Listeria Blog

Fate of Peregrina Cheese Now In Hands of A Federal Judge In Brooklyn

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:50:00 -0800

Senior Judge Frederic Block of the New York Eastern District, himself a Brooklyn native, will now decide what happens to Peregrina Cheese, Inc., (Peregrina Cheese), and two of its officers: Javier Peregrina and Isabel Peregrina.

Clearly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has run out of patience with Peregrina. It went to Benton J. Campbell, U.S. District Attorney for Eastern New York, and Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division to get the full weight of the Justice Department behind FDA's threat to shut Peregrina down.

The Brooklyn cheese-maker has had its problems--troubles with inspections by both FDA and New York State; and the need for several recalls due to listeria contamination. The government's complaint, in the Eastern District of New York, alleges that the company has an extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death.

If entered by the court, the injunction would temporarily stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until further action is taken by the court.

As alleged in the complaint, on numerous occasions since 2004, FDA investigators found Listeria monocytogenes in finished cheese products and inside Peregrina Cheese’s facility. Additionally, routine laboratory testing by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) also found Listeria in the company’s products on numerous occasions since 2003.

The FDA and NYSDAM inspections also revealed that the company repeatedly violated the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements for foods. Investigators found filthy conditions, standing water in food processing equipment, workers inappropriately dressed and a dead rodent inside the plant.

The government’s complaint alleges that both the FDA and NYSDAM repeatedly advised Peregrina Cheese and its officers of the violations; and NYSDAM has also assessed fines against the company.

Peregrina Cheese’s lack of effective measures to bring its food processing operations into compliance with the law poses a public health threat because of the potential that Listeria will be in the food processed by the company.

A consultant for Peregrina told a Brooklyn television station the company will fully defend itself as soon as the matter comes before Judge Block. Dates already scheduled include a show cause hearing at 3 p.m., July 10th, and an initial conference at 10 a.m. on October 28, 2009.

Accountability Is Key To Food Safety, Says Canada's Grant Robertson

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:06:33 -0800

Grant Robertson from National Farmers Union-Ontario has some comments today in Canada's Sun Times newspaper about the investigation into Maple Leaf listeria outbreak. In part, he says:

"The Maple Leaf Listeria outbreak pulled back the curtain on an inspection system that was no longer serving Canadians. It revealed a government agenda of removing inspections and a minister not up to the job of working in farmers' interests, in my view.

"On June 18 the federal Subcommittee of Food Safety released its report into the listerosis deaths caused by tainted meat from the Maple Leaf plant and into food safety in general.

"It seems to me as though the government was more concerned about covering a posterior part of their collective anatomies than really getting down to brass tacks on how to fix a system that clearly has problems.

"And if the deaths of 22 Canadians were not enough to send the government signals that there are serious problems then it is hard to understand what it would take. Many of the 21 recommendations in the dissenting report basically boil down to recommending the government should actually do the job Canadians expect and a bunch of motherhood statements.

"Missing from the report is any sense that food inspection should be completely independent of government and political considerations and not take place in a self-policing environment on the plant floor. "

Check out the rest in The Sun Times.

In Canada, MPs Issue Report With Recommendations Following Listeria Outbreak

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:11:31 -0800

Canada’s food safety system ranks among the best in the world and is highly regarded by our trading partners. Some feel, however, that the listeriosis crisis of summer 2008 cast a shadow on its reputation and has motivated members to find ways to improve the food safety system with a view to preventing another tragedy.

So writes the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada's House of Commons. The panel, charged with conducting an inquiry into the Great Listeria Outbreak of 2008 that was caused by ready-to-eat meats processed by Maple Leaf in Toronto, has issued its report and recommendations.

The MP's charged with writing the report made numerous recommendations including the implementation of food safety programs such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), traceability, a collaborative effort with the U.S. to develop a common approach to food safety standards, an enhanced foodborne illness surveillance system, better inter-agency protocols and increased inspection resources.

Read the rest in BEYOND THE LISTERIOSIS CRISIS: STRENGTHENING THE FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM. Continue reading here for a list of the recommendations that follow the listeria outbreak that killed 22 Canadians.

Recommendation 1:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government call for a fully
transparent and independent public inquiry, with all the powers
provided under the Inquiries Act, into the actions of the federal
government, its agencies and departments in relation to the events
leading up to, during, and subsequent to the listeriosis crisis of the
summer 2008.

Recommendation 2:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government ensure that up-
to-date food safety and processing technologies as well as new
scientific evidence be included in all risk assessments and that this
should be achieved by establishing a process of ongoing review of
food safety standards.

Recommendation 3:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government increase its
collaborative efforts with the United States and consult with
stakeholders and consumers on the possibility of developing a
common approach to food safety standards.

Recommendation 4:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government encourage the
implementation of HACCP-based food safety systems certified by the
appropriate food safety authority.

Recommendation 5:
The Subcommittee recommends that the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency, cooperatively with the union, finds the means and
technology such that they can provide accurate, real-time evaluation
of inspector resources.

Recommendation 6:

The Subcommittee recommends that the government undertake a
comprehensive review of the resources, including training, that
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) needs to properly
implement, execute and enforce all food inspection activities; and
that the government make that review public.
46

Recommendation 7:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government implement a
system to recognize the equivalency of existing provincial inspection
systems in comparison to the federal inspection system.

Recommendation 8:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government provide
funding for food safety initiatives at the different levels of the food
supply chain, including the implementation of policy changes that
support the development of novel approaches to foodborne
pathogens.

Recommendation 9
The Subcommittee recommends that the federal government develop
initiatives designed to work towards the removal of E. coli from the
Canadian food chain.

Recommendation 10:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government restore and
publish the Establishment Inspection Reports and Establishment
Ratings.

Recommendation 11:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government enhance the
national foodborne illnesses surveillance system by developing
programs to gather epidemiological data on foodborne illnesses in
Canada and that it initiate discussions with the provinces to add
relevant foodborne illnesses to the list of nationally notifiable
diseases.

Recommendation 12:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government review with the
provinces the inter-agency protocols in place during an outbreak,
including the public communication and information sharing
components, and conduct real-scale simulation to validate these
protocols.

Recommendation 13:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government review the
legislative basis for the Public Health Agency of Canada and the
Chief Public Health Officer with a view to ensuring independence
from government departments and ministerial influence, so as to
protect and restore faith and confidence in Canada’s public health
system.

Recommendation 14:
The Subcommittee recommends that the government encourage the
development of industry-led traceability systems for all commodities
and products.

More Listeria Found At Torres Hillsdale; Third Recall Since March

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:17:22 -0800

Reading, MI-based Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese just cannot get it right.

On March 24th, the Michigan cheese-maker recalled Asadero and Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheeses due to potential Listeria contamination. Four days later on March 28th, it added New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Alabama—to the recall of Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese's Asadero and Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheeses. The recall was expanded to the four states after initially covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Then on April 22nd, Torres Hillsdale put out another request for return of it Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheese due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese was distributed in Illinois and Minnesota.

And now, seven weeks later, Torres Hillsdale has once again recalled of all lots of various types of soft Mexican-style cheeses due to potential Listeria contamination.

A sample of queso fresco cheese, taken by an investigator from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 26, 2009, was subsequently tested by an FDA laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This time products were distributed to retails stores and delis in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The products were sold under the name 'Aguas Calientes' as follows:

Product	Unit Size
Queso Asadero	12 oz and 10 lb ball
Queso Oaxaca	10 lb ball
Queso Fresco	1 lb and 8 oz.
Queso Requeson	1 gallon pail and 3 gallon pail
Morral Adobera	3 lb packages

Kirklees Targets Listeria Warnings At Pensioners/Elderly: Deaths Double In Decade

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:45:15 -0800

Annual English deaths due to listeria have doubled during the decade and one metropolitan borough is trying to do something about it by targeting pensioners in a campaign warning about the dangers of ready-to-eat meats.

Two of England's 161 deaths by listeria last year were of Kirklees residents. Listeria deaths in 2000 throughout England totaled 88.

The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, located in north central England, has about 401,000 residents.

Tracy Bousfield, senior manager for Kirklees environmental services, blames the listeria deaths on greater dependence on convenience foods, especially by the elderly.

“We believe cases in the over-60s have risen partly because their immune systems become less effective as they get older," she said. “But what is also happening is that they live in smaller households and are more likely to buy ready-to-eat foods that are pre-packed. We believe they may be keeping them longer or not using them within the dates.

