Food Safety Humor

FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

FDA Issues Advisory on Canadian Mussels Positive for Salmonella and Generic E. coli

FDA issued a Health Advisory on cultured mussels from East River Shellfish, Inc. from harvest location PE 4-C, harvested on 8/14/2023, shipped on 8/15/2023, and distributed to retailers in IL, MA, and NY.  This comes based " on 8/21/2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested mussel meats and discovered the presence of Salmonella and high levels of generic E. coli. On 8/23/2023, the CFIA informed the FDA of the testing results from the contaminated product. The CFIA food safety investigation into the cause of the problem is ongoing."

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurantsretailers-not-servesell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-cultured-mussels-east
FDA Advises Restaurants/Retailers Not to Serve/Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Certain Cultured Mussels from East River Shellfish, Inc. Potentially Contaminated with Salmonella/E. coli

TX Establishment Recalls Ground Beef After Positive STEC E.coli Testing Result

 Dean & Peeler Meatworks, LLC, a Poth, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 1,835 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The issue was reported to FSIS after the ground beef product was submitted to a third-party laboratory for microbiological analysis and the sample tested presumptive positive for E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/dean-peeler-meatworks-llc-recalls-fresh-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli
Dean & Peeler Meatworks, LLC, Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

DEAN & PEELER MEATWORKS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2023 - Dean & Peeler Meatworks, LLC, a Poth, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 1,835 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Monday, August 28, 2023

USDA FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Packages of Chicken Noodle Soup Containing Wrong Product Resulting in Undeclared Allergen

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for fresh, fully cooked, ready-to-eat (RTE) ShopRite brand chicken noodle soup products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as chicken noodle soup may actually contain Italian-style wedding soup, which contains milk.  A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that a retail store employee who was stocking refrigerated store shelves found soups labeled as chicken noodle and Italian-style wedding soup in the same shipping box. The retailer reported the issue to the producing establishment.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-shoprite-brand-bowl-basket-chicken-noodle-soup-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Shoprite Brand Bowl & Basket Chicken Noodle Soup Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Public Health Alert for Marinated Chicken Product Due to Undeclared Allergens Caused by Equipment Malfunction

USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for Wegmans Jamaican Jerk-style, raw, marinated chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The marinade in the chicken products may contain milk, soy, and wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that it identified an equipment malfunction that may have led to potential cross-contamination with milk, soy, and wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product labels.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-wegmans-jamaican-jerk-style-chicken-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Wegmans Jamaican Jerk Style Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Packages of Black Bean Tamales Recalled for Milk Allergen After Mislabeling Issue

Texas Tamale Co. located in Houston, Texas, is instituting a recall for one lot of Texas Tamale Black Bean Tamales due to the potential presence of an undeclared milk allergen. Hatch Green Chile and Cheese Tamales were mistakenly packaged in Black Bean Tamale Bags.   The decision to recall these products was prompted by a consumer complaint that the items containing milk allergens were disseminated in packaging that failed to disclose the presence of milk. Subsequent investigative efforts have identified a temporary lapse within our packaging processes as the source of this issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/texas-tamale-co-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-texas-tamale-black-bean-tamales
Texas Tamale Co. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Texas Tamale Black Bean Tamales
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 25, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 25, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name:  Texas Tamale Co.
Brand Name:  Texas Tamale
Product Description:  Black Bean Tamales

Friday, August 25, 2023

WA Frozen Food Company Recalls Frozen Veggies After Listeria Found

Twin City Foods, Inc. of Stanwood, Washington, is recalling lots of Not-Ready-To Eat Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) Super Sweet Cut Corn and Mixed Vegetables in retail bags, due to a potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Brands include Kroger and Food Lion.  To date, there have been no actual consumer reports of human illness or other complaints associated with this product.  The recall has been initiated because finished products may potentially be contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes, based on one customer’s 3rd party lab results for the IQF sweet cut corn.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/twin-city-foods-inc-recalls-frozen-super-sweet-corn-and-mixed-vegetables-because-possible-health
Twin City Foods, Inc., Recalls Frozen Super Sweet Corn and Mixed Vegetables Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 22, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 23, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:   Potential Foodborne Illness
Company Name:  Twin City Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Food Lion, Kroger and more
Product Description:  Frozen sweet corn and mixed vegetables

