Attention cheese lovers, and I know there are a lot of us: if you have any Peregrino Cheese, there’s been a recall of “Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese” Mexican-style soft cheese and “Queso Cotija Molido” Mexican-style grated cheese.

The soft cheese is in a 14-ounce foil wrapped package marked with lot number 4469 or 4477.

The grated cheese is in 15-ounce clear plastic bags that are marked with plant number 36-1388.

The company failed to correct violations despite being advised by federal officials to do so and fines by state officials.

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, today filed a complaint seeking injunctive relief against Peregrina Cheese, Inc., (Peregrina Cheese), Brooklyn, N.Y. and two of its officers: Javier Peregrina and Isabel Peregrina.

The company prepares and processes a variety of cheeses, sour cream, flan and gelatin products and distributes them to specialty grocery stores in northeastern Pennsylvania and in the New York City area.

The government’s complaint, filed today in the Eastern District of New York, alleges that the company has an extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death.

If entered by the court, the injunction would temporarily stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until further action is taken by the court.

“This company has consistently failed to make corrections to improve the insanitary conditions under which it processes cheese products, despite frequent warnings to do so,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.  “The FDA will not tolerate food companies that fail to provide adequate safeguards.”

“When called upon by the FDA, the Department of Justice is ready and able to prevent the distribution of adulterated food to American consumers,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“The public must be able to trust that the food in their grocery stores is safe for them to eat,” said Benton J. Campbell, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “We will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that companies that produce food under dangerous or insanitary conditions take corrective action to clean up their act.”

As alleged in the complaint, on numerous occasions since 2004, FDA investigators found Listeria monocytogenes in finished cheese products and inside Peregrina Cheese’s facility. Additionally, routine laboratory testing by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) also found Listeria in the company’s products on numerous occasions since 2003.

The FDA and NYSDAM inspections also revealed that the company repeatedly violated the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements for foods. Investigators found filthy conditions, standing water in food processing equipment, workers inappropriately dressed and a dead rodent inside the plant.

The government’s complaint alleges that both the FDA and NYSDAM repeatedly advised Peregrina Cheese and its officers of their cGMP violations; NYSDAM has also assessed fines against the company.

Peregrina Cheese’s lack of effective measures to bring its food processing operations into compliance with the law poses a public health threat because of the potential that Listeria will be in the food processed by the company.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can be serious and sometimes cause fatal infections in young children, frail or older people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection in pregnant women can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

No illnesses have been reported to date from Peregrina Cheese products. However, if individuals have eaten the products and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, they should contact their health care professional.

Related Posts

• May 26, 2011 -- FDA approves new HIV and Hepatitis C drugs
• January 25, 2010 -- FDA shifts BPA focus
• July 7, 2009 -- FDA Approves Multaq to Treat Heart Rhythm Disorder
• July 2, 2009 -- FDA panel backs cut maximum Tylenol dosage
• July 2, 2009 -- FDA Confirms E. Coli O157:H7 in Prepackaged Nestlé Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough

On June 19, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7.  The warning was based on an epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and several state and local health departments. As of Thursday, June 25, the CDC reports that 69 persons from 29 states have been infected with the outbreak strain. Thirty-four persons have been hospitalized, nine with a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. No one has died.

Further laboratory testing is needed to conclusively link the E. coli strain found in the product to the same strain that is causing the outbreak.

Nestlé USA has fully cooperated with the FDA and CDC investigation and has recalled all of its prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products.

For answers to consumer questions about this recall and warning, go to: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm168346.htm.

For more information about E. coli, visit the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/.

Consumers who have additional questions about these products should contact Nestlé USA consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 and/or visit its Web site at www.verybestbaking.com.

For a complete listing of Nestlé USA recalled products go to:
http://www.Nestlé usa.com/PubNews/PressReleaseLibraryDetails.aspx?id=133CC131-A79F-4E84-9C43-C9F99FE5BC99.

Related Posts

• May 26, 2011 -- FDA approves new HIV and Hepatitis C drugs
• January 25, 2010 -- FDA shifts BPA focus
• July 8, 2009 -- FDA Takes Enforcement Action Against Cheese Manufacturer Peregrina
• July 7, 2009 -- FDA Approves Multaq to Treat Heart Rhythm Disorder
• July 2, 2009 -- FDA panel backs cut maximum Tylenol dosage

This is reportedly one of the “largest food-contamination” scares in the history of the country.  With over one thousand products recalled, people are less and less willing to take risks on products containing peanuts or peanut butter.

And the only way to learn what products have been recalled is to go digging through the FDA’s list recalled products.

This is an incredibly trying time for the industry, as the economy is already bad enough.  The salmonella scares aren’t helping anything get better.

Just look at the effects that this is having across the nation.

Peanut butter makers try to spread word products are safe

Peanut butter makers not affected by the deadly salmonella outbreak linked to a Georgia peanut plant are trying to get consumers to keep buying peanut butter. It could be an uphill battle.

Companies such as ConAgra Foods Inc. and J.M. Smucker Co. have started running ads and offering coupons, trying to lure peanut butter customers as sales have plunged at least 20 percent since the salmonella outbreak.

Eight people have died and nearly 600 have been sickened in the outbreak. The original peanut butter recall launched weeks ago has expanded to include more than 1,000 products.

On ConAgra’s Web site, a letter assures customers that the company’s peanut butter is safe.

“ConAgra Foods, the maker of Peter Pan Peanut Butter, has confirmed that none of the ingredients used to make Peter Pan Peanut Butter come from Peanut Corporation of America, the company linked to the government’s current salmonella investigation,” the letter says. “We are extremely confident in the safety protocols.”

J.M. Smucker, maker of Jif peanut butter, had a similar message for customers.

“Our Smucker’s peanut butter brand and peanut butter products are safe for consumption. The J.M. Smucker Company does not purchase peanuts or any ingredients from Peanut Corporation of America,” its Web site says. (CNN)

Salmonella Fears Shutter Second Peanut Processing Plant

A second peanut processing plant owned by the company at the heart of a nationwide outbreak of salmonella illness has been shut down after the bacteria were discovered in peanut products there.

Peanut Corporation of America shuttered its Plainview, Texas plant last night at the request of state health officials, said Doug McBride, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. The action came after laboratory results from samples taken on Feb. 4 of roasted peanuts, peanut meal and granulated peanuts were positive for salmonella.

Additional analysis is needed to confirm the contamination and determine if it is the same type of salmonella linked to the current outbreak, McBride said.

The bacteria were discovered before the affected granulated peanuts and peanut meal had left the Texas plant but after contaminated roasted peanuts had been shipped out of state, McBride said. Company officials notified the distributor last night and recalled the roasted peanuts, he said. (Washington Post)

Fallout Widens as Buyers Shun Peanut Butter

Many consumers, apparently disregarding the fine print of the salmonella outbreak and food recall caused by a Georgia peanut plant, are swearing off all brands of peanut butter, driving down sales by nearly 25 percent.

The drop-off is so striking that brands like Jif are taking the unusual step of buying ads to tell shoppers that their products are not affected, and giving them a coupon to make sure they do not learn to live without a staple that almost every child loves — and more than a few of their parents, too.

Given the steady stream of headlines since mid-January about one of the largest food contamination scares in the nation’s history, the companies whose products are not being recalled could have a difficult time winning over people like Guadalupe Vasquez.

On Friday, she and her three young children kept walking past shelves of peanut butter at a grocery store in Bellaire, Tex. “The news shows say don’t buy it and I won’t buy it,” said Ms. Vasquez, adding that she normally buys a jar each week for her family. “I’m very fearful of salmonella.” (New York Times)

All of this, with no end in sight.  I hope some resolution comes soon.

Do’s and Don’ts During the Peanut Salmonella Outbreak: FDAs Dr. Stephen Sundlof

Related Posts

• February 4, 2009 -- Peanut Product Recalls – February 4
• January 19, 2009 -- Peanut Butter recall grows, Shoppers unfazed
• January 14, 2009 -- Salmonella Outbreak leads to Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter
• October 14, 2011 -- Peanut Allergy can now be Switched Off
• May 26, 2011 -- FDA approves new HIV and Hepatitis C drugs

- The following recalls have been announced:

_Turner Holdings LLC is recalling approximately 2,624 cases of ice cream bars, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. This is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported. The bars were sold at grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores and discount stores in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Details: by phone at 901-476-2643.

This recall includes the following product:

_Turner peanut butter bars; six-pack boxes; UPC 70770-09510; production code 25007, 34007, 15007 or 3807.

___

Meadow Gold Dairy is recalling select ice cream products, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. No illness has been reported. The recalled ice cream was available in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Eastern Oregon and Northern Arizona.

This recall includes the following products:

• Meadow Gold Herd of Laughter tin can alley ice cream; 56-ounce; best-by date of January 1, 2008, or later; UPC 041191234805

• Meadow Gold Herd of Laughter tin can alley ice cream; pint; best-by date of January 1, 2008, or later; UPC 041191033668

___

The Hershey Creamery Co. is recalling select ice cream products because they could be contaminated with salmonella. No illness has been reported. The recalled ice cream was available in Maine, New Hampshire,Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The UPC label on the carton can be mailed to the company for a refund.

This recall includes the following products:

• Hershey’s goo goo peanut butter ice cream; half gallons; code date 7110; UPC 2468203340.

___

Fieldbrook Foods Corp. is updating its earlier recall of select ice cream products to include four more, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. No illness has been reported. These products were available nationwide, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Details: by phone at 800-333-0805.

This expanded recall includes the following products:

_Meijer fudge round top cone 4 packs with UPC 1928374020

_Meijer vanilla round top cone 4 packs with UPC 1928374019

_Winn Dixie caramel round top cone 4 packs with UPC 2114027141

_Winn Dixie fudge round top cone 4 packs with UPC 2114027149

___

Falcon Trading and SunRidge Farms is recalling select trail mixes, because they could be contaminated with salmonella. No illness has been reported. The recalled trail mix was sold at Safeway grocery stores around the country. Details: by phone at 831-786-7000.

This recall includes the following product:

_O Organics trail mix; 6 ounces; UPC 79893 410110; all lots.

Related Posts

• February 10, 2009 -- Salmonella Fears Shutter Second Peanut Processing Plant, More
• January 19, 2009 -- Peanut Butter recall grows, Shoppers unfazed
• January 14, 2009 -- Salmonella Outbreak leads to Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter
• April 27, 2009 -- Swine Flu Resources to Help Track it Online
• November 13, 2008 -- Track Influenza Outbreaks with Google Flu Trends

The products added Sunday include snack crackers made under the Little Debbie brand, candies made by the South Bend Chocolate Co. in Indiana and several brands of cookies made by Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products of suburban Chicago and sold through Wal-Mart stores. They came one day after the government advised consumers to avoid eating foods with peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination.

I, for one, am wondering how long this recall will go on for.  I’m not really an alarmist, but I am concerned, as someone that loves peanut butter.

Related Posts

• February 10, 2009 -- Salmonella Fears Shutter Second Peanut Processing Plant, More
• February 4, 2009 -- Peanut Product Recalls – February 4
• January 14, 2009 -- Salmonella Outbreak leads to Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter
• April 27, 2009 -- Swine Flu Resources to Help Track it Online
• November 13, 2008 -- Track Influenza Outbreaks with Google Flu Trends

All product affected was produced on or after July 1, 2008, specific to the lot numbers and descriptions listed below.

The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and food service industry use. It is also sold under the brand name Parnell’s Pride to those same industries. Additionally, it is sold by the King Nut Company under the label King Nut. PCA customers who received the recalled product are being notified by telephone and in writing.

None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores.

“We deeply regret that this has happened,” said Stewart Parnell, owner and president of PCA. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily withdrawing this product and contacting our customers. We are taking these actions with the safety of our consumers as our first priority.”

PCA initiated this recall after an open container of King Nut brand peanut butter in a long-term care facility in Minnesota was found to contain a strain of salmonella. King Nut brand peanut butter is produced by PCA.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota laboratory analyses on the contamination in the already-opened container of peanut butter have the same genetic fingerprint as the cases in the national outbreak that has sickened almost 400 people in 42 states.

The voluntary recall of 21 lots of its peanut butter, in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds, is being taken immediately. PCA is notifying its institutional customers and has set up a toll-free hotline number 1-877-564-7080 to answer questions.

PCA is continuing to work closely and cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state officials as part of this ongoing investigation.

According to a CDC update issued on their website today (January 13, 2009), preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials has suggested peanut butter as a likely source. The CDC and other public health officials are continuing to conduct surveillance for cases of infection with the outbreak strains, and to gather and analyze data or exposures that may be associated with illness. To date, no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores.

Customers are asked to take all peanut butter manufactured with the lot numbers listed below out of distribution immediately. Customers can call the following toll-free 24-hour number 1-877-564-7080… for further instructions on what to do with the product or visit the company website at www.peanutcorp.com for additional information.

Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can result in abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever. Most people infected with Salmonella develop the symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses. For more information on the salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.

Lot Numbers Affected:

8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336, 8345, 8354

551000
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
6 ct / 5 lb

551006
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter
6 ct / 5 lb

551020
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
35 lb

551022
Natural Course Peanut Paste
35 lb

551025
Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt
35 lb

551035
Crunchy Natural Peanut Butter
35 lb

551040
Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
35 lb

551050
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551050-D
Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551051
Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride
50 lb

551053
Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter
50 lb

551072
Peanut Butter Variegate
45 lb

Related Posts

• February 10, 2009 -- Salmonella Fears Shutter Second Peanut Processing Plant, More
• February 4, 2009 -- Peanut Product Recalls – February 4
• January 19, 2009 -- Peanut Butter recall grows, Shoppers unfazed
• April 27, 2009 -- Swine Flu Resources to Help Track it Online
• November 13, 2008 -- Track Influenza Outbreaks with Google Flu Trends