Tag: red onions

Recalls and Alerts: August 10 – 12, 2020

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.

United States

Allergy Alert: Mr. Wok Foods, Inc. recalls approximately 200,000 pounds of meat and poultry products due to undeclared milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, or oysters. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Kader Exports (India) recalls certain consignments of AQUA STAR RESERVE, CENSEA, FRESH MARKET, KIRKLAND, TOPS, UNISTAR, and WELLSLEY FARMS brands of frozen cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp sold in 1lb, 1.5lb., and 2lb. retail bags due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Spokane Produce, Inc. recalls certain salsa products containing onions produced by Thomson International due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Progressive Produce LLC recalls a limited quantity of red and yellow onions supplied by Thomson International due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details on the affected products.

Canada

Food Safety Warning: CFIA warns the public not to consume and retailers, restaurants and institutions not to sell or use Sunsprout brand Micro – Greens, Alfalfa & Radish (100g; Batch code BBAUG11; UPC 0 57621 13512 3) because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The warning was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.

Food Safety Recall: Jim M. Koo Produce Ltd. recalls Wash Jumbo Yellow Onion (5#; Distributed from July 21, 2020 to July 22, 2020 inclusively), Red Onion (5LB; Distributed from July 4, 2020 to July 24, 2020 inclusively) and Proc Onion Peeled (20 lb; Prepared on July 21, 2020 and on July 22, 2020) due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were supplied to hotels, restaurants and institutions in British Columbia.

Food Safety Recall: Métro Lac-Etchemin recalls ground beef and ground veal products packaged on or before 11 August 2020 due to foreign matter (metal particles) contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Bornholms Ismejeri  recalls Butter-pecan ice cream (450 ml; Best before 05-05-2021) due to undeclared pecans.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Khanjra International Foods Ltd. recalls Sultan Premium Quality Green Sultana raisins (1 kg; Batch no. KI/GRS/1119/54; Best before 05/2022; Product of India) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose & Partners recalls Waitrose & Partners Chicken Satay with Sweet Chilli Sauce (85g; Use by 17 August 2020) due to undeclared fish and peanuts.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Fiers recalls poultry meat (various formats and Use by dates) due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): DETRY recalls Prix Rond brand Pâté crème / spreadable pâté (150g; Lot #4614; Expiration date 15/08/2020) due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls La Selva brand Pesto basilic vegan and Pesto toscano (180g; Lot #E181; Expiration date 29.06.2023) due to risk of fermentation in the product.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Iceland recalls Iceland Chip Shop Curry Chicken Breast Toppers (400g; Best before 27 February 2021, 17 March 2021 and 8 April 2021) and Iceland Southern Fried Chicken Popsters (320g; Best before 4 April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): SALUMIFICIO RAVECCA SRL recalls SALUMIFICIO RAVECCA brand SALSICCIA S/V (39.91 kg packs; Lot 25/07/20/1; Best before 26-08-2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Lidl Italia s.r.l. recalls SCOTTONA TARTARE DI BOVINO ADULTO / Raw beef patties (200g; Lot #507007; Best before 14/08/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Iceland recalls Iceland Chip Shop Curry Chicken Breast Toppers (400g; Best before 27 February 2021, 17 March 2021 and 8 April 2021) and Iceland Southern Fried Chicken Popsters (320g; Best before 4 April 2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): The S.H. Two Fishermen Company Ltd. recalls Sliced Smoked Sea Trout Fish (100g; Best before 25/08/20) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): The Maya Food Industries Factory Ltd. recalls Maya Red Lentils (0.5 kg; Best by 25.12.2021 to 30.12.2021) and Indira brand Red Lentils (1.4 kg; Best by 25.12.2021 to 30.12.2021) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Ethnic General Trade Company Limited trading as Ethnic Market recalls Ethnic Market brand Apricot Pites raw apricot kernels (500g; All batches and date codes; Product of Afghanistan) because of a potential risk of poisoning. The sale of raw apricot kernels is prohibited under New Zealand food law. Three people have been admitted to hospital after consuming the product and have since been discharged.

Recalls and Alerts: August 6 – 9, 2020 – Updated

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.

United States

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE: CDC has received reports of 640 confirmed Salmonella Newport infections in 43 states. Eighty-five of the outbreak victims have required hospitalization. The outbreak has been linked to consumption of red onions produced by Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA.

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: Bluegrass Provisions Co. produced sausage products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because it is believed that all products are no longer in commerce and are past their use or freeze by dates. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: FSIS issues a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products containing onions that have been recalled by Thomson International Inc., due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Haven’s Kitchen Home, LLC recalls Golden Turmeric Tahini sauce (5oz; Lot #1770; Expiration 10/23/20; UPC 8-18758-02011-5) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms Texas recalls Taylor Farms and Marketside branded products containing onions due to potential Salmonella Newport contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Giant Eagle recalls all bulk and bagged red, yellow and white onions sold in its produce department since June 6, 2020 and select prepared foods items purchase since July 25, 2020 that include onion as an ingredient due to potential Salmonella Newport contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Freshouse II, LLC recalls select mesh bags and bulk shipments of potatoes, limes, Valencia oranges and lemons due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. recalls four-pound bag of Valencia Oranges, two-pound bag of lemons, bulk lemons, and a variety of in-store produced seafood and restaurant foods items that contain fresh lemon due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE: PHAC has received reports of 239 confirmed Salmonella Newport infections in 7 provinces. Twenty-nine of the victims have been hospitalized. The outbreak has been linked to red onions produced by Thomson International, Inc (Bakersfield, CA) and imported from the USA.

Food Safety Recall: Freshpoint Foodservice recalls Freshpoint Foodservice is recalling Freshpoint Foodservice brand red and jumbo onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California, and imported from the USA due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update: Industry recalls red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California, and imported from the USA due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update: Industry recalls various products made with onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Épicerie le Butterblume recalls saumon fumé à l’érable / maple-smoked salmon (~200g; sold up to and including 7 August 2020) because the product has been packaged in a manner that may render it unsafe to consume.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): LES DELICES DU VALPLESSIS recalls Porsi brand Glace saveur Tiramisu / Tiramisu ice cream (900 mL; Expiration 12/01/2023) due to undeclared milk, wheat (gluten) eggs, seafood and soy.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Brouwland recalls Vinoferm Malostop lysozyme enzyme (25g & 100g; Lot #19173; Best before 30-06-2021) due to undeclared eggs.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Axfood recalls Eldorado Chokladflarn (600g; Best before 17.01. 2021 BA200721) due to undeclared milk, almonds and hazelnuts.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Coop Danmark A/S recalls three batches of fresh organic salads because the arugula in the salad may be contaminated with Listeria. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): CREPERIE JARNOUX recalls Jarnoux brand 8 crêpes moelleuses à la vanille / 8 soft vanilla crêpes (200g; All lots beginning with 188; Best before 26/07/2020) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CREPERIE JARNOUX recalls Auchan brand 8 crêpes moelleuses à la vanille / 8 soft vanilla crêpes (200g; All lots beginning with 188; Best before 26/07/2020) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Intercomm Foods S.A. recalls EXQUISIT Olivenpaste aus grünen Oliven / Olive paste made from green olives (180 g; Lot # L INF 283/19; Expiration date 10.10.2022; Product of Greece) due to foreign matter (broken glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH recalls Penny Gouda 48% fat i. Tr., Grated, spicy, mild (200g; Best before 23.09.2020) due to foreign matter (small pieces of film) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): La Dispensa di Campagna Srlu recalls La Selva Pesto Vegan – Basilikum Pesto / basil pesto (180g; Lot #E181; Expiration date 29.06.2023) due to insufficient pasteurization.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Puratos Crest Foods Ltd recalls Puratos Soft’N Buttery Bakery Improver (12.5 kg; Batch #0007309238; Best before 15/01/2021; Product of Belgium) due to foreign matter (ceramic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): La Dispensa di Campagna Srlu recalls La Selva Pesto Vegan – Basilikum Pesto / basil pesto (180g; Lot #E181; Expiration date 29.06.2023) due to insufficient pasteurization.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls PiqueBroche brand Whole free-range chicken natural (Best before 10 August 2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Sainsbury’s semi-skimmed less than 2% fat UHT milk (1 L; Best before 28 December 2020 and 29 December 2020) possible microbiological contamination that could lead to spoilage.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Arobake Ltd recalls Arobake brand Basler Leckerli, Chocolate Afghans, Toffee Biscuits and Mini Belgium Biscuits (200g; purchased up to and including 7 August 2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Salmonella case count soars in onion outbreak – UPDATED

As of August 7, 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of 640 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport infections across 43 states.

Eight-five outbreak victims have required hospitalization.

In addition to the US outbreak, 239 confirmed cases have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) across seven provinces as of August 7th. Twenty-nine Canadians have been hospitalized.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) illnesses in both countries have been linked to red onions grown and supplied by Thomson International, Inc. (Thomson) of Bakersfield, CA.

On August 1st, Thomson recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, including red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to present.

The recalled onions were supplied to customers in the USA and Canada under several brand names, including:

  • Thomson Premium
  • TLC Thomson International
  • Tender Loving Care
  • El Competitor
  • Hartley’s Best
  • Onions 52
  • Majestic
  • Imperial Fresh
  • Kroger
  • Utah Onions
  • Food Lion

In addition to the Thomson recall, companies in the United States and Canada have recalled Thomson-supplied onions or products that contain onions on the Thomson recall list. Please follow the links to the individual recall notices for a complete list of products.

US recalls

ALDI
Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy (Southwest Turkey Cobb Salads)
Costco Wholesale (multiple recall notices)
Department of Defense Commissaries
Giant Eagle
Food Lion
Fred Meyer
Fry’s Food Stores
H-E-B
Kroger
Martin’s Groceries, Supermarket & Pharmacy
Publix Super Markets
Schnucks
Smith’s
Stop&Shop
Super 1 Foods
Taylor Farms (products without meat)
Taylor Farms (products containing meat)
Walmart (multiple recall notices)

Canadian recalls

List of recalled products in Canada
Costco Canada
Freshpoint Foodservice
Giant Tiger
Multiple companies
Sysco

This outbreak is not over. Both CDC and PHAC are anticipating additional cases. To keep yourself and your family and your customers safe, please take note of the following guidance:

Advice to consumers

Check your home for red, white, yellow, and sweet varieties, including whole, sliced, or chopped onions, and any prepared foods that contain onions as an ingredient, such as premade salads, sandwiches, wraps, salsas or dips. 

  • If you have onions at home:
    • Look for a label showing where the onion was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. 
    • If the packaging or sticker shows that it is from Thomson International Inc., don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
    • If it isn’t labeled, don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
    • If you don’t know whether the onion found in a premade salad, sandwich, wrap, salsa or dip contains onions from Thomson International Inc., don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
    • Wash and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with onions or their packaging, such as countertops, fridge drawers, pantry shelves, knives, and cutting boards.
  • If you buy onions at grocery or convenience stores:
    • Make sure they are not selling onions from Thomson International Inc., or serving fresh foods prepared with them. 
    • If you can’t confirm that the onion in stores is not from Thomson International Inc., don’t buy it.
  • If you order salad or any other food items containing onions at a restaurant or food establishment:
    • Ask the staff whether their onions come from Thomson International Inc. If they did, or they don’t know, don’t eat it.
  • Do not eat any recalled food products. Check to see if you have recalled food products at home. If you do, throw them out and wash your hands. 
  • If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of a Salmonella infection, consult a healthcare practitioner immediate.
  • If you have been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection or any other gastrointestinal illness, do not cook food for other people.
  • Contact your local public health authority to report any food safety concerns at restaurants or grocery stores, or if you suspect food poisoning from a restaurant or other food establishments.

Advice to restaurants, retailers, suppliers and distributors

  • Check the label on bags or boxes of onions, or ask their suppliers about the source of their onions.
  • Do not ship or sell onions from Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, USA, or any products made with these onions.
  • Clean and sanitize all surfaces and storage bins that onions may have come in contact with, including cutting boards, countertops, slicers, utensils, and containers used to store or transport them.