Health alerts increase for food contamination

Richard Asinof

10/01/2012

PROVIDENCE – In the last few months, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of health alerts for food contamination issued by the R.I. Department of Health for products that may contain salmonella or listeria.
The most recent health alert was for peanut butter linked to a salmonella outbreak in 18 states. Consumers were initially asked to avoid Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt, but that was expanded on Sept. 24 to include almond butter and peanut butter products manufactured by Sunland Inc., of Portales, N.M.
In the last two months, alerts from the R.I. Department of Health have targeted:

Calico Bean Salad from the salad bar at Stop & Shop Supermarkets because of suspected contamination with listeria. (July 31)

Cakes from Emely Bakery Store following an outbreak of illness after a birthday party. (Aug. 3)

Armour Active Packs Cheese Pizza Lunch Kit products as well as Dippini’ Stix Sliced Apples & Caramel with Peanuts manufactured by Reichel Foods Inc., of Rochester, Minn., because of suspected listeria contamination. (Aug. 7)

Market Pantry and Archer Farms Deli Salad products sold at Target stores, which were voluntarily recalled because of suspected Listeria contamination. (Aug. 7)

Ready-to eat meat and poultry products manufactured by Reichel Foods of Rochester, Minn, because of suspected listeria contamination. (Aug. 9)

Soybean sprouts and tofu from Manna Organics because of suspected listeria contamination. (Sept. 4)

Ready-cut fresh cut fruit products containing Daniella Brand mangoes, beause of suspected contamination with salmonella. (Sept. 4)

Residents, staff, volunteers, family and friends at the R.I. Veterans Home in Bristol who attended a cookout because of suspected contamination of listeria in diced onions (Sept. 11)

Salata Frescolina brand ricotta cheese because of suspected contamination with listeria. (Sept. 12)