This Week in Allergen Related Recalls for Week Ending August 31, 2019

There is Gluten in that Wheat Ingredient - Heatherfield Foods, Inc., an Ontario, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,380 pounds of pork sausage products due to misbranding - the product has a gluten free claim represented on the front of the label; however, the product contains gluten in the form of wheat which wheat was declared on the label. The problem was discovered after FSIS received a consumer complaint.

Undeclared Milk in the Lemonade - Hiland Dairy facility in Chandler OK, is announcing a voluntary recall of one-half gallon (64-ounce) and pint (12-ounce) lemonade  over concerns the products may contain milk.  Hiland Dairy initially learned of a potential issue and then confirmed after internal quality-control testing at the Chandler, Oklahoma facility.

Chicken Salad Product Mislabeled - Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc., a San Antonio, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 1,913 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, - the product contains pecans (tree nut), a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The RTE chicken salad products are labeled as “Curry Chicken Salad” products but contain Tarragon Chicken Salad products.  The problem was discovered by the company during a review of production records.

Supplier Used Milk Derivative in Flavor Ingredients Not on Label- Nature’s One, Lewis Center, Ohio is recalling PediaSmart® SOY Vanilla Beverage Mix because milk is not listed under the “contains” label statement. Each lot is tested for milk allergen by independent 3rd party laboratories before release for sale: no milk allergen was detected in any lots of the finished product. No illnesses have been reported to date, however out of an abundance of caution the product is being recalled.   Nature’s One learned through a routine document review from a vendor that milk or a milk derivative was added to the natural flavor used in the product. Even though no milk allergen was detected through testing, labeling laws require milk is listed in the “contains” statement.

Wrong Label on Pistachio Labeled Meat Product - Olympia Meats, a Portland, Ore., establishment is recalling approximately 198 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the product contains pistachios (tree nuts), a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The RTE pork sausage products are labeled as “Mortadella Classica” products but contain Mortadella Pistachio sausage products.  The issue was identified by a retail customer.

Undeclared Egg in Fish Cakes Great One Trading Inc. is recalling fish cakes because it may contain undeclared egg. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing egg was not revealed on the packaging. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a mislabeling error by the manufacturer

Sulfites in Dried Fruit - Krasnyi Oktyabr USA Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling packages of “TAINY VOSTOKA ASSORTED DRIED FRUITS - QUINCE” and   TAINY VOSTOKA ASSORTED DRIED FRUITS -APPLE because they contain undeclared sulfites  The recall was initiated after routine sampling be New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites

CDC - 2018 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Cake Batter

In a 2018 Salmonella outbreak where 7 people in 5 different states become ill, raw cake mix was identified as the source.  The organism isolated from the individuals match the organism found in an unopen box of cake mix.

Of course, this means that these people ate raw cake dough.  In one case, "The Wisconsin patient reported having consumed an entire box of raw white cake mix over several days during the likely exposure period."

And what are we supposed to do with cake flour....bake it.  One can guess there are no instructions on the box for eating it raw.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6834a5.htm
Notes from the Field: Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Agbeni Associated with Consumption of Raw Cake Mix — Five States, 2018
Weekly / August 30, 2019 / 68(34);751–752

Recalls of Two Strange Brands Remind Us of Why FDA is Stretched Thin

Here are two items I have no particular care about...a tea from Oregon and a spice blend sold in NYC.  However, both have the potential to be pretty serious issues -the tea is being recalled for Salmonella and the spice product is recalled for potential lead - but both will have little impact on the majority of people.  However, just because most all of us are unlikely to drink the Milk Lady's Herbal Tea or use Balquis Yemeni Spice does not mean the FDA can give these suspect products a pass.

Food entrepreneurism is on the rise, but with that, there is an increased pressure on Federal and state agencies to ensure that regulations are enforced.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-mels-essential-goods-llc-recalls-milk-ladys-herbal-tea-blend-peaceful-baby-herbal-tea-blend
Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC Recalls The Milk Lady’s Herbal Tea Blend, Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea Blend, and Diges-teas Herbal Tea Blend, Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 29, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 29, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages  Coffee/Tea
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC
Brand Name: The Milk Lady’s, Peaceful Baby, and Diges-Tea
Product Description: Tea

The Refrigerator as a Source of Food Waste - It is More than Code Dating

A study from THE* Ohio State University discusses food waste, specifically associated with items tossed from the refrigerator.  They find that there are a number of factors that lead to food waste..one is making a guess about the safety and quality of the product  in the refrigerator.  Other factors include "refrigerator cleaning frequency, grocery shopping duration and frequently checking nutrition labels are among food-related routines that affect the utilization of refrigerated food. Additionally, “best by”, “use by” and ambiguous date labeling significantly decrease the odds that food items are fully utilized."

