Recalls and Alerts: June 27 – 30, 2019

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 alerting the public to an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda illnesses linked to papayas imported from Mexico.

Food Safety Recall: Central Aquatics recalls Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz jar; Item #100106051; Expiry dates EX04JUN22 and EX05JUN22; UPC 0 15905 06051 6) due to Salmonella contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Clover Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Sanwu brand Spicy Hot Bean Curd (150g; All product codes; UPC 6 905475 352002) due to undeclared sesame and wheat.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): VINESPA recalls certain Pandomar brand calamari products due to undeclared shellfish. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): TAYBA TRADING SPRL recalls certain YAMAN et BALADNA bulgar products due to undeclared wheat (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls four varieties of Chef Select tortelloni due to lack of Danish language allergen labeling. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Lidl recalls My Best Veggie’s Vegetarian Spicy Bean Burger bean soup (200g; Batch code L69136; Best before July 16, 2016) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Leonidas recalls Various boxed Leonidas Belgium Chocolates due to undeclared sesame seeds and nuts.

Allergy Alert (Italy): THE LORENZ BAHLSEN SNACK-WORLD GMBH & CO KG recalls NIC NAC’S ORIGINAL (125g with Promo sticker; Lots 9205, 9222, 9232, 9252; Best before 02/16/2020, 02/27/2020, 03/03/2020, 03/17/2020) due to lack of Italian language allergen declaration.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco 2 British Cheese Burgers with Buns (469g; Use by 28, 29 and 30 June 2019 and 1, 3 and 4 July 2019) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Brugse Visrokerij Alloo recalls Alloo brand saumon doux fumé artisanal / mild smoked salmon (200g; Lot #32419 1306; Best before 09/07/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Kaufland Fleischwaren SB GmbH & Co. KG recalls certain K-Purland brand meat products due to foreign matter (red plastic pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Damse Kaasmakerij recalls Herbal Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 17/07/2019) and Pepper Brie (Lot #190523; Best before 11/07/2019, 17/07/2019, 22/07/2019, 23/07/2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Stübner recalls Mettwurst fein / Fine Mettwurst (sold between 05.06.2019 and 28.06.2019) due to possible Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Gül Lebensmittel und Grosshandel recalls CEBEL Kirma yesil Zeytin / Kirma green olives (700g; 20.12.2020 (Series 201218) and 21.01.2021 (Series 020119)) as the product is unsafe for consumption due to a production defect and incorrect packaging.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Zorn GmbH & Co.KG recalls certain meat products, because Salmonella was found in a raw sausage batch. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Britvic PLC recalls Robinson’s Fruit Shoot Apple and Blackcurrant bottles (24 x 200ml multipack (Tesco and Costco) and 200ml single bottle (McDonald’s); Batch codes NO5 L9164, NO5 L9171 and NO6 L9171; Best before March 2020) because the spout within the sports bottle cap may become detached unexpectedly.

Food Safety Recall (UK – Northern Ireland specific): Denny recalls Denny Black Pudding (199g; Use by 17 July 2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland 60 Crispy Chicken Dippers (60-pack; All date codes) due to foreign matter (pieces of hard plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): P & B Foods Ltd recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot (6 x 1 kg; Batch code PB9446M/4; Best before end April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK): Homeland By Products Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Beef pet food (500g; Batch code 1510; Best before May 2021), Frozen Raw Turkey pet food ((500g; Batch code 1513; Best before May 2021), and Frozen Raw Tripe pet food (500g; Batch code 1518; Best before May 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Papayas from Mexico blamed for another Salmonella outbreak

For the sixth time in eight years, papayas grown in Mexico have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning consumers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island to avoid eating any fresh papayas from Mexico until further notice.

No recall has been announced.

CDC reports 62 cases of Salmonella Uganda illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, in eight states: Connecticut (14), Florida (1), Massachusetts (5), New Jersey (12), New York (24), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode Island (1), and Texas (1).

No deaths have been reported.

According to FDA, most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections.

By the numbers

Epidemiological evidence gathered by CDC, and product distribution information obtained by FDA, point to papayas grown in Mexico and distributed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Just over one-half of the victims are female, and approximately two-thirds of those interviewed are of Hispanic ethnicity. Ages of outbreak victims range from one to 86 years.

Of those victims who were interviewed, 76% reported having eaten papaya in the week before becoming ill.

The Florida victim reported having traveled to Connecticut in the week before becoming ill. It is unknown at this time whether the Texas victim had traveled to one of the six states to which the papayas were shipped.

FDA has not yet identified a source or grower of the contaminated papayas.

History

This is the sixth in a series of Salmonella outbreaks linked to papayas grown in Mexico and imported into the USA in the last eight years.

In 2011, Mexican papayas contaminated with Salmonella Agona were the source of a 25-state outbreak that sickened 106 individuals, sending 10 of them to hospital.

