Nestle is recalling its ice cream treat, Drumstick cones, from Best before June 2, 2017 to June 19, 2017 after testing found the food contact surface positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No product had tested positive. No illnesses have been reported.
In the notice, it states "The products impacted by the voluntary recall were put into distribution inadvertently." This may suggest that the product was on a test-and-hold and was released prior to the finalized test results. Even though the positive was found on a surface that is classified as product contact, there is a risk that the product may have been contaminated as well, at least one has to consider it.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm524634.htm
Nestlé USA Initiates Voluntary Recall Of Nestlé® Drumstick® Club 16 Count Variety and 24 Count Vanilla Pack Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2016
Monday, October 10, 2016
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Vermont Drops Enforcement of GMO Labeling
As part of an agreement, Vermont announced that it would not enforce its law requiring the mandatory labeling of GMO foods. Put best by Pamela G. Bailey, president of GMA, the group who fought the law, “.......the Vermont law opens the door to states creating mandatory labeling requirements based on pseudo-science and web-fed hysteria......If this law is allowed to go into effect, it will disrupt food supply chains, confuse consumers and lead to higher food costs.”
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—September 8, 2016
http://www.pennstateaglaw.com/2016/09/agricultural-law-weekly-reviewseptember_8.html
GMO Labeling: GMA and Vermont Agree to Voluntarily Dismiss Litigation
Written by M. Sean High – Staff Attorney
On September 1, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Vermont signed an order of voluntary dismissal in the state GMO labeling case Grocery Manufacturers Association v. Sorrell (Case No. 5:14-cv-117-cr, Document 161). According to the order, the parties agreed to voluntarily dismiss the action without prejudice because: (1) on July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law S.764 which established a “National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard;” (2) on August 1, 2016, USDA stated that S.764 preempted states from requiring the labeling of any genetically engineered food or seed in interstate commerce; and (3) on August 2, 2016, Vermont’s Attorney General (Sorrell) announced that the state would no longer enforce Vermont Act 120 which required the labeling of food produced with genetic engineering.
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—September 8, 2016
http://www.pennstateaglaw.com/2016/09/agricultural-law-weekly-reviewseptember_8.html
GMO Labeling: GMA and Vermont Agree to Voluntarily Dismiss Litigation
Written by M. Sean High – Staff Attorney
On September 1, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Vermont signed an order of voluntary dismissal in the state GMO labeling case Grocery Manufacturers Association v. Sorrell (Case No. 5:14-cv-117-cr, Document 161). According to the order, the parties agreed to voluntarily dismiss the action without prejudice because: (1) on July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law S.764 which established a “National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard;” (2) on August 1, 2016, USDA stated that S.764 preempted states from requiring the labeling of any genetically engineered food or seed in interstate commerce; and (3) on August 2, 2016, Vermont’s Attorney General (Sorrell) announced that the state would no longer enforce Vermont Act 120 which required the labeling of food produced with genetic engineering.
Webinar, 'Play FDA for a Day', Drives Paranoia to a New Level
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.)
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.)
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.
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