Michael Foods Hard-cooked Eggs Listeria Monocytogenes

Michael Foods Hard-cooked Eggs Listeria Monocytogenes, More than one million hard-boiled eggs are being recalled across the US over fears the products could be contaminated with potentially-deadly Listeria monocytogenes.

Michael Foods Inc. is recalling specific lots of hard-boiled eggs in brine produced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility, after testing identified a room at the company’s packaging facility as the likely source of the contamination.

None of the eggs were sold directly to retailers or consumers by the manufacturer, the statement added.

The recalled eggs were purchased by food distributors and manufacturers across 34 US states including Colorado – the origin of a 2011 Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that killed 30.

The original Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall is limited to hard-cooked eggs in brine in 10 and 25 pound pails. The products are labelled under six brand names; Columbia Valley Farms, GFS, Glenview Farms, Papetti’s, Silverbrook, Wholesome Farms.

‘Likely source’ identified

A Michael Foods recall statement, which was published on the FDA website, added that no illnesses have been reported in relation to the recalled product.

“Michael Foods reached the decision to expand this recall after a thorough investigation which indicated a specific repair project that took place in the packaging room as the likely source of the contamination,” said the company statement.

“The recall was initiated after lab testing revealed that some of the eggs with the recalled lot dates may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall of three lot dates was announced on Thursday January 26.”

“As a precautionary measure, the recall was expanded today to include additional lot dates.”

“The company has taken a number of corrective steps to address the issue and prevent recurrence,” it added.

Salad recall

New Jersey-based F&S Produce Company has recalled approximately 389 pounds of Cobb and Spinach salads after it became aware that eggs in the salad were the subject of an FDA recall.

“The problem was discovered when F&S Produce Company Inc. was notified by one of its suppliers that hard-cooked eggs (a product inspected by the FDA) had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and are being recalled by Michael Foods Egg Products Co,” said an alert published by the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Kraft Foods Stocks

Kraft Foods Stocks, Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) posted fourth-quarter 2011 operating EPS of 57 cents per share, which was in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, it went up 23.9% from 47 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.

In fiscal year 2011, Kraft delivered operating EPS of $2.29 per share, in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while beating the year-ago period by 13.4%.

The results of fourth quarter 2011 exclude the integration program costs of 8 cents per share and spin-off costs of 2 cents per share, while the fiscal 2011 earnings exclude the integration program costs of 28 cents per share and spin-off costs of 2 cents per share. The fourth quarter of 2010 also excludes the integration program costs of 15 cents per share, while the fiscal year 2010 excludes gain from discontinuing operations of 95 cents, acquisition-related expenses and costs of 21 cents, integration program costs of 29 cents and other health care legislation impact of 8 cents per share.

Including the one-time charges, reported earnings were 47 cents per share in the fourth quarter 2011, up 51.6%. However, reported earnings declined 16.7% to $1.99 per share in fiscal 2011.

Management credited the robust sales growth, effective cost management and prudent investments in the company’s iconic brands for strong results in the quarter. Kraft also remained in-line with its long-term growth targets.

Following the strong results, Kraft expects its 2012 operating earnings to grow at least 9%, despite a higher effective tax rate and a 4 percentage point headwind from higher pension costs.

February 2012 Food Recalls

February 2012 Food Recalls, The public warning issued on February 24, 2012 has been expanded to include an additional product and distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Food Classics are warning the public not to consume certain Country Morning beef burger product, described below, because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected product, Country Morning brand Beef Burgers, is sold frozen, in a 2.27 kg package bearing the UPC 057316 086624 and one of the following codes: 12861 EST 761, 22861 EST 761, 32861 EST 761 or 42861 EST 761.

The Country Morning Beef Burgers product has been distributed to Co-op and TGP grocery stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, New Food Classics, 1122 International Blvd., Suite 601, Burlington, Ontario is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

New Food Classics at 1-289-398-2009 during business hours, and at 1-647-627-8761 after hours.

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8)(8:Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca . Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca .