…Your Voice for Safe Food

Pistachios Recalled for Salmonella Risk in California
Cucumbers Recalled in California for Salmonella
Mauri Cheese Recalled for Listeria (Canada)
Clic Brand Tahina Recalled for Salmonella (Canada)
Canadian E. coli Outbreak is Up to 7


Pistachios Recalled for Salmonella Risk in California

 Source: Food Safety News (www.foodsafetynews.com), 2/25/13

A California company is recalling 1,200 pounds of pistachios because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled products were distributed in California.

Hoop Nuts LLC of Van Nuys, CA issued a voluntary recall of 600 pounds of raw and 600 pounds of dry roasted pistachios Sunday.

The recalled nuts were sold under the brand names ARO Pistachio and Orandi Farms as Pistachio Halves ‘n Pieces in 30 pound white corrugated boxes.

The dry roasted pistachios are marked with lot #121203 and the raw pistachios are identifiable by lot #1-121213.

Read the Food Safety News article here.

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Cucumbers Recalled in California for Salmonella

Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (www.fda.gov)

Altiza Inc. in Chula Vista, CA has recalled Malichita brand cucumbers due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Following are product details:

• Cucumbers, 44 lbs/box
• Brand: Malichita (green, yellow, red and white background color on each carton)
• Lot #MA012304

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or those undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

If you think you’ve been affected, contact your health care provider right away.

Read more on the FDA site here.

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Mauri Cheese Recalled for Listeria (Canada)

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca), 2/25/13

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Arla Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Mauri brand Gorgonzola cheese, product of Italy, described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Following are details on the affected product:

The product has been distributed in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec (consumer distribution only).

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

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The importer, Arla Foods Inc., Concord, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

• Carl Choueiri of Arla Foods Inc. at 905-669-9393 Ext. 438
• CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday)

Read the CFIA Health Hazard Alert here.

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Clic Brand Tahina Recalled for Salmonella (Canada) 

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca), 2/25/13

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Clic International are warning the public not to consume certain Clic brand Sesame Paste Tahina because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Following are details on the affected product:

The product has been distributed nationally (Canada).

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

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer, Clic International, Laval, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Read the CFIA Health Hazard Alert here.

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 Canadian E. coli Outbreak is Up to 7

Source: Food Poison Journal (www.foodpoisonjournal.com), 2/25/13

Through ongoing monitoring and surveillance activities, two additional cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses have been confirmed as part of this outbreak investigation; one in Manitoba and one in Ontario.

This brings the total number of cases to seven: four in Ontario, two in Alberta and one in Manitoba. These individuals became ill between late December and late January. All cases have recovered or are recovering.

Following are recalled products related to this outbreak:

The risk to Canadians remains low because all products found to be contaminated were recalled from store shelves. It remains important that Canadians not eat any of the recalled beef. Check your freezer and if you have recalled products in your home, return them to the store or throw them out.

Based on all the information collected to date – epidemiological, microbiological and food safety – the following cases of illness are linked to the specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 found in the recalled frozen beef burgers.

Over the course of the investigation, an additional reported case of E. coli O157:H7 illness was found to have the same strain of E. coli as one found in a recalled product. However, the case could not be definitively linked to the outbreak associated with this investigation because there was not enough food history information available to connect the individual with the contaminated product. This individual died in early December as a result of the illness.

Read the Food Poison Journal article here.

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GoldCoast Expands Recall for Spreads Due to Possible Listeria (Northeast/Southeast U.S.)
Kasel Recalls More Pet Treats Due to Possible Salmonella; Products Sold at Target, Petco, Sam’s Club and Costco (Pets/Nationwide)
Nutri-Vet Recalls Chicken Jerky Products for Possible Salmonella (Pets/Nationwide)
Honest Kitchen Recalls Pet Products for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)

GoldCoast Expands Recall for Spreads Due to Possible Listeria (Northeast/Southeast U.S.)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov), 2/18/13

GoldCoast Salads, a Naples Florida firm, is voluntarily recalling Blue Crab Spread, Maine
Lobster Spread, Lobster and Shrimp Spread, and Smoked Salmon Spread that may be contaminated with Listeria.

The following products are being recalled:

• Blue Crab Spread in containers with a weight of 1 pound and containers with a weight of 8 ounces, coded EXP 2/14/13 B.

• Maine Lobster Spread in containers with a weight of 1 pound and containers with a
  weight of 8 ounces, coded EXP 2/16/13 LA.

