FDA Provides Leeway for Wine Grapes, Pulses, Hops, and Almonds from Produce Rule

FDA provided guidance on relaxing (allow enforcement discretion) from the Produce Rule on commodity items that have unique processing methods. The commodity group include wine grapes (that will be made into wine), hops,(made into beer), pulse crops (the seeds of legumes - dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils, Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses nes - which are cooked) and almonds (which are normally roasted).

"The term “pulses” is limited to crops harvested solely as dry grains, which differentiates them from other vegetable crops that are harvested while still green."(the pulses webpage)

National Law Review
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/fda-announces-enforcement-discretion-certain-commodities-related-to-produce-safety
FDA Announces Enforcement Discretion for Certain Commodities Related to Produce Safety Rule
Friday, March 29, 2019

Beef Heel and Chuck Tender Products Recalled for Potential E. coli O157:H7

Aurora Packing Company, Inc., a North Aurora, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,838 pounds of beef heel and chuck tender products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7,  The problem was discovered during traceback activities following routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-038-2019-release
Aurora Packing Company, Inc. Recalls Beef Products due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination 
Class I Recall
038-2019
Health Risk: High
Mar 26, 2019

Europe - Various Food Safety Issues in the News

In doing a google search on food safety news items, we see that many of the "interesting" stories are coming from other countries other than the US this week.  Reading some of the headlines, it is easy to mistake these outbreaks are closer rather than an ocean away.  I guess in today's 24hr constant news cycle, there needs to be the constant issuance of stories, perhaps helping maintain that narrative that our food is unsafe.  And perhaps it is just a matter of time before we will be reading about an investigation of 2 cases of Salmonella linked to a tofu dish served at a restaurant in India or Pakistan.

Cluster of Listeria Cases Linked in 5 Countries
A linkage has been made between 18 cases of Listeria infections in 5 different countries over 4 years.
"ECDC has identified a microbiological link between an outbreak of nine Listeria monocytogenes ST1247 cases in Denmark and nine additional cases reported between 2014 and 2018 in Estonia (2 cases) Finland (2), France (1) and Sweden (4)."

Denmark Experiencing Rise in Salmonella Chicken Flocks
FSN
"Denmark found Salmonella in 2.7 percent of chicken flocks that lay eggs last year which is above the limit set by the European Commission to qualify for special conditions."

EU report finds limited controls on food sold online
FSN
"Official controls on food sold over the Internet are still limited, according to a report from the European Commission.
Controls of food sold online were limited and mainly focused on registered food business operators. Non-compliances were mostly related to labeling and health claim requirements. Online marketing of dangerous substances as food supplements was found in a few cases."

Snack mix recall expanded as patient count increases in Salmonella outbreak
FSN
"More cases of Salmonella infections have been reported in Norway with a link to imported dried fruit and coconut. Salmonella Agbeni has been detected in several samples of the snack mixes. Salmonella Gamaba was also found in two unopened packages from the same lot."

https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/multi-country-cluster-listeria-monocytogenes-st1247-five-eu-countries
Multi-country cluster of Listeria monocytogenes ST1247 in five EU countries
news epidemiological update
27 Mar 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending March 22, 2019

Wrong Chicken Products in Cases - Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 100 pounds of frozen, fully cooked diced white chicken meat products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain soy which is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered after the firm received a complaint from a customer that they received fully cooked grilled chicken strips instead of fully cooked diced white chicken meat.

Potato Chips Put in Wrong Bag - Better Made Snack Foods of Detroit, MI, is recalling 10-ounce packages of Original Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a package of 10-ounce Original Potato Chips dated 10 AUG 2019 did not contain Original Potato Chips but instead contained Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips which contain milk.

Improperly Designed Label, Misses Milk - Century Snacks, LLC of Commerce, CA is recalling all packages of 3-oz. and 5.75-oz. SNAK CLUB HONEY BLISS NUT MIX due to undeclared MILK.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing MILK was distributed in packaging that does not reveal its presence.

Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked, Diced Chicken Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall
036-2019
Health Risk: High
Mar 23, 2019

First Tailgate? Stonehenge Site of Ancient Pig BBQ

An article in National Geographic details research into sites around Stonehedge where prehistoric pork barbecues were held as part of large social events.   Based on elemental analysis from the pig bones, it appears that travelers came from all over England.

A BBQ cook-off perhaps? 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/03/stonehenge-pig-roasts-united-ancient-britain
Stonehenge-era pig roasts united ancient Britain, scientists say
A new study of bones discarded after prehistoric barbeques is providing unexpected insight into the first ‘pan-British’ gatherings.
________________________________________
BY KRISTIN ROMEY
________________________________________
PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2019
A surprising study of leftovers from 4,500-year-old pig roasts reveals that prehistoric ceremonial sites around Stonehenge served as “pan-British” centers that helped bring together disparate populations of Neolithic peoples from across the island for the first time. The study was published today in the journal Science Advances.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to OH Bakery for Being Nasty

An Ohio bakery [located close to Ohio State University by the way] was cited for lots of bad stuff.  As we have seen in recent Warning Letters, bakeries have been slammed for many GMP issues.  The reason for this is that many have not had FDA visits.  They were often inspected only by the State and often viewed as low risk.  As we have learned more about the potential for Salmonella to be in flour and to persist in dry facilities for long periods of time, the risk in bakeries has come more to light.  In this case, the issues with improper cleaning leading to dust buildup is a concern, as well as employee hygiene issues.  Allergens are another concern where multiple allergens may be used.  Finally Staphylococcus is a concern when cream fillings are temperature abused. 

