Category Archives: FDA

USA – FDA Recall – Cheeses – Salmonella

Posted on January 10, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FDAcheese

December 24, 2013 – Flat Creek Farm & Dairy of Swainsboro, GA has recalled 90 pounds of Heavenly Blue and 78 pounds of Aztec Cheddar cheese, because of potential contamination of Salmonella. Flat Creek is in the process of notifying all of the purchasers.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The cheeses were distributed in certain parts of Georgia and Florida and (6) online orders (www.flatcreekdairy.com), which are in the process of being notified. The product is packed in clear plastic and ranges in sizes from ½ pound to whole wheels. The recall is specific to product marked with the lot codes 130916XHB (Heavenly Blue) and 130823XAZ (Aztec Cheddar), which can be found on the front of the package.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished products were potentially contaminated.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

USA – FDA Recall – Hummus – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 23, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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December 20, 2013 -Spokane Produce, Inc., of Spokane Washington is recalling approximately 59 lbs of Victor’s Sesame Hummus due to concerns about possible Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The following product is subject to the voluntary recall:

  • 11oz labeled “Victor™ – Toasted Sesame Hummus” with UPC 6 09722 76501 5, best by 12/29/13.

The hummus was distributed to retail locations (Rosauers, Brewster Market, SuperOne) in Washington and Montana.

No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall.

Listeria Species were discovered during routine testing of the newly released product. The listeria test utilized is an indicator of several species of listeria and does not specifically indicate listeria monocytogenes.

Consumers who have purchased Victor™ – Toasted Sesame Hummus are urged not to eat it and to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, Recall

USA – FDA Food Modernisation Act Updates

Posted on November 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years, was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.

Stay connected with FSMA E-mail Updates!1

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Posted in FDA, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, Research

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USA – FDA Recall – Listeria monocytogenes – Apple Slices

Posted on November 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDAEurofins Food Testing UK

Crunch Pak® of Cashmere, Washington is voluntarily recalling 5,471 cases of
Crunch Pak® Apple Slices due to a possible health risk from Listeria
monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall to date. No other Crunch Pak® products are affected by this recall. FDA is aware that the company is undertaking this voluntary action.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious
and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and
others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The company sold the recalled product to retail customers and because, in some cases, the recalled product was shipped to regional distribution centers, Crunch Pak is taking the extra precautionary measure of issuing this recall nationwide to assure that consumers who may have purchased the product are properly alerted.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

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USA – FDA Draft on Pathogens in Spices

Posted on October 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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In light of new evidence calling into question the effectiveness of current control measures to reduce or prevent illness from consumption of spices in the United States, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed a risk profile on pathogens and filth in spices. The objectives of the risk profile were to (1) describe the nature and extent of the public health risk posed by consumption of spices in the United States by identifying the most commonly occurring microbial hazards and filth in spice (2) describe and evaluate current mitigation and control options designed to reduce the public health risk posed by consumption of contaminated spices in the United States (3) identify potential additional mitigation and control options and (4) identify critical data gaps and research needs. The draft risk profile for pathogens and filth in spices provides information for FDA to use in the development of plans to reduce or prevent illness from spices contaminated by microbial pathogens and/or filth.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Hygiene, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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USA – FDA Recall- Bell Peppers – Salmonlla

Posted on October 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDASalmonella

Orange County Produce, LLC (“OC Produce”) is voluntarily working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) to coordinate a recall of fresh red and green Bell Peppers for potential contamination with Salmonella. The FDA has advised that a random sample of OC Produce Bell peppers has tested positive for Salmonella.

Salmonella is 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.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – FDA – Smoked Products Recall – Clostridium botulinum Potential

Posted on October 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDAClost

Big Blue Fisheries is recalling ALL smoked products from all lots and codes,
various sizes, in vacuum packages because the products may not have been
properly cooked and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium
botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell
spoiled. Because the products may not have been fully processed, product
contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens could lead to illness if
consumed.

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Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

USA – FDA – Recall – Cilantro – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Willard, OH – Buurma Farms, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 465 boxes of Cilantro Lot #02D312A4. Buurma Farms recalled this product due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Buurma Farms, Inc. has not received any case of reported illness related to this product to date.

The Cilantro was sold to distributors in Michigan on August 3, 2013. The product was also shipped to retail stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The Cilantro, which was distributed through Meijer and Ben B Schwartz and Sons in Michigan the week of August 5-9, could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The Cilantro has a Buurma Farms twist-tie on it.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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USA – FDA Recall – Listeria monocytogenes in Canteloupes Again

Posted on August 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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Heeren Brothers Produce is recalling approximately 5,400 cantaloupes because of a possible health risk to consumers.

The produce, which was distributed to small, independent grocers in Michigan July 23-26, has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and should be discarded and not consumed. The cantaloupes are Athena Cantaloupes, but have no stickers or other markings that identify them as such.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly or others with weak immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Heeren Brothers Produce has not received any case of reported illnesses related to this product to date. The recall does not affect any other Heeren Brothers Produce products.

Heeren Brothers Produce became aware of this issue after the Food & Drug Administration conducted a routine sampling and found the cantaloupes contained the bacteria.

After receiving notice from the FDA, Heeren Brothers Produce immediately alerted retailers and requested that they remove the produce from their shelves. Heeren Brothers Produce has also contacted the supplier of the cantaloupes. The source of the potential issue is still under investigation. Heeren Brothers Produce is cooperating fully with the FDA.

Heeren Brothers Produce is committed to consumer safety. We have product handling and safety protocols in place to assure that we provide our retailers and their customers with fresh, safe and healthy products. A recent audit by an independent, third-party laboratory rated our procedures as excellent in the industry.

Consumers who have questions may contact Heeren Brothers Produce at 616.452.2101 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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USA FDA Recall – Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDAFDA

Whole Foods Market announces that it is recalling Trois Comtois Morbier cheese in the Mid Atlantic, Southwest, Northern California, Southern Pacific and Midwest regions. This cheese is being recalled because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled Trois Comtois Morbier comes in wheels approximately 11 lbs. each, which are then cut and wrapped in varying weights and are labeled with a Whole Foods Market scale label.  Below is a list of how the cheese was labeled, including PLU code, according to the state in which it was sold. This recall includes all “best by” dates sold in Whole Foods Market stores in the states listed in the link above.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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