Recall Roundup: Listeria, plastic pieces, and undeclared allergens…

Listeria monocytogenes

J&J Distributing of St. Paul, Minnesota, is recalling multiple products because they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that the contamination was detected after routine testing revealed Listeria monocytogenes on a utensil used to produce the product. For more information and a full list of the affected products visit the FDA’s website.

In Germany, the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has announced the recall of Palatum Feinkost’s Florina peppers with soft cheese, after the product was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was only distributed in the state of Bavaria, but check the BVL website for the full details of the recall, including the products codes affected.

Foreign objects

There have been two cases of plastic contamination this week. The first has resulted in supermarket Lidl recalling its Birchwood Beef and Pork Mince (23 percent Fat) in the UK, as it may contain pieces of plastic. Products with a weight of 750g and a use by date of 1 March 2021 are affected. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising customers who have purchased the product to return it to the store where it was bought from for a full refund.

Mince is also the subject of a recall in Germany, where supermarket Edeka is recalling its Hofglück and Edeka Bio branded mince; again, because of possible plastic contamination. It’s thought the affected products were sold in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate, the Saarland, and Thuringia.

Undeclared allergens

A trio of recalls has been reported by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) around undeclared allergens. Happy Veggie World brand Vege Meatball has been recalled due to wheat not being declared on the packaging. The CFIA says the products impacted by the recall were distributed in Alberta and British Columbia.

Similarly, GluteNull brand Goji Berries & Chocolate Cookies and Goldroast brand Instant Nutritious Cereal (original flavour) are both being recalled due to the presence of undeclared milk. The affected Goji Berries & Chocolate products were distributed in British Columbia, while the Instant Nutritious Cereal was sold in Ontario and possibly nationally. For more information and full details on the products codes affected, see the CFIA’s website.