Category Archives: Food Safety Alert

USA – FDA -Enforcement Report – Roasted Russets and Asparagus – Visible Mould

FDA

Product Details

Product Description: happi foodi , Roasted Russets and Asparagus, 10 oz frozen bowl, 8 packages per case, Keep Frozen DOM- 05/20/2021

Reason for Recall: Presence of visible mold detected.

Product Quantity: 153 cases on one (1) pallet

Recall Number: F-0360-2022

Code Information: 21140_983 internal tracking Sales Order SO9425 to KeHE PMC3 1401 on retail unit

Classification: Class III

Event Details

Event ID: 

89301

Voluntary / Mandated: Voluntary: Firm initiated

Product Type: Food

Initial Firm Notification of Consignee or Public: Two or more of the following: Email, Fax, Letter, Press Release, Telephone, Visit

Status: Ongoing

Distribution Pattern: There is one Consignee : KeHE Distributors 16081 Fern Avenue, Chino, CA 91708

Recalling Firm:

Prepared Meals Co
4135 Birney Ave
Moosic, PA 18507-1301
United States

Recall Initiation Date: 12/8/2021

Center Classification Date: 1/4/2022

Malaysia – Nine people, including children, suffer food poisoning at relief centre in Tangkak, Johor

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine people suffered food poisoning at SK Pengkalan Besar flood relief centre in Tangkak, Johor on Sunday.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the cases involved four flood victims and five others included personnel at the relief centre.

The four victims are children between 3 and 14 years old, with three staying in the same cubicle at the relief centre.

“All victims suffered vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Two of the victims were admitted to Tangkak Hospital on the same day and was discharged yesterday, while the other two received outpatient treatment,” he said in a statement today.

He ruled out contamination as the cause of the food poisoning and believed it was due to poor hygiene as well as food being exposed for a long time.

“Food samples have been collected for further investigation,” he said.

France – Fresh yellowfin tuna steak 250g – Histamine

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Costs
  • Names of models or references Boneless yellowfin tuna steak
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    28696020 1162553 Use-by date 12/01/2022
    28696020 1162554 Use-by date 01/13/2022
    28696020 1162687 Use-by date 01/15/2022
    28696020 1162689 Use-by date 01/15/2022
    28696020 1162556 Use-by date 01/13/2022
    28696020 1162790 Use-by date 01/16/2022
  • Packaging Skin pack 250g vacuum tray
  • Start date / End of marketing From 01/08/2022 to 01/16/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 34.336.503 CE
  • Further information DLC on front label – Lot number and DLC on rear label
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors GRAND FRAIS MAREE – WORLD MARECHAL – GRAND FRAIS & FRESH STORES

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Suspected Histamine presence
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Endogenous toxins: histamine (fish, cheese, alcoholic drinks, cold meats)

USA – Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall for Certain Salads Processed at its Springfield, OH and Soledad, CA Facilities and Containing Iceberg Lettuce Due to Possible Health Risk from Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –Monterey, CA–January 7, 2022–Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling from the market all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads described below processed at its Springfield, OH and Soledad, CA production facilities containing iceberg lettuce, due to a possible health risk from 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 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.

Products subject to the voluntary recall from Springfield, OH are identified by a product lot code beginning with the letter “W” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 22, 2021 and January 9, 2022. Products subject to the voluntary recall from Soledad, CA are identified by a product lot code beginning with the letter “B” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 23, 2021 and January 8, 2022. The product lot codes are located in the upper-right-hand corner of the package (see example below). Consumers who still have any of these products in their refrigerators are urged not to consume the product and to discard it immediately. No illnesses have been reported with the products being recalled to date.

This voluntary recall notification is being issued after harvest equipment used in the harvesting of the raw iceberg lettuce material used in these finished products was tested by Dole and found to contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Listing of products subject to each of these recalls is set forth below.

Recalled salad items from the Springfield facility were distributed in the states of AL, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Recalled salad items from the Soledad facility were distributed in the states of AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MD, ND, NE, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

No other Dole products, including fresh fruit and field-packed fresh vegetables, are part of these voluntary recalls and are safe to consume.

Dole retailers have been advised to check store shelves and warehouse inventories to confirm that no recalled product is available for purchase by consumers.

Retailer and consumer questions about the voluntary recalls should be directed to the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111, Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 3:00pm Pacific Time.

Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

Product Listing on the following pages

LISTING OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SOLEDAD RECALL

Product Description UPC Code
Dole 10oz Very Veggie 0-71430-01008-2
Dole 11oz Greener Selection 0-71430-00965-9
Dole 12oz American 0-71430-00933-8
Dole 12oz Garden Salad / Salade Du Jardin 0-71430-01135-5
Dole 13.25oz Country Ranch Kit 0-71430-01730-2
Dole 13oz Southwest Kit 0-71430-01701-2
Dole 16oz Value Size Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-84616-2
Dole 24oz Value Size Garden Salad 0-71430-01136-2
Dole 3lb Garden Salad 0-71430-01138-6
Dole 5.8 oz Chicken Club BLT Salad Bowl 0-71430-00123-3
Dole 6.05 oz Avocado Ranch Salad with Chicken Bowl 0-71430-00125-7
Dole 6.25 oz Backyard BBQ Salad with Chicken Bowl 0-71430-00124-0
Dole 6.25 oz Santa Fe Style Salad Bowl 0-71430-00118-9
Dole 7.25 oz Turkey & Bacon Country Cobb Salad Bowl 0-71430-00120-2
Dole 7.65oz Café Chef Salad Bowl 0-71430-00115-8
Dole 8oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-01065-5
Dole 9.1oz Peppercorn Ranch Chopped Kit 0-71430-00093-9
Dole 9.8oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit 0-71430-00100-4
HEB 12oz American Salad 0-41220-35500-6
HEB 8oz Shredded Lettuce 0-41220-35521-1
HEB 9.5oz Premium Ranch Kit 0-41220791569-0
Marketside 7.45 oz Premium Avocado Ranch Bowl 6-81131-37735-5
Marketside 11.75 oz Multi-Serve Southwestern Style Salad Bowl 6-81131-42361-8
Marketside 12oz Classic Salad 6-81131-32894-4
Marketside 12oz Crisp Greens 6-81131-35503-2
Marketside 1lb Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-53209-9
Marketside 24oz Classic Salad 6-81131-32895-1
Marketside 6.35 oz Santa Fe Style Bowl 6-81131-42363-2
Marketside 6.81 oz BLT Salad Bowl 6-81131-37736-2
Marketside 7.25 oz Chef Salad Bowl 6-81131-35506-3
Marketside 7.25 oz Cobb Salad Bowl 6-81131-35507-0
Marketside 8oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-32896-8
Presidents Choice 12.25oz Ranch Kit / Le Choix du President Ranch Kit de Salade 0-60383-00493-4
President’s Choice 12oz Garden Salad / Le Choix du President Salade Jardiniere 0-60383-22268-0
President’s Choice 13oz Sesame Ginger Kit / Le Choix du President Sesame et Gingembre 0-60383-02320-1
President’s Choice 13oz Southwest Salad Kit / Le Choix du President Sud-Ouest 0-60383-02319-5

LISTING OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SPRINGFIELD RECALL

Product Description UPC Code
Dole 10 oz Very Veggie / Ranache de Legumes 0-71430-01008-2
Dole 11 oz Greener Selection / Selection de Verdure 0-71430-00965-9
Dole 12 oz American / Melange Americain 0-71430-00933-8
Dole 12 oz Garden Salad / Salade du Jardin 0-71430-01135-5
Dole 13 oz Asian Island Crunch / Croustillante Des Iles Asiatiques 0-71430-01721-0
Dole 13 oz Southwest Salad Kit 0-71430-01701-2
Dole 13 oz Southwest Salad Kit / Salade du Sud-ouest 0-71430-01711-1
Dole 13.25 Country Ranch Kit 0-71430-01730-2
Dole 16 oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-84616-2
Dole 2 lb Garden Salad 0-71430-01137-9
Dole 24 oz Value Size Garden Salad 0-71430-01136-2
Dole 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-01065-5
Dole 9.1 oz Peppercorn Ranch / Ranch et Poivre 0-71430-00098-4
Dole 9.1 oz Peppercorn Ranch Chopped Kit 0-71430-00093-9
Dole 9.8 oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit 0-71430-00100-4
Dole 9.8 oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit / Teriyaki A L’ananas 0-71430-00182-0
Kroger 12 oz American Blend 0-11110-91041-7
Kroger 12 oz Classic Garden 0-11110-91036-3
Kroger 12 oz Veggie Blend 0-11110-91048-6
Kroger 24 oz Classic Garden 0-11110-91037-0
Kroger 8oz. Shredded Iceberg Lettuce 0-11110-91613-6
Little Salad Bar 10 oz Caesar Salad Kit 4099100 087000
Little Salad Bar 10.65 oz. Chopped Caesar Kit 4099100263923
Little Salad Bar 12 oz Garden Salad 4099100082982
Little Salad Bar 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 4099100087963
Little Salad Bar 9 oz Italian Salad 4099100083194
Marketside 12 oz Classic Iceberg Salad 6-81131-32894-4
Marketside 12 oz Crisp Greens 6-81131-35503-2
Marketside 16 oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-53209-9
Marketside 24 oz Classic Iceberg Salad 6-81131-32895-1
Marketside 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-32896-8
Presidents Choice 12 oz Garden Salad / Le Choix du President Salade Jardiniere 0-60383-22268-0
Presidents Choice 12 oz Mixed Greens / Le Choix du President Melange de Legumes- Feuilles 0-60383-00188-9
Presidents Choice 12.25 oz Ranch Kit / Le Choix du President Ranch Kit de Salade 0-60383-00493-4
Presidents Choice 13 oz. Sesame Ginger Kit / Le Choix du President Sesame et Gingembre 0-60383-02320-1
Presidents Choice 13 oz. Southwest Salad Kit / Le Choix du President Sud-Ouest 0-60383-02319-5

