Farmers market vendors need training to improve food-safety practices

https://news.psu.edu/story/545445/2018/11/01/research/farmers-market-vendors-need-training-improve-food-safety-practices

Jeff Mulhollem

November 01, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Many vendors at farmers markets take inadequate precautions to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, and they should be trained to reduce food-safety risks, according to Penn State researchers who completed the final phase of an innovative five-year study.

Using a comprehensive three-way approach, the research assessed food safety behaviors at Pennsylvania farmers markets using direct concealed observations, state sanitarian observations, and self-reported vendor surveys. The results revealed key distinctions between observed vendor food-handling practices — by both researchers and state sanitarians — and vendor self-reported practices.

FDA Warning Letter - MN Warehouse with Egregious GMP Violations

FDA issued a Warning Letter to the owner of a warehouse facility in Minnesota due to egregious GMP violations.  Hard to imagine food being stored in these conditions.

1. Did not take effective measures to exclude pests from your packing and holding areas to protect against contamination of food on the premises by pests - dead rodents, gnaw marks and holes in product, rodent droppings and live birds.
2. Did not maintain your building, fixtures, and other physical facilities of your plant in a clean and sanitary condition and in repair adequate to prevent food from becoming adulterated - leaky roof with damp/wet product below, product spillage in multiple locations
3. Did not store food under conditions that protect against biological, chemical, and physical contamination - improper chemical storage with the potential for contamination of food, refrigated food stored at ambient temperatures.
4. Failed to properly store equipment, remove litter and waste, and cut weeds and grass that may constitute an attractant, breeding place, or harborage for pests within the immediate vicinity of the plant,

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm624404.htm
Gold Star Distribution., Inc. 10/19/18

Frozen Vegetable Recall Due to Inadequate Followup on Presumptive Positive Pathogen Results

The FDA Enforcement Report gives an indication for the cause of the frozen produce recall associated with McCain's Foods.  In FDA's October 31st release of Enforcement Reports, FDA has posted the McCain Foods recalled products, over 50 different items, recalled and the reason.

"During an internal audit at the manufacturing location, it was discovered that finished product had been released on numerous occasions after receiving presumptive positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella; confirmation was not conducted".

Basically, product testing was done and when a presumptive positive was found, there was no followup.  There was no corrective action for the product.  They never determined if it was positive or negative for the pathogen.  Because of this, they recalled the product.  

Presumptive positives can be common depending upon the test and food matrix.  In many cases, depending upon the cleanliness of the facility and how well they follow their procedures for processing and control of the post-roasting environment, these would have come out negative.  But we don't know.

Because of the pacakage sizes, this product is packed for food processing and food service sectors.  These are not consumer size packs, and thus the reason we had not seen in FDA Recalls Notices.

Product list includes:

Additional Frozen Veggie Related Recall

J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp. of Holly Ridge, NC is voluntarily recalling two lots of Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was discovered after a supplier, McCain Foods, IL, announced it was recalling frozen vegetables which are ingredients used in the product.

This recall is in addition to the other recalls associated with McCain Foods.

Food Recall of Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Contamination in Vegetables
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2018

Controversy on Herbicide Round-up Found in Food

A report was issued by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that documents traces of the herbicide Roundup in oat cereals such as Cheerios.  While the "levels, though, were far below the concentrations deemed unsafe by state and federal regulators", EWG believes the EPA established levels are too high and the amounts found can impact health, especially for children.

"But the question of how much of the herbicide in kids' food is too much — and whether it's a carcinogen at all — has become hotly debated among scientists and regulators around the world, with no clear answer."  Controversy is good.  It forces us to question and reevaluate.

Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/roundup-found-in-cheerios-reignites-debate-on-food-safety/498472351/
Roundup found in Cheerios reignites debate on food safety

Lawsuit Filed Against Airline for Mishandling Listeria Issue

Former employees have filed a lawsuit against United Airlines after the airline disregarded their complaints about Listeria contamination in the airport commissary.

While it is difficult to comment on the validity of the lawsuit, one takeaway from this can be how non-food companies who handle food address food safety issues.  Companies whose sole focus is processing / handling / distributing food, tend to have decision-making executives with industry experience, thus are in tune with the regulations.  Does the same go for entities like airlines where the main focus of the business is something other than food?  It is important for companies or organizations who serve food as some part of their business to recognize the impact of food safety issues and the need to understand and follow regulations and food industry best practices.

CNBC

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/29/united-airlines-mishandled-listeria-contamination-lawsuits-claim.html
United Airlines mishandled listeria contamination, endangering travelers, lawsuits claim
Megan Leonhardt | @Megan_Leonhardt |
4 Mins Ago

Microplastic in Your Poop - Is this Something New to Worry About?

A recent study found that human stool samples collected from 8 volunteers all contained microplastic.  Microplastics, from 50 micrometers to 500 micrometers in size, are generated through our use and discarding of plastic.  They are "created unintentionally by shredding, abrasion or decomposition of larger plastic parts in the environment".

We have known that microplastics are widespread in the environment including the oceans.  It has been shown to be a wide variety of animals including worms and mammals.  The impact on health is not fully understood, "there are initial indications that microplastics can damage the gastrointestinal tract by promoting inflammatory reactions or absorbing harmful substances, further studies are needed to assess the potential dangers of microplastics for humans".

Microplastics Found in Human Stools for First Time
News   Oct 23, 2018 | Original Story from the Medical University of Vienna.

Two Recalls of Curry Issued Due to High Lead Levels

Two recalls were issued for curry spice due to high levels of lead.  The first recall was issued due to a consumer complaint.   "The product sampling was conducted as a result of a consumer complaint regarding elevated blood lead levels in a child."  Yikes

In this recall,  Sirob Imports, Inc of Lindenhurst, NY recalled curry under the brands Corrado, Orlando Imports, Nouri’s Syrian Bakery, Mediterranean Specialty Foods Brand and Butera Fruit Market Curry Powder.  The recall was initiated after FDA sampling found elevated levels of lead in the product. The product sampling was conducted as a result of a consumer complaint regarding elevated blood lead levels in a child.

In the second recall,  "UBC Food Distributors Inc, due to a high level of lead after testing was done by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.  This product was purchased from an importer.  The importer, along with the FDA, are now in the process of contacting the source of the product, so that corrective action can be taken on their part.  Use of, or consumption of this product may elevate lead levels in the blood."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm624397.htm
UBC Food Distributors Recalls Hot Curry Powder and Curry Powder due to Lead
For Immediate Release
October 25, 2018

Canada - Breaded Chicken Burgers Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

In Canada, Sofina Foods is recalling breaded chicken burgers after the product was linked to 25 cases of Salmonella infection.  There were two hospitalizations.  This is a uncooked product, stated clearly on the label, and has cooking instructions on the back (cook to 165F / 74C).

According to the Canadian Public Health Release (below), there have been 14 outbreaks associated with raw chicken, including frozen raw breaded chicken products with 474 cases and 90 hospitalizations.

It would be interesting to know to what degree do people verify cooking temperature or cross contamination.  A good guess would be under-cooking, especially an issue when starting with frozen product.

http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2018-10-26/eng/1540600587248/1540600589249
Food Recall Warning - Janes brand Pub Style Chicken Burgers recalled due to Salmonella
Recall date:October 26, 2018
Reason for recall:Microbiological - Salmonella 
Hazard classification:Class 1 
Company / Firm:Sofina Foods Inc. 
Distribution:National
Extent of the distribution:Retail 
Reference number:12567