NJ Firm Recalls Canned Product After Swollen Cans Detected

A NJ firm is recalling gravy product after bulging cans were noted during labeling.   Product was produced in April and recall was not made until June.

Underprocessing is likely the issue, which allowed the survival of a few a thermophilic sporeforming organisms.  (If a mesophile, cans would have likely exploded or swelling would have been noted sooner. Ambient temperatures would probably only allow minimal growth).  However, Clostridium botulinum is always a concern when can swells are noted.

In canning operations, labeling is not always immediate.  Cans are stored unlabeled (termed bright stack), and then labeled later.  This time allowed swelling to occur.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-056-2018-release
Aunt Kitty's Foods Inc. Recalls Canned Chicken Products Due to Possible Processing Deviation 


Class I Recall 
056-2018 
Health Risk:
High  Jun 26, 2018 

Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell   (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2018 – Aunt Kitty’s Foods, Inc., a Vineland, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,805 pounds of canned chicken gravy products due to a possible processing deviation that may have led to underprocessing of products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The canned chicken gravy was produced on April 4, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]
•10.5-oz. canned “Western Beef Chicken GRAVY” with lot codes 1809515, 1809525, 1809535, and 1809545 and a best by date of June 2021.
•10.5-oz. canned “ShopRite Chicken GRAVY” with lot code 1809515, 1809525, 1809535, and 1809545 and a best by date of June 2021.
•10.5-oz. canned “Price Rite Chicken GRAVY” with lot code 1809515, 1809525, 1809535, and 1809545 and a best by date of June 2021.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-864” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in New Jersey and New York.

The problem was discovered on June 19, 2018 during the establishment’s labeling process, which detected multiple bulging cans of chicken gravy.  FSIS was notified on June 21, 2018.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution lists will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Craig Adams, Vice President of Quality Assurance, Aunt Kitty’s Foods, Inc. (717) 634-3198.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.