What’s in Your Kitchen? A Week in Recalls: Chicken Burritos, Asparagus, Ground Turkey, and Protein Powder

Posted in Outbreaks & Recalls on November 21, 2018

MakeFoodSafe.com would like to help you keep your family safe from unsafe foods.  Each week we bring together a list of the current recalls.  Some recalls are issued due to undeclared allergens, which could cause serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if someone sensitive to the product consumes it. Other recalls are issued due to contamination with harmful material or other health risk.  Check back often and evaluate your fridge, pantry, and shopping list to make sure you can identify which foods to avoid, including this week’s Asparagus recall!

NuVue Foods Recalls Chicken Burritos Due to Undeclared Allergen

NuVue Foods of Hamtramck, Michigan issued a recall on November 9, 2018 for approximately 268 pounds of their ready-to-eat chicken burrito products due to misbranding that led to the undeclared allergen, egg.  Those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if product is consumed.

The recall was initiated after receiving a consumer complaint.  Investigation revealed that the firm produced “18^thStreet Deli Farmers Burritos” that contain eggs were labeled as “18^thStreet Deli Chicken Burrito” by mistake.

Affected product was produced on October 31, 2018 and shipped to retail locations (specifically vending machines) in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.  The product can be identified as labeled “18^thStreet Deli Chicken Burrito” and bears the USDA establishment number P-22061. See table below for specific product information.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Questions may be directed to Mike Weber, Food Safety Quality Regulatory Manager at 1-800-498-3354 or qa@nuvuefoods.com

Pictsweet Company Recalls Asparagus Spears Due to Health Risk

Pictsweet issued a recall on November 13, 2018 for 1,872 cases of their 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears due to potential contamination with the health risk, Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenesis a harmful bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in the very young, the very old, and those with a compromised immune system. Pregnant women are at risk for miscarriages and still birth.  Normally healthy individuals often experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The recall was initiated after the manufacturer inadvertently shipped product that was suspected of containing Listeria monocytogenesto The Pictsweet Company.  Only specific products with production codes that start with “2138XD” and a Best By AUG 1, 2020 are included in this recall.  See table below for specific product information.

Affected product was distributed to the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennesse00e, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product may contact the Pictsweet Farms consumer affairs line at 1-800-527-0986 on Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST or return to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Members of the Media may contact Gene Grabowski at 202-270-6560.

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLCRecalls Raw Ground Turkey Products Due to Health Risk

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC of Baron, Wisconsin issued a recall on November 15, 2018 for approximately 147,276 pounds of raw ground turkey products due to potential contamination with the health risk Salmonella.

Salmonella may cause serious or even fatal illness. While most healthy individuals often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, the very young, the very old, and those with a compromised immune system may suffer more serious illness.  Complications may occur if the infection moves from the gastrointestinal tract and into the bloodstream and other parts of the body resulting in arterial infections, endocarditis, and reactive arthritis.

The recall was initiated because the product may be associated with an illness outbreak of Salmonella.  The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arizona Department of Health Services, and public health partners are currently investigating an illness cluster involving 164 case-patients across 35 states.  Patients have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products, working with live turkeys, or living with someone who handled live turkeys.

Traceback activities continue on a sample of Jennie-O brand ground turkey from a case-patient’s home. Both the patient and a sample from the ground turkey match the outbreak strain.

Recalled product was produced on September 11, 2018 and was shipped to retail locations nationwide. The product can be identified as bearing the USDA establishment number P-190. See table below for specific product information.

Consumers are urged to throw away recalled product or return to the place of purchase.  Consumer questions may be directed to the Jennie-O Consumer Engagement Team at 1-800-621-3505 on Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday though Sunday between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Media questions may be directed to media@hormel.com or 507-434-6352.

Jay Robb Enterprises Recall Unflavored Egg White Protein Due to Undeclared Allergen

Jay Robb Enterprises issued a recall on November 16, 2018 for their Unflavored Egg White Protein manufactured by Agropur MSI, LLC of La Crosse, Wisconsin due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.

The recall was initiated after discovering that Agropur MSI, LLC packaged whey protein powder into Unflavored Egg White Protein pouches that did not reveal the presence of milk instead of packages of Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate packages. Investigation revealed a temporary breakdown in the manufacturer’s label control policies.

Affected product was distributed through retail outlets in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. See table below for specific product information.

No illness has been reported in connection with this recall.  The company is requesting the return of all affected product. Consumers who purchased recalled product should return to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Questions may be directed to Agropur MSI, LLC by email at Krysta.sunne@agropur.comor by phone at 1-800-359-2345 on Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM CST.

This Week’s Affected Products

By: Heather Van Tassell, Contributing Writer (Non-Lawyer)