US-Web Med-Food Companies Pledge Safety Crackdown

Congress Hears Testimony on Recent Spate of Food RecallsFeb. 26, 2008 — CEOs from some of the nation’s biggest food companies tried to allay safety fears Tuesday, telling lawmakers on Capitol Hill that they’re cracking down on violations that have lead to dozens of food recalls.

The latest recall was a record halt on sales of 143 million pounds of beef from California’s Hallmark/Westland company. The company was the No. 2 supplier of meat to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school lunch program, which feeds millions of children.

Investigators have found no cases of illness being caused by the Hallmark/Westland meat. But a secret tape made by the Humane Society showed workers slaughtering weak or sick “downer cows” for food.

Leaders of companies including Dole, ConAgra, and tuna canner Bumble Bee all told lawmakers they were embarrassed by recent food recalls from their plants.

An analysis by a House investigative subcommittee showed that companies have issued food recalls more than 90 times in the last year. They included a recall of Peter Pan peanut butter and Banquet turkey pot pies last year, both because of salmonella contamination. Both products are made by food giant ConAgra.

Gary M. Rodkin, ConAgra’s CEO, told lawmakers that the company has “completely revamped its safety procedures and has also hired 250 new safety personnel…more..

UPI-US-Sum Cheong Lung-brand dried fish recalled

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of Sum Cheong Lung-brand dried fish due to possible contamination.

The FDA said the dried fish, imported from China by the Summit Import Corp. of Jersey City, N. J., had not been eviscerated prior to processing, potentially contaminating the fish with Botulism spores.

The recalled Sum Cheong Lung-brand Dried Fish was sold in uncoded 12-ounce plastic bags in New York state.

Consumers can return the fish to the place of purchase for a refund or contact the company at 201-839-2882.

Australasia-New Zealand-New Zealand Herald-Staff possible cause of listeria, says owner

The owner of a meat company whose products are at the centre of a North Island listeria scare says a staff member could have introduced the disease to the factory.

Leonard’s Superior Smallgoods manager and co-owner Richard Kornman yesterday told the Herald it was possible a staff member had failed to follow hygiene procedures in the company’s “high care” area, where the packaged, cold meats were sliced.

“We have staff in that area who we feel are well trained, and doing a very, very good job … but there has been a failure in procedure.”

Staff working in the area wear protective clothing – including smocks – that must be removed before they leave, but it was possible a staff member had failed to remove all safety clothing before leaving the area on a break, he said…more..

US-FL-WKRG News-E. Coli Scare at Church Potluck

At least 20 people who attended the annual “Beast Feast and Wild Game Supper” at the Eastern Shore First Baptist Church last weekend got sick. Health department officials say eight of those 20 people were infected with the E. coli bacteria.

“Three of the people infected are still in the hospital,” says Teresa Porter with the Baldwin County Health Department. “And there’s an two-to-ten day incubation period for this organism so we’ve got a couple more days to go.”

Associate Pastor Ken Wilson at the Eastern Shore Baptist Church says they’re praying for the people who got sick.

“It’s affected all of us as a church family,” says Wilson. “We’re doing whatever we can to help the families affected and we’re cooperating with the health department.”

Health department officials were at the church Monday inspecting the snack bar inside the church gym where the food was served.

US-MN-KTTC News-Miraculous E. Coli Recovery

ROCHESTER, MN — She spent more than two months in a coma and almost died, all from eating a cheeseburger.

Now, 21-year-old Stephanie Smith is on the road to recovery, and her family is calling it a miracle.

Stephanie came down with E. coli poisoning after a family barbecue last October.

The family has endured months of worry and pain.

Stephanie’s doctor says she is doing well and her recovery is unlike anything he’s seen during his career.

“I am the luckiest mother in the world to have my daughter back,” says Sharon Smith.

Last Thanksgiving, Sharon Smith was trying to somehow prepare for the worst as her daughter’s illness nearly killed her.

“How do you say goodbye to our daughter or anybody you love who is still there? I don’t know how parents do that,” says Smith.

Doctors put Stephanie in a drug induced coma last October to slow down the seizures she was having and to apply medication.

Dr. Kenley Schmidt says, “The brain injury from the E. coli poisoning as well as being in seizures for such a long time, the risk for death is very high.”…more..

Canada-CBC News-Sausages recalled over possible salmonella contamination

Consumers are being warned not to eat certain Maison de Savoie brand sausages sold in Quebec because of possible salmonella contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Quebec-based importer Diffusion T.G.V. Inc. urged people on Saturday to throw out Sarment Courbe — pure pork dry sausage — sold under the name brand name Maison de Savoie.

The sausages are sold in 250 g packages bearing lot code 02 51 29 and a best before date of 13.04.08. They were sold in the greater Montreal and greater Quebec City areas. The sausages are being recalled from store shelves.

There have been no reported illnesses.

For more information, consumers can call Diffusion T.G.V. at 450-435-3503, or the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.