Friday, January 30, 2015

Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs Recalled Due to Salmonella

Grill-Phoria LLC of Loveland, Colorado is recalling approximately 200, 3.5 oz bags of Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. These bags were distributed and manufactured between September 20, 2014 through January 2, 2015, and do not have lot codes.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Most people recover from salmonellosis in four to seven days without treatment, but some groups are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms. These high-risk groups are: children under 5 years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems.
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 can result in 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.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. 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, please contact your veterinarian.
Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogswas distributed in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Oklahoma through Nor-Sky Pet Supply LLC through independent pet stores. The product is under the Big Bark label and is in a standup pouch that is 3.5 oz in weight labeled as All Natural Beef Jerky Treat. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the Colorado Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished tested positive for Salmonella. Grill-Phoria has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased Big Bark All Natural Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs (3.5 oz Bag) are urged to return the bag to the store that you purchased it from and get a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Grill-Phoria at between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (MST) Monday through Friday at 970-663-4561

Protein powder in chocolate and vanilla blends recalled Due to Staphylococcus contamination

Project Healthy Living, Inc. of New York, New York (d/b/a Aloha, Inc.) is voluntarily recalling all packages of Premium Protein powder in chocolate and vanilla blends because it has the potential to be contaminated with Staphylococcus enterotoxin.
The presence of Staphylococcus enterotoxins may be injurious to health and may result in staphylococcal food poisoning. Nausea, vomiting, retching, abdominal cramping, and prostration may occur. In more severe cases there may be headache, muscle cramping, and transient changes in blood pressure and pulse.
The Aloha Premium Protein products were distributed nationwide from November 2014 through January 2015 directly to consumers through online sales and in New York through a very limited number of retail stores. All sizes of Aloha's Vanilla and Chocolate Premium Protein blends are being voluntarily recalled. This product is packaged and sold in both 14-serving sized steel tins and single-serving sized pouches. The single serving pouches may be in kits that contain other products not affected by the voluntary recall.
To date, Aloha has received 17 complaints from customers who have reported transient gastrointestinal symptoms consistent with staphylococcal food poisoning. This voluntary recall is a result of an extensive testing program, which Aloha began immediately following individual customer complaints of gastrointestinal issues. Aloha is working closely with its manufacturer, co-packers, ingredient suppliers and distribution partners to determine the source and cause of the contamination.
Aloha has temporarily ceased production and distribution of the Premium Protein products until further analytical testing can confirm the specific source of the contamination. Aloha has already notified customers via direct e-mail correspondence and created a dedicated website regarding the voluntary recall. In addition, Aloha is offering 24/7 customer support through Monday, February 2nd and then will resume regular customer support hours (Monday - Friday 10am-9pm EST).
All customers who have purchased Aloha's Premium Protein products are instructed to discontinue use and complete the refund form found online at Aloharecall.com. Customers with product remaining are also asked to return the product and its original packaging for further examination.
Customers who have purchased Aloha's Premium Protein products will receive a refund and a store credit. In addition, Aloha will cover 100% of the cost of return shipping. For more information on the recall, please visit www.aloharecall.com. No other Aloha products are affected by this recall.

Pecanettes Were Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of certain pecan products for potential health risk. The products were distributed only in the State of Georgia, directly to consumers at the retail level from the Stone Mountain Pecan Company, located in Monroe.
The Stone Mountain Pecan Company is recalling 540 packages of the “” sold in 8-ounce packages, because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Healthy persons infected with Salmonella 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.
Based upon random sampling conducted by the GDA, it was determined the “Pecanettes” products tested positive forSalmonella. The products were sold in 8-ounce clear plastic packages, Lot code 4032A, with a “sell by date” of 12/30/15.
At this time, Pecanettes with lot number 4032A are the only products affected by this recall. To date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with this recall.
Consumers who have purchased the Pecanettes are encouraged to return the product for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns may contact the company at 770-207-6486 between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday.
Label, 8 oz. package of Pecanettes

