CDC - 2018 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Cake Batter

In a 2018 Salmonella outbreak where 7 people in 5 different states become ill, raw cake mix was identified as the source.  The organism isolated from the individuals match the organism found in an unopen box of cake mix.

Of course, this means that these people ate raw cake dough.  In one case, "The Wisconsin patient reported having consumed an entire box of raw white cake mix over several days during the likely exposure period."

And what are we supposed to do with cake flour....bake it.  One can guess there are no instructions on the box for eating it raw.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6834a5.htm
Notes from the Field: Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Agbeni Associated with Consumption of Raw Cake Mix — Five States, 2018
Weekly / August 30, 2019 / 68(34);751–752

Recalls of Two Strange Brands Remind Us of Why FDA is Stretched Thin

Here are two items I have no particular care about...a tea from Oregon and a spice blend sold in NYC.  However, both have the potential to be pretty serious issues -the tea is being recalled for Salmonella and the spice product is recalled for potential lead - but both will have little impact on the majority of people.  However, just because most all of us are unlikely to drink the Milk Lady's Herbal Tea or use Balquis Yemeni Spice does not mean the FDA can give these suspect products a pass.

Food entrepreneurism is on the rise, but with that, there is an increased pressure on Federal and state agencies to ensure that regulations are enforced.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-mels-essential-goods-llc-recalls-milk-ladys-herbal-tea-blend-peaceful-baby-herbal-tea-blend
Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC Recalls The Milk Lady’s Herbal Tea Blend, Peaceful Baby Herbal Tea Blend, and Diges-teas Herbal Tea Blend, Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 29, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 29, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages  Coffee/Tea
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:Mountain Mel’s Essential Goods, LLC
Brand Name: The Milk Lady’s, Peaceful Baby, and Diges-Tea
Product Description: Tea

The Refrigerator as a Source of Food Waste - It is More than Code Dating

A study from THE* Ohio State University discusses food waste, specifically associated with items tossed from the refrigerator.  They find that there are a number of factors that lead to food waste..one is making a guess about the safety and quality of the product  in the refrigerator.  Other factors include "refrigerator cleaning frequency, grocery shopping duration and frequently checking nutrition labels are among food-related routines that affect the utilization of refrigerated food. Additionally, “best by”, “use by” and ambiguous date labeling significantly decrease the odds that food items are fully utilized."

Of course there is a focus back on label dating, "Our results suggest that strategies to reduce food waste in the U.S. should include limiting and standardizing the number of phrases used on date labels, and education campaigns to help consumers better understand the physical signs of food safety and quality,” Davenport said."

While the authors suggest there should be more attention on helping consumers make better decisions on whether food is bad or good, this is not always easy even for food professionals.  There are many unknowns as to a particular food in a given refrigerated that impact whether it is good or bad (from a quality more than safety standpoint...for the most part).  What is the temperature of the person's refrigerator? How long has it been open?  How many times has it been taken outside of the refrigerator and for what length of time?  Did anyone contaminate the product when open...with spoilage or pathogenic bacteria?  Is the product subject to oxidative rancidity? 

A stated date code is fine for closed product, but once open...the conditions in which the the product has been exposed have more of an impact.   That is, the exposure to bacteria, oxygen, etc.  At the very least, there will be increased potential for flavor loss over time.

Plus there are so many different items to have to make decisions about...leftover meatballs, jar of pickles, six jars of salad dressing, milk, yogurt, a dozen different condiments, etc, etc, etc.  And we have no clue how long it has been open.    In the end, we are forced to do that occasional mass eviction. 

Guilting people into not throwing food out is not necessarily the answer.  Rather, the key is buying and using what you will use in a short period of time.  Minimize the number of items and rotate them to use oldest first.

Unfortunately, we often buy and store way more than will be eaten in a short time.  We buy stuff that is 'meh' with regard to flavor, so it sits in the fridge.  Bottles come in unit sizes that are way more than we will use within a month or two. 

And as big as an issue of food waste is the packaging material that will end up in a landfill and with plastic, be there for the millennium.

*Trademark applied.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume 150, November 2019, 104440
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344919303350
Food-related routines, product characteristics, and household food waste in the United States: A refrigerator-based pilot study
Megan L. Davenport a, Danyi Qi b, Brian E. Roe a

Increased Exposure to Microbes in Air Reduces Risk of Asthma in Children

This is more evidence on the importance of exposure to the environment for children...in this case, Finnish researchers found that children who were exposed to a broader range of microbes in the air were less likely to develop asthma.  Further they "showed that farm-like microbiota of the child’s home protected children from asthma also in urban homes."  (I guess I should better appreciate that smell wafting over from the campus cow barns)

File this under - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.


FIHW
https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/microbiota-in-home-indoor-air-may-protect-children-from-asthma-how-to-bring-protecting-microbiota-into-children-s-everyday-lives
Microbiota in home indoor air may protect children from asthma – how to bring protecting microbiota into children’s everyday lives? 

Spain - Large Listeria Outbreak Affect 150, Linked to Fully Cooked Meat Product

The largest-ever Listeria outbreak in Spain as affected as many as 150 with one death so far.  The outbreak has been linked to a processed pork plant located in the southern region of Andlusia which manufacturers carne mechada, a pre-cooked meat.  The facility has recalled all product manufactured in the suspect facility.  There is controversy over why it took so long for action where 'it' was first detected on August 5th but took until the 15th of August to issue the alert.

Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-listeria/spain-issues-international-alert-as-listeria-cases-hit-150-idUSKCN1VB1Z0
Spain issues international alert as listeria cases hit 150

CDC MMWR - New Strain of Antibiotic Resistant Salmonella Found in Mexican Cheese and TX Beef

In this week's Morbidly and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC, a new strain of Salmonella is reported on.  This strain has decreased susceptibility to azithromycin, a normally recommend oral antibiotic for Salmonella infection.  According to the CDC report, from " June 2018–March 2019, an outbreak caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin led to 255 infections and 60 hospitalizations. Infections were linked to Mexican-style soft cheese obtained in Mexico and beef obtained in the United States."

The strain had been detected in soft cheese from Mexico as well as in steer slaughtered in Texas as well as beef.  "The genetic similarity between isolates from beef in Mexico, beef in the United States, and a steer in the United States strongly suggests that the outbreak strain is present in cattle in both countries."

"To prevent infection, consumers should avoid eating soft cheese that could be made with unpasteurized milk, and when preparing beef they should use a thermometer to ensure appropriate cooking temperatures are reached: 145°F (62.8°C) for steaks and roasts followed by a 3-minute rest time, and 160°F (71.1°C) for ground beef or hamburgers."  That means you need to use a thermometer.

CDC MMWR

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6833a1.htm
Outbreak of Salmonella Newport Infections with Decreased Susceptibility to Azithromycin Linked to Beef Obtained in the United States and Soft Cheese Obtained in Mexico — United States, 2018–2019

Time to Get Tough on In-Store Micturition and Other Forms of Intentional Contamination

What is up with this....people intentionally contaminating food?  We have this guy who relieved himself on Starbucks material in a Target store, the lady who did her business on a bag of potatoes, and people licking ice cream and putting it back in the display.   A guy just got five years for falsifying results on testing, but what about these people who intentionally tamper with food?

Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/man-urinates-starbucks-cups-coffee-police
Man urinates on Starbucks cups, coffee filters, and in employee sink before fleeing the store, police say

CDC Reports Increasing Number of Hepatitis A Cases Across Country

Hepatitis A viral infection has been on the upswing across the country.  Since March of 2016, there have been 24,280 cases reported with 14525 hospitalizations and 236 deaths.  The numbers have been especially high in those who are homeless/have unstable housing or those using drugs.  Pennsylvania has had 376 of those cases while Ohio has had 3244 cases.

This increased level can put a lot of pressure on the foodservice sector, especially in the larger cities where establishments may be more likely to hire those those considered high risk for contracting the illness or have more interaction.

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2017March-HepatitisA.htm
Widespread outbreaks of hepatitis A across the United States
Since March 2017, CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) has been assisting multiple state and local health departments with hepatitis A outbreaks, spread through person-to-person contact.

At a Glance
Since the outbreaks were first identified in 2016, 29 states have publicly reported the following as of August 16, 2019

• Cases: 24,280
• Hospitalizations: 14,525 (60%)
• Deaths: 236

This Week in Allergen Related Recalls for Week Ending August 24, 2019

Reaction Leads to Recall of Cookies Due to Undeclared Egg - Whole Foods is recalling "Decorated Red Apple Cookies” are being recalled because they may contain undeclared egg.  One allergic reaction has been reported to date; the recall was initiated after a customer notified the store. All affected product has been removed from store shelves.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-decorated-red-apple-cookies-issued-southern-pacific-whole-foods-market
Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg in “Decorated Red Apple Cookies” Issued by Southern Pacific Whole Foods Market Stores
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: August 22, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Egg
Company Name:Whole Foods Market Stores
Brand Name: Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Iced Sugar Cookies

GA Establishment Recalls RTE Diced Chicken Linked to Listeria Outbreak in Canada

Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,810 pounds of fully cooked  frozen, diced, and mechanically separated ready-to-eat chicken products after it was s discovered on August 17, 2019, by Canadian Food Inspection Agency that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The Canadian buyer recalled their Rosemount branded product on August 19th.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-085-2019-release
Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked Poultry Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
085-2019 
Health Risk:High 
Aug 20, 2019

Caviar Processor Expands Recall

A Washington State firm is expanding its recall of canned caviar after Canadian authorities found additional lot samples were low in salt.  The original recall was posted on August 15th.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntarily-recalls-grained-salmon-caviar-95g-because-possible-health-risk
Voluntarily Recalls Grained Salmon Caviar 95g Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary

Company Announcement Date: August 21, 2019

FDA Publish Date:August 21, 2019 

Product Type:Food & Beverages 

Reason for Announcement: Potential Clostridium botulinum contamination

Company Name: AWERS, Inc.

Brand Name: AWERS

Product Description: Grained Salmon Caviar

CT Meat Processor Fakes E. coli Testing and Now Faces Five Years in Prison

The owner of a CT meat processing facility is facing five years in prison after falsifying E. coli test results required by USDA for beef carcasses.  According to authorities,"the company must perform one generic E. coli test swab for every 300 animals slaughtered, and to collect ground-beef samples for testing"...which is not a huge burden compared to the sentence he is facing.

Hartford Business
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/feds-ct-meat-packer-faked-e-coli-tests
Feds: CT meat packer faked E. coli tests

August 21, 2019 

Wisconsin Brewery Recalls Beer Due to Potential for Exploding Bottles

A Wisconsin brewery is recalling its sour cherry infused beer, My Turn Junk because of the potential for exploding bottles due to wild yeast associated with the cherry.   These yeast may continue fermenting in the bottle, creating excessive gas and with that pressure, causing the bottles to explode, or the caps to come off.  With exploding bottles, glass can be a hazard, or at the least, having beer all over your house.

We get many questions on people wanting to add ingredients or change formulation for traditional fermentation processes..whether that is alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine or with items like kombucha (fermented tea).  The problem is that we never know that the formulation change will do to the traditional fermentation process.  Some ingredients may bring other microorganisms into the reaction, they may bring added sugars which can result in extra gas, or it can impact pH, which may resulting in growth of unwanted bacteria including pathogens. 

We have had some people want to leave the salt out of sauerkraut fermentation to reduce sodium in the product...well, that salt helps to select the right organisms and thus the correct fermentation, and leaving the salt out opens the door to other microorganisms growing.

ABC WISN 12

MILWAUKEE —

Brewery recalls beer because bottles may explode

Lakefront said the "My Turn Junk" kettle sour cherry beer was "deemed too volatile."

WISN 

Updated: 1:48 PM CDT Aug 15, 2019

Organic Food Fraud - Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Farmers Also Sentenced

From a Washington Post article, a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for organic food fraud.  He worked with a few farmers to take conventionally grown food and call it organic.  "The farmers grew traditional corn and soybeans, mixed them with a small amount of certified organic grains, and falsely marketed them all as certified organic by the U.S. Department of  Agriculture. Most of the grains were sold as animal feed to companies that marketed organic meat and meat products."

Of course because they were labeled as organic, they were able to charge much more for the crop items and thus incurred a higher return.  "The farmers reaped more than $120 million in proceeds from sales of the tainted grain. The  scheme may have involved up to 7 percent of organic corn grown in the U.S. in 2016 and 8 percent of the organic soybeans, prosecutors said."

The farmers were also sentenced with up to 2 years in prison.

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/farmers-to-be-sentenced-in-largest-us-organic-fraud-case/2019/08/16/ef533078-c031-11e9-a8b0-7ed8a0d5dc5d_story.html
Leader of largest US organic food fraud gets 10-year term
By Ryan J. Foley | AP
August 16

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A judge on Friday sentenced the mastermind of the largest known organic food fraud scheme in U.S. history to 10 years in prison, saying he cheated thousands of customers into buying products they didn’t want.

Canada - Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Cooked Diced Chicken, Seven Cases of Illness

Canadian authorities are investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes - higher risk populations).

"As of August 18, 2019, there have been 7 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness in three provinces: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1) and Ontario (5). Individuals became sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six individuals have been hospitalized. Individuals who became ill are between 51 and 97 years of age. The majority of cases (86%) are female."

In November of 2017, there were 2 cases, and then starting in April of 2019 through June, there were 5 more cases.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-health-notice-outbreak-of-listeria-infections-linked-to-rosemount-brand-cooked-diced-chicken-835486323.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken Français
News provided by
Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 19, 2019, 12:27 ET

Study Indicates Potential for Increasing Mercury Levels in Seafood Due to Overfishing and Global Warming

A study published in Nature indicates that the level of methylmecury (MeHg, a potent neurotoxic substance) in predatory fish that we eat (including tuna, cod and swordfish) may be increasing due to global warming and overfishing.  Basically there is a change in the dietary patterns of these fish where the fish are eating organisms such as  squid and other cephalopods which exhibit higher MeHg concentrations than many other prey fish.

Inorganic mercury (Hg) is emitted to the atmosphere from both natural and human sources and this is deposited in the ocean where some is converted by microorganisms to MeHg.  This MeHg accumulates in small organisms but concentrations are amplified in the flesh of predatory fish as they eat the smaller organisms.  

Darn that global warming.

Nature

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1468-9
Climate change and overfishing increase neurotoxicant in marine predators
Amina T. Schartup, Colin P. Thackray, Asif Qureshi, Clifton Dassuncao, Kyle Gillespie, Alex Hanke & Elsie M. Sunderland
Published: 07 August 2019

Chicken Patties Recalled Due to Unidentified Foreign Materials (UFMs)

Tyson Foods Inc., a Pine Bluff, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 39,078 pounds of Weaver brand frozen chicken patty product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials.  The problem was discovered after the recalling firm notified FSIS of consumer complaints.  No specific mention of what the material was or how it got into the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-084-2019-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Weaver Brand Ready-To-Eat Chicken Patty Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 
084-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Aug 15, 2019 

Caviar Recalled Due to Improper Processing That May Lead to C. botulinum Growth

A Washington State seafood company is recalling its caviar after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested and found the product was low in salt concentration.  The issue was stated as potential Clostridium botulinum potential.


Article Citation:
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD and R. HILSHEIMER (1979) Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar. Journal of Food Protection: March 1979, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 245-248. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-42.3.245

Effect of Salt Content and pH on Toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum in Caviar
A. H. W. HAUSCHILD* and R. HILSHEIMER
Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Protection Branch, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0L2

Bottled lumpfish caviar was prepared with different salt (NaCl) concentrations and pH, and injected with spores of Clostridium botulinum. Under abusive storage conditions (30 C), outgrowth and toxigenesis occurred at combinations of ≤ 3.95% salt in the water phase and pH ≥ 5.2, and of ≤ 4.67% salt and pH ≥ 5.6. No toxin was formed at salt concentrations of ≥ 5.56% or at pH ≤ 5.0. A survey of commercial caviar products showed that most of these had salt-pH combinations which would effectively inhibit C. botulinum at abusive temperatures during storage.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/awers-inc-recalls-grained-salmon-caviar-95g-because-possible-health-risk
AWERS, Inc. Recalls Grained Salmon Caviar 95g Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 15, 2019
FDA Publish Date: August 15, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Company Name:AWERS, Inc.
Brand Name:AWERS
Product Description: Grained Salmon Caviar
 

FDA Issues Warning for Raw Pet Food, Company Recalls 35 Lots After Product Tests Positive for Salmonella and Listeria

FDA issued a warning regarding Texas Tripe Raw pet food in that certain lots of Texas Tripe Inc. raw pet food after samples from some of these lots tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).   Texas Tripe Inc. has recalled 35 lots for each of 23 product varieties.  The concern is that the pets can spread the pathogen or people can become infected with the pathogen when handling the food.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fda-cautions-pet-owners-not-feed-texas-tripe-inc-raw-pet-food-due-salmonella-listeria-monocytogenes
FDA Cautions Pet Owners Not to Feed Texas Tripe Inc. Raw Pet Food Due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 14, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 15, 2019
Product Type:Animal & Veterinary
Pet Food Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:Texas Tripe Inc.
Brand Name:  Texas Tripe
Product Description:  Raw frozen pet food

Training for FSMA Sanitary Transport Rule

An article in Fleet Owner magazine highlights an online training course for complying with the FDA's Sanitary Transport Rule.  (yes, shameless self-promotion.)

