Recall, recalls, recalls

Over  the first two weeks of March, 2011, there were a number of recalls and one that wasn’t (see next-to-bottom).

Hazelnuts - Seven cases of E.coliO157:H7 in the upper midwest US related to In-shell hazelnuts.  More often, Salmonella is a concern in nuts, so this, while not totally unexpected, is unusual.

UPDATE March 10, 2011: Laboratory testing conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on in-shell hazelnuts recovered from a patient's home has identified E. coli O157:H7 matching patient isolates by DNA analysis. Please see the Minnesota Department of Health press release¹.

March 4, 2011 - DeFranco and Sons of Los Angeles, CA, is voluntarily recalling bulk and consumer-packaged in-shell, hazelnut and mixed nut products containing hazelnuts because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. coli O157:H7). The recall was initiated after the nut products were linked to 7 illnesses in the states of MI, MN, and WI. To-date, no E. coli 0157:H7 has been detected in the nut products; however, we are notifying our valued consumers and customers out of an abundance of caution.

http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/hazelnuts0157/index.html

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm245902.htm

http://www.newberggraphic.com/news/2011/March/11/Local.News/george.packing.hazelnuts.suspected.in.e.coli.outbreak/news.aspx http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/03/oregon_hazelnuts_look_at_food.html

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches – Listeria monocytogenes – this is a case where LM was detected in a product where growth  of that organism is unlikely.

Mar 11, 2011 - Pierre Foods is voluntarily recalling one lot, 320 cases of Pierre^TM pb jamwich, crustless peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches, 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 sandwiches were distributed to Giant-Carlisle stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

The PierreTM pb jamwich comes in a 12-count red carton and is sold in the freezer section of the grocery store. The product in question is stamped “Best if purchased by 03-11-2011” in the lower right hand corner. The UPC code is 7599921368.

This recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in one product sample. After discussions with the FDA, Pierre Foods elected to recall the product to ensure consumer safety. There have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm247000.htm

Bologna – staph toxin – product was not properly processed, so there was concern that Staph could grow and produce toxin

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2011 - Zweigle's Inc., a Rochester, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,997 pounds of bologna products that may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_018_2011_Release/index.asp

Ground beef  - E.coli O157:H7

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2011 - Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, an Arkansas City, Kan., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,158 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  Each case label bears the establishment number "EST. 27" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_017_2011_Release/index.asp

Lean Cuisine Meatballs – Meatballs have foreign material – discovered by company through receiving numerous consumer complaints.

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2011 -Nestle Prepared Foods Company, Gaffney, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 10,260 pounds of frozen spaghetti and meatball entrees that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include: [View Label]

• 9.5-oz. packages of “Lean Cuisine Simple Favorites, Spaghetti with Meatballs.”

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_021_2011_Release/index.asp

Skippy Peanut Butter  - Salmonella – potential, no illnesses

March 4, 2011 - Unilever United States, Inc. today announced a limited recall of Skippy® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy® Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that 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.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Skippy® products are affected by this recall.

The product was distributed to retail outlets in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245897.htm

Milk – Alkaline phosphatase is used as a marker to ensure that pasteurization was complete.

March 11, 2011 - Waco, Texas (March 11, 2011) – The Oak Farms Dairy plant in Waco is voluntarily recalling half gallon plastic bottles of whole chocolate milk, half pint paper cartons of whole chocolate milk, and half pint paper cartons of 1% chocolate milk due to the presence of Alkaline Phosphatase found in samples during routine testing. Oak Farms Dairy has received no reports of illnesses related to the affected product and is removing the product from the market out of an abundance of caution.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm246920.htm

Ga. Dept of Agriculture regrets ‘error' on Salmonella recall; McCormick does separate recall – This error did not get as much press as the initial recall notice.  Evidently, they reissued a recall from last year.  Georgia seems to have their issues.  However, McCormick did

http://www.ajc.com/business/ga-dept-of-agriculture-871124.html

Batter Mix However, McCormick did recall batter mix for allergens.
March 4, 2011 - McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) has announced a voluntary recall of Golden Dipt® Tempura Seafood Batter Mix 8 OZ, with UPC Code 4123470132 and “BEST BY” date of OCT 08 12 H.  A very limited number of packages of Golden Dipt® Tempura Seafood Batter Mix with this date code contain an undeclared milk ingredient.  People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm245969.htm