Apple Cider Recall - Pepin Heights Orchards (Jan. 2012)

Pepin Heights Orchards Issues Cider Advisory

Consumers:
Pepin Heights
800-652-3779

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 6, 2012 -Pepin Heights Orchards is advising consumers to discard Pepin Heights brand Honeycrisp Apple Cider with a “Use By” date on the label of Feb 09 2012. The product was packaged in half-gallon plastic jugs and sold and distributed in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

This advisory is precautionary. No illnesses have been reported.

The advisory applies only to Honeycrisp cider with the “Use By” date of Feb 09 2012. No other batch of Honeycrisp cider or any other Pepin Heights Orchards products are included in the advisory.

Retailers and consumers with questions may call Pepin Heights at (800) 652-3779, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time. Consumers seeking a refund should mail the label from the front of the affected cider to: Pepin Heights Orchards, Attn: Cider Refund, 1753 South Hwy 61, Lake City, MN 55041.

The company issued the advisory in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Routine state tests indicated that samples of Pepin Heights Brand Honeycrisp Apple Cider with a “Use By” date of Feb 09 2012 may contain slightly elevated levels of patulin, which is a natural byproduct of several species of mold.

“We are issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution,” said Chris Sandwick, Director of Sales and Marketing at Pepin Heights Orchards. “We take the safety of our consumers very seriously.”

While the short-term health effects of patulin have not been clearly established, and no illnesses have been attributed to patulin, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified long-term exposure as a potential concern.

Pepin Heights Orchards has invested heavily in state-of-the-art cider processing facilities. It also reviews and updates its safety processes annually and carefully follows its food safety plan, which is reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and includes regular onsite inspections of Pepin Heights facilities and practices.

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

McDonald's and Target Cuts Ties to Sparboe Farms After Video of Animal Abuse

I just watched a newly released undercover video from Mercy For Animals showing abuse of hens at the largest restaurant egg producers, Sparboe Farms. This farm supplies eggs to McDonald's. The Sparboe eggs were on recall last year due to Salmonella.

I've eaten these eggs for several year so I contacted the company and got a reply within minutes with this link:
http://www.sparboeupdate.com/

McDonald's Corp. said Friday the behavior shown on the video is "disturbing and completely unacceptable." The fast food chain says it demands humane treatment of animals by suppliers.

* Update *
Late Friday, Target confirmed that it had not only dumped Sparboe as a supplier, but was also pulling Sparboe eggs off the shelves at Super Target stores nationwide.

"Having been made aware of the unacceptable conditions in the company's egg laying facilities, effective immediately, Target will discontinue its business relationship with Sparboe Farms," the Minnesota-based retailer said in a press release. "We are currently in the process of notifying our stores to remove the product from our shelves."

A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation into a McDonald's egg supplier, Sparboe Egg Farms, exposes the fast-food giant's secret ingredient: shocking cruelty to animals.

Hidden-camera footage taken at Sparboe facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado reveals:

Hens crammed into filthy wire cages with less space for each bird than a standard-sized sheet of paper to live her entire miserable life, unable to fully stretch her wings or engage in most other natural behaviors

Workers burning off the beaks of young chicks without any painkillers and callously throwing them into cages, some missing the cage doors and hitting the floor

Workers grabbing hens by their throats and ramming them into battery cages

Rotted hens, decomposed beyond recognition as birds, left in cages with hens still laying eggs for human consumption

A worker tormenting a bird by swinging her around in the air while her legs were caught in a grabbing device - violence described as "torture" by another worker

A worker shoving a bird into the pocket of another employee without any regard for the animal's fear and suffering

Chicks trapped and mangled in cage wire - others suffering from open wounds and torn beaks

Live chicks thrown into plastic bags to be suffocated

Here's the link to the video but please be warned, it is very disturbing.

Here's a copy of the letter send to Sparboe Farms after the FDA inspection:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm280413.htm

I don't eat at McDonald's - I did buy the Sparboe Farms eggs from my local grocer because they were local. Back to the farmer's market for me to get my farm eggs from pasture raised hens!

