BOTULISM, BABY FOOD, UNEVISCERATED FISH - USA: RISK, RECALL

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International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1] Baby food
[2] Uneviscerated fish - USA ex Russia

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[1] Baby food
Date: Mon 19 Oct 2009
Source: The Associated Press (AP) [edited]



Plum Organics of Emeryville, California, is recalling some of its
apple and carrot portable pouch baby food because of concerns over
possible botulism contamination.

The product was sold individually throughout the country at Toys-R-Us
and Babies-R-Us stores. The recalled product is sold in 4.22-ounce
pouches, with a "best by" date of 21 May 2010, and UPC 890180001221.

"The product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity
level," Paul Gerhardt, a member of the Plum Organics action team,
said in a statement.

The company is concerned that the baby food may be contaminated with
_Clostridium botulinum_, which can cause botulism, a serious and
sometimes life-threatening condition. Consumers should not use these
products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the possible
health risk.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the baby food, and
no other Plum Organics products are affected, the company said in a statement.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


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[2] Uneviscerated fish - USA ex Russia
Date: Mon 19 Oct 2009
Source: UPI (United Press International) [edited]



The Food and Drug Administration announced the nationwide recall of
"Herring Salted," a product of Russia, due to improper processing.
The FDA said TGF Production LLC of New York initiated the recall
because the product was found to be improperly eviscerated.

The recalled herring was distributed nationwide in 2.86-pound round
plastic containers with the code numbers "24.08.09" and "13.07.09."
Uneviscerated fish is likely to be bacterially contaminated because
_Clostridium botulinum_ spores are more likely to be concentrated in
the viscera than any other portion of the fish, officials said, and
uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulism
poisoning, a serious and potentially fatal illness.

Consumers who have purchased the salted herring are advised not to
eat it and should return it to the place of purchase.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett

[Because of the potential severity of botulism, ProMED-mail posts
such recalls even if, as in this case, there are no human cases
associated with the food products. Most of the food recalls (as in
these cases) are related to defective preparation procedures, which
could, but not necessarily do, result in the germination of viable
spores of _C. botulinum_. - Mod.LL]

[see also:
Botulism, home canned green beans - USA: (WA) 20090310.0990
Botulism, uneviscerated fish - USA (02): risk, recall 20090228.0827
Botulism, uneviscerated fish - USA: (NY, NJ) risk, recall 20090120.0247
Botulism, dessert sauces - USA: risk, recall 20090126.0343
2008
----
Botulism, human, home canned green beans - USA: (OH) 20080919.2947
Botulism, native foods - USA: (AK) 2007 20080811.2472
Botulism, tea concentrate - USA: (MT, AZ) risk, recall 20080618.1903
Botulism, pesto - USA: risk, recall 20080429.1474
Botulism, canned bean salad - USA: risk, recall 20080229.0821
Botulism, olive oil dip - USA: risk, recall 20080204.0448
Botulism, fish - USA: (NY, NJ, MD), risk, recall 20080124.0299
Botulism, canned beans - USA (03): risk, bean salad recall 20080122.0264
Botulism, canned beans - USA: risk, expanded recall 20080109.0117
Botulism, canned soup - USA: (PA) recall, RFI 20080103.0030
Botulism, foie gras - France: risk, recall 20080102.0016
Botulism, canned food: aerosol risk 20080101.0008
2007
----
Botulism, human - USA (02): (VA) 20071121.3773
Botulism, human - USA: (VA), RFI 20071114.3700
Botulism risk, canned green beans - N. America: recall 20070802.2494
Botulism, canned food, human, pet - N. America (06) 20070807.2566
Botulism, canned food, human, pet - USA (03) 20070729.2433
Botulism, canned food, human, pet - N. America 20070725.2385
Botulism, canned food, human, pet - USA (02) 20070724.2377
Botulism, canned food, human, pet - USA: alert, recall 20070723.2366
Botulism, chili sauce - USA: alert, recall (02) 20070720.2331
Botulism, chili sauce - USA: alert, recall 20070719.2316]
...................................ll/mj/mpp

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