RECALL ALERT: Ground Beef with Salmonella

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2012 - Cargill Meat Solutions, a Wyalusing, Pa., establishment, is recalling 29,339 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall, sold wholesale and for further processing:

• 14 pound chub packages of "Grnd Beef Fine 85/15", packed 3 chubs to approximate 42-pound cases.

The products subject to recall bears the establishment number "EST. 9400" inside the USDA mark of inspection. While the use-by date has passed and these products are no longer available for retail sale, FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen in consumers' freezers. These products were produced on May 25, 2012, and were shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut, Maine and New York for further distribution. t is important to note that the above listed products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under different retail brand names.


For more information, please click here

RECALL ALERT: Dole Vegetables with Potential Listeria

Dole Fresh Vegetables has recalled 2,598 cases of bagged salads due to a possible risk from listeria, the Food and Drug Administration announced Sunday.

Dole Hearts of Romaine salads are being voluntarily recalled after one bag tested positive for listeria monocytogenes during a random check by the FDA.

The salads were distributed in nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Recalled bags have a product code of 0540N165112A or B, with Use-by date of June 26 and a UPC code of UPC 7143000956. Consumers can find the product code and Use-by date in the upper right-hand corner of the package. The UPC code is on the back of the package, below the barcode.

Anyone who has a bag of the recalled salad should throw it away, the FDA recommends. For more information, consumers can call the Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at  1-800-356-3111 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.


Source: msnbc.com

RECALL ALERT: Chives with Listeria

Chives distributed in nine states by an upstate New York company are being recalled because of possible listeria contamination. The chives from Goodness Gardens Inc. of New Hampton were sold primarily through retailers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama, Illinois and Virginia. They were packaged in plastic clamshell containers, 1 pound bags and twist tie bunches. The recalled lot is number 0201111, dated May 6.

Listeria is a bacterium that can cause fever and abdominal illness and serious infections in young children, frail adults and others with weakened immune systems. Infection is sometimes fatal and can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The FDA says there have been no reports of illness associated with the recalled chives. Consumers may return them to retailers for a refund.

Source: msnbc.com

RECALL ALERT: Grape Tomatoes

A Florida tomato grower is voluntarily recalling its grape tomatoes after a sample tested positive for salmonella.
The Immokalee, Fla.-based company says the recalled product was packed on April 11 under the Cherry Berry lot code DW-H in clam shells or 20-pound cardboard containers. The tomatoes were distributed to California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia, as well as Canada.

The tomatoes also were used in deli salads made by Tracy-based Taylor Farms Pacific Inc., which also recalled products Monday. The salads were sold in plastic trays and at deli counters in Albertsons, Raley's, Safeway, Savemart, Sam's Club and Walmart stores across the West and some Midwestern states.

The affected states are Arizona, Oregon, California, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.

Customers are being asked to return the recalled products to the place of purchase for a refund.

Source: msnbc.com

RECALL ALERT: Drug-Resistant Salmonella in Turkey Burger

Government health officials are warning that salmonella bacteria detected in an outbreak of food poisoning from popular turkey burgers may be resistant to common drugs used to fight serious infection.
At least a dozen people in 10 states have been sickened by raw, frozen turkey burger products produced by the Jennie-O Turkey Store. The firm recalled nearly 55,000 pounds of the meat last week after illnesses were reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC officials announced that the strain of Samonella Hadar found in the meat appear to be resistant to several common antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, cephalothin and tetracycline.
Drug resistance can "increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals," a CDC statement said.
So far, illnesses have been reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Investigators have not been able to confirm that all of the ill people actually ate the burgers; however, at least three peple in Colorado, Ohio and Wisconsin specifically reported eating the turkey burgers the week before they became ill. Samples of turkey burgers taken from patients' homes in Colorado and Wisconsin tested positive for Salmonella Hadar.

The recall includes 4-pound boxes of Jennie-O Turkey Store All Natural Turkey Burgers with seasonings Lean White Meat. Each box contains 12 1/3-pound individually wrapped burgers. The boxes are marked with a use-by date of Dec. 23, 2011 and a lot code of 32710 through 32780. Establishment number P-7760 is located within a USDA mark of inspection on the front of each box.
Health officials warn that recalled turkey burgers might still be in grocery stores and in consumers' homes, including in the freezer. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. Otherwise, dispose of the product in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can to prevent animals from eating the meat.

Source: msnbc.com

RECALL ALERT: Del Monte Cantaloupe

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) of Coral Gables, Florida is voluntarily recalling 4,992 cartons of cantaloupes, each containing 4 plastic mesh sleeves with 3 cantaloupes per sleeve, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Panama, an organism which 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 Panama often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella Panama 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 cantaloupes were distributed through warehouse clubs in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Consumers who believe that they are in possession of uneaten cantaloupe affected by this recall should return it to the place of purchase for a refund and for more information may contact 1-800-659-6500 (operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or email Del Monte Fresh at Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com
.


Source: Business Wire, Del Monte

Candy Recall: Including Hersheys and Nestle

Check out your candy, 6 top brand companies issued candy recalls, including Hersheys and Nestle:

  Nestlé® - RAISINETS® (Made in U.S.A.) Nestlé® has issued a voluntary recall of its Nestlé® RAISINETS® Fun Size Bags (10oz) with a production code of 02015748/UPC number 2800010255, after three complaints were made from customers finding peanuts. People with allergies or serious sensitivities to peanuts could have a severe allergic reaction if they consume the products. Consumers are being urged to contact Nestlé Consumer Services directly at 1-800-478-5670 for a full refund and discard any remaining packages. 
  Hershey - York Pieces (Made in U.S.A.) Hershey has issued a voluntary recall of their 5 oz bag of bite size York Pieces, due to the possibility that small pieces of metal may be found in the product. The affected items have the UPC 34000-11435-000 and production code beginning with the characters 27 or 28. Consumers who have purchased the item in question should contact Hershey Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-1714. 
  Colombina U.S.A. - Mega Pops Lollipops (Imported from Colombia) Colombina U.S.A. has issued a voluntary recall of Mega Pops lollipops as they may contain traces of foreign particles and metals. The lollipops come in 14-ounce and 28-ounce cellophane bags containing watermelon, cherry, orange and grape flavored pops. Affected Mega Pops contain UPC Code numbers 0 14272 10873 9 or 0 14272 10862 3, and are in lots marked as Lot #1240695, Lot #1209708, or Lot #1209796. Customers that would like to return the product to the store where they made the purchase may receive a refund or store credit. A 24-hour hotline has also been set up to answer customer questions at 1-888-317-3686. 
  Anhing Corp. - DaiJyoBu Ginger Candy (Imported from China) Anhing Corp. has recalled DaiJyoBu Ginger candy, imported from China, after the California Department of Public Health notified the company that the candy contained lead above the state's legal level. The company says the candy could cause health problems, particularly for infants, small children and pregnant women. The company has asked consumers to not eat the candy and return it to the store of purchase. 
  Cocon Food Industries - Cocon Grape Gummy Candy (Imported from Malaysia) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers to discard any Cocon Grape Gummy 100% candy imported from Malaysia after testing revealed high levels of lead (almost twice the legal limit in the state of California) in the candy. California health officials encourage consumers who find Cocon Grape Gummy 100% candy for sale to call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232. 
  Chula Vista Candy Company - Candy El Pecas Saladitos & Candy El Pecas Saladitos con Limon (Imported from China) CDPH officials are warning customers not to eat "Candy El Pecas Saladitos con Chile" and "Candy El Pecas Saladitos con Limon" after the CDPH found the candy contained seven times the legal limit of lead. Both candies, which are imported from China, are salted plums packaged in 1.5-ounce clear plastic bags. Consumers who find the products for sale are encouraged to call the Department of Health complaint hotline at 1-800-495-3232.


Source: Yahoo

FOOD RECALL: Frozen Peas

Peas are one of the first vegetables introduced to babies, but apparently we need to keep an eye on some brands.
Pictsweet Company of Bells, Tenn., found glass fragments in some of its frozen green peas and related products, and it started a recall that affects two of the nation's largest grocers: Walmart, the world's largest retailer and grocer, and Kroger. While not a household name, Pictsweet calls itself "one of the largest frozen vegetable suppliers in the United States."
As for the frozen peas recall, Kroger stores in the U.S. Southeast are affected, while Walmarts nationwide are affected. Customers who bought the bad peas (which also came packaged with other vegetables) can get a refund from the place of purchase. For more information, call Pictsweet toll-free at 800-367-7412, ext. 417, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT.
The following frozen vegetable products are part of the recall:
Kroger 12-Ounce Frozen Green Peas

• UPC 11110 89736
• Production Codes: 1440BU, 1440BV, 1440BW, and 1600BD

Kroger 12-Ounce Frozen Peas and Carrots

• UPC 11110 89741
• Production Codes: 1960BD and 1960BE

Walmart Great Value 12-Ounce Frozen Steamable Sweet Peas

• UPC 78742 08369
• Best by Dates of July 20, 2012; July 21, 2012

Walmart Great Value 12-Ounce Frozen Steamable Mixed Vegetables

• UPC 78742 08026
• Best by Date of July 15, 2012

 Source: Yahoo

Recall: Eggs with Salmonella

Officials with Wright County Egg issued a national recall for 13 brands of eggs with particular date stamps because they had the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The eggs were packed between May 16 and August 13.
The recalled eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. The eggs are packed in cartons of various sizes, including 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons and 18-egg cartons.
They feature Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The date follows the plant number. For example: P-1946 223.

Salmonella Enteritidis can cause fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea that begins with 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food and lasts four to seven days. It can cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems.

Consumers shouldn't eat the eggs and they should return them to the store where they were purchased.
This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit: http://www.eggsafety.org or contact the Egg Safety Media Hotline  404-367-2761.

Source: msnbc.com

Recall Alert: Tofu Brand

Quong Hop & Co., one of the largest tofu makers in California, stopped production last month when inspectors found the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes lurking in the factory and food made there, prompting a recall.
“Everything that was at the facility at the time of the investigation is under embargo,” said Patrick Kennelly of the California Department of Public Health.

This is not the first time Quong Hop has faced a recall due to listeria. Quong Hop in July issued a voluntary recall of more than 90 products it sells under the brand name “Raquel’s,” including hummus, wraps, sandwiches and salads.

Source: NYTimes

Kellogg's Cereal Recall due to Petrochemical

Kellogg's recall last month because of four "smelly" brands of cereal was due to Methylnaphthalene, a petrochemical that caused nausea and vomiting to eaters of Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks. Methylnaphthalene is used in the packaging for these cereals, but it apparently leached into the food content. 

According to the Environmental Working Group, “health agencies know very little about its safety” — though the few studies that have been done do show some cause for concern.

Despite inadequate studies, millions of pounds of methylnaphthalene are being produced every year and made its way into our food supply. 

Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks are children's cereal brands...how awful!!!

Sources: mnn.com, kellogg's

Yet Another Major Food Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today a recall of a flavor enhancer. It is contaminated with salmonella bacteria. HVP, or hydrolyzed vegetable protein is in several food products, including soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressings. 

For a list of affected products, click here. The list will increase exponentially within the next couple of days. No illnesses have been reported yet. !

Source: fda.org