NH Firm Expands Listeria Related Recall to Include All Products

A NH company is now recalling all of its products due to the potential to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.  Earlier this week, Yorgo's recalled products with the same date code.  But like all Listeria recalls, rarely is one lot involved unless there is substantial evidence that controls were in place and the one day in question represented an event out of the ordinary.  The company also produces product for Trader Joe's (of course).

As we have seen in many past Listeria-related recalls, recalls are expanded after regulators investigate and discover that there is likely a lack of sufficient control.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm585420.htm
Yorgo’s Foods Inc Is Recalling All Flavored and Unflavored Food Products (Hommus; Tahini Sauces; Yogurt Dip, Salads, Tzatziki, Grape Leaves; Taboule) Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 15, 2017

CA Establishment Ships Product Sampled by USDA, and Recalls After Positive Listeria Test

A Hayward, Calif. establishment specializing in Indian foods, is recalling approximately 264 pounds of cooked chicken tikka masala products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes  According to the recall notice, the problem was discovered on Nov. 13, 2017 when the UDSA district office received notification that the firm shipped product that USDA had earlier sampled (Nov 7) and confirmed to be positive with Listeria monocytogenes (Nov 13). 

In this case, the company should have held product that was sampled by USDA until the results came back.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-121-2017-release
Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods Recalls Chicken Tikka Masala Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
121-2017 
Health Risk: High 
Nov 14, 2017 

PA Beef Slaughter Facility Shutdown Because of Pests

A PA slaughter facility has been temporarily shut down because of 'pests'. 

Hard to know exactly the extent of the situation, but pests like mice and rats can become incredibly embedded within facility structures if not promptly handled.  Once tunnels, runways, and nesting sites are put in place in the bowels of the structure, it creates opportunities for reinfections over time.

Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jbs-beef/pests-force-temporary-shutdown-of-jbs-pennsylvania-beef-plant-idUSKBN1D8379
Pests force temporary shutdown of JBS Pennsylvania beef plant
Theopolis Waters
November 8, 2017 / 5:45 PM

Hommus and Baba Ghannouj Recalled After FDA Finds Listeria in NH Processing Plant

A NH company is recalling hommus and baba ghannouj after FDA sampling discovered Listeria monocytogenes in the processing environment.  "The production of the products have been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem."

Hommus and hummus are the same...which is chickpea paste mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and tahini.  (Of course, this is different than humus which is fully decomposed organic matter used for improving planting soil.)  Baba Ghannouj (aka baba ganoush) is made from mashed grilled eggplant mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and tahini.  Both hummus and baba gannoush are the types of foods where Listeria is a risk for post process contamination.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm584693.htm
Yorgo Foods Inc is Recalling Various Flavors of Hommus Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 10, 2017

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week ending 11/10/17

Donated Unlabeled Hot Pockets Recalled - Nestle Prepared Foods Company, a Mount Sterling, Ky. establishment, is recalling approximately 26,400 pounds of pork and beef products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the product(s) contains eggs, milk, soy, and wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.   Interesting point here - These items were donated to a charitable organization, in which the product was further distributed to a food bank in Missouri. The products may have been repackaged and further distributed and sold to additional food banks in Missouri. The products do not have the USDA mark of inspection and do not identify the ingredients.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-118-2017-release
Nestle Prepared Foods Company Recalls Pork and Beef Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I Recall
118-2017
Health Risk: High
Nov 8, 2017

CDC MMWR - Waterborne Disease Outbreaks from Drinking Water - 2013 to 2014

As an important raw material for most food operations, water must be evaluated as part of the hazard analysis. The source of the water as well as how that water is stored and used must be considered. In CDC's report, disease outbreaks associated with drinking water (period 2013-2014) are reviewed. By their definition, "for an event to be defined as a waterborne disease outbreak, two or more cases must be linked epidemiologically by time, location of water exposure, and illness characteristics; and the epidemiologic evidence must implicate water exposure as the probable source of illness."

