Tomato Paste Recalled for Potential Can Damage That Can Result in Mold Growth

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is recalling a particular lot of its Hunt’s Tomato Paste No Salt Added six ounce cans after complaints were received for mold.  According to the FDA release,  "After the canning process, the final product could have been damaged, creating the potential for mold.  Conagra Brands became aware of the issue after receiving calls from consumers."

So it appears the can had damage  which provided the opportunity for mold (and air) to get into the can.  Since the product is high acid (low pH), mold is the type type of organism that would be most likely to grow.  The damage does not have to be something that is noticeable, even as small as a pin hole will provide enough for microorganisms to get inside.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635309.htm
Conagra Brands Announces Recall of a Limited Amount of Hunt’s Tomato Paste Cans Due to Potential Presence of Mold
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

Imported Canned Olives Recalled Due to 'Quality Issue' that Could Be a Safety Issue

A New York company is recalling canned olives that were manufactured in Spain due to quality issues that could result in a health issue.  While the notice comes short  of saying the issue, a likely reason would be swollen cans.  Swollen cans can be the result of under-processing or storing cans at an elevated temperature (and thus supporting the growth of thermophilic sporeformers that survived the thermal process).

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm534829.htm
American Roland Food Corp. Initiates A Recall Of Roland® Manzanilla Olives Stuffed With Anchovies Due To Product Quality Issue
For Immediate Release - December 27, 2016

Internet Soups Recalled Due to Improper Process

A New York firm is recalling soup packed in jars after FDA found that the company was not using validated processes.  The product were marketed and sold via the internet.

By regulation, companies processing canned soups, which are generally low acid canned foods, must have a validated (or tested) process and that process must be filed with the FDA.  With more companies using non-traditional channels to sell products, such as the internet or farmers' markets,  it is easier for companies to get products into commerce and avoid oversight.  Then we end up with cases like this.

A process must be validated to show it can achieve a 12 log reduction of Clostridium botulinum spores.  If a process has not been validated to accomplish this, then is impossible to know whether the product will be safe.  Validation includes determining where the cold point is on the jar and then determining the processing time needed in order to achieve sufficient amount of heat at that cold spot.

Looking at the Island Soup website and the Team page, there seems to be a lot of chiefs, but no technical person listed as part of the team.  This too is occurring more often.  Entrepreneurs come up with new products, but fail to research them properly.

FDA Website
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm519531.htm
Island Soups Company, Inc. Recalls Six Varieties of Island Soups Brand Products Because of Possible Contamination With Clostridium Botulinum
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2016

Food Bank Recalls Canned Oranges Due To Leakage



The Pittsburgh Area Food Bank is recalling canned oranges due to leakage.  While the product is within the stated shelf-life, it can be noted that the manufacturer has stated a three year shelf-life, which may be an error on the manufacturer's part.  Acid foods in cans do not last long, and normally, the shelf-life is two years.  The reason is that the acid will react with the can lining, and over time, it will get through to the steel base and rust through.  This is especially the case with tin-lined cans (additionally, if tin lined, tin concentrations will increase).  As cans begin to deteriorate, you  will initially see a hydrogen swell...hydrogen gas is released as the acid reacts with the can.  As the can swells, the ends will pop up.  But once the acid eats through the can leading to a pinhole, the pressure will be release and the can may look normal.

 

Food banks will normally distribute product past the state shelf-life.  For low acid canned foods, one to two years is normal.  In many cases, those types of foods will last even longer (although the product will break down over time...unlike fine wines, canned foods do not get better over the years).  But for acid foods, 6 months should be a limit past the life of the can.  And in the example here, the cans did not even make it that long. 

 

Other potential issues that could have resulted in leakage:  A bad seam - a double seam (the seam that holds the lid to the body) can be out of specification leading to too little of overlap and thus a weak seal.  Damage to the double seam - cuts into the double seam or dents to the double seam can also result in leakage.  Headspace evacuation - If the air in the headspace was not properly evacuated with steam, residual oxygen could hasten can deterioration.

 

 

 

 

 



FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493605.htm
Food Bank Recalls Canned Mandarin Oranges Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2016

Canned tuna recalled due to under-processing issue

Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea 5oz canned tuna are both being recalled due to improper processing. The specific lot codes for each brand were produced in the same facility in Georgia.  The situation may have resulted in under-processing thus leading to spoilage or pathogen growth, namely Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism.  The issue was discovered during routine inspection.





FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm491206.htm
Tri-Union Seafoods LLC Issues Precautionary, Voluntary Recall on Select 5 oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Oil and 5 oz. Canned Chuck Light Tuna in Water
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2016

Cans of SpaghettiOs Recalled Due to Potential Choking Hazard

Campbell soup is recalling one code date of SpaghettiOs (14.2 ounce cans of SpaghettiOs Original) due to a potential choking hazard posed by pieces of red plastic found in a small number of cans. This plastic material is from parts of the can lining which may peel off.

 FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm472508.htm
SpaghettiOs Original 14.2oz Cans Recalled Due to Potential Choking Hazard
For Immediate Release
November 12, 2015

Oregon Cannery Documentation Issue Leads to Cascading Recall

 Skipanon Brands, also known as the Oregon Ocean Seafood processing plant, issued a recall for their canned foods due to lack of documentation and possible under-processed products discovered during an FDA audit.  There were no reported illnesses.

The plant, identified on their own website as a micro-cannery, packed product for many other labels. The initial recall on October 9th caused a cascade of recalls by companies who used Skipanon as a co-packer to pack their branded product.
A few things to note"
A co-packer issue can impact a number of brands.  So it important to make sure the company co-packing product is compliant with standards, especially FDA Low Acid Canned Food Regulations.

With the first recall issued on the 9th, it took close to 2 weeks for companies to issue recalls.  Had there been illnesses, this delay could have had resulted in a much bigger disaster, especially if it had been a Clostridium botulinum issue.

The list of recalls follows:

Canned and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables - Cost Effective Nutrition

When you hear anything on proper nutrition, fresh fruit and vegetables are always part of that message.  But for many, fresh produce is not always available, or affordable.  But what about canned and frozen produce?  A recent study shows that canned and frozen are a nutritious and cost effective option, and need to be included in the choices for those families looking to prepare healthy meals.

Are there downsides - sure, some canned foods may have higher sodium levels.  There are also impacts on some of the heat sensitive vitamins and other bioactive components....but these will also be impacted by the consumer's handling and preparation practices.  However, in a world where the food dollar does not go as far, and we look to become more sustainable, canned and frozen produce are important options.


Medical Daily
Canned Fruits And Vegetables May Be As Nutritious As Their Fresh Counterparts
By Matthew Mientka | Mar 8, 2014 01:30 PM EDT
http://www.medicaldaily.com/canned-fruits-and-vegetables-may-be-nutritious-their-fresh-counterparts-270793

No one can deny the beauty of the native tomato. Yet in feeding a hungry world, canned fruits and vegetables are just as good as fresh or frozen produce, and in some cases even better, according to a new study.

Researchers at Michigan State University found that canned tomatoes deliver more B vitamins as well as lycopene, a carotene loosely tied to a lowered cancer risk. The canning process also makes fiber more soluble in vegetables such as beans, providing a value-added for the food staple.

Canned vegetables offer consumers a more affordable option at 20 percent of the cost of fresh vegetables — and half as much as frozen.

“Canned fruits and vegetables provide high quality nutrition to Americans regardless of income level and geography,” researcher Steven Miller said in a statement. “By increasing accessibility to key nutrients many Americans need, canned foods are a year-round solution to help families prepare healthier, balanced meals.”

Can Seal Issue Results in Recall

Bumble Bee Tuna is recalling 5 oz cans of tuna due to loose seals . While there have been no illnesses, a loose seal can lead to product contamination, especially if the can is jostled sufficiently to provide a micro leak through the seal area. The products were distributed for retail sale nationwide between Jan. 17 and March 6 of this year. They have 'best by' codes ranging from Jan. 14, 2016 to March 6, 2016.

We do not normally see recalls for loose seals. In general, the double seam inspection is one of the most important food safety checks in a canning facility. To close a can, a lid is placed on top of the can and a series of rollers press the lid and can together to form a double seam.

There is a sealing compound on the lid that gets squeezed, and the final double seam will ensure the can seal is ‘hermetically sealed’, so that no air, or microorganisms can pass. Measurements are taken, often hourly, to ensure that the measurements of the seal are correct (the overlap, the length, the width, etc). For those that do it, they know what a tedious task it is. Each product line may have multiple seamers, each with multiple heads, all which must be checked.

A seal that is evaluated as loose is a food safety hazard . If multiple days of production are implicated for having loose seals, that result in an extremely costly recall, especially considering canning lines run in the range of 1000 cans/minute or higher.  2 months of product is a lot of cans of tuna.



FDA Recall Notice

Bumble Bee Foods Expands Voluntary Recall on Specific Codes of 5-Ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna Products Due to Loose Seals

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm342851.htm?source=govdelivery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SAN DIEGO - March 7, 2013 -- Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, is expanding a voluntary recall on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the company's standards for seal tightness.
Loose seals or seams could result in product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens and lead to illness if consumed. There have been no reports to date of any illness associated with these products.