Recall Roundup: Spotlight on pathogens

Pathogens

In the US, Tama Corporation is recalling its 24 ounce containers of “Queso de Mano PAISA” due to a contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The company has explained that it was informed by the co-packer of its Queso De Mano Paisa that a batch of 18 cases distributed in Salt Lake City, Utah, was “suspicious of [a] Listeria monocytogenes contamination”. Following that, the company says that it “immediately contacted the involved supermarket chain to halt its sale and account for all the product belonging to that vat”.

On 25 April it was confirmed via a sample testing that the batch had been contaminated.

The affected product was only sold in Rancho Markets stores in Utah and has a lot number of 2420104 and a best by date of 16 May 2024. The UPC code to look out for is 838795000338.

According to the company, “no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem”.

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Meanwhile, Gibson Farms is recalling its Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts as the company has received information that “they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7.”

The affected products were sold to distributors in California and Washington and were sold in bulk boxes in Net Wt. 25 lbs quantities. The products involved in this recall can be identified by lot 3325-043 & 3341-501 and have an expiration date of either 5/21/25 or 6/7/25.

Gibson Farms was originally notified by the CDC regarding 12 recorded illnesses “allegedly linked to the consumption of organic halves and pieces shelled walnuts”. In a statement posted on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website, the company has disclosed that, currently, a  full investigation is under way to determine the potential source of the contamination.

“Gibson Farms requests consignees to hold and discontinue selling their existing stock of lot 3325-043 and lot 3341-501 and return any remaining inventory of the recalled products to our local warehouse Gibson Farms 1190 Buena Vista Rd Hollister Ca 95023. If you have distributed or sold this product to other retailers, please notify your clients as to the status of this product”, explained Gibson Farms via the FDA website.

Retailers that have received the recalled walnuts have been advised to not clean and sanitise bulk bins between refilling them, and instead they should discard the contents of the bin and clean and sanitise it before refilling. However, retailers that have received recalled product from a distributor but do not know the brand or lot code information, should hold the product, sanitise their bins and contact their supplier.

To find out more information about the retail locations the FDA believes have been involved in this, click this link.