A summary of key findings:

• "Legionella was implicated in 24 (57%) outbreaks, 130 (13%) cases, 109 (88%) hospitalizations, and all 13 deaths (Table 1). Eight outbreaks caused by two parasites resulted in 289 (29%) cases, among which 279 (97%) were caused by Cryptosporidium, and 10 (3%) were caused by Giardia duodenalis. Chemicals or toxins were implicated in four outbreaks involving 499 cases, with 13 hospitalizations, including the first reported outbreaks (two outbreaks) associated with algal toxins in drinking water."
• "Thirty-five (83%) outbreaks were associated with public (i.e., regulated), community or noncommunity water systems,¶ and three (7%) were associated with unregulated, individual systems. Fourteen outbreaks occurred in drinking water systems with groundwater sources and an additional 14 occurred in drinking water systems with surface water sources. The most commonly cited deficiency, which led to 24** (57%) of the 42 drinking water–associated outbreaks, was the presence of Legionella in drinking water systems"
• "All of the outbreak-associated deaths reported during this surveillance period as well as all of the outbreaks reported in hospital/health care settings or long-term care facilities, were caused by Legionella. A review of 27 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak investigations in which CDC participated during 2000–2014 identified at least one water system maintenance deficiency in all 23 investigations for which this information was available, indicating that effective water management programs in buildings at increased risk for Legionella growth and transmission (e.g., those with more than 10 stories or that house "
• "Cryptosporidium was the second most common cause of both outbreaks and illnesses, demonstrating the continued threat from this chlorine-tolerant pathogen when drinking water supplies are contaminated."

Some background from one of the references (copied below) on Legionella in water systems.

• "Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection that is fatal for about one in 10 persons who become infected. Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease, grows well in warm water, but can be killed by disinfectants, such as chlorine. Persons can get Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in small droplets of water contaminated with Legionella."
• "Legionella grows best in building water systems that are not well maintained, especially where levels of chlorine or other disinfectants are low and water temperatures are optimal for its growth. Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks most often occur in hotels, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. The most common sources are potable water (e.g., drinkable water used for showering), cooling towers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains."

CDC MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6644a3.htm?s_cid=mm6644a3_e
Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water — United States, 2013–2014
Weekly / November 10, 2017 / 66(44);1216–1221

PA Establishment Recalls Raw Poultry Product for Foreign Metal Contamination

A Mifflintown, Pa. poultry establishment, is recalling approximately 10,839 pounds of raw poultry products that may be contaminated with metal pieces.  According to the report, "The problem was discovered on November 2, 2017 by an establishment employee who observed metal foreign material in a chicken breast while performing routine duties. The establishment took corrective actions to recover products before reaching commerce."  So not sure why a recall needed to be issued since it appears the product did not leave the building.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-119-2017-release
Empire Kosher Poultry Inc. Recalls Chicken Products Due To Possible Extraneous Material Contamination 
Class I Recall
119-2017
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2017

FDA Report - Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program FY 2015

FDA issued their 2015 Pesticide Monitoring Program Report.   Overall, the findings showed low levels of violations, and basically these numbers were similar to the previous year.   It must be remembered that this is targeted sampling...that is, FDA will focus their effort on looking on those items/locations where there is more likely to be an issue.

In comparison of domestic versus imported foods, imported products were more likely to have violative pesticide levels.

Frozen Green Beans Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

A Canadian firm with a US repack facility is recalling frozen green beans after Connecticut Dept of Consumer Protection found one Listeria positive sample.
Based upon information gleaned from a company write-up in Business View Magazine (Sept 2017) this product is probably not domestic.  And like all Listeria related outbreaks, it will be a question of whether more product will be pulled into the recall. Much of that will depend on the investigation into the packing facility's Listeria Control Plan.

This is the type of product that would fall under the Foreign Supplier Verification program with the foreign company being the FSVP Importer having the US facility.  And this is why the address in the announcement is the facility in Virginia.

In the Business View write-up, the following passage is interesting.  Clearly, they see their product as meeting ready-to-eat standards. As Lee Corso would say...'not so fast my friend'.

Another growing item of concern to Tentomas [company founder] is food safety. “There’s been a major shift change in both regulatory as well as consumer behavior in how we eat these products,” he states. “Consumers today are eating raw and frozen fruits and vegetables, putting them in their smoothies and putting them in their salads, and there have been some major recalls in 2016 for both frozen fruits and a massive one in frozen vegetables. So, the food safety landscape has changed significantly. And what you’re seeing is the industry looking at their product as truly ‘ready-to-eat.’ Therefore, we need to establish the food safety parameters that come with a ready-to-eat product. And we see more significant change coming in enforcing the guidelines. That’s going to be one major change that will be positive for consumers because it will result in dramatic decreases in potential contamination of frozen fruits and vegetables. As an industry, we have a tremendous responsibility in making sure that we improve the food safety profile as consumers are eating more and more of it.”

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm584148.htm
Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods Voluntarily Recalls Nature’s Touch Frozen Organic Fine Whole Green Beans Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 7, 2017