Del Monte is recalling hundreds of green apples that contain a dangerous food poisoning bacteria.

Del Monte Fresh Produce has issued a voluntary recall of more than 750 packages of Granny Smith green apples contaminated with a dangerous bacterial organism. The bacteria, known as listeria monocytogenes, attacks the immune systems of children, elderly and sick people.

While the bacteria only cause mild symptoms in healthy individuals, listeria monocytogenes exposure can lead to stillbirths, miscarriages and death.

Recall Details

Pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and the sick are most vulnerable to Listeriosis because these populations have the weakest immune systems.
Image: All Posters

The Granny Smith green apples may either be boxed in a package of 8 or wrapped in clear plastic bags containing 6 apples each. The recall includes 695 boxes and 67 plastic-wrapped bundles.

From Oct. 1 to Oct. 12, the packages were sold to Coremark and 7-Eleven in the Mountain States region. They were sold in convenience stores in  Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The fruit are often sold individually.

Symptoms of listeria monocytogenes infections include high fever, severe headache, stuffiness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term effects include miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women and death of individuals with weakened immune systems.

Del Monte has not received reports of illnesses linked to the contamination. A consumer discovered the presence of bacteria after conducting microbial testing on raw apples.

Recall Solution

Although the recall is precautionary, Del Monte urges consumers to contact the company for a full refund.
Image: LinkedIn

If you purchased packages of Del Monte’s Granny Smith green apples at the beginning of October, your products might be affected by this recall. The FDA urges consumers to throw out products that may be contaminated with the bacteria.

While retailers have been told to remove the products from store shelves, consumers may contact Del Monte Fresh Produce for a refund.

Contact Del Monte via phone at 1-800-659-6500 or email the company at Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdelmonte.com.

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Peanut Corporation of America’s top executives, including former CEO Stewart Parnell, were sentenced to prison for causing the 2014 salmonella outbreak.

Stewart Parnell, the former CEO of Peanut Corporation of America, was sentenced to more than two decades in prison for knowingly shipping peanut butter contaminated with salmonella across the nation.

The company’s Georgia manufacturing plant was responsible for the one of the largest food safety recalls in history. The executives were charged for causing the 2014 salmonella outbreak that killed nine people and sickened hundreds of others.

Executives Convicted

The contamination was sourced to a manufacturing plant in Blakely, Georgia before it spread to 46 states across the United States. The plant is now closed.
Image: Reuters

The top executives were aware that the peanut butter contained salmonella. Because they had knowledge of the contamination, Parnell was implicated on federal conspiracy charges.

But Parnell isn’t going down alone. His brother, 56-year-old Michael Parnell, was a food broker for the corporation. He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

It seems that U.S. District Judge Louis Sands was generous in handing out sentences, which could have amounted to life in prison for Parnell and 24 years for his brother.

Another co-conspirator, Mary Wilkerson, was found guilty of obstruction of justice. She is 41 years old and will spend the next five years in prison.

Trial and Testimony

Salmonella is estimated to cause one million illnesses in the United States, with 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths every year, according to the CDC.
Image: The Daily Meal

Prosecutors made the case that the Parnell brothers were aware of the salmonella contamination for years. They reportedly falsified certification information despite laboratory tests that came up positive for salmonella.

However, the Parnell brothers said they never knowingly endangered customers.

“No one thought that the products were unsafe or could harm someone,” said Stewart Parnell’s daughter, Grey Parnell. “Dad brought them home to us. We all ate it.”

Many of victim’s family members were present at the trial and took the opportunity to testify on behalf of their loved ones.

In 2009, Minnesota resident Jeff Almer’s mother Shirley Almer died after eating tainted peanut butter.

“My mother died a painful death from salmonella, and the look of horror on her face as she died shall always haunt me,” he said. “I just hope they ship you all to jail.”

Almer and others victims of the 2014 salmonella outbreak had their wish come true. But in the American legal system, the chance for appeal always exists.

Tom Bondurant Jr., the Parnell’s attorney, vowed to file an appeal on the grounds that the sentences are too harsh. The men will have to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences before they can be considered for parole.

“Given the ages of these two men, this is a life sentence,” Bondurant said.

The Crunchy Truth

Stewart Parnell was given a felony conviction, which marks the longest sentence for an executive in a food safety case.
Image: CNN

It’s no surprise that Peanut Corporation of America has been dissolved. But the decades-long sentence is unusual in a food contamination case.

According to the Justice Department, it’s one of the longest sentences in U.S. history.

Parnell is 61 years old, which means that he will be in lockup until he reaches the age of 89. If the full sentence is enforced, it’s possible that he will die behind bars.

“This has been a seven-year nightmare for me and my family. I’m truly, truly sorry for what’s happened,” Parnell said at the trial.

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Western Beef is recalling an unknown number of “Western Beef Packaged of Sun Dried Tomatoes” containing undeclared sulfites. Consuming sulfites could cause a life-threatening allergic reaction in some individuals.

Western Beef, a low-cost supermarket chain, is recalling sun dried tomato packages that contain sulfites. The labeling doesn’t inform the customer that the product contains sulfites, which is a violation of FDA law.

According to the FDA, one out of 100 people are sensitive to sulfites. If an individual with sulfite sensitivity consumes the product, they could experience a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Recall Details

The company is recalling “Western Beef Packaged of Sun Dried Tomatoes” with undeclared sulfites on the labeling.

The Western Beef Sun Dried Tomatoes included in the recall are not coded. The recall includes sun dried tomato products sold in a 16 oz. or 32 oz. plastic container. The recalled products were sold in Western Beef supermarkets throughout New York.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets inspected Western Beef Sun Dried Tomatoes and sent samples to Food Laboratory personnel to provide an analysis.

The analysis shows that sulfites were in packages of Western Beef Sun Dried Tomatoes. Food is allowed to contain sulfites, but only when the product informs consumers that sulfites are on the label.

For asthmatics, consuming 10 milligrams of sulfites per servings can cause sever reactions. If 10 milligrams of sulfites are consumed, sulfite sensitive individuals could go into anaphylactic shock.

“Analysis of the Western Beef package of Sun Dried Tomatoes revealed they contained 32.2 milligrams per serving,” according to the recall press release.

The press release dictates that no illnesses have been reported thus far.

Recall Solution

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 requires all labeling to contain information regarding allergic substances.
Image:Wine In Provence

Consumers who bought aWestern Beef Sun Dried Tomatoes should return the product to the store. If you have questions, contact Western Beef at (718) 417-3370.

Western Beef has been in business for 0ver 30 years, now owning 28 warehouse style supermarkets throughout New York, New Jersey and Florida. Western Beef is headquartered on an 11-acre facility in New York City.

“We pride ourselves on developing relationships with our customers. The same relationships formed with your neighborhood butcher, baker, deli and fruit market. Everything you love about their specialized services, plus a full line of grocery, dairy and frozen foods, all at discounted prices under one roof,” according to Western Beef’s website.

More information about sulfite sensitivity can be found on WebMD.

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The Kraft Heinz Company voluntarily recalled about 36,000 cases of Kraft Singles because the packaging posed a choking hazard.

Kraft Singles, a famously fast snack, has been removed from store shelves. But unlike most food safety recalls, the decision was voluntary.

Customers complained that the plastic packaging posed a choking hazard, and The Kraft Heinz Company listened. On July 31, 2015, the third-largest food and beverage company in North America issued a press release notifying the public of a voluntary recall of about 36,000 cases of Kraft Singles.

The Reason For The Recall

A small strip of the plastic packaging may stick to the cheese slice, which is why it’s considered a choking hazard.
Via: Jezebel

Kraft Singles are individually packaged in a coating of thin plastic. When unwrapping the cheese slice, a portion of the plastic wrapper can stick to the product without the customer noticing. An unsuspecting diner could accidentally consume the plastic, which poses a choking hazard.

The Kraft Heinz Company issued the recall after 10 customers complained about the choking hazard. Out of the 10 complaints, three included instances of choking. No deaths were reported.

Which Products Are Included?

American and White American Kraft Singles with a Best When Used By Date of 29 DEC 15 through 04 JAN 16 and the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55 are being recalled.
Via: Community Parade

Four different varieties of Kraft singles are being recalled, including 3 LB Kraft Singles American, 4 LB Kraft Singles American, 3 LB Kraft Singles White American and  4 LB Kraft Singles White American cheese.

The recall is only for products with certain expiration dates and manufacturing codes. It includes items with a Best When Used By Date of 29 DEC 15 through 04 JAN 16, in addition to the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55. These codes designate the two production lines where the malfunctioning product was manufactured.

The recalled products were only shipped to the U.S., Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman. Residents outside of those areas can eat their individual pieces of cheese without fear of choking.

The Kraft Heinz Company Apologizes

The Kraft Heinz Company is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.
Via: Time

After Kraft merged with Heinz in March 2015, the company became an even bigger industry  juggernaut. It’s not only a major player in the United States, but it is also the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.

The Kraft Heinz Company works to protect its reputation and keep its consumer base intact, issuing frequent recalls to prevent illness, injury and death. 

In September 2014, Kraft issued a national recall of Singles produced in Springfield, MO, because an ingredient stored at the wrong temperature could have caused premature spoilage or food-borne illness. In March 2015, the newly merged company voluntarily recalled 242,000 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese because of they might have contained pieces of metal.

It appears that the company wants to be honest with consumers, offering a full refund to customers who purchased faulty products.

“We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed. Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico can also contact Kraft Heinz Consumer Relations for a full refund, at 1-800-432-3101, Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm Eastern,” according to the press release.  

Consumers, now is the time to check out your cheese.

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The top executives responsible for the sale of salmonella-tainted peanut butter are set to be sentenced.

Peanut butter has been a snack time favorite for kids and adults since its was invented in the 19th century. It’s chock full of protein, potassium, fiber, magnesium, healthy fats, Vitamin E and antioxidants. But if contaminated with salmonella, it can poison consumers and send them sprinting to the bathroom with uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea.

Salmonella infection can even cause death — and it has. The 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak hit 46 states, killed nine Americans and poisoned over 700 others. The outbreak led to one of the largest food safety recalls in history.

Former executives of the Peanut Corporation of America are responsible for the outbreak, and they’re finally on the way to being sentenced. After a multiple investigations and a recent two-month trial, top executives have been found guilty of allowing the tainted peanut butter to be shipped out of a Georgia manufacturing plant.

The Case and its Main Players

Stewart Parnell is the former owner of Peanut Corporation of America.
Via: DCC Clothesline

Stewart Parnell, the 61-year-old former owner of the Peanut Corporation of America, reportedly knew that the peanut butter was contaminated, but still shipped it out to markets across the United States. The owner had also issued fake results for salmonella tests in order to avoid distribution delays and lose money. Parnell has been charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and wire fraud.

“Just ship it. I cannot afford to (lose) another customer,” Parnell reportedly emailed those involved in conducting the contamination tests.

Prosecutors are gunning for a life sentence, asserting that a hefty punishment would fit the seriousness of the crime. Many believe Parnell should be sentenced to life because he threatened to the health of the nation, but others think the sentence is too severe.

“We hope the judge will see that Stewart Parnell never meant to hurt anyone. He ate the peanut butter himself. He fed it to his children and to his grandchildren,” according to Ken Hodges, one of Parnell’s defense attorneys.

This is the first food safety case of its kind that has resulted in possible federal felony convictions. Parnell will be sentenced on September 21 in Albany, GA.

Company employees who withheld information from investigators will also be sentenced. Stewart’s brother and food broker Michael Parnell has been recommended to receive a 17 to 21 year sentence. The quality control manager at the plant, Mary Wilkerson, has been recommended to receive 8 to 10 years in prison.

How Did the Peanut Butter Become Contaminated with Salmonella?

More than 700 people became sick from peanut butter contaminated with salmonella.
Via: Huffington Post

Salmonella often occurs in feces of animals exposed to the bacteria, or when the infected animal’s feces contaminate a water source. After tracing the outbreak back to the Georgia manufacturing plant, investigators learned that the building was in bad shape.

Investigators found a leaky roof, roaches and evidence of rodents, which are common conditions that breed salmonella. Thankfully, the plant was shut down in 2009 after the company filed bankruptcy.

The Victims

Peanut butter was recalled in 46 states where a variety of different salmonella cases were discovered.
Via:CDC

The outbreak hit 46 states and affected 714 people ranging in age from less than a year old to 91 years old. The average age of the people who became infected was 16.

One of the victims was 78-year-old Clifford Tousignant, who died in January 2009. Tousignant ate a peanut butter sandwich at a nursing home that was contaminated with salmonella.

The victims split $12 million in compensation from Peanut Corporation of America.

The Lesson

One of the victim’s whose family member died from eating tainted peanut butter cried during one of the court hearings.
Via:Fox

The case is all about accountability. Top executives are in a position to seriously influence public health. By putting profits over safety, these individuals facilitated the deaths of nine Americans. The sentencing will be a lesson to any decision maker who may be tempted to repeat Parnell’s mistakes.

“The message it sends is actually a pretty simple one: If you deliberately ship and sell contaminated food, there’s now a good chance you might go to jail,” said Jaydee Hanson of the Center For Food Safety. “That’s good news. The bad news is deliberately shipping adulterated product is not what causes most of the salmonella outbreaks we’ve seen.”

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