Cargill is Back Producing Ground Turkey

This post may interest those consumers who want to know more about what happens after a large food product recall in the U.S.

If the inspectors find contamination in the processing plant, and large amounts of product have to be recalled, it can mean the end of a small company. Larger ones can usually weather the storm - and the expense and negative publicity involved. Part of that expense is cleanup of the plant, as required by government regulators. Production of the recalled product, and sometimes of others as well, will have to be stopped until food safety is improved.

Cargill (Cargill Meat Solutions Corp.) provides an example. In August and September of this year (end of the summer, 2011) this huge company had a large ground turkey recall because of Salmonella contamination. The turkey had been processed at their Springdale, Arkansas facility. Several brands were affected: including Honeysuckle White, Shady Brook Farms, Riverside, Aldi Fit & Active, Giant Eagle, HEB, Kroger and Safeway.

After discovery of Salmonella at the plant, ground turkey production was suspended (another one in Virginia kept making it). Over the next few months, the company undertook a thorough cleanup and set up new and better quality and testing standards, including:

• Addition of more bacteria reduction steps, including before the turkey is ground.
• Improvement of the process control monitoring system
• Increase of the number and frequency of tests for Salmonella.
• Establishment of high pressure processing, to further reduce numbers of Salmonella.
• Training of workers in the new procedures.

Cargill now says that their new safety measures at the Springdale plant are the best in the industry. Cargill food safety specialists and USDA inspectors are also reportedly present for each and every shift at the plant.

So why didn't they have these measures before the outbreak which would have avoided a lot of misery to consumers - and, to the company? You know the answer: they cost money.

Cargill expects their turkey to be back in the stores soon. And, my guess is that at least part of the cost of increased safety will be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.

To your good health,

TSF

SAFEWAY STORES INVOLVED IN ORGANIC SEED RECALL

Seeds, as well as our food, can be contaminated with bacteria, even though they are dry. That also goes for organic seeds. Salmonella bacteria are the most common, in part because they can tolerate dry conditions very well.

So that is what we have turning up now in a Safeway recall. The product is organic celery seeds. The contaminant, Salmonella bacteria. Remember - although in most cases, getting a sufficient number of these bacteria in your food will only give you a few very miserable days of food poisoning, occasionally it can get into your bloodstream, and lead to more serious illness and long-term health problems.

Here are the basic facts: B&M, Inc. of Mount Vernon, Missouri is voluntarily recalling O Organics Organic Celery Seed sold at all Safeway-owned stores. That includes Safeway, Carrs, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons. Presumably, this product was distributed nationwide in the U.S. as one or other of these stores is almost everywhere.

The seeds come in a 1.8oz (51g) glass bottle (see photo). It is marked with a UPC code of 0-7989341124-8 (if you have bought it, look for this code on the bottom of the bottle). The product was sold at stores from May 25, 2011, through December 16, 2011.

Be careful - "healthy" seeds are not healthy in this case.

To your good health,

TSF

E.COLI TURNS UP AGAIN IN BAGGED SALADS

It's bad news again for bagged salad eaters in the U.S. Ready Pac Foods, Inc. located in Irwindale, California, which prides itself on its safety record, has issued a recall for 5,379 cases of bagged salad products containing Romaine lettuce, because they may be contaminated with E. coli (E.coli O157.H7). This is the most common of the worst kind of E.coli bacteria.

The Use-by Date on these ready-to-eat salad products is November 18, 2011. The salads have been sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Here's the full list, so that you can check your refrigerator. No other Ready Pac Foods, Inc. products are included in the recall.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION UPC # BEST IF USED BY
10oz. Ready Pac Caesar Romaine 0-77745-00202-6 NOV 18
9.25oz Ready Pac Santa Fe Caesar Complete Salad 0-77745-21404-7 NOV 18
10oz. Ready Pac Classic Caesar Complete Salad 0-77745-20566-3 NOV 18
10oz. Ready Pac Bella Romaine 0-77745-21407-8 NOV 18
10oz. Dining In Classic Caesar Salad Kit 0-11225-02530-3 NOV 18
10oz. Raley’s Caesar Romaine 0-46567-71642-8 NOV 18
10oz. Trader Joe’s Romaine Salad 0013-2145 NOV 18
16oz. Trader Joe’s Very American Salad 0020-7225 NOV 18
10oz. Safeway Farms Caesar Romaine 0-21130-98350-6 NOV 18
9oz. Safeway Farms Hearts of Romaine 0-21130-98358-2 NOV 18
10oz. Safeway Farms Complete Caesar Supreme 0-21130-33677-7 NOV 18
10.25oz Safeway Farms Complete Southwestern Ranch 0-21130-33679-1 NOV 18

You will see from the above list that poor Safeway (as well as several other stores) has yet another recall (see earlier posts).

If you find any of these products in your home, throw it out or take it back to the store for a refund. You can also call Ready Pac Foods during office hours at at (800) 800-7822. They seem to be bending over backwards -a good thing - to track the products and help consumers. If you or anyone else in your family have eaten it, remember that not every package is contaminated, so don't panic. But do watch out for the usual symptoms of food poisoning.

To your good health,

TSF

CALIFORNIANS - BEWARE OF BEAN TORTILLAS!

Yes, would you believe it: yet another processed food is being recalled in the U.S. because it could cause botulism, which can be deadly. This time it's tortillas sold at certain California stores.

United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling selected types of Gentes Foods Gordita Black Bean Tortillas, because they could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria. And, some - not all - Safeway and Pak N Save Stores ended up with this deadly production lot. As I keep saying, ready-to-eat foods may be dangerous.

The date code is on a white sticker applied to the packaging reads “12 7 11.” Here are the places these tortillas were sold. This date code sold at other retail outlets has not been affected.

--California Safeway stores in Salinas (on Main St.) and Watsonville (Freedom Blvd.).
--California Pak N Save Stores in Emeryville (on San Pablo) and S. San Francisco (on Gellert Blvd.)

I think I'll take a trip down to that Emeryville Pak N Save this morning, to see if they have pulled the products off their shelves. You would be surprised at how often stores are lax in doing it, even when informed by their head office.

And..I am also going to check further on where Gentes Foods got their beans. My guess is that there is are connections between some of the recent recalls (see my next post). So far, the food companies involved haven't responded. But I'll persist.

To your good health,
TSF

MORE BOTULISM RISK: SAFEWAY SHOPPERS BEWARE!

I don't know why we are suddenly having so many food products contaminated with Clostridium botulism bacteria in the U.S. This bacterium causes botulism, a potentially fatal kind of food poisoning. Of course, the reason is poor temperature control, but in theory, modern advances in food processing have made this very unlikely. Almost all cases of botulism in the U.S. and other similar industrialized countries are caused by home canning. Commercially canned foods are considered safe these days. So much for that idea.

Now United Natural Foods, Inc. is recalling selected types of FoodMatch, Inc. Divina Stuffed Olives and Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup, primarily sold at Safeway stores, because of botulism risk.

The suspect Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup was distributed to the Safeway store in Corte Madera, CA.( UPC 07126229491).

Recalled Divina Olives Stuffed with Feta Cheese (UPC UPC 63172352780) were distributed to Safeway stores in Spearfish, Colorado Springs, Bolder, Falcon, Lander, Conifer and Longmont in the states of South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming.

Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese (UPC 63172352790) were distributed to not just Safeway, but also Carrs, Pavilion and Vons retail stores in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming.

Remember, the product may seem fine with no difference in the way it looks or smells. If in doubt throw it out! You definitely don't want this bacterium.

Usual symptoms of botulism: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Also possible symptoms: difficulty in breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation.

To your good health,

TSF

UPDATE: Safeway's recall of Diva olives has now been expanded to include stores in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Virgina, D.C., and Maryland.

"PURE" BOTTLED WATER, CHIVES AND MORE GRAPE TOMATOES RECALLED

(Here's another note I managed to forget to post a few days ago). You could have lunch on recalled food on a day like today: a "healthy" veggie plate with maybe Salmonella-contaminated tomatoes in it, chives with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria to sprinkle on top for extra flair and contaminated water to drink. Perhaps by the end of today we'll have some fish or meat product recalled as well. Welcome to industrialized food in the United States. Eat at your own risk!

Here are the facts.

• Bottled Water - So you thought that "pure" bottled water was uncontaminated, and better than the stuff that comes out of the tap? Think again. And never trust labeling. Specific lots of Mountain Pure water are being recalled because of "biological contamination" (not spelled out..My guess, is that the bacterial count is too high, but I am checking further). If you have a weakened immune system avoid drinking 16.9 fl. oz. (506 ml.) size bottles, with Best By date of 2-27-2013 MPWA or 2-28-2013 MPWA. Healthy people should be OK, but you may want to play it safe.

• Platters with grape tomatoes - I said the Six L Packing Company recall would spread even further. Here we go again. Mann Packing is voluntarily recalling certain vegetable platters and Snacks on the Go products because the grape tomatoes used in them came from the Six L lot that have been found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Ah yes..and as of today, that includes Safeway’s Eating Right Veggie Party Platter (see next post for specifics, and the earlier one on Safeway and Grape Tomatoes).

• Chives - Goodness Gardens, Inc. of New Hampton, NY is voluntarily recalling Chives Lot # 0201111, because these chives may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Watch out pregnant women!

To your good health!

TSF

"EATING RIGHT" WITH SAFEWAY VEGGIE PARTY PLATTERS

(I was wondering why no one was reading this post, until I realized today that I had left it in draft, without posting. Here it is..though a bit late.)

That big U.S. supermarket chain, Safeway, has realized that marketing healthy food can translate into profits. It hasn't been doing badly compared to its grocery peers, but let's face it, not nearly as well as Whole Foods Market (in fact, last year it only had about half of WFM's earnings-per-share - EPS -growth rate). So here's a chance to catch up: market to the healthy food image, just as Whole Foods Market is doing.

