Timco Worldwide Recalls Salmonella Watermelons

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on November 29, 2009

Timco Worldwide recalls cases of seedless watermelons because of potential salmonella contamination.

Timco has revealed that it is recalling 812 cases of large seedless watermelons, following the discovery of salmonella in the outside rind of a piece of fruit on 19 November.

The California, US-based group said that cases had been shipped to seven customers, including grocers, wholesalers and processors in California and Texas, with only one positive result discovered.

No illnesses had been reported, according to the group's director of sales and marketing Rex Lawrence, with the watermelons being pulled from distribution.

CFIA warn public not to consume NutriSystem's Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on November 26, 2009

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the NutriSystem brand Peanut Butter Granola Bars because the product may be contaminated with salmonella.

The affected product is sold in 40-gram packages bearing UPC 6 32674 37016 7 and lot code TC05219B.

This product is sold exclusively through the Canadian NutriSystem website , the toll-free phone number 1-877-368-8446, and the Shopping Channel.

Five Crowns Marketing Voluntarily Recalling Cantaloupes Packed under the Majesty Label Because of a Potential Health Risk Due to Possible Contamination of Salmonella

Posted by Salmonella Lawyer on November 23, 2009

Five Crowns Marketing, Brawley, California is issuing this release today voluntarily recalling cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label because of a potential health risk due to possible contamination of Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date, and the company is working with FDA to inform consumers of this recall.

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 persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumers who may have eaten this product and are experiencing the above symptoms should consult their health care provider.

The recall comes after a Lab analysis conducted by a consignee on a lot of cantaloupes packed by Five Crowns Marketing on November 4, 2009, resulted in a confirmed positive for Salmonella. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution Five Crowns Marketing is issuing this warning and voluntary recall on all cantaloupes shipped from the same lot.

Five Crowns Marketing traced back the entire lot of cantaloupes and is advising all customers who received the recalled cantaloupes. Although based on harvest and shipping dates from November 4 through November 13, 2009 would indicate that the cantaloupes have now passed through the distribution chain with no reported illnesses. The cantaloupes in the identified lots were harvested and shipped to wholesalers, retailers, and food service operators in the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Cantaloupes were packed in various sizes with and without individual label stickers. All cartons carry the label "Majesty" and are further identified with lot numbers 198 2 or 198 3, packed dates Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Also those cantaloupes that contain stickered labels are identified with the label "Majesty".

Efficacy of aqueous and alcohol-based quaternary ammonium sanitizers for reducing Salmonella in dusts generated in almond hulling and shelling facilities

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on November 22, 2009

Journal of Food Science
Wen-Xian Du, Michelle D. Danyluk, and Linda J. Harris

ABSTRACT

Large volumes of fine particulate matter or "dust" (soil, hulls, and shells) generated when hulls and shells are removed from almond kernels complicate cleaning and sanitation procedures in the huller-sheller (HS) environment. This study evaluated the efficacy of 3 aqueous quaternary ammonium sanitizers (AQuats) and an isopropyl alcohol-based quaternary ammonium sanitizer (IPAQuat) for reducing Salmonella in dust collected from 2 HS facilities. Dust (1 g) was thoroughly mixed with 1 to 2 mL of inoculum (1 to 5 log CFU/g) before adding 1 to 7 mL of water, an AQuat (200 or 1000 ppm), or IPAQuat (200 ppm, 58.6% isopropyl alcohol) and incubated at 15 and 30 °C for up to 21 d. At either 15 or 30 °C increases in Salmonella populations in the dust were not significantly different following addition of either water or AQuats. No significant differences were observed upon water or AQuat addition, either among the 3 AQuats tested, the concentration or volume of AQuat, or the initial level of Salmonella. When IPAQuat was added to dust inoculated at 1 to 7 log CFU/g, Salmonella levels were reduced to less than 1.3 log CFU/g after treatment and after incubation at 30 °C for 48 h. IPAQuat was an effective sanitizer compared to the AQuats, even in the presence of high levels of organic material. Recent large-scale outbreaks of salmonellosis with low-moisture foods have increased concerns regarding their safety. Little research or guidance is available on appropriate cleaning and sanitation programs for these food types. This research is focused on an evaluation of sanitation options for low-moisture foods, in particular almonds. The information should be applicable and useful to the nut industry and to other low-moisture foods.