Fleet Owner
https://www.fleetowner.com/regulations/helping-companies-meet-food-transportation-law
Helping companies meet food transportation law

Fleet Owner Staff | Aug 09, 2019
An online course now offered by Penn State Extension aims to help transportation personnel nationwide meet federal food safety requirements when transporting human and animal foods.

The course, “Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food,” can help shippers, loaders, carriers by motor or rail vehicle, and receivers involved in transporting human and animal foods understand the Sanitary Transportation Regulation, which is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act — often referred to as FSMA.

The goal of FSMA’s Sanitary Transportation Regulation is to prevent practices during transportation that create food safety risks, such as failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads and failure to properly protect food. The Penn State Extension course breaks down the regulation in a user-friendly format that provides an overview of food hazards and how the risk of those hazards can be minimized.

Using easy-to-follow videos and short readings, the self-paced, interactive course outlines how to safely transport food in all stages of the transportation process. Participants will learn about regulations, hazards associated with food during transportation, basic safety procedures, and company procedures and documentation. To receive certification, participants must pass four short quizzes with a minimum score of 80%.

FDA Issues First Warning Letter to Company on FSVP Requirements

FDA issued a Warning Letter to an importer that had imported tahini product that was linked to 6 cases of Salmonella infection  in June of 2019.  This was the first warning letter regarding FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) requirements as part of FDA's FSMA regulation.

The FSVP regulation requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that human and/or animal food they import into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards.  This means that importer must have proof that the foreign processor has a Preventive Control Plan and can successfully controlled potential hazards.  In the case of tahini, the supplier must have process and environmental controls to prevent contamination from Salmonella.

In this report, FDA found that the firm had not developed an FSVP for sesame paste tahini manufactured by their supplier Karawan Tahini and Halva in the West Bank, but even more of an issue was that the firm was not familiar with FSVP requirements.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/brodt-zenatti-holdings-llc-583679-07302019
FDA Warning Letter
Brodt Zenatti Holdings LLC
MARCS-CMS 583679 — Jul 30, 2019

FDA Releases 2019 Testing Report for Yuma AZ Leafy Greens - No Pathogenic E.coli Found

FDA released the results of 2019 sampling of lettuce from the Yuma AZ region, which was the site of the 2018 E. coli outbreak (where over 200 become ill from eating contaminated Romaine lettuce).   In the 2019 sampling which began in mid-December of 2018, FDA "collected and tested 118 samples for each pathogen, with STEC and Salmonella spp. selected because they are the two pathogens most closely associated with leafy vegetables.[2], [3] Each sample consisted of 10 subsamples, and each subsample consisted of one head or two hearts (i.e., the center leaves) of romaine. The FDA did not detect any STEC of concern to human health, though it did find one non-pathogenic STEC strain. The FDA did not detect Salmonella spp. in any of the samples."

"The findings of this assignment suggest that there was no widespread Salmonella or STEC contamination of romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region during the period when sampling occurred. As a next step, the FDA is working with leafy green stakeholders in the Yuma region to consider a longer-term environmental study to identify and control risks that will prevent future outbreaks, with the ultimate goal of protecting consumers."

https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/microbiological-surveillance-sampling-fy19-romaine-lettuce-commercial-coolers-yuma-arizona
Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY19 Romaine Lettuce at Commercial Coolers in Yuma, Arizona

Content current as of:  08/14/2019 

Company Recalls Cooked Poultry Products After Complaint Indicating Potential Undercooking

Taylor Farms Inc., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 342 pounds of breaded chicken products due to a processing defect that may have led to undercooking of products.  The problem was discovered when the recalling firm notified FSIS of a consumer complaint, however there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-083-2019-release
Taylor Farms Illinois Inc. Recalls Chicken Products due to Possible Processing Defect
Class I Recall
083-2019
Health Risk: High
Aug 9, 2019

Bagged Spinach Recalled After Positive Salmonella Test

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is  recalling a limited number of cases of baby spinach after a sample of Baby Spinach which yielded a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Michigan. At the time of recall notification, all product had already passed the expiration date. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-baby-spinach
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Baby Spinach
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 09, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  August 09, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole
Product Description:  Baby Spinach

PA Woman Who Relieved Herself in Store on a Bin of Potatoes Gets Off Easy

A 20 year old woman turned herself in to police after she was nabbed urinating on potatoes in Walmart.  She will be charged with “criminal mischief, open lewdness, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.”  I think that is a bit too light on the charges.

NY Post
https://nypost.com/2019/07/30/police-pop-woman-who-peed-on-potatoes-in-walmart/
Police pop woman who peed on potatoes in Walmart 
By Hannah Frishberg
7/30/2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending August 3, 2019

Allergens in Sub-ingredients Missed on Label - Ruleau Brothers Inc. of Stephenson, MI, is recalling its 8 ounce containers of "Door County Whitefish Smoked Whitefish Pate" because they may contain undeclared allergens of Egg, Soy, and Anchovies.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an FDA inspection conducted under contract by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that the product’s labeling did not fully list all ingredients and sub-ingredients contained in the product. Some of these missing ingredients and sub-ingredients contained the allergens of Anchovy, Egg, and Soy.