Logistics Provider Recalls Products Held at TX Warehouse Facility Due to Rodent Activity

Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, LLC, a third-party logistics provider, is recalling products stored in their Arlington TX facility after it was found that the facility had rodent and temperature control issues.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/inmar-supply-chain-solutions-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-product-stored-its-arlington-texas-facility
Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, LLC, Issues a Voluntary Recall of Product Stored at its Arlington, Texas Facility Due to Conditions at the Facility
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 23, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 23, 2023
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Drugs Food & Beverages  Medical Devices  Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella contamination and presence of rodent activity at the distribution center & temperature abuse
Company Name:  Inmar Supply Chain Solutions
Brand Name:  Numerous brand names
Product Description:  Numerous human food, animal (pet) food, medical devices, and drug products

Thursday, August 17, 2023

MN Importer Recalls Brazilian Pork Products Not Reinspected Upon Entry



 Bellboy Import Corporation, the importer of record located in Saint Charles, Minn., is recalling approximately 551 pounds of frozen, raw pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.  The products subject to recall bear Brazilian establishment number “BRASIL INSPECIONADO 3548 S.I.F” inside the Brazilian mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail and restaurant locations in Minnesota.  FSIS discovered the problem during routine surveillance activities of imported products and found that the products were not presented for reinspection.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/bellboy-import-corporation-recalls-frozen-raw-pork-products-produced-without-benefit
Bellboy Import Corporation Recalls Frozen, Raw Pork Products Produced Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2023 – Bellboy Import Corporation, the importer of record located in Saint Charles, Minn., is recalling approximately 551 pounds of frozen, raw pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

CA Winery Forced to Destroy Wine Illegally Aged in the Ocean

A California winery had to destroy 2,000 bottles of ocean-aged wine (aging bottles of wine in the ocean) after found guilty for...never getting permission to put wine bottles in the ocean, and then selling wine without proper licensing.

People were paying $500 per bottle for this wine.  "In an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent, Hahn was still hopeful that Ocean Fathoms could eventually return — and get back to aging its wines in the ocean (with the proper permits this time). “The demand has never been higher,” he told the outlet. “The environment is perfect, and it’s a nice day trip [to Santa Barbara].” "


Wine and Spirits
A California Wine Company Had to Destroy 2,000 Bottles of Wine After Illegally Aging Them at the Bottom of the Ocean
Story by Jelisa Castrodale •
8/15/23

On its website, California wine company Ocean Fathoms praises the waters of the Santa Barbara channel as “the perfect environment” for aging its wines. “[T]he set of special characteristics of the Channel Islands’ environment gives Ocean Fathoms a superior product,” the company claims, before praising the abundant underwater flora and fauna that attach itself to each bottle.

Maine Firm Recalls Peanut Butter Malt Balls After Incorrect Ingredient Label Applied

Stonewall Kitchen of York, Maine is recalling a limited amount of their Peanut Butter Maltballs (6oz.) because the product contains undeclared allergens: Soy, Wheat, Peanuts.  The issue was discovered by a Stonewall Kitchen store staff member.  From the picture posted on the FDA website, it appears the back ingredient label was incorrect in that it did not match the front label or more importantly, the product inside the package.

