Stuffed Sandwiches Recalled for Foreign Material in the Form of Semi-Transparent Plastic

J & J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp., a Holly Ridge, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 56,578 pounds of stuffed sandwich products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically semi-transparent plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints. FSIS was notified on April 3, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-042-2019-release
J&J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp. Recalls Stuffed Sandwich Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
042-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 5, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending April 6, 2019

Mislabeled Soup Results in Allergen Issue - Blount Fine Foods, a Fall River, Mass. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat chicken soup products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The institutional, frozen “Chicken & Poblano Pepper Soup” items, which were labeled incorrectly as “Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup,” The problem was discovered when the firm received a consumer complaint.  (Production issue  - wrong labels used when packing product...simple mistake, costly error, easy to prevent).

Crust Contains Almond Flour Which was Missed in Design of Label - Little Red Rooster Ice Cream Company, d/b/a NadaMoo! (“NadaMoo!”) announced a limited voluntary recall of approximately 26,000 pints of its Strawberry Cheesecake Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert because they contain an undeclared almond ingredient. The recall was initiated as soon as it was discovered that the pie crust inclusions in the Strawberry Cheesecake product containing almond flour as an ingredient was inadvertently filled into packaging that did not declare that ingredient, potentially exposing consumers to an undeclared allergen.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-041-2019-release
Blount Fine Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Soup Product due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
Class I Recall
041-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 4, 2019

WA Raw Pet Food Recalled After Testing Finds Listeria monocytogenes

Thogersen Family Farm, a Washington State establishment is recalling raw frozen ground pet food after the State of Washington tested and found the product was positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  While freezing will restrict growth, it does not eliminate it.  And once the food is opened and poured into Rex's bowl, the organism is in the kitchen, on the dog, and on the owner's hands.  And if Rex's owners are older, or have young children, or are immune compromised in some way, they are at an increased risk of illness.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635396.htm
Thogensen Family Farm Recalls Raw Frozen Ground Pet Food (Rabbit; Duck; Llama; Pork) Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

Tomato Paste Recalled for Potential Can Damage That Can Result in Mold Growth

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is recalling a particular lot of its Hunt’s Tomato Paste No Salt Added six ounce cans after complaints were received for mold.  According to the FDA release,  "After the canning process, the final product could have been damaged, creating the potential for mold.  Conagra Brands became aware of the issue after receiving calls from consumers."

So it appears the can had damage  which provided the opportunity for mold (and air) to get into the can.  Since the product is high acid (low pH), mold is the type type of organism that would be most likely to grow.  The damage does not have to be something that is noticeable, even as small as a pin hole will provide enough for microorganisms to get inside.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635309.htm
Conagra Brands Announces Recall of a Limited Amount of Hunt’s Tomato Paste Cans Due to Potential Presence of Mold
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

CBD Oil - Illegal for Food, Science Largely Unknown

Many entrepreneurial companies have been moving forward on CBD infused food products, but from an FDA stance, these are illegal to sell.  (CBD oil is derived from hemp/no THC.)  It is hard to believe with as many items we hear about including CBD infused gummies, drinks, and other foods.  Unfortunately, many state and local agencies have taken a less stringent stand against use of CBD oil in food and dietary supplements.  Not that the FDA has taken a hard stance on the chemical.  From a Post Star article, "Until last year, there was a federal ban on CBD. Not that the FDA enforced it. Beyond firing off a few letters ordering manufacturers to stop making unproven health claims, the FDA made no efforts to stop commerce. After all, CBD never killed anyone."

A Science News article on CBD oil, it states the science behind the benefits is largely unknown.  It has been approved as a drug to treat epilepsy in children.  But how it works and the impact on the average person...there has not been enough research.

The only clear benefit in food is the mark-up in price.  Adding CBD oil to a food item allows the seller to jack up the price.  And with no standards, it is easy for the amount added to be extremely small to perhaps nonexistent.  So before stopping off to buy your CBP infused smoothie, you may want to think about what you are really buying.  A this point, just expensive, technically illegal, hype.

https://poststar.com/news/national/selling-cbd-in-food-is-illegal-fda-says-so-why/article_f3e378c4-f75d-5667-a83c-d05690ed9d43.html
Selling CBD in food is illegal, FDA says. So why are so many retailers selling it?
Sam Wood Tribune News Service
March 31, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending March 30, 2019

Pâté Missing Milk and Soy - Market of Choice, Inc., an Eugene, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,094 pounds of pork and poultry pâté products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - The products contain milk and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when Market of Choice reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture the undeclared allergens. The FDA notified FSIS, which has jurisdiction over the pork and poultry pate products.

Mislabeling of Chocolate Bars - Theo Chocolate of Seattle, WA is voluntarily recalling 3oz Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate bars (UPC 8 74492 00325 8) because they may contain undeclared milk. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a small number of 3oz Salted Toffee Dark Chocolate bars were mis-labeled with 3oz Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate labels and shipped to select distributors, retail stores and consumers. The toffee contains butter, which is a milk allergen, but the 3oz Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate label does not declare milk.

Forgot to Put Egg on the Label - Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters Inc. of Spokane, WA is recalling 15 loaves of Blueberry Bread because it may contain undeclared EGG. There are no expiration dates or lot codes on label and product has a 5-day shelf life.  NO illness has been reported to date.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during a routine inspection, the product containing EGG was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of EGG.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-039-2019-release
Market of Choice, Inc. Recalls Pork and Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall 039-2019
Health Risk: High
Mar 30, 2019

Canned Cat Food Recalled After Complaints Received for Rubber Pieces

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Muse wet cat food Natural Chicken Recipe in Gravy in three-ounce cans due to the potential for product to contain rubber pieces that are translucent yellow with a blue backing.  This may present a potential choking hazard for the cat.  The company became aware of the issue after receiving complaints from pet owners who observed the rubber pieces in the product. Corrective action was taken to prevent use from occurring again.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm634850.htm
Nestle Purina PetCare Company Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Amount of Muse Wet Cat Food Natural Chicken Recipe in Gravy in Three-ounce Cans due to the Potential Presence of Rubber Pieces
For Immediate Release
March 29, 2019

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