This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending December 7, 2019

Milk Found in Product - Nassau Candy Distributors of Hicksville, NY is recalling two lots of 7.5 OZ (212g) Nancy Adams, Dark Chocolate Graham Crackers because they may contain undeclared milk allergens. 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 undeclared milk allergens in the 7.5-ounce packages of Nancy Adams, Dark Chocolate Graham Crackers which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

Sulfites and Cyclomate Found in Product - Lin’s Waha Int’l Corp of Syosset, NY is recalling its 8.11 OZ (230G) packages of Suantianyangmei Waxberry and Bingtangyangmei Waxberry because they contain undeclared sulfites and cyclamates. The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by the Department’s Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites and cyclamates in these products which were not declared on the labels. Cyclamate is an unapproved ingredient.  What is a waxberry - LINK.

Soy Missing on Label - Blue Grass Quality Meats, an Erlanger, Ky. establishment, is recalling approximately 121,083 pounds of pork bacon and ready-to-eat turkey products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product labels.

CBD Products Come Under Fire from Lawsuits After FDA Warning Letters Issued

As one could have guessed, it did not take long for lawsuits involving CBD products after FDA issued Warning Letters to a number of CBD-related companies.  The lawsuits take on a number of issues including the fact it is not allowed by federal law, that the levels are not controlled, and that THC can be present in the product.

.  "On November 27, plaintiff Adam DaSilva filed suit against Infinite Product Co alleging the company sells food, supplement and cosmetic products that are unapproved new drugs in violation of federal law. DaSilva said in the proposed class action suit that Infinite Product’s CBD products are misleadingly labeled and are illegal to sell. In the complaint, DaSilva pointed to the FDA’s recent warning letter to Infinite Products, detailing numerous violations regarding its products, including skin creams and gummies"

A California company that manufactured chocolate with CBD was "hit with a proposed class action in California federal court claiming the candies don’t contain the advertised amounts of CBD and THC."  There were also a few cases where truck drivers failed THC-in-blood test after using CBD product

National Law Review
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/proposed-class-action-alleges-company-s-cbd-products-violate-federal-law

Proposed Class Action Alleges Company’s CBD Products Violate Federal Law

PA Dept of Health Issues Advisory in SEPA Healthcare Facilities after 29 Cases of Salmonella

The Pennsylvania Dept of Health issued an advisory regarding a Salmonella outbreak in 4 healthcare facilities in southeastern PA.  "To date, we have identified 29 case-patients who spent time during their incubation periods in one of four healthcare facilities experiencing outbreaks, which include two hospitals and two long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Known onset dates range from November 19-November 30, 2019."

https://www.radnor.com/CivicAlerts.aspx
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 2019: Health Advisory Regarding Salmonella
Posted on: December 5, 2019

Special Kitty Pet Food Recalled Due to Ingredient Issue

J. M. Smucker Company today announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of Special Kitty® wet, canned cat food due to health concerns potentially associated with ingredients believed to not meet the Company’s quality and safety standards.  Ingesting impacted product may cause nausea with excessive salivation, diarrhea or vomiting to more severe symptoms including difficulty walking, seizures and, in extreme situations, death.   Pet parents (aka pet owners) are encouraged to contact their cat’s veterinarian immediately if their cat is displaying any of these symptoms.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/j-m-smucker-company-issues-voluntary-recall-specific-lots-special-kittyr-wet-canned-cat-food-due
The J. M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Special Kitty® Wet, Canned Cat Food Due to Health Concerns
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 05, 2019 

FDA Publish Date: December 05, 2019 

Product Type:Animal & Veterinary Pet Food Target Animal – Safety 

Reason for Announcement:  Products don’t meet the Company’s quality and safety standards
Company Name: The J. M. Smucker Company

Brand Name:  Special Kitty
Product Description:  Wet, canned cat food

Bagged Cole Slaw Mix Recalled After Positive Salmonella Sample

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Colorful Coleslaw (President's Choice and Marketside brands) after a sample of President’s Choice Colorful Coleslaw yielded a positive Salmonella result in random testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-colorful-coleslaw
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Colorful Coleslaw
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 03, 2019
FDA Publish Date: December 03, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name: President’s Choice, Marketside
Product Description: Colorful Coleslaw

FDA Updates Investigation of E.coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce from Salinas, CA

FDA issued an update on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Romaine lettuce from Salinas CA.   As of December 2, 2019, there have been 102 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 from 23 states. The dates of those who became ill range from September 24, 2019 to November 18, 2019 (announcement date linking outbreak to Romaine as November 22, 2019.)

There are 35 more cases than what was reported on the last update on November 26th.

Outside of the fact that the product was from Salinas, there is no additional information on the distribution or contamination.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-romaine-salinas-california-november-2019.
Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Romaine from Salinas, California, November 2019
December 4, 2019
FDA continues to warn against eating romaine from Salinas, investigate farms, conduct traceback

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 102
Hospitalizations: 58
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 18, 2019
States with Cases: AZ (3), CA (4), CO (6), FL (1), IA (1), ID (3), IL (1), MD (4), MI (1), MN (3), MT (1), NE (1), NJ (7), NC (1), NM (2), OH (12), OR (1), PA (8), SD (1), TX (4), VA (4), WA (2), WI (31)

More Flour Recalled Due to Potential E. coli Contamination

Two companies, UNFI and Hodgson Mills, recalled 5lb bags of flower due to potential E. coli contamination.  The Hodgsen products is linked to the ADM recall - "This lot of flour was milled at an ADM Milling Facility in St Louis, MO and repacked at Hodgson Mill, Inc. facility in Effingham, IL and was distributed by Hodgson Mill through retailers and distribution nationwide and sold through our website www.hodgsonmill.com"

No illnesses have been reported.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unfi-voluntarily-recalls-wild-harvestr-organic-all-purpose-flour-unbleached
UNFI Voluntarily Recalls Wild Harvest® Organic All-Purpose Flour, Unbleached
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 27, 2019
FDA Publish Date:November 27, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential E.coli Contamination
Company Name:UNFI
Brand Name: Wild Harvest
Product Description: Organic All-Purpose Flour

Sushi Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

Fuji Food Products, Inc. (Fuji) recalled RTE sushi, salads and spring rolls which were produced out their Brockton Massachusetts facility and sold to select retailers and distributors along the East Coast and Upper Midwest, including was sold at retailers including 7 Eleven, Walgreens, Food Lion, Hannaford, Trader Joe’s, Giant Eagle Supermarkets, Porkys, Bozzutos, Supreme Lobster and Superior Foods.. The problem was discovered in their Brockton Massachusetts facility by a routine inspection conducted by the FDA. The company has ceased production and distribution of their products in this facility as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused this problem.  Use-by-dates range form 11/18 to 12/6/2019.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fuji-food-products-inc-voluntarily-recalls-ready-eat-sushi-salads-and-spring-rolls-manufactured-east
Fuji Food Products, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Ready-to-Eat Sushi, Salads and Spring Rolls Manufactured on the East Coast Due to Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 27, 2019

FDA Publish Date: November 27, 2019 

Product Type:Food & Beverages 

Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Company Name: Fuji Food Products, Inc.

Brand Name:  Okami & Trader Joes
Product Description:  Ready to eat sushi, salads and spring rolls

FDA Warning Letter - Dry Cereal Facility in GA Cited for Insanitary Conditions

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a Georgia cereal manufacturing facility finding that product  have been "prepared packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health."

The items noted on the inspection:

1. Did not take effective measures to exclude pests from your food plant to protect against contamination of food - lots of bugs.
2. The plant was not constructed in such a manner that drip or condensate from fixtures, ducts and pipes does not contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials - many areas with dripping condensate - not a good thing in a dry cereal facility.
3. Equipment and utensils were not adequately maintained to protect against allergen cross-contact and contamination including storing food containers directly on, or close to the ground, and rusted food contact surfaces.
4. Plant floor was in rough shape.

In a dry cereal facility such as this, Salmonella and allergens are two important hazards requiring control.  With the issues cited in this report, the risk of those hazards certainly increases.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/california-cereal-products-590804-11192019
California Cereal Products
MARCS-CMS 590804 — November 19, 2019