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Food Safety News
The Minneapolis-based food company says no illnesses have been reported in either case. Listeria can cause fever, muscle aches, and even death.
Tag Archive: Listeria
October 5, 2015 by
K-9 Kraving Dog Food is voluntarily recalling their Chicken Patties Dog Food because it may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date, although listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria bacteria, can take up to 70 days to manifest.
The recalled product was shipped between July 13 and July 17, 2015 and distributed to retail stores only in Maryland. No other K-9 Kraving Dog Food products are affected by this recall.
Pets can be sickened with Salmonella and Listeria bacteria, and there is a risk to people handling contaminated pet products. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea that may be bloody, abdominal cramps, and fever. A Listeria monocytogenes infection in dogs can cause lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and excessive drooling. If left untreated, a Listeria infection in a dog can lead to paralysis and brain swelling. If your dog has been sick and you have fed him this product, see your veterinarian.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
March 20, 2014 by
Helados La Tapatia, Inc. is recalling ice cream, popsicles, fruit bars and cups, adn bolis because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date, but listeriosis can take up to 70 days after exposure to make someone sick.
The products include Fruit Bars, Milk Bars, Bolis, Ice Cream Containers, Ice Cream Cups, Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Frutero. The recalled products were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Guam, and Canada in retail stores. The products are sold under the brand names of Helados La Tapatia and Icesations.
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February 26, 2014 by
Roos Foods of Kenton, DE is expanding its recall of cheeses that may be contaminated with the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The recall now includes all lots of Amigo and Mexicana brands of Requesón part-skim ricotta in 15 oz. and 16 oz. plastic containers and all lots of Amigo, Mexicana and Santa Rosa De Lima brands of Queso de Huerta (fresh curd cheese).
In addition to the cheeses listed above, all lots of the following cheese are being recalled: Cuajada En Terron, Cuajada/Cuajadita Cacera, Cuajada Fresca, Queso Fresca Round and Queso Dura Viejo Hard Cheeses sold under the brand names Amigo, Mexicana, Santa Rosa De Lima, and Queso Fresco sold under the Anita brand name. The recalled cheeses were packaged in flexible plastic bags and rigid plastic clam shell packages in 12 oz. and 16 oz. sizes.
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Food Poisoning Bulletin
In Canada, some Caesar salads are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. They were sold in Alberta, British Columbia in Buy-Low Foods and Nester Market, and in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan at Safeway and St. Martin’s Family Foods. No illnesses have been reported to date. The names of some of the salads are spelled differently; that’s the way they appear on the label.
The recalled products include Signature Cafe Chicken Caesar Salad in 140 and 300 gram containers, with best before dates up to and including MR01. The UPC number for the 140 gram package is 0 58200 13145 1 and the number for the 300 gram package is 0 58200 13119 2. Also recalled are Fresh ‘n Delicious Ceasar (sic) Salad in 100 and 205 gram containers with best before dates up to and including FEB 28/14. The UPC numbers for the 100 gram sizes start with 2 06430, and the numbers for the 205 gram sizes start with 2 06419. Fresh ‘n Delicious Chicken Ceasar Salad is recalled, in 280 gram containers with best before dates up to and including FEB 28/14 and UPC numbers starting with 2 06422.
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Food Poisoning Bulletin
Listeriosis Outbreak in Maryland and California From Roos Cheese
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has started an investigation into an outbreak of listeriosis, caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, in Maryland and California. One person in California was sick and died, and seven people are ill in Maryland. All seven people in Maryland have been hospitalized in this outbreak.
Five of the illnesses, two mother-newborn pairs and a newborn, were related to pregnancy. All of the patients are Hispanic. All patients in Maryland reported consuming soft or semi-soft Hispanic-style cheese and all shopped at different locations of the same food store. At this time, the CDC is identifying the store only as Chain A. Testing of cheese products collected from Chain A stores in Maryland and Virginia found the outbreak strain of bacteria.
The cheese is identified as Caujada en Terron (fresh cheese curd), produced by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware. That cheese was recalled on February 15, 2014, and consumer advisories and warnings about Roos cheese products were issued on February 19 and February 21, 2014. The cheese was repackaged in the Chain A store. Listeria monocytogenes was found in the cheese before it was repackaged. Pre-packaged cheese products at Chain A stores, by Roos Foods, have tested “preliminarily positive” for Listeria monocytogenes.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Listeria in soft cheeses sold at Megamart stores has killed one person in California and sickened seven others in Maryland since August, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven people have been hospitalized. A recall has not been issued.
The contaminated soft cheeses including queso fresco were made by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware and repackaged by Megamart, which describes itself as a 100 percent Latino supermarket. Megamart has five stores in Maryland located in Silver Spring, Hyattsville, Riverdale, Rockville, Gaithersburg and one in Manassas, Virginia. All of the cases patients in this outbreak are Hispanic.
On February 15, Virginia’s agriculture department announced it had found Listeria monocytogenes, in a sample of Cuajada en Terron (Fresh Cheese Curd) collected from Megamart’s Manassas store at 8328 Shopper’s Square. Ag officials warned consumers not to eat the cheese which was sold in clear, unlabeled plastic bags in the store’s cheese cooler. At that time, no illnesses had been reported in Virginia.
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Falafel King Recalls Hummus and Wraps for Possible Listeria
February 20, 2014 by
Falafal King of Boulder, Colorado is recalling Hatch Green Chile Hummus and Hatch Green Chile Wraps because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products.
The Hatch Green Chile Hummus is in 10 ounce clear plastic containers with a black-rimmed lid. The UPC number is 822986-10305-2 printed on the back label, and sell by dates are 2/14/2014 through 3/16/2014 printed just above the back label. The Hatch Green Chile Wraps are individually wrapped in clear plastic wrap. The UPC number is 822986-70205-7 and a sticker printed with “Sell By” 02/28 through 02/27 (sic) on the back of the package. The products were sold in certain areas of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Nebraska.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Protecting and Promoting Your Health
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Falafel King Voluntarily Recalls Hatch Green Chile Hummus and Hatch Green Chile Wraps Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
Amnon Gilady
303-443-1346
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 20, 2014 – Falafel King of Boulder, Colorado is recalling 10 ounce containers of Hatch Green Chile Hummus and 8.5 ounce Hatch Green Chile Wraps because they have the potential to 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 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.
The recalled Hatch Green Chile Hummus and Hatch Green Chile Wraps were distributed to retail stores in certain areas of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Nebraska.
The Hatch Green Chile Hummus comes in a 10 ounce clear plastic container with a black-rimmed lid, the UPC #822986-10305-2 printed on the back label and a “Sell By” date beginning 02/14/2014 through 03/16/2014 printed just above the back label where the UPC / bar code is located. The Hatch Green Chile Wraps are individually wrapped in clear plastic wrap, the UPC #822986-70205-7 printed on the front label and a sticker printed with “Sell By” 02/28 through 02/27 on the back of the package.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with our product.
The recall was the result of notification by the supplier of fresh green chili that there was a potential for the Listeria organism in the Bueno Foods roasted fresh green chili used in the Hatch Green Chile Hummus and the Hatch Green Chile Wraps. The Falafel King recall was a completely voluntary decision in order to protect the consumers. Falafel King immediately changed its supplier of fresh roasted green chili and now heats the chili to at least 165º F then cools it before adding it to the Hatch Green Chile Hummus and the Hatch Green Chile Wraps.
Consumers who have purchased Hatch Green Chile Hummus or Hatch Green Chile Wraps with the “Sell By” dates noted in this recall are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the Falafel King Corporate Office at 303-443-1346 Monday-Friday, 9:00a.m.–5:00p.m. MST.
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The Healthy Home Economist
When I was first introduced to the benefits of raw milk nearly 12 years ago, I was newly pregnant with my second child. While I wanted to reap the benefits of this nutrient dense food, I was initially cautious to begin consuming it for fear it might harm my baby.
Everywhere I turned for research and information about the safety of raw milk during pregnancy was negative.
Numerous citations and sources I reviewed warned against consuming raw milk during pregnancy due to the risk of infection with Listeria monocytogenes, a deadly pathogen that can cause fetal death or premature birth.
While the research I uncovered contained dire warnings about infection with Listeria during pregnancy, I couldn’t actually find documentation about anyone who had actually contracted it from drinking raw milk let alone died or miscarried from it!
After much reading and thought, I concluded that the warnings against raw milk were unwarranted and the nutritional benefits to myself and my child vastly outweighed any risk.
I began to consume raw milk along with aged raw cheese, raw cream and raw butter late in the first trimester of my second pregnancy. I continued this practice throughout my second and third pregnancy with no ill effects. Both children were born healthy, full term and a normal weight.
Why Does the FDA Warn Against Raw Milk During Pregnancy?
In the 12 years since I began consuming raw milk while newly pregnant, the nonexistence of infection with Listeria monocytogenes for raw milk drinkers has continued. Analysis of Centers for Disease Control data on raw milk outbreaks listed no cases whatsoever of food-borne illness from raw milk caused by Listeria during the entire 13 year period from 1993-2005.
Recalls
Missa Bay Recalling Products Containing Apples for Possible Listeria
By Kathy Will
Missa Bay, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ready Pzc Foods Inc of New Jersey is recalling 293,488 cases and 296,224 individually distributed units of fruit, vegetable, and sandwich products containing apples because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products have use-by dates of July 8, 2012 through August 20, 2012. The recall is being issued because Listeria bacteria were found on equipment used by Missa Bay to produce apple products and other products.
You can see the long list of retail products, along with use-by dates and UPC numbers, that are being recalled at the FDA site. They include items as diverse as Burger King and McDonalds fresh apple slices, Snack Pac apples, Super Fruit Medley, Sweet Sunshine Platter, fruit trays, baby carrots, red grapes, chicken sandwiches, and salads. The products were distributed to retailers and foodservice operators in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Retailers should check their shelves and inventories for these products and remove them. Consumers who may have purchased these products should discard them and contat the Ready Pac Consumer Affairs Department at 800-800-7822 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PT for a refund.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious illness in pregnant women and those in high risk groups. The bacteria has an incubation period of up to 70 days, which means that anyone who ate the contaminated products in August may not become ill until October. The symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, GI symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea, and stiff neck. Pregnant women usually have a mild illness, but the bacteria can cause miscarriages and stillbirth. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of these products.
Burch Equipment Recall Expands to Include All Melons, Including Honeydew
By Linda Larsen
Burch Equipment LLC of North Carolina is expanding its recall of Caribbean Gold melons to include all of this growing season’s cantaloupes and honeydew melons that remain on the market because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The melons originally tested positive for the bacteria at the end of July. The recall was expanded last week after an FDA inspection found unsanitary conditions at the facility’s packing shed. Then the company announced that the original recall, for Athena melons, was incorrect, and that the type of melon actually recalled is Caribbean Gold.
The whole cantaloupes have a red label reading “Burch Farms” with PLU # 4319. Some of the cantaloupes may have the sticker “Cottle Strawberry, Inc.” with PLU # 4319. Cottle Strawberry did not grow or process the melons involved in this recall. The cantaloupes were shipped in both corrugated boxes, with nine melons per box, and in bulk bins.
The melons were sold to distributors between June 23 and July 27, 2012 in these states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The fruit may have been distributed to retail stores, restaurants, and food service facilities in other states.
No illnesses have been reported to date, but Listeria monocytogenes can take up to 70 after exposure to produce symptoms. The symptoms of listeriosis include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Pregnant women may have only mild symptoms, but the bacteria can cause stillbirth and miscarriage.
The recall is being expanded because the FDA found Listeria monocytogenes on a honeydew melon grown and packed by Burch. For questions, call Burch Equipment LLC at 910-267-5781 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm EST.
Fresco Green Farms Recalls Cilantro for Possible Salmonella
By Linda Larsen
Fresco Green Farms of California is recalling 1,643 cases of cilantro because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The herb was sold in California and Minnesota from July 19, 2012 to August 6, 2012. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of this product. We’re not sure if this recall is tied to the August 10, 2012 recall of cilantro sold in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The cilantro is sold in bunches, fastened with a brown rubber band. Each bunch is 10 inches long and 1-1/4 inches in width. There are no identifying labels or lot numbers on the product. The cilantro was shipped in cases labeled “Fresco Green Farms Inc., Hemet, CA. Produce of USA cilantro 2.5 dz”. Anyone who purchased cilantro should contact the place of purchase to see if the store received any of the recalled herb.
The USDA found the Salmonella on the cilantro. The herb that was harvested from July 18, 2012 to July 27, 2012 has the potential to be contaminated. For questions, call the company at 562-205-7673 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm PST.
Drakes Bay Oysters Recalled for Vibrio; Three Sickened
By Linda Larsen
Drakes Bay Oyster Co. in Marin County California is recalling shucked and in-shell oysters. They may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacteria that can cause serious illness. In fact, the oysters are linked to an outbreak that has sickened three people so far.
The affected oysters include shucked oysters in 9 ounce, 1 pint, 1 quart containers and half gallon jars and tubs. The lot numbers are 363 through 421. The in-shell oysters are sold individually or in bags ranging from 1 dozen to 7 dozen. Harvest tags range from July 17, 2012 to August 8, 2012. If anyone has any of these oysters, do not eat them; throw them away.
Symptoms of Vibrio infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, fever, and chills. Those in high risk groups, including the very young, pregnant women, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems, can suffer severe complications and even death. If you see the oysters for sale, please call the company’s complaint line at 800-495-3232.
Black Licorice Recalled for High Levels of Lead
by News Desk
A North Carolina-based company is recalling one lot of its black licorice because the product contains high levels of lead.
Lucky Country, Inc. of Lincolntown, NC issued a voluntary recall of its “Aussie Style” black licorice Friday after testing by the California Department of Health revealed that it contained levels of lead above government safety thresholds.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, lead levels as high at .18 parts per million were found in the product, an amount that could amount to 7.2 micrograms of lead per serving. This level exceeds the .1ppm limit that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set for candies likely to be consumed frequently by small children.
The licorice subject to recall was distributed to Costco and Smart & Final stores located in California, Arizona and Utah. The product is sold in 1.5 pound gusset bags with a zipper. Packaging bears the label “Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Black Licorice with Natural Ingredients,” is red, white and black in color, and is marked with lot number A3057.
Consumers who purchased licorice in this lot are urged to return it to its place of purchase for a full refund.
Those with questions can e-mail the company at customerservice@lucky-country.com or call 828-428-8313 during business hours.
Lead is a soft, dense metal used to make batteries and metal mixtures. It is no longer allowed to be added to house paints or gasoline.
Lead poisoning can lead to serious health consequences, especially in young children. Levels of 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood or higher are considered dangerous and can impair a child’s ability to learn. Higher levels of lead can damage a person’s kidney’s, blood and nervous system.
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Articles of Interest
USDA Cracks Down On Food Stamp Fraud
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cracking down on food stamp fraud. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps 46 million low income Americans buy food each month. But sometimes benefits aren’t used to buy food for those most in need.
Trading benefits for cash or lying on an application to receive benefits are the two most common examples of SNAP fraud. They will be targeted under new measures announced this week by the USDA which include tougher financial penalties on retailers and new eligibility requirements and tools for states.
“USDA has a zero tolerance policy for SNAP fraud,” Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon, said in a statement. “These additional measures reaffirm our ongoing commitment to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended–helping millions of people in need get back on solid economic footing.”
Under the new rules, retailers who traffic in benefits can be permanently disqualified from participating in the program and face financial penalties. Previously, the USDA was able to disqualify retailers or fine them, but not both. States must now take specific actions to catch fraud and abuse.
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, the USDA fined or temporarily disqualified more than 574 stores for violating program rules and permanently disqualified 1,016 stores that traded benefits for cash or falsified applications. Venues where benefits are often traded, such as Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook and Twitter have been notified of increased enforcement measures. Recently, the USDA has also proposed new state requirements for applicants who request excessive EBT card replacements; increased documentation for high-risk stores.
Here’s some perspective. About 230,000 retailers participate in the SNAP program. And about $700 million, or 1% of the total $75 billion SNAP budget, is estimated to be spent fraudulently each year. The average SNAP benefit is $132 per person per month.
Small Meat Processors Find Bigger Markets Through USDA Program
Up until now, small, state-inspected meat and poultry processors could only sell products within their state. But through a new program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) they are now allowed to ship their products across state lines.
Ohio is the first state to participate in the USDA’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program which allows meat and poultry processors with fewer than 25 employees to sell their products in other states. The products will be subject to the same regulatory sampling programs as those established in the federal inspection program.
“Expanding market opportunities for meat from local processors makes these small businesses more viable, while also ensuring that participating establishments have robust food safety systems in place to produce safe food for consumers,” Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, said in a statement.
The 2008 Farm Bill created the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program and in 2011 the USDA approved regulations allowing state employees to administer federal regulations and and inspections.
“Before this agreement was finalized, small and specialty meat processors in Ohio who are inspected daily by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) were prohibited from selling their products over state lines. You had to be inspected by the federal government to do that despite the fact that our state inspection program has been rated as “at least equal to” the federal program since 1969. It just didn’t make sense,” Ohio Agriculture Director David Daniels, said in a statement.
Great Lakes Smoked Meats of Lorain, Ohio, is one of the companies participating in the program. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Ben Fligner, the company’s president said in a statement. “We’ve been contacted by specialty grocery stores in other states asking to stock our products and I haven’t been able to do business with them until now. This is huge for our company and will allow us to grow and to add jobs.”
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