Report on Listeria Sampling in Produce at Retail

Consumer Reports conducted tests of leafy greens from supermarkets and found Listeria in 6 of 284 samples. Do you stop buying leafy greens - No, the risk is extremely low.

Listeria is a common environmental microorganism and while certain strains can be pathogenic if present in sufficient number and are exposed to high risk populations, there has not been outbreaks from fresh leafy greens eaten as such. In this report, really only one of the sample organisms was deemed as pathogenic, but the level of organism present would not likely to be sufficient to cause an issue.

That said, the produce industry has been working to ensure the risk is minimized through basic GMPs and sanitation.  However, more work is needed to improve risk reduction of this organism in food operations including fresh produce.  More research is needed to better understand this organism in food operations as well as in retail operations.

Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/leafy-greens-with-listeria-sold-at-major-supermarkets/
Leafy Greens With Listeria Sold at Major Supermarkets
Consumer Reports found the bacteria in prewashed and unbagged products. Here's how to stay safe when eating greens.
By Trisha Calvo
July 26, 2019

Color Additive Regulations Amended to Allow Use of Soy Leghemoglobin in Fake Burgers (Veggie Patties)

FDA agreed to amend the color additive regulations to allow "for the safe use of soy leghemoglobin as a color additive in ground beef analogue products".  Soy leghemoglobin is the substance that gives the Impossible Burger its color and meat like flavor.

Leghemoglobin is a heme containing protein found in plants,  Heme is an iron-containing molecule that is found in animals, such as in hemoglobin and myoglobin.  This soy based heme is actually produced through the use of genetically modified yeast, so that it can produce via fermentation in large batches.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/fda-approves-color-additive-in-food-after-impossible-burger-petition/
NEWS | August 1, 201
FDA Approves Color Additive in Food After Impossible Burger Petition

Processing Issue Results in Recall of Canned Meat Product

Conagra Brands, Inc., a Milton, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 32,400 pounds of canned beef products,  a single date lot of BEEFY MAC PASTA IN TOMATO & MEAT SAUCE, due to a potential processing defect, resulting in the potential survival of bacterial pathogens in the products,  The problem was discovered by the establishment on July 27, 2019 during routine activities.

One would guess the processing defect resulted in a potential under processing situation.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-081-2019-release
Conagra Brands, Inc. Recalls Canned Beef Products Due to Possible Processing Defect
Class II Recall 081-2019
Health Risk: Low Jul 31, 2019

RTE Polish Sausage Recalled After Complaints of Pink Rubber Pieces

Kent Quality Foods, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 48,681 pounds of ready-to-eat polish sausage with beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of flexible pink rubber.  The problem was discovered when the firm received two complaints of extraneous materials from retailers on July 17, 2019 and July 18, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-079-2019-release
News Release
Kent Quality Foods, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
079-2019
Health Risk: High
Jul 26, 2019

Company Expands Recall of Pig Ear Pet Treats Linked to Salmonella Illnesses

The Lennox Intl Inc located in Edison NJ, is expanding its voluntary recall of its Natural Pig ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recalled products affected where shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from November 1st 2018, to July 3rd, 2019.

"To date, Lennox is aware of cases of human illness related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak in which several people identified Lennox pig eat treats as the brand they purchased. Individually shrink-wrapped product tested by FDA tested positive for Salmonella. Lennox’s pig ears are also sold bulk unwrapped."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/expanded-lennox-intl-inc-voluntary-recalling-natural-pig-ears-july-26-2019
Expanded - The Lennox Intl Inc is Voluntary Recalling Natural Pig Ears on July 26, 2019
When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 30, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 30, 2019
Product Type: Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name: Lennox Intl
Brand Name: Lennox
Product Description: Pet treat-Pig ears

This Week In Mislabeled Products for Week Ending July 27, 2019

Consumer Complaint Reveals Missing Milk and Wheat Allergens in Meatballs -  Home Market Foods, Inc., a Norwood, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 53,217 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat beef and pork meatball products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the products contain milk and wheat which are not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when the firm received a consumer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.

Consumer Complaint Reveals Missing Milk and Wheat Allergens in Beef Sticks -  CM&R Inc., a St. Paul, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 25 pounds of ready-to-eat beef stick products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the products contain milk which is not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when FSIS inspection program personnel determined that the firm had received a consumer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.

Dried Fruit Missing Sulfites - Euphoria Fancy Food Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 500gram packages of “Tainy Vostoka Assorted Dry Fruits-Apple” because they contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 500gram packages of “Tainy Vostoka Assorted Dry Fruits-Apple” which were not declared on the label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-078-2019-release
Home Market Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Beef and Pork Meatball Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I Recall 
078-2019 
Health Risk:High
Jul 25, 2019 

Canada - Recall of Eclairs for Salmonella and Smoked Salmon for Listeria

Associated Grocers is recalling certain Celebrate brand frozen profiteroles and eclairs from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.  This recall was triggered by findings from an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak

 Delta Pacific Seafood Ltd. is recalling Western Family brand Original Wild Sockeye Smoked Salmon Nuggets from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  This recall was triggered by the company [Internal testing?]

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-07-25/eng/1564102652457/1564102654776
Food Recall Warning - Certain Celebrate brand frozen profiteroles and eclairs recalled due to Salmonella

Kansas Spice Company Recalls Taco Seasoning After Notified by Ingredient Supplier of Potential Salmonella Contamination

Williams Foods issued a recall for their taco seasoning after their cumin supplier notified them that another cumin customer had tested and found Salmonella in a lot of cumin product, the same lot sold to Williams.

"These items contain cumin spice involved in a recall initiated by our supplier, Mincing Spice Co. Mincing has issued a recall for a specific lot of cumin they produced because a sample from that lot was tested by one of Mincing's customers and was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella. A portion of the lot recalled by Mincing was supplied to Williams Foods, LLC".

What were the supplier verification activities and now how does the company change them to reflect the increased risk?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/williams-foods-llc-initiates-voluntary-recall-taco-seasoning-product-due-possible-presence
Williams Foods LLC Initiates a Voluntary Recall of Taco Seasoning Product Due to Possible Presence of Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 25, 2019
FDA Publish Date: July 25, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible presence of Salmonella contamination
Company Name: Williams Foods LLC
Brand Name:  Great Value, HEB
Product Description:  Taco Seasoning Products

TX Establishment Expands Recall of Hummus Product Due to Listeria

Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX has expanded their initial recall (posted on July 17) of  hummus products to add a month more of production dates, now made between May 15, 2019 through July 11, 2019...originally May 30 to June 25.   The recall is "due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility (not in finished product) during an FDA inspection.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk-0
Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk