EU - Report on Chemical Residues in Animals and Animal Products

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) released their 2017 report on the presence of residues of  veterinary medicinal products and certain substances in live animals and animal products in the 

European Union (EU).  The study look at pharmaceutical compounds, antimicrobials, and environmental contaminants such as mycotoxins.   The results showed good compliance with regulations.  Overall in 2017, the percentage of non-compliant targeted samples (0.35%) was comparable to the previous 10 years (0.25%–0.37%).

This may serve as a good reference if importing animal products from the EU.

EFSA Technical Report
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/sp.efsa.2019.EN-1578
Report for 2017 on the results from the monitoring of veterinary medicinal product residues and other substances in live animals and animal products

APPROVED: 8 February 2019

Tahini Product Recalled after linked to Four Cases of Salmonella

Broddzenatti Holding LLC of Jupiter, Florida is recalling retail and bulk Karawan brand Tahini, sold in 16-ounce jars and 39-pound buckets that were imported from Palestine between the dates of December 2018 to January 2019, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Four (4) illnesses have been reported to date
This recall has been initiated due to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene laboratory results from two samples of Karawan brand tahini testing positive for Salmonella.

There have been some recent recalls of tahini due to salmonella ( February of 2019,  May of 2018), as well as Listeria (January of 2019).

Tahini is made from toasted ground hulled sesame that is used as a dip / spread or as an ingredient in hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva.   It is similar in consistency to peanut butter and has a nutty creamy flavor.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/broddzenatti-holding-llc-recalls-karawan-brand-tahini-because-possible-health-risk
Broddzenatti Holding LLC. Recalls Karawan Brand Tahini Because Of Possible Health Risk
 
Summary

Company Announcement Date: May 15, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 16, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Food & Beverage Safety, Potential Foodborne Illness, Salmonella
Company Name:Broddzenatti Holding LLC
Brand Name:  Karawan
Product Description:  Tahini

This Week in Mislabeled Food Products for Week Ending May 11, 2019

Raisins With Sulfites Not on Label -  Deshi Distributors LLC. of Jamaica, NY, is recalling its 3.5 oz,  7 oz and 14 oz  packages of Deshi “Golden Raisins”  because they contained undeclared sulfites. The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 7 oz. packages of Deshi “Golden Raisin” which were not declared on the label.

Label Misses that Bread Crumb Ingredient has Soy - Santa Fe Importers, Inc., a Long Beach, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,589 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken meatball products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the products contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the products label.  Santa Fe Importers, Inc. notified FSIS of the problem after the company learned that the bread crumbs used to make the meatballs contained soy lecithin.

This is the Bread Crumb with Soy - ICCO Cheese Company, Inc. (ICCO) of Orangeburg, New York, recalled Gia Russa Unseasoned Whole Grain Bread Crumbs and Gia Russa Italian Seasoned Whole Grain Bread Crumbs because they may contain undeclared walnuts and pecans.  This recall was triggered by a consumer complaint. ICCO informed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and launched an internal investigation. The presence of walnuts and pecans was discovered in the product through third-party laboratory testing. The source of the tree nut allergen is believed to be the bread used by a supplier of the bread crumbs used by ICCO to repack the product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/deshi-distributors-llc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-deshi-golden-raisins
Deshi Distributors LLC Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Deshi “Golden Raisins”

Smoked Salmon Recalled in Florida After Positive Listeria Testing

Seven Seas International USA, LLC of St. Petersburg, Florida is recalling its 4 oz. Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon after routine sampling program by the Florida Department of Agriculture revealed that some of the finished product samples tested positive for Listeria.  The 4 oz. Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon was distributed only in Florida by Publix Grocery stores.

According to the recall, only products with Production Code 41CM and a sell by date of 23rd May 2019 are subject to this recall.  According to the notice, "All subsequent production codes were tested and found not to contain the bacteria."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seven-seas-international-usa-llc-recalls-biltmore-smoked-sockeye-salmon-because-possible-health-risk
Seven Seas International USA, LLC Recalls Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk

Company Announcement Date: May 14, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 15, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Fish Reason for Announcement: Food & Beverage Safety, Potential Foodborne Illness, Listeria
Company Name: Seven Seas International USA, LLC
Brand Name: Biltmore
Product Description:  Wild Smoked Sockeye Salmon

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