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.
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.
Salmonella Outbreak Prompts Beef Recall By Hannaford Grocery Stores
A Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 14 people has prompted the Hannaford grocery store chain to issue a recall on an undetermined amount of fresh ground beef products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced.
As a result of on-going epidemiologic and traceback investigations, as well as in-store reviews, FSIS, working with the CDC and its state health partners, determined that there is a link between the outbreak and the ground beef sold by the Scarborough, Maine-based grocery chain.
The Salmonella Typhimurium strain associated with this outbreak is reported rarely in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that 14 people are ill, 11 of whom reported consuming ground beef. Seven people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The outbreak strain has initially tested resistant to multiple commonly prescribed antibiotics, including drug classes such as beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.
Ten of the 14 case-patients reported purchasing ground beef at Hannaford stores in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20. No other product description is available at this time. FSIS has so far been unable to determine responsible suppliers.
The various ground beef packages bear sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier and were sold at Hannaford stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS’ website at: www.fsis.usda.gov/
The products subject to recall are any size package of the following:
“73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
“80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
“85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
“90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
Eating 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, infants or the elderly. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours.
If you have legal questions about an illness or a hospitalization associated with this outbreak, contact the foodbrone illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.
Pacific International Recalls Cilantro On Salmonella Fears
Pacific International Marketing is recalling 6,141 cartons of cilantro for potential contamination with Salmonella. The company, based in Salinas, Calif., distributed the product in cartons of 60 bunches, 30 bunches and 20- 3 bunched sleeves.
The cilantro was available for purchase between November 16th and December 10th. The bunches have the word “Pacific” on the twist tie and the UPC code, which is 33383 80104. The UPC code for sleeves is 40695 80104. The product was distributed in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina, and Missouri through retailers.
No Illnesses have been reported to date. The recall is the result of a positive FDA Salmonella test taken at the distributor level. The product originates from Salt River Farming, located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The source of contamination is unknown.
Salmonella 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.
Possible Glass Fragments in Tejava Tea Prompt Recall
Tejava has issued a nationwide recall of its Premium Iced Tea sold in 12 oz glass bottles due to the possible presence of glass fragments which could be harmful if swallowed. There have been no reports of any illness or injury. Tejava is owned by Crystal Geyser Water Co. based in Calistoga, Calif.
The 12 oz Tejava® production lot code dates being recalled are:
1BT220 1BT221 1BT222 1BT223
1BT252 1BT253 1BT254 1BT255
1BT277 1BT278 1BT279 1BT280
1BT313
These production codes can be found on the back of the bottle label and on the long panel of the case tray.
They are for:
case UPC 6-54871-24901-2,
four pack UPC 6-54871-04901
single bottle UPC 6-54871-00901-5.
Note: The 1 liter size of Tejava® Premium Iced Tea is NOT affected and is NOT part of this recall.
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
