Inovata Foods, an Edmonton, Alberta firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,780 pounds of frozen chicken entrées that may be contaminated with

NJLINCS Health Alert Network
Public Health Info
Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Subject: Food Recalls
Date: 3/10/2008; 13:54:07
Message#: 100771-3-10-2008-PHIN
Contact Info: Alan L. Talarsky, NJDHSS/CEHS/Food and Drug Safety Program
Phone: 609-588-3123; Email: at2@njlincs.net
Attachments: None
Please review the following messages from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Food and Drug Safety Program, DHSS regarding two Class 1 Food Recalls issued from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and a recall of shellfish issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
1. Inovata Foods, an Edmonton, Alberta firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,780 pounds of frozen chicken entrées that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The following product is subject to recall:
. 12-ounce packages of "Discover Cuisine T Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice." Each package bears the Canadian establishment number "Est. 302" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a "Best By" date of "12 18 08."
The frozen chicken entrées were produced on Oct. 18, 2007, and were exported to the United States and then sent to distributors and retail establishments nationwide.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Chief Operating Officer Bob McColl at (780) 454-8665.
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2. Gourmet Boutique, L.L.C., a Jamaica, N.Y., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,970 pounds of meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,.
The following products are subject to recall:
. 6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE HONEY CHICKEN SALAD." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN MARSALA." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST IN TERIYAKI SAUCE, PORTION CONTROL." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL, Keep Frozen." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Home Style Chicken Salad." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 4-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Grilled Chicken B&E PRET A MANGER." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3.5-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Breaded and Fried Chicken Cutlet." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3.125-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE ITALIAN STALLION TWISTER." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 8-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE Meatloaf with Gravy KIT." Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 4.6-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN BURRITO." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
. 3.125-pound bulk packages of "GOURMET BOUTIQUE TURKEYCLUB TWISTER." Each package bears the establishment number "P-18799" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The recalled products bear the production code of "GBD 08058" on the package. The meat and poultry products were produced on Feb. 26 and 27, 2008, and were sent to retail establishments in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and distribution centers in New York.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Media with questions about the recall should contact company Vice President for Operations, Andrew Murphy at (718) 977-1200 (ext. 0163). Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Quality Control Manager Vanessa Lindsay at (718) 977-1200 (ext. 0166).
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3. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has closed Aransas, Corpus Christi and Copano bays to shellfish harvesting and has issued a recall of oysters, clams and mussels because of an algae bloom.
DSHS officials say high concentrations of the Dinophysis organism have been found in several locations in the area. The toxin produced by this algae bloom, okadaic acid, can accumulate in shellfish tissue and cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, or DSP, in people who consume oysters, clams or mussels. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.
Shellfish harvested from these bays on March 1 or later are included in the recall. Consumers who purchased shellfish March 1 or later are advised not to eat them. People should either call the store where the shellfish were purchased to determine the date and location of harvest or dispose of them. The toxin does not affect other seafood.
DSHS officials say that preliminary test results indicate that levels of okadaic acid in oyster samples taken from the bays exceed federal guidelines. Final test results will be available next week. DSHS will monitor and determine when it is safe to reopen the shellfish areas.
DSP symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramping. Symptoms, which usually last two to three days, can begin from 30 minutes to 12 hours after eating shellfish containing the toxin. DSP usually is not life threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects. DSHS is not aware of any illnesses associated with this algae bloom.
Dinophysis occurs naturally in ocean waters and estuaries and is not related to pollution. Typically it is not found in high numbers along the Texas Gulf Coast. High concentrations can turn the water an orange or brown color. DSHS officials say they know of no health issues associated with people being in water containing the algae.
It is not known if shellfish from these waters were distributed into New Jersey and so this message is being forwarded to you out of an abundance of caution.
No action is required of local health departments at this time for any of these recalls. If any requests for assistance are received from the USDA or Texas DSHS, the Food and Drug Safety Program will contact you. For additional information regarding these recalls, please click on the weblink below.