Supermarket's Communication on Food Recalls Varies

A report published by CSPI shows that supermarket chain procedures for handling recall communications varies from chain to chain.  By regulation, stores are supposed to post information in a conspicuous spot for 14 days after the recall.  Not everyone is doing it the way they are supposed to be doing it according to this report.

Center for Science in the Public Interest
https://cspinet.org/news/supermarkets-do-uneven-job-notifying-consumers-recalls-20160824#.V72z-5n5eqs.twitter
Supermarkets Do Uneven Job Notifying Consumers of Recalls

Acorns.......the New Old Superfood?

More people are looking for that food or pill that will improve health.  Well, instead of a cache of pills or some over processed beverage drink, let's consider eating what squirrels and bears eat....acorns.

In an review article in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, researchers found that the lowly acorn is chock full of healthful stuff.  In addition to a whole host of phytochemicals, acorns are a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins A and E, and unsaturated fatty acids.

FDA Releases Draft Guidance on GMPs for Animal Feed

 FDA issued Draft Guidance for Industry #235 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice Requirements for Food for Animals "to help facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold animal food for consumption in the United States comply with CGMP requirements in areas such as personnel, plant and grounds, sanitation, water supply and plumbing, equipment and utensils, plant operations, and holding and distribution. The guidance also includes information on training and related recordkeeping. The CGMPs required under the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule are flexible to address the diversity of facilities and animal foods, the wide range of animal food activities, and the potential safety risks posed by some animal foods."

This guidance contains information to help these facilities determine whether they need to comply with the current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements for animal food and provides additional information and recommendations for compliance with the CGMP requirements for animal food, as well as compliance with related requirements such as training and recordkeeping.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Facilities Sending By-Products for Use in Animal Feed

FDA issued a draft guidance for food processing facilities that send their by-products for animal feed. For example, a company sending peels or rinds after processing produce, or a company sending over baked cookies to a hog farmer.  The following is the important sections from this draft guidance.

FSMA - FDA Extends Deadline for Certain Provisions of Four Major Rules

As you know, the compliance dates are approaching for FSMA.  For Preventive Control for Human Foods, the compliance date for large firms in September 18th, 2016.  (This has not changed.)

But with this much of a major change in regulations, there will be areas where more guidance is needed from FDA for companies to figure out how to comply.  This is the case where these 6 issues resulted in the compliance dates being moved back, essentially 2 years from the proposed compliance date.

• certain related provisions concerning customer assurances when controls are applied downstream in the distribution chain in all four rules. 
• for facilities solely engaged in packing and/or holding activities conducted on raw agricultural commodities (RACs) that are produce and/or nut hulls and shells and for certain facilities that would qualify as secondary activities farms except for the ownership of the facility. 
• for certain facilities that color RACs.  
• for facilities solely engaged in the ginning of cotton. 
• for importation of food contact substances. 
• for certain facilities producing Grade “A” milk and milk products covered by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) to comply with the CGMP requirements of part 117.

The most impactful for those processing human and animal foods is the customer assurance requirement.  This provision requires the processor to make sure the downstream customer was going to take care of a hazard in the ingredient being sold.   Basically, if Company A is selling to Company B an ingredient containing a hazard, say for example Salmonella, where Company B said they were going to heat process that ingredient.  By Rule, Company A would need assurance that Company B was going to cook it sufficiently.   This, as written, may not be easy information to get.  (Specific sections of the posting below)

The other impactful section being delayed is for facilities holding or packing raw agricultural commodities that are not classified as a farm.  These facilities are more like a farm than a processor, but because of the way the rule was written, it classifies them more as a processor.  To help determine what these facilities need to do, FDA will write a specific guidance for these facilities. (Specific sections of the posting below)

Selected sections from:
The Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act; Extension and Clarification of Compliance Dates for Certain Provisions of Four Implementing Rules
Final Rule; Extension And Clarification Of Compliance Dates For Certain Provisions.
 https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/08/24/2016-20176/the-food-and-drug-administration-food-safety-modernization-act-extension-and-clarification-of#t-1

Hepatitis A Outbreak Link to Frozen Strawberries from Egypt

The VA Department of Health issued a health warning about a cluster of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with frozen strawberries used in smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia.  The frozen strawberries came from Egypt.

This is not the first time that frozen fruit sourced from the Middle East has been a problem for Hepatitis A.   In 2013, frozen pomegranate seeds were linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak  where over 150 were infected.  Smoothies are an issue because there is no elimination step such as heating.  Any contamination on the fruit gets blended into the drink.

Virginia Department of Health News Release
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/news-releases/2016-statewide-news-releases/health-officials-warn-of-increased-hepatitis-a-risk/
Health Officials Warn of Increased Hepatitis A Risk
August 19, 2016

Frozen Corn Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Results

A Lancaster, PA frozen food distributor is recalling frozen cut corn after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture tested samples of the corn and found them positive or Listeria.  The recall affects Laura Lynn, Key Food, and Better Valu brands.

No illness have been reported to date.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm517435.htm
Cambridge Farms, LLC Recalls Three Brands Of Frozen Cut Corn Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
August 19, 2016

Curry Spice Recalled for Elevated Levels of Lead

A Miami, FL company is recalling approximately 377,000 lbs. of spice blends containing curry powder after testing found elevated levels of lead.  The testing was completed by the NY Health Department.
Two weeks back, turmeric was recalled because of elevated lead levels, also discovered by the NY Health Department laboratory.  Companies selling spices may want review their supply chain to see where there may be spices that are subject to high lead levels.
 
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm517333.htm
Oriental Packing Co. Inc. Issues Alert On Lead In Curry Powder
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2016

Hepatitis Outbreak in Hawaii Linked to Raw Scallops

Raw sea scallops served at a sushi restaurant in Hawaii are being blamed for over 200 cases of Hepatitis A.  This is one of the largest Hepatitis A cases in the US in the last 20 years.

While sushi grade seafood must be frozen in order to kill parasites, this freezing process will not eliminate bacteria and viruses. 

The scallops are reported to have been sourced from the Philippines.

Hawaii Dept of Health

http://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/doh-news-release-hawaii-department-of-health-orders-embargo-of-frozen-imported-scallops-and-closure-of-genki-sushi-restaurants-on-oahu-and-kauai/

DOH NEWS RELEASE: Hawaii Department of Health orders embargo of frozen imported scallops and closure of Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai