One this that would be good to know is how the sampling / testing occurred after product had shipped and was utilized by their customers.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Sunflower Seed Recall Forces a Large Cascade of Recalls
After SunOptima issued a recall for Listeria in sunflower seed, a number of their customers issued recalls. Probably more to come?
One this that would be good to know is how the sampling / testing occurred after product had shipped and was utilized by their customers.
Recalls listed below:
One this that would be good to know is how the sampling / testing occurred after product had shipped and was utilized by their customers.
Related Frozen Foods Recalls Point to Weakness in Supply Chain Controls - Only as Good as Your Supplier's Supplier
Two recalls for Listeria have been announced in wake of the CRF frozen produce recall, with probably more to come, One is from ConAgra Foods for organic frozen corn and peas sold under the Trader Joe's and Watts Brother labels. The other issued recall was by a Texas firm that is recalling fresh corn relish and bean salad. There will no doubt be more recalls to come as companies evaluate their supply chain.
At the heart of this is a very complex supply chain. CRF and Oregon Potato, two frozen food companies based in the Northwest are ground zero. The problem is that these companies produce product not only for retailers, but also for other manufactures through sales of bulk frozen product. What happens is this...as these seasonal produce items are harvested, much of it goes into bulk. Bulk allows manufacturers to repack product as needed to meet customer demand throughout the year. Within a given season, one company may pack more corn than they have sales for, so they sell bulk product to someone else who needs that product to fill their own orders. These transfers occur throughout the year and allow companies to be efficient in meeting the demand of their customers. That is the good part.
The problem arises when one of the companies has an issue, say Listeria, that then affects the whole chain. For example, Company A is repacking some mixed vegetable product and needs to purchase bulk peas or onions form Supplier B to help fill the order.. Now Company A, who has a great internal Listeria program, purchases Supplier B who may or may not have a good Listeria Program.. Supplier B provides a COA showing that lot was good (Listeria negative). But FDA makes a visit to Supplier B and in conducting environmental testing, they find Listeria in Supplier B's facility.. It could even be that Supplier B sold product to another company who is then implicated in an outbreak that traces back to Supplier B. In these cases, Company A must conduct a recall.
This can even go further back. Supplier B was a little short on onions and purchased onions from Supplier C to help fill their order to Company A. And it is found that Supplier C has an issue. That issue now becomes a problem for Supplier B as well as Company A. And if Company A is producing product for 10 different retailers, now you have a whole lot of retailers having to recall product. And if Supplier C was also selling bulk product to two other repacking companies who were producing product for a dozen more retailers, we can easily see how this can expand.
It is difficult to ensure that suppliers are adequately controlling risk, it can even be harder to make sure that the supplier's supplier is adequately controlling risk. Unfortunately, as logistics / purchasing people look to take advantage of co-packing opportunities, the true cost of risk control may not be considered. These costs can include extensive product testing, on-site visits, insistence that supplier institute aggressive Listeria control programs, etc. To be fair, Listeria control was probably not on many people mind when these deals were made. However, moving forward, it must become a part of the picture.
FDA Recall Notices
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499623.htm
Company Announcement
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.
Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn, And Organic Peas And Trader Joe's Organic Super Sweet Corn Recalled Because Of Possible Health RiskFor Immediate Release
At the heart of this is a very complex supply chain. CRF and Oregon Potato, two frozen food companies based in the Northwest are ground zero. The problem is that these companies produce product not only for retailers, but also for other manufactures through sales of bulk frozen product. What happens is this...as these seasonal produce items are harvested, much of it goes into bulk. Bulk allows manufacturers to repack product as needed to meet customer demand throughout the year. Within a given season, one company may pack more corn than they have sales for, so they sell bulk product to someone else who needs that product to fill their own orders. These transfers occur throughout the year and allow companies to be efficient in meeting the demand of their customers. That is the good part.
The problem arises when one of the companies has an issue, say Listeria, that then affects the whole chain. For example, Company A is repacking some mixed vegetable product and needs to purchase bulk peas or onions form Supplier B to help fill the order.. Now Company A, who has a great internal Listeria program, purchases Supplier B who may or may not have a good Listeria Program.. Supplier B provides a COA showing that lot was good (Listeria negative). But FDA makes a visit to Supplier B and in conducting environmental testing, they find Listeria in Supplier B's facility.. It could even be that Supplier B sold product to another company who is then implicated in an outbreak that traces back to Supplier B. In these cases, Company A must conduct a recall.
This can even go further back. Supplier B was a little short on onions and purchased onions from Supplier C to help fill their order to Company A. And it is found that Supplier C has an issue. That issue now becomes a problem for Supplier B as well as Company A. And if Company A is producing product for 10 different retailers, now you have a whole lot of retailers having to recall product. And if Supplier C was also selling bulk product to two other repacking companies who were producing product for a dozen more retailers, we can easily see how this can expand.
It is difficult to ensure that suppliers are adequately controlling risk, it can even be harder to make sure that the supplier's supplier is adequately controlling risk. Unfortunately, as logistics / purchasing people look to take advantage of co-packing opportunities, the true cost of risk control may not be considered. These costs can include extensive product testing, on-site visits, insistence that supplier institute aggressive Listeria control programs, etc. To be fair, Listeria control was probably not on many people mind when these deals were made. However, moving forward, it must become a part of the picture.
FDA Recall Notices
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499623.htm
Company Announcement
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.
Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn, And Organic Peas And Trader Joe's Organic Super Sweet Corn Recalled Because Of Possible Health RiskFor Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Nut Products Recalled After Sunflower Seed Supplier Notifies of Potential Listeria Contamination
Tree House Foods is recalling a wide variety of snack bars and nut / trail mixes after receiving notification from their supplier that the sunflower seed may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Sun Optima, a Canadian firm, is also recalling sunflower seed products.
Sunflower seed would be considered a low risk product since they would not support growth, however the ingredient would be added as a RTE ingredient.
PRN Newsire
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/treehouse-foods-issues-voluntary-product-recall-due-to-possible-health-risk-300262111.html
TreeHouse Foods Issues Voluntary Product Recall Due to Possible Health Risk
Sunflower seed would be considered a low risk product since they would not support growth, however the ingredient would be added as a RTE ingredient.
PRN Newsire
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/treehouse-foods-issues-voluntary-product-recall-due-to-possible-health-risk-300262111.html
TreeHouse Foods Issues Voluntary Product Recall Due to Possible Health Risk
Case of Intentional Contamination in Michigan - Man Sprays Salad Bars with Chemical Mixture
In Michigan, a person was arrested after intentionally contaminating salad bars in local restaurants with a chemical mixture that included mouse poison. There have been no injuries reported.
This is a reminder that intentional contamination can occur and that employee in food establishments must always be on the lookout.
This is a reminder that intentional contamination can occur and that employee in food establishments must always be on the lookout.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development News Release
Advisory: Consumers Urged to Throw Away Potentially Contaminated Foods
Agency: Agriculture and Rural Development
Chicken Nuggets Recalled Due to Foreign Material
Foster Poultry is recalling 220,000 lbs of chicken nuggets because of the potential for foreign material - blue plastic and black rubber. The problem was discovered due to consumer complaints received by the company.
So far this year there have been a number of recalls due to foreign materials inclusion in product including another cook poultry product last month. These are extremely expensive mistakes that may not be given their due when complaints are received. These recalls should be a siren to evaluate consumer complaints and ensure that corrective action is being completed.
So far this year there have been a number of recalls due to foreign materials inclusion in product including another cook poultry product last month. These are extremely expensive mistakes that may not be given their due when complaints are received. These recalls should be a siren to evaluate consumer complaints and ensure that corrective action is being completed.
FSIS News Release
Foster Poultry Farms Recalls Poultry Products Due To Possible Foreign Materials Contamination
Class I Recall 033-2016
Health Risk: High Apr 29, 2016
Important Points in FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food
Earlier this month, FDA issued the FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food. What are some interesting points you should know?
This rule defines transportation as “any movement of food in commerce by motor vehicle or rail vehicle” and establishes requirements for sanitary transportation practices applicable to shippers, loaders, carriers by motor vehicle and rail vehicle, and receivers engaged in food transportation operations. The rule address vehicles and transportation equipment; transportation operations; training; records; and waivers.
The goal is to ensure that practices are in place that prevents food from becoming adulterated during transport from such issues as failure to control temperatures or cross contamination or cross contact (allergens) from inadequate cleaning.
The rule makes the shipper responsible for compliance to the rule. The shipper is defined as the one who arranges for the transportation of food by the carrier. The shipper could be the manufacturer or a freight broker. By rule, the shipper must develop and implement procedures for required parameters such as temperature control and cleanliness of the vehicle. The shipper can transfer some of this responsibility to the ‘loader’ or the ‘carrier’ based upon contractual agreement. They must have documentation to demonstrate this.
The rule is not prescriptive in that FDA does not establish mandatory procedures; rather it allows industry to use best practices to do this. So there are no regulatory requirements for continuous temperature monitoring, or the sharing of documentation for each load, or how a truck should be cleaned. Rather, it requires the shipper determine what is best in order for that food to be transported without becoming adulterated.
While there are some exemptions from the rule for food that is transported, such as farm activities, most other transport is covered including intra-company transport and food destined for food banks.
What about food that arrives and is out of temperature? According to the rule "An inconsequential failure by a carrier to meet the shipper's temperature control specifications will not necessarily create a per se presumption that the affected food has become adulterated. However, if a person subject to this rule becomes aware of an indication of a possible material failure of temperature control or other conditions that may render the food unsafe during transportation, the person must take appropriate action to ensure that the food is not sold or otherwise distributed, unless a determination is made by a qualified individual that the temperature deviation or other condition did not render the food unsafe. Failure to take such action may render the food adulterated."
For Loaders, those who put product onto the trucks, they must check the vehicle for sanitary condition and ensure proper temperature control prior to loading.
For receivers, those who unload the product, they must ensure that the product was not temperature abused and intact.
Carriers, those transporting product, must meet conditions established by the shipper – to include having the right equipment to meet sanitary and temperature requirements. The must also provide cleaning as required.
When carriers have responsibilities put on them by the shippers, their employees must be trained about potential food safety problems and basic sanitary practices. This must be documented.
Here is a link to the final rule.
This rule defines transportation as “any movement of food in commerce by motor vehicle or rail vehicle” and establishes requirements for sanitary transportation practices applicable to shippers, loaders, carriers by motor vehicle and rail vehicle, and receivers engaged in food transportation operations. The rule address vehicles and transportation equipment; transportation operations; training; records; and waivers.
The goal is to ensure that practices are in place that prevents food from becoming adulterated during transport from such issues as failure to control temperatures or cross contamination or cross contact (allergens) from inadequate cleaning.
The rule makes the shipper responsible for compliance to the rule. The shipper is defined as the one who arranges for the transportation of food by the carrier. The shipper could be the manufacturer or a freight broker. By rule, the shipper must develop and implement procedures for required parameters such as temperature control and cleanliness of the vehicle. The shipper can transfer some of this responsibility to the ‘loader’ or the ‘carrier’ based upon contractual agreement. They must have documentation to demonstrate this.
The rule is not prescriptive in that FDA does not establish mandatory procedures; rather it allows industry to use best practices to do this. So there are no regulatory requirements for continuous temperature monitoring, or the sharing of documentation for each load, or how a truck should be cleaned. Rather, it requires the shipper determine what is best in order for that food to be transported without becoming adulterated.
While there are some exemptions from the rule for food that is transported, such as farm activities, most other transport is covered including intra-company transport and food destined for food banks.
What about food that arrives and is out of temperature? According to the rule "An inconsequential failure by a carrier to meet the shipper's temperature control specifications will not necessarily create a per se presumption that the affected food has become adulterated. However, if a person subject to this rule becomes aware of an indication of a possible material failure of temperature control or other conditions that may render the food unsafe during transportation, the person must take appropriate action to ensure that the food is not sold or otherwise distributed, unless a determination is made by a qualified individual that the temperature deviation or other condition did not render the food unsafe. Failure to take such action may render the food adulterated."
For Loaders, those who put product onto the trucks, they must check the vehicle for sanitary condition and ensure proper temperature control prior to loading.
For receivers, those who unload the product, they must ensure that the product was not temperature abused and intact.
Carriers, those transporting product, must meet conditions established by the shipper – to include having the right equipment to meet sanitary and temperature requirements. The must also provide cleaning as required.
When carriers have responsibilities put on them by the shippers, their employees must be trained about potential food safety problems and basic sanitary practices. This must be documented.
Here is a link to the final rule.
Justice Department Investigates Salad Plant After Listeria Outbreak
The US Justice Department is investigating the Dole with regard to the Salad / Listeria outbreak. The question being raised is 'what did they know'? This comes after an FDA inspection of the facility found Listeria monocytogenes.
The outcome of this investigation is important for processors who manufacturer products that can be affected by Listeria, especially those that had been regarded as lower risk (do not support appreciable growth). Why? Many manufacturers have Listeria Control Programs that have verification monitoring that focuses on Listeria species testing before production, or pre-operational, on non-food-contact environmental surfaces. If found, then corrective action focuses on cleaning that area.
The concern is that this may not be aggressive enough. We have now seen that Listeria can be an issue in product that supports minimal to no growth. For one, we do not know how the consumer is going to handle products - perhaps using them as an ingredient in foods that better support growth, and in light of the Blue Bell outbreak, what minimal levels can cause illness in those at highest risk. A more aggressive sampling would look at sampling during production and looking more at food contact surfaces.
Can you fault the plant? Not based upon the current FDA Listeria Control Guidance. What will it look like going further?
Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dole-food-under-investigation-over-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-salads-1461966955#:tqCQf4DgV4N9hA
Business
U.S. Probes Dole Food Over Listeria Outbreak Linked to Salads
Samples suggest Dole had evidence of bacteria at Ohio plant a year earlier
The outcome of this investigation is important for processors who manufacturer products that can be affected by Listeria, especially those that had been regarded as lower risk (do not support appreciable growth). Why? Many manufacturers have Listeria Control Programs that have verification monitoring that focuses on Listeria species testing before production, or pre-operational, on non-food-contact environmental surfaces. If found, then corrective action focuses on cleaning that area.
The concern is that this may not be aggressive enough. We have now seen that Listeria can be an issue in product that supports minimal to no growth. For one, we do not know how the consumer is going to handle products - perhaps using them as an ingredient in foods that better support growth, and in light of the Blue Bell outbreak, what minimal levels can cause illness in those at highest risk. A more aggressive sampling would look at sampling during production and looking more at food contact surfaces.
Can you fault the plant? Not based upon the current FDA Listeria Control Guidance. What will it look like going further?
Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dole-food-under-investigation-over-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-salads-1461966955#:tqCQf4DgV4N9hA
Business
U.S. Probes Dole Food Over Listeria Outbreak Linked to Salads
Samples suggest Dole had evidence of bacteria at Ohio plant a year earlier
Massive Recall of Frozen Vegetables Follows Linkage to Listeria Outbreak
A Washington state frozen food manufacturer is recalling frozen vegetable products affecting approximately 2 years of production, 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands
This was an expansion of a recall that was issued on April 23rd after the Ohio state health officials reported the finding. Since that time, it had been linked to 8 cases. (2 deaths are listed on the CDC website, but they state it was not due to Listeria. Complications from Listeria?). CRF had suspended operations after the first recall in April and had not resumed production. FDA did isolate Listeria monocytogenes from the facility and "...... were found to be closely related genetically to seven of the isolates of ill people associated with this outbreak."
In the CDC report [below], a linkage was made after the Ohio state isolated the organism from frozen product. It does not appear this product was sampled because of linkage to the outbreak in that the report states there were no reported illnesses. It is also important to not that while 2 cases were from 2016, the other cases were said to have been done in a 'retrospective analysis' where the DNA from the isolated organism was matched against past outbreak cases.
According to the CDC Report, "Whole genome sequencing showed that the Listeria isolate from the frozen corn was closely related genetically to seven bacterial isolates from ill people, and the Listeria isolate from the frozen peas was closely related genetically to one isolate from an ill person. The way his case has unfolded looks very similar to the Blue Bell outbreak/recall.
The products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries. Brands include Trader Joes, Kirkland, and Great Value as well as others.
There are some things that would be good to know.
1) The products in question required cooking....were they cooked by the consumers who became ill?
2) The report states that he Listeria isolated from product and in the outbreak cases were closely related. How close is close?
3) What type of Listeria Control Program did the facility have?
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm499157.htm
FDA Investigates Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Vegetables
May 4, 2016
What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis identified in March 2016.
This was an expansion of a recall that was issued on April 23rd after the Ohio state health officials reported the finding. Since that time, it had been linked to 8 cases. (2 deaths are listed on the CDC website, but they state it was not due to Listeria. Complications from Listeria?). CRF had suspended operations after the first recall in April and had not resumed production. FDA did isolate Listeria monocytogenes from the facility and "...... were found to be closely related genetically to seven of the isolates of ill people associated with this outbreak."
In the CDC report [below], a linkage was made after the Ohio state isolated the organism from frozen product. It does not appear this product was sampled because of linkage to the outbreak in that the report states there were no reported illnesses. It is also important to not that while 2 cases were from 2016, the other cases were said to have been done in a 'retrospective analysis' where the DNA from the isolated organism was matched against past outbreak cases.
According to the CDC Report, "Whole genome sequencing showed that the Listeria isolate from the frozen corn was closely related genetically to seven bacterial isolates from ill people, and the Listeria isolate from the frozen peas was closely related genetically to one isolate from an ill person. The way his case has unfolded looks very similar to the Blue Bell outbreak/recall.
The products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries. Brands include Trader Joes, Kirkland, and Great Value as well as others.
There are some things that would be good to know.
1) The products in question required cooking....were they cooked by the consumers who became ill?
2) The report states that he Listeria isolated from product and in the outbreak cases were closely related. How close is close?
3) What type of Listeria Control Program did the facility have?
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm499157.htm
FDA Investigates Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Vegetables
May 4, 2016
What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis identified in March 2016.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Thriving in a Post-Chipotle World
In light of their food safety gaffs, the restaurant chain Chipotle is still struggle to recover. In their first quarter report, sales are down 30% in same-store sales and their share price is down about 40%.
But where there is decline for one, others have thrived. Panera sales have increased, with same-stores increase of 4.7%
Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/panera-benefits-from-chipotles-downfall-2016-4
PANERA PRESIDENT: 'We live in a post-Chipotle world'
Kate Taylor
Apr. 27, 2016, 10:57 AM
As Chipotle struggles, Panera is thriving.
But where there is decline for one, others have thrived. Panera sales have increased, with same-stores increase of 4.7%
Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/panera-benefits-from-chipotles-downfall-2016-4
PANERA PRESIDENT: 'We live in a post-Chipotle world'
Kate Taylor
Apr. 27, 2016, 10:57 AM
As Chipotle struggles, Panera is thriving.
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