Today we are reporting on two separate recalls concerning foods potentially contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Listeria monocytogenes pathogen, which can result in Listeriosis.

Listeriosis can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of a baby suffering from the infection. Pregnant women are about 20 times likelier than others to be infected, with about one-third of all Listeriosis cases occurring during pregnancy. (more…)

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Rel’s Foods Inc., of Oakland, California, seeking to stop the company from manufacturing, producing, and selling adulterated food products, the FDA just announced.

According to an FDA press release, the complaint also names Rel’s Vice President, Peder Scott Sorensen, and two managers, Patrick O’Malley and Timothy E. Ault. Rel’s prepares, processes, and distributes a variety of ready-to-eat sandwiches to convenience stores, deli markets, liquor stores, mini-marts, and gas stations in Nevada and California. (more…)

Windsor Foods, of Riverside, California, is recalling approximately 2,268 pounds of beef and bean burrito products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced.

download closing the ring dvd Windsor Foods discovered the potential contamination; the FSIS has received no reports of illnesses from consumption of these products.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

In pregnant women, Listeria can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of a baby suffering from the infection. Pregnant women are about 20 times likelier than others to be infected, with about one-third of all Listeria cases occurring during pregnancy.

Listeria is responsible for an estimated 2,500 illnesses in the United States annually, with about 200 in every 1,000 cases resulting in death. Listeria infection can take days, even weeks, to develop and can present in anything from a mild flu-like illness to meningitis and septicemia.

According to the FSIS, Windsor Foods 18-pound bulk cases containing individually wrapped “BUTCHER BOY RED CHILE BEEF & BEAN BURRITOS,” are subject to the recall. Each case of the recalled Butcher Boy brand burritos contains a total of 72 burritos and bears the establishment number “EST. 1905″ within the USDA mark of inspection; the package code “1219215;” the case code “2080001;” and advises “KEEP FROZEN.” The products were produced on August 3, 2009 and distributed to a storage center in Minnesota for further retail sales. The products available for direct consumer purchase will not bear the establishment number and package code. The FSIS is advising customers with concerns to contact their point of purchase.

The FSIS indicated that—once it is available—the retail distribution list(s) for this recall will be posted on its website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp

The FSIS is advising consumers with questions regarding the recall to contact Windsor Food’s Legal Assistant, Corinne Perez at 1-909-477-4813. Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) and is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Media outlets are reporting that breakfast food giant Kellogg’s has recalled some of its popular Eggo waffles. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) said that the recall was implemented after Listeria monocytogenes was discovered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in some buttermilk Eggo waffles that were manufactured at Kellogg’s Atlanta plant.

The Department of Agriculture took the sample at a routine inspection at the Atlanta plant, said the AJC, which noted that the recalled Eggo waffles were not introduced into the marketplace and no illnesses have yet been reported. The AJC said that production at the Atlanta facility has stopped as investigators try to determine the cause of the Listeria contamination. Kellogg’s said, “Kellogg’s will execute its hygienic restoration plan under [the Department of Agriculture] before it resumes production at the plant,” quoted the AJC. The recalled includes: (more…)

Big Boy Food Group, of Warren, Michigan, is recalling approximately 39,514 pounds of ready-to-eat meal kits that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced.

The following items are involved in the recall:

Dinolunch Brand:
Each case of the recalled Dinolunch brand meal kits can be identified by the case code “9237” and contains approximately twelve (12) trays. The products were produced on August 25, 2009 and distributed to wholesale and retail establishments in Texas. If available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp: (more…)

Quesos Mi Pueblito, LLC of New Jersey is recalling more cheese products because of potential Listeria contamination. All of the cheeses involved in this recall bear a “Sell by Date” from February 2, 2009 to present.

Products involved in this recall include:
(more…)

Listeria concerns have prompted Lone Star Brisket Company of Thorndale, Texas to issue a recall for some smoked beef products. The listeria problem was discovered through U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) microbiological sampling program.

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. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician. (more…)

Supervalu Inc. is recalling some of its macaroni and cheese products over possible Listeria contamination concerns. Media outlets are reporting that supermarket chain, Supervalu, said its frozen Culinary Circle Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese is involved.

The recalled Culinary Circle Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese products were sold in a 38-ounce package at Supervalu’s Acme, Albertsons, Bigg’s, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s and Star Market, Shop ‘n Save, and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy in all of the states in which the stores operate said the Associated Press (AP). Supervalu announced that consumers can bring the recalled Culinary Circle Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese back to the store for a full refund or exchange. (more…)

We have long been writing about the conditions at Peregrina Cheese and the numerous recalls associated with Listeria contamination with its products. Now, the Peregrina Cheese Corporation of Brooklyn, New York, is recalling all products manufactured in its Brooklyn, NY plant from March 17, 2009 to the present over the products’ potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.

Peregrina Cheese prepares and processes a variety of cheeses, sour cream, flan, and gelatin products and distributes them to specialty grocery stores in northeastern Pennsylvania and in the New York City area. (more…)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), just filed a complaint seeking injunctive relief against Peregrina Cheese, Inc., Brooklyn, New York and two of its officers: Javier Peregrina and Isabel Peregrina.

The FDA explained that Peregrina Cheese prepares and processes a variety of cheeses, sour cream, flan, and gelatin products and distributes them to specialty grocery stores in northeastern Pennsylvania and in the New York City area. The government’s complaint, filed in the Eastern District of New York, alleges that Peregrina Cheese has an extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing cheese contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Listeria monocytogenes. (more…)