Of course there is a focus back on label dating, "Our results suggest that strategies to reduce food waste in the U.S. should include limiting and standardizing the number of phrases used on date labels, and education campaigns to help consumers better understand the physical signs of food safety and quality,” Davenport said."

While the authors suggest there should be more attention on helping consumers make better decisions on whether food is bad or good, this is not always easy even for food professionals.  There are many unknowns as to a particular food in a given refrigerated that impact whether it is good or bad (from a quality more than safety standpoint...for the most part).  What is the temperature of the person's refrigerator? How long has it been open?  How many times has it been taken outside of the refrigerator and for what length of time?  Did anyone contaminate the product when open...with spoilage or pathogenic bacteria?  Is the product subject to oxidative rancidity? 

A stated date code is fine for closed product, but once open...the conditions in which the the product has been exposed have more of an impact.   That is, the exposure to bacteria, oxygen, etc.  At the very least, there will be increased potential for flavor loss over time.

Plus there are so many different items to have to make decisions about...leftover meatballs, jar of pickles, six jars of salad dressing, milk, yogurt, a dozen different condiments, etc, etc, etc.  And we have no clue how long it has been open.    In the end, we are forced to do that occasional mass eviction. 

Guilting people into not throwing food out is not necessarily the answer.  Rather, the key is buying and using what you will use in a short period of time.  Minimize the number of items and rotate them to use oldest first.

Unfortunately, we often buy and store way more than will be eaten in a short time.  We buy stuff that is 'meh' with regard to flavor, so it sits in the fridge.  Bottles come in unit sizes that are way more than we will use within a month or two. 

And as big as an issue of food waste is the packaging material that will end up in a landfill and with plastic, be there for the millennium.

*Trademark applied.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume 150, November 2019, 104440
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344919303350
Food-related routines, product characteristics, and household food waste in the United States: A refrigerator-based pilot study
Megan L. Davenport a, Danyi Qi b, Brian E. Roe a

Increased Exposure to Microbes in Air Reduces Risk of Asthma in Children

This is more evidence on the importance of exposure to the environment for children...in this case, Finnish researchers found that children who were exposed to a broader range of microbes in the air were less likely to develop asthma.  Further they "showed that farm-like microbiota of the child’s home protected children from asthma also in urban homes."  (I guess I should better appreciate that smell wafting over from the campus cow barns)

File this under - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.


FIHW
https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/microbiota-in-home-indoor-air-may-protect-children-from-asthma-how-to-bring-protecting-microbiota-into-children-s-everyday-lives
Microbiota in home indoor air may protect children from asthma – how to bring protecting microbiota into children’s everyday lives? 

Spain - Large Listeria Outbreak Affect 150, Linked to Fully Cooked Meat Product

The largest-ever Listeria outbreak in Spain as affected as many as 150 with one death so far.  The outbreak has been linked to a processed pork plant located in the southern region of Andlusia which manufacturers carne mechada, a pre-cooked meat.  The facility has recalled all product manufactured in the suspect facility.  There is controversy over why it took so long for action where 'it' was first detected on August 5th but took until the 15th of August to issue the alert.

Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-listeria/spain-issues-international-alert-as-listeria-cases-hit-150-idUSKCN1VB1Z0
Spain issues international alert as listeria cases hit 150

CDC MMWR - New Strain of Antibiotic Resistant Salmonella Found in Mexican Cheese and TX Beef

In this week's Morbidly and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC, a new strain of Salmonella is reported on.  This strain has decreased susceptibility to azithromycin, a normally recommend oral antibiotic for Salmonella infection.  According to the CDC report, from " June 2018–March 2019, an outbreak caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin led to 255 infections and 60 hospitalizations. Infections were linked to Mexican-style soft cheese obtained in Mexico and beef obtained in the United States."

The strain had been detected in soft cheese from Mexico as well as in steer slaughtered in Texas as well as beef.  "The genetic similarity between isolates from beef in Mexico, beef in the United States, and a steer in the United States strongly suggests that the outbreak strain is present in cattle in both countries."

"To prevent infection, consumers should avoid eating soft cheese that could be made with unpasteurized milk, and when preparing beef they should use a thermometer to ensure appropriate cooking temperatures are reached: 145°F (62.8°C) for steaks and roasts followed by a 3-minute rest time, and 160°F (71.1°C) for ground beef or hamburgers."  That means you need to use a thermometer.

CDC MMWR

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6833a1.htm
Outbreak of Salmonella Newport Infections with Decreased Susceptibility to Azithromycin Linked to Beef Obtained in the United States and Soft Cheese Obtained in Mexico — United States, 2018–2019

Time to Get Tough on In-Store Micturition and Other Forms of Intentional Contamination

What is up with this....people intentionally contaminating food?  We have this guy who relieved himself on Starbucks material in a Target store, the lady who did her business on a bag of potatoes, and people licking ice cream and putting it back in the display.   A guy just got five years for falsifying results on testing, but what about these people who intentionally tamper with food?

Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/man-urinates-starbucks-cups-coffee-police
Man urinates on Starbucks cups, coffee filters, and in employee sink before fleeing the store, police say

CDC Reports Increasing Number of Hepatitis A Cases Across Country

Hepatitis A viral infection has been on the upswing across the country.  Since March of 2016, there have been 24,280 cases reported with 14525 hospitalizations and 236 deaths.  The numbers have been especially high in those who are homeless/have unstable housing or those using drugs.  Pennsylvania has had 376 of those cases while Ohio has had 3244 cases.

This increased level can put a lot of pressure on the foodservice sector, especially in the larger cities where establishments may be more likely to hire those those considered high risk for contracting the illness or have more interaction.

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2017March-HepatitisA.htm
Widespread outbreaks of hepatitis A across the United States
Since March 2017, CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) has been assisting multiple state and local health departments with hepatitis A outbreaks, spread through person-to-person contact.

At a Glance
Since the outbreaks were first identified in 2016, 29 states have publicly reported the following as of August 16, 2019

• Cases: 24,280
• Hospitalizations: 14,525 (60%)
• Deaths: 236

This Week in Allergen Related Recalls for Week Ending August 24, 2019

Reaction Leads to Recall of Cookies Due to Undeclared Egg - Whole Foods is recalling "Decorated Red Apple Cookies” are being recalled because they may contain undeclared egg.  One allergic reaction has been reported to date; the recall was initiated after a customer notified the store. All affected product has been removed from store shelves.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-decorated-red-apple-cookies-issued-southern-pacific-whole-foods-market
Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg in “Decorated Red Apple Cookies” Issued by Southern Pacific Whole Foods Market Stores
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: August 22, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Egg
Company Name:Whole Foods Market Stores
Brand Name: Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Iced Sugar Cookies

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

Caviar Processor Expands Recall

A Washington State firm is expanding its recall of canned caviar after Canadian authorities found additional lot samples were low in salt.  The original recall was posted on August 15th.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntarily-recalls-grained-salmon-caviar-95g-because-possible-health-risk
Voluntarily Recalls Grained Salmon Caviar 95g Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary

Company Announcement Date: August 21, 2019

FDA Publish Date:August 21, 2019 

Product Type:Food & Beverages 

Reason for Announcement: Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination

Company Name: AWERS, Inc.

Brand Name: AWERS

Product Description: Grained Salmon Caviar

CT Meat Processor Fakes E. coli Testing and Now Faces Five Years in Prison

The owner of a CT meat processing facility is facing five years in prison after falsifying E. coli test results required by USDA for beef carcasses.  According to authorities,"the company must perform one generic E. coli test swab for every 300 animals slaughtered, and to collect ground-beef samples for testing"...which is not a huge burden compared to the sentence he is facing.

Hartford Business
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/feds-ct-meat-packer-faked-e-coli-tests
Feds: CT meat packer faked E. coli tests

August 21, 2019 

Wisconsin Brewery Recalls Beer Due to Potential for Exploding Bottles

A Wisconsin brewery is recalling its sour cherry infused beer, My Turn Junk because of the potential for exploding bottles due to wild yeast associated with the cherry.   These yeast may continue fermenting in the bottle, creating excessive gas and with that pressure, causing the bottles to explode, or the caps to come off.  With exploding bottles, glass can be a hazard, or at the least, having beer all over your house.

We get many questions on people wanting to add ingredients or change formulation for traditional fermentation processes..whether that is alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine or with items like kombucha (fermented tea).  The problem is that we never know that the formulation change will do to the traditional fermentation process.  Some ingredients may bring other microorganisms into the reaction, they may bring added sugars which can result in extra gas, or it can impact pH, which may resulting in growth of unwanted bacteria including pathogens. 

We have had some people want to leave the salt out of sauerkraut fermentation to reduce sodium in the product...well, that salt helps to select the right organisms and thus the correct fermentation, and leaving the salt out opens the door to other microorganisms growing.

ABC WISN 12

MILWAUKEE —

Brewery recalls beer because bottles may explode

Lakefront said the "My Turn Junk" kettle sour cherry beer was "deemed too volatile."

WISN 

Updated: 1:48 PM CDT Aug 15, 2019

Organic Food Fraud - Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Farmers Also Sentenced

From a Washington Post article, a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for organic food fraud.  He worked with a few farmers to take conventionally grown food and call it organic.  "The farmers grew traditional corn and soybeans, mixed them with a small amount of certified organic grains, and falsely marketed them all as certified organic by the U.S. Department of  Agriculture. Most of the grains were sold as animal feed to companies that marketed organic meat and meat products."

Of course because they were labeled as organic, they were able to charge much more for the crop items and thus incurred a higher return.  "The farmers reaped more than $120 million in proceeds from sales of the tainted grain. The  scheme may have involved up to 7 percent of organic corn grown in the U.S. in 2016 and 8 percent of the organic soybeans, prosecutors said."

The farmers were also sentenced with up to 2 years in prison.

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/farmers-to-be-sentenced-in-largest-us-organic-fraud-case/2019/08/16/ef533078-c031-11e9-a8b0-7ed8a0d5dc5d_story.html
Leader of largest US organic food fraud gets 10-year term
By Ryan J. Foley | AP
August 16

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A judge on Friday sentenced the mastermind of the largest known organic food fraud scheme in U.S. history to 10 years in prison, saying he cheated thousands of customers into buying products they didn’t want.

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

Study Indicates Potential for Increasing Mercury Levels in Seafood Due to Overfishing and Global Warming

A study published in Nature indicates that the level of methylmecury (MeHg, a potent neurotoxic substance) in predatory fish that we eat (including tuna, cod and swordfish) may be increasing due to global warming and overfishing.  Basically there is a change in the dietary patterns of these fish where the fish are eating organisms such as  squid and other cephalopods which exhibit higher MeHg concentrations than many other prey fish.

Inorganic mercury (Hg) is emitted to the atmosphere from both natural and human sources and this is deposited in the ocean where some is converted by microorganisms to MeHg.  This MeHg accumulates in small organisms but concentrations are amplified in the flesh of predatory fish as they eat the smaller organisms.  

Darn that global warming.

Nature

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1468-9
Climate change and overfishing increase neurotoxicant in marine predators
Amina T. Schartup, Colin P. Thackray, Asif Qureshi, Clifton Dassuncao, Kyle Gillespie, Alex Hanke & Elsie M. Sunderland
Published: 07 August 2019

Chicken Patties Recalled Due to Unidentified Foreign Materials (UFMs)

Tyson Foods Inc., a Pine Bluff, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 39,078 pounds of Weaver brand frozen chicken patty product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials.  The problem was discovered after the recalling firm notified FSIS of consumer complaints.  No specific mention of what the material was or how it got into the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-084-2019-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Weaver Brand Ready-To-Eat Chicken Patty Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 
084-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Aug 15, 2019 

Caviar Recalled Due to Improper Processing That May Lead to C. botulinum Growth

A Washington State seafood company is recalling its caviar after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested and found the product was low in salt concentration.  The issue was stated as potential Clostridium botulinum potential.


Article Citation:
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD and R. HILSHEIMER (1979) Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar. Journal of Food Protection: March 1979, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 245-248. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-42.3.245

Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD* and R. HILSHEIMER
Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Protection Branch, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0L2

Bottled lumpfish caviar was prepared with different salt (NaCl) concentrations and pH, and injected with spores of Clostridium botulinum. Under abusive storage conditions (30 C), outgrowth and toxigenesis occurred at combinations of ≤ 3.95% salt in the water phase and pH ≥ 5.2, and of ≤ 4.67% salt and pH ≥ 5.6. No toxin was formed at salt concentrations of ≥ 5.56% or at pH ≤ 5.0. A survey of commercial caviar products showed that most of these had salt-pH combinations which would effectively inhibit C. botulinum at abusive temperatures during storage.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/awers-inc-recalls-grained-salmon-caviar-95g-because-possible-health-risk
AWERS, Inc. Recalls Grained Salmon Caviar 95g Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 15, 2019
FDA Publish Date: August 15, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Company Name:AWERS, Inc.
Brand Name:AWERS
Product Description: Grained Salmon Caviar
 

FDA Issues Warning for Raw Pet Food, Company Recalls 35 Lots After Product Tests Positive for Salmonella and Listeria

FDA issued a warning regarding Texas Tripe Raw pet food in that certain lots of Texas Tripe Inc. raw pet food after samples from some of these lots tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).   Texas Tripe Inc. has recalled 35 lots for each of 23 product varieties.  The concern is that the pets can spread the pathogen or people can become infected with the pathogen when handling the food.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fda-cautions-pet-owners-not-feed-texas-tripe-inc-raw-pet-food-due-salmonella-listeria-monocytogenes
FDA Cautions Pet Owners Not to Feed Texas Tripe Inc. Raw Pet Food Due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 14, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 15, 2019
Product Type:Animal & Veterinary
Pet Food Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:Texas Tripe Inc.
Brand Name:  Texas Tripe
Product Description:  Raw frozen pet food

Training for FSMA Sanitary Transport Rule

An article in Fleet Owner magazine highlights an online training course for complying with the FDA's Sanitary Transport Rule.  (yes, shameless self-promotion.)

Fleet Owner
https://www.fleetowner.com/regulations/helping-companies-meet-food-transportation-law
Helping companies meet food transportation law

Fleet Owner Staff | Aug 09, 2019
An online course now offered by Penn State Extension aims to help transportation personnel nationwide meet federal food safety requirements when transporting human and animal foods.

The course, “Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food,” can help shippers, loaders, carriers by motor or rail vehicle, and receivers involved in transporting human and animal foods understand the Sanitary Transportation Regulation, which is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act — often referred to as FSMA.

The goal of FSMA’s Sanitary Transportation Regulation is to prevent practices during transportation that create food safety risks, such as failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads and failure to properly protect food. The Penn State Extension course breaks down the regulation in a user-friendly format that provides an overview of food hazards and how the risk of those hazards can be minimized.

Using easy-to-follow videos and short readings, the self-paced, interactive course outlines how to safely transport food in all stages of the transportation process. Participants will learn about regulations, hazards associated with food during transportation, basic safety procedures, and company procedures and documentation. To receive certification, participants must pass four short quizzes with a minimum score of 80%.

FDA Issues First Warning Letter to Company on FSVP Requirements

FDA issued a Warning Letter to an importer that had imported tahini product that was linked to 6 cases of Salmonella infection  in June of 2019.  This was the first warning letter regarding FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) requirements as part of FDA's FSMA regulation.

The FSVP regulation requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that human and/or animal food they import into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards.  This means that importer must have proof that the foreign processor has a Preventive Control Plan and can successfully controlled potential hazards.  In the case of tahini, the supplier must have process and environmental controls to prevent contamination from Salmonella.

In this report, FDA found that the firm had not developed an FSVP for sesame paste tahini manufactured by their supplier Karawan Tahini and Halva in the West Bank, but even more of an issue was that the firm was not familiar with FSVP requirements.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/brodt-zenatti-holdings-llc-583679-07302019
FDA Warning Letter
Brodt Zenatti Holdings LLC
MARCS-CMS 583679 — Jul 30, 2019

FDA Releases 2019 Testing Report for Yuma AZ Leafy Greens - No Pathogenic E.coli Found

FDA released the results of 2019 sampling of lettuce from the Yuma AZ region, which was the site of the 2018 E. coli outbreak (where over 200 become ill from eating contaminated Romaine lettuce).   In the 2019 sampling which began in mid-December of 2018, FDA "collected and tested 118 samples for each pathogen, with STEC and Salmonella spp. selected because they are the two pathogens most closely associated with leafy vegetables.[2], [3] Each sample consisted of 10 subsamples, and each subsample consisted of one head or two hearts (i.e., the center leaves) of romaine. The FDA did not detect any STEC of concern to human health, though it did find one non-pathogenic STEC strain. The FDA did not detect Salmonella spp. in any of the samples."

"The findings of this assignment suggest that there was no widespread Salmonella or STEC contamination of romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region during the period when sampling occurred. As a next step, the FDA is working with leafy green stakeholders in the Yuma region to consider a longer-term environmental study to identify and control risks that will prevent future outbreaks, with the ultimate goal of protecting consumers."

https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/microbiological-surveillance-sampling-fy19-romaine-lettuce-commercial-coolers-yuma-arizona
Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY19 Romaine Lettuce at Commercial Coolers in Yuma, Arizona

Content current as of:  08/14/2019 

Company Recalls Cooked Poultry Products After Complaint Indicating Potential Undercooking

Taylor Farms Inc., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 342 pounds of breaded chicken products due to a processing defect that may have led to undercooking of products.  The problem was discovered when the recalling firm notified FSIS of a consumer complaint, however there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-083-2019-release
Taylor Farms Illinois Inc. Recalls Chicken Products due to Possible Processing Defect
Class I Recall
083-2019
Health Risk: High
Aug 9, 2019

Bagged Spinach Recalled After Positive Salmonella Test

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is  recalling a limited number of cases of baby spinach after a sample of Baby Spinach which yielded a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Michigan. At the time of recall notification, all product had already passed the expiration date. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-baby-spinach
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Baby Spinach
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 09, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  August 09, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole
Product Description:  Baby Spinach

PA Woman Who Relieved Herself in Store on a Bin of Potatoes Gets Off Easy

A 20 year old woman turned herself in to police after she was nabbed urinating on potatoes in Walmart.  She will be charged with “criminal mischief, open lewdness, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.”  I think that is a bit too light on the charges.

NY Post
https://nypost.com/2019/07/30/police-pop-woman-who-peed-on-potatoes-in-walmart/
Police pop woman who peed on potatoes in Walmart 
By Hannah Frishberg
7/30/2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending August 3, 2019

Allergens in Sub-ingredients Missed on Label - Ruleau Brothers Inc. of Stephenson, MI, is recalling its 8 ounce containers of "Door County Whitefish Smoked Whitefish Pate" because they may contain undeclared allergens of Egg, Soy, and Anchovies.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an FDA inspection conducted under contract by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that the product’s labeling did not fully list all ingredients and sub-ingredients contained in the product. Some of these missing ingredients and sub-ingredients contained the allergens of Anchovy, Egg, and Soy.

Peanuts in the Chocolate Chip Cookies - JuJu Bakes, LLC, DBA The Cookie Dough Cafe of Bloomington, IL is recalling 15 cases of 1.6 ounce Chocolate Chip Chilled Gourmet Edible Cookie Dough Bars, because they may contain peanuts.  Allergen issue was found after an employee tasted peanut butter in a bar labeled chocolate chip. The employee sampling the item did not have a peanut allergy and did not experience a reaction. Her observation led to the recall of Lot #19177. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ruleau-brothers-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-eggs-soy-and-anchovies-door-county-whitefish-smoked
Ruleau Brothers Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Eggs, Soy, and Anchovies in "Door County Whitefish Smoked Whitefish Pate"

Soft Baked Cookies Recalled Due to Plastic Pieces Generated From Packaging Process

Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. is recalling Entenmann’s Little Bites Soft Baked Cookies (5 pack Mini Chocolate Chip variety) due to the potential presence of visible, blue plastic pieces in the individual packaging pouch. The plastic is not baked into the product since it was introduced during the packaging process. [so the plastic was generated by the packaging equipment / process.]
The company announced the recall after receiving consumer reports of visible, blue plastic pieces found on or packaged with the product. There are no reports of injury to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bimbo-bakeries-usa-voluntary-recall-entenmanns-little-bites-cookies-due-potential-presence-plastic
Bimbo Bakeries USA Voluntary Recall of Entenmann’s Little Bites Cookies Due to Potential Presence of Plastic Pieces
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 01, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 01, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to the potential presence of visible, blue plastic pieces
Company Name:Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.
Brand Name: Entenmann’s
Product Description:  Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

Report on Listeria Sampling in Produce at Retail

Consumer Reports conducted tests of leafy greens from supermarkets and found Listeria in 6 of 284 samples. Do you stop buying leafy greens - No, the risk is extremely low.

Listeria is a common environmental microorganism and while certain strains can be pathogenic if present in sufficient number and are exposed to high risk populations, there has not been outbreaks from fresh leafy greens eaten as such. In this report, really only one of the sample organisms was deemed as pathogenic, but the level of organism present would not likely to be sufficient to cause an issue.

That said, the produce industry has been working to ensure the risk is minimized through basic GMPs and sanitation.  However, more work is needed to improve risk reduction of this organism in food operations including fresh produce.  More research is needed to better understand this organism in food operations as well as in retail operations.

Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/leafy-greens-with-listeria-sold-at-major-supermarkets/
Leafy Greens With Listeria Sold at Major Supermarkets
Consumer Reports found the bacteria in prewashed and unbagged products. Here's how to stay safe when eating greens.
By Trisha Calvo
July 26, 2019

Color Additive Regulations Amended to Allow Use of Soy Leghemoglobin in Fake Burgers (Veggie Patties)

FDA agreed to amend the color additive regulations to allow "for the safe use of soy leghemoglobin as a color additive in ground beef analogue products".  Soy leghemoglobin is the substance that gives the Impossible Burger its color and meat like flavor.

Leghemoglobin is a heme containing protein found in plants,  Heme is an iron-containing molecule that is found in animals, such as in hemoglobin and myoglobin.  This soy based heme is actually produced through the use of genetically modified yeast, so that it can produce via fermentation in large batches.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/fda-approves-color-additive-in-food-after-impossible-burger-petition/
NEWS | August 1, 201
FDA Approves Color Additive in Food After Impossible Burger Petition

Processing Issue Results in Recall of Canned Meat Product

Conagra Brands, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 32,400 pounds of canned beef products,  a single date lot of BEEFY MAC PASTA IN TOMATO & MEAT SAUCE, due to a potential processing defect, resulting in the potential survival of bacterial pathogens in the products,  The problem was discovered by the establishment on July 27, 2019 during routine activities.

One would guess the processing defect resulted in a potential under processing situation.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-081-2019-release
Conagra Brands, Inc. Recalls Canned Beef Products Due to Possible Processing Defect
Class II Recall 081-2019
Health Risk: Low Jul 31, 2019

RTE Polish Sausage Recalled After Complaints of Pink Rubber Pieces

Kent Quality Foods, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 48,681 pounds of ready-to-eat polish sausage with beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of flexible pink rubber.  The problem was discovered when the firm received two complaints of extraneous materials from retailers on July 17, 2019 and July 18, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-079-2019-release
News Release
Kent Quality Foods, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
079-2019
Health Risk: High
Jul 26, 2019

Company Expands Recall of Pig Ear Pet Treats Linked to Salmonella Illnesses

The Lennox Intl Inc located in Edison NJ, is expanding its voluntary recall of its Natural Pig ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recalled products affected where shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from November 1st 2018, to July 3rd, 2019.

"To date, Lennox is aware of cases of human illness related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak in which several people identified Lennox pig eat treats as the brand they purchased. Individually shrink-wrapped product tested by FDA tested positive for Salmonella. Lennox’s pig ears are also sold bulk unwrapped."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/expanded-lennox-intl-inc-voluntary-recalling-natural-pig-ears-july-26-2019
Expanded - The Lennox Intl Inc is Voluntary Recalling Natural Pig Ears on July 26, 2019
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 30, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 30, 2019
Product Type: Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name: Lennox Intl
Brand Name: Lennox
Product Description: Pet treat-Pig ears