Monthly Archives: February 2017

Food Safety News 

More than 90,000 people received the first shot of a two-injection Hepatitis A vaccination in the second half of 2016, and that means more than 90,000 follow-up injections are coming due in the Aloha State.

More than two-and-a-half times as many people in Hawaii took Hepatitis A vaccinations this past year compared with 2015, mainly because of an outbreak traced to contaminated frozen scallops that sickened 292 people. Two outbreak victims died.

The Hepatitis A illnesses traced to frozen scallops harvested in November 2015 in the Philippines began June 10, 2016, and continued through Oct. 9, 2016, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. A fast food chain headquartered in Japan — Genki Sushi — served the scallops raw.

ibtimes

Children in schools across the UK have been struck by a winter vomiting bug called shigellosis, otherwise known as bacillary dysentery, which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

It is more common in young children although anyone can become infected.

FDA

As of January 1, 2017, the FDA has tested 1,328 cucumber samples (352 domestic, 976 imports), and 1,387 hot pepper samples (287 domestic, 1,100 imports). Of the cucumber samples, 27 tested positive for Salmonella (11 domestic, 16 imports), while the rest tested negative for the targeted pathogens. Of the hot pepper samples, 42 tested positive for Salmonella (1 domestic, 41 imports), and 1 tested positive for a strain of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli that was determined to be incapable of causing severe illness, while the rest tested negative for the targeted pathogens. Testing is still underway and no conclusions can be drawn at this time.

Wiley Online Library

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Three stores have posted recalls of Karoun Dairies cheeses on their websites for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is an outbreak associated with these cheeses that has sickened 24 people, killed one person, and caused one miscarriage over the past five years.

Wegmans has posted a recall of six varieties of cheese sold in the Cheese Shop. They are Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco with UPC number 277889000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Panela with UPC number 277884000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Fresco with UPC number 277883000000, Queso Del Valle Cotija with UPC number 277885000000, Central Valley Creamery Farm Fresh Basket Cheese in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 79625222003, and GOPI Paneer in 226 gram packages with UPC number 79625270008.

Big Y has posted a recall as well. Those items include Queso Del Valle Cotija in 8 ounce packages with use by date of 2/29/2016 and UPC number 29839-00557, Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 29839-00557, all use by dates recalled, and Queso Del Valle Queso Fresco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 29839-00557 and use by date of 11/8/2015.

Finally, Price Chopper has posted a recall for these cheeses. It is for Queso Del Valle Fresco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083, Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083, and Queso Del Valle Cotija in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Sargento is recalling seven types of cheeses for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination after being informed that Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC told them about possible contamination. No confirmed illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of these products.

The recalled products are Sargento Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby in 6.84 ounce packages, with UPC number 4610000228, and with Sell By dates of 12APR17B and 10MAY17B. Also recalled is Sargento Chef Blends Shredded Nacho & Taco Cheese in 8 ounce packages, with UPC number 4610040041, and with Sell By dates of H14JUN17 and H12JUL17.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Sara Lee Deli is voluntarily recalling 734 cases of two types of cheese for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products were distributed to food retailers in Alabama, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas. There have been no reports of illness associated with these products.

The recalled products include Sara Lee Sliced Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeño Peppers. The item number is 40205, the product lot number is A319349610, and the use by date is JUN-12-17. Also recalled is Sara Lee Sliced Colby Jack Cheese. The item number is 40208, the product lot number is A319348610, and the use by date is JUN-11-17.

If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed garbage can or take them back to the place of purchase for a full refund.

FDA

MDS Foods Inc., of Massillon, OH is recalling multiple products some of which were found to be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and other products which may have the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria.

Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana, supplied MDS Foods with Colby and Colby Jack minihorn cheeses that have been found to be contaminated with the pathogenic organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Customers who have purchased any of the cheese products listed below from the affected sell by dates or any unreadable date codes are urged not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact MDS Foods Customer Service: (330) 879-9780 extension 105 Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM, (EST).

MDS Foods, Inc. is committed to food safety and providing our customers with the highest quality products. MDS Foods, Inc. has also recalled potentially affected products that were packaged on the same production lines in our Tullahoma, TN. Facility as the affected product.

MDS Foods, Inc. is working diligently with the FDA and TN Department Agriculture as well as closely monitoring the information from our affected cheese supplier. We will continue to posts updates to this recall if more information becomes available.

Affected and potentially affected products were distributed by MDS Foods Inc. under multiple brand labels and distributed nationwide.

– Online –

https://www.mdsfoods.com/single-post/021117Recall

FDA

Following the Sargento Cheese Company recall where select Sargento branded cheeses were recalled due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Country Fresh, LLC. of Conroe, Texas, is recalling 2,552 cases of various cooking and snacking products (product descriptions attached), that contained Sargento branded cheeses because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The list of products subject to this recall follows:

FDA

Choice Farms LLC is initiating a very limited voluntary recall of stuffed mushrooms because the mushrooms may contain a cheese component which a third party supplier advised has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall pertains to a  total of seven (six in Texas, one in Kansas) individual shrink-wrapped trays of one of three stuffed mushroom types: Traditional Gourmet Portabella Mushrooms; Pizza Style Portabella Mushrooms; and/or Stuffed Mushrooms sold on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the following stores:

No illnesses have been reported to date. This product is meant to be cooked and has instructions to do so on each package.

The consumers who suspect that they have purchased the products affected by this recall should dispose it in the garbage and contact Choice Farms LLC for a refund.  Consumers with questions may contact the consumer 24-hour telephone number for Choice Farms LLC: 800-605-0881.