Minnesota Distributor Recalls Veggie Pizza For Undeclared Soy From Crust Supplier

Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Veggie Pizza under the Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy brands as it may contain undeclared soy.  The recall was initiated after the crust supplier notified Russ Davis of the undeclared soy allergen.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/russ-davis-wholesale-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-veggie-pizza
Russ Davis Wholesale Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Veggie Pizza
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 04, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 04, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared soy
Company Name:  Russ Davis Wholesale
Brand Name:  Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy
Product Description:  Veggie Pizza

Yellow Peas Recalled For Soy Allergen Which Resulted After Mix-up with Soybeans

Maine Grains, Inc. of Skowhegan, Maine is recalling 2,000 pounds of Organic Yellow Peas sold between 10.17.2019 and 11.1.2020 because it may contain undeclared soybeans.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that organic soybeans of very similar size, shape and color to organic yellow peas were mistakenly shipped by a farmer supplier to Maine Grains, Inc. and were used to fulfill orders of organic yellow peas.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maine-grains-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-organic-yellow-peas
Maine Grains, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Organic Yellow Peas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date: January 27, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared soy
Company Name: Main Grains, Inc.
Brand Name: Maine Grains, GrowNYC
Product Description: Organic yellow peas

CDC Report - 2017 E. coli Outbreak Associated with Soy Nut Butter

 CDC released a report detailing the 2017 E. coli outbreak of E. coli O157 linked to soynut butter that resulted in 32 cases from 12 states with twenty-six (81%) cases occurred in children ( <18 years old) and with 8 of those children developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (impacting kidney function).

The facility had multiple issues as was detailed in the FDA 483 report. although the ultimate ingredient source was not identified.

Items of note from the report:

• The was the first time a peanut butter alternative such as soy nut butter has been implicated as the source of an outbreak of STEC infections in the United States
• More than one-quarter of the case patients developed HUS, and all but 1 were children <18 years old.  
• CDC identified a subcluster in an Oregon child care center where secondary transmission might have contributed to the spread of the outbreak -this serves as a reminder to child care providers of the importance of appropriate hand-washing and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infections in these settings and that children with STEC O157 infection should be excluded from attending child care centers until 2 stool cultures (obtained at least 48 hours after antimicrobial therapy, if given, has been discontinued) have negative results for STEC.
• This outbreak serves as a reminder of the important role manufacturers play in preventing foodborne outbreaks and the role brand owners have in overseeing their product safety. Soy nut butter is a ready-to-eat food with a long shelf life, and multiple foodborne outbreaks have been identified over the past few years linked to other ready-to-eat, long-shelf-life foods, such as a powdered meal replacement product, sprouted nut butters, and chia powder.
• Product contamination may have occurred through use of a contaminated ingredient or cross-contamination from contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces during manufacturing. However, because ingredient sample results were negative and multiple objectionable conditions were identified during the facility’s inspection, it was not possible to determine which specific route led to product contamination.

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2019/09/12/peds.2018-3978
A Multistate Outbreak of E Coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Soy Nut Butter

Impossible Burgers at the Retail Store?

Impossible Burgers has petitioned FDA to allow them to sell their plant-based burgers at retail.  The issue is the soy leghemoglobin (plant based hemoglobin produced by genetically engineered yeast) imparts a red color to the plant bases analogue product to give the appearance of meat.  So fake meat that looks like meat.  May not seem like a big deal, but if you can add an chemical to fake meat to make it red, can you add a chemical to real meat to make it more red....and that you cannot do.

I think a consumer issue will be proper handling - keeping cold, proper storage, etc

A little on Impossible Meat (they have a primer for foodservice operations that discusses how to handle and cook product)

Ingredients - Water, Textured Wheat Protein, Coconut Oil, Potato Protein, Natural Flavors, 2% or Less Of: Leghemoglobin (Soy), Yeast Extract, Salt, Konjac Gum, Xanthan Gum, Soy Protein Isolate,

Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Zinc, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2),

Vitamin B12. Contains: Soy, Wheat

Handling - best to handle cold and keep cold prior to cooking, and wear gloves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vtiZSSucY

Cooking - as a burger, cook as you would a hamburger, to medium or 160F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1xU99Bz4o

Perhaps Jon Campbell will determine how to make Impossible landjaeger.

Bloomberg.com

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-18/impossible-burger-needs-fda-nod-to-sell-uncooked-to-consumers
Impossible Burger Needs FDA Nod to Sell Uncooked in Stores
By
Lydia Mulvany   and   Deena Shanker
‎December‎ ‎18‎, ‎2018‎ ‎9‎:‎39‎ ‎AM Updated on ‎December‎ ‎18‎, ‎2018‎ ‎3‎:‎27‎ ‎PM

Soylent Product Recalled Again, This Time for Allergen Issues

The LA company that sells the meal replacement called Soylent is recalling product due to undeclared allergen, in this case, milk in the form of whey powder. It seems that a small amount of whey powder may have been incorporated into a one lot of product. This occurred during manufacturer by their third party facility (contract manufacturer).

This company recalled product seven months ago after a number of illnesses were reported which may have been linked to the product.

FDA Recall Notice

https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2016/10/venture-capitalist-start-up-soylent.html
Soylent Issues Allergy Alert On Potential Undeclared Milk in Soylent 1.8 Powder
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2017

SoyNut Butter Company Recalls.....All SoyNut Butter and Granola Products

After initiating a recall last week in light of a dozen cases of E.coli O157:H7 infection, the SoyNut Butter Company is now recalling all soy butter and granola products in all sizes and all lot numbers.

Update - 3-10-17 Recall was updated to include Dixie Diner's Club products.  (How was this missed on expanded recall?)

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545368.htm
The Soynut Butter Co Expands Recall to All I.M. Healthy Soynut Butters And I.M. Healthy Granola Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2017

SoyNut Butter Recalled after Being Linked to E. coli O157:H7 Infections

 The SoyNut Butter Co is recalling 15 oz jars, individual serving cups, and tubs of its nut butter product after that product was linked to 12 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection.  To date, 12 people have become ill.  Of the 9 people contacted, 9 had exposure to this product.


FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm544976.htm
The Soynut Butter Co Recalls I.M. Healthy Original Creamy Soynut Butter Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2017

SoyNut Butter Being Linked to E.coli Outbreak

CDC is linking 12 cases of E. coli O157:H7 to a SoyNut Butter product by I. M. Healthy, an Illinois.  The cases have occurred in several states.  11 of the 12 are younger than 18.  Six people have been hospitalized and 4 have developed HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.  If consumers have this brand of soynut butter, they are asked to not to consume it.

SoyNut butter starts with soy beans.  The beans are soaked and then roasted (baked or roasted in oil) The roasted soynuts are ground, blended with oil, and then put in jars.  The presence of E. coli in the product would indicate either an insufficient roasting process or post-process contamination.

CDC Outbreak Investigation
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2017/o157h7-03-17/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to I.M. Healthy Brand SoyNut Butter
Posted March 3, 2017 12:45PM EST

Bagged Edamame Recalled Due to Allergen Labeling Deficiency...Contains Soy

Giant Foods is recalling frozen edamame because the allergen statement is not there...Contains Soy.   Of course edamame is soy, just the immature version still in the pods.  But some may not recognize this, and by regulation, the common name must be stated.

From the FDA Guidance Q&A document
Packaged foods that are made using soybeans as an ingredient or as a component of a multi-component ingredient (e.g., soy sauce or tofu) should continue to use the word "soybeans" as the appropriate common or usual name for this ingredient to identify properly the ingredient (e.g., "soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)").

 Centre Daily Times
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/10/30/4992035/giant-announces-edamame-recall.html
Giant announces edamame recall
By From CDT staff reports
October 30, 2015

Caution: soybeans contain soy.

A warning like this was left off some edamame, causing a Pennsylvania food chain to pull the product from shelves.

Giant Food Stores, LLC and Martin’s Food Markets announced Friday that it was removing Nature’s Promise Organic Edamame products because they contain soy, but it is not listed on the labels as containing the ingredient, which can cause problems for people with a specific allergy.

Bratwurst Recalled for Allergen Mislabeling Due to Soy Lecithin

Earlier this week, USDA posted a recall notice for a Pennsylvania company that was using soy lecithin as a processing aid and did not have the allergen claim on the label.  Now another Pennsylvania company has issued a recall for doing the same thing -  using a releasing agent containing soy lecithin and not claiming it on the label.

When the dog is on a scent, he's going to keep huntin'.  That is, now that USDA sees that there is an issue here that is not being properly addressed, those inspectors are going to be looking for it.  My bet is that this is not the last recall for soy lecithin mislabeling.


USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2014/recall-080-2014-release
Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Pork Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Class II Recall 080-2014
Health Risk: Low Nov 19, 2014
Congressional and Public Affairs   Felicia Thompson   (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2014 – K. Heeps, Inc., an Allentown, Pa., establishment is recalling approximately 2,902 pounds of Bratwurst and Bangers sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain soy lecithin; a releasing agent used on contact surfaces during production and is a known allergen.

Pretzel Dogs Recalled Due to Use of Soy Lecithin Not Listed on Label

A Pennsylvania firm is recalling pretzel dogs due to the fact that soy lecithin was not included on the label.  In this case, the soy lecithin was used as a processing aid, more specifically a release agent (like Pam).  But the need to claim soy lecithin, when used as a processing aid, was not always clear cut.
 
From the Food Allergy Research and Resource Center (FARRP website link below),

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act in the U.S. requires the labeling of soy lecithin when used in any capacity, including use as a processing aid.

But in the past, it was not as clear with regard to soy lecithin.  More from FARRP:

Additionally, on February 25, 2013, the FDA withdrew its May 2, 2006 guidance entitled "Guidance on the Labeling of Certain Uses for Lecithin Derived from Soy Under Section 403(w) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act" which originally indicated a willingness by FDA to use "regulatory discretion" in dealing with the labeling of soy lecithin in circumstances where soy lecithin is used as a stick-release or pan-release agent, a common processing aid use in the food industry. The FDA now requires source labeling of soy lecithin when used as a release agent applied directly to the food contact surfaces or as a direct ingredient in the product formulation, with the exception of the specific

Another thing that FARRP points out is that the level of allergen present on the product when used as a processing aid may be well below the limit that will cause anyone to have a reaction.  However, there may be that one case.

It is important that food operations review their use of processing aids.  If allergens are present such as soy lecithin, it needs to be included on the label.

 

USDA News Release

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2014/recall-079-2014-release-EXP

  

Pennsylvania Firm Expands Recalls Pretzel Dog Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Class I Recall 079-2014-EXP  Health Risk: High Nov 18, 2014