Recalls and Alerts: February 7 – 9, 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: CDC alerts consumers to potential exposures to a drug-resistant Brucella strain RB51 (RB51) in 19 states, connected to consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. One case of RB51 infection (brucellosis) has been confirmed in New York.

Allergy Alert: Birdseed Food Co. recalls Craft Granola Goldenola Turmeric & Ginger (11oz and 3oz pkgs; All expiration dates up to and including 061419) due to undeclared cashews.

Allergy Alert: Don Paco Lopez Panaderia Inc. recalls Sweet Bread (16-oz packages; all batches and dates) due to undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed in New York State.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Boucherie-charcuterie Piano & Fils inc. recalls three prepared foods due to undeclared wheat, milk, eggs, soy and sulfites.

Allergy Alert: Fumeur en nord recalls Beef jerky (variable sizes; product sold up to 4 February 2019) due to undeclared barley, soy and fish.

Allergy Alert: Indigo Natural Foods Inc. recalls Indigo Packaged Goodness brand Brewers Yeast Debittered (400g; All units sold from October 24, 2018 up to and including February 7, 2019; UPC 6 99692 00659 1) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls certain Ottogi brand noodle products due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls certain RXBAR brand Protein Bars due to undeclared peanut. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls Betty brand and Nancy’s Fancy Yummy-in-the-Tummy brand bakery products from the marketplace due to possible contamination from mice infestation. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed in Ontario and Québec. The bakery products were manufactured by Les Services alimentaires Firouz inc.

Food Safety Recall: Les Services alimentaires Firouz inc recalls numerous breads and baked goods that were manufactured or packaged under conditions that threaten food safety. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Renard bleu inc. recalls Spaghetti sauce (500 mL and 1L jars; All product sold up to and including 6 February 2019), which was prepared and packaged under conditions that threaten food safety.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls various BonVita brand ice cream products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): La société Thalassa Excellence recalls Fumage du val de lys brand Flétan fumé tranché / Sliced smoked halibut (150g; Lot #19025024; Best before 14/02/19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): RYDBERGS recalls Rydbergs Rhode Island Dressing (50g; Best before 08.04.2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Rayan Patisserie recalls Rayan Patisserie Assorted Baklawah (200g and 500g; All dates up to and including 07 May 2019) due to undeclared milk and wheat.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Ökoland GmbH North recalls Lamb salami air-dried (150 g; Batch #23394; Best before 07.03.2019) and Colbassa salami air-dried (150g; Batch 23395; Best before 07.03.2019) due to foreign matter (small blue plastic particles) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Dunnes Stores recalls Dunnes Stores Poached Side of Salmon (400g; Use by 19/02/19) due to uncorrect ‘Use by’ date.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Grönsaksmästarna recalls Nyttogrönt brand Beetroot sprouts (Best before 2019-02-07 through 2019-02-12) due to Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Hill’s Pet Products (Benelux) NV-SA recalls certain Hill’s canned dog food products due to elevated Vitamin D levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Riverside Milk recalls Riverside Milk brand raw (unpasteurized) milk, sold from a vending machine (Batches purchased between 28 January and 7 February 2019), due to Campylobacter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): New World Greymouth recalls certain New World Greymouth brand Hot cross bun products (Best before: 08.02.2019) due to foreign matter (glass) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Recalls and Alerts: June 14 – 16, 2018

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United States

Outbreak Alert / Food Safety Recall: Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. recalls limited quantity of 6 oz., 12 oz. and 28 oz. vegetable trays containing fresh broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots, and dill dip after the products were linked to an outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products, which were sold to select retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. CDC reports a total of 78 confirmed cases, including four victims who required hospitalization. The recalled products were distributed to: Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, Food Max Supermarket and Peapod in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and bear “Best If Enjoyed By” dates of June 17, 2018 or earlier.

