FDA – Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company Recalls Cantaloupe Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

FDA

For Immediate Release – November 14, 2023 – Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company, located in Oklahoma City, OK, has initiated a voluntary recall of all fresh-cut cantaloupe products listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare instances, 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.

Due to the 11/8/2023 recall of fresh, whole cantaloupes by Sophia Foods, LLC (DBA Trufresh) of Nogales, AZ, in response to a notification by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of a potential contamination with Salmonella, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company is issuing this recall. Cantaloupes recalled by Sophia Foods LLC were used as a raw material in Vinyard cantaloupe products listed below.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with subject cantaloupes, to date.

This recall includes the following fresh-cut products containing cantaloupe purchased from Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company from October 30, 2023 to November 10, 2023 and distributed in the state of Oklahoma through retail and wholesale outlets:

Product Code Description Best By Date(s)/VFVC Code
2972-3 Fruit Medley Cup 6 oz Cup 11/14/2023
11/19/2023
3300-3 Cantaloupe Cube (2/5 lb Tray) VFVC 306, VFVC 307,
VFVC 310, VFVC 311,
VFVC 312, VFVC 313
3338-3 Fruit Mix Kit (4/5 lb Tray) VFVC 306, VFVC 307,
VFVC 312
2963-3 3 Melon 6 oz Cup 11/14/2023
11/18/2023
11/19/2023
3330-3 Fruit Mix (2/5 lb Tray) VFVC 306, VFVC 310
3301-3 Cantaloupe Cube (5 lb Tray) VFVC 307,VFVC 312
3304-3 Cantaloupe Cubed 12 oz Cup 11/19/2023
11/20/2023
0526-3 Melon Variety Pack VFVC 307,VFVC 311,
VFVC 313
2964-3 3 Melon Medley 6 oz Cup 11/15/2023
2973-3 Fruit Medley 6 oz Cup 11/15/2023
11/17/2023
2976-3 Cantaloupe Chunks 6 oz Cup 11/15/2023
3329-3 Fruit Mix 12 Oz Cup 11/19/2023

Vinyard has contacted all retailers and wholesalers who purchased these products and notified them to remove recalled products from their inventory immediately and dispose of products or arrange for their pick-up by a Vinyard representative.

Consumers who believe that they are in possession of any of the products affected by this recall should take the following actions:

  • Check to see if you have recalled products.
  • Do not consume, serve, sell or distribute recalled products.
  • Dispose of the recalled product or return to the location where they were purchased.
  • Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled product are advised to contact their retailer.
  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider.

Consumers may obtain additional information by calling Jennifer Vogler at 1-405-639-2451, Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM CST.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Jennifer Vogler
 1-405-639-2451

Image 1: “Photograph of Label of Fresh Cantaloupe Chunks, 6 oz. cup”

UK – FSA- Kitchen Life 2

FSA

Kitchen Life 2 (KL2) used motion-sensitive cameras to explore food safety behaviours in 70 households and 31 food business operator (FBO) kitchens. It also captured data using surveys, interviews, and fridge and freezer thermometers. KL2 was commissioned in February 2021 and completed in June 2023. The aim of KL2 was to identify the key food safety behaviours that occur in household and business kitchens and understand the factors influencing these behaviours.

The findings from this study are detailed across seven separate reports, each focusing on a behaviour of interest to the FSA.

Each report explores the behaviour in detail and uses behavioural analysis to identify the factors influencing the behaviour.

The 7 reports are:

  1. Not washing hands with soap after touching meat, fish and poultry
  2. Reusing a chopping board after preparing meat, fish and poultry 
  3. Reusing a tea towel or cloth for multiple purposes
  4. Storing chilled foods at incorrect temperatures 
  5. Not reheating leftovers until steaming hot throughout 
  6. Not checking use-by dates and consuming foods past use-by dates
  7. The creation of food waste

Sweden – Coop is recalling Coop spreadable liver pate with cucumber – not sufficiently heat treated

Livsmedelsverket

Coop is recalling Coop spreadable liver pate with cucumber because there is a risk that it has not been sufficiently heat treated.

France – TURKEY LEG – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name CORRIL
  • Model names or references TURKEY LEG
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    0343161473 Use-by date 10/29/2023
    0343161473 / 0343161579 Use-by date 10/31/2023
    0343161579 Use-by date 01/11/2023
  • Start/end date of marketing From 10/18/2023 to 11/01/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 41.238.001 CE
  • Geographical sales area Regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, , Burgundy-Franche-Comté, , Brittany, , Grand-Est, , Hauts-de-France, , Île-de-France, , Normandy, , Nouvelle-Aquitaine, , Occitanie, , Country -de-la-Loire, , Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
  • Distributors ALDI FRANCE
  • List of points of sale List_of_stores_-_RAPPEL_CUISSE_DE_DINDE.pdf

Irish seafood agency reveals critical incidents and controls in 2022

Lexblog

The Irish agency responsible for seafood controls has revealed alleged illness from shellfish and detection of pathogens in products in its 2022 annual report.