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Dole Consumer Response Center
 800-356-3111
Media:
Bil Goldfield
 818-874-4647

Product Photos

USA – Standardization of Retail Food Safety Inspection Personnel

FDA

The main goal of a national food safety program is the reduction and prevention of foodborne illness. To that end, FDA provides several pathways, one of which is the Standardization of retail food inspection personnel. This process provides regulatory personnel the opportunity to subject their knowledge and skills related to the Code’s provisions to a uniform system of measurement. The process and criteria for demonstrating proficiency in the required performance areas are described in the FDA Procedures for Standardization of Retail Food Safety Inspection Officers.

The procedures are based on the FDA Food Code and are updated to reflect current Food Code provisions and to include a more refined focus on foodborne illness Risk Factors, Food Code Interventions, and application of the Principals of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

It is critical that food safety personnel become Standardized through this process to ensure that retail foods are safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented at retail throughout the United States. A certificate of standardization as an FDA standardized food safety inspection officer is issued to all Candidates who successfully complete the standardization process.

Resources

Sweden – Report on food poisoning in Sweden during 2020. 

Livsmedelsverket

The report describes how many people become ill from the food, which are the most common infectious agents and foods that cause the disease cases, where in the food chain the designated foods are contaminated, which countries of origin were indicated for the designated foods, what contributing factors were identified, seasonal variation and changes in recent years. The results from the report provide information to those who have an interest or need for this type of knowledge in their profession and not least to show and give feedback on the valuable work performed by those who investigate, report and otherwise study food poisoning.

Summary Reported Foodborne Illness in Sweden 2020
This Report compiles food poisonings reported to the Swedish Food Agency in 2020. A new online form for submitting reports to the Swedish Food Agency was launched in January 2020, aiming to raise the quality of reported data. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was ongoing also, which affected the number of food poisoning outbreaks during the year.
By food poisoning is meant here an illness caused by eating food containing harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses or toxins. The main purpose of the compilation is to support food poisoning investigations in several ways:
by giving the present position of the most recent food poisonings;
by presenting data that can be used to connect different pathogens to different kinds of foods.by making it possible to follow the development of different combinations;
by making it possible to implement risk management measures as effectively as possible.
The Swedish Food Agency regulation LIVSFS 2005:7 instructs municipal control authorities, in co-operation with health professionals, the County Administrative Board and the Public Health Agency of Sweden, to conduct epidemiological investigations of foodborne outbreaks.
The results must be reported to the Swedish Food Agency without delay. Health Agency and Swedish Food Agency in consultation supplement the control authorities’ reports with reports on local and national outbreaks.
The Report is based on 173 reported events of suspected or confirmed food poisoning with a total of 1,314 cases of illness. In 160 of the reports it was stated that two or more persons were infected from the same source. When compared to the 2019 compilation, we can note that both the number of reports and cases of illness were almost halved in 2020.
This reduction may be due to the restrictions and recommendations introduced in connection to Covid-19 pandemic. For example, there were fewer people using restaurant services, better hand hygiene among people handling food and the cancellation of major public events where food may have been served.
Most reports indicated that the cause was unknown (71%), however for 44% of the reported cases virus was cited as the cause. This is due to 23 outbreaks with 571 cases of illness where the cause was virus. Norovirus continues to cause major outbreaks (22 food poisoning outbreaks with a total of 513 cases), followed by campylobacter which was reported in 4 outbreaks with 158 cases, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an unusual foodborne pathogen in Sweden, was associated with one outbreak of 50 cases of illness.
The food categories that had the most reported cases of illness were bakery products (210 cases), chicken (155 cases) and foods from the sea (164 cases).Bakery products were a source of infection in outbreaks where norovirus and STEC (Shigatoxin-producing E. coli) were the cause -200 cases and 10 cases, respectively.

