Thursday, December 22, 2011

Cal Fresco, LLC Recalls Jalapeño and Serrano Chili Peppers Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
714-690-7700
Media
David Rueda
(714) 690-7700


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 21, 2011 - Cal Fresco, LLC (“Cal Fresco”) is voluntarily working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) to coordinate a recall of fresh Jalapeño and Serrano chili peppers for potential contamination with Salmonella. The FDA has advised that a random sample of Cal Fresco Jalapeño and Serrano peppers has tested positive for Salmonella.


Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.


The Jalapeño Peppers


The Jalapeño recall is limited to one (1) lot (Lot #205610) containing approximately 18,500 pounds of peppers. The source of the contamination is unknown. The lot was distributed to retail stores within California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Canada between December 3 and December 5, 2011. The product was shipped in cases under both the Cal Fresco (10 and 25 pound cases) and Grower Alliance (40 pound case) labels. The product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it. All retail suppliers that received this affected lot have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.


This recall was the result of a random sampling event on December 12, 2011 by the USDA which revealed the presence of Salmonella on some of the product. Cal Fresco’s recall and traceability program enabled the company to quickly identify the supplier of the affected product, which originated in Mexico. Cal Fresco has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and the company continue their investigation into the source of the contamination.


Consumers who purchased the above described Jalapeño peppers between the dates of December 3 and December 21, 2011 should contact the store from where they purchased the product and inquire as to whether the affected product was sold by that store location. If so, the customer should discard or return any unused product to that store for a refund.


The Serrano Peppers


Based upon information provided to Cal Fresco by the FDA and CDPH, the Serrano peppers were delivered to a retail distribution center Spokane, Washington on December 8, 2011. The source of the contamination is unknown. This recall was the result of a random USDA sampling of bulk Serrano peppers on December 12 at a Spokane, WA distribution center which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some, but not all, of the sampling. Cal Fresco has a sampling, traceability and recall program in place to detect and prevent the distribution of contaminated product. However, because the USDA Sample and Isolated Pathogen Information Report failed to disclose individual lot numbers, and because the results of that report were not provided to Cal Fresco until December 19, 2011, (five days after the sampling occurred), Cal Fresco must rely on information provided by the FDA and CDPH to trace the contaminated peppers to their source. Based upon that information, Cal Fresco has identified the affected peppers as being part of Lot #205467, originating in Mexico. Cal Fresco has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and the company continue their investigation into the source of the contamination.

This product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it. All retail suppliers that received this affected product are located in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver, Canada and Southern California, Alaska, Washington and Dallas, Texas. All retail suppliers who received this product have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.


Consumers who purchased the above described Serrano peppers between the dates of December 8 and December 21, 2011 should contact the store from where they purchased the product and inquire as to whether the affected product was sold by that store location. If so, the customer should discard or return any unused product to that store for a refund.


No illnesses have been reported to date. Other than the Jalapeño and Serrano peppers described above, no other Cal Fresco product has been affected by this recall.


Cal Fresco has earned an outstanding safety reputation throughout its operations and has taken immediate precautionary measures to protect public health by issuing this voluntary recall and removing product from the market. Cal Fresco takes its food safety responsibilities very seriously and is working diligently to prevent any further occurrence.


Consumer questions may be directed to Cal Fresco at 714-690-7700 between 5 AM and 1 PM PST.



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RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information1 [what's this?2]
Photo: Product Labels3
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA's Flickr Photostream.4


http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm284531.htm?source=govdelivery

Thursday, December 1, 2011

ATTENTION FOOD WORKERS

Beginning January 1, 2012, Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Division will only offer a Food Handlers Class on the FIRST and THIRD Thursdays of the each month.

Registration for the Food Handlers Class will begin at 2:30pm. Class will begin at 3:00pm and end around 4:00pm.

The cost is still $10.00, payable with cash or a check made out to Grays Harbor County. Currently debit and credit cards are not accepted.

Additionally, a Food Handlers Card can be obtained on-line at any time by going to:


To obtain a Food Handlers Card on-line, you must have access to a working printer and a credit or debit card.

There is only one website authorized to provide you with a valid food worker card so please use our links to navigate to the correct website.

If you have any questions about the reduction in the amount of Food Handlers Classes or need more information about the on-line class, please contact us at (360) 249-4413.

Rabies vaccine to be mandatory for pet dogs, cats, and ferrets in Washington

OLYMPIA ¾ New Year, new rule. Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets in the state must be current on their rabies vaccination starting January 1, 2012. This new rule aims to reduce the number of rabies exposures in Washington.

Rabies is one of the oldest and most deadly diseases. Every year in Washington, several hundred people have to get the series of rabies shots because of possible exposure to the rabies virus. Vaccinating pets prevents them from getting rabies and helps protect you and your family, too.

The Department of Health Zoonotic Disease program (www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/ZOO.HTM) says the new rule requires owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets to have their pets vaccinated against rabies. Many cities and counties require rabies vaccinations for some pets, but vaccinations have never been required by the state. Vaccinating pets is one of the most effective ways of preventing rabies. People should talk to their veterinarian about vaccinations and rabies prevention.

In Washington, bats are the primary source of rabies. Each year many bats test positive for rabies across the state. Pet encounters with sick bats are one of the primary ways pets are exposed to rabies, and their owners can be exposed when they take the bats away from their pets. Cats are the most commonly affected domestic animal nationwide, with twice as many cats testing positive for rabies as dogs.

Coming into contact with an infected bat could be life-threatening without post-exposure rabies vaccination. People should never handle a bat; it may be infected with rabies. If you’re exposed to rabies you must get treatment immediately. Once symptoms develop it’s too late. The most recent human rabies cases in the state were in 1995 and 1997, and the last domestic animal in Washington to test positive was a cat in 2002.

There was a time early in our state’s history when rabies was rampant in King and Pierce counties, with numerous animals and people contracting the disease. Since rabies vaccinations began many years ago there’s been a dramatic decrease in animal rabies cases.

In many countries worldwide, rabies occurs widely in domestic animals, especially dogs. Animals imported from these countries are a potential risk of exposure to other pets and people. State and federal rules are in place to ensure that imported animals have proper vaccinations and medical records
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The Department of Health website (www.doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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