FDA Begins Testing Program for Frozen Berries

FDA began a testing program for frozen berries for Hepatitis A and norovirus.  Frozen berries have been linked to three hepatitis A virus outbreaks and one norovirus outbreak in the United States from 1997 to 2016.  Because these berries are often eaten without cooking, such as used in smoothies or added to food like yogurt, they can transfer these virus to consumers, if present.

The sampling began in November and is estimated to last approximately 18 months and will test approximately 2000 samples. "The agency is collecting domestic samples of frozen berries in retail packaging from processors, distribution centers, warehouses, and retail locations. The agency is also collecting import samples from ports of entry, importer warehouses, or other storage facilities where foreign goods are cleared for entry into the country. "

FDA Constituent Update
https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-sampling-frozen-berries-harmful-viruses
FDA Sampling Frozen Berries for Harmful Viruses
Constituent Update
May 9, 2019

NY Establishment Recalls Raw Milk Cheese After Positive Listeria Test

Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC, is recalling their Mecox Sunrise washed-rind Tomme style cheese after routine testing by New York State Agriculture and Markets Division of Milk Control revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Mecox Sunrise cheese.

Mecox Dairy is a NY establishment.  According to the label, the cheese is a raw milk cheese which has been aged for more than 60 days.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mecox-bay-dairy-llc-recalls-mecox-sunrise-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC Recalls “Mecox Sunrise” Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 09, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  May 09, 2019
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Food & Beverage Safety, Potential Foodborne Illness, Listeria
Company Name:  Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC
Brand Name:  Mecox Bay Dairy
Product Description:  Mecox Sunrise Cheese

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending May 4, 2019

Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,094,186 pounds of frozen entrees due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen - the product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The product, P.F. Chang’s Home Menu Chicken Pad Thai and Chicken Fried Rice, are frozen, heat treated, not fully cooked and not shelf stable entree product and were produced on various dates between Oct. 1, 2018 and April 11, 2019.  "The problem was discovered when Conagra Brands, Inc. conducted a routine label verification check and determined that the product did not declare milk on the label."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-049-2019-release
Conagra Brands, Inc. Recalls Chicken Pad Thai and Chicken Fried Rice Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall

049-2019
Health Risk: High 

May 4, 2019

Topics in Supply and Demand - PA is Snack Food Capital, What is Local

PA is Snack Capital of the World - The NPR article How The Pennsylvania Dutch Turned A Rural Town Into A Snack Food Empire discusses how SE PA became snack food capital of the world.  It's the pork fat....bang.

Many Food Shoppers Want to Buy 'Local", but What is "Local"? - In a survey, it was found that buying 'local' depends on the shopper's view as well as the type of food they are buying.  While produce is considered local if it is from the same city, local for meat is the same state.  In many ways, the term "local" is becoming like the term "natural"....more of a relative thing.

Sales of Alkaline Water is Increasing - Bottled water accounts for 13.2 billion in sales (US) but specialty waters increased by 12.9% and represents 2.1 billion in sales.  Bottled alkaline water, water with a pH > 7.0, is in this group and has been hyped as having multiple health benefits.  But medical research does not prove this out.

 A Sweeter tasting Cap'n Crunch - Cotton Candy Cap’n Crunch cereal is set to hit shelves this summer...kind of like sugar flavored sugar.

Arkansas Establishment Expands Recall of Chicken Strips After Additional Complaints of Foreign Material Received

Tyson Foods, Inc., a Rogers, Ark. establishment, is expanding a recall originally posted on March 21 to now include a total of recalling 11,829,517 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products due to the potential contamination with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.
The frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip items were produced on various dates from Oct. 1, 2018 through March 8, 2019 and have “Use By Dates” of Oct. 1, 2019 through March 7, 2020.

The first recall was issued when FSIS received two consumer complaints of extraneous material in the chicken strip products. In that recall, Tyson recalled 69,000 lbs of meat.  FSIS is now aware of six complaints during this time frame involving similar pieces of metal with three alleging oral injury.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-034-2019-exp-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Strip Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall

034-2019 EXP
Health Risk: High 

May 4, 2019

FDA Wants to Move to a New Era of Smarter Food Safety

FDA released a statement on 'A New Era of Smarter Food Safety'.  What does this mean?  There will be a push to move tracking and measurement systems to electronic format that can be easily monitored and tracked.  While the word 'blockchain' was not stated, one could assume this will be part of that picture.

