Salmonella Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark : Salmonella Blog

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. the 73-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland, is recalling all Anaheim peppers its sold since June 11, 2009.

On July 2nd, Wegmans removed fresh Anaheim peppers from its produce departments due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the situation.

Anyone who purchased Anaheim peppers at Wegmans is asked just to throw them away. Refunds are available by contacting a Wegmans customer service desk.

Wegmans is a family owned company founded in 1916. For more information, please call Wegmans Consumer Affairs at 1-800-934-6267, x-4760, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.

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When it learned that one of its suppliers had equipment contaminated with salmonella, Dunkin' Donuts removed hot chocolate and its Dunkaccino beverages from its menu.

 

Behind that action was the decision by Minnesota's Plainview Milk Products Cooperative to recall all the instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers and gums or thickening agents that it has manufactured over the past two years because of possible Salmonella contamination.

 

“Product safety is our first priority and none of the Plainview products that were tested by government agencies and our independent labs found any signs of product contamination," Dallas Moe, coop general manager says. " After the product cleared quality testing and left our facility it was blended with other ingredients and that’s when contamination was found, but in situations like this it’s in the public’s best interest to be overly cautious.”

 

Further, according to the coop:

 

Plainview sells its products to other customers who may then incorporate them into their own products. Testing by the USDA of a product produced by one of Plainview’s customers found Salmonella. The product that was produced, a dairy shake powder, contained Plainview product that had been dry blended with a number of other ingredients not manufactured by Plainview.

As part of an investigation by the FDA prior to the recall, environmental and product testing was conducted at the Plainview facility. Product testing found no contamination. Environmental testing (swab samples from walls, ceilings, floors, and equipment) found some positive test results for Salmonella. Plainview is presently in the process of disassembling all equipment in question for cleaning and is taking other precautionary measures such as the use of anti-microbial surface coatings in order to ensure environmental safety.

 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued this press release on the coop's recall. 

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 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers not to eat two brands of pistachios repacked by Orca Distribution West Inc. of Anaheim, California.  The brands are:

• California Prime Produce
• Orange County Orchards

The pistachios may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  The products affected by the current warning are associated with an earlier recall by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc. The distributor, Orca, received and repacked some pistachios recalled by Setton Pistachio.

The two brands of pistachios, California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards, were distributed to retail locations in airports and hotels nationwide. Both brands were packaged in clear 6-ounce flexible plastic Ziploc bags, UPC Number: 8 10826 01116 2, with Sell By Dates of 7/30/09 and 8/30/09.

FDA visited Orca as part of its follow-up checks on Setton Pistachio’s recall. The agency found that products that were part of the recall had been repacked and distributed by Orca under the California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards brands.

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Somebody must have hit the "re-send" button overnight at the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as we received a number of recall notices from earlier May that we've already written about.

One that is somewhat new, however, is from last Friday when Union International Food Company recalled Lian How Brand White Peppers with red labels because of possible Salmonella contamination.   

The City of Industry, CA-based company said the Lian How Brand White Peppers were packaged in 5 pound containers with red labels for distribution to Southern California restaurants and wholesalers between Sept. 2008 and March 2009.   So, the possibility of any of these White Peppers still being around is probably pretty small.

Why it has taken so long to identify this problem is not clear.  Union says the recall was the result of a testing done on a shipment of peppers that was purchased around September of 2008 which revealed that the finished products contained the salmonella bacteria. 

Why it took until May 29, 2009 to issue a recall on products that tested positive for salmonella in September 2008 is question we do not know the answer to.  Union claims it is cooperating fully with FDA; and no illnesses are yet associated with this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the affected white peppers with red label product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (626) 854-8880

Here's what the FDA has on it.

 

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After the recall since March of a couple million pounds of pistachios in over 660 separate products, Setton Pistachio sent its Chief Operating Officer (COO) out to deny the California company continued to ship its seeds after discovering they were contaminated with salmonella.

In doing so, Setton’s COO Mia Cohen took exception to the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) investigative report, known as a 483 for its form number.

“We adamantly disagree with portions of the 483 and we have responded accordingly…Our company never knowingly shipped pistachios potentially contaminated with Salmonella. All pistachios, which tested positive, were either reconditioned or held in quarantine and never hit the marketplace, ” Ms. Cohen told the industry site foodnavigator-usa.com.

Since FDA took pre-emptive action with Setton , there are no known illnesses associated with the massive recall. This dispute about the facts will remain between FDA and Setton. With peanuts, salmonella contamination made over 700 people sick and was responsible for nine deaths. As part of the discovery process involving victims of the Peanut Corporation of America, third party experts extensively inspected those facilities in Texas and Georgia last month.

FDA was very critical of Setton’s action to “recondition” pistachios that tested positive for salmonella. In at least one instance, the company re-roasted pistachios that tested positive for Salmonella and then blended them together with other nuts for sale.

Setton says re-conditioning is an accepted way of killing salmonella. However, there is potential for cross contamination.

Much of Setton’s defense of its action rests on its hiring of the American Council for Food Safety and Quality (known as DFA in California ) once it had positive salmonella test results.

“They conducted hundreds of tests from October to February and could find no evidence of Salmonella in our facility,” Cohen said. “There was never a suggestion from DFA not to ship.”

It should be noted that Peanut Corporation of America also had a third-party auditor that did not question its practices.

Our report on the 483 report can be found here.

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 How big is "a lot?" Raleigh, NC-based L&M Companies, Inc. has recalled "one lot of whole cantaloupes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

One lot must be a lot because there were enough cantaloupes to fulfill the needs of Walmart Supercenter Stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and in the Walmart Supercenter Store located at 315 Furr Street in South Hill, Virginia. The cants were sold between the 10th and 15th of this month.

No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

"Consumers who have purchased whole cantaloupes from these Walmart stores during this time period should not consume them, and should destroy the product," L&M said in its recall statement.

The recall comes after a cantaloupe at a small farm from which L&M Companies sources product tested positive for Salmonella. L&M has ceased shipments from this farm, and the grower continues to investigate the cause of the problem.

L&M's statement can be found on the FDA's website here.

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Few would have predicted that when history is written on the first term of the Obama Administration that peanuts and pistachios would play such prominent roles.   Those unlikely products, however, will be used by historians to demonstrate the bad old ways versus the new U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Maybe because the new President himself came from the streets of Chicago, he went to the front lines of the country's public health challenge to select Dr. Margaret Hamburg as FDA Commissioner and Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, as her deputy.   Dr. Hamburg, an expert in biological defense and disease control, was during the 1990s the youngest person in history to serve as New York City's health commissioner.  Dr. Sharfstein, a pediatrician, came to FDA directly from heading up the Baltimore Health Department.

It is really hard to overstate how unusual it is to have two top FDA officials from the gritty streets of big cities.   Almost all previous FDA Commissioners come from academic and research backgrounds.  You can go through each biography of past FDA Commissioners here. 

Few had any in-the-streets experience.   LBJ's last commissioner, Dr. James Goddard, came out of the Public Health Service at a time when federal doctors wore uniforms and saw patients.   And Nixon's appointee, Dr. Herbert Lay, Jr., was known for his service as an epidemiologist for our troops in Korea and Vietnam.

But that's about it.   FDA Commissioners have not been folks who got their hands dirty, knocking down the TB rate in the Big Apple as Dr. Hamburg did or taking on the dangers of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for children under age 2 as Dr. Sharfstein did.  The typical FDA honcho creates process, not results.

So when Sharfstein took over FDA, while waiting for Hamburg to clear the Senate, it really should have come as no surprise that he opted to recall Salmonella-contaminated pistachios before anyone got sick.

The FDA has completed its inspection of Salmonella contamination in pistachios and pistachio products at Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., Terra Bella, Calif., and presented a 483 Inspection Report to the firm.

 

Continue Reading...

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And in news from Illinois Agriculture this morning we learn of a spinach recall due to possible Salmonella contamination.  

 

De  Jong Bros . Farms, Incorporated of Lansing, Illinois, has recalled its curly leaf spinach packages sold in 2.5 pound, 5 pound and 10 oz. bags because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The bags were labeled with use by dates 04/24/09 through 04/28/09.

 

 The recalled spinach was distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri through grocery stores and restaurant wholesalers and carried lot codes K54 or K54A. Consumers who have purchased these lot codes K54 or K54A De Jong Bros. Quality Fresh curly spinach are urged to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase.

No illnesses have yet been reported in connection with this recall. For more, check this out.

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 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be getting to the bottom of the problem of contaminated sprouts.   And, the very bottom appears to be the seeds.   FDA issued this statement late yesterday:

Preliminary epidemiology regarding the ongoing outbreak of illness from Salmonella Saintpaul in people who had eaten alfalfa sprouts was shared with the supplier of the seeds associated with illness. Based on this information the seed supplier made the decision to voluntarily withdraw from the market all of the alfalfa seeds bearing six digit lot numbers that start with “032.”

All seeds involved in this market withdrawal came from Italy. The seeds are in 50-pound white bags that are either paper or woven from a synthetic material, and the lot numbers in question begin with “032,” followed by a hyphen and three more digits. The bags carry a computer-generated white or yellow label, on which is printed “Distributed by Caudill Seed Company., 1402 W. Main St., Louisville KY 40203” and the lot number.

FDA has no evidence that alfalfa seeds from other lots, or sprouts grown from them, are affected by this market withdrawal. Retailers, restaurateurs, and personnel at other food-service facilities should ask their suppliers to verify that the alfalfa sprouts or seeds being provided do not come from an affected lot before buying or serving them. Suppliers who can verify that their products were not sourced from the affected lots may wish to notify their customers; likewise, retailers, restaurateurs, and food-service facilities who have verified the sources of their alfalfa products may wish to notify their customers.

Seeds from the affected lots, lot numbers beginning with 032, and sprouts grown from them, should be safely discarded, as should other products that contain the sprouts, such as sprout blends. Growers who have used seeds from the potentially contaminated lots should clean all equipment and other surfaces that came into contact with them. They should also safely discard any water that came into contact with the sprouts, and disinfect receptacles or equipment that came into contact with the water.

For all FDA has to say on sprouts, go here and here.

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 FDA announced that Union International Food Co. is expanding a spice recall to include all Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand sauces, oil and oil blends in various size packages because the products may be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The company had previously recalled Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand dry spices.

California state health department officials say the salmonella outbreak has sickened 33 people throughout northern and central California, and nine others in Nevada, Oregon and Washington. No deaths have been reported. Officials say most of the people sickened appeared to have been exposed to salmonella while eating at Asian restaurants that used the company's spices.The company said salmonella was isolated from an open container of Lian How white pepper.

The Uncle Chen and Lian How brand products were distributed to retailers, wholesalers, distributors, restaurant suppliers and restaurants. Details: By phone at 510-471-6799; on the Web at http://www.ufunionfood.com.

The recall includes the following Lian How brand items:

Continue Reading...

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Asia Cash & Carry Inc. in Maspeth, New York, is recalling 34 cases of CROWN FARMS brand “KESKI” Frozen Fish (Bangladeshi Freshwater Fish) in 300gm packages with production code JULY 2008 because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

CROWN FARMS brand “KESKI” (Bangladeshi Freshwater Fish) Fish was distributed to retail stores in NY, NJ, and MA.

The KESKI Frozen Fish was imported from Bangladesh, and distributed in cases containing vacuum-packed 300-gram packages with a production date of JULY 2008, expiration date JUNE 2010, and UPC code 5060065431145. There are 32 Blocks -300 gram packages per case.

No illnesses associated with the recall have yet been reported.

 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 Salmonellaoften experience 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.

For more from FDA, check this out.

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There are a couple of developments today in the pistachio front.  First the feds have found traces of salmonella in the Terra Bella, California processing facility.   That was probably why Setton Pistachio earlier today expanded its recall of pistachios to include all roasted shell pistachios and in-shell pistachios "due to possible salmonella contamination."

Withdrawal from its 2008 crop also includes raw shell pistachios that are not subsequently roasted before sale, according to the second-largest pistachio processor in the United States.

Setton Pistachio issued a nationwide recall of pistachios on March 30, a week Kraft Foods Inc told U.S. health regulators that its Back To Nature trail mix was contaminated with salmonella and identified Setton as the source.

As part of its update today, FDA said:

Initially, the firm’s recall was limited to certain lots of roasted pistachios. Information from the joint FDA and California Department of Public Health inspection indicates the presence of Salmonella in critical areas of the facility and the potential for cross-contamination between raw and roasted products. After this information was shared with Setton, the firm decided to expand its recall.

Meanwhile, the FDA's list of pistachio products that have been caught up in the recall has gone over 144 separate items and that count does not include what's been added over the past weekend.  Just not eating pistachios until FDA gives the all clear sign is the wise thing to do.  If you just cannot wait, at least check the list here to be sure you are avoiding the risky items.

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 Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. has been forced into a nationwide recall of specific lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios and 2,000 lbs., 1,700 lbs., 1,800 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. tote bags of roasted inshell pistachios sold to wholesale customers due to potential contamination with the Salmonella organism.

This is the recall that has led to the news reports warning against eating any pistachios.

Certain bulk roasted inshell and roasted shelled pistachios shipped on or after September 1, 2008 are involved in the recall. The bulk product was distributed throughout the United States. The Company learned that a small amount of roasted shelled pistachios processed by Setton Pistachio and received by a commercial customer in late 2008 recently tested positive for Salmonella.

The Company is asking those firms who received bulk product and have further processed, repackaged, or distributed the affected products to recall those products and contact FDA.

Retail products in the recall include: Setton Farms brand roasted salted shelled pistachios in 9 oz. film bags, UPC Code: 034325020252 with a "Best Before" date between 01/06/10 and 01/19/10. This product was distributed in the following states: SC, GA, FL, NC, VA, TN, KY. Consumers should not consume this product and should return what they may have to the place of purchase for a full refund. Setton has established a toll free number, (888) 228-3717, for consumers to call for further information.

Here's the press release from Setton Farms that was released by FDA.

Meanwhile, keep reading for what FDA had to say about the larger alert.

Continue Reading...

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Crown Farms has recalled its "Gulsha" brand of frozen fish because of possible bacterial contamination.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) said Asia Cash & Carry Inc. of Maspeth, N.Y., recalled the Bangladeshi freshwater fish because of the potential of salmonella contamination.
The fish, with a production code of "AUG 2008," were distributed to retail stores in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan and Virginia. The recalled fish, imported from Bangladesh, were sold in cases containing vacuum-packed 500-gram packages with an expiration date of "JULY 2010" and UPC 5 060065 430704.
Consumers can return the fish for a refund or contact the company at 718-894-2505.

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The Texas Department of State Health Services today ordered Peanut Corporation of America to recall all products ever shipped from its Plainview plant.

The order was issued after dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers were discovered yesterday in a crawl space above a production area during an in-depth DSHS inspection.

The inspection also found that the plant’s air handling system was not completely sealed and was pulling debris from the infested crawl space into production areas of the plant resulting in the adulteration of exposed food products.

DSHS also ordered the plant, which began operations in March 2005, to stop producing and distributing food products. Though plant officials voluntarily stopped operations Monday night, the DSHS order prohibits the plant from reopening without DSHS approval.

State law allows DSHS to issue such orders when conditions exist that pose “... an immediate and serious threat to human life or health.”

 

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As of a few moments ago, 15 more cases of salmonella poisoning in the now nationwide outbreak have been reported, bringing the total to 425 in 43 state with 3 deaths. Nearly 18% of the victims have been hospitalized. Praise to Peanut Corporation Corporation for the Recall.

From a Press Release

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. All product affected was produced on or after July 1, 2008, specific to the lot numbers and descriptions listed below.

The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and food service industry use. It is also sold under the brand name Parnell's Pride to those same industries. Additionally, it is sold by the King Nut Company under the label King Nut. PCA customers who received the recalled product are being notified by telephone and in writing.  None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores.

"We deeply regret that this has happened," said Stewart Parnell, owner and president of PCA. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily withdrawing this product and contacting our customers. We are taking these actions with the safety of our consumers as our first priority."

PCA initiated this recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. King Nut brand peanut butter is produced by PCA. The voluntary recall of 21 lots of its peanut butter, in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds, is being taken immediately.

Lot Numbers Affected:

8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336, 8345, 8354

Stock Numbers Descriptions and Pack Size Affected:

551000 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 6 ct / 5 lb
551006 Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter 6 ct / 5 lb
551020 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 35 lb
551022 Natural Course Peanut Paste 35 lb
551025 Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt 35 lb
551035 Crunchy Natural Peanut Butter 35 lb
551040 Creamy Natural Peanut Butter 35 lb
551050 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551050-D Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551051 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride 50 lb
551053 Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551072 Peanut Butter Variegate 45 lb

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Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is not waiting for someone to get sick with salmonella after finding sprouts contaminated with the bacteria.

Instead, Wisconsin is recalling packaged sprouts from Sunrise Farms Inc. of Neenah. The grower was ordered to tell its customers to remove the alfalfa sprouts, Spicy Sprouts, Crunchy Sprouts and Onion Sprouts from store shelves. They are sold in 4-ounce packages throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Sunrise has sanitized its facility and is working with the state to determine how the contamination happened. No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

Wisconsin's press release can be found here.
 

 

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A couple of years ago, Hershey Canada Inc. recalled some of its candy due to possible salmonella contamination.  Now some of that same candy is showing up on store shelves in the Toronto area.

That prompted this action over the weekend: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Hershey Canada warned the public that certain Hershey chocolate products previously recalled on November 12, 2006, have been found for sale in a small number of independent retail outlets in the Etobicoke, North York, Niagara Falls, and Oshawa areas in Ontario.

No candy in Halloween packaging is involved.  And, while nobody is known to have gotten sick from the recalled candy, health officials say the salmonella contamination remains a serious threat.

The CFIA believes that some Hershey products recalled in 2006 re-entered the marketplace through improper channels and reached a number of local, independent distributors, who are supplying small variety stores in the Greater Toronto Area.

Consumers  are advised to check the codes on all Hershey products in their possession and before purchasing to ensure they do not bear codes that begin with numbers ranging from 6417 to 6455 inclusively. No other product is affected.

The CFIA advises all retailers and wholesalers to check their Hershey chocolate products and remove any product with affected codes from distribution immediately.

For more, go here.

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We learned Friday that the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak was still making people sick as July began.
With 1,090 confirmed cases making this the largest fresh produce outbreak in a couple of decades, we are looking at the details and whether something might turn out to be the break needed to discover the source of the outbreak.

Inside the details is not only the fact that people were still getting sick as recently as July 1st, but in the 30 days prior to that--long after warnings about the "killer tomatoes" had dominated the news, 330 people were made sick by something they ate.   

How about  a break?  How about Thai Basil, grown in Mexico and imported by Lucky Green Trading, Inc. based in Garden Grove, CA? 

Its Thai Basil is being recalled after random testing by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration that revealed that "the finished products" contained Salmonella.

The company has suspended distribution and importation of the product as FDA and the company continues their investigation.

The Thai Basil was distributed through retail stores and direct delivery to customers in Southern California, Arizona , and Nevada on June 30, 2008.

The product was shipped in 14 LB cardboard cartons with 12 individual packages weighting approx.1.2 LB each in clear, unmarked, plastic bags.

The exterior cartons were labeled "16 DE SEPTIEMBRE S/N SANTA ROSA TAPACHULA NAYARIT, C.P. 63731" "Thai Basil" and also had an attached sticker with Airway Bill #027 1947 0861.

Go here for the the company's press release distributed by FDA.

Please note:  The word "Saintpaul" has not yet been connected to the Basil recall.

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When we first heard there was something going on with fully cooked crackling pork, we thought that it must have something to do with the Farm Bill.   But, no, it seems it's about a small recall of 1,100 pounds of crackling pork.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service said the pork was produced on 5/12/08 by Miami-based Sofia Chicharones Inc. and it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

It's packaged in one and five pound bags as "Fully Cooked Pork Cracklings with Attached Skin."
Each package has an "EST 21055" marking and  a packed date of  051208-1.

The fully cooked pork crackling was sold in the company's Miami store on the same date it was made.

FSIS officials say anyone who bought the Salmonella-tainted pork should get rid of it.

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Recalls of Honduran cantaloupes continued today (3/26/08),  and the latest company caught  with salmonella-tainted cantaloupes usually imports fruits from Costa Rica.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration put out two company press releases announcing voluntarily recalls of Central America-grown cantaloupes.  First Central American Produce, Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL said it was recalling cantaloupes grown, packed, and shipped by "an independent third party grower."  That grower was Agropecuaria Montelibano in San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras.

The Tropifresh, Inc. of Los Angles said it was recalling Agrolibano Produce brand because "they appear to be contaminated with Salmonella..."  Whole cantaloupe sold by Tropifresh carry a "Mike's Melons" label and were distributed in Southern California, Pennsylvania and Canada.  On its website, Tropifresh advertises itself as an importer of fruit from Costa Rica.

This time, however, it may have got caught buying from one of the "big boats" that pickup fruits in the Gulf of Fonseca for the trip north.   (The Gulf serves El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua)

Tropifresh bought the bad melons from the same supplier did Central American Produce, Inc.

That would be Agropecuaria Montelibano in San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras

 

 

 

San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras

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Honduras is not happy with Uncle Sam.   The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is telling people to toss cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano in Honduras.

At least 50 people in 16 states have become sick with salmonella from eating the Honduran cantaloupes.   The FDA warning, however, has itself turned into an international incident.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya calls the FDA action "unjust" and "extreme and imprudent."

President Zelaya says the Honduran melons were not contaminated on the inside, but on the peel. That would indicate they came into contact with salmonella bacteria during shipment.

Symptoms of foodborne salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

The FDA says no deaths have been linked to the salmonella outbreak, although 14 people have been hospitalized.

Growing cantaloupes for export, mostly to the United States, is a $100 million industry in Honduras.   It  employs 5,000.    President Zelaya, pictured here, is certain to keep up the pressure on the U.S.

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Kowalke Family Sprouts Inc., which distributes through Farmer's Markets, Whole Foods and Gelson's Supermarkets,  is recalling all its alfalfa sprout products because the seeds used to grow them were found to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have yet been associated with the Kowalke sprouts.   The California Department of Public Health announced the recall, which was said to be voluntarily made by Kowalke.

The CDPH said:

All alfalfa, onion/alfalfa mix, cauliflower/alfalfa mix and dinner salad mix products are affected by the recall. Alfalfa products are in 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 1-pound and 5-pound packages.   The dinner salad is in an 8-ounce package.  The cauliflower/alfalfa combo and onion/alfalfa mix are in 4-ounce packages.  The products in question have sell-by dates from March 4 through March 26. The codes are located on the front label of the packages.

Go here for CDPH news.

P.S.  We are all but certain there are none of those rizty markets in Alamosa, CO

 

 

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Some two and five pound boxes of Aunt Jemima Pancake & Waffle Mix are being recalled by the Quaker Oats Co.    Aunt Jemima Pancake & Waffle Mix: Original, Original Complete and Buttermilk Complete  may have potential salmonella contamination.

No illnesses have been reported, and Quaker says 98 percent of the products being recalled are within its own distribution chain and will likely be found and returned.  So, let's help them find the other 2 percent.

The products, sold in 2 pound and 5 pound boxes with Best Before dates of FEB 08 09 H through FEB 16 09 H stamped on the top, contain the following UPC codes:

30000 43272: Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete, 5 lb.
30000 05040: Aunt Jemima Original, 2 lb.
30000 05070: Aunt Jemima Original Complete, 2 lb.
30000 05300: Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete, 2 lb.

Salmonella is a food borne illness that 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, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Finally, is anyone but us surprised that Aunt Jemima remains as a brand name?

The FDA-issued copy of the company's press release can be found here.

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When San Francisco area Vegans opened their newspapers this morning (3/3), they could not have liked reading that the California Department of Public Health was warning  consumers not to eat certain brands of alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, several illnesses have been reported across the state, including one in Contra Costa County and two in San Francisco. Two manufacturers voluntarily recalled their products from grocery stories and wholesale distributors, officials said.

Products recalled are:

- Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts, sold by Salad Cosmo USA Corp. in 2.5-ounce containers with white and green labels, and in clear 1-pound bags with blue labeling. Product codes on these containers are 0219, 0220, 0221, 0222, 0223, 0224, 0226, 0227, 0228, 0229, 0302 and 0303.

- Always Fresh and Alfa One Alfalfa Sprouts, produced by J.H. Caldwell and Sons, Inc. in 4-ounce and 5-ounce containers. Product codes on these containers are 202182, 202192, 202212, 202222, 202232, 202252, 202262 and 202272.

The public was advised that Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting. The public health department said those who believe they are ill should refrigerate the remains of the sprouts and contact Environmental Health Services at (831) 454 2022.

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This product may be contaminated with Salmonella, (a bacterium that causes foodborne illness).
Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

The product was distributed nationwide. Consumers should not consume the recalled product and should discard any product they may have.

The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that detected the presence of Salmonella in some packages of Baker’s Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares (6 oz.). The company is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.  This recall is only for Baker’s Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares (6 oz.). No other varieties of Baker’s White Chocolate or any other Baker’s products sold in the United States are impacted by this recall.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (August 30, 2007)—Food safety attorney Bill Marler spoke out from across the globe today after hearing that bagged spinach has once again been recalled for contamination with a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen. Nearly a year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 205 illnesses and three deaths associated with consumption of E. coli O157:H7-contaminated Dole-brand bagged spinach, Metz Fresh of King City, California, recalled 8,118 cases of spinach for potential Salmonella contamination.

“Since last year’s outbreak, the leafy greens industry has taken several positive steps toward reducing the risk of contaminated product reaching our food supply, but this latest recall proves that a voluntary compliance program is not sufficient to protect the public,” Marler said. 

On July 23, members of the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA) began using a service mark certifying membership in the LGMA program. LGMA Chairman Joe Pezzini commented on the new service mark and Marketing Agreement: “Beginning July 23rd, we will begin to certify to our customers that California lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens have been grown to the highest food safety standards available.”

“Although Metz Fresh was reportedly using a test-and-hold system to prevent contaminated spinach from reaching the food supply, it is apparent that the system was not effective, given that approximately 800 cases of contaminated spinach made their way into the supply chain,” Marler continued. “We’re seeing today that regulation is needed to protect the leafy green industry from itself.”

Marler, who is internationally known as a food safety advocate, is in Melbourne, Australia, where he is delivering a keynote address at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia’ s Dairy Science World Series conference. In September he will travel to Beijing, China, for the China International Food Safety and Quality Conference and Exposition, and will deliver a keynote address entitled, “The Legal Costs of Foodborne Illness”. 

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A Springfield company today voluntarily recalled two products because of concern that they might be contaminated with disease-causing salmonella bacteria.

Toby's Family Foods recalled:

- Eight-ounce plastic containers of Toby's Lite Sour Creme with expiration dates of June 17 and earlier.

- 12-ounce glass jars of Toby's Toasted Sesame Dressing with sell dates of July 5 and earlier.

So far no illnesses have been reported to the company.

The products are distributed primarily in Oregon, but also in Washington and California, through natural food and specialty stores.

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A Dixon company is recalling alfalfa sprouts because the product could be contaminated with salmonella.  The company called Salad Cosmo U.S.A. Corp. says the sprouts are packaged in plastic containers with white and green labels and in 1-pound bags with blue labels.  They were shipped to grocery stores in California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada. No illnesses have been reported.  The contamination was discovered during routine testing.

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Archer Farms is recalling Four Cheese Risotto for possible salmonella contamination. Press Release

By The Associated Press

The following recall has been announced:

Archer Farms four-cheese risotto, sold by Target stores, because it could be contaminated with salmonella. Customers should return the item to the nearest Target store for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported. Details: by phone at 800-440-0680; by Web at http://www.fda.gov.

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By Guest Columnist to the Shelby County Reporter - Angela Treadaway

Alabama Cooperative Extension System Food Safety experts Patti West and Jean Weese initially were shocked when they learned about the outbreak of salmonella in peanut butter. Peanut butter just didn’t strike these two as an ideal environment for the bug. Why? Because “bacteria just do not do well in the high-fat, low-moisture foods,” according to West.

Further investigation, though, revealed some bigger and unsettling surprises. For starters, the recent salmonella outbreak is not the first one associated with peanut butter. Yes, it is believed to be the first outbreak recorded in the United States, but a similar incident involving peanut butter occurred in Australia in 1996, affecting roughly 50 people.

If that wasn’t surprising enough, West also learned that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Bad Bug Book, considered by many food safety specialists as the definitive source of information about foodborne pathogens, lists peanut butter as an “associated” source of salmonella contamination, not a principal source, such as raw meats, poultry and eggs, but one in which bacteria conceivably could turn up.

In fact, there have been several recent and large outbreaks of salmonella associated with high-fat, reduced water foods such as peanut butter. Based on the findings of one study, published in the Journal of Food Protection in November 2006, researchers speculated that the unique makeup of peanut butter fat mixed with minimal amounts of water can provide adequate conditions for three different salmonella to survive, even despite the intense blasts of heat associated with pasteurization.

What this means is that peanut butter and similar types of food conceivably can provide microclimates that enable tiny amounts of bacteria to survive, West says.

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According to Steven Bodzin of  www.bloomberg.com reporting on the FDA, the Peanut Butter recall has once again been expanded.

March 10 (Bloomberg) -- ConAgra Foods Inc.'s recall of its Peter Pan butter and other peanut items will apply to products made by the third-largest U.S. food company since October 2004, a year earlier than the date in a prior recall notice.

``Consumers who purchased any of the products since October 2004 should discard them,'' the Food & Drug Administration said in an e-mailed statement. ``FDA's advice to consumers continues to be not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or any Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code.''

``We recalled all peanut butter products out there, including those back to October 2004,'' she said in a telephone interview. ``This is to our perspective an ongoing effort to recall all the product from the marketplace.''

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said in a statement March 7 that 425 people in 44 states were infected with the strain of salmonella also found in the peanut products and 71 people had been hospitalized. Two-thirds of the cases began after Dec. 1, 2006, it said.

We at Marler Clark have been involved in quite a few Salmonella cases over the years:

Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak Investigations:

Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak
Wal-Mart Salmonella Outbreak
Sushi King Salmonella Outbreak

Marler Clark has brought Salmonella claims against:

Black Forrest Bakery
Brook-Lea Country Club
C.L. Swanson
Cafe Santa Fe
Chili's
ConAgra
Corky & Lenny's
Golden Corral
Harmony Farms
KFC
Linh's Bakery
Malt-O-Meal
Old South Restaurant
Orchid Island
Paramount Farms
Quality Inn
San Antonio Taco
Seasons at the Pond
Sheetz
Sun Orchard
Sunset House
Sushi King
Susie Cantaloupe
Viva Cantaloupe
Wal-Mart
Western Sizzlin'
Wyndham Anatole Hotel

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state health department warned consumers Friday not to drink raw milk from a dairy farm after two people who drank it were sickened by salmonella.

There was evidence of salmonella in a milk sample obtained from the people who drank it, and samples from Stump Acres Dairy in New Salem tested positive for salmonella, said Dr. Calvin B. Johnson.  Raw milk sales have been suspended at the dairy, he said.

The consumers who fell ill are recovering, Health Department spokesman Richard McGarvey said. They fell ill last month.  Glendora Marie Stump, the dairy’s owner, disputed the state’s findings, saying samples sent to a private laboratory found no evidence of salmonella.

“Every time they try to shut me down, it just turns the public more curious about raw milk,” Stump said.

Raw milk has not been pasteurized to kill bacteria. Proponents say it contains more vitamins than pasteurized milk and can be consumed by people who are lactose intolerant, although no health or nutritional benefits have been scientifically proven, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  State law requires raw milk to be sold on the premises of the dairies that produce it.

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SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean food watchdog said Monday it is recalling imported American peanut butter after it was linked to an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning in the U.S.

Keep reading here

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LOS ANGELES – A wholesale produce importer on Friday recalled several thousand cartons of cantaloupes after some tested positive for salmonella.

Castle Produce said the recall covered roughly 2,560 cartons of cantaloupes delivered on or after Feb. 16 to wholesalers in Los Angeles and San Francisco for distribution in the western states. The cantaloupes originated in Costa Rica.

It wasn't clear if the cantaloupes had reached stores.

The recall is the second involving the fruit this month. The Dole Fresh Fruit Co. has recalled about 6,100 cartons of cantaloupes distributed to wholesalers in the eastern United States and Quebec between Feb. 5 and Feb. 8. The cantaloupes also were imported from Costa Rica and tested positive for salmonella.

The source of the salmonella was a plastic basket used to hold the cantaloupes after they are harvested and washed, said Steven Reynolds, the company's chief financial officer. There have been no reports of illness due to the contaminated cantaloupes, Reynolds said.

The cantaloupes were distributed for sale in bulk in cardboard cartons, with nine, 12 or 15 melons to a carton.

Salmonella, which commonly originates from the feces of birds and animals, can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2007
P07-21

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Great Value Peanut Butter

Product May be Contaminated With Salmonella

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee (a bacterium that causes foodborne illness). The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number "2111." Both the Peter Pan and Great Value brands are manufactured in a single facility in Georgia by ConAgra. Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected.

If consumers have any of this Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter in their home that has been purchased since May 2006, they should discard it.

Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Individuals who have recently eaten Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities.

FDA's warning is based on a just-completed epidemiological study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states and local health agencies, which links 288 cases of foodborne illness in 39 states to consumption of varying types of Peter Pan peanut butter. This report was provided to FDA on February 13.

The outbreak appears to be ongoing and the first consumer may have become ill in August 2006. The cause of foodborne illnesses can be difficult to identify. As a result of extensive epidemiological testing and recent case control studies, CDC was recently able to identify Peter Pan peanut butter as the likely cause of illness. Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 is manufactured in the same plant as Peter Pan peanut butter and, thus, is believed to be at similar risk of contamination.

ConAgra is recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 that already was distributed. The company also is destroying all affected products in their possession. The company will cease production until the exact cause of contamination can be identified and eliminated. ConAgra will advise consumers to destroy any Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 in their possession. To assist in this endeavor, FDA has sent investigators to ConAgra's processing plant in Sylvester, Georgia where the products are made to review records, collect product samples and conduct tests for Salmonella Tennessee.

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Vandervoet & Associates, Inc. of Rio Rico, Arizona, has announced a voluntary recall of its cantaloupes with an HDC label . The melons have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, a substance which may render them injurious to health.

Samples taken on November 9, 2006  and laboratory tests made by the FDA demonstrated that a portion of the cantaloupes contained salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Approximately 7,400 cartons of cantaloupes were sold and distributed in the United States and Canada between November 9, 2006 and November 15, 2006. The cantaloupes were packed in cardboard cartons with contents of 9 to 23 melons per carton.
 

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Rio Vista, Ltd., of Rio Rico, Arizona, is voluntarily recalling its Llano and Nature's Partner brand cantaloupes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Approximately, 62,640 cartons of cantaloupes were distributed in the U.S. and a small quantity went to Canada from October 31 to November 6, 2006. The cantaloupes were distributed for sale in bulk in cardboard cartons containing from 6 to 15 cantaloupes to a carton.
 

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Item: 5-ounce containers of alfalfa sprouts.
Place of purchase: Food stores nationwide.
Company: Fullei Fresh
Problem: Sprouts could become contaminated with salmonella.
Remedy: Return sprouts to place of purchase for full refund.
Contact: Call 1-877-438-5534.

Item: Baby spinach and spring mix
Place of purchase: Food distributors nationwide.
Company: Classic Salads.
Problem: Products may contain harmful bacteria.
Remedy: Return item to place of purchase for full refund.
Contact: Call 831-809-9571.
 

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The FDA and Fullei Fresh of Miami, Florida, are recalling 5-ounce containers of alfalfa sprouts after evidence that they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

While no incidents have been reported so far, the FDA says the recalled alfalfa sprouts were distributed statewide in food service establishments.

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Miami, Florida-based Fullei Fresh is recalling its 5-ounce containers of alfalfa sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled alfalfa sprouts were distributed statewide in food service establishments. The product comes in a 5-ounce, clear plastic cup container. This product was grown and packaged by Fullei Fresh, and distributed by produce companies.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Distribution of this product has been suspended while the company continues its investigation as to the source of this finding.

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The FDA and Classic Salads are voluntarily recalling 4lb., 2lb. and 10 oz. Baby Spinach and 4lb., 3lb., 1.5lb., Spring Mix, "because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The food involved is specifically:

• Classic Salad's Baby Spinach
• Classic Salad’s Spring Mix
• Master cartons of "Classic Salads"
• Master cartons of  "Classic Choice"
• Master cartons of "Classic Greens"
• Master cartons of "Sir Lancelot"
• Master cartons of "Taste of the Valley"
• Master cartons of "US Fresh"
• Master cartons of "Valley Gold”

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Between 30,000 and 35,000 bags of baby spinach and spring mix, manufactured by Classic Salads, are being recalled because of possible salmonella contamination, according to the FDA.

The recall includes 4-pound, 2-pound and 10-ounce bags of baby spinach as well as 3-pound, 1.5-pound, 1-pound and 7-ounce bags of spring mix.

The affected spinach and spring mix bags were processed on July 24 and distributed in the United States, Canada and Japan.

No illnesses have been reported.

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Salinas-area Classic Salads has voluntarily recalled up to 30,000 packages of baby spinach and spring mix products in the past week after lab tests showed they might be contaminated with salmonella.

No illnesses related to consumption of the produce -- grown in the Salinas Valley and sold almost entirely to food service customers like restaurants and hotels -- have been reported.

Company officials recalled the product, distributed nationwide and in Canada, hours after the sampling of a finished product on July 27 tested positive for salmonella, said Classic Salads sales manager Lex Camany.

The decision will cost the processor-shipper more than $500,000. Officials could have waited until Monday to get confirmation that the test was accurate and then recall the produce, but they decided not to take any chances, said Camany.

The big question that remains unanswered is where the salmonella bacteria came from. Camany said the company is in contact with research scientists and consultants and is "expeditiously researching how this could have happened."

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Classic Salads of Salinas, CA is voluntarily recalling 4lb., 2lb. and 10 oz. Baby Spinach and 4lb., 3lb., 1.5lb., Spring Mix, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Baby Spinach/Spring Mix was distributed nationwide, as well as Canada and Japan, to foodservice, institutions and distributors.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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Milford, Indiana-based Serenade Foods Division is voluntarily recalling approximately 75,800 pounds of frozen stuffed chicken entrees that may be unhealthful and therefore unfit for food.

The recalled products include:

• 6-ounce individually wrapped "MAPLE LEAF FARMS, CHICKEN BREAST with Rib Meat, SHRIMP & CRAB, Specially Cut and Shaped, Breaded Boneless Breast of Chicken with Rib Meat, Stuffed with a Shrimp & Crab Stuffing."
• 4.5-pound cases of "MAPLE LEAF FARMS, CHICKEN BREAST with Rib Meat, STUFFED WITH SHRIMP & CRAB STUFFING, BREADED BONELESS BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH RIB MEAT, SPECIALLY CUT AND SHAPED, STUFFED WITH SHRIMP AND CRAB STUFFING."
• 6-ounce individually wrapped "MAPLE LEAF FARMS, CHICKEN BREAST with Rib Meat, BROCCOLI & CHEESE, Specially Cut & Shaped, Breaded Boneless Breast of Chicken with Rib Meat, Stuffed with Broccoli, Swiss & American Cheeses, Not Pre-Cooked."
• 6-ounce individually wrapped "KIRKWOOD, Chicken Breast with Rib Meat, BROCCOLI & CHEESE, Breaded Boneless Breast of Chicken with Rib Meat, Specially Cut and Shaped, Filled with Broccoli and Cheese, Pre-Browned, Not Pre-Cooked."

The raw chicken entrees, because of their frozen state, labeling, and cooked appearance, may have caused consumers to believe these raw products are pre-cooked and therefore consumers may not be cooking these products to a safe temperature. Because of these characteristics, consumers may not be following cooking instructions.

FSIS reminds consumers to ensure that raw meat and poultry products are fully cooked before they are consumed. Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing if your food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria such as

salmonella

.

Cooking products from the frozen state increases the likelihood of undercooking meat and poultry products unless the minimum internal temperature is properly monitored. When appropriate, frozen products should be thoroughly and safely thawed prior to cooking.

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Health officials have warned consumers to make sure they fully cook frozen meat and poultry products, in the wake of several Salmonella infections linked to frozen chicken entrees sold in Minnesota and Michigan. The entrees implicated in Minnesota were sold at Cub Foods stores under the Cub name.

Four cases of salmonellosis have been linked with frozen, prebrowned stuffed chicken entrees in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health reported in a news release yesterday.

"While these products are breaded and prebrowned, and so may appear to be precooked, they are in fact still raw and need to be prepared accordingly," Minnesota State Epidemiologist Dr. Harrry Hull said in the news release. An FSIS statement said consumers heated the products in microwave ovens and might not have realized they contained raw chicken. Such products should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cub voluntarily pulled the implicated product lots from store shelves, the MDH said. Cub officials told MDH they would redesign the labels before putting the products back on shelves.

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The salmonella food poisoning bug found in Cadbury chocolate may have contaminated up to 30 different brands, food safety officials have warned.

Safety tests are now being carried out on a wide range of bars after it emerged that the contamination, which was caused by a leaking pipe discovered earlier this year at a Cadbury plant, may have been far greater than first realised. More than one million Cadbury chocolate bars were withdrawn from sale 10 days ago after the firm admitted that chocolate "crumb" was contaminated with traces of salmonella montevideo, a rare strain of the bug, six months ago.

Health officials in Birmingham are now testing another 30 brands and the Food Standards Agency has warned that other types of Cadbury chocolate could be withdrawn.

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Albertson's Inc. has announced that one of its suppliers had issued a precautionary warning over one-pound bags of peeled baby carrots after a bag in Canada tested positive for salmonella.

Although none of the potentially affected bags remain in its stores, the grocery chain said it was urging customers to discard the product or return any such bags to the store for a refund "out of an abundance of caution."

The warning issued by Grimmway Farms affects bags with a "Best If Used By" date of June 17.

Albertson's said there have been no positive tests of any illness or consumer complaints associated with the products.

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Cadbury Schweppes has recalled over 1 million chocolate bars in the UK and Irish markets in a precautionary move, because they could contain minute traces of salmonella.

The company said it had identified the source of the problem and rectified it and was taking steps to ensure these products are no longer available for sale.

The precautionary recall involves seven products:

• 250 gram bars of Dairy Milk Turkish,
• 250 gram bars of Dairy Milk Caramel;
• 250 gram bars of Dairy Milk Mint;
• Dairy Milk 8 chunk;
• 1 kilogram bars of Dairy Milk:
• Diary Milk Button Easter Eggs;
• Cadbury Freddo 10p.

"We've taken this precautionary step because our consumers are our highest priority. We apologise for any inconvenience caused," UK Managing Director Simon Baldry said.

The company said the decision to recall the chocolate bars had been made in consultation with the Food Standards Agency.

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Ten cases of salmonella food poisoning have been linked to cured pork in Australia. The Department of Human Services has issued a recall of the pork after 10 people suffered salmonella food poising between April 20 and May 23.

Tibaldi Smallgoods has agreed to voluntarily recall the capocollo.

The Coburg-based smallgoods manufacturer has been linked to salmonella outbreaks in 1981, which affected more than 380 people, and in 1995.

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Some samples of a Jamaican specialty tea sold in Georgia have tested positive for salmonella, a sometimes fatal infection, according to the state's agriculture commissioner.

Lab technicians at the Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed Friday that packages of Caribbean Dreams Cerasee Tea tested positive for salmonella.

The tea was imported from Kingston, Jamaica. It was sold at Ocho Rios, a store in Tucker, and possibly other locations.

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Serenade Foods has recalled approximately 75,600 pounds of frozen stuffed raw chicken entrees. Because of the product's frozen state, the product label, and cooked appearance of the product, consumers may incorrectly assume that these products are cooked, according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. FSIS said the stuffed entrees may have been contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis, a bacteria that causes human illness.

The recalled products must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. However, FSIS is concerned that consumers may not cook these products to a safe temperature.

"It is important for consumers to properly cook all meat and poultry products that are not fully pre-cooked during the manufacturing process," FSIS said. "Because the recalled products are stuffed with additional ingredients, they likely take longer to cook than chicken breasts that do not contain fillings to reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Failure to properly cook the recalled products to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F has led to a number of cases of salmonellosis in Minnesota.”

The problem was discovered by a Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture investigation into reported food-borne illnesses related to these products. The Minnesota Department of Health contacted FSIS after receiving positive S. enteritidis test results of the products. The frozen stuffed chicken entrees were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

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Serenade Foods of Milford Illinois is recalling about 75,800 pounds of frozen stuffed chicken entrees sold under the Maple Leaf Farms name. The products were contaminated with a type of Salmonella often associated with chicken.

According to the USDA, the raw chicken entrees, which appear cooked, may have caused some consumers to believe the products were precooked.

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Small children are among more than 100 West Australians who have fallen ill with Salmonella poisoning after eating sprouts sold in supermarkets.

Contaminated alfalfa sprouts, mung beans, bean shoots and other sprout products by Parilla Fresh have been sold in Action, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets since Nov 2005, resulting in 110 reported cases of food poisoning.

A Health Department investigation led to the sprout products being pulled from supermarket shelves on Fri, 17 Feb 2006. The department believes animal waste is a likely reason for Salmonella in the sprouts, which were germinated in South Australia.
 

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US Trading CO. of Hayward, California is recalling the following product because they may be contaminated with Salmonella:

• "JHC Brand cooked seasoned anchovy (spicy)", Net Wt.: 7oz packed in clear plastic container
• "JHC Brand cooked seasoned anchovy w/sesame", Net Wt.: 7oz, packed in clear plastic container
• "JHC Brand cooked seasoned anchovy Net Wt.: 2oz, packed in clear plastic bag.

Cooked Seasoning Anchovy was distributed in retail stores throughout the state of California, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

There have been two reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of this product.
 

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Supermarket managers have been doing a lot of reassuring lately, since a major Toronto bean sprout producer has twice, in one month, been forced to recall salmonella-infested batches of sprouts. The first advisory came in November and was lifted on Dec. 14; the second was issued by the federal government on Christmas Eve.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an alert telling consumers not to purchase sprouts produced by Toronto Sun Wah Trading, also known as Hollend Enterprises. The Sun Wah mung sprouts have been sold to grocery stores and restaurants throughout Ontario and may have also been distributed in Quebec's Abitibi-Temiscamingue region.

Because the sprouts are usually not sold with any product labels, consumers will have to contact stores where they were purchased to inquire about the producer.

Cooking mung spouts -- often done in Chinese cooking -- significantly reduces the likelihood of a bacterial infection.
 

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Yu I Hsiang U.S.A. Corp. dba Fortuna Seafoods of Rosemead, California has recalled approximately 782 cases of Ocean Pearl brand Wild Caught Clam Meat that are fully cooked but quick frozen.

Each case contains 24 1-pound packages to a case.

The company’s clam meat has shown to be contaminated with Salmonella. 

The clam meat was produced by Fujian Provincial Meihua Aquatic Processing Factory in Changle, China.
 

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Supermarket Waitrose has recalled seven of its chicken products because of a salmonella scare. It has listed seven chicken products which should be returned to stores.

The supermarket said it was taking the "precautionary measure" after routine tests had shown the possible presence of the bacteria in one product. The supermarket stressed the "unconfirmed presence" had been found in one 200g pack of Waitrose Roast Chicken Sweet Chilli Mini Fillets.

RECALLED PRODUCTS:

• Waitrose Roast Chicken Sweet Chilli Mini Fillets 200g
• Waitrose Cooked Chicken Skinless Breast Fillets 190g
• Waitrose Perfectly Balanced Two Roast Chicken Smokey Maple Breast Fillets 190g
• Waitrose Chargrill Chicken Pieces 140g
• Waitrose Chinese Style Chicken Pieces 140g
• Waitrose Chicken Tikka Pieces 140g
• Moy Park Roast Chicken Tikka Breast Fillets with Chutney 250g
•  

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The company behind the West Bay brand of seafood has issued a voluntary recall, saying some of its frozen cooked clam meat cartons might be contaminated with salmonella.

Fortuna Sea Products Inc. said it is recalling the West Bay-labeled frozen cooked clam meat master cartons stamped with Lot No. C7397.

The product is sold to distributors as a master carton with 24 one-pound packets, which may be resold at retail to customers as individual one-pound packets. The company's frozen cooked clam meat is also sold to restaurants.

No one had reported ill effects from the West Bay product.
 

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The FDA has advised processors and repackers that Majestic International Spice Corporation has been forced to recall its dried "Extra Fancy Basil" spice in 12.5 kilogram bags after traces of Salmonella were found.

The agency also said that it was concerned that the firm had not adequately alerted its suppliers to the problem. The only identification on the 12.5 kilogram paper bags is a white paper label stating "EXTRA FANCY BASIL 12.5 KGS."

The California-based company has now ceased the distribution of the product in question, and processors or repackers who received this product should discontinue using it and contact their local FDA office.
 

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A recent recall of a Cold Stone Creamery's cake batter ice cream should serve as a reminder that ingredients that require cooking carry the risk of foodborne pathogens if left raw. During an investigation, the FDA confirmed that the sweet cream base of the ice cream was pasteurized, but the dry cake mix that was added to the base was labeled a baking mix by the manufacturer.

"The dry cake mix was labeled to indicate that it should be baked before using," said Elizabeth Andress, an extension food safety expert for the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan and California all had confirmed cases of Salmonella typhimurium illnesses from the ice cream. A case in Illinois was confirmed but is counted in Virginia, since that's where the person ate the ice cream.

"Remember that temptation to lick the cookie or cake batter beaters?" Andress asked. "Raw, unpasteurized eggs are another source of Salmonella bacteria. Unless you use pasteurized eggs, resist that temptation. Wait until the cookies or cakes have been baked to indulge, or you risk getting sick."
 

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Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pier, Fla. has voluntarily recalled a variety of brands of unpasteurized, fresh-squeezed orange juice with an expiration date from prior to July 25, 2005. This includes the Schnucks Premium Brand of orange juice sold at the Bettendorf store.

The company says this product could be potentially contaminated with salmonella typhimurium.

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OBIM, a Ready Pac affiliated producer of fresh cut fruit, is announcing a one-time recall of various fresh cut cantaloupe items due to a small potential risk of salmonella contamination.

OBIM was informed that one of its cantaloupe suppliers, Martori Farms of Scottsdale, Arizona indicated that a sample of raw cantaloupes tested positive for salmonella on the cantaloupe skin.

These items are sold to retail stores under both the OBIM and Ready Pac brand names and are packaged in sealed, clear plastic containers ranging in size from 6 to 80 oz. They are distributed in the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas.
 

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Orchid Island Juice Co. has expanded the list of brands involved in its recall last week of unpasteurized orange juice that has been linked to more than a dozen illnesses from possible salmonella contamination.

Fifteen cases of illness have been linked to the juice products in Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts. At least 16 other states have reported illnesses involving the same strain of salmonella. Those cases are being investigated for possible connections to the juice products.

The recalled unpasteurized orange juice, with date codes of July 25 or earlier, was sold under the following labels:

• Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company
• Ultimate Juice
• Albritton Fruit
• Finagle A Bagel
• Gourmet Garage
• Kings Market
• Nino Salvaggio
• Schnucks
• Wegmans
• Balducci's
• Zabars

The recall also includes the following brands of unpasteurized frozen orange juice:

• Just Pik't and Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co
• Floridella
• Herders and St. Marc
• Sundecker

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Unpasteurized orange juice products from Orchid Island Juice Co. of Fort Pierce, Fla., have, according to this story, been recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The juice is packaged and distributed under a variety of brand names, including Nino Salvaggio's, Westborn Market and Natalie's Orchid Island Juice. The products do not bear a warning label that the juice is unpasteurized.

A total of 685 cases of cantaloupes from Eagle Produce of Scottsdale, Ariz., have also been recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The cantaloupes may have been distributed to retail stores in 26 states from June 27-29. Product labeling on the cardboard box front panel reads in part: "Product of U.S.A. Cantaloupes, Martori Farms, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260-2426."

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The FDA is issuing a nationwide warning to consumers against drinking unpasteurized orange juice products distributed under a variety of brand names by Orchid Island Juice Company of Fort Pierce, Florida, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and have been associated with an outbreak of human disease caused by this organism.

To date there have been reports of 15 cases of a matching strain of illness directly linked to a history of consumption of Orchid Island Juice from mid-May to June in Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts. In addition, at least 16 other states have reported cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infection that match this specific strain. Further investigations are underway to determine if these infections are also related to these products or not.

The unpasteurized product comes in a variety of containers distributed to retail stores and restaurants under various brand names. The products are identified on the labels as freshly squeezed or fresh orange juice. The following labels are involved: Nino Salvaggio's, Westborn Market, and Natalie's Orchid Island Juice. Orchid Island Juice bottles products under other brand names that have not yet been provided to FDA by the company. These products do not bear a warning label that the juice is unpastuerized. Such warning labels do appear on many unpasteurized juice products, so consumers should not assume these products are safe to consume simply because they do not bear the "unpasteurized" warning label.

Dr. Robert Brackett, Director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition said, "It is important to note, however, that the vast majority of orange juice sold in stores is pasteurized and safe to drink."

 

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The Irwindale, California company O-B-I-M, a producer of fresh-cut fruit, says it's issued a recall of various fresh-cut cantaloupe items because of a risk of salmonella contamination.

The company says it was informed that one of its cantaloupe suppliers, Martori Farms of Scottsdale, indicated that a sample of raw cantaloupes tested positive for salmonella on the cantaloupe skin.

The California company that sells packaged fruit in sealed, clear-plastic containers ranging in size from six ounces to five pounds are under way to stop distribution of the product to retail stores in the southwest, the south and the midwest under both the O-B-I-M and Ready Pac brand names.

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The state has recalled a brand of shredded cheese sold in Mexican stores after finding a sample containing salmonella.

The contaminated 1-pound package of Queso El Nica cheese was found in a store in Wake County, said Joe Reardon, food administrator for the department. The department has asked Distribuidora La Victoria Inc. of Charlotte to stop processing and distributing the cheese.

The cheese was shipped from Florida, but it remained unclear Friday where the product was made, Reardon said.

No complaints or illnesses have been reported. The department has advised the stores throughout the state that sell the cheese to post signs advising consumers not to eat it and to discard it or return it to the store where they bought it.
 

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Six types of dog and cat treats marketed by TW Enterprises of Ferndale, Wash., were recalled Wednesday after reports of infections in humans of an illness called "Salmonella Thompson."

The items were distributed in the United States and Canada under the TW Enterprises and the Aron Pet Food names. TW Enterprises says five cases of infection developed among people who handled the pet treats -- three in Canada and two in the United States.

The products include “Salmon Snackers,” “Shrimp Snackers,” and “Healthy K9 Beef Jerky.”

The company said consumers should not feed the treats to their pets but should instead dispose of them.
 

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Red Pear Tomatoes distributed to wholesalers that are restaurant suppliers by California Specialty Produce Inc. may have been contaminated with salmonella, which can be fatal in young children and ill or older people.

The half-inch long, pear-shaped tomatoes were distributed to restaurant suppliers in Los Angeles and Denver and to New York suppliers in the Bronx and Yonkers, reports Consumer News and the Salt Lake Tribune.

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California Specialty Produce, Inc. of Vista, California is recalling Red Pear Tomatoes, because they have the potential of being contaminated with salmonella.

Red Pear Tomatoes were shipped to wholesalers who are restaurant suppliers in New York, California, and Colorado, in the cities of: Bronx, Yonkers, Los Angeles and Denver.

Red Pear Tomatoes are small pear-shaped tomatoes and were distributed in white cardboard California Specialty Produce boxes with green print. Inside they were packaged in 12 clear plastic clamshell containers without labels.

No illnesses have been reported to date.
 

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American Natural Herbs & Spices Inc., of Union City, California, is voluntarily recalling "aSPICES Brand BASIL GROUND." because it may be contaminated with salmonella.

This product comes in a 1-ounce clear plastic bag with English wording and aSPICES logo.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

aSPICES Brand products are sold in supermarkets throughout California.
 

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Ziyad Brothers Importing of Cicero, Illinois, is voluntarily recalling all lots and flavors of both regular and sugar free Ghandour Halva due to possible salmonella contamination.

The products were recalled after testing by the Food and Drug Administration found three different types of the halva contaminated with salmonella. The products are sold in 16 and 32 ounce plastic containers and are distributed nationwide. Salmonella 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 symptoms similar to a bad case of the flu.

Halva is a Middle Eastern confection usually made from ground sesame seed and honey, sometimes with the addition of chopped dried fruit and pistachio nuts.
 

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Roxy Trading Inc., of Azusa, California, is recalling their Roxy Brand White Sesame Seeds because it may be contaminated with salmonella. This product comes in a 4 oz clear plastic bag with Chinese wording and Roxy logo. The package is red, gold and white and approximately 7"x5" in size.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

The recalled Roxy Brand product was sold in supermarkets throughout California.

The company is asking supermarkets to discontinue distribution of this product and to promptly return the product and stock on hand to the company.
 

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John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois has announced a voluntary recall Tuesday of products containing raw whole and diced almonds because of possible salmonella contamination.

The company is recalling its California Mix products under the Evon's brand in 11-ounce packages and in 1-pound, 5-ounce unbranded packages showing a "Distributed by John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc." sticker on the back.

The company said the recalled nuts were distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan.
 

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John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois has announced a voluntary recall Tuesday of products containing raw whole and diced almonds because of possible salmonella contamination.

The company is recalling its California Mix products under the Evon's brand in 11-ounce packages and in 1-pound, 5-ounce unbranded packages showing a "Distributed by John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc." sticker on the back.

The company said the recalled nuts were distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan.
 

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Down To Earth Sprouts have recalled packages of alfalfa sprouts and mixed sprouts, saying the products could potentially be contaminated with salmonella, reports the Associated Press.

Owner and operator Lauree Kramer said she was among sprout growers who had purchased seed from the same supplier. That seed is believed to have led to recalls of alfalfa sprouts in at least five states so far.

Kramer said in her written statement that her company had "ceased operations and distribution" while the federal Food and Drug Administration continues an investigation into the source of the contamination.

The alfalfa sprouts and mixed spicy sprouts were sold in 4-ounce and 1 lb. bags in retail stores and restaurants in Montana under the Down To Earth label.
 

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Bucks County Distributors is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of California Dyno Trail Mix that contains raw whole almonds due to the possibility of contamination with salmonella enteritidis. The recalled trail mix are packed in 4 ounce clear plastic containers, 1 gallon Ziploc bags, and 12 pound clear plastic counter dispenser.

This recall is in follow-up to a voluntary recall announced in mid-May by Paramount Farms of California of whole and diced raw almonds based on over 20 possible cases of illnesses associated with almonds.

Bucks County Distributors distributes the product to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
 

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Eillien's Candies has joined a voluntary recall of almonds sold in three Midwest states including Wisconsin because of possible contamination with salmonella.

The recall pertains to packages of Eillien's Chopped Almonds which were sold in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

The recall is a follow-up to a voluntary recall announced by Paramount Farms of California, which is recalling 13 million pounds of whole and diced almonds that may be infected with salmonella.

More than two dozen cases of salmonella associated with the almonds have been reported in 10 states.
 

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Fort Fudge Shop Inc. has joined at least 13 other Michigan companies in a voluntary recall because of possible salmonella contamination in almonds, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The recall covers 6-ounce packages of vanilla nut fudge sold under the Fort Fudge Shop Inc. label between August 2003 and June 2. The fudge should be returned to the store where it was bought for a full refund, company spokeswoman Traci Barrette said.

The almonds were purchased from Paramount Farms of California, which is recalling 13 million pounds of almonds after more than two dozen cases of salmonella were reported in 10 states, including Michigan.

The vanilla nut fudge is the only one of Fort Fudge's 22 flavors that contains almonds, Barrette said.

Apple Valley Natural Foods said it was also voluntarily recalling its raw whole almonds packaged as Almonds-Whole Raw Natural and distributed in Michigan and Illinois. The one-pound packages were sold under the Apple Valley Vegetarian Foods Emporium label.
 

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Sprouters Northwest Inc. of Kent is recalling 2-, 3- and 5-lb. institutional trays of raw alfalfa sprouts sent to various food institutions because they may be linked to a recent increase in salmonellosis in Oregon and Washington, reports the Associated Press.

Twelve cases of Salmonella Bovismorbificans, possibly linked to the consumption of raw alfalfa sprouts, have been reported, the FDA said. FDA officials said they are working with state officials and the company to determine the cause of the problem and steps to combat it.

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Oak Park Penzeys Spices have pulled Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika from shelves of their 17 retail stores last week fearing possible salmonella contamination. The recall began Thursday after routine testing by the state of Florida revealed the presence of salmonella in some 2.5-ounce jars of the paprika.

The paprika is sold in 2.5-ounce glass jars, 1.3-ounce plastic jars and 4-, 8- and 16-ounce bags.

John Tillison, operations manager at Penzeys Spices based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, hopes to have paprika back in the stores and for mail order by the end of this week. "What we have here is fine. It's been tested," Tillison said, referring to bulk paprika the company had on hand in Wisconsin.
 

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Royal Candy & Nut Co. if Chicago is recalling about 5,000 packages of almonds because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall of the packages of raw whole almonds and a California mix containing almonds is part of a nationwide recall that came after federal regulators received reports of several people becoming ill, most likely from raw almonds supplied by Paramount Farms in California.

The recalled almonds are packaged in 1-ounce packages and California mix in 2.1-ounce packages under the Royal Candy & Nut Co. label.

There have been no reports of illnesses.
 

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Federal regulators have received reports of 25 people falling ill and recalled 13 million pounds of raw almonds supplied by Paramount Farms in California.

The size of the recall announced this past week is likely to grow as federal investigators continue to identify distributors and repackagers of almonds that originated from Paramount, which grows its almonds in the heart of California's Central Valley.

The recall covers millions of packages sold under a variety of brand names across the country as well as almonds shipped to eight countries. The FDA has received reports of salmonella enteritidis, a type of food poisoning, in at least six states so far.

No fatalities have been reported.

The industry has spent about $4 million to improve manufacturing and agricultural practices and has been examining technologies, including pasteurizing the almonds with low heat or gas, to prevent salmonella contamination.

Heat, which can come from any kind of cooking, roasting or commercial processing of almonds, is usually sufficient to kill bacteria, experts said. Blue Diamond, a cooperative that represents about two-thirds of California's almond growers, began pasteurizing their almonds three years ago after the last outbreak.

Paramount Farms has not pasteurized raw almonds in the past, but two weeks ago it began to use a gas method of pasteurization for all of its raw almonds.

California accounts for 100 percent of U.S. almond production and expects production to grow by at least 50 percent over the next five years. California also produces about 80 percent of the world's almonds.

Scientifically, it is possible to treat the almonds, then return them to the marketplace. That was done after the 2001 outbreak, although in that case, most of the almonds had been shipped in bulk and had not yet made it to smaller packages.

It is not known yet if the recalled almonds will be treated and returned to store shelves.
 

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Awrey Bakeries Inc. announced a recall of its Tropical Chocolate Cake, which contains diced almonds from a California-based almond grower, due to possible salmonella contamination.

Awrey Bakeries bought the almonds from Paramount Farms Inc. of California. The FDA has expanded a recall of Paramount's raw almonds to 13 million pounds because of the possibility of salmonella.

All the cakes were sold exclusively at the Michigan outlet store in Livonia between Nov. 11 and May 25. The cakes can be returned to the store for a full refund.

 

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Penzeys Spices is recalling its packages of Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika, sold in Texas and elsewhere, because of the possibility of salmonella contamination.

The Brookfield, Wis., company said the recall involves 1,724 pounds of the spice sold since last August in a variety of sizes, according to the Associated Press.

The company distributes spices through mail order and Penzeys Spices stores in Texas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The company said no reports of illness have been received but the recall was initiated after routine testing by the state of Florida revealed the presence of salmonella in some 2.5-ounce jars of the paprika.

Production of the product has been suspended.
 

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Evans Food Products of Chicago, Illinois is recalling nearly 25,000 pounds of pork rinds because the pork rinds may be contaminated with salmonella.

The affected brand names are Old Dutch, Bac'n Puffs Brand; Original Oriental Delight; Better Made; Higglets; Simms; Hot & Spicy Flavored Pork Rinds; Salt & Vinegar as well as Barbecue Flavored Pork Rinds.

No illnesses have been reported.
 

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The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service performs random testing at meat production plants around the US in an effort to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks. When potentially contaminated meat is identified, FSIS requests the recall of the product from all channels of distribution.

A recall occurs when a firm voluntarily removes product (i.e. contaminated meat) from channels of distribution.

While recalls are an important step in removing a product from consumer channels, they are not wholly effective. There is often a time gap between the time a shipment of contaminated food reaches consumers and when the recall is issued, and some recalls are not put into effect until after outbreaks of foodborne illness have been identified by health departments and the CDC.

A national network of public health laboratories that performs DNA fingerprinting on foodborne bacteria, PulseNet, was developed by CDC to serve as an early warning system for detecting outbreaks of foodborne illness before they become widespread. PulseNet identifies and labels each fingerprint pattern and permits rapid comparison of patterns from human illnesses through an electronic database at the CDC.

By identifying the fingerprint of one strain of Salmonella that can be linked to one product and many people, that product can be recalled, and the hope is that large outbreaks can be prevented.
 

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