ROCHESTER, NY – Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is issuing a voluntarily recall on its products containing micro greens, sweet pea leaves, and cat grass because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which 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 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.
The affected products were sold at various Wegmans stores in NY, PA, MA, NJ, VA, MD & NC. A full list of potentially affected items can be found on the recall page of Wegmans.comExternal Link Disclaimer and are highlighted below.
Product
Size
UPC
Dates
Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Micro Greens
1.75 oz
UPC 77890-25036
Use by dates: 12/17/22
and 12/24/22
Wegmans Organic Baby Kale & Baby Spinach with Sweet Pea Leaves
5 oz
UPC 77890-52377
Use by date: 12/20/22
Wegmans Organic Farm & Orchard Cat Grass
1 EA
UPC 77890-50938
Sold since: 10/25/22
We are voluntarily recalling these products because some of the soil they were grown in, supplied to Wegmans Organic Farm by bio365 of Ithaca, New York, tested positive for Salmonella by the supplier. This is out of an abundance of caution. No illnesses have been associated with this recall.
Wegmans is placing automated phone calls to alert customers who purchased these products using Shoppers Club cards.
Customers should return these products to the service desk for a full refund. Those with questions may contact Wegmans Food Markets 1-855-934-3663 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Please note that due to the holiday our Customer Care Center will close at 4:30 pm on 12/24/22 and reopen at 8:00 am on 12/26/22.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new, highly effective tool to mitigate bacterial contamination of foods, including pathogens displaying antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The technology involves the application of bacteriophages (phages)—benign viruses that eat bacteria—to goods in the form of microgels.
Phages are natural predators to bacteria, and because phages attack bacteria in a highly targeted manner, they can be used in food and agriculture without disturbing the balance of microbial communities. Phage products have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for controlling dangerous bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli in food products. Though they do not affect the taste, texture, and nutritional quality of foods, phages are not widely used by industry due to challenges with delivery and stability of phage products.
Mold (Aspergillus brasiliensis) and Ochratoxin A contamination
Company Name:
Something South African LLC
Brand Name:
World Market
Product Description:
Pepper Collection Gift Set
Company Announcement
Something South African LLC of Seattle, WA is recalling the Peppercorn Collection Gift Set, affected Best Before End (BBE) date of JUN/2024, Batch 494951-T, because mold (Aspergillus brasiliensis) and Ochratoxin A were detected in the Malaysian Long Pepper.
The affected Malaysian Long Pepper is visible through a sleeve of the Peppercorn Collection Gift Set (SKU 549153). This set has the net wt. 4.87oz/138g and UPC 6 009686 793712. This set consists of eight different kind of dried peppers and each kind is packaged in a sealed glass tube.
The gift set that contains the affected Malaysian Long Pepper has the Best Before End (BBE) date of JUN/2024 and Batch 494951-T printed on the back side of a package. The product was sold at the World Market stores nationwide and on the World Market e-commerce web site www.worldmarket.comExternal Link Disclaimer.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated when our supplier notified us that mold (Aspergillus brasiliensis) and Ochratoxin A were detected in the Malaysian Long Pepper. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as our supplier continues with their root cause investigation.
While FDA’s overall response regarding powdered infant formula is continuing, this investigation of Cronobacter illnesses linked to powdered infant formula (reference #1056) has been marked as closed. Resources for Parents and Caregivers are available on the FDA website and additional updates will be provided as needed.
The outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield linked to seafood (reference #1105) is over and the FDA investigation has closed.
The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to Brie and Camembert Cheese (reference #1106) is over and the FDA investigation has closed.
The case count for the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium has increased from 270 to 274 cases.
Potential for cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii
Company Name:
ByHeart
Brand Name:
ByHeart
Product Description:
Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 0-12months
Company Announcement
None of the distributed ByHeart product has tested positive for any contaminants
No consumer complaints received, to date, that would indicate any illness
Recall is not related to ByHeart’s own manufacturing facility in Reading, PA in any way; facility continues to run 24/7; re-stock expected in January
ByHeartExternal Link Disclaimer, a next-generation baby nutrition company, announced today that, out of an abundance of caution, it has chosen to voluntarily recall five batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula due to the potential for cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii. No distributed ByHeart product has tested positive for the bacteria.
