This week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending December 1, 2018

Supplier Issue has Cashews and Almonds in Granola Mix - Kwik Trip, Inc. located in La Crosse, WI is recalling Kitchen Cravings Strawberry and Mixed Berry Parfaits in an 8.25 oz. cup because they may contain undeclared traces of cashews or almonds. This recall was initiated after a chocolate covered cashew or almond was discovered in granola mix from an outside supplier.

Egg Missing on Label - Ottogi America, Inc. of Gardena, California announced today it is recalling 1lb 5.16ounce of Jin Ramen Mild 5pk. (Best Before Aug. 19th 2019) and Jin Ramen Spicy 5pk. (Best Before Aug. 20th 2019) due to undeclared egg as an ingredient on the packages.   Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA) announced that the products may contain egg which is not declared on the label.

FSIS Label Check Finds Missing Allergens - Chunwei, Inc., a Huntington Park, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 65,023 pounds of various ready-to-eat and raw meat and poultry products because the products are misbranded and may contain soy, wheat, dairy, egg, and sesame, known allergens, as well as monosodium glutamate (MSG), which are not declared on the finished product label.  The problem was discovered by FSIS Inspection Program Personnel while conducting a routine label verification task.

Tree Nuts Missing from Label - First Source of Tonawanda, NY, is voluntarily recalling Chocolate and Nut Tray because it contains undeclared tree nuts, pecan and cashew. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing pecan and cashews was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the pecan and cashew. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s labeling process.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626868.htm
Allergen Alert: Kitchen Cravings Strawberry and Mixed Berry Parfaits with Trace Tree Nuts
November 27, 2018

MI RTE Food Establish Closes After Unwilling to Comply with FDA to Fix Compliance Issues

A Michigan processor of RTE foods decided to shut down completely after it was unwilling to fix the issues identified in federal inspections.  The company had received a Warning Letter in 2016 when FDA inspectors found Listeria in the facility along with a number of issues that would potentially spread that listeria to food.  After further inspection, FDA was moving to block operations until the issues were resolved.

"The company, under its legal filing, agreed to a consent decree under which it cannot again operate at its facility until it develops a listeria monitoring program, creates a food safety employee training program, and meets other training and safety requirements."  The company responded that they "have always placed great importance on producing high-quality food and on food safety. We are well aware of the Complaint and Consent Decree that was recently filed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We agreed to enter the Consent Decree to resolve outstanding compliance issues raised by the FDA rather than in response to any known health concerns."

MI Live
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/11/ionia_county_food_processor_sh.html
Ionia County food processor shutting down in response to safety, compliance issues
Updated Nov 30; Posted Nov 30
By Brian McVicar,   bmcvicar@mlive.com

FDA Updates the Trace Back Areas for the E. coli Contaminated Romaine Lettuce

FDA provided an update on 11/28/19 to detail the counties that are involved in the trace back analysis.  According to the report, "current evidence indicates this romaine was harvested in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California.
The specific California counties FDA is including in this region are:

• Monterey
• San Benito
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Cruz
• Ventura

There have not been any new cases since the last update on 11/26/18.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626330.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Likely Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grown in California

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 43
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: October 31, 2018
States with Cases: CA (11), CT (1), IL (2), MA (2), MD (1), MI (7), NH (2), NJ (9), NY (5), OH (1), RI (1), WI (1)

NY Cheese Producer Issues Recall After Listeria Found in Environment

Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, New York is recalling 4 wheels of “Kinkead” cheese, raw semi-firm, washed natural rind cheese, made on 5-10-18, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The issue was discovered as part of the corrective action when Listeria monocytogenes was discovered during routine testing earlier this month. "Sprout Creek Farm voluntarily ceased all production of cheese immediately following that recall initiated on November 6. Additionally since the November 6 recall, there has been no production or distribution of any cheese by the farm.

The same firm had issued a recall on 11/7/18 for 132 wheels of cheese after product tested positive.  NY regulators also issued an alert on 10/8/18 after issues with pasteurization were discovered.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627077.htm

Sprout Creek Farm Recalls “Kinkead” Cheese due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2018

Hawaii - Restaurant Closed After Video Goes Viral of Employee Cooking Rat on Grill

A burger restaurant in Hawaii was shut down after employees posted a video where they appeared to be cooking a rat on the restaurant grill.

Corrective Action - Fire employees, replace equipment, schedule pest control operator, hire lawyer to recover costs from employees.
Will that be sufficient to recover sales?

https://www.mynbc5.com/article/burger-joint-closes-after-video-appears-to-show-rat-cooking-on-grill/25303833
Burger joint closes after video appears to show rat cooking on grill
Associated Press  Nov 26, 2018

Dry Dog Food Recalled Due to High Vitamin D Levels

Updated 11/29/18
Sunshine Mills is recalling 7 different packs of dry dog food due to the potential for high Vitamin D levels. High Vitamin D levels can lead to symptoms including vomiting and weight loss to renal dysfunction.

ELM Pet Foods, Inc is issuing a voluntary recall of Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe dog food because the products could contain elevated levels of Vitamin D.

ANF, Inc. is also recalling select products of ANF Pet Lamb and Rice Dog Food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627087.htm
ANF Pet Inc. Issues Voluntary Precautionary Recall of Dry Dog Food Due to Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2018

FDA Now Advises to Avoid Romaine Lettuce from Northern and Central CA

Updated 11/27/18
FDA updated its recommendation on Romaine lettuce - "If romaine lettuce does have this labeling information, we advise avoiding any product from the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. Romaine lettuce from outside those regions need not be avoided.  Romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these sources."

Of course, it is important to make sure that packages of Romaine indicate harvest information, including the date and location.  The industry has agreed to voluntary labeling to ensure compliance.

There are now 43 cases with 16 hospitalizations across 12 states.

FDA News Release
https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626330.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Likely Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grown in California
Update: November 26, 2018

CDC MMWR Report - 2017 Norovirus Outbreak During Thanksgiving Holidays

CDC released a report on a 2017 norovirus outbreak associated with a vomiting event in a restaurant.  Thirty-six cases were identified  with individuals suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps occurring 2.5 to 54 hours after visiting the restaurant.  Symptoms lasted about 3 days.  Those most likely to become ill were in the restaurant close to the time of the vomiting event.

Basically, an ill patron vomits in the restaurant.  Although an employee applied spray disinfectant, 36 patrons still contracted the virus.  "A point-source norovirus outbreak occurred after an infected patron vomited in a restaurant. Transmission near the vomiting event likely occurred by aerosol or fomite. Norovirus spread throughout the restaurant could have occurred by aerosol, person-to-person, fomite, or foodborne routes. Inadequate employee handwashing likely facilitated foodborne transmission through servings of pecan pie."  Norovirus is highly infectious and transmits easily in the environment.

So if you are in an eating establishment and someone vomits, consider leaving immediately.  For the food establishment, move people away from event, clean like heck following established protocol, and consider giving the cleaner the rest of the night off.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/pdfs/mm6746a4-H.pdf
Notes from the Field: Multiple Modes of Transmission During a Thanksgiving Day Norovirus Outbreak — Tennessee, 2017
Weekly / November 23, 2018 / 67(46);1300–1301

CDC Advises To Avoid ALL Romaine Lettuce After E.coli Cases Reported

UPDATE ISSUED - 11/26/18 GO TO LINK

CDC is advising that people not eat romaine lettuce after an outbreak of E. coli has been identified.  There have been thirty-two people infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states with thirteen people hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The illnesses are listed with dates ranging from October 8, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

The reason for warning against all romaine lettuce is that the source is not known yet.  Until more information is gathered, CDC is taking a precautionary stance.

While this strain is linked to past outbreaks, it is not linked to the recent E.coli outbreak in Yuma AZ, but it is linked to the 2017 E. coli outbreak.    "Whole genome sequencing (WGS) results showed that the E. coli O157:H7 strain isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the E. coli strain isolated from ill people in a 2017 outbreak linked to leafy greens in the United States and to romaine lettuce in Canada. The current outbreak is not related to a recent multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce. People in the spring outbreak were infected with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria with a different DNA fingerprint."

In the 2017 outbreak of the same strain, the source was not definitively found, although it was said to be leafy greens. In that outbreak, CDC and FDA were criticized for not stating it was Romaine lettuce.

CDC News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html
Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Posted November 20, 2018 at 2:30 PM ET

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) infections linked to romaine lettuce.

At A Glance

• Reported Cases: 32

• States: 11

•Hospitalizations: 13

•Deaths: 0

•Recall: No

Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers

CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak. This investigation is ongoing and the advice will be updated as more information is available.