Salmonella Warnings and Outbreak Alerts

There is an increasing number of examples of how interconnected the nation’s food supply is. When one product is tainted it can contaminate a host of other, related food products.

For example F&S Fresh Foods is recalling 22 oz. Mediterranean Inspired Party Trays. The recall was initiated after F&S Fresh Foods was notified that Grecian Delight Tzatziki sauce supplied to F&S Fresh Foods may be contaminated with Salmonella because it contains cucumbers recalled by Sunfed Produce.

These products were sold at Ralph’s stores in California and Smith’s stores in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

The containers are plastic clamshells with the affected dip in a separate lidded cup as pictured below. Coding information will include the letters “GH” followed by three digits ranging from 325 - 339. Sell by dates range from 11/27/24 to 12/11/24.

No illnesses have been reported to F&S Fresh Foods to date. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What to do

Consumers who purchased this product with the above sell by dates and still have them in their refrigerator or freezer should not consume them; they should be destroyed or discarded so they cannot be consumed. Clean and sanitize surfaces they may have touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (888) 449-9386, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PT, Monday through Friday.

Food recalls are a big topic in the U.S. lately, with constant updates on items being pulled from shelves. However, the data show that the number of recalls this year is about the same as last year.

The real difference is how easily we hear about them now. In the 1970s, one or two of the three major TV networks might have reported on a recall. Today, social media, grocery apps, and news websites spread the news instantly.

This year the alarm bells have been more active than usual because there was so much recall activity around Thanksgiving, when people are focused on food and family gatherings, making them more susceptible to fears about food safety. 

Of course, it didn't help that names like Boar's Head and McDonald's were involved in some of the recalls. 

Recalls actually down a bit

But despite all the clamor, government statistics show that recalls this year are actually a little bit down from last year, at least for now. 

Between them, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have recorded 270 food and beverage recalls, withdrawals and alerts, according to the Washington Post. Keep in mind, though, that the numbers aren't tabulated daily, so the final year-end figures will differ.

Psychologist David Levari of Brown University points out that people tend to overestimate risks, especially ones they don’t encounter often.

“People tend to worry about those, sometimes more than car crashes, even though car crashes are much more common,” Levari said. “Airplane crashes can make more news, and they stick out in people’s memory,” he told the Post. 

While having instant access to information is useful, it’s important not to let it cause unnecessary worry.

The political limbo affecting the U.S. right now doesn't help either. The incoming Trump Administration is promising to slice regulatory agencies, including those that regulate food.

That may be encouraging to those who think cleaning house will make the agencies more efficient but it may be discouraging who we'll be worse off with fewer experts watching the food industry. 

Wenders of Dublin, Calif., is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts -- SKU number 37884 -- produced in India or Vietnam.

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A list of the recalled lot numbers and “Best By” dates items, produced in India or Vietnam, may be found here.

The recalled product was sold at at Trader Joe’s stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not eat it, but return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at foodsafety@wendersllc.com.

Pacific Trellis Fruit is recalling 4,872 cases of Malichita brand whole cantaloupes.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

This is a continuing outbreak, and several illnesses have been reported in the U.S. and Canada to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pacific Trellis Fruit has not received any reports of illness.

A list of the recalled products, packed in corrugated cartons with the price look-up sticker labeled “Malichita.,”and sold at retail supermarkets in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Canada, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them but discard them.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (323) 859-9600 Monday - Friday from 9AM – 5PM (PST).

Kwik Trip is recalling three varieties of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

There are no reported illnesses to date.

A list of the recalled products, sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois and South Dakota, may be found here.

What to do

Customers who purchase the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to their local store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (608) 781-8988.

Deskins Candies of Bluefield, W.Va. is recalling Deskins Candies Peanut Butter Fudge, Deskins Candies Peanut Butter No-Bake, Deskins Candies Peanut Butter Pinwheel, and Deskins Candies Chocolate No-Bake.

The products may be contaminated with salmonella. There have been no confirmed illnesses to date.

The following products, which come in a 16-oz clear plastic clamshell with coding on the top of the package beside the label, are being recalled:

• Peanut butter Fudge, UPC 7 33980 12311 7, expiration date 6/26
• Peanut butter No Bakes, UPC 7 33980 12331 7, expiration date 6/21
• Peanut butter Pinwheel, UPC 7 33980 12314 7, expiration date 6/16
• Chocolate No Bakes, UPC 7 33980 12334 7, expiration date 6/26

The recalled products were sold at Merchants Distributor in Hickory, North Carolina; Krogers in Salem, Virginia; Grants Supermarkets in West Virginia and Virginia; and Goodsons Supermarkets in West Virginia.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them. Instead, they should discard or return them to the place of purchase for full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company by phone at (304) 324-1938 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST).

Cargill is recalling select lots of Milk and Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter Meltaways, Peanut Butter Eggs and Fudge.

The products contain Jif peanut butter that was recalled by the J.M. Smucker company due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.

No illnesses or health-related complaints have been reported to Cargill to date, although there is a Salmonella outbreak associated with the consumption of Jif peanut butter.

The following 8-oz. boxes of peanut butter-containing products, sold between February 9 and March 28, 2022, at the Wilbur Chocolate store in Lititz, Pa., and online at Wilburbuds.com, are being recalled:

• K119D Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Eggs - 8 oz. Box, Lot 220216AC, Best if Used by Date of 5/16/2022
• K119M Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Eggs - 8 oz. Box, Lot 220216AF, Best if Used by Date of 5/16/2022
• K120D Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Meltaways - 8 oz Box, Lot 220224AA, Best if Used by Date of 4/24/2022, Lot 220219AB, Best if Used by Date of 4/19/2022 Lot 220215AC, Best if Used by Date of 4/15/2022
• K120M Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Meltaways - 8 oz. Box, Lot 220222AA with Best if Used by Date of 4/22/2022, Lot 220218AG with Best if Used by Date of 4/18/2022, Lot 220215AE with Best if Used by Date of 4/15/2022
• K121M Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz® Crackers - 8pc. 8 oz. Box, Lot 220302AF with Best if Used by Date of 6/2/2022, Lot 220216AJ with Best if Used by Date of 5/16/2022, Lot 220209AF with Best if Used by Date of 5/9/2022
• K508 Peanut Butter and Chocolate Fudge - 8 oz. Box Lot 220219AF with Best if Used by Date of 4/19/2022
• K509 Peanut Butter Fudge - 8 oz. Box, Lot 220219AC with Best if Used by Date of 4/19/2022

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return any unconsumed portions to the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store.

Consumers who want to return products and/or request a refund may contact the company at (717) 627-7946 between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (ET) Monday – Friday, or by email at Aweik@cargill.com.