Monday, December 8, 2014

Frozen Enchiladas Recalled Due to Potential Of Salmonella Due to Cilantro Ingredient

A California Company is recalling their frozen chili cheese enchilada product due to the potential for Salmonella.  The recall came after the supplier of the organic cilantro ingredient used in the product notified the producer that they had found Salmonella in their routine testing of the cilantro.

This frozen product appears to be cooked by the processor, at least partially.  Although we can't tell whether the cilantro was added before or after the thermal process.

Another item to notice is that the package has cooking instructions that direct the consumer to fully cook this product before consuming.  These process steps would help to lower the risk of Salmonella in the product, however, if an issue were to arise, then it be a disaster for the manufacturer.  The likelihood of under cooking by the consumer must also be taken into account.


FDA Recall Notice - Dec 3, 2014
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm425648.htm
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.

Overhill Farms Voluntarily Recalls Open Nature Chile Cheese Enchiladas Sold At Safeway Stores Nationwide Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact: Consumer: 1-323-582-9977

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 3, 2014 — Overhill Farms, Inc. of Vernon, California is voluntarily recalling the frozen food product Open Nature Chile Cheese Enchiladas due to potential Salmonella contamination. The supplier for the organic cilantro contained in such product notified Overhill Farms that the organic cilantro may have Salmonella contamination based on routine testing conducted. The product is sold nationwide at all Safeway-owned stores, including Safeway, Carrs, Genuardi’s, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons.

Salmonella is 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 in connection with this voluntary recall.

Open Nature Chile Cheese Enchiladas are a frozen prepared dinner packaged in a box with a net weight of 9 oz. and marked with a UPC 0-7989310436-9. The product was sold at stores from Oct 9, 2014, through December 1, 2014.

Packages with the following lot code and “Best Before” dates are subject to the recall:

                       Lot Number Best By Date141006 AUG-06-15

The lot number and best by date can be found on the side panel of the box.

Consumers should discard this product or return it to the store for a full refund. For additional  information, please call Overhill Farms, Inc. at 1-323-582-9977 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PST) or Safeway at 1-800-SAFEWAY.

 Directions for Me
http://www.directionsforme.org/index.php/directions/product/FRZNMPL/00079893111612
Open Nature Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas
Weight: 10 oz (283 g)

Directions

Keep frozen. Cook thoroughly. For food safety andquality, follow the instructions below. Product needs to be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature 165 degrees F. Since ovens vary in temperature and power, these instructions are guidelines only. Microwave Oven - Preferred Method (Cook from Frozen): 1. Remove tray from box. Pierce film 3-4 times to vent. 2. Cook on High 5-6 minutes or until thoroughly cooked; peel film, stir, replace cover, and return to microwave for the last 30 seconds. 3. Carefully remove tray from microwave and let sit 1 minute before serving. 4. Carefully remove film from tray. Conventional Oven (Cook from Frozen): 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Do not exceed 350 degrees F. 2. Remove tray from box. Pierce plastic film 3-4 times to vent. 3. Place tray on a baking sheet on center rack in oven. 4. Cook 40 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. 5. Carefully remove baking sheet with tray from oven and let stand 1-2 minutes. 6. Carefully remove film from tray.

The Produce News
http://www.producenews.com/component/content/article/9-news-section/story-cat/3123-2933

Safeway's Better Living Brands Alliance takes private labels national August 10, 2008
In late April, Pleasanton, CA-based Safeway Inc. announced that it had formed Better Living Brands Alliance to market its "O Organics" and "Eating Right" brands to other retail channels in the United States.

James White, president of Safeway's Lucerne Foods Inc. division, will lead the newly formed alliance. He has a lengthy background in the consumer packaged goods sector. Lucerne Foods is a top food manufacturer with programs for private label, co-packing and foodservice.

Both the "O Organics" and "Eating Right" brands are slated for a fall 2008 national rollout. "O Organics" is a multi-category lifestyle brand that features more than 30 categories and more than 300 organic items certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Eating Right" is a multi-category brand with more than 30 categories and over 200 items. "Eating Right" focuses on great taste and products that are "better for you," Mr. White said.

"O Organics" fresh produce will include packaged salads, carrots and other produce items. Fresh produce items also will be available under the "Eating Right" brand.

Irwindale, CA-based Ready Pac Produce Inc. is the only licensed fresh produce partner.

"Produce is an entry point for both brands," Mr. White said, adding that fresh produce is "critical" to healthy eating and that he is "delighted to have Ready Pac as a partner."

Better Living Brands has thrown the gauntlet down: It wants to be the "complete health and wellness solution" for consumers nationwide, Mr. White said. In the process, Better Living Brands "simplifies the shopping experience," he said.

"We can satisfy all organic needs with one single brand," Mr. White said, adding that Better Living Brands believes it will "satisfy unmet needs." Better Living Brands' products will be competitively priced, Mr. White said. To date in 2008, "O Organics" has $400 million in sales this year just within the Safeway retail chain. During that stretch, the "Eating Right" brand has done $200 million in sales.

Mr. White said that it is important for the Better Living Brands sales team to be "thinking about expansion."

He added, "We have a strong brand, driven by consumers."

Lucerne Foods is a stand-alone subsidiary of Safeway that has a history of partnering with other firms. Partners in the deal are Lucerne Foods, Ready Pac, Schreiber Foods Inc. and Overhill Farms Inc. Green Bay, WI-based Schreiber Foods is among the world's larger customer-brand dairy companies, and Vernon, CA-based Overhill Farms is a leading value-added supplier of custom-prepared frozen foods.

Also in the mix as an interface for the Better Living Brands national initiative is Plano, TX-based food brokerage Crossmark Inc. Southern California-based Neighbor Agency is on board to help with the national marketing campaign. Sysco Corp. is involved on the foodservice side. Colleges and universities are a focal point of Better Living Brands' foodservice component.

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