Tag: powdered infant formula

Recalls and Alerts: March 22-23, 2022

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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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA reports the number of confirmed outbreak cases of Salmonella Saintpaul has risen to 60. Traceback investigations are underway, but a specific source of the outbreak has not yet been determined.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA has released a report of its inspection observations in the investigation of a deadly outbreak of Cronobacter sakazakii associated with powdered infant formula manufactured by Abbott Nutrition.

Allergy Alert: A&C Best Food Trading Inc. recalls Licorice Flavor Olive (~1 lb; Date code 2021/10/15; UPC 588552-331090) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert: FSIS issues public health alert over concern that certain ready-to-eat salads containing meat and poultry products may contain undeclared egg, milk, peanut or wheat. Please refer to the FSIS notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Farm Fresh Produce LLC recalls TWA AGRICULTURE MIXED MUSHROOMS (14.11 oz pkg; UPC 6957937481850; All dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: WiseTrade Corporation recalls Global Fresh Marketing Enoki Mushrooms (200g/7.05oz; Product of Korea; UPC 809728-95012) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Alert: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets warns consumers not to consume unpasteurized raw milk labeled as “Grimshaw Farm Raw A2A2 Milk” from Alex Grimshaw/Patrick H. Grimshaw dba Next Generation Creamery due to Salmonella contamination. The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food recalls Taisun brand Vegetarian Mushroom Jerky (Hot) (169g; All codes where milk is not declared on the label; UPC 4 710095 805096) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Dong Phuong Distributor recalls Dam Sen Dried Seafood brand Garlic Roasted Dried Squid (100g; Expiry date 15/12/2022; UPC 8 936140 790872) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall Update: Gourmand traiteur (Des Côtés Gourmands inc., Belœil, QC) recalls multiple soups and sauces packed in glass jars due to a possible food safety hazard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Austria): dm drogerie markt recalls dmBio Marzipan Schoko Eier / Marzipan chocolate eggs (125g; All lot/date codes) due to undeclared hazelnuts, milk and soy.

Allergy Alert (Germany): dm-drogerie markt recalls dmBio Marzipan Schoko Eier / Marzipan chocolate eggs (125g; All lot/date codes) due to undeclared hazelnuts, milk and soy.

Allergy Alert (Spain): AESAN warns that several MRM and Lifestyle Tappers brands of prepared dishes made by MRM 2 SAU may contain undeclared sesame. Please refer to the alert notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Conimex Panklare nasi (230g; Lots L1194N41, L1229N41 & L1230N41; Best before 13/07/2022, 17/08/2022 & 18/08/2022, respectively) due to a packaging defect.

Food Safety Recall (France): LEGENDES GOURMANDES recalls Légendes Gourmandes brand Préparation pour soupe asiatique / Asian soup mix (115g; Lots 020, 039, 062; Best before 20/01/2023, 08/02/2023 & 03/03/2023, respectively) due to unspecified foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Netto Marken-Discount Stiftung & Co. KG recalls Satori Bambussprossen in Streifen / Bamboo shoot strips (175g drained weight; Best before 27.07.2024) due to possible danger from broken glass.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Mjólkursamsalan recalls Colostrum (500 ml; Best before 31.03.2022) because the shelf life does not meet quality requirements.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Thi framleiðsla ehf. recalls Mung spírur, Tofu hvítt, Tofu steikt / Mung sprouts, white tofu and fried tofu (All lot/date codes) because food safety was not guaranteed at the production site.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Auchan recalls Goldsteig brand Mozzarella schnittfest gerieben / Grated mozzarella (200g; Use by 30/04/2022 & 06/05/2022) due to possible foreign matter (pieces of white plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Romania): CARREFOUR ROMÂNIA S.A. recalls Carrefour Classic brand Salam cu carne de porc / Pork salami (400g; Lot 100722; Use by 05.04.2022) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Westhaven Dairy T/A Tasmania’s Westhaven recalls Tasmania’s Westhaven Haloumi (180g; Best before 04/SEP/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Southern Sky Cheese Company Pty Ltd recalls Southern Sky Cheese Company Tasmanian Halloumi (180g; Best before 02/July/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Abbott’s Cronobacter problem more than two years old

The presence of Cronobacter sakazakii in Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, production facility dates back to at least September 2019, according to information contained in an Inspection Observation report (FDA Form 483) released today by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The report details a ten-page long list of observations documented by a team of eleven FDA investigators during an inspection that lasted from January 31, 2022 to March 18, 2022.

