Food Safety Humor

FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Frozen Smoothie Products Recalled Due to Potential Listeria

Blendtopia Products, LLC is voluntarily recalling 29,078 cases of 7 ounce frozen Blendtopia brand Superfood Smoothie Kits because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company discovered the issue through its quality control processes. The issue is believed to be isolated to a supplied ingredient.

So what is a smoothie kit? From the website -
What is in one smoothie kit/pouch?
"Each smoothie kit contains organic frozen fruit and veggies as well as 1.5oz of frozen superfood chips. The superfood chips are comprised of our proprietary organic superfood blend + organic banana puree. All you have to do is empty the contents of the smoothie pouch into your blender, add 12oz of blending liquid and give your blender a whirl! One smoothie pouch/kit will make (1) 18oz or (2) 9oz smoothies."
Shipping
"We ship our smoothies in insulated packaging on dry ice so they stay frozen throughout the entire trip. Make sure to pop them in the freezer as soon as they arrive."
Blending Instructions:
"Remove superfood packet from pouch! Blend pouch + superfoods with 12oz liquid of choice. Plant-based milks such as almond milk or coconut milk are preferred."

An interesting concept.  As a product with no reduction step performed by the consumer, the ingredients must be free of any biological hazards and those ingredients must be assembled / handled in a way that does not contribute contamination to the finished product.  And if Listeria were present, such as in this case, the organism would not likely grow on the items in the packet, especially if frozen.  The risk would be proliferation occurring once the smoothie was made.



https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blendtopia-products-llc-voluntarily-recalls-frozen-smoothie-products-due-possible-health-risk
Blendtopia Products, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Smoothie Products Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 10, 2020
FDA Publish Date:February 10, 2020
Product Type:Food & Beverages Milk/Milk Product
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:Blendtopia Products, LLC
Brand Name: Blendtopia
Product Description: Frozen smoothie products


Company Announcement
Blendtopia Products, LLC is voluntarily recalling 29,078 cases of 7 ounce frozen Blendtopia brand Superfood Smoothie Kits because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The smoothie blends affected include: Blendtopia brand “Glow”, “Detox”, “Energy”, “Immunity” and “Strength” Superfood Smoothie Kits. The impacted product is labeled as “Best By July 2021, Best By Oct 2021, and Best By Nov 2021”. Product was distributed nationwide and is sold at select retailers and through online sales.

The company discovered the issue through its quality control processes. The issue is believed to be isolated to a supplied ingredient. The products are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution, with the health and safety of consumers as top priority and in full cooperation with the FDA. There have been no reports of sickness or illness to date associated with any consumption of products related to this recall.

“Food safety is our highest priority, and we’re committed to assuring consumers can have full confidence in our products,” said Tiffany Taylor, founder of Blendtopia.

No other products made by Blendtopia Products, LLC are affected by the recall.

Consumers who have affected products should not consume them and discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at: 1-844-260-8181 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm MT or email at support@blendtopia.com

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