This rookie mistake is way too common.  An Allergen Preventive Control for label application would need to implement robust monitoring and verification of this operation.




https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stonewall-kitchen-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-wheat-and-peanuts-peanut-butter-maltballs-6oz
Stonewall Kitchen Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy, Wheat, and Peanuts in Peanut Butter Maltballs (6oz.)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 14, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 14, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy, wheat, peanut allergens
Company Name:  Stonewall Kitchen
Brand Name:  Stonewall Kitchen
Product Description:  Peanut Butter Maltballs

Monday, August 14, 2023

NJ Establishment Recalls Meat Products Produced Without Inspection

E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc., a Paterson, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 58,721 pounds of frozen, raw halal beef tripe, beef feet, and lamb tripe products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The problem was discovered during FSIS surveillance activities. FSIS determined that the firm produced the beef and lamb products without the benefit of federal inspection.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/e-n-a--meat-packing-inc--recalls-frozen-raw-beef-and-lamb-products-produced-without
E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc. Recalls Frozen, Raw Beef and Lamb Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
E.N.A. MEAT PACKING INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2023 – E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc., a Paterson, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 58,721 pounds of frozen, raw halal beef tripe, beef feet, and lamb tripe products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Chocolate Cookie Dough Recalled for Foreign Material - Wood Fragments

Nestlé USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough “break and bake” Bar (16.5 oz) products due to the potential presence of wood fragments.  Nestle stated that they "are confident that this is an isolated issue and we have taken action to address."  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-usa-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-quantity-nestler-toll-houser-chocolate-chip-cookie
Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Quantity of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar (16.5 Oz) Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 10, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 11, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential presence of wood fragments
Company Name:  Nestle USA
Brand Name:  NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®
Product Description:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Company Announcement

ARLINGTON, VA., August 10, 2023 — Nestlé USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough “break and bake” Bar (16.5 oz) products due to the potential presence of wood fragments.

Soup Mix Packets Recalled for Undeclared Egg

Unilever United States Inc. is voluntarily recalling select Knorr Sopa Soup Mix products because the products may contain egg, which is not listed as an ingredient on the label.  The recalled products were distributed nationwide. No other Unilever or Knorr products are affected by this recall. To date, the company has not received any reports of consumer complaints or allergic reactions associated with this product

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unilever-us-voluntarily-recalls-select-knorr-sopa-soup-mix-products-due-potential-undeclared-egg
Unilever U.S. Voluntarily Recalls Select Knorr Sopa Soup Mix Products Due to Potential Undeclared Egg Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 10, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 10, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg
Company Name: Unilever United States Inc.
Brand Name:  Knorr
Product Description:  Knorr Sopa Soup Mix products

NY Firm Recalls Ice Cream After Two Ill from Listeria

Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY is recalling soft serve on the go ice cream and sorbet cups, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  To date, two cases of illness have been reported in this outbreak in two states (NY and PA). Both individuals were hospitalized but no deaths have been reported to date.   The recall is the result of an individual becoming ill and reporting to have eaten this product. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tested samples of product and one sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/real-kosher-ice-cream-recalls-soft-serve-go-cups-because-possible-health-risk
Real Kosher Ice Cream Recalls Soft Serve on the Go Cups Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 09, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 09, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name: Real Kosher Ice Cream
Brand Name: Soft serve on the go
Product Description: Soft serve ice cream and sorbet cups

Articles on Shelf-life Dating Fail to Educate

Expiration dates and food waste....the current arguments that food expiration dates lead to food waste is one that is so singular in focus that blame food company practices for being  responsible instead of purchaser of the food who fails to manage properly.  In an article Is It Really Expired? The Truth About Food ‘Expiration’ Dates, we see many of the same complaints about code dating, but a failure to recognize the real issue...failure to manage according to those dates.

Face it, when you spend $3.00 on a bag of chips, your expectation is that the bag of chips within code date is going to meet your expectations...100% of the time.  Not 50% of the time.  A manufacturer does not want to disappoint a customer and have them return the product (which in the end costs the manufacturer for that bag... at retail price, and the potential of a lost customer).  The date that is set is that guarantee of that quality.  But there are those that say....well, that bag of chips is still safe past that date, but may not be as good.  What is that probability?  Maybe 5 days past the code date it is 90%....two weeks 80%.   Quality continues to deteriorate by the day, and while still safe, 80% quality was certainly not worth 100% of the $3.00 you spent on the bag of chips.

Products, and the processes that produce these products, are all different.  The conditions in which products are distributed and then stored also vary greatly, impacting the deterioration of product.  The manufacturer has an interest to set that code date out as far as they can, for distribution purposes, but to a point where they can guarantee that the quality is still acceptable 100% of the time.  There are  numerous factors taken into account when setting a date.  No one can do this but the manufacturer because in the end, their livelihood is dependent upon it.

But instead of us focusing on educating people on using food in a timely fashion, we look to force companies to potentially sell products that have a chance to fail before they are consumed.   Food is a expensive resource that must be used wisely.  Along with that, we should have a system that can capture any remaining value for product that is not exactly at the standard it was when paid for at full price.  

For the consumer, it should come down to managing the resource properly.  Use food before it gets close to date...buy only what you can use in a reasonable time period....only prepare what you plan to consume immediately or within a few days if not adverse to eating leftovers.

Do not make me buy something at full price that does not meet 100% of my expectations.  Do not put in regulations forcing companies to set dates where product failure is a possibility just because somebody may misplace a food item on the shelf only to find it 3 months later.

There is agreement that there needs to be better adherence to code dating standards. A standard was initiated by Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA, now the CBA).  "The new voluntary initiative streamlines the myriad date labels on consumer products packaging down to just two standard phrases. “BEST If Used By” describes product quality, where the product may not taste or perform as expected but is safe to use or consume. “USE By” applies to the few products that are highly perishable and/or have a food safety concern over time; these products should be consumed by the date listed on the package – and disposed of after that date."

Educate people on the correct reason for these dates and for the need to use food wisely.  And then give them a way to handle this product if it has not used wisely to start (with the understanding that it is not as good from a quality perspective as it once was).  In the end, it comes down to the consumer for managing their food and using that resource in a mindful way.

EcoWatch
https://www.ecowatch.com/food-expiration-labels-dates-safety-ecowatch.html

Is It Really Expired? The Truth About Food ‘Expiration’ Dates


Forgot about that container of yogurt in the back of the fridge? A bag of granola lost in the pantry? A glance at the expiration date might tell you that it’s time to toss it, but in fact, “expired” food might still be perfectly safe and enjoyable to eat..

Thursday, August 10, 2023

CDC MMWR - 2021 Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to RTE Tofu

In CDC MMWR, a report on a 2021 Salmonella outbreak linked to tofu.  "During May–July 2021, an outbreak of S. Typhimurium involving 38 cases in 10 public health districts in Ontario, Canada was linked to consumption of tofu, suggesting a novel outbreak-associated S. Typhimurium food vehicle. Lapses in sanitation and recommended heat processing likely resulted in product contamination."

While tofu had not previously been the source of a Salmonella outbreak, it is not a stretch to think it could be.  So with that, a food safety plan would need to address Salmonella on the soybeans used to make the tofu, and then as a contaminant in the environment.  For the latter, sanitation controls, hygienic controls, and verification by environmental monitoring.

From the report:
  • "Food safety investigations revealed that seasoned tofu from the same manufacturer was served across all 14 restaurants. The tofu was identified as a ready-to-eat food product that was produced by a manufacturer in Ontario and commercially sold in 250-g (8.8-oz) and 500-g (17.6-oz) packages. Restaurants purchased the product as a 500-g vacuum-sealed package."
  • "Food safety investigations identified the absence of a heat treatment process after the addition of seasoning to the packaged 500-g product, which was also sold online to other provinces including Quebec; the 250-g packaged product did undergo additional heat treatment. No illnesses were linked to the 250-g packaged product. Several infractions were observed at the manufacturing plant, including poor sanitation of the processing equipment and the absence of a food safety plan or a food sampling program."
  • "Tofu was identified as the source of an outbreak of S. Typhimurium in Ontario in 2021. Investigators hypothesized that unsanitary conditions at the production facility could have led to contamination of the tofu after production and before packaging, but the absence of an additional heating step during production likely resulted in failure to eliminate the pathogen. "
  • "Tofu is a novel outbreak-associated food vehicle for this pathogen and has not been implicated in previous outbreaks. Soy products, including tofu, are uncommon vehicles for foodborne illnesses. Among previously published outbreaks linked to soy products, only one outbreak involved Salmonella (Salmonella enterica paratyphi) (2). "
  • "Although tofu has been implicated in outbreaks associated with other pathogens, there are no published reports of tofu-associated nontyphoidal Salmonella outbreaks (3,4); however, the growth or presence of S. Typhimurium on soy products has been detected in microbiological food studies (5,6)."
CDC - MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7232a1.htm
An Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Ready-To-Eat Tofu in Multiple Health Districts — Ontario, Canada, May–July 2021
Weekly / August 11, 2023 / 72(32);855–858

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Foreign Firm, a Manufacturer of RTE Mouth Fresheners

FDA issued a Warning Letter to STC India Private Limited, an Indian manufacturer of RTE mouth fresheners called Mukhwas.  In the report, FDA cited Preventive Control issues, specifically around the control of pathogens in a RTE food, and GMP issues, including pest control and cleaning issues.

According to Wikipedia,  "Mukhwas is a colorful Indian Ayurvedic[1] after-meal snack or digestive aid widely used as a breath freshener, especially after meals." They "can be made of various seeds and nuts, often fennel, anise, coconut, coriander, and sesame. They are sweet in flavor and highly aromatic due to added sugar and the addition of various essential oils, including peppermint oil. The seeds can be savory or sweet—coated in sugar and brightly colored."

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/stc-india-private-limited-661775-07212023
STC India Private Limited
MARCS-CMS 661775 — JULY 21, 2023

Infection from Cat Bite from Previously Unknown Bacterial Species....What Else Do Cats Have in Their Arsenal?

In the UK, a man's hand was bitten [furiously] by a feral cat which resulted in a severe infection. After struggling to get the infection under control, investigators discovered by DNA analysis that this was a novel strain of bacteria in the genius Globicatella.

"Globicatella are streptococcus‐like organisms that have been rarely isolated from clinical specimens."  "The genus Globicatella was first described in 1992 when several unidentified streptococcus‐like clinical isolates were characterised in the USA.17 The isolates were isolated from blood cultures of patients with bacteraemia, urine of patients with urinary tract infections, and cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with meningitis, but the clinical details were not described."  (Lau, etal 2006

Who knows what else is lurking in cats' mouths.  Perhaps some cat-owning evil microbiology genius is weaponizing cats with these 'new' bacterial species in order to take over the world?

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/8/22-1770_article#r5
CDC - Emerging Infectous Disease
Volume 29, Number 8—August 2023
Research Letter
Soft Tissue Infection of Immunocompetent Man with Cat-Derived Globicatella Species

Nick K. JonesComments to Author , Juliana Coelho, Julie M.J. Logan, Karen Broughton, Katie L. Hopkins, Bruno Pichon, Isabelle Potterill, Yu Wan, Alex W.N. Reid, and Theodore Gouliouris

Author affiliations: Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK (N.K. Jones, A.W.N. Reid, T. Gouliouris); University of Cambridge, Cambridge (N.K. Jones, T. Gouliouris); United Kingdom Health Security Agency Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, Colindale, UK (J. Coelho, J.M.J. Logan, K. Broughton, K.L. Hopkins, B. Pichon, I. Potterill, Y. Wan); Imperial College London, London, UK (K.L. Hopkins, B. Pichon, Y. Wan)


Abstract

We report a novel Globicatella species causing extensive soft tissue infection in a man bitten by a stray domestic cat in the United Kingdom. We identified this bacterium by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and biochemical profiling and determined antimicrobial drug susceptibility.

