M.E. Thompson, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL is recalling its Anytime Deli Turkey & Ham Sub Sandwich, UPC 0543200194, with an expiration date of January 19th and January 22nd because it has 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. The sub sandwiches were distributed on January 2nd and 3rd to convenience stores in Florida and South Georgia under the label Anytime Deli Turkey & Ham Footlong. The sandwich is packaged in white butcher wrap. The Best Buy date is located on the white press on circular label. The UPC Code is located on the bottom of the product beneath the Ingredient and Nutrition Facts label. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which revealed that the finished products contained Listeria.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., today announced an immediate Class I voluntary recall of all LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts sold in the 6 oz. package with a UPC code of 7546555912. According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), the product is potentially 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.

Out of an abundance of caution for guests, Winn-Dixie is also immediately recalling the following LEASA-branded sprouts from shelves in all stores, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana:

All LEASA sprouts being recalled were sold between Jan. 7, 2012, and Jan. 18, 2012, and have expirations dates between Feb. 1, 2012, and March 15, 2012.

“While the mandatory recall involves only the LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts, for the safety of our guests, Winn-Dixie is taking extra precaution to immediately pull all potentially exposed LEASA branded sprouts from our shelves,” said Mary Kellmanson, Winn-Dixie’s group vice president of marketing.

Winn-Dixie has received no reports of illness associated with LEASA branded sprouts consumption.

“We encourage guests in possession of any of the recalled items to immediately discard the product in a sealed garbage container,” said Kellmanson. “Guests who have purchased the product may visit their neighborhood Winn-Dixie to request a full refund, no questions asked.”

To receive the refund, guests may present proof of purchase through a receipt or the product packaging label.

LEASA Industries Co., Inc. of Miami, FL is recalling 346 cases of LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with use by date 2/1/12, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 Salmonella often 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.

LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with use by date 2/1/12 were distributed through FL, GA, AL, LA, and MS through retail stores and food service companies on 1/4/12, 1/5/12, 1/6/12, 1/7/12 and 1/8/12.

The affected product is in 6 oz. clear plastic containers with a UPC code of 75465-55912 and has an expiration date of 2/1/12. The UPC code is located on the side of the label at the side of the container. The expiration date of the package is located on the side of the container.

No illnesses have been reported to date

The potential for the contamination was discovered when routine customer sample testing on 1/9/12 revealed the presence of Salmonella. We are voluntarily conducting this recall and are working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to assure all consumers that our products are safe.

Should you have any of the LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts 6 oz. containers with used by date of 2/1/12, please dispose of the product by throwing away in the trash receptacle. This is a cautionary measure to assure our customers of safe products. All grocery stores, food services, and other retailers who have LEASA Living Alfalfa Sprouts with used by date of 2/1/12 should remove these products from their shelves as well.

Myfoxspokane.com is reporting that Frisia Dairy and Creamery, operating out of Tenino, Washington has issued a recall. The recall is for retail raw milk products and the reason is possible E. coli contamination. According to the report, milk products distributed to the following locations have been recalled:

Olympia Food Co-op, 3111 Pacific Ave., Olympia, WA

Yelm Co-op, 404 FirstSt., Yelm, WA

Mt. Community Co-op, 105 Carter St., Eatonville, WA

Shop-N-Kart, 2100 N. National Ave., Chehalis, WA

Olympia Food Co-op, 921 Rogers, Olympia, WA

Olympia Local Foods, 2442 Mottman Road SW, Tumwater, WA

Baily’s IGA, 10333 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester, WA

Tenino IGA, 669 Lincoln Ave., Tenino, WA

Escherichia coli is a dangerous foodborne illness pathogen. This bacteria can cause bloody diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. When certain forms of E. coli are present, specifically shiga-toxin producing forms like O157:H7, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can develop as a medical complication. In rare instances, hemolytic uremic syndrome can be fatal. Children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems are at greater risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome than other demographic groups.

We had previously reported on a foodborne illness outbreak at Zappos in Bullitt County in Kentucky. Now, after a thorough investigation, the Bullitt County health Department is identifying the source of the outbreak that sickened 60 individuals as the organism Bacillus cereus. After receiving a free meal at the Zappos plant, prepared by Masterson’s Catering, individuals began to experience gastrointestinal problems.

All of this in formation was posted on wave3.com and according to their report, “The Health Department did not take food samples. Masterson’s will not be fined. Health officials say Masterson’s and Zappos have cooperated.”

Bacillus cereus is a bacterium that forms spores. There are actually two forms of bacillus cereus food poisoning: one that causes the onset of watery diarrhea and another that causes vomiting. Normally, the onset of bacillus cereus symptoms is very quick; however, symptoms normally last only 24 hours.

This appears to have been an isolated event.

Vancouver, British Columbia served as host to this year’s Canadian University Press National Conference and a possible norovirus outbreak. During this conference, according to The Varsity, the University of Toronto’s student newspaper, nearly 60 individuals were overtaken with severe vomiting. The investigation has determined that Norovirus is a possible suspect.

Norovirus is a viral agent which can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Sometimes, Norovirus is referred to as the stomach flu. Norovirus also goes by the name norwalk virus and calcivirus. On occassion, outbreaks of norovirus have been associated with schools, cruiseships, and hotels. This is because norovirus is easily spread and highly contagious.

Touching a surface, then failing to wash your hands, and then touching food or putting your hands in your mouth can result in a norovirus infection. Normally, symptoms are over within 24 hours of onset. Norovirus causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The onset of Norovirus symptoms can be almost immediately after coming in contact with this virus. Norovirus can lead to severe diarrhea within hours of eating contaminated food.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that over 5 million illnesses in 2011 were the direct result of Norovirus contamination.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department out of Michigan is investigating an E. coli cluster which emerged around Christmas. According to a press release issued January 12, 2012, the cluster involves the bacterium Eshcerichia coli O157:H7. Five initially identified cases has grown to four hospitalizations and a total of 7 illnesses.

Although the investigation is still underway, a possible source was a “ill food-handler at The Ambassador, a Houghton restaurant.” Victims of E. coli food poisoning often experience bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. In severe cases, it is possible for an E. coli foodborne illness victim to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a renal complication which can lead to anemia and possible kidney failure. Hemolytic uremic syndrome can even be fatal in certain circumstances.

• A total of 190 illnesses due to Salmonella Heidelberg with the outbreak pattern were reported from 6 states.
• The number of ill persons identified in each state the product is distributed to is as follows: New York (109), New Jersey (62), Pennsylvania (10), Maryland (6), Ohio (2), and Minnesota (1).
• Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that a product labeled as “kosher broiled chicken livers” is the source of this outbreak.
• Contaminated “kosher broiled chicken livers” were recalled from grocery stores but may still be in consumers’ homes.
• Consumers should check their homes for recalled products and not eat them; restaurant and food service operators should not serve them.
• This particular outbreak appears to be over. However, Salmonella is still an important cause of human illness in the United States.

 ZIP INTERNATIONAL GROUP LLC, 160 Raritan Center Parkway #6 Edison, NJ 08837 is recalling Sliced herring fillet (Forelka) due to Listeria contamination.
Listeria is a common organism found in nature. It can cause serious complications for pregnant women, such as stillbirth. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems. Listeria can also cause serious flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals.
The recalled Sliced herring fillet (Forelka) comes in both 330 gram and 600 gram plastic containers with a code date of best before 03/06/2012. They were sold in the New York Metropolitan Area. It is a product of Ukraine.
The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Food Inspectors & subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel found the product to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Program has temporarily halted all cooked-meat processing for retail and wholesale at Kleoppel Meats d.b.a Alma Meats in Alma, Mo. due to violations identified during an inspection today, Jan. 4, 2012. Members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Program uncovered records indicating that the business operated by Terry Kleoppel sold meat to consumers that had been improperly handled and was not inspected. The Missouri Department of Agriculture is coordinating with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and local health officials on this matter.

As a result, the Lafayette County meat processor is recalling approximately 320 pounds of meat, including summer sausage, snack sticks, beef jerky and roast pork.

Recalled items include:
“Snack Sticks Pepper Jack Cheese & Jalapeno”- 18.14 pounds
Lot # 2091311 / Produced 11/15/2011
“Snack Sticks Pepper Jack Cheese” – 18.76 pounds
Lot #’s 2091311 and 2002311 / Produced 11/15/2011 and 11/16/2011
“Snack Sticks” -25.97 pounds
Lot # 2002311 / Produced 11/16/2011
“Summer Sausage” – 40.27 pounds
Lot # 2081311 / Produced 11/14/2011
“Summer Sausage Pepper Jack Cheese” – 21.62 pounds
Lot # 2081311 / Produced 11/14/2011
“Summer Sausage Pepper Jack Cheese & Jalapenos” – 25.14 pounds
Lot # 2081311 / Produced 11/14/2011
“Spicy Beef Jerky Ground and Formed ”
Lot # 2162311 / Produced 11/21/2011 and 11/22/2011
“Bold Beef Jerky Ground and Formed”
Lot # 2152311 / Produced 11/21/2011 and 11/22/2011
“Honey Beef Jerky Ground and Formed”
Lot # 2152311 / Produced 11/21/2011 and 11/22/2011
“Roasted Whole Hog Meat” – 70.74 pounds
Lot # 1008211 / Produced 11/23/2011

Records also indicate that some of the products above, prepared between Nov. 14, 2011 and Nov. 23, 2011, were sold to Trinity Lutheran School in Alma.

As a result of the violations identified Jan. 4, the business’ inspection status for cooked meat products has been temporarily suspended, meaning that meat cannot be processed for retail sale. The investigation by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is ongoing.

Individuals who have conducted business with Alma Meats as well as those who purchased Alma Farm Fresh Meats-labeled products should carefully examine all items processed by the facility. Individuals who purchased products prepared between Nov. 14 and Nov. 23, 2011 should return any unused portion to the business at 100 North County Road in Alma.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.