Breakfast Wraps Recalled After Complaints of Rocks....ROCKS?

Ruiz Foods Products Inc., a Denison, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 246,514 pounds of frozen, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) breakfast wrap products  (frozen egg, potato, bacon and cheese wraps) because the bacon may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically small rocks....ROCKS????   The problem was discovered on June 14, 2019, when Ruiz Foods advised FSIS of three consumer complaints regarding foreign material in the wrap products.   The company received a report of a potential injury associated with the consumption of this product.

The firm continues to investigate the source of the foreign material.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-069-2019-release
Ruiz Foods Products Inc. Recalls Bacon Breakfast Wrap Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 069-2019
Health Risk: High
Jun 14, 2019

IL Establishment Recalls Frankfurters for Foreign Material (Metal)

Vienna Beef Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,030 pounds of beef frank links products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal.  These items were shipped to food service locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The problem was discovered by the establishment and reported to FSIS.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-055-2019-release
Vienna Beef Ltd. Recalls Beef Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I

Recall 055-2019
Health Risk:High 

May 18, 2019

Arkansas Establishment Expands Recall of Chicken Strips After Additional Complaints of Foreign Material Received

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Rogers, Ark. establishment, is expanding a recall originally posted on March 21 to now include a total of recalling 11,829,517 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products due to the potential contamination with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.
The frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip items were produced on various dates from Oct. 1, 2018 through March 8, 2019 and have “Use By Dates” of Oct. 1, 2019 through March 7, 2020.

The first recall was issued when FSIS received two consumer complaints of extraneous material in the chicken strip products. In that recall, Tyson recalled 69,000 lbs of meat.  FSIS is now aware of six complaints during this time frame involving similar pieces of metal with three alleging oral injury.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-034-2019-exp-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Strip Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall

034-2019 EXP
Health Risk: High 

May 4, 2019

Ground Beef Recalled After Two Complaints of Hard Plastic

JBS Plainwell, Inc., a Plainwell, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 43,292 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically, pieces of hard plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received two complaints of green hard plastic in the ground beef products. FSIS was notified on April 5, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-043-2019-release
JBS Plainwell, Inc. Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class II
Recall  043-2019 
Health Risk:Low
Apr 8, 2019 

Flame Broiled Hamburgers Recalled After Complaints of Foreign Material - Soft Purple Plastic

AdvancePierre Foods, Inc., an Enid, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,373 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef patties (frozen RTE flame broiled beef patties). that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft purple plastic.  The problem was discovered on April 1, 2019 after the firm received two consumer complaints regarding soft purple plastic found in the product.

Perhaps someone confused dinosaur for beef.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-040-2019-release
AdvancePierre Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Beef Patties due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
040-2019
Health Risk: Low
Apr 2, 2019

Stuffed Sandwiches Recalled for Foreign Material in the Form of Semi-Transparent Plastic

J & J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp., a Holly Ridge, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 56,578 pounds of stuffed sandwich products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically semi-transparent plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints. FSIS was notified on April 3, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-042-2019-release
J&J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp. Recalls Stuffed Sandwich Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
042-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 5, 2019

Two Recalls Issued After Complaints of Foreign Material in the Form of Metal Pieces

There were two recalls of meat related to foreign material in the product, specifically metal pieces.  In  the recall from the NH establishment, the recall was issued after FSIS inspectors found, through their record review, that the company had received consumer complaints for metal. In the other case, complaints for metal were made directly to USDA.

North Country Smokehouse, a Claremont, N.H. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,686 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal,  The problem was discovered on March 18, 2019 by FSIS inspection program personnel during a routine review of establishment consumer complaint records.

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Rogers, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 69,093 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.  The problem was discovered when FSIS received two consumer complaints of extraneous material in the chicken strip products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-037-2019-release
North Country Smokehouse Recalls Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
037-2019
Health Risk: High
Mar 23, 2019

PR Establishment Recalls Breaded Chicken Patty Product Due to Complaint of Piece of Metal

Puerto Rico establishment, is recalling approximately 35,870 pounds of breaded chicken patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal,  The problem was discovered on March 11, 2019 after the firm received a consumer complaint from a school that received the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-031-2019-release
Productos La Aguadillana, Inc. Recalls Breaded Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 

031-2019
Health Risk:High 

Mar 14, 2019

USDA Issuing Guidelines to Increase Attention to Foreign Material Complaints

Over the past few years, food companies, specifically meat and poultry processors, have issued a large number of recalls related to foreign objects.  Now USDA is issuing guidelines for food companies to respond more aggressively with foreign material complaints.  The USDA wants "food makers to start internal investigations when they receive customer complaints and to notify the government within 24 hours if contaminated products are in the marketplace".

Are foreign material issues an increasing issue?  I would argue that it is not.   Certainly the visibility of these issues is new.  Within the past few years, the Reportable Food Registry and Consumer Complaint portals were introduced and the use has increased.  So while in the past, consumer complaints for foreign materials were received by companies and handled internally without  much federal intervention.  Recalls were issued for serious foreign material issues.  What has changed isn't as much there are more foreign material issues, but USDA is paying close attention.  And much of this started as consumers were able to complain directly to USDA, and with that, inspectors began paying more attention to foreign material issues.  As issues were seen within the complaint records, more recalls were issued.

 Is a more aggressive response prudent? Not being involved directly in these investigations, it is difficult to know exactly.  From the recall notices, it appears that many recalls are issued after one complaint.  But what did the investigation show?   It is important that complaints are well investigated before wasting resources on a recall.  I have seen where complaints were made by consumers in order to get a replacement product (free product).  There were other cases where the consumer improperly cut the package with a part of that package unknowingly falling into the product only to be viewed by the consumer as a foreign object.  People have assumed the food was a source of a foreign object when that food was used in a recipe. 

Perhaps some of us come from a different era that when we found a piece of plastic in a food item, we accepted that as 'something that can happen', and threw the piece of plastic out.  Not saying that is right and that food companies should do a better job, but if no injury than no foul.

We are already seeing people pay less heed to recalls.  As we add more and more recalls to the weekly list, it is bound to increase the consumer ambivalence.  So at the very least, time should be allowed for an investigation and companies should be allowed input on the determination of whether the recall is necessitated.  In the end, they will pay for the real issues.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-food-safety-guidelines-expected-after-spike-meat-poultry-recalls-n979161
New food safety guidelines expected after spike in meat and poultry recalls
More food prepared by machines contributes to more parts breaking off and contaminating food, consumer advocates say.
March 4, 2019, 5:53 PM EST
By Reuters

Washington State Firm Recalls Ground Beef Chubs After Complaint of Hard Plastic

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2019 – Washington Beef, LLC, a Toppenish, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 30,260 pounds of ground beef chubs products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard plastic and metal.  The problem was discovered by a consumer complaint to the company on February 28, 2019.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://origin-www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-024-2019-release
Washington Beef, LLC Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
024-2019 
Health Risk:High 
Mar 2, 2019 

Chicken Breast Chunk Fritters Recalled Due to Consumer Compliant for Piece of White Rubber

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Mt. Pleasant, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 58,020 pounds of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded chicken products (popcorn style chicken breast chunk fritters) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically white rubber.  Recall was initiated after a complaint from a retailer in Florida received a complaint.  This was a foodservice packed item.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-010-2019-release
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation Recalls Breaded Popcorn Chicken Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
010-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Feb 1, 2019 

Chicken Nuggets Recalled After Complaints of Contamination Due to Rubber Pieces

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Sedalia, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 36,420 pounds of chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically rubber.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints of extraneous material in purchased Panko Chicken Nugget products.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-009-2019-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Nugget Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
009-2019
Health Risk: High
Jan 29, 2019

Consumer Complaints for Wood Pieces In Chicken Nuggets Triggers Recall

Perdue Foods, LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 68,244 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically wood.  The problem was discovered when the firm received three consumer complaints that wood was found in the product. A complaint was also reported to FSIS’ consumer complaint monitoring system. FSIS was notified by the firm on Jan. 17, 2019.

Here is another example of the impact of consumer complaints going into the federal agency's consumer complaint portal.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-002-2019-release
Perdue Foods LLC Recalls Simplysmart Organics Gluten Free Chicken Nugget Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall
002-2019
Health Risk: High
Jan 17, 2019

Ohio Firm Recalls Raw Sausage Product Due to Potential Contamination with Pieces of Rubber

A Sandusky, Ohio establishment, J. H. Routh Packing Co, is recalling approximately 1,719 pounds of raw pork sausage products that may be contaminated with rubber pieces.  The notice does not indicate how the company discovered the issue.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-001-2019-release
J. H. Routh Packing Co. Recalls Pork Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
001-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Jan 9, 2019 

RTE Sausage Links Recalled Due to Metal Complaints

An Owingsville, Ky. establishment is recalling approximately 29,028 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat (RTE) pork and poultry sausage links products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.  The problem was discovered on Dec. 10, 2018, when FSIS received notification that the establishment had received five consumer complaints of metal pieces in the RTE sausage links.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-120-2018-release
CTI Foods LLC, Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Poultry Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall
120-2018
Health Risk: High
Dec 10, 2018

Pork Sausage Recalled Due to Foreign Material - Clear Hard Plastic

A Xenia, Ohio, establishment, is recalling approximately 46,734 pounds of pork sausage link products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of clear hard plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints of extraneous material in the pork sausage products. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-080-2018-release
Bob Evans Farms Inc. Recalls Pork Sausage Link Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class II Recall 
080-2018 
Health Risk: Low 
Sep 13, 2018 

Pork Egg Rolls Recalled After Consumer Complaints of Foreign Material - Plastic

A Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 10,385 pounds of heat treated but not fully cooked and not shelf stable pork egg rolls that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm received two consumer complaints stating that a thin thread of plastic was found in the egg rolls product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-065-2018-release
Van Oriental Foods Inc. Recalls Pork Egg Rolls Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 

065-2018
Health Risk: Low 

 Aug 3, 2018

Ice Cream Cups Recalled After Broken Metal Found in Processing Equipment

H-E-B is voluntarily issuing a recall for two variety packs of Creamy Creations ice cream and sherbets in 3-ounce cups due to broken metal found in processing equipment during routine maintenance.

While one hates to find metal in processing equipment, it is wise to take this precautionary move of conducting a recall while product may still be within their control.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm613925.htm
H-E-B Voluntarily Issues Recall Two Variety Packs of Creamy Creations Ice Creams and Sherbets in 3-Ounce Cups Recalled due to Broken Metal in Processing Equipment
For Immediate Release
July 18, 2018

Frozen Calzones Recalled After Consumers Complain of Foreign Material in the Form of Hard Plastic

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., doing business as Stefano Foods based in Charlotte, N.C, is recalling approximately 24,048 pounds of pepperoni five cheese calzones that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of hard, sharp, clear plastic,
The problem was discovered after several consumers contacted Stefano Foods about the problem. On July 16, 2018, the company notified FSIS.  One consumer reported experiencing a small oral laceration during consumption of the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-063-2018-release
Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. Recalls Pepperoni Five Cheese Calzone Products Due to Possible Extraneous Material Contamination
Class I Recall
063-2018
Health Risk: High
Jul 17, 2018

Two Meat Product Recalls for Foreign Material in the Form of Plastic

There have been two meat product recalls due to foreign material.

• Tyson Foods Inc., is recalling approximately 3,120 pounds of frozen breaded chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue and clear soft plastic.   This is a supplier related issue – the supplier notified Tyson of the potential blue plastic in the breading material. 
• Goodman Food Products, Texas, Inc., a Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 34,400 pounds of fully cooked ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard, white plastic.  “The problem was discovered after the company and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services received consumer complaints about hard, white plastic material found in the fully cooked ground beef products.”

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-047-2018-release
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Breaded Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
047-2018
Health Risk: Low
Jun 8, 2018