PA Firm Recalls Two Lots of Popcorn for Undeclared Allergens After Mis-Bagging

Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. of York, PA is voluntarily recalling two lots of 8 oz. Butter Flavored Popcorn due to the undeclared presence of milk.  The error occurred when Cheddar Flavored Popcorn was inadvertently placed into bags labeled as Butter Flavored Popcorn. The error was identified by a store employee who alerted the manufacturer.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-specific-lots-butter-flavored-popcorn
Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Specific Lots of Butter Flavored Popcorn
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 08, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 08, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc.
Product Description:  Butter Flavored Popcorn

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Kiwi Fruit Recalled After State Lab Sampling Detects Listeria

David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC is voluntarily recalling from the market all one-pound clamshells of organic green kiwifruit described below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The recalled organic green kiwifruit is grown in New Zealand, exported to North America and repacked locally for sale in one-pound clear plastic clamshells. The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Kentucky Department for Public Health on July 7, 2023. Since being notified on August 3, David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC has worked with Zespri to trace the product through the supply chain to two grower lots, and immediately ceased the distribution of organic green kiwifruit from the related grower lots as it continues its investigation in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

So what is the risk?  In one study "Mangoes, a mix of diced kiwi, cantaloupe and pineapple as well as a mix of diced pineapple, mango, grapefruit, kiwi and pomegranate did not support a growth potential that exceeded 0.5 log CFU/g over six days (Ziegler etal. 2018)  However, another study showed that Listeria could survive on the outside of a kiwi for 30 days.  . Yuan and Wang (2018) found that the "three pathogens [E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes] survived for up to 30 days on whole kiwifruit when stored at the room temperature, regardless of the inoculation levels and the kiwifruit variety. The survival of pathogens on fruit surfaces had been shown by other studies."

So from a retail sampling perspective, finding Listeria on a fruit that will not support growth is an issue for recalls.  One can not overlook control of Listeria in the processing environment for products that will not support growth or have not historically had Listeria issues.  One must consider that testing and finding Listeria on such products can result in a recall situation.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/david-oppenheimer-and-company-i-llc-voluntarily-recalls-organic-green-kiwifruit-due-possible-health
David Oppenheimer and Company I, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Organic Green Kiwifruit Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 08, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 08, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fruit/Fruit Product
Reason for Announcement:  Possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC
Brand Name:  Zespri
Product Description:  Organic green kiwifruit

Exporting Food to EU - Limits on What You Can Call Cheese Products

An article in the Wall Street Journal, "The U.S. Has a Beef With Europe—Over Cheese" discusses the push by Europe to prevent US manufacturers who export cheese from using terms like Feta, Gorgonzola and Parmesan. The EU states that these cheeses must be made in certain countries to be sold under those names in the EU. There is concern by US producers that this trend will extend to other products like cured meats. "EU officials said these protected products, known as “geographical indications,” represent intellectual property and command a premium because consumers associate these products with the regions responsible for their high reputation.  EU officials say their system doesn’t prevent U.S. producers from selling their wares abroad—it only limits how they can label certain items in the EU and other countries where these protections are part of trade agreements. "

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-has-a-beef-with-europeover-cheese-2880b63e
The U.S. Has a Beef With Europe—Over Cheese
Feta, Gorgonzola and Parmesan must be made in certain countries to be sold under those names in the EU

WASHINGTON—Klondike Cheese sells its crumbly, Wisconsin-made cheese as feta throughout the U.S. 

In Europe, the company would have to label it white-brined cheese, or some variation that doesn’t mention the word feta. The company doesn’t even bother exporting it there.

Not being able to call the cheese feta “effectively closes off that entire market for me,” said Luke Buholzer, vice president of sales at Klondike, which makes Odyssey-brand feta cheese. 

Klondike is among the U.S. companies bristling as the European Union expands its list of foods, wines and spirits whose names are reserved for use by traditional local producers. There are now more than 3,500 of these protected items, up almost 28% since 2010, according to data from AND International, an independent food industry research firm.

Continues (subscription maybe needed) - https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-u-s-has-a-beef-with-europeover-cheese-2880b63e

CA Establishment Recall RTE Chicken Potstickers Due to Undeclared Allergens

Day-Lee Foods Inc., a Santa Fe Springs, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 10,511 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken potsticker products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.  The product labeled as chicken potstickers may actually contain mandarin orange chicken, which contain milk and eggs, known allergens, that are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that it received a customer complaint indicating they purchased a box of Chicken Potstickers but found it actually contained Mandarin Orange Chicken instead. The Mandarin Orange Chicken product contains milk and eggs, known allergens that are not declared on the Chicken Potsticker label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/day-lee-foods-inc--recalls-frozen-ready-eat-poultry-products-due-misbranding-and
Day-Lee Foods Inc. Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

DAY-LEE FOODS INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2023 – Day-Lee Foods Inc., a Santa Fe Springs, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 10,511 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken potsticker products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product labeled as chicken potstickers may actually contain mandarin orange chicken, which contain milk and eggs, known allergens, that are not declared on the product label.

MO Establishment Recalls Raw Beef Product for Foreign Material, Specifically Soft Clear Plastic

USDA issued a Public Health Alert for raw beef product produced by Cargill Meat Solutions' Marshall, MO, for foreign matter, specifically soft, clear plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that it received a complaint from a retail store that soft, clear plastic was noticed in the product.  A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase, but USDA is concerned about product that may be stored frozen.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-beef-product-due-possible-foreign-matter
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Beef Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
CARGILL MEAT SOLUTIONS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of a raw beef product that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically soft, clear plastic. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

Friday, August 4, 2023

Retailer Issues Two Recalls Soup for Insects and Falafel for Rocks

Trader Joes issued two food product recalls this week - broccoli cheddar soup that may contain insects and ready-to-eat falafel that may contain rocks.  "Both affected products have since been removed from Trader Joe's shelves and destroyed. No adverse health effects have been reported to date in relation to the broccoli cheddar soup recall, and no information was provided about any potential injuries or health events due to the recalled falafel."

https://www.health.com/trader-joes-falafel-soup-recall-7567745#
Trader Joe's Recall: Certain Falafel and Soup Products May Contain Rocks, Insects
By Julia Landwehr
Updated on July 31, 2023
Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Trader Joe's has issued recalls for two popular products due to the potential presence of insects and rocks, the company said in two separate press releases.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Small NJ Italian Foods Co

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a pretty small NJ Italian Food company who did not have a Food Safety Plan.  There continues to be issues involving small food companies that have yet to address FSMA regulations.   Many may feel that they are flying under the radar.  This is such a case where this small Italian food company did not have a food safety plan, and along with that, did not have documented controls in place for allergens among other potential hazards.

Here is a pic taken from a Google search of the address.  Looks to be a retail operation that is doing distribution.  If FDA can find this place located in a neighborhood in Trenton.......


https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/porfirios-italian-foods-inc-656454-06212023
Porfirios Italian Foods, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 656454 — JUNE 21, 2023
Recipient:
Mr. Robert Calabro
Owner
Porfirios Italian Foods, Inc.
320 Anderson Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
United States

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Nacho Cheese Flavored Chips Recalled After Incorrect Chips Packaged Resulting in Undeclared Allergens

Frito-Lay has issued a voluntary recall of a limited number – less than 7,000 bags – of 14.5 oz and 1 oz Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips that may contain undeclared soy and wheat ingredients from spicy sweet chili tortilla chips.  The products covered by this recall were distributed at retail stores only in Pennsylvania and other outlets.

So it seems that sweet chili tortilla chips, with their soy and wheat ingredients, were filled into bags of nacho cheese flavored chips.  This created an issue for undeclared allergens.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-and-wheat-doritos-nacho-cheese-flavored-tortilla-chips
Frito-Lay Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips Distributed in Pennsylvania
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 01, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  August 01, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy and Wheat Allergen
Company Name:  Frito-Lay
Brand Name:  Doritos
Product Description:  Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips