Ocean Spray Recalls Craisins That May Contain Metal Fragments
Ocean Spray is voluntarily recalling Craisins from certain production lots due to the possible presence of very small hair-like metal fragments that are unlikely to cause consumer injury.
On November 25, Ocean Spray of Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass., announced the reacll of Original Flavor Craisins® Dried Cranberries product in 5-ounce, 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages. Sweetened dried cranberries in 10-pound packages are also being recalled. No other Ocean Spray brand products are affected. No injuries have been reported regarding these products to date.
The following Ocean Spray Original Flavor Craisins® Dried Cranberries are part of this recall:
5 oz Craisins® UPC: 00293-000
Best By Dates (ONLY THESE DATES FOLLOWED BY THE LETTER “M” ARE AFFECTED):
Oct 27 2012 M
10 oz Craisins® UPC: 29456-000 and 29464-000
Best By Dates (ONLY THESE DATES FOLLOWED BY THE LETTER “M” ARE AFFECTED):
Oct 27 2012 M
Oct 28 2012 M
Oct 29 2012 M
48 oz Craisins® UPC: 00678-318
Best By Dates (ONLY THESE DATES FOLLOWED BY THE LETTER “M” ARE AFFECTED):
Oct 27 2012 M
Oct 28 2012 M
Nov 3 2012 M
Nov 4 2012 M
Nov 5 2012 M
Nov 6 2012 M
Nov 7 2012 M
Nov 10 2012 M
Nov 11 2012 M
10 lb bulk ingredient & foodservice UPC: 03477-000
Best By Dates (ONLY THESE DATES FOLLOWED BY THE LETTER “M” ARE AFFECTED):
30 Oct 2013 M
31 Oct 2013 M
1 Nov 2013 M
5 Nov 2013 M
Gordita Black Bean Tortillas Recall Due to Botulism Risk
United Natural Foods, Inc. announced a recall of selected types of Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas. United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling this product dated 11 6 11 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. Botulism can cause temporary or permanent paralysis.
The following product has been recalled:
GENTES FOODS 10 OZ GORDITA BLACK BEAN TORTILLAS UPC 618032102021
Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas were distributed to the Safeway and Pak N Save stores in California listed below. The date code, which is on a white sticker applied to the packaging, reads “11 6 11.” These date codes sold at other retail outlets have not been affected because the products were not exposed to a lack of refrigeration controls.
| SAFEWAY #1110 | 1546 N MAIN | SALINAS | CA |
| SAFEWAY #2840 | 2010 FREEDOM BLVD | WATSONVILLE | CA |
| PAK N SAVE #3116 | 2255 GELLERT BLVD | S SAN FRANCISCO | CA |
| PAK N SAVE #3125 | 3889 SAN PABLO AVE | EMERYVILLE | CA |
Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas are packed as 6 tortillas in a vacuum packaged clear sleeve. The package is approximately 10oz in size and an orange label is on a clear wrapper with white lettering.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
These items have been recalled due to a lack of temperature control during the distribution process. UNFI inadvertently subjected the recall items to temperature ranges above those directed by the manufacturer.
Smuckers Recalls Natural Chunky Peanut Butter On Salmonella Fears
The J.M. Smucker Company has recalled two specific Best-If-Used-By dates of 16 oz. Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria. No illnesses have been reported.
The affected product would have been purchased between November 8 – 17, 2011. It is packaged in 16 oz. jars, bearing the following information:
- UPC: 5150001701 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code)
- Production Codes: 1307004 and 1308004
- Best-If-Used-By dates: August 3, 2012 and August 4, 2012
This product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Salmonella can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the infection can spread to the bloodstream producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm280281.htm
Wegmans Salmonella Lawsuit Filed in New York as Outbreak Linked to Pine Nuts Grows
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Ryan Osterholm of our law firm filed a lawsuit in New York yesterday against Wegmans Food Markets and Sunrise Commodities (distributor) on behalf of a victim of the multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Turkish pine nuts sold at Wegmans grocery stores. In September 2011, our client purchased pine nuts at Wegmans and made basil pesto with them. After eating the pesto, she began to suffer weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. Her condition worsened, and she was later admitted to the hospital.
“This outbreak was caused by a breakdown in the food safety systems designed to protect consumers” said food safety attorney Fred Pritzker. “After-the-fact testing conclusively proved that the Turkish pine nuts were adulterated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Had these companies properly tested the product in the first place, this outbreak would not have occurred.”
CDC Update of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pine Nuts Sold at Wegmans
A total of 43 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis were reported from 5 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (28), Pennsylvania (8), and Virginia (4).
Among 43 persons for whom information was available, illnesses began on or after August 20, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from <1 to 94 years, and the median age was 43 years old. Sixty percent of patients were female. Two patients were hospitalized.
Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations conducted by officials in local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies linked this outbreak to eating Turkish pine nuts sold in bulk bins at Wegmans grocery stores. Some Turkish pine nuts were consumed as an ingredient in prepared foods, such as Caprese salad or asparagus with pine nuts, sold at Wegmans stores. These pine nuts were imported from Turkey.
Among 40 ill persons for whom information was available, 28 (70%) reported consuming Turkish pine nuts or products containing these pine nuts in the week before their illness began.
Early in the investigation, shopper card information was collected and used to identify which specific products to suspect as sources of illness. Ill persons gave permission for public health officials to retrieve shopper card purchase information. A review of shopper card records identified that ill persons had purchased the same type of Turkish pine nuts from bulk bins at different locations of Wegmans grocery stores before becoming ill.
Laboratory testing conducted by public health laboratories in several states has identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from 14 samples of Turkish pine nuts or pesto containing Turkish pine nuts.
- The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from Turkish pine nuts that were purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans stores and collected from an ill person’s home, and from retail samples of Turkish pine nuts collected from a Wegmans store where ill persons reported shopping.
- The New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center Laboratory, isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from three separate samples of homemade pesto containing Turkish pine nuts from three unrelated ill persons’ homes. In addition, culture of two samples of Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at different Wegmans stores and collected from two ill persons’ homes (one who also provided one of the pesto samples) yielded the outbreak strain.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from two samples of homemade pesto containing Turkish pine nuts from an ill person’s home, and from Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at two Wegmans stores and collected from two unrelated ill persons’ homes.
- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis from a sample of pesto containing Turkish pine nuts, and from a sample of Turkish pine nuts which were purchased from bulk bins at a Wegmans store and collected from an ill person’s home. The outbreak strain was also isolated from a sample of bulk pine nuts collected from a second Wegmans store in Maryland that was not associated with any illnesses.
Organic Pastures Raw Milk Recall Due to E. coli and HUS Outbreak in Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento and San Diego Counties
Raw milk is the source of another E. coli outbreak. This time it is raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, California. Five children have been sickened, three of them developed a complication of an E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, blindness and other serious health problems. These children are residents of Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties.
According to Fred Pritzker, a food safety advocate as well as an attorney, consumers are not adequately warned about the risks associated with raw milk:
“One of the troubling issues about the sale of raw milk is that consumers are not adequately warned about the risks. I represent people sickened by raw milk contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and other dangerous pathogens. Raw milk can cause kidney failure, paralysis and death. I know because I have stood by the bedsides of people who innocently drank raw milk and ended up hooked up to life support fighting for their lives.”
Fred Pritzker and his team of E. coli lawyers are available to families for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against Organic Pastures for payment of medical bills and compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages.
Organic Pastures Raw Milk Recall and Quarantine
In response to this outbreak, California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford announced a statewide recall and quarantine order. Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any products remaining in their refrigerators. Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw milk products for the retail market. The order also affects Organic Pastures raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.”
Epidemiological Evidence Implicating Organic Pastures Raw Milk
While laboratory samples of Organic Pastures raw milk have not detected E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk. Interviews with the families indicate that the only common reported food exposure is unpasteurized (raw) milk from Organic Pastures dairy. Surveys indicate that only about three percent of the public report drinking raw milk in any given week so finding 100% of these children drank raw milk and the absence of other common foods or animal exposures indicates the Organic Pastures raw milk is the likely source of their infection.
What is Raw Milk?
The great majority of milk consumed in California is pasteurized. Raw milk is not pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria. In California, state law requires that raw milk and raw milk products shall bear the following warning on the label: “Warning – raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing micro-organisms. Persons at highest risk of disease from these organisms include newborns and infants; the elderly; pregnant women; those taking corticosteroids, antibiotics or antacids; and those having chronic illnesses or other conditions that weaken their immunity.”
What is E. coli O157:H7?
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection may include abdominal cramps and diarrhea which is often bloody. Most infected people recover within a week; however, some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which includes kidney failure. People who develop symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection after consuming unpasteurized milk or milk products should consult their health care provider. Physicians who have patients suspected of having HUS or E. coli O157:H7 infections should report them to the local health department.
Salmonella Claim for Illness from Ground Turkey Sold under HEB, Honeysuckle, Kroger, Safeway and Other Brands
If you are part of the Salmonella outbreak linked to ground turkey processed by Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, you may have a claim against Cargill and others for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages. Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.
Ground turkey processed by Cargill was recalled in response to the outbreak, in which dozens of people became seriously ill. The recalled ground turkey was sold under various brands, including but not limited to the following:
- Honeysuckle
- Kroger
- Riverside
- HEB
- Safeway
- Fit and Active
- Shady Brook Farms
- Spartan
The CDC has released updated information on the Salmonella outbreak:
A total of 136 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported from 34 states with illness onset dates between February 27 and September 13, 2011. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (3), California (7), Colorado (4), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (16), Indiana (2), Iowa (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (1), Michigan (12), Minnesota (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri (7), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), North Carolina (4), Ohio (12), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (2), Texas (18), Utah (1), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (4).
Among persons for whom information was available, illnesses began on or after February 27, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from less than 1 year to 90 years old, with a median age of 23 years old. Fifty-five percent were male. Among the 94 ill persons with available information, 37 (39%) were hospitalized. One death was reported.
Evidence That Cargill Ground Turkey Was the Source of the Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak
Among the 94 ill persons with available information, 51 (54%) reported consuming ground turkey. This proportion was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy persons in which 11% of persons interviewed reported consuming ground turkey in the 7 days before they were interviewed. Product information (such as date and location of purchase of ground turkey) was collected from ill persons and was used by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies to further the investigation.
This outbreak was caused by two Salmonella strains, each found in Cargill ground turkey:
Salmonella Strain 1: Cultures of five ground turkey samples purchased from five retail locations between March 7 and June 27, 2011, yielded Salmonella Heidelberg with the outbreak strain. PFGE patterns from these Salmonella bacteria were added to the PulseNet database between April 11 and July 12, approximately a month after each sample was collected. Preliminary information indicated that all of these products originated from a common food-production establishment (Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation in Springdale, Arkansas). In addition, a sample of leftover, unlabeled frozen ground turkey was collected by public health officials from the home of an ill person infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg in Ohio. Culture of the ground turkey sample yielded the outbreak strain on July 29, 2011.
Salmonella Strain 2: A Salmonella Heidelberg with a second closely related PFGE pattern was identified in the contaminated leftover product. Since February 27, 2011, a total of 27 ill persons have been reported to PulseNet with this closely related PGFE pattern. Among the 13 such patients who have been interviewed, 12 (92%) reported consumption of ground turkey in the week before their illness began. The closely related PGFE pattern was also found in a retail sample of ground turkey taken as part of NARMS surveillance. This retail sample originated from Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation establishment in Springdale, Arkansas. Based on these findings, the 27 ill persons with this second closely related PFGE pattern of Salmonella Heidelberg were included in the total count of outbreak cases.
