Recalls and Alerts: December 27 – 31, 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

Allergy Alert: J&J Distributing recalls approximately 136 pounds of ready-to-eat salad products that contain meat due to undeclared pine nuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Dianne’s Fine Desserts recalls Sienna Turtle Brownie (Lot code 19198; Item #8495241115) due to undeclared peanuts.

Food Safety Recall: Veggie Noodle Co., LLC recalls Cece’s® Veggie Co. brand Fresh Veggie Ramen with Chicken Broth (11.5 oz; All expiration dates; UPC 5228700653) because the separately packaged egg (branded Peckish) that is included in the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall: Meijer recalls Diced Eggs, Frozen (5 lb; UPC 79379900993; Sold at salad bars between Oct. 25, 2019 and Dec. 23, 2019 at two stores in Grand Rapids, MI) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

OUTBREAK ALERT / Food Safety Recall: Sprouts Unlimited recalls Clover Sprouts (4-oz pkgs; 7 32684 00013 6) after the sprouts were linked to a cluster of E. coli O103 illnesses in Iowa.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Farm Boy Inc. recalls Farm Boy White Bean & Smoked Chorizo Soup (680 mL; Product code DEDEC24; UPC 8 08912 01791 4) due to undeclared clam.

Allergy Alert: Farm Boy Inc. recalls Farm Boy Coconut Curry Lentil Soup (946 mL; Product code 20JA04; UPC 8 08912 00563 8) and Farm Boy Leek & Potato Soup (946 mL; Product code 20JA03; UPC 8 08912 00261 3) due to undeclared milk and wheat, respectively.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Imperial Meat Products recalls Aoste Bistro Patron dry sausage (230g; Lot #541076; Best before 16/03/2020) due to undeclared nuts.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Amanda Seafood A / S recalls Bornholm Lobster Soup (375g; Best before 21 / 6-2022, 2 / 10-2022, 3 / 10-2022, 7 / 10-2022, 26 / 11-2022, 27 / 11-2022 and 28 / 11-2022) due to undeclared lobster and milk.

Allergy Alert (France): Industry recalls PÈRE DODU brand Canette semi-désossée farce forestière / partly deboned stuffed duckling (1.5kg; Lots 35291620 & 35391620; Best before 29/12/2019, 30/12/2019, 31/12/2019) due to undeclared wheat, milk and egg).

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Sprossenparadies GmbH recalls various organic sprouts due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Lidl Danmark K/S recalls Milbona French white mold cheese (100g; Lot #L29 513; Best before 19.01.2020 & 20.01.2020; Manufactured by JERMI KÄSEWERK GmbH) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Casino recalls Casino brand Terrine de Campagne – Mousse de Canard (2 x 50g; Lot #354; Best before 24/01/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls Madrange brand Mousse de canard au Porto (2 x 50g; Lot #354; Best before 26 JAN) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls FRANPRIX brand Capsules café expresso (16 capsules; 104g; Best before 23/07/2021 to 07/11/2021) and FRANPRIX Capsules café Lungo (16 capsules; 112g; Best before 23/07/2021 to 07/11/2021) due to foreign matter (plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): La Société Compagnie Madrange recalls Auchan brand Mousse de canard au Porto (2x50g; Lot 352; Best before 22 – 01 – 20) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Jermi Käsewerk GmbH recalls Meine Käserei Brie de Nangis (100g; Lots L29 513 & L29 514; Best before 19.01.2020 and 20.01.2020) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Sprossenparadies GmbH recalls various organic sprouts due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): SALUMIFICIO BERTOLETTI SRL recalls SALAME PRIMA QUALITA’ (Lot #251019; Best before 20/04/2020) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jermi Käsewerk GmbH recalls Milbona Selection Brie de Nangis raw milk cheese ((100g; Lots L29 513 & L29 514; Best before 19.01.2020 and 20.01.2020) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Goodman Fielder (NZ) Limited recalls Quality Baker brand Muffin Splits Cheese 6 Pack (Best before 03 Jan) due to foreign matter (plastic and metal) contamination.

Raw pet food producer hit with FDA Warning Letter

G & C Raw, LLC (G & C) needs to clean up its act according to a December 12, 2019 Warning Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

G & C is a manufacturer of raw pet food and is based in Versailles, Ohio.

FDA inspected the G & C manufacturing facility in April and May 2019, and found several instances of insanitary practices, potential for cross-contamination, inappropriate and uncontrolled thawing conditions for frozen ingredients, and inadequate preventative controls.

Some of the practices and deficiencies highlighted in the Warning Letter include:
1. Frozen beef hearts were set out at room temperature to thaw on April 22nd, and remained at room temperature until April 24th, when they were used in the manufacture of raw Beef Veggie and Fruit Dog Food. This extended exposure to room temperature would have allowed bacteria to proliferate in the raw beef hearts.
2. An employee wearing gloves lifted a barrelG that had been resting on the floor, grabbing the bottom of the barrel with one gloved hand. Without changing to a fresh pair of gloves, that employee then used both hands to handle the raw meat ingredients, potentially transfering contaminants from the floor to the ingredients
3. An employee was observed using a cell phone while weighing open containers of raw Beef Veggie and Fruit Dog Food. The employee continued to handle the raw dog food without changing to a fresh pair of gloves.
4. An employee used a hose connected to a processing area sink to wash down a van in the parking lot, then returned the hose to the processing area for inside use.
5. Two finished product samples collected during the inspection were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes, a human and animal pathogen. One environmental sample contained Listeria grayi and Listeria innocua, non-pathogenic species that are indicators of insanitary conditions.

In addition to the problems identified during the 2019 inspection, the Warning Letter also noted that G & C pet foods analyzed in 2018 by the Ohio Department of Agriculture were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes in one instance, and Salmonella in another.

While the contaminated products were recalled by the company, FDA considered this an indication of an ongoing problem.

The FoodBugLady weighs in

Some pet food bloggers, and many consumers, are inclined to give raw pet food manufacturers the benefit of the doubt whenever a product recall is announced or an enforcement action is undertaken against such a company by FDA.

“FDA is discriminating against raw pet food,” and “FDA is discriminating against small companies who can’t fight back,” are two rallying cries I have seen in recent years.

In my opinion and experience, this is nonsense.

Conditions such as those described in the Warning Letter issued to G & C would not be tolerated in the manufacture of human food, regardless of the size of the company. Equally, they should not be tolerated in the manufacture of pet food, regardless of whether the finished product is raw, canned, or kibble.

Insanitary practices are insanitary practices, no matter where they occur or by whom they are perpetrated. There is no excuse for sloppy handling, poor supervision of employees, or unsafe holding temperatures.

Anyone who undertakes to produce a commercial food for human or for animal use must bear full responsibility for the safety of the finished products.

Consumers should – and must – demand no less.

Recalls and Alerts: December 19 – 21, 2019

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: CDC is investigating a deadly outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia. Seven cases have been reported from five states; 4 people have been hospitalized, and one person has died. See below for a link to the Almark Foods recall notice.

Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market recalls 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cremes (Best by dates through May 1, 2020; UPC 9948247605) and 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Sandwich Cremes (Best by dates through May 9, 2020; UPC 9948247606) due to undeclared milk or coconut.

Food Safety Recall: Advance Pierre Foods recalls approximately 15,739 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef patty products due to possible foreign matter (small, green soft plastic pieces) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected product.

Food Safety Recall: Ashland Sausage Co. recalls BERKSHIRE NATURAL CASING SAUSAGE (12-oz. plastic packages containing 5 pieces; Lot code S318) due to possible foreign matter (hard, dark plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Emesa Foods recalls Premium Sesame Tahini (800g; Expiration date 2/25/2021; UPC 850005298267) due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Alli & Rose, LLC recalls approximately 21,930 pounds of Siluriformes (catfish) products that were not presented for import re-inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Montpak International Inc recalls approximately 2,804 pounds of veal and lamb products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Almark Foods recalls Hard-Boiled and Peeled Eggs in white plastic pails with white plastic lids due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE: PHAC reports 25 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses across 7 provinces linked to Fresh Express brand Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. The salad kits contain romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing area.

Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market recalls 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Crèmes (220g; All Best By dates up to and including May 1, 2020; UPC 0 99482 47605 2) and 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Sandwich Crèmes (220g; All Best By dates up to and including May 9, 2020; UPC 0 99482 47606 9) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Speers Meats & Delicatessen recalls Mealie Pudding (150-250g; All Packed On dates after 19.SE.17) due to undeclared gluten.

Food Safety Recall: La Panchita (MDC International) recalls various soups that were not processed or packaged under conditions that ensure product safety. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls mini gourmet groenteburgers / vegetarian burgers (180g; Best before 06/01/2020 & 16/01/2020) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): SoFine recalls SoFine brand SOCHICKEN STICKS (160g; Best before 30/12/2019) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Sofine Foods B.V. recalls three SoFine brand vegetarian products due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Sacla UK recalls various pesto products due to undeclared peanuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): SuperValu recalls SuperValu Fruit Cake (450g; Batch code 352; Best before 26.02.2020) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): SoFine recalls SoFine brand SoChicken Sticks (160g; Best before 14/01/2020) and SoFine brand Veggie Nuggets (160g; Lots 301219 & 030120) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Molenaartje recalls Molenaartje volkoren spelt biscuit (200g; Best before 01/12/2020) and Molenaartje volkorenbiscuit (200; Best before 01/12/2020) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): SoFine Foods BV recalls ProLaterre® Vegan Nuggets (Best before 14-01-2020) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): SoFine recalls three SoFine brand vegetarian products due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Sacla’ recalls various pesto products due to undeclared peanuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Industry recalls Baltique saumon fumé and Traiteur saumon fumé (200g; Best before 21/12/2019, 22/12/2019, 25/12/2019, 26/12/2019, 27/12/2019, 28/12/2019, 29/12/2019, 31/12/2019 & 02/01/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleischerei Blässe recalls various sausage products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): MACELLERIA PERUCCHETTI GIUSEPPE & C SNC recalls SALAME (400/500g; Lot #B03-10-19) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Oudwijker Kaas recalls certain batches of Oudwijker Fiore cheese and Oudwijker Stella cheese due to Listeria contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Classic Fine Foods (Hong Kong) Limited recalls Saumon Fume Ecosse T. Main Ficelle (1.8kg; Best before December 31, 2019; Product of France) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): David Jones Pty Limited recalls David Jones Almond Roughs (Best before 9th June 2020) due to undeclared peanuts and David Jones Peanut Caramel Clusters (Best before 9th June 2020) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Babilhara Lebanese Pastries and Sweets recalls Baklava and Pistachio Baklava (250g; Best before 16/10/2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Coal River Farm Investments Pty Ltd recalls various chocolates (All products, all November/December Batches – dates up to 15 Dec 2019) due to undeclared milk and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.