Veggie Patch, a manufacturer of vegetable based food items, is recalling meatless burgers and falafel because their own internal testing program detected Listeria monocytogenes. What is the risk:
- The meatless burgers are soy-based products (Ingredient statement below), which are considered a TCS food in the FDA Food Code. That is, the product will support the growth of organisms such as Listeria.
- The product is considered fully cooked, so the instructions (attached below) are what would be considered heat-and-serve. These instructions would not be considered validated cooking instructions needed to destroy pathogens if present. (http://www.gmaonline.org/downloads/wygwam/121894_1.pdf is a guidance document for validating cooking instructions.)
- This is a frozen product, so while frozen, that will prevent the growth of Listeria. Of course, if the consumer thaws the product and then holds it for days before consuming, this will allow for growth.
Question is, to what degree does the company’s food safety program, including sanitation, limit this recall to the day in question.
FDA News Release
VEGGIE PATCH® Voluntarily Recalls Two Items- The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel
- Due To Possible Risk Of Contamination By Listeria monocytogenes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 30, 2012 – VEGGIE PATCH® is voluntarily recalling two products --The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel-- due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.
The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel, from VEGGIE PATCH, with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed below were distributed to a select number of retailers and distributors.
9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, The Ultimate Meatless Burger with a Use-By date, Jan/12/2013; UPC code 6-10129-00211-5 (which can be found on back of package)
9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, Falafel with a Use-By date, Jan/15/2013; UPC code 6-10129-06619-3 (which can be found on back of package)
The Ultimate Meatless Burger potentially affected was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, in the following states; NY, CT, PA, FL, IL, MD, IN, WI, VA, NJ and DE. Falafel potentially affected, was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, nationwide.
No illnesses have been reported to date. VEGGIE PATCH discovered this issue as part of its routine testing of its products.
Consumers who purchased any product with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed above are asked to dispose of the product. They should email contactus@veggiepatch.com to arrange for a full refund. The recall affects only these two items. Products that do not contain the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are not affected by the recall. No other VEGGIE PATCH products or other use-by dates of The Ultimate Meatless Burger or Falafel are affected by this recall. Frozen Veggie Patch products are not affected by this recall.
Consumers with questions can contact VEGGIE PATCH at 888-807-0765, 8am- 5pm EST, seven says a week, or at contactus@veggiepatch.com
More information is available on the VEGGIE PATCH website at www.veggiepatch.com
About VEGGIE PATCH
VEGGIE PATCH offers tasty, healthy and convenient vegetarian foods and meatless options ideal for snacks, lunch and dinner. Products include main dish items, kid-friendly vegetable and cheese bites and other appetizers. All VEGGIE PATCH products are made from real vegetables, are high in protein and free of trans fats and MSG. For more information, visit http://www.veggiepatch.com1 2
Source: Veggie Patch Website http://www.veggiepatch.com/products/meatless
Source: Veggie Patch Website http://www.veggiepatch.com/products/meatless
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