An outbreak of Hepatitis A in Canada has been linked to bags of mixed frozen berries. From the label on the package, it appears that the berries are, at least in part, imported berries.
How does this occur? Most likely an infected worker handling the fruit, probably at the point of harvest or initial processing, would have contaminated the fruit. Because the fruit is often used without any further processing, there is no point for reduction of the virus.
How can it be prevented? This is a RTE product. So strategic sourcing is critical. Have the farms implemented GAP procedures, especially those controls for farm employee health and exclusion of ill employees? This can be a more difficult issue with Hepatitis A where an employee can be contagious and not yet show signs of illness.
This has not been the first issue associated with frozen fruit products, so this indicates that there is more work to do with sourcing fruit from farms with good practices.
What is the impact? Hepatitis A is highly infectious. There is a period of time, about two weeks, from when a person is exposed where a vaccination can be helpful. The challenge is getting word out to those who purchased product. Once infected, the symptoms can vary from fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, to jaundice. Long term liver damage can be a risk for those high risk individuals.
The Star (Canada)
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/19/recalled-costco-frozen-berries-linked-to-13-cases-of-hepatitis-a.html
Recalled Costco frozen berries linked to 13 cases of Hepatitis A
Store is offering vaccinations to those who may have eaten its Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend that was recalled Saturday by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
By: The Canadian Press, Published on Tue Apr 19 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Monday, April 11, 2016
Listeria Control - What Will the FDA Guidance Look Like
Jennifer McEntire and Clay Detlefsen have written a nice article on Listeria monocytogenes control in food operations, comparing FSIS and FDA approaches to this point in time and suggesting what is to come with FDA guidance.
As we have seen with a number of recent recalls where product is recalled after test results come back positive, these facilities do not have good controls in place. One can bet that FDA might be playing a heavier hand with facilities in light of these recall issues.
As we have seen with a number of recent recalls where product is recalled after test results come back positive, these facilities do not have good controls in place. One can bet that FDA might be playing a heavier hand with facilities in light of these recall issues.
Quality Assurance and Food Safety
The Perplexing Challenge of Lm Control
GMA Update - GMA Update
Are we heading toward a unified approach?
Starting a Food Business Begins with Understanding Food Safety
Nice article in QA&FS on starting a food business and the need to understand food safety parameters. The information presented mirrors what we have found - when people understand the food safety elements, they are better able to design their process and product.
Too many new processors develop their process and then have to redo their concept after discovering that they have created opportunities for spoilage or pathogen contamination. Understanding HACCP principles, which is really a risk analysis, helps the new processor evaluate the process and identify the needed controls. They learn about proper process flow to prevent cross contamination, processing parameters to eliminate pathogens, and sanitation to remove hazards such as allergens.
Supplier control is another important concept for the entrepreneur, especially if that person is considering having another group co-pack the product. While it is the co-packer who will be tasked with control, it helps if the entrepreneur has an understanding of what the co-packer should be doing. Ultimately, it is the entrepreneurs label that goes on the product.
For more resources on Starting a Food Business, visit this Penn State website:
http://extension.psu.edu/food/entrepreneurs/starting-a-business
Quality Assurance and Food Safety
http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/small-business-success/
Small Business Success
Features - Plant Management
Overcoming the Challenges of Limited Funds and Resources
April 8, 2016
Lisa Lupo
Too many new processors develop their process and then have to redo their concept after discovering that they have created opportunities for spoilage or pathogen contamination. Understanding HACCP principles, which is really a risk analysis, helps the new processor evaluate the process and identify the needed controls. They learn about proper process flow to prevent cross contamination, processing parameters to eliminate pathogens, and sanitation to remove hazards such as allergens.
Supplier control is another important concept for the entrepreneur, especially if that person is considering having another group co-pack the product. While it is the co-packer who will be tasked with control, it helps if the entrepreneur has an understanding of what the co-packer should be doing. Ultimately, it is the entrepreneurs label that goes on the product.
For more resources on Starting a Food Business, visit this Penn State website:
http://extension.psu.edu/food/entrepreneurs/starting-a-business
Quality Assurance and Food Safety
http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/small-business-success/
Small Business Success
Features - Plant Management
Overcoming the Challenges of Limited Funds and Resources
April 8, 2016
Lisa Lupo
Salad Items Recalled after Supplier Notification of Listeria Positive Ingredient
Reser's Fine Foods of Oregon is recalling refrigerated salad items (egg salad, potato salad, macaroni salad) of various sizes (3.5oz to 8lb tubs) and various brands (Sysco, Safeway, Walmart, and Resser's) after their supplier that the onions supplied to Resser's tested positive for Listeria.
This is one of those cases where the supplier must be shipping product before they have results back, or perhaps where another customer tested the incoming onions and found that they were positive. Regardless, the work now falls on the manufacturer to recall the product.
Unfortunately, there have been too many issues with Listeria in produce operations. Supplier control, especially when those items are used in RTE applications, must focus on how the supplier is controlling Listeria in their processing environment. Is the environment cleanable to the microbiological level? Are they monitoring the environment for Listeria?
Reser's Recall Notice
https://www.resers.com/images/uploads/news/Press_Release_FINAL.pdf
RESER’S FINE FOODS, INC. RECALLS REFRIGERATED SALADS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK DUE TO ONION SUPPLIER RECALL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 10, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: LINDA RIEDMAN 503-267-8373
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is recalling nineteen refrigerated salad items due to notification from one of our ingredient suppliers that Listeria monocytogenes may be present in one lot of onions that was used in the manufacture of these salads. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.
This is one of those cases where the supplier must be shipping product before they have results back, or perhaps where another customer tested the incoming onions and found that they were positive. Regardless, the work now falls on the manufacturer to recall the product.
Unfortunately, there have been too many issues with Listeria in produce operations. Supplier control, especially when those items are used in RTE applications, must focus on how the supplier is controlling Listeria in their processing environment. Is the environment cleanable to the microbiological level? Are they monitoring the environment for Listeria?
Reser's Recall Notice
https://www.resers.com/images/uploads/news/Press_Release_FINAL.pdf
RESER’S FINE FOODS, INC. RECALLS REFRIGERATED SALADS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK DUE TO ONION SUPPLIER RECALL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 10, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: LINDA RIEDMAN 503-267-8373
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is recalling nineteen refrigerated salad items due to notification from one of our ingredient suppliers that Listeria monocytogenes may be present in one lot of onions that was used in the manufacture of these salads. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Sliced Apples Recalled in Texas Due to Listeria Positive Samples
A Texas food company, Fresh From Texas, is recalling products containing sliced apples after its own testing found two Listeria monocytogenes-positive samples. The product was sold through the food retailer HEB. The product was sold in bags and trays, also as part of multiple fruit trays.
No illnesses have been reported.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm494345.htm
Fresh From Texas Recalls Apple Product Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2016
No illnesses have been reported.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm494345.htm
Fresh From Texas Recalls Apple Product Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2016
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Lab Error Blamed for 2012 Case of Chocolate Recalled for Salmonella
In 2012, chocolate bars from Belgium were rejected for import into the US after a Belgium laboratory reported the product as Salmonella positive. The product was destroyed. After an investigation, the Salmonella strain identified was the same strain found by the laboratory in fish meal. Cross contamination in the laboratory? That is what is believed. Unfortunately, a few years back, there were not the whole genomic sequencing tools readily available as we do today.
This puts a light on laboratories and the impact of poor practices can have on a company's product. Tight controls need to be in place to prevent cross contamination. Companies need to question results that seem unlikely. Today, further investigation can be completed using whole genome sequencing to rule out laboratory error, including excluding the laboratory's positive control sample.
BioMed Centralhttp://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-016-1969-7
Case report of Salmonella cross-contamination in a food laboratory
This puts a light on laboratories and the impact of poor practices can have on a company's product. Tight controls need to be in place to prevent cross contamination. Companies need to question results that seem unlikely. Today, further investigation can be completed using whole genome sequencing to rule out laboratory error, including excluding the laboratory's positive control sample.
BioMed Centralhttp://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-016-1969-7
Case report of Salmonella cross-contamination in a food laboratory
FSMA Rule for Sanitary Transport of Food - Summary
FDA issued the final rule for the sanitary transport of food. The final rule applies to shippers, receivers, loaders and carriers who transport food in the United States by motor or rail vehicle.
It is important that companies evaluate their own shipping, and if using third party shippers, that those trucking companies are in compliance. This will apply to USDA product.
Key Provisions:
It is important that companies evaluate their own shipping, and if using third party shippers, that those trucking companies are in compliance. This will apply to USDA product.
Key Provisions:
- The design and maintenance of vehicles and transportation equipment to ensure that it does not cause the food that it transports to become unsafe.
- Measures taken during transportation to ensure food safety - Including adequate
- temperature controls,
- preventing contamination of ready to eat food from touching raw food,
- protection of food from contamination by non-food items in the same load or previous load, and protection of food from cross-contact (including the unintentional incorporation of a food allergen.)
- Training of carrier personnel in sanitary transportation practices and documentation of the training when the carrier is responsible for sanitary conditions during transport. (FDA plans to have an on-line training program).
- Maintenance of records of written procedures, agreements and training (required of carriers). The required retention time for these records not exceed 12 months (depending on the type of record.
- Shippers, receivers, or carriers engaged in food transportation operations that have less than $500,000 in average annual revenue
- Transportation activities performed by a farm
- Transportation of food that is completely enclosed by a container except a food that requires temperature control for safety
- Food shipped through the US but not consumed in US.
FDA - FSMA
Fact Sheet
FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food
Complete Rule in PDF
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food is now final, advancing FDA’s efforts to protect foods from farm to table by keeping them safe from contamination during transportation. The earliest compliance dates for some firms begin one year after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Roasted Red Peppers Recalled Due To Consumer Complaints on Glass Pieces
Cans of roasted red pepper strips are being recalled due to the possible presence of glass pieces. The recall comes after the firm received complaints. There have been no injuries.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493852.htm
Roland Foods, LLC, Initiates A Voluntary Recall Of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips Due To The Possible Presence Of Glass In The Product
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016
Contact Consumers Consumer Hotline 800.221.4030 ext. 222
Announcement
View Product Photos
Roland Foods, LLC, of New York, NY, in cooperation with the manufacturer in Peru, is initiating a voluntary recall of specific lots of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips due to the possible presence of glass fragments in the product, therefore posing a potential health hazard.
Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips were distributed nationwide and to Canada to food distributors, food service customers, and super market chains for further distribution or use.
The following product is subject to the voluntary recall:
Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips, NET Wt. 5 LB. 8 OZ. can
Item #: 45628
Lot #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
UPC #: 10041224456287 (carton) and 041224456280 (can)
Pack Size: 6 x 5 LB. 8 OZ. cans per shipping carton
Production Codes (code is ink jet printed on the top of the can):
G1 MSS 1 P0929 and G1 MSS 2 P0929
Carton Markings:
ITEM 45628
LOT #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips
Roland®
UPC 10041224456287
No other sizes of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips or products are affected by the voluntary recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after the firm received customer complaints of glass in the product. The recalling firm has notified the manufacturer of the findings in order to conduct an investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers can visit www.rolandfood.com
, or contact its Consumer Hotline at 1-800.221.4030 ext. 222, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm EST, for further information about the voluntary recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493852.htm
Roland Foods, LLC, Initiates A Voluntary Recall Of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips Due To The Possible Presence Of Glass In The Product
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016
Contact Consumers Consumer Hotline 800.221.4030 ext. 222
Announcement
View Product Photos
Roland Foods, LLC, of New York, NY, in cooperation with the manufacturer in Peru, is initiating a voluntary recall of specific lots of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips due to the possible presence of glass fragments in the product, therefore posing a potential health hazard.
Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips were distributed nationwide and to Canada to food distributors, food service customers, and super market chains for further distribution or use.
The following product is subject to the voluntary recall:
Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips, NET Wt. 5 LB. 8 OZ. can
Item #: 45628
Lot #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
UPC #: 10041224456287 (carton) and 041224456280 (can)
Pack Size: 6 x 5 LB. 8 OZ. cans per shipping carton
Production Codes (code is ink jet printed on the top of the can):
G1 MSS 1 P0929 and G1 MSS 2 P0929
Carton Markings:
ITEM 45628
LOT #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips
Roland®
UPC 10041224456287
No other sizes of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips or products are affected by the voluntary recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after the firm received customer complaints of glass in the product. The recalling firm has notified the manufacturer of the findings in order to conduct an investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers can visit www.rolandfood.com
, or contact its Consumer Hotline at 1-800.221.4030 ext. 222, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm EST, for further information about the voluntary recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product.Cashew Products Recalled for Potential for Small Glass Pieces
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is recalling for a limited amount of Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces product, due to the possible presence of small glass pieces. The glass pieces were believed to have come in on the incoming product.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493872.htm
Snyder's-Lance Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of Emerald® Cashew Roasted & Salted Halves & Pieces Due to Potential Presence of Glass
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016
Contact
Consumers Consumer Affairs http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ 503-364-0399
Announcement
View Product Photos
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall for a limited amount of Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces product, distributed nationwide, due to the possible presence of small glass pieces. This voluntary recall covers only specific production codes of the following product:
Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 7 Packs / 0.62oz
No injuries have been reported to date. We are recalling these products because they may contain small pieces of glass that could potentially cause injury. Although our investigation is ongoing, we believe the source of the glass to be the raw cashews received from one of our suppliers under a specific lot code.
We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution after receiving a consumer complaint.
Consumers who may have purchased the product listed above should not consume it but should contact Consumer Affairs for a full refund online at http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ or by calling 503-364-0399 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time, Monday – Friday.
The voluntary recall is limited to the production codes listed below. To locate the production code on the carton or inner package, consumers should look next to the nutrition facts panel. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of Emerald products are affected by this recall.
Information regarding Emerald product affected by this recall:
Product NameRetail Carton UPC CodeRetail Carton Best Before DateInner Package UPC CodeInner Package Production Code
Emerald 100 Calorie Packs Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 0 10300 33324 1 12 DEC 16
13 DEC 16
18 DEC 16
21 DEC 16 0 10300 33399 9 15346D346S
15347D346S
15352D346S
15355D346S
The quality and safety of our products are the top priority for our company. We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this recall. We are working and cooperating fully with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration on this voluntary recall.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493872.htm
Snyder's-Lance Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of Emerald® Cashew Roasted & Salted Halves & Pieces Due to Potential Presence of Glass
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016
Contact
Consumers Consumer Affairs http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ 503-364-0399
Announcement
View Product Photos
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall for a limited amount of Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces product, distributed nationwide, due to the possible presence of small glass pieces. This voluntary recall covers only specific production codes of the following product:
Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 7 Packs / 0.62oz
No injuries have been reported to date. We are recalling these products because they may contain small pieces of glass that could potentially cause injury. Although our investigation is ongoing, we believe the source of the glass to be the raw cashews received from one of our suppliers under a specific lot code.
We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution after receiving a consumer complaint.
Consumers who may have purchased the product listed above should not consume it but should contact Consumer Affairs for a full refund online at http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ or by calling 503-364-0399 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time, Monday – Friday.
The voluntary recall is limited to the production codes listed below. To locate the production code on the carton or inner package, consumers should look next to the nutrition facts panel. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of Emerald products are affected by this recall.
Information regarding Emerald product affected by this recall:
Product NameRetail Carton UPC CodeRetail Carton Best Before DateInner Package UPC CodeInner Package Production Code
Emerald 100 Calorie Packs Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 0 10300 33324 1 12 DEC 16
13 DEC 16
18 DEC 16
21 DEC 16 0 10300 33399 9 15346D346S
15347D346S
15352D346S
15355D346S
The quality and safety of our products are the top priority for our company. We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this recall. We are working and cooperating fully with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration on this voluntary recall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)