US Government Proposes Single Food Agency

The US Government released a reorganization plan this past week, and among the items listed, was a proposal to reorganize food safety functions into one agency, The Federal Food Safety Agency, which would fall under USDA.

Easier said then done.  Will it have an impact on overall safety of the food supply?  Will savings of reducing duplication over time outweigh cost of reorganization?

Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century
Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Government-Reform-and-Reorg-Plan.pdf

Texas Establishment Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to STEC O103

Texas Natural Meats, a Lott, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 489 pounds of frozen raw, ground beef products that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103, The problem was discovered on June 19, 2018 by FSIS during routine inspection activities. The product was tested by the establishment and found to be positive for STEC O103 under their sampling program.

USDA News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-051-2018-release
Texas Natural Meats Recalls Frozen Raw Ground Beef Products
Class I Recall

051-2018
Health Risk: High

Jun 20, 2018

Recall of Sprouting Seed Mix Due to Salmonella

An Illinois Company is recalling its NOW Real Food® Zesty Sprouting Mix – Product Code 7271, Lot #3031259 and Lot #3038165 – because its primary ingredient, Crimson Clover Seeds, has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, "Evidence of potential contamination was implicated in ongoing FDA and CDC investigations into multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections, of which the clover seed supplier was notified'.

The sprouting mix is comprised by three different seed types. The consumer actually sprouts the seeds according to directions - Place two tablespoons of seeds in a sprouting jar with three times as much water as seeds. Soak overnight. Rinse seeds and drain twice daily, store in low humidity without direct sunlight. About the fourth day place rinsed sprout jar in indirect sunlight to develop green chlorophyll leaves.

Generally, seeds are sanitized before sprouting  in commercial operations.  If Salmonella is present in these consumer packs, and with no listed sanitation step for the consumer,  Salmonella can grow as the seeds germinate and grow.


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm611388.htm
Now Health Group Inc. Recalls Select Now Real Food® Zesty Sprouting Mix Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
June 21, 2018

Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Veggie Trays

FDA is investigating an outbreak of cyclospora linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip.  There have been 78 confirmed cases.

Cyclospora is a single cell parasite that causes “diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer”.

While FDA has not identified a source or reason, Cyclospora contamination can occur when contaminated water is used to irrigate vegetables.

FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610982.htm
FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials have been investigating a cluster of cyclosporiasis illnesses associated with recalled Del Monte vegetable trays from Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in the United States.

Sugar Smacks Dry Cereal Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Kellogg’s is recalling Sugar Smacks cereal after it has been likely linked to a Salmonella outbreak where 73 individuals in 31 different states have become infected.  24 have been hospitalized.  FDA continues to investigate how this may have occurred.

Dry cereal products, like this puffed wheat product, have had problems in the past with Salmonella contamintation.  Facilities that produce these products must actively control against environmental contamination because once in the environment, it can get into product.  Salmonella can surivive in dry products like cereal for long periods of time, certainly through the time product is shipped to the store and then to the consumers cereal bowl.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610827.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka Infections Likely Linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka illnesses that may be linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal.

June 15, 2018 Update

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Sliced Melon from an IN Facility

There are now approximately 60 people who have become infected with Salmonella linked to sliced melon product.  The company, Caito Foods in IN has recalled product which was sold through a number of stores including Kroger, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s.

In fruit slicing operations, fruit must be properly washed and surface sanitized to prevent such issues.  Melons can be a problem because surfaces may be rough, and can be damaged/soft allowing internal contamination.  Melons with a more neutral pH, can support the growth of Salmonella.

CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-expands-salmonella-melon-warning-to-more-than-20-states/
FDA expands Salmonella-melon warning to more than 20 states
June 15, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Ending 6/15/18

There are a few confusing recalls in this report.

Religious Exemption Not Declared - Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 28,346 pounds of poultry, pork, and beef products due to misbranding, - The poultry products were slaughtered under religious exemption, which is not declared on the product label.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Oyster Extract Packet A CA firm is voluntarily recalling Spicy Edamame 7oz, because it contains the undeclared shellfish/crustacean allergen “Oyster Extract” ingredient within the spicy sauce packet.  The recall is a result of the incorrect spice sauce pack being packed within the spicy edamame product.  [I hope someone realized that oysters are a mollusk which is different that crustacean shellfish.]

Pork Casing Not Declared - J Bar B Foods, a Waelder, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 410,985 pounds of beef brisket smoked sausage products due to an adulterated and misbranded ingredient, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain a pork casing, which is not declared on the product label, and may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.  The problem was discovered on June 12, 2018 in response to a customer inquiry that a beef smoked sausage product did not specify pork casing as part of the ingredients statement.  [Not sure of there will be anybody having an allergic reaction, but it still needs to be on the lablel].

Undeclared Milk in Dill Flavoring - Shearer’s Foods, LLC of Massillon, OH is recalling Meijer brand 9.5 ounce packages of Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk.  “The issue was discovered when the family of a consumer who suffered an allergic reaction reported the incident to Meijer. Shearer’s Foods, LLC conducted an investigation which indicated that due to human error, a product containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.”

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-050-2018-release
Winter Sausage Manufacturing Co. Recalls Poultry and Meat Products due to Misbranding
Class II Recall

Two Meat Product Recalls for Foreign Material in the Form of Plastic

There have been two meat product recalls due to foreign material.

• Tyson Foods Inc., is recalling approximately 3,120 pounds of frozen breaded chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue and clear soft plastic.   This is a supplier related issue – the supplier notified Tyson of the potential blue plastic in the breading material. 
• Goodman Food Products, Texas, Inc., a Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 34,400 pounds of fully cooked ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard, white plastic.  “The problem was discovered after the company and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services received consumer complaints about hard, white plastic material found in the fully cooked ground beef products.”

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-047-2018-release
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Breaded Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
047-2018
Health Risk: Low
Jun 8, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Ending June 2, 2018

Wrong Product Added to Packing Line - Sanders announced today that it is recalling its 3.75oz Milk Chocolate Covered Fudge Mini Bites because they may contain undeclared almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Almond-containing product was inadvertently added to a production line which was packaging product that did not contain Almonds. [Operational error]

Imported Product with Undeclared Milk - Brooklyn, NY importer is recalling its 16.5 oz packages of Cheese Biscuits because they may contain undeclared milk allergen.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the 16.5 oz packages of Cheese Biscuits which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

Consumer Allergic to Walnuts Triggers Recall - A CA company is recalling 20 cases of cookies because they may contain undeclared tree nuts. "To date there has been one reported case of an allergic reaction to the walnuts.The consumer who suffered the allergic reaction reported the incident to the FDA when it was discovered that the walnuts were not supposed to be in that product as they are not listed on the label as an ingredient or allergen. The reason behind the undeclared tree nut is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing, however, a breakdown in the companies mixing procedures or incorrect labeling is suspected."

Undeclared Sulfites on Dried Apricot - Global Commodities, Inc. of Hicksville, NY is recalling 1lb and 0.5lb packages of WATAN DRY FRUITS Brand Natural Dried Apricot with Pitt, because it contains undeclared sulfites.  The undeclared sulfites were found as a result of routine product testing conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Subsequently, investigation indicated the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. Production of the product has been suspended until the company is certain that the problem has been corrected.

Ingredient Testing Discovers Undeclared Milk Allergen - Divvies announced today a voluntary recall of its Benjamint Crunch Chocolate bars due to possible undeclared milk in the peppermint used in the bars. This issue was discovered through routine testing of ingredients.  [Supplier Error]


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm609628.htm
Sanders Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Fudge Mini Bites
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2018