Recall: Cleveland Beansprouts

Re-post Courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Cleveland Beansprouts Co. of Cleveland, OH is recalling all alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 4, 2012) - Cleveland Beansprouts Co. of Cleveland, OH is recalling all alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

All alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprouts are being recalled. There are no lot codes or any other identifier on the product. The alfalfa sprouts were only distributed in Ohio.

The contamination was discovered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture while collecting and testing samples under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Microbiological Data Program. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased alfalfa sprouts produced by Cleveland Beansprout should discard them.

Recall Alert: DOLE® Seven Lettuces Salad

Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Recall of Limited Number of Salads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 14, 2012 - Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling 756 cases of DOLE® Seven Lettuces salad with Use-by Date of April 11, 2012, UPC code 71430 01057 and Product Codes 0577N089112A and 0577N089112B, due to a possible health risk from Salmonella. 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 fifteen U.S. states (Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin).

No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall. This precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which a sample of Seven Lettuces salad yielded a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test collected and conducted by the State of New York.

No other Dole salads are included in the recall. Only the specific Product Codes, UPC codes and April 11, 2012 Use-by-Date of Seven Lettuces salads identified above are included in the recall. Consumers who have any remaining product with these Product Codes should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and consumers with questions may call the Dole Food Company Consumer Response Center at (800) 356-3111, which is open 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (PDT) Monday - Friday.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may experience fever and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain. The illness primarily impacts young children, frail and elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

Giant Eagle Bagged Lettuce Recall

Re-post Courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Media Statement on Voluntarily Recall of Giant Eagle Farmer's Market Shredded Iceberg Lettuce

10/13/2011 11:00 PM EDT

"Giant Eagle has been informed by representatives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the presence of listeria monocytogenes in a routine random sample test of Giant Eagle Farmer's Market eight ounce package of Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, produced by River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, with a use by date of October 14,2011. To date, there are no reported cases of customer illness due to consumption of this item."

"The packaged product affected is Giant Eagle Farmer's Market Shredded Iceberg Lettuce (UPC 3003430195). Additionally, the shredded iceberg lettuce was used in a small number of prepared deli ring sandwiches. The affected deli ring sandwiches include: Giant Eagle Large Italian Sandwich Ring (UPC 23755100000), Giant Eagle Mini Italian Sandwich Ring (UPC 24755500000), Giant Eagle Large New York Sandwich Ring (UPC 22755100000), Giant Eagle Mini New York Sandwich Ring (UPC 25755500000), Giant Eagle Large All America Sandwich Ring (UPC 21755100000), and Giant Eagle Mini All American Sandwich Ring (UPC 26755500000)."

"According to the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), the risk of an individual developing a listeria infection after consumption of a contaminated product is very small. Listeriosis affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems."

"Giant Eagle uses loyalty card purchase history data to contact customers who may be affected by food recalls with a health risk. Giant Eagle Advantage Card holders are encouraged to update contact information in the case of a recent change of mailing address or phone number. To communicate changes in contact information, customers may call 1-800-474-4777."

Visit the Mayo Clinic for listeria symptoms and additional information.


Re-post Courtesy of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Ground Beef Recall Tied to Ohio E. Coli Outbreak

Re-post courtesy of: Food Safety News

Ground Beef Recall Tied to Ohio E. Coli Outbreak
BY MARY ROTHSCHILD | SEP 28, 2011

An undisclosed number of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Ohio has prompted Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. to recall of 131,300 pounds of ground beef, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced just before 10 p.m. PDT Tuesday.

In a news release, FSIS said it became aware of the problem Monday when it was notified by the Ohio Department of Health of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Butler County with onset dates from Sept. 8 through Sept. 11. The number of illnesses wasn't given.

On Tuesday, results of tests on ground beef collected from "the patients' home" on Sept. 19 were returned and were positive for the pathogen, the FSIS said.

The agency and Tyson said they are concerned that consumers may freeze the ground beef from the suspect lots before use, and that some of the ground beef may be in consumers' freezers. "FSIS strongly encourages consumers to check their freezers and immediately discard any product subject to this recall," the statement advised.

The ground beef being recalled is:

• 5-pound chubs (cylinders of ground beef) of Kroger-brand "GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN - 27% FAT," packed in 40-pound cases containing eight chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of "D-0211 QW." These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Indiana and Tennessee for retail sale.
• 3-pound chubs of Butcher's Brand "GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN - 27% FAT," packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of "D-0211 LWIF." These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in North Carolina and South Carolina for retail sale.
• 3-pound chubs of a generic label "GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN - 27% FAT," packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of "D-0211 LWI." These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin for retail sale.

The products subject to recall have a "BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY" date of "SEP 12 2011" and the establishment number "245D" ink jetted along the package seam. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS' website.

FSIS said it is continuing to work with Ohio public health officials on the investigation.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at 1-866-328-3156.

Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F, as measured by a tip-sensitive food thermometer.

Re-post courtesy of: Food Safety News

Ground Turkey Recall!

In case you haven't been following the news, there is a Mass Recall on Ground Turkey.

There has been an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg infections linked to eating ground turkey.  So far 77 cases have been reported across the country.

There have been 10 illnesses documented in Ohio (the highest in the country so far) and at least one in Cuyahoga County.  There has been one fatality, but that was not in Ohio.

Specific Info:
Cargill Recall
USDA

How to tell if you have Salmonella poisoning:

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most people recover without treatment but in rare cases hospitalization is necessary.

How long has this been going on?

What disturbs me most is that this recalls reaches back to February 2011.  Seriously, seven months has to go by before the public is notified?  What exactly does the USDA do - sit on their asses until someone dies apparently.  Heaven forbid profits drop for these precious companies who can't manage to produce safe food.

Be Cautious!
The Hoff