Michigan Processor Agrees to Stop Production After Unable to Control Listeria

A Michigan food processor agreed to suspend operations after years of not being able to get compliant with regulation.   Home Style Foods of  Hamtramck, MI, a manufacturer of ready-to-eat seafood and deli salads, failed to get take sufficient corrective actions to get their Listeria monocytognes issues under control.  From the notice:

"According to the complaint filed with the consent decree, the FDA inspected the facility seven times between May 2009 and June 2018. During each inspection, the FDA investigators observed significant objectionable conditions. The FDA also found L. mono in the facility in two of the inspections, including the most recent inspection. The company was issued an FDA Form 483 after each of the seven inspections, was issued a warning letter in April 2016 and the company attended a regulatory meeting with the FDA in January 2017. The defendants repeatedly promised to take corrective actions to address the objectionable conditions. However, the FDA’s June 2018 inspection showed that the defendants have failed to take effective measures to bring Home Style Foods’ ready-to-eat food processing operations into compliance with the law."

FDA News Release
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/michigan-based-food-manufacturer-agrees-stop-production-after-repeated-food-safety-violations
Michigan-based food manufacturer agrees to stop production after repeated food safety violations
For Immediate Release:January 13, 2020

FDA Warning Letter to RTE Cheese Processor

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a cheese facility in Miami.  Issues include no Preventive Control Plan and really poor GMPs (dripping condensate, leaking pipes, and inadequate sanitation).  And they are producing RTE cheese product of some sort.

The thing that gets you is the company name....US Dairy Unlimited.   You are thinking with a name like that, that is a serious operation.  Could have called it Ury's Cheese, but who would buy that.  But US Dairy Unlimited....there are no limits to what they can do, or so one would think.

But looking at the facility (based on address from notice on Google Map Street view), it looks like nothing like Dairy Unlimited.  Not to say they can't make good products, but if this is your supplier, you may want to investigate a little closer.  For example, your purchasing person informs you that they have contracted a new co-packer....US Dairy Unlimited.  What supplier approval process granted this?

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/us-dairy-unlimited-llc-590413-11192019
WARNING LETTER
U.S. Dairy Unlimited, LLC
MARCS-CMS 590413 — November 19, 2019

Bagged Cole Slaw Mix Recalled After Positive Salmonella Sample

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Colorful Coleslaw (President's Choice and Marketside brands) after a sample of President’s Choice Colorful Coleslaw yielded a positive Salmonella result in random testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-colorful-coleslaw
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Colorful Coleslaw
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 03, 2019
FDA Publish Date: December 03, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name: President’s Choice, Marketside
Product Description: Colorful Coleslaw

RTE Sausage and Sliced Pepperoni Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Sample

Ezzo Sausage Company, a Columbus, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 25,115 pounds of sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The ready-to-eat sausage products were produced on Oct. 29, 2019, Oct. 30, 2019 and Nov. 5, 2019 and include sausage and sliced pepperoni items, most for use in pizza type applications.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS of a positive sample result for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-111-2019-release
Ezzo Sausage Company Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
111-2019
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2019

Indiana Company Recalls RTE Pork Product After FSIS Samples Test Positive for LM

Fisher Packing Company, a Redkey, Ind. establishment, is recalling approximately 744 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that a sample of product produced by Fisher Packing Company confirmed positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-095-2019-release
Fisher Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
095-2019
Health Risk: High
Sep 28, 2019

GA Establishment Recalls RTE Diced Chicken Linked to Listeria Outbreak in Canada

Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,810 pounds of fully cooked  frozen, diced, and mechanically separated ready-to-eat chicken products after it was s discovered on August 17, 2019, by Canadian Food Inspection Agency that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The Canadian buyer recalled their Rosemount branded product on August 19th.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-085-2019-release
Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked Poultry Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
085-2019 
Health Risk:High 
Aug 20, 2019

Canada - Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Cooked Diced Chicken, Seven Cases of Illness

Canadian authorities are investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes - higher risk populations).

"As of August 18, 2019, there have been 7 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness in three provinces: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1) and Ontario (5). Individuals became sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six individuals have been hospitalized. Individuals who became ill are between 51 and 97 years of age. The majority of cases (86%) are female."

In November of 2017, there were 2 cases, and then starting in April of 2019 through June, there were 5 more cases.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-health-notice-outbreak-of-listeria-infections-linked-to-rosemount-brand-cooked-diced-chicken-835486323.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken Français
News provided by
Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 19, 2019, 12:27 ET

Hepatitis A Case in Philly Grocery Worker Highlights Need for Controls

A Hepatitis A-infected food handler working in a Philadelphia grocery store triggered an alert for those who may have purchased pre-cut RTE fruits and vegetables.  This case is one of an increasing number of Hepatitis A cases seen.   Philadelphia Health Department noted that they are seeing 5 times the number of cases over the 2016 baseline.  While many of these cases are associated with people who are homeless or are drug users, it still increases the risk for food operations in that workers may face increased exposure within the community.

Therefore, it is important for food operations to maintain control including educating workers of the importance of reporting illness or potential exposure. Proper handwashing and glove use are important mitigations against the spread of the disease.

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that is easily spread from an infected person to others through person-to-person contact or person-to-food-to-person.  Once exposed, it takes approximately 6 weeks to see the symptoms, jaundice and fever, but a person can be administered a vaccine within the first two weeks immediately after the exposure event.

Philly.com
https://www.philly.com/health/hepatitis-a-foodborne-illness-acme-philadelphia-health-inspection-reports-20190411.html
After hepatitis A warning at Philly Acme, should you eat precut fruits and veggies?
by Mari A. Schaefer, Updated: April 11, 2019

Chicken Salad Product Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

A Houston, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,912 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered on November 13, 2018 during routine record review by FSIS inspection program personnel.

No exact reason was listed in the announcement.  It could be a Listeria positive test result on an environmental food contact surface sample or something similar.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-111-2018-release
Ron's Home Style Foods Recalls Ready to Eat Chicken Salad Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
111-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Nov 14, 2018 

RTE Food Items Recalled After Corn Supplier Has Salmonella and Listeria Issue

Five recalls were posted by USDA for RTE products after a corn supplier notified the processing companies that their corn may potentially be contaminated with Listeria and/or Salmonella.  From the notices it is not possible to tell how the corn supplier identified the issue (or who the supplier was).

• a Lewisville, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 217 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with bacon products 
• a Sacramento, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 940 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with chicken products that contain a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
• a Portland, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 916 pounds of ready-to-eat wrap and salad products that contain a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes,
• a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 276 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork carnitas bowl products that contain tomatillos that may be adulterated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
• a Green Cove Springs, Florida establishment, is recalling approximately 738 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with steak that contain a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

It is interesting that the mass media (1,  2) is not as specific to the issue, leading to the possibility of consumers looking at all salads as opposed to those containing corn.  And how many salads have you purchased containing corn?   However, with that in mind, a further concern for those packing salads will be to what degree could cross contamination have occurred in these facilities leading to other salads being contaminated?

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-092-2018-release

Prime Deli Corporation Recalls Salads Containing Meat Products due to Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination in Corn
Class I Recall
092-2018
Health Risk: High
Oct 16, 2018

Underprocessed RTE Chicken Jerky Product Recalled in Tennessee

A Pigeon Forge, Tenn. establishment, is recalling approximately 23 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken jerky products due to a processing deviation that may have led to underprocessing of products.  The problem was discovered on Oct. 10, 2018 by FSIS inspection program personnel during a records review verification.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-089-2018-release
Jerky Boyz Chicken Jerky Recalls Chicken Jerky Products due to Possible Processing Deviation
Class I Recall 

089-2018
Health Risk: High 

Oct 11, 2018

Wisconsin Firm Recalls Pork Product Due to Listeria Detected by FSIS

Malone’s Fine Sausage Inc., a Milwaukee, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 26,323 pounds of ready-to-eat pork head cheese product that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered on Oct. 9, 2018 by FSIS inspection program personnel while verifying the disposition of product that FSIS tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-088-2018-release
Malone's Fine Sausage, Inc. Recalls Pork Head Cheese Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 
088-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Oct 10, 2018 

RTE Sliced Steak Product Recalled After Samples Test Positive for Listeria

A Kentucky establishment is recalling approximately 6,720 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) Philly Beef Steak products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  "The problem was discovered on Sept. 7, 2018, when the establishment received results from their laboratory that four finished product samples from their Aug. 9, 2018 production were potentially positive for Listeria monocytogenes.:

This lot that tested positive had a production day nearly a month after that product was produced.  Not sure of the reason for delay, but it best to test immediately if a company is testing their own product.  Also, if this was the only lot of product tested, there may be additional lots of product that are positive as well.  Unless there is a specific reason how one lot can be positive and the others are not, then it may be expected that contamination may be present in other lots.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-078-2018-release
CTI Foods LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Philly Steak Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 
078-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Sep 11, 2018 

RTE Refrigerated Salmon Spread Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

A Kentwood, Michigan firm is voluntarily recalling a specific lot (produced March 26, 2018) of Smoked Salmon Spreads (487 lbs.) due to potential for Listeria monocytogenes.  The product is a RTE refrigerated product.  While no reason is provided, it may be a post-process contamination issue, and if that is the case, we may not be surprised to see additional lots eventually included in the recall.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605105.htm
Superior Foods Company Voluntarily Recalls 487 lbs. of Smoked Salmon Spreads
For Immediate Release
April 18, 2018

Chicken Salad Salmonella Outbreak Cases Increases to 170

A Salmonella outbreak associated with chicken salad first announced in February, now has 170 cases according to the CDC news release.  This is an increase of 105 cases.  The most recent case began on February 18, so may be unlikely there are many more cases.

CDC Outbreak News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-02-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Linked to Chicken Salad

CA Establishment Recalls RTE Processed Meat Products After Positive Listeria Test by CFIA

A California establishment is recalling close to 4,000 lbs of RTE processed meat products for potential Listeria contamination after product was tested and found to be positive by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  There have been no reported illnesses.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-018-2018-release
Olli Salumeria Americana Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 

018-2018
Health Risk: High 

Mar 2, 2018

RTE Chicken Patties Recalled for Foreign Matter, Rubber

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a Waco, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 101,310 pounds of ready-to-eat breaded chicken patties that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber.  According to the notice, "The problem was discovered after the firm received a customer complaint on Feb. 13, 2018. Pilgrim's Pride distributed the product to institutions, including schools. Although the product was sold through the USDA commodity program, the introduction of the foreign material was due to an equipment failure at the facility. "

That is a heck of a lot of chicken to be wasted due to a maintenance issue.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-011-2018-release
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Recalls Ready-to-Eat Chicken Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall

011-2018
Health Risk: High 

Feb 16, 2018

Canadian Establishment Recalls RTE Meat Products Shipped to US after Positive Salmonella Tests

A Canadian establishment, is recalling approximately 1,076 pounds of ready-to-eat salami and speck products that may be adulterated with Salmonella  These items were produced in Canada and were shipped to distribution centers in California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. The problem was discovered when an FSIS sample of the ready-to-eat salami product was confirmed positive for Salmonella. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-129-2017-release
Piller's Fine Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Salami and Speck Products due to Possible Salmonella Adulteration
Class I Recall 

129-2017
Health Risk: High 

Dec 16, 2017 

Trader Joe's Chicken Salad Products Recalled After Complaints of Glass-like Foreign Material

Green Cusine, a CA establishment, issued a recall for 36,854 pounds of Trader Joe's chicken and turkey salad after the company received consumer complaints of glass shards / silica foreign material.

News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-125-2017-release
Green Cuisine Recalls Poultry Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 

125-2017
Health Risk: High 

 Nov 18, 2017

Recall of Burrito Products After a Sample Tests Positive for Listeria

A Denver, Colo. establishment, is recalling approximately 28,064 pounds of pork and chicken burritos and wrap products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. The company notified FSIS on Oct. 30, 2017 that one of its products, Burrito Carnitas Caliente, had tested positive for L. monocytogenes during the firm’s product testing. After a review of the ingredients used in the Burrito Carnitas Caliente, the company determined that four additional products may be affected.

The labels indicate that this is a RTE product based upon the 'heat and serve' directions.

FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-116-2017-release
Chelsea Food Services Firm Recalls Pork and Chicken Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
116-2017 
Health Risk: High
Nov 1, 2017