Consumer health threatened by these manufacturers' errors

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend promises plates of appetizers, main courses and tantalizing desserts, all designed to remind the gathered groups of how blessed each one is to have food to eat this holiday.  Having spent many years working in poor townships and villages of South Africa and Sri Lanka, this attitude of appreciation is a daily mindset at our home.

This week the celebrations in many homes may be stunted by the slew of FDA food safety recalls that have made the news.

The links for information are included below, but here is the skinny on a few you’ll want to be aware of:

Caribbean Rum Balls label
missing ingredient list

The tasty rum balls made in the Virgin islands by Caribbean Rum Balls were recalled for undeclared allergens.  That's right, plural.  The label on these treats neglected to list wheat, coconut, eggs, milk and sodium bisulfite (a preservative). In fact, there was no ingredient list at all on the product packaging!  Sold through the mail and in local markets, the rum balls were packed in 4, 8 and 12 ounce containers.

Consumers can contact Caribbean Rum Balls via phone at (340) 755-6616.  

Details about the recall can be found here.

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During a standard factory inspection, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Market Foods found unsatisfactory handling and processing methods associated with Munia Brand Churi Dry Fish. The inspection revealed that the fish, a product of Bangladesh, had been incorrectly eviscerated, which could promote the contamination of dangerous Clostridium botulinum spores. These spores are known to be a cause of botulism which can have serious, even fatal effects if ingested.   

Botulism is a serious condition that can show itself through symptoms such as double or blurred vision, lethargy, slow reflexes and trouble swallowing and breathing.

Munia Brand Dry Fish

The Best Used Before code on the affected packages is April-2013.  They had nationwide sales, but fortunately so far no illnesses have been attributed to this product. Consumers are encouraged not to eat the affected product, and may contact Munia at (718) 366-6580.

Check here for more specific details. 

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Georgia seafood packagers, King & Prince Seafood Corporation, have issued a recall of 24 Nova Scotia style Cold Smoked Salmon and Sable Fish Lox, Salmon Sushi Fillets, and Salmon Trim.  Each product was vacuum-packed and sold in frozen form beginning on October 4, 2011, but may have been sold thawed at the retail level.

The health issue here is that the packs may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes which, if ingested, has the potential to cause illness in children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, and stillbirths or miscarriages in pregnant women.

Check the recall here for details of specific products being recalled. Date codes involved include: 1277W, 1278W, 1279W, 1280W, 1281W, 1283W, 1284W, 1285W, 1286W, 1287W, 1290W, 1291W, 1292W, 1293W, 1294W, 1297W, 1298W, 1299W, 1300W, 1303W, 1306W, 1311W, 1312W, 1313W, 1314W.

Consumers who purchased these products at retail markets should return them to place of purchase.  Markets who purchased the products frozen from King & Prince Seafood should contact them directly at 800-632-5464 or online at nova@kpseafood.com 

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GFS® sugar canisters from Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc. was recalled last week when it was discovered that they had mistakenly filled the twelve ounce sugar canisters with non-dairy coffee creamer.  Shipped in cases marked as “GFS® NON-DAIRY COFFEE CREAMER-24/12 ounce - Lot G293 B,” the canisters inside the cases were labeled on the bottom of each containers as “GFS® SUGAR – Lot G293 B.”

GFS Sugar mistakenly contains coffee
creamer and milk allergen

Past the obvious issue of having coffee creamer in a sugar jar, the more serious issue is the presence of sodium caseinate, a milk by-product. People with milk allergies who unknowingly ingest this milk product, could have a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction. 

Check here for more details.

Consumers should check any GFS® sugar canisters they may have and if an incorrect container is discovered, they are encouraged to contact Diamond Crystal Products directly at (800) 654-5115.