The result: we have the "Eating Right" Safeway food line: it includes entrees, juices, fresh bagged salads - and party trays. Unfortunately, the name did not protect it. There's now a recall of Safeway Eating Right Veggie Party Platters because Mann's Packing - the food company that made them for Safeway - used those recalled (potentially Salmonella-contaminated) grape tomatoes from Six L Packing Company.

The recall affects Eating Right Veggie Party Platter, UPC Code 79893-10708, sold from 04-29-2011 to 05-07-2011 with “Best if Used By” dates ranging from 05-09-2011 to 05-16 2011.

It is packaged in a clear, plastic, clamshell container.These party trays were sold at all Safeway and Safeway-owned stores, including Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save stores.

Poor Safeway. It really has been hard hit by these teeny cute grape tomatoes - salads, kabobs, and party trays.

So how about "eating right" with a little Salmonella ? Raw is risky - much as we love it.

To your good health!

TSF

"PURE" BOTTLED WATER, CHIVES AND MORE GRAPE TOMATOES RECALLED

You could have lunch on recalled food on a day like today: a "healthy" veggie plate with maybe Salmonella-contaminated tomatoes in it, chives with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria to sprinkle on top for extra flair and contaminated water to drink. Perhaps by the end of today we'll have some fish or meat product recalled as well. Welcome to industrialized food in the United States. Eat at your own risk!

Here are the facts.
• Bottled Water - So you thought that "pure" bottled water was uncontaminated, and better than the stuff that comes out of the tap? Think again. And never trust labeling. Specific lots of Mountain Pure water are being recalled because of "biological contamination" (not spelled out..My guess, is that the overall bacterial count is too high, but I am checking further). If you have a weakened immune system avoid drinking 16.9 fl. oz. (506 ml.) size bottles, with Best By date of 2-27-2013 MPWA or 2-28-2013 MPWA. Healthy people should be OK, but you may want to play it safe.

• Platters with grape tomatoes - I said the Six L Packing Company recall would spread even further. Here we go again. Mann Packing is voluntarily recalling certain vegetable platters and Snacks on the Go products because the grape tomatoes used in them came from the Six L lot that have been found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Ah yes..and as of today, that includes Safeway’s Eating Right Veggie Party Platter (see next post for specifics, and the earlier one on Safeway and Grape Tomatoes).

• Chives - Goodness Gardens, Inc. of New Hampton, NY is voluntarily recalling Chives Lot # 0201111, because these chives may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Watch out pregnant women!

To your good health!
TSF

"EATING RIGHT" WITH SAFEWAY VEGGIE PARTY PLATTERS

That big U.S. supermarket chain, Safeway, has realized that marketing healthy food can translate into profits. It hasn't been doing badly compared to its grocery peers, but let's face it, not nearly as well as Whole Foods Market (in fact, last year it only had about half of WFM's earnings-per-share - EPS -growth rate). So here's a chance to catch up: market the idea of healthy eating, just as Whole Foods Market is doing.

The result: we have the "Eating Right" Safeway food line: it includes entrees, juices, fresh bagged salads - and party trays. Unfortunately, the name did not protect it. There's now a recall of Safeway Eating Right Veggie Party Platters because Mann's Packing - the food company that made them for Safeway - used those recalled (potentially Salmonella-contaminated) grape tomatoes from Six L Packing Company.

The recall affects Eating Right Veggie Party Platter, UPC Code 79893-10708, sold from 04-29-2011 to 05-07-2011 with “Best if Used By” dates ranging from 05-09-2011 to 05-16 2011.

It is packaged in a clear, plastic, clamshell container.These party trays were sold at all Safeway and Safeway-owned stores, including Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save stores.

Poor Safeway. It really has been hard hit by these teeny cute grape tomatoes - salads, kabobs, and party trays. But in spite of everything, and the down market, it's share price was up today. Beats me. Maybe there is some kind of reverse psychology at work here.

So how about "eating right" with a little Salmonella ? Raw is risky - much as we love it.

To your good health!
TSF

SAFEWAY AND THE TOMATO RECALL

Safeway shoppers check your refrigerators!

Safeway stores are one of the several supermarkets involved in the latest tomato recall (see previous posts) which began with a recall by Six L Packers in Florida. First, Safeway stores sold Taylor Farms Pacific Inc. ready-to-eat fresh salads at the deli counter, several of which may contain Salmonella-infected grape tomatoes. The states in which these products were sold by Safeway include Arizona, Oregon, California, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.

Secondly, Safeway has discovered that the ready-to-cook kabobs (all kinds of fish, chicken, turkey, pork and sausage ones) in its full service meat counter were also made with Six L tomatoes, so a long list of kabobs are being recalled as well. These are likely to be less risky than the fresh salads because we would cook them.

The kabobs were sold between April 26 and May 3. The sell-by date on the packages are up to May 3. The kabobs were sold in Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, and Pak N Save stores in 10 states. If you don't want to return them to the store, you could also just pick off the tomatoes and throw them out.


TSF