Category Archives: FDA

US – Another Romaine Lettuce Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinSalmonella

Taylor Farms is recalling 10 oz packages of  Hearts of Romaine lettuce  for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company, based in Salinas, Cailif.,  is recalling 110 cases of the bagged salad greens distributed in Florida and California with the expiration date of  December 13, 2012.

The recall has been issued because a single, finished package tested for  Listeria monocytogenes in  random sample testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Taylor Farms products are included in this recall.

No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall.

FDA Link

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

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USA – Recall Dog Pet Food – Moulds

Posted on December 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA Mould

The product in question is a single production run and packed in a 7.5 ounce paw print bag marked with a best by date of 08-2015. The best by date can be found on the ingredient label on the back of the package just above the UPC bar code.  The UPC for the Blueberry Hound Cake is:  692614010058; The UPC for the Holiday Hound Cake is:  692614010041.

The recall applies to 7.5 oz. bags of DogCandy® Holiday Hound Cake and Blueberry Hound Cake because the cakes have the potential to become moldy.  These cakes were manufactured specifically for PetSmart Corporation and distributed to approximately 130 PetSmart stores in 36 states.  No other products have been impacted.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Microbiology, Moulds, Pet Food, Recall

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USA – Small Turtles On-Going Salmonella Risk

Posted on December 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 800px-Florida_Box_Turtle_Digon3_re-edited

Six ongoing Salmonella outbreaks that have sickened a total of 248 people in 34 states have been linked to illegal pet turtles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Almost 70 percent of those who became ill were children under the age of 10.

It is precisely because of Salmonella risk , especially to young children, that the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale and distribution of small  turtles as pets in 1975. Turtles with shells shorter four inches should not be purchased as pets or given as gifts.

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella

USA – Recall Updates – Butter Chicken / Meatless Burger – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

USDA –

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is alerting the public of a recall being conducted by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canadian Establishment 720, Aliya’s Foods Limited, for approximately 4,865 pounds of frozen butter chicken and rice products imported from Canada that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes.

FDA –

VEGGIE PATCH® is voluntarily recalling two products –The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel– due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  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 persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel, from VEGGIE PATCH, with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed below were distributed to a select number of retailers and distributors.

  • 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, The Ultimate Meatless Burger with a Use-By date, Jan/12/2013; UPC code 6-10129-00211-5 (which can be found on back of package)
  • 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, Falafel with a Use-By date, Jan/15/2013; UPC code 6-10129-06619-3 (which can be found on back of package)

The Ultimate Meatless Burger potentially affected was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, in the following states; NY, CT, PA, FL, IL, MD, IN, WI, VA, NJ and DE.  Falafel potentially affected, was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date.  VEGGIE PATCH discovered this issue as part of its routine testing of its products.

Consumers who purchased any product with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed above are asked to dispose of the product. They should email contactus@veggiepatch.com to arrange for a full refund.  The recall affects only these two items. Products that do not contain the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are not affected by the recall.  No other VEGGIE PATCH products or other use-by dates of The Ultimate Meatless Burger or Falafel are affected by this recall.  Frozen Veggie Patch products are not affected by this recall.

Consumers with questions can contact VEGGIE PATCH at 888-807-0765, 8am- 5pm EST, seven days a week, or at contactus@veggiepatch.com

More information is available on the VEGGIE PATCH website at http://www.veggiepatch.com

About VEGGIE PATCH

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, USDA

USA – Illegal Prison Hooch – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on November 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Prison hooch, or homemade alcohol,  is the likely source of a botulism outbreak at an Arizona prison that sent seven inmates to intensive care. The seven inmates, all from Special Management Unit 1 of the Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman in Florence, were hospitalized over the weekend.

Botulism is not spread through person-to-person contact. Although it can develop in contaminated wounds or through IV drug use, it most often develops after eating or drinking food that is tainted with the toxin. Botulism poisoning  must be treated with a course of special anti-toxin, the stockpile of which is controlled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Toxin

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USA – Pet Food Recall – Salmonella

Posted on November 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Carolina Prime Pet Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of dog treats, is voluntarily recalling the following product:

Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips in a 5-count package
UPC: 0-21130-42080-3
Lot Code: 20082712 S 3195 and Lot Code: 20090312 S3195

The UPC can be located on the back label of each package. The lot Code is located on a sticker on the back of each bag of the 5 count product.

This lot of product has yielded a positive test for Salmonella when tested by the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture. Carolina Prime Pet is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to this product.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Pet Food, Recall, Salmonella

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Canada and USA – Cherry Tomato Recalls – Salmonella

Posted on November 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the cherry tomatoes and store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Dates sold
Krown Cherry tomatoes 551 ml 0 33383 65520 8 November 13 to 21, 2012, inclusive
None – Sold at Safeway stores Various store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes Various Various November 14 to 21, 2012, inclusive

These products have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories and Yukon and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

FDA

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. of Mission, TX is recalling 840 cartons of 12/1 Dry Pints of Mexican cherry tomatoes in “Karol” brand boxes, 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 Salmonellacan 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 “Karol” cherry tomatoes were distributed through retail stores in the states of Texas & South Carolina.

The product was originally distributed in a bulk container of 12/1 Dry Pints in boxes labeled “Karol” with the Lot No. “01W45” stamped in the upper, right-hand corner on the face of the box. The box states “Distributed by Interstate Fruit & Vegetable”, which is an affiliated business of Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. These packages were distributed at the retail level between November 10th & November 19th, 2012. At the retail level, the tomatoes may have been packaged in an alternative container depending on the area and retailer.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – Weekend Recalls – Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on November 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Salmonella in Peanut  Pet and Wild Bird Seed

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Publix Super Markets is recalling forty-five various cake products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

FDA – Tony’s Imports and Exports of Clovis CA, is warning consumers, food distributors and food processors not to consume or purchase certain containers of AL-RABIH Tahineh (Sesame Paste) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Pet Food, Recall, Salmonella

USA – Sunland Peanut Butter – FDA Suggestions the Company Knew About the Salmonella

Posted on November 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Huff Post

The food world is still reeling from the salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 41 people across 20 states, which was linked to Sunland peanuts that were sold as peanut butter at Trader Joe’s and several other supermarket chains. Now, information released late last month by the FDA suggests that Sunland knowingly sold potentially contaminated products going back to 2009 [pdf].

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – FDA Recalls – Salmonella – Nestle Chocolate Nesquick and Fresh Express Spinach

Posted on November 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Nestlé USA announced the voluntary recall of limited quantities of Nestlé NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters. The voluntary recall is limited to only NESQUIK Chocolate Powder, which was distributed nationally. No other varieties of NESQUIK powder or any sizes or flavors of NESQUIK ready-to-drink are affected by this recall.

Nestlé is removing the canisters from distribution because the company was notified by an ingredient supplier, Omya Inc. that it has issued a recall of certain lots of its ingredient, calcium carbonate due to possible presence of Salmonella. Calcium carbonate is used in NESQUIK as an ingredient. There have been no reports of any illnesses or adverse health effects associated with the affected product.

FDA

Charlotte, North Carolina – Fresh Express Incorporated is conducting a voluntary, precautionary recall of a limited quantity of Fresh Express Spinach with a Use-by Date of November 7 and Product Code of S299B25 due to a possible health risk from Salmonella.

No illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported to Fresh Express at this time in association with this recall. No other Fresh Express products are subject to this recall.

The recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to an isolated instance in which a random sample yielded a positive result for Salmonella under U.S. Department of Agriculture’s random sample testing program. Fresh Express is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella