A Canadian company is recalling ham products after a complaint was received that there were rubber pieces in the ham. These restructured hams are fully cooked / ready-to-eat. The meat items were imported into the US and were sold at Costco and Sam's club
FSIS Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-085-2016-release
502 Boundary Blvd. Recalls Black Forest Ham Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 085-2016
Health Risk: Low Sep 21, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Blue Bell Recalls Two Ice Cream Products due to Potential Listeria Contamination
Blue Bell Ice Cream is recalling two flavors of product for potential Listeria contamination. There have been no illnesses reported. According to the company's press release, product was shipped to 10 states, primarily in the Southeast US.
Last year, Blue Bell shut down its 3 plants after their ice cream product was linked to a Listeria outbreak where 10 people were infected. The company reopened the plants with increased controls and under increased government scrutiny. In January of 2016, the company issued a release that their controls were effective, although they were still finding Listeria in the environment.
In this particular case, it looks as though the supplier of the cookie dough, Aspen Hills, may be at fault. Blue Bell discovered the issue through testing of incoming products and notified Aspen Hills who then issued a recall. This recall notice is posted on the Blue Bell website. Unfortunately, product was released before these test results came to light. Although Blue Bell states they do test and hold (product is not released before results come back), that test and hold looks to have been focused on finished product testing (and perhaps not ingredient testing?).
Of course this cookie dough is not technically raw. It is product that is made to resemble raw cookie dough, but is a ready-to-eat product. Being that it is ready-to-eat, it should be free of pathogens such as Listeria.
KHOU News Release
http://www.khou.com/news/health/blue-bell-issues-recall-for-ice-cream-with-cookie-dough/323180943
Blue Bell recalls ice cream over listeria concerns
KHOU.com Staff , KHOU 11:59 PM. EST September 21, 2016
Last year, Blue Bell shut down its 3 plants after their ice cream product was linked to a Listeria outbreak where 10 people were infected. The company reopened the plants with increased controls and under increased government scrutiny. In January of 2016, the company issued a release that their controls were effective, although they were still finding Listeria in the environment.
In this particular case, it looks as though the supplier of the cookie dough, Aspen Hills, may be at fault. Blue Bell discovered the issue through testing of incoming products and notified Aspen Hills who then issued a recall. This recall notice is posted on the Blue Bell website. Unfortunately, product was released before these test results came to light. Although Blue Bell states they do test and hold (product is not released before results come back), that test and hold looks to have been focused on finished product testing (and perhaps not ingredient testing?).
Of course this cookie dough is not technically raw. It is product that is made to resemble raw cookie dough, but is a ready-to-eat product. Being that it is ready-to-eat, it should be free of pathogens such as Listeria.
KHOU News Release
http://www.khou.com/news/health/blue-bell-issues-recall-for-ice-cream-with-cookie-dough/323180943
Blue Bell recalls ice cream over listeria concerns
KHOU.com Staff , KHOU 11:59 PM. EST September 21, 2016
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Goat Cheese Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Sample
A small Pennsylvania goat cheese manufacturer is recalling goal cheese products after PA Dept of Ag tested and found Listeria in the product. No illnesses have been reported.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm521592.htm
Apple Tree Goat Dairy Recalls Four Goat Cheeses Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2016
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm521592.htm
Apple Tree Goat Dairy Recalls Four Goat Cheeses Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2016
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Eggo Waffles Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Kellogg's is recalling Eggo Waffles after internal testing found a potential for Listeria contamination. While the release did not say exactly where the sample was located, it may have been a positive environmental sample on or near a product contact surface.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm521434.htm
Kellogg Company Recalls Limited Number of Kellogg’s® Eggo® Nutri-Grain® Whole Wheat Waffles Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2016
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm521434.htm
Kellogg Company Recalls Limited Number of Kellogg’s® Eggo® Nutri-Grain® Whole Wheat Waffles Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
First Day of Preventive Controls Compliance - What Do You Need to Know
September 19, 2016 marks the compliance day when larger facilities making human food must meet preventive controls and Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements (CGMPs) and larger animal food facilities must meet CGMPs.
So what should one expect? FDA issued two letters today. To summarize from the many words in those documents:
At this point, the FDA is still learning so "the FDA’s primary focus will continue to be on education, training and technical assistance to help companies comply with the new requirements."
Does your Food Safety Plan have to be perfect at this point - "Many businesses of that size already have a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) program; we don’t expect them to need to make many changes to come into compliance. Aspects of the CGMP and preventive controls rules are similar to HACCP, a food safety system that started with industry."
But FDA will still evaluate the facility in order to make safe products. "The best thing that people in the food industry can do is take the measures required by the new rules – not just the letter of the law but what it represents in terms of transforming the food safety system. They should look at the big picture, at areas in which they could be vulnerable and proactively take action. Promptly responding to problems, even if they aren’t yet violations, can prevent them from getting to the point at which there is a concern about the safety of the food."
"In addition, facilities should set up a thorough system for documenting what they do."
FDA is still learning as well.
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm521171.htm
What to Expect Now that the First Big FSMA Compliance Dates Are Here
Questions and Answers with Joann Givens
So what should one expect? FDA issued two letters today. To summarize from the many words in those documents:
At this point, the FDA is still learning so "the FDA’s primary focus will continue to be on education, training and technical assistance to help companies comply with the new requirements."
Does your Food Safety Plan have to be perfect at this point - "Many businesses of that size already have a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) program; we don’t expect them to need to make many changes to come into compliance. Aspects of the CGMP and preventive controls rules are similar to HACCP, a food safety system that started with industry."
But FDA will still evaluate the facility in order to make safe products. "The best thing that people in the food industry can do is take the measures required by the new rules – not just the letter of the law but what it represents in terms of transforming the food safety system. They should look at the big picture, at areas in which they could be vulnerable and proactively take action. Promptly responding to problems, even if they aren’t yet violations, can prevent them from getting to the point at which there is a concern about the safety of the food."
"In addition, facilities should set up a thorough system for documenting what they do."
FDA is still learning as well.
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm521171.htm
What to Expect Now that the First Big FSMA Compliance Dates Are Here
Questions and Answers with Joann Givens
Backyard Chickens and Eggs - Beware of the Salmonella Risk
In two news stories this week - one on raising chickens at home and the other on eggs from small chicken flocks - there is discussion on the higher risk for Salmonella.
In the Post article, people raising chickens at home threat the chickens more like pets. Many people will cuddle or kiss baby chicks and nearly half of the patients who contracted Salmonella from the chickens allowed the chickens into the house (and some into the bedroom).
Penn State conducted a large survey looking at the prevalence in Salmonella in eggs which were purchased from farm stands across the state. These eggs were from small chicken flocks and fall outside of regulations for controlling Salmonella. The survey found that 2% of the eggs tested were positive for Salmonella. The contamination was primarily found inside the egg. For commercial egg producers, this number is less than 0.5%.
Salmonella is a natural contaminate of chickens, and unless carefully controlled, it can be passed to humans through handling of the chickens or through mishandling or undercooking of the eggs. Commercially, Salmonella is controlled through diet (including probiotics), house maintenance procedures, and Salmonella testing. With backyard flocks, these controls are normally not in place. Another risk, not discussed in these articles, is Campylobacter. This has been shown to have a higher prevalence in small flocks as well.
This is not saying that people should not raise chickens or consume their eggs, but people have to be aware of the risk. Keep chicken in the coup. Wash your hands after handling the chicken. Cook the eggs and the chicken to the proper temperature. No Rocky breakfast drink with these eggs, not unless you plan your next bout at the American Standard Bowl.
Penn State News
http://news.psu.edu/story/425880/2016/09/14/research/eggs-small-flocks-just-likely-contain-salmonella-enteritidis
Eggs from small flocks more likely to contain Salmonella enteritidis
By Jeff Mulhollem
September 14, 2016
In the Post article, people raising chickens at home threat the chickens more like pets. Many people will cuddle or kiss baby chicks and nearly half of the patients who contracted Salmonella from the chickens allowed the chickens into the house (and some into the bedroom).
Penn State conducted a large survey looking at the prevalence in Salmonella in eggs which were purchased from farm stands across the state. These eggs were from small chicken flocks and fall outside of regulations for controlling Salmonella. The survey found that 2% of the eggs tested were positive for Salmonella. The contamination was primarily found inside the egg. For commercial egg producers, this number is less than 0.5%.
Salmonella is a natural contaminate of chickens, and unless carefully controlled, it can be passed to humans through handling of the chickens or through mishandling or undercooking of the eggs. Commercially, Salmonella is controlled through diet (including probiotics), house maintenance procedures, and Salmonella testing. With backyard flocks, these controls are normally not in place. Another risk, not discussed in these articles, is Campylobacter. This has been shown to have a higher prevalence in small flocks as well.
This is not saying that people should not raise chickens or consume their eggs, but people have to be aware of the risk. Keep chicken in the coup. Wash your hands after handling the chicken. Cook the eggs and the chicken to the proper temperature. No Rocky breakfast drink with these eggs, not unless you plan your next bout at the American Standard Bowl.
Penn State News
http://news.psu.edu/story/425880/2016/09/14/research/eggs-small-flocks-just-likely-contain-salmonella-enteritidis
Eggs from small flocks more likely to contain Salmonella enteritidis
By Jeff Mulhollem
September 14, 2016
Coliform Positive Sample in Well Water Results in Product Recall
A PA meat establishment is recalling pork products after inspectors found the facility's water test results had been positive for coliform bacteria. These test results would classify the water as non-potable.
While the risk is probably low to non-existent (the fresh pork itself would have coliforms), the water used to make that product is deemed as non-potable. While the presence of coliforms in themselves are not a hazard, their presence could indicate that other pathogenic bacteria could be present. More importantly, their presence could indicate that a contamination pathway could exist linking the water supply to a contamination source - surface water, septic system, animal waste, etc.
Corrective action needs to be taken immediately upon these types of results. This is normally done by dosing or shocking the well with chlorine. or even better for protecting a business is continuous disinfection.
FSIS News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-082-2016-release
Bunge's Meats Recalls Pork Products Formulated With Water That Did Not EPA Meet Drinking Water Standards
Class I Recall 082-2016
Health Risk: High Sep 16, 2016
While the risk is probably low to non-existent (the fresh pork itself would have coliforms), the water used to make that product is deemed as non-potable. While the presence of coliforms in themselves are not a hazard, their presence could indicate that other pathogenic bacteria could be present. More importantly, their presence could indicate that a contamination pathway could exist linking the water supply to a contamination source - surface water, septic system, animal waste, etc.
Corrective action needs to be taken immediately upon these types of results. This is normally done by dosing or shocking the well with chlorine. or even better for protecting a business is continuous disinfection.
FSIS News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-082-2016-release
Bunge's Meats Recalls Pork Products Formulated With Water That Did Not EPA Meet Drinking Water Standards
Class I Recall 082-2016
Health Risk: High Sep 16, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
FDA Issues Warning Letter to RTE Facility with LM Issues
FDA issued a warning letter to a Saranac Foods for an inspection completed in February. We have seen a number of similar types of Warning letters issued. In this one, inspectors found LM in a facility making RTE product, and then conditions that would support the spread of that organism (issues with hose usage, condensation, and airflow). While the company did respond, the response was lacking in terms of a 'complete' corrective action.
Listeria
FDA found 3 of 89 samples positive for Listeria monocytogenes. all non-contact but in the ready-to-eat pasta and deli salad production room.- Floor near food carts and the 2-compartment sink;
- The floor alongside of the interior legs of stand mixer;
- An area of the floor under the 1-compartment sink where a leak is present.
Although the company took corrective action, the FDA stated: FDA is unable to evaluate the adequacy of your response because it does not provide specific details of your corrective actions and steps taken to prevent contamination of food.
GMP Issues
Friday, September 9, 2016
Hepatitis A in Frozen Strawberries Infects 89 People
CDC reported that 89 people contracted Hepatitis A from frozen strawberries. The outbreak was initially reported two weeks by the Virginia Department of Health. In most all cases, the infections were linked to the strawberries being served in smoothie drinks served by Tropical Smoothie Café.
Smoothies, the blending of fruits and vegetables into a nutritious yet tasty beverage, can be an issue if any of the fruit and vegetable ingredients harbor pathogenic bacteria. The risk can be made worse if the smoothie product is temperature abused. The hard part when buying from a commercial smoothie producer is knowing where they source their ingredients. In the past, had been an issue pomegranate sourced from the middle east. That too was a source of Hepatitis A.
CDC Outbreak
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2016/hav-strawberries.htm
August 2016 - Multistate outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen strawberries
Posted September 8, 2016 10:15 AM ET
Smoothies, the blending of fruits and vegetables into a nutritious yet tasty beverage, can be an issue if any of the fruit and vegetable ingredients harbor pathogenic bacteria. The risk can be made worse if the smoothie product is temperature abused. The hard part when buying from a commercial smoothie producer is knowing where they source their ingredients. In the past, had been an issue pomegranate sourced from the middle east. That too was a source of Hepatitis A.
CDC Outbreak
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2016/hav-strawberries.htm
August 2016 - Multistate outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen strawberries
Posted September 8, 2016 10:15 AM ET
At a Glance
Case Count: 89
States: 7
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 39
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