U.S. PIRG, the federation of state PIRGs (public interest research groups), has found that the recalls of potentially hazardous meat and poultry recalls nearly doubled from 2013 to 2018. Their report, How Safe Is Our Food? During that time frame, while there has been a 10% increase in overall recalls, there was a 70% increase in chicken recalls, and an 83% increase in Class 1 meat and poultry recalls, which are those likely to cause serious illness or death. Some of these recalls may be because of better identification of pathogens in food, and new technology such as whole genome sequencing. The U.S. PIRG also says that the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 has also increased food recalls. Adam Garber, U.S. PIRG Consumer Watchdog said in a statement, "The food we nourish … [Read more...]
A+ Answers Straight Beef Formula For Dogs Recalled For Salmonella
The FDA has issued a press release, warning pet owners to not feed their dogs one lot of A+ Answers Straight Beef Formula for Dogs because it has tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. The lot number is 2018 20/08 20. Federal law requires all pet food be free from pathogens. Lystn, LLC, doing business as Answers Pet food, recalled the lot in Nebraska, but hasn't implemented a nationwide recall. This press release is issued because the pet food "is adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act." Salmonella can make pets and people sick. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection in both species include vomiting, diarrhea that may be bloody, and nausea. Pets can carry the bacteria but show no symptoms, and can pass it on to people. The bacteria is shed in their feces, which … [Read more...]
Hy Vee Recalls Cheesecake Made with Diamond Crystal Mix For Possible Salmonella
Hy Vee, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is recalling its cheesecakes that were made with Diamond Crystal Brands cheesecake mix for possible Salmonella contamination. Their supplier let them know about this issue. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The mix was distributed to 117 of Hy-Vee's 249 grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The specific stores were not named. The cheesecake mix itself is in a plastic container with a plastic lid, with expiration date ranging from December 6, 2018 to January 11, 2019. You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site, along with product package sizes and UPC numbers. The recalled products include Cherry Cheesecake, Oreo … [Read more...]
Risks of Food Poisoning in Packaged and Prepared Foods
There have been quite a few food poisoning outbreaks in 2018 that were linked to packaged and prepared foods, that is, foods that have been prepared in a factory or plant. The Fareway/Triple T chicken salad Salmonella outbreak is one example, as is the Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak that was linked to Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal and the Salmonella outbreak linked to Hy Vee Spring Pasta Salad. Both of these items were "ready-to-eat," which means that the consumer doesn't heat them before eating. That makes them risky, according to an article by Consumer Reports. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in ready-to-eat products in this country, but no such restrictions apply to Salmonella bacteria. Packaged and prepared foods may seem safe, but they can cause … [Read more...]
Top 10 Multistate Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2018
There were many food poisoning outbreaks in 2018. Thousands of people were sickened, many were hospitalized, and some died. This is a summary of the top 10 multistate food poisoning outbreaks of the year. Many lawsuits were filed in response to these outbreaks. McDonald's Cyclospora Outbreak. This outbreak sickened at least 511 people in 16 states, mostly concentrated in the Midwest. FDA investigators found the cyclospora oocyst in a sample of Fresh Express romaine and carrot mix that was used to make the salads. JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak. This outbreak, which has not been declared over, has sickened at least 333 people in 28 states. The company has recalled more than 12,000,000 pounds of ground beef products that were sold in Kroger stores and elsewhere around … [Read more...]
Columbia River Cow Pie Frozen Pet Foods Recall Expands
The recall of Columbia River frozen pet foods, including Cow Pie Pet Foods, has expanded to include more products. Those foods are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported in this recall. The Washington State Department of Agriculture found the pathogens in one package of each product. The recall. now includes 261 packages of Cow Pie Lot #72618 and 82 packages of Chicken & Vegetables Lot #111518 fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, that were produced in July 2018 and November 2018. These are fresh frozen meat products that are fed raw to dogs and cats. The products were distribute din Alaska, Oregon, and Washington state through direct delivery and retail stores. The Cow Pie product is in frozen 2 pound … [Read more...]
Two Recalls: Salad Shake Ups for Listeria and Culantro for Salmonella
Two recalls for possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination have been issued in Canada. One is for Canada Herb Culantro for possible Salmonella, and the other is for Eat Smart Salad Shake Ups - Sweet Kale, for possible Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to the companies or to authorities in connection with either recall. The first recall is for Eat Smart brand Salad Shake Ups - Sweet Kale. That product was distributed by Canadawide Fruits Inc., Lawlaw Companies, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada. It was sold nationally at the retail level. The recalled product is sold in 156 gram containers. The best before date is DEC 03 2018 DE 03 112 319, and the UPC number is 7 09351 30243 5. That recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is … [Read more...]
A Few Boxes of Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter Cereal Recalled for Possible Salmonella
Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch cereal is being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. Just 21 boxes of one variety with two Best Before Dates that were sold at five specific Target stores are recalled. Routine sampling by the company found that the finished cereal may contain pathogenic bacteria. The boxes of cereal that are part of this recall were purchased after November 5, 2018. The recalled product is for 21 17.1 ounce boxes of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch cereal with UPC number 0 30000 6211 1 and Best Before Dates of JUL 30 19 and JUL 31 19. These boxes were purchased at the following Target stores: Super Target at 4001 North 132nd Street in Omaha, Nebraska; P-Fresh at 4250 Rusty Road in St. Louis, Missouri; Super Target at 10800 East 21st Street North in … [Read more...]
IFSAC Estimates of Foodborne Illness Sources For 2016
The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), a tri-agency group that was created by the FDA, CDC, and USDA, has released an executive summary of the pathogens that cause foodborne illness and the foods they are linked to. Researchers looked at Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter outbreaks and illnesses for 2016. These pathogens were chosen because they cause 1.9 million illnesses each year combined, and cause severe illness. The IFSAC data was derived from 1255 foodborne illness outbreaks that occurred from 1998 to 2016 that were linked to a single food category. These estimates will help these agencies to intervene and to create policies for reducing outbreaks. Overall, E. coli O157 illnesses were most often linked to leafy greens and … [Read more...]
Queseria La Milagrosa Cheese Recalled For Possible Salmonella
Alebrije Dist Wholesale is recalling some of their cheeses for possible Salmonella contamination. The pathogenic bacteria was found in a sample of Quesillo “Queseria La Milagrosa. "Alebrije Cheese" has not tested positive for Salmonella, but the company is recalling specific 498 out of an abundance of caution. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. The cheeses were distributed October 23 and 24, 2018 through retail sales and delivery in Los Angeles, California. The recalled items are Quesillo “Queseria La Milagrosa" that is wrapped in a basic plastic bag with a yellow label. It is sold in 1/2 kilogram and 1 kilogram packages. Also recalled is "Alebrije Cheese," which is wrapped in a plastic bag with and orange and blue label. The cheese is sold in 1/2 … [Read more...]
