Cannabis in Food - Hot Culinary Trend, But What About the Mental Health Research?

Cannabis has become the hot trend as more states legalize it.  But a recent article,  Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence  points out that much of the research on marijuana's impact on mental health is being overlooked.  It references numerous research studies completed over the last 20+ years that point to the fact that there are issues of dependence, increasing existing symptoms in those with forms of psychosis, and links to violence.

So reviewing the medical research via google search (selected journal articles below), it is easy to see that there are issues with extended use, especially today when the levels of THC can be much higher than years ago.  So for those companies embarking on new ventures involving cannabis, what will be the legal concerns in the coming years when people file lawsuits - perhaps the parents of a schizophrenic youth, or the victims of  accident involving a long term user?

Note - The focus here is on THC containing foods.  CBP oil is a nonpsychoactive chemical derived from hemp or marijuana.

The British Journal of Psychiatry  - Psychiatric effects of cannabis  (2018)

Results - "An appreciable proportion of cannabis users report short-lived adverse effects, including psychotic states following heavy consumption, and regular users are at risk of dependence. People with major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are especially vulnerable in that cannabis generally provokes relapse and aggravates existing symptoms. Health workers need to recognise, and respond to, the adverse effects of cannabis on mental health."

Florida - Increasing Number of Hepatitis A Cases Reported

In Florida, there is an steadily increasing number of Hepatitis A cases.  In January of this year, 189 Hepatitis A cases were reported.  Most of the activity has been in central Florida,  In one case, a Disney food service worker was infected.  (Disney has been vaccinating employees).

Florida Department of Health
http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/vaccine-preventable-disease/hepatitis-a/index.html
Hepatitis A Surveillance
January 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending February 10, 2019

Co-Pack Customer Discover's Label Issue - VICS Acquisition, LLC, a Harlingen, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 99,975 pounds of chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain eggs, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label.  A company that VICS Acquisition, LLC co-packs for discovered the problem on Feb. 8, 2019 during a label review.

Cashews Missing on New Label - Birdseed Food CO. of Bend, OR is recalling Craft Granola Goldenola Turmeric & Ginger that was sold between the dates of 10/03/18 - 02/07/19, because it contains undeclared cashews. The mislabeling of the product happened upon attaining new packaging in October 2018 and the firm became aware of the issue via customer email.

Watch Those Therapeutic Claims - Felt, OK, McDaniel Life-Line LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots of Indian Herb to the consumer level. This product is being recalled because it is marketed without an approved NDA/ANDA. The therapeutic claims made in the labeling for this product establish that it is a drug because it is an article (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.  Additionally, the product contains ingredients that the Agency has determined to be caustic in nature that can cause serious injury.

Wrong Potato Chip Bag - Frito-Lay announced a limited voluntary recall of a very small number of 7 1/3 oz. bags of Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips because they may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that 228 bags of Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips were inadvertently filled with another flavor of pita chips, potentially exposing consumers to undeclared milk.

Hipster Chipster Label Missing Allergens - The Santa Rosa Whole Foods Market store is voluntarily recalling eight packages of its “Hipster Chipster” cookies because they contain undeclared tree nut (walnut), milk, and egg allergens that were not listed on the product label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-014-2019-release
VICS Acquisition, LLC Recalls Chicken Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I Recall
014-2019
Health Risk: High
Feb 10, 2019

FDA Issues Final Guidance on Conducting Recalls

FDA issued a final guidance document on conducting recalls - Public Warning and Notification of Recalls Under 21 CFR Part 7, Subpart C Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff.  The document can be found here:  LINK

Your own recall procedures should reflect what is in the guidance.

A few key items to note:

Inspection Reveals Meth Concealed in Shipment of Bell Peppers

US Border Protection Agents seized 1000 lbs or $14 million worth of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, in a shipment of bell peppers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in southeast TX along the Rio Grande.

The Produce News
http://theproducenews.com/the-produce-news-today-s-headlines/25954-14-million-of-meth-in-produce-shipment
$14 million of meth in pepper shipment
    February 08, 2019

Canadian Food Law Goes Into Effect, Impact on US Suppliers to Canada

Canada's updated food safety laws went into effect on January 15th.  These are HACCP based regulations that require preventive controls for hazards identified within food processes.

Companies that want to ship into Canada must work with a licensed Canadian importer.  For exporting to the US, a Canadian company with a license is a qualified foreign supplier as part of the FSVP regulations.

According to the web page for food importation into Canada, foreign suppliers do not need to license, but they must work with a Canadian importer who does have a license.  In essence, this put all of the responsibility on the Canadian importer.

 "Foreign businesses preparing foods for export to Canada do not need a licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). The Canadian business importing food into Canada needs a licence under the SFCR to import and any other permission as required by other Canadian Departments and Agencies. Work with an SFC-licensed importer to ensure that your food products meet all applicable requirements of the SFCR. Only in limited situations would you qualify to apply for a licence as a non-resident importer. "  

The CFIA has published a Step-by-Step guide for importers.  "This guide describes the recommended steps you can follow to meet the requirements to import food into Canada and to maintain a food import licence. As an importer, it's your responsibility to make sure the food you import is safe and that it meets Canadian requirements."

Before you import 

Step 1: Know your food what are the risks? (Guide for Preventive Control Plan for Importers)

Step 2: Familiarize yourself with Canadian requirements for importing food - in addition to controlling hazards, there is requirements for ensuring standards, grades, net quantity, and labeling.

Step 3: Select an appropriate foreign supplier

Step 4: Preventive control plan create it and implement it

Step 5: Develop a recall and complaints procedure

Step 6: Apply for your licence to import from the CFIA

When it's time to import 

Step 7: Provide the CFIA with information about each of your shipments

After you've imported 

Step 8: Keep traceability records

Step 9: Preventive control plan maintain it

Step 10: Implement a recall and complaints procedure

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/canadae28099s-new-food-safety-regulations/
Canada’s New Food Safety Regulations
By Staff
News | January 22, 2019

SC - Potential Hepatitis A Exposure at Brew Pub

In South Carolina, patrons of a brew pub in Aiken, SC, during a time period of Jan. 21 through Jan. 26, 2019, are being advised to get a Hepatitis A vaccination after a restaurant worker had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.   Those who ate there from Jan 11 though Jan 20 may also have been exposed, but vaccination will probably not help them, so those unfortunate folks are asked to watch for symptoms.

Post-exposure vaccination is recommended for individuals if it can be administered less than two weeks (14 days) from when they may have been exposed. 

South Carolina Department of Health and Enviromental Control (DHEC)
https://www.scdhec.gov/news-releases/dhec-advises-possible-hepatitis-exposures-local-aiken-restaurant
DHEC Advises of Possible Hepatitis A Exposures At local Aiken Restaurant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 4, 2019

Canned Dog Food Recalled for High Vitamin D Levels Due to Supplier Error

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is voluntarily recalling select canned dog food products due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.  Dogs exposed to higher than required vitamin D levels may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss, and at very high levels, Vitamin D can lead to  renal dysfunction.

"Hill’s Pet Nutrition learned of the potential for elevated vitamin D levels in some of our canned dog foods after receiving a complaint in the United States about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D levels.  Our investigation confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error." 

 https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm630232.htm
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Canned Dog Food for Excessive Vitamin D
For Immediate Release
January 31, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending February 2, 2019

Wrong Label with Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Labeled  as Chile Relleno - Taylor Farms TX, Inc., a Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 2,100 pounds of chicken products incorrectly labeled as “Chile Relleno” products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain wheat which is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered on Feb. 1, 2019 when the firm discovered that a label for “Chile Relleno” was incorrectly applied to some of its USDA’s amenable “HEB Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Alfredo & Chicken” products.

Incorrect Back Label - Perdue Foods, LLC, a Bridgewater, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 16,011 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken nugget products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain milk, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when a retail store notified the company of an incorrect label. The establishment investigated and determined that the incorrect back label was applied to the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-011-2019-release
Taylor Farms TX, Inc. Recalls Chicken Products Due To Misbranding And Undeclared Allergens 
Class II Recall 
011-2019 
Health Risk: Low 
Feb 2, 2019