The webinar, "Play FDA for a Day: Criminalization of foodborne illness and what you can do to protect your company", is presented by a lawyer and a testing company and directs companies to do testing for outbreak-related pathogens before the FDA does. And if FDA finds an outbreak-related pathogen in your food facility, you are as good as going to jail. And for these outbreak-related pathogens, there is 1 million unsolved outbreaks in the FDA database just waiting to get solved. So get a lawyer and get the test kits ASAP. Because FDA 'investigators' are going to be busting down your door and swabbing the heck out of your facility.
A little paranoia is good, but this presentation is over the top. There is no doubt that companies need to keep their facilities in order, including ensuring the environment is under control, doing environmental monitoring with effective corrective action especially when there is risk (product exposed to the environment). But to date, there have been very few cases where the Department of Justice has gotten involved in outbreak investigations. The investigations cited were ones where pathogens were found in food and linked to outbreaks through epidemiological investigation. Subpoenas were issued when wrongdoing was suspected.
Testing and advice for free or just the hook? What is an over-the-top lawyer going to tell you when you have an organism in your drain?
(Don't have the time or the will to watch the video, you can read the white paper.)
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
RTE Bacon Recalled After Testing Finds Listeria
A Utah establishment is recalling ready-to-eat bacon "during the company’s routine internal third party testing when a product sample collected tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products."
USDA 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-092-2016-release
Daily's Premium Meats, LLC Recalls Bacon Products Due to Possible Listeria Adulteration
USDA 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-092-2016-release
Daily's Premium Meats, LLC Recalls Bacon Products Due to Possible Listeria Adulteration
Researchers Find Low Income Individuals Willing to Forgo Produce
In a study published in Nutrition Today, researchers investigated opinions of low-income individuals about organic versus conventional fruits and vegetables and found that their choices are impacted by the amount of messaging they are receiving, such as EWG's Dirty Dozen. These people felt that organic was better, but because of the cost, were more willing to forgo fruits and vegetables because of cost even though there were lower cost conventionally grown produce.
This is a topic that has been addressed from a health standpoint, where organic was found to be no more nutritious than conventional, and more importantly from a safety standpoint, whether biological contaminates or those that can lead to cancer. USDA testing has continually shown that pesticide levels in produce are within established limits.
The issue is that many are missing the health benefits of having produce in their diet for the sake of avoiding some infinitesimal risk.
Nutrition Today
http://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2016/09000/Low_Income_Shoppers_and_Fruit_and_Vegetables__What.6.aspx
Low-Income Shoppers and Fruit and Vegetables: What Do They Think?
Huang, Yancui MS; Edirisinghe, Indika PhD; Burton-Freeman, Britt M. PhD, MS
Abstract
This is a topic that has been addressed from a health standpoint, where organic was found to be no more nutritious than conventional, and more importantly from a safety standpoint, whether biological contaminates or those that can lead to cancer. USDA testing has continually shown that pesticide levels in produce are within established limits.
The issue is that many are missing the health benefits of having produce in their diet for the sake of avoiding some infinitesimal risk.
Nutrition Today
http://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2016/09000/Low_Income_Shoppers_and_Fruit_and_Vegetables__What.6.aspx
Low-Income Shoppers and Fruit and Vegetables: What Do They Think?
Huang, Yancui MS; Edirisinghe, Indika PhD; Burton-Freeman, Britt M. PhD, MS
Abstract
Eggs from Small Producer Recalled After Link to Salmonella Infections
Good Earth Egg company is issuing a recall of shell eggs after they were linked to a Salmonella outbreak. In this outbreak, 8 individuals have become infected with Salmonella Oranienburg
Good Earth had also issued a recall in January of this year, again for Salmonella. A warning letter issued by FDA in February indicates that the company did not have a Salmonella control program in place and faced sanitary issues including rodent control.
If Salmonella is not controlled within the flocks and the facility, the eggs will have Salmonella. It would be fine if eggs were handled and cooked by the consumers, but consumer don't. Eggs are often served undercooked such as sunny side up. They are not handled in a way that protects against cross contamination. As studies have shown, eggs from small producers are more likely to have Salmonella present.
CDC Outbreak
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg Infections Linked to Shell Eggs
Posted October 3, 2016 5:45 PM ET
At A Glance
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 2
Recall: No
Highlights
Friday, September 30, 2016
CDC Finalizes Investigation on E. coli (STEC O121) in Flour
CDC issued the final report on the E. coli STEC outbreak associated with flour. The recall of the product was issued in May and then expanded in July. While CDC expects more cases over time (as people may still have and use recalled flour), there have been 63 cases to date with 17 hospitalizations with one case of HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome).
Dough is meant for cooking, not eating raw or playing with. Unfortunately, there are those out there who will continue to eat raw dough (you know who you are). But please don't pass this habit onto the youth. One, they are at higher risk. Two, if you are willing to get sick, then fine, but let's not make a new generation of raw dough eaters.
CDC Outbreak Update
Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli Infections Linked to Flour (Final Update)
Posted September 29, 2016 12:45PM EST
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Onion Rings Recalled Due to Allergen Mislabeling - Reason for Implementing Preventive Controls
McCain Foods issued a recall notice for Onion Rings and then reissued the notice to expand the recall to additional labels. The pre-labeled packaging did not list milk on the label although it was included in the formulation.
This is the type of recall that the Preventive Controls rule was designed to help prevent. By having a formalized check of the labels at the receipt of those labels and then again at the time of packaging would have provided 2 opportunities to compare the label to the formulation. Of course, it is important to have the sub-ingredients listed, in this case, they are probably purchasing the breader / batter that will be used to coat the onion rings.
Instituting such a check is not overly difficult. It just takes a few minutes to compare the label to the formula. However, the cost of recall resulting from non-compliance can run into the millions of dollars.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm522476.htm
McCain Foods USA, Inc. Announces a Product Recall Impacting Frozen Onion Rings Sold and Distributed Under Four Separate Private Label Retail Brands
For Immediate Release
September 23, 2016
This is the type of recall that the Preventive Controls rule was designed to help prevent. By having a formalized check of the labels at the receipt of those labels and then again at the time of packaging would have provided 2 opportunities to compare the label to the formulation. Of course, it is important to have the sub-ingredients listed, in this case, they are probably purchasing the breader / batter that will be used to coat the onion rings.
Instituting such a check is not overly difficult. It just takes a few minutes to compare the label to the formula. However, the cost of recall resulting from non-compliance can run into the millions of dollars.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm522476.htm
McCain Foods USA, Inc. Announces a Product Recall Impacting Frozen Onion Rings Sold and Distributed Under Four Separate Private Label Retail Brands
For Immediate Release
September 23, 2016
Enforcement of Rule for Ground Meat Logs Starts Oct. 1
On October 1, USDA FSIS will begin enforcement of the rule requiring establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef for sale in commerce to maintain a log of the lot information on which raw materials were used to produce that ground meat. Specifically:
- The establishment numbers of the establishments supplying the materials used to prepare each lot of raw ground beef product;
- All supplier lot numbers and production dates;
- The names of the supplied materials, including beef components and any materials carried over from one production lot to the next;
- The date and time each lot of raw ground beef product is produced, and
- The date and time when grinding equipment and other related food-contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized.
FSIS Notice
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE WASHINGTON, DC FSIS NOTICE 75-16 9/28/16
NOTE: DO NOT IMPLEMENT THIS NOTICE UNTIL OCTOBER 1, 2016.
Kids Sick from Poisonous Mushrooms - The Potential Perils of Community Gardens
Seventeen school-aged children became sick after eating poisonous mushrooms. According to the report, "...a volunteer thought the mushroom - later identified as green-spored parasol, a common poisonous wild mushroom - was an edible part of the garden. Seventeen students ate it and suffered various symptoms. Several of the students had severe reactions."
Community gardens are great for learning, but it is important to remember that the food safety basics still apply. And for those that put the effort into planning, growing, and harvesting, effort has to go into training. While this incident with poisonous mushrooms is probably a worst case scenario (having a truly uninformed volunteer give kids poisonous mushrooms), there are still other areas that need attention, including all the components of GAPs - good agricultural practices to include fertilizing properly, washing hands, washing produce before consumption, using potable water for watering, and cleaning food contact surfaces. It is too easy to see where people get stupid ideas - fertilizing food with fresh manure (manure needs to be properly composted), watering crops from a pond or a unclean rain bucket (where that water is harboring harmful bacteria), etc. It must be remembered that many of those visiting or consuming from these gardens are children. Pre-school aged children, considered 'high risk', are of most concern because their immune systems are still under development.
Unlike a person's home garden, these foods go to a broad group of people, often outside of those people who were involved in growing and harvesting. It is the responsibility of those involved in growing and harvesting to follow practices that will minimize risk.
The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/students-ill-after-eating-mushrooms-community-garden-la
L.A. school district issues safety alert on wild mushrooms after students fall ill
By Ashley Nickle September 26, 2016 | 4:55 pm EDT
Community gardens are great for learning, but it is important to remember that the food safety basics still apply. And for those that put the effort into planning, growing, and harvesting, effort has to go into training. While this incident with poisonous mushrooms is probably a worst case scenario (having a truly uninformed volunteer give kids poisonous mushrooms), there are still other areas that need attention, including all the components of GAPs - good agricultural practices to include fertilizing properly, washing hands, washing produce before consumption, using potable water for watering, and cleaning food contact surfaces. It is too easy to see where people get stupid ideas - fertilizing food with fresh manure (manure needs to be properly composted), watering crops from a pond or a unclean rain bucket (where that water is harboring harmful bacteria), etc. It must be remembered that many of those visiting or consuming from these gardens are children. Pre-school aged children, considered 'high risk', are of most concern because their immune systems are still under development.
Unlike a person's home garden, these foods go to a broad group of people, often outside of those people who were involved in growing and harvesting. It is the responsibility of those involved in growing and harvesting to follow practices that will minimize risk.
The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/students-ill-after-eating-mushrooms-community-garden-la
L.A. school district issues safety alert on wild mushrooms after students fall ill
By Ashley Nickle September 26, 2016 | 4:55 pm EDT
Chicken Nuggets Recalled Due to Plastic Pieces
Tyson is recalling 132, 520 pounds of cooked chicken nuggets for plastic pieces. Product was packed in an institutional 20lb size that was shipped to Pennsylvania and the 5lb retail pack was shipped nationally.
The recall was initiated after consumer complaints were made. According to the report "the plastic material ranged in size from 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter and may have come from a round, hard plastic rod used to connect a plastic transfer belt. The firm said the products pass through a metal detector, but the plastic is not detectable to this technology".
In May, Foster Farms recalled chicken nuggets due to foreign material. And in March, Purdue recalled chicken nuggets due to plastic pieces. In 2014, Tyson recalled chicken nuggets due to plastic pieces. It may make sense for those making chicken nuggets to invest in X-ray technology.
FSIS Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/931c84b3-cc2e-4a10-9108-806bfab661b0/75-16.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Nugget Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 089-2016
Health Risk: High Sep 27, 2016
The recall was initiated after consumer complaints were made. According to the report "the plastic material ranged in size from 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter and may have come from a round, hard plastic rod used to connect a plastic transfer belt. The firm said the products pass through a metal detector, but the plastic is not detectable to this technology".
In May, Foster Farms recalled chicken nuggets due to foreign material. And in March, Purdue recalled chicken nuggets due to plastic pieces. In 2014, Tyson recalled chicken nuggets due to plastic pieces. It may make sense for those making chicken nuggets to invest in X-ray technology.
FSIS Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/931c84b3-cc2e-4a10-9108-806bfab661b0/75-16.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Nugget Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 089-2016
Health Risk: High Sep 27, 2016
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