Recall roundup: pesto, vegetable gyozas and sandwiches

We seem to be seeing recalls more and more often, rather than a reduction as companies do their best to avoid these sometimes dangerous cases. Attempting to reduce these numbers, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK told New Food: “We have recently undertaken work to improve the food safety recalls and withdrawals system in the UK, and this has resulted in a package which helps businesses carry out their responsibilities with greater ease and effectiveness. The package includes comprehensive Guidance on Food Traceability, Withdrawals and Recalls within the UK Food Industry, an associated Quick Reference Guide and various tools including consumer-friendly recall templates. A package to assist businesses conduct root cause analysis has also been published as part of the project. All of the above are now being implemented and we are encouraged at the uptake.”

However, here are the most recent recall cases:

Sainsbury’s recalls various pesto products

Sainsbury’s is recalling various pesto products because they have the potential to contain peanuts, which are not declared on the label. This means the products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts.

Sainsbury’s has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. Sainsbury’s have issued point-of-sale notice to their customers. This notice explains to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products and have an allergy to peanuts have been advised to discard of them or instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

Further information can be found on the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) website.

Sainsbury’s recalls 10 Vegetable Gyoza

Sainsbury’s is recalling by Sainsbury’s 10 Vegetable Gyoza with a soy and ginger dip because some packs contain prawns which are not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to crustaceans.

Sainsbury’s has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. Sainsbury’s have issued point-of-sale notice to their customers. This notice explains to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products and have an allergy to crustaceans have been advised to discard of them or instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

Further information can be found on the FSA website.

Lipari Foods recalls Wedge Deli Sandwiches

Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall of various Premo and Fresh Grab wedge sandwiches due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The product was distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods in Warren, Michigan to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

This was brought to our attention by JLM Manufacturing after environmental sampling returned a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date in relation to these products or recall.

Lipari Foods began shipping this product on 31 December 2019.

Consumers who have purchased these recalled products should not consume them. Consumers should discard the products or return them to the point of purchase.

Further information can be found on the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) website.