Two, Check That, Three More Raw Pet Food Recalls, Will This Become a Weekly Thing?

Updated 3/7/18 - Three more 'raw' pet food recalls were announced by FDA.  This is becoming a series of recalls related to raw pet foods.

One was kitten food, produced by Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, GA, that contained both Salmonella and Listeria.  "This recall was initiated after the FDA received a complaint of two kitten deaths, including one death which was confirmed to be caused by Salmonella septicemia. Subsequent testing by the FDA of Kitten Grind Lot#GA1102 revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes."  This product was a fresh refrigerated chub pack.  On the company website is stated: "Protecting against bacteria, all of our facilities Utilize stainless steel equipment that is cleaned and sterilized between each product run and at the end of each day".   But no validated kill step.

Steve’s Real Food , a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling one lot of 5lb Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe due to Salmonella.  "This recall is being initiated after the firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture that a retail sample was collected and tested positive for Salmonella."

"Raw Basics, LLC. of Pleasant Prairie, WI is recalling 540lb of 5lb Pork-Bison Boxes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella....... This recall is being issued after our firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture of the positive Salmonella finding."

This is becoming a series of recalls for raw pet food.  This past week, there were recalls for frozen chubs and two for freeze dried pet food.  Others this year: 1 and 2.   One would guess that FDA or the state laboratories could sample and test any of the raw products and find a positive for Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, or even E. coli.  It is also likely that any of the 'raw' pet foods has the risk of infection for the pet or its owner.  It just seems crazy that regulatory effort has to be expended because people demand raw pet food.  But once people become ill from foodborne illness due to raw pet food, whether that be through direct contact with the food, direct contact with the sick pet, or direct contact with the sick pet's  fecal matter or vomit, it likely becomes a public concern.

Will this become a weekly thing to see raw pet food recalls?  Easily if sampling is done.
For those who make raw pet foods, it is time to lace it up and prepare the recall procedures.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm599261.htm
Blue Ridge Beef Recalls Kitten Grind Raw Pet Food Lot#GA1102 Because of Possible Contamination
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2018

CA Establishment Recalls RTE Processed Meat Products After Positive Listeria Test by CFIA

A California establishment is recalling close to 4,000 lbs of RTE processed meat products for potential Listeria contamination after product was tested and found to be positive by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  There have been no reported illnesses.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-018-2018-release
Olli Salumeria Americana Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 

018-2018
Health Risk: High 

Mar 2, 2018

Oregon Meat Processor Recalling Ground Meat for Potential E. coli Contamination

A Clackamas, Ore. establishment, Interstate Meat Distributors, Inc.,  is recalling approximately 14,806 pounds of ground beef and pork products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. "The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) that the firm’s sample of beef trim was positive for E. coli O157:H7 based on results by their third party lab. "

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-019-2018-release
Interstate Meat Distributors, Inc., Recalls Ground Beef and Pork Products due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall 

019-2018
Health Risk: High 

Mar 3, 2018

South Africa - Meat Product Linked to Large Listeria Outbreak, 180 Deaths

Processed meat has been identified in South Africa's large Listeria outbreak.   There have been 180 fatalities and 948 reported cases.  The product polony, which is essentially bologna in South Africa, was produced by Enterprise Foods, a division of Tiger Brands.  Enterprise Foods is pulling their products from teh retail shelf as well as Rainbow Chicken who also had a product test positive.  People have been asked to return meat to store for refund and to thoroughly clean their refrigerators.

It is amazing it took as long as it did considering the number of cases that occurred since January.  

According to a quote in one news report, it appears the company had been testing product. "Muzi Kheswa of Scottsville said he couldn’t understand how the listeria got past quality control for such a long time, adding: “From my knowledge, all batches of food are supposed to be tested before being put onto the market. If that was done surely a contaminated batch would be positive for listeria and not sold to the public.”

Reuters
https://af.reuters.com/article/commodities07News/idAFL5N1QM0Q3
UPDATE 1-South Africa traces deadly listeria to processed meat, issues recall
March 4, 2018 / 11:36 AM
Reuters Staf
* Outbreak killed 180 people since January 2017
* Source identified as brand of processed cold meat
* Products recalled, consumers told to avoid ready-to-eat meat (Adds RCL comment)
By James Macharia

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending March 2, 2018

Consumer Complaint For Milk Issue - a Waelder, Texas establishment is recalling approximately 4,050 pounds of chicken sausage products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, milk, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the firm received a customer complaint.

Incorrect Design - The Double Cola Company is recalling approximately 200 cases of its Cherry SKI product because they are incorrectly labeled. Only the Cherry SKI products with the new design are being recalled, which were delivered to the southern Illinois, Eva

Inspectors Find Labels Missing Alergens - A Lititz, Pa. establishment is recalling approximately 1,925 pounds of turkey sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered by FSIS inspection personnel during routine inspection activities.

Peanut Allergen Found by Government Lab - LOTTE Int’l America Corp. located in Los Angeles, CA is recalling its 1.48-ounce packages of "Kancho Choco Biscuit" manufactured by LOTTE Confectionery Co. Ltd. Korea because of findings of small amounts of peanut in the product and no peanut declaration.  LOTTE Int’l America Corp discovered this fact through lab test result done by CFIA and notified manufacturer and all customers right away about this discovery.  [Cross contamination issue or ingredient issue]

Gnocchi Label Misses Dairy - La Pasta Inc. of Silver Spring, Maryland is recalling the private label Potato Gnocchi manufactured for Heinen’s supermarkets because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.  This voluntary recall was initiated due to a consumer reporting feeling ill after consuming the Heinen’s Potato Gnocchi. Company officials compared packaging with approved recipe and confirmed that product did contain MILK as part of the recipe formula but was not declared on the label.  [Label creation and approval error]

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-016-2018-release
J Bar B Foods Recalls Chicken Sausage Products due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

MMWR - 2017 Trichinellosis Outbreak Linked to Raw Pork From Home-Raised Swine

CDC's MMWR covers a 2017 trichinellosis outbreak where ten confirmed and two probable cases of trichinellosis occurred after eating raw pork from home-raised swine.  While swine were the primary source of cases pre-1950's, most cases today are related to wild game, specifically bear meat.  This outbreak linked to home-raised swine

According to the report, "The caretaker of the source farm could not be reached, but the event host who owns the farm reported that the caretaker purchased the pig from a private farm at age 5 weeks, raised it in an outdoor, fenced pen, and slaughtered it with the farm owner at age 2.5 years. The farm owner stated there are several pigs being raised on the farm, and the swine are only given commercial feed and never cooked or uncooked meat, offal, or garbage. The farm owner denied any rodent infestation issues on the farm but did state that small animals such as chicks had occasionally gotten into the fenced pen and been eaten by the pigs, indicating that small mammals infected with Trichinella could have entered the pen and been consumed by the swine."


Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6708a3.htm?s_cid=mm6708a3_e
Trichinellosis Outbreak Linked to Consumption of Privately Raised Raw Boar Meat — California, 2017
Weekly / March 2, 2018 / 67(8);247–249

Frozen Chubs of Dog Food Recalled for Listeria

Northwest Naturals of Portland, Oregon is recalling 5lb frozen Chicken and Salmon pet food chubs because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes after testing done on one chub of product found Listeria.

According to the report. "The company was notified on 2-21-2018 by FDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). MDARD bought 1 chub at a Michigan specialty pet store and tested the sample which was negative for e coli, salmonella, and positive for Listeria moncytogenes. The company tests all batches of products for all pathogens in a positive release program before releasing for shipping. The company tests over 600 batches of product per week."

According to the company's website, they process the chubs with HPP (high pressure processing), although they state that it is done for poultry. (But what about the other meat varieties?)  So was the high pressure processing insufficient to eliminate the Listeria?

"Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) can affect animals eating the product. There is the possibility of risk to humans from handling product that is positive for Listeria monocytogenes especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after and if they have made contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to the product."
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm598158.htm
Updated - Northwest Naturals Voluntarily Recalls 5lb Frozen Chicken and Salmon Pet Food Chubs Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2018

Raw, Freeze-Dried Pet Food Recalled for Salmonella

Two recalls for raw, freeze-dried pet food were posted on FDA's Recall website.

• Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount, 73 cases, of “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” pet food because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
• TruPet, LLC of Milford, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight, 2.5oz Pet treats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall includes only the product listed below.

The recalls were both "being issued in an abundance of caution following the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s collection of a retail sample from a single batch which tested positive. No illnesses have been reported to date."

Without a validated kill step, Salmonella will survive the freeze drying process just nicely.  One could imagine that the freeze dried product would appear similar to dry product, so the potential for the pet owner handling it directly is probably high, and along with that, that chance of becoming infected.  And the pooch can also become infected....increasing the chances of poopage in places where you don't want it to be.

Besides, Champy doesn't want raw pet treats...he doesn't even know what that is.  He is fine with products that have a validated process.....aged cheddar cheese, beef jerky, summer sausage, grilled pork chops, etc.  Ask him...Champy, you want a snack [with a validated process]?  Absolutely.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm598255.htm
Carnivore Meat Company Issues Voluntary Recall of “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” Pet Food
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2018

FDA Release Initial Pathogen Survey Results for Herbs and Guacamole

FDA is in the process of conducting a survey of microbiological pathogens on fresh cilantro, parsley and basil, as well as processed avocado and guacamole.  While FDA has only sampled less a small percentage of the samples they plan to get (less than 12% or so of total samples planned), they do have some results for samples taken as of 1/1/18.

Fresh herbs
35 domestic samples - None of the domestic samples tested positive for Salmonella, or E. coli STED

104 import samples - 4 tested positive for Salmonella, 3 tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and none tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7.

(It is important to point out that most of the outbreaks associated with these items - 7 of 9 - have been due to Cyclospora.  FDA indicated that they will survey for Cyclospora in the summer months when there is a higher tendency for this to be an issue.

Proccessed avocado/guacamole

58 domestic samples - 3 tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes

49 import samples - 1 tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Not much to worry about when eating your chips and dip at happy hour.....

Constituent Update
https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm597356.htm
FDA Sampling Fresh Herbs, Guacamole and Processed Avocado
February 23, 2018