Canned Dog Food Recalled for High Vitamin D Levels Due to Supplier Error

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is voluntarily recalling select canned dog food products due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.  Dogs exposed to higher than required vitamin D levels may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss, and at very high levels, Vitamin D can lead to  renal dysfunction.

"Hill’s Pet Nutrition learned of the potential for elevated vitamin D levels in some of our canned dog foods after receiving a complaint in the United States about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D levels.  Our investigation confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error." 

 https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm630232.htm
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Canned Dog Food for Excessive Vitamin D
For Immediate Release
January 31, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending February 2, 2019

Wrong Label with Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Labeled  as Chile Relleno - Taylor Farms TX, Inc., a Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 2,100 pounds of chicken products incorrectly labeled as “Chile Relleno” products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain wheat which is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered on Feb. 1, 2019 when the firm discovered that a label for “Chile Relleno” was incorrectly applied to some of its USDA’s amenable “HEB Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Alfredo & Chicken” products.

Incorrect Back Label - Perdue Foods, LLC, a Bridgewater, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 16,011 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken nugget products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain milk, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when a retail store notified the company of an incorrect label. The establishment investigated and determined that the incorrect back label was applied to the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-011-2019-release
Taylor Farms TX, Inc. Recalls Chicken Products Due To Misbranding And Undeclared Allergens 
Class II Recall 
011-2019 
Health Risk: Low 
Feb 2, 2019 

Chicken Breast Chunk Fritters Recalled Due to Consumer Compliant for Piece of White Rubber

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Mt. Pleasant, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 58,020 pounds of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded chicken products (popcorn style chicken breast chunk fritters) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically white rubber.  Recall was initiated after a complaint from a retailer in Florida received a complaint.  This was a foodservice packed item.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-010-2019-release
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation Recalls Breaded Popcorn Chicken Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
010-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Feb 1, 2019 

Canadian Food Conglomerate Shuts Down Listeria-laden CA Processed Produce Facility

McCain Foods has planned to shut down its California processed produce facility.  This facility was responsible for an extension recall in 2018 where numerous companies were forced to recall product after this facility had a Listeria issue.  According to an article in New Food Economy, "The total amount of product affected exceeds 100 million pounds, making McCain’s the largest recall of 2018."

As you may recall, the facility found presumptive positive results, but shipped product having never conducted confirmation.

Eliminating Listeria completely from a facility can be difficult, if not impossible.  At best, companies keep it under control and away from food and food contact surfaces.  It requires a large commitment of resources.  For older facilities or facilities that were poorly designed, more effort is required in cleaning to the 'microbiological' level.

The New Food Economy
https://newfoodeconomy.org/mccain-foods-closes-california-plant-whole-foods-trader-joes-listeria-recall/
McCain Foods closes the California facility responsible for 2018’s largest food safety recall

WI Firm Recalls All Nut Butter Products Due to Listeria Contamination

After a series of recalls related to Listeria (1, 2 3)  Oskri Corporation, a Wisconsin establishment, is recalling all of the product they manufactured.  "This recall has been initiated due to positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes found in multiple Oskri Corporation manufactured nut butters".

Unfortunately, this is a typical scenario for Listeria related recalls when the manufacturing facility never had Listeria controls in place.

Oskri Organics Corporation Recalls All Nut Butters because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
January 28, 2019

Update on Sentences for PCA Executives Who Sold Contaminated Peanut Butter

Food Safety News, the website sponsored by food safety lawyer Bill Marler, has an update on the convicted PCA executives, primarily Mary Wilkerson, the QA Manager who received five years in prison for her involvement.  She was charged with obstruction of justice in that she was not forthcoming about the crimes committed when the company knowingly shipped Salmonella peanut butter and forged COAs.

Five years is a long time to be locked away from family, friends, and freedom.  And for what?  Helping a dope of an owner make more money selling dangerous product rather than fixing the issue.

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/01/pcas-victims-learn-the-next-stop-for-mary-wilkerson-is-a-macon-ga-half-way-house/
PCA’s victims learn the next stop for Mary Wilkerson is a Macon, GA half-way house
By Dan Flynn on January 31, 2019

Chicken Nuggets Recalled After Complaints of Contamination Due to Rubber Pieces

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Sedalia, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 36,420 pounds of chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints of extraneous material in purchased Panko Chicken Nugget products.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-009-2019-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Nugget Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
009-2019
Health Risk: High
Jan 29, 2019

EU - Another Baby Formula Recall Due to Salmonella Contamination

Baby formula, under the Modilac brand, is being recalled after that product was linked to several Salmonella cases in infants.  The product was produced by a facility in Spain.

Lactalis Nutrition, a French food conglomerate, is recalling baby formula that was packed by this facility.  Lactalis baby formula was linked to a Salmonella outbreak that occurred a year ago.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/baby-formula-recall-is-french-companye28099s-second-in-less-than-two-years/
News | January 28, 2019
Baby Formula Recall is French Company’s Second in Less Than Two Years

Canada - Another Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Uncooked Breaded Chicken

In Canada, there have been a series of Salmonella outbreaks related to raw breaded chicken.  This week, Canadian officials announced another outbreak where 54 people have become infected.  The identified product, "Crisp & Delicious Chicken Breast Nuggets", have been recalled. 
The package clearly lists safety handling instructions and the fact that the product is uncooked.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2018/outbreaks-salmonella-infections-linked-raw-chicken-including-frozen-raw-breaded-chicken-products.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to raw chicken, including frozen raw breaded chicken products