Tag: Salmonella Kiambu

Recalls and Alerts: August 31 – September 4, 2017

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: 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.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.
Advertisement

Papaya pathogen problems persist

Little appears to have changed since 2011 outbreak, despite efforts of U.S., Mexican governments

The CDC posted this photo with its outbreak notice, describing maradol papayas as large, oval fruits that weigh 3 or more pounds, with green skins that turn yellow when the fruit is ripe. The flesh inside the fruit is salmon-colored. Photo courtesy of CDC

Salmonella — the pathogen behind an ongoing foodborne illness outbreak that has sickened 173 people across 21 states, killing one — is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of many birds, reptiles and mammals.

The possibility that an agricultural product such as papayas may be contaminated with Salmonella is impossible to eradicate; however, the risk of widespread contamination can be controlled through careful attention to current best sanitary practices in the cultivation, harvesting and packing of raw produce. Failure to do so can result in a vicious cycle of contamination in fields, packing houses and the distribution system.

Cultivation, harvesting and packing
The papaya is a fast-growing, tree-like herbaceous plant, which is at home in tropical and semi-tropical climates and is cultivated extensively across southeastern Mexico, according to a report issued by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Service. The most recent report from Mexico’s Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food) shows Mexico to be the fifth largest producer of papayas in the world.

Papaya trees are propagated from seeds. When seedlings are large enough, they are transplanted by hand into growing fields.

The papaya plant is propagated from seeds, with seedlings transplanted into fields when they are of sufficient size. The plant matures in six to nine months in warmer regions. Susceptible to a variety of plant diseases and pests, such as root rot, powdery mildew, papaya ringspot virus, fruit fly and white fly, papaya plants usually have an abbreviated commercial lifespan of two to three years, according to information from the University of Hawaii. It is not unusual for a papaya plant to only produce a single crop in its lifetime.

Once harvested and delivered to the packing house, each papaya is graded according to ripeness and size. Next, the fruit is sorted according to size a second time, as well as shape, and color. It is also examined for insect or mechanical damage.

The sorted fruit is generally washed in large vats of chlorinated tap water to remove dirt, debris and insect contamination. Depending upon the condition of the fruit and the expected final destination, it may be subjected to additional treatments, including a hot water bath or a fungicide dip. After air-drying, the fruit is packed for shipment.

2011 Salmonella Agona outbreak
In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration investigated a Salmonella Agona outbreak that was traced to contaminated papayas imported from Mexico. The papayas were grown and packed by Agromod SA de CV of Chiapas, Mexico, and distributed by Agromod Produce Inc. of McAllen, Texas.

Photo illustration

The Agromod papaya plantation had an interconnected drainage ditch system, according to information presented in 2013 during the annual educational conference of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).

The marsh-like environment of the drainage ditches was a haven for waterfowl, frogs and other wildlife, and provided perfect growth conditions for pathogenic bacteria. During heavy rain and flooding, the ditches overflowed into the soil surrounding the trees, impregnating the soil with pathogens from the water.

During an on-site inspection of Agromod’s plantation and packing house, investigators from FDA recovered a full two dozen different types of Salmonella, including the Salmonella Agona outbreak strain. Salmonella-positive samples were drawn from fields where the papaya grew and from packing-house drains.

The crops at Agromod were harvested by two-person teams. One person worked at tree level, picking fruit and handing or tossing it to the other person below. The second person laid each papaya onto a piece of poly foam on the unprotected soil. The foam was wrapped around the fruit, which was loaded into foam-lined bins for transport to the packing house.

It was common practice at Agromod for the sheets of poly foam to be reused for up to 15 days before being discarded, helping to spread contamination from the fields to the fruit, packing house and back again.

Photo illustration

Once in the packing house, the fruit was washed in large vats of water. The level of chlorine in the wash water was not properly monitored or controlled, allowing Salmonella to spread throughout an entire batch of papayas.

The wash water was discharged into the drainage ditch system, returning Salmonella to the fields in a vicious cycle of contamination.

Import Alert
In response to the extent of Salmonella contamination brought to light during the investigation of the 2011 outbreak, FDA instituted Import Alert #21-17, “Countrywide Detention Without Physical Examination Of Papaya From Mexico.” Firms that provided documentation of five consecutive Salmonella-negative commercial shipments qualified for an exemption from the automatic detention at the U.S. border.

Concurrent with FDA’s initiation of the Import Alert, Mexico’s Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (National Service for Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality) (SENASICA ) unveiled a plan to assist that country’s papaya growers, packers and shippers in addressing the issues of safe growing and handling of the fruit.

History repeats
Notwithstanding the efforts of multiple agencies in both countries, the United States is once again in the throes of an outbreak of Salmonella that is associated with consumption of fresh, whole papayas imported from Mexico.

To view a larger version of the map on the CDC’s website, please click on the image.

As of Aug. 18 when the CDC posted it’s most recent outbreak update, 173 people had been confirmed sick across 21 states, with 58 hospitalizations, and one death on New York City. The CDC warns that the number of confirmed illnesses is likely to increase.

Thus far FDA has identified one farm in connection with the contaminated papaya. That farm, Carica de Campeche, has been supplying papayas to the U.S. market under an Import Alert exemption since 2015.

According to a spokesperson from FDA, at present there are no specific ongoing testing or inspection requirements that a producer must meet in order to maintain an exemption from automatic detention, although a firm is expected to “… continue to provide the commodity in a wholesome manner and follow all the regulatory requirements of FDA.”

The FDA revoked the exemption granted to Carica de Campeche under Import Alert 21-17 on Aug. 7.

This article first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Recalls and Alerts: August 10 – 16, 2017

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 reports that the number of reported Salmonella infections linked to Maradol Papayas imported from Mexico has risen to 141 illnesses in 19 states. One person has died and 45 have been hospitalized.

Allergy Alert: Missa Bay, LLC recalls CUMBERLAND FARMS CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD with ROMAINE LETTUCE, ROASTED CHICKEN, PARMESAN CHEESE, BACON, MULTIGRAIN CROUTONS & CREAMY CAESAR DRESSING (9.95 oz. plastic salad bowls; Use by August 16, 2017; Bar code 042704 034301) due to undeclared wheat. The recalled items were sold at Cumberland Farms retail locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Allergy Alert: Seven Sundays LLC recalls Vanilla Cherry Pecan Muesli (12-oz pouches; SELL BY JUNE 29 2018; UPC 8-56088-00315-6) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert: Dierbergs Markets recalls Scampi Butter (3 oz; Sell by 8/16/17, 9/6/17, and 10/9/17) due to undeclared fish, lobster, crab and shrimp, and recalls Cabernet Grille Butter (3 oz; Sell by 8/19/17, 9/10/17, and 11/3/17) due to undeclared soy and wheat. The recalled products were sold at all Dierbergs Markets retail locations in eastern and central Missouri and western Illinois.

Allergy Alert: Luvo Inc. (USA) recalls LUVO Steam in Pouch A LITTLE SPICE CHICKEN CHILE VERDE with white chicken, black beans, and polenta (10-oz retail carton; Lot code 2018JUN13A; Best before June 13, 2018) due to undeclared eggs and fish (anchovies). The recalled product was shipped to distributors in California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin for further distribution.

Allergy Alert: Litehouse Inc. recalls OPA by Litehouse Ranch (11 oz. glass bottles; Best by Oct.24.17; Lot code 13948 6/11fl LH/OPA RANCH) due to undeclared egg. The recalled product was shipped to retailers and locations nationwide.

Allergy Alert: Madhava Natural Sweeteners recalls MMM… Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix (13.8-oz box; all lots; UPC 0 78314 25105 0) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Kenosha Beef International, LTD. recalls approximately 3,960 pounds of beef patty products, as the products contain undeclared milk in the form of cheddar cheese. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Allergy Alert: Corn Maiden Foods, Inc. recalls Morrison Aussie Travelers’ Pies, Hand-Held 2 Aussie Pies Steak & Mushroom (12-oz pkgs; Sell-by  Feb. 3, 2018, Feb. 15, 2018, Feb. 16, 2018 and March 29, 2018; Lot codes 170203, 170215, 170216 and 170329) due to undeclared monosodium glutamate. The recalled products were distributed to retail locations in California.

Allergy Alert: GRAND BK CORP. recalls CALIFORNIA ALOHA MIX (14 ounce, clear plastic package; UPC 846034010048) due to undeclared almonds, walnuts and cashews. The recalled product was distributed nationwide in H Mart stores.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Salem Brothers recalls Kasih brand Sesame Butter – Creamy (350g; Expiry code 02/01/2019; UPC 6 253001 010507) and Kasih brand Halva Spread – Extra with Chocolate (350g; Expiry code 02/01/2019; UPC 6 253001 010514) due to undeclared milk. The recalled products were supplied to retailers nationwide.

Allergy Alert: T-Brothers Food And Trading Ltd. recalls Assi brand Puffed Cereal Cookies (100g; All codes; UPC 81652 09448) due to undeclared wheat. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.

Allergy Alert: Korea Food Trading Ltd. recalls Assi brand Puffed Cereal Cookies (100g; All codes; UPC 81652 09448 7) due to undeclared wheat. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

Allergy Alert: Trinity Bakeshop Ltd. recalls Trinity Bakeshop brand Cheesecake Brownies (432g; All codes; UPC 0 817251 001416) due to undeclared wheat. The recalled product was supplied to retailers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Food Safety Recall: La Barberie recalls La Barberie brand Pale Ale Lime et Framboise (500mL; Product codes 27-12-17 and 12-01-18; UPC 8 80980 00021 0) due to possible Norovirus contamination. The recalled product was supplied to hotels, restaurants, retailers and institutional customers in Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls various raspberry mousse cakes from the marketplace due to Norovirus. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to retailers in Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Maple Lodge Farms Ltd. recalls Maple Lodge Farms brand Big Original Chicken Frankfurters (450g; Product code 2017.AU.27; UPC 067714004205) and Zabiha Halal brand Big Original Chicken Frankfurters (450g; Product code 2017.AU.27; UPC 067714004236) due to the potential presence of bone fragments. The recalled products were supplied to consumers nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: Aliments A.G.M inc. recalls various products containing IQF raspberries from China, as the berries may be contaminated with Norovirus. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: South Shore Trading Co. Ltd. recalls Little Shemogue Oysters (6500 count; Harvest date 2017/07/18; Plant code 2427; Harvest area MS-0699 NB-7G) due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus contamination. The recalled oysters were supplied to hotels, restaurants, retailers and institu

Europe

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Lidl Ireland recalls certain Vemondo ready meals as the labels are not in English and do not warn of the presence of gluten, milk, celery and mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Alvestaglass AB recalls Stevia Banana Split (450 mL) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco Creamy Leek and Bacon Cooking Sauce (470g; Best before End of July 2018; Batch code 7031) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Paas Food Industries recalls various products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recalled notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Smits bvba recalls chipolata de poulet (enroulée)/coiled chicken sausage (Expiry date 10/08/2017; Lot code 20170802) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Czech Republic): Kaufland Česká recalls Katy bílá čokoláda/Katy white chocolate (100g; Expiry 01/2019; Lot code L1192) and Katy bílá čokoláda s kokosem/Katy white chocolate with coconut (100g; Expiry 04/2018; Lot code L2118) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Arla Foods Amba recalls Cheasy Scoop Vanilla (1 kg; Best before 31/08/2017; Lot code UP 17306001) due to yeast contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Eliza Chokolade recalls Princip Dessert Chocolate (18 pieces; 180g; Best before 11/02/2018) due to mold growth.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dansk Supermarked recalls Princip Risotto Rice (500g; Best before 28/9/2018; 25/10/2018; 26/10/2018; 23/11/2018 og 19/12/2018; Lot codes 27607 and 27163) due to possible infestation with rice flour beetles.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Plukon Food Group recalls various products containing chicken due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Cornish Charcuterie recalls various types of pates and rillettes because of concerns over the company’s procedures in place to control Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Paxton & Whitfield recalls Paxton & Whitfield Pots of Pork Classic Shredded Pork (All pack sizes; All batch codes; All date codes up to and including 28/01/2019) and Paxton & Whitfield Pots of Pork Shredded Pork with Sloe Gin (All pack sizes; All batch codes; All date codes up to and including 28/01/2019) because of a failure of procedures to control Clostridium botulinum. The recalled products were manufactured by Cornish Charcuterie.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Peter’s Food Service Ltd recalls various ASDA, LIDL and Peter’s brand baked meat and vegetarian pasty products because they may contain glass fragments. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Houghton Hams recalls Northamptonshire Cured Ham (140g; Use by 19 August 2018) and Northamptonshire Cured Honey Roast Ham (140g; Use by 19 August 2018) due to an incorrect ‘Use by’ date. The correct ‘Use by’ date is 19 August 2017. The affected products were sold only at Waitrose.

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.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.