Imported Herring Product Recalled Due to Listeria

B&I Overseas Trading Inc from Van Nuys, CA is recalling frozen “Veladis herring in oil with Italian spices” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,  The product was imported from Ukraine.  There was no information on how the Listeria was determined to potentially be in the product.

Listeria would have contaminated the product during handling.  Although frozen which would prevent growth during frozen storage, the directions of  "Defrost before use and keep refrigerated for up to 30 days", would have provided opportunity for growth.  This product would then be consumed as a ready-to-eat product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bi-overseas-trading-recalls-product-due-potential-contamination-listeria-monocytogenes
B&I Overseas Trading Recalls Product Due to Potential Contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 23, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  December 24, 2020
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria Monocytogenes
Company Name:  B&I Overseas Trading, Inc
Brand Name:  Veladis
Product Description:  Herring in oil 

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending December 31. 2020

Ravioli Product Recalled After Using Siracha Chili Sauce From a Different Supplier That Now Contains Soy - The USDA-FSISI is issuing a public health alert for approximately 49 pounds of frozen, fully cooked, not shelf stable chicken sriracha ravioli products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product may contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The product labeled as “FRESH THYME FARMERS MARKET CHICKEN RAVIOLI Ovals” was formulated with a different sriracha chili sauce than normally utilized in the product formulation because the firm was unable to obtain the usual brand from their supplier. The sriracha chili sauce used on Dec. 8, 2020 contains soy, while the sauce normally used in the formulation does not. The following products are subject to the public health alert: [View Labels (PDF only)]

Label of Cajun Spiced Snack Misses Milk  on Label - Lipari Foods of Warren, MI is recalling its 9 ounce packages of Backroad Country Spicy Cajun Mix because it contains undeclared milk.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the milk-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

Supplier Issue Results in Undeclared Milk and Eggs - Divvies of Trumbull, CT is recalling Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting and Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting because they may contain undeclared milk and eggs.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that an ingredient containing milk and eggs had gotten into the ingredient mix which is used specifically for the vanilla cupcakes. This happened when the mix was packaged by the ingredient supplier. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown of a piece of equipment on the supplier’s packaging line. The problem has been corrected.

Pecan Pies Labeled Mislabeled using Print-and-Apply Labels - Legendary Baking of Chaska, MN is voluntarily recalling a single lot of item number 7545 - French Silk Pie. This product is being recalled due to a potential undeclared pecan allergen. Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme pies may have been packaged in containers that otherwise identify the product as French Silk Pie and did not reveal the presence of pecans.

Bacon Bits Labeled as Garlic Powder - B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling individual containers of 5.37 oz. Food Club Garlic Powder, with “best by” dates of NOV 19 22 and NOV 20 22, because they mistakenly contain bacon-flavored bits, which contain soy, an allergen undeclared on the garlic powder labels. It was determined that 1,301 cases of bacon-flavored bits, which contain soy, an allergen undeclared on garlic powder labels, may contain some individual containers inadvertently labeled as garlic powder. Containers labeled as Food Club Bacon Flavored Bits correctly indicate that the containers include bacon-flavored bits and correctly declare the presence of soy.

Wrong Back Label - Fresh Orlando, FL., is recalling a limited number of cases of product containing a vegetable tray with ranch dip due to a possible health risk from an undeclared allergen in a product. The product contains egg, which is not declared on the label.

Pecan Kringles Labeled as  Almond Kringles - O&H Danish Bakery, Inc. of Racine, WI is recalling 3,173 units of Almond Kringle (1lb 8oz) with batch code 26720 sold in Trader Joe’s retail stores because it may contain undeclared Pecans. The recall was initiated because it was discovered that four pecan filled kringles were incorrectly labeled as Almond Kringle and delivered to the Trader Joe’s distribution center as a part of a larger order. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's baking and icing processes.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Whole Foods for Ongoing Series of Allergen Recalls

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Whole Foods after a long series of recalls. FDA cited 32 recalls over the past year. (Certainly, it is about time.)

"These recalls demonstrate that your corporation engaged in a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products. For the time period of October 2019 to November 2020, your firm recalled 32 food products due to undeclared allergen(s). We noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls for undeclared allergens in previous years as well."

Here is a sampling of the reasons why allergen labeling errors occurred.

• F‐0925‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your internal labeling system for the repackaging of food products was not updated to reflect the current ingredient listing for the product.
• F‐0408‐2020 - contract manufacturer packaged a Butter Cookies & Sweet Cream Italian Gelato product with the incorrect Raspberry Cheesecake Italian Gelato label thereby causing the product to have the incorrect ingredient declaration and undeclared egg.
• F‐0131‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your retail employees applied a label which did not reflect the ingredient listing on the manufacturer’s label. This caused the product to have undeclared milk and eggs.
• F‐1048‐202 -  mislabeling occurred because the ingredient statement, which included almond flour, on the master carton was not fully transferred to the scale label used for the individual containers.
• F‐1354‐2020 to F‐1362‐2020 -  mislabeling occurred because not all of your regions had updated their scale ingredient statement to include the egg allergen. This caused the product to have undeclared eggs.

It comes down to this.....the mass retailer buys and sells a lot of specialty products.  Information must be passed from the manufacturer down through to the distribution centers and stores (wherever the items are labeled,  often use print-on-demand label printers).  If communication and technology input procedures are not tight, there is a lot of room for error.  But not impossible, as many other retailers do the same thing with far fewer issues.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/whole-foods-market-610862-12162020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Whole Foods Market
MARCS-CMS 610862 — December 16, 2020 

USDA Issues Health Alert for Chinese Chicken Wings with False USDA Mark of Inspection

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for raw frozen New Orleans -Roasted Chicken Wings products imported and labeled with a false USDA mark of inspection. A recall was not requested because the known affected product is no longer available in commerce for consumers to purchase.

"Di-Da Di-Da USA Corp., a Saratoga, Cal., establishment received and distributed ineligible imported frozen chicken wings products from The Peoples Republic of China to U.S. commerce for retail sale. The frozen chicken wings products are labeled with a false USDA mark of inspection bearing “P-40478”, an establishment number that does not exist. The problem was discovered when FSIS received a consumer complaint reporting a product suspected of being illegally imported being sold at a location. After investigation, FSIS determined that the product was ineligible and misbranded with a false USDA mark of inspection."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2020/pha-12192020-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Imported Raw Frozen New Orleans - Roasted Chicken Wings from the Peoples Republic of China 

Frozen Meals Recalled Due to Complaints of White Plastic Pieces, Broken Conveyor May Be to Blame

Nestlé Prepared Food facility in Springville, Utah is recalling approximately 92,206 pounds of LEAN CUISINE Baked Chicken meal products "after receiving five consumer complaints involving hard white plastic found in the product. The firm believes the mashed potatoes used in the production of the baked chicken meals products had pieces of a plastic conveyor belt that broke during production."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2020/recall-030-2020-release
Nestlé Prepared Foods Recalls Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken Meal Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
030-2020
Health Risk: High
Dec 19, 2020 

FDA Issues Advisory on Green Gorilla Root Juice

FDA issued an Advisory for consumer to avoid Green Gorilla Root Juice.

Green Gorilla Root Juice is made by the Green Gorilla Root Juice Company in St. Louis, MO. It contains Cayenne Pepper, apple juice, and a proprietary blend of natural herbs. One of those "natural herbs" was discovered by FDA to be Yohimbine.

Yohimbine is botanical compound extracted from the bark of the Pausinystalia yohimbe tree. It has been used to treat ED, with varying degree of success. It has been looked at for treating other health issues as well. However, it does have side effects.  "Yohimbine has been associated with heart attacks, seizures and other serious side effects, as well as confusion, dizziness, anxiety, tremors, headaches and skin flushing, and may interact with medications."

In the case of Green Gorilla Root Juice, the ingredient Yohimbine was not declared on the label and product "samples tested by the FDA contained 147 milligrams of Yohimbine in one 16 ounce bottle, which is at least several times higher than what would normally be recommended for use by a physician."

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-consumers-avoid-green-gorilla-root-juice-due-potentially-harmful-undeclared-ingredient
FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Green Gorilla Root Juice Due to a Potentially Harmful Undeclared Ingredient
December 18, 2020

FDA Warning Letter - Acidified Food Processor Fails

FDA issued a warning letter to an acidified food manufacturing facility (salsas and sauces) located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

First, the firm failed to file an updated scheduled process are they are required to do as part of the Acidified Foods regulations.  "The critical parameters [the company] are currently following during production of the same Flame Roasted Green Chile product are based on a process authority letter dated 12/20/2019. The critical parameters listed in the 12/20/2019 process authority letter are different than the critical parameters filed with FDA in 2016. your recall of the Trader Jose’s Hatch Valley Salsa manufactured on April 06, 2020 that had a documented equilibrium pH of 6.65."    It also seems that they were not following the process as required.

A pH of 6.65 is far from good. 

Then along with that, the firm failed to handle the process deviation when the pH was high or when the process was not followed.  Finally,  when these deviations did occur, the process was not under the supervision of someone who has attended a Better Process Control School as required by 21 CFR 114.83.

Good reminder for those who pack acidified foods of the necessity to follow the regulations.  These items are too often considered bulletproof, but they can be botulism death bombs if the process is not properly controlled. The regulations are there for a reason.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/desert-premium-group-llc-612030-12022020

WARNING LETTER
Desert Premium Group, LLC
MARCS-CMS 612030 — December 02, 2020

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending December 17, 2020

Online Sales of Improperly Packaged Snack Sticks - The U.S. USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) pork snack stick products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product may contain milk which is not declared on the product label.   The RTE product labeled as “Country Meats HOT BBQ Flavor Smoked Pork Snack Sticks” may actually contain Chili Cheese flavor pork snack sticks and was produced on November 6, 2020. These items were sold online to individual customers who further sold the product as a fundraiser item. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment received consumer complaints reporting cheese in the Hot BBQ flavored snack sticks. 

Pecans in Cookies but Not on Label - George DeLallo Co., Inc. of Mt. Pleasant, PA is recalling Publix Bakery 20 OZ Holiday Cookie Platters because they may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the pecan-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

Report - Foodborne illness source attribution estimates for 2018 for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter

CDC issued a report "Foodborne illness source attribution estimates for 2018 for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter using multi-year outbreak surveillance data, United States" that uses outbreak data to identify the sources of foodborne illness. "

The report is from the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), a tri-agency group created by the US CDC), FDA, USDA-FSIS. IFSAC developed a method to estimate the percentages of foodborne illness attributed to certain sources using outbreak data from 1998 through the most recent year for four priority pathogens: Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter.

They analyzed outbreaks that were confirmed or suspected to be caused by the four priority pathogens from 1998 through 2018. (Excluded outbreaks that met one or more of the following conditions: occurred in a U.S. territory; had no identified food vehicle or contaminated ingredient; were caused by more than one pathogen (including pathogens not included in this report); were caused by both E. coli O157 and another E. coli serogroup; or were caused by both Salmonella serotype Enteritidis and another Salmonella serotype.)

Quick take-aways...

• First, nothing really new was presented in this report.
• Salmonella had the largest amount of cases and there were cases in nearly every category.  Why? Salmonella is so prevalent in the environment.
• E.coli was predominately an issue in row crops (leafy greens) and beef.  Why? Ruminants carry it and it gets onto the row crops through irrigation of those crops with contaminated water.
• Listeria cases were primarily in dairy, fruit, and raw crops.  Meat items are further down the list, much of this due to how well the meat and poultry industry has focused on controlling it.
• Campylobacter - Chicken and raw milk (although numbers from raw milk were excluded).  People focus on Salmonella in raw chicken, but Campylobacter is an equal or greater concern.  Both handled through the same ways...proper handling and cooking.

Directly from that report:
Overall Key Results

• The results are based on 905 outbreaks caused or suspected to be caused by Salmonella, 255 by E. coli O157, 44 by Listeria, and 104 by Campylobacter (after 151 outbreaks due to Dairy were excluded).
• Estimated Salmonella illnesses were more evenly distributed across food categories than illnesses from Campylobacter, E. coli O157, and Listeria; most of the illnesses for the latter pathogens were attributed to one or two food categories.
• The credibility intervals overlap for the Salmonella and Listeria categories with the highest attribution percentages, indicating no statistically significant difference among them.

Salmonella Key Results

• Over 75% of illnesses were attributed to seven food categories: Chicken, Seeded Vegetables (such as tomatoes), Pork, Fruits, Other Produce, Eggs, and Turkey.
• The credibility intervals for each of the seven food categories that account for 75.6% of all illnesses overlap with some of the others

E. coli O157 Key Results 

• Over 75% of E. coli O157 illnesses were attributed to Vegetable Row Crops (such as leafy greens) and Beef. 
• Vegetable Row Crops had a significantly higher estimated attribution percentage than all other categories. • Beef had a significantly higher estimated attribution percentage than all categories other than Vegetable Row Crops. 
• No illnesses were attributed to Eggs or Oils-Sugars.

Listeria monocytogenes Key Results 

• Over 90% of illnesses were attributed to non-meat food categories. 
• Over 75% of illnesses were attributed to Dairy and Fruits. 
• The credibility intervals for the Dairy, Fruits, and Vegetable Row Crops categories were quite wide, partly due to the small total number of outbreaks (44). The credibility intervals overlapped each other, and the intervals for the Fruits and Vegetable Row Crops categories overlapped those for some food categories with much smaller estimated attribution percentages, such as Sprouts. 
• No illnesses were attributed to Other Meat/Poultry, Game, Eggs, Other Seafood, Grains-Beans, OilsSugars, Seeded Vegetables or Other Produce.

Campylobacter Key Results 

• Over half of non-Dairy Campylobacter illnesses were attributed to Chicken (58.3%). 
• The credibility interval for Chicken did not overlap with the credibility intervals for the other categories, indicating a significantly higher estimated attribution percentage for Chicken than for any other food category. • No significant differences in the estimated attribution percentages were found among most other food categories. 
• The majority (33/56, 59%) of chicken-associated Campylobacter outbreaks were attributed to chicken liver products, which are not widely consumed in the United States. All six chicken-associated Campylobacter outbreaks caused by both C. jejuni and C. coli were attributed to chicken liver products. • No illnesses were attributable to Eggs, Grains-Beans, or Sprouts.
•  An attribution percentage for Dairy is not presented partly because most foodborne Campylobacter outbreaks were associated with unpasteurized milk, which is not widely consumed in the United States. The attribution percentages before removing Dairy were Dairy 56.5%, Chicken 25.4%, Other Seafood 4.6%, Turkey 3.6%, and Other Meat/Poultry 3.0%, and were less than 2% for each of the other categories. The Chicken attribution percentage increased to 58.3% after removing Dairy.
• Note - The attribution percentages for Dairy are not presented in the figures for Campylobacter for several reasons. Most Campylobacter Dairy outbreaks included in the database were associated with unpasteurized milk, which is not widely consumed by the general population. Moreover, an analysis of 38 case-control studies of sporadic campylobacteriosis found a much smaller percentage of illnesses attributable to consumption of raw milk than chicken.

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ifsac/pdf/P19-2018-report-TriAgency-508.pdf

Trader Joes Branded Frozen Edamame Imported from Asia Recalled for Potential Listeria

Trader Joe's frozen edamame (soy beans) is being recalled for potential Listeria contamination. The product was imported form southeast Asia through Tesoros Trading Company / Food Company.  The notice does not provide information on how the issue was discovered.

Not much information on Tesoros Trading Company, but likely linked to Teroros Foods.  While certain lots are listed, there would be concern for other lots or products packed in the same facility, especially if the packer did not have a robust Listeria control program.  As part of the importer's FSVP , they would have needed to identify Listeria as a hazard and then had sufficient verification support that the packer had adequate and verifiable environmental controls in place.

Tesoros Trading Company Recalls Product Because of Possible Health Risk

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tesoros-trading-company-recalls-product-because-possible-health-risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:December 16, 2020
FDA Publish Date: December 16, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Vegetable Protein Product
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Tesoros Trading Company
Brand Name: Trader Joe’s
Product Description: Frozen Lightly Salted Edamame

FDA Proposes Removing Standard of Identity for French Dressing

The US FDA announced that it was proposing to remove the Standard of Identity for French Dressing. The Standard of Identity, as we know, provides a standardized definition for a food item, in this case, French Dressing, so that when a consumer buys it from the store, they sort of know what they are buying.

"This proposed rule, if finalized, would revoke the standard of identity for French dressing. This action, in part, responds to a citizen petition submitted by the Association for Dressings and Sauces (ADS) (petition). We tentatively conclude that the standard of identity for French dressing no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers and revoking the standard could provide greater flexibility in the product’s manufacture, consistent with comparable, nonstandardized foods available in the marketplace.

"So what is French Dressing?
According to the online dictionary, French Dressing is:

n.
1. A salad dressing of oil, vinegar, and seasonings.
2. A commercially prepared creamy salad dressing that is usually pale orange to reddish-orange in color and often sweet.
From the US  Code of Federal Regulations, the Standard of Identity for French Dressing (entire listing below) states that it contains acidifying agents, vinegar and/or lemon juice, and has not less than 35 percent by weight of vegetable oil. Optional ingredients include egg and tomato juice.

The FDA proposal to remove this standard reasons:

"The petition states that there has been a proliferation of nonstandardized pourable dressings for salads with respect to flavors (Italian, Ranch, cheese, fruit, peppercorn, varied vinegars, and other flavoring concepts) and composition (including a wide range of reduced fat, “light,” and fat-free dressings) (petition at page 3). The French dressing standard of identity, according to the petition, no longer serves as a benchmark for other dressings because of the wide variation in composition to meet consumer interests (id.). Instead, the petition claims that the standard of identity has become marginalized and restricts innovation (id.). Therefore, the petition states that the French dressing standard of identity no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers (id.).

One key factor in the standard is the required level of oil.  With the demand for lower fat varieties, this standard limits that.  

When the standard of identity was established in 1950, French dressing was one of three types of dressings we identified (15 FR 5227). We generally characterized the dressings as containing a fat ingredient, an acidifying ingredient, and seasoning ingredients. The French dressing standard allowed for certain flexibility in manufacturers’ choice of oil, acidifying ingredients, and seasoning ingredients. Tomatoes or tomato-derived ingredients were among the seasoning ingredients permitted, but not required. Amendments to the standard since 1950 have permitted the use of additional ingredients, such as any safe and suitable color additives that impart the color traditionally expected (39 FR 39543 at 39554-39555).
Most, if not all, products currently sold under the name “French dressing” contain tomatoes or tomato-derived ingredients and have a characteristic red or reddish-orange color. They also tend to have a sweet taste. Consumers appear to expect these characteristics when purchasing products represented as French dressing. Thus, it appears that, since the establishment of the standard of identity, French dressing has become a narrower category of products than prescribed by the standard. These products maintain the above characteristics without a standard of identity specifically requiring them.

Additionally, French dressing products are manufactured and sold in lower-fat varieties that contain less than the minimum amount of vegetable oil (35% by weight) required by 21 CFR 169.115(a). We are unaware of any evidence that consumers are deceived or misled by the reduction in vegetable oil when these varieties are sold under names including terms such as “fat free” or “low-fat.” By contrast, these varieties appear to accommodate consumer preferences and dietary restrictions. Therefore, after considering the petition and related information, we tentatively conclude that the standard of identity for French dressing no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers consistent with section 401 of the FD&C Act. "

Should we care?  This is such a non-specific standard to begin with, brand specific variations may not make much difference to the consumer.  But FDA is "interested in any information, including data and studies, on consumer expectations regarding French dressing and whether the specifications in § 169.115 are necessary to ensure that French dressing meets these expectations."

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 169
[Docket No. FDA-2020-N-1807]

RIN 0910-AI16
French Dressing; Proposed Revocation of a Standard of Identity
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule.

Lawsuit Filed Against Washington State Juice Processor for Mold Toxins and High Arsenic Levels

A lawsuit was filed against a now-defunct company for selling substandard juice made from rotting fruit.  The company processed juice that made its way into the school lunch program.

(perhaps they should have called it kombucha.....) 

City Herald 
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/state/washington/article247154559.html
‘Putrid and decomposed’ fruit used in juice for students, Washington lawsuit says
By Brooke Wolford
November 13, 2020 02:04 PM

A Washington company that is no longer in business used rotting fruit to make juice for school children, the Food and Drug Administration said in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington.
The Valley Processing plant in Sunnyside, Washington supplied nearly 3 million servings of apple juice a year to the federal school lunch program, the lawsuit said. 

Colorado Issues Health Alert After Uptick in Botulism Cases

Reports of botulism poisoning are very rare, much due to food safety practices that focus on preventing this deadly foodborne disease. So Colorado health officials became concerned when there was five cases of botulism poisoning since September. While there is no source for three of the cases in the report, two of the cases were related to improperly processed home-canned foods.


https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/increase-in-foodborne-botulism-cases-prompts-warning-from-health-officials-about-home
Increase in foodborne botulism cases prompts warning from health officials about home food safety 

This Week in Mislabeled Products for December 7, 2020

Print and Apply Label Missing Almonds - Market of Choice of Eugene, Oregon, is recalling its in-house Sour Cherry Baked Brie because of undeclared almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that almonds were present but were not declared on the ingredients list.

Testing Finds Gluten in Gluten-Free Product - Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) is recalling certain Canyon Bakehouse Mountain White Bread and Canyon Bakehouse Everything Bagels due to the potential presence of gluten .  The recall was initiated after finished product testing revealed the possible presence of gluten.

Mislabeled Chocolate Misses Dairy - Maribel’s Sweets of Brooklyn New York is recalling its 5oz Cacao Market Cylinder Dark Chocolate Pearls, because they contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

Testing Finds Presence of Dairy - Hong Thai Foods Corp. of Brooklyn, NY issued 2 recalls, recalling its 7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Original because they may contain undeclared milk allergens and are adulterated with Uranine- Acid Yellow 7 and 7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Pandan because they may contain undeclared milk allergens. The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens

Leaky Valve Bleeds In Egg Nog - Prairie Farms has issued a limited voluntary recall of its Prairie Farms Premium Flavored Chocolate Milk gallons and Prairie Farms 1% Lowfat Chocolate Milk gallons (Best by Date: Dec. 4, 2020) that were not labeled for an egg allergen that may be present.  The recall was initiated after cross-contamination with egg nog was discovered following a valve malfunction at the Rockford, Illinois plant.

Mislabeling of Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins - Riverside Natural Foods, of Vaughan, ON is voluntarily recalling its 8 ounce packages of " Good & Gather Banana Chocolate Chip Date & Nut Bar " because they were improperly labelled and may contain undeclared almonds. The product is labelled to may contain tree nuts; however, people who have allergies to almonds may experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the almond-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds. Subsequent investigation indicates the issue was caused by an error in the company's packaging processes.

Baby Spinach from Canada Recalled for Potential Salmonella Contamination

A Canadian company has recalled is recalling Fresh Attitude baby spinach (5oz and 11oz)  because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was possibly contaminated with Salmonella subsequent investigation indicates that the problem may have been caused by contamination of a part of a lot of Baby Spinach." [not really sure what that means...perhaps testing of a specific lot of baby spinach was positive for Salmonella?]  There have been no reported illnesses, indicating it was not an investigation but rather routine testing?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vegpro-international-issues-recall-fresh-attitude-baby-spinach-because-potential-salmonella-health
Vegpro International Issues a Recall of Fresh Attitude Baby Spinach Because of Potential Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 27, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  November 28, 2020
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Vegpro International
Brand Name:  Fresh Attitude
Product Description:  Baby spinach

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Potato Chip Manufacturer for Allergen Mislabeling

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Frito Lay for two allergen related issues that resulted in recalls.    One occurred when at the Bakersfield, CA facility when  incorrect seasoning containing undeclared milk was applied to Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips  and the other was a mislabeling issue at the Vancouver, WA facility when  bags of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chip potato chips were labeled “Ruffles Original Potato Chips”.  Basically, the two facilities had procedures but did not follow them.

Mislabeling at WA facility

According tot the report , the facility did not adequately implement food allergen controls at the packaging step allowing incorrect labeling where Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips were bagged as Ruffles Original bags, thus an undeclared major food allergen, milk. 

In this case, the facility did not implement their roll change procedure - they were manufacturing Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips and intended to change the bagmaker to 1.5oz size Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream; however, the bagmaker operator incorrectly used the Ruffles Original film. 

The allergen control procedure, “Film Splice Tracking,” is in place to indicate that at roll change the person will log the time, the identifying labeling film code, and attach the labeling film splice to the “Film Splice Verification” form, and then a second person will verify the labeling film code. 

• These splice operations were not documented on the form. 
• Also, the form indicates that the product should be identified, but on June 24, 2020, the product was not identified on this form. 
• Further, the firm discontinued attaching the labeling film splice to the form in June of 2020.

Additionally, there was a procedure to verify the correct product is in the correct package and bag coding/case coding information is accurate. "The procedure also requires that the “Product” and “Flavor” be documented and that “Product Tasted / Correct Product in Bag?” is assessed and given a “GO or NO-GO.” On June 24, 2020, during the production of the recalled bags labeled “Ruffles Original Potato Chips” but containing Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips, “Product Tasted / Correct Product in Bag?” was given a “GO” even though the product documented on the form was Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream, and the label was “Ruffles Original.”   Further wo employees signed the form, indicating that they verified the activities performed, and the discrepancy was not noted."

Allergen Cross Contact at the Bakersfield CA facility

The firm did not adequately implement the "Seasoning Allergens SSOP” and PSM (Product Safety Management) Procedure, which are allergen preventive control procedures to significantly minimize or prevent allergen cross-contact. "These procedures indicate that [the firm] will verify that all visible evidence of prior seasoning is removed [after] cleaning. On September 23, 2020, (b)(4) cleaning of packaging line (b)(4) in preparation for production of Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips, orange residue, which was the same color as the seasoning used in milk-containing Ruffles Queso made immediately (b)(4) cleaning, was observed by our investigator. In particular, three orange residues approximately one millimeter in size were observed on the (b)(4) feeder (food contact surface), and two orange residues approximately one millimeter in size were observed on the interior surface of an unsealed finished product label for Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips on the bagmaker of packaging Line (b)(4). These residues were observed after you conducted a (b)(4) clean-out and documented on your “(b)(4)” form that “the line has no visible evidence of previous products/seasoning run.” Further, a post-sanitation verification audit was conducted by your PSM auditor, and this area was determined to be ready for production and packaging of Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips. Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips do not contain milk."

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/frito-lay-inc-611243-11242020
WARNING LETTER
Frito-Lay, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 611243 — November 24, 2020 

Research - Those Darn Wooden Pallets Can Lead to Injuries

A research study out of Penn State brings to light what we have known all along - those darn wooden pallets can be an injury hazard in non-occupational settings.  "The first-ever investigation of non-occupational injuries that occur due to unintentional contact with pallets yielded startling statistics, Michael noted. From Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2018, there were an estimated 30,493 people who visited hospital emergency rooms for pallet-related injuries."

Certainly those professionals who work in warehouse settings know the issues, but there is an increase use of pallets in retail settings, such as in warehouse stores and retail settings where product is displayed on pallets.  Often times, these pallets are not new pallets, or grade A pallets, but those overly used pallets that are one nail from falling apart.  Then there is the consumer use of those worn-out pallets.  According to the authors...."The immense number of pallets allows for broken or beaten-up pallets to be lost from the system and grabbed by homeowners for DIY projects.....Or they break up pallets for firewood or stack firewood on them. They’re not careful and they get hurt.”

Penn State News
https://news.psu.edu/story/640525/2020/12/02/research/after-shipping-pallets-pose-big-risk-public-cause-many-accidents
After shipping, pallets pose big risk to public, cause many accidents, injuries
Pallets were responsible for sending more than 30,000 people to ER in five-year span
PUBLISHED ON December 3, 2020

Research - Desensitizing Children with Peanut Allergies Through Oral Immunotherapy

Research out of the University of British Columbia found that children with peanut allergies can be desensitized through "exposing children to a small, regular dose of an allergen (in this case, peanuts) in a real-world setting (outside of a clinical trial)" and this is "effective in reducing the risk of allergic reactions."  We are familiar with the process of preventing peanut allergies through the process of feeding infants doses of peanut allergen, but this is for those children who have developed peanut allergies.

"The treatment method, known as oral immunotherapy, involves gradually increasing the amount peanuts (or peanut products) given to the child. One treatment aim is to reach desensitization, whereby the child can ingest a full serving of peanuts without triggering a dangerous reaction. Another goal is protection in the event of an accidental exposure, and lessening or eliminating the need for epinephrine injections in response to reactions. To sustain their level of immunity, the child must continue to eat peanut products on a regular basis."

University of British Columbia

https://news.ubc.ca/2020/12/03/peanut-allergy-treatment-significantly-lowers-risk-of-life-threatening-reactions-in-preschoolers/
Peanut allergy treatment significantly lowers risk of life-threatening reactions in preschoolers
Science, Health & Technology
Dec 3, 2020 | For more information, contact Kerry Blackadar

FDA Issues Reminder to Facilities for Biennial Registration

FDA issued a reminder that U.S. and foreign human and animal food facilities under FDA jurisdiction must renew their registration this year before December 31.

"The FDA will consider the registration of a food facility to be expired if the facility does not renew its registration by December 31, 2020. There is no fee associated with registration or renewal. Owners and operators of food facilities must submit their renewal information electronically through their FDA Industry Systems account, unless they have received a waiver to submit a paper submission."

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-reminds-human-and-animal-food-facilities-about-years-biennial-registration-renewal-period-and
FDA Reminds Human and Animal Food Facilities About This Year’s Biennial Registration Renewal Period and Provides Updated Guidance on How to Obtain and Submit a DUNS Number

Constituent Update
December 1, 2020

U.S. and foreign human and animal food facilities that are required to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must renew their registration this year before December 31.