E.coli Outbreaks Linked to Salinas Romaine Declared Over, Investigation Continues

The FDA is lifting the consumer advisory to avoid romaine lettuce from Salinas growing region.  This is both E.coli outbreaks, one for the Romaine lettuce outbreak as well as the chopped Salad Kits.

"The FDA and CDC have been tracking two multi-state romaine lettuce outbreaks. Today, federal health officials are declaring both multi-state romaine lettuce outbreaks over. One of the outbreaks sickened 167 people in 27 states. The other outbreak, linked to Fresh Express salad kits, sickened 10 people in five states."

However, little has been determined on how the contamination events occurred.   The investigation continues.


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-romaine-salinas-california-november-2019
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli: Romaine from Salinas, California (November 2019)
Outbreak appears over; FDA investigation efforts continue

January 15, 2020

Recommendation

As of January 15, 2020, the CDC reports that the outbreak appears to be over. Contaminated romaine from the Salinas, CA growing region that made people sick in this outbreak is likely no longer available. Consumers need not avoid romaine lettuce, or any other produce, from the Salinas, CA growing area.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 167

 Hospitalizations: 85

 Deaths: 0

 Last illness onset: December 21, 2019

 States with Cases:  AZ (4), CA (8), CO (6), DE (1), FL (4), IA (1), ID (4), IL (15), MD (5), MI (2), MN (7), MT (1), NE (2), NJ (9), NC (3), NM (2), NY (3), OH (12), OR (1), PA (21), SC (1), SD (1), TN (1), TX (6), VA (6), WA (6), WI (35)

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-salad-mix-december-2019
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli: Salad Mix (December 2019)
Outbreak linked to Fresh Express brand Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits appears over
January 15, 2020

Recommendation

As of January 15, 2020, the CDC reports that the outbreak appears to be over.
Contaminated Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped salad kits that made people sick in this outbreak are likely no longer available on the market.

BPA Substitute in BPA-free Containers May Have Similar Concerns

A study out of the University of Guelph shows that a BPA-replacement chemical used in food packaging, named BPS or Bisphenol S may have similar effects to BPA.

BPA is a chemical used in plastic package manufacturing and there has been scrutiny of this chemical and its impact on health.  BPA has been eliminated from plastic used for baby bottle manufacturing.
"Because of the concern about its potential toxicity in humans, BPA is increasingly replaced by structurally similar chemicals, in particular bisphenol F (BPF) (4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl-methane) and bisphenol S (BPS) (4,4′-sulfonylbisphenol), in the manufacturing of polycarbonates and epoxy resins."  However, surveys of urinary levels show that BPS is almost ubiquitous. {Lehmler, etal 2018] 

So BPA-free may not be much different than containers with BPA for those looking to avoid the packaging additive.

https://news.uoguelph.ca/2020/01/bpa-replacement-hinders-heart-function-u-of-g-study-reveals/
BPA Replacement Hinders Heart Function, U of G Study Reveals
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
BPA’s counterpart replacement BPS can hinder heart function within minutes of a single exposure, according to a new University of Guelph study.

MSG Added to Popular Chicken Sandwiches

The fast food chains are battling it out on the chicken sandwich front, and with news that McDonald is testing a new chicken sandwich, it was revealed that the top chicken sandwiches (Chick-fil-a and Popeyes) are using MSG - monosodium glutamate - as a flavor enhancer. Over the past years, MSG has garnered a bad reputation for causing headaches in people who are sensitive. It is also said to trigger migraines, those intense throbbing headaches that can last a day or so.

Many companies have removed MSG from their product labels years ago (although replaced by natural substitutes actually containing MSG), so it is surprising to find MSG in these popular chicken sandwiches.

MSG is naturally present in many foods and as an ingredient, it adds savory flavor or 'umami'. "Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of the common amino acid glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is naturally present in our bodies, and in many foods and food additives"

FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies with such individuals given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not been able to consistently trigger reactions."

"FDA requires that foods containing added MSG list it in the ingredient panel on the packaging as monosodium glutamate. However, MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate, as well as in tomatoes and cheeses. While FDA requires that these products be listed on the ingredient panel, the agency does not require the label to also specify that they naturally contain MSG. However, foods with any ingredient that naturally contains MSG cannot claim “No MSG” or “No added MSG” on their packaging. MSG also cannot be listed as “spices and flavoring.”

Meatingplace

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/89734
Industry News - PM
Chicken sandwich wars may heat up as McDonald’s tests MSG
By Chris Scott on 1/14/2020

The ongoing tests of fried-chicken sandwiches by McDonald’s Corp. reportedly are being conducted with a flavor enhancer the fast-food giant does not use in its other food items: monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG.

FDA Warning Letter for Importer Negligent of Having a FSVP Program for Layered Omelets

FDA issued a Warning Letter to an importer who was not in compliance with FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) for the frozen baked eggs/atsuyaki tamago manufactured by Ahjikan Co., LTD. (Shizuoka Factory), Japan.   The firm did not have a FSVP for this product.

The FSVP regulation requires that importers perform certain risk‐based activities  to verify that human and/or animal food they import into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards.   More specifically, the company should have performed a hazard analysis on the frozen atsuyaki tamago product (a traditional Japanese multi-layered omelet).

So what hazards would one need to consider.  First, Salmonella if the product was not properly cooked.  Then, Listeria contamination would be a hazard to consider for potential cross contamination in the post-process environment.  Depending on what else the facility processed, allergens may also be a hazard requiring control.

WARNING LETTER
Kohyo America, