California University Recalls Chocolate Bars

A university in California is recalling candy bars that were produced by a student group in less-than-sanitary conditions.

While the story does not indicate how the contamination event occurred, if one had to guess, it would be that the student group made the product without following good sanitation procedures.  Later, a wiser individual(s) realized this (and this person(s) was probably not involved when the product was initially made) and raised questions about sanitation and allergen control.  The group was not able to answer these questions, thus putting the University at risk.  Rather than waiting for people to get ill and for a scandal to erupt, the University took a proactive posture and recalled the product.

Does this situation apply outside a university setting? Absolutely.  Anytime some genius thinks that they can produce product for sale on the fly without going through the proper channels, laying out a food safety plan, etc. This could be a temporary side operation that someone wants to do in a processing facility or a foodservice operation, or a volunteer group that thinks it can easily raise money. 

Here at Penn State, the risk management group has a strict policy regarding  products being made and branded as Penn State.  For good reason.


 The Tribune
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/10/04/3280284/cal-poly-recalls-6-of-its-chocolate.html
Cal Poly recalls some chocolate bars because of possible contamination

Candies may contain allergens or infectious material, spokesman says
By Nick Wilson
nwilson@thetribunenews.com
October 4, 2014

Cal Poly has voluntarily recalled six varieties of its chocolate candy bars, citing possible contaminations.

The bars may have been tainted with peanut, milk or soy allergens and possibly exposed to microbial contamination, which can include infectious materials such as bacteria, yeast, or mold, the university said.

Extension Event Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

A Salmonella outbreak occurred at a Cooperative Extension sponsored workshop in Alabama, resulting in at least 19 cases of salmonellosis.  Workshop volunteers and seniors became ill after eating food served during the luncheon, which featured chicken, salad, and a roll.

This topic is one that resonates with many of us since we often sponsor events where others are responsible for serving food.  As can be seen in this case, the sponsoring organization's name is tied to it (although the church may have cooked the food).  But guess who is going to receive the negative media exposure?  In this news story, Extension Educator's name is even listed.

Also stated in the news report is that one senior unfortunately died, although the direct link has not been established....yet.  If a link is established and a lawsuit is filed, who will have the deepest pockets - the church who made the food or the Extension system that sponsored the event?

Whether you are contracting out production to a company, or counting on volunteers from an organization to make your food, when your name is on it, you better have more than hope that they are doing a good job?  Are the members of that organization trained?  Are they ensuring that the critical controls are being met (in this case, cooking the chicken to the right temperature)?  Do they run a clean operation with an eye on preventing cross contamination?

So the person sponsoring the event is not an expert on food preparation? In this case, the event was focused on senior issues, but it could be 4H, Master Gardners, or even natural gas.  While we can hope, wouldn't it be better to: 1) get training, 2) ensure that the organization has the right credentials (trained, inspected, etc),  and/or 3) get someone involved who can help you ensure that food is safe.


Decatur Daily.com
http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/local/article_e8182216-f8e3-11e3-818e-0017a43b2370.html
At least 19 ill after eating chicken lunch

Staff report decaturdaily.com | 0 comments 

Two dozen or more people who attended a workshop on senior citizens services last month in Decatur may have contracted salmonella or the E. coli virus from a chicken lunch.

Michael Tubbs, executive director of Community Action Partnership in Decatur, said about two dozen of his volunteers and employees became sick after eating the lunch May 30 at Bridge Builders Church on Beltline Road.

71-year-old Decatur man died six days after eating the food, but no cause of death has been confirmed.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service sponsored the luncheon, and extension agent A Renee’ Heard was the contact person, Tubbs said. Heard did not return phone calls this week.