There appears to be a Salmonella outbreak in Illinois from what we would call 'homemade' or 'black market' Mexican-style cheese. The cheese is unlabeled and is sold in the untraditional channels...aka street vendors, workplace associates, back streets, etc....
You know the commercial......
Don't buy unlabeled cheese from a back alley vendor named Al and wind up praying for death while lying on cold bathroom floor tile.
Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/news/26480179-418/health-officials-salmonella-linked-to-unlabeled-mexican-style-cheese.html
Health officials: Salmonella linked to unlabeled Mexican-style cheese
BY JORDAN OWEN Staff Reporter March 27, 2014 3:26PM
Updated: March 27, 2014 3:32PM
The Illinois Department of Public Health issued a warning Thursday, saying 100 people have contracted salmonella linked to illegally manufactured Mexican-style cheeses.
Health departments in Cook, DuPage, Boone, Fayette, Kane, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Marion, McHenry, Vermillion, Washington and Will counties have reported about 100 cases of salmonella believed to be associated with the cheese since July 2012, according to a statement from the department.
IDPH is working to identify the manufacturer of the contaminated cheese, according to the department.
Many cases have reported consuming Mexican-style cheese obtained from worksites, including factories, and at train stations, from street vendors and from relatives and friends, the department said. The cheese is not labeled and is often wrapped in aluminum foil.
Friday, March 28, 2014
NY Company recalls cheese spreads because of linkage to Parkers Farm product
Oscar's Smokehouse is recalling 11 cheese spreads due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. This recall is linked to the Parkers Farm recall in that this company used the Parkers Farm product as the base for making their products.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm390751.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Oscar’s Smokehouse, Inc. Recalls “Eleven Varieties (11) Of Cheese Spreads” Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-627-3431
Jerold Quintal
518-623-3431
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 26, 2014 - Oscars Smokehouse Inc. of Warrensburg, New York is recalling eleven (11) of its 7-oz. “CHEESE SPREADS” varieties marked with 3 digit lot numbers ranging from” 719-959” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm390751.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Oscar’s Smokehouse, Inc. Recalls “Eleven Varieties (11) Of Cheese Spreads” Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-627-3431
Jerold Quintal
518-623-3431
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 26, 2014 - Oscars Smokehouse Inc. of Warrensburg, New York is recalling eleven (11) of its 7-oz. “CHEESE SPREADS” varieties marked with 3 digit lot numbers ranging from” 719-959” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Canadian company recalls cheesy bread due to Listeria
A Canadian company is recalling breaded items with cheese after the product was found to have Listeria. There have been no illnesses associated with the bread items.
This is an interesting case because it is rare that we find a bread item with microbiological pathogen issues, especially Listeria. However, since this is a bread item with cheese, this is what makes it different than regular bread. Being that the Canadian recall notice is chock full of information...not really, we can only guess how the issue occurred. From looking at the pic, it appears the bread was cooked, sliced, and then layered with cheese. Then, to fix the cheese to the top of the bread, it was surface heated to a point where the cheese sticks on the bread but the bread is not reheated. So if this is the case, either the cheese was contaminated before application (either as an incoming ingredient or by the application equipment) and then the organism survived because the fixing heat was no sufficient heat to destroy the organism. If the cheese did receive sufficient heat, then there could have been a post-process contamination event where the cheese, now on the bread, was exposed to Listeria within the environment. Perhaps the cheese wasn't heated at all, and was just added to warm bread, making the contamination event easier to explain.
It is hard to see this as a high risk product from the standpoint that one would expect the water activity (Aw) or available moisture of the cheese to be high enough to support growth.
This is an interesting case because it is rare that we find a bread item with microbiological pathogen issues, especially Listeria. However, since this is a bread item with cheese, this is what makes it different than regular bread. Being that the Canadian recall notice is chock full of information...not really, we can only guess how the issue occurred. From looking at the pic, it appears the bread was cooked, sliced, and then layered with cheese. Then, to fix the cheese to the top of the bread, it was surface heated to a point where the cheese sticks on the bread but the bread is not reheated. So if this is the case, either the cheese was contaminated before application (either as an incoming ingredient or by the application equipment) and then the organism survived because the fixing heat was no sufficient heat to destroy the organism. If the cheese did receive sufficient heat, then there could have been a post-process contamination event where the cheese, now on the bread, was exposed to Listeria within the environment. Perhaps the cheese wasn't heated at all, and was just added to warm bread, making the contamination event easier to explain.
It is hard to see this as a high risk product from the standpoint that one would expect the water activity (Aw) or available moisture of the cheese to be high enough to support growth.
One question was whether this was frozen or refrigerated? Freezing will prevent growth of Listeria and would also mean the product would have to probably be heated before eating. Refrigerated cheesy bread would allow growth, but would also have a limited shelf-life.
How did they find the contamination...were they testing, and if so, why?
Would love to hear any feedback on this one.
This has implications for retail and foodservice operations who make similar breaded products (or even RTE refrigerated pizza), store it and then sell it
CFIA Recall Notice
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-21/eng/1395456066871/1395456090254?print=1#recall-photos
Food Recall Warning - Co-op and Market Town Co-op brands bakery products recalled due to Listeria
Recall date: March 21, 2014
Reason for recall: Microbiological - Listeria
Hazard classification: Class 1
Company / Firm: Federated Co-Operatives Ltd.
Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Extent of the distribution: Retail
Reference number: 8723
Recall details
CFIA Recall Notice
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-03-21/eng/1395456066871/1395456090254?print=1#recall-photos
Food Recall Warning - Co-op and Market Town Co-op brands bakery products recalled due to Listeria
Recall date: March 21, 2014
Reason for recall: Microbiological - Listeria
Hazard classification: Class 1
Company / Firm: Federated Co-Operatives Ltd.
Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Extent of the distribution: Retail
Reference number: 8723
Recall details
Minnesota Company Recalls Refrigerated Products Due to Listeria
Parkers Farm, a Minnesota company, is recalling a number of refrigerated products, including peanut butter, cheese, salsa, and spreads, after some of the product tested positive for Listeria. No illnesses have been reported.
According to the FDA recall notice, products are distributed nationwide under the Parkers Farm, Parkers, Happy Farms, Central Markets, Hy-Top, Amish Classic, Say Cheez, Win Schuler, and Bucky Badger labels. These products were sold at several retail stores including but not limited to Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerly’s, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Nash Finch, Costco, ALDI, Wal-Mart, and Brookshire stores.
What we can surmise: the company produced a line of refrigerated products including peanut butter – yes, refrigerated peanut butter, and cheese spreads. While it could be expected that Listeria would not grow in peanut butter because of low water activity (Aw), peanut butter could have become contaminated if that product was produced using shared equipment (that was not properly cleaned) or through bad handling and processing practices that led cross contamination. One would guess that the cheese spreads would also be unlikely to support the growth of Listeria (low Aw) and the same could be guessed about the salsa (low pH). But Listeria could be brought into the facility from the ingredients used to make the cheese products, or through other means, and then survived in a niche within the processing environment, especially f there was build-up of residual cheese ‘stuff’ in the processing environment or on the equipment. This notion is supported by the fact that this is the second recall due to Listeria (the last in 2010….of course this begs the question to what degree was the company putting the effort towards control).
It would be interesting to see if this was the same Listeria strain found in both recalls. I would be willing to bet it is the same strain. Work done at Penn State has shown Listeria’s ability to form a resistant state that can survive for long periods of time. In other recall situations, whole genome sequencing has verified that the same organism, outside of a few changes of base pairs in the whole genome, can re-emerge after years within that same processing environment.
So while none of the finished products may be viewed as risky for the growth of Listeria (due to low Aw or low pH), this does not preclude the organism from being present on the product. And here again, we have a scenario where a positive product test triggers a recall on what would probably be viewed as a lower risk product.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm390421.htm
Recall -- State Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and safety alerts from states as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA is not responsible for the content of these notices.
Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Products Due to Listeria Contamination
Contact
Consumer:
800-869-6685
Media:
Margaret Hart, margaret.hart@state.mn.us,
651-201-6131
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 22, 2014 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid eating certain peanut butter, cheese, salsa, and spreads produced by Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, after state agriculture department product sampling determined some of the finished products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
There have been no reports of illness associated with consumption of the products. Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC is cooperating with the MDA investigation and has issued a voluntary recall of all products with the “sell by” dates listed below. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase or discard them.
The list of recalled products includes:
According to the FDA recall notice, products are distributed nationwide under the Parkers Farm, Parkers, Happy Farms, Central Markets, Hy-Top, Amish Classic, Say Cheez, Win Schuler, and Bucky Badger labels. These products were sold at several retail stores including but not limited to Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerly’s, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Nash Finch, Costco, ALDI, Wal-Mart, and Brookshire stores.
What we can surmise: the company produced a line of refrigerated products including peanut butter – yes, refrigerated peanut butter, and cheese spreads. While it could be expected that Listeria would not grow in peanut butter because of low water activity (Aw), peanut butter could have become contaminated if that product was produced using shared equipment (that was not properly cleaned) or through bad handling and processing practices that led cross contamination. One would guess that the cheese spreads would also be unlikely to support the growth of Listeria (low Aw) and the same could be guessed about the salsa (low pH). But Listeria could be brought into the facility from the ingredients used to make the cheese products, or through other means, and then survived in a niche within the processing environment, especially f there was build-up of residual cheese ‘stuff’ in the processing environment or on the equipment. This notion is supported by the fact that this is the second recall due to Listeria (the last in 2010….of course this begs the question to what degree was the company putting the effort towards control).
It would be interesting to see if this was the same Listeria strain found in both recalls. I would be willing to bet it is the same strain. Work done at Penn State has shown Listeria’s ability to form a resistant state that can survive for long periods of time. In other recall situations, whole genome sequencing has verified that the same organism, outside of a few changes of base pairs in the whole genome, can re-emerge after years within that same processing environment.
So while none of the finished products may be viewed as risky for the growth of Listeria (due to low Aw or low pH), this does not preclude the organism from being present on the product. And here again, we have a scenario where a positive product test triggers a recall on what would probably be viewed as a lower risk product.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm390421.htm
Recall -- State Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and safety alerts from states as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA is not responsible for the content of these notices.
Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Products Due to Listeria Contamination
Contact
Consumer:
800-869-6685
Media:
Margaret Hart, margaret.hart@state.mn.us,
651-201-6131
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 22, 2014 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid eating certain peanut butter, cheese, salsa, and spreads produced by Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, after state agriculture department product sampling determined some of the finished products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
There have been no reports of illness associated with consumption of the products. Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC is cooperating with the MDA investigation and has issued a voluntary recall of all products with the “sell by” dates listed below. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase or discard them.
The list of recalled products includes:
Florida company recalls fresh basil due to Salmonella
A Florida company is recalling packaged fresh basil for potential Salmonella
contamination. A product sample was found to positive for Salmonella during FDA
routine random sample testing. Additional product testing conducted at the
request of the packer was negative. The product was shipped to 7 states in the
southeast US and is distributed by Trader Joe's. There have been no reported
illnesses.
It is conceivable that the basil, which is grown outdoors, may come up with that random positive sample of Salmonella while subsequent sampling results are negative. Decontamination after harvesting is difficult since the product is highly perishable. Normally the consumer should wash it immediately before use, especially when used in fresh applications.
This is not the first time basil has been found to be positive for Salmonella. In 2011, an Indiana company recalled basil after FDA testing found a positive sample.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389386.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.
Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Basil Organic Clamshells Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact
Consumer:
305-599-9255
customer_service@infiniteherbs.com
Media:
Amy Philpott
(703) 472-6615
aphilpott@watsongreenllc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 14, 2014 - Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida is voluntarily recalling one lot of its 2.5 ounce packages of Organic Basil because of potential contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recall only affects one specific lot of Infinite Herbs brand Organic Basil packaged in 2.5 ounce clamshell bearing the "Date Packed 02/21 20422". The "Date Packed" information can be found on the back side label below the country of origin statement. The product was only distributed to Trader Joe's stores located in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia and Tennessee.
It is conceivable that the basil, which is grown outdoors, may come up with that random positive sample of Salmonella while subsequent sampling results are negative. Decontamination after harvesting is difficult since the product is highly perishable. Normally the consumer should wash it immediately before use, especially when used in fresh applications.
This is not the first time basil has been found to be positive for Salmonella. In 2011, an Indiana company recalled basil after FDA testing found a positive sample.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389386.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.
Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Basil Organic Clamshells Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact
Consumer:
305-599-9255
customer_service@infiniteherbs.com
Media:
Amy Philpott
(703) 472-6615
aphilpott@watsongreenllc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 14, 2014 - Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida is voluntarily recalling one lot of its 2.5 ounce packages of Organic Basil because of potential contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recall only affects one specific lot of Infinite Herbs brand Organic Basil packaged in 2.5 ounce clamshell bearing the "Date Packed 02/21 20422". The "Date Packed" information can be found on the back side label below the country of origin statement. The product was only distributed to Trader Joe's stores located in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia and Tennessee.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Backyard chickens and the higher risk of Salmonella infection
Research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID) discusses the increase trend of Salmonella cases related to chickens in kept and raised in the home environment or backyard. Many of these chickens come from mail-order hatcheries.
People, most those who are new to owning chicken, do not realize the risk with regard to the higher prevalence of Salmonella. People often treat chickens as pets, and this can be problematic when people fail to wash their hands afterward. This is especially a problem in young children who are more susceptible and less likely to wash their hands afterwards.
Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID)
Backyard Poultry Flocks and Salmonellosis: A Recurring, Yet Preventable Public Health Challengehttp://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/02/20/cid.ciu067
Patricia M. Griffin, Section Editor Casey Barton Behravesh1, Denise Brinson2, Brett A. Hopkins3, and Thomas M. Gomez4 + Author Affiliations
1Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
2United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Poultry Improvement Plan, Conyers, Georgia
3International Technical Animal Production and Processing Solutions (iTAPPS), Overland Park, Kansas
4Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, Atlanta, Georgia
Correspondence: Casey Barton Behravesh, MS, DVM, DrPH, DACVPM, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS-A38, Atlanta, GA 30329 (cbartonbehravesh@cdc.gov).
Abstract
Poultry are well recognized as possible carriers of Salmonella species. As part of the local foods movement, backyard poultry flocks have increased in popularity in recent years. Between 1996 and 2012, 45 outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry from mail-order hatcheries were documented. This review examines the history of live poultry–associated salmonellosis in humans in the United States, the current status of the issue, and what can be done to help prevent these illnesses. An integrated One Health approach involving the mail-order hatchery industry, feed stores, healthcare providers, veterinarians, and backyard flock owners is needed to help prevent live poultry–associated salmonellosis.
People, most those who are new to owning chicken, do not realize the risk with regard to the higher prevalence of Salmonella. People often treat chickens as pets, and this can be problematic when people fail to wash their hands afterward. This is especially a problem in young children who are more susceptible and less likely to wash their hands afterwards.
Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID)
Backyard Poultry Flocks and Salmonellosis: A Recurring, Yet Preventable Public Health Challengehttp://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/02/20/cid.ciu067
Patricia M. Griffin, Section Editor Casey Barton Behravesh1, Denise Brinson2, Brett A. Hopkins3, and Thomas M. Gomez4 + Author Affiliations
1Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
2United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Poultry Improvement Plan, Conyers, Georgia
3International Technical Animal Production and Processing Solutions (iTAPPS), Overland Park, Kansas
4Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, Atlanta, Georgia
Correspondence: Casey Barton Behravesh, MS, DVM, DrPH, DACVPM, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS-A38, Atlanta, GA 30329 (cbartonbehravesh@cdc.gov).
Abstract
Poultry are well recognized as possible carriers of Salmonella species. As part of the local foods movement, backyard poultry flocks have increased in popularity in recent years. Between 1996 and 2012, 45 outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry from mail-order hatcheries were documented. This review examines the history of live poultry–associated salmonellosis in humans in the United States, the current status of the issue, and what can be done to help prevent these illnesses. An integrated One Health approach involving the mail-order hatchery industry, feed stores, healthcare providers, veterinarians, and backyard flock owners is needed to help prevent live poultry–associated salmonellosis.
Pouches of Dehydrated Sliced Fruit Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Oregon Freeze Dry in cooperation with Costco is recalling pouches of dehydrated sliced fruit due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product, packed exclusively for Costco under the Kirkland brand, was shipped to over 35 states. While the potentially contaminated product had been removed from Costco, there is the possibility that consumers may still have suspect product. There have been no reported illnesses.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389177.htm
Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit Recalled Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:Consumer:
1-888-641-2933
E-mail: recall@ofd.com
Media:
Pat Walsh
1-541-513-1236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 13, 2014 – ALBANY, OR. – Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. of Albany, OR has voluntarily recalled 59,780 cases of Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit, produced exclusively for Costco Wholesale Stores. In cooperation with Costco, the company issued the recall after determining the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Precautionary recall measures began on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Consumers who may have purchased the product were contacted by phone and US. Mail, and a letter regarding the voluntary recall was posted on the Costco website. Furthermore, the affected product was removed from Costco floors. No confirmed cases of Salmonella poisoning from consumption of this product have been reported at this time, Any Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit that is currently available for purchase has been rigorously tested and is safe for consumption. No other products made by Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. are affected.
Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit is sold in a red and white case containing 20 pouches of freeze-dried snacks. Consumers who have purchased Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit with the following “Best Before Dates,” listed on the upper left corner of the front panel of the case, are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Best Before Date: FEB 14 2015 - MAR 11 2015 (which reads FEB142015 - MAR112015)
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389177.htm
Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit Recalled Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:Consumer:
1-888-641-2933
E-mail: recall@ofd.com
Media:
Pat Walsh
1-541-513-1236
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 13, 2014 – ALBANY, OR. – Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. of Albany, OR has voluntarily recalled 59,780 cases of Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit, produced exclusively for Costco Wholesale Stores. In cooperation with Costco, the company issued the recall after determining the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Precautionary recall measures began on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Consumers who may have purchased the product were contacted by phone and US. Mail, and a letter regarding the voluntary recall was posted on the Costco website. Furthermore, the affected product was removed from Costco floors. No confirmed cases of Salmonella poisoning from consumption of this product have been reported at this time, Any Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit that is currently available for purchase has been rigorously tested and is safe for consumption. No other products made by Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. are affected.
Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit is sold in a red and white case containing 20 pouches of freeze-dried snacks. Consumers who have purchased Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit with the following “Best Before Dates,” listed on the upper left corner of the front panel of the case, are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Best Before Date: FEB 14 2015 - MAR 11 2015 (which reads FEB142015 - MAR112015)
Dole Fresh Vegetables Recalls Bagged Salad Due to Potential Listeria Contamination
Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalled bagged salad product due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. The issue was discovered after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) found Listeria in a single random sample of product. The limited number of cases were shipped to 15 different states and 3 Canadian provinces. No illnesses have been reported.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389296.htm
Dole Fresh Vegetables Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Bagged Salads Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
800-356-3111
Media:
William Goldfield
818-874-4647
William.Goldfield@Dole.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 13, 2014 - Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of bagged salad. The products being recalled are Dole Italian Blend (UPC 7143000819), Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend (UPC 1111091045), Little Salad Bar Italian Salad (UPC 4149811014) and Marketside Italian Style Salad (UPC 8113102780) coded A058201A or B, with Use-by date of March 12, 2014 due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
The product code and Use-by date are in the upper right-hand corner of the package; the UPC code is on the back of the package, below the barcode. The salads were distributed in 15 U.S. states (Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia) and 3 Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Ontario & Quebec).