Peanuts in the Chocolate Chip Cookies - JuJu Bakes, LLC, DBA The Cookie Dough Cafe of Bloomington, IL is recalling 15 cases of 1.6 ounce Chocolate Chip Chilled Gourmet Edible Cookie Dough Bars, because they may contain peanuts.  Allergen issue was found after an employee tasted peanut butter in a bar labeled chocolate chip. The employee sampling the item did not have a peanut allergy and did not experience a reaction. Her observation led to the recall of Lot #19177. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ruleau-brothers-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-eggs-soy-and-anchovies-door-county-whitefish-smoked
Ruleau Brothers Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Eggs, Soy, and Anchovies in "Door County Whitefish Smoked Whitefish Pate"

Soft Baked Cookies Recalled Due to Plastic Pieces Generated From Packaging Process

Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. is recalling Entenmann’s Little Bites Soft Baked Cookies (5 pack Mini Chocolate Chip variety) due to the potential presence of visible, blue plastic pieces in the individual packaging pouch. The plastic is not baked into the product since it was introduced during the packaging process. [so the plastic was generated by the packaging equipment / process.]
The company announced the recall after receiving consumer reports of visible, blue plastic pieces found on or packaged with the product. There are no reports of injury to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bimbo-bakeries-usa-voluntary-recall-entenmanns-little-bites-cookies-due-potential-presence-plastic
Bimbo Bakeries USA Voluntary Recall of Entenmann’s Little Bites Cookies Due to Potential Presence of Plastic Pieces
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 01, 2019
FDA Publish Date:August 01, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to the potential presence of visible, blue plastic pieces
Company Name:Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.
Brand Name: Entenmann’s
Product Description:  Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

Report on Listeria Sampling in Produce at Retail

Consumer Reports conducted tests of leafy greens from supermarkets and found Listeria in 6 of 284 samples. Do you stop buying leafy greens - No, the risk is extremely low.

Listeria is a common environmental microorganism and while certain strains can be pathogenic if present in sufficient number and are exposed to high risk populations, there has not been outbreaks from fresh leafy greens eaten as such. In this report, really only one of the sample organisms was deemed as pathogenic, but the level of organism present would not likely to be sufficient to cause an issue.

That said, the produce industry has been working to ensure the risk is minimized through basic GMPs and sanitation.  However, more work is needed to improve risk reduction of this organism in food operations including fresh produce.  More research is needed to better understand this organism in food operations as well as in retail operations.

Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/leafy-greens-with-listeria-sold-at-major-supermarkets/
Leafy Greens With Listeria Sold at Major Supermarkets
Consumer Reports found the bacteria in prewashed and unbagged products. Here's how to stay safe when eating greens.
By Trisha Calvo
July 26, 2019

Color Additive Regulations Amended to Allow Use of Soy Leghemoglobin in Fake Burgers (Veggie Patties)

FDA agreed to amend the color additive regulations to allow "for the safe use of soy leghemoglobin as a color additive in ground beef analogue products".  Soy leghemoglobin is the substance that gives the Impossible Burger its color and meat like flavor.

Leghemoglobin is a heme containing protein found in plants,  Heme is an iron-containing molecule that is found in animals, such as in hemoglobin and myoglobin.  This soy based heme is actually produced through the use of genetically modified yeast, so that it can produce via fermentation in large batches.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/fda-approves-color-additive-in-food-after-impossible-burger-petition/
NEWS | August 1, 201
FDA Approves Color Additive in Food After Impossible Burger Petition

Processing Issue Results in Recall of Canned Meat Product

Conagra Brands, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 32,400 pounds of canned beef products,  a single date lot of BEEFY MAC PASTA IN TOMATO & MEAT SAUCE, due to a potential processing defect, resulting in the potential survival of bacterial pathogens in the products,  The problem was discovered by the establishment on July 27, 2019 during routine activities.

One would guess the processing defect resulted in a potential under processing situation.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-081-2019-release
Conagra Brands, Inc. Recalls Canned Beef Products Due to Possible Processing Defect
Class II Recall 081-2019
Health Risk: Low Jul 31, 2019

RTE Polish Sausage Recalled After Complaints of Pink Rubber Pieces

Kent Quality Foods, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 48,681 pounds of ready-to-eat polish sausage with beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of flexible pink rubber.  The problem was discovered when the firm received two complaints of extraneous materials from retailers on July 17, 2019 and July 18, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-079-2019-release
News Release
Kent Quality Foods, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
079-2019
Health Risk: High
Jul 26, 2019

Company Expands Recall of Pig Ear Pet Treats Linked to Salmonella Illnesses

The Lennox Intl Inc located in Edison NJ, is expanding its voluntary recall of its Natural Pig ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recalled products affected where shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from November 1st 2018, to July 3rd, 2019.

"To date, Lennox is aware of cases of human illness related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak in which several people identified Lennox pig eat treats as the brand they purchased. Individually shrink-wrapped product tested by FDA tested positive for Salmonella. Lennox’s pig ears are also sold bulk unwrapped."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/expanded-lennox-intl-inc-voluntary-recalling-natural-pig-ears-july-26-2019
Expanded - The Lennox Intl Inc is Voluntary Recalling Natural Pig Ears on July 26, 2019
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 30, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 30, 2019
Product Type: Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name: Lennox Intl
Brand Name: Lennox
Product Description: Pet treat-Pig ears

This Week In Mislabeled Products for Week Ending July 27, 2019

Consumer Complaint Reveals Missing Milk and Wheat Allergens in Meatballs -  Home Market Foods, Inc., a Norwood, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 53,217 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat beef and pork meatball products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the products contain milk and wheat which are not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when the firm received a consumer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.

Consumer Complaint Reveals Missing Milk and Wheat Allergens in Beef Sticks -  CM&R Inc., a St. Paul, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 25 pounds of ready-to-eat beef stick products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain milk which is not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when FSIS inspection program personnel determined that the firm had received a consumer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.

Dried Fruit Missing Sulfites - Euphoria Fancy Food Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 500gram packages of “Tainy Vostoka Assorted Dry Fruits-Apple” because they contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 500gram packages of “Tainy Vostoka Assorted Dry Fruits-Apple” which were not declared on the label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-078-2019-release
Home Market Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Beef and Pork Meatball Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I Recall 
078-2019 
Health Risk:High
Jul 25, 2019 

Canada - Recall of Eclairs for Salmonella and Smoked Salmon for Listeria

Associated Grocers is recalling certain Celebrate brand frozen profiteroles and eclairs from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.  This recall was triggered by findings from an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak

 Delta Pacific Seafood Ltd. is recalling Western Family brand Original Wild Sockeye Smoked Salmon Nuggets from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  This recall was triggered by the company [Internal testing?]

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-07-25/eng/1564102652457/1564102654776
Food Recall Warning - Certain Celebrate brand frozen profiteroles and eclairs recalled due to Salmonella

Kansas Spice Company Recalls Taco Seasoning After Notified by Ingredient Supplier of Potential Salmonella Contamination

Williams Foods issued a recall for their taco seasoning after their cumin supplier notified them that another cumin customer had tested and found Salmonella in a lot of cumin product, the same lot sold to Williams.

"These items contain cumin spice involved in a recall initiated by our supplier, Mincing Spice Co. Mincing has issued a recall for a specific lot of cumin they produced because a sample from that lot was tested by one of Mincing's customers and was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella. A portion of the lot recalled by Mincing was supplied to Williams Foods, LLC".

What were the supplier verification activities and now how does the company change them to reflect the increased risk?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/williams-foods-llc-initiates-voluntary-recall-taco-seasoning-product-due-possible-presence
Williams Foods LLC Initiates a Voluntary Recall of Taco Seasoning Product Due to Possible Presence of Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 25, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 25, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible presence of Salmonella contamination
Company Name: Williams Foods LLC
Brand Name:  Great Value, HEB
Product Description:  Taco Seasoning Products

TX Establishment Expands Recall of Hummus Product Due to Listeria

Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX has expanded their initial recall (posted on July 17) of  hummus products to add a month more of production dates, now made between May 15, 2019 through July 11, 2019...originally May 30 to June 25.   The recall is "due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility (not in finished product) during an FDA inspection.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk-0
Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk

Ongoing Cyclospora Outbreak in Northeastern US....FDA Warns Fresh Basil May Be a Source.

Cyclospora, the single celled parasite has caused numerous cases of infection in the northeastern states.   Massachusetts is reporting over 100 cases since May and Virginia has had 39 cases and Maryland has had 42 according to the Washington Post (June 25).

FDA issued a warning for fresh basil in that it may be potentially related to the outbreak.  The exporting firm, Siga Logistics de RL de CV of Morelos, Mexico,  has agreed with the FDA to issue a recall of their product

Symptoms for this parasite include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and fatigue and can last from a few days to over a month.

Fresh raw produce is often the source with the parasite getting onto the produce through irrigating with contaminated water.  Like cilantro which has been the source food for Cyclospora, basil is a herb that is used fresh and must be more washed more gently in order to preserve leaf integrity.

The Packer
https://www.thepacker.com/article/northeastern-cyclospora-outbreak-source-investigated
Northeastern cyclospora outbreak source investigated 
Chris Koger
July 25, 2019 11:24 AM

Alabama Facility Issues Recall Due to Employee Injury Leading to Possible Human Blood Contamination of Raw Meat Products

US Foods, a Birmingham, AL, establishment, is recalling approximately 712 pounds of raw beef and pork products that may be adulterated due to possible product contamination after it was discovered by the facility that an employee may have cut himself during production (potential for bloodborne pathogens).  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-076-2019-release
US Foods Recalls Raw Beef and Pork Products Due to Possible Product Contamination 
Class I Recall 
076-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Jul 20, 2019 

Milk form NE PA Creamery May Be Linked to 17 Confirmed Yersinia Infections

Pennsylvania Dept of Health released a health advisory for those who may have purchased milk from Creamworks Creamery in Waymart, PA (Wayne County) because the product may contain  Yersinia enterocolitica, a food borne bacterial pathogen.   Product from this establishment may be linked to 17 laboratory-confirmed illnesses caused by Yersinia enterocolitica.

Y. enterocolitica

• Gram negative, short rods
• Can grow at refrigeration temperatures and has been an issue in products such as pasteurized whole milk and tofu.  Commonly found in pork and can be an issue in undercooked pork.
• Heat sensitive, so easily eliminated by proper pasteurization.  Poor sanitation and improper sterilization techniques by food handlers, including improper storage, may be a source of contamination.  
• Has a high infectious dose (>10E4 cu), so a small level of contamination would need time for growth.
• It causes fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain, which is often mistaken as a appendicitis.  It may also lead to some autoimmune complications.
• Symptoms develop after 4 to 7 days and may last 1 to 3 weeks.
• Cases of infection are fairly rare in the US.

In this outbreak, a good bet would be post-process contamination with time between the contamination event and consumption to allow for growth.  The dairy makes, pasteurizes, and bottles their own milk and that milk is sold  there onsite or through local retailers.

Pennsylvania Dept of Health News Release
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=626

07/19/2019

Department of Health Warns Residents Not to Consume Milk from Wayne County Dairy, Harmful Bacteria May Be Present

Egg Salad and Similar Salad Items Recalled After Sampled Product Tests Positive for Listeria

A Tennessee food establishment, Elevation Foods, is recalling containers of Archer Farms-brand egg salad; Freskëtbrand egg salad, tuna salad, and Thai lobster salad; and Archer Farms-brand deviled egg sandwiches produced on June 18, 2019 after testing by Florida Dept of Ag found  positive Listeria monocytogenes in 3 samples.  The state shelf life dates on the product vary, but are generally about 6 weeks, plenty of time for growth of Listeria at refrigerated temperatures.  (6 week old egg salad or tuna salad sounds less than desirable.)

