Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Salmonella identified in Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut products A Federal Drug Administration (FDA) laboratory analysis has identified salmonella in Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut products that were sold in fourteen states across the country. The raw coconut products were produced by International Harvest, Inc., of Mount Vernon, NY, which is now recalling 14,620 lbs. of bulk and 24,270 bags of Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut, because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. International Harvest, Inc., distributed Organic Go Smile! Raw Coconut products to customers via online retailers, retail stores, and distributors. The products were directly distributed to…

Coconut sickens victims in multiple states – at least eight identified: Coconut products sold by a Colorado-based natural grocery chain are part of a multi-state outbreak of salmonella infection. Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc., is recalling Natural Grocers brand 10-ounce Coconut Smiles Organic due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. Six people have reported illnesses directly related to eating Coconut Smiles Organic products purchased from Natural Grocers stores. The company has found evidence of salmonella contamination in its own tests and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that a sample they tested was positive for salmonella. The recalled Coconut…

Alfalfa sprouts recalled by River Valley Sprouts for salmonella contamination Some of the 5-ounce packages of alfalfa sprouts sold by River Valley Sprouts have tested positive for the presence of salmonella. As a result, the company is voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce Alfalfa Sprouts, 4-ounce Alfalfa Sprouts, 5-ounce Garlic/Alfalfa, and 5-ounce Variety sprouts. The sprout packages being recalled out of food safety concerns were packed and shipped by River Valley Sprouts between March 6 and March 15. The potentially contaminated sprouts were distributed in Minnesota and Wisconsin where consumers would have purchased them in a number of grocery stores. Some of…

Standard Meat Company recalls over 53,000 pounds of meat Raw beef products are being recalled by Texas-based Standard Meat Company, for possible salmonella contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a recall of 53,154 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall was initiated when a non-meat ingredient, Au Jus Seasoning, that was incorporated into the raw beef products tested positive for salmonella. This seasoning product is injected into the top sirloin steaks by Standard Meat Company. The meat items that are being recalled are frozen, marinated top sirloin…

How to properly dispose of contaminated food in the home When a food product recall is announced, the greatest concern is ensuring that no further illnesses are caused by the contaminated product. Food is usually recalled because it has been poisoned by bacteria such as salmonella, e. coli, or listeria, which is often caused by a lack of food safety adherence. As a consumer, you should promptly dispose of any contaminated food products that are included in the recall. How do you do this safely? First, call your local health agency to make sure they are not interested in coming…

Stampede Meats recalls close to 500,000 pounds of meat A non-meat ingredient, Au Jus Seasoning, that caused the recall of 53,000 pounds of meat by Standard Meats is also responsible for the recall of 484,800 pounds of beef products by Stampede Meats, because of potential salmonella contamination. The seasoning is part of a marinade that is injected into the raw meat. The Au Jus Seasoning supplier notified Stampede Meat that the seasoning had testing positive for salmonella. The recall includes these frozen raw beef top sirloin steak items that were produced between February 19, 2018, and March 14, 2018: Cases…

Cardamom pods recalled for salmonella contamination Starwest Botanicals has announced a recall of cardamom pods that were sold between mid-January and early March 2018 because of potential salmonella contamination. Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It is used in tea, coffee, as well as in spicy and mild food dishes, including sausage and even pastries. The recall is specific to Starwest Botanicals Organic Cardamom Pods Green (Whole), which is packaged in Mylar one-pound bags and in bulk packs, sold between January 15, 2018 and March 2, 2018. Recalled cardamom pods have been sold across the…

Catered food causes food poisoning at Seattle temple One person has been hospitalized and another seventeen are ill as a result of food poisoning linked to food served at two Jewish temples in Seattle. People who attended private parties at Temple Beth Am and Temple Beth Shalom in early March 2018 were taken ill after eating catered food that may have been contaminated with shigella bacteria. Eric Gorbman Catering, based in Lake Forest Park, provided the food for the events, although some attendees brought their own food as well. Two of the people who became ill worked for the caterer,…

Listeria-contaminated goat milk cheese should not be consumed Raw goat milk cheese that has been linked to possible listeria contamination should not be consumed, warned New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. A sample of the cheese, The Maiden’s Creamery “Wild Meadow” Raw Goat Milk Cheese made by Mark Harvey, was tested by the New York State Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who purchased the cheese at either of the farmers’ markets in New York, or anyone who received the cheese from someone who purchased it in either Cooperstown or Woodstock, should not eat the cheese…

Salmonella illnesses linked to chicken salad up to 170 cases Chicken salad produced by Triple T Meats, Inc., and sold at Fareway grocery stores has now sickened 170 people, including 62 people who have been hospitalized as a result of having eaten the tainted food product. The outbreak of illnesses caused by salmonella poisoning has affected consumers in seven states. Contaminated chicken salad was sold from January 4 to February 9 at Fareway grocery stores in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The number of illnesses related to the salmonella contaminated chicken salad was at 65 when the Food…