Tag: McDonalds

What you don’t see CAN hurt you

More than 500 customers of McDonalds have become infected with a nasty little parasite that goes by the name Cyclospora. Twenty-four people have been hospitalized, according to CDC.

Cyclospora is a single-cell, microscopic parasite that is transmitted through contaminated food or water. The most common symptom of infection is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever and fatigue.

Symptoms appear, on average, 7 days following initial infection (incubation period ranges from 2 days to more than 2 weeks) and can persist for several weeks. Cyclospora infections are not usually life-threatening.

outbreak_mapMC_8.23.18
Geographic distribution, courtesy of CDC

Confirmed cases have been reported by fifteen states and by New York City (which boasts a larger population that many of the states). Consumers in Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and New York City.

According to CDC, the largest numbers of illnesses occurred in Illinois (273), Iowa (99) and Missouri (52). Multiple cases also were reported in neighboring states. Outbreak victims in Connecticut, New York City, Tennessee, and Virginia purchased salads while traveling in Illinois; the Florida patient purchased a salad while traveling in Kentucky.

Most of the reported cases materialized in late June and early July.

The parasite was recovered from a packaged romaine lettuce/carrot mix supplied to the restaurant chain by Fresh Express.  The investigation is ongoing and FDA is currently reviewing distribution and supplier information for both the romaine and the carrots.

FDA offers the following suggestions for restaurants, food service facilities and consumers.

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need To Do?

Based on current information available Cyclospora may be resistant to routine chemical disinfection methods such as those using chlorine. However, restaurants and retailers should still follow basic food safety practices:

  • Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food. Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where potentially contaminated products were stored.
  • Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store potentially contaminated products.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Consumers who have symptoms of cyclosporiasis should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms (relapse).

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Recalls and Alerts: July 9 – 15, 2018

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.

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United States

Outbreak Alert: FDA and CDC are investigating a Cyclospora outbreak in IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, SD, and WI associated with McDonald’s salads. The salads were distributed to approximately 3,000 McDonald’s stores in 14 states: IL, IA, IN, WI, MI, OH, MN, NE, SD, MT, ND, KY, WV, and MO. Two people have been hospitalized; 61 illnesses have been confirmed to date.

Outbreak Alert: CDC and FDA are investigating a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak linked to fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela. A total of 12 illnesses, including 4 hospitalizations, have been reported from Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

Outbreak Alert (Update): CDC reports the outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal has grown to 100 confirmed cases in 33 states. Thirty of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

Allergy Alert: Utz Quality Foods, LLC. recalls Utz® Carolina Style Barbeque Potato Chips (2.875 oz; Expiration dates October 6th – 20th; UPC 0-41780-00153-5) and Utz® Carolina Style Barbeque Potato Chips (7.5 oz; Expiration dates August 18th – October 27th; UPC 0-41780-00049-1) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Papa John’s Salads and Produce recalls 148 units of the Superfood Salads due to undeclared peanuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed to stores in AZ, CA, CO, MT, NM, NV, UT, and WY from July 9, 2018 – July 10, 2018.

Food Safety Recall: The Beautiful Pig, Inc. recalls an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat and raw pork and beef products because the products were produced, packed and distributed without the benefit of inspection and were also under U.S. retention when shipped without approval.

Food Safety Recall: Afandina Halal recalls an undetermined amount of raw poultry products that were produced, packaged and distributed without the benefit of federal inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations in New York City.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Bloom Global Foods Inc. recalls certain Organica brand pickle in olive oil products due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to retailers in Ontario.

Food Safety Recall: Hain Celestial Canada, ULC recalls Europe’s Best Field Berry Mix (600g; Product codes 2020MA03, 2020MA04, 2020MA10 and 2020MA11; UPC 8 71454 03618 7) and Europe’s Best 4-Field Berry Mix (2kg; Product code 2020MA02; UPC 8 71454 00200 7) due to Salmonella contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Cora recalls Club Sandwich with Ham and Emmental (Best before 14/07/2018) due to undeclared egg and mustard.

Allergy Alert (Czech Republic): Kaufman Czech Republic recalls Madison – biscuits with pieces of dark and milk chocolate and raisins (150g; Batch No. L3181111; Best before March 12, 2019; Product of Poland) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Czech Republic): VIOLET KANGAROO recalls Roshen bubble bitter chocolate (85g; Batch No. 31.03.18 1; Best by 30 September 2019; product of Ukraine) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Unilever recalls Frisco brand Vienetta Chocolate ice cream (650 mL; Lot nos. L8047BA004, L8047CA004, L8047AA004 and L8048AA004; Best before 02/2020) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Coop Denmark recalls Spidskålsalat med mormordressing / Spider bowl with grandmother dressing (345g; Best before 11/07/2018) due to undeclared milk and cream.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Atria Suomi Oy recalls Artesaani lämminsavustettu raakamakkara (240g; Best before July 17, 2018) and Artesaani lämminsavustettu raakamakkara Gouda (240g; Best before July 17, 2018) due to undeclared cheese.

Allergy Alert (France): Manufacturer recalls Sélection Mousquetaires brand P’tit poisson au fromage (200g; Lot #81770060; Best before 24/07/2018) due to undeclared milk and shellfish.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Massafra GmbH recalls Sauce with Vongole Conserve della Nonna (190g; Lot #12LA017; Best before 31.07.2020) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Avoca Sticky Honey Buffalo Chicken Wings (460g; Use by 10.07.2018) due to undeclared gluten (wheat), peanut, soybeans and sesame seeds.

Allergy Alert (Italy): MELEGA & PRINI srl recalls Nordic Seafood A/S Yellowfin Tuna slices (175-225g; Batch #BMI 18/02; Best before 10-11-2019) due to histamine.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Sfoglia Turino recalls Carrefour Pizzette crude di pasta sfoglia surgelate (300g; Lot #L8089; Best before 30-09-2019) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Scotland): Alice Cairns Butchers Limited recalls various meat products due to undeclared soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Kaasimport Jan Dupont nv recalls several OLIVIANA brand products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): OKay recalls Escalope de Prague (approx 400g; Best before 14/7/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls Scampi marinated in green pesto and garlic (Lot #BTG203V1812 to BTG203V1848; Best before 03/06/18 to 15/07/18) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): K-Salad recalls Salatmesteren – Sandwich æggesalat / Saladmaster Egg Salad Sandwich (200g; Best before 06/08/2018) due to foreign matter (clear plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Nestlé recalls Guigoz brand 1er âge Formule Epaissie (800g; Lot #8075080624; due to potential Enterobacter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN recalls Gel Manche brand Salade camarguaise and Salade Landaise (3kg; Best before 13/07/2018 to 03/08/2018) due to potential Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Produit Blanc brand Pain au chocolat (450g, 10 pieces; Best before 07/08/2018) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Selles/Cher recalls Plaza André brand cheese made from raw goat milk (Lot #2106; Best before 19/08/18) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Manufacturer recalls Capitaine Houat brand Cooked whole medium-sized shrimp, refrigerated (Sold from 28/06 through 09/07) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Krónan ehf recalls Krone brand Luxurious Pork Casserole, Luxurious Pork Casserole Italian Mariner, Luxurious Pork Cake New York (All best before dates) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Cesare Fiorucci S.r.l. recalls Prosciutto Cotto Quanto Basta, two servings (90g; Lot #8278001840; Best before 05-08-2018) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Aldi recalls Scampi marinated in green pesto and garlic (Lot #BTG203V1812 to BTG203V1848; Best before 03/06/18 to 15/07/18) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): CORA et LIDL recall various Tapenades due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH French free-range chicken fillet (Best before 17-07-2018, AH French chicken breast cubes (Best before 15-07-2018), AH French chicken filet cheeses (Best before 15-07-2018) and AH French chicken fillet (Best before 14-07-2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Dupontcheese recalls various cheese spreads and pesto spreads due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Coop recalls Coop Chopped schnitzel with 30% vegetables (2 x 100g; Best before 09/07 – 20/07) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Dunnes Stores recalls Dunnes Stores brand Basil Pesto (130g; All batch codes and best before dates) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Yinon recalls Yinon Frozen Puff Pastry (1kg; Best by 27.06.19) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Chantal Organics Ltd recalls Loving Earth brand Coconut Chocolate Butter (175g glass jar; Best before 15/9/2019; Product of Australia) due to undeclared tree nuts.