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

FDA Warns Bio Gaudiano Brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds May Put Consumers at Risk For Botulism

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Bio Gaudiano Brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 4, 2011 - FDA warns consumers not to eat Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds
This product may put consumers at risk for botulism

Fast Facts

• FDA is warning consumers not to eat any Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds.
• Pure Italian LLC of Watertown, Mass., the U.S. distributor, in conjunction with the manufacturer and packer, Bio Gaudiano of Italy, is voluntarily recalling all sizes and lots of Bio Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds. This product has been linked to a botulism outbreak in Europe.
• There are no reported cases of illness related to this product in the United States.
• Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it in a sealed container in the trash so that people and animals, including wild animals, can't get to it.

What is the Problem?
Health authorities in Europe have reported two cases of botulism in Finland involving hospitalization. The consumption of Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds from Italian manufacturer Bio Gaudiano has been linked to these illnesses. Reports from the European health authorities indicate that samples of this product have tested positive for botulinum toxin, which causes botulism.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Botulism is a serious, potentially fatal illness caused by eating food contaminated with botulinum toxin. Although cases are rare, botulism attacks the nervous system, and in its severe forms, can cause respiratory failure. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Symptoms usually begin 18-36 hours after eating contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days.
 
Who is at Risk?
Anyone who eats food contaminated with botulinum toxin – whether adults or children – is at risk and can be affected.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat any and all Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds. If the product is still on hand, consumers should return it to the place of purchase or dispose of it in a sealed container in the trash so that people and animals, including wild animals. Consumers exhibiting any symptoms of botulism should see a health care provider immediately.

What Does the Product Look Like?
The recall of this product includes all batches and all sizes of Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds, including those in glass jars and metal cans. Photos of the products are provided below.

Where is it Distributed?
According to information FDA has received from Pure Italian LLC, the U.S. distributor of this product, the product was initially distributed only to Massachusetts retailers.
314 ml glass jars of this Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds may have been sold at SoWa farmers market in South End, Mass. In addition, the following stores in Massachusetts may have repackaged and resold the almond-stuffed olives in containers that do not carry the Bio Gaudiano name: Foodies Fresh Market, Boston, Mass.; Russo's, Watertown, Mass.; and Fresh Choice Supermarket, Framingham, Mass. If you have any questions, please talk to the retailer before purchasing or eating almond-stuffed olives.

What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA continues to work with the distributor to ensure that products are removed from the marketplace.

Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers who have purchased Bio Gaudiano brand Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds of any size or lot are urged to discard, destroy or return the product to the place of purchase. Contact Pure Italian LLC at 617-372-1659 or 617-331-2062 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for more information.
The information in this press release reflects the FDA’s best effort to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

For more information:
Botulism, general information from CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/botulism/
Pure Italian LLC Recalls Bio Gaudiano Brand Stuffed Olives With Almonds Because Of Possible Health Risk

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

Rice - A - Roni Recall - Rice Pilaf Flavor

Rice-A-Roni Issues Voluntary Recall on a Small Quantity of Specific Family Size Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf Flavor Product Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 4, 2011 - Rice-A-Roni has initiated a voluntary recall on a small quantity of specific family-size boxes of Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf flavor due to an undeclared milk allergen.  This product was originally distributed to stores located in California and Arizona. People who are allergic to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The affected product is limited to 10.8 ounce family-size boxes of Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf flavor with the UPC Bar Code ending in 43004 and Best Before Date of JUL 30 12 B stamped on the bottom of the box. Consumers with a milk allergy who have this product in their possession should return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund.

No other Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni products are affected. People who do not have milk allergies can eat this product without concern.

Rice-A-Roni is in the process of recovering the product involved and is in contact with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the continued safety of those consumers who may be impacted by this issue.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product may have had cross contact with products that contain milk.

Consumers with questions may contact us by calling the toll-free hotline at 800-421-2444 or visit ricearoni.com.

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Beyond Organic Healthy Food

Organic Eggs Recalled - Salmonella - Minnesota Based Schultz Farm Oct 2011,

Salmonella Illnesses Linked To Organic Eggs
Consumers, Food Preparers Reminded To Cook Eggs Thoroughly

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 19, 2011 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are investigating illnesses in at least six people in Minnesota that are connected with a recall of organic shell eggs due to contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The contaminated eggs were traced back by the MDA to Larry Schultz Organic Farm of Owatonna, where environmental testing confirmed the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis.  Larry Schultz Organic Farm is cooperating with the MDA investigation and has issued a voluntary recall of the products.

Routine reportable disease monitoring by state health officials identified six cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infection with the same DNA fingerprint. The individuals became ill between August 12 and September 24. The illnesses occurred in both children and adults, and all are residents of the seven-county metropolitan area. Three of the cases were hospitalized but have since recovered. Five of the six cases have reported eating eggs from the Larry Schultz Organic Farm purchased at grocery stores or co-ops.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, food wholesalers and foodservice companies in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Eggs from Larry Schultz Organic Farm are packaged under the following brand names: Lunds & Byerly’s Organic, Kowalski’s Organic, and Larry Schultz Organic Farm. Eggs are packed in bulk and varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons). Full product descriptions and a list of grocery stores where these products were sold can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us. Cartons bearing Plant Number 0630 or a “Sell by” date are not included in this recall.

To prevent illness, it is important for consumers to cook eggs thoroughly before eating in order to destroy any Salmonella or other bacteria. Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in very young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Brands included in the recall are as follows:

1) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Extra large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton. (if the carton has a plant number or any additional numbers or letters it is not part of the recall) If the carton has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

2) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton. (if the carton has a plant number or any additional numbers or letters it is not part of the recall) If the carton has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

3) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Jumbo Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton.

4) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Medium Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the case. (if the case has a plant number on the label they are not part of the recall) If the case has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

5) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Jumbo Bulk  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the case. (if the case has a plant number on the label they are not part of the recall) If the case has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

6) Lunds & Byerly's  Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

7) Lunds & Byerly's  Extra Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

8) Lunds & Byerly's  Large Cartoned – 6-packs  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

9) Kowalski's Organic Egg Label On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

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 Photos

Determine if your eggs are part of the recall
Your eggs are NOT part of the recall if: 
Take a look at the photos below. If your carton is stamped with
Plant# 0360 or just the number 0360 and/or a “Sell By” date, IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. Any carton that has the words “Sell By” regardless of the date is not part of the recall.

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Your eggs HAVE BEEN RECALLED if:
Take a look at the photos below to interpret the numbers on the carton:

The egg cartons included in the recall have a pack date (in Julian date format) followed by an expiration date. The "pack date" (the day that the eggs were washed, graded, and placed in the carton) is a three-digit code that represents the consecutive day of the year starting with January 1 as 001 and ending with December 31 as 365.

These numbers will appear on the side of the carton or the bulk box in one of two ways. For example: “286 EXP NOV 12” or “286 NOV12”. The 286 is the Julian date (pack date) and NOV 12 is the expiration date.

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All dates NOV 12 and before are part of the recall.

• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Extra Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Jumbo carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Medium carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Jumbo Bulk
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Extra Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Large carton – 6-packs
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Kowalski’s Organic Eggs
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"

 

Beyond Organic Healthy Food

Consumer Alert - Sulfites In Dried Dates

Consumer Alert - Undeclared Sulfites In Dried Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 19, 2011 - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine today alerted consumers that Domega NY International Co. LTD, located at 47-57 Bridgewater St. in Brooklyn, NY, is recalling Dried Dates due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled Dried Dates are packaged in a 12 oz. (340 gram), plastic bag. There is no apparent production code on the package but a UPC code of 6-868978-724670 can be found on the back of the package. The product was distributed nationwide and is a product of China.

Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the product contained high levels of sulfites which were not declared on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

No illnesses have been reported to date to this Department in connection with this product. Consumers who have purchased Dried Dates should contact Jing Hua Chen, Domega NY International Co. LTD at 646-388-3032

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Photo: Product Labels

Beyond Organic Healthy Food