food safety -

Milk and Dark Raisins available in either eight ounce cellophane packages or in bulk are being recalled by the San Francisco-based See’s Candies because of the risk of an undeclared allergen.  Available across the country, these products might contain traces of eggs or tree nuts without the label declaring as much.  As a result, persons sensitive to those substances would be in danger of incurring a severe reaction.  A retailer uncovered the safety issue, which the company then traced to an intermingling of processing lines among those products that contain tree nuts and those which do not.  The candy can be brought back for a refund by those worried about suffering an allergic reaction.

Click here for more about the recall.

A company based in Tracy, California, is recalling 678 pounds of product because of a potential undeclared allergen threat.  Taylor Farms Pacific announced the recall, which affects BBQ Flavored Ranch Salad under the Signature Cafe brand.  These 12.25 ounce products were available in both California and Nevada at a variety of grocers.  The salad dressing contained within the products could have egg without the label detailing as much.  The issue was reported by a customer and also uncovered by a document review.  No one has reported becoming ill at this time, and anyone worried about their egg allergy should refrain from consumption and contact the company to learn more about recall instructions.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

A series of berries have been recalled because of the possibility that they might be contaminated with Hepatitis C.  Unfortunately, it would appear that a number of illnesses across the country and locally here in California may already be attributed to the food, and thus it’s imperative that consumers take this recall seriously.

Townsend Farms announced the initial recall, which pertains to Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries available from multiple Costco stores around the country.  California is among the five states in which an occurrence of Hepatitis A has been reported in conjunction with the product.

A new story pays particular attention to a patient from East Contra Costa County.  She was checked in to a hospital last month and has since gotten out.  However, concerns have arisen that more cases might continue to spring up, as the berries may have made their way to other retailers or been purchased by restaurants that then used the berries as ingredients.

Persons who know they have bought the berries should refrain from eating them, and if consumption has already taken place, affected persons are advised to get in touch with a doctor at once.  If eaten over the past two weeks, it’s possible to submit to a vaccination that might stave off the threat.  Consumers should otherwise be on the lookout for skin, eye, and urine discoloration, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, as these could be indicative of Hepatitis A.

If you pay attention to this blog, you’ll know that we often bring you information related to product recalls issued because of worries about the threat of foodborne illness.  If you’re a relatively healthy individual, you might think that such concerns are exaggerated, that after a day of feeling bad you’ll be able to bounce back and go on with your life.

The truth is, though, that foodborne illness can have long-lasting repercussions, especially for persons in certain susceptible demographics.  The Food and Drug Administration has released a new report taking a look at why older persons, younger children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems are more at risk when they come into contact with something like Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes.

The threat stems from problems with the immune system itself in these at-risk demographics.  When immune systems are unable to fight off foreign contaminants, foodborne illnesses can linger long after they would otherwise be ejected by completely healthy persons.  Persons suffering from things like cancer or AIDS have their immune systems weakened by the disease and certain treatments like chemo, and older persons who take medications can see a reduction in the level of stomach acid in their bodies, a situation which further endangers the immune system.

When it comes to young kids, their immune systems have not yet developed to a point where they can safely expel the foodborne illness quickly.  An epidemiologist with the FDA explains that the threat to pregnant women derives from alterations to the immune system which also increase susceptibility to an infection.  This can compromise the mother and the child alike.

Although the FDA does what it can to prevent contaminated foods and drugs from ever making their way to the marketplace, there are also ways that you can protect yourself from the threat of a foodborne illness.

For instance, you should stay away from foods that are raw or nearly raw.  Unpasteurized milk and the products derived from such could pose a greater threat, as could things like raw eggs and sushi and tartare products.  When you go to a restaurant, you might ask the wait staff about the nature of the ingredients used in any dish you’re about to order.  If any ingredient is raw, you should order something else.

When you’re preparing your own food at home, practice safe cooking practices.  Thoroughly clean any surface that food is going to make contact with during preparation, and wash things like fruits and vegetables before you serve them.  Don’t leave food out for too long, and stay away from deli meats and prepared salads that may have been sitting out for some time.  Finally, make sure your freezer is set to less than 0 degrees and your fridge clocks in below 40.

