Tag: Health

Recalls and Alerts: September 13, 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: DFI Marketing Inc. (Fresno, CA) recalls DFI brand Cantaloupe (6, 9, 12, 15 or 18 cantaloupes per carton; 826 CALIFORNIA WESTSIDE stamped on carton; Packed August 26, 2012), after Salmonella is found on a single sample during routine USDA testing at a wholesale produce distribution center. The recalled cantaloupes may have been distributed from August 27 to September 10, 2012 primarily to retail customers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Mexico. It is likely that the majority of the product is no longer in commerce.
  • Food Safety Recall: Whole Foods Market recalls Ricotta Salata supplied by Forever Cheese Inc. (Long Island City, NY), because the cheese has been implicated in 14 cases of listeriosis and may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese was cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427. All “sell by” dates through Oct. 2 are affected. The cheese was sold in Whole Foods Market stores in the following states: Alabama (1 store), Arizona (2 stores), California (2 stores), Colorado(2 stores), Florida (5 stores), Georgia (4 stores), Kansas (1 store), Kentucky (1 store), Maryland (6 stores), North Carolina (7 stores), New Jersey (2 stores), New Mexico (2 stores), New York (2 stores), Ohio (2 stores), Oregon (6 stores), Pennsylvania (5 stores), South Carolina (1 store), Tennessee (3 stores), Utah (1 store), Virginia (6 stores), Washington (6 stores), and Washington, D.C. (3 stores).
  • Food Safety Recall: Harris Teeter recalls Fresh Salmon Jalapeno & Cheddar Cakes (UPC 0020945800000), because the product contains onions that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was sold in the following seven Harris Teeter stores: Store #21, Cameron Village, Raleigh, NC, Store #253, Pender Campus, Fairfax, VA, Store #282, Jenkins Row, Washington, DC, Store #341, High Point Mall, High Point, NC, Store #83, Pentagon Town Center, Arlington, VA, Store #238, Stone Ridge, Aldie, VA, and Store #378, Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA.
  • Food Safety Enforcement Action: The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Program has halted custom exempt processing operations at Braunschweig Meat Processing, due to a violation related to the operation’s potable water supply.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Distribution Horizon Nature Inc. recalls Valpiform Pain Soleil (400g; Code 12167; Expiry date 28/12/2012) and Valpiform Pain de Mie (350g; Code 12194; Expiry date 10/01/2013), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was sold in Quebec.

Europe

  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Finland): Force Sports Nutrition Ky recalls Man Fuel, 100% Natural Herbal Supplement (Made in China; All best before dates) because the product contains dimethylsildenafil, a derivative of the active pharmaceutical agent present in Viagra.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1311): Listeria monocytogenes in vanilla ice cream from Italy; distributed to Switzerland.
  • Animal Feed Safety Notification (EU #2012.1313): Salmonella typhimurium in rapeseed meal from Belgium; distributed to Spain.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2012.1314): Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in tinned clams from Portugal; distributed to Spain.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus at a seniors home in North District that involves 15 residents and 5 staff members. Four of the outbreak victims were hospitalized.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Sierra Leone): As of September 11th, Sierra Leone has reported over 17,500 cases of cholera, and more than 260 deaths. Twelve of the country’s 13 districts are affected, according to a Travel Health Notice from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Food Safety Recall: DFI Marketing Inc. (Fresno, CA) recalls DFI brand Cantaloupe (6, 9, 12, 15 or 18 cantaloupes per carton; 826 CALIFORNIA WESTSIDE stamped on carton; Packed August 26, 2012), after Salmonella is found on a single sample during routine USDA testing at a wholesale produce distribution center. The recalled cantaloupes may have been distributed from August 27 to September 10, 2012 primarily to retail customers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Mexico. It is likely that the majority of the product is no longer in commerce.

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 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.

