Deli Sandwiches Recalled After Environmental Sample Positive for Listeria

Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall of various Premo and Fresh Grab wedge sandwiches due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. This was brought to our attention by JLM Manufacturing after environmental sampling returned a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes. 

The product looks to have at least 3 weeks shelf-life, plenty of time for Listeria to grow at refrigeration temperatures.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lipari-foods-issues-recall-various-wedge-deli-sandwiches-due-potential-contamination-listeria
Lipari Foods Issues Recall of Various Wedge Deli Sandwiches Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 06, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 06, 2020
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Lipari Foods, LLC
Brand Name: Premo, Fresh Grab
Product Description: Wedge Sandwiches

Imported String Cheese Recalled After Listeria Positive Test Result

A Palm Springs, FL. company, Limena, LLC, is recalling its 1 lb. (16 ounce) blocks of Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese) semi-soft cheese after routine testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one sample of 1 lb. (16 ounce) blocks of Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese). The recalled "Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese)" was distributed to retail stores and through mail orders.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/limena-llc-recalls-salvadorean-string-cheese-quesillo-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Limena, LLC Recalls "Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese)" Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 02, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 02, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Limena, LLC
Brand Name: Limena, LLC
Product Description: Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese) semi-soft cheese

Review Article - Growth and Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on Intact Fruit and Vegetable Surfaces during Postharvest Handling: A Systematic Literature Review

Does LM grow on the surfaces of produce?  A review article in the Journal of Food Protection surveyed research on the topic and provides insight into factors that affect growth on the surface including moisture, topography, nutrient availability, and microflora.   Some key items from the discussion:

Food Companies Issue Recalls After Using Eggs Recalled for Listeria

A number of food companies have issued recalls after using eggs recalled as part of the Almark egg recall due to Listeria.

• Meijer Recalls Diced Hard Boiled Eggs Due to Potential Health Risks Product Bought at Two Stores in Grand Rapids Affected
• Veggie Noodle Co., LLC is voluntarily recalling its Cece’s® Veggie Co. brand Fresh Veggie Ramen with Chicken Broth (11.5 oz, UPC 5228700653), all expiration dates, sold at retail stores nationally, 
• Reichel Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling Pro2Snax to the Max Sliced Apples, Hard Boiled Egg, Mild Cheddar Cheese, Cashews & Dried Cranberries and Pro2Snax to the Max Sweet Gala Apples, Hard Boiled Egg, White Cheddar Cheese, Almonds & Dried Cranberries.
• Great American Deli of Ooltewah, Tennessee is recalling GAD #114 Egg Salad Sandwich 4.8 oz. 
• Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Trader Joe’s Egg Salad, 6 oz and Trader Joe’s Old Fashioned Potato Salad, 20 oz with “USE BY” date codes up through and including 12/27/19 

As part of the hazard analysis for receiving eggs, Listeria would be a hazard of concern and would be handled by Supplier Preventive Control.  After this recall, a more substantive system will be need for RTE peeled eggs.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/meijer-recalls-diced-hard-boiled-eggs-due-potential-health-risks-product-bought-two-stores-grand
Meijer Recalls Diced Hard Boiled Eggs Due to Potential Health Risks Product Bought at Two Stores in Grand Rapids Affected
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 31, 2019
FDA Publish Date: December 31, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages Egg/Egg Product Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:Meijer
Brand Name: None
Product Description:  Hard-boiled eggs

CDC Alert on Listeria Outbreak Associated with Hard-boiled Peeled Eggs from GA Processor

CDC issued a food safety alert regarding hard boiled eggs from Alamark Foods as a potential source of Listeria.   "As of December 17, 2019, a total of seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from five states...... Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that bulk hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia, are a likely source of this outbreak." 

These eggs are hard-boiled, peeled, and packaged in plastic pails of various sizes.  It is during the peeling and packaging process where the eggs can become contaminated with Listeria.  Being a RTE product, the eggs will generally be eaten without further preparation, or certainly without preparation that would provide bacterial reduction (deviled eggs for example).  With a 49 day shelf-life at refrigeration temperatures, that is plenty of time to allow for the growth of this psychrotropic pathogen (capable of growth at refrigeration temperatures).


CDC Food Safety Alert
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/eggs-12-19/index.html
Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Hard-boiled Eggs
Posted December 18, 2019 at 6:30 PM ET

White Castle Recalls Retail Pack of Hamburger Sliders After Listeria Positive Test

White Castle is recalling their retail hamburger sandwich product / sliders after a third party laboratory tested and found Listeria on finished product.

This is a fully cooked product with heat and serve instructions.

According to the recall announcement, the company "is taking the following actions at the facility where the problem was identified:
•Intensive sanitation and cleaning with guidance from outside food safety experts.
•Aggressively elevating already strong food safety testing and manufacturing guidelines.
•Conducting comprehensive testing to confirm no presence of listeria in the facility. “This voluntary recall is precautionary and is the right thing to do,” said Richardson."

Note that the product is under FDA jurisdiction vs USDA.  This is a closed sandwich which falls under FDA jurisdiction.  (USDA regulations are limited to open faced sandwiches  - "Must contain at least 50 percent cooked meat. Sandwiches are amendable (USDA inspected) only if they are open faced sandwiches."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/white-castle-frozen-food-division-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-production-frozen-sandwiches
White Castle Frozen Food Division Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Production of Frozen Sandwiches Sold in Select Grocery Outlets Due to Possible Presence of Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 06, 2019
FDA Publish Date:December 06, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages Prepared Food
Foodborne Illness Reason for Announcement: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:White Castle Frozen Food Division
Brand Name: White Castle
Product Description: Frozen Cheeseburger and hamburger sliders

Additional Recalls of Vegetables from Mann Packing Due to Potential Listeria

Additional recalls were issued related to the Mann Packing recall that was issued earlier this month, on November 3rd due to Listeria.

• Taher, Inc., is announcing a voluntary recall of Fresh Seasons Kitchen vegetable cups served in select locations in Minnesota.
• Russ Davis Wholesale (RDW), a leading fresh produce processor and distributor, in an abundance of caution is voluntarily recalling multiple products Affected product was delivered to retail stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taher-voluntarily-recalls-veggie-ranch-cups-cauliflower-because-possible-health-risk
Taher Voluntarily Recalls Veggie & Ranch Cups With Cauliflower Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 11, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 11, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Due to the potential risk of Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Taher, Inc.
Brand Name: Fresh Seasons Kitchen
Product Description: Veggie & Ranch Cups with cauliflower

RTE Sausage and Sliced Pepperoni Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Sample

Ezzo Sausage Company, a Columbus, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 25,115 pounds of sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The ready-to-eat sausage products were produced on Oct. 29, 2019, Oct. 30, 2019 and Nov. 5, 2019 and include sausage and sliced pepperoni items, most for use in pizza type applications.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS of a positive sample result for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-111-2019-release
Ezzo Sausage Company Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
111-2019
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2019

Indiana Company Recalls RTE Pork Product After FSIS Samples Test Positive for LM

Fisher Packing Company, a Redkey, Ind. establishment, is recalling approximately 744 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that a sample of product produced by Fisher Packing Company confirmed positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-095-2019-release
Fisher Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
095-2019
Health Risk: High
Sep 28, 2019

Company Expands Recall of Salmon Product Due to Listeria

A NY based company, Euphoria Foods is expanding a recall issued on 9/24/19 to now include all lots of the Captain K tuna product.  The initial recall was only for the lot that tested positive, but like many Listeria recalls, it is found that additional lots must be recalled because the production facility had inadequate controls for Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/euphoria-fancy-food-inc-recalls-capitan-k-salmon-fillet-due-possible-health-risk-update
Euphoria Fancy Food Inc Recalls “Capitan K Salmon Fillet” Due to Possible Health Risk Update
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 02, 2019
FDA Publish Date: October 02, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Euphoria Fancy Food Inc.
Brand Name: CAPITAN K
Product Description: Salmon slightly salted piece

Sandwich Companies Recall Premade Chicken Salad Sandwiches After Supplier of Cooked Chicken Finds Listeria Issue

A number of  companies that make and markets sandwiches are recalling their chicken salad sandwiches due to a Listeria contaminated ingredient.  Northern Tier Bakery of Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, Mrs. Stranttons's,  E.A. Sween,  Coborn's, Inc , Lipari Foods, and Grand Strand Sandwich  are voluntarily recalling chicken salad sandwiches after the cooked chicken supplier, Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, GA, establishment, informed these companies of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

"The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that multiple samples of product produced by Tip Top Poultry, Inc. confirmed positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes after being tested in Canada. The firm decided to recall all cooked, diced or shredded, RTE chicken products produced from January 21, 2019 through September 24, 2019 with product codes ranging from 10000 to 19999 and 70000 to 79999. Tip Top expanded the dates and the scope of the recall out of an abundance of caution."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-094-2019-release
Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
094-2019
Health Risk: High
Sep 28, 2019

Salmon Product Recalled After Product Tests Listeria Positive

Euphoria Fancy Food Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 7.05 oz packages of “CAPITAN K” salmon slightly salted pieces because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The contamination was discovered after sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenesin some 7.05 oz vacuum packages of “CAPITAN K” salmon slightly salted pieces.  Product was made in Russia. It appears to be a ready-to-eat product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/euphoria-fancy-food-inc-recalls-capitan-k-salmon-fillet-due-possible-health-risk
Euphoria Fancy Food Inc. Recalls “Capitan K Salmon Fillet” Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 20, 2019
FDA Publish Date: September 24, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages Fish
Reason for Announcement: Due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Euphoria Fancy Food Inc
Brand Name: Captain K
Product Description: Salmon slightly salted pieces

Florida Supermarket Closes Operations as State Finds Listeria Throughout Operation

A Florida grocery store closed its business after a reinspection by the State of Florida found Listeria throughout the operation.

"Samples collected on Sept. 9 found evidence of listeria bacteria on various surfaces around the store, leading inspectors to issue 15 stop-sale and stop-use orders. Inspectors last tested food samples from the Margate store on Aug. 6. Six samples were collected and no listeria was found. No illnesses have been reported."

Before it shut down, the store tried to sell of its product at fire sale prices.  Unfortunately, this included product that may have been subject to Listeria contamination.  This caused the State to issue an order to cease all operations.  Some of this product came from quarantined area.

It is a rare occurrence where a retail store is shut down by the State due to Listeria positive samples...it is also rare that a state department monitors Listeria in a retail operation to begin with.  In this case, the initial sampling occurred in the first quarter of the year with Listeria being found.  The retail established dumped product and resumed operations.  In September, the store was respected and Listeria was found again.  Easy to guess that if the State had sampled a month after the initial sampling, they would have found it.

South Florida Sun Sentinel
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-penn-dutch-immediate-shut-down-20190919-itojdrhlpndtni7xs2366k2bwi-story.html
State shuts down Penn Dutch in Margate for ‘endangering public health’ over listeria
By Doreen Christensen
South Florida Sun Sentinel |
Sep 19, 2019 | 8:22 PM

GA Establishment Recalls RTE Diced Chicken Linked to Listeria Outbreak in Canada

Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,810 pounds of fully cooked  frozen, diced, and mechanically separated ready-to-eat chicken products after it was s discovered on August 17, 2019, by Canadian Food Inspection Agency that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The Canadian buyer recalled their Rosemount branded product on August 19th.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-085-2019-release
Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked Poultry Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
085-2019 
Health Risk:High 
Aug 20, 2019

Canada - Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Cooked Diced Chicken, Seven Cases of Illness

Canadian authorities are investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes - higher risk populations).

"As of August 18, 2019, there have been 7 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness in three provinces: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1) and Ontario (5). Individuals became sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six individuals have been hospitalized. Individuals who became ill are between 51 and 97 years of age. The majority of cases (86%) are female."

In November of 2017, there were 2 cases, and then starting in April of 2019 through June, there were 5 more cases.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-health-notice-outbreak-of-listeria-infections-linked-to-rosemount-brand-cooked-diced-chicken-835486323.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken Français
News provided by
Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 19, 2019, 12:27 ET

TX Establishment Expands Recall of Hummus Product Due to Listeria

Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX has expanded their initial recall (posted on July 17) of  hummus products to add a month more of production dates, now made between May 15, 2019 through July 11, 2019...originally May 30 to June 25.   The recall is "due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility (not in finished product) during an FDA inspection.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk-0
Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk

Egg Salad and Similar Salad Items Recalled After Sampled Product Tests Positive for Listeria

A Tennessee food establishment, Elevation Foods, is recalling containers of Archer Farms-brand egg salad; Freskëtbrand egg salad, tuna salad, and Thai lobster salad; and Archer Farms-brand deviled egg sandwiches produced on June 18, 2019 after testing by Florida Dept of Ag found  positive Listeria monocytogenes in 3 samples.  The state shelf life dates on the product vary, but are generally about 6 weeks, plenty of time for growth of Listeria at refrigerated temperatures.  (6 week old egg salad or tuna salad sounds less than desirable.)

It will be interesting to see if additional lot codes are recalled.  Having 3 positives in a given sampling could mean a more serious issue and with that, more additional date codes may need to be recalled.   While no illnesses have been reported, whole genome sequencing may unveil some linkage, hopefully not.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/elevation-foods-recalls-packaged-egg-salad-tuna-salad-thai-lobster-salad-and-archer-farms-deviled
Elevation Foods Recalls Packaged Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, Thai Lobster Salad, and Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 19, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 19, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Elevation Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Archer Farms, Freskët
Product Description:  egg salad, tuna salad, Thai lobster salad, and deviled egg sandwiches

Growers Express Recalls Fresh Processed Vegetable Products After Positive Listieria Finding

Growers Express production facility in Biddeford, Maine is recalling  select fresh vegetable products  including packaged varieties of butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini and a butternut squashed based veggie bowl due to the potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  According to the report, the recall was issued after being notified of a single positive sample by the Massachusetts Department of Health

"Most of the affected products are labeled with a “Best If Used By” Date of June 26 – June 29, 2019"...so a three day production window....and it should be noted that product has already its expiration date.  The company has stopped production and is "deep sanitizing the entire facility and our line equipment, as well as conducting continued testing on top of our usual battery of sanitation and quality and safety tests before resuming production."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/growers-express-issues-voluntary-recall-multiple-fresh-vegetable-products-due-potential
Growers Express Issues Voluntary Recall of Multiple Fresh Vegetable Products Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 30, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 01, 2019.
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Produce Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Growers Express
Brand Name:  Green Giant Fresh, Growers Express, Signature Farms, Trader Joe’s
Product Description:  Butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini, and butternut squash based veggie bowl products

Frozen Grilled Red Peppers Recalled After Sample Tests Positive for Listeria

UNFI is voluntarily recalling its 10 ounce packages of Woodstock frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers after routine testing by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Currently, one lot of product is being recalled, but the company has suspended production of the product while RIDOH and UNFI continue to investigate.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unfi-recalls-its-woodstock-frozen-organic-grilled-red-peppers-because-possible-health-risk
UNFI Recalls its Woodstock Frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 19, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 19, 2019

Frozen Chunk Avocado Recalled After FDA Discovers Positive Listeria in Sample

Nature's Touch Frozen Foods, a Canadian-based importer is recalling its frozen chunked avocado after FDA testing found Listeria in one of the bags they sampled.  The product was shipped to 15 states, all west of the Mississippi, and to numerous retailers.

Only one lot code was recalled...so far.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natures-touch-frozen-foods-west-inc-voluntarily-recalls-signature-select-avocado-chunks-due
Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods (West) Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Signature Select Avocado Chunks Due to Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 18, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 18, 2019