And she urged people to keep their food chilled and be extra-vigilant about sell-by dates.

Read more about the anti-listeria campaign focused on pensioners in The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

I ♥ NY Listeria-Contaminated European Style Smoked Salmon Recalled By Brooklyn Company

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Attorney) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:36:46 -0800

Brooklyn-based N.Y. Fish, Inc. has recalled I ♥ NY Fish brand Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon in vacuum packed 3 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, and whole side “to be weighed at time of sale” sizes.

The recall covers lots starting with the numbers 142.

These products are likely contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Listeria infection also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

I ♥ NY brand Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon was distributed to wholesale distributors and retail food stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

The product is packed sliced or whole sides on aluminum coated cardboard in a clear plastic vacuum packed bag with a red, black, and gold sticker label with gold lettering and a small white sticker label identifying the lot code. The first three digits are the Lot Code followed by a four digit “packaging” date. The firm is recalling all lots that begin with code 142 (for example: 142 0525, 142 0526, 142 0527, 142 0528).

There have been no confirmed illnesses to date.

This recall is the result of samples of Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon collected from the manufacturer during an FDA inspection of the facility. These samples revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. As a precaution, the company is recalling all I ♥ NY brand Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon bearing the identified lot codes. No other codes are being recalled at this time.

Consumers who have purchased I ♥ NY brand Imperial-European Style Smoked Salmon with the identified lot code numbers should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers who have this product are urged not to consume any of it. Consumers with any questions may contact the company at (718) 342-4100, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm EDT.

We "Follow the Money" As New York Warns Consumers Not To Drink "Raw Milk" From Breese Hollow Dairy

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:58:20 -0800

New York State officials are out with a warning not to drink "raw milk" from the Breese Hollow Dairy in Hoosick Falls.

The diary is allowed to sell raw or "unpasteurized" milk on the farm and is subject to regular inspections by the NY Department of Agriculture.

Recent testing, however, turned up possible Listeria contamination in Breese Hollow "raw milk." The sample that was positive for Listeria was collected sometime last month. The dairy will not be allowed to make further sales of "raw milk" until its cleared by future testing.

"Raw Milk" cannot be sold for human consumption in 21 states. CNN recently reported that:

"... it is illegal to sell raw milk in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming."

There are , however, loopholes in some states with prohibitions, such as allowing the sale of so-called "cow shares" that enable the co-owners to all purchase raw milk and many states, like New York, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, that permit on the farm sales of small quantities.

We fully understand why dairy farmers are tempted to get into "raw milk" sales. Milk prices, especially at the farm, have collapsed during the past nine months. Recent payments to dairy farmers are down 35 percent at about $1.04 per gallon.

“In Pennsylvania and New York, they’re getting anywhere from $8 to $12 a gallon,” says lawmaker Nelson Albano. “So if a local dairy farmer here in New Jersey was selling raw milk, he’d be able to get at least that much, so they definitely would be making more money, and that would be a great benefit.”

New Jersey lawmakers are currently considering dropping the Garden State ban on raw milk sales.

U.S. milk production is measured in "million of pounds" based on reports from 23 dairy states to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each gallon of milk weighs 8.59 pounds. First quarter production was off a mere 0.5 percent at 47,351 million pounds in 2009, down from 47,610 a year earlier.

The fact that the huge price collapse has not had much impact on production levels has both dairy farmers and USDA thinking about more drastic actions. Some dairy farmers are dumping milk on the ground and USDA is offering payments for reducing herds.

What we cannot find are any estimates on how much milk sold "raw" versus pasteurized. We suspect that even with the prospect of making $12 per gallon, "raw milk" remains a very small percentage of the total market. ( But the amount of those "raw milk" sales is something that somebody should be tracking.)

A buck a gallon is not enough for the nation's dairy farmers who supply safe, pasteurized milk for Americans and many others from around the world.

Long Island's Schaller & Weber Finds Listeria In Its Duck And Sausage, Issues A Recall

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:48:54 -0800

Schaller Mfg. Corp. (Schaller & Weber), a Long Island City, N.Y., firm, is recalling approximately 564 pounds of duck leg confit and kolbase sausage products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced late on June 3rd.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels]

2.5-pound approximate-weight vacuum packages, 6 legs per package, of "D'ARTAGNAN TRADITIONAL DUCK LEG CONFIT." Each package bears a "USE/OR/FREEZE BY" date of "08/07/09" as well as the establishment number "P-5374" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
2.5-pound approximate-weight vacuum packages of "Schaller & Weber HUNGARIAN BRAND KOLBASE." Each package bears a date code of "MFG. 005159" as well as the establishment number "EST. 5374" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The duck and sausage products were produced on May 13, 2009. The duck products were sent to distributors and restaurants in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The sausage products were sent to distributors and restaurants in New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia as well as the company's retail store in New York City.
Routine testing by the company led to the discovery of listeria contamination. For more from FSIS, go here.

Deli Roast Beef Recalled In South Australia But Precise Cause Remains A Mystery

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:39:07 -0800

There is a bit of a mystery down-under. South Australia (SA) Health cannot find any listeria in other products at either Kyana Farms at Wingfield nor Conroy’s Smallgoods at Bowden.

Bulk meat that ended up in 100 gram pre-packaged IGA Deli roast beef slices and sold at South Australia supermarkets originated at Conways and was sold to Kyana, which supplied the markets.
Nevertheless, the Deli roast beef slices sold by the supermarkets, with a use-by date of June 24, 2009, were found to be contaminated with listeria and recalled on May 28th.

SA Health public health director Kevin Buckett told the newsite Adelaidenow that the two companies had co-operated fully during the investigation. ``We have found no evidence that the product is linked to any illnesses,'' he said. ``However, anyone who has this product is advised not to consume it and to throw it out or to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.''

Kyana Farms will continue to suspend production until the company has completed a plan, which includes a review of the incident to identify the likely source of contamination. Conroy's complies with the nationally agreed listeria control program, according to an SA Health assessment.

Listeria infection can be deadly, especially for the sick, elderly, newborns and pregnant women. More can be found on SA Health's website here.

Listeria Found (Again) In Chang Farms Bean & Soy Sprouts

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:50:59 -0800

For the second year in a row, Chang Farms of Whatley, MA is recalling bean and soy sprouts because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes) contamination.

Testing at a retail store in New York was positive for Listeria.

The affected product is packaged in 10 lb bags (bulk) and 12 oz plastic bags (retail), labeled under the Chang Farm Brand as Soy Sprouts and have a “Sell By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009 and Bean Sprouts with “Use By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009.

The product has been distributed to retail stores and restaurants throughout MA, CT, NY and NJ.

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.

In April, 2008, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is issued a warning to the public not to consume any soy sprouts produced from Chang Farms in Whatley, Mass. because Listeria was discovered in the product. We covered that recall here. The FDA's website carries the Chang Farms recall press release here.

Canada's Meat Inspectors Tell Special Hearings Into Listeria Deaths That They are Over-Worked

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:45:42 -0800

The special hearings on the state of food safety in Canada --called after people consumed meat contaminated with listeria last summer from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto, resulting in the death of 22 Canadians---continue up north.

Latest to weigh in with their opinions are Canada's meat inspectors.

According to the Vancouver Sun, front-line meat inspectors and supervisors on Monday told parliamentarians they were "grossly" understaffed prior to the outbreak and more resources are still needed to ensure food is safe to eat.

It was the first public comment by the meat inspectors since last summers deadly listeriosis outbreak.

"We want to ensure process meat inspectors are responsible for no more than two RTE (ready-to-eat) facilities," said Agriculture Union president Bob Kingston at a parliamentary subcommittee.

Kingston said meat inspectors in Canada are overworked making it impossible for them to carry out their duties.

Mandatory quarterly and annual audits were not completed at the Maple Leaf Foods plant, which he said lead to CFIA "missing the signs of trouble in May and June, just before the outbreak."

There is more on what the MPs are being told in the Vancouver Sun here, and Toronto Star here.

The Unanswered Questions In Listeria Outbreak Gets Canadian Food Inspection Agency Award Nomination

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:15:59 -0800

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is in the running as one of the nominees for the prestigious Code of Silence award, recognizing the most secretive government, department or agency in Canada. The award is made by Canadian Association of Journalists and the winner will be made at Saturday in Vancouver at CAJ's annual gala. The Association has 1,300 members from across Canada.

