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Two RECALLS of FOOD

PORKER

Well-known member
Safeway Ground Beef Linked to Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella Newport Sold in Five States
Date Published: Friday, December 21st, 2007
Salmonella tainted ground beef linked to 38 illnesses was sold at Safeway supermarkets in 5 states, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said today.
The contaminated ground beef is responsible for an outbreak of multi-drug resistant Salmonella poisoning in at least four Western states. The USDA is only considering this action an “alert” and it does not constitute a recall because the agency could not identify specific establishments, lots and products directly related to the Salmonella outbreak that would be subject to a recall. The USDA said it has no reason to believe that these products are still available for sale at any Safeway market.

The Salmonella infected fresh ground beef was sold at Safeway supermarkets in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5, 2007. The USDA is asking customers of Safeway supermarkets to check their freezers for any Safeway ground beef purchased during that time, and destroy any unused meat. The Safeway fresh ground beef may be contaminated with Salmonella Newport, a type of bacteria resistant to many of the antibiotics routinely used to treat Salmonella poisoning. This drug resistance makes it more likely that a Salmonella Newport infection will lead to hospitalization or serious complications. So far, 38 cases of this illness have been reported in Arizona (16), California (18), Idaho (1) and Nevada (3). According to the USDA health alert, the illnesses were linked through the epidemiological investigation by their rare PFGE pattern found in PulseNet, a database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Salmonella bacteria cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 72 hours of exposure. Children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to complications from Salmonella poisoning. In rare cases, extreme instances of Salmonella poisoning can lead to a disease called Reiter’s Syndrome, which is associated with chronic arthritis. According to the CDC, Salmonella bacteria sicken 40,000 people every year. Although the true number could be much higher, because it is estimated that for every case of Salmonella poisoning reported, two others are unreported. Because of the drug-resistant nature of Salmonella Newport, anyone exhibiting symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately.

This year, several Salmonella outbreaks have been traced to tainted commercial foods. Earlier in the summer, Salmonella-laced Veggie Booty Snack Mix sickened more than 100 people around the country. And in February, Salmonella in ConAgra’s Great Value and Peter Pan Peanut Butter made more than 600 people ill. In October, it was learned that another ConAgra product was behind a Salmonella outbreak. The company recalled its Banquet and store brand pot pies on October 11, and the tainted pot pies have been linked to more than 270 cases of Salmonella poisoning nationwide.

Top Line Specialty Produce Recalls “Green Paradise”
Basil Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Alberto Martinez
(213) 747-9200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—December 19, 2007 — Top Line Specialty Produce of Los Angeles, California, is voluntary recalling its 12 x 1 pound boxes of “Green Paradise label” Fresh Italian basil, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 this organism often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with “Salmonella” 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 recalled “Green Paradise Basil” was distributed to Food Service Distributors through direct shipping on 12/06/2007 in Southern California, Illinois and Texas.

The product comes in a 12 x 1 lb box marked with lot # 1219 on the side of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing revealing evidence of Salmonella in some 1lb units of the basil. Imports of this label (“Green Paradise”) have been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased the affected boxes of “Green Paradise Italian Basil” are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-213-747-9200.

We would like to inform you of a Voluntary Recall of 1# Fresh Basil packed under the Bon Apetit brand because they have a potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The lot# for the 1# Basil involved in the voluntary recall is 52/340.

Following is the specific information:

Product shipped overnight on December 6, 2007

100 — 1# Basil PO#40836

Please call me for any additional information.

Ralph Slomovits
VP Sales & Marketing
HerbThyme Farms, Inc.
310-884-9122 Fax: 637-7218

Apparently HerbThyme Farms had bought some product from Top Line Specialty Produce so this is the exact same product being recalled for the exact same reason. No indication of a larger problem. Many thanks to Ralp Slomovits and HerbThyme Farms for burning the midnight oil to keep the trade informed.
 

PORKER

Well-known member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2007

Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-827-9182
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA



FDA Warns About Potential for Botulism in Canned Green Beans
New Era Canning Company Voluntarily Recalls Product
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about a potential Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) contamination of canned cut green beans manufactured by New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., and labeled as "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans." C. botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism.


The bacterium produces a toxin that can result in a life-threatening illness or death. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this incident.

The canned cut green beans were distributed to retailers, restaurants and foodservice institutions by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, Mich., with lot code 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873, in large institutional-sized, 6 pound 5 ounce (#10) cans. The green beans were distributed to food service customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and sold through GFS Marketplace stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. There is no evidence of primary distribution outside the United States.

Customers who have the affected cans of cut green beans or who have used the green beans in recipes should throw cans and food away immediately. Any food that may be contaminated should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and the hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.

When disposing of this product, double-bag the cans in plastic bags. Make sure the bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions should ensure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles that are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal may be found at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm. Anyone with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

As part of this ongoing investigation, FDA is working closely with Michigan Department of Agriculture state officials and New Era to identify all products that may be involved. Michigan Department of Agriculture, under its state authority, seized most canned products in the company's warehouses. New Era is voluntarily recalling 171 cases of the green beans (6 cans per case).

Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the cut green beans currently under recall or other food products made with these green beans should seek immediate medical attention.

FDA learned of the potential contamination on Dec. 20, when testing of product collected during an FDA inspection showed a presumptive positive result for C. botulinum.
 

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