MI firm recalls 20,000 pounds of cheese linked to 7 E. coli illnesses

Grassfields Cheese LLC of Coopersville, MI, is recalling about 20,000 pounds of organic cheeses due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The recalled products have been linked to seven cases of E. coli infection.

The family-owned company stated that it was voluntarily recalling the cheeses “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a recall notice issued Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The potential for contamination was identified during an ongoing investigation of seven cases of human illnesses occurring between March and July 2016 caused by a same type of STEC,” according to the recall notice.

The department’s Geagley Laboratory confirmed the presence of STEC bacteria in a sample of Grassfields cheese collected by state food and dairy inspectors.

The recall involves all types and sizes of organic cheeses manufactured by Grassfields between Dec. 1, 2015, through June 1, 2016, including Gouda, Onion ‘n Garlic, Country Dill, Leyden, Edam, Lamont Cheddar, Chili Cheese, Fait Fras, Polkton Corners and Crofters. The cheeses were sold as wheels, half wheels, and wedges of various sizes.

The recalled cheeses were sold to wholesale and retail customers from the firm’s retail store at 14238 60th Ave. in Coopersville and to consumers nationwide through the firm’s website.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions may contact Grassfields Cheese at (616) 997-8251 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT or by emailing to Grassfieldscheese@gmail.com.

Symptoms of E. coli infection vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101 degrees F.

While most persons get better within five to seven days, about 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with STEC E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Signs that a person is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.

Persons with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most persons with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

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Baking mixes recalled for Salmonella risk posed by coconut milk powder

San Francisco-based Hampton Creek is recalling six baking mixes that contain Native Forest Coconut Milk Powder. The ingredient tested positive for Salmonella in a company-initiated testing program, according to Hampton Creek.

Hampton Creek stated that it immediately notified Native Forest and its distributor and has requested a voluntary recall of all Native Forest Coconut Milk Powder in all formats with all retail and food manufacturing customers.

The affected baking mixes, available nationwide, are as follows:

White Cake Mix UPC Code: 854829006886 Weight: 20 OZ Sell By Date: 5/25/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box	Cinnamon Roll Cake Mix UPC Code: 854829006442 Weight: 26.9 OZ Sell By Date: 5/28/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box	Chocolate Chunk Muffin Mix UPC Code: 854829006565 Weight: 20.8 OZ Sell By Date: 6/6/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box
Yellow Cake Mix UPC Code: 854829006428 Weight: 20 OZ Sell By Date: 6/2/2017, 7/13/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box	Blueberry Muffin Mix UPC Code: 854829006855 Weight: 23.3OZ Sell By Date: 6/4/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box	Devil’s Food Cake Mix UPC Code: 854829006435 Weight: 20 OZ Sell by date: 6/7/2017 Packaging Type: Cardboard Box

As part of Hampton Creek’s testing program, 30 Native Forest Coconut Milk Powder samples were pulled and tested. Twenty-nine of the samples tested negative and one sample tested positive for Salmonella. Seventy-four additional samples taken from other lots of the Native Forest Coconut Milk Powder tested negative.

No other Hampton Creek products were affected, and there have been no reports of any health issues, according to the company.

All finished mixes released into the market tested negative for any pathogens, but with the presence of Salmonella in the Native Forest Coconut Milk Powder, Hampton Creek stated that it notified FDA of the potential health risk.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should not consume the product but discard it or return it to the retailer for a full refund. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Hampton Creek at (844) 423-6637, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT, or email to wecare@hamptoncreek.com.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (e.g., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

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Ossie’s herring salads recalled for potential Listeria contamination

SM Fish Corp. of Far Rockaway, NY, is recalling OSSIE’S brand ready-to-eat Herring Salads because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products were sold at the firm’s eight retail outlets located in New York and New Jersey.

The recalled products were packed in plastic deli containers with a UPC Code and “Best By” date codes of 7/21/16 through 08/20/16 (located on the bottom of the tub):

• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX DAIRY, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885114136;
• OSSIE’S HERRING IN SOURCREAM, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885114174;
• OSSIE’S TAAM SHABBOS HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109057;
• OSSIES’S STIGLITZ HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109064;
• OSSIE’S WASABI HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109088;
• OSSIE’S SWEDISH MATJES HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109101;
• OSSIE’S DUBLIN HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109002;
• OSSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD HERRING; NET WT. 7 OZ. 739885109019;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX & CREAM, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104113;
• OSSIE’S SHMALTZ HERRING, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104182;
• OSSIE’S ROMAN SHMALTZ HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109026;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED HERRING, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104175;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED HERRING CLEAR, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104205;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104137.

No illnesses have been reported to date, according to the company.

The recall was the result of sampling and inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA found Listeria in multiple locations throughout the facility.

SM Fish Corp. ceased production and distribution of products following discussion with FDA on July 27. The company and FDA continue their investigation as to the cause of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased any of the above-listed products are urged not to consume them and to promptly return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 945-9838, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, or via email at recallssmf@gmail.com.

Listeria 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 diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

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Chapel Hill Creamery recalls cheese due to Salmonella risk

Chapel Hill Creamery has announced a voluntary recall of all Chapel Hill Creamery cheese products because of a potential association with an outbreak of Salmonella infections.

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