168 cases of Cinnamon Toast Crunch bowlpaks available across the country from food service establishments are being recalled by General Mills because there’s a possibility that the items could be contaminated by Salmonella.  Those single serve items with Better if Used By dates of either August 31 or September 2 of this year are impacted by the recall.  Owners are being asked to get rid of the items and to get in touch with the company if they want a new version of the product.  Reports have yet to be filed detailing any type of illness associated with the cereal, the recall of which was initiated once the supplier of a certain ingredient informed General Mills of the risk of Salmonella contamination.

Click here for more about the recall.

Frozen cold smoked salmon (as well as one fresh product) is being recalled by the Federal Way, Washington-based Salmolux because of the products’ potential to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.  Food and Drug Administration testing has already ascertained that Listeria could be found in samples of finished product, and thus it’s imperative that consumers bring the salmon back to obtain a refund.  Nearly 5,000 pounds of salmon were available in a handful of states, including California.  Listeria can lead to fever, nausea, diarrhea, and even more serious maladies in certain susceptible demographics.  The recall affects various sizes of salmon under the Sea Passion, Raley’s, and Jensen’s Old Fashion Smokehouse brands.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

The Glendale, California-based International Desserts has announced the recall of Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies under the Uncle Eddies brand.  There is a chance that 12 ounce versions of these products could contain walnuts without the label stating as much.  Instead of the package containing the cookie it’s supposed to, it might actually contain Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts.  The item was available across the country, and thankfully no one has reported sustaining an illness at this point in time.  The items should be brought back by those persons looking to get their money back.  Persons allergic to treenuts are in danger of sustaining a reaction that has the potential to be life-threatening.

Click here for more about the recall.

Fresh Thai Jammin Peppers are being recalled by the Chula Vista, California-based Fruit Treasure because of a possible Salmonella contamination.  The products were available across California and come in 25 pound packages that were made provided to retailers between April 7 and 10.  No one has reported getting sick in association with any of the 43 boxes of peppers impacted by the recall, and to ensure that continues, owners are being asked to bring the item to the store to get their money back.  Food and Drug Administration testing uncovered the Salmonella contamination, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, fever, and more when brought into contact with a consumer.

Click here for more about the recall.

If you’re like many Californians, you’re going to take advantage of this Memorial Day to cook some food for guests.  But when you do so, it’s imperative that you not make those same guests ill.  To eliminate the threat of foodborne illness, you might thus consider some of the valuable prevention tips included in a new report.

First, make sure that every surface you cook and prepare food on has been scrubbed adequately with soap and hot water.  This step should also apply to your own hands.  And once you move something like raw meat from a given surface, you should wash it anew so that cross-contamination isn’t possible.

You don’t want ready-made food to make contact with raw food, as this can allow the former to become contaminated.  You also shouldn’t use the same preparatory utensils for each.

When you cook, a meat thermometer should be available at all times.  Most meat has to be heated to at least 145 degrees, but many times, the temperature has to be even hotter.  Ground beef needs to be over 160, and chicken and hot dogs need to reach 165 before being served.

Finally, if food gets left out for quite some time, which is always a possibility at a Memorial Day cookout, make sure to chill that food quickly so that foodborne contaminants can’t set in.

The San Francisco-based Foster Farms has announced the recall of Grilled Chicken Breast Strips Boneless and Skinless with Rib Meat, 97% Fat Free because the labels fail to declare the presence of the allergens soy and wheat.  Because of this, those who are allergic to those substances could be in danger of sustaining a serious reaction.  A consumer complaint reportedly made this condition known, and the company was able to trace the problem to an apparent labeling mixup.  Affected items will be six ounces in size and have a use by date of June 22 of this year.  No instances of adversity associated with the chicken have been reported at this time.  The chicken was available in California and a handful of other states.

Follow this link for more about the recall.