Product Recalls
December 16, 2008:
Kashi Company issues allergy alert on undeclared milk in Kashi© GoLean© Powder Chocolate Engery Shake Mix
Kashi Company of LaJolla, CA has recalled canisters of Kashi GOLEAN Powder Chocolate Energy Shake Mix because they contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The product is packaged in a 14.8 oz canister with a bar code of 18627 71000. Canisters with a Better if Used by Date stamped on the bottom of the canister between the dates of JAN 17 2009 and NOV 15 2009 are included in this alert.
No allergic reactions have been reported to date. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a limited number of Kashi GOLEAN Chocolate Energy Shake mix canisters did not declare whey caseinate, a milk ingredient, in the ingredient statement.
Consumers who have a Kashi GOLEAN Chocolate Energy Shake Mix canister with a bar code of 18627 71000 and Better if Used by Date stamped on the bottom between the dates of JAN 17 2009 and NOV 15 2009 should call the Kashi Consumer Response center at 1-877-747-2467.
December 3, 2008:
Whole Foods Market has issued voluntary recall on 365 Everyday Organic High Fiber Cereal.
Whole Foods Market has removed 365 Everyday Organic High Fiber Cereal from the shelves to correct a labeling error. The word "milk" was not listed in parentheses following the ingredient whey.
The product is sold in a 12oz box with UPC 99482-40888.
Customers who have purchased this product may return it to any Whole Foods Market for a full refund.
September 5, 2008:
Lucky Country Inc. Recalls All Natural Black Licorice Products
Lucky Country Inc. of Lincolnton, NC is recalling all of its natural black licorice products from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington State due to elevated levels of lead.
Recent tests performed by the California Department of Public Health and the Food and Drug Administration showed that Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Licorice Black (All Natural) in 1.5 lb bags contained a lead level exceeding the level permitted in candy. Because of this finding, Lucky Country is voluntarily recalling all of its Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Licorice Black (All Natural) from the market. In addition to the 1.5 lb bags, Lucky Country also manufactures this natural black licorice product in 6 oz and 3 lb bags, and in a 1 lb tub. Consumers are advised to check to see if they have this product in their possession and should either dispose of it or return it to their retail outlet for a full refund.
Lucky Country is cooperating with the California Department of Public Health and the Food and Drug Administration to conduct the recall. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customerservice@lucky-country.com, or 828 428-8313 during business hours.
August 14, 2008:
Whole Foods Market Issues Recall on 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted Due to Undeclared Dairy Allergens
Whole Foods Market today is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted because it may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The popcorn in these packages was incorrectly flavored with a white cheddar seasoning which includes milk ingredients; the seasoning may not be visibly apparent. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
This product was distributed to and sold in Whole Foods Market retail stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
The product is sold in a blue and white 5 ounce bag with a picture of popcorn in a red and white container. The product is labeled as 365 Organic Everyday Value Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted with a UPC of 9948240552. The recalled product's lot code is stamped on the front top right corner and reads "Sell By 10/28/08" or "Sell By 10/29/08".
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing milk ingredients was incorrectly packaged in bags that did not reveal the presence of milk ingredients. Subsequent investigations indicate the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the producer's packaging processes.
Consumers who have purchased 365 Organic Popcorn Lightly Salted with a lot code of "Sell By 10/28/08" or "Sell By 10/29/08" are urged to return it to any Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 512-542-0656.
August 8, 2008:
Whole Foods Market Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Ground Beef
Multi-State Recall in Response to State, Federal Investigations of E. coli Outbreak
Today, Whole Foods Market announced a voluntary multi-state recall of the fresh ground beef it has sold between June 2 and August 6, 2008 because of a concern that it may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria. Whole Foods Market is informed that the beef in question apparently came from Coleman Natural Beef whose Nebraska Beef processing plant was previously subject to a nationwide recall for E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. At the time of the previous recall, Whole Foods Market received assurances from Coleman Natural Beef that no product delivered to Whole Foods Market was linked to the recall. Those assurances are now in question and Whole Foods Market is actively investigating the issue. At this time, no Coleman Natural Beef fresh ground beef products from the Nebraska Beef processing facility are available in any Whole Foods Market stores.
