple cereal (550g; Best before 22.01.2013; Batch 2022), due to the presence of undeclared wheat and gluten.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Doves Farm withdraws Doves Farm Chocolate & Crispy Rice Bars (5 x 35g; Batch codes 1276, 2026, 1349, 1340, 1312, 1305, 1252, 2010, 1335, 1319, 1290, 1266 and 1243), because the product may contain undeclared milk.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose LOVE Life You Count Spiced King Prawn Noodle Salad (230g; All use by dates), due to the presence of undeclared sesame seeds.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Marks and Spencer recalls Marks & Spencer Crispy Prawn Wonton, Marks & Spencer Crispy Vegetable Balls, Marks & Spencer Prawn Baguette Toast, and Marks & Spencer Prawn Siu Mai Selection (Use by date of 9 March 2012), because the products should have been labeled with a Use by date of 9 February 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Marks and Spencer recalls Marks & Spencer Crispy Prawn Wonton, Marks & Spencer Crispy Vegetable Balls, Marks & Spencer Prawn Baguette Toast, and Marks & Spencer Prawn Siu Mai Selection (Product of Vietnam; Use by date of 9 March 2012), because the products should have been labeled with a Use by date of 9 February 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Carrefour recalls Mini Carrefour Kids Dutch Gouda cheese. Please see recall notice for details.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK and Netherlands): Eurosurveillance reports possible food-borne outbreaks of hepatitis A in the UK and the Netherlands that appear to be linked to consumption of semi-dried tomatoes.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.0204): Arsenic in mineral feed from France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #0212.0205): Cadmium in frozen cuttlefish from Vietnam; distributed to Italy.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0206): Methomyl in cocktail tomatoes from Morocco, via France; distributed to Germany.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0207): Insect infestation in dried figs from Turkey via Slovakia; distributed to the Czech Republic.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.0210): Salmonella in chilled minced pork from Sweden, with raw material from Germany; distributed to Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Denis Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. recalls Ayam Brand Salmon Mayonnaise (185g; Best before 27 July 2014; Production Code MNLIAY SHIDBJN, MFG: 2011.07.27:J) after a consumer reports finding a metal fragment in one can.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns the public not to buy or consume the slimming product Xiu Zhi Su L-Carnitine Slimming Capsule, as it may contain the banned Western medicines sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a confirmed case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection in a 46-year old male tourist from the USA. The patient left Hong Kong on January 19th.

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.