Category Archives: Microbiology

CDC – Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Linked to Peanut Butter Manufactured By Sunland, Inc.

CDC

  • A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak strain of SalmonellaBredeney have been reported from 19 states.
    • Eight ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
    • 63% percent of ill persons are children under the age of 10 years.
  • Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, manufactured by Sunland, Inc. of Portales, New Mexico, is a likely source of this outbreak.
    • Testing conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture laboratory isolated the outbreak strain from an opened jar of Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Peanut Butter collected from a case-patient’s home.

 

CDC – Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections Linked to Live Poultry in Backyard Flocks

CDC – Final Update on the outbreak

 A total of 93 persons infected with the outbreak strain of SalmonellaMontevideo were reported from 23 states and Puerto Rico.

  • The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alaska (1), California (4), Colorado (1), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (3), Indiana (10), Iowa (2), Kansas (15), Kentucky (2), Massachusetts (2), Missouri (28), Nebraska (8), Nevada (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (5), South Dakota (1), Texas (1), Vermont (1), West Virginia (1), Wyoming (1), and Puerto Rico (1).
  • 21 ill persons were hospitalized. One death was reported in Missouri, but Salmonella infection was not considered a contributing factor in this person’s death.
  • 38% of ill persons were children 10 years of age or younger.
  • Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings linked this outbreak of human Salmonella infections to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live baby poultry from Estes Hatchery in Springfield, Missouri.

Canada Polish Ham Recall – Clostridium perfringens

CFIA

Reference Number: 7453
Recalling Firm: G. BRANDT MEAT PACKERS LTD.
Date of Recall: 10/10/2012
Recall Classification: 3
Distribution : Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Extent of the Product Distribution : Retail

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
BRANDT POLISH HAM 4 kg Best Before:
2012 Oct 21
2012 Oct 29
2012 Nov 04
None / Aucun Microbiological – Other – Clostridium perfingens

BBC – School in Leeds Hit by Shigella

BBC

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said pupils and staff at Cross Lane Primary School in Elland had been affected by the Shigella bacteria, which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

The HPA said that nine cases had been confirmed and more than 50 people had displayed symptoms over the last three weeks.

The school will reopen on 15 October.

Thai Red Pepper Recall – Salmonella

FDA

S & P Company, Limited of Paramount, CA is recalling 150 cases/1,800 jars of Su-nun Crush Roasted Thai Red Pepper, 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 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 Su-nun Brand Red Pepper was distributed in the Los Angeles Area Grocery stores (between July of 2012 to October 2012) including Bell and Long Beach, Rockford, IL, Phoenix, AZ, Omaha, NE and Brooklyn, NY.

The Su-nun Brand Red Pepper ‘Super Hot’ 10.58 oz. is in Flake form packaged in a clear plastic jar with a red plastic screw-on lid. There is a clear plastic heat shrink and red and yellow label. Bar code 659613000770.

“No illnesses associated with this product have been reported to date.”

The recall was as the result of a routine sampling by the Food and Drug Administration and their further analysis which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. 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.

Consumers who have purchased Su-Nun Brand ‘Crush Roasted Thai Red Pepper’ are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (562) 220-2666 between 10am and 4pm (Pacific Time Zone) Monday-Friday Ask for John.

 

How Many More Peanut Butter Products Recalls – Salmonella?

FDAPeanut Butter Products Salmonella

JagRma LLC of San Diego, CA is doing a Limited Voluntary recall on it’s 16oz NuttZo Original (Blue Label/UPC code 894697002030) manufactured in Oct and November 2011 with “Best Buy Dates 10/7/12-12/31/12 stamped on lid or bottom of jar,” 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 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

FDA

With the FDA’s announcement of an expanded recall of Sunland Inc.’s peanut butter, AdvancePierre Foods of Cincinnati, OH, is initiating a voluntary recall of select frozen products including Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, Peanut Butter and Jelly Graham Cracker sandwiches and Peanut Butter cup products all produced at its Easley, South Carolina factory. In the best interest of consumers, AdvancePierre has decided to recall all of the potentially affected products, including those beyond the one-year shelf life.

The affected products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. To date, there have been no confirmed illnesses or injuries reported in connection with any of the AdvancePierre recalled products, and no other AdvancePierre products are being recalled at this time.

FDA

LIN-MAR PARTNERS, INC of Austin, Texas is recalling two varieties of Longhorn Bars:  Roasted Peanut with Chocolate Energy Bars and Peanut Butter Trail Mix Protein Bars because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No complaints of illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers are urged not consume the product and to return the bars to the place where they purchased them for a full refund.  Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-512-561-5000 between 8 am and 5 pm CST.

 FDA

Creative Energy Foods, Inc. (CEF) is voluntarily recalling Ridgebar brand nutrition bars which contain blanched roasted peanuts supplied to CEF by Sunland, Inc. The decision was made as the result of the expanded recall of peanut butter, nut butters and peanut products by Sunland because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

 No illnesses associated with any of these products have been reported to date.

FDA

Creative Energy Foods, Inc. (CEF) is voluntarily recalling Crunch® thinkThinnutrition bars which may contain blanched roasted peanuts supplied by Sunland , Inc. to CEF. The decision was made as the result of the expanded recall of peanut butter, nut butters and peanut products by Sunland because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

Salmonella bacteria 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 cramps. Consumers with the above symptoms should consult their physician. 

While no illnesses associated with any of these products have been reported to date, as part of our commitment to the safety and quality of our products we have decided to issue a voluntary recall.

 

Three Canadian Recalls and Updates – Salmonella

CFIA

The public warning issued on October 10, 2012 has been updated to include additional products. Previously identified products included in this recallcan be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/recalls.

The CFIA is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the beef products described in this link because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Xan Confections brand Peanut Butter Chocolate products described in the link above because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain Clef Des Champs brand Organic Ground Ginger because these products may be contaminated with Salmonellabacteria.

The following Clef Des Champs brand Organic Ground Ginger products are affected by this alert:

Product Size UPC Code
Organic Ground Ginger 35 g 6 97026 73441 7 BFO11441B06
Organic Ground Ginger 500 g 6 97026 70441 0 BFO11441B07

These products have been distributed nationally.

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

FDA – Four Seasons Dairy Recall Herring Fillets – Salmonella

FDAHerring Fillet Recall Listeria

Four Seasons Dairy Inc, 255 58thSt, Brooklyn, NY 11220 is recalling Herring Fillets “Atlantic Recipe” in oil in 16.66 ounces/500g because it may 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 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 among pregnant women.

The product comes in a 16.66 oz/500g clean plastic tub with an expiration date of 12/11/12 stamped on the bottom. The recalled herring fillets were distributed nationwide and are a product of the Ukraine.

The contamination was discovered after sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have purchased 16.66oz/500g of Herring Fillets “Atlantic Recipe” in oil are advised not to eat them, but should return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-567-7877.

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Australian Recall – Leg Ham – Listeria monocytogenes

FSANZ

Mikes Meats Pty Ltd has recalled Prager Leg Ham from Mikes Meats retail stores and some other butchers in the ACT due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. A point of sale notice will be displayed at these stores.Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Another Romaine Lettuce Recall – Salmonella

CFIASalmonella

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain Fresh Express brand Hearts of Romaine salad because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

The affected product, Fresh Express brand Hearts of Romaine salad, Product of U.S.A., is sold in 510 g (18 oz.) packages, bearing UPC 0 71279 26201 7, production code S270A24, and Best Before Date OCT 11.

This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. However, it may have been distributed to other provinces and territories.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.