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm389296.htm
Dole Fresh Vegetables Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Bagged Salads Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
800-356-3111
Media:
William Goldfield
818-874-4647
William.Goldfield@Dole.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 13, 2014 - Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of bagged salad. The products being recalled are Dole Italian Blend (UPC 7143000819), Fresh Selections Italian Style Blend (UPC 1111091045), Little Salad Bar Italian Salad (UPC 4149811014) and Marketside Italian Style Salad (UPC 8113102780) coded A058201A or B, with Use-by date of March 12, 2014 due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
The product code and Use-by date are in the upper right-hand corner of the package; the UPC code is on the back of the package, below the barcode. The salads were distributed in 15 U.S. states (Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia) and 3 Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Ontario & Quebec).
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
FDA Shuts Down Delaware Cheese Plant
FDA shut down the Roos Foods cheese plant, that had recently recalled product linked to a Listeria outbreak, after FDA found a number of findings in their investigation.
From the FDA report, the findings included:
The conditions found in the inspection were sure issues for Listeria contamination....leaks contributing to excessive moisture into the processing environment and being a source of contamination, poor cleaning practices that allow for growth of Listeria within that environment, poor operating equipment that allows access of that contamination to the product, and finally the facility was in bad condition which prevented that contamination from being removed. The
In short, Listeria contamination had access into the facility and to the product, the conditions within the plant supported growth of the organism and bad facility conditions prevented good cleanup.
It is also important to note that this is the second time that FDA used its new powers granted by FSMA to remove a facilities registration and thus shut down that facility. The first case was the peanut butter facility that had Salmonella contamination. After about a number of months of working with FDA, that peanut butter facility ended up closing for good. If this is an indication, this cheese facility will have a long road to get to the point of reopening, if they survive at all.
.
FDA News Release
From the FDA report, the findings included:
- the roof leaking so badly that water was raining down into the cheese processing room, including onto the cheese processing equipment and storage tanks;
- standing water on the floor throughout the cheese curd processing room in proximity to the cheese vats and in the storage rooms;
- metal roof/ceiling and metal supports exhibiting a rusted appearance with metal flaking precluding effective cleaning and sanitizing;
- food residues found on equipment after cleaning had been performed;
- openings to milk storage tanks and transfer piping were not capped to prevent contaminants from entering or contaminating food contact surfaces; and
- floors, wall, and equipment that were deteriorated and in bad repair, including processing equipment and storage vats with rust holes and floors with rough concrete deterioration.
.
FDA News Release
FDA Investigates presence of Listeria in some Hispanic-style Cheeses
UPDATE
The FDA suspended the food facility registration of Roos Foods Inc.2 of Kenton Delaware on March 11, 2014 after the FDA determined there was a reasonable probability of food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by Roos Foods causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans.
The FDA ordered the suspension after an investigation by the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local partners linked a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis to cheeses found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and manufactured by the company. Food facility registration is required for any facility engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for consumption in the United States, and if the registration of a facility is suspended, no person shall introduce food from such facility into interstate or intrastate commerce in the United States. The FDA inspected the company’s facility from February 18 – March 4, 2014. During the inspection, FDA investigators found insanitary conditions including:
- the roof leaking so badly that water was raining down into the cheese processing room, including onto the cheese processing equipment and storage tanks;
- standing water on the floor throughout the cheese curd processing room in proximity to the cheese vats and in the storage rooms;
- metal roof/ceiling and metal supports exhibiting a rusted appearance with metal flaking precluding effective cleaning and sanitizing;
- food residues found on equipment after cleaning had been performed;
- openings to milk storage tanks and transfer piping were not capped to prevent contaminants from entering or contaminating food contact surfaces; and
- floors, wall, and equipment that were deteriorated and in bad repair, including processing equipment and storage vats with rust holes and floors with rough concrete deterioration.
Additionally, the FDA collected environmental samples from different areas of the facility, including the cheese processing room and various pieces of equipment. FDA's testing identified 12 swabs that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis showed that 11 of those swabs had the same Listeria monocytogenes "DNA-fingerprint" as the outbreak strain.
In response to evidence collected during the investigation by the FDA, CDC, and state officials, the state of Delaware’s Division of Public Health issued a Cease and Desist Production and Distribution order to the firm on February 28, 2014.
The FDA will vacate the suspension order and reinstate Roos Foods’ facility registration when the FDA determines that food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at the facility no longer has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans.
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