What’s in Your Kitchen?  A Week in Recalls (Mechanical Contamination)

Posted in Outbreaks & Recalls on November 6, 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 the ones this week with Mechanical Contamination.

Red Square Foods, Inc. Recalls Raviolis and Blintzes Due to Undeclared Allergens

Red Square Foods, Inc issued a recall on October 27, 2018 for their frozen meat and poultry ravioli and blintzes due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, eggs, milk, and/or wheat.  Those with severe sensitivity or allergy to eggs, milk, and/or wheat risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if the product is consumed.

The recall was initiated after routine label verification activities by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered incorrect labeling.  Affected product was produced and packaged between October 6, 2016 through October 24, 2018.  A full list of affected products can be found at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/7c0c6475-2ce1-4857-a6ab-0336cce8d332/RC+106-2018+Products+List+and+Labels.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

The product can be identified as bearing the establishment number EST. 18874 or P-18874. Affected product was shipped to retail locations in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

No reports of adverse reactions have been connected to this recall.  FSIS indicates that the product should not be consumed.  Throw it away or return to the place of purchase.

J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp Recalls Stuffed Sandwiches Due to Potential Health Risk

J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp issued a recall on October 29, 2018 for two lots of their Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.

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.

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 after the supplier, McCain Foods, IL announced a recall for the frozen vegetables used in the stuffed sandwiches.  According to the company, the recall is being made in abundance of caution. This not ready-to-eat product includes baking instructions which, if followed, will reduce consumer risk.  There is some risk associated with potential mishandling the product prior to baking or improper baking.

Affected products were distributed between August 22, 2017 and September 20, 2017 to Aldi retail stores in the states of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.  Additionally, the product was available for purchase to Aldi customers in the Atlanta area through Instacart.  See table below for specific product information.

There have been no reports of illness in connection with this recall.   

Procesadora La Hacienda, Inc Recalls Corned Beef Products Due to Mechanical Contamination

Procesadora La Hacienda, Inc issued a recall on October 31, 2018 for approximately 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat corned beef products due to potential mechanical contamination with extraneous material, specifically soft plastic and metal.

The recall was initiated after consumer complaints from schools.  Affected product was produced on October 4, 2018 and was shipped to institutions in Puerto Rico.  Product can be identified as bearing the establishment number EST. 21217A. See table below for specific product information.

Les Ailments O Sole Mio, Inc Recalls Chicken Tortellini Products Due to Lack of Inspection

Les Ailments O Sole Mio, Inc, of Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada issued a recall on October 31, 2018 for approximately 3,880 pounds of chicken tortellini products processed without the benefit of inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and imported into the United States U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

The recall was initiated after CFIA notified FSIS that the company produced product outside of the approved work shift agreement.

Affected product was produced on October 20, 2018 and shipped to warehouse locations in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.  The product can be identified as bearing establishment number 764 within the Canadian mark of inspection.  See table below for specific product information.

There have been no reports of illness or adverse reaction in connection with this recall.

Frito-Lay Recalls Popcorn Due to Undeclared Allergen

Frito-Lay of Plano, Texas issued a recall on November 2, 2018 for their Smartfood Delight Sea Salt Flavored popcorn due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with a severe sensitivity or allergy to milk risk serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if problem is consumed.

The recall was initiated after a customer notified Frito-Lay that their package of Smartfood Delight popcorn contained tortilla chips.  It was discovered that packages of Smartfood Delight Sea Salt Flavored popcorn were inadvertently filled with cheese flavored tortilla chips instead.

Affected products were shipped to retail locations in that states of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming in addition to e-commerce websites.  See table below for specific product information.

No illness has been reported in connection with this recall.

Sprout Creek Farm Recalls “Margie” Cheese Due to Health Risk

Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, New York issued a recall on November 6, 2018 for 132 wheels of “Margie” cheese 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 routine inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration samples indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenesin the product.  Affected product was shipped to the following locations – all have been notified and instructed to dispose of the cheese:

No illness has been reported in connection with this recall.  The company and FDA are working to determine the root cause of the problem.  Consumers should dispose of the product immediately.

Ganaderos Borges, Inc Recalls Pork Patty Products Due to Mechanical Contamination

Ganaderos Borges, Inc of Naguabo, Puerto Rico issued a recall on November 6, 2018 for 14,760 pounds of pork patty products due to mechanical contamination.

The recall was initiated after the firm received a consumer complaint.  Affected product was produced on October 26, 2018 and was shipped to institutional locations in Puerto Rico.  The product can be identified as bearing the establishment number EST M32170.  See table below for specific product information.

There have been no additional reports of illness or injury in connection with this recall.  Consumers are urged to discard the product immediately.

This Week’s Affected Products

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