Tag: Salmonella Thompson

Recalls and Alerts: November 8, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Giant Eagle recalls Spice Bars – Bakery (UPC 21972200000; All Sell by dates), due to the presence of undeclared soy.
  • Allergy Alert: Mayflower International, aka Fu Xiang Yuan Trading Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalls Fu Xiang Yuan Trading Inc. brand Lily Dry (3.5 oz/100g plastic and foil bag; UPC 6 944295 300176; Product of China), due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. The recalled product was distributed throughout the USA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express Incorporated (Charlotte, NC) recalls Fresh Express Spinach (9 oz pkg; Product code S299B25; Use by November 7), due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The recalled spinach was distributed primarily in the Western region of the USA.
  • Food Safety Recall: Nestle USA recalls Nestle NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder (40.7 oz; UPC 0 28000 68230 9; Production codes 2282574810 & 2282574820; Best before Oct 2014), Nestle NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder (21.8 oz; UPC 0 28000 68090 9; Production codes 2278574810, 2278574820, 2279574810, 2279574820, 2284574820, 2284574830, 2285574810, 2285574820, 2287574820, 2289574810 & 2289574820; Best before Oct 2014) and Nestle NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder (10.9 oz; UPC 0 28000 67990 3; Production code 2278574810; Best before Oct 2014), because the products contains calcium carbonated supplied by Omya Inc., and may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products were manufactured during early October, 2012 and distributed nationally.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: CDC reports that a total of 41 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been documented in 20 states; 63% are children under the age of 10 years. The illnesses were linked to the consumption of peanut butter manufactured by Sunland, Inc. of Portales, New Mexico. Ten of the outbreak victims were hospitalized.
  • Outbreak Alert: Food Safety News reports that unpasteurized, unlabeled apple cider may be the source of a number of E. coli infections in Antrim County, Michigan. The cider was produced at an unlicensed facility.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: Purity Life Health Products recalls Larabar Gluten Free Cashew Fruit & Nut Energy Bars (16 x 48g; Use by 30MAY2013; UPC 00021908455235) due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled bars were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Asda withdraws Asda Extra Special Syrup Sponge Puddings (300g; Best before 17 February 2013), due to the presence of undeclared soy.
  • Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Het Dischhof recalls Keiems Bloempje natuur – Petite Fleur Nature soft curd cheese (Expiry 06/12/12 (Lot 40.3 and 40.4), Expiry 13/12/12 (Lots 41.3, 41.4, 41.5) and Expiry 20/12/12 (Lots 42.2 and 42.4)), and Keiems Bloempje met kruiden – Petite Fleur aux herbes (Expiry 13/12/12; Lot 41/3), due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Netherlands): An additional 31 cases of Salmonella Thompson infections were confirmed in the last week. In total, 1,094 people have been sickened in the Netherlands after consuming smoked salmon contaminated with the outbreak strain.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Northern Ireland): The outbreak of E. coli O157 infections linked to Flicks restaurant in Cityside Mall, Belfast now comprises 137 confirmed cases and 164 probable cases.
  • Outbreak Alert (UK): Approximately 350 passengers on the Celebrity Cruise vessel Constellation were reported ill with vomiting and diarrhea, thought to be due to norovirus. The ship’s departure from Southampton was delayed to allow for extra cleaning and sanitizing, according to a BBC report.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): The Centre for Food Safety advises the public that the following two peanut butter products, which were imported into Hong Kong, were recalled by Sunland Inc. due to potential contamination with Salmonella: Sunland Organic Valencia Peanut Butter Creamy (12 oz/340g; Bar code 4868732810; Best before May 23, 2013) and Sunland Organic Valencia Peanut Butter Crunchy (12 oz/340g; Bar code 4868731810; Best before July 20, 2013). The importer has recalled all affected products, and retail outlets have stopped their sale.
  • Food Safety Recall (Singapore): AVA alerts the public that the following product was recalled by the local importer after the manufacturer initiated a recall due to E. coli contamination: B.d Farm Paris Creek Organic Biodynamic Yoghurt Apricot (200g; Best before 14/11/2012; Product of Australia).
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Department of Health advises the public not to buy or consume the slimming product Ku Xiu Ba Xiang Jian Fei Wan, as it may contain undeclared and banned drug ingredients; namely sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 12 people who developed symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui.

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 web site.

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

Recalls and Alerts: November 2, 2012

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.

For current information on retail distribution of peanut butter products recalled due to Salmonella Bredeney, please consult the Trader Joe’s/Sunland Peanut Butter Recalls tab.

For current information on retail distribution of beef products containing Canadian beef recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination please consult the Canada/USA Beef Recall tab.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Perdue Foods, LLC (Bridgewater, VA) recalls Perdue Original Chicken Breast Nuggets (3 x 12-oz tray packs bundled packages; Est P.369; Sell by Dec 16, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled products were distributed to BJ’s Club Stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bolthouse Farms recalls Bolthouse Farms® Carrot Chips (16 oz; UPC 71464 17209; Best if used by Nov 12 2012 and Nov 13, 2012; Lot codes 04T XXXX BF 212 J11 and 04T XXXX BF 212 J12, respectively), after North Carolina detected Salmonella in a sample of the product. The recalled Carrot Chips were distributed to retail customers in the USA and Canada.
  • Outbreak Alert: Food Safety News reports that at least 16 people in New York state have fallen ill with E. coli O157:H7 after eating Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach and Spring Mix. The retailer recalled 5-oz and 11-oz size containers of the spinach product on November 1st. Illnesses have been reported from four New York counties: Monroe, Niagara, Steuben and Wayne. CDC and FDA are investigating.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Nikol Poulin Inc. recalls Extra brand Bridge Mixture (250g; UPC 0 28109 01252 6), due to the presence of undeclared tree nuts, and Jalousie brand Mélange Bridge Mix (235g; UPC 0 57449 71106 6), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts. The recalled products were sold in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: La P’tite Charcuterie inc (Longueuil, QC) recalls Chorizo Sausage (sold up to and including October 17, 2012), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Food Safety Recall: Highland Packers Ltd. recalls BBQ Sized Pigs (Sold between August 14 and 18, 2012), due to the presence of chemical drug residues.
  • Food Safety Recall: Dollarama Inc. recalls Triton Sardines in Vegetable Oil (106g; Code PL 22111853; Lots L-801-2067-1, L-801-2068-2, L-801-2069-1 and L-801-2072-1; UPC 6 67888 08713 6), due to unspecified microbiological contamination. The recalled product was sold in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Olymel S.E.C./L.P. recalls Le Petit Charcutier Cooked Turkey Breast (4.4 kg; Best before 2012 OC 05, 2012 OC 12, 2012 OC 19, 2012 OC 26, 2012 NO 03, 2012 NO 09, 2012 NO 19, 2012 NO 23) and Le Petit Charcutier Smoked Turkey Breast (4.4 kg; Best before 2012 OC 05, 2012 OC 12, 2012 OC 19, 2012 OC 26, 2012 NO 04, 2012 NO 09, 2012 NO 16, 2012 NO 30), due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled products were sold in Quebec.
  • Food Safety Recall: Loblaw Companies Ltd. recalls Larabar Gluten Free Cashew Fruit & Nut Energy Bar (48g, 50g, and 16 x 48g; Use by 30MAY2013), due to microbiological spoilage. The recalled products were sold nationwide.
  • Food Safety Recall: Bolthouse Farms recalls Bolthouse Farms® Carrot Chips (Product of USA; 16 oz; UPC 71464 17209; Best if used by Nov 12 2012 and Nov 13, 2012; Lot codes 04T XXXX BF 212 J11 and 04T XXXX BF 212 J12, respectively), after North Carolina detected Salmonella in a sample of the product. The recalled Carrot Chips may have been distributed across Canada.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Finland): HOK-Elanto recalls Halloween donuts, due to the presence of undeclared egg and, possible traces of undeclared hazelnut.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls Asda 14 Caramel Bites (280g pack; Best before 14 September 2013; Batch No. L523732), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Danish Supermarket recalls Budget brand Chocolate Mousse (2 x 70g cups; Best before 6 November, 13 November and 19 November; Produced by Limelco in Belgium), due to mold contamination in some cups.
  • Food Safety Recall (Italy): Life S.R.L. recalls Raw Pistachios (Lot L 219.12; Expiry 30/10/2013), due to the presence of aflatoxin B1 above the acceptable limit.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Netherlands): Another 37 people have been confirmed to be infected with Salmonella Thompson, bringing the total number of illnesses linked to the consumption of contaminated smoked salmon to 1,063 since the outbreak began. The death toll has risen to four.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Philippines): Asia Pacific News reports that Philippine authorities have ordered the recall of six brands of South Korean noodles made by Nongshim Co. after they were reported to contain benzopyrene, a carcinogen.
  • Food Safety Recall (Taiwan): The China Post reports that King-Town Co. has recalled all packaged rice products from the first harvest of the year – some 500 metric tons – after tests showed that some of the rice products contained excessive levels of pesticide residues.
  • Food Safety Recall (Countries unknown): Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd. recalls Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (500g & 1 kg vacuum plastic packed; Use by dates between 31 October 2012 and 10 November 2012), Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (net bag packed; 1Kg & 2 Kg; Use by dates between 29 Octoer 2012 to 6 November 2012), Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (Bulk-packed for loose sale, 10 Kg and 15 Kg; Packed on dates between 22 October 2012 and 31 October 2012) and Coles Cooked Tasmanian Mussels with Cream White Wine (500g; Use by 12 November 2012), due to the presence of the naturally occurring marine toxin known as paralytic shellfish toxin (PST). The recalled mussels were sold at retail outlets, including Coles in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and ACT, and were exported to some Asian countries.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd. recalls Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (500g & 1 kg vacuum plastic packed; Use by dates between 31 October 2012 and 10 November 2012), Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (net bag packed; 1Kg & 2 Kg; Use by dates between 29 Octoer 2012 to 6 November 2012), Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (Bulk-packed for loose sale, 10 Kg and 15 Kg; Packed on dates between 22 October 2012 and 31 October 2012) and Coles Cooked Tasmanian Mussels with Cream White Wine (500g; Use by 12 November 2012), due to the presence of the naturally occurring marine toxin known as paralytic shellfish toxin (PST). The recalled mussels were sold at retail outlets, including Coles in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and ACT, and were exported to some Asian countries.

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 web site.

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

More Than 1,000 Ill in Dutch Salmonella Outbreak

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) reported today that 1,026 people are now confirmed to have been infected with Salmonella Thompson, in an outbreak of salmonellosis that has been linked to contaminated smoked salmon. This represents an increase of 76 cases in the past week.

RIVM notes that the number of new patients is significantly lower than the week before, suggesting that this major outbreak is finally waning.

According to a report in today’s issue of Eurosurveillance, Dutch authorities first became aware of the outbreak on August 2nd, when RIVM staff noticed an increase in the number of Salmonella Thompson cases. This particular Salmonella normally causes only four illnesses annually in the Netherlands.

The index patient developed symptoms of salmonellosis on June 20th. A few more scattered illnesses occurred over the next several weeks; however, the number of illnesses spiked noticeably only in early August. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the confirmed outbreak victims were female, and 36% were hospitalized. The median age of case-patients was 44 years (range of 0 – 95 years).

While the official case total stands at 1,076, the true number of cases is undoubtedly far higher. RIVM advises that Salmonella is NOT a notifiable disease in the Netherlands. There is no requirement that doctors, hospitals or laboratories report Salmonella infections to  the authorities.

The outbreak was first linked to consumption of smoked salmon as a result of questionnaires administered to patients and to a cohort of healthy individuals (matched to the victims by age, gender and municipality), either by telephone or in person. The results of the questionnaires pointed to consumption of smoked fish – especially smoked salmon. Victims also were more likely to have consumed raw salads and also identified several supermarkets more often than did the healthy control individuals.

Traceback investigations carried out by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (nVWA), which focussed on smoked salmon and on the highlighted supermarkets, determined that all of the identified supermarkets purchased at least some of their smoked salmon from the same producer –Foppen Paling en Zalm. Lab tests confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain in four of nine batches of smoked salmon from this producer.

A recall of smoked salmon was announced on the nVWA website on September 28th, and expanded a few days later to include a number of additional items – such as salads – that contained the recalled smoked salmon.

The implicated salmon originated in Norway, according to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), and was shipped to a Foppen production plant in Greece for processing before traveling in a northwesterly direction to the Netherlands. The smoked salmon was distributed in Belgium, Canada, Curacao, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the USA. Nevertheless, the Netherlands remains the only EU country to have noted an increased incidence of Salmonella Thompson infections.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been investigating a spike in salmonellosis due to this outbreak strain but, as of a few days ago, has not been able to establish a link between the illnesses and the consumption of smoked salmon – or of any other specific food item. This particular strain of Salmonella Thompson is not uncommon in the United States, making determination of a single outbreak source problematic.

For a complete list of recalled smoked salmon products, please consult my earlier post, “Smoked Salmon and Salmonella Thompson – Update #3.“