Amazon Acquires Whole Foods

Amazon.com announced that it was purchasing Whole Foods Markets today.   The food landscape continues to change in surprising ways.

Produce News
http://theproducenews.com/the-produce-news-today-s-headlines/21623-amazon-to-acquire-whole-foods-in-13-7-billion-deal
Amazon to acquire Whole Foods in $13.7 billion deal

June 16, 2017

Various Nut Based Products Recalled Due to Listeria

There have been a number of recalls over the past week for nut based products for Listeria.  All recalls state that there was a supplier issue.  One would guess that most, if not all recalls are related to the same supplier.

• NOW Health Group, Inc. (NOW), of Bloomingdale, Illinois, is expanding the voluntary recall of various nut butters.
• NEW ENGLAND NATURAL BAKERS of Greenfield MA, is issuing a voluntary recall of various granola products.
• The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has expanded the recall of its 12 oz. packages of Simple Truth Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts
• Wildway LLC is voluntarily recalling certain grain-free granola
• GoMacro, of Viola, Wis., is recalling a limited number of MacroBars and Thrive Bars
• Bulletproof 360, Inc. (“Bulletproof”) of Bellevue, Washington is recalling five Collagen Protein Bar and Bite products

Another recall that may be related is one for dry fruit products.

• Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for Publix Tropical Medley Mix because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Publix received notification of the potential contamination from our supplier of dried apricot.

Dry products listed here will not support the growth of Listeria, so then the question of risk is based on the amount of Listeria present.  Therefore, this probably represents a low risk.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm563399.htm
NOW Health Group Inc. Expands Voluntary Recall of Ellyndale® Nutty Infusions™ Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2017

Breading Recall for Milk Allergens Due to Cross Contact in Processing

Newly Weds Foods issued a statement that their recall for breading, which caused a number of food processors to issue a recall, was due to cross contact in the manufacturing practice at their Massachusetts manufacturing facility.  The issue was discovered by one of their seafood customers. There were other meat and poultry recalls that resulted with more than 1.3 millions pounds of product.

Meatingplace.com
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/73814
Newly Weds Foods issues statement on breading-related recalls 

Breading Supplier Recall Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens Impacts Many Processors

Newly Wed Foods, a large supplier of breading as an ingredient, announced a recall of their product that has impacted a large number of companies that make breaded food items, forcing those companies to issue recalls.  The reason is that the breading ingredient(s) had milk allergen in them which was not declared on the labels.  The overall impact has been huge, with millions of pounds of various products being recalled.

Here is a list of companies posting recalls.

• Giant Eagle, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of Market District Toasted Crumb Tilapia and Giant Eagle Toasted Crumb Tilapia sold fresh from the seafood department of its supermarkets, and Giant Eagle Breaded Chicken Breast sold in the prepared foods department, due to an undeclared milk allergen.
• Slade Gorton, Boston, MA is recalling the following products because they may contain undeclared milk. 
• Packer Avenue Foods, Inc., a Philadelphia, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 9,690 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad due to misbranding and undeclared allergens,.....The products could contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. 
• Conagra Brands, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 717,338 pounds of spaghetti and meatball products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens,....... known allergen which is not declared on the product label. 
• Gourmet Boutique LLC, with establishments in Jamaica, N.Y. and Phoenix, Ariz., is recalling approximately 294,744 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, ... The products could contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. 
• Pork King Sausage, a New York, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 44,035 pounds of raw sausage link products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen,....The products could contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.
• Advance Pierre Foods, Inc., a Portland, Maine establishment, is recalling approximately 54,699 pounds of chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, ....The products could contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. 
• Maid-Rite Specialty Foods, LLC., a Dunmore, Penn. establishment, is recalling approximately 174,000 pounds of various beef products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.....The products contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the products labels. Tyson Foods Inc., a New Holland, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,485,374 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) breaded chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens
• Aldon Food Corporation, a Schwenksville, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 18,570 pounds of chicken salad due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, 
• Water Lilies Food Inc., a Astoria, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 4,335 pounds of ready-to-eat breaded chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens
• Safeway stores in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. are recalling deli-prepared fried chicken. Safeway was informed by Newlyweds Foods that the blended bread coating that it provided Safeway to make fried chicken included milk, which was not disclosed as an ingredient.

Breading is used both as a coating as well as added into the product (meatballs).  Breading and powder based coatings including pre-dust,  can include egg, dairy, wheat, corn, soy depending on the formula.  A supplier such as Newly Wed probably has hundreds of breading and coating formulas, and their labels must match the allergens listed.  Their customers, those food processors, depend on Newly Wed to control the allergens so that only those listed on the labels are actually in the product. When an allergen containing ingredient not listed on the official formula and ingredient package label accidentally gets into the product, then this creates an allergen mismatch for all of their processing customers.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-067-2017-release
News Release
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Breaded Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall 067-2017
Health Risk: High 

Jun 9, 2017

Pet Treats Recalled Due to Use of QUAT as a Product Application

United Pet is recalling various rawhide chew products for dogs after it was found that the foreign suppliers were using QUAT to treat the products as a microbial reduction.  Quaternary Ammonium products are used as a sanitizer for food contact surfaces, but not for application to items that will be consumed.

In the report, "United Pet Group received very limited reports of pet illness based on the volume of possibly affected rawhide chew products manufactured and distributed. The primary complaint received from consumers was that the affected product had an unpleasant odor. Diarrhea and vomiting were also reported.  Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause the following symptoms in dogs: reduced appetite, and gastric irritation including diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may require treatment by a veterinarian depending on severity."

Of course you can not use a food contact sanitizer on a food unless the use has been approved.

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm562701.htm
United Pet Group Voluntary Recalls Multiple Brands of Rawhide Chew Products for Dogs Due to Possible Chemical Contamination
For Immediate Release
June 10, 2017

Club Chef Recalls Produce Items Due to the Potential To Contain Listeria

Club Chef is recalling its snack kits and salad items.     The kits are retail items sold under the Kroger and Club Chef brand.  Club Chef is also recalling onions sold as a part of numerous foodservice items distributed through US Foods.

The recall notice on the  kit items stated that it comes after the company's own internal environmental testing found Listeria in the processing environment.

The US Foods recall impacted our local school district, so it probably impacted a number of foodservice operations across the country.


FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm562590.htm
Club Chef LLC Announces Recall of Limited Number of Snack Kits
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2017

Miami Company Recalls Queso Fresco Cheese Due to Listeria

A Miami company is recalling Queso Fresco cheese due to the potential for Listeria.   Queso Fresco, or 'fresh cheese' is a Mexican style soft cheese normally made from unpasteurized milk.   Listeria contamination has been a problem with this style of cheese.  CDC has a fact sheet warning pregnant women to avoid this type of cheese because of the Listeria concern.  Over time, there has been a number of recalls associated with this and similar types of cheese.

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm561927.htm
Global Garlic Inc. Recalls "Queso Freso/Whole Milk Cheese" Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
May 30, 2017

Bakery Recall Pepperoni Rolls After Receiving Foreign Object Complaints

An Ohio establishment is recalling 3.000 lbs of frozen, ready-to-eat, beef and pork pepperoni rolls  a bakery product, after receiving three complaints of clear meat casings in the product.  So did someone not remove the casing from the pepperoni before slicing?

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-058-2017-release
P&S Bakery, Inc. Recalls Pepperoni Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 058-2017
Health Risk: High Jun 2, 2017
En Español

Congressional and Public Affairs Gabrielle N. Johnston (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017– P&S Bakery, Inc., a Poland, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 2,959 pounds of pepperoni product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically clear meat casing utilized in food production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Delays Compliance Dates for Agricultural Water as Part of FSMA Produce Safety Rule

The FDA announced that it is planning to extend the deadline for compliance to agricultural water standards used in irrigation as part of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule .  Irrigation water can be a source of pathogens, but it is not an easy to control, especially when that water comes from surface waters.  Work done here at Penn State by Luke LaBorde etal (ref below) found that it was hard to make a connection between water standards and pathogen levels.  So testing water to see if it meets standards that may not mean much in terms of the pathogens present.  It is easy to see how environmental factors will constantly change...whether that be the occasional presence of animals, the amount of rainfall, the amount of sunshine, etc.

For more information on irrigation water, visit the Penn State Extension Website -http://extension.psu.edu/food/safety/farm/gaps/safe-uses-of-agricultural-water

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Updates
FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Dates for Agricultural Water Standards

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is exploring ways to simplify the agricultural water standards established by the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) produce safety rule (PSR) after receiving feedback from stakeholders that some of the requirements are too complex to understand and implement.