Chicken was a source of infection in outbreaks where Campylobacter was the cause -155 cases.
When the source of infection was food from the sea, norovirus in oysters was the cause most cases of illness (124 cases), followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seagrass (50 cases) and histamine in fish (34 cases).
The number of food poisoning reports was highest during the first quarter: between January to March there were 63 reports in, with a total of 634 cases of illness. This is due to both a number of oyster-related outbreaks early in the year and fewer outbreaks occurred during the rest of the year due to restrictions and hygiene recommendations during the covid-19 pandemic. For almost 65% of the disease cases, the source of contamination was food contaminated early in the production chain, e.g. industrial facilities, from which the food was then widely distributed (industry 30 %, primary production 3% and other 31.5%). In order to reduce the number of food poisonings, it is therefore important to have good systems for food safety in primary production and such facilities.
The most commonly mentioned contributing factor was incorrect storage with respect to time and temperature. This factor was listed in 21 reports. For example, this may refer to inappropriate temperature when keeping food heated, or not low enough temperature in cold storage. The second most common factor was “a contaminated ingredient”, as stated in 11 reports.
There is often no information about the country of origin of the implicated food products. This may be due to the fact that this information is optional in the reporting form. It can be also difficult to know in which country viruses or bacteria contaminated a food product.
The reporting authority usually does not have access to information about whether patients have received hospital care. However in 5 reports, it was stated that a total of 7 people received hospital care. No deaths were reported.

Click to access l-2021-nr-23-rapporterade-misstankta-matforgiftningar-2020.pdf

USA – 11 Hepatitis A cases linked to Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

Food Poison Journal

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) announced today the temporary closure of Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton in relation to a Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) outbreak in the county. The restaurant will be closed until further notice while the investigation continues.

At this time, 11 total cases are under investigation, with 9 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A and 2 potential cases of Hepatitis A. Of the 9 confirmed cases, 7 people were hospitalized. To date, one death is confirmed and one additional death is under investigation.

Netherlands – Safety warning for various beef products Dirk van den Broek – Listeria monocytogenes

NVWA

Safety warning various beef products Dirk van den Broek

Dirk van den Broek is immediately removing several beef products from the shelves as a precaution. An inspection in our own central butcher’s shop revealed that listeria had been found on one of the raw materials received. This raw material has been further processed into several meat products.

See Dirk van den Broek’s website

Which products are involved?

  • the Best Beefsteak natural 2BLK 2 pieces
    Barcode (first 7 digits): 2373287 Best before
    date: 17-1-2022
  • the Best Peppersteak 2BLK 2 pieces
    Barcode (first 7 digits): 2337225 Best before
    date: 17-1-2022
  • the Best Quarter Pounder Royal 2 pieces 2BLK
    Barcode (first 7 digits): 2379411 Best before
    date: 19-1-2022
  • the Best Ground Beef 300GR
    Barcode (first 7 digits): 2336493 Best before
    : 15-01-2022 to 18-01-2022

France – Ravioli made in Drôme, with Emmental – Salmonella

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Cereals and baked goods
  • Product brand name REFLECTS OF FRANCE
  • Names of models or references240g Emmental ravioli, packed in a tray
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    3560071195700 2136201 Use-by date 01/17/2022
  • Packaging240g transparent container
  • Start date / End of marketing From 12/31/2021 to 01/11/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 26 218 032 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors CROSSROADS

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Suspicion of bacteriological contamination by Salmonella
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Salmonella spp (causative agent of salmonellosis)

Netherlands – Safety warning Quarter Pounder Royaal Skinny DekaMarkt – Listeria monocytogenes

NVWA

Safety warning Quarter Pounder Royal Skinny DekaMarkt

DekaMarkt immediately removes Quarter Ponder Royaal Skinny with best before date 19-01-2022 from the shelves. Checks have shown that this product may contain Listeria. Customers are urged not to consume the product.

Which product is it?

  • Quarter pounder generous lean 2x
  • Barcode: 2373410 (first 7 digits)
  • Can be used until 19-01-2022

Recall Notice