In the past 10 months, there have been many recalls of raw sprouts for bacterial contamination and one large outbreak linked to sprouts in Jimmy John's sandwiches. The CDC advises many consumers to avoid raw sprouts altogether or to cook them thoroughly before consuming. Now a national grocery chain, Kroger, has decided to stop selling sprouts. Payton Pruett, Kroger's vice president of food safety, said in a statement, "after a thorough, science-based review, we have decided to voluntarily discontinue selling fresh sprouts. Testing and sanitizing by the growers and safe food handling by the consumer are the critical steps to protect against foodborne illness. Sprouts represent a unique challenge because pathogens may reside inside of seeds where they cannot be reached by the currently … [Read more...]
Kellogg’s Recalls Mini Wheats for Possible Metal Fragments
Kellogg's is recalling Frosted Mini-Wheats and Mini-Wheats Unfrosted Bite Size cereal because it may be contaminated with fragments of flexible metal mesh from a faulty manufacturing part. If you have purchased these products, return them to the store for a refund. These are the recalled products: Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Bite Size Original cereal in the following sizes. First, 18 ounce cartons with UPC number 3800031829 and Better if Used Before Dates between APR 01 2013 KB - SEP 21 2013 KB. Also, 18 ounce cartons with UPC number 3800073444 and Better if Used Before Dates between APR 01 2013 KB - SEP 21 2013 KB. Twenty-four ounce cartons with UPC number 3800031834 and Better if Used Before Dates between APR 01 2013 KB - SEP 21 2013 KB. Then 30-ounce cartons with UPC number … [Read more...]
Milford Valley Farms Crunchy Chicken Strips Recalled for Contamination
Serenade Foods Inc. of Indiana is recalling about 2,250 pounds of crunchy chicken strips because they may contain fragments of plastic, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). the recalled product is Milford Valley Farms Crunchy Chicken Strips in 7.5 pound cases containing 30-ounce cartons. The cartons have the establishment number "P-2375" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They also have UPC number 0-73981-32286-7 and a use-by date of January 17, 2014. The products were packaged on January 17, 2012 and shipped to a distributor in Lakeland, Florida for further distribution. Two consumer complaints alerted the FSIS to the problem. There have been no reports of injury or illness associated with the consumption of this product. For questions, call Janelle … [Read more...]
Henry’s Farm FDA Warning Letter for Listeria Monocytogenes in Sprouts
The FDA has sent a warning letter to Henry's Farm, Inc. in Virginia for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in soy bean sprouts. A sample of the sprouts tested by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services yielded a positive test result for the bacteria. Samples collected by the FDA at the onsite inspection in April and May, 2012 yielded Listeria monocytogenes. Inspectors found "numerous insanitary conditions and practices that may have contributed directly or indirectly to contamination of your sprouts with pathogens and filth." There were numerous rodent pellets in bags of mung beans, and gnaw marks on 25 kg paper bags of soybeans in the refrigerated seed storage area. Gaps under the doors could lead to contamination, and a "foul odor consistent with rodent … [Read more...]
Klement Bratwurst Patties Recalled for Foreign Materials
Klement Sausage Company of Wisconsin is recalling about 2,920 pounds of frozen bratwurst patties because they may contain pieces of ap lstic pen. The product is 10-pound cases containing 4-ounce patties of Klement Sausage Co. Bratwurst Patty. The products were produced on July 6, 2012. The packages have the establishment number "EST. 2426B" in the USDA mark of inspection. Each case label has the batch number "21097". The products were distributed for foodservice use in Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The problem was discovered when food preparation personnel discovered the foreign matter while cooking the product. There have been no reports of injury or illness associated with the consumption of this product. If you have questions, call Jeff Klement, the company's vice … [Read more...]
China Refuses FDA Jerky Pet Treat Testing
The Food and Drug Administration has released four Establishment Inspection Reports of facilities in China that make pet treats linked to dog illnesses and death. The facilities are Gambol Pet Products Co., Jinan Uniwell Pet Fodo Co., Ltd., Shandong Honva Food Co. Ltd, and Shandong Petswell Food Co. Ltd. You can see the heavily redacted reports by visiting the FDA site and scrolling down to "Compliance & Enforcement". The Chinese government has refused to let inspectors collect samples of the product for analysis. The inspections were conducted in April, 2012 at sites in Liaocheng and Jinan, China. The treats are sold by Nestle Purina PetCare Co. The Chinese government did say they would let the FDA test samples, but only if the U.S. agreed to have the products tested in … [Read more...]
Johnsonville Recalling Turkey Sausage for Foreign Materials
Johnsonville Sausage of Wisconsin is recalling about 48,000 pounds of "Turkey Sausage with Cheddar Cheese" because they may contain pieces of gloves. The recalled product is 13.5-ounce vacuum packages of "Johnsonville Turkey Sausage with Cheddar Cheese". The packages have the establishment number "EST. P-34224" inside the USDA mark of inspection and "best by" date of "08/20/2012 2". The sausage was produced on May 22, 2012, and distributed to retail establishments nationwide. The company received two consumer complaints about the issue. There have been no reports of injury due to the consumption of this product. If you have questions about the recall, call Johnsonville Customer Relations at 1-800-270-4662. … [Read more...]
Wegmans Food Markets Recalls Soup That May Contain Foreign Materials
Blount Fine Foods of Massachusetts is recalling about 4,100 pounds of meat and poultry soup products that may contain plastic fragments. Some of the products are regulated by the USDA and some by the FDA. These are the recalled products regulated by the USDA. "Wegmans Food Markets Chicken and Dumpling Soup" in 16 ounce cups with "use by" date of August 24, 2012 and "Keep Refrigerated" on the label. "Wegmans Food Markets Italian Wedding Style Soup with Meatballs" in 16 ounce cups with a "use by" date of September 3, 2012 and "Keep Refrigerated" on the label. The cases have the establishment number "EST. 19449A" or "P-19449A" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The soups were packaged on June 5, 2012 and sent to distribution centers in New York and Pennsylvania. Form there, the soups were … [Read more...]
Would You Like Your Caffeinated Ocean Water with Milk or Cream?
A new study published in the July 2012 Marine Pollution Bulletin has found elevated levels of caffeine in the Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Oregon. Scientists from Portland State University and Washington State University in Vancouver included caffeine, a biologically active drug, in their survey of pollutants. Caffeine is a contaminant of freshwater and marine ecosystems. The amount of caffeine in seawater ranged from below the reporting limit of 8.5 ng/L to 44.7 ng/L. (ng/L is nanograms per liter.) Concentrations of caffeine in rivers and estuaries draining into the ocean were as high as 152.2 ng/L. The concentrations and occurrence didn't correlate with location near cities, but did correlate with storms. In other words, storms that trigger sewer overflows increase the … [Read more...]
San Francisco Herb and Natural Food Company Recalls Products
The San Francisco Herb and Natural Food Company is recalling 16 products for potential contamination of filth. There was a mouse infestation at the company's Fremont warehouse. The products were sold mostly over the internet in the U.S. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of these products. For questions, call Dr. Fahimeh Niroomand at 510-770-1215 extension 115. Each package weighs one pound. The Lot numbers are on a small, white rectangular sticker on the bottom half of the back of the package. The products recalled include: Product Product number Lot number Carob Raw Powder P351 090018 Chicory Root Roasted Granules G440 120056 Fennel Seed Whole W170 100155 Green Tea, Gunpowder C/S C837 100181 Hops … [Read more...]