The product being recalled is ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 0-12 Months in 24 oz containers. The formula under voluntary recall was distributed directly to consumers in the U.S. and can be identified by the number on the bottom of the can. Recalled product batches are 22273 C1, 22276 C1, 22277 C1, 22278 C1, and 22280 C1 printed with use by 01 JAN 24 or 01JUL 24.
Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.
It is important to note that this recall is not related to ByHeart’s own manufacturing in any way. In addition, the company has not received any consumer complaints that would indicate any illness, to date; illness complaints are an early detection of safety concerns. If a baby has already consumed all of the formula, there is no reason for concern, and no additional action is needed. If parents have any questions, they should consult with their pediatrician.
ByHeart owns its entire manufacturing supply chain with the exception of final canning, which is conducted by a reputable third-party packager. ByHeart is taking this precautionary measure because one test sample collected from the third-party packaging facility tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii. All product packaged that day, and the first production on the next day, was isolated for destruction and not distributed. Out of an abundance of caution, we are now recalling all product produced during the entire production run.
As a company committed to parents, ByHeart holds itself to the highest standards when it comes to safety and applauds the FDA’s efforts to oversee the safe manufacturing of infant formula. Parents can remain confident in the safety of ByHeart’s products as the company continues to expand its investments in infant formula innovation, clinical studies, and industry-leading quality standards. ByHeart’s manufacturing facility in Reading, PA, continues to operate 24/7, and the company is committed to providing customers formula in January.
What ByHeart Customers Should Do
Customers who purchased ByHeart product should check the bottom of the can and dispose of product from batches 22273 C1, 22276 C1, 22277 C1, 22278 C1, and 22280 C1. ByHeart is setting up a webpage at https://byheart.com/noticesExternal Link Disclaimer with additional information about its measures. Should customers have any other questions or want to find out if the product they have is included in the voluntary recall, please email notices@byheart.com or text ByHeart at 1-909-506-2354. The company will also be reaching out directly to all customers via email who purchased orders from these identified batches.
ByHeart knows that formula is critical to a baby’s health and growth and wants to make sure that all customers have what they need to keep their baby fed and healthy, no matter what brand of formula they use. While ByHeart works 24/7 to meet the demand for formula, the fastest way the company can replace the formula customers purchased is to cover the cost of two cans of alternate formula. Additionally, affected customers will receive two cans of their next order of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Formula for free.
If your infant is experiencing symptoms related to Cronobacter infection, contact your health care provider to report their symptoms and receive immediate care. To report an illness or adverse event, you can
Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling)
Company Announcement
ARLINGTON, VA –Lidl US has announced a voluntary recall for the 8.4 oz Favorina branded Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling) due to potential Salmonella contamination.
This voluntary recall was issued because some items may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Units affected by this recall:
Were available for sale at Lidl stores between October 12, 2022 and December 5, 2022
Will have a BEST IF USED BY year of 2023
Will have a barcode number of 4056489516965
This issue was found during routine testing, which Lidl performs on an ongoing basis to help ensure safe and quality products for our customers. Lidl US has received no reports or complaints of illness related to this product to date.
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel.
As of December 1, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. There have been a total of 24 illnesses in six states. The last illness onset was October 24, 2022.
On October 7, 2022, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected Earth Grown frozen falafel for testing from a sick person’s home. Whole Genome Sequencing done at the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services showed that the E. coli strain in the falafel sample was closely related to the strain causing illness in this outbreak.
On October 6, 2022, the manufacturer of Earth Grown frozen falafel, Cuisine Innovations, initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products include Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel distributed and sold exclusively by ALDI. Additional information on recalled products is available in the firm’s recall notice.
Recommendation
These items are no longer available for sale but were sold frozen and have a long shelf-life of 18 months, so consumers should check their freezers for any recalled Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel that was sold by ALDI. If you have recalled frozen falafel in your freezer, do not eat or serve them.
Product Images
Map of U.S. Distribution
Case Count Map Provided by CDC
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 24 Hospitalizations: 5 Deaths: 1 Last illness onset: October 24, 2022 States with Cases: FL (2), IA (2), KS (1), MI (13), OH (1), WI (5) Product Distribution: Nationwide
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (reference #1127) linked to enoki mushrooms, FDA has initiated sample collection and analysis.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (reference #1113) in an unidentified product, one additional case has been added for a total case count of 270 cases and the outbreak has ended.
FoodWorld 