In 2017, history repeated itself four-fold. A total of 251 individuals were infected with one of several different strains of Salmonella after eating Mexico-grown papayas. Seventy-eight of the outbreak victims were hospitalized and two people died.

If history is any guide, it is likely that the number of cases and hospitalizations in this outbreak will increase.

What should consumers do?

If you have purchased a papaya grown in Mexico, throw it away.
Do not eat fruit salads or other mixes that include papayas from Mexico.
If you aren’t sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don’t eat the papaya. Throw it out.
Wash and sanitize places where papayas were stored: countertops and refrigerator drawers or shelves. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.

What should restaurants and retailers do?

In the event that restaurants, retailers and/or other food service operators are found to have handled potentially contaminated food in their facilities, they should:

Contact their local health department and communicate to their customers regarding possible exposure to a pathogen.
Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
Wash and sanitize display cases and surfaces used to potentially store, serve, or prepare potentially contaminated foods.
Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Conduct regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in processing to help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: August 31 – September 4, 2017

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United States

Outbreak Alert: CDC is investigating a multistate outbreak of 37 human Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles. Outbreak cases have been reported from 13 states; 16 of the 37 victims have been hospitalized. Nearly one-third of the victims are children under 5 years of age.

Outbreak/Food Safety Alert (Update): CDC’s investigation of Salmonella infections linked to consumption of Maradol papayas from Mexico continues to expand with the identification of two more outbreaks. The consolidated number of cases has reached 201 victims in 23 states, with 65 hospitalizations and one death. In addition to Carica de Campeche, two more Mexican farms have been implicated in outbreak cases: Caraveo Produce and El Zapotanito.

Allergy Alert: Wakefern Food Corp. recalls ShopRite brand Semi-Sweet Real Chocolate Chips (24-oz bags; Best if Used By dates of April 11, 2019 and April 12, 2019; UPC 041190 02668) due to undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer and other retail stores located throughout the Northeast.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Summer Star Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Ziranwei brand dried and preserved products due to undeclared sulphites. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: The British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) warns consumers that Hepatitis A virus has been detected in a sample of Western Family brand fresh pineapple chunks (7-oz ready-to-go cups; Produced August 11, 2017; Best before August 19, 2017; Product of Costa Rica). The recalled product was distributed to 38 Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea Foods and PriceSmart Foods stores in BC. Please refer to the BCCDC notice for a complete list of stores where the product was sold.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls Shore Lunch brand Fish Breading/Batter Mix – Cajun Style (255g; Product code 1064828; Best by 1/18/2018; UPC 0 24739 19363 5) and Shore Lunch brand Fish Breading/Batter Mix – Original Recipe (255g; Product code 1064839; Best by 1/17/2018; UPC 0 24739 19362 8) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Gastronomie Nature (3935299 Canada Inc.) recalls Schnitzer brand Baguette Classic (2 x 180g; Product code 30118; UPC 4 022993 045628) due to pieces of plastic.

Europe

Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls ASDA Classic Fish Pie (800g; Best before 07 Sept 2017) due to undeclared mustard.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Upignac recalls Delhaize brand Raw breast of duck (approx 400g; vacuum packed; Lot #20170107; Use by 05/09/2017) due to contamination with shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Leis GmbH recalls Dried Dill / Dillspitzen, getrocknet (50g; Expiry date 10.11.2017; Lot #L4647) due to contamination with Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Industry recalls Schnitzer brand Glutenfreies Bio Maisbaguette zum Aufbacken (2 x 180g; Lot #30118; Expiry 03.01.2018; Product of Germany) due to possible presence of pieces of plastic.

Food Safety Recall (UK): TRS Wholesale Ltd recalls TRS Whole Chillies Extra Hot (50g; Best before 28 February 2019; Batch code P170221) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Myprotein recalls a number of products due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Safety Recall (UK): Athole Tablet Ltd recalls Scots Tablet (2.268Kg Jars; Best before 19/2/18 – 24/2/18; Batch codes 171920P1-4, 172221P1-8, 172321P1-5, 172421P1-4, 172521P1-4) and Iron Broo Tablet (2.268Kg Jars; Best before 22/2/18 – 25/2/18; Batch codes 172321P6-8 and 172621P1-4) due to potential contamination with small pieces of metal.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): AMST recalls Smoked Salmon filets due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for details.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Importers recall Chuan Qi Hot Pot Sauce (All sizes, batch codes, dates and flavors) due to undeclared peanuts, gluten, soy, sesame, crustacea and fish.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Rafferty’s Garden recalls Rafferty’s Garden Happy Tummies Vegetable Risotto (Best before 10 Aug 2018 and 12 Aug 2018) due to possible contamination with pieces of glass.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Go Farming Ltd recalls Go 2 Raw Milk brand raw (unpasteurised) drinking milk (1L glass bottles; Batch 32, 33, and 34; Use by 18 August 2017, 20 August 2017, and 21 August 2017) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product is sold online and is collected at the farm or delivered within the Southland and Queenstown regions.

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 website.