Tag: Health

Daniella Used Auditor’s Logo Without Permission

We’ve heard a lot about third-party audits of food producers and processors in recent years – usually in the context of a failure of the third-party audit system.

The Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that has been linked to consumption of mangos, and the massive recall of Daniella brand mangos in the USA and Canada, has thrown the spotlight on the third-party audit system once again.

It’s hard to look at the sticker that is affixed to Daniella mangos without also seeing the logo of PrimusLabs, and the accompanying slogan “when food safety counts.” Consumers can be pardoned for assuming that the presence of the PrimusLabs logo on Daniella’s mangos is analogous to the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

But nothing can be further from the truth.

In fact, according to Ryan Fothergill, In-House Counsel for PrimusLabs, Daniella was using an outdated PrimusLabs logo, and doing so without permission. PrimusLabs offers a package of services to its clients that the company refers to as its Platinum Program. Daniella had been a participant in the Platinum Program in the past.

“Agricola Daniella,” Fothergill said in an email to eFoodAlert, “was not using the logo with our permission, and even if it had been, it is what we would consider a misuse of the logo. I cannot tell you the exact date that they ceased to be a platinum client, but I believe it was sometime in 2005.”

Fothergill also provided the following statement, which places the significance of the PrimusLab’s logo into context.

“PrimusLabs has always seen its function as facilitating the exchange of information; expectations from buyers and regulators, and performance of suppliers. There are many nuances or unique expectations among and between suppliers and buyers.

The PrimusLabs’ logo has never been a statement of performance but rather a statement of disclosure. This was connected to PrimusLabs’ DBA change from PrimusLabs to PrimusLabs.com circa 1997. The logo was the address and any buyer was invited to visit the web site to see what activity was observed and reported. For results the buyer needs to approach the supplier and request either an access to the supplier’s secured site or a release for data to be moved to a customized site developed for the buyer. PrimusLabs changed our logo a number of years ago dropping the .com and altering the design. All authorized user where sent camera ready art work for the new logo.

Those firms that are given authorization to use the logo which is simply granted when an operations signs what we refer to as a Platinum agreement agree to allow PrimusLabs to display their activity (e.g. number of audits, micro tests, residue tests, etc.) and they are authorized to use the logo.”

PrimusLabs displays a complete alphabetical list of its current Platinum Program participants on its website. Agricola Daniella is NOT on that list.

Recalls and Alerts: September 7, 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: American Licorice Co. (Union City, CA) recalls Red Vines Black Licorice Twists and other candies, including Black Licorice Bar (2.5 oz.), Jumbo Black Licorice Hanging Bag (8 oz.), Black Licorice Tray (5 oz.), Black Licorice Laydown Bag (7 oz.), Black Licorice Laydown Bag (16 oz., Black Licorice Jar (4 lbs.), Mixed Bites Hanging Bag (8 oz.), Mixed Bites Bag (16 oz.), Family Mix Laydown Bag (24 oz.), Family Mix Laydown Bag (32 oz.), Snaps Hanging Bag (5.5 oz), Snaps Theater Box (4.5 oz.), and Snaps Tin (12 oz), due to unacceptable levels of lead in the candy. The recalled products were sold at retailers across the USA, including Copps, D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Glen’s Markets, Glen’s Fresh Market, Haggen, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pick’n Save, Rainbow, Spartan, TOP Food & Drug, Tops, Valu Land, VG’s Grocery, VG’s Fresh Market, and Wegmans.
  • Food Safety Recall: Gills Onions recalls Diced & Slivered Onions, including Cross Valley Farms onions (Use by date 9/07/12), after random sampling by FDA finds Listeria. The recalled product was supplied only to foodservice companies. Because none of the recalled product is available at retail outlets, FDA and Gills will not be issuing a press release.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Recall: Lowes Foods alerts its customers to a recall of Orajel Kits (3 oz; UPC 10310 32370; Lot code BI1041), following reports of off flavor and numbing when using the product.
  • Outbreak Alert (Cruise): CDC reports that 114 passengers and 11 crew members on board the Princess Cruises’ ship Dawn Princess developed norovirusinfections during a cruise that began on August 21st and is scheduled to terminate on September 13th. Two CDC Vessel Sanitation Program environmental health officers are scheduled to board the ship today (Sept 7th) on its arrival in Juneau, AK to conduct an environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak and response activities.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert – Mangos: Please refer to Salmonella Braenderup – Mango for current information on US retail distribution of recalled Daniella brand mangos and other products that contain these mangos.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: London Drugs Limited recalls Red Vines Red & Black Mixed Bites Licorice(226g; UPC 0 41364 00240 8; All codes), due to unacceptable levels of lead. The recalled product was sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert – Mangos: Please refer to Salmonella Braenderup – Mango for current information on Canadian retail distribution of recalled Daniella brand mangos and other products that contain these mangos.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at a kindergarten/child care center in Yuen Long District. Nineteen pupils aged between three and five, and four staff members have developed symptoms of gastroenteritis since September 3rd. None of the victims has needed hospitalization.

