Death by Chocolate

Latest news about the milk manufactured in China.

HONG KONG — British chocolate maker Cadbury said Monday that tests have "cast doubt" on the safety of its Chinese-made products and ordered a recall, the latest foreign company affected by China's tainted milk scandal.

Meanwhile, two U.S. food makers were investigating Indonesian claims that high traces of melamine were found in Chinese-made Oreos, M&Ms and Snickers.

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North Aire Market Issues Allergy Alert on Possible Traces of Almonds in Chicken Dumpling Soup Mix

North Aire Market of Shakopee, MN is recalling 99 boxes of Chicken Dumpling Soup Mix because they may contain undeclared traces of almonds. The 99 boxes were sold in various parts of the country primarily to specialty gift shops and through the company’s web site under the brand, “Maggie & Mary’s Chicken Dumpling Soup Mix.” The lot codes related to this recall are: 0730810, 0720810, 0910810, 0920811, 0920810, 0930810, 0980810, and are found on the bottom of the retail box.

Alaz Fine Food Corp. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Delta Brand Golden Raisins

"ALAZ FINE FOOD CORP located at 119 32nd St Brooklyn NY 11232 is recalling Delta brand Golden Raisins 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 Delta brand Golden Raisins is sold in 16 oz un-coded plastic bags. The product was sold in New York City."

New Recall of Certain Lots of Mexican-style Chili Beans, Green Beans and Dark Red Kidney Beans

New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan is announcing a new recall to include Mexican style chili beans, green beans, and dark red kidney beans that were shipped to food service and retail customers because a records review identified the possibility that a small number of cans from each lot may not have been adequately cooked.

New Era is recalling these products as a precautionary measure because cans of vegetables that have not been adequately cooked have the potential for the growth of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. Botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. The incubation period can be 2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours.

Salmonella fear prompts recall of Mexico-grown basil

"Some 5,500 pounds of basil grown in Mexico and sold in the United States was recalled because of fears it may be infected with salmonella, a spokesman for the importer said Thursday.
The basil was imported from a farm in Mexico's southern Baja California region on Dec. 5 and sold to food distributors in Southern California, Texas and Illinois the following day, said Alberto Martinez, a spokesman for Los Angeles-based importer Top Line Specialty Produce
"

Whole Foods Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in 365 Organic Everyday Value Swiss Milk Chocolate Bar With Rice Crisps

Whole Foods Market® is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps, 3-ounce size, with a Best If Used By date of 11/21/07, because products with that lot code may contain undeclared hazelnuts, walnuts and pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The product was distributed to and sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps are sold in blue and white wrappers with a picture of chocolate pieces and the Swiss countryside on the front. The recalled chocolate bars have a Best If Used By date of 11/21/07, which is found on the back of the wrapper in a white box.

Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Recall of 1.5 oz. Bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips in North Texas Due to Undeclared Milk

"Frito-Lay announced the voluntary recall of 41 cases (2,460 bags) of 1.5 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips. This lot is marked as Lay's Classic Potato Chips but may contain Lay's Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored Potato Chips. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious life threatening allergic reaction if they consume the Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored product. No illnesses have been reported to date."

Stop & Shop Updates Cookie Tray Recall

"The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced a recall of Stop & Shop 2- pound cookie trays produced by Luigi’s Bakery and sold in Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut and New York. The cookies were recalled because the label did not list as ingredients artificial colors including FD&C Yellow #5, which can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Upon investigation by regulatory agencies, the cookies were found to contain milk and sulfur dioxide, both of which were not listed on the label and can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals."

Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb

"Prosperity Resources Intl. Inc. at 464 Coit Street Irvington, N.J. 07111 is recalling "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb" because it may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb", a product of China, is packaged in uncoded 12 oz plastic bags. There were sold nationwide.

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 packages of "Golden Flower Brand Dried Lily Bulb" which did not declare sulfites 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."

Quality Plus Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Smoked Wild Salmon Spread

"Quality Plus Products, Inc., of Bellingham, Washington is recalling its 7 ounce packages of "Jackson's Quality Plus Smoked Wild Salmon Spread" because the top ingredient label does not mention eggs however; it is listed on the side label of ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled "Jackson's Quality Plus Smoked Wild Salmon Spread" products were distributed in retail stores located in Northwestern Washington. The product comes in 7 ounce, clear plastic containers, with an ingredient label on the top lid and an ingredient label on the side with SELL BY dates up to and including 01/15/08 stamped on the side of the container."

Wisconsin Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. Coli

American Foods Group, LLC, a Green Bay, Wisc., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 95,927 pounds of various coarse and fine ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Charlemagne Chocolatiers Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Protein in Charlemagne Dark Chocolate Organic Bars

"Charlemagne Chocolatiers of Belgium is voluntarily recalling its dark chocolate organic bars currently on the US market, because it may contain undeclared milk protein. 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"

Kirin Beverage to Recall 400,000 Bottles of Lemon Drink

"Kirin Holdings Co.'s Kirin Beverage unit said yesterday it will recall 400,000 bottles of lemon drink because the company found fungus in some of the products.

The fungus doesn't cause health problems, Kirin Beverage said in a press release posted on its Web Site, without giving further details. The product is based on lemon peel marinated in beer and flavored with honey."

Canadian Food Inspection Agency expands beef recall

"Canada's food inspection agency expanded its public warning not to eat certain beef products distributed by Ranchers Beef Ltd. because of possible E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria contamination.

On Tuesday the Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded its initial recall of beef product distributed by the Alberta-based producer to various retail outlets including Canora AG Foods in southern Saskatchewan between June 12 and Aug. 2 inclusive."

Menu Foods posts loss in wake of petfood recall

"Menu Foods Income Fund (MEW_u.TO: Quote, Profile, Research), still struggling with the fallout from its massive recall of tainted pet food, posted a third-quarter loss on Wednesday and said that customers who accounted for more than a third of its sales in 2006 will no longer do business with the company."

ConAgra says pot pie recall to cost $30 million

"ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG.N: Quote, Profile , Research) on Wednesday said it would incur about $30 million in costs related to a recent recall of pot pies due to salmonella contamination.

ConAgra said it has resumed production of the Banquet and store brand pot pies, which were recalled on October 11."

China told to stop blame game for product safety

"China should pay more attention to shoring up its product safety supervision network rather than apportioning blame for recent problems, a senior European Union official said on Wednesday.

The quality of Chinese goods has come under international scrutiny following scandals involving products ranging from toothpaste and pet food to toys and fish."