Listeria Contamination in Queso Fresco, Fresh White Cheese

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 31, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 12, 2007 -- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today warned consumers in the Kings County, New York area not to consume certain "Queseria Mexico, Queso Fresco, Fresh White Cheese," made by Quesos Mexico LLC, 2905 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11218 due to possible Listeria contamination.

The product is contained in a foil wrapped, 14 oz net weight package, displaying the plant number 36-7845, with a code of 1616. The consumer warning affects all packages with this code. The manufacturer name presented on the package is Queseria Mexico.

A routine sample of the cheese, taken by an inspector from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on October 01, 2007, was subsequently tested by the Department’s Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On October 5, 2007, the manufacturer was notified of a preliminary positive test result and voluntarily recalled the product from all their customers. Test results were confirmed on October 11, 2007. The cheese was disposed by the manufacturer. Subsequent samples will be taken to verify that the product is free of pathogens.

Listeria contaminated product could cause Listeriosis, a disease that usually causes mild flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals; however in immune-compromised individuals, meningitis and blood poisoning can occur. Pregnant women are also considered a high-risk group, as Listeriosis can also result in stillbirths.

To date, no illnesses are known by the Department to be associated with this product.

Kroger dip recalled after Ga. inspectors find bacteria

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 31, 2007
ATLANTA (AP) -- Kroger brand smoked salmon dip is being recalled in Ohio and other states, after Georgia inspectors reported finding Listeria in one package.

Cincinnati-based Kroger says the product is packaged by a company in Knoxville, Tennessee, which issued the recall.

keep reading here

Listeria bacteria causes recall

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 10, 2007
The Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today that Aliki is recalling its Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo products because routine sampling revealed possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  According to the press release:
Aliki Foods, Inc., an Old Lyme, Conn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 70,400 pounds of a chicken and pasta product that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
Listeria-fettucine
The following product is subject to recall:

* 5-pound boxes containing two 2.5-pound trays of "Aliki Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Made with White Chicken." Each box bears the establishment number "Est. 219" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a best if used by date of "SEPT 08" printed on the top of the box.
There are many opportunities for contamination with Listeria during the process of food production because Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in the environment. For example, it can be grown from wild and domestic animals, birds, insects, soil and wastewater, and vegetation. As it is a bacterium found in soil and vegetation, it is easily contracted and transmitted by herd animals. Listeria is found in grazing areas, stale water supplies, and poorly prepared animal feed. It can live in the intestines of humans, animals, and birds for long periods of time without causing infection. The bacterium is often isolated in cattle, sheep, and fowl, and is also found in dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.

Listeria with your Salmon?

Posted by Listeria Lawyer on October 03, 2007
Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. Recalls Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion, Because of Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Seattle, WA -- October 2, 2007 -- Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc. of Seattle, WA is recalling 936 tubs of Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion which was made by Carso's Pasta of Lynnwood, WA 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.

Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion was distributed in retail stores in Western Washington.  Jensen's Seattle Style Wild Smoked Salmon Spread Lemon Dill and Onion is coded Sell By 10/20/07. This product was sold in 7 oz. plastic tubs.  No illnesses have been CONFIRMED to date. The recall was the result of testing by the FDA which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria.

Listeria found in lettuce at Fla. market

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 02, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Listeria, a bacteria capable of making people sick, was found in lettuce being sold at an Orlando grocery store, Florida agriculture officials announced.

Listeria has been linked to lettuce imported from California and sold at a Fresh Market store, WKMG-TV in Orlando reported Saturday. Store officials said late Friday the lettuce has been pulled and there had been no reports of illness.

"We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure our stores are taking all necessary precautions," Fresh Market said in a statement.

keep reading here

Warning issued for unpasteurized cream

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 02, 2007
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is warning consumers not to use unpasteurized cream labeled "Organic Pastures Grade A Raw Cream."

The product is sold in one-pint plastic bottles coded for Sept. 14-21 and marketed by Organic Pastures in Fresno, Calif.

keep reading here

Bay-area tofu products recalled for listeria

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 02, 2007
A South San Francisco company has recalled a number of its tofu products after a package was found to contain bacteria that could cause potentially fatal infections in children and seniors, state health officials announced Monday.

A routine check by the Washington State Department of Agriculture uncovered the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes in a 12-ounce package of Quong Hop and Co. Soy Deli Nigari tofu, according to state health officials.

Keep reading here

State warns against tainted tofu from South San Francisco

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 02, 2007
State health officials warned people today not to eat tofu products from a South San Francisco company because the food may be tainted with a dangerous bacteria.

The company, Quong Hop and Co. , has recalled all varieties of its Soy Deli brand tofu with a date code of Dec. 17, 2007, and three other brands: 16-ounce Quong Hop brand Water Pack Tofu with a date code of Sep. 23, 2007; 12-ounce Soy Deli brand Water Pack Tofu with a date code of Sep. 23, 2007, or Oct. 9, 2007; and 30-ounce Soy Deli brand Nigari Tofu dated either Sep. 23, 2007, or Oct. 17, 2007.

The date code can be found on the front panel of all the products. It is printed in blue ink.

The products were distributed to supermarkets and natural food stores on the West Coast and throughout the Midwest, the state Department of Public Health said. Pregnant women and young children in particular should be careful not to eat them, the agency said.

keep reading here

CFIA Issues Chopped Ham Recall

Posted by Listeria Attorney on October 02, 2007
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Les Viandes Surfines Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Viandes Surfines Chopped Ham described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Viandes Surfines Chopped Ham, is sold in a 250 g package bearing UPC 0 73493 19576 8 and the Best Before date 07OC13. This product has been distributed in Quebec.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Keep reading here