The CFIA was nominated for the award, according to CAJ, because:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency for dramatic delays and extensions on requests related to the listeria outbreak that killed 22 Canadians and triggered hundreds -- perhaps thousands -- of illnesses. Requests filed for inspections records on the Toronto-area Maple Leaf plant at the centre of the outbreak took nine months to produce, and communication records with the company are still embroiled in delays. For one of the biggest public health issues to face Canada in recent years, details behind the cause of the outbreak, the apparent delay in warning Canadians and the agency's handling of the aftermath remain filled with unanswered questions.

CFIA is up against some tough competition for the award, including what CAJ calls the "spin machine" of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. We won't be there, but will attempt to bring you a report on who wins.

Raw Milk Cheese Makers Look To FDA For Understanding

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:28:45 -0800

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "is currently conducting a risk analysis of the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in foods like dairy products, deli meats and fresh produce, and has encouraged raw milk cheesemakers to contribute data to the study. Their conclusions could vindicate or signal the end of raw milk cheese production."

So says Plenty Magazine on the Mother Nature Network.

From reading the article one is left with the impression that something called the Raw Milk Cheesemakers' Association is on the brink of convincing FDA that raw milk cheese prepared properly is not a risk.

We know it is a risk and we doubt seriously if FDA is going to come down on the raw milk cheese is safe side. Roll back seven weeks ago. FDA sent its Plant and Dairy Food Safety director, John F. Sheehan, up to Congress to specifically address the raw milk issue. "Raw milk should not be consumed by anyone, at any time, for any reason," Sheehan told lawmakers.

In his 18-page prepared testimony, Sheehan specifically addressed the raw milk cheese issue. He said: "Pasteurization is required for all milk and milk products in final package form intended for direct human consumption which move in interstate commerce. (21 CFR 1240.61) The only exceptions to this requirement are for certain cheeses and those exceptions are no absolute but come with certain other requirements relative to the manner by which any raw milk cheese must be ripened. In promulgating this regulation, FDA made a number of findings relative to raw milk, including the following: "Raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe"

Plenty Magazine explains the status quo this way: "The laws governing American raw milk cheese production, which stipulate that any cheese intended for eating before it is 60 days old must be pasteurized, were implemented in 1949 in the belief that only aged, raw milk cheeses were suitable for consumption. Since then, the FDA has repeatedly proposed banning all raw milk products, including aged cheeses, amid lingering fears that they’re inherently more dangerous than their pasteurized counterparts."

Sheehan's testimony before the Health & Government Operations Committee can be found here.

The Plenty Magazine story in the Mother Nature Network is here. It includes a list of places to buy aged raw milk cheese now (before it is outlawed?).

Canada's Ag Minister Blames Previous Liberal Government

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:05:46 -0800

In case anybody was wondering, political tactics remain the same world-wide. In the United States, President Obama is still blaming President Bush for most anything that might stick. In Canada, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz of the Conservative government in Ottawa just blamed a 2005 decision by the previous Liberal government for last year's listeria outbreak that killed 21 people across Canada.

The Canwest News Service reports that Ritz "tried to farm out some of the blame to the previous Liberal government when he testified that the decision in 2005 to cancel the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's mandatory listeria testing program was a big blunder.

"Environmental tests were not required and there was no requirement to report the results," Ritz testified. "The cancellation of that particular program by the previous government was a huge mistake."

Staff at the Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto that produced contaminated meat last year conducted regular tests searching for listeria in the plant environment, including food-contact surfaces.

But the company wasn't required to do so or to report the results to government inspectors.

And at the time of the outbreak, the CFIA wasn't aware of the existence of these test results, which showed numerous positive test results for listeria.

Canwest has more here.

Canada's Food Inspection Agency Warns Public Not To Eat Several Piller's Products

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:02:08 -0800

Ever since the Maple Leaf listeria outbreak that killed 21 in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has sure been on the case. We have two more listeria-related recall alerts from north of the border. Both involve Piller. The first was issued on Monday of this week, and the second yesterday.

Here's the official poop:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Piller Sausages and Delicatessens Ltd. are warning the public not to consume Piller’s brand Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham and Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following Piller’s brand meat products are affected by this alert.

Product	Size	UPC	Best Before date
"taste Better than Bacon" Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham	375 g	0 69401 00955 5	09 MA 01 & 09 JN 01
"taste Better than Bacon" Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon	375 g	0 69401 00956 2	09 MA 01

These products have been distributed in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.

