Clover Milk Recalled due to Plastic Contamination

Clover Stornetta Farms has issued a voluntary recall of the three items described below because they may contain small pieces of food grade  plastic.

The items were distributed throughout Northern California.

Clover Stornetta Farms’ top priority is the safety of our customers. For this reason we are issuing this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

No complaints have been reported in connection with these products, and no other Clover products are being recalled.

Item Description	Pack Size	Lot Codes	UPC Code
Clover 2% Reduced Fat Milk	Gallon	JUL 29	07085284
Clover 2% Reduced Fat Milk	Quart	JUL 29	070852-193007
Clover 2% Reduced Fat Milk	Plastic Half Gallon	JUL 29	070852-990828

Consumers who have purchased an item mentioned above should return it to their grocery store for a full refund.

If you have any questions, please contact Clover at askclo@cloverstornetta.com

Source: Clover Stornetta Farms website

If you have milk allergies is it safe to eat dark chocolate

If you’re allergic to milk and you love dark chocolate, how do you know whether you can indulge in a candy bar without having an allergic reaction? That’s what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wanted to learn, especially after receiving reports that consumers had harmful reactions after eating dark chocolate.

Milk is a permitted ingredient in dark chocolate, but it is also one of eight major food allergens (substances that can cause reactions that are sometimes dangerous). U.S. law requires manufacturers to label food products that are major allergens, as well as food products that contain major allergenic ingredients or proteins. Allergens contained in a food product but not named on the label are a leading cause of FDA requests for food recalls, and undeclared milk is the most frequently cited allergen. Chocolates are one of the most common sources of undeclared milk associated with consumer reactions.

FDA tested nearly 100 dark chocolate bars for the presence of milk. Earlier this year, the agency issued preliminary findings, and is now releasing more information about its research. The bars tested by FDA were obtained from different parts of the U.S., and each bar was unique in terms of product line and/or manufacturer. Bars were divided into categories based on the statements on the labels.

The bottom line? Unfortunately, you can’t always tell if dark chocolate contains milk by reading the ingredients list. FDA researchers found that of 94 dark chocolate bars tested, only six listed milk as an ingredient. When testing the remaining 88 bars that did not list milk as an ingredient, FDA found that 51 of them actually did contain milk. In fact, the FDA study found milk in 61 percent of all bars tested.

In part, that’s because milk can get into a dark chocolate product even when it is not added as an ingredient. Most dark chocolate is produced on equipment that is also used to produce milk chocolate. In these cases, it is possible that traces of milk may inadvertently wind up in the dark chocolate.

Read ‘May’ as ‘Likely’

To inform consumers that dark chocolate products may contain milk even if not intentionally added, many chocolate manufacturers print “advisory” messages on the label. There’s quite a variety of advisory messages, such as:

• “may contain milk”
• “may contain dairy”
• “may contain traces of milk”
• “made on equipment shared with milk”
• “processed in a plant that processes dairy”
• “manufactured in a facility that uses milk”

FDA found that milk was present in 3 out of every 4 dark chocolate products with one of these advisory statements. Some products had milk levels as high as those found in products that declared the presence of milk.

When the National Confectioners Association (NCA) was asked for its advice, a spokesperson said that “consumers with milk allergies should not consume dark chocolate products that come with advisory statements, since these products may indeed contain milk proteins.”

Another problem is that advisory messages may appear to be conflicting if they are accompanied by dairy-free or vegan statements. “Even a consumer who carefully reads the label may be confused by a statement such as “vegan” (which implies that no animal-derived products were used) along with an advisory—or “may contain” statement—referring to the presence of milk,” says Stefano Luccioli, M.D., a senior medical advisor at FDA.

Not Quite ‘Dairy Free’

In addition to these advisory statements, labels for chocolate bars may make other claims. Some say “dairy-free” or “lactose free,” but FDA found milk in 15% of the dark chocolates with this label. And 25% of dark chocolate products labeled only “vegan” were found to contain milk.

No Message Doesn’t Mean No Milk

You shouldn’t assume that dark chocolate contains no milk if the label does not mention it at all. “Milk-allergic consumers should be aware that 33% of the dark chocolates with no mention of milk anywhere on the label were, in fact, found to contain milk,” says Luccioli.

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What Consumers Can Do

1. Consumers who are sensitive or allergic to milk should know that dark chocolate products are a high-risk food if you’re highly milk-allergic.
2. Start by checking the ingredients list to see if it includes milk.
3. Read all the label statements on dark chocolate products and avoid those with an advisory statement for milk, even if these products feature also other (and conflicting) statements, such as “dairy-free” or “vegan”.
4. View even products with dairy-free claims or without any mention of milk with caution, unless the manufacturer is a trusted source and/or uses dedicated equipment for making milk-free chocolate products.

“The chocolate industry will continue to make every effort to understand the needs of allergic consumers and communicate the potential presence of milk allergens in dark chocolate through advisory labeling,” says Laura Shumow, director of scientific and regulatory affairs at NCA.

FDA is evaluating the study findings and considering options for addressing the issues identified in the study. Further, allergen contamination is included in the preventive and risk-based controls mandated by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Under the proposed Preventive Controls for Human Food rule that is scheduled to become final this fall, food manufacturers would be required to implement a food safety plan that identifies safeguards in place to prevent or significantly reduce such hazards as food allergens.

The proposed rule includes provisions to prevent unintended cross-contact between foods that contain allergens and those not intended to contain them. Firms covered by the final rule would have from one to three years after the rule becomes final to comply, depending on the size of the firm.

Milk Detected in Individual Dark Chocolate Products

Label/Package Statement	Total number of dark chocolate products	Number and percent (%) of dark chocolate products testing positive for milk
Milk (or milk-derived component1)	6	6 (100%)
Advisory Statements2 (alone or combined)	59	44 (75%)
Dairy-free or lactose-free3statements alone	13	2 (15%)
Vegan statement alone	4	1 (25%)
No statement regarding milk	12	4 (33%)
TOTAL	94	57 (61%)

1. Some examples of milk components include cream, milk fat, and sodium caseinate.
2. Advisory statements refers to statements regarding the possible presence of milk, such as “may contain milk (or dairy)”, “made on equipment shared with milk,” “processed in a plant that processes dairy”, or “manufactured in a facility that uses milk.” This category also includes “may contain traces” statements, as well as advisory statements combined with either a vegan or dairy-free or lactose statement.
3. Lactose-free chocolates are grouped with dairy-free products although the statement “lactose-free” does not necessarily indicate that the product is free from milk. This is because lactose is a “milk sugar,” and its removal does not mean that milk proteins are removed as well.

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Consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any product remaining in their refrigerators with code dates of “MAR 27” and earlier, and retailers are to pull those products immediately from their shelves.

On March 19th, Claravale Farm voluntarily ceased distribution of its products after CDFA made a preliminary positive finding of campylobacter in raw cream. The stoppage of distribution included goat milk, as well. No illnesses have been definitively attributed to the products at this time. However, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation of reported clusters of campylobacter illness where consumption of raw milk products may have occurred.

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Increased Outbreaks Associated with Unpasteurized Milk,

Elisabeth A. Mungai , Casey Barton Behravesh, and L. Hannah Gould

The number of US outbreaks caused by unpasteurized milk increased from 30 during 2007–2009 to 51 during 2010–2012. Most outbreaks were caused by Campylobacter spp. (77%) and by unpasteurized milk purchased from states in which unpasteurized milk sale was legal (81%). Regulations to prevent distribution of unpasteurized milk should be enforced.

Pasteurization is an effective way to improve milk safety; however, in the United States, illness related to consumption of unpasteurized milk continues to be a public health problem. The first statewide requirements that dairy products be pasteurized were enacted in Michigan in 1948 . In 1987, the US Food and Drug Administration banned the interstate sale or distribution of unpasteurized milk.

However, the laws regulating intrastate sales are set by each state. Regulations for intrastate sales of unpasteurized milk vary from complete bans to permitting sales from farms or retail outlets. Even in states in which sale of unpasteurized milk is illegal, milk can often be obtained through other means. For example, some states allow cow-share or herd-share agreements, in which buyers pay farmers a fee for the care of a cow in exchange for a percentage of the milk produced

Consumption of unpasteurized milk has been associated with serious illnesses caused by several pathogens, including Campylobacter spp., Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium Despite the health risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk, the demand forunpasteurized milk has increased. Recently, many state legislatures have considered relaxing restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized milk. We report that the number of outbreaks associated with unpasteurized milk increased from 2007 through 2012.

State and local health departments voluntarily report outbreaks to the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through a standard web-based form (http://www.cdc.gov/nors). We reviewed outbreaks reported during 2007–2012 in which the food vehicle was unpasteurized milk. Outbreaks attributed to consumption of other dairy products made with unpasteurized milk, such as cheese, were excluded. We analyzed outbreak frequency, number of illnesses, outcomes (hospitalization, death), pathogens, and age groups of patients. Data on the legal status of unpasteurized milk sales in each state were obtained from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and an online search of state regulations. The sources from which unpasteurized milk was obtained or purchased were categorized according to the description from the state outbreak reports, when available.

During 2007–2012, a total of 81 outbreaks associated with unpasteurized milk were reported from 26 states. These outbreaks resulted in 979 illnesses and 73 hospitalizations. No deaths were reported. The causative agent was reported for all outbreaks. Of the 78 outbreaks with a single etiologic agent, Campylobacter spp. was the most common pathogen, causing 62 (81%) outbreaks, followed by Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (13 [17%]),Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (2 [3%]), and Coxiella burnetii[1%]). Three outbreaks were caused by multiple pathogens. The number of outbreaks increased from 30 during 2007–2009 to 51 during 2010–2012. During 2007–2009, outbreaks associated with unpasteurized milk accounted for ≈2% of outbreaks with an implicated food; during 2010–2012, this percentage increased to 5%. The number of outbreaks of Campylobacter spp. infection also increased, from 22 during 2007–2009 to 40 during 2010–2012

Conclusions

Within this 6-year period, the number of outbreaks associated with nonpasteurized milk increased. The number of outbreaks caused by Campylobacter spp. nearly doubled. The average number of outbreaks associated with unpasteurized milk was 4-fold higher during this 6-year period (average 13.5 outbreaks/year) than that reported in a review of outbreaks during 1993–2006 (3.3 outbreaks/year) This increase was concurrent with a decline in the number of states in which the sale of unpasteurized milk was illegal, from 28 in 2004 to 20 in 2011 and with an increase in the number of states allowing cow-share programs (from 5 in 2004 to 10 in 2008) The decision to legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk or allow limited access through cow-share programs may facilitate consumer access to unpasteurized milk The higher number of outbreaks in states in which the sale of unpasteurized milk is legal has been reported elsewhere

The legal status of unpasteurized milk sales in 1 state can also lead to outbreaks in neighboring states. In a 2011 outbreak of Campylobacter spp. infections associated with unpasteurized milk in North Carolina, where sales of this product were prohibited, milk was purchased from a buying club in South Carolina, where sales were legal. Another outbreak of Campylobacter spp. infection in 2012 implicated unpasteurized milk from a farm in Pennsylvania, where sales are legal; cases from this outbreak were reported from Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey, all of which prohibit sale of raw milk  All patients residing outside Pennsylvania had traveled to Pennsylvania to purchase the milk

Outbreaks associated with unpasteurized milk continue to pose a public health challenge. Legalization of the sale of unpasteurized milk in additional states would probably lead to more outbreaks and illnesses. This possibility is especially concerning for vulnerable populations, who are most susceptible to the pathogens commonly found in unpasteurized milk (e.g., children, senior citizens, and persons with immune-compromising conditions). Public health officials should continue to educate legislators and consumers about the dangers associated with consuming unpasteurized milk.

Ms. Mungai is a surveillance epidemiologist at the Atlanta Research and Education Foundation and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her interests include infectious disease epidemiology and food safety.

Great Britain: Milk Recalled is Contaminated With Cleaning Fluid

Dairy Crest Ltd has recalled certain date codes of Morrisons and Supervalu from Budgens Whole British Milk on a precautionary basis, because the products may have become contaminated with cleaning fluid during its production. If you have bought this product with the 'use by' dates shown below, do not consume it. The FSA has issued a Product Recall Product details

Pack size: 6 pints

‘Use by’ dates: 5 Nov 2014 and 7 Nov 2014

Dairy Crest Ltd is recalling the above products. Product recall notices will be displayed in Morrisons and Budgens stores, explaining to consumers why the recall is happening and what they can do if they have bought an affected product.

If you have bought any of the above products, do not consume them. Instead, return them to the Morrisons or Budgens store where you bought it for a full refund.

Bacteria in Dairy Products in Baggage of Incoming Travelers, Brazil

International air travel can lead to the rapid global dissemination of infectious agents. Unlike products and byproducts of animal origin imported between countries under agreements that legally establish sanitary standards, products introduced into a country illegally or irregularly do not follow specific standards and can come from any source, thereby posing a risk to the health status of a country.

Animal products transported clandestinely in baggage can contain infectious agents harmful to animal and human health. We investigated Brucella spp., Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy products seized from baggage of passengers on flights at the 2 main international airports in Brazil.

During 2010–2011, 12 missions were instigated by the International Agriculture Surveillance in airports to detect and seize unauthorized dairy products carried by passengers; 195 products were collected from multiple flights from different destinations. Baggage was scanned by using an x-ray machine and, on detection of a product, was opened by the owner in the presence of a federal agriculture inspector. To avoid contamination, the products were not opened and were sent to the designated Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Laboratory in their original packaging. All seized products were packed according to the International Air Transport Association standards (5) and transported by commercial aviation with official monitoring to the laboratory.

Three containers of liquid milk from the United States were collected and analyzed .. Five containers of powdered milk were seized: Brucella was detected in 1 container from Chile; Brucella and M. bovis were found in 1 container from Angola. Four containers of yogurt were seized. MAP was detected in those from Angola and South Africa, and the yogurt from South Africa also showed Brucella.

We analyzed samples from 147 cheeses that were confiscated from baggage owned by travelers. M. bovis was identified in 18 MAP was amplified in specimens from 13 cheeses.. Brucella was detected in 62 of the cheeses.

Both M. bovis and Brucella were detected in 13 (8.8%) cheeses.Brucella and MAP were detected in 4 Co-amplification of the 3 genes (Brucella + MAP + M. bovis) occurred in 3 (2%) cheeses. Among the cheeses analyzed, 84 had genes for the 3 bacteria examined.

Cheeses were the most seized products and had the highest number of Brucella-positive results. Brucella was detected in dairy products that originated in Argentina, Spain, France, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Turkey; M. bovis was detected in dulce de leche from Argentina, powdered milk from Chile, and in cheeses from Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, and Portugal.

Bacteria can be introduced into a country through contaminated animal products that are brought across borders illegally. The risk may be even greater when these products are carried in passengers’ baggage on international flights because of the growing number of international travelers and the wide range of origins of these passengers. Greater attention should be given to agricultural surveillance at airports to mitigate the risk for introduction of these products.