McCain company officials ignored signs of Salmonella, Listeria contamination

This article by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

For more than 2 1/2 years, management at the Colton, California facility of McCain Foods USA ignored positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, apparently choosing to ship the potentially contaminated vegetable and fruit products without conducting confirmation tests.

This pattern of behavior was discovered during an internal audit at the manufacturing location, according to information in the FDA’s Weekly Enforcement Report released yesterday.

“During an internal audit at the manufacturing location, it was discovered that finished product had been released on numerous occasions after receiving presumptive positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella; confirmation was not conducted,” according to the FDA report.

Testing for pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella involves multiple stages. The “presumptive positive” first stage indicates the possibility that a food sample may contain the pathogen. A second, confirming stage to identify the microbe is standard laboratory operating procedure.

McCain’s Colton manufacturing facility was most recently inspected by the Food and Drug Administration in January, according to information in the agency’s on-line inspection database. That inspection resulted in a classification of “Voluntary Action Indicated,” suggesting that FDA investigators recorded one or more “Inspectional Observations” requiring correction. Food Safety News has requested, but has not yet received, a copy of the Establishment Inspection Report.

On Oct. 13 McCain recalled all products it shipped on or after Jan. 1, 2016, from its Colton, CA, facility. The recalled products were distributed in the United States, Canada, China, Korea and Mexico. The recalls were classified as Class II under FDA’s three-class system. Products that might cause a temporary health problem, or pose only a slight threat of a serious nature are considered to be Class II.

McCain Foods is a privately owned, multinational company with its main offices in Ontario, Canada. It has many business customers, including other food companies, retailers, restaurants and institutional foodservice operations such as school districts. Recalls by retailers that used McCain ingredients in their branded products include WalMart, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and 7-Eleven.

To date, no confirmed illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products. However, it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop.

McCain’s voluntary recall included the following 63 different products, packaged and sold under multiple brand names, which are indicated in parentheses.

Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Red Peppers; Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/4″ Diced Red Jalapenos; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Sautéed 3/8″ Diced Onions; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Corn and Black Bean Blend: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages (Jon-Lin, NatureSmart and Chef Sensations)
Caramelized Onion Strips: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Julienne Strips: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Thin Sliced Portobello Mushrooms: Sold in 2 lb. packages (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Caramelized 3/8″ Diced Onions: Sold in 25 lb. packages (Jon-Lin)
Roasted Vegetable Blend: Sold in 2 lb. packages (GFGB)
Fire Roasted Half Moon Green Zucchini : Sold in 25 lb. and 1,200 lb. packaging (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted Super Sweet Corn: Sold in 20 lb. (Chef Sensations)
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips: Sold in 20 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Smokehouse Roasted 5/8″ Diced Apples: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/2″ Diced Onions: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Green Peppers: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Yellow Peppers: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Onion/Pepper Strip Blend: Sold in 20 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted 1/4″ Diced Red Peppers: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Sautéed 1/4” Diced Onions: Sold in 25 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Rubio’s Vegetable Blend: Sold in 2 lb. (Chef Sensations)
Fire-Roasted Onion Strips: Sold in 20 lb. (Jon-Lin)
Sautéed Mushrooms: Sold in 500g (no brand name)
Fire-Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions Sold in 14 oz. package. (Trader Joe’s and unbranded)
Sautéed Organic Onion Strips: Sold in 25 lb containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Jalapeno Poblano Onion Blend; Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. containers. (Jon-Lin)
Dark Caramelized 3/8″ Diced Sweet Onions; Sold in 20 lb. containers. (Jon-Lin)
Caramelized 1/4″ Diced Onions; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Homestyle Julienne Tri-Colored Pepper Strips; Sold in 20 lb. containers. (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Poblano Chiles: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/2″ Diced Onions: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Sautéed 3/8” Diced Organic Onions: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Green Zucchini ; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Cauliflower Florets ; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Tomatoes; Sold in 25 lb. containers. (Jon-Lin)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Onion/Pepper Blend; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Sautéed Julienne Onion Strips With Canola Caramel; Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Pizza Kitchen Cut Medley; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Pepper and Onion Blend; Sold in 300 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 3/8″ Diced Organic Onions; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted 1/4″ Diced Poblanos; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Poblano Strips; Sold in 20 lb. containers. (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted Red Onion Sticks; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Caramelized Mushroom Slices; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Rubio’s Elote Corn Blend; Sold in 2 lb. containers (Chef Sensations)
Fire-Roasted Pineapple Tidbits; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/2″ Diced Tomatillos; Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Rubio’s Fresno Chili ; Sold in 2 lb. containers (Chef Sensation)
Fire Roasted Green Pepper Strips ; Sold in 2 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Green Jalapeno Slices; Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted Yellow Pepper Strips; Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Corn & Black Bean Blend; Sold in 2 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire-Roasted Red Onion & Pepper Blend: Sold in 2 lb. containers (Hot Stuff Foods)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Button Mushrooms: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Sautéed Green Pepper Strips: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Home-Style Red Pepper Strips: Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Home-Style Green Pepper Strips: Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Home-Style Yellow Pepper Strips: Sold in 20 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/4″ Diced Jalapenos: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin and NatureSmart)
Fire Roasted 1/2″ Diced Eggplant: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Red Jalapeno Slices: Sold in 2 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Red Jalapeno Slices: Sold in 2 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted 1/2″ Diced Red Onions: Sold in 25 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)
Fire-Roasted Organic Super Sweet Corn: Sold in 1,500 lb. containers (Jon-Lin)

For more information on the recalls, see McCain’s contaminated vegetables trigger massive food recalls – Updated 10/23/18

Recalls and Alerts: November 1 – 2, 2018

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: Frito-Lay recalls 16 count Smartfood Delight Variety Pack Sack (1/2 oz; “use by” dates of 4 DEC 2018 OR 18 DEC 2018) and 16 count Crunch & Pop Mix Variety Pack Sack (“use by” dates of 18 DEC 2018 OR 1 JAN 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Barcelona Nut Company recalls Barcelona Nut Company brand roasted and salted in shell pistachios (various package sizes, UPCs and expiration dates) due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed in Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, California, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, and Georgia through retail stores and direct delivery.

Food Safety Recall: Les Aliments O Sole Mio, Inc recalls approximately 3,880 pounds of chicken tortellini products that were produced without the benefit of inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and imported into the United States. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to warehouse locations in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Food Safety Recall: Procesadora La Hacienda, Inc. recalls approximately 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) corned beef products due to foreign matter (metal and soft plastic) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which wereshipped to institutions in Puerto Rico.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Boucherie et délices Rive-Sud recalls various sausage products due to undeclared sesame, mustard, egg, milk, sulfites, soy, wheat, and gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.=

Food Safety Recall: Europe Déli recalls smoked mackerel (sold up to and including October 31, 2018) because the product may not be safe for human consumption unless it has been kept frozen.

Food Safety Recall: Marché Balkan, Balkani Laval, and St-Petersburg import-export recall smoked mackerel (sold up to and including October 31, 2018) because the product may not be safe for human consumption unless it has been kept frozen.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Sofina Foods Inc. recalls Janes brand Pub Style Chicken Strips – Uncooked Breaded Chicken Cutlettes (800g; Outer package: 2019 MA 11, Inner package: 1318M; UPC 0 69299 12489 7) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product has been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella infections under investigation by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Food Safety Recall: Canada Herb recalls Canada Herb brand culantro (Ngò Gai) (variable weight; all packages sold up to and including October 31, 2018) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Germany): S-Cocktail GmbH recalls Shatler’s Havanna Juicer (expiration date 08.2019) due to undeclared almond.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Tesco recalls Tesco Pea and Spinach Dip (182g; ‘use-by’ dates: 01.11.2018, 03.11.2018, 05.11.2018, 06.11.2018 & 07.11.2018) and Tesco Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Soup (182g; ‘use-by’ dates: 02.11.2018, 04.11.2018, 06.11.2018 & 08.11.2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): SuperValu recalls SuperValu Organic King Prawns (90g; All ‘use by’ dates) due to undeclared sulfites and sulfur dioxide.

Allergy Alert (UK): Tesco recalls Tesco Pea and Spinach Dip (182g; Use by 01 November 2018, 03 November 2018, 05 November 2018, 06 November 2018, 07 November 2018) and Tesco Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Dip (182g; Use by 02 November 2018, 04 November 2018, 06 November 2018, 08 November 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Spartan Protein recalls Peanut Butter & Cacao Flapjack, Peanut Butter & Honey Flapjack, Total Recovery and Pure Whey protein (All batch sizes and dates) due to undeclared milk, peanuts and wheat (gluten).

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Martin Amberger Kartoffelverarbeitung Dolli-Werk GmbH & Co. KG recalls various potato products due to possible foreign matter contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Hermon Bagels Ltd recalls Hermon Bagels brand bagel crisps (all batches; all flavors) due to undeclared gluten and sesame.

Recalls and Alerts: October 29 – 31, 2018

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: Maribel’s Sweets Inc. recalls various chocolate bars due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp. recalls Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches (Best before FEB 09 2019 &
FEB 14 2019; Julian date codes 20027230003106 & 20027235003115; UPC 0 4149815117 1) due to possible contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were distributed to Aldi retail stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia, and through Instacart in the Atlanta area.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Loblaw Companies Limited recalls President’s Choice brand Too Good To Be Wings Butter Chicken (800g; Best before 2018 DE 23 and 2019 FE 18; UPC 0 60383 13379 5) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: Pâtisserie-charcuterie Européen Vatra recalls Smoked salmon and Smoked mackerel (all items sold up to October 30, 2018) as the products may not be safe for human consumption.

Food Safety Recall: Cina délices recalls various herring products as they may not be safe for human consumption. Please refer to the recall notice for a detailed list of recalled products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Italy): GRAN BON Srl recalls The Italian Gringo Lo spuntino del Mandriano – Le bruschette al gusto speck e pepe (150g; Lots L167, L168, L169; Best before 15/07/19) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Italy): P.A.P. srl recalls The Italian Gringo Gli Speroni – Tarallini al grano saraceno (500g; Lots 25318, 25418, 25518, 25618; Best before 10/09/19, 11/09/19, 12/09/19, 13/09/19) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Fieret vishandel Oostburg B.v. recalls Tuna salad (175 gram; Best before 02-11-2018; Lot code 02-11-2018) due to undeclared wheat.

Allergy Alert (UK): Greco Brothers Ltd recalls Greco Brothers 20 Choc Wafers (All batch codes; All Best Before dates up to October 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose Sweet Potato Fries (300g; Use by 3 November 2018) due to undeclared wheat (gluten) and soy.)

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): L’abattoir de volailles Lammens recalls Okay brand Burgers tziganes de poulet (Lot #10789; Best before 01/11/2018) and Okay brand boulettes de volaille (Lot #10776; Best before 01/11/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché recalls Montagne Noire brand Saucisse sèche courbe au fromage de brebis basque (225g; Best before 23/12/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Die Franco Fresco GmbH recalls Gustavo Gusto I like Pizza Prosciutto (450g; Best before 13.05.2019; Lot #288) due to foreign matter (plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Natsu Foods GmbH & Co. KG recalls various sushi products due to foreign matter (pieces of hard, black plastic) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): DEEN Supermarkets recalls various meat products due to possible Listeria contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Great Southern Truffles is recalls Great Southern Truffle Aioli Mayonnaise (100g; Best Before 22 Feb 19, 05 Apr 19, 20 Jun 19) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Park Avenue Foods recalls My Little Pony and Avengers Giant Pops (180g; Best Before 01/07/2020) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.