Frozen Vegetable Recall Due to Inadequate Followup on Presumptive Positive Pathogen Results

The FDA Enforcement Report gives an indication for the cause of the frozen produce recall associated with McCain's Foods.  In FDA's October 31st release of Enforcement Reports, FDA has posted the McCain Foods recalled products, over 50 different items, recalled and the reason.

"During an internal audit at the manufacturing location, it was discovered that finished product had been released on numerous occasions after receiving presumptive positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella; confirmation was not conducted".

Basically, product testing was done and when a presumptive positive was found, there was no followup.  There was no corrective action for the product.  They never determined if it was positive or negative for the pathogen.  Because of this, they recalled the product.  

Presumptive positives can be common depending upon the test and food matrix.  In many cases, depending upon the cleanliness of the facility and how well they follow their procedures for processing and control of the post-roasting environment, these would have come out negative.  But we don't know.

Because of the pacakage sizes, this product is packed for food processing and food service sectors.  These are not consumer size packs, and thus the reason we had not seen in FDA Recalls Notices.

Product list includes:

Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Red Peppers; Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. containers
Fire-Roasted 1/4" Diced Red Jalapenos; Sold in 25 lb. containers
Sauteed 3/8" Diced Onions; Sold in 25 lb. containers. Brand
Corn and Black Bean Blend: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages.
Caramelized Onion Strips: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages.
Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Julienne Strips: Sold in 2 lb. and 25 lb. packages.
FIRE-ROASTED THIN SLICED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS: Sold in 2 lb. . packages
Caramelized 3/8" Diced Onions: Sold in 25 lb.
Roasted Vegetable Blend: Sold in 2 lb. . packages
Fire Roasted Half Moon Green Zucchini
Fire Roasted Super Sweet Corn: Sold in 20 lb.
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips: Sold in 20 lb
Smokehouse Roasted 5/8" Diced Apples
Fire-Roasted 1/2" Diced Onions
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Green Peppers:
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Yellow Peppers:
Fire-Roasted Onion/Pepper Strip Blend: Sold in 20 lb.

Fire Roasted 1/4" Diced Red Peppers:
SAUT¿ED 1/4" DICED ONIONS: Sold in 25 lb
Fire-Roasted Rubio's Vegetable Blend:
FIRE ROASTED ONION STRIPS:
Sauted Muchrooms:
Fire-Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions Sold in 14 oz. package
Saut¿ed Organic Onion Strips
Jalapeno Poblano Onion Blend
Dark Caramelized 3/8" Diced Sweet Onions
Caramelized 1/4" Diced Onions; Sold in 25 lb. containers
Fire-Roasted Homestyle Julienne Tri-Colored Pepper Strips
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Poblano Chiles; Sold in 25 lb
Fire-Roasted 1/2" Diced Onions; Sold in 25 lb.
Saut¿ed 3/8" Diced Organic Onions; Sold in 25 lb
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Green Zucchini Fire-Roasted Cauliflower Florets ;
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Tomatoes;
Fire Roasted 1/2" Diced Onion/Pepper Blend
Saut¿ed Julienne Onion Strips With Canola Caramel; Sold in 20 lb. containers
Pizza Kitchen Cut Medley; Sold in 25 lb. containers. Brand
Fire-Roasted Pepper and Onion Blend;
Fire-Roasted 3/8" Diced Organic Onions;
Fire Roasted 1/4" Diced Poblanos; Sold in 25 lb
Fire-Roasted Poblano Strips; Sold in 20 lb. containers
Plus another 20 items.

Example https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=168004
Product Description:
Fire-Roasted 1/4" Diced Red Jalapenos; Sold in 25 lb. containers Brand Name: Jon-Lin¿ NatureSmart" Brand name:

Reason for Recall:
During an internal audit at the manufacturing location, it was discovered that finished product had been released on numerous occasions after receiving presumptive positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella; confirmation was not conducted.

Product Quantity:
366

Recall Number:
F-0205-2019

Code Information:
All products shipped on or after January 1, 2016 Batch numbers: 1002715200 1001589606 1001691288 1001589606

Classification: Updated
Class II

Event ID: 81281

Voluntary / Mandated:
Voluntary: Firm Initiated

Distribution Pattern:  US and Canada, China, Korea and Mexico

Recalling Firm:
McCain Foods USA
1 Tower Ln
Oakbrook Ter, IL 60181-4671
 United States