From the Board of Health

Food & Product Recalls 2007

• Whittier Farms Milk Products - 12/28/07
• Frozen Meat Pizza Recalls
• Vintage Soy Milk Chocolate
• Chicken & Pasta Product Recall for Possible Listeria Contamination
• Dole Lettuce
• Castleberry Food
• Toothpaste Recall
• Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
• Peanut Butter Alert
• Hill's Pet Nutrition Recall Information
• Pet Food Recall

12/27/2007

365 Organic Everyday Value
Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars

Whole Foods Market is expanding the recall of the 365 Organic Everyday Value
Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps to include a Best if Used By date
prior to 11/08/09 because the product may contain undeclared milk and tree
nuts. The product was distribted and sold at Whole Foods Market stores
nationwide.

Pot Pies

In Massachusetts, there have been five cases of salmonellosis that have been reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that match the outbreak strain that has been associated with pot pie consumption.

The cases include a two year old male from Bristol County; a 29 year old female from Suffolk County; an 82 year old female from Bristol County; a 46 year old male from Bristol County; and a 23 year old male from Franklin County. Two cases reported illness in May, one in July, and two in September. One case, the 82 year old woman, was hospitalized for two days and has since recovered; there have been no deaths.

Consumers are reminded NOT to eat any Banquet pot pie products or other brands of pot pies that bear the code/plant number “5009” or “P9”. If you have any of these products at home, discard them or return them to the point of purchase. If you have further questions, please call the Walpole Health Department at 508-660-7321.

White Choclate Baking Squares

Kraft Foods (Charts) issued a recall in the U.S. for its Baker's Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares (6oz) due to concerns that the product may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

The product was distributed nationwide.

Topps Meat Recall

Topps Meat Company, LLC, an Elizabeth, NJ, establishment is voluntarily recalling approximately 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E.coli 0157:H7.

The frozen ground beef products were produced on June 22, July 12, or July
23 and were distributed to food service institutions in the New York metropolitan area and to retail establishments nationwide.

This recall is currently associated with illnesses in CT, FL, IN, ME, NJ, NY, OH and PA. As of Friday, 9/29/07, there were no related cases in MA. Product under various brand names was distributed to retail establishments nationwide. Any suspect illnesses associated with consumption of ground beef in MA should be immediately reported to the Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712 or to the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800. It is important that consumers check frozen ground beef for recalled products and discard or return them if found. This is also a good time to remind consumers to fully cook ground beef to 160 F to reduce risks associated with E.coli O157:H7. Adequate cooking should be verified with an accurate food thermometer as meat color is not always a reliable indicator.

We believe that most of this product is no longer in retail food establishments. However, if recalled product is found for sale in the marketplace during routine or surveillance inspections, please notify the Walpole Health Department at (508-660-7321).