FDA Warning Letter - FL Catering Company with History of Listeria

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Wise Spice Catering Company, of Hialeah, Florida, a facility producing ready-to-eat (RTE)  products including sandwiches and meals.

Listeria in facility and in product

• FDA "found that nineteen (19) swabs were confirmed positive for L. monocytogenes. Of the positive findings, one (1) swab was collected from the food-contact surface of a prep table in the (b)(4) Room used in the assembling of your RTE closed faced sandwiches, and one (1) swab was collected from the food-contact surface of a black milk crate holding raw tomatoes and onion used in RTE closed faced sandwiches and salads. This was not the first time L. monocytogenes was found in environmental samples collected in your facilities building. In 2020, FDA detected L. monocytogenes in six (6) environmental swabs; in 2018, FDA detected L. monocytogenes in nine (9) environmental swabs; and in 2017 FDA detected L. monocytogenes in eighteen (18) environmental swabs."
• "Based on the results of the WGS analysis, these isolates represent eighteen (18) different strains of L. monocytogenes. The WGS analysis identified multiple strains of L. monocytogenes isolated over multiple years which is indicative of the presence of resident pathogens or harborage sites in your facility."
• Many of these strains were found in different product samples tested since 2015.

GMP issues

• Ineffective measures to exclude pests from  packing and holding areas with sightings of cockroaches and flies.
• Drip / condensate falling from from fixtures, ducts and pipes 
• Improper cleaning including the use of unclean utensils
• Inadequate temperatures control

As of this issuance, the company looks to be be permanently closed.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/wise-spice-catering-company-640715-03082023
FDA Warning Letter - Wise Spice Catering Company

Mammoth Meatballs...Potential for the Real Deal Paleo Diet

An Australian company created mammoth meatballs from meat grown from cells with "DNA sequence from mammoth myoglobin, a key muscle protein in giving meat its flavour, and filled in the few gaps using elephant DNA."  "This sequence was placed in myoblast stem cells from a sheep, which replicated to grow to the 20bn cells subsequently used by the company to grow the mammoth meat."

"No one has yet tasted the mammoth meatball. “We haven’t seen this protein for thousands of years,” said Wolvetang. “So we have no idea how our immune system would react when we eat it. But if we did it again, we could certainly do it in a way that would make it more palatable to regulatory bodies.”"


The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/28/meatball-mammoth-created-cultivated-meat-firm
Meatball from long-extinct mammoth created by food firm

Exclusive: Australian company resurrects flesh of lost species to demonstrate potential of meat grown from cells

A mammoth meatball has been created by a cultivated meat company, resurrecting the flesh of the long-extinct animals.

FDA Proposed Rule to Allow Salt Substitutes in Standards of Identity

FDA is proposing a new rule that would allow salt substitutes in a products Standards of Identity.  "The amendments would permit the use of safe and suitable salt substitutes to replace some or all of the salt used in the manufacture of standardized foods. The proposed rule would not list specific salt substitutes; instead, the proposed rule would cover ingredients or combinations of ingredients used as salt substitutes by food manufacturers currently or in the future. If finalized, the proposed rule would support efforts to reduce sodium content in standardized foods and may help to improve consumer dietary patterns by reducing sodium consumption."

"The FDA began establishing Standards of Identity (SOI) in 1939, and since then, the agency has established more than 250 SOIs. Products like milk, milk chocolate, various breads, peanut butter, and ketchup have a SOI. SOIs often describe in detail what a food must contain and what is optional and sometimes describe the amount or proportion of ingredients or components. Many SOIs also prescribe a method of production or formulation."

Use of Salt Substitutes to Reduce the Sodium Content in Standardized Foods

https://www.fda.gov/media/166473/download

Co-op Grocery Stores - A Shopping Solution for Rural Areas

Many rural counties in teh United States have no grocery store.  To solve this, communities have come together to have co-op stores, or have found other innovative ways.

"The Rural Grocery Initiative was created in 2006 to help establish and sustain grocery stores in rural communities throughout Kansas."  

"Carver said innovation can help keep stores in small towns.  “We've seen success with communities kind of becoming engaged through cooperatives, through public-private partnerships,” Carver said. “We've even seen nonprofits and school-run grocery stores, as well as municipally-run stores in communities.”"


High Plains Public Radio
https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2023-03-24/rural-grocery-stores-are-dying-off-heres-what-some-communities-are-doing-to-save-them
Rural areas are losing grocery stores to consolidation faster than their urban counterparts — but some communities have come up with innovative solutions.

Packing in Cans vs Bottles....For Beer Quality

Which stays better longer...beer in a can or in a bottle.  The answer, "researchers report in ACS Food Science & Technology that the answer is, well, complicated, and depends on the type of beer. An amber ale stayed fresher in bottles, whereas container choice made much less difference to the stability of an India Pale Ale (IPA)."

"Cans and brown bottles of amber ale and IPA were chilled for a month and then kept at room temperature for five months to mimic typical storage conditions. Every two weeks, the researchers analyzed the metabolites in newly opened containers. Throughout this time, the concentration of certain metabolites in amber ale — including some amino acids and esters — differed significantly depending on whether it was packaged in a bottle or can. IPA, however, was much less sensitive to packaging type, possibly because of its higher concentration of polyphenols from hops. These compounds not only prevent oxidation but also bind to amino acids, thus retaining them in the beer rather than allowing them to get stuck to the inside of a container."

https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2023/march/cans-or-bottles-whats-better-for-a-fresh-stable-beer.html
Cans or bottles: What’s better for a fresh, stable beer?
PressPacs March 20, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACS Food Science & Technology

The flavor of beer begins to change as soon as it’s packaged, prompting a debate among afficionados: Does the beverage stay fresher in a bottle or a can? Now, researchers report in ACS Food Science & Technology that the answer is, well, complicated, and depends on the type of beer. An amber ale stayed fresher in bottles, whereas container choice made much less difference to the stability of an India Pale Ale (IPA).

KS Establishment Recalls Boneless Beef Chuck After FSIS Testing Finds E. coli O103 (STEC)

Elkhorn Valley Packing, a Harper, Kan. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,436 pounds of boneless beef chuck product that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was conducting routine FSIS testing of ground beef derived from this product and the sample confirmed positive for STEC O103. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

These items were shipped to distributors, federal establishments, retail locations, and wholesale locations, which includes hotels, restaurants, and institutions, in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (average of 3–4 days) after consuming the organism.  Most people infected with STEC O103 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/elkhorn-valley-packing-recalls-boneless-beef-chuck-product-due-possible-e--coli-o103
Elkhorn Valley Packing Recalls Boneless Beef Chuck Product Due to Possible E. coli O103 Contamination

ELKHORN VALLEY PACKING LLC

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2023 – Elkhorn Valley Packing, a Harper, Kan. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,436 pounds of boneless beef chuck product that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ala Establishment Recalls Jalapeno Rope Sausage For Allergens After Mislabeling Issue

Kelley Foods, an Elba, Ala. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,455 pounds of smoked baby rope sausage due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the product contains cheese, thereby milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that a grocery store manager found that the Kelley Foods Jalapeño Pepper Baby Rope Sausage appeared to contain cheddar cheese, which was not listed as an ingredient on the product label. Upon further investigation, the firm confirmed that its jalapeño and cheddar baby rope sausage product contained the wrong label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kelley-foods-recalls-smoked-baby-rope-sausage-product-due-misbranding-and-undeclared
Kelley Foods Recalls Smoked Baby Rope Sausage Product Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

KELLEY FOODS, A DIVISION OF BEN E. KEITH

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2023 – Kelley Foods, an Elba, Ala. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,455 pounds of smoked baby rope sausage due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains cheese, thereby milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

Gluten-free Brownie Bites Recalled for Undeclared Wheat Caused by Co-Manufacturer

Second Nature Brands of Madison Heights, MI, is recalling its 4-ounce packages of Gluten Free Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle because they may contain undeclared wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the gluten-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by cross-contamination at a co-manufacturer, resulting in undeclared wheat in the product.

One illness has been reported to date in connection with this problem, to date.

This is just another issue we have seen where a co-manufacturer has been responsible for allergen-related recalls.  Also, we have a co-branded product here, where a well-known brand is linked to recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/second-nature-brands-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-gluten-free-reeses-pieces-brownie-brittle
Second Nature Brands Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Gluten Free Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 23, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 23, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat
Company Name:  Second Nature Brands
Brand Name:  Sheila G’s
Product Description:  Gluten Free Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle

IN Bakery Recalls Buns Due to Undeclared Sesame

Perfection Bakeries D/B/A Aunt Millie’s of Fort Wayne, IN. is recalling 8 ct. packages of Our Family® White Hot Dog Buns because they may contain undeclared sesame.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered the sesame-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame. Production of the product has been suspended until the FDA and Aunt Millie’s complete their investigation and are certain the market has been cleared of any incorrect packaging.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/perfection-bakeries-dba-aunt-millies-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-our-family-hot-dog-buns
Perfection Bakeries, d/b/a/ Aunt Millie’s Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in “Our Family Hot Dog Buns 8 Ct.”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 21, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 22, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen/Sesame
Company Name:  Perfection Bakeries D/B/A Aunt Millie’s
Brand Name:  Our Family
Product Description:  White Hot Dog Enriched Buns