Sludge Watch ==> Ontario Hershey chocolate- contamination source secret!

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

The CFIA says that the chocolate, not the almonds, is responsible for this 
outbreak.
Odd.  There have been several huge salmonella outbreaks in raw almonds in 
the US.
Sewage sludge is used in almond and pistacio farms and almonds are harvested 
on the ground.

The staff who answer the info lines at CFIA and Hershey's have not been told 
the source of the contamination. The plant in Smith Falls has been closed.

So when are we going to hear where the salmonella came from ?  Was it in the 
milk?
Was it from sludge farms near Smith Falls?

We need full public transparancy on these important outbreak issues.  We 
need to know what kind of food production practices are putting us at risk.

...............................................................................................

Updated health hazard alert - chocolate coated almonds purchased at 
Hershey's Smiths Falls Chocolate Shoppe may contain salmonella bacteria
14.nov.06
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
www.inspection.gc.ca

OTTAWA - The public warning issued on November 12, 2006 has been updated to 
include additional information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Hershey Canada Inc. are 
warning the public not to consume chocolate-coated almonds purchased in bulk 
only at Hershey's Smiths Falls, Ontario Chocolate Shoppe. These 
chocolate-coated almonds may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected product was sold in bulk by weight between October 23 and 
November 10, 2006. This product was not included in Halloween, Christmas or 
any type of gift pack items sold from the Chocolate Shoppe.

Consumers who may have purchased chocolate-coated almonds at Hershey's 
Smiths Falls, Ontario Chocolate Shoppe and are unsure of the date of 
purchase should not consume the product.
Hershey Canada Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling this 
product from the market place.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of 
this product.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption 
of a food contaminated with Salmonella may cause symptoms such as high 
fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long 
term complications may include severe arthritis. These symptoms could be 
serious and life-threatening in young children, the elderly, and people with 
weakened immune systems.

For more information, consumers and industry may call one of the following 
numbers: Hershey Consumer Relations, at 1-800-468-1714.
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).
For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.
For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety 
facts, visit
our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.




top

How the chocolate got spoiled will not be told
15.nov.06
National Post
OTTAWA -- Marc Richard, a spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 
was cited as saying yesterday that Canadians may never know how salmonella 
bacteria crept into the chocolate at the Hershey factory in Smiths Falls, 
Ont., as the source of the contamination remains a corporate secret between 
the candy company and its supplier, adding, "If there is information that's 
considered private, confidential to the company, we can't release that 
without their approval unless there's a public safety concern."
Richard was further cited as saying that since the contamination has been 
contained, and the tainted products have been recalled, there is no longer a 
public safety interest in divulging the ultimate source of the salmonella 
(how paternalistic -- dp)

............................................................................................................




            MEDIA CONTACTS:

                                                                             
                       John Long
                                                                             
                       717-508-3237



                                                                             
                       Stephanie Moritz

                                                                             
                       717-508-3238



                                                                             
                       CFIA CONTACT:

                                                                             
                       Garfield Balsom

                                                                             
                       Canadian Food Inspection Agency

                                                                             
                       Office of Food Safety and Recall

                                                                             
                       613-760-4232





HERSHEY CANADA RECALLS SELECT PRODUCTS





Hershey Canada, in cooperation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 
today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of products produced 
at its Smiths Falls plant between the dates of October 15 and November 10, 
2006.  The recall of these items, listed below, is being conducted due to 
the potential of Salmonella contamination associated with an externally 
sourced ingredient.



No Halloween or Christmas items are included in the recall.



“Product quality and safety are top priorities at Hershey,” said Eric Lent, 
General Manager, Canada.  “We are working in close cooperation with the 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency to quickly retrieve the product in question 
from our customers and to ensure that consumers who may have purchased this 
product are aware of the potential health concern.”



Only the date codes starting with four digits ranging from 6417 to 6455 of 
the following products are included in the recall. The date codes can be 
found on the back of each unit.





Brand Name
Product Name
Size

HERSHEY
CHIPITS Milk Chocolate Chips
270 gram

HERSHEY’S
Creamy Milk Chocolate With Almonds
43 gram

HERSHEY’S
Creamy Milk Chocolate
45 gram

OH HENRY!
OH HENRY!
62.5 gram

62.5g / 4 bars

145 gram



OH HENRY!
Bites
130 gram

OH HENRY!
Peanut Butter
60 gram

HERSHEY
CHIPITS Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
350 gram

2 kg

HERSHEY
CHIPITS Mini Chocolate Chips
300 gram

10 kg

175 gram

500 gram

HERSHEY
CHIPITS Chocolate Chip Bulk
10 kg

HERSHEY
CHIPITS Semi-Sweet Mint Chocolate Chips
300 gram

HERSHEY
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
300 gram

HERSHEY’S
SPECIAL DARK Chocolate
45 gram

HERSHEY’S
SPECIAL DARK Chocolate with Almonds
43 gram

REESE
Peanut Butter Cups
51 gram

68 gram

51 gram / 4 bars



LOWNEY
Cherry Blossom
45 gram

GLOSETTE
Peanuts
45 gram

GLOSETTE
Almond
42 gram

GLOSETTE
Raisin
50 gram

145 gram

HERSHEY’S
Chocolate Shell Topping
177  ml

EAT-MORE
Dark Toffee Peanut Chew
56 gram

56 gram / 4 bars

LOWNEY
Bridge Mix
52 gram

340 gram

HERSHEY
Assorted 16 count
728 gram

HERSHEY
Assorted 50 count
2.5 kg


Nut Roll
5 kg

HERSHEY
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
10 kg




Consumers who have purchased the items in question should contact Hershey 
Consumer Relations at 1-800-468-1714.