Cargill Ground Turkey Recall
On August 3, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Arkansas, establishment, recalled approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may have been contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Heidelberg. The products subject to recall were all comprised of ground turkey meat and had the establishment number “P-963″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
On September 11, 2011, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation recalled another 185,000 pounds of ground turkey products after product samples at the plant tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg based on sample results from an intensive in-plant investigation performed by FSIS. On September 27, 2011 FSIS reported that one positive sample was confirmed to have the outbreak strain and the isolate was multidrug resistant.
National and state-wide retailers that received recalled Cargill ground turkey:
- Acme Stores in OH
- Albertsons Stores in AR, FL, LA, and TX
- Alco Nationwide
- Aldi Nationwide
- Alp’sStores in AR, IL, KS, KY, MO, NE, OK
- Bag ‘N Save Stores in Greater Omaha area and York NE
- Baker’s Stores in NE
- Big Star Stores in AL, AR, LA, MO, MS, TN
- Bi-LoStores in GA
- Bi-Rite Stores in OH and TN
- Brookshire Brothers Stores in LA and TX
- Brookshire Food StoresStores in AR, LA, and TX
- Broulim’s Supermarket Stores in ID
- Buehler’s Stores in IN and OH
- Buy For Less Stores in OK
- Byerly Foods Stores in MN
- Calhoun Foods Stores in AL
- Cash Saver Stores in AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, OK, TN
- Cash Wise Foods Stores in MN and ND
- Cermak Stores in IL
- Chief Super Market Stores in OH
- City Market Stores in AR and CO
- Coborn’s Stores in MN and SD
- Country Mart Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, OK, and TN
- County Market Nationwide
- Crest Foods Stores in OK
- Cub Foods Stores in IL, MN, OH and WI
- Dahl’sFoods Stores in IA
- Dan’s Supermarket Stores in ND and UT
- Dash Market Stores in NY
- Dave’s Stores in NY and OH
- Dick’s Stores in UT and WI
- Dierbergs Stores in IL and MO
- Dillon’s Stores in KS and MO
- Discount Drug Mart Stores in OH
- Duckwall’s Stores in CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, NM, OK, and TX
- E.W. James Stores in MS and TN
- Easy Way Stores in TN
- Family Market Stores in AL and AR
- Festival Foods Stores in MI, MN and WI
- Fiesta Mart Stores in the greater Dallas and Houston, TX areas
- Fisher’s Stores in IL and OH
- Food 4 Less Stores in CA, IL, IN, LA, MO, NE, NV and OH
- Food Center Nationwide
- Food Depot Stores in GA, IL, LA, AND MS
- Food Fair Stores in KS, KY, MO, OH and WV
- Food Giant Stores in AL, AR, KY, MI, MO, MS, and TN
- Food Outlet Stores in AL and TX
- Food Pride Stores in IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, and WI
- Food Pyramid Stores in OK
- Food World Locations in FL, IN, IA, KY, LA and MI
- Foodland Nationwide
- Foodliner Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, and MS
- Foods Co Stores in CA
- Foodtown Stores in AR, CO, ID, NV, OH, OR, TN, TX, and UT
- Fresh Market Stores in AL, AR, IL, MI, MN, MO, NY, UT and WI
- Fry’s Stores in AZ
- G&W Foods Stores in KS and MO
- Gerbes Stores in MO
- Giant Eagle Stores in MD, OH, PA and WV
- Greer’s Stores in AL, FL, and MS
- H E Butt (HEB) Stores in TX
- H.G. Hill Stores in TN
- Harmons Stores in UT