And then it was expanded to include this one:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Piller's taste Better than Bacon Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham and Lean'n' Tasty Smoked Ham Maple Flavour Bacon Style Slices described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following meat products are affected by this alert.

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best Before
Pillers	"taste Better than Bacon" Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham	375g	0 69401 00955 5	09 MA 19 & 09 MA26
Lean'n' Tasty	Smoked Ham Maple Flavour Bacon Style Slices	375g	0 55898 52209 7	09 MA 26

The affected products may have been distributed nationally in Canada.

No illnesses are yet associated with either recall.

Canada's Food Inspection Agency warns:

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The Canadian Press has a story here.

Michigan Cheese Maker Recalls More Product Out Of Fears About Listeria

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:38:36 -0800

Reading, MI-based Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese has been recalling its various cheeses since last month. It has now put out another request for return of it Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheese due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The cheese was distributed in Illinois and Minnesota.

The recalled Oaxaca cheese product was distributed to retails stores and delis in 10 pound balls, labeled with the name “Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese LLC”

The recall encompasses production dates 3/17/2009, with an expiration date of 5/20/2009.

The Michigan company's recalled cheese has not yet resulted in any illnesses.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause Listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The very young, the pregnant, the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to infection. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Consumers and retailers are urged to return all unused recalled product to the manufacturer. Questions may be directed to: Salvador Torres, Manager, Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese LLC at 517-368-5990.

Ontario Says Federal Government of Canada Isn't Cutting It When It Comes To Food Safety; Hearings on Listeria Outbreak Set For Monday

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:52:36 -0800

We love Canada and the UK. After every major outbreak, there is always some high level inquiry or royal commission to hear from. This time, its Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, making the report on the listeria outbreak blamed on the meat cutting machinery at Maple Leaf Foods Toronto plant.

Dr. Williams paints Canada's top medical officer as being such a weak link in the chain that Maple Leaf Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael McCain had to pick up the slack in managing the outbreak that eventually spanned Canada and killed 21 people.

Canada's newspaper of record, The Globe & Mail, summed it up this way:

The report, released just before public hearings begin on Monday in Ottawa into food safety, singles out the Public Health Agency of Canada for not playing a leadership role in an outbreak that spread to seven provinces, leaving 56 mostly-elderly individuals sick and 21 dead. Ontario was hardest hit, with 16 of the deaths, and most of the victims were in long-term care homes or in hospitals before becoming ill.

The report predicts more outbreaks in the future. “Cross-jurisdictional outbreaks, such as the listeriosis outbreak lat year, are likely to become more common because of the trend to large-scale food manufacturing and processing,” Dr. Williams said.

For more on the report and the hearings coming up on Monday in Canada, go here.

Amalgamated Produce, Inc. Recalls Sprouts Because Of Listeria Contamination

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Attorney) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:16:54 -0800

Here's another listeria-related recall of sprouts just in from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Amalgamated Produce, Inc. (API), Bridgeport, CT, announced a voluntary recall today of its Specialty Farms, Vermont Sprout House, Nature’s Promise and BroccoSprouts (noted as distributed by API, Bridgeport, CT) sprout items with sell by date codes of March 31 through April 27, 2009.

These sprouts are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Lm is 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.

There have been no cases of Listeriosis reported to date in connection with these products and API is issuing this recall as a precaution.

Amalgamated Produce, Inc. voluntarily recalled these sprouts after laboratory analysis in a finished product sample collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested positive.

The following describes the products that are being recalled. All these products have a sell by date code from March 31 through April 27, 2009. All these items are net weight 4 ounces, with the noted exception of Nature’s Promise Organic Alfalfa 8 ounce.

BRAND	ITEM DESCRIPTION	UPC
Specialty Farms	Organic Alfalfa Sprouts	8192400052
Specialty Farms	Organic Sprout Salad	8192400024
Specialty Farms	Organic Spicy Sprouts	8192400058
Specialty Farms	Organic Clover Sprouts	8192400042
Specialty Farms	Lucky Clover Sprouts	8192400091
Specialty Farms	Broccoli Rabe Sprouts	8192400076
Vermont Sprout House	Organic Alfalfa Sprouts	2213601290
Vermont Sprout House	Organic Clover	2213601293
Vermont Sprout House	Organic Bean Mix	2213601180
Nature’s Promise	Organic Zesty Sprouts	8826703903
Nature’s Promise	Organic Alfalfa Spouts	8826704741
Nature’s Promise	Organic Alfalfa Sprouts (8 oz)	8826704102
Nature’s Promise	Organic Sprouts to Munch	8826704100
BroccoSprouts	Broccoli Sprouts	1509800025
BroccoSprouts Salad Blend	Broccoli, clover & radish	1509800026
BroccoSprouts Deli Blend	Broccoli, clover & mustard	1509800027
BroccoSprouts Organic	Broccoli Sprouts -- 100% organic	1509800118
BroccoSprouts Organic Deli Blend	100% organic broccoli, clover & mustard	1509800120
BroccoSprouts Organic Salad Blend	100% organic broccoli, clover & radish	1509800119
5 pound bulk alfalfa	Plastic bagged sprouts in a box with sticker identifying 5 pound bulk alfalfa, Julian dates 069 through 097

The above items are all in plastic containers, except for the Nature’s Promise 8 ounce organic alfalfa which is in a plastic bag.
Products have been distributed in the following states:

NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME, MD, PA & Delaware

API is currently in the process of determining exactly where this potential Lm contamination could be occurring in its facility and is immediately remedying the potential sources as they are identified. API hopes to return to full sprout production soon.
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return them to the point of purchase for refund and may contact API with questions at (800)358-3808 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST.

FDA: Routine Tests Uncover Listeria Contamination in Strubs Norwegian Style Steelhead Salmon

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:16:06 -0800

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers not to eat Strubs Norwegian Style Sliced Smoked Steelhead Salmon in 300 gram packages because of potential contamination with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death.

Distributed by West Side Foods Inc. of Bronx, N.Y., the smoked steelhead salmon was imported from Canada, and 13 cartons were sold to three kosher retail stores in New York and Maryland.

The Strubs brand Norwegian Style Sliced Smoked Steelhead Salmon was distributed in cartons containing vacuum-packed 300 gram packages bearing UPC code 0 71217 69997 4, registration number “0609”, and stickers with a code date of 03MA09. There is no production date on the individual packages. There are 24 individual-300 gram packages per carton.

The FDA urges consumers who have purchased the Strubs product to dispose of the product in a safe manner and wash their hands thoroughly after handling the product.

The contamination was discovered by the FDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during routine testing.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by L. monocytogenes, can be serious and sometimes cause fatal infections in young children, frail, or older people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

No illnesses have been reported to date from the Strubs product. However, if individuals have experienced any of the symptoms listed, they should contact their health care provider.

The Journey to Food Safety Leadership By Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain

marler@marlerclark.com (Listeria Lawyer) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:50:53 -0800

Since August 2008 twenty-one Canadians have died after eating Maple Leaf deli meats contaminated with Listeria. We all watched in horror as the worst food safety crisis in modern Canadian history rolled across the country.

There are six different kinds of Listeria. Five of them are harmless. The sixth, called Listeria monocytogenes is also safe if food is thoroughly cooked. Healthy children and healthy adults are almost completely immune to Listeria, even the bad kind. But it’s a different story for pregnant women, infants, people with damaged immune systems and the elderly. If they eat food with high concentrations of Listeria monocytogenes, they can get sick. Only about 4 in 1 million people contract listeriosis in Canada in a year. But sadly, about one-quarter of those vulnerable people who get sick from Listeria will die.

Last August’s tragedy began at our Bartor Road plant in Toronto. We discovered after the fact - much too late - that there was a hidden spot deep within the slicing equipment that our regular sanitization missed, permitting Listeria to grow to high levels of concentration, high enough to make people sick. It was the bad kind of Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes. And it ended up in deli meats that were largely distributed to nursing homes and hospitals, where a vulnerable population of Canadians ate it. Twenty-one people died.

This was by far the most awful event in the one hundred year history of our company. I can’t properly describe the overwhelming sense of grief and responsibility we all felt … I felt, personally. You may remember seeing me on television back then, apologizing for the tragedy and vowing to develop the most comprehensive anti-Listeria program of any food company in Canada...

Editor's Note: The above was taken from a recent entry on Maple Leaf's blog, which Mr. McCain contributes to. Go here for more.