• Lobster and Shrimp Spread in containers with a weight of 1 pound and containers with a weight of 8 ounces, coded EXP 2/23/13 L&S1 and EXP 3/30/13 L&S1.

• Smoked Salmon Spread in containers with a weight of 1 pound and containers with a
  weight of 8 ounces, coded 3/10/13 S2.

The products in question were produced 12/17/12, 12/19/12, 12/26/12, 1/31/13, and
1/25/13 respectively and distributed to stores in the North East and South East
United States.

Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we urge consumers who have purchased the
suspect products not to eat them, but to return them to the point of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact GoldCoast Salads by calling
(239) 513-0430.

Read the FDA release here.
 

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Kasel Recalls More Pet Treats Due to Possible Salmonella; Products Sold at Target, Petco, Sam’s Club and Costco (Pets/Nationwide)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov), 2/21/13

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Kasel Associates
Industries Inc. is recalling all pet treats it manufactured from April 20
through Sept. 19, 2012 due to potential contamination with Salmonella. Kasel has issued three previous recall notices for specific products manufactured during this time period.

The move comes after the Colorado Department of Agriculture tested a retail sample
of a Kasel pet treat product and found it to be positive for Salmonella. Based on FDA’s
follow-up inspection at the firm, FDA found that all of the finished pet treat product samples and 48 out of 87 environmental samples collected during the inspection tested positive for Salmonella. More than ten different species of Salmonella were found in the firm’s products and manufacturing facility, indicating multiple sources of contamination.

While there are no reports of human illness, FDA has received a small number of complaints of illness in dogs who were exposed to the treats. Because of the multiple positive tests for Salmonella, and the production practices and conditions observed at the facility during the inspection, FDA believes that there is a reasonable probability that pet treat products manufactured in the facility from April 20, 2012 through September 19, 2012 are contaminated with Salmonella.

Both people and animals can contract Salmonellosis from handling or eating contaminated products. People handling dry pet treats should thoroughly wash their hands after having contact with the treats as well as any surfaces exposed to these products.

Consumers who have any of these products, or who are unsure of the manufacturing date of their pet treats, should dispose of them in ways that people and animals, including wild animals, cannot access them, such as placing them in a securely lidded garbage can.

The Kasel-manufactured products are sold at various retailers, including Target, Petco, Sam’s Club and Costco. Most of the products have a two-year shelf life.

All of the products were made in the U.S. This action is not related to FDA’s ongoing investigation of jerky pet treats made in China.

Salmonella is a public health risk and is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the products subject to this recall should contact their health care provider
immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected product or is
experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection. The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in these vulnerable populations. Most healthy individuals recover from Salmonella infections within four to seven days without treatment.

As with humans, dogs who are elderly, very young or have impaired immune systems are
more vulnerable to Salmonella infection.

Read the FDA release here with the list of affected products.

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 Nutri-Vet Recalls Chicken Jerky Products for Possible Salmonella (Pets/Nationwide)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov), 2/20/13

Nutri-Vet, LLC of Boise, ID is voluntarily recalling its Nutri-Vet and NutriPet Chicken
Jerky Products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella
can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for Salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to
these products.

Nutri-Vet is recalling the lot numbers in the product list (available by clicking the FDA
link below) because the manufacturer of an ingredient used in the products informed us of the possibility of Salmonella presence at the manufacturing facility, although no positive test results have been found on Nutri-Vet or NutriPet products to date.

The recalled Chicken Jerky Treats were distributed nationwide through online sales and in retail stores from April 2012 through February 2013 with Best By Dates ranging from April 20, 2014, through October 3, 2014.

The product comes in a clear plastic bag containing Chicken Jerky Treats.

The United States based supplier has ceased the production and distribution of the
ingredient supplied to Nutri-Vet while FDA and the manufacturer continue investigating as to the source of the potential contamination. No other products made by Nutri-Vet, LLC are included in the recall.

Consumers who have purchased Nutri-Vet and NutriPet Chicken Jerky Products are urged to stop feeding them to pets and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Nutri-Vet at 1-877-729-8668 Monday thru Friday from 7am to 5pm MDT.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian. 

Read the FDA release here with the list of affected products.

