Three days later, United Natural Foods recalled Black Bean Torillas, also due to lack of refrigeration. This is a vacuum packed product. If one had to guess, it was probably discovered during the investigation of the olives.
The related recalls bring attention to the concerns of refrigerated or frozen products that are not properly distributed and stored.
Issues 1) Products look like shelf-stable products, so handlers may not recognize the need for refrigerated storage.
2) Many ‘natural products’ do not have secondary inhibitors (sorbate, etc).
3) Vacuum packaged heat processed products (black beans and possibly the soup) provide good growth conditions for C. botulinum.
As the demand increases for prepared, natural food items, we may see more cases like this.
United Natural Foods, Inc. Announces Updated Information For Recall
Related to Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas Due to Possible
Health Risk
Related to Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas Due to Possible
Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
Lisa Madsen
401-528-8634
Consumer:
Lisa Madsen
401-528-8634
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 17, 2011 – United Natural Foods, Inc. today announced a correction to its previously announced recall of selected types of Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas, specifically to correct the previously stated date code of 12 7 11 to the revised date code of 11 6 11. United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling this product dated 11 6 11 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
The following product has been recalled:
GENTES FOODS 10 OZ GORDITA BLACK BEAN TORTILLAS UPC 618032102021
As previously announced, Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas were distributed to the Safeway and Pak N Save stores in California listed below. Our previous notification, with date code of “12 7 11” was incorrect, and product with this date code is safe to consume. The revised date code, which is on a white sticker applied to the packaging, reads “11 6 11.” These date codes sold at other retail outlets have not been affected because the products were not exposed to a lack of refrigeration controls.
| SAFEWAY #1110 | 1546 N MAIN | SALINAS | CA |
| SAFEWAY #2840 | 2010 FREEDOM BLVD | WATSONVILLE | CA |
| PAK N SAVE #3116 | 2255 GELLERT BLVD | S SAN FRANCISCO | CA |
| PAK N SAVE #3125 | 3889 SAN PABLO AVE | EMERYVILLE | CA |
Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas are packed as 6 tortillas in a vacuum packaged clear sleeve. The package is approximately 10oz in size and an orange label is on a clear wrapper with white lettering.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
These items have been recalled due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer.
Consumers who have purchased Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas from the stores listed above with the date code mentioned should not consume these products, and are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Lisa Madsen of the Company at 1-401-528-8634, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm.
United Natural Foods, Inc. Expands Recall Of Foodmatch Inc. Divina Olives Due To Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer
Lisa Madsen
401-528-8634
Consumer
Lisa Madsen
401-528-8634
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 14, 2011 - United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling selected types of FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Stuffed Olives, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
The following products have been recalled:
DIVINA 4 OZ OLIVES,FETA CHEESE STUFFED UPC 63172352780
DIVINA 4 OZ OLIVES,BLUE CHEESE STUFFED UPC 63172352790
DIVINA 4 OZ OLIVES,BLUE CHEESE STUFFED UPC 63172352790
Divina Olives Stuffed with Feta Cheese were distributed to the stores identified below. The date codes affected states: Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012 and Best Used By: 1 FEB 2012.
| SAFEWAY #0583 | 1606 N AVE | SPEARFISH | SD |
| SAFEWAY #1577 | 6520 S ACADEMY ROAD | COLORADO SPRINGS | CO |
| SAFEWAY #1615 | 3325 28TH STREET | BOULDER | CO |
| SAFEWAY #1644 | 7655 MCLAUGHLIN RD | FALCON | CO |
| SAFEWAY #2761 | 1165 MAIN ST | LANDER | WY |
| SAFEWAY #2792 | 27152 MAIN ST | CONIFER | CO |
| SAFEWAY #2910 | 1632 HOVER ROAD | LONGMONT | CO |
| SAFEWAY #0853 | 7625 OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD | BETHESDA | MD |
| SAFEWAY #0942 | 12 WEST WASHINGTON ST | MIDDLEBURG | VA |
| SAFEWAY #1283 | 8646 RICHMOND HIGHWAY | ALEXANDRIA | VA |
| SAFEWAY #1606 | 9596 OLD KEENE MILL RD | BURKE | VA |
| SAFEWAY #1668 | 5510 NORBECK ROAD | ROCKVILLE | MD |
| SAFEWAY #1956 | 14939 SHADY GROVE ROAD | ROCKVILLE | MD |
| SAFEWAY #2650 | 43150 BROADLANDS PLAZA | ASHBURN | VA |
| SAFEWAY #4002 | 5727 BURKE CENTER | BURKE | VA |
| SAFEWAY #4205 | 415 14TH STREET SE | WASHINGTON | DC |
Date codes Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012 and Best Used By: 1 FEB 2012 sold at other retail outlets have not been affected because the products were not exposed to a lack of refrigeration controls.
Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese were distributed to the following states: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC through the following retail stores: Genuardis, Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion and Vons. The following date codes were affected:
Best Used By: 11 JAN 2012, Best Used By: 15 DEC 2011, Best Used By: 30 DEC 2011, Best Used By: 1 FEB 2012
These date codes sold at other retail outlets have not been affected because the products were not exposed to a lack of refrigeration controls.
Divina Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives are packaged in plastic 4oz cup containers with a blue and yellow label.
Divina Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives are packaged in plastic 4oz cup containers with a blue label.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
These items have been recalled due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer.
Consumers who have purchased FoodMatch Inc. Divina Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, or FoodMatch Inc. Divina Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives should not consume these products and are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Lisa Madsen of the Company at 1-401-528-8634, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm.
FoodMatch Details UNFI Recall
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The FDA announced that United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) Recalls Divina Olives. FoodMatch Inc. recommends that the following products be withdrawn from the market to ensure the safety and health of our customers.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is recalling:
· 7 cases of 4 oz. refrigerated deli cups of Divina Olives stuffed with Feta Cheese with a best by date 11JAN2012 sold exclusively to Safeway stores in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming
· 46 cases 4 oz. refrigerated deli cups of Divina olives stuffed with Blue cheese with best by dates 11JAN2012, 15DEC2011, and 30DEC2011 sold exclusively to Carrs, Safeway, Pavilion, and Vons stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada , South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming
The above 53 cases are the only Divina products affected by this recall.
As noted in the FDA alert, "UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer." No illnesses have been reported to date.
The Quality Assurance Manager at FoodMatch Inc. is Ms. Jari Buechler and can be reached at 212.244.5050 for additional information.
