A Tale of Shrimp Tails - How Social Media Swings Responding to A Fake Contamination Issue

By now you probably hear of the 'tail' about shrimp tails in General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  It is a story worth reviewing for it tells the issues of dealing with today's out-of-control social media culture.

Basically story goes like this.

Monday

Guy (who we later find out is a celebrity-wannabe....a comedy writer) posts a pic of shrimp tails with General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Pic goes viral via social media along with commendation, jokes, etc. at the company's expense.

Tuesday

Company responds that this is not shrimp tails - based on knowing that this could not be possible, but without evaluating the product.

(https://nationalpost.com/news/world/man-finds-shrimp-tails-in-his-cinnamon-toast-crunch-cereal-but-the-company-says-its-just-sugar)

This amps up the complainant with anti-big company rhetoric.

But upon further investigation, it appears this product had been tampered with.  Indeed these are shrimp tails, but it appeared the product had been tampered with.

Wednesday

We find out that this complainant, Karp, is a true piece of work as past woman associates of his detail his lying abusive ways.

Now social media turns on Karp.

Thursday

The complainant Karp drops his social media presence.

Lessons to be Learned

Social media loves to serve out punishment with little to no searching for truth.   Main stream media follows along with little to no investigation of their own.  This is our new reality.

Companies involved in such fiascos need to have a rapid and accurate response.  (I wonder if flying a team to the site perhaps would have been better able to promptly ascertain the situation?)

Unfortunately in situations like this, it is important to pursue this to the bitter end or stories like this will never die.  Then the outcome of this must be clearly communicated.   Because in the end, what will people remember...and at this point, it may still be that shrimp tails were in a box of cereal.

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/man-finds-shrimp-tails-in-his-cinnamon-toast-crunch-cereal-but-the-company-says-its-just-sugar
Star Tribune
https://www.startribune.com/for-general-mills-a-quick-trip-through-the-grinder-of-social-media/600039327/
General Mills takes trip through social media grinder after man claims shrimp tails in cereal

Chinese Beef Product Recalled Due to Ineligibility for US Import

BC Food LA, LLC., a South El Monte, Calif. firm, doing business as B & C Food Co., is recalling approximately 1,643 pounds of Chinese style hot pot base products containing beef tallow. The products were imported from the People’s Republic of China, a country ineligible to export beef to the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The problem was discovered when FSIS received an anonymous report of ineligible beef tallow products imported from China.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/bc-food-la-llc-recalls-ineligible-beef-products-imported-china
BC Food LA, LLC Recalls Ineligible Beef Products Imported From China

Trident Seafood Recalls Salmon Burgers for Potential Metal Pieces

Trident Seafoods Corporation is issuing a voluntary recall of a single lot number of Pacific Salmon Burgers, Net Wt. 3 lbs. (48 oz.), because it may contain small pieces of metal.  There have been no reports of injury or illness related to the recalled products to date, however anyone concern about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. The source of the small pieces of metal hasn’t been identified yet. Trident Seafoods takes food safety very seriously and is investigating this situation thoroughly.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trident-seafoods-recalling-pacific-salmon-burger-public-notice
Trident Seafoods Recalling Pacific Salmon Burger - Public Notice
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Seafood/Seafood Product
Reason for Announcement:  May contain small pieces of metal
Company Name:  Trident Seafood Corporation
 Brand Name:  Trident
Product Description:  Pacific Salmon Burgers

Midwestern Pet Food Issues Recall for Pet Food After Samples Reveal the Presence of Salmonella

Midwestern Pet Foods, Evansville, Indiana is recalling specific expiration dates of certain dog and cat food brands [approximately 140 varieties of varying sized bags] including CanineX, Earthborn Holistic, Venture, Unrefined, Sportmix Wholesomes, Pro Pac, Pro Pac Ultimates, Sportstrail, Sportmix and Meridian brands produced at its Monmouth, Illinois Production Facility because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the company which revealed that the finished products may contain the bacteria.

This same company recently completed a recall related to Aflatoxin, but that product came out of their OK processing facility.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/midwestern-pet-foods-voluntarily-recall-due-possible-salmonella-health-risk
Midwestern Pet Foods Voluntarily Recall Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 27, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages    Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: Midwestern Pet Foods
Brand Name:  Multiple brands
Product Description:  Dog and Cat Food

Michigan Company Recalls Halva After MI Dept of Ag Finds Salmonella in Sample

Kareem Mart of Garden City, MI, is recalling its 1lb and 2lb Kareem Chef brand “Halva”, “Halva with Pistachio”, and “Halva with Chocolate” food treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing from samples in the stores by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).  The recalled “Halva” were distributed through Mediterranean food stores and wholesalers in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Between March 2020 to Feb 2021.

According to Wikipedia, Halva (also halvah, halwa,[1][2] and other spellings) refers to various local confection recipes in West Asia and its vicinity.[3][4][5] The name is used for referring to a huge variety of confections, with the most geographically common variety based on fried semolina.[3]

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kareem-mart-recalls-halva-because-possible-health-risk
Kareem Mart Recalls “Halva” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 25, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 26, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  Kareem Mart
Brand Name:  Kareem Chef
Product Description:  Flavored Halva

NJ Company Recalls Frozen Peppers and Onions Due to Plastic Material in Product

GK Foods USA, of Wood-Ridge NJ is recalling one batch of its La Fe Peppers and Onions, due to the probable presence of extraneous material, specifically small pieces of blue plastic.  This lot is comprised of 187 cases of  product which had been distributed in the North-East USA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gk-foods-usa-announces-voluntary-recall-batch-la-fe-peppers-and-onions
GK Foods USA Announces Voluntary Recall of a Batch of La Fe Peppers and Onions
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 23, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 24, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with small plastic pieces
Company Name:  GraceKennedy Foods LLC
Brand Name:  La Fe
Product Description:  Frozen Peppers & Onions

Two Retailers Recall Wing Sauce for Undeclared Fish

Two retailers are recalling two lots of Taste of Inspirations Parmesan Garlic Wing Sauce due to the presence of undeclared fish allergen.

While not specifically stated, this appears to be a mis-forumulation issue with these two lots,  From one of the retailers website, the ingredient statement (below) does not show a source of fish.  Since it affects two lots, it may be that something like Worcester sauce, which contains anchovies, may have been added by accident?

Ingredients:  CANOLA OR SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), GARLIC, EGG YOLKS, SEA SALT, CANE SUGAR, SPICES, NATURAL FLAVOR, ONION, XANTHAN GUM, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, NATURAL VITAMIN E ADDED TO PROTECT FLAVOR. CONTAINS STATEMENT: EGGS, MILK.

Source: DZA BRANDS LLC

Allergens and Nutritional Considerations

Added Sugars, Eggs, Milk, Soy

(source - https://www.hannaford.com/product/taste-of-inspirations-parmesan-garlic-wing-sauce/954321)

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/food-lion-recalls-select-taste-inspirations-parmesan-garlic-wing-sauce
Food Lion Recalls Select Taste of Inspirations Parmesan Garlic Wing Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared fish
Company Name:  Food Lion
Brand Name:  Taste of Inspirations
Product Description:  Parmesan Garlic Wing Sauce

Recall of Maple Pecan Oat Bars for Undeclared Peanuts

Bobo’s of Boulder, Colorado is issuing a voluntary recall of Bobo’s Maple Pecan Oat Bars because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts on the ingredient deck.

While not specifically stated in the notice, one could guess that this was a product mix-up where peanut based product was packed into Maple Pecan bar packaging.  [I guess Bobo's made a booboo.]

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bobos-issues-voluntarily-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-product?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Bobo’s Issues a Voluntarily Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 23, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Peanuts
Company Name:  Bobo’s
Brand Name:  Bobo’s
Product Description:  Maple Pecan Oat Bar

FDA Issues Warning Letter to IL Importer for No FSVP

Food and Drug Administration conducted a remote Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) for Aman Kapoor, Inc, of Elk Grove Village, IL   During this inspection, the firm did not have FSVP records for imported Cornflakes Mixture, Cashew Mixture and Dried Soup Mix.  The FSVP, or Foreign Supplier Verification Program is required to ensure that imported product meets US food safety standards.  This requires firms conduct a hazard analysis and ensure that controls are in place to control significant hazards.

FDA Warning Letter
Aman Kapoor In - 612711 - 03/10/2021 | FDA
Aman Kapoor In
MARCS-CMS 612711 — MARCH 10, 2021
Product: Food & Beverages