Recall roundup: hygiene breach, bacteria, incorrect labelling, and more…

Unsanitary conditions

The Finnish Food Authority has reported that a Helsinki-based company has been producing falafel dumplings in unhygienic conditions.

The authority has warned that failure to comply with food regulations could mean these products are unsafe to consume.

Based on the limited information and other findings received from the manufacturing company, the product concerned has been sold frozen in non-chain grocery stores in the Helsinki metropolitan area. However, it has not been ruled out that the products were sold outside this area.

Food authorities have been asked to remove products found in stores, while consumers have been requested to dispose of the product.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s name does not appear on the product packaging. Consumers can compare any packaging found in their home with the images shown here. Consumers are asked to inform the place of purchase of the packaging according to the pictures (the label is placed inside the packaging) by email to [email protected].

E. coli contamination

Ground beef

A recall warning for E. coli O157 which was issued on 27 September 2020 has been updated to include additional product information. It has also been amended to correctly identify the affected products. This information was gathered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) during its food safety investigation.

JBS Food Canada ULC is recalling raw, fresh, lean ground beef due to possible E. coli O157 contamination. This product was further processed by other companies into raw ground beef products. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products have been sold exclusively at Provigo Hull, 1 du Plateau, Gatineau, Quebec and Metro (Marché Kelly), 910 Maloney boulevard east, Gatineau, Quebec.

More details can be found here.

Minced meat

Meanwhile, the Finnish Food Safety Authority has reported that Salmonella has been detected in minced meat.

This was delivered to Finland by the Danish operator Skare Meat Packers. This is minced beef from Farmer Farms Favorites 10%, pack size 1000g. The expiration date of this batch has been 13.09.2020. The batch number is 2036120 0503. The product has been on sale in Lidl stores.

Clostridium botulinum

Érablière Godbout is also issuing a recall due to the possible presence of Clostridium botulinum. This impacts its Érablière Godbout brand ‘Sauce spaghetti’ Consumers should not consume the recalled products described here.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick and in severe cases, result in death.

Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking or including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalised weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever.

Spoilage

The CFIA has reported that Happy Planet brand Berkeley Butternut Squash Soup and Thai Coconut Soup is being recalled due to spoilage. Click here for more details.

Undeclared ingredients

Sweeteners recalled

Lidl GB is recalling Cologran Stevia sweetener tablets (Stevia variant) due to undeclared aspartame, (E951). This means the product is a possible health risk to sufferers of phenylketonuria (PKU).

This recall affects pack sizes of 100 tablets, with batch code L 91424 and an end date of December 2022.

Allergen alert – mustard

President’s Choice brand Maple Apple flavour Seasoned Pork Loin Roast has been recalled due to the product containing mustard which does not feature on the label. This affects pack sizes of 730g, UCP 0 60383 20663 5, best before 2020 OC 13, according to the CFIA.