Food Recall Information

Please review the following message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Public Health and Food Protection Program, NJDOH regarding the following Class 1 Recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

1. Maytag Dairy Farms is expanding its voluntary recall of "Maytag Blue" blue cheese wedges, wheels and crumbles because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The organism 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.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

This expanded recall is of 35 lots of 1, 4 and 8 oz. wedges and 2 and 4 lb. wheels: and 43 batches of 8 oz. crumbles and 5 lb. crumbles. This includes the 5 lots and 15 recalled batches which were announced February 19, 2016 and are noted in the tables below.

The recalled product was sold through distributors, wholesalers, retail stores, restaurants, and direct mail orders nationwide between November 24, 2015 and February 11, 2016. Affected products are packaged as follows:

Products Lot Number s
Wedges or wheels (all sizes) 150479, 150480, 150481, 150482, 150483, 150484, 150485, 150486, 150488, 150489, 150492, 150493, 150495, 150498, 150499, 150500, 150501, 150506, 150508, 150509, 150514, 150515, 150516, 150517, 150518, 150532, 150533, 150534, 150535, 150538, 150539, 150648, 150649, 150650, 150651

Product Batch Number s
Crumbles (both sizes) 950804, 960020, 950805, 960037, 950806, 960040, 950807, 960041, 950808, 960049, 950809, 960054, 950813, 960069, 950818, 960070, 950825, 960071, 960072, 950830, 960073, 950848, 950826, 950849, 960053, 950851, 960067, 950853, 960068, 950855, 950856, 950858, 950859, 960001, 960002, 960004, 960025, 960034, 960036, 960051, 960055, 960065, 960066

The lot number or batch number appears on the side or the bottom of the product.

The potential for contamination was discovered after testing by the State of Iowa revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in two lots of product. Maytag Dairy Farms has voluntarily suspended production and distribution while the company collaborates with the Food and Drug Administration and the State of Iowa to determine the cause of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discard them immediately and not consume them. Customers can call Maytag Dairy Farms at 800-247-2458 or 641-791-2010 Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CST to arrange for a refund and return of the product.

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2. Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas is voluntarily recalling Maytag Raw Milk Blue Cheese nationally due to possible contamination with 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 diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall to date.

The recalled cheese was sold cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap with scale labels in various weights reading "Maytag Blue Raw Milk," "Maytag Blue" or "Maytag Iowa Blue Cheese" and with PLU numbers beginning with 293308 and "sell-by" dates of January 20, 2016 and March 21, 2016. The product was sold from cheese cases in various Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. Out of an abundance of caution, Whole Foods Market is recalling the products from all of its stores nationwide.

The potential for contamination was discovered after testing by the State of Iowa revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in two lots of product. Maytag Dairy Farms has voluntarily suspended production and distribution while the company collaborates with FDA and the State of Iowa to determine the cause of the problem.

Customers who have purchased this product should discard it, and may bring their receipt into the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 512-477-5566, extension 20060, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Daylight Time.

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3. Best Cash and Carry, 56 30, 1956 Street, Maspeth, NY 11378 is recalling ROSE BRAND DRY APRICOT (TURKEY), because it contains undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled ROSE BRAND DRY APRICOT (TURKEY) comes in an un-coded, 7 oz. plastic bag and 5lb clear plastic bag and were sold in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in product, which was not declared on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

Analysis of the ROSE BRAND DRY APRICOT (TURKEY) revealed it contained 250.0 milligrams per serving.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product. Consumers who have purchased ROSE BRAND DRY APRICOT (TURKEY) are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1 718-786-8961.

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4. Nestlé USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited number of DiGiorno®, Lean Cuisine®, and Stouffer's® products due to the potential presence of glass pieces. This voluntary recall covers only specific production codes of the following products:

. DiGiorno Thin and Crispy Spinach and Garlic Pizza
. DiGiorno Rising Crust Spinach and Mushroom Pizza
. DiGiorno pizzeria Thin Crust Spinach and Mushroom Pizza
. DiGiorno pizzeria Tuscan-style Chicken Pizza
. Lean Cuisine Spinach and Mushroom Pizza
. Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli
. Lean Cuisine Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli
. Lean Cuisine Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Panini
. Lean Cuisine Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli
. Stouffer's Vegetable Lasagna (10 oz., 37 oz. and 96 oz. sizes)
. Stouffer's Spinach Soufflé
. Stouffer's Chicken Lasagna

The voluntary recall is limited to the production codes listed below. To locate the production code, consumers should look on the side panel of the package. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of DiGiorno, Lean Cuisine or Stouffer's products are affected by this recall.

No injuries have been reported. The firm is recalling these products because they may contain small pieces of glass that may cause injury. Although an investigation is ongoing, the firm believes the source of the glass is spinach that was an ingredient common to the products subject to this recall. Nestlé USA is taking this action out of an abundance of caution after several consumers reported that they had found small pieces of glass in some of these products.

Consumers who may have purchased the products listed above should not consume them but should instead contact Nestlé Consumer Services at 800-681-1676.

DiGiorno products affected by the recall:

Item Production Code UPC Best Before Date
DiGiorno Thin and Crispy Spinach and Garlic Pizza 5363525921
5363525922
5364525921 7192145143 July 2016
6019525921
6019525922 August 2016
DiGiorno Rising Crust
Spinach and Mushroom Pizza 6004525932
6005525931
6020855932
6021525931 7192100335 August 2016
DiGiorno pizzeria Thin Crust
Spinach and Mushroom Pizza 6009525952 7192158570 August 2016
DiGiorno pizzeria!
Tuscan-style Chicken Pizza 6017525952
6018525951 7192196236 August 2016
Lean Cuisine products affected by the recall:
Item Production Code UPC Best Before Date
Lean Cuisine Spinach and Mushroom Pizza 5339587814
5340587814
5340587815
6003587814 13800135209 November 2016
Lean Cuisine Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Panini 5348587814
6011587814 13800553263 July 2016
August 2016
Lean Cuisine Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli 5348587812
5349587812 13800583581 January 2017
Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli 5362587812
5363587812 13800558060 Jan 2017
Lean Cuisine Ricotta Cheese and Spinach Ravioli 6004595912
6005595912 1380093052 Feb 2017
Stouffer's products affected by the recall:
Item Production Code UPC Best Before Date
Stouffer's Vegetable Lasagna
Party Size (96oz) 5351595916
53535959155353595916 13800190024 March 2017
6004595916 April 2017
Stouffer's Whole Grain Vegetable Lasagna (10oz) 5353595913 13800103239 March 2017
6011595513 April 2017
Stouffer's Vegetable Lasagna
Family Size (37oz) 5349595914 13800555106 January 2017
Stouffer's Chicken Lasagna Party
Size (96oz) 5355595915 13800030528 January 2018
Stouffer's Spinach Soufflé (12oz) 5353595528
5353595538 13800105851 July 2016

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5. Wonderful Pistachios announced that it is voluntarily recalling a limited number of flavors and sizes of in-shell and shelled pistachios due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. 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 (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, some of these products may be linked to an outbreak of Salmonellosis. The products, which were distributed through several retailers nationwide, and in Canada, Mexico, and Peru, can be identified by a 13-digit lot code number found on the lower back or bottom panel of the package. The specific products and lot codes are:

Product Description Brand UPC Unit WT Code Date / Lot Number Lot Code Location
Roasted No Salt Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113910064 16oz 2016 OCT 26 -
1509123255601
1509123255701
1509123255901

2016 OCT 27 -
1509123256001 back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted No Salt Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113910187 8oz October 26, 2016 -
1509123259601 Back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted No Salt Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113913652 200g 2016/10/26 -
1509123260301 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted No Salt Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113912532 225g 2016/10/26 -
1509123256901 Back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted Salt and Pepper Inshell Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113910293

Box:
014113913362 4.5oz 2016 NOV 05 -
1510123307001 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113911856

Box:
014113911863 1.5 oz October 26, 2016 -
1509123256701

October 28, 2016 -
1509123256801 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113911979 24 oz 2016 OCT 27 -
1509123260601

2016 NOV 02 -
1510123304901 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113910088

Box:
014113910156 5 oz 2016 OCT 30 -
1509123289801 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113913706 13 oz 2016 NOV 02 -
1510123304801 On clear bag - bottom that has back seal
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 014113913638 40 oz November 5, 2016 -
1510123332601 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Shelled Pistachios Wonderful 014113734066 6oz October 26, 2016 -
1509123260401 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Shelled Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113910132

Box:
014113913386 2.5oz 2016 NOV 02 -
1510123295001 Back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted Salted Shelled Pistachios Wonderful 014113910125 24oz 2016 NOV 04 -
1510123331501

2016 NOV 02 -
1510123305001 Bottom of the bag
Roasted Salted Shelled Pistachios Wonderful 014113734066 6 oz November 2, 2016 -
1510123295301 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Shelled Pistachios Wonderful 014113912044 225g 2016/10/27 -
1509123259801 Back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted Sweet Chili Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113913331

Box:
014113913348 1.25oz 2016 NOV 04 -
1510123307901 back of the bag - bottom left
Roasted Sweet Chili Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113910309

Box:
014113913379 4.5oz 2016 NOV 05 -
1510123308101 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful Bag:
014113912839

Box:
014113910323 1 oz 2016 OCT 26 -
1509123255401

2016 OCT 29 -
1509123255501

2016 NOV 02 -
1510123294801 Back of the bag - bottom right
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Wonderful 00014113910255 25 lbs 2016/11/02 -
1510123294601

2016/11/05 -
1510123332501 side box
Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios Paramount Farms NA 25 lbs 2016 OCT 27 -
1509123280901

2016 NOV 05 -
1510123332401 side box
50% Less Salt Dry Roasted and Salted Inshell Pistachios Trader Joe's 00111348 16 oz 2016 OCT 28 -
1509123256501

2016 OCT 28 -
1509123256401

2016 OCT 29 -
1509123256601

2016 NOV 03 -
1510123307101

2016 NOV 04 -
1510123307201
1510123307301 Back of the bag - bottom right
Dry Roasted and Unsalted Inshell Pistachios Trader Joe's 00079990 16oz 2016 OCT 27 -
1509123256101

2016 OCT 28 -
1509123256201
1509123256301 Back of the bag - bottom right
Dry Roasted and Salted Inshell Pistachios Trader Joe's 00079983 16 oz 2016 OCT 28 -
1509123259901
1509123260001

2016 OCT 29 -
1509123260101

2016 NOV 03 -
1510123294901 Back of the bag - bottom right

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Please review the following message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Public Health and Food Protection Program, NJDOH regarding the following Class 1 Recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

6. AA USA Trading Inc. of South River, NJ is recalling ginger slice products packaged under the AA brand in 8-ounce plastic bags, because they may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The AA brand products were sold in retail stores in New York and New Jersey beginning in July 2014.

The 8-ounce ginger slice product was sold in a plastic bag printed in green and white with the letters "AA" and the "thumbs-up" symbol, labeled "Ginger Slice," with UPC code 6944155210065.

No illnesses have been reported to date. No complaints have been received. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the ginger slice products containing sulfites was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sulfites. Investigation I indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging and labeling processes.

Consumers who have purchased AA brand ginger slice should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Mei Zhang (secretary): 732-651-9948 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

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7. Gerber Products Company is voluntarily recalling specific Organic pouch products after identifying a packaging defect that may result in product spoilage during transport and handling. Gerber is working to retrieve from retailers and online stores the remaining pouches from the four affected batches of GERBER® Organic 2ND FOOD pouches that fail to meet company standards. Gerber is offering replacement coupons for consumers who purchased the following products:

GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® Pouches -Pears, Carrots and Peas, 3.5 ounce pouch UPC 15000074319
Best By dates/batch codes

. 12JUL2016 51945335XX
. 13JUL 2016 51955335XX

GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® Pouches - Carrots, Apples and Mangoes, 3.5 ounce pouch UPC 15000074395
Best By dates/batch codes

. 13JUL2016 51955335XX
. 14JUL2016 51965335XX

This recall does not impact any other Gerber pouches, other Gerber products or products outside of the US.

Consumers may notice that, in some cases, the pouches are bloated and product inside may have an off taste or odor. There have been three consumer reports of temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, however, we have been unable to confirm that these are related to the product. Consumers should not use the product, since it does not meet our high quality standards.

The products were distributed at U.S. retailers nationwide and through online stores. Consumers who purchased pouches with the above UPCs, batch codes and expiration dates are encouraged to contact the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 800-706-0556 anytime day or night for a replacement coupon.

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8. Trader Joe's of Monrovia, California is voluntarily recalling all codes of Trader Joe's Chocolate Orange Sticks (UPC 00847162) and Trader Joe's Chocolate Raspberry Sticks (UPC 00847122) because the products may contain more than the stated "traces of milk" on the label. All affected product has been removed from store shelves. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Trader Joe's Chocolate Orange Sticks and Trader Joe's Chocolate Raspberry Sticks are packaged in an 18 oz. clear tub. The products were distributed to Trader Joe's stores nationwide. Trader Joe's initiated the voluntary removal of these products after noticing the chocolate coating appeared lighter in color than expected. Two allergic reactions have been reported to date.

Customers who have purchased the Trader Joe's Chocolate Orange Sticks and/or Trader Joe's Chocolate Raspberry Sticks may return them to Trader Joe's for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe's customer relations at (626) 599- 3817, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday.

No action is required of local health departments at this time for any of these recalls. If any requests for assistance are received from FDA, the Public Health and Food Protection Program will contact you. For additional information regarding warnings and recalls, please click on the weblink below.

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Consumers may return these products to Wonderful Pistachios for a refund by sending the product back or bottom portion of the package that contains the lot code (see photo below) to Wonderful Pistachios, 13646 Highway 33, Lost Hills, CA 93249. If consumers prefer, they may return the product to the store from which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers should discard the nuts prior to returning the entire package or lot code panel to their retail store

Consumers with questions are encouraged to contact 844-505-3844, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

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No action is required of local health departments at this time for any of these recalls. If any requests for assistance are received from either FDA or USDA, the Public Health and Food Protection Program will contact you. For additional information regarding warnings and recalls, please click on the weblink below.

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For all recalls - http://www.recalls.gov/recent.html