Establishment Recalls 25,000 Pounds of Beef Due to Procedural Test and Hold Error

American Beef Packers, Inc., a Chino, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 24,428 pounds of raw beef products that are deemed unfit for human consumption.  The issue appears to be that the establishment shipped product that was sampled but had not been tested.  According to the report, "The firm notified FSIS on Aug. 30, 2019 that a carcass that was pending laboratory results had been erroneously released and further processed into raw intact and non-intact beef products." 


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-089-2019-release
American Beef Packers, Inc. Recalls Raw Beef Products Deemed Unfit for Human Consumption 
Class II Recall 
089-2019 
Health Risk:Low 
Aug 31, 2019 

Results of Sampling Retail Foods for Listeria

USDA led a multiyear study to look at Listeria in foods at retail.

• Six broad groups were tested - seafood, produce, dairy, meat, eggs, and combination foods) 
• Samples were collected weekly at large national chain supermarkets and independent grocery stores between December 2010 and March 2013.
• 27,389 total samples were taken with 
• 116 samples tested positive by the BAX PCR system for L. monocytogenes, and the pathogen was isolated and confirmed for 102 samples (0.3%)
• 571 samples that tested positive for Listeria-like organisms

A few takeaways

• Screening samples used a 25 gram sample. If a larger sample size was used, would the percent positive be higher?
• Sampling ended over 4 years ago.  If sampling and testing were conduced today, would we expect lower numbers?
• Cut raw vegetables were the highest at 1%., but the scariest is the pre-made salads - seafood salad and deli-type salads (and pre-made sandwiches) since those would be consumed without any preparation and the numbers/gram were generally lower.
• While the percentage of cheese samples that were positive are low, there where some high numbers on those that tested positive.

Journal of Food Protection
http://jfoodprotection.org/doi/abs/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-420?code=fopr-site
Survey for Listeria monocytogenes in and on Ready-to-Eat Foods from Retail Establishments in the United States (2010 through 2013): Assessing Potential Changes of Pathogen Prevalence and Levels in a Decade
John B. Luchansky,1 Yuhuan Chen,2* Anna C. S. Porto-Fett,1 Régis Pouillot,2 Bradley A. Shoyer,1 Rachel Johnson-DeRycke,3† Denise R. Eblen,3† Karin Hoelzer,2‡ William K. Shaw Jr.,3 Jane M. van Doren,2 Michelle Catlin,3 Jeehyun Lee,4§ Rohan Tikekar,4§ Daniel Gallagher,5 James A. Lindsay,1 The Listeria Market Basket Survey Multi-Institutional Team,‖ and Sherri Dennis2

Chicken Meal Product Recalled Due to the Potential for Salmonella....in the Brownie

Conagra Brands is recalling its Chicken Nugget Meat products after the supplier of the Brownie mix informed the company of potential Salmonella contamination.

It may be unexpected that in a chicken meal product, the brownie would be the issue.  It is unclear whether the brownie had received a validated cooking process by the manufacturer - it may be fully cooked, or just partially cooked.  The directions indicate that the brownie is to be cooked by the consumer as part of the listed cooking instructions..but of course, how much can that be counted upon.  So as stated, the manufacturer is acting out of an abundance of caution.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2017/pha-042017
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Chicken Nuggets Meal Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Congressional and Public Affairs  Julie Schwartz  (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is alerting consumers that the brownie mix dessert included in the breaded chicken nugget meal trays produced by Conagra Brands, Inc., a Marshall, Mo. establishment, may be contaminated with Salmonella. FSIS is issuing this alert, which affects 110,817 pounds of frozen meals, out of an abundance of caution after the company notified FSIS that the source material used in the brownie mix may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Bird Flu Found on Tennessee Farm

Avian influenza, or bird flu, struck a Tennessee chicken farm resulting in the operation having to cull 73,500 birds.  This is the first incident of avian influenza in the US this year.  To control the issue, all bird flocks in a six mile radius will be quarantined.

While this is not a human health issue, avian influenza can impact the poultry supply if not controlled.  The 2014/2015 outbreak resulted in 48 million chickens and turkeys.

NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/06/dining/bird-flu-avian-influenza-chickens-tyson-foods.html?_r=0
Bird Flu Outbreak Found at a Tennessee Farm
By STEPHANIE STROMMARCH 6, 2017

MA Establishment Recalls Shaved Beef for Plastic Foreign Material

A Massachusetts establishment is recalling shaved beef after a retail outlet notified the firm that the product had "readily visible, long, thin strands of clear soft plastic from packaging material".  They further stated that because "the plastic is readily visible and identifiable, it is highly unlikely that it would be consumed and, therefore, the health risk is extremely low."

USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/rnr-021-2017
F.B. Packing Co., Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class III Recall 021-2017
Mar 6, 2017
Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

Tortilla Products Recalled After Complaints of Brittle Plastic Contaminaiton

A Texas establishment is recalling ~23,500 lbs of beef & cheese tortilla products after the company received complaints of foreign objects in the product, specifically clear, brittle plastic.  There have been no reported injuries.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-119-2016-release
Ruiz Food Products, Inc. Recalls Beef and Cheese Tortilla Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 119-2016
Health Risk: Low Dec 21, 2016

USDA Recommends Using 'Best if Used By” Date Label

As part of its initiative to help reduce the amount of wasted food in this country, USDA is recommending that manufacturers use the term 'Best if Used By" for the label date when the product should be used by the consumer. They feel that by having a standardized terminology on the package, consumers will be more apt to adhere. The hope of course, is that they will use the product before that date.

Date marking is not required with the exception of infant food.  However, it is a good idea to have a time which the product is considered having sufficient quality for consumption.  Manufacturers do not want to have half-spoiled product on the shelf, nor do they want to have people throwing away good food.

To get to the USDA document - Link.


USDA News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2016/nr-121416-01
USDA Revises Guidance on Date Labeling to Reduce Food Waste
Encourages Industry to use “Best if Used By” on Product Labels

CA Meat Establishment Recalls Meat After Caught Changing Est Number on USDA Mark

A CA meat establishment is recalling 50,000 pounds of meat after they were caught changing the USDA establishment mark of inspection.  According to the USDA notice, "The problem was discovered on Dec. 5, 2016, when FSIS inspection personnel observed establishment employees removing the marks of inspection of the original beef suppliers and replacing them with the King Meat Services, Inc. (Est. 426) mark of inspection."

Perhaps they ran out of their own supply?  Maybe the price they paid was low enough to still provide sufficient margin?

King Meat Services, Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due To Misbranding
Class III Recall  117-2016
Dec 12, 2016

Texas Firm Recalls Ground Meat Due to Complaint of Metal in Product

A Texas firm is recalling 60, 350 lbs of ground meat after a complaint was made from someone who found a piece of metal.  Unfortunately, the FSIS news release does not say what conditions, in addition to one complaint, were present to necessitate such a huge recall.  Were there more complaints logged in the companies consumer complain file, was there a non-conformance on metal detectors checks or grinder plate checks, or was there a noticeable metal issue in the facility?

Good reminder to have proper checks in place for metal.


FSIS Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-071-2016-release
Sam Kane Beef Processors, LLC Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Material Contamination
Class II Recall 071-2016
Health Risk: Low Aug 10, 2016

FSIS Announces Online Posting of Location-Specific Food Safety Data

USDA / FSIS announced today that they will begin sharing information on food safety data specific to slaughter and processing facilities in the United States.

According to the news release:

• "Initially, FSIS will share information on the processes used at each facility, giving more detail than is currently listed in the searchable establishment directory, as well as a code for each facility that will make it easier to sort and combine future datasets by facility. Additionally, FSIS will release results for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and Salmonella in ready-to-eat (RTE) products and processed egg products."
• "On a quarterly basis, FSIS will then begin to share other datasets, including results for Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella in raw, non-intact beef products; results for Salmonella and Campylobacter in young chickens and young turkeys, comminuted poultry, and chicken parts; routine chemical residue testing data in meat and poultry products; and advanced meat recovery testing data."

This will be interesting.   How will fear mongers spin Salmonella data on social and mass media?  Yes, raw meat can have Salmonella and Campylobacter. 

 

 

FSIS Newsroom
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2016/nr-071116-01
FSIS to Begin Posting Location-Specific Food Safety Data Online
Data Sharing Plan Will Promote Transparency for Consumers and Further Improve Food Safety at Meat and Poultry Facilities
Jul 11, 2016

USDA Finalizes Rule on Record Keeping for Ground Beef

USDA finalized its rule for record keeping requirements for retail and USDA regulated establishment needed for grinding ground beef.  Under this rule, FSIS will require that all official establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef products maintain these records:

• The establishment numbers of establishments supplying material used to prepare each lot of raw ground beef product;
• All supplier lot numbers and production dates;
• The names of the supplied materials, including beef components and any materials carried over from one production lot to the next;
• The date and time each lot of raw ground beef product is produced;
• The date and time when grinding equipment and other related food-contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized.

These requirements also apply to raw beef products that are ground at an individual customer’s request when new source materials are used.

 

 

USDA News Release

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2015/nr-121415-01

USDA Finalizes Rule to Enhance Consumer Protection, Ensure Retailers Can Track Sources of Ground Meats

 

Congressional and Public Affairs  Josh Stull, (202) 720-9113

 

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a new measure that will improve the agency’s ability to determine the source of foodborne illnesses linked to ground beef, stopping foodborne illness outbreaks sooner when they occur. Based on lessons learned from previous outbreak investigations, FSIS is requiring that all makers of raw ground beef products keep adequate records of the source material, so that the agency can quickly work with the suppliers to recall contaminated product.

FSIS Updates Allergen Guidance with Focus on Incoming Ingredients

FSIS issued an updated version of their Allergen Control Guidance.  Allergen issues remain on the leading causes for recalls.  According to FSIS:

What is causing undeclared allergen recalls?

• New Ingredient
• New Supplier
• Misprinted Label
• Product in Wrong Package
• Product Reformulation
• Ingredient Reformulation

 A focus of this update involves ingredient related allergen issues. Inspectors are discovering issues as they evaluate incoming ingredients and a company's formulation. 

"FSIS has found that many of these recalls occurred because of a change in product formulation by the establishment or a change in a supplier’s ingredient formulation that was not reflected on the labeling of the finished meat or poultry product. "

A noted change was an explanation of a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) and a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Too many rely on a LOG to protect them against a supplier related allergen issue, but a LOG cannot be counted on to prevent allergen issues.

"An establishment should review and update the LOGs regularly to ensure that the decisions made in the hazard analysis are supported and to ensure that any formulation changes made by its suppliers are detected prior to incorporating the associated ingredient into the production process. Generally, an annual LOG will not be sufficient to support decisions made in the hazard analysis."

One of the nice additions is Appendix 6 - Allergenic Ingredients in Foods.  In this appendix, there is a list of common ingredients that contain specific allergens that may be missed.  This is a nice reference.  (For example, marzipan may contain eggs).

 

FSIS Website

FSIS Compliance Guidelines 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f9cbb0e9-6b4d-4132-ae27-53e0b52e840e/Allergens-Ingredients.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Allergens and Ingredients of Public Health Concern: Identification, Prevention and Control, and Declaration through Labeling 

November 2015

[from the document - page

Purpose 

 

This document provides guidance to assist establishments in addressing the hazard posed by allergens in their products. In doing so, establishments must comply with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) and labeling regulations. 

Colorado Company Recalls Raw Breaded Chicken Products due to Salmonella

 Aspen Foods is recalling 2 million pounds of raw, stuffed breaded chicken products due to a link to a cluster of Salmonella infections.  This recall is related to the product being recalled by Barber Foods.

 Like the Barber Foods recall, the product is raw battered, stuffed chicken products.  It includes chicken cordon bleu and chicken kiev products.  The spreadsheet accessed through the USDA announcement, has over 2000 entries for lots/brand /sizes.


USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-101-2015-release/
Aspen Foods Recalls Frozen, Raw, Stuffed & Breaded Chicken Products Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination
Class I Recall 101-2015
Health Risk: High Jul 15, 2015
Congressional and Public Affairs  Gabrielle N. Johnston  (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2015 – Aspen Foods, A Division of Koch Poultry Company, a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,978,680 pounds of frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken product that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, raw, stuffed and breaded chicken items were produced between April 15, 2015 and July 10, 2015 with “best if used by” dates between July 14, 2016 and October 10, 2016. To view a full list of recalled products, please click here (XLS). [View Labels]

Summary Data for Beef and Veal Carcass Baseline Survey

In USDA's Constituent Update, July 2, 2015,  FSIS provides a summary of preliminary data for the first six months of the Beef and Veal Carcass Baseline Survey (B-VCBS) that looks at the prevalence of Salmonella and E.coli on carcasses, - after removing the hide, and after cleaning the carcass (before it goes into the chiller - pre-chill).  FSIS is collecting swab samples from steers, cows, bulls, dairy cows, heifers, and veal carcasses in order to estimate the level of these organisms and to see whether  and to evaluate the pre-evisceration and pre-chill dressing procedures and slaughter controls.  From the document:

What do can be taken away from this:
1) The interventions used by the industry accomplish a big reduction in the level of pathogenic organisms on the meat.
2) Pathogens are present on the meat.  As pointed out in the release, additional interventions may occur after chilling,, so the number of percent positive purchased by the consumer will probably be lower (and have been shown to be lower).  However, consumers must still consider the fact that pathogens can be present.

California Company Recalls Meat Products Because They Illegally Added USDA Mark of Inspection

LQNN of Garden Grove, CA has expanded a recall of meat products  because they were producing meat products without USDA inspection, and worse yet, illegally applied the mark of inspection (the USDA seal) to the product.  The retail arm of the business, Lee's Sandwiches, has an expanding business in the western states.  The founder, Chieu Le, started his business as a food truck and now has over 50 locations. 

 So while the company stands by the wholesomeness of their food, it is awful to think that they jeopardized their business to skirt around USDA regulations.

USDA Recall Notice

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-081-2015-release

LQNN, Inc. Recalls Poultry, Beef and Pork Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection and Misbranded With Unauthorized Use of the USDA Mark of Inspection

Class I Recall 081-2015

Health Risk: High May 20, 2015

En Español

Congressional and Public Affairs   Gabrielle N. Johnston  (202) 720-9113 

EDITORS NOTE: Details of this recall were updated on June 3, 2015 to reflect a change in pounds, products and production dates of recalled products.

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2015 – LQNN, Inc., a Garden Grove, Calif. firm, added additional items to the recalled products list, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The added products should have been part of the original 213,192 pounds of chicken, beef and pork products that were recalled on May 20, 2015. The new total recalled poundage is 465,483 pounds. The products which were moved and sold in commerce, included the unapproved use of another facility’s mark of inspection, which has been identified as Establishment number 18995. LQNN, Inc., operating as Lee’s Sandwiches, has been processing products from federally-inspected establishments and re-packaging them without the benefit of inspection. Products produced without inspection present potential of increased human health risk.

USDA Develops Program for Certifying Food as GMO Free

USDA has developed a new program for certifying that a food is GMO free.   There is a similar program in place for organic foods that would cover GMO free as well, but not for just GMO free.

The verification process would be paid by the companies, not the government.


Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/usda-gmo-label_n_7284544.html
USDA Develops New GMO-Free Certification And Label For Foods
| By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Posted: 05/14/2015 12:47 pm EDT Updated: 05/14/2015 12:59 pm EDT 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department has developed a new government certification and labeling for foods that are free of genetically modified ingredients.

USDA's move comes as some consumer groups push for mandatory labeling of the genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

The certification is the first of its kind and would be voluntary — and companies would have to pay for it. If approved, the foods would be able to carry a "USDA Process Verified" label along with a claim that they are free of GMOs.

USDA Issues Rule on Labeling of Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products

Mechanically tenderized meat (aka injected meat, blade tenderized meat, chopped steak) will have to be labeled as such and also have proper cooking instructions.  This type of meat has a higher risk in that the process of sticking needles in the meat, or cutting the meat, can force harmful bacteria into the internal portions of the meat.  Because of this, it needs to be cooked more, just like hamburger (no rare or medium rare).  Unlike hamburger, it is not obvious that it needs to be cooked more in that the meat cuts look the same as whole 'intact' cuts of beef.

