NJ Meat Processor Recalls Ground Meat Due to Plasctic Pieces

Rastelli Bros., Inc., doing business as Rastelli Foods Group, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 130,464 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic.   The problem was discovered after FSIS received consumer complaints through the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline. The firm also notified FSIS that they received a consumer complaint directly.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-109-2019-release
Rastelli Bros., Inc. Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
109-2019
Health Risk: Low
Nov 7, 2019

Improperly Processed Cold Smoked Salmon Recalled as a Clostridium botulinum Risk

Mill Stream Corp. (Sullivan Harbor Farm) of Hancock, Maine is voluntarily recalling ten lots of Cold Smoked Salmon because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

According to the notice, "The recall was initiated because the product’s water phase salt (WPS) tested below 3.5%. This was discovered upon re-review of laboratory certificates, which were found to have incorrectly reported WPS levels. Labeling instructions state to keep refrigerated at or below 38ºF and that the product may be frozen. Because the WPS is under 3.5% the product must remain frozen until ready to consume. Product stored in the refrigerator after thawing has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum."

As a cold smoked fish product, the hazard of concern is the non-proteolytic strains of Clostridium botulinum, specifically Type E, that have the ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures in vacuum packed product.  (Proteolytic strains, those often associated with improperly processed home canned foods require higher temperatures).  The salt content is a hurdle that prevents this growth, and if not at the right level, than growth can be an issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mill-stream-corp-sullivan-harbor-farm-issues-voluntary-recall-cold-smoked-salmon-because-possible
Mill Stream Corp. (Sullivan Harbor Farm) Issues a Voluntary Recall of Cold Smoked Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 06, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 06, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Clostridium botulinum
Company Name: Mill Stream Corp.
Brand Name: Mill Stream Corp.
Product Description: Cold Smoked Salmon

Two Retailers Issue Recalls Associated with Mann Packing Recall of Produce Due to Listeria

Whole Foods and Albertsons have issued recalls associated with vegetable items from Mann Packing Company due to Listeria.  Mann Packing issued their recall on November 3rd.

The Listeria issue evidently started with testing done by the CFIA.  From an article in The Packer,  "According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Mann Packing recall was an update to a Nov. 1 recall of six Compliments (Sobeys) brand fresh-cut products. That recall was also an expansion of an Oct. 30 recall, of Compliments Sweet Kale Blend. The kale item was recalled following a test from the Canadian agency that detected Listeria monocytogenes."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mann-packing-recall-vegetable-products-affects-whole-foods-market-stores-grocer-issues-voluntary
Mann Packing Recall of Vegetable Products Affects Whole Foods Market Stores; Grocer Issues Voluntary Recall of Multiple Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 06, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 06, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Multiple Products
Company Name: Whole Foods Market
Brand Name: Whole Foods Market
Product Description: Multiple Products

Poultry Products Recalled for Metal Discovered During Further Processing

Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc., a Gentry, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,071,397 pounds of poultry products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal.  The problem was discovered by Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. establishments during further processing.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-108-2019-release
Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. Recalls Poultry Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
108-2019
Health Risk:High
Nov 6, 2019

FDA to Continue Leniency with Co-packers Supplier Control Where Brands Have Oversight

FDA announced that they will continue to provide 'enforcement discretion' with supply chain controls for co-packers where the brand companies they are packing for have oversight over those suppliers.  In these cases, the co-packer is packing under contract for the brand company, and that brand company has chosen and then manages the suppliers who provide raw materials to the co-packer.

Certainly if the brand companies want the control over the supply chain to the co-packer, then they should be responsible for the supply chain control components and should have the procedures and documentation to support that.  This FDA announcement does not go that far, outside of providing an out for the co-packer.

From the announcement, "under certain circumstances and on a temporary basis, we do not intend to take enforcement action against a receiving facility that is a co-manufacturer, and that is not in compliance with certain supply-chain program requirements for food manufactured for the brand owner."

From the previously published guidance establishing enforcement discretion:
"Supplier Approval
FDA does not intend to take enforcement action under the following circumstances: (1) a brand owner conducts supplier approval activities, (2) the co-manufacturer describes these activities in its food safety plan, and (3) the co-manufacturer conducts any necessary supplier approval activities not conducted by the brand owner. For example, FDA does not intend to take enforcement action when a brand owner (rather than the co-manufacturer) evaluates supplier performance as part of approving a supplier, the co-manufacturer’s food safety plan states that the brand owner will consider supplier performance before a supplier is approved, and the co-manufacturer conducts any other necessary supplier approval activities (e.g., hazard analysis of the food). The co-manufacturer is always responsible for following written procedures for receiving raw materials and other ingredients, and documenting use of the procedures (21 CFR §§ 117.420 and 507.120)."

"Supplier Verification
FDA does not intend to take enforcement action under the following circumstances: (1) a brand owner determines and/or conducts supplier verification activities for its co-manufacturer, (2) the co-manufacturer describes these activities in its food safety plan, and (3) the co-manufacturer conducts any necessary supplier verification activities not conducted by the brand owner. For example, FDA does not intend to take enforcement action when an audit is determined to be the appropriate supplier verification activity but a co-manufacturer does not independently obtain a supplier audit or review the conclusions of a supplier audit obtained and reviewed by the brand owner, the co-manufacturer’s food safety plan states that the brand owner will obtain and review audits of the supplier, and the co-manufacturer conducts any other necessary supplier verification activities (e.g., sampling and testing of the raw material or other ingredient)."

FDA Constituent Update
https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-supply-chain-program-requirements-and-co-manufacturer-supplier-approval-and
FDA Continues Enforcement Discretion Policy Relevant to Certain Co-Manufacturers under FSMA
November 6, 2019

Packaged Vegetable Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

Mann Packing Co., Inc. announced today the voluntary recall of a series of ready-to-eat / ready-to--use packaged vegetable products sold to select retailers in the United States and Canada after they were notified by the Food and Drug Administration and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. At this point, there have been no reported illnesses.

Wegman's and GHNW, LLC (Clackamas, OR)  also recalled product packed by Mann Packing.

The extensive list of items can be found here:

https://mannpackingproductlist11-2019.us/

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mann-packing-co-inc-voluntarily-recalls-vegetable-products-sold-united-states-and-canada-due
Mann Packing Co., Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Vegetable Products Sold in the United States and Canada Due to Potential Health Risks
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 03, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 03, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Mann Packing Co., Inc.
Brand Name: Mann, various private brands
Product Description: Various vegetable products

CDC Investigates a Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Ground Beef

CDC is investigating a Salmonella outbreak associated with ground beef.

• There are 10 cases with 8 hospitalizations and 1 death.  
• Cases occurred in 6 states, all west of the Mississippi.
• Onset of illness is August 8, 2019, to September 22, 2019. 
• Ill people range in age from 48 to 74 years, with a median age of 68. 
• Eighty percent of ill people are male. 
• Of nine ill people with information available, eight (89%) were hospitalized, which is much higher than we would expect for Salmonella infections
• No information was presented as to the source.

Could we say that most cases are older men who probably felt it was okay to eat hamburger on the rarer side...because they always ate it that way?  Or they don't feel they need to use a thermometer.

With the last case starting over a month ago, it may be difficult to find the source at this point, or at least isolate the organism in product. While there may not be more cases if this was a one time contamination event, more cases may pop up if people had frozen the raw ground meat or the undercooked meat.

CDC Investigation Notice

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/dublin-11-19/index.html
Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Ground Beef

Published on November 1, 2019 at 4:00 PM ET

At A Glance
Reported Cases: 10
States: 6
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 1

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Dublin infections linked to ground beef.

A single, common supplier of ground beef has not been identified. This investigation is ongoing and CDC will update the public as more information becomes available.

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending November 2, 2019

Natural Casing Not on Label - Taylor’s Sausage Inc., a Cave Junction, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 641 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry sausage products because the products may be misbranded and contain a pork casing or a sheep casing that were not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered by FSIS during routine inspection activities.

Cookie Packaging Missing MIlk - Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies Inc.,of Chicago, Illinois is recalling Golden Dragon Inc. Chinese Almond Cookies, because it may contain undeclared Milk. The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an FDA inspection that the Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies Inc. Chinese Almond Cookies were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Milk.

FDA Proposes Laboratory Accreditation Program for Food Testing - Let the Arms Race Begin

FDA is proposing the establishment of a laboratory accreditation program for those testing food.  Testing by an approved laboratory would then be required in certain circumstances including:

• Testing conducted to comply with specific FDA testing requirements applied to address an identified or suspected food safety problem (including certain tests of shell eggs, bottled water, and sprouts);
• Testing conducted to provide evidence to support the admissibility of imported food into U.S. commerce (e.g., testing conducted for a food that has been detained due to an appearance of adulteration);
• Testing conducted to support the removal of a food from an import alert through successful consecutive testing;
• Testing conducted to address an identified or suspected food safety problem and presented to FDA as part of evidence for an informal hearing before a mandatory recall order, as part of a corrective action plan submitted after an order suspending the registration of a food facility, or as part of evidence submitted for an appeal of an administrative detention order;
• Testing conducted in response to a food testing order, a new procedure proposed by this rule to address an identified or suspected food safety problem.

Basically, FDA will not approve the laboratories, but will  recognize ABs (accreditation bodies), which will, in turn, accredit laboratories to conduct food testing in these circumstances.  "The proposed laboratory accreditation program would incorporate two globally recognized and widely used voluntary consensus standards, ISO/IEC 17011:2017 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017, as foundational requirements for ABs and laboratories, respectively. ABs and laboratories would also be required to meet certain additional requirements."

This always sounds like a good idea, but like so many other similar programs, it becomes a quagmire -  people with the inside track, unevenly applied standards, a scrutinous focus on paperwork, and an overwhelming desire of all laboratories to achieve that recognition.  Although the actual testing may not bring much money to a laboratory, having that accreditation is a great marketing tool....basically a stamp of approval from FDA.  And there will be issues with whether the laboratory has overall approval or approval for a given test(s)?

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-publishes-proposed-rule-establish-laboratory-accreditation-program-food-testing
FDA Publishes Proposed Rule to Establish Laboratory Accreditation Program for Food Testing
Constituent update
November 1, 2019