Monthly Archives: May 2017

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

Smallbatch Pets of Oregon is recalling two lots of frozen 2 pound chicken blend for dogs and cats because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date.

The lots of the 2 pound chicken blend were distributed to retail pet stores in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington through pet food retailers. Two hundred and eighty-two cases of this product were sold between 2/1/17 – 5/5/17. The products are sold frozen in 2 pound bags. The codes are Lot number D032 with UPC number 705105970974 and best by date 2/1/2018; and Lot number E058, with UPC number 705105970974 and best by date 2/27/2018.

Salmonella infections in pets can cause lethargy, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may not show symptoms but can be carriers. Humans can contract the illness by handling contaminated food, or by petting a dog or cat that has shed bacteria on its coat.

Poultry Med

On April 30, a report was received from the mother of an infant enrolled in a daycare in Jerusalem claiming infants and toddlers in one of the daycare’s classes were suffering stomachaches and intestinal disturbances.
According to Ynet, an investigation by the Jerusalem District Health Office found the problems had begun several days earlier, in the daycare’s 2-year-old class, when 15 of the class’s 24 children became ill and one was hospitalized.
In the infants’ group, 15 out of 18 infants became ill, and one was hospitalized.
The laboratory results indicated Salmonella enteritidis is involved in this outbreak.
The source was not found.

Botulism Blog 

Ellen Garrison of the Sacramento Bee reports today that the Sacramento County Public Health officials are investigating the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove after several customers who ate prepared food from the station contracted botulism.

CFIA

Ottawa, May 6, 2017 – The food recall warning issued on April 23, 2017 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Longo’s Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. is recalling certain Longo’s brand ground meat products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products were sold from Longo Brothers Fruit Markets in Ontario.

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

The E. coli O157:H7-HUS outbreak linked to recalled I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter products is over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after sickening 32 people in 12 states. Twelve people were hospitalized in this outbreak, and nine developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

NOW Health Group of Illinois is voluntarily recalling some of its Nutty Infusions cashew butter products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamiantion. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products. A limited quantity of Nutty Infusions were distributed online and in retail stores nationwide.

The recalled products are Ellyndale® Nutty Infusions™ Roasted Cashew Butter in 10 ounce plastic jars, with item number E0540, lot number 2125155, and best by date 2/19. Also recalled is Ellyndale® Nutty Infusions™ Ginger Wasabi Cashew Flavor in 10 ounce plastic jars. The item number for that product is E0541, the lot number is 2124118, and the best by date is 3/19.

If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a secure garbage can or take them back to the store where you bought them for a full refund. Wash your hands well after handling these products.

FDA

Pinnacle Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling all “Best By” dates of Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes, Frozen Waffles & Frozen French Toast Slices distributed nationally in the United States and one product into Mexico because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported. The products are being recalled as a precautionary measure given the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority. Pinnacle Foods initiated the recall after testing indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the plant environment. We are working in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall.

CFIA

Ottawa, May 5, 2017 – Pinnacle Foods Canada Corporation is recalling Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles & Frozen French Toast Slices from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below. Distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described below.

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2017 – Marcho Farms, Inc., a Souderton, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,620 pounds of boneless veal, and ground veal, beef and pork products that may be adulterated withnon-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O111, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The veal, beef and pork products were produced on April 11 and April 14, 2017. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• 60-lb.cases of “VEAL BONELESS TRIMMINGS HALAL” with case code “5398” and “MANFU. DATE” of “04/11/2017.”
• 60-lb. cases of “VEAL TRIMMINGS USDA CHOICE” with case code “98” and “MANFU. DATE” of “04/11/17.”
• 9-lb. cases of “VEAL, BEEF, PORK GROUND FOR MEATLOAF” with case code “3122” and “Sell By” date “05/05/17.”
• 10-lb. cases of “VEAL, BEEF, PORK GROUND FOR MEATLOAF BULK PACK” with case code “3125.”

These items were distributed to retail stores and food service locations in Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

The problem was discovered when the Illinois State Meat Inspection Service notified FSIS on May 2, 2017, about positive non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) samples made with source material produced by Marcho Farms, Inc. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreaks are rare, but tend to primarily be due to contaminated food and person-to-person transmission. Like E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 21.5; Tot. = 21.5 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 7.5; Tot. = 8.4 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted salted peanuts from China in Sweden

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 27.31; Tot. = 30.78 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled almonds from the United States in Italy