“While Coleman Natural Beef is a relatively small supplier for Whole Foods Market, we are extremely disappointed that we must now question Coleman’s assurances,” said Edmund Lamacchia, global vice president of procurement.
Neither Coleman Natural Beef or Nebraska Beef are owned or operated by Whole Foods Market.
At this time, although the illnesses allegedly linked to Whole Foods Market are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, it is broadening the voluntary recall to the following states out of an abundance of caution: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D. C., Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Canada.
The recalls come as a result of investigations into confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 contamination in Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The investigations include supermarkets Dorothy Lane and Kroger, as well as beef suppliers and processors such as Coleman Natural Beef and Nebraska Beef, and are still ongoing as state and federal agencies work to determine the source of the outbreak. As a precaution, on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Whole Foods Market voluntarily pulled shipments of beef from this vendor from its stores nationwide.
Whole Foods Market asks customers who may have ground beef purchased during these dates (including in the freezer) to dispose of the product and return to the store with the packaging or receipt for a full refund.
“At Whole Foods Market, one of our top priorities is consumer safety, and we go to great lengths to ensure the safety and quality of our meats,” said Lamacchia. “We are currently cooperating with the USDA, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Montgomery County Health Department in Pennsylvania as part of a routine multi-state investigation into these confirmed cases of E. coli 0157:H7 infection.”
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued warnings about the targeted beef. Whole Foods Market will continue to work with state and federal authorities as this investigation progresses, and looks forward to providing its customers with the high quality products that they have come to expect.
July 25, 2008
Whole Foods Market is Removing from its Shelves 365 Organic Everyday Value Ground Ginger
Whole Foods Market is voluntarily removing from its shelves 365 Organic Everyday Value Ground Ginger with the following lot codes:
- W041919.7339
- W041919.8024
- W041919.8032
- W041919.8063
- W041919.8080
- W041919.8109
- W041919.8112
- W041919.8150
- W041919.8175
Products with these lot codes have been shown to contain trace amounts of a pesticide residue. The trace level detected represents a violation of Whole Foods Market Quality Standards but is not considered to be a health concern.
The product was distributed to and sold at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. 365 Organic Everyday Value Ground Ginger is sold in a 1.5oz glass jar with a blue and white label.
The decision to remove the product was made based on test results by an accredited lab which detected minute traces of Aldicarb Sulfoxide, an agricultural pesticide not approved for use on ginger.
Consumers who have 365 Organic Everyday Value Ground Ginger can return it to Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (512) 542-0020 or PrivateLabel.CustomerService@WholeFoods.com.
May 23, 2008:
FDA Warns Consumers Against Using Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream
Product can be harmful to nursing infants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use or purchase Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., because the product contains potentially harmful ingredients that may cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. The product is promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe and heal dry or cracked nipples. Product labeling specifically states that there is no need for mothers to remove the cream prior to nursing. However, the ingredients contained in the product may be harmful to nursing infants.
Potentially harmful ingredients in Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream are chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol. Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.
Mothers and caregivers should watch for a decrease in an infant's appetite. More serious signs would be difficulty in awakening the child, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant's strength of grip and a change in skin color. Please seek immediate medical attention if your child is showing these signs and symptoms.
"The FDA is particularly concerned that nursing infants are being unwittingly exposed by their mothers to this product with dangerous side effects," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Additionally, these two ingredients may interact with one another to further compound and increase the risk of respiratory depression in nursing infants."
Though the FDA has not received any reports of injury to infants, the agency is alerting the public because of the potential harm this product can have on a child.
Chlorphenesin can also harm the mother by causing dermatitis, a skin condition that can worsen the drying and cracking of nipple skin.
MOM Enterprises, Inc. is based in San Rafael, Calif. The company has stated that it has discontinued marketing the nipple cream with the potentially harmful ingredients. The FDA is advising consumers to discontinue use of Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream and to consult a health care professional if they experience problems or believe that their infant may have experienced problems due to this product. Nursing mothers with cracked, painful nipples, which is often a side effect of nursing, should speak with their health care professional or a certified lactation consultant if the problem is severe or for other treatment options.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to report adverse events related to this product or any FDA approved product to MedWatch, the agency's voluntary reporting program, by e-mail at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, or by phone at 800-332-1088, or by fax to 800-332-0178. Consumers may also mail reports of adverse events to MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787.