August 2010 Food Recalls

July seemed to have a lot of food recalls but it was nothing compared to the massive recalls announced in August. One of the biggest recalls was on eggs with the Wright County Egg company recalling over 500 million eggs with several other egg companies issuing voluntary recalls. Other recalls this month included pistachio kernel products, multi-grain bread, cheese, fruit pops, dates, salads, chocolates, and salads.

Lets start with the massive egg recall which started at the beginning of the month with Wright County Egg of Iowa issuing a voluntary recall for salmonella concerns. Country Egg, Inc. voluntarily recalled eggs produced by Wright County that were shipped to them and pulled Large AA eggs off their shelves. In addition, Luberski, Inc., Hillandale Farms, NuCal Foods, Trafficanda Egg Ranch Initiates, Cal-Maine Foods, Moark LLC, Cardenas Market, and Sparboe Farms also issued an egg recall on fresh shell eggs all of which came from Wright County Egg. Visit Egg Safety to find out more about what to do if you have purchased eggs within the recall.

One of the most recent food recalls involves cheese products produced by Queseria Chipilo of Passiac, NJ. Oaxaca String Cheese, Queso Fresco, and Queso Fresco Hoja De Plátano have been recalled for having been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. To see a list of the products by Queseria Chipilo that are being recalled visit the FDA's list of products.

Milton's Baking Company has issued a voluntary recall on 24oz Multi-Grain Bread loaves in California, Arizona and Nevada. The bread was recalled because of an undeclared milk allergen. The bread was made using milk and those with milk allergies could have serious and life threatening consequences if they eat the bread. The only product effected by this recall has UPC 06541-92038 with the Plant Code 250, customers who may have purchased the bread are asked to bring it back to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Pistachio's made the recall call list this month when GloryBee Foods of Eugene, Oregon recalled Whole Raw Pistachio and Whole Raw Pistachio Kernels. The pistachios are potentially contaminated with salmonella. The pistachios were issued in 5 lb bags and 25 lb boxes. Consumers are asked to return the product to the store where purchase for a full-weight refund.

Salmonella was found in more that just eggs and pistachios this month, it was also found in alfalfa sprouts. Snow White Foods, Inc. out of Brooklyn, New York issued an consumer alert warning against salmonella found in 3.5 ounce plastic packages of Alfalfa sprouts with the upc code 0-46421-11236-6. This product was only distributed in New York. Consumers with concerns are asked to call the company at 718-230-5625.

Goya Foods recalled products with mamey pulp which lead to Fruiti Pops, Inc. recalling their name brand "Fruiti Pops" 4 oz mamey fruit pops from store shelves for fear of salmonella contamination. Fruiti Pops said that there have been no reports of illness and none of their other flavors have been affected by the recall. Moltolvan's Sales, Inc. also recalled "La Neustra" Brand Frozen Mamey products because of the Goya Foods mamey pulp recall.

Other recalls include "Golden Bridge" dried dates for having an undeclared sulfite warning, Kroger's "Meals Made Simple Shrimp Linquini" for an undeclared milk allergen warning, Fresh Express Veggie Lovers Salad with the Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Date of August 10 for possible health risks associated with Listeria monocytogenes, and Southbend Chocolate Company recalling Bountiful Blends Chocolates for undeclared tree nuts.

Sources:
Food and Drug Administration Food and Safety Recalls