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 New York Times has published an interesting report detailing flaws in the U.S. beef inspection system. Because of these flaws, consumers nationwide may face a serious risk from E. coli and other food borne illnesses every time they bite into a hamburger.

The New York Times report uses the case of a 22-year-old woman who developed a severe E. coli infection in 2007 after eating a frozen hamburger patty made by Cargill that was labeled “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties.” In October 2007 Cargill recalled over 840,000 pounds of these and other ground beef patties after they were linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened more than 900 people. Today, the young woman is paralyzed from the waist down due to her bout with E. coli. (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…)

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…)

Potentially Salmonella-tainted green onions are being recalled by California-based NewStar Fresh Foods. The affected green onions were sold under the brand names Omo and Fu Choy.

Although it is likely that the jumbo green onions are now beyond their usable life, NewStar Fresh Foods said the recall is being issued out of an abundance of caution for in the possible event some consumers might have purchased the green onions and still have the product in their home refrigerators. (more…)

Beef Packers, Inc., of Fresno, California, is recalling about 825,769 pounds of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced. The recall is a Class I, which means this is a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The recalled ground beef was produced on various dates ranging from June 5, 2009 through June 23, 2009; all products bear the establishment number “EST. 31913″ printed on the case code labels. The products subject to recall include: (more…)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in an effort to create a permanent oversees presence, is planning on opening an office in Beijing. The office is being set up, in part, reported HeraldTribune.com to better work with both Chinese regulators and companies in China and ensure exports coming into the United States from China are safe, according to agency chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum.

The move follows an unprecedented number of recalls that have involved consumer products, children’s toys, pet food, fish, dairy products, and toothpaste, to name just some, noted HeraldTribune.com. Compounding the issue, in recent months toxic Chinese drywall has been causing illness and raising alarm with residents nationwide. (more…)

King Soopers, Inc., of Denver, Colorado, has issued a recall for approximately 466,236 pounds of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of Salmonella poisoning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced. The recall is a Class I, which means this presents a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The King Soopers products subject to recall include: (more…)

Sweet Superior Fruit LTD. Company of McAllen, Texas, is recalling 104 crates of fresh cilantro (coriander) because the cilantro (coriander) has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, a dangerous, sometimes deadly pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.

The recalled fresh cilantro (coriander) was sold July 13-16, 2009 in 15-pound, black plastic crates to individuals and companies through cash sales at Sweet Superior Fruit LTD. Company at 2501 West Military Highway, Suite #A-5 and A-6, McAllen, Texas. The product may have been further sold through direct retail sales in McAllen, Texas and surrounding areas or used as an ingredient to manufacture additional products. (more…)

Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Davie, Florida, is recalling 17 lots of powdered dietary supplement, Stealth Chocolate and Stealth Vanilla, because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product contains an ingredient—Milk Protein Concentrate—that was recalled by one of its suppliers, Plainview Milk Products Cooperative of Plainview, Minnesota.

We have been reporting about the Plainview Milk Products recalls of instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums (thickening agents) it manufactured over the past two years, because the products might be contaminated with Salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Plainview has stopped production of these products and has notified its customers of the recall. (more…)