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Honest Kitchen Recalls Pet Products for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov), 2/21/13

The Honest Kitchen today announced that it is voluntarily recalling five lots of its Verve, Zeal and Thrive pet food products produced between August and November 2012 and sold nationwide in the US and Canada via retail stores, mail order and online after August 2012 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No other Honest Kitchen batches, production dates or products are affected.

The Company is taking this action after learning that one of its raw ingredients suppliers
has recalled a batch of human-grade parsley that may contain Salmonella. The batch of
parsley was shipped to the Company in 2012 and used in the production of five lots of finished Honest Kitchen products.

The Honest Kitchen regularly tests for Salmonella and other pathogens as part of its quality control process and has not received to date any reports of illness associated with these lots of products. Nonetheless, the Company is proceeding with this action in order to ensure the full safety and quality of its products.

"We are committed to providing the highest-quality human-grade food available to our customers’ pets," said Lucy Postins, founder, CEO and CMO of The Honest Kitchen. "While our quality control tests did not find evidence of Salmonella in any of our finished products, we are accountable for everything we make, and are taking precautionary action to ensure the safety and integrity of our products."

The lots being recalled are:

Consumers who purchased the above lots of Honest Kitchen Verve, Zeal or Thrive products
should stop feeding the products to their pets, remove the UPC (bar code) and lot code from the packaging, and discard the contents in a covered trash receptacle. Lot codes are located on the top of product boxes either adjacent to or opposite the UPC.

Consumers can receive a replacement or full refund of the MSRP of the affected products
plus $1 to cover postage, by mailing the UPC and lot code along with a completed Reimbursement Form to The Honest Kitchen, 145 14th Street, San Diego, Calif. 92101, Attn: Reimbursements. All refunds will be processed within five business days (plus postage time).

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Animals with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some animals will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal
pain. Infected but otherwise healthy animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your animals have consumed the recalled product and have these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For questions or more information, contact The Honest Kitchen by phone at 1-866-437-9729 or email at info@thehonestkitchen.com. Customer service representatives will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST to respond to inquiries.

Read the FDA release here.

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Kaytee Pet Products Recalls Bird Treats and Greens for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)
Kaytee Pet Products Recalls Forti-Diet Pro Health for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)
Frozen Beef Burgers Recall Due to Possible E. coli (Canada)

Kaytee Pet Products Recalls Bird Treats and Greens for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)

Source: Business Wire (www.businesswire.com), 2/19/13 

Kaytee Pet Products is recalling several bird treats and greens items due to possible contamination of Salmonella from parsley flake ingredients supplied to Kaytee by Specialty Commodities, Inc., an outside supplier to Kaytee. 

Click here to view the list of affected products.

No human or pet illnesses have been reported to-date. 

The recall notification is being issued based on a recall letter dated February 11, 2013 from Specialty Commodities, Inc. The above-referenced Kaytee products were originally manufactured as early as June 12, 2012. While Kaytee has not had any positive Salmonella results on finished product to suggest possible contamination, we are initiating this recall in accordance with FDA guidelines. Kaytee is taking immediate action to remove the potentially affected product from all retail stores and distribution centers. 

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. Pet owners should thoroughly wash their hands after having contact with these products and clean any surfaces that were exposed. 

Healthy persons exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomit, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary track symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with these products should contact their physician or healthcare provider. 

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infection but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product(s) and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. 

Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in the states of:

• Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, 
• Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, 
• North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, 
• Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Recalled products were distributed to retailers & distributors in the countries of 

• Canada, China, Guam, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, Singapore, and the UAE. 

Consumers who have purchased the above-referenced Kaytee products with the referenced “Best Before” dates are urged to contact Kaytee Customer Service representatives. 

A letter and instructions will be forwarded to all Kaytee customers. Kaytee Customer Service representatives and company veterinarians are responding to inquires through the 1-800-Kaytee1 (800-529-8331) phone number and will answer any questions regarding pets that have been fed the product. Pet owners can also visit the Kaytee website for more information at www.kaytee.com.

Read the Business Wire recall release here.  

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Kaytee Pet Products Recalls Forti-Diet Pro Health for Possible Salmonella (Pets/U.S. and Canada)

Source: Kaytee Pet Products (www.kaytee.com)

Kaytee Pet Products is recalling a single manufacturing batch of Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following “Best Before” dates: 

Product and product lots that do not appear on the list above are not subject to this recall.

No human or pet illnesses have been reported to-date.  

The recall notification is being issued based on a single manufacturing batch wherein a sample with the “Best Before” date of (lot) 03APR13K61 had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster product was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. Kaytee is taking immediate action to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers, and to fully investigate the cause.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a 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.

Healthy people exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in the states of:  

• Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, 

• Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, 

• Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, 

• Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, 

• Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

Recalled products were distributed to retailers and distributors in the following countries: 

• Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, 
• Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, 
• Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, 
• Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, 
• Pakistan, Panama, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, 
• Sweden, Thailand, and Trinidad.

Consumers who have purchased the Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat & Hamster product with the above-referenced “Best Before” dates are urged to contact Kaytee Customer Service representatives.

Kaytee Customer Service representatives and company veterinarians are responding to inquires through the 1-800-Kaytee1 (800 529-8331) phone number and will answer any questions regarding pets that have been fed the product.

Read the Kaytee recall notice here.

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 Frozen Beef Burgers Recall Due to Possible E. coli (Canada)

 Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca), 2/19/13

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada Safeway Limited are warning the public not to consume The Gourmet Meat Shoppe and The Butcher's Cut brands of Frozen Beef Burgers described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. 

The following products are affected by this Alert: 

These products have been distributed in:

Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories. 

Canada Safeway Limited, Calgary, Alberta, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. 

This recall is the result of E. coli O157:H7 product testing by the CFIA related to an ongoing outbreak investigation. The CFIA is currently conducting a food safety investigation at the producing facility to determine if any additional products may be affected. 

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die. 

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers: 

Canada Safeway Limited at (403) 730-3511

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday)

Read the CFIA Health Hazard Alert here.

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Chicago Area: Perfect Pasta Recalls Roast Beef Products Due to Possible Listeria
Nationwide: Walmart, Sam's Club and Kroger Stores Recal Taylor Farms Spinach Due to E. coli Concerns
Foster Farms Chicken Linked to Some of the 124 with Salmonella (12 States)

Chicago Area: Perfect Pasta Recalls Roast Beef Products Due to Possible Listeria

Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (www.fsis.usda.gov), 2/14/13

Perfect Pasta Inc., an Addison, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 315 pounds of ready-to-eat roast beef products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following product is subject to recall:

• 5-lb. packages of “GINA FULLY COOKED ROAST BEEF WITH SEASONED JUICE” with a lot code number of “040615RB” and a pack date of “02-06-13.” 

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 19829” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on February 6, 2013, and distributed to institutions in Chicago.

The problem was discovered by FSIS through microbiological testing by the Agency. After the company received a positive sample for Listeria monocytogenes, most of its products were held but a portion may have been cross-contaminated as a result of equipment not being cleaned between production shifts and shipped into commerce. FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks (including at restaurants) to ensure that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and members of the media with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s Quality Assurance Manager, Connie DeMarco, at (630) 543-8300.

Read the FSIS recall release here.

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Nationwide: Walmart, Sam's Club and Kroger Stores Recal Taylor Farms Spinach Due to E. coli Concerns

Source: Food Poisoning Bulletin (www.foodpoisoningbulletin.com), 2/14/13

Following a recall we reported yesterday, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Kroger stores are now recalling Taylor Farms organic baby spinach products due to potential E. coli contamination. 

Brand names included in this recall are Central Market Organics, Full Circle Organic, Marketside Organic, Simple Truth Organic and Taylor Farms Organic.

Consumers who have any of these products should not eat them.

Food tainted with E. coli may cause serious and life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

If you think you’ve been affected, please call your health care provider right away. For more information, please contact STOP at info@stopfoodborneillness.org. 

For more details on stores and products affected, read the Food Poisoning Bulletin article here.

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Foster Farms Chicken Linked to Some of the 124 with Salmonella (12 States)

Source: Food Poison Journal (www.foodpoisonjournal.com), 2/14/13 

Since June 4, 2012, a total of 124 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 12 states. Most of the ill persons have been reported from two states, Washington (56) and Oregon (38). At this time, CDC is not releasing the names of the other states until it is determined how these illnesses are linked to this outbreak. Washington and Oregon Departments of Health have reported that this outbreak has been linked to chicken produced in Foster Farms plants in Washington and California.

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections. Public health investigators are using DNA “fingerprints” of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.

Among 124 persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from June 4, 2012, to January 6, 2013. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 94 years, with a median age of 23 years. Fifty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among 97 persons with available information, 31 (32%) reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Read the Food Poison Journal article here.

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