Monthly Archives: February 2016

CDC 

Highlights

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

The FDA has listed salad products that have been recalled in the ongoing Dole prepackaged salad Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. This list of salads is not necessarily complete. Consumers need to know that any salads that have a manufacturing code beginning with the letter “A” were produced at the Dole plant in Ohio and have been recalled.

The types of salad blends produced at the Springfield Ohio plane include American salads, arugula salads, Asian salads, bacon and bleu cheese salads, BBQ Ranch salads, Caesar salads, chipotle and cheddar salads, coleslaw, field green salads, and garden salads. They also include iceberg salads, Italian blend salads, kale salads, lettuce salads, Mediterranean salads, romaine salads, sesame ginger salads, Southwest salads, spinach salads, spring mix salads, spinach salads, sunflower salads, and vegetable blend salads.

FDA 

Braga Organic Farms announces the voluntary recall of pistachios due to potential contamination with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

The recalled nuts were distributed in retail stores in California, Oregon and Washington, and it was distributed through online sales nationwide.

The product comes in a clear or green standup bag, with the date code stamped on the bottom of the bag.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in a one-pound package of raw pistachio kernels purchased online.

A list of affected products and code dates is listed below; no other Braga Organic Farms products are associated with this voluntary recall.

Consumers who have purchased this recalled product should not consume it. They should destroy it or return it to the point of purchase. Consumers with questions should call 855-661-2101, 8:15 am – 4:30 pm, PST, Monday through Friday.

FSA

As a precautionary measure, Lytham Foods is recalling Taylors of Lytham Chicken Tikka Sandwiches due to the possible presence of Salmonella in the tikka powder ingredient used to manufacture this product. The supplier of the tikka powder, Catermix, has also manufactured this ingredient in unhygienic conditions and failed to comply with the food hygiene regulations.

Product: Taylors of Lytham Chicken Tikka Sandwiches’Use by’ dates: All date codes up to and including 18 February 2016

Barf Blog

Over 100 students from Naivasha Girls Secondary School were over the weekend treated for stomach ache and diarrhoea.

The students developed complications due to what was suspected to be a case of food poisoning. Majority of them were taken to Naivasha Hospital while others were treated on the school compound. Medical officers, however, could not ascertain whether it was a case of of food poisoning or not but alluded that the incident had an element of hysteria.

Plymouth Herald

A batch of longlife chicken tikka sandwiches and wraps have been removed from the shelves because they may contain food poisoning Salmonella.

Preston-based Easy Eats UK Ltd ordered a recall because they believe the tikka powder ingredient could be contaminated with the bacteria.

The food manufacturer produces the Chicken Tikka sandwiches under the Snacksters, Snax on the Go and Best In brans selling from £1.29 in many major supermarkets and convenience stores.

It has also recalled its 1kg sandwich filling and filler packs for the catering industry.

Consumers were warned not to eat any of the sandwiches or wraps they have bought and food businesses not to use the catering packs.

FSA Recall

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Garden of Life meal replacement shake mixes have been identified as the source of a seven-state Salmonella Virchow outbreak, according to the Minnesota Department of Health Announced yesterday. At least eight people have been sickened.

Because many cases of Salmonella infection are not reported, the number is likely to be much higher.  Minnesota health officials said they wanted to “bring this outbreak to the attention of people who have become ill with symptoms of salmonellosis but who have not yet consulted a health care provider. These people should mention this outbreak to their health care provider should they consult one.”

In Minnesota, where between 700 and 900 cases of salmonellosis are reported annually, two cases  have been reported since Monday, January 11. One case was a child and one was an adult in his 30s. Neither required hospitalization and both have recovered.

CFIA

A&E Distribution Inc. is recalling Fjord Laks brand Gravlax marinated salmon from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

The following product has been sold in Quebec.

FDA

Garden of Life LLC is voluntarily withdrawing a limited quantity of its Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Chocolate, Original, Vanilla and Vanilla Chai because they have the potential to contain Salmonella Virchow. Even though Garden of Life routinely performs pathogen testing on every finished good lot to ensure safety and no product has ever tested positive for the presence of Salmonella, the company felt it was in the publics best interest to take this voluntary action. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. FDA is investigating illnesses.

Every lot tested negative for the presence of Salmonella prior to release to the market. Raw Meal products are distributed throughout the United States and sold at better health food stores and natural grocers.

Consumers who believe they may have a Raw Meal product affected by this recall, should look for the following lot codes prominently stamped on the underside of the plastic container. The following is the list of lots affected:

“In an overabundance of caution we are taking this extreme measure because we want to ensure that you never have to wonder about the purity of any Raw Meal product.” said Brian Ray, President of Garden of Life.

Any Raw Meal product from a lot code not listed above is entirely safe and not affected by this recall. All Garden of Life, LLC’s products are manufactured in the United States at FDA and NSF audited facilities, in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices. No Garden of Life product has ever tested positive for salmonella.

If, however, a consumer has purchased a product from any of the lot codes listed above and wishes to return it, they should return the unused portion of the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be directed to the company at 1-866-465-0051, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST.