Salmonella Risk Prompts 4th Massive Food Recall

Recall nos. 37  – 42 since March 5, 2010

1.7 million pounds of RTE Beef and Chicken Products Recalled

Texas Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

CLASS I RECALL
HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Windsor Foods, a firm with operations in Lampasas, Texas, and Oakland, Miss., is recalling approximately 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of the HVP product on March 4, 2010. A recall of the ready-to-eat taquito and quesadilla products containing the HVP was warranted due to the determination that the HVP ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at (877) 653-2181.

USDA Recall Classifications: Class I Recall
This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

Recall # 38. Texas Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Product due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

CLASS I RECALL
HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Ruiz Foods, Inc., a Denison, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 115,700 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) beef product that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of beef product contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Due to potential Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of the HVP product on March 4, 2010. A recall of the beef product was warranted because the HVP ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.

• 8.4 ounce boxes of “TORNADOS RANCHERO BEEF & CHEESE.”

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s Consumer Line at 1-800-SPANISH or 1-800-772-6474 .

Recall # 39. Ohio Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base Product Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

CLASS I RECALL
HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Nestlé Professional North America, a Cleveland, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 6,000 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon base product that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of bacon base contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Due to potential Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of the HVP product on March 4, 2010. Although the HVP has already been recalled, as announced by FDA, the bacon base product packages bear the USDA mark of inspection on the outside of the case. A recall of this product was warranted due to the determination that the HVP ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.

• 1-lb. plastic cups of “MINOR’S BACON BASE.”

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company Customer Services at (800) 243-8822.

Recall # 40. Orval Kent Food Company, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Culinary Circle Dips Due to Possible Health Risk

The Orval Kent dips are being recalled because they contain HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) manufactured, distributed and recalled by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, NV.

Consumers who have recently purchased the items listed below should not consume this product and should return it the store of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

Consumer Contact Information:
Consumers with questions may contact SUPERVALU Customer Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877 932 7948.

Recall # 41. Austinuts Of Dallas, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Honey Mustard Pretzels

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dallas, Texas – March 10, 2010 – Austinuts of Dallas, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for

Honey Mustard Pretzels,
Lot number 61150/0280

because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Austinuts Honey Mustard Pretzels were only distributed at Austinuts’ building sales in Dallas, Texas in 16 ounce clear zipper bags. Consumers having any of these products are urged to destroy them.

NO OTHER AUSTINUTS’ PRODUCTS ARE PART OF THIS RECALL. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection to the above product.

The pretzels were manufactured by National Pretzel Company of Lancaster, PA and were coated with a seasoning mix that included hydrolyzed vegetable protein recalled by Basic Food Flavors, Las Vagas, NV because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Consumers with any other recall questions may contact Austinuts of Dallas, Inc. (214) 739-6887 during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Central Time. Consumers with questions or concerns about their health should contact their doctor immediately.

Recall # 42. McCormick Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from HVP Ingredient Expands to Include Additional “Best By” Dates

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) is expanding a March 5, 2010 recall to include additional “Best By” dates of products manufactured with HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada, because the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Recalled products were distributed nationwide and sold in retail stores.  Two of the recalled products were also distributed for sale in international markets.

Contact the McCormick Consumer Hotline at 1-800-632-5847 or consumer_affairs@mccormick.com for a replacement or reimbursement.  Live assistance is available on the Hotline from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday and Sunday.

E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Notification Report
CLASS I RECALL: Wholesale Level

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2010 – Randolph Packing Co. Inc., an Asheboro, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of beef products 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 products subject to recall include:

• Combo bin packages of “Randolph Packing Co., Inc. BONELESS BEEF.”
• Combo bin packages of “Randolph Packing Co. Knuckles 90% & 94%.”
• 30 lbs. boxes of “Beef Ribeye Rolls.”

Each package label bears the establishment number “EST. 6590” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on February 25, 2010, and were distributed to federal establishments for further processing in Ill., Mo., N.Y., Ohio, and Va. None of these products are available directly to consumers.

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling.

Related Links:

• Anything Salmonella Free? [March 10]
• More Food Recalls [March 10]
• More Salmonella Food Recalls [March 6]
• Salmonella Infected Additive Prompts Massive Food Recall [March 5]

Anything Salmonella Free?

Another few recalls and there would be no food left on the shelves

The following is a summary of the most recent food recalls due to possible salmonella poisoning health risks. For previous recalls, click on the links:

• More Food Recalls [March 10]
• More Salmonella Food Recalls [March 6]
• Salmonella Infected Additive Prompts Massive Food Recall [March 5]

[NOTE: All the products listed on this page were posted  on the FDA website on March 10/11, 2010]

36.  Thought Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen said only one product …

Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2010 –  Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc. of Albert Lea, MN has been notified by a supplier that a certain seasoning ingredient it supplied to Mrs. Gerry’s contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody) and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause more severe complications including endocarditis, arthritis and arterial infections such as infected aneurysms. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov¹. As a precautionary measure, Mrs. Gerry’s is voluntarily recalling a limited number of products.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products.

Mrs. Gerry’s is recalling the several Spinach Dips sold to retailers and distributors: MN, IA, SD, ND, NE, KS, CO, WI, MI, IL, MO.

These products should not be eaten. Customers may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Mrs. Gerry’s is notifying the FDA of this voluntary recall. Consumers with questions may contact Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc.’s Customer Service Department between the hours of 7:30am – 4pm CST Monday through Friday at 1-800-642-9662 or see the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov.

35.  They add HVP to Crab Creole Spread?

Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 9, 2010 – ALAMEDA, CA – Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc. of Albert Lea, MN has been notified by a supplier that a certain product it supplies to Mrs. Gerry’s contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) that may be contaminated with Salmonella.  As a precautionary measure, Mrs. Gerry’s is voluntarily recalling a limited number of products.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

Mrs. Gerry’s is recalling its Crab Creole Spread sold to retailers and distributors in these states: MN, IA, SD, ND, NE, KS, CO, WI, MI, IL, MO.

This product should not be eaten. Customers may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Mrs. Gerry’s is notifying the FDA of this voluntary recall. Consumers with questions may contact Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc.’s Customer Service Department between the hours of 7:30am – 4pm CST Monday through Friday at 1-800-642-9662 or see the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov.

34.  Salmonella in spices?

Olde Westport Spice Announces a Voluntary Recall of Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 9, 2010 – Olathe, Kan – Olde Westport Spice announced that it is voluntarily recalling 5- and 10-oz. jars and 20-oz. bags of Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Special Blend Seasoning was sold online at www.oldwestportspice.com¹, at food and craft shows in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado and at limited specialty gift shops located in Kansas and Missouri.

The Olde Westport Special Blend does not have any codes on the packaging to identify the product affected by the recall. Therefore, if Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning was purchased from November 1, 2009 thru February 28, 2010, it is to be recalled.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the identified products and no other Olde Westport products are affected by this recall.

Olde Westport Spice was notified by its supplier, Basic Food Flavors, Inc., of the recall of an ingredient used in this product due to potential Salmonella contamination. Because the safety of consumers is a top priority, Olde Westport Spice has voluntarily recalled its Special Blend. Olde Westport Spice is working closely with Food and Drug Administration to conduct this voluntary recall.

Consumers who have purchased the Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Ann Myers at 913-915-0936 or at annmyers@oldewestportspice.com.

33. Never mind the salmonella, watch them calories!

Quaker Snack Mix Baked Cheddar Voluntarily Recalled Due to Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 10, 2010 – PLANO, TX – Quaker Snack Mix Baked Cheddar is being voluntary recalled after Basic Food Flavors, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada initiated a recall of their hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) due to potential Salmonella contamination. HVP is a very minor ingredient in the seasoning for this product. Although every seasoning lot tested negative for Salmonella, and there are no reports of Salmonella–related illness related to this product, the product is voluntarily being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Consumers with any product of the date and package size noted above should return it to the place of purchase for a replacement or a refund. Consumers with any additional questions can contact Consumer Affairs at 1-800-352-4477, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.

32. Salmonella Soups and Dips?

Ventura Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Seven Varieties of Its Dean’s® Dip Products As A Precautionary Measure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 05, 2010 – Brea, Calif – Ventura Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling seven of its Dean’s® Dip products, with specific production dates, because a flavor enhancer may be contaminated with salmonella.

The flavor enhancer is made by an ingredient supplier, Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas. This is the same ingredient linked to the Food & Drug Administration’s recall announcement Thursday.

“There have been absolutely no reports of illness associated with any Dean’s Dip products, and we intend to keep it that way,” said Chris Furman, President & CEO of Ventura Foods. “We decided to issue our own recall purely as a precautionary measure because consumer safety is our No. 1 priority.”

Ventura Foods is advising consumers not to eat any of the recalled Dean’s Dip products. Consumers should dispose of or return the recalled products to the store where they bought them for a full refund. Consumers can call (800) 339-1957 for more information about the recall, or visit www.fda.gov or www.deansdip.com.

Dean’s Dip is a registered mark used by Ventura Foods and licensed from Dean Intellectual Property Services, a subsidiary of Dean Foods Company. This recall only affects Dean’s Dip products which are manufactured by Ventura Foods. It does not affect any Dean Foods products, including dairy products carrying the Dean’s® brand.

The voluntary recall involves a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), which is used to make Dean’s Creamy Taco Dip. The other six Dean’s Dip products were manufactured on the same equipment, at about the same time, so they’re being recalled as well. There is no evidence of salmonella in any Dean’s Dip product or in any other Ventura Foods products.

Ventura Foods is working closely with the FDA, as well as with state and local authorities and retailers, to administer the recall.

The Dean’s Dip recall impacts only the products listed below with the specific UPC code and “Sell By” dates. This recall does not affect any other Dean’s Dip products or other Ventura Foods Brands.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain).

31. Potentially Poisoning Mixes

Publix Issues Voluntary Recall on Four Seasoning Mixes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 8, 2010 – LAKELAND, Fla – Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for four (4) varieties of seasoning mixes. The products have been manufactured with HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVP may be contaminated with Salmonella. Consumption of products containing Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly persons and others with weakened immune systems. List of the recalled products available on the company website.

“As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves,” said Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations director. “To date, there have been no reported cases of illness. Consumers who have purchased the products in question may return the product to their local store for a full refund. Publix customers with additional questions may call our Consumer Relations department at 1-800-242-1227 or by visiting our website at www.publix.com.”

30. More processed Soups & Dip Mixes – Time you changed the old diet?

Kroger Recalls Two Onion Soup & Dip Mixes Due to Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –  February 27, 2010  [posted on FDA website on March 11, 2010] – CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling Kroger Onion Soup & Dip Mix and Kroger Beefy Onion Soup & Dip Mix sold in some of its retail stores because the Company has been made aware by a supplier that an ingredient in the product may have been contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled items were sold in Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia; Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Fry’s stores in Arizona; King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; Smith’s stores in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; and Food 4 Less, Hilander, Jay C, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Customers who have purchased the above products should not consume them and should return them to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov.

Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 6326900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

29. Proctor and Gambling with their products?

P&G Joins Industry Ingredient Recall by Voluntarily Recalling Two Flavors of Pringles® in the United States in Response to FDA Industry Guidance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 08, 2010 – CINCINNATI – PRNewswire/ – The Procter & Gamble Company, in response to a recommendation from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to the food industry, announced today that it is voluntarily recalling Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps as part of an industry ingredient recall to protect consumers from potential Salmonella exposure. There have been no reports of Salmonella-related illness in relation to these products.

P&G was notified by one of its suppliers that a seasoning used in these two products contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., who has voluntarily recalled several lots of this ingredient because of potential salmonella exposure. As a result, the FDA has recommended that food manufacturers recall certain types of products containing HVP manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, and P&G is complying with this guidance.

Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening in some cases such as young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. There have been no reports of Salmonella-related illness to date in relation to these products.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard the product and call P&G for a replacement coupon or refund at 1-877-876-7881 (Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 9AM – 6PM US ET).

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28. Who needs Cream of Mushroom Soup?

Nutritional Resources Announces a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup Due to Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 09, 2010 – GROVETOWN, GA – As a precautionary measure, Nutritional Resources, Inc announced, it is voluntarily recalling one production code of Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover in three to five days without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening to young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Consumers with any of these symptoms should call their physician. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.

The product subject to this recall was distributed nationwide in foil lined pouches identified as Mushroom Soup marked with the Lot number 22267 on the front of the pouch. The product is sold in physician’s offices and on the internet.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the identified product, and no other varieties or types of flavors of products made by Nutritional Resources, Inc. are affected by this recall.

The mushroom soup product was made using Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), recalled by Basic Food Flavors Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada because it may be contaminated with salmonella

Nutritional Resources, Inc is working closely with the FDA to conduct this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the above affected products are urged return them to their place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (706) 869-1222 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST. Monday through Friday.

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NOTE: Unnecessary details have been omitted to prevent food companies advertising on this blog!

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