United States

  • Food Safety Recall: 3fish, inc (Gastonia, NC) recalls all seafood cakes and stuffed fish items that contain onions produced by Gills Onions (use-by dates between 9/10/2012 and 9/15/2012), due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled items were distributed along the east coast in retail stores and repackaged at store level. The following products were sold to Harris Teeter, Ingles, MDI (Merchants Distributors Inc), and US Foodservice: Maryland Crab Cake Bulk, Stuffed Salmon (8ct), Charl Crab Cake Bulk, Stuffed Tilapia (8ct), Crab Stuffing – Bucket, Stuffed Flounder (8ct), Signature Lump Crab Cake, Devil Stuffed Crab (10ct), Carolina Style Crab Cakes (4oz), Devil Stuffed Crab (3oz), Carolina Style Crab Cakes (.5oz), Premium Lobster Cake (3oz), and MD Crab Cakes – Value Tray Pack.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Breeder’s Choice Pet Food recalls Breeder’s Choice AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula (26 lb; Product Code/SKU 1000065074; UPC 0 5290702043 8; Best before 28 Aug 2013, 29 Aug 2013, and 30 Aug 2013), due to possible contamination with Salmonella. Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia and Washington.
  • Food Safety Alert (Rhode Island): The Rhode Island Department of Health is advising residents, staff, volunteers, family and friends who attended a cookout at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 and ate uncooked onions that they may have been exposed to Listeria monocytogenes. The onions were supplied to U.S. Foods by Gills Onions.
  • Food Safety Recall – Retail Distribution: Ricotta Salata Frescolina Brand cheese, which was recalled on September 10th after being linked to 14 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections, was sold in Whole Foods Market stores and in QFC stores, according to notices posted on the retailers’ web sites.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Bardahl’s Foods recalls Bardahl’s Potato Lefsa (400g; UPC 6 22876 00100 6; No lot codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall: Les Produits Alimentaires Berthelet Inc. recalls Nappe Blanche Wild Mushroom Sauce Mix (500g; Lot 0096970; Best before 16 July 2013; UPC 0 69809 00182 3), due to insect contamination. The recalled product was sold in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: RW Packaging Ltd. recalls Baby’s Choice Distilled Nursery Drinking Water (4L; Code 12E194), Alpine Distilled Water (4L; Codes12E191, 12E194, 12E198, 12E201, and 12E205), Encounter Distilled Water (4L; Code 12E191) and Crystal Pure Drinking Water – Distilled – Salt Free (4L; Code 12E194), due to microbiological contamination. The recalled products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Enforcement Action (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has ordered punitive closure of Hani Supermarket and Bakery –WLL, located on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Airport Road) due to repeated violation of food safety rules.

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.

3 Dead, 14 Hospitalized In Latest Listeria Outbreak

CDC is reporting that 14 persons have been infected with a single strain of Listeria monocytogenes after consuming Ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy. Three people are dead, and all 14 of the outbreak victims identified so far were hospitalized.

Listeriosis contributed to at least one of the deaths.

Outbreak victims were reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1). Four of the victims were related to pregnancy; two of those four were newborns. The three deaths occurred in Nebraska, Minnesota and New York; the Minnesota death was not attributed to the victim’s Listeria infection.

Except for the four pregnancy-related illnesses, outbreak patients range in age from 56 to 87 years, with a median age of 79 years. Illnesses were diagnosed as early as March 28, 2012 and as recently as August 30, 2012.

CDC Epi Curve for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to imported Italian cheese

Twelve of the 14 persons interviewed reported having consumed a soft cheese. No one cheese was identified by the majority of ill persons, and six of the interviewees reported having eaten cheese that was cut and repackaged at a retail location. Epidemiological and traceback actions led investigators to Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese distributed in the USA by Forever Cheese, Inc. FDA has identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the uncut cheese.

Yesterday, Forever Cheese recalled all Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese bearing Lot #T9425 and/or production code 441202. The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington between June 20 and August 9, 2012. The product was supplied to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors. Some of the cheese was sold in QFC stores in Oregon and Washington State.

The recalled cheese was “matured and packed by” Fattorie Chiarappa srl, Via Dell’Ulivo, 5 Conversano, Italy, and was manufactured from pasteurized sheep’s milk, whey and salt.

Based on the results of patient interviews, CDC and FDA are considering the possibility that cross-contamination of other cheeses may have occurred through cutting boards and utensils. This is exactly what happened in Canada’s province of Quebec in 2008, resulting in 22 cases of listeriosis, three of them in newborn infants.

CDC offers the following Advice to Consumers:

Contaminated ricotta salata cheese has made people sick.

  • CDC recommends that consumers not eat imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
  • Even if some of the cheese has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the cheese should be disposed of immediately.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. (See disposal recommendations below)

How do I recognize the contaminated cheese?

  • The recalled cheese is labeled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. It is a product of Italy. Consumers should consult with their retailer if they have questions about the origin of cheese.
  • Be aware that the recalled cheese has a 4 month shelf life, so contaminated cheese may still be in consumer’s refrigerators and may still be for sale in stores.
  • Ricotta salata cheese is often served crumbled or grated as an ingredient in some dishes.
  • Ricotta salata is a salty white cheese made from pasteurized sheep’s milk. Note: It is not the same as ricotta cheese, which is a very soft cheese often sold in plastic tubs.

Contaminated cheese may still be in consumers’ homes.

Listeria can grow in cut cheese at room and refrigerator temperatures. Listeria can also spread to other cheeses cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area.

Follow these simple steps if recalled cheese is or was in your home:

  • Dispose of cheese in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people and animals from eating it.
  • Wash the cheese drawer and other areas where the cheese was stored in the refrigerator with hot water and soap. Sanitize the area with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water.
  • Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to cut, serve, or store cheese. If possible, use a dishwasher; otherwise, use hot water and soap, followed by sanitizing with a dilute bleach solution described above.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Who is most at risk?

  • Listeriosis primarily affects pregnant women and their newborn infants, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
  • Persons who think they might have become ill from eating contaminated cheese should consult their doctor immediately. People can sometimes develop listeriosis even up to two months after eating contaminated food.