Pork Products from Denmark Recalled

 Hawkins, Inc., a Roseville, Minn., establishment, is recalling approximately 529 pounds of pork products that were not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists.  
The following items, produced on June 13, 2014, are subject to recall: View Labels
  • 131.6 lbs. of “SCAN PORK DP-941 NATURAL DEHYDRATED PORK STOCK/NATURAL DEHYDRATED PORK BROTH” and bearing packaging codes “P0010586” on the labels.
  • 397.5 lbs. of “SCAN PORK DP-1075 NATURAL DEHYDRATED PORK STOCK/NATURAL DEHYDRATED PORK BROTH” bearing packing code “P0010628” on the label.
The products subject to recall bears establishment number “Denmark Est. 215” inside the mark of inspection. These products were distributed to processing plants in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The products likely did not reach consumers. 
The problem was discovered after FSIS personnel on the Recall Management and Technical Staff reviewed records in the Automated Commercial Environment database about shipments of similar products that were recently part of an FSIS recall. The employee found that the product failed to present at a Minnesota point of entry for FSIS re-inspection.
Media with questions about the recall can contact Richard Erstad at (612) 331-6910.

CHICKEN TAMALES RECALLED


La Guadalupana Wholesale, Inc., a Chicago, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 8,856 pounds of chicken tamales because they were not produced under a fully implemented Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan; a Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) program; and a hazard analysis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The recall is being edited to include an additional 1,248 pounds of chicken tamales produced from Dec. 1, 2014, through Jan. 5, 2015 with the establishment number “P-6794” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
On Jan. 17, 2015, the company recalled 8,856 pounds of chicken tamales produced from Dec. 1, 2014, through Jan. 5, 2015. To read the recall release, click here. The following products listed below were included in the initial recall: Labels
  • 2 packs of 6 tamales in each vacuum-packed bag of “LA GUADALUPANA CHICKEN TAMALES”
The products bear the establishment number “P-21094” inside the USDA mark of inspection with packaging dates from Nov. 19, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015 on the label. The products were produced from Dec. 1, 2014 through Jan. 5, 2015, and then packaged using a Cryovac machine by a co-packer of La Guadalupana Wholesale from Nov.19, 2014 through Jan. 2, 2015. La Guadalupana Wholesale’s co-packer did not conduct a hazard analysis to determine the food safety hazards reasonably likely to occur in the cryovacing process and did not identify the preventive measures the establishment could apply to control those hazards. The chicken tamales are a RTE product and fall within the Fully Cooked Not Shelf Stable category. As such, their production requires an Lm program. The product is also processed by means of physical handling and packaging, thus further requiring a HACCP plan. They were distributed for retail sale in Chicago, Ill.
The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector, who was conducting a sanitation task in the co-packer’s establishment and saw plant personnel handling the RTE product in a room where raw product is also handled.  An investigation was conducted and found that the co-packer had not conducted an RTE hazard analysis, developed or implemented a HACCP plan for the chicken tamales, or developed and implemented an Lm testing program. Thus, there is no assurance the products are wholesome and; therefore, safe for consumption. Consequently, the products may support the growth of pathogens that may be detrimental to health.

Smoked Salami Product Recalled Due to Temperature Abuse

 Great Lakes Smoked Meats is recalling approximately 2,863 pounds of smoked salami product, which may have experienced temperature abuse and may contain Clostridium perfringens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The smoked salami was produced on Dec. 12, 2014 through Dec. 14, 2014. The following product are subject to recall: View Labels 
  • Approximately 2.25-2.3 lb. vacuum-packed sticks of “SMOKEHOUSE DELI KARPATSKAYA SMOKED COOKED SALAMI”
The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “1029 SEOH” inside the Cooperative Interstate Shipment mark of inspection. This establishment is an Ohio state-inspected plant which participates in USDA’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.  Under CIS, state-inspected plants can operate as federally-inspected facilities, under specific conditions, and ship their product in interstate commerce and internationally. “Sell By” dates for the recalled product range from Mar. 16, 2015, to Mar. 19, 2015. The product was shipped to retail locations in California, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The problem was discovered by the establishment during an internal records review which showed the product had reached an unsafe temperature during the cooling process.  
Clostridium perfringens is a type of bacteria that can be found in a variety of foods, particularly meats, meat products, and gravy. Emetic toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens bacteria are characterized by intense abdominal cramps and diarrhea which begin 8-22 hours after consumption of foods containing large numbers of those Clostridium perfringens bacteria capable of producing the toxin. The illness is usually over within 24 hours but less severe symptoms may persist in some individuals for 1 or 2 weeks.
FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Ben Fligner, Owner, at (440) 242-6328.

Ginseng Chicken Stew recalled

Ginseng Chicken Stew
Korean Farm Inc., a Santa Fe Springs, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,610 pounds of chicken stew products produced in the Republic of Korea that were not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists.
The chicken stew items were produced on August 24, 2014 and February 24, 2014. The following products are subject to recall:
1.87-lb. pouches of “Ginseng Chicken Stew”
1.32-lb. pouches of “Ginseng Chicken Stew”
The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “DGA 14001” inside the Republic of Korea mark of inspection. These products were shipped to a retail locations and restaurants in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
The problem was discovered by FSIS import personnel during routine monitoring of import shipments using the Public Health Information System (PHIS).
FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.  
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Stephanie Rhee, Corporate Secretary, at (562) 789-9988.

1/30/15 Health News:Norway's !,st case of mad cow disease ♦ School releases students unvaccinated for measles ♦.Lesson From Ice Cream Recall ♦ True Cost of Cheap Meat

Norway finds first case of mad cow disease, says food safe
Norway reported its first ever case of mad cow disease, saying the instance was an isolated one and telling consumers it was still safe to eat beef and drink milk. Tests at a British laboratory confirmed the disease, in a 15-year-old cow, which had been slaughtered, … continue reading
Calif. school releases students unvaccinated for measles.
Officials at Palm Desert High School in Palm Springs announced that 66 students were ordered to remain at home through February 9 unless they are able to confirm they received immunization or show proof of resistance to measles after a student was sent home January 26 due to a suspected case of the disease. Continue Reading
LESSON FROM WA ICE CREAM RECALL: DON’T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU
No doubt about it, food recalls can be hell. “I’ve never been through anything like this before,” Barry Bettinger, co-owner of Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream in Snohomish, WA,. Not only do you worry about the people who have become...Continue Reading
NW BOOK EXPLORES FOOD SAFETY AND THE TRUE COST OF CHEAP MEAT
Reading “The Chain: Farm, Factory and the Fate of Our Food,” a new book by Ted Genoways, one begins to wonder who is treated better: the millions of hogs consumed in America each year, or the people who work on the farms Continue Reading
Trust your gut: E. coli may hold one of the keys to treating Parkinson's

E. coli usually brings to mind food poisoning and beach closures, but researchers recently discovered a protein in E. coli that inhibits the accumulation of potentially toxic amyloids—a hallmark of diseases such as Parkinson's, scientists say Continue Reading

Red Thread Fish Recalled

Arcadia Trading Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y. is recalling all packages of Red Thread Fish because they are uneviscerated. The product comes in a 7 oz. heat sealed plastic bag.
The recalled Red Thread Fish was distributed nationwide in supermarkets. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
The potential for contamination was noted by New York State Department of Agriculture inspectors during a routine inspection and subsequent analysis of product by Food Laboratory personnel confirmed that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.
The sale of uneviscerated processed 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 have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning include blurred or double vision, general weakness, and poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis.
Consumers who have purchased 7 oz. packages of Red Thread Fish are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-782-6888.

Front label, Red Thread Fish
Back label, Red Thread Fish

Thursday, January 29, 2015

1/29/15 Health News: Measles outbreak up to 87 cases ♦ Pasture feeding improves nutritional of red meat ♦ Salt and hypertension ♦ Malignant melanoma

California measles outbreak is up to 87 cases in 7 states, Mexico
Officials have now confirmed at least 87 cases of measles in seven states and Mexico, as the outbreak centered in California continues to spread.Continue Reading
Arizona measles outbreak reaches ‘critical point’.
Two additional cases of measles were confirmed in Arizona January 27 and public health officials warned that one of the confirmed cases may have exposed as many as 195 children to the disease at the Phoenix Children’s East Valley Center. Continue Reading
Pasture feeding may improve nutritional benefits of red meat
Pasture-fed lamb meat is high in polyunsaturated fat due to the specific plant species consumed, indicating that it may be better for your health. Continue Reading
Can coffee protect against malignant melanoma?
Both epidemiological and preclinical studies have suggested that coffee consumption has a protective effect against non-melanoma skin cancers. However the protective effect for cutaneous melanoma is less clear, according to a new study. Continue Reading
Blame it on your brain: Salt and hypertension

Excessive salt intake "reprograms" the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body's arterial blood pressure from rising, Continue Reading

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Beef Recalled Due to E.coli

Washington Beef, LLC, a Toppenish, Wash., establishment, is recalling 1,620 pounds of boneless  beef trim product that may be contaminated with  E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following boneless beef product produced on Nov. 28, 2012, is subject to recall:
  • 60 lb. bulk packs of “TRIM 65/35 (FZN)”        
The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “EST. 235” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The problem was discovered during an internal records audit by the company, which notified FSIS. Product was shipped for further processing to a single grinding facility, then on for use in hotels, restaurants and institutions in Oregon and Washington.         
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Canada: Organic Sprouted Sunflower Seeds Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination

Ecomax Nutrition is recalling Go Raw brand 100% Organic Sprouted Sunflower Seeds from the marketplace due to possible  Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.
Recalled products
Brand Name
Common Name
Size
Code(s) on Product
UPC
Go Raw
100% Organic Sprouted Sunflower Seeds
454 g
ENJOY BEFORE AUG/22/2015 R5 HH:MM *
(* HH:MM indicates the time)
8 59888 00009 7
What you should do
Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.



Great Britain:Azalea Foods Ltd recalls various frozen rolls and samosas

Azalea Foods Ltd recalls various batch codes of frozen rolls and samosas

The company is recalling various batch codes of Chicken Rolls, Vegetable Rolls, Chicken Samosas, and Vegetable Samosas because the products have been produced and/or re-packaged in unhygienic conditions in an unapproved establishment. Azalea Foods Ltd has also used two approval numbers (UK BN 024P GB and UK BN 047 EC) on the products, which belong to other establishments.

The following products have been recalled from customers
Product: Chicken Rolls
Brand: Azalea Foods Ltd
Batch: 7115, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 1kg
‘Best before’ date: 7 January 2016
Approval number: UK BN 047 EC

Product: Vegetable Rolls
Brand: Azalea Foods Ltd
Batch: 3115, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 1kg
‘Best before’ date: 25 January 2016
Approval number: UK BN 024P GB or UK BN 047 EC

Product: Chicken Samosas
Brand: UK Frozen Foods
Batch: 11111, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 1.5kg
‘Best before’ date: 27 February 2016
Approval number: UK BN 024P GB or UK BN 047 EC

Product: Chicken Samosas
Brand: UK Frozen Foods
Batch: 11111, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 20 x 600g
‘Best before’ date: 27 February 2016
Approval number: UK BN 024P GB or UK BN 047 EC

Product: Vegetable Samosas
Brand: UK Frozen Foods
Batch: 111111, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 1.5kg
‘Best before’ date: 27 February 2016
Approval number: UK BN 024P GB or UK BN 047 EC

Product: Vegetable Samosas
Brand: UK Frozen Foods
Batch: 111211, 11214, 8115
Pack size: 20 x 600g
‘Best before’ date: 27 February 2016
Approval number: UK BN 024P GB or UK BN 047 EC

Azalea Foods Ltd is issuing product recall notices to their customers and displaying them in their store, advising consumers of the recall and what they can do if they have bought the affected products.
If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store where they were purchased from.

1/28/15 Health News: TOXIN FEARS GROW ♦ Repair damage caused by osteoarthritis ♦ New Anti-microbial coatings ♦ Fatty acids shield brain from mercury damage

AS TOXIN FEARS GROW, MORE CHINESE ARE BUYING IMPORTED RICE
Despite being the number-one producer and consumer of rice in the world, more Chinese citizens are buying rice imported from Japan and elsewhere due to fears about heavy metals and other toxins, according to Reuters. While the amount of rice imported to China from Japan in 2014 is still extremely small, it was triple the .. Continue Reading
New 'microcapsules' have potential to repair damage caused by osteoarthritis
A new ‘microcapsule’ treatment delivery method could reduce inflammation in cartilage affected by osteoarthritis and reverse damage to tissue, scientists report. Continue Reading
Anti-microbial coatings with a long-term effect for surfaces
Hygienic conditions and sterile procedures are particularly important in hospitals, kitchens and sanitary facilities, air conditioning and ventilation systems, in food preparation and in the manufacture of packaging material. In these areas, bacteria and fungus  Continue Reading
Fatty acids in fish may shield brain from mercury damage
The benefits of fish consumption on prenatal development may offset the risks associated with mercury exposure.The new study suggests that the nutrients found in fish have properties that protect the brain from the potential toxic effects of the chemical. Continue Reading
Blood vessels in older brains break down, possibly leading to Alzheimer's
Researchers used high-resolution imaging of the living human brain to show for the first time that the brain's protective blood barrier becomes leaky with age, starting at the hippocampus, a critical learning and memory center that is damaged by Alzheimer's disease.Continue Reading