The inspection was initiated in response to a series of four complaints of infant illnesses and death following consumption of powdered infant formula manufactured in the Sturgis facility.

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen, affecting mainly newborns, and causes neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and neonatal meningitis. In older infants, children and adults, it can cause sepsis and/or respiratory illness. Symptoms in newborns include fever, rapid heart rate, seizures and other neurological abnormalities.

Product Recall

On February 17, 2022, Abbott initiated a recall of multiple Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas. The recall notice includes a link to the company website, where a complete list of recalled products can be found.

The recalled infant formula was distributed nationwide across the United States and also exported to multiple countries around the world, including: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam ANI South.

What FDA Discovered

During the course of their in-depth inspection, the FDA’s investigation team documented multiple issues of concern, among which were:

  • Presence of Cronobacter sakazakii on environmental surfaces in the packaging room. The sample was collected while a product was being packaged.
  • Presence of Cronobacter sakazakii on the floor in the immediate vicinity of a dryer.
  • Presence of Cronobacter sakazakii in a sample of infant formula tested by the company in September 2019.
  • Presence of Cronobacter sakazakii in a sample of infant formula tested by the company in June 2020.
  • Water leaking from a dryer inlet and dripping from the valves onto the floor. Company work order documents indicated prior problems with this same inlet in February 2021, November 2021 and again on January 21, 2022.
  • Standing water in multiple production areas.
  • Lack of validation of the dry-out step at the end of the dryer cleaning cycle, resulting in a risk that water would remain inside the dryer at the end of the cleaning cycle.
  • A history of internal deterioration of the firm’s dryers dating back to 2018, including six instances of cracks and pits in the main chamber of two different dryers and ten cracked braces for one of the dryers.
  • Inadequate investigation of root causes of the four consumer complaints relating to illness reports received by the FDA. These four complaints were each asssociated with a different Abbott product.
  • Inadequate attention by employees and contractors to the wearing of necessary protective apparel.

In addition to the evidence of inadequate maintenance and sanitation, the inspection report contains observations appear to directly contradict statements made in Abbott’s Voluntary Recall Notice.

Specifically, Abbott stated that the company “…found evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii in the plant in non-product contact areas.” Yet the FDA recovered the microbe from a scoop hopper used to feed scoops, “…which are placed directly inside infant formula containers and contact product.”

Also, Abbott claimed that, “…retained samples related to the three complaints for Cronobacter sakazakii tested negative for Cronobacter sakazakii.”

But the FDA investigators reported that the company’s Medical Safety and Surveillance team did not request that retain samples be tested for the production lot associated with the infant death as of January 31, 2022 (the day the investigators began their inspection).

A History Lesson

As previously reported, the FDA had conducted twenty-seven prior inspections of Abbott’s production facility since 2008. Twenty-four of the twenty-seven inspections resulted in the company’s operations receiving a clean bill of health.

In 2019, the FDA investigation team noted just one deviation during its routine inspection, observing that the firm collected only thirty samples of a production batch for Salmonella testing instead of the specified sixty samples.

Two years elapsed before the FDA conducted its next inspection. In September 2021, a team of two investigators reviewed the Sturgis plant’s operations over a four-day period. They found standing water in multiple locations, sanitation and product-handling lapses, and inadequate temperature monitoring for a pasteurizer.

The September 2021 inspection was carried out after the FDA had received the first complaint of infant illness associated with an Abbott product. The agency has offered no explanation or reason for the more than four month delay between receipt of the first complaint and initiation of an in-depth investigation of the production facility.

According to the CDC, four infants have been infected by Cronobacter sakazakii after consuming a powdered infant formula manufactured by Abbott Nutrition. All four of the infants were hospitalized and two of them have died.

The CDC has received additional reports of possible Cronobacter infections in infants and is conducting investigations to determine whether these may also be associated with this outbreak.

What Consumers Need to Know

  • The first symptom of Cronobacter infection in infants (0–1 year old) is usually a fever, accompanied by poor feeding, excessive crying, or very low energy. Some infants may also have seizures. Infants with these symptoms should be seen by a medical provider as soon as possible.
  • Cronobacter germs can cause a dangerous blood infection (sepsis) or make the linings surrounding the brain and spinal cord swell (meningitis). Infections in infants usually occur in the first days or weeks of life. Infants 2 months of age and younger are most likely to develop meningitis if they are infected with Cronobacter.
  • Visit the FDA’s consumer advisory page to access a complete list of recalled products.

A Postscript

Cronobacter sakazakii was first associated with meningitis in infants in the 1960s. In 2001, the death of an eleven-day old infant in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a Tennessee hospital was traced to the use of Portagen powdered infant formula manufactured by Mead Johnson. Cronobacter was recovered from nine of forty-eight infants in the NICU.

Following the Mead Johnson incident, the FDA strengthened its surveillance of infant formula manufacturers and improved its lab methods for detecting Cronobacter sakazakii.

Learn more about Cronobacter sakazakii and other foodborne disease outbreaks in TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures, now available in digital, print and audiobook editions.

“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Excerpt from the new audiobook edition of TAINTED

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

Recalls and Alerts: March 10-11, 2022

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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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital or print copy to your personal library.

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA and CDC continue to investigate four cases of Cronobacter sakazakii illnesses in infants who were fed powdered infant formula manufactured by Abbott Nutrition in Sturgis, Michigan. Two of the infants have died. FDA has published a full list of recalled brands, which can be found on the agency’s Investigation Report update.

Allergy Alert: Fairmont Foods, Inc. recalls Schwan’s Brand Spinach and Artichoke Dip (24oz / 680g; Date code P82013 xxxx) due to undeclared wheat and soy.

Allergy Alert: Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc. recalls Albanese® Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans (9 oz; Lot #LB1111514X1; Sell by 10/25/2022; UPC 634418621436) due to undeclared peanut.

Public Health Alert: FSIS issues public health alert for Trader Joe’s CRUNCHY SLAW with Chicken, Crispy Noodles & Peanut Dressing (12-oz. plastic tray packages; Use by 03/09/22, 03/10/22, 03/11/22, or 03/12/22) due to possible foreign matter (hard plastic) contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Fielding Group Ltd. recalls Made Chocolates brand 73% Dark Chocolate Bar (100g; All date codes; UPC 0 63891 60351 4) and QC brand 73% Cacao Dark Chocolate Extra (100g; All date codes; UPC 0 63891 60373 6) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Uncle T Food recalls Taisun brand Vegetarian Mushroom Jerky (169g; All batch codes where milk is not declared on the label; UPC 4 710095 805072) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Gio’s le Marché (Saint-Sauveur, QC) recalls HUILE PIQUANTE GIO’S / Spicy oil (250 ml & 500 ml; Product sold up to 11 March 2022) due to improper production/packaging conditions that may render the food unsafe to consume.

Public Health Alert (British Columbia): Fraser Health Authority advises the public not to consume Wing Hing brand sand ginger powder purchased from Wing Hing Trading Co. Ltd., located in the Crystal Mall, Unit 1162 – 4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C., as it may contain poisonous monkshood powder.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): INTERMARCHE recalls Expert Club brand Muscat sec Blanc / White dry muscat (750 ml; Lots OF055115/L121312, OF054722/L221281, OF054052/L221223, OF053386/L221182) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (Germany): KoRo Handels GmbH recalls KoRo Bio Cashewmus / Organic cashew butter (250g; Best before 31.10.2023) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland Takeaway Chicken Bhuna, Frozen (375g; Batch code L22026; Best before 26 January 2024) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Sutter GmbH recalls Dulano brand wurstel di carne suina, affumicati (Servelade) / Servelade smoked pork sausage (200g; Lots 46L0702X038G23 & 46L0702X039G28; Best before 23/03/2022 & 28/03/2022) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls Viana brand 1/2 Pfund Veggie Hack Bio / Organic veggie mince (250g; Lot 347211; Best before 24/04/2022) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls Tagliatelle Carbonara (500g; Best before 11-03-2022) and Tagliatelle Al Funghi (500g; Best before 11-03-2022) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Romania): CARREFOUR ROMÂNIA S.A. recalls CARREFOUR SENSATION brand CHIPSURI CU AROMA PAPRICA / Paprika flavour chips (250g; All lot codes and expiration dates) and CARREFOUR SENSATION brand CHIPS ONDULAT PAPRICA / Wavy paprika flavour chips (200g; All lot codes and expiration dates) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland Takeaway Chicken Bhuna, Frozen (375g; Batch code L22026; Best before 26 January 2024) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (France): CHADIS E.LECLERC recalls Paupiette de Dinde au chorizo / Turkey roll with chorizo (Use by 11/03/ 2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): KERBAR CENTRE E. LECLERC GOUESNOU recalls centre E. Leclerc de Gouesnou escalope de veau crème girolles / Veal escalope with chanterelle cream (All lots) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES AUCHAN CHELLES recalls PAINS FABRIQUES ET CUITS EN MAGASIN SUR FOUR A SOLES / Various store-baked breads due to possible foreign matter (piece of glass) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls LA FERME DUMESNIL brand Beurre de ferme Demi-sel / Reduced salt farm style butter made from raw milk (250g; Lot bds270122; Use by 21/02/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls LA FERME DUMESNIL brand Beurre de ferme Doux / Sweet (unsalted) butter (250g; Lot bdx270122; Use by 21/02/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls LA FERME DUMESNIL brand Le 76 camembert, crémeux & puissant, au lait cru de Normandie / Creamy & strong Normandy style Camembert cheese made from raw milk (Lot le76250122; Use by 26/03/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls LA FERME DUMESNIL brand Le Carré Fécampois, spécialité de la ferme, crémeux & puissant, au lait cru de nos vaches / Specialty of the farm, creamy and strong cheese, made from raw milk (Lot carr250122; Use by 26/03/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls  LA FERME DUMESNIL brand La Parceye, puissant & coeur crémeux, au lait cru de Normandie / Creamy & strong Normandy style cheese made from raw milk (Lot py250122; Use by 15/04/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LA FERME DUMESNIL recalls LA FERME DUMESNIL brand Le P’tit Havrais, spécialité de la ferme, puissant & coeur crémeux, au lait cru de Normandie / Creamy & strong Normandy style cheese made from raw milk (Lot pth250122 or gh250122; Use by 26/03/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Hollt og gott ehf recalls Icelandic batavía lettuce in pots (Sold after 21 February 2022) due to possible foreign matter (broken glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): LA CENERENTOLA SRL recalls LA CENERENTOLA SRL brand ARACHIDI TOSTATI IN GUSCIO / Roasted peanuts in the shell (250g, 150g & 4 kg; Lots 354/21, 254/21, 351/21, 363/21) due to aflatoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls Afroase Whole Egusi / Whole melon seeds (250g; Lot WE56.21/279; Best before 20/12/2022) due to aflatoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Romania): SC BOCANII SRL recalls Ouă de găină pentru consum / Chicken eggs for consumption (Expiration dates 28/03/2022 through 30/03/2022) due to Salmonella Enteritidis contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Uncle’s Smallgoods recalls Uncle’s Ham Free Range (150g; Best before 23 MAR 22) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Gopals Sweets & Snacks Ltd recalls Gopala brand Paneer (various weights between 300g and 1kg; All dates up to and including best before 05.05.22) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.