- Harp’s Stores in AR, MO, and OK
- Harvest Foods Stores in AR, LA, MN
- Hay’s Stores in AR and MO
- Heinen’s Stores in OH
- Hen House Stores in KS and MO
- Homeland Stores in KS and OK
- Hometown Market Stores in AL, AR, IA, KS, MT, NY, OH, and PA
- Hornbacher Stores in ND and MN
- Houchens Market Stores in KY
- Hugo Stores in MN and ND
- IGA Nationwide
- Ingles Stores in AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, and VA
- Jay-C Food Store Locations in IN
- Jr. Food Stores in KY and TN
- Jubilee Stores in ID, MI, MN, MO, NY, PA, UT and WY
- King Soopers Locations in CO
- Kowalskis Stores in MN
- Kroger Nationwide
- Kuhns Stores in PA
- Lawrence Bros Stores in NM and TX
- Lucky’s Stores in AL
- Lund’s Stores in MN
- Macey’s Stores in UT
- Mac’s Fresh Market Stores in LA
- Mad Butcher Stores in AR
- Marc’s Stores in OH
- Market Basket Stores in IL, LA and TX
- Market Place Nationwide
- Martin’s Meat Locations in IN, MI
- Meijer Stores in IL, IN, KY, MI, and OH
- Minyard Stores in TX
- Moser’s Discount Foods Stores in MO
- My Fit Food Stores in TX
- No Frills Supermarket Stores in IA and NE
- Nutricion Fundamental Stores in OK
- Patricia’s Stores in MO
- Pic Pac Stores in KY
- Piggly Wiggly Nationwide
- Prenger’s Stores in MO
- Price Chopper Nationwide
- Price Cutter Stores in AR, MO, and OK
- Ralphs Stores in Southern CA
- Ramey’s Stores in AL, MO, and MS
- Randalls Stores in the greater Houston and Austin, TX area
- Reasor’s Stores in OK
- Rehkopf’s Stores in AR, OK, and TX
- Remke Market Stores in KY and OH
- Ridley’s Food Stores in ID, NV, and WY
- Russ’s Market Stores in greater Lincoln area and Hastings NE
- Safeway Stores in IN
- Save A Lot Stores in KY, NY, OH, and PA
- Schnucks Stores in IL, IN, MO, MS, TN and WI
- Sellers Bros Stores in TX
- Sentry Stores in WI
- Shaws Stores throughout New England
- Shop ‘N Save Stores in IL, MO, OH, PA, SC, and WV
- Shurfine Stores in NY and PA
- Shursave Stores in MO, NE, NY, and PA
- Southern Family Market Stores in GA
- Sparkle Stores in OH, PA, and WV
- Stater Brothers Stores in CA
- Sun Fresh Stores in MO
- Sun Mart Stores in MN, NE and ND
- Sunflower Farmers Markets Stores in AZ, CA, CO, NE, NM, NV and TX
- Sunflower Food Store Stores in AR, LA, MS, and AR
- Super 1 Foods Stores in AR, LA, and TX
- Super C Mart Stores in OK
- Super Foods Stores in AR, GA, IA, LA, NE, and OK
- Super One Foods Stores in MI, MN, ND and WI
- Supervalu Nationwide
- Thriftway Nationwide
- Tom Thumb Stores in great Dallas, TX area
- Town & Country Stores in AR, KS, KY, MO, MT, OH, and TN
- Trig’s Stores in WI
- United Supermarkets Stores in OK and TX
- Vowell’s Marketplace Stores in MS
- Walmart Nationwide
- Warehouse Market Stores in OK
- Wayfield Foods Stores in GA
- Williams Discount Foods Stores in OK
- WinCo Stores in CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, and WA
- Winn Dixie Stores in FL
- Woodman’s Stores in WI
- Wood’s Supermarket Stores in MO
Our Salmonella lawyers represent food poisoning victims nationwide. Contact them for information about a lawsuit against Cargill and others seeking victim compensation and class action lawsuit information. Victims have hospital bills, other medical bills, lost income because they could not go to work and suffered severe pain. One family suffered the ultimate loss, the death of a loved one. Cargill and all responsible parties should be held accountable.
