Michigan Listeriosis Cases Prompt Cheese Recall
Green Cedar Dairy in Dearborn, Michigan is recalling two cheeses after Listeria monocytogenes was found in tests by the agriculture department and two people who had exposure to the products contracted listeriosis, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The recall includes “All Natural Ackawi Cheese” and “All Natural Chives Cheese” with sell by dates up to July 1, 2012. The products were produced at Green Cedar Dairy (Plant # 26941) and distributed in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. They are sold in vacuum-packed, clear plastic, square packages of 12 -14 oz.
Michigan health officials are investigating two cases of listeriosis in people who may have been exposed to Green Cedar Dairy products, according to the FDA.
Listeriosis, a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating foods contaminated with Listeria bacteria, is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems- especially pregnant women. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects or other serious health problems in newborns. Onset of flu-like symptoms can begin up to two months after ingestion of the tainted food. Anyone who ate the recalled products and develops symptoms should see a health care provider.
Consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them. The listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in foodborne illness law, can answer legal questions about illnesses associated with this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation.
Kradjian Recalls Cheese on Listeria Fears
Kradjian Imp Co. of Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases of Cedar brand Tresse Cheese and Cedar brand Shinglish cheese, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections.
The recalled products are:
Cedar brand Shinglish firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC: 78546 10000
Cedar brand Tresse firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC 78546 01000
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection that is especially dangerous to young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
House of Raeford Farms Chicken Breast Recalled For Possible Listeria Contamination
House of Raeford Farms is recalling approximately 4,140 pounds of cooked chicken breasts that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The products subject to recall include:
18 to 22-lb boxes containing two 9 to 11-lb. “BONELESS OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST”
The recalled products were produced in Raeford, N.C. and bear the establishment number “P-239A” inside the USDA mark of inspection along with a product code of “94268″ and a package date of “1270″ (Sept. 27, 2011). The products were shipped to delicatessens and food service institutions for further processing in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The problem was discovered after a customer’s laboratory sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
Eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious, potentially fatal disease. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Fair Oaks Cheese Recalled, Possibly Tainted With Listeria
Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheeses in one half pound retail packages cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced are being recalled because of potential Listeria contamination.
Fair Oaks cheeses are produced by Fair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC of Fair Oaks, Indiana which issued a voluntary recall on December 3, after Laboratory analysis confirmed that a four year aged Cheddar cheese marketed in one half pound packages contained Listeria monocytogenes.
The recalled cheeses have the Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese label and were sold between September 30, 2011 and December 3, 2011.The cheeses were sold at the Fair Oaks Dairy store in Northwest Indiana, to other stores directly, and through distributors primarily in Northern and Central Indiana and Northeast Illinois. One store in Sulphur Springs, Texas area also has received the product.
The 1/2 lb. packages of cheese are wrapped in clear plastic with the label “Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese” and the name of the variety on the front panel of the package. The recall includes gift boxes that contain any of the cheeses listed below.
Listeria monocytogenes, can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Symptoms may include fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal distress. Among pregnant women, isteria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No illnesses have been reported in association with this outbreak
The varieties included in the recall are as follows: Asiago, Butterkase, Gouda, Aged Gouda, Smoked Gouda, Havarti, Pepper Havarti, Habanero Havarti, Onion Havarti, Veggie Havarti, Havarti Dill, Sweet Swiss, Smoked Sweet Swiss, Emmentaler, Calico, Mozzarella, Farmers, Cheese Curds, Muenster, Provolone, Lacy Swiss, Cheddar, Cheddar Mild, 1 yr. Cheddar, 2 yr. Cheddar, 3 yr. Cheddar, 4 yr. Cheddar, and 5 yr. Cheddar. Each variety is identified on the label. There are no identifying dates or UPCs on the packages.
Trans-Ocean Products Recalls Smoked Salmon Potentially Contaminated With Listeria
Trans-Ocean Products, Inc. of Bellingham, Washington is recalling smoked salmon products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections.
On November 22, Trans-Ocean announced the recall 4 ounce “transOCEAN Wild Alaska Sockeye Smoked Salmon” with lot numbers 1280W & 1293W after the manufacturer reported the problem. The recalled fish was distributed to four supermarket chains in six states:Demoulas Marketbasket in Massachusetts and New Hampshire; Giant Eagle in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio. Distribution of the product has been suspended while the FDA and Trans-Ocean Products investigate the source of the problem.
The product, sliced cold-smoked Sockeye salmon, is vacuum packaged in a white and green plastic pouch and bears the brand name “transOCEAN.” The lot number is ink jetted on the back panel of the package, on the right hand margin. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm281369.htm
Cantaloupe Lawsuits: Solid Evidence against Jensen Farms of Colorado
At least 139 people in 28 states have been sickened in a Listeria outbreak that has been linked to cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in its Granada, Colorado fields. The evidence implicating Jensen Farms is solid:
Epidemiological Evidence: Among the 103 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 97 (94%) reported consuming cantaloupes in the month before illness onset. Several ill persons remembered the type of cantaloupe they had eaten and said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms fields in Granada, CO, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region.
Microbiological Evidence: Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from ill persons’ homes. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated that these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms. Laboratory testing by FDA has identified Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strains in samples from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility in Granada, Colorado.
The number of laboratory-confirmed outbreak cases in each state are as follows:
Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (2), Colorado (39), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (10), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (6), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), Nevada (1), New Mexico (15), New York (2), North Dakota (2), Oklahoma (11), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (18), Utah (1), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (4).
Additional cases in these and other states are being investigated to determine if they are part of this outbreak.
To date, there 30 people have died in this outbreak, most of them elderly and one of them an unborn baby who was miscarried when the mother contracted a Listeria infection that then sickened the baby. The states and number of deaths are as follows:
Colorado (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (2), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (6), New York (2), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and Wyoming (1).
Our Listeria attorneys are investigating additional death cases to determine if they are part of this outbreak. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against Jensen Farms and the retailer who sold you the contaminated cantaloupe.
