Recalls for March 25, 2011

Del Monte Fresh Produce Voluntarily Recalls Cantaloupes Because Of Possible Health Risk

FDA Release - March 22, 2011 - Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) of Coral Gables, Florida is voluntarily recalling 4,992 cartons of cantaloupes, each containing 4 plastic mesh sleeves with 3 cantaloupes per sleeve, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Panama. 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm248103.htm

According to the CDC - As of March 22, 2011, 12 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Panama have been reported from Oregon (5 cases), Washington (4 cases), California (2 cases), and Maryland (1 case). R http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/panama0311/032211/map.html reported dates of illness onset range from February 5, 2011, to February 23, 2011.

Cantaloupes are harvested from the ground where they are subject to contamination, especially an issue in areas that do not follow GAPs with regard to natural fertilizers (aka manure) or where there is contaminated irrigation water.  Because the surface is difficult to clean, contamination may be left on the surface and then subsequently transferred to the edible part of the melon during slicing.

Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Lebanon Bologna Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_025_2011_Release/index.asp

CDC - As of March 22, 2011, 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli serotype O157:H7 have been reported from Maryland (3 cases), New Jersey (2 cases), North Carolina (1 case), Ohio (2 cases) and Pennsylvania (6 cases). Reported dates of illness onset range from January 10, 2011 to February 15, 2011. Ill persons range in age from 1 to 70 years, with a median age of 13.5 years.

http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/O157_0311/index.html

The process for making Lebanon bologna requires a drop in pH followed by a low temperature cook (multiple hurdles – pH, temperature, and Aw).  The case count has been increased to 14, but interesting is the age rage – 1 to 70.  As might be expected, there is a much higher percentage of males – 79%.

Lakeside Foods Issues Recall of Nationwide Pickled Sliced Beets

FDA - March 21, 2011 - Lakeside Foods, Inc. of Manitowoc, Wisconsin is initiating a voluntary recall of 3000 cases of 105-ounce canned pickled sliced beets because some cans may have been under processed. While no illnesses have been reported, these cans have the potential to be contaminated with harmful organisms including Clostridium botulinum. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing.

The product was distributed in the following states AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN and WI. The product was sold with the following labels: BOUNTIFUL HARVEST, CODE ELITE, COMSOURCE MEDAL, LAKESIDE, MONARCH, NUGGET BLACK, RESTAURANT PRIDE and SYSCO CLASSIC.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm248069.htm

There have been no reported illnesses.  According to the company report  the product may have been underprocessed – it did not receive a proper thermal process. Although called pickled, this is not an acidified product (pH<4.6), but is packed in a brine and must be processed under pressure.

 

 World Variety Produce, Inc. Recalls Serrano Peppers Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA - March 18, 2011 - WorldVariety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Serrano Peppers, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  This recall extends only to Walmart stores in Wisconsin, Montana, Utah and Wyoming; in addition to Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois. The affected Serrano peppers were sold from bulk displays between the dates of March 1, 2011 through March 18, 2011.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm247761.htm

No illnesses reported.  This was discovered through USDA testing.  While one lot was recalled, makes you wonder about other lots from where the product was produced.