Category Archives: FDA

USA – Fruit Juice – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on May 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to consume any juice products or other beverages from Juices Incorporated (aka Juices International and Juices Enterprises) of Brooklyn, N.Y. The company’s carrot and beet juice products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Consumers are warned not to consume these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled.

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

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USA – FDA Recall – Herring Fillet in Oils and Spice – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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Prime Food USA, 50st & 1st Ave Building # 57, Brooklyn NY 11232, is recalling Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Antalja” in Oil and Latis Brand Herring Fillet in Oil with Spices due to contamination with listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can cause serious complications for pregnant women, such as stillbirth. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems. Listeria can also cause serious flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.

The recalled Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Antalja” in Oil is packaged in 7 oz (200 grams) plastic containers with a code: Best before (L): 11.02.2014. The UPC code is: 4 751004 071607. Latis Brand Herring Fillet in Oil with Spices is packaged in 7 oz (200 grams) plastic containers with a code: Best before (L): 11.02.2014. The UPC code is: 4 751004 079429. The products were sold in New York State.They are products of Latvia

The recall initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel found the product to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have purchased Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Antalja” Herring in Oil and Latis Brand Herring Fillet in Oil with Spices should not consume it, but should return it to the place of purchase.Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-439-0376

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

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USA – FDA Recall Bird Foods – Salmonella

Posted on April 19, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDASalm

Merit Bird Company, LLC of Chatsworth, California is recalling the following items with lot codes; Vitae Cockatiel with Sunflower 2lbs, (#2840081), Vitae Cockatiel with Sunflower 4lbs, (#2840090), Vitae Small Hookbill 4lbs, (#2840225), Vitae Small Hookbill 20lbs, (#2840234), Vitae Hookbill with Sunflower 4lbs, (#2840252), Vitae Large Hookbill 4lbs, (#2840279) shipped between May 2012 to February 2013, because it has 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 people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Animals with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some animals will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your animals have consumed the recalled product and have these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. “Vitae bird food was distributed through Southern California retail pet stores.

The bags in question are packaged in a factory sealed plastic bag or a white bulk bag for the 20# size.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall was the result of a routine testing performed by Specialty Commodities, which revealed that the finished products, which include parsley that is on recall from Specialty Commodities, contain Salmonella. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

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

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USA – FDA Recall – Salmone and Herring Fillets – Listeria monocyotogenes

Posted on April 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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Prime Food USA, 50st & 1st Ave Building # 57, Brooklyn NY 11232, is recalling Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Matiej”, Salmon Fillet Slices and Herring Fillet “Forelka” in Oil due to contamination with listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can cause serious complications for pregnant women, such as stillbirth. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems. Listeria can also cause serious flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.

The recalled Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Matiej” is packaged in 17.64oz (500grams) in plastic containers.The 17.64oz (500gram) container has a partial code: 01.14 and UPC Number 7541004076916. Salmon Fillet Slices packaged in 7.5oz plastic container and has a code.15.07.13(17JL), Herring Fillet “Forelka” in Oil 11.64oz (330gram) is packaged in plastic oval type containers. The 11.64oz (330gram) container has a code 07.01.14(09JR) .The products were sold in New York State.They are products of Latvia.

The recall initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel found the product to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have purchased Latis Brand Herring Fillet “Forelka” in Oil, Herring Fillet “Matiej”and Salmon Fillet Slices should not consume it, but should return it to the place of purchase.Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-439-0376

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

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USA – FDA Recall – Smoked and Pickled Herring – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on April 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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Little Mermaid Smoke House is recalling Smoked Herring and Pickled Herring fish because the products were found to be uneviscerated, 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.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The following products are recalled:

Little Mermaid Smoked Herring fish Sold prior to 04/04/2013
Little Mermaid Pickled Herring fish Sold prior to 04/04/2013

The recalled products are manufactured by Little Mermaid Smoke House and distributed in the state of California. These products are sold as whole fish, packaged in vacuum sealed packaging, and labeled “Little Mermaid Smoke House” which varies in weight and size. There are no codes listed on the products. The recall includes products sold prior to 04/03/2013.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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

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USA – FDA – Recall Pet Food – Salmonella

Posted on April 4, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDASalm

Bravo! is voluntarily recalling three of its raw diet frozen foods for dogs and cats: 5 lb tubes of Bravo! Chicken Balance product item code 21-405 with “best used by” dates of 3_6_15 and 3_12_15; 2 lb Bravo! Chicken Blend product item code 21-102 with the “best used by” date of 3_21_15 and 5 lb. bags of Bravo! Beef Blend Burgers product item code 51-508 with the “best used by” dates of 3_21_15 and 3_22_15, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

This recall is being issued out of an abundance of caution, as while these products tested negative for pathogens by an independent third party prior to distribution, they were run on the same day or an adjacent day to a product that tested positive for pathogens. The product that tested positive has been 100 percent contained and is not subject to this recall.

The recall involves only:

  • 5 lb. Bravo! Chicken Balance frozen raw diet chubs (tubes) with “best used by” dates of 3_6_15 and 3_12_15 imprinted on the side of the plastic casing. Only 26 cases with the 3_6_15 date were distributed nationally and 36 cases with 3_12_15 date were distributed nationally.
  • 2 lb. Bravo! Chicken Blend frozen raw diet chubs (tubes) with the “best used by” date of 3_21_15 imprinted on the side of the plastic casing. Only 67 cases with 3_21_15 date were distributed nationally.
  • 5 lb. Bravo! Beef Blend Burgers bags with the “best used by” dates of 3_21_15 and 3_22_15 imprinted on the back panel of the plastic bag. Only 47 cases with the 3_21_15 date were distributed nationally and 55 cases with the 3_22_15 date were distributed nationally.

No other products or sizes are affected.

The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with this product.

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

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USA – FDA Guidence – Ciguatera Food Posioning

Posted on March 27, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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FDA Announces Draft Guidance for Primary Seafood Processors Who Purchase Reef Fish and Identifies Lionfish as a Potential Risk for Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

March 26, 2013

FDA is announcing the availability of draft guidance recommending that primary seafood processors who purchase reef fish such as grouper, amberjack, snapper, lionfish, king mackerel, and barracuda take steps to minimize consumers’ risk of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) from the fish they distribute. The draft guidance complements FDA’s existing advice on preventing CFP, which is contained in the Fourth Edition of the Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance (2011) (Guide), by identifying two species of lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) as additional reef fish associated with the risk of CFP.

CFP is caused by consuming fish that have eaten toxic marine algae or that have eaten other fish containing the toxins. The toxins accumulate in the flesh of reef dwelling fish, with higher CFP levels predominately found in predatory species, which are then harvested either commercially or by recreational fishermen. Consumers who eat fish that contain ciguatoxin are at risk for contracting CFP.

Primary seafood processors can minimize the risk of CFP by not purchasing fish that are likely to carry ciguatoxins. The Guide recommends that primary seafood processors who purchase fish directly from fishermen obtain information about harvest locations to determine the potential for ciguatoxic fish based on knowledge of the regions where ciguatera occurs. The draft guidance states that primary seafood processors should avoid purchasing fish species associated with causing CFP from established or emerging areas linked with CFP.

After the guidance is finalized, future updates of the Guide will include the two species of lionfish as reef fish for which measures to prevent CFP should be in place.

All interested parties are invited to comment on the draft guidance.

For Additional Information:

Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance, Fourth Edition (2011)

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Posted in Ciguatera Poisoning, FDA, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Poisoning

USA – FDA – Recall – Pet Food – Salmonella

Posted on March 22, 2013 by | 2 comments

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Jones Natural Chews Co of Rockford, IL is recalling 245 boxes of Woofers (beef patties) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Colorado Department of Agriculture Feed Program which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria.

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

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USA – FDA Tips to Feed Pets Without Contracting Salmonella

Posted on March 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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The Food and Drug Administration is giving consumers, especially reptile owners, tips on how to prevent Salmonella infection from handling feeder rodents and reptiles. Feeder rodents are mice and rats—both frozen and live—used to feed some reptiles, such as certain snakes and lizards, as well as some amphibians. Feeder rodents, reptiles, and amphibians can be sources of Salmonella infection for people.

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. People get salmonellosis by ingesting Salmonella germs. Persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, the illness can be serious, even fatal, in some people. Children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for salmonellosis and may develop more severe illness.

Rodents and reptiles can naturally carry Salmonella in their intestines but show no signs of illness. The animals shed the bacteria in their feces and droppings. These, in turn, contaminate the environment with Salmonella, including the outside of the animals’ bodies and their habitats. Freezing does not kill Salmonella, so both frozen and live feeder rodents can be contaminated with these germs. Over 500 human cases of salmonellosis in three countries, including the U.S., were linked to frozen rodent exposure between 2008 and 2010.

People may become infected with Salmonella after handling feeder rodents, reptiles, or amphibians, surfaces that have been in contact with these animals, or the environment in which the animal lives.

Contaminated surfaces may include countertops, microwave ovens, refrigerators and freezers, kitchen utensils, and glasses and bowls used to store, thaw, and prepare frozen feeder rodents. Reptile and rodent habitats, including their cages or enclosures, bedding, basking rocks, food and water dishes, and other objects in their cages or enclosures may also be contaminated with Salmonella. Germs picked up from touching the animal or habitat can be spread to other people or surfaces. Therefore, people should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching these animals, their food, or anything in the area where they live and roam. Running water and soap are best, but hand sanitizers may be used if running water and soap are not available.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

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USA – FDA Recall Chococlate Bars – Salmonella

Posted on March 19, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDASalmonella

  • Pro-Amino International Inc., of Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, is recalling the ProtiDiet High Protein Chocolate Dream Bars described below.
  • The recalled product may contain Salmonella.
  • Salmonella is a public health risk and is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
  • This product has been distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia.  It was also sold via the Internet.
  • Consumers should avoid eating the potentially contaminated High Protein Chocolate Dream Bars and discard the product or return it to the point of sale.

What is the Problem? Pro-Amino International Inc. is recalling protein bars which may contain Salmonella. The product is the ProtiDiet High Protein Chocolate Dream Bar, sold in 210 gram (7.4 oz.) packages, 7 bars per package, bearing UPC 6 21498 42238 1, lot code CR 18 13B, and Best Before date of 2015-08.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Pro-Amino International are warning people not to consume these high protein bars, which may contain Salmonella.

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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, Salmonella