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is tasked with ensuring seafood safety for consumers up to retail and verifying seafood trade.

2022 was described as a challenging year for Ireland’s seafood sector with continuing repercussions from Brexit, the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the impact of COVID-19 in export markets, and the energy and cost-of-living crises.

Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers (SFPOs) carried out 1,958 food safety official controls across 2,323 premises. This included inspections of approved establishments, sampling, vessel hygiene checks, and certification for a consignment of food exported to another country. A total of 1,249 samples were taken, the majority being food items.

SFPA responded to 74 incidents relating to concerns about the safety or quality of food which required examination because of public health risks.

Twenty-three incidents were reports of alleged illness following consumption of live bivalve mollusks, particularly oysters. Six were due to detecting Listeria monocytogenes in fishery products, and five were suspected Norovirus in shellfish with no reports of illness.

Canada – Outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to raw pet food and contact with cattle

PHAC

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella infections in six provinces.

Many of the individuals who became sick are children 5 years of age or younger. Illnesses associated with this outbreak strain may be difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics, if antibiotic treatment is needed.

The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to PHAC.

Based on the investigation findings to date, two sources have been identified:

  • Exposure to raw meat prepared for pets (raw pet food) has been identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in this outbreak. Some of the individuals who became sick reported exposure to raw pet food, or to dogs fed raw pet food, before their illnesses occurred. A single common supplier of raw pet food has not been identified.
  • Contact with cattle, particularly calves, has also been identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in the outbreak.

The outbreak investigation is ongoing and it’s possible that additional sources may be identified.

The outbreak is a reminder that Salmonella bacteria can be found in raw pet food and in many species of animals, including dogs and cattle. Always use safe food handling practices when preparing, cooking, or storing raw pet food to prevent illness. Practice good hand hygiene and frequent handwashing after contact with dogs fed raw pet food, cattle, and their environments.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella that made people sick has been found in raw pet food from the home of an ill individual. If contaminated, raw pet food can also make your pets sick. Infected pets can also spread bacteria, like Salmonella, to individuals they are in contact with, even if they do not show any signs of illness. This outbreak strain of Salmonella has also been found in sick dogs and cattle, and some of these animals have died. This public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.

USA – Egg firm warned over Salmonella, flies, rodents and more.

Food Safety News

A food firm in Georgia is on notice from the FDA after an inspection at its egg processing facility found the presence of  Salmonella, flies, rodents and more violations of federal regulation.

In an Oct. 5, 2023, warning letter, the FDA described an April 17-21, 2023, inspection of Lathem Family Farms Inc.’s shell egg farm and egg processing facility, where eggs are washed, graded and packed, in Pendergrass, GA.

The FDA’s inspection found serious violations of the Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation regulation (the shell egg regulation). Additionally, FDA collected environmental samples from the firm’s poultry houses and detected the presence of Salmonella as further described in this letter.

At the conclusion of the inspection, FDA investigators issued a Form 483 (FDA-483), Inspectional Observations.

France – SUPERIOR COOKED HAM SKULLED WITH DEGREASED TOWEL sold at the traditional stand – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name UNBRANDED
  • Model names or references SUPERIOR COOKED HAM SKULLED DEGREATED TOWEL
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    01206889 Use-by date 11/20/2023
  • Packaging sold at the traditional stand
  • Start/end date of marketing From 10/14/2023 to 10/19/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Further information sold at the traditional stand
  • Geographical sales area Marzy Nevers
  • Distributors crossroads

England – Preston primary school shuts nursery after STEC E.coli cases in classrooms

Lancashire Post

Eldon Primary School said it has temporarily closed its nursery while children are tested for the bacterial infection and several deep cleans are carried out.

It comes after a small number of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) infections were confirmed among children who attend the nursery.

Wales – Egg firm fined for Salmonella testing failure

Food Safety News

An unnamed egg producer has been fined in Wales for not following Salmonella testing rules.

In September 2023, a case was brought by the Welsh Government against an egg company for non-compliance with Salmonella testing legislation for laying hens.

Not following these requirements is a criminal offence under the Eggs and Chicks (Wales) Regulations 2010.

The business was fined £1,000 ($1,220) and ordered to pay a £100 ($122) victim surcharge. They were also told to pay £2,121 ($2,600) for prosecution costs.