Thursday, March 26, 2015

Listeria Contamination in Bulk Organic Frozen Spinach Results in a Number of Recalls

A number of spinach products are being recalled due to the fact that bulk frozen spinach supplied by Coastal Green Vegetable Company LLC of Oxnard, CA, was found to have Listeria contamination.  This bulk spinach was repacked by Twin City Foods into smaller bags for grocery stores as well as by Superior Foods that packed for Target. Recalls were also made by Amy's Kitcehn Carmel Food Group, and La Terra Fina for products made using the suspect spinach as an ingredient.

Spinach is blanched before freezing.  Blanching, if done correctly, would eliminate the Listeria.  The issue is with post-blanching contamination.  Listeria is a known environmental bacterial pathogen that can become established in processing facilities.  If not controlled, it can contaminate the spinach after blanching in the freezing and packing steps.

While cooking by the consumer would eliminate the pathogen, spinach is often used in dips and other products such as spinach smoothies where there may be little or no heating.  There is an increasing trend of using spinach in these RTE applications.  This poses a problem for those facilities that are built for RTE level of processing.

There have been no reported illnesses.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm439755.htm
Twin City Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Cadia Organic Cut Spinach, Meijer Organics Chopped Spinach, Wild Harvest Organic Cut Leaf Spinach, and Wegmans Organic Just Picked Spinach Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:  Consumer:
(804) 385-3772

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 24, 2015 — Twin City Foods, Inc. of Stanwood, Washington is recalling the following products 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.

Cadia Organic Cut Spinach, 16 oz. frozen packages
UPC 15369 01165
Package code: 23424
Product distributed only in California

Meijer Organics Chopped Spinach, 16 oz. frozen packages
UPC 41250 02362
Package code: BEST BY FEB 2017 50415
Distributed to warehouses in MI, OH, and WI

Wild Harvest Organic Cut Leaf Spinach, 16 oz. frozen packages
UPC 11535 50170
Package code: SELL BY 08.DEC.2016 L084WE, Distributed to warehouses in AZ, CA, WA
Package code: SELL BY 22.JAN.2017 A225WE, Distributed to warehouses in PA and VA
Package code: SELL BY 30.JAN.2017 A305WE, Distributed to warehouses in DE, ME, PA, and VA
Package code: SELL BY 04.MAR.2017 C045WE, Distributed to warehouses in ME and PA

Wegmans Organic Just Picked Spinach, 12 oz. frozen packages
UPC 77890 32932
Package code: BEST USED BY JAN.26.2017 50265, Distributed to warehouses in NY and PA
Package code: BEST USED BY FEB.02.2017 50335, Distributed to warehouses in NY and PA

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The Recalled Product was supplied to Twin City Foods by Coastal Green Vegetable Company LLC of Oxnard, CA which initiated a recall of the bulk spinach on March 20, 2015 due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Twin City Foods immediately notified all affected customers and initiated recalls of the retail packages on March 20, 2015.

Consumers who have purchased the affected product are urged to not consume the product and immediately return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the retailer at which they purchased the affected product.


FDA Recall Notice
Superior Foods, Inc., of Watsonville, CA is recalling 8,475 Cases Of Simply Balanced 10-oz Frozen Organic Chopped Spinach Distributed Exclusively At Target Stores.


Contact:  Consumer:  1-866-672-0811

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 24, 2015 — Watsonville, CA — This recall is based on a recall notice from one of Superior Foods, Inc., organic frozen spinach suppliers that Superior Foods, Inc., may have received organic spinach with the possible presence of 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.

Product was distributed Nationwide at Target retail stores.

Simply Balanced Organic Chopped Spinach 10-oz steam in bag

DPCI # (Department, Class, Item.) 270-00-0663
UPC Code - 85239 00663
Production Date Code and Best By Code
4360SF3 through 7 J1 Best By 26/06/2016
4360SF3 through 7 J2 Best By 26/06/2016
5026SF4 through 8 J1 Best By 26/07/2016
5026SF4 through 8 J2 Best By 26/07/2016
5051SF2 through 4 J1 Best By 20/08/2016
5051SF2 through 4 J2 Best By 20/08/2016

Superior Foods Inc., is not aware of any illness complaints to date related to this event. Out of an abundance of caution, however, Superior Foods, Inc., is recalling these products based on the recall notice we received from our supplier. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who have any of the product identified are urged to dispose it, or return it to the store where it was purchased for an exchange or full refund.


FDA Recall Notice
La Terra Fina Recalls Various Products Due to Supplier Recall of Organic Spinach

Contact: Consumer: 510-404-5889

Media:
Nicole Dionisopoulos, Maxwell PR
(503) 231-3086 / nicole@maxwellpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 24, 2015 – Union City, CA – Due to receiving a recall notice from its organic spinach supplier because of possible Listeria monocytogenes exposure, La Terra Fina is recalling the products outlined in the chart below. Following its voluntary recall of Organic Spinach Dip last Friday, La Terra Fina is expanding the recall to include these products that were manufactured on the same production equipment on the same day as the Organic Spinach Dip and are being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The recalled products were distributed to Costco stores in the Northwest, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast regions and Smart & Final stores along the West Coast only.

To-date, there have been no confirmed cases of illness in relation to these products. The FDA is aware that the company is undertaking this voluntary action, which is out of an abundance of caution for consumers' well-being and safety.

Only products with the following "best by" dates are being recalled. The "best by" date for each product can be found on the side of the container. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discard or return the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information consumers can call La Terra Fina at 510-404-5889 between Monday and Friday, 8:30AM - 5PM US PST.

Recalled Products

Product DescriptionItem #UPC CodeBest By DateRetailer RegionSpinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip made with Greek Yogurt 31oz. tub 379903 6-40410-51338-9 4/14/15
4/20/15 Costco - NW Region
Chunky Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip 31oz. tub 407600 6-40410-51193-4 3/31/15
4/5/15
4/29/15 Costco - MW, NE & SE Regions
Chunky Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip 31oz. tub 4300193 6-40410-51193-4 3/28/15
4/29/15 Smart & Final-West Coast


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm439397.htm
Amy’s Kitchen Recalls Various Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
707-781-7535

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 22, 2015 – Petaluma, California – Amy’s Kitchen, Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 73,897 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the products identified on Attachment A. This recall is based on a recall notice from one of Amy’s organic spinach suppliers that Amy’s may have received organic spinach with the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that 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.

Amy’s Kitchen is not aware of any illness complaints to date related to the recalled products identified in Attachment A. Out of an abundance of caution, however, Amy’s Kitchen is recalling these products based on the recall notice we received from our supplier.

The recalled products were distributed to stores nationwide in the United States and in Canada.

The recalled products are identified in Attachment A, and no other products or varieties are included in this recall.

Amy’s Kitchen has notified its distributors and retailers and is taking this voluntary action as a precautionary measure. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who have any of the products identified in the chart above are urged to dispose them or return them to the store where they were purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers may also call Amy’s at (707) 781-7535 [Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Pacific)].

ATTACHMENT A: LIST OF AMY’S KITCHEN PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO RECALL NOTICE DATED MARCH 22, 2015

Product NameAmy’s Item #Consumer Unit UPCLot CodesRetail Unit SizePackage TypeCountry of DistributionDates MadeVegetable Lasagna, 12pk 000032 0-42272-00032-6 30-A215 9.5 oz. (269g) Box USA Jan-21-2015
30-A305 Jan-30-2015
30-B115 Feb-11-2015
30-C045 Mar-04-2015
Vegetable Lasagna, CAN, 12pk 000032F 0-42272-90032-9 30-A215 269g Box Canada Jan-21-2015
Tofu Vegetable Lasagna, 12pk 000033 0-42272-00033-3 30-B135 9.5 oz. (269g) Box USA Feb-13-2015
Garden Vegetable Lasagna, 12pk 000041 0-42272-00041-8 30-B025 10.3 oz. (291g) Box USA Feb-02-2015
30-C095
Tofu Scramble, 12pk 000054 0-42272-00054-8 10-A305 9.0 oz. (255g) Box USA Jan-30-2015
Enchilada Verde Whole Meal, 12pk 000085 0-42272-00085-2 10-A305 10.0 oz. (284g) Box USA Jan-30-2015
Spinach Pizza, 8 pk 000102 0-42272-00102-6 30-A285 14.0 oz. (397g) Box USA Jan-28-2015
30-B105 Feb-10-2015
Brown Rice & Vegetables Bowl, 12 pk 000161 0-42272-00161-3 30-A205 10.0 oz. (283g) Box USA Jan-20-2015
Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl, 12 pk 000178 0-42272-00178-1 30-C055 10.0 oz. (284g) Box USA Mar-05-2015
Vegetable Lasagna Multi Pk,
6/57, CLUB 000201 0-42272-00201-6 30-A205 57 oz (6/9.5 oz.) Box USA Jan-20-2015
Vegetable Lasagna LIS, 12 pk 000240 0-42272-00240-5 30-C145 9.5 oz. (269g) Box USA Mar-14-2015
Brown Rice & Vegetables
Bowl LIS, 12 pk 000243 0-42272-00243-6 30-A195 10.0 oz. (283g) Box USA Jan-19-2015
30-C035 Mar-03-2015
Gluten Free Tofu Scramble
Breakfast Wrap, 12 pk 000807 0-42272-00807-0 30-A265 5.5 oz. (156g) Box USA Jan-26-2015
30-B025 Feb-02-2015
Gluten Free Tofu Scramble
Breakfast Wrap CAN, 12 pk 000807F 0-42272-90807-3 30-B025 156g Box Canada Feb-02-2015
Gluten Free Dairy Free Veg
Lasagna, 12 pk 000814 0-42272-00814-8 30-B045 9.0 oz. (255g) Box USA Feb-04-2015
Gluten Free Dairy Free
Veg Lasagna, CAN, 12 pk 000814F 0-42272-90814-1 30-B045 255g Box Canada Feb-04-2015
Vegetable Lasagna, 8 pk 000933 0-42272-00032-6 30-A305 9.5 oz. (269g) Box USA Jan-30-2015
Enchilada Verde Whole Meal, 8pk 000940 0-42272-00085-2 10-A305 10.0 oz. (284g) Box USA Jan-30-2015
Family Size Vegetable Lasagna, 8 pk 000965 0-42272-00965-7 30-C045 28.0 oz. (794g) Box USA Mar-04-2015

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm439539.htm
Carmel Food Group Recalls 3 Frozen Ravioli Items under Rising Moon Organics label – Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
510-429-0356

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 24, 2015 — Hayward, CA. Carmel Food Group today issued a voluntary recall of certain Rising Moon Organics frozen Ravioli items, because of possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The frozen ravioli products were produced with organic spinach which was found in test results performed by the spinach supplier to show the presence of Listeria. The recall was initiated when it was discovered that certain lots of the listed items were produced with the ingredient in question.

Listeria monocytogenes is 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 miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Although the company is not aware of illnesses associated with this product, we are taking this precautionary action. Items & Sell By dates included in the recall are listed in the table:

Item Description, Pack/SizeUPC#Recalled Case SELL BY date(s)Recalled Package SELL BY date(s)Rising Moon Organics Garlic & Veggie Ravioli, 6/8 oz 7-85030-00011-3 010916 JAN092016
Rising Moon Organics Spinach Florentine Ravioli, 6/8 oz 7-85030-22770-1 011916 JAN192016
Rising Moon Organics Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, 6/8 oz 7-85030-55561-3 122215, 123015, 123115, 010216, 011916, 012016 DEC222015, DEC302015, DEC312015, JAN022016, JAN192016, JAN202016


The products affected by the recall are listed above with corresponding SELL BY dates and were distributed through retail stores nationwide.



FDA Recall Notice
Wegmans Announces Recall of (Frozen) Wegmans Organic Food You Feel Good About Just Picked Spinach, 12 Oz. Which May Be Contaminated WithListeria Monocytogenes
Contact:
Consumer:
1-855-934-3663

Media:
585-429-3627 or 585-301-8009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 23, 2015 — ROCHESTER, NY — Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling approximately 12,540 packages of Wegmans Organic Food You Feel Good About Just Picked Frozen Spinach, 12 oz.(UPC 77890-32932) due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was sold in the frozen food department of the company’s 85 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts between January 27 and March 21, 2015. Only packages with the following codes are affected:

BEST USED BY JAN 26 2017 50265

BEST USED BY FEB 02 2017 50335

This product is supplied to Wegmans by Twin City Foods, Inc. based in Stanwood, Washington.

L. monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate foods and cause a mild non-invasive illness (called listerial gastroenteritis) or a severe, sometimes life-threatening, illness (called invasive listeriosis). Persons who have the greatest risk of experiencing listeriosis after consuming foods contaminated with L. monocytogenes are fetuses and neonates who are infected after the mother is exposed to L. monocytogenes during pregnancy, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Customers who have experienced these symptoms and are concerned should contact their physician.

No illnesses associated with this recall have been reported to date.

Wegmans will place automated phone calls to customers who purchased the product using their Shoppers Club card. Customers who purchased the recalled products from Wegmans should return it to the service desk for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Wegmans consumer affairs department toll free at 1-855-934-3663 Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.

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