Recalls

Pasting an e-email that I got from work. None of us really need to worry about ground turkey (at least I would hope not) but it looks like companies ended up putting 'undeclared milk products" in Chocolate Decadence and SoyNilla. BS.

Public Health Info: Food Recalls

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Please review the following message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Food and Drug Safety Program, DHSS regarding the following Class 1 Recall issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service:

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a strain of Salmonella Heidelberg, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The products subject to recall include:

Fresh Ground Turkey Chubs

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Fresh HEB Ground Turkey 85/15 with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/12/2011, 09/13/2011, 09/19/2011 and 09/20/2011

16 oz. (1 lb.) chubs of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Fresh Ground Turkey with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/19/2011, 09/20/2011 and 09/21/2011

Fresh Ground Turkey Trays

19.2 oz. (1.2 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/10/2011 and 09/12/2011

48.0 oz. (3 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Turkey Fresh 85/15 with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/17/2011, 09/18/2011 and 09/19/2011

48.0 oz. (3 lbs.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey Family Pack with Use or Freeze by Dates of 09/11/2011, 09/12/2011, 09/13/2011, 09/15/2011, 09/17/2011 and 09/18/2011

16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White 85/15 Ground Turkey with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/11/2011

Fresh Ground Turkey Patties

16.0 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey Patties with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/18/2011

16 oz. (1 lb.) trays of Kroger Ground Seasoned Turkey Patties Fresh 85/15 with a Use or Freeze by Date of 09/17/2011

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "P-963" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on August 23, 24, 30 and 31 of this year.

The strain of Salmonella Heidelberg in question is identical to that of an outbreak of Salmonellosis that resulted in an August 3, 2011 recall of ground turkey products. Although a sample tested positive for the outbreak related strain of Salmonella, including the identical XbaI and BlnI PFGE patterns matching the August 3 outbreak strain, at this time, neither FSIS nor the plant is aware of any illnesses associated with product from the above dates. An FSIS incident investigation team collected samples at the establishment following the previous recall. Today's recall occurred after a product sample collected on August 24 tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. The firm is recalling product from August 30 based on pending positive match samples. The products subject to recall are derived from bone-in parts.

These products were distributed at the retail level nationwide. Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation requests that consumers who may have purchased these products return them to the point-of-purchase. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/

Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

Consumers with questions about this recall should contact Cargill's consumer relations toll free telephone number at 1-888-812-1646. Media with questions regarding the recall should contact Cargill's media contact Mike Martin at [email protected] or (316) 291-2126.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg is resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics: this antibiotic resistance may be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.

No action is required of local health departments at this time for this recall. If any requests for assistance are received from USDA, the Food and Drug Safety Program will contact you. For additional information regarding warnings and recalls, please click on the weblink below.

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Please review the following message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Food and Drug Safety Program, DHSS regarding the following Class 1 Recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

1. Watkins Inc. of Winona, MN, is recalling 1,535 units of its individual 7.7 ounce containers of SoyNilla, because it contains an undeclared milk ingredient. SoyNilla was distributed nationwide through the Watkins network of independent contractors, associates and mail orders.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk and consume this product may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. Symptoms may include hives, wheezing, vomiting, anaphylaxis and digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea.

The product comes in a 7.7 ounce, white plastic package marked with lot #3000280 on the side of the package.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was found that this product containing milk was distributed in a package that did not disclose the presence of milk. This discovery was made during this company's routine review of allergen product labeling and indicates a temporary breakdown of the company's allergen identification processes.

Consumers who have purchased the 7.7 ounce of SoyNilla and have inventory in their control, please call for a return or credit instructions. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-243-9423 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday.

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2. Chocolate Decadence, Eugene, Oregon, is recalling multiple lines of chocolate products because they may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

There has been one allergic reaction complaint and confirmed to date in Connecticut. The products were distributed nationwide through Internet sales and through retail stores.

The products include Chocolate Decadence chocolate bars, almond clusters, assorted fruit clusters, chocolate buttons (raspberry, espresso, pure dark, mint, peanut butter), truffles, fudge, and molded chocolates.

The smaller packages are in clear cellophane bags with uniquely identifying paper wrappers. The bars are wrapped in silver foil and wrapped in earth-toned paper wrappers (see attached label).

There are no codes, best by dates or expiration dates observed on the retail packages.

The recall was initiated when the Connecticut customer became ill after eating the chocolate. Subsequent investigation revealed that the chocolate had been manufactured on production lines that had previously been used to process milk chocolate.

Consumers who have purchased Chocolate Decadence and who have allergy or severe sensitivity to milk are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Chocolate Decadence at 1-800-324-5018 from 8 AM-5 PM PST or at the company's website www.chocolatedecadence.com.

No action is required of local health departments at this time for either of these recalls. If any requests for assistance are received from FDA, the Food and Drug Safety Program will contact you. For additional information regarding warnings and recalls, please click on the weblink below.

For all recalls - http://www.recalls.gov/recent.html