And now we are seeing here where a lack of a food safety plan (HACCP-based) is noted as well.

No Food Safety Plan - "Specifically, you did not prepare, or have prepared, and did not implement a food safety plan for the food manufactured in your central kitchen, such as RTE cream-filled eclair pastries, as required by 21 CFR § 117.126. Based on your operation, when you perform your hazard analysis you should consider hazards including contamination of products with environmental pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, and food allergens."

Equipment not food safe - "our investigator observed a stainless-steel mixing bowl with rough welds and dents on the inside of the bowl, which make it a surface that is not easily cleanable and that can harbor pathogens or allergen-containing food debris."

Improper cleaning - Dust build-up was observed 1) on the fan covers of the cooling unit in the quiche freezer, dairy cooler, pastry cooler, and bread freezer  Finished product was stored uncovered in these coolers and freezers); 2)on the blower vent of the air conditioning unit (Racks of bread were stored below the vent to cool); 3) on the air filter bracket above the rotary oven and retail prep area.  Clean pots and containers were stored below this filter.  and 4) on electrical cords and electrical outlets directly above the pastry prep table.

Employee hygiene issues -  1) An employee was observed not wearing a beard net while placing fruit on top of fruit tarts; 2)the employee's shirt was touching some of the tarts; 3) An employee was observed wearing jewelry (a bracelet made of string) while making bread dough. 4) Employees' personal items, including coffee cups and shake containers, were stored under prep tables in the manufacturing areas.  An employee was observed taking a drink of the coffee stored under the prep table and then continued prepping pastries without washing their hands. 5) An employee, who was observed filling eclairs with cream, was handed their cell phone, which was found on the floor, the employee placed the cell phone in their back pocket and continued to fill eclairs with cream, without washing their hands. 6) An employee loading a truck for delivery... picked up a cake from the tray, touched the cake with his fingers, and placed the cake into a box.  The employee did not wash their hands before touching the cake. 

Temperature Control -  Your dairy cooler is used to store dairy products, such as heavy whipping cream, pasteurized liquid egg, milk, pastry cream, chocolate ganache, and sweet dough, all of which are used to manufacture RTE pastries.  You stated you visually inspect the temperature of the cooler (b)(4) and record it on the Cooler and Freezer Temperature record.  From December 31, 2017 to June 2, 2018, your records show 104 out of 153 (b)(4) where the temperature of the cooler was recorded above _____°F, reaching as high as ____°F.

FDA Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations
Warning Letter
LaMarquise Inc. 2/5/19

Two Recalls Issued After Complaints of Foreign Material in the Form of Metal Pieces

There were two recalls of meat related to foreign material in the product, specifically metal pieces.  In  the recall from the NH establishment, the recall was issued after FSIS inspectors found, through their record review, that the company had received consumer complaints for metal. In the other case, complaints for metal were made directly to USDA.

North Country Smokehouse, a Claremont, N.H. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,686 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal,  The problem was discovered on March 18, 2019 by FSIS inspection program personnel during a routine review of establishment consumer complaint records.

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Rogers, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 69,093 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.  The problem was discovered when FSIS received two consumer complaints of extraneous material in the chicken strip products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-037-2019-release
North Country Smokehouse Recalls Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
037-2019
Health Risk: High
Mar 23, 2019

Avocados from CA Recalled After Environmental Samples Positive for Listeria

A California avocado packing house is recalling avocados "due to positive test results on environmental samples taken during a routine government inspection at its California packing facility."  Henry Avocado Corporation is voluntarily recalling California-grown whole avocados sold in bulk at retail stores.

"The recalled products – California-grown conventional and organic avocados -- were packed at Henry Avocado’s packing facility in California and distributed in Arizona, California, Florida New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin. All shipments from the packing facility are subject to the recall (Henry Avocado did not begin packing there until late January 2019). Avocados imported from Mexico and distributed by Henry Avocado are not subject to the recall and may continue to be sold and consumed."

Is the risk high?  Hard to tell because we don't know whether the avocados themselves were contaminated and if so, to what degree the contaminate on the outside of the avocado would be transferred to the internal flesh.  The concern is that someone making a product like guacamole would not properly wash the avocado and the contaminate would be transferred to the internal flesh as the person sliced and prepared the guacamole.  The potential for growth increases risk as the guacamole is more neutral in pH and would not inhibit growth.  Long storage even at refrigeration temperature also increases risk in that Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures albeit slower than if the product were temperature abused.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm634230.htm
Henry Avocado Recalls Whole Avocados Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2019

Pet Food Company Expands Recall for Elevated Vitamin D

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding its recall of select canned dog food products due to elevated levels of vitamin D, an issue that was caused by the same vitamin premix received from a U.S. supplier that was the issue that led to a recall in January.   "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."

From the recall notice, "Following that recall, we conducted a detailed review of all canned dog foods potentially impacted by the vitamin premix with elevated levels of vitamin D. This review included: analyzing consumer complaints; reviewing veterinarian medical consultations; auditing our supplier; and reviewing our own manufacturing and quality procedures. We then did additional product testing to ensure we had taken all appropriate action. Our review determined that there were additional products affected by that vitamin premix, and it is for that reason that we are expanding the recall. Hill’s has received a limited number of complaints of pet illness related to some of these products."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm634087.htm
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Expands Voluntary Recall of Select Canned Dog Food for Elevated Vitamin D
For Immediate Release
March 20, 2019