From the release - "it’s time to look to the future of food safety once again, with a view that builds on the progress we’re making with our regulatory framework, but also leverages the use of new and emerging technologies to create a more digital, traceable and safer system. That’s why, today, we’re announcing a “New Era of Smarter Food Safety” to augment our efforts implementing important FSMA requirements while also leveraging, among other things, the use of new and emerging technologies."

In a blockchain type of environment, not only will lot codes be tracked, but also the parameters associated with that given lot.  This will make tracking data transparent to producers, processors, retailers, and ultimately consumers.

This train is coming...not sure when or how fast it will be going, but it is coming.  Now whether the industry will have the inclination to undertake..we'll see.

Statement from Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D., and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas on steps to usher the U.S. into a new era of smarter food safety
For Immediate Release:April 30, 2019

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Rendering Facility Regarding Tallow with Pentobarbital

The U.S.FDA issued a warning letter to JBS USA urging the company to take corrective actions at their Souderton PA rendering facility regarding the continued production and sale of beef tallow that may contain pentobarbital, a drug used for anesthetizing and euthanizing animals.  "FDA alleges that JBS Souderton, doing business as MOPAC, continued to sell adulterated products after receiving formal notification of pentobarbital contamination from a customer on Feb. 13, 2018, and after formal notification of positive pentobarbital samples from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on or about April 5, 2018."

The Meatingplace article, also states "According to FDA, MOPAC said that as of May 2018 it had made several changes to try to correct the problems, everything from requiring suppliers to sign guarantees that they do not pick up euthanized animals to extensive tank cleaning to random testing of tallow. But the agency collected a sample on August 2018 from a tank that was positive with trace levels of pentobarbital, indicating the company’s efforts were not sufficient. Samples taken at customers’ facilities also indicated levels of pentobarbital, the agency noted

Meatingplace
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/85383
FDA tells JBS to stop selling beef tallow contaminated with euthanasia drug 
By Tom Johnston on 5/3/2019

FDA Issues Alert on French Soft-Ripened Cheese for Potential Listeria Contamination

FDA issued a public health alert for l’Explorateur soft ripened cheese due to the potential for Listeria contamination. This is a pasteurized, cow’s milk cheese that was made in St. Simeon, France and distributed throughout the U.S."The FDA advises consumers and retailers to not eat, sell, or serve cheese labeled as l’Explorateur."

The same brand of cheese was recalled a year ago, also due to Listeria. 

FDA Public Health Alert
LINK
Public Health Alert Concerning a Possible Listeria Contamination of French Soft Ripened Cheese
May 3, 2019

CDC Report on Food Pathogen Surveillance via FoodNet 2018

CDC released a report Preliminary Incidence and Trends of Infections with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 U.S. Sites, 2015–2018 (MMWR Weekly / April 26, 2019 / 68(16);369–373) that shows the incidence of most infections increased during 2018 compared with 2015–2017, 'although it is probably do to automated (non-cultrure or culture independent) methods' [so the incidence is probably not rising, but rather the ability to detect allows investigators to determine cause] (The number of bacterial infections diagnosed by CIDT (with or without reflex culture )increased 65% in 2018 compared with the average annual number diagnosed during 2015–2017).

Basically, "The incidence of Cyclospora infections increased markedly, in part related to large outbreaks associated with produce. The number of human infections caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella, especially serotype Enteritidis, remains high."

• Poultry is a major source of Campylobacter
• The incidence of infections with Enteritidis, the most common Salmonella serotype, has not declined in over 10 years. Enteritidis is adapted to live in poultry, and eggs are an important source of infection.
• Produce is a major source of foodborne illnesses (2). During 2018, romaine lettuce was linked to two multistate outbreaks of STEC O157 infections (8). The marked increase in reported Cyclospora infections was likely attributable to several factors including produce outbreaks and continued adoption of DNA-based syndrome panel tests