The Food Standards Agency is advising the public that, based on current evidence, there is unlikely to be any risk to consumers through the food chain from the virus that is causing abnormalities in livestock.
No illness has been reported to date in humans exposed to animals infected with the Schmallenberg virus, which is thought to be carried by midges. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have stated the virus is unlikely to cause disease in humans.
Defra is actively monitoring the situation and the FSA is in contact with both Defra and the HPA to keep the issue under review.
Consumers should continue to follow the normal food hygiene precautions when handling, preparing and cooking all foods to reduce the risk of illness from harmful microorganisms. More information on food hygiene can be found on NHS Choices at the link below.
Further information on Schmallenberg virus can be found on the Defra, ECDC and HPA websites.
The science behind the story
Named after the small German town where it was first detected last summer, the disease is thought to have been brought to Britain by midges from affected areas in Europe.
The first UK cases in lambs were confirmed, in January 2012, by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency. A small number of cases in calves have also been reported in the UK. The virus can cause stillbirths and foetal abnormalities in newborn lambs, cows and goats. The viruses most closely related to this new virus are transmitted between animals by midges. They have not been shown to be transmissible to humans.
As this is a new virus there are still many unknowns, and surveillance and investigations are ongoing in the UK and in other European countries.
Source FSA here

SPAR recalls batch of chicken chunks due to listeria – Saturday 25 February 2012
SPAR is recalling one batch of SPAR Flame Grilled Chicken Chunks due to the presence of low levels of Listeria monocytogenes being detected in one sample during routine monitoring.
The affected batch of 140g packs has a use-by date of 3 March 2012 and was distributed to stores in the Midlands and Wales.
No cases of illness linked to the product have been reported but, as a precaution, consumers who have bought the affected product should not consume it and can return it to SPAR for a full refund.
Listeriosis, the foodborne illness caused by listeria, causes flu-like symptoms or vomiting and diarrhoea. Vulnerable groups of the population can be at increased risk.

Waitrose recalls gammon in parsley sauce – Wednesday 22 February 2012
Waitrose is recalling its own-brand gammon in parsley sauce with a ‘use by’ date of 23 February 2012. The product may contain haddock instead of gammon, which isn’t listed on the label. If you’re allergic or intolerant to fish, don’t eat this product. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
The product being withdrawn is:
Waitrose Gammon in Parsley Sauce, 400g
Use by: 23 February 2012
Waitrose is withdrawing and recalling the gammon, and has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform their members. If you’ve bought the gammon you can return it to the store for a full refund.
No other Waitrose products are known to be affected.
Waitrose recalls one date code of its own-brand gammon in parsley sauce due to the possible undeclared presence of fish
Difficult to tell the difference between Haddock & Gammon? No

Asda recalls frozen white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake – Monday 20 February 2012
Asda is recalling its Frozen Extra Special (twin packs) Cheesecake White Chocolate and Raspberry due to a packaging error. The label doesn’t list egg and sulphur dioxide in the ingredients list. If you’re allergic or sensitive to eggs and sulphur dioxide, don’t eat this product. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
The product being withdrawn is:
Asda Frozen Extra Special (twin packs) Cheesecake White Chocolate and Raspberry, 230g
Best before: end September 2012
The company has recalled all the affected cheesecake. Customer notices will be displayed in stores to explain to consumers why the cheesecake has been recalled. Asda has contacted the relevant allergy organisations, which will inform their members of the reasons for the recall. If you’ve bought the product you can return it to the store for a full refund.
No other Asda products are known to be affected.
Asda recalls its Frozen Extra Special (twin packs) Cheesecake White Chocolate and Raspberry

Delight withdraws Periyar Fish Pickle and Prawn Pickle – Monday 20 February 2012
Delight Foods is withdrawing Periyar Fish Pickle and Periyar Prawn Pickle due to incorrect labelling. The products contain sesame oil, which has been listed as gingelly oil. This isn’t a common name for sesame so customers may not be aware of the allergen contained in the product. If you’re allergic to sesame, don’t eat these products. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
The products being withdrawn are:
Periyar Fish Pickle, 400g
Use by: All date codes
Periyar Prawn Pickle, 400g
Use by: All date codes
The company has withdrawn the products from sale, and is ensuring future stock is correctly labelled. It will contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform their members of the withdrawal.
No other Periyar products are known to be affected.
Delight Foods (UK) Ltd withdraws all date codes of Periyar Fish Pickle and Prawn Pickle

Source FSA here

Certain refrigerated cold smoked sockeye salmon trim products may contain Listeria monocytogenes – February 25, 2012
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the refrigerated cold smoked sockeye salmon trim products described below because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The following products, sold refrigerated at various weights from February 16 to February 24 inclusively, are affected by this alert:
Product Store UPC Packed On Date Sell By Date
Salmon Lox Trim Classic – Whole Foods Market at 925 Main Street, West Vancouver, BC Begins with 0297629 2012.02.17 2012.02.18 2012.02.19 2012.02.27 2012.02.28 2012.02.29
Salmon Lox Trim Classic – Whole Foods Market at 510 W. 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC Begins with 0297629 2012.02.18 2012.02.19 2012.02.28 2012.02.29 2012.03.01 2012.03.02
Lox Trim – The Salmon Shop at #112 – 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC Begins with 203780 FE 17 FE 18 FE 19 FE 20 FE 21 FE 22
Sold unlabelled – The Daily Catch Seafood Company at 1418 Commercial Drive,Vancouver, BC
The affected products may have also been sold unlabelled over the counter at the stores listed above. Consumers who are unsure whether they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
The retailers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.
For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Certain GRILLHOUSE BRAND BEEF BURGER PRODUCTS may contain E. coli O157:H7 bacteria – February 24, 2012
Related alerts: 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-22 | 2012-02-18
The public warning issued on February 22, 2012 has been expanded to include additional products and distribution information.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Food Classics are warning the public not to consume certain Grillhouse beef burger products, described below, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The following Grillhouse brand products, bearing the establishment 761, are affected by this alert:
Product Size Product Code Lot Code
Angus Beef Burgers 4.59 kg 55377 11 OC 11
Beef Burger with Seasoning, 3.2 oz 4.54 kg 52988 11 OC 12
Beef Burger with Seasoning, 4 oz 4.54 kg 52981 11 OC 12
These products have been distributed nationally through restaurants and institutional establishments.
There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of these products.
Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my 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.

Certain LIN’S FARM brand HONEY PRODUCTS may contain sulfonamide antibiotic drug residue – February 24, 2012
Related alerts: 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-17
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Israel’s Judaica Centre, also known as Israel Book and Gift, are warning people with allergies to sulfonamides not to consume the Lin’s Farm brand honey products described below because they may contain harmful sulphonamide antibiotic drug residue.
The following Lin’s Farm brand honey products, imported from Israel and bearing lot code BB 07/2014, are affected by this alert.
Product Size UPC Lot Code
Pure Honey 250 g 8 90648 00101 5 BB 07/2014
Pure Honey 130 g 8 90648 00123 7 BB 07/2014
3 Healthy delights, (3 jar gift pack) 3 jars x 30 g 8 90648 00104 6 BB 07/2014
These products have been distributed in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
There have been no reported reactions associated with the consumption of these products.
Consumption of these honey products may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction in persons with allergies to sulphonamides.
The importer, Israel’s Judaica Centre, also known as Israel Book and Gift, Toronto, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected products 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:
Israel’s Judaica Centre, also known as Israel Book and Gift, at 1-800-449-5918 or 1-416-256-2858, Ext 23, or Ext. 29; email: contact@israelsjudaica.com
CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Certain COUNTRY MORNING brand beef burgers and NO NAME club pack beef steakettes may contain E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria – February 22, 2012
Related alerts: 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-22 | 2012-02-18
The public warning issued on February 18, 2012 has been expanded to clarify distribution.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Food Classics are warning the public not to consume certain Country Morning Beef Burgers, and no name Club Pack Beef Steakettes described below, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The following products are affected by this alert:
Brand Size UPC Lots
Country Morning Beef Burgers 1 kg 0 57316 02941 6 52841 EST 761 62841 EST 761 72841 EST 761 82841 EST 761
No name Club Pack Beef Steakettes 2.27 kg 0 60383 01321 9 BB 2012 AL 10 EST 761
The Country Morning Beef Burgers product has been distributed to COOP and TGP grocery stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories, Yukon Territories and Nunavut.
The no name Club Pack Beef Steakettes product has been distributed by Loblaws to the following stores:
•ONTARIO: Cash&Carry/RCWC Ontario Corporate, Extra Foods, Freshmart, Loblaws Great Food, no frills, RCWC West Corporate, Real Canadian Superstore, Value-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs and Zehrs Great Food.
•British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba: Extra Foods, Extra Foods no frills, Real Canadian Superstore West Corporate, Shop Easy/SuperValu, Superstore, Your Independent Grocer.
•North West Territories, Yukon Territories 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 my 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 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Certain TOUR EIFFEL brand PARISIAN COOKED HAM may contain dangerous bacteria or parasites – February 21, 2012
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel are warning the public not to consume the Tour Eiffel brand Parisian Cooked Ham described below because the product may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria or parasites.
The affected product, Tour Eiffel brand Parisian Cooked Ham was sold from deli counters at certain Sobeys stores (e.g., IGA, IGA extra) and Metro stores (e.g., Metro, Marché Richelieu), as well as certain independent grocers and delicatessens in Quebec between February 10 and 21, 2012.
Some deli packages may not bear a label indicating brand or date information. Consumers who cannot determine the original product identity are advised to check with their retailer to determine if the product is affected.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
Consumption of the affected ham could result in a wide range of symptoms that may include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache and body ache. In rare cases, chronic, severe, or even life-threatening symptoms may occur.
The manufacturer, Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel, Blainville, QC, 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:
Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel at 1-888-530-4333; or
CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Source CFIA here

The Florida Brewery, Inc. is recalling certain lots of Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand non-alcoholic malta beverages packaged in 7-oz bottles because glass on the exterior of the bottles may break when the twist-off cap is removed from the bottle and can result in cuts to the mouth. To date, the Company has received two reports of consumers experiencing cuts to the mouth.
The Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand malta beverage lot codes being recalled are:
Brand Goya Great Value Hatuey Mr. Special Polar Publix Regal Super Max
Lot Codes 12/01/13 12/08/13 12/27/13 12/28/13 12/29/13 01/06/13 1/05/13 1/06/13 12/21/13 12/22/13 01/06/13 01/07/13 11/30/13 12/01/13 12/08/13 12/09/13 11/30/12 12/22/12 12/23/12 12/29/12 12/30/12 01/03/13 01/04/13 11/28/13 12/09/13 12/27/13 12/01/13 12/09/13 12/27/13 12/28/13 12/09/13
UPC 041331040068 681131762793 080480594909 008254820702 7591446006785; 7591446006761 041415109360 082502738889 870906000691
The lot codes are printed directly on the bottles above the label.
The Florida Brewery distributed the 7-oz Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand malta beverages in Florida, Texas, Georgia, California and Puerto Rico during the period December 8, 2011 to February 1, 2012.
About the Recall
The Florida Brewery is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to execute the recall.
The recall only affects the brands and lot codes listed above.
The Florida Brewery learned of this issue from consumer reports and initiated an investigation. The Company’s investigation continues and it is taking steps to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken.
Information for Consumers
Consumers who are in possession of products with lot numbers listed above should return the product to the place of purchase. Consumers will receive either a full refund, product replacement, coupon or product credit.
Consumers can call The Florida Brewery’s consumer hotline at 1-866-872-8860 weekdays between 8am and 8pm eastern standard time, and weekends between 8am and 5pm eastern standard time to obtain additional details on the recall and the product return process.
Recalled Product Photos
Source FDA here