Three product recalls were issued this morning by various companies involving products both sold locally and those that might have been picked up and brought to the area by vacationers.

A laboratory test by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Kellogg’s Buttermilk Eggo Waffles manufactured at an Atlanta plant. While this product was not shipped to the marketplace and no illnesses have been reported, Kellogg’s is voluntarily recalling the following products produced in the same facility:

• • Kellogg’s® Eggo® Cinnamon Toast waffles, 10-count package, UPC code 3800040440 with Best If Used Before” dates beginning with: NOV22 10 EA, NOV23 10 EA and NOV24 10 EA.
  • Kellogg’s® Eggo® Toaster Swirlz^TM Cinnamon Roll Minis eight-count package, UPC code 3800023370 with a “Best If Used Before” date beginning with NOV15 10 EA.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease.  The most common manifestation of listeriosis is meningitis, which has symptoms of high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.  Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems such as persons with chronic diseases or taking chemotherapy for cancer.

On August 30, The Texas Coffee Company, Inc. of Beaumont, TX, recalled its 3 ounce and 8 oz. packages of Texjoy red pepper because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 recalled pepper was distributed in retail stores Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. The product comes in a clear plastic package marked with lot # A29A07A2012, A28A07A2012 & A30A07A2012. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after a supplier of the product to the Texas Coffee Company revealed the presence of Salmonella in some of the red pepper they had shipped to Texas Coffee Company.

Consumers who have purchased product with this code are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-259 3400 (hours the telephone is answered – 8:30-3:30 PM Central Time)

On August 28, Ocean Mist Farms began a precautionary, voluntary recall of 1,746 cases of iceless green onions. This decision follows confirmation from federal regulators of a positive test for salmonella on iceless green onions supplied by Circle Produce to several shippers, including Ocean Mist Farms.

“The health and safety of our customers and their consumers always comes first. As soon as we learned of the positive test, it became our immediate responsibility to begin a voluntary recall of the product in the interest of protecting public health,” said Ed Boutonnet, president, Ocean Mist Farms. Ocean Mist Farms will continue to provide green onions from its own growing and packing operation.

It is possible that a small amount of product may have already been purchased by consumers and therefore anyone who has purchased any of the following products with the trace back codes listed below should dispose of the product. For additional information, consumers can visit www.oceanmist.com.

The recalled iceless green onion pack styles and code dates are as follows:

• 4 x 12 count
• 2 x 24 count
• 24 count 5.5oz Cello Bag
• 36 count 5.5 oz Cello Bag
• 40 count 5.5 oz Cello Bag

Trace Back Code: 95ONCP7G; production dates: 80309; 80709; 80809; 81109; 81209; 81309