Food Poisoning Blog

Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks) because it could be tainted with Salmonella that can affect animals and people.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), those handling such pet food can become infected with the pathogen, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching exposed surfaces.

Human illnesses that might be related to the frozen reptile feed have been reported in 17 states.

The recall notice affirms that the frozen reptile feed was distributed in all states, except Hawaii, through pet stores, by mail order and direct delivery.

It was shipped in plastic bags with the following product codes M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25, R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10 and whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags.

The recall is based on sampling of frozen mice by the FDA. The affected products should not be fed to animals, even after heating in a microwave oven because it might not be sufficient to kill Salmonella.

Consumers who purchased reptile feed from Mice Direct can contact the company by telephone at 888-747-0736 from 9:00a.m-5:00p.m EST Monday-Friday or by e-mail at sales@micedirect.com for instructions concerning this action and for credits towards replacement of unused product.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella causes more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

The FDA said that items shipped after 07/24/2010, will be irradiated in a similar manner as raw food for human consumption in order to address the Salmonella situation associated with these products.

This measure should be adopted nationwide. Today, the New York City health department revealed a new Web site to compliment the initiation of its A-B-C restaurant inspection disclosure system of more than 24,000 restaurants in the five boroughs.

Daniel Kass, a deputy commissioner, told The New York Times,“There is no shortage of sources of information on restaurants, but there is no other central source to find information about restaurants’ hygiene practices. We hope that this Web site will help spread the food safety message.”

The site displays restaurants’ current A, B or C letter grades and the reason for their violations, and is designed to search by restaurants’ first names or first letters, by boroughs and dates of inspection and by letter grades in specific ZIP codes. It also includes restaurants’ locations, and Google street views of the restaurants’ exteriors, explained the Times.

Inspection results were previously updated weekly, said Mr. Kass. “Now, in most cases, it will be updated daily, when it is uploaded overnight from the inspectors’ hand-helds,” he said, quoted the Times. Kass was referring to the portable computers that inspectors use to enter cleanliness scores.

Last month, the Times reported that the controversial plan announced 18 months ago had infuriated restaurateurs, bar owners and their trade association representatives. The letter grades were deemed punitive.

Critics predicted the end for restaurants that earn C grades, and complained the letter system would confuse customers. “It would have been better if the city had done beta testing on this plan for six months before implementing it,” said Robert Bookman, legislative counsel for the New York City chapters of the New York State Restaurant Association, the operators’ trade group.“The city doesn’t know how many restaurants it will put out of business, and how that will affect the city’s economy,” quoted the Times previously.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 30% of people in developed countries become ill from food or water each year. Up to 70% of these illnesses are thought to be associated with food prepared at foodservice establishments. One of the key factors in restaurant choice is consumer perception of the store’s cleanliness. This hygiene information is wanted by consumers to make a healthy, prudent choice when picking a place to enjoy a hopefully safe meal.

A Pennsylvania dairy farm will adhere to federal regulations that protect meat from illegal drug residues caused by unapproved medication of cattle before slaughter, as part of a consent decree of permanent injunction obtained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA action against H.B. Williams Inc., of Kingsley, Pa., and company owners Donna L. Williams, Jeffrey D. Williams, and Mark H. Williams, was taken July 26, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The drug residues detected in tissue samples of the farm’s dairy cows and veal calves during tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service included antibiotics such as neomycin, flunixin, desfuroylceftiofur, and sulfamethazine at levels not permitted by the FDA.

Under the decree signed by U.S. District Judge James M. Munley, the farm is not permitted to sell animals for food unless and until it meets several requirements. A recordkeeping system to track the identity of medicated animals with drugs and dosages given must be approved by the FDA. After the farm resumes selling animals for food, the decree authorizes the FDA to shut down the farm and pay fines if FDA determines it is in violation.

The FDA is concerned about the sale of animals for human food that might contain illegal levels of animal drugs because of the possible adverse effects on human health. The FDA approves new animal drugs with requirements, including a specified time period to withdraw an animal from treatment before slaughter, to ensure that a drug has been depleted from edible tissue to a level safe for humans.

The dairy farm sold animals through local livestock auctions to slaughterhouses that ship beef products to customers in New Jersey, New York, Maine, and Michigan.

Procter & Gamble is recalling two lots of Iams prescription cat food due to possible Salmonella bacteria contamination. Pet foods and snacks can sicken animals and consumers who have handled the contaminated food.

Although no illnesses have been reported related to these products, a Food & Drug Administration analysis identified a positive result on the lot codes, located in the lower right corner on the back of the bag, listed below.

The following Iams products, available by prescription via veterinary clinics throughout the U.S., are included in this call back:

~Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs, Lot Code 01384174B4, UPC Code 0 19014 21405

~Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs, Lot Code 01384174B2, UPC Code 0 19014 21405 1

Persons handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not washed their hands after contact with exposed surfaces. Those infected should monitor themselves for: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Sometimes, the pathogen can result in serious maladies including arthritis, arterial infections, muscle pain, endocarditis, eye irritation and urinary tract problems.

Pets with Salmonella might experience decreased appetite, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

For further information or a product refund, consumers can call Procter & Gamble toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

Specialty-Farms, LLC is voluntarily recalling Specialty Farms brand Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad because they could be tainted with Listeria Monocytogenes, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These items both have a “sell-by date of 7/26/2010″ and are net weight 4 ounces in plastic containers:

BRAND                              ITEM DESCRIPTION                           UPC
Specialty Farms                  Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend              8192400108
Specialty Farms                  Organic Sprout Salad                        8192400024

Listeria Monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals experience 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.

Specialty-Farms, LLC voluntarily recalled sprouts on July 23, 2010 after laboratory analysis found positive results from one retail sample.

All products dated 7/27/2010 and beyond are not included in this recall.

The above items were distributed to retailer Price Chopper and distributor Cooseman’s NY and found in the following states: NY, CT, MA, NH, VT and PA.

Specialty-Farms, LLC is determining exactly where this potential Listeria contamination could be occurring in its facility and is immediately remedying the potential sources as they are identified. Specialty Farms, LLC hopes to return to full sprout production soon.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return it to the point of purchase for refund and can contact Specialty-Farms, LLC with questions at (203) 366-6919 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST.

In the United States, Listeria monocytogenes infects about 2,500 people annually, unfortunately, killing about 500.

Pasco Processing, LLC, Pasco WA is recalling 2087 cases of 20lb. bulk packaged Corn and Poblano peppers, (SKU 10071179017738) because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

No illnesses have been reported and no other items are involved in this call back. The product was produced by Pasco Processing, LLC and transferred to the J R Simplot Company for distribution.

It was packaged in 20 lb bulk cases which were labeled as follows: Corn and Poblano Blend; 10071179 017738; 20 lbs. Net Wt.; Distributed by J. R. Simplot Co., Boise, Idaho 83707.

The affected products, coded 3901741007 and 3901751007, were sold to two foodservice distributors in California and one in Arizona and further distributed to Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The recalled product has been removed from the Chipotle locations and quarantined for destruction. None of the production time periods found to contain Listeria monocytogenes were delivered to restaurants.

Listeriosis, the food borne disease caused by the Listeria pathogen, is dangerous and can often be deadly, causing serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals can suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of a baby inflicted with the infection.

Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely to become infected, with approximately one-third of all cases occurring during pregnancy. Listeriosis can kill fetuses, prompt premature births, lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns and neurological problems and cardio respiratory failure in adults.

Pasco Processing, LLC and Chipotle are collaborating closely with the FDA. The recall is being issued based on a confirmed positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a routine test sample conducted by the company.

For additional details call Pasco Processing LLC @ 1-800-575-8909 M-F 8:00AM – 4:00PM MDT.

Perdue Farms, Inc., of Perry, Ga., is recalling approximately 91,872 pounds of frozen chicken nugget products that might contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

Sold at Walmart stores nationwide under the Great Value brand, the nuggets could contain pieces of plastic.

The nuggets are sold in 1-pound, 13-ounce bags and have the established number P-33944, a case code of 89008 A0160 and a best used by date of June 9, 2011. Cases contain eight bags each. About 92,000 pounds — more than 50,000 packages — were shipped to stores nationwide.

Consumer complaints about small pieces of blue plastic in the nuggets led to the recall, the USDA said. No injuries or illnesses have been reported in connection to the nuggets, but the USDA suggests anyone who has eaten them and is concerned should contact their doctor.

“We determined the likely source was a small plastic ring that got into the raw material before the nuggets were formed,” Bruce Stewart-Brown, Perdue’s Senior Vice President for Food Safety and Quality, said in a statement. “This would have resulted in a minimal amount of consumer packages potentially containing nuggets with the plastic, which is bright blue in color.”

This recall includes:

• 1-pound, 13-ounce bag of “GREAT VALUE Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets.” Each bag bears the establishment number “P-33944” as well as a case code of “89008 A0160” on the backside of the packaging. There is also a “BEST IF USED BY” date of June 9, 2011.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Perdue Consumer Relations at (877) 727-3447.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

D & M Smoked Fish, Inc. located in Queens, New York, is recalling Haifa brand vacuum packaged Schmaltz Herring with lot number 168, because the product is uneviscerated, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium Botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.

The affected lot is a product of Norway, individually vacuum-packed in clear plastic pouches with lot # 168 & Sell by date of 7/20/10 indicated on the label and distributed through food retailers in the NY area.

The Schmaltz Herring was sampled by a New York State Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector during a routine inspection. Analysis by New York State Food Laboratory personnel confirmed that Schmaltz Herring was improperly eviscerated prior to processing.

Botulism is a serious and potentially fatal form of food poisoning, which causes symptoms such as general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble speaking or swallowing.

Although no illnesses have been reported, consumers should not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled, but instead, return it to place of purchase. Those with questions can contact the company at 718-523-8899.

Cat owners take notice. Feline’s Pride has expanded its July1, 2010 voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The measure was implemented because the Feline’s Pride Raw Food could be contaminated with dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen.

This call back involves Feline’s Pride Raw Food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.). The affected product was produced on 6/10/10 and includes that produced on 6/21/10.

People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contact with raw pet food or any surface exposed to the product.

Pets with Salmonella infections might be lethargic, experience diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will exhibit only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy animals, can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

In humans, Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, an infection that includes nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and headache. Some populations, such as children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, are more susceptible to acquiring the condition from pet food products.

The affected pet food is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the item has a shelf life of about one week. The firm manufactures the pet food on an as-ordered basis. This expansion of the recall affects those orders placed and shipped from June 21 through June 26, 2010, which were produced on 6/21/10.

To date, no incidents of Salmonella infection have been reported to either the company or FDA.

People who experience Salmonella symptoms should seek medical attention and report their illness to the nearest FDA office.

Always wash hands with soap and water after handling  pet food, especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish.

Feline’s Pride can be called at (716) 580-3096, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.