Practical Application: Recent large-scale outbreaks of salmonellosis with low-moisture foods have increased concerns regarding their safety. Little research or guidance is available on appropriate cleaning and sanitation programs for these food types. This research is focused on an evaluation of sanitation options for low-moisture foods, in particular almonds. The information should be applicable and useful to the nut industry and to other low-moisture foods.

Five Crowns Marketing Voluntarily Recalling Pantaloupes Packed under the Majesty Label Because of a Potential Health Risk Due to Possible Contamination of Salmonella

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on November 20, 2009

Five Crowns Marketing, Brawley, California is issuing this release today voluntarily recalling cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label because of a potential health risk due to possible contamination of Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date, and the company is working with FDA to inform consumers of this recall.

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 persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumers who may have eaten this product and are experiencing the above symptoms should consult their health care provider.

The recall comes after a Lab analysis conducted by a consignee on a lot of cantaloupes packed by Five Crowns Marketing on November 4, 2009, resulted in a confirmed positive for Salmonella. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution Five Crowns Marketing is issuing this warning and voluntary recall on all cantaloupes shipped from the same lot.

Five Crowns Marketing traced back the entire lot of cantaloupes and is advising all customers who received the recalled cantaloupes. Although based on harvest and shipping dates from November 4 through November 13, 2009 would indicate that the cantaloupes have now passed through the distribution chain with no reported illnesses. The cantaloupes in the identified lots were harvested and shipped to wholesalers, retailers, and food service operators in the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Cantaloupes were packed in various sizes with and without individual label stickers. All cartons carry the label "Majesty" and are further identified with lot numbers 198 2 or 198 3, packed dates Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Also those cantaloupes that contain stickered labels are identified with the label "Majesty".

The health of all consumers is of the utmost importance to Five Crowns Marketing. With that in mind, even though the cantaloupes have passed through the distribution chain, we have taken immediate action to ensure that all cantaloupes are accounted for and out of the supply chain. We are working with all of our customers to insure that the cantaloupes are no longer being distributed.

Bankruptcy Claims Against Peanut Corporation of America Hit 154

Posted by Bill Marler on November 19, 2009

A bankruptcy trustee says claims have been filed for 154 people who say they were sickened by a salmonella outbreak traced to a Virginia peanut company.  Peanut Corp. of America filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy amid fallout from the outbreak, which left about 700 people sick and was linked to at least nine deaths. The outbreak was traced to the company's plants in Georgia and Texas.  The trustee, Roanoke attorney Roy Creasy, said Thursday that the total number of claims includes some that have trickled in after the Oct. 31 deadline, as well as some that are being withdrawn. So it's unclear how many ultimately will be eligible for compensation from a $12 million fund approved by a bankruptcy judge in Lynchburg.  The fund will use money from Peanut Corp. insurance policies.

Dog treats tainted with Salmonella

Posted by Bill Marler on November 13, 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif.

The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets.

The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel.
The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel. All sizes and all lots of these products made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

Felony charges for Bad Food - It is about time!

Posted by Salmonella Lawyer on November 10, 2009

Georgia State legislation is in the works that could lead to felony prosecution of food processors responsible for contaminated products. The bill is being prepared almost a year after a deadly salmonella outbreak linked to a Georgia peanut plant.

The Blakely, Georgia peanut processing plant was the focal point of a nationwide salmonella outbreak earlier this year. Nine people died and hundreds became ill.

Now, a new state food safety bill will call for felony punishment of one to 20 years for knowingly releasing tainted food products that result in injury or death.

The measure by Georgia Representative Kevin Levitas also would require companies to maintain written food safety plans at processing plants.  Levitas said he plans to pre-file his bill at the state capitol. The Georgia General Assembly goes into session in January.

Even as state legislation is considered, observers are still waiting for possible federal prosecution in the case.

"We certainly don't need to be spending state resources to duplicate what they're doing on the federal level. If the feds decide, hey we're not interested in doing this, that's the time for us to step in," said Levitas.

Since the outbreak, plants operated by the Peanut Corporation of America have been shut down. Georgia peanut growers say prices for their crop have increased, but have still not fully recovered.