Ground Beef Recalled By New York Firm
Alex & George Wholesale Inc., of Rochester New York, are recalling over 4500lbs of ground beef for possible contamination of E.coli O157:H7.
The problem was discovered through routine USDA testing through the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The products were produced on April 29, 2009 and distributed to restaurants in western New York State.
To date the FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the product.
Sources:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_019_2009_Release/index.asp
Ground Beef Recalled For E.coli
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada Safeway are warning not to consume certain Safeway lean ground beef because of the possible contamination with E.coli O157:H7 bacteria.
The manufacturer, Vantage Foods of Winnipeg Manitoba, has voluntarily recalled the affected product sold in Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. To date no illnesses have been reported from consumption.
Obama focuses on food safety, picks FDA new chief
The nation's food safety system is a "hazard to public health" and overdue for an overhaul, President Barack Obama said Saturday as he filled the top job at the Food and Drug Administration.
Obama used his weekly radio and video address to announce the nomination of former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg as agency commissioner and the selection of Baltimore's health commissioner, Joshua Sharfstein as her deputy. Consumer groups applauded the picks.
The president also is creating a special advisory group to coordinate food safety laws and recommend how to update them. Many of these laws have not changed since they were written early in the last century, he said.
Obama said too many agencies are responsible for food safety, making it difficult to share information and stop problems from falling through the cracks.
The FDA does not have enough money or workers to conduct annual inspections at more than a fraction of the 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses in the country, Obama said.
"That is a hazard to public health. It is unacceptable. And it will change under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Hamburg," he pledged.
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PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA EXPANDS NATIONWIDE RECALL
Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) current recall of peanut butter and peanut paste that sickened over 500 people and caused 7 deaths in the U.S.A. has recently announced that they will expand their recall to include all their peanuts (dry and oil roasted), granulated peanuts, peanut meal, and their original recall of peanut butter and peanut paste.
Although PCA is not aware of any complaints or reports of illness involving the additional peanuts and peanut products, they issued the additional voluntarily recall out of an abundance of caution. Stewart Parnell, President of Peanut Corporation of America is quoted as saying "we are working alongside state and federal food safety experts in every way we can to help them protect consumers, both now and in the future."
PCA continues to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they continue their investigation into the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella.
Reference:
http://fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/peanutcorp401_09.html
Hygaard Sandwich Recall Expanded
The Canadian Food Inspection agency (CFIA) has expanded a recall of products made by an Edmonton-area sandwich maker originally recalled last September for Listeria contamination.
The recall includes a number of sub sandwiches with best before dates of January 30, 2009. The products have been distributed to British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the North West Territories.
To date the CFIA has no reported illnesses related to the consumption of the subs.
Resources:
www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jzycP-LCwC7HRJp4-46ar0ZR1cPw
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2009/20090127ce.shtml
Canadian Health Warnings Issued on Peanut Products
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a health warning on snack foods manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America that contain peanut butter or peanut paste.
The CFIA is monitoring a voluntary recall by the importer of the contaminated foods, although no illnesses have been reported yet in Canada. The outbreak of Salmonella has sickened nearly 500 people and caused 7 deaths across the United States.
Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter
Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution, announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced it its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because of possible contamination with Salmonella. PCA initiated the recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of Salmonella.
PCA, who distributes to institutions, food service industries and private label food companies, recalled all product specific to batches produced on or after July 1, 2008.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, laboratory analysis on the King Nut brand contamination confirmed a connection to the national outbreak of Salmonella that has sickened almost 400 people across 42 states.
As a result of the recall many companies including Kellogg Company, Little Debbie (McKee Foods), Hy-vee Inc (Reese's cookies), & Ralcorp (Wal-mart Bakery brand cookies) have issued their own recalls of peanut products.
Resources:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kellogg01_09.html
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/peanutcorp01_09.html
http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=623088