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 INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA has initiated an on-site inspection of the El Abuelito Cheese, Inc., cheese manufacturing facility implicated in an ongoing multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses. The agency warns consumers to avoid purchasing, serving or eating any El Abuelito-brand Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese) or Requeson (Ricotta) cheeses. The company has recalled El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo brand queso frescos, as well as El Abuelito-brand Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) cheeses that are manufactured or handled in the same facility as the Queso Fresco products linked to this outbreak.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses linked to contact with small (less than 4-inch shell) pet turtles. Twenty-two illnesses have been reported from California (5), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (2) and Pennsylvania (9). Eight people have been hospitalized and one person has died. The sale of small (less than 4-inch shell) pet turtles is banned by FDA; however, these animals can still be found at flea markets, roadside vendors, and some pet stores.

OUTBREAK ALERT (Illinois): An Arby’s restaurant in Springfield, Illinois, has been implicated in at least 40 foodborne illnesses in recent days. The specific cause of the illnesses has not yet been determined.

Allergy Alert: USDA alerts the public to the presence of undeclared milk in Whole Foods Market Beef Meatballs with Marinara (24-oz containers; Sell-by dates through 2/27/21). No recall has been issued as it is believed that none of the product is still available for purchase by consumers.

Food Safety Recall: El Abuelito expands previous recall to include all Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through 032821; all Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese) products with sell by dates through 041621; and all Requeson (Ricotta) products with sell by dates through 031421, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD and Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, and Ideal Brands.

Food Safety Recall: J&J Distributing recalls multiple products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: J&J Distributing recalls approximately 33 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry salads and wrap products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Amra Services Ltd. (DBA GluteNull) recalls GluteNull brand Goji Berries & Chocolate Cookies (320g; Lot code EXP06/10/2021; UPC 6 28451 52913 2) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Federated Co-operatives Ltd. recalls Co-op Gold Pure brand Almond Butter – Crunchy Roasted (500g; LOT# 200276; Best Before 30 MAY 2021; UPC 0 57316 16814 6) due to undeclared cashews.

Allergy Alert: AJ International Trading recalls Goldroast brand Instant Nutritious Cereal – Original Flavour (600g; All lots; UPC 6 920118 519567) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Birra & Basta Taverne italienne inc. recalls three products packed in glass jars because they were manufactured and/or packed under conditions that may render them unsafe to consume. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (EU and UK): An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in nine European countries has been linked to consumption of non-ready-to-eat frozen, breaded poultry products, according to a report from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). Between May 2018 and December 2020, 193 cases have been reported by Denmark (2), Finland (4), France (33), Germany (6), Ireland (12), the Netherlands (3), Poland (5), Sweden (6), and the UK (122). Twenty percent of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported by France. In addition to the European cases, one Canadian with a history of travel to Europe also was infected with the outbreak strain.

OUTBREAK ALERT (SWEDEN): The Swedish Public Health Agency is investigating an outbreak of twelve cases of Salmonella Enteritidis, eight of them children. The cases are scattered across ten regions of the country. The source of the infections has not yet been identified.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (SWEDEN): The Swedish Public Health Agency is investigating an unusual spike in the number of Yersinia infections reported since the second week of January 2021.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Genuport Trade GmbH recalls Bio Schokolade „Little Love Dark Vanilla“, vegan / Organic vegan chocolate (65g; Lot #200706DV; Best before 06.07.2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lovechock B.V. recalls Little Love brand chocoladetablet Dark Vanilla / Dark Vanilla chocolate bar (65g; Best before 06-07-2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Paulig recalls Risenta Buckwheat flour (850g; Best before 2022-06-08 and 2022-06-22) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (UK): S.M. Pickles of Glastonbury recalls multiple pickled products and vinegar mix due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls Délifin brand Saucisson fin en tranches / Thin-sliced sausage (150g; Multiple lot codes) due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes.

Food Safety Recall (France): E. Leclerc recalls Les Croisés brand Comté rapé / Grated raw milk cheese (130g; Best before 16/04/21) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Palatum Feinkost KG recalls Florina mit Weichkäse / Florina with soft cheese (1 kg; Lot #10416040; Best before 16.04.2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): EDEKA Südwest Fleisch GmbH recalls Hofglück Hackfleisch gemischt (400 g; Lot #21049; Best by 25.02.2021) and EDEKA Bio Hackfleisch gemischt (400 g; Lot #21049; Best by 26.02.2021) due to foreign matter (blue plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Bally Bia Restaurant recalls all batches of its ready meals and desserts, as they were made in an unapproved establishment.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): SFC recalls The Original SFC Chicken Poppets (190g; Best before 28.02.2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Consoli Chiara recalls AZIENDA AGRICOLA E AGRITURISMO S. ANTONIO – GRONE STRACCHINO Colli di S. Fermo – Formaggio a latte crudo / raw milk cheese (variable weights; Lot 04/02/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls Birchwood Beef and Pork Mince (23% Fat) (750g; Use by 01 March 2021) due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Lauria Specialty Sweets recalls nine biscuit products (All Best Before dates up to and including 22/09/2021) due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Rousche Group Pty Ltd recalls Shelby’s Healthy Hedonism Chocolate Chip Cookies and Shelby’s Double Choc Hazelnut Cookies (120g; All best before dates up to and including 09/02/2022) due to undeclared milk.