This Week in Mislabeled Product - ending 9/29/17

A WI firm is voluntarily recalling Waterfront Bistro Tartar Sauce because there is a chance an incorrect back label was attached to the product, which does not correctly identify ingredients that could pose an allergen risk; specifically egg.  From the notice - "The recall was initiated after production checks at our manufacturing facility found the incorrect back label for Hot Cocktail Sauce instead of Tartar Sauce.  ....... The defect identified was caused by a temporary breakdown in our label supplier’s production and quality control processes."

An Illinois establishment is recalling an undetermined amount of smoked turkey products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered by FSIS Inspection Program Personnel while performing routine label verification checks.

A NY firm is recalling its VINA CAFÉ WAKE-UP INSTANT COFFEE MIX in 18 PACK CARDBOARD BOXES (.6 oz packs), with lot “EXP:17.MAR.2019 1T13.” because they contain undeclared milk allergens.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the 0.6 ounce plastic package, with 18 packets per cardboard box of VINA CAFÉ WAKE-UP INSTANT COFFEE MIX which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm577561.htm
Silver Spring Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalling Waterfront Bistro Tartar Sauce Due To Possible Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen
For Immediate Release
September 26, 2017

CDC MMWR - 2016 Outbreak of Campylobacter Linked to Undercooked Chicken Liver Mousse

In a 2016 case, 4 people became ill from Campylobacter after eating undercooked chicken liver mousse.  From the report, "During an inspection on July 15, the sous-chef solely responsible for preparing the chicken liver mousse demonstrated preparation to the CCPH food safety inspector, who observed that the sous-chef used the appearance of the livers alone to determine whether they were fully cooked. Final internal cook temperature of the largest liver measured by the inspector was <130°F (54°C), below the minimum 165°F (74°C) internal temperature deemed necessary by the Food and Drug Administration to eliminate food safety hazards"

Campylobacter is naturally found in chickens and is a risk for causing foodborne illness when there are cross contamination issues or undercooking.
CDC - MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6638a4.htm?s_cid=mm6638a4_e
Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni Associated with Consuming Undercooked Chicken Liver Mousse — Clark County, Washington, 2016
Weekly / September 29, 2017 / 66(38);1027
Derel Glashower, MPH1; Jennifer Snyder1; Diane Welch, MS1; Shannon McCarthy1 (View author affiliations)
View suggested citation

Deli Chicken Salad Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

King Soopers retail chain is recalling deli chicken salad after the supplier indicated that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The product is a deli pack with the clear plastic tortoise shell packaging.

Listeria is a risk in premade salad items like this.  From the retailer's perspective, it is critical to ensure the supplier has tight controls and a solid enviromental monitoring system.

It is interesting to note that the recall was posted on 9/27, but the retailer was notified on 9/21.  This seems to be a pretty long delay.  Hopefully the recall began immediately at store level.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm577865.htm
King Soopers Recalls Deli Chicken Salad Sandwich (6.8oz) Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 27, 2017

This Week in Mislabeled Product - 9/22/17

A CA company is recalling Tasty Treats Nonpareils Milk Chocolate because it contains undeclared milk.  Yep, a milk chocolate product and forgot the milk on the label as an ingredient and as an allergen.  Note though, the label did have a precautionary statement that says processed in a facility that processes milk products, but it need to claim milk as an ingredient.  The problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's label review process.

A NY firm is recalling the following products because an allergenic ingredient, milk, was not declared in labeling. CFIA detection initially found this issue, and we are voluntarily recall the similar ingredients of other products


FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm576841.htm
First Source Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk In Tasty Treats Nonpareils Milk Chocolate
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2017

Nacho Cheese Sauce and Botulism - Case Findings and Recommendations

In May of 2017, there was a botulism outbreak involving nacho cheese sauce served at a California gas station.  It is easy to see from this that the gas station did not monitor temperature, so likely that the units were possibly shut off.  This is a TCS food item, and with that, strict temperature control is required.   Unfortunately, this type of nacho cheese sauce if often treated as a shelf-stable item.   In the recommendations below, it states that the cheese can be hot held for up to 6 days....so much for me eating nacho cheese on anything served on a food bar...not that I have eaten it ever in the past.

The California Department of Public Health released a memo regarding their findings and recommendations (abridged here, in full below).

Chicken Sashimi - Eating Raw Chicken is a Risk

Chicken sashimi is a raw chicken item being prepared by a few restaurants here and in Japan.  With chicken having a high prevalence of  Salmonella and Campylobacter, this product poses a high risk for foodborne illness, even if the surface is quickly heated.  

Buzz Feed
https://www.buzzfeed.com/michelleno/would-you-eat-chicken-sashimi?utm_term=.doj7ve8NN#.ayDka3Dpp
Food
Chicken Sashimi Exists, And Americans Are Freaking Out
Literally everyone on Twitter: "No."
Michelle No
BuzzFeed Staff

Mexico - Meth Contamination Reported in 7Up

In Mexico, there has been one reported death and several illness from Methamphetamine, or meth, adulteration in bottles of 7Up soft drink.  This product tampering issue occurred in the Mexicali area, which is south of the Mexican border with California.

Washington Post
WorldViews Analysis
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/23/travelers-beware-meth-laced-7up-reportedly-causes-death-in-mexico/?utm_term=.25692ed9517a
Travelers beware: Meth-laced 7Up reportedly causes death in Mexico
By Rachel Chason September 23

Cyber Security for Automated Food Processing Equipment

A recent article in Food Safety Magazine discusses the concern of cyber attacks on the supply chain.  Basically, the issue would be when somebody gains control over your automated processing equipment.  This could result in processing changes or formulation changes that can lead to contamination issues.

A division of Homeland Security, ICS-CERT (Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team), monitors and reports such attacks.  In April, they reported such an attack on a food processing system.  In 2016, this group reported 3 incidents on the food and agriculture sector.

As a food safety professional, this is just another concern to keep you awake at night.
Of course, the big concern is that somebody turns your automatic palletizer into this:

Damn, that Skynet software package.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/signature-series/when-food-safety-meets-cyber-risk/
Signature Series | September 14, 2017
When Food Safety Meets Cyber Risk

Cold Brew Coffee Recalled for Botulism Concerns

A NY company is recalling its canned cold brewed coffee after it was determined that the product may be conducive to the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of  botulism.  The product's name, interesting enough, is Death Wish.  Probably appropriate.

In canned beverages such as juices and teas, pH is often used as a control for preventing Clostridium botulinum growth.  For this, the pH is kept below 4.6.  The pH of coffee can vary widely from 4.2 to 5.2 or higher depending upon the type of coffee.  In making a canned product such as this, it would be important to adjust pH to a value below 4.6, if pH is used as a control.  Other controls may be used.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm576809.htm
Death Wish Coffee Co. Announces Recall of Nitro Cold Brew Cans From Retailers, Online Sales
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2017