Stericycle's ExpertRecall.com keeps track of recalls documented by the Food and Drug Administration. This week they released their quarterly report, which states that food recalls increased 57% in the third quarter of the year, reaching the highest level in the last 10 quarters and 2.5 times the number of recalls in the second quarter. Recalls were issued at an average rate of four per day. There were 414 separate incidents in the months of July, August, and September 2012, with more than one event coming from almost 25% of the companies that had a recall. Of the recalls in this last quarter, 56% were listed as Class I, which means the products have "reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." … [Read more...]
Eco Health Recalls Products for Possible Salmonella
Eco Health Inc. of California is recalling its Prebiotic Formula in powdered form because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The formula was marketed under the name florAlign PREBIOTIC FORMULA. The products being recalled include: 60 units of the 90 gram container, with UPC number FA02-90GM. Also 40 units of the 180 gram container are recalled, with UPC number FA02-180GM, and 174 units of the 270 gram container, with UPC number FA02-180GM. The product is a berry flavored powder in a white plastic screw off container with a scooper. You can see the product labels at the FDA site. The powder was distributed by Eco-Health Inc. and has this address on the label: 25876 The Old Road #158, Newhall, CA 91321. The dates of distribution are June 2011 to August 2012. No illnesses have … [Read more...]
ExpertRECALL Data Shows Food Recalls Increased 19% in 2Q 2012
ExpertRECALL has released its findings for food and product recalls for the second quarter of 2012. The data shows that recalls have increased by 19% in the second quarter when compared to the first quarter of the year. The recalled products included sub sandwiches, peanut butter, romaine lettuce, and juice. Undeclared allergens are the primary cause of recalls, accounting for 40% of all food recalls. Salmonella contamination was the second leading cause of recalls, followed by Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, and E. coli. Recalls in the second quarter were initiated by 156 companies, with twelve companies announcing more than one recall. Thirty-four of the recalls were nationwide; the others were confined to states or certain cities. Former FDA Senior Recall Coordinator Willie … [Read more...]
Petco Recalling Stainless Steel Bowls for Radioactivity
Pegtco is recalling stainless steel pet food bowls because they contain small quantities of Cobalt-60, a radioactive material. A foreign supplier used steel containing the material. The radioactive levels in the affected products are far below State and Federal regulatory limits, according to Petco. There is no health risk to the public or to pets. In fact, the Illinois state government tested the bowls and found that "as a reference of relative risk of these items, a person who holds one of the bowls against their chest for 160 hours, roughly six and a half days, would receive a dose equivalent to a single chest x-ray." The products were in two cargo containers that entered the country in late May and early June. The problem was discovered by Customs and Border Protection agents during … [Read more...]
FDA Needs Better Way To Tell Consumers About Food Recalls, Says GAO
When a food safety issue requires a recall, delivering fast, accurate information to consumers can limit the spread of illness and in some cases, save lives. But quickly disseminating recall information to consumers is not a strong suit of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the federal agencies charged with protecting our nation's food supply, according to Government Accountability Office (GAO). "FDA faces a number of communication challenges when advising the public about food recalls or outbreaks of foodborne illness, ranging from balancing technical accuracy with timeliness of communications to coordinating messages with other agencies to meeting the needs of diverse public audiences. The agency has taken steps to begin meeting these challenges but has yet to fully … [Read more...]
Cass-Clay Creamery Recalls Ice Cream for Undeclared Allergens
Cass-Clay Creamery of North Dakota is recalling some varieties of ice cream because they may contain undeclared Brazil nuts, peanut oil, and soy lecithin. Tree nuts such as Brazil nuts are one of the major food allergens. Peanuts are another allergen, and so is soy. The flavors recalled for Brazil nuts are Cass-Clay Maple Nut ice Cream in one gallon containers (3.78 liters) with UPC number 70422-03404; Cass-Clay Premium Light Maple Nut Ice cream in one gallon containers with UPC number 70422-23404; and Hornbacher's Maple Nut Ice Cream in half-gallon containers (1.89 liters) with UPC number 41130-21666. Cass-Clay Premium Light Double Chocolate Fudge Ice cream, in half-gallon containers, UPC number 70422-24061 is being recalled for undeclared peanut oil and soy lecithin. Anyone with an … [Read more...]
Diamond Pet Foods Recall for Salmonella Expanded Again
The Diamond Pet Foods recall for Salmonella has been expanded again to include another product. The recall of dry dog and cat foods began on April 6, 2012 and was expanded several times. This particular food was manufactured on August 26, 2011, and is being recalled due to potential Salmonella exposure. The plant where the food was manufactured was cited for food safety failures after an investigation by the FDA. No illnesses have been reported connected to this product. Product details: Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula Samples, 6 pound bags, and 18 pound bags Production Codes and Best Before Dates: DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012 DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012 DSL0801, 27-Sept-2012 DSL0801, 18-Oct-2012 DSL0801 (samples) Distributed in these … [Read more...]
For Safety, Pasteurize Raw Milk At Home
Home pasteurization is a food safety measure used by some raw milk drinkers and advocated by some raw milk providers, because even if it’s produced on clean, organic farms, raw milk can contain pathogens. So far this year, there have been five foodborne illness outbreaks linked to raw milk and five raw milk recalls: Frisia Dairy in Washington state recalled raw milk on January 17, 2012 Family Cow Farm raw milk was recalled in January 2012 in Pennsylvania In California, Claravale raw milk products were recalled on March 23, 2012 On April 4, 2012, raw milk and raw cheese were recalled from the Sauder farm in Pennsylvania Organic Pastures raw milk products were recalled on May 10, 2012 At least 15 people have been hospitalized including six small children who contracted … [Read more...]
Cargill Recalls Some Animal Feed Products
Cargill Animal Nutrition announced a voluntary recall of some regional poultry and calf feed, and some whole and cracked corn products because of high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a mold that grows on grain that was stressed while it was growing. Exposure to high levels of aflatoxin can cause liver failure. The products were produced between September 6, 2011, and December 1, 2011. Dumor and Producer's Price brands were distributed in 43 stores in southern Arkansas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi and eastern Texas. Showmaster and Naturewise were distributed in Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. If you have purchased these products, return to the store for a full refund. For questions, call 1-855-225-1907. … [Read more...]
