Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC of Lakewood, NJ, is recalling its Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. This comes as FDA and CDC investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections with 20 cases with 5 of those resulting in hospitalizations, in 6 different states. The product was distributed by Aldi in 36 states and DC.
The preparation instructions listed on the label fall for fully cooking to 165F. So as normal procedure by the manufacturer, this product may, or may not have been, fully cooked prior to frying and freezing because the customer is being asked to cook it fully. In this case, we can guess it was not fully cooked, but cooked enough to set the product, but leaving the inside raw. Then the consumer undercooked it allowing the pathogen to survive. Undercooking by the manufacturer wouldn't be viewed as a huge risk like a meat product, but with chickpeas, onion, dill, cilantro, garlic and spices, the incidence of enteric pathogens like E. coli should be low. However, there are a number of ingredients here that could carry it in if basic controls like GAPs or GMPs are not tight.
From Wikipedia, "Falafel (/fəˈlɑːfəl/; Arabic: فلافل, [fæˈlæːfɪl] (listen)) is a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter in Middle Eastern cuisine (especially in Levantine and Egyptian cuisines) made from ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both. Nowadays, falafel is often served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, samoon, or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon; "falafel" also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way. The falafel balls may be topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze tray (assortment of appetizers)."
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o121h19-frozen-falafel-october-2022
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H19 Frozen Falafel (October 2022)
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 20
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: September 13, 2022
States with Cases: FL (2), IA (1), KS (1), MI (11), OH (1), WI (4)
Product Distribution*: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states
Based on epidemiologic information provided by CDC and interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, of 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 people who reported shopping at ALDI stores, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.
On October 6, 2022, the manufacturer of Earth Grown frozen falafel, Cuisine Innovations, initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products include Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel distributed and sold exclusively by ALDI. Additional information on recalled products is available in the firm’s recall notice.
On October 6, 2022, ALDI removed any remaining Earth Grown frozen falafel from stores.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.
Recommendation
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Earth Grown Traditional Falafel or Garlic & Herb Falafel sold exclusively by ALDI after June 24, 2021.
These items are no longer available for sale but were sold frozen and have a long shelf-life of 18 months, so consumers should check their freezers for these products. If you have recalled frozen falafel in your freezer, do not eat or serve them.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cuisine-innovations-unlimited-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-two-varieties-earth-grown-frozen-falafel
Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Two Varieties of Earth Grown Frozen Falafel Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 07, 2022
FDA Publish Date: October 07, 2022
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential contamination with shiga toxin-producing E. Coli
Company Name: Cuisine Innovations Unlimited LLC
Brand Name: Earth Grown Vegan
Product Description: Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel
Company Announcement
Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC of 180 Lehigh Avenue, Lakewood, NJ, is voluntarily recalling its Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The illness primarily impacts elderly individuals, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.
The voluntarily recalled Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel And Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL were distributed in ALDI retail stores in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The product comes in a bag in a box marked with any of the following Lot numbers: 1472, 1481, 1531, 1532, 1541, 1552, 1561, 1581, 1601, 1611, 1612, 1661, 1682, 1732, 1752, 1762, 1782, 1802, and 1812, and would have been shipped to stores after June 24, 2021. The lot number can be found in the “Best if used by” area on the outside flap of the box. There has been no further production of this product.
There have been 20 reported cases in six (6) states (FL, IA, KS, MI, OH and WI) with onset dates reported between July 24, 2022 and September 19, 2022 with 5 hospitalization and no deaths.
Consumers who have purchased Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL with any of the above lot numbers after June 24, 2021, are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-201-439-1036, Ext. 26.
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