Yuma, AZ Farmers Working to Avoid Another E. coli Outbreak Associated with Romaine Lettuce

As farmers in the Yuma AZ region prepare for the upcoming season, they are also working to prevent another E. coli outbreak that dealt a financial blow to their industry as well as sickened 210 people with 96 hospitalizations (27 developing HUS) and 5 deaths.  Although FDA found water samples from an irrigation water canal in eastern Yuma County tested positive for the same genetic type of E. coli that led to E. coli cases, and that there was a cattle feedlot in the area as a potential source of the harmful bacteria, there has been nothing definitive that has turned up regarding the 22 farm fields.  Subsequent testing didn’t find the outbreak pathogen again in the canal.

"Produce growers in Arizona and California have adopted new standards based on the information gleaned from the FDA, including additional water quality testing, increased attention to weather conditions and longer distances from feedlot operations."  Repair work has also been completed on the canal.  "FDA investigators have returned to the Yuma area to test produce at the post-harvest stage at processors and coolers."

Morning Ag Clips / Associated Press
https://www.morningagclips.com/e-coli-outbreak-still-a-concern-for-yuma-area-ag/
E. coli outbreak still a concern for Yuma-area ag
Efforts continue to identify precise vulnerabilities in industry's practices, infrastructure
PUBLISHED ON January 6, 2019

Wisconsin Manufacturer Recalls Sunflower Butter and Tahini Butter After Copack Customer Issues Recalls Due to Listeria

A Wisconsin firm, Oskri Organics, is recalling sunflower butter and tahini butter after other product it produced for another company, Inspired Organics, issued two recalls of butter products due to Listeria positive tests.  Oskri has "ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and Oskri continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629246.htm
Oskri Organics Corporation Recalls Oskri Organic Sunflower Butter Lot #099, Oskri Tahini Butter Lot #193 and Thrive Sunflower Butter Lot #233 Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
January 2, 2019

Company Expands Recall of Salads After Additional Listeria Found, but Limits Amount of Product Recalled

A California company is expanding a voluntary recall of single-serve salad bowls. The recall comes after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) informed the company that another random sample of their salad with a (5.5oz) with Best Before Date of Dec 29, 2018, so as" a precautionary measure, [the company] is recalling all products produced on the same day, same production line, as the one sample that tested positive by CFIA."  The last recall was issued after CFIA found Listeria on product produced with a Best Before Dec 14th, and the company recalled the product produced on that date.

So will this company just wait for CFIA to find more positives before expanding the recall again?  Having an agency found two product positive should be a clear indication that this company probably does not have Listeria under control.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629152.htm
Apio Inc. Expands Voluntary Recall of Eat Smart Salad Shake Ups Single-Serve Bowls
For Immediate Release
December 26, 2018

AL Firm Recalls Meat and Poultry Products After Complaints for Metal

A Selma, Ala. establishment is recalling approximately 11,664 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry and meat sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal. 
The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints on Dec. 13 and 27, 2018. The firm investigated to determine the nature of the complaints and notified FSIS on Dec. 29, 201

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-125-2018-release
R. L. Zeigler Co., Inc. Recalls Chicken and Pork Red Hot Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
125-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Dec 30, 2018 

Inspired Organics Now Recalling All Lots of Almond, Peanut and Tahini Butters Due to Listeria

After an initial recall and an expanded recall (6 days later), Inspired Organics is now recalling all lots of their Almond, Peanut, and Tahini Butters when testing found that the Listeria contamination went beyond the product involved in the initial recalls.

The product was produced by Oskri Corporation, a Wisconsin establishment.  This company produces a line of their own butters, so it will be interesting to see whether this company will be recalling their own branded product  (unless there are some major processing differences or other reason why not, one would wonder why more products are not yet involved).

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628989.htm
Inspired Organics Issues Voluntary Recall of Organic Nut & Seed Butters Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 20, 2018

This week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending 12/22/18

Eggs Missing on Label - A Pueblo, Colo. establishment is recalling approximately 956 pounds of ready-to-eat poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the product contains eggs which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered on Dec. 17, 2018 when the company notified FSIS inspection program personnel that the incorrect ingredient statement had been used for the final product.

Incorrect Packaging - A Richmond, CA establishment is recalling 14.6 ounce (414g) Greens and Grains Hummus and Quinoa Tabouleh Wrap, because it may contain undeclared soy,  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an internal review of records that product containing soy was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of soy. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-123-2018-release
Russ Davis Wholesale, Inc. Recalls Chicken Wrap Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall 123-2018
Health Risk: High Dec 18, 2018
Distribution List PDF
Congressional and Public Affairs. Meredith Carothers. (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

Impossible Burgers at the Retail Store?

Impossible Burgers has petitioned FDA to allow them to sell their plant-based burgers at retail.  The issue is the soy leghemoglobin (plant based hemoglobin produced by genetically engineered yeast) imparts a red color to the plant bases analogue product to give the appearance of meat.  So fake meat that looks like meat.  May not seem like a big deal, but if you can add an chemical to fake meat to make it red, can you add a chemical to real meat to make it more red....and that you cannot do.

I think a consumer issue will be proper handling - keeping cold, proper storage, etc

A little on Impossible Meat (they have a primer for foodservice operations that discusses how to handle and cook product)

Ingredients - Water, Textured Wheat Protein, Coconut Oil, Potato Protein, Natural Flavors, 2% or Less Of: Leghemoglobin (Soy), Yeast Extract, Salt, Konjac Gum, Xanthan Gum, Soy Protein Isolate,

Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Zinc, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2),

Vitamin B12. Contains: Soy, Wheat

Handling - best to handle cold and keep cold prior to cooking, and wear gloves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vtiZSSucY

Cooking - as a burger, cook as you would a hamburger, to medium or 160F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1xU99Bz4o

Perhaps Jon Campbell will determine how to make Impossible landjaeger.

Bloomberg.com

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-18/impossible-burger-needs-fda-nod-to-sell-uncooked-to-consumers
Impossible Burger Needs FDA Nod to Sell Uncooked in Stores
By
Lydia Mulvany   and   Deena Shanker
‎December‎ ‎18‎, ‎2018‎ ‎9‎:‎39‎ ‎AM Updated on ‎December‎ ‎18‎, ‎2018‎ ‎3‎:‎27‎ ‎PM

Wegmans Recalls Prepared Produce Items Made with Recalled Cauliflower

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower, sold in the produce department between 12/7/18 and 12/18/18, because it was made with recalled cauliflower that may be potentially contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628826.htm
Wegmans Issues Voluntary Recall of Fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie/Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower
For Immediate Release
December 18, 2018

Company Issues Another Recall for Nut Butter Product After Conducting Further Testing

Inspired Organics, LLC is recalling Organic Almond Butter due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.   This comes a week after the company had issued a recall for Sunflower Butter, due to Listeria which was the result of testing conducted by Mich. Dept of Ag.  This lot of Almond Butter is now being recalled because of additional tests conducted by Inspired Organics after they had the  Sunflower Butter contamination issue.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628680.htm
Inspired Organics Issues Voluntary Recall of Organic Almond Butter Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2018