The FDA released the inspection report of the CRF facility that was responsible for the massive frozen vegetable recall. The inspection, conducted in March and transcribed below, found no blaring issues cited, but just some basic hits to the equipment and utensils used. Surprising? Not really, because a visual inspection is not going to identify low level contamination issues, such as what we expect was the case at CRF. While you can find signs of sanitation lapses in an inspection that can lead to harborage issues or indicators of overall poor sanitation, it is really microbial sampling that will provide an idea of control. Another important inspection is a review of the sampling being conducted by the facility - are they sampling for Listeria, how many samples, what are the results, is there corrective action, when are they sampling, who is doing the testing, how are they sampling, etc. In the end, is the facility really trying to find it, or are they doing testing just to say they are doing testing.
The transcription of the report:
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Harvard Article on Food Safety Economics
Saw this piece on food safety economics released by Harvard Business Schools, and thought it might be worth the read. In the end, meh..nothing we didn't know.
To save you time - basically, there can be a huge economic cost of food safety lapses, such as that experienced by Chipotle. There are a number of challenges - small producers and global sourcing where food safety systems may not be all they need to be, and news reports that highlight foodborne illness outbreaks which bring a lot of attention to these food safety lapses. They also discuss how a company did their own testing when they could have saved money by outsourcing (my guess is that this was the focus of the research and the story was written around it).
On the testing topic, there is more than just cost that has to be considered.
Harvard Business School
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/food-safety-economics-the-cost-of-a-sick-customer
Food Safety Economics: The Cost of a Sick Customer
To save you time - basically, there can be a huge economic cost of food safety lapses, such as that experienced by Chipotle. There are a number of challenges - small producers and global sourcing where food safety systems may not be all they need to be, and news reports that highlight foodborne illness outbreaks which bring a lot of attention to these food safety lapses. They also discuss how a company did their own testing when they could have saved money by outsourcing (my guess is that this was the focus of the research and the story was written around it).
On the testing topic, there is more than just cost that has to be considered.
Harvard Business School
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/food-safety-economics-the-cost-of-a-sick-customer
Food Safety Economics: The Cost of a Sick Customer
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Food Trucks and Food Safety Challenges
In this LA Times piece, the food safety performance of food trucks is discussed. It seems that in LA, food trucks have more sanitary issues than the average restaurant. There are a number of challenges on food trucks that make managing food safety more difficult....small space with more opportunity for cross contamination, temperature control issues, etc.
LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-food-trucks-20160518-snap-story.html
The dark side of trendy food trucks: A poor health safety record
Ben Poston, Caitlin Plummer and Michael Radcliffe
May 18, 2016
It’s a daily culinary performance that plays out across Los Angeles: Top food truck chefs whipping up gourmet meals in spaces no bigger than a restaurant’s stockroom or walk-in freezer.
But even as the trucks have become a popular staple of the local food scene, with Twitter followers and long queues, they have been lagging behind restaurants and even sidewalk food carts in one important category -- health safety, a Times data analysis found.
About 27% of food trucks earned lower than A grades over the last two years, according to a Times review of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health data. By comparison, slightly less than 5% of brick-and-mortar restaurants and about 18% of food carts fell below that mark.
LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-food-trucks-20160518-snap-story.html
The dark side of trendy food trucks: A poor health safety record
Ben Poston, Caitlin Plummer and Michael Radcliffe
May 18, 2016
It’s a daily culinary performance that plays out across Los Angeles: Top food truck chefs whipping up gourmet meals in spaces no bigger than a restaurant’s stockroom or walk-in freezer.
But even as the trucks have become a popular staple of the local food scene, with Twitter followers and long queues, they have been lagging behind restaurants and even sidewalk food carts in one important category -- health safety, a Times data analysis found.
About 27% of food trucks earned lower than A grades over the last two years, according to a Times review of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health data. By comparison, slightly less than 5% of brick-and-mortar restaurants and about 18% of food carts fell below that mark.
Final Rule Issued on Requirement to Label Mechanically Tenderized Beef
The final rule has been issued that requires cooking instructions for mechanically tenderized beef. It covers needle- or blade-tenderized raw beef products product destined for household consumers, hotels, restaurants, or similar foodservice operations. The label must say the meat is "mechanically tenderized," "blade tenderized," or "needle tenderized" and a description of the beef component in the product name along with validated cooking instructions (minimum internal cooking temperatures and hold times).
This has been in the works for some time and it is good to see that it is ready to be put in place. The issue is that in the tenderization process, bacteria can be forced into the meat. Because of this, the temperatures for cooking are more similar to that of hamburger than for intact steaks.
USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-and-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2015/nr-051315-01
USDA Finalizes Rule to Require Labeling of Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
This has been in the works for some time and it is good to see that it is ready to be put in place. The issue is that in the tenderization process, bacteria can be forced into the meat. Because of this, the temperatures for cooking are more similar to that of hamburger than for intact steaks.
USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-and-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2015/nr-051315-01
USDA Finalizes Rule to Require Labeling of Mechanically Tenderized Beef Products
New labels and cooking instructions will give consumers information they need to safely enjoy these products
WASHINGTON, May 13, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced new labeling requirements for raw or partially cooked beef products that have been mechanically tenderized. Consumers, restaurants, and other food service facilities will now have more information about the products they are buying, as well as useful cooking instructions so they know how to safely prepare them.Poultry Products Recall Expanded (for 3rd Time) Due to Foreign Objects
Pilgrim's Pride has expanded its recall for cooked poultry products because of foreign material. This is the third expansion of that recall that started on April 7, and then was expanded on April 26.
This recall coordinator is just not catching a break.
USDA Recall Notice
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. Expands Recall of Poultry Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 027-2016 expansion-3
Health Risk: High May 13, 2016
Recall Cascade Continues for Frozen Produce, Walnuts, and Sunflower Seed Due to Listeria
The cascade of recalls continues...for Listeria in frozen produce, for Listeria in sunflower seeds, and Listeria in Walnuts.
LISTERIA IN FROZEN PRODUCE
Updated: Ajinomoto Windsor Recall of Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recallhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499858.htm
Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various Not-Ready-To Eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.
Updated: Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. Recalls IQF Green Beans Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499775.htm
Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. (SIFI) of Corvallis, Ore., is voluntarily recalling 10 oz. Stahlbush® IQF Green Bean retail packages because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Hy-Vee Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and Frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501017.htm
Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling its frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice products across its eight-state region due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potential for contamination was discovered after Ajinomoto Windsor, Hy-Vee’s supplier, announced they were recalling specific frozen foods due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes.
Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Various Dr. Praeger's and Ungar's Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recall for Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501243.htm
Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various not-ready-to-eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.
Voluntary Recall on Piggly Wiggly Brand Yellow Cut Corn
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500859.htm
As part of the CRF Frozen Foods recall, McCall Farms Incorporated is notifying consumers that it is recalling Piggly Wiggly brand frozen Yellow Cut Corn due to the potential risk that it may contain Listeria monocytogenes. McCall Farms was notified by its supplier, CRF Frozen Foods, of this potential contamination. No other McCall Farms products have been affected by this recall.
LISTERIA IN WALNUTS
HMSHost Recalls Multiple Brands of Cape Cod Cranberry Trail Mix Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501041.htm
HMSHost of Bethesda, Maryland is recalling multiple brands of trail mix, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. HMSHost was recently notified by one of its snack manufacturers, Woodstock Farms Manufacturing, that during their routine testing, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was revealed in two lots of walnuts used in one of its trail mixes
LISTERIA IN SUNFLOWER SEEDS
The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501248.htm
The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of a small quantity of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars after an ingredient supplier was found to have distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono).
LISTERIA IN FROZEN PRODUCE
Updated: Ajinomoto Windsor Recall of Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recallhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499858.htm
Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various Not-Ready-To Eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.
Updated: Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. Recalls IQF Green Beans Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm499775.htm
Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. (SIFI) of Corvallis, Ore., is voluntarily recalling 10 oz. Stahlbush® IQF Green Bean retail packages because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Hy-Vee Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and Frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501017.htm
Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling its frozen Hy-Vee Vegetable Fried Rice and frozen Hy-Vee Chicken Fried Rice products across its eight-state region due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potential for contamination was discovered after Ajinomoto Windsor, Hy-Vee’s supplier, announced they were recalling specific frozen foods due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes.
Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Various Dr. Praeger's and Ungar's Products Related to CRF Frozen Vegetable Recall for Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501243.htm
Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling various not-ready-to-eat frozen food items due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This voluntary action is being undertaken in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration because the recalled products contain vegetables that are part of the recent CRF Frozen Foods recall.
Voluntary Recall on Piggly Wiggly Brand Yellow Cut Corn
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500859.htm
As part of the CRF Frozen Foods recall, McCall Farms Incorporated is notifying consumers that it is recalling Piggly Wiggly brand frozen Yellow Cut Corn due to the potential risk that it may contain Listeria monocytogenes. McCall Farms was notified by its supplier, CRF Frozen Foods, of this potential contamination. No other McCall Farms products have been affected by this recall.
LISTERIA IN WALNUTS
HMSHost Recalls Multiple Brands of Cape Cod Cranberry Trail Mix Because of Possible Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501041.htm
HMSHost of Bethesda, Maryland is recalling multiple brands of trail mix, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. HMSHost was recently notified by one of its snack manufacturers, Woodstock Farms Manufacturing, that during their routine testing, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was revealed in two lots of walnuts used in one of its trail mixes
LISTERIA IN SUNFLOWER SEEDS
The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm501248.htm
The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of a small quantity of Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars after an ingredient supplier was found to have distributed sunflower kernels that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono).
National Academy of Science Finds GMOs Generally Safe
GMO or Genetically Modified Foods....a very controversial topic. Well, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine concluded that this food is generally safe. In their report "no substantiated evidence that foods from GE [genetically engineered] crops were less safe than foods from non-GE crops,". Still, they are not the panacea.
Even the Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI) was not overly hostile to the this announcement, and posted this:
As for me, I am old fashion and feel that one shouldn't fool with Mother Nature too much. Selective breeding is one thing, but insertion of genes into other species that we are going to eat, that is another thing.
"Feed me.."
CBS/AP
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetically-modified-foods-are-safe-to-eat-report-finds/
Major science group weighs in on safety of genetically modified foods
May 18, 2016, 11:58 AM
Even the Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI) was not overly hostile to the this announcement, and posted this:
CSPI supports the report’s call for transparency and public participation in the oversight of GE crops and for the federal agencies to do more to communicate their regulatory decisions to the public. However, it is disappointing that the report does not recommend that FDA’s oversight change from a voluntary to a mandatory process. That would have been consistent with the report’s acknowledgement that federal oversight is important to ensure both safety and public confidence.
As for me, I am old fashion and feel that one shouldn't fool with Mother Nature too much. Selective breeding is one thing, but insertion of genes into other species that we are going to eat, that is another thing.
"Feed me.."
CBS/AP
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetically-modified-foods-are-safe-to-eat-report-finds/
Major science group weighs in on safety of genetically modified foods
May 18, 2016, 11:58 AM
Friday, May 13, 2016
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Qualified Facilities within the Preventive Controls Rule
As part of the Preventive Controls Rule, FDA establishes 'Qualified Facilities' as those facilities exempt from having to establish HACCP based systems (Preventive Controls), but only having to comply with GMPs. But in order to become 'Qualified', they must submit a form to FDA attesting to their status as 'Qualified". This guidance provides detail on how to submit the required form, Form FDA 3942.
‘Qualified Facility’’ as defined by FSMA:
• Business with average annual sales of <$500,000 and at least half the sales to consumers or local retailers or restaurants (within the same state or within 275 miles); or.
• Very small business, which the rule defines as a business (including any subsidiaries and affiliates) averaging less than $1,000,000, adjusted for inflation, per year, during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year in sales of human food plus the market value of human food manufactured, processed, packed, or held without sale (e.g., held for a fee).
‘Qualified Facility’’ as defined by FSMA:
• Business with average annual sales of <$500,000 and at least half the sales to consumers or local retailers or restaurants (within the same state or within 275 miles); or.
• Very small business, which the rule defines as a business (including any subsidiaries and affiliates) averaging less than $1,000,000, adjusted for inflation, per year, during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year in sales of human food plus the market value of human food manufactured, processed, packed, or held without sale (e.g., held for a fee).
You can access that document here.
Kale Edamame Salad Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination in Kale
Trader Joe's is recalling Kale and Edamame Salad after the supplier of the kale notified the salad manufacturer, WCD Kitchens, that the kale may have Salmonella.
Retails such as Trader Joe's, who utilize a lot of small firms to provide their stores unique products seem to have more than their share of recalls. This is certainly the challenge of working with firms that may have supplier issues of their own.
Another issue here is testing of product with short shelf-life. By the time tests are taken and then confirmed, that product is already out in the market.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500286.htm
World Class Distribution Issues Voluntary Recall on Kale & Edamame Salad Due to Possible Health Risk
May 10, 2016
Contact
Consumers WCD Kitchen, LLC (909) 574-4140
Retails such as Trader Joe's, who utilize a lot of small firms to provide their stores unique products seem to have more than their share of recalls. This is certainly the challenge of working with firms that may have supplier issues of their own.
Another issue here is testing of product with short shelf-life. By the time tests are taken and then confirmed, that product is already out in the market.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm500286.htm
World Class Distribution Issues Voluntary Recall on Kale & Edamame Salad Due to Possible Health Risk
May 10, 2016
Contact
Consumers WCD Kitchen, LLC (909) 574-4140
Media Paul Mestas (909) 574-4140
Announcement
View Product Photos
WCD Kitchen, LLC of Fontana, California is voluntarily recalling Trader Joe’s Kale & Edamame Salad (UPC 00967112), sold only in the Midwest, with a “USE BY May 05, 2016 through May 14, 2016”, because the product may be contaminated withSalmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date.
View Product Photos
WCD Kitchen, LLC of Fontana, California is voluntarily recalling Trader Joe’s Kale & Edamame Salad (UPC 00967112), sold only in the Midwest, with a “USE BY May 05, 2016 through May 14, 2016”, because the product may be contaminated withSalmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date.
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