Vermont Meat Processor Recalls Ground Beef After 2 Cases of E. coli Infection

A Vermont meat processing facility is recalling ground beef product after 2 people became ill with E. coli O157:H7.

From the Recall Notice:
"On September 30, 2017, FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Working in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FSIS determined the cooked beef burgers that were served at an event at Bread & Butter Farm was the probable source of the reported illnesses. Based on the epidemiological investigation, two case-patients were identified in Vermont with illness onset dates ranging from September 18, 2017, to September 23, 2017. Traceback information indicated that both case-patients consumed ground beef products at Bread & Butter Farm which was supplied by Vermont Livestock Slaughter & Processing"

USDA/FSIS Notice

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-108-2017-release
Vermont Livestock Slaughter And Processing LLC, Recalls Ground Beef Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall 

108-2017
Health Risk: High 

Oct 13, 2017

NY Establishment Recalling Luncheon Meats Due to Foreign Material - Aluminum

A NY establishment is "recalling approximately 22,630 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) Genoa Salami and Capocollo products that may have been contaminated with foreign matter, specifically aluminum.   The problem was discovered when the company notified FSIS of an incident where an aluminum clip was found in the product shipped to a retailer. The issues were found during preparation and slicing of product at the retail level."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-110-2017-release
Battistoni Italian Specialty Meats, LLC, Recalls Salami and Capocollo Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 

110-2017
Health Risk: Low 

Oct 13, 2017

Warning Letter Issued to Bean Manufacturer for Inadequately Handling Can Seam Issue

Bush Beans was issued a warning letter related to how they handled a can seam issue this past summer.  Although a recall was conducted, FDA cited the plant for not notifying FDA of the issue, minimizing the issue even though a container failure issue could be danger to the public, and failing to take appropriate action regarding in-process rejects.  The issue was that the firm did not take appropriate action to a supplier related can seam issue. Can seam issues for low acid canned foods can result in serious issues such as the potential for Clostridium botulinum.

The warning letter specified two major items:
1.  Failed to promptly report to FDA any instance of spoilage or potential public health significance where any such lot of food had in whole or in part entered distribution, by distributing bean products after a side seam defect was identified by plant personnel and confirmed by the can manufacturer.  The issue was identified as a weld adhesion failure on the side seams.  The company only considered a market withdrawal for cans manufactured on one day identified as having the most can seam defects, but other dates were involved. "The explanation provided to the FDA Investigators was that your Quality Assurance Department identified this as a food quality issue and not a food safety issue."  Additionally, the firm did not conduct any microbiological tests on the questionable lots at the time of the inspection, and, was not able to give assurance that those products would pose no significant health risks to consumers due to potential post-process contamination based on the observed side seam defect.  The firm did not routinely do microbiological analysis of the cooling water, which while not expressly required, it is important to show control.

2.  Failed to perform and record defects of containers, and perform a corrective action when cans were identified as losing their hermetic seal.  Basically, the firm had an inline dud detector to determine which cans had lost vacuum, but the record keeping was poor and there was no follow-up to cans that were rejected.

The Low Acid Canned Food regulations (LACF) are in place for all those who package low acid canned foods where Clostridium botulinum can be an issue. 


https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2017/ucm578558.htm
September 29, 2017
Warning letter 535494

Port Wine Cheese Spread Recalled After Complaints for Foreign Material

BelBrands is recalling Merkts Port Wine Cheese Spread after the company received complaints from consumers about finding small pieces of plastic in the product.  It appears to be limited to one production date.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm580343.htm
Bel Brands USA, Inc. Issues a Nationwide Voluntary Recall Of Merkts Port Wine Cheese Spread Because Of Possible Foreign Bodies Found In a Limited Batch Of Products
October 13, 2017
Contact
Consumers 1-888-840-0096
Announcement
View Product Photos 

Three Hepatitis A Issues from Across Country

There are some Hepatitis A outbreak events worth noting.

• First is a case in Alabama where a pizza delivery person has been diagnosed.  People who have purchased pizza from this establishment have been asked to get a vaccine.
• In San Diego, CA, a huge outbreak of Hepatitis A has close to 500 infected but has had a huge impact among the homeless population.  Vaccines have been given at local parks, a place where the homeless my frequent.
• In SE Michigan, more than 300 have become infected, including at least one food worker.

ABC 33 Alabama
http://abc3340.com/news/local/hepatitis-a-virus-found-in-anniston-food-handler
Vaccines recommended after Anniston restaurant worker tests positive for Hepatitis A
by James Franklin| [not the football coach]
Wednesday, October 11th 2017

Ben and Jerry's Changing Sourcing to Eliminate Glyphosate from Ingredients

Ben and Jerry's  announced that they are making changes to their sourcing to eliminate the chemical glyphosate from ingredients they purchase...by 2020.  Glyphosate, a main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, was found to be present in their product (as well as other food products) at very low levels - far below what EPA would cause adverse effects (EPA has a limit of 2 mg/kg/day vs 1.75 ppb found) and EPA says that the chemical is not likely to be carcinogenic.  In 40CFR180, lists the tolerances for pesticide residues in food including glyphosate (180.364 - table below).   EPA's established tolerance for glyphosate in drinking water is 700 parts per billion (ppb).

So 1.75 ppb is pretty darn low, and based upon this EPA limit, a news article (below) determined that a kid would have to eat over 100,000 servings per day to get to this level.  And glypshate is common in the environment and as well other foods.  A study found that many cereal grain products had levels ranging from 25 to 1000 ppb - again, all well below EPA limits.  It is even in wine (in a 2016 report, the highest level found was 18.74 ppb).

But people get excited, especially once you link a herbicide to thier food.  I think the controversy is good.  It forces the science to prove its safety and for the agricultural industry to manage its use.  Where we fail is communicating to consumers the minimal risk associated with the amount that was found.

NECN

http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Ben--Jerrys-to-Change-Ingredients-After-Weed-Killer-Discovery-450487113.html

Ben & Jerry’s to Change Ingredients After Weed Killer Discovery

By Jack Thurston

Another Recall for Foreign Material in Meat Products

A Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 12,816 pounds of fully cooked shredded beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic.  The problem was discovered on October 11, 2017, when the company received notification from their consignee that a consumer complaint had been received regarding foreign material, specifically plastic, in the product.

Here is another recall for foreign material in the form of plastic.  It appears from this notice there was one complaint, but hard to tell the extent of the issue.  Still, probably a small error that will be costly for a small private company.

USDA / FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-109-2017-release
J & B Sausage Company, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked Shredded Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 

109-2017
Health Risk: Low 

Oct 12, 2017

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Ending 10/13/17

Whole Foods Market stores is voluntarily recalling 365 Everyday Value Organic Raisin Bran because the product contains undeclared peanuts that were not listed on the product label.  The issue was discovered after Whole Foods Market determined the packaging contained Peanut Butter Cocoa Balls instead of Organic Raisin Bran.

A Tennessee firm is recalling 816 Premium Chicken Salad Wheatberry Sandwich Lot Number 17 198 because they have the wrong ingredient statement and contain undeclared eggs and soy.  The recall was initiated after Quality Assurance discovered that product containing the allergens was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the allergen. The ingredient statement on the affected product is for a different sandwich.

General Mills is voluntarily recalling two days of production of Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Raisin Granola cereal produced on July 15 and 16, 2017 because the product may contain almonds, an undeclared nut allergen. 

La Terra Fina is voluntarily recalling its 10 oz. containers of Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip & Spread with the date of BEST BY NOV-01-2017 due to undeclared egg.  The issue was discovered after receiving notification from a retailer that the ingredient statement and UPC code were for a different dip.

A PA firm is recalling Pennsylvania is voluntarily recalling one lot of Hannaford Supermarkets’ potato salad because it may contain undeclared egg.  "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that certain packages of the recalled product contained an ingredient and nutrition label from another product [Taste of Inspirations Rotini Salad] that did not reveal the presence of egg."


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm579511.htm
Whole Foods Market Issues Nationwide Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in 365 Everyday Value Organic Raisin Bran
For Immediate Release
October 6, 2017

FDA Reminder - Choose Legitimate Source When Purchasing Pet Meds Online

The FDA reminds us that it is important then when purchasing pet medications online, ensure they are from a legitimate source.  They suggest that you should look for pharmacy websites ending in “.Pharmacy.”  It is also advisable to work in conjunction with your veterinarian.

FDA.gov
https://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048164.htm
Buying Pet Medicines Online: Ensuring Products are Safe