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 6, 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: Eco Health, Inc. (Chatsworth, CA) recalls florAlign Prebiotic Formula berry-flavored powder (90g, 180g and 270g; distributed between June 2011 and August 2012), because the product may be contaminated with  Salmonella. The product was manufactured by Northridge Labs, which is owned by Irwin Naturals, and distributed by Eco Health within the USA via direct to consumer marketing, using mail order, internet and direct delivery. The manufacturer has ceased production and distribution pending the outcome of an investigation into the source of the contamination.
  • Food Safety Recall: Organic Pastures Dairy (Fresno County, CA) recalls Grade A raw milk, raw skim milk and raw cream (Code date of SEP 13), after California Department of Food and Agriculture inspectors find Campylobacter in a sample of raw cream as a result of product testing conducted during a routine inspection and sample collection at the facility.
  • OTC Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Kinney Drugs advises its customers that the manufacturer of Premier Value Fiber Plus Laxative/Calcium Capsules (120 ct; UPC 84098601987; Lot #15087) has recalled the product due to possible contamination with Clostridium difficile.
  • Outbreak Alert: CDC reports that 14 persons from six states have become infected with Salmonella Typhimurium after coming into contact with pet hedgehogs. Two environmental samples from areas where hedgehogs lived or were bathed in patient households yielded the outbreak strain. Outbreak-related illnesses were reported in Alabama (1), Indiana (1), Michigan (3), Minnesota (2), Ohio (2) and Washington (5). Three of the outbreak patients have been hospitalized.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reports a significant increase in cases of Vibrio infections in the state this year. Since July 1, 2012, four Maine residents and six out-of-state residents developed Vibrio infections, compared to four cases in 2011. Seven of the ten infections this year were due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus; one was due to Vibrio fluvialis, one due to Grimontia hollisae (formerly Vibrio hollisae) and one result is pending. All patients reported consuming some type of seafood during the period before becoming ill. The ten cases are not believed to be linked.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert – Mangos: Please refer to Salmonella Braenderup – Mango for current information on US retail distribution of recalled Daniella brand mangos and other products that contain these mangos.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: L’Olivier Del Mondo (Saint-Albert, QC) recalls Olives à l’ail dans l’huile / olives with garlic packed in oil (200g, with packaging dates up to and including August 19th, and sold in bulk at the Bois Francs (Victoriaville) public market up to and including September 5th), because the product may represent a food safety hazard.
  • Food Safety Recall: Krown Produce Inc. recalls Daniella brand mangoes (Product of Mexico; PLU #4051 and 4584), because the mangos may be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup. The recalled mangos were packaged and shipped to two Costco warehouses in Winnipeg on August 26, 2012.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert – Mangos: Please refer to Salmonella Braenderup – Mango for current information on Canadian retail distribution of recalled Daniella brand mangos and other products that contain these mangos.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert (France): Forty-eight persons have been infected with Salmonella dublin after consuming saint-nectaire fermier raw milk cheese manufactured by Gaec Fereyrol and distributed by Dischamp. As a result of the connection between the outbreak and the consumption of the cheese, Gaec Fereyrol and Dischamp have recalled Fromage fermier au lait cru “Saint Nectaire.” The implicated cheese was sold between August 10 and September 5 2012 as follows: (a) directly at the Gaec Fereyrol farm, located at 63610 Besse, Puy de Dôme; (b) in the “cut to order” department of retailers (notably cheese shops) and supermarkets; and (c) prepackaged (Label carries the number 63 417 001) in self-service departments. A list of stores where the cheese was sold can be obtaining by calling the toll-free number 0 800 00 17 80. Anyone who consumed this product and who develops symptoms of a Salmonella infection should seek medical assistance.
  • Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls Profiteroles au chocolat Auchan (4 x 90g; Expiry 14.09.2012; UPC 3596710329175) due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Sainsbury’s Bierre des Moulins Lager (30 x 25cl; All Best Before dates up to and including 22 September 2013) and Sainsbury’s St. Cervois Premium Lager (8 x 25cl; All Best Before dates up to and including 22 September 2013), because a small number of the bottles may contain pieces of glass.
  • Food Withdrawal (UK/Northern Ireland): Britvic Ireland withdraws an additional batch of Still Plastic Multi-Pack Ballygowan Water (250 ml; Product of Ireland; Batch Date Code L2198; Best Before end July 13), due to an off-odor. The affected product was distributed in Northern Ireland only.
  • Food Withdrawal (Ireland): Britvic Ireland withdraws Still Ballygowan Multipack (250ml; Batch code L2198; Best before end July 2013), due to off-odor.

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.