It will be interesting to see if additional lot codes are recalled.  Having 3 positives in a given sampling could mean a more serious issue and with that, more additional date codes may need to be recalled.   While no illnesses have been reported, whole genome sequencing may unveil some linkage, hopefully not.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/elevation-foods-recalls-packaged-egg-salad-tuna-salad-thai-lobster-salad-and-archer-farms-deviled
Elevation Foods Recalls Packaged Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, Thai Lobster Salad, and Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 19, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 19, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Elevation Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Archer Farms, Freskët
Product Description:  egg salad, tuna salad, Thai lobster salad, and deviled egg sandwiches

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending July 20, 2019

Breaded Chicken Labeled as Unbreaded Creates Allergen Issue - Koch Foods, a Fairfield, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 743 pounds of fully cooked boneless chicken bites due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the products contain soy, milk, and eggs, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the firm received a customer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.  The 'frozen, fully cooked breaded boneless chicken bites' were labeled as 'fully cooked chicken strips' (unbreaded) and were produced on May 31, 2019

Fish Cakes Have Undeclared Allergens - Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is issuing a voluntary recall for eight (8) types of Shirakiku brand imported fish cake products because of the possible contamination of some allergens (Milk, Egg and Crustacean shellfish).  The recall was discovered through testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency discovered the presence of the listed allergens that were not listed on the product label. The manufacturer in Kagoshima, Japan has been made aware of the issue and is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the issue so corrections can be implemented.

Missing Wheat in Marinade - Fieldsource Food Systems, Inc., a Brea, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 12,953 pounds of diced beef and chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain wheat, an allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered during routine label verifications being performed by FSIS.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-075-2019-release
Koch Foods Recalls Breaded Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I
Recall  075-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Jul 18, 2019

CDC Report - 2017 Norovirus Outbreak Highlights the Need for Facility Controls

In CDC MMWR, a report discusses an outbreak of Norovirus that occurred at an Nebraska Event Center in 2017.  This outbreak continued for over two weeks with 159 people suffering from norovirus infection (three confirmed and 156 probable).  In the period of  the outbreak, October 27–November 18, 2017, nine events were held at the facility.  Two issues were cited...improper decontamination of facilities after the onsite of initial illness at the facility and then allowing people to come back to work too soon after being ill.

"The investigation revealed a public vomiting episode at the facility on October 27 and at least one employee involved with preparing and serving food who returned to work <24 hours after symptom resolution, suggesting that a combination of contaminated environmental surfaces and infected food handlers likely sustained the outbreak."

Norovirus is an issue in these settings when someone has become ill because:

1. The virus is highly contagious, requiring only a small amount of virus to be present in order to cause illness (infectious dose capable of causing infection with as few as 18–2,800 virus particles) 
2. Infected people shed a large numbers of virus particles, even those with asymptomatic infections. 
3. Norovirus is resistant to many common commercial disinfectants and is able to persist on environmental surfaces for up to 2 weeks or longer.

Strict controls are needed when someone onsite becomes ill.  The area must be completely disinfected and anyone exposed must be excluded from the workplace.

CDC MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6828a2.htm
Successive Norovirus Outbreaks at an Event Center — Nebraska, October–November, 2017
Weekly / July 19, 2019 / 68(28);627–630
Rebecca J. Free, MD1,2; Bryan F. Buss, DVM2,3; Samir Koirala, MBBS2; Monica Ulses4; Anna Carlson, PhD2; Brianna Loeck, MPH2; Tom Safranek, MD2 (View author affiliations)

FDA Issues Warning Letter To Candy Company - Allergen Control Issues and GMPs

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a chocolate company highlighting allergen control and other GMP issues.   This recall highlights the concern when a supplier has not controlled allergens in their product, and even states that, but the processor uses that ingredient anyway.  We are seeing this more often, when a supplier puts a precautionary statement on the ingredient which is purchased....then that issue becomes the purchasing company's issue.
Internally, the company's allergen control program was not implemented properly.

The inspection was started after an allergen complaint where someone reacted to a milk allergen in dark chocolate.

"The inspection was initiated in response to a consumer complaint regarding an allergic reaction and subsequent sampling conducted by FDA, which revealed elevated levels of milk protein in your Ultra Dark Chocolate Amaretto Rainier cherries"

This issue was primarily due to a supplier issue where milk was present in the dark chocolate where the purchasing company did not have milk listed.

"Although milk is not used as an ingredient in your dark chocolate covered nut and fruit products.   FDA found elevated levels of milk protein in these products.  Further, FDA found elevated levels of milk protein in the chocolate ingredients you use to produce your dark chocolate covered nut and fruit products.  These chocolate ingredients do not include milk as an ingredient.  Subsequently, you conducted voluntary recalls for the finished product lots associated with the FDA samples."

First, the company did not recognize this supply issue in the hazard analysis, even though the supplier stated it could be an issue.

"Your hazard analysis did not identify the unintentional presence of milk allergens as a hazard requiring a supply-chain applied control in the bittersweet, (b)(4) chocolate you obtain".....The need to consider milk allergens as a hazard requiring a supply-chain-applied control was highlighted by your supplier’s allergen policy indicating the possible presence of undeclared milk allergens.  Specifically, your supplier’s policy states that “dark items that do not have milk intentionally added as an ingredient may contain milk from cross contact due to processing on shared equipment.”

Once the company became aware of the issue, they did not revise their Preventive Control Plan.

"You became aware of new information when you received a consumer complaint regarding an allergic reaction to your Ultra Dark Chocolate Amaretto Rainiers (Best By 09/2019) and subsequent test results from a third-party laboratory and FDA.  Specifically, you received results from the third-party laboratory indicating the presence of milk protein in the finished product and raw ingredients on September 14, 2018, and September 19, 2018.  Subsequently, you received finished product sample results from FDA indicating the presence of milk protein at levels as high as 7000 ppm in your covered nut and fruit products.  You also received FDA test results of the chocolate that you obtained from your supplier indicating milk protein levels as high as 4300 ppm.  However, after receiving these results, you did not conduct a reanalysis of your food safety plan dated September 12, 2018, to consider whether food allergens are a hazard requiring a supply-chain-applied control."

And they did not determine what activities needed to be in the Supply Chain Preventive Control.

"You did not determine and conduct appropriate supplier verification activities,"

The company had internal issues as well:
4.  The company stated they would put a schedule run process in place to run products with specific allergens, but did not follow this run schdule.

"You did not implement a preventive control, as required by 21 CFR 117.135(a).  Specifically, your food safety plan dated September 12, 2018, contains the preventive control of “run order of allergenic materials” for the food safety hazard of “food allergens from other products."

5. Mishandling of rework that leads to cross contact
6. Did not conduct visual inspection for allergen control

"our investigators observed apparent chocolate powder and residue on the outside and inside of the air vents for pan #(b)(4) and #(b)(4).  These vents are used to blow air over all varieties of chocolates including milk, tree nut, and non-milk, non-tree nut products, which could cause cross contact of milk and tree nuts in products that do not contain milk and tree nut ingredients during the (b)(4) process.  ​​​​​​​And  b.    On November 7, 2018, our investigators observed apparent chocolate residue on the pouch machine within approximately three inches of open pouches of a non-chocolate product....", 

7. Did not document the monitoring of  allergen control cleaning processes

"..your food safety plan identified environmental monitoring as a verification activity for your sanitation preventive controls.  However, you did not implement an environmental monitoring program."  

8. Did not "verify that your sanitation preventive controls are consistently implemented and are effectively and significantly minimizing or preventing the hazard of environmental pathogens."

9. Employees were not washing hands
10. No backflow prevention devices.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/chukar-cherry-company-inc-573446-06272019
Chukar Cherry Company Inc. 
MARCS-CMS 573446 — Jun 27, 2019

Bison Ground Meat Recalled After Linked to Pathogenic E. coli Outbreak

Northfork Bison Distributions Inc., a Quebec Canada based company, is recalling its ground bison, referred to as Bison Ground, and its ground bison patties, referred to as Bison Burgers and/or Buffalo Burgers, produced between February 22 and April 30, 2019 due to potential linkage to an foodborne illness outbreak of E. coli O103.  This outbreak has affected 21 people with 8 hospitalizations.

The bison meat is under FDA, not USDA jurisdiction.*

If frozen patties, there is always the concern for under cooking, especially when people do not use a thermometer to verify the product is properly cooked (160F internal temp).

Interesting, the cooking instructions do not specifically say that the meat has to be cooked to 160F...unless I missed it.  Cooking temperatures are listed on the website, but going through the blog, there is certainly a miss for cooking (https://www.northforkbison.com/best-bison-burger-tips) as well as their video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjzZOgXyAw0) which when you add foie gras, the temperature should technically be 165F.

*  From USDA website

How is bison inspected?
Bison may be inspected under voluntary federal inspection or FDA equivalent inspection. FDA equivalent inspection includes state inspection. Under voluntary federal inspection by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), businesses pay an hourly rate for inspection services. Voluntary inspection is handled under the Agriculture Marketing Act, which gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to take whatever steps are necessary to make the product marketable.
Federal inspection is done on a carcass-by-carcass basis by FSIS. The FSIS inspector must have knowledge about that particular species and the carcass must fit available equipment in the plant. Each bison and its internal organs are inspected for signs of disease. The triangle shaped "U.S. Inspected and Passed" seal ensures the bison is wholesome and free from disease. Note: Some states require all exotic animals be inspected in order to be sold in commerce.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-linked-ground-bison-northfork-bison-distributions-july-2019
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli Linked to Ground Bison from Northfork Bison Distributions, July 2019
Consumers should avoid recalled Northfork Bison Distributions, Inc. ground bison and bison patties/burgers imported from Canada

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 21
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: June 18, 2019
States with Cases: CT, FL, MI, MO, NJ, NY, PA

Hummus Recalled by TX Establishment After FDA Finds Listeria in Production Facility

Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX is recalling certain hummus products made between May 30, 2019 and June 25, 2019, after FDA identified Listeria in the manufacturing facility (not in finished product) during an FDA inspection.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk
Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 15, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 16, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to potential Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Pita Pal Foods, LP
Brand Name:  Bucee’s, Fresh Thyme, Harris Teeter, other
Product Description:  hummus products

Growers Express Expands Recall of Fresh Processed Vegetable Product After Additional Listeria Positive

Growers Express is expanding its original recall of frozen vegetables posted on July 1 originating from their Biddeford Maine production facility.   The release states, "After further testing of an additional product lot from the suspected source of the recall, a single retail sample was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company has expanded the list of recalled products to include certain specific fresh Brussels sprouts, fresh cauliflower florets and fresh green beans products with the “best by” or “pack dates” identified in the chart below."

So basically, they held four days of production (Best by 6-26 to 6/29) thinking they had captured the issue, but after testing, they found an additional positive sample in a different production lot.  Being that they found one positive, one would guess that this indicates that the contamination level is low.   This is a challenge with Listeria contamination.....a small amount getting into production of product, probably a  difficulty-to-find point source that contributes a few cells throughout production.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/growers-express-expands-voluntary-recall-select-fresh-vegetable-products-due-potential-contamination
Growers Express Expands Voluntary Recall of Select Fresh Vegetable Products Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria monocytogenes