This is a good rule.  People are normally unaware of the difference of tenderized cuts of meat and intact cuts of meat and the fact that you need to cook it more.  Labeling these cuts will help. 

The rule does not go into effect until May, 2016.

USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2015/nr-051315-01
USDA Finalizes Rule to Require Labeling of Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
New labels and cooking instructions will give consumers information they need to safely enjoy these products

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced new labeling requirements for raw or partially cooked beef products that have been mechanically tenderized. Consumers, restaurants, and other food service facilities will now have more information about the products they are buying, as well as useful cooking instructions so they know how to safely prepare them.

“Labeling mechanically tenderized beef products and including cooking instructions on the package are important steps in helping consumers to safely prepare these products,” said Deputy Under Secretary Al Almanza. “This common sense change will lead to safer meals and fewer foodborne illnesses.”

Allergen Control - USDA Increasing Scrutiny

 In March, USDA announced (7230.1) that they will be stepping up their attention on allergens within establishments.....starting April 12, 2015.

FSIS will begin an ongoing, monthly verification task beginning April 12, 2015, to determine whether establishments accurately control and label the "Big 8" food allergens

Indeed, allergen issues have triggered a number of recalls of both USDA and FDA regulated products.  For USDA regulated establishments, conducting a reassessment of the allergen control program may be a good measure to ensure issues are discovered and corrected before the inspector does.

Tightening control of allergens should get increased focus regardless.  Extra control can be a huge cost savings compared to having to conduct a recall.

 There are a number of good resources to assist:
FARRP
FSIS
FDA
Food Allergy.org

Catfish and USDA Regulations - The Issue of Unintended Consequences and The One Food Agency Solution

In a New York Times article, a case study of how unintended consequences of a regulatory change has challenged the catfish industry.  The catfish industry wanted protection against imports, and so asked to be regulated as part of the USDA inspection.  It is however, not working out as intended.

Looking at the proposals being made to transition food safety oversight to one agency, it is not the things considered that will be a challenge, but all of the unintended consequences that follow.

NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/us/catfish-farmers-seeking-regulation-to-fight-foreign-competition-face-higher-bills.html?_r=1
Catfish Farmers, Seeking Regulation to Fight Foreign Competition, Face Higher Bills

By RON NIXONMARCH 20, 2015

WASHINGTON — In 2008, faced with increased competition from Vietnam and China, catfish producers in the United States did the unthinkable: They asked for more regulation of their industry.

Congress concurred and agreed to move the inspection of foreign and domestically produced catfish from the Food and Drug Administration to a more rigorous program at the Agriculture Department. The process, however, has dragged on for nearly seven years.

Now, as the Obama administration prepares to finalize the inspection regulations, domestic catfish farmers may have received more than they bargained for, experts say.

More rigorous inspections could cost an already beleaguered industry millions of dollars to comply with the new regulations, potentially driving more catfish farmers out of the business and costing hundreds of jobs in the rural South, said John Sackton, a seafood industry analyst.

One Food Agency - Is Marginal Benefit Worth the Potential Costs?

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk involving one food agency, and with the recent Administration proposal, perhaps there is a little momentum...little being the key word.  And much of the media seems to think it would be a good idea, and perhaps it is, but as pointed out in a commentary by Froma Harrop, (below) many of the arguments for one agency have little to do with food safety.  I agree.    The media sensationalism of outbreak events has given the general public a very skewed view of risk associated with food.

Now if combining into one agency would help to any great degree, perhaps, but at what cost.  Pulling the primary facets of regulatory oversight out of two agencies and creating another is unlikely to be a cost saving proposition.  Rather, and more likely, it would be more, much more.  We only need to look at the health care overhaul to see that it is very difficult to add agencies without enormous cost escalations.

Columbus Dispatch
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2015/02/25/1-in-debate-over-food-safety-system-lets-keep-it-honest.html
Froma Harrop commentary: In debate over food-safety system, let’s keep it honest



As things now stand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees steaks, chicken thighs and eggs out of their shells. The Food and Drug Administration keeps an eye on salmon, apples and eggs in their shells.

Fifteen government entities now supervise food safety, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (seafood).

President Barack Obama wants to consolidate all these food monitoring functions in a yet-to-be-created Food Safety Administration. Makes sense.