Canadian Firm Expands Recall of Baby Food After Reported Illness

A Canadian firm is expanding its recall of baby food.  The initial recall posted on February 3, 2017 for one product type.  Since that time, there have been reported illness(es), so the company has expanded the recall.  According to the news release, the issue was a " manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers".   As an example of what could have happened, the acid component was over diluted with water and then when added, there was insufficient acid to lower pH to a safe range.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) News Release
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2017-02-08/eng/1486618317290/1486618321366
Updated Food Recall Warning - PC Organics brand baby food pouches recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria

Recall date:February 8, 2017 

Reason for recall:Microbiological - Clostridium botulinum 

Hazard classification: Class 1 

Company / Firm:Loblaw Companies 

Limited Distribution:National Extent of the distribution:

Retail Reference number:11182

Canadian Firm Recalls Baby Food for Clostridium botulinum Risk

A Canadian firm is recalling it Apple, Blueberry, and Green Pea baby food due to the potential for Clostridium botulinum.  The recall was issued after a consumer complaint was made.

Hard to say what the specific issue was based on the recall notice, but probably a swollen container. In these types of products, fruits not only hide the flavor of peas from the baby, but they also help to lower the pH / increase the acidity.  This allows a lower heat process.  Not sure if this the case here.

Canadian Food Agency News Release

http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2017-02-03/eng/1486183609229/1486183611972
Food Recall Warning - PC Organics brand Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria

Recall date:February 3, 2017 

Reason for recall:Microbiological - Clostridium botulinum

Hazard classification:Class 1 

Company / Firm:Loblaw Companies 

Limited Distribution:National

 Extent of the distribution:Retail

Baby Food Recalled After A Complaint for Glass in Product

Beech-nut is recalling  1920 lbs (estimated 7680 jars) of baby food - Stage 2 Beech-Nut CLASSICS sweet potato & chicken” in 4 oz jars after receiving a complaint about glass in a jar, and it appears that this resulted in injury.

Baby food issues get extensive media.  Even this one glass complaint in baby food can cause a great stir.  The resultant recall has already received national coverage.

Baby food manufacturers go to great lengths to prevent glass from getting into their baby food, but when packing in glass, it remains a significant hazard that must be controlled from the time the glass is made until the time it is filled and closed/sealed.  The greatest area of control is from the time the glass is washed through filling and to closure.

USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-061-2015-release
Beech-Nut Nutrition Recalls Baby Food Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 061-2015
Health Risk: High Apr 14, 2015

En Español
Congressional and Public Affairs  Katherine Scheidt (202) 720-9113 

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2015 – Beech-Nut Nutrition, an Amsterdam, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,920 pounds of baby food products that may be contaminated with small pieces of glass, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The baby food product was produced on December 12, 2014. The following product is subject to recall: [View Labels]
4-oz. glass jars containing “Stage 2 Beech-Nut CLASSICS sweet potato & chicken”

Baby Food Pouches Recalled Due to Spoilage Issues

Plum Organics, a California company, is recalling its baby food pouch products due to the spoilage issues. The reason for the spoilage was blamed on a manufacturing issue and resulted in swollen pouches. The product has national distribution including distribution through outlets such as Target. 

While this is not claimed to be a pathogen issue, eating spoiled product can still result in gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea, stomach pain, etc), which can be especially troublesome in infants and preschool-aged children. 

Looking at the variety of products in pouches, there may be some difficulty in determining which pouches are affected. Click here for a listing / pictures of the affected products.

The company also issued a recall in 2009 when it was determined the proper acidity was not achieved thus resulting in a Clostridium botulinum risk. 

Plum organics is a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company.


FDA News Release
Plum Organics Voluntarily Recalls a Range of Pouch Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm374393.htm

Contact:
Consumer:
Plum Organics Consumer Hotline:
866-495-3774

Media:
Kara Flynn
Plum Organics
202-821-3888
press@plumorganics.com

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —November 8, 2013 – Plum Organics is voluntarily recalling pouch products within its Baby Stage 2, Tots Mish Mash and Kids lines after discovering a manufacturing defect that may cause spoilage in some pouches. Recalled products can be identified by the “Best By” dates ranging from 08/05/14 to 12/08/14 and the letters “AT.” Consumers can find a list of affected products at www.plumorganics.com/Nov13Recall.pdf1.