Recalls and Alerts: July 23 – 25, 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.

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE: CDC reports 212 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport infections in 23 states, with 31 people hospitalized. CDC has not yet identified a particular food, retailer or restaurant chain associated with the outbreak.

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE: CDC reports 641 confirmed cases of Cyclospora infections in 11 states, with 37 hospitalizations. The outbreak has been linked to consumption of bagged salad mixes produced at the Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, IL and sold under several different brand names. FDA’s traceback investigation is continuing.

Allergy Alert: UpSpring LLC recalls UpSpring Baby Iron + Immunity dietary supplement (60 ml dark brown glass bottles; Lot #06691; Expiry March 2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Wellements LLC recalls Iron Drops liquid Dietary Supplement (1oz/30ml bottle; Lot 18491 BB 1/2021, Lot 10592 BB 10/2020, Sample Lot 10592 BB 10/2020) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market recalls Chantilly Key Lime Tartlets (PLU 268564; product sell-by date through July 26, 2020; Available in WFM stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alerts: Whole Foods Market recalls Kouign-amann pastries (PLU 267394; sell through date of July 27, 2020; Available in WFM stores in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Utah) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: Coco’s Italian Market recalls approximately 16,868 pounds of various ready-to-eat frozen meat products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

OUTBREAK ALERT: The Public Health Agency of Canada reports 59 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport infections in 5 provinces, with 6 persons hospitalized. This outbreak is linked to the US outbreak posted above. PHAC has not yet identified a common source for the infections.

Europe

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour Le Marché brand Terrine de saumon à l’aneth / salmon terrine with dill (150g; Lot #2028301; Best before 24/07/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Matfugl ehf recalls Ali and Bónus chicken (Batch #215-20-25-1-01; Expiry dates 28.07.20 – 30.07.20) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Cora recalls Saupiquet brand Moules à l’escabèche / mussels (110g; Best before 08/08/2021) due to foreign matter (metal pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Lidl Sverige recalls Svea Lantkött brand Färskkorv Kielbasa (320g; 2020-07-18) due to Salmonella contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK ALERT (NEW ZEALAND): New Zealand Food Safety is working with Toi Te Ora Public Health to identify the source of Listeria for the three cases of listeriosis in Tauranga. There is no evidence so far linking the cases to the cheese recalls listed below.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Speirs Foods (2018) LP recalls The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot (125g; Use by dates between and including 24JUL20 and 02AUG20) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the feta cheese.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd recalls Pams brand Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette (295g; Use by dates between and including 09JUL20 and 25JUL20; Best before dates between and including 25/07/20 and 02/08/20) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the feta cheese.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): LeaderBrand Produce Limited recalls LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad (260g; Best before up to and including 04/08/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the feta cheese.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Talbot Forest Cheese recalls various brands and varieties of cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Goodman Fielder recalls various brands and varieties of cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Recalls and Alerts: July 19 – 22, 2020

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC reports 125 confirmed infections due to Salmonella Newport in 15 states across the US, with 24 hospitalizations. The source of this outbreak is unknown at this time.

Allergy Alert: Giant Eagle, Inc. recalls Giant Eagle Dried Island Fruit Mix (Best by January 15, 2021; UPC 3003491435) due to undeclared peanut, almond, milk and soy.

Food Safety Recall: Hostess Brands, LLC recalls certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® due to the potential for mold growth. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Food Safety Recall (France): Maison Milhau recalls Maison Milhau brand Saucisse sèche de foie / Dry liver sausage (250g; Lot #177007; Best before 11/09/2020 & 18/09/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Union Hall Smoked Fish recalls Union Hall Smoked Fish Smoked Salmon Pâté (100g; Use by 05.08.2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): The Mille-feuille (Kremshnit) Confectioner Ltd. recalls Parve Mille-feuille (500g; Best before 28/10/20 up to and including 4/11/20) and Dairy Chocolate Balls (300g; Best before 28/10/20 up to and including 4/11/20) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert Update (Australia): Jesmon Pty Ltd recalls various Cesare Cimino Handmade Biscuits due to undeclared milk and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Australia): KFBW PTY LTD recalls OKF Brand Rice Milk (500ml; EXP 26 JUL 2021 and 29 AUG 2021) and OKF Brand Rice Milk (1.5 Litre; EXP 15 APR 2021 and 06 AUG 2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert Update (Australia): Pana Organic recalls Pana Organic Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread (200g; Best before 05/02/2021 & 24/04/2021) due to undeclared cashews and pistachio nuts.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Markwell Foods recalls Shore Mariner Seafood Sticks (1kg; All best before dates up to and including JUN 2022) due to undeclared egg and soy.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Markwell Foods New Zealand Ltd recalls various Shore Mariner brand and Sea Breeze brand frozen seafood products due to undeclared egg and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall Update (Australia): Tasmanian Food Co Dairy recalls The Tasmanian Food Co Chilli Cheddar Cheese (150g; Best Before 18/08/2020, 25/08/2020, 25/11/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Mediterranean Foods (Wgtn) Limited recalls Mamma Lucia brand Halloumi Cheese (180g; Batch #20139; Use by 14 11 20; Product of Australia) due to E. coli contamination.

Feds urge consumers to nix pig ear dog treats

FDA AND CDC ARE ADVISING THAT CONSUMERS AVOID ALL PIG EAR PET TREATS, AND THAT RETAILERS STOP SELLING ALL PIG EAR TREATS AT THIS TIME.

THE OUTBREAK

Pig ear dog treats are behind a multi-strain outbreak of Salmonella infections that has sickened 127 people in 33 states, according to the latest update from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Twenty-four (21%) of the illnesses are in children under the age of five.

Fifty-five (45%) of the victims are female.

Twenty-six (26) of the victims have been admitted to hospital. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 16, 2015 to July 6, 2019. Outbreak victims range in age from less than 1 year to 90 years, with a median age of 40 years.

Illnesses have been reported to CDC from Alabama (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Colorado (3), Connecticut (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Hawaii (1), Illinois (7), Indiana (5), Iowa (23), Kansas (3), Kentucky (6), Louisiana (1), Maine (1), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (12), Minnesota (1), Missouri (6), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (15), North Carolina (2), North Dakota (1), Ohio (5), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (6), South Carolina (2), Texas (2), Utah (1), Washington (1), Wisconsin (4).

To date, CDC has identified four different Salmonella serotypes as contributing to the outbreak: Salmonella enterica serotypes I 4,[5],12:i:-, Infantis, London, and Newport.

Based on epidemiology, lab results, and traceback investigations, pig ear dog treats appear to be the source of the outbreak.

In addition to the Salmonella serotypes already identified in the outbreak, testing carried out by Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and the FDA found Salmonella Panama, Salmonella Brandenburg, Salmonella Anatum, and Salmonella Livingstone in treat samples purchased from retailers.

CDC is reviewing its databases to determine whether any of the additional strains have been associated with reports of human illness.

Illnesses were linked to contaminated pig ear dog treats were imported from Argentina and Brazil, according to traceback investigations carried out by FDA. However, these two sources do not account for all of the 127 reported infections.

In addition to the existing Import Alert 72-03 on pig ear pet treats, FDA is increasing its scrutiny of pig ears imported into the United States through sampling and examination.

THE RECALLS

On July 3rd, Pet Supplies Plus recalled bulk pig ears stocked in open bins from its stores in 33 states.

On July 26th, Lennox Intl. Inc. recalled Natural Pig ears that were shipped to to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from May 1st, to July 3rd, 2019.

On July 30th, Lennox expanded its recall to include packages of Premium Natural Pig Ears shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from November 1st 2018, to July 3rd, 2019.

More products may be recalled and more suppliers identified as testing continues.

FDA STATEMENT

“The FDA takes seriously our responsibility to protect both human and animal health,” said Steven M. Solomon, D.V.M., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Multiple products have tested positive for numerous types of Salmonella resulting in two company recalls to date. Given this and the links to human illness, we believe the most effective way to protect public health at this time is to warn consumers to avoid purchasing or feeding their pets all pig ear treats and for retailers not to sell these products. We also continue to advise those who may have come into contact with potentially contaminated products to practice safe hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands and disinfecting any surfaces that have touched pig ear pet treats. The FDA will provide additional updates as our investigation further progresses.”

ADVICE FOR PET OWNERS

Do not feed any pig ear treats to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
Even if some of the pig ears were fed to your dog and no one got sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog.
Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held any pig ear dog treats with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wash your hands after handling any of these items.
People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonellamay do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network) if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.
FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. This information helps FDA further protect human and animal health.