Supermarket Chain Recalls Chili and Soup Items due to the Potential for Foreign Material Contamination - Hard Plastic

A Wisconsin retailer is recalling over 16,000 lbs of ready-to-eat (RTE) chili and soup items due to potential foreign material contamination, specifically hard plastic.  The issue was discovered by the company's food safety team

USDA / FSIS News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-112-2017-release
Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc., Recalls Chili and Soup Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 

112-2017
Health Risk: High 

Oct 17, 2017

Man Arrested for Intentional Contamination of Grocery Store Produce with Feces Based Liquid

In North Carolina, a man was arrested after he sprayed a feces-smelling brown liquid on grocery store produce.  "According to Harris Teeter officials, the suspect attempted to contaminate food in the produce department and the fresh foods department. Store officials say associates immediately took action and closed down the affected departments and notified supervisors."  The man is said to be a disgruntled contractor who was saying that the store owed him money.

Update 10/20/17 - CBS 5 reports that the substance was confirmed as feces.  It is reported that the suspected used a mixture of his own feces and urine.

CBS 5 Charleston
http://www.live5news.com/story/36601167/officials-disgruntled-contractor-reportedly-sprays-feces-on-produce-at-w-ashley-harris-teeter
Bond set for contractor accused of contaminating produce at W. Ashley Harris Teeter
Published:Sunday, October 15th 2017, 3:59 pm EDT
Updated:Monday, October 16th 2017, 7:44 pm EDT
By Ray Rivera, Digital Producer
By Harve Jacobs, Reporter

Jars of Tarragon Spice Recalled After Positive Salmonella Test

A California spice company is recalling 0.4oz jars of tarragon spice after testing found the raw material was positive for Salmonella. 

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm580600.htm
Spicely Organics Recalls Organic Tarragon Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2017

Nut Butter Recalled in March for E. coli Contamination Still in Marketplace

FDA issued a news release to remind the public and retailers that the I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Products have been recalled and must not be available for sale.  These products were recalled back in March after being linked to a dozen cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection.  The problem is that these products are still being sold, both online and in retail stores.  The packer was suspended.

The occurrence of recalled product, and dangerous product at that, still being in the marketplace shows the difficulty of recall compliance in smaller retailers and online venues where niche product like this is likely to sell.

FDA Outbreak Notice

https://www.fda.gov/food/recallsoutbreaksemergencies/outbreaks/ucm544964.htm
FDA Reminds Public that All I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Products Are Recalled
October 13, 2017

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