Two Companies Recall Butternut Squash Products Due to Listeria

Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC of Delray Florida and Lancaster Foods LLC of Jessup MD are recalling Butternut Squash products due to Listeria.  There is no information on how the Listeria presence was detected.  The two recalls are probably related, but there isn't any further information on how.  The Pero Family Farm recall notice does state that the butternut squash was purchased through a distributor Race West Company, of Clarks Summit, PA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pero-family-farms-food-co-issues-voluntary-recall-due-possible-health-risk
Pero Family Farms Food Co. Issues Voluntary Recall Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 15, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 19, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC
Brand Name:  Pero Family Farms
Product Description:  Butternut squash cubes, chunks, and spirals.

Baby Spinach from Canada Recalled for Potential Salmonella Contamination

A Canadian company has recalled is recalling Fresh Attitude baby spinach (5oz and 11oz)  because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was possibly contaminated with Salmonella subsequent investigation indicates that the problem may have been caused by contamination of a part of a lot of Baby Spinach." [not really sure what that means...perhaps testing of a specific lot of baby spinach was positive for Salmonella?]  There have been no reported illnesses, indicating it was not an investigation but rather routine testing?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vegpro-international-issues-recall-fresh-attitude-baby-spinach-because-potential-salmonella-health
Vegpro International Issues a Recall of Fresh Attitude Baby Spinach Because of Potential Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 27, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  November 28, 2020
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Vegpro International
Brand Name:  Fresh Attitude
Product Description:  Baby spinach

Firms Recall Citrus and Potatoes After Finding Listeria monocytogenes on Food Contact Surface

Freshouse II LLC of Salisbury, NC, and Wegmans is recalling Valencia oranges, lemons, limes, organic limes, and red B potatoes after the company’s routine internal testing identified Listeria monocytogenes on a piece of equipment in one of the packing facilities.

This would be considered a low risk in that the items 1) will not support the growth of Listeria, although organisms may survive 2) items are likely to be washed (cirtus) or cooked (potatoes) before use and 3) the Listeria was found on equipment and not the products.  To find Listeria on fresh produce is not uncommon (Heisick etal 1989), but once you find it on a food contact surface, you have to follow your corrective action.  For this facility, it will be important to understand whether this is a transient organism or is it an established strain.

The Produce News
https://www.theproducenews.com/news-dep-menu/29719-listeria-risk-prompts-citrus-potato-recall
Listeria risk prompts citrus, potato recall 

Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Salads in Midwest US, 76 Cases to Date

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery store brand “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots.  As of June 19th, there have been 76 cases with 16 hospitalizations, with onset date ranging from May 11th through June 14th.

"FDA and CDC are recommending that consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve all ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, all Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad sold in Illinois."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Don’t eat ALDI, Hy-Vee, or Jewel-Osco store brand bagged salads labeled as ‘garden salads’ and sold in six mid-western states.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 76
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 - 6/14/2020
States with Cases: IA (28), IL (23), KS (1), MN (10), MO (7), NE (7)

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:

Bagged Cole Slaw Mix Recalled After Positive Salmonella Sample

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Colorful Coleslaw (President's Choice and Marketside brands) after a sample of President’s Choice Colorful Coleslaw yielded a positive Salmonella result in random testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-colorful-coleslaw
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Colorful Coleslaw
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 03, 2019
FDA Publish Date: December 03, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name: President’s Choice, Marketside
Product Description: Colorful Coleslaw

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

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

Avocados from CA Recalled After Environmental Samples Positive for Listeria

A California avocado packing house is recalling avocados "due to positive test results on environmental samples taken during a routine government inspection at its California packing facility."  Henry Avocado Corporation is voluntarily recalling California-grown whole avocados sold in bulk at retail stores.

"The recalled products – California-grown conventional and organic avocados -- were packed at Henry Avocado’s packing facility in California and distributed in Arizona, California, Florida New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin. All shipments from the packing facility are subject to the recall (Henry Avocado did not begin packing there until late January 2019). Avocados imported from Mexico and distributed by Henry Avocado are not subject to the recall and may continue to be sold and consumed."

Is the risk high?  Hard to tell because we don't know whether the avocados themselves were contaminated and if so, to what degree the contaminate on the outside of the avocado would be transferred to the internal flesh.  The concern is that someone making a product like guacamole would not properly wash the avocado and the contaminate would be transferred to the internal flesh as the person sliced and prepared the guacamole.  The potential for growth increases risk as the guacamole is more neutral in pH and would not inhibit growth.  Long storage even at refrigeration temperature also increases risk in that Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures albeit slower than if the product were temperature abused.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm634230.htm
Henry Avocado Recalls Whole Avocados Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2019

Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums Recalled After Positive Listeria Test

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. of Yonkers, New York is recalling produce from Chile -  1,727 cartons of Fresh Peaches, 1,207 cartons of Fresh Nectarines and 365 cartons of Fresh Plums - after testing indicated the presence of  Listeria monocytogenes.  The produce was distributed in 18 different states through small and large retailers including Walmart.

"The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the packing house which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

This is a difficult situation.  Bulk product passing through the packing house is sampled and tests positive with the results taking a few days to come.  In the meantime product has entered a vast system for distribution.  Control is best applied at the point of origin, which in this case, is in Chile.  If there are no controls, or inadequate controls, testing becomes a gamble.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629797.htm
Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. Recalls Fresh Peaches, Fresh Nectarines and Fresh Plums Because They May Be Contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2019

Wegmans Recalls Prepared Produce Items Made with Recalled Cauliflower

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower, sold in the produce department between 12/7/18 and 12/18/18, because it was made with recalled cauliflower that may be potentially contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628826.htm
Wegmans Issues Voluntary Recall of Fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie/Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower
For Immediate Release
December 18, 2018

Produce Company Linked to E. coli Outbreak Issues Recall for Leaf Lettuce and Cauliflower, WA Sandwich Company Recalls Product

Adam Brothers, the only farm identified by FDA as one of the potential sources of the E.coli linked Romaine lettuce recall, issued a recall for leaf lettuce and cauliflower.  In a statement issued by the company, "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that sediment from a reservoir near where the produce was grown tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Filtered and treated water from the
reservoir may have come in contact with the produce after it was harvested. None of the filtered,
treated water has tested positive for E. coli, all E. coli tests returning negative."

A Spokane WA sandwich company is recalling sandwiches made with green leaf lettuce grown by Adam Brothers.

While the leaf lettuce filets have not been tested to determine whether or not they have E. coli contamination, the fact that the E. coli was found in a sediment sample was sufficient enough evidence for the produce grower to issue a recall.  From the sandwich company's notice, "The affected products distributed by Spokane Produce include green leaf lettuce that was originated and recalled from Adam Bros. Farming Inc. of Santa Maria, CA."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628722.htm
Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. Recalls Red and Green Leaf Lettuce and Cauliflower Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2018

Impact on Produce Industry of E. coli Outbreak in Romaine Lettuce

A good read in FoodDive on the impact of the E.coli outbreaks in romaine as related to the produce supply chain.  In the latest outbreak, FDA called for people to avoid Romaine lettuce and this caused a massive dump of product and a huge decrease in sales.

"But the outbreaks have pummeled romaine lettuce sales, according to data from Nielsen. Sales of the vegetable, typically the most widely consumed salad green, slumped 13% during the year ending Nov. 24 to $631 million, the analytics firm estimated. With less romaine lettuce available, USDA said prices of other lettuce varieties have surged, including Boston and iceberg lettuce — which saw a nearly 170% jump."

A warning for more to come?  Without good traceback, FDA will probably follow a similar tact with the next produce recall.  So will the industry be able to do voluntary labeling.  What about testing of irrigation water?

The Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in 2011, called for growers to test their irrigation water and take steps to prevent contaminated sources from being used on produce. But the FDA announced in September 2017 that implementation would be delayed until at least 2022, beginning with the largest farms, in order to allow the agency to “consider how we might further reduce the regulatory burden or increase flexibility.” 

Water testing has its issues including setting acceptable standards that can reflect the presence of pathogens, being able to find incidental contamination, etc.  Product sampling provides no guarantee either that low level contaminants will be found.  Can there ever be a 100% guarantee in preventing pathogens in leafy greens...probably not.

FoodDive
https://www.fooddive.com/news/its-not-easy-being-green-romaine-lettuce-e-coli-outbreak-rattles-food-g/543448/
It's not easy being green: Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak rattles food, grocery industries 
Dec 10, 2018
The FDA's decision to request that the popular green gets pulled from shelves sent "a strong message" to the produce sector while costing supermarkets millions of dollars.

Recall Issued After Supplier Ships Frozen Asparagus with Listeria Issue

The Pictsweet Company has recalled 1,872 cases of Pictsweet Farms 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears after it was notified by the manufacturer that product suspected of containing Listeria monocytogenes was inadvertently shipped to The Pictsweet Company.

It is hard to know exactly how this happened.  Perhaps a test-and-hold program that didn't hold too well?  Or a sample was taken for testing and that lot of product was not held?  The next question is whether this supplier has a larger Listeria issue extending beyond this lot.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625788.htm
The Pictsweet Company Recalls 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears due to Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2018

McDonalds Pulls Salads After Being Linked To Cyclospora Outbreak

McDonald's restaurants in the mid-west have pulled their salads after being linked to a large outbreak of Cyclospora.  This comes after last month's outbreak linked to Del Monte's trays of sliced vegetables.

The reference below lists some of the difficulties of this parasite...one is that it may be more resistant to sanitizers and the other is the ability to attach to produce.

So basically, the parasite gets into water used for irrigation.  The source being fecal contamination from someone who became ill.  Once on the crops, it may not be easy to get rid of it.

Not a lot is know about cyclospora, one of the issues being is that humans are the only known reservoir.  This makes studying using animal models impossible.


CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS,
Jan. 2010, p. 218–234 Vol. 23, No. 1
0893-8512/10/$12.00 doi:10.1128/CMR.00026-09
Copyright © 2010, American Society for Microbiology.
Update on Cyclospora cayetanensis, a Food-Borne and Waterborne Parasite
Yne´s R. Ortega* and Roxana Sanchez
University of Georgia, Center for Food Safety, Griffin, Georgia 30223-1797

"Individuals with Cyclospora infection excrete unsporulated oocysts in their feces (Fig. 1). These oocysts require 7 to 15 days to sporulate under ideal conditions (23 to 27°C) and presumably become infectious to a susceptible host. When food or water contaminated with infectious oocysts is ingested
by a susceptible host, the oocysts excyst and sporozoites are released to infect epithelial cells of the duodenum and jejunum."

"Cyclospora is highly resistant to disinfectants commonly used in food and water processing. This resistance may also be enhanced by the apparent higher binding affinities of the parasite for certain fresh produce. In the case of raspberries, which have been implicated in several outbreaks, the topography of the fruit is characterized by fine hair-like projections that facilitate the entrapment of the “sticky” Cyclospora oocysts. The microenvironment of the berry provides a favorable environment for parasite retention on the fruit. The stickiness of Cyclospora oocysts seems to be stronger than that of Cryptosporidium or Giardia oocysts. The adhesins responsible for this strong attachment to produce are unknown."

NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/us/mcdonalds-salads-illness-cyclospora-nyt.html
McDonald’s Salads Linked to Intestinal Parasite Outbreak in Midwest
By Matthew Haag
July 13, 2018

Europe - Frozen Corn May Be Linked to Ongoing Listeria Outbreak

EFSA and ECDC have concluded that frozen corn has been the source of an ongoing Listeria outbreak.  The outbreak has affected 32 people with six deaths and has been ongoing since 2015.

EIN Newsdesk
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/438245582/frozen-corn-likely-source-of-ongoing-listeria-monocytogenes-outbreak
Frozen corn likely source of ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak
March 23, 2018

Ozone as a Sanitizing Agent - Applications and Limitations

There have been many questions on the use of ozone in food operations, specifically fruit.  An article in Growing Produce provides a good synopsis of the advantages and limitations of ozone as a sanitize.   In summary, ozone is not a magic bullet and does not provide tremendous results in fresh produce packing.  In the author's opinion, "the most straightforward and beneficial use of ozone in fruit handling and packing is as a terminal rinse step and as the post-ultrafiltration treatment of re-circulated water in postharvest wash and fluming systems".   "Another commonly beneficial application is cold storage or forced-air treatment with gaseous ozone or room fogging."  

One issue is that some product are more susceptible to the ozone that results in damage compared to the microbes.  Ozone is a strong oxidizer, but gets utilized quickly.    Notice that in the two suggested applications, water and air treatment, are essentially applications that do not come in direct contact with the food.

Growing Produce
http://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/food-safety-ozone/
Food Safety: Once More Into the Ozone
By Trevor Suslow|February 3, 2018

Canada - Public Health Notice Issued for Romaine Lettuce Due to E. coli Outbreak

In Canada, officials are investigating 30 E.coli O157 infections with one death and twelve hospitalizations.  They are linking this outbreak to romaine lettuce.  There is no more information at this time (chopped, whole, bagged, etc).  From the report, "Many individuals who became sick reported eating romaine lettuce before their illnesses occurred. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working with public health officials to determine the source of the romaine lettuce that ill individuals were exposed to."

CISION
http://www.newswire.ca/news-release
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce

Frozen Green Beans Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

A Canadian firm with a US repack facility is recalling frozen green beans after Connecticut Dept of Consumer Protection found one Listeria positive sample.
Based upon information gleaned from a company write-up in Business View Magazine (Sept 2017) this product is probably not domestic.  And like all Listeria related outbreaks, it will be a question of whether more product will be pulled into the recall. Much of that will depend on the investigation into the packing facility's Listeria Control Plan.

This is the type of product that would fall under the Foreign Supplier Verification program with the foreign company being the FSVP Importer having the US facility.  And this is why the address in the announcement is the facility in Virginia.

In the Business View write-up, the following passage is interesting.  Clearly, they see their product as meeting ready-to-eat standards. As Lee Corso would say...'not so fast my friend'.

Another growing item of concern to Tentomas [company founder] is food safety. “There’s been a major shift change in both regulatory as well as consumer behavior in how we eat these products,” he states. “Consumers today are eating raw and frozen fruits and vegetables, putting them in their smoothies and putting them in their salads, and there have been some major recalls in 2016 for both frozen fruits and a massive one in frozen vegetables. So, the food safety landscape has changed significantly. And what you’re seeing is the industry looking at their product as truly ‘ready-to-eat.’ Therefore, we need to establish the food safety parameters that come with a ready-to-eat product. And we see more significant change coming in enforcing the guidelines. That’s going to be one major change that will be positive for consumers because it will result in dramatic decreases in potential contamination of frozen fruits and vegetables. As an industry, we have a tremendous responsibility in making sure that we improve the food safety profile as consumers are eating more and more of it.”

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm584148.htm
Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods Voluntarily Recalls Nature’s Touch Frozen Organic Fine Whole Green Beans Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 7, 2017

Produce Grown in Greenhouse Recalled Due to Potential E. coli Issue

BrightFarms, a company that grows produce in greenhouses, is initiating a voluntary recall of packaged produce sold in Roundy's Supermarkets due to the potential presence of E. coli at its Rochelle, Illinois greenhouse farm.   BrightFarms chose to take this action out of an abundance of caution after receiving routine lab results and discovering that certain product may have been compromised.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm581532.htm
BrightFarms Announces Voluntary Regional Recall of Produce Due to Potential Presence of E. coli
For Immediate Release
October 20, 2017