Outbreak Alert / Food Safety Recall: The Kellogg Company recalls Kellogg’s® Honey Smacks® cereal (15.3-oz and 23-oz pkgs; Best JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019; UPC 3800039103 and 3800014810) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products have been linked to an outbreak of 73 Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses in 31 states, according to CDC. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the USA. The 15.3-oz packages also were distributed in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan.

Allergy Alert: World Variety Produce, Inc. recalls Melissa’s Spicy Edamame (7-oz cardboard sleeve; Best by 5/29/18 through 07/02/18; UPC 0-45255-14637-0) due to the undeclared shellfish/crustacean allergen “Oyster Extract.” The recalled product was distributed through retailers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Food Safety Recall: Stap Dairy Inc. (Pine Bush, NY) recalls Pasteurized Creamline Chocolate Milk (half-gallon plastic container; Container code 6 18 8) due to improper pasteurization. The recalled product was sold at the Stap Dairy Farm Store in Orange County, NY.

Food Safety Recall: St. John Creamery (Monroe, WA) recalls whole retail raw goat milk (1-pt. and 0.5-gal containers; Best By dates of 061718 (6/17) through 062118 (6/21)) due to possible contamination with toxin-producing E. coli. The recalled product was sold at the on-farm store, directly to private customers via drop groups, and at retail stores in Western Washington.

Food Safety Recall Update: Venda Ravioli, Inc. recalls approximately 738 pounds of frozen meat ravioli products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection while the establishment was under suspension. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations in Rhode Island.

Food Safety Recall: HF Food Distributors recalls JAMON COCIDO REBANADO (1-lb plastic-wrapped pkgs; Sell by May 25, 00) because it was produced without the benefit of federal inspection. The recalled product was shipped wholesale to Head Start centers in Puerto Rico.

Food Recall: Winter Sausage Manufacturing Co. recalls approximately 28,346 pounds of poultry, pork, and beef products due to misbranding. The poultry products were slaughtered under religious exemption, which is not declared on the product label. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations and distributors in Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Marché Blainville (Sainte-Thérèse, QC) recalls various prepared foods due to undeclared mustard seed, sulfite, soy, fish, wheat and barley. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Mrakovic Meat & Deli recalls The Original Mrakovic Burger (1.1 kg/5 burgers; All codes where egg, rye, sesame, soy, and wheat are not declared on the label; UPC 8 14945 00005 2) due to undeclared egg, rye, sesame, soy, and wheat. The recalled product was sold to consumers in Ontario.

Food Safety Recall: Puresource Inc. recalls Now Real Food brand Zesty Sprouting Mix (454g; Lot 3031259 and 3038165; UPC 7 33739 07271 9; Product of USA) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to consumers nationwide. According to the recall notice, the action was triggered by a recall “in another country.”

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Boni Selection Summer Salad with carrots and celery (350g; Best by 6/7/2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Namur recalls Pistachio ice cream (450 mL; All date codes) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (UK): Moon Sweets Couture UK Ltd recalls various flavors of Fizz Wizz Fruit Chews (250g pkgs; Batch code #01; Best before January 2019) due to undeclared sulfites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): IDPAK S.A. recalls various Delhaize brand and Louis brand products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Delitraiteur recalls Delitraiteur brand nems poulet/crevettes (227g tray containing 5 pieces and a packet of sauce; Best before dates on or after 02/06/2018) due to foreign matter (pieces of glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Coop Danmark A/S recalls X-tra Party sausages and Party sausages (500g; Best before 19/06/2018) due to foreign matter (pieces of blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Iglo Deutschland recalls frozen parsley and various products containing frozen parsley due to potential contamination with shiga-toxin producing E. coli. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Findus recalls Våra Finaste Persilja / Our Finest Parsley (30g; Lot codes L7333AV005; L7333BV005; L7333CV005 (Best before 05.2019) and Lot codes L8029AV005; L8030BV005; L8030CV005 (Best before 07.2019); article #3134) due to possible contamination with shiga-toxin producting E. coli.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall: The Kellogg Company recalls Kellogg’s® Honey Smacks® cereal (15.3-oz and 23-oz pkgs; Best JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019; UPC 3800039103 and 3800014810) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products have been linked to an outbreak of 73 Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses in 31 states, according to CDC. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the USA. The 15.3-oz packages also were distributed in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Food Safety Recall: The Kellogg Company recalls Kellogg’s® Honey Smacks® cereal (15.3-oz and 23-oz pkgs; Best JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019; UPC 3800039103 and 3800014810) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products have been linked to an outbreak of 73 Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses in 31 states, according to CDC. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the USA. The 15.3-oz packages also were distributed in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan.

Raw milk, farm animals likely cause of new E. coli outbreak among children

This story by Coral Beach first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Unpasteurized, raw milk and a visit to an unrelated agricultural animal operation are most likely the causes of an outbreak of E. coli infections among children in Knox County, TN. At least four of the victims are in kidney failure.

Health department spokeswoman Katharine Killen told Food Safety News this afternoon that all of the confirmed illnesses have been caused by the same serotype of E. coli bacteria. During a press conference with local media today, Dr. Joe Childs of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital also reported that all of the cases at that hospital are from one serotype.

Knox County Health Department epidemiologists are working with investigators from the state’s health department and other local and state agencies, including agriculture officials to pinpoint the source of the bacteria.

Childs said the ongoing E. coli outbreak is the largest he has seen in his 30 years at the hospital. Killen said the county averages only about 19 cases on an annual basis. Both said some of the sick children had consumed unpasteurized milk in the days before their symptoms began.

Other victims visited a farm unrelated to the raw milk dairy before becoming ill. Cows and other animals carry E. coli that can cause serious infections in humans. Swimming pools, however — especially public pools — are not a likely source because chemicals used to treat the water are very effective at killing E. coli bacteria, Childs said.

Officials have not specified what kind of agricultural animals victims of the current E. coli outbreak came into contact with before becoming ill. Goats are among the animals that can carry E. coli. Photo illustration

Neither the doctor nor the county spokeswoman would identify the dairy or animal farm. Killen said she wasn’t sure if the dairy was still selling its unpasteurized milk as of this afternoon. A conference call set today could provide more details.

The county started receiving reports about a cluster of E. coli infections among children last week, Killen said. She did not provide the total number of cases or the age range of the patients. However, there are “several” cases and all are children, according to county information.

The East Tennessee Children’s Hospital started hearing about the cluster of E. coli illnesses about 10 days ago, Childs said. He said the hospital is “approaching” 10 cases. Some children who were admitted have recovered enough to go home. Other’s are more seriously ill. Children started being admitted to intensive care units at the hospital about four days ago. Four of the children have developed a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Tennessee is one of the states that allows sales of unpasteurized raw milk. Federal law prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk because of its high risk for causing foodborne illnesses. Young children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with depleted immune systems are at the highest risk of developing life-threatening complications, according to a wide variety of health care providers and other entities.

Among those recommending against consumption of unpasteurized, raw milk are the American Academy of Pediatrics, state health departments, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to 161 degrees F for 15 seconds. It kills bacteria, viruses and parasites commonly carried by dairy cows. Those pathogens include E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Brucella.

Photo illustration

Advice to consumers
Anyone in the Knox County area — including people who consumed raw milk from the area or visited an animal operation — who develops symptoms of E. coli infection should immediately seek medical attention.

People should make sure their doctors know about their possible exposure to the pathogen so the proper diagnostic testing and treatment can be provided, Childs said.

Antibiotics generally should not be used for E. coli infections because the bacteria die off and release even more toxins into the body. This complicates diagnosis because the symptoms of E. coli infections are similar to other illnesses that should be treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms usually begin one to eight days after ingesting the bacteria, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention. Symptoms can include diarrhea that can range from mild and watery to severe and bloody; abdominal cramping, pain or tenderness; nausea; and vomiting in some people.

Healthy adults usually recover from E. coli O157:H7 infections within a week. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems have a greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).