Listeria Blog

Wegmans Recalls Hard Cooked Eggs, Products Containing Eggs - Listeria

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:24:03 -0800

The FDA has now announced a recall of hard-cooked eggs and products containing those eggs by Wegmans Food Markets. The recall is connected with a positive listeria test at Michael Foods reported on by listeria blog several days ago.

According to the FDA:

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling hard-cooked eggs, as well as prepared foods that contain hard-cooked eggs, sold between January 23 and February 1, 2012 because the eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall affects purchases made in Wegmans’ stores located in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Canandaigua, Newark, Geneva, Corning, Elmira, Geneseo, and Hornell, NY.

FDA explains the basis for the recall:

According to Michael Foods, the recall was initiated after lab testing revealed that some of the eggs within the recalled lot dates may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall of three lot dates was announced on Thursday, January 26, but Wegmans had not received any of the three initial lot codes. As a precautionary measure, the recall was expanded on February 1 to include additional lot dates, one of which was received by Wegmans. Michael Foods reached the decision to expand this recall after a thorough investigation which indicated a specific repair project that took place in the packaging room as the likely source of the contamination.

The following affected products sold in Wegmans prepared foods and deli departments are included in the recall:

Hard-Cooked Eggs (sold by the pound in prepared foods or as a choice on the Fresh Foods Bar)
Eggs (special-order deli tray or 6-pack, 12 pack)
Cobb Salad (10 oz, 43 oz, and 6.5 lb)
Garden Salad (10 oz, 20 oz, 2 lb, and 5 lb)
Baby Spinach Salad (9 oz, 1.8 lb, and 3.9 lb)
Chef Salad (9 oz. and 18 oz.)
Egg Salad (sold by the pound in prepared foods)
Egg Salad Sub (Sub Shop)
Kosher Macaroni Salad (sold by the pound in kosher deli)
Kosher Pickled Eggs (sold by the pound in kosher deli)

There have not yet been any illnesses reported in connection with the products.

Mexicali Cheese has a Listeria Problem

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Attorney) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:06:32 -0800

Saying a New York cheese maker failed to correct repeated violations, despite multiple federal and state warnings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has gone to court to close down the plant until it complies with food safety regulations.

Mexicali Cheese of Woodhaven, NY produced cheese under persistent unsanitary conditions that contributed to Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the facility and the company's products, the FDA alleges in a complaint for permanent injunction filed Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the FDA news release, Mexicali Cheese makes and distributes a variety of soft Mexican cheeses to grocery stores and supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mexicali Cheese's products include queso fresco [fresh cheese], queso oaxaca (Oaxacan cheese) and queso para freir [cheese for frying].

In October 2010, an FDA warning letter said inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes in at least five locations inside the Mexicali processing facility. In August that year, the New York Department of Agriculture warned consumers not to eat any Queso Cotija Cheese from Mexicali because of possible Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

The injunction, if entered by the court, would stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations into full compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA food safety regulations.

"FDA filed this complaint to protect the health of consumers," said Dara A. Corrigan, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, in the agency's statement. "Working closely with New York's Department of Agriculture and Markets, we took this step to ensure that consumers do not eat potentially dangerous foods from this company."

Listeria - Michael Foods Inc., Hard Boiled Eggs Prompt Recall

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Attorney) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:39:46 -0800

Sysco Quality Assurance sent notification marked: Urgent – Immediate Action Necessary – Internal Correspondence – Do Not Forward - to selective retailers following Sysco’s notification that Michael Foods was conducting a voluntary product recall of hard-cook egg product.

According to Sysco, the reason for the recall was due to a presumptive positive for Listeria monocytogenes in specific lots of products.

Listeria monocytogenes can produce mild flu-like symptoms in all individuals. However, in susceptible individuals, including pregnant women, newborns, and the immunocompromised, it can result in more severe symptoms, which include: septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. Symptoms start from 3 days to 3 weeks after consumption. Mortality is high to those that display the more severe symptoms.

There have been no complaints, reported illnesses, or concerns identified with the products in the marketplace presently.

Product recalled: SUPC 1403898 - MPC 74865-56841-00 - PACK/SZ 1/10LB - BRAND WHLFCLS - DESCRIPTION EGG HARDBOILED WHL PEEL SEL

Affected Lots: SUPC LOT CODES - 1403898 1363W

Sysco suggested taking the following actions:

1. Review your inventory for the above listed products.

2. If any of the products in question are in inventory, place the products on hold for destruction.

3. Contact your customers that may have received the products and ask that they destroy affected inventory.

Apparently others are taking that advise.

Dierbergs pulled all its hard-cooked egg products from its food bars in response to a voluntary recall by Hawkeye Food Service of Coralville, Iowa.
Streamwood High School students were served salad containing recalled hard-cooked eggs during lunch service Thursday, Elgin School District U46 said Friday. A nationwide precautionary recall of GFS-brand hard-cooked eggs was not issued until after lunch service had ended Thursday, U46 said. It notified parents of Streamwood students Friday that the eggs had been served at the school.
The 18th Street Deli Inc., a Hamtramck, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 118 pounds of julienne salad products with turkey, ham and hard-boiled eggs according to the FSIS.
Spartan Stores, including the Family Fare store in Coldwater, are recalling deli products made with hardboiled eggs. The products include salads, and an egg salad spread.
Even U.S. Food Service has a recall notice: Michael Foods Inc. of Minnetonka MN has issued a Class I recall on three lots of Papetti’s Brand hard-cooked eggs in 25lb tubs. The product was widely distributed to the foodservice sector during the second week of January. Product testing revealed the possible presence of Listeria. No illnesses have been reported. The recalled product may be identified by lot codes 1362W, 1363W, and 1364W with use-by dates of February 11th, 12th, and 13th

Thus far, other than the FSIS notification, there has been not other government (FDA) announcement.

Listeria fears prompt recall of 18th Street Deli Julienne Salad products

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:14:37 -0800

Today the USDA announced that 18th Street Deli Inc., a Hamtramck, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 118 pounds of julienne salad products with turkey, ham and hard-boiled eggs. The salads contain eggs that are the subject of an FDA recall due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The salad products were produced on Jan. 20, 2012 and then distributed to retail stores in Michigan and vending companies in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The products subject to the recall are 9.25-ounce packages of "18th Street Deli Julienne Salad," "18th Street Deli Julienne Salad Lite," and "Balanced Choice Julienne Salad Lite" that bear the establishment number "P-22061" inside the USDA mark of inspection and expiration dates of "01/27/12" and "01/30/12."

The problem was discovered when 18th Street Deli was notified by one of its suppliers that hard-cooked eggs (a product inspected by the FDA) had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and are being recalled by Michael Foods Egg Products Co. The julienne salads contain the recalled eggs and are the subject of this FSIS recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Listeria Found at Manufacturing Facility of Mill Stream Co., In Hancock, Maine

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:12 -0800

The FDA has ordered Mill Stream Co. to destroy cold smoked salmon product from its facility in Hancock, Maine. The order came in response to a finding of listeria monocytogenes in the facility and equipment.

According to the FDA:

FDA investigators ordered an administrative detention of the firm's cold-smoked salmon product, a ready-to-eat food, during an inspection in December 2011. Once the food was detained, Mill Stream Corp. agreed to voluntarily destroy the cold-smoked salmon, under FDA supervision.

No illnesses have been reported to date from Mill Stream Corp. products.

Listeria Cheese Recall in Wisconsin Expanded - Bekkum Family Farms

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:48:43 -0800

A recall of cheese reported on Listeria blog earlier is being expanded according to Reuters. Last week, listeriawas detected at the Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion plant in Wisconsin. Today, a new company, Bekkum Family Farms LLC of Westby, Wisconsin announced it was recalling some 8-ounce packages of its Nordic Creamery Grumpy Goat Shreds.

The report states:

The cheese, with an expiration date of March 12, 2012, was sold in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California beginning November 11, according to a statement from the company. "Public safety is our main concern in a situation like this," said Al Bekkum, the company's spokesman.

No illnesses have been reported to date, but Brennan's Cellars, World Cheese Company and the Miller's Cheese Corp. have also recalled shredded cheese products in connection with the problems at the Alpine Slicing plant.

Brennan Cellar Cheese Recalled in Wisconsin

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:04:10 -0800

Alpine Slicing anc Cheese Conversion of Monroe, Wisconsin has announced that it is voluntarily recalling multiple types of cheese due to possible listeria contamination, according to a report. The report states:

The company says testing by an independent laboratory confirmed that some products processed on the shred line contained potentially fatal listeria. Symptoms of listeria include fever, headaches, stiffness and diarrhea.

At this time, there are no reports of connected illnesses.

The products included in the recall are:

Brennan's Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend.
Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese.
Brennan's Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese.
Brennan's Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese.

The recalled products were distributed to Brennan's Stores in Milwaukee, Dane and Green counties of Wisconsin.

Stop and Shop Recalls Listeria Cheese

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:33:31 -0800

Following notification from its supplier, Miller's Cheese Corp, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC has removed from sale Miller's Shredded Cheese packages due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.The following products, with expiration dates of June 5, 2012 through September 4, 2012, are affected by this recall:

Miller's Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 7881236950 Miller's Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 7881200910 Haolam Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 2663826200 Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 2663800264 Haolam Shredded Pizza Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 2663826300

To date, Stop & Shop has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Customers who have purchased the product should discard any unused portions or bring their purchase receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund.

Listeria is a common organism found in nature. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Listeria Found in Green Cedar Dairy Cheese in Michigan - Two Illnesses

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:24:12 -0800

It appears that two cases of listeriosis are linked to the consumption of cheese produces from Green Cedar Fairy in Dearnborn, Michigan, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. Following the news of the listeria infections, the dairy recalled packages of cheese bearing the labels "All Natural Ackawi Cheese" and "All Natural Chives Cheese" with a sell by date up to July 1, 2012.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture indicated that at least one sample of "All Natural Chives Cheese" tested positive for Listeria. the products were distributed in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties.

According to the CDC, listeria is most often found in:

foods that become contaminated after cooking or processing, such as soft cheeses, processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meat (both products in factory-sealed packages and products sold at deli counters), and smoked seafood.

Of course, this year, we suffered the most deadly foodborne illness outbreak in U.S. history, with 31 deaths connected to listeria in cantaloupe.

Cheese Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Attorney) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:42:19 -0800

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Tresse Cheese and Shinglish cheese were distributed in Southern California to Mediterranean specialty markets.

Both cheeses Cedar brand Shinglish firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC: 78546 10000 and Cedar brand Tresse firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC 78546 01000 were manufactured and recalled by Fromagerie Marie Kade, in Quebec Canada. Both cheeses are vacuum packed and bear the picture of a green cedar tree, pictured at http://www.fromageriemariekade.com/Produits.htm,

Kradjian has recently been notified by our supplier that the above lot number of this product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes Consumers who have purchased Cedar brand Shingilish or Tresse cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.