FDA Issues Warning for Cheese Sold at Farmers' Market Due to Listeria Potential

NY Ag issued a warning about raw goat milk cheese for potential Listeria contamination.  "A routine sample of the cheese, taken by an inspector from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on February 20, 2018, was subsequently tested by the New York State Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On February 23, 2018, the manufacturer was notified of a preliminary positive test result and voluntarily recalled the product from all their customers. Test results were confirmed on March 2, 2018. The cheese will be destroyed by the manufacturer."  To date, there have been no reported illnesses.

This is not the first case of Listeria-in-cheese issue we have seen involving a small processor.  NY has had several recalls and an associated outbreak over the past year or so.  These cases should not incriminate all small cheese makers, however a trend of issues can be a drag on the entire industry sector.  Therefore it behooves the industry to rise above the regulations rather then bemoan them.  We need to do more than applaud small business, but recognize that there is risk and with that, the need for mitigation strategies, independent of the size of company.  This includes strict sanitation practices and verification including monitoring.  The excuse for inaction that these are 'just a small local producers' does no good when we find a owner with the best of intentions suddenly out of business, in court, with product responsible for someone's illness.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm600681.htm
Consumer Alert:  Listeria  Contamination In Maiden’s Creamery Wild Meadow Raw Goat Milk Cheese
For Immediate Release
March 12, 2018

Oregon Food Bank Recalls Chia Seeds After Rodent Droppings Discovered in Product

Oregon Food Bank of Portland is recalling chia seeds after it was discovered that there is the presence of rodent droppings.  "The issue was discovered through investigation of a customer complaint regarding foreign material. Product which was still in inventory at Oregon Food Bank was determined to contain rodent droppings. Subsequent investigation indicates the chia seeds were observed to have evidence of rodent activity by the donor, Live Local Organic of Milwaukie, Oregon. The recall was initiated after it was determined all chia seeds received in this donation might be at risk."

Nasty. 

Chia seeds, used as a thickening agent and added as a nutritional benefit to food, looks an awful lot like mouse dropping. although a bit smaller.  (about 2mm for Chia vs up to 5mm for MD).

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm600756.htm
Oregon Food Bank Issues Alert on Foreign Material in Chia Seeds
For Immediate Release
March 12, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending March 9, 2018

Limited Production Run Mislabeled  - Ciolo Foods of Lafayette, CO has voluntarily recalled it’s 7-ounce containers of “Nut-Free Basil Pesto” because they contain undeclared tree nuts (Pine Nuts and Walnuts). The recall was initiated after discovery that some of this limited run of product was mislabeled. No other lots were affected by this issue. [Production labeling issue]

Contract Manufacturer Error - IDLife, LLC of Frisco, TX is voluntarily recalling its line of Protein Bars (Lot #s PR33471, PR31771, & PR31971), Snack Bars (Lot #s SN32071 & SN30771), and Kids Bars (Lot #s A3617-1 & 03047-1), because they may contain undeclared allergens. As part of its quality control review process, IDLife discovered that the lots of Protein Bars referenced above may contain undisclosed almonds, the lots of Snack Bars referenced above may contain undisclosed peanuts, and the lots of Kids Bars may contain undisclosed almonds and coconut oil. The recall was initiated after IDLife’s quality control team discovered a problem at the Company’s contract manufacturer for its bars. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the contract manufacturer’s quality control procedures.

Reaction to Improperly Listed Allergen - Kodiak Cakes of Park City, UT is recalling all lots and codes of Kodiak Cakes Blueberry Chia Energy Waffles 10.72 oz that were on shelf prior to March 5, 2018 because they contain undeclared milk. The improper labeling was discovered when a consumer notified Kodiak Cakes that a family member had a reaction to the product and that “milk” was not included in the allergen statement. While the specific ingredient “whey” is included in the ingredient declaration, the presence of milk is not identified in the ingredient list or declared in the allergen “contains” statement. [Label design issue]

Label Missing Allergens - Weis Markets today announced it has expanded its recall for its store-made Weis Quality Dried Beef Party Rye dip for failing to list egg and milk allergens on its label. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection. [Label design issue]

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm600120.htm
Ciolo Foods Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Tree Nuts in "Ciolo Nut-Free Basil"
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2018

Chicken Salad Salmonella Outbreak Cases Increases to 170

A Salmonella outbreak associated with chicken salad first announced in February, now has 170 cases according to the CDC news release.  This is an increase of 105 cases.  The most recent case began on February 18, so may be unlikely there are many more cases.

CDC Outbreak News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-02-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Linked to Chicken Salad

Recall Expanded After FDA Finds Additional Salmonella in Supplied Material

A California pet treat manufacturer is expanding their recall for products due to Salmonella.  The initial recall, posted in February, was for one one of product.  "Redbarn is expanding this recall to include all products manufactured from the raw material supplier of the first recalled product. We came to this decision after being notified that the FDA tested a different lot of raw material from this supplier at Redbarn and it tested positive for Salmonella."

Supplier control is more than providing a COA that product is clean, or even tests of the product.  It is a program that provides sufficient confidence in the supplier's control of safety for the purchased materials.  It encompasses a number of facets depending on the risk associated with that material, including an evaluation of that suppliers food safety systems (auditing, environmental monitoring, process control, etc)   When FDA finds pathogen positive product in another lot of supplier product, this indicates the downstream customer did not have adequate systems in place to evaluate their supplier's systems.  Testing is part of the system, but with low contamination levels, the likelihood of discovery is low.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm600124.htm
Redbarn Pet Products Expands Voluntary Recall of Dog Chews
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2018

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