Salad Items Recalled due to Potenial Listeria Contamination

Update 10/25/13 - Garden Fresh is expanding its recall http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/recall-055-2013-expansion

Garden Fresh Foods of Wisconsin is recalling various salad, slaw and dip items due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes. The problem was discovered through product testing conducted by FDA.  To date, there have not been any reported illnesses.

Product was shipped nationally under various brand names: Market Pantry, Archer Farms (both Target brands), D’Amico and Sons, Finest Traditions, Garden Fresh and Weis.

This same company issued a recall back at the beginning of the month. This was a smaller recall, that for potato salad, but for the same reason – the potential for Listeria as well (link below). That was discovered through routine sampling. Being that occurred over three weeks ago, it would probably indicate the company was under increased scrutiny. And this may be why the latest recall notice indicated that the pathogen was discovered through testing done by FDA.

As we discuss many times, this is a reason for companies using co-packing operations to watch recall notices and consider strong action when their co-packer has an issue. It may not be your brand initially impacted or even the product you purchase, but in too many cases, we see these contamination events rapidly expand when FDA or USDA investigate smaller issues and find the troubled manufacturer has bigger issues that impact a broader set of products.


USDA Recall Alert
Wisconsin Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken And Ham Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Class I Recall 055-2013

Health Risk: High Sep 25, 2013

Congressional and Public Affairs
Catherine Cochran
(202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2013 – Garden Fresh Foods, a Milwaukee, Wisc.establishment, is recalling approximately 19,054 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

These products are being recalled in association with a recall by the same company of products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A full list of products being recalled can be found on the FDA’s website here. Products regulated by FSIS bear the establishment number “EST. 17256” or “Est. P-17256” inside the USDA mark of inspection and include the following:

UPC	Pack/Size	Product	Product Code	Code Date
0 85239 24103 5	12 oz.	Market Pantry All White Meat Chicken Salad	24103	9/24/2013 - 10/14/2013
0 85239 00221 6	6 oz	Archer Farms Rotisserie Chicken Salad	002216	09/28/2013 - 10/9/2013
0 85239 99017 9	11 oz	Archer Farms Bacon Parmesan Dip	99017	10/12/2013 - 11/8/2013
0 85239 10125 4	14 oz	D'Amico and Sons Chicken Salad with Rosemary	1010254	09/24/2013 - 10/10/2013
0 85239 10121 6	14 oz	D'Amico and Sons Chicken & Dried Cherry Pasta	101216	10/02/2013 - 10/10/2013
0 85239 10122 3	6 oz	D'Amico and Sons Chicken & Dried Cherry Pasta	101223	10/02/2013 - 10/10/2013
0 85239 10024 0	14 oz	D'Amico and Sons Ranch Pasta Salad with Chicken, Spinach & Bacon	100240	9/24/2013
0 85239 10023 3	6 oz	D'Amico and Sons Ranch Pasta Salad with Chicken, Spinach & Bacon	100233	9/24/2013
7 33147 10496 5	12 oz	Finest Traditions Ham Salad Spread	388648	09/28/13 - 10/18/2013
0 11596 06164 1	12 oz	Garden Fresh Ham Salad with Sweet Relish	6163	10/03/2013 -10/12-2013
0 41497 05334 6	8 oz	Weis Ham Salad	05334	09/27/2013 - 10/02/2013

The products were distributed to retail and food service establishments nationwide. The problem was discovered through microbiological testing at the facility by FDA. FDA, 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 to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/current-recalls-and-alerts.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at (800) 645-3367. Media with questions about the recall should contact the company’s Vice President of Sales, Steve Mueller at (414) 645-1000.

Consumers with food safety questions can &quotAsk Karen,&quot the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/report-a-problem-with-food.

Recommendations for People At-Risk for Listeriosis:

Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.
Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.
Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot.
Do not eat refrigerated paté, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that don't need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.
Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.
Do not eat salads made in the store such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad.


FDA Recall Alert
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm369670.htm

Garden Fresh Foods, Inc. Expanded Recalls on Specific Packages of Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-645-3367

Media:
Steve Mueller
(414) 645-1000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 21, 2013 - Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating an expansion to our voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products may be contaminated with 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.

Products are sold in various size containers (6oz to 18oz packages). The products were distributed in the following states: WI, MN, IA, IL, OH, IN, TX, FL, MA, MO, MI, PA, AZ, CA, and distributed to retail stores and food services.

Consumers who have purchased any of the suspect products are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Currently there has been no illness or complaints related to this recall.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-645-3367 Monday through Friday between the hours 8:00AM- 4:30 PM

FDA Recall Alert
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm366968.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.

 Garden-fresh Foods, Inc. Recalls Spartan Fresh Selection American Potato Salad in 16 Oz. Packages Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-645-3367

Media:
Robert Clark 1-414-645-1000

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2013 – Garden-Fresh Foods, Inc. of Milwaukee Wisconsin is recalling A Limited Quantity of Spartan Fresh Selections American Potato Salad In 16 oz. Packages, because it has 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.

Spartan Fresh Selections American Potato Salad was distributed by Spartan Stores in the State of Michigan and Toledo Ohio.

The affected Spartan Fresh Selections American Potato Salad is packaged in square 16 oz. plastic retail containers with a UPC Code Number 0 11213 90320 0 and a USE BY DATE of 09/06/13/04.

There have been no illnesses reported in connection with this product.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 16 oz. packages of Spartan Fresh Selections American Potato Salad with a USE BY DATE OF 09/06/13/04.

Consumers who have purchased this product should not open the package or use the contents. Instead, they should return the product to the location of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions can contact Garden-Fresh Foods, Inc. at 1-800-645-3367 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.