Cheese Ravioli Product Recalled for Missing Allergen in "Contains" Statement

Gerber is recalling its Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-ups for a allergen labeling issue - while allergen egg is listed in the ingredient listing, it was missed in the 'Contains' statement.

FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004) requires that the label of a food that is fabricated from two or more ingredients declare each ingredient by its common or usual name.  It can do this either in the ingredient listing or it can highlight the allergens included in the product with a "Contains" statement.   However, FDA provided further guidance that if the company chooses to use the "Contains" statement, all major allergens in the product must be listed.  (FDA referenced documents below).

So in this case, while the ingredient  egg was in the ingredient listing, it was missed in the "Contains' statement.

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545747.htm
Gerber Issues Allergy Alert To Clarify Egg Labeling For Cheese Ravioli Pasta Pick-ups®
For Immediate Release
March 8, 2017

SoyNut Butter Company Recalls.....All SoyNut Butter and Granola Products

After initiating a recall last week in light of a dozen cases of E.coli O157:H7 infection, the SoyNut Butter Company is now recalling all soy butter and granola products in all sizes and all lot numbers.

Update - 3-10-17 Recall was updated to include Dixie Diner's Club products.  (How was this missed on expanded recall?)

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545368.htm
The Soynut Butter Co Expands Recall to All I.M. Healthy Soynut Butters And I.M. Healthy Granola Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2017

MI Food Pantry Temporarily Closed - A Reminder for Donated-Food Distributors

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development temporarily closed a food pantry after they inspected the facility.   The inspection came in response to a complaint, and numerous issues were found including moldy food and poor personnel practices.

While food pantries are given latitude in providing expired food, the food still must be edible.  Food inventories must be managed, removing items as they get excessively old or grow mold.  Another practice is taking bulk food and repacking it.  The repackaging process must be done following sanitary procedures including handwashing, and the smaller packages must be labeled.

Food pantries do a great service, but the people they serve must receive safe food.

M Live
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/03/state_inspection_uncovers_food.html
State inspection uncovers food safety violations at food pantry, temporarily closed
By John Tunison | jtunison@mlive.com The Grand Rapids Press
on March 02, 2017 at 10:09 PM, updated March 02, 2017 at 10:13 PM

NY Creamery is Recalling Soft Cheese Products After Positive Listeria Tests

UPDATE - 3/8/17  Whole food recalls cheese supplied by Vulto Creamery.

A NY company is recalling its soft raw milk cheeses after FDA and NY Department of Ag and Markets found that product may be possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

A look through the company's Facebook page gives an idea of the facility.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545289.htm
Vulto Creamery Issues Voluntary Recall of All Soft, Wash-Rind Raw Milk Cheeses Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2017

The Importance of Backflow Prevention

Questions often arise on the need for backflow prevention devices on water spigots in food establishments. Backflow occurs when non-potable water is pulled into the potable water via a cross-connection - is a physical link between potable and non-potable water, such as a hose.  Backflow occurs when there is a high movement of water through a water main, which generates negative pressure in the cross connection, causing back-siphonage or backflow from the non-potable water source through the cross-connection, whether that be a hose or a pipe.  This is due to Bernoulli's principle.

Examples of cross connections can be someone dropping a hose connected to a sink into a mop bucket containing floor cleaner, or someone dropping an outside hose into a non-chlorinated swimming pool (green) or into puddle of water.  Hoses, however, are not the only issue.  An often overlooked connection is the direct water feed into chemical mixing systems.   Hazards related to backflow are not always biological.  Chemicals can be pulled into the water source, especially through this direct water feed into chemical mixing / dispensing systems.

Of course it is best not to make that cross connection, but this is not always easy when using hoses.  Where hoses are used, it is important to make sure back flow prevention devices are installed.
Pressure deficiencies, such as when there is a water main break, also can result in backflow into the potable water source.

Bird Flu Found on Tennessee Farm

Avian influenza, or bird flu, struck a Tennessee chicken farm resulting in the operation having to cull 73,500 birds.  This is the first incident of avian influenza in the US this year.  To control the issue, all bird flocks in a six mile radius will be quarantined.

While this is not a human health issue, avian influenza can impact the poultry supply if not controlled.  The 2014/2015 outbreak resulted in 48 million chickens and turkeys.

NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/06/dining/bird-flu-avian-influenza-chickens-tyson-foods.html?_r=0
Bird Flu Outbreak Found at a Tennessee Farm
By STEPHANIE STROMMARCH 6, 2017

Investigation Continues into Chemical Contamination in Juice that Injured Two Children

In a very bizarre case, two children ingested a toxic chemical while at a restaurant.   According to the report, a 10 year old boy threw up blood and his half sister, aged 4, vomited after drinking apple juice out of foam cups at a Lancaster eating establishment.  

So far, methanol was one of the identified chemicals.  So this is not your typical food operation cleaning chemical.  Also, since only two children at the same table became ill, the contamination event occurred from point of dispensing to point of consumption.  So thus the criminal investigation.

Lancaster online
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/east-lampeter-police-investigate-if-incident-of-children-drinking-caustic/article_cc170c5e-02a3-11e7-b682-8bd62449c9a2.html
East Lampeter police investigate if incident of children drinking caustic substance at restaurant was criminal or accidental

MA Establishment Recalls Shaved Beef for Plastic Foreign Material

A Massachusetts establishment is recalling shaved beef after a retail outlet notified the firm that the product had "readily visible, long, thin strands of clear soft plastic from packaging material".  They further stated that because "the plastic is readily visible and identifiable, it is highly unlikely that it would be consumed and, therefore, the health risk is extremely low."

USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/rnr-021-2017
F.B. Packing Co., Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class III Recall 021-2017
Mar 6, 2017
Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

SoyNut Butter Recalled after Being Linked to E. coli O157:H7 Infections

 The SoyNut Butter Co is recalling 15 oz jars, individual serving cups, and tubs of its nut butter product after that product was linked to 12 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection.  To date, 12 people have become ill.  Of the 9 people contacted, 9 had exposure to this product.


FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm544976.htm
The Soynut Butter Co Recalls I.M. Healthy Original Creamy Soynut Butter Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2017