Walmart Pulls Enfamil From Shelves After Missouri Infant Dies
Wal-Mart pulled Enfamil powdered baby formula from the shelves of more than 3,000 of its stores nationwide after a Missouri infant boy who was fed the formula died from a rare foodborne pathogen, according to the Associated Press.
The federal government has not ordered a recall of the 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn powder with the lot number ZP1K7G. The manufacturer of the formula, Mead Johnson Nutrition based in Glenview, Ill., said its records show that the product in question came form a lot that tested negative for the bacterium before it was shipped, according to the AP.
Wal-Mart officials said the company decided to pull the formula form its stores while state and federal health officials investigate “out of an abundance of caution” Wal-Mart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said Wednesday.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) sent samples of the formula that had been given to 10-day-old Avery Cornett to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for testing, said Gena Terlizzi, an MDHSS spokeswoman.
“At this point it has not been determined whether the illness is linked to the formula or an outside source,” she said in a statement.
Last week, Avery was taken to St. John’s Hospital-Lebanon after appearing lethargic and displaying what his family said were signs of a stomachache, the Lebanon Daily Record reported
He was later moved to St. John’s Hospital-Springfield where tests showed that he had contracted a rare bacterial infection, Cronobacter sakazakii, a foodborne pathogen, the newspaper reported. Avery died Sunday after being removed from life support.
Avery had been fed Enfamil Newborn powder that was purchased from a Walmart store in Lebanon. A spokesman for Mead Johnson Nutrition, Christopher Perille, said Enfamil Newborn powder is sold at a variety of retailers, but he didn’t have information about whether other companies received units from the lot now being investigated, according to the story.
Perille said all Mead Johnson infant formula products are put through rigorous testing as they are produced, packaged and sealed and that every batch is tested for Cronobacter. Public health officials seeking the source of Avery’s infection will also look at environmental factors, such as the water used in preparing the powdered formula, and at anything else the baby might have ingested, Perille said.
In a recent study from University College Dublin, in Dublin, Ireland, researchers described Cronobacter strains as “opportunistic pathogens [that] are linked with life-threatening infections in neonates. Clinical symptoms of Cronobacter infection include necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteremia, and meningitis, with case fatality rates of 50-80% being reported. Contaminated powdered infant formula has been epidemiologically linked with infections.”
The attorneys at PrtitzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in foodborne illness law, can answer legal questions about an illness or death associated with this recall. Contact them for a free consultation.
Starwest Recalls Organic Celery Seed Potentially Tainted With Salmonella
Starwest Botanicals is recalling whole Starwest Organic Celery Seed because it has potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported with this recall.
The company, based in Rancho Cordova, Calif., became aware of the potential contamination after being notified by a customer. The product is packaged in Mylar 1lb and 2 oz pouches and sold by several different methods. It was either shipped directly to on-line or mail order consumers, or held for pickup by consumers at Starwest Botanicals. The product was sold between April 26, 2011 and December 14, 2011.
This recall includes the following:
- Starwest Botanicals Celery Seed (Whole) 2oz. with UPC 7-6796310619-3 and lot number F7073 found on the bottom of the pouch.
- Starwest Botanicals Celery Seed (Whole) 1 pound with UPS 7-6796307864-3 and lot number 40203 found on the bottom of the pouch.
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. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Cal Fresco Recalls Peppers On Salmonella Fears
Cal Fresco LLC has issued a voluntary recall of fresh Jalapeño and Serrano chili peppers after some random samples selected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested positive for Salmonella. No ilnesses have been reported in conjunction with this recall.
The Jalapeño recall is limited to one lot (Lot #205610) containing approximately 18,500 pounds of peppers. The lot was distributed to retail stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Canada between December 3 and December 5, 2011.
The product was shipped in cases under two labels: Cal Fresco (10 and 25 pound cases) and Grower Alliance (40 pound case) but is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight without packaging. All retail suppliers that received this affected lot have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.
Cal Fresco’s traceability process identified the supplier, located in Mexico, and the company has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and the company continue their investigation into the source of the contamination.
The Serrano peppers were recalled was the result of a random USDA sampling of bulk Serrano peppers on December 12 at a Spokane, WA distribution center which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some, but not all, of the sampling. The peppers were delivered to a retail distribution center Spokane, Washington on December 8, 2011.
Cal Fresco has a sampling, traceability and recall program in place to detect and prevent distribution of contaminated products. “However, because the USDA Sample and Isolated Pathogen Information Report failed to disclose individual lot numbers, and because the results of that report were not provided to Cal Fresco until December 19, 2011, (five days after the sampling occurred), Cal Fresco must rely on information provided by the FDA and CDPH to trace the contaminated peppers to their source,” the company stated
Based upon that information, Cal Fresco has identified the affected peppers as being part of Lot #205467, originating in Mexico. Cal Fresco has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, while the investigation continues.
The recalled product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it. All retail suppliers that received this affected product are located in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver, Canada and Southern California, Alaska, Washington and Dallas, Texas. All retail suppliers who received this product have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.
Consumers who purchased the above described Serrano peppers between the dates of December 8 and December 21, 2011 should contact the store from where they purchased the product and inquire as to whether the affected product was sold by that store location.
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. Symptoms include 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.
Swanson Health Products Recalls Organic Celery Seed On Salmonella Fears
Swanson Health Products is recalling Swanson Organic Celery Seed (Whole) packaged in plastic bottles with a net weight of 1.4 oz. (40 grams) because of potential Salmonella contamination.
The product was sold at the Swanson Health Products retail store, 109 Broadway N., Fargo, ND, shipped directly to on-line or mail-order consumers, or held for pick up by the consumer at Swanson Health Products headquarters. The product was sold between June 16, 2011, and December 16, 2011.
The lot number of Swanson Health Products Brand Celery Seed (Whole) with code UPC 0-8761424048-0 included in this recall is BESTBY03JUN2013 1541102C. The lot number and Best By date can be found on the bottom of the bottle.
Swanson Health Products became aware of the potential contamination after being notified by its supplier, B & M, Inc., Mount Vernon, Missouri. B & M, Inc. had earlier learned of the potential contamination from its supplier. No other Swanson spices have been affected by this voluntary recall. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
Salmonella can cause serious, sometimes fatal infection called salmonellosis. Young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems are especially at rick. Symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare instances, the infection can lead to more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
Salmonella Concerns Prompt B&M Organic Celery Salt Recall
B&M, Inc. of Mount Vernon, Missouri is recalling O Organics Organic Celery Seed sold in Safeway stores due to potential Salmonella contamination.
The potentially tainted product is sold from May 25, 2011, through December 16, 2011 at all Safeway-owned stores, including Safeway, Carrs, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons. It is packaged in a glass bottle with a net weight of 1.8oz (51g) and marked with a UPC 0-7989341124-8. No illnesses have been in connection with this voluntary recall.
The lot number and best by date can be found on the bottom of the bottle. Bottles with the following lot codes and “Best By” dates are subject to the recall:
| Lot Number | Best By Date |
| 1381102A | May 18, 2013 |
| 2141102A | August 02, 2013 |
| 2591106A | September 16, 2013 |
| 2741106A | October 01, 2013 |
| 2921102A | October 19, 2013 |
| 3321110A | November 28, 2013 |
Salmonella can cause salmonellosis a serious, sometimes fatal infection. Those especially at risk include young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Salmonellosis symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the infection can lead to arterial infections endocarditis and arthritis.
Tyson Recalls 41,000 Pounds Of Ground Beef Possibly Tainted With E. coli
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is recalling approximately 40,948 pounds of ground 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 December 17.
The company, based in Dakota City, Neb., issued the recall after routine tests by FSIS confirmed a positive result for E. coliO157:H7. No illnesses have ben reported in association with this recall.
- 10-pound chubs of “CHUCK FINE GROUND BEEF 80/20,” packed in cases containing eight chubs.
The recalled products have a “BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY” date of “11/13/11″ and “EST. 245C” on the box label. The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
If ingested, the bacterium E. coli O157:H7 can cause an infection. Symptoms of E.coli poisoning include bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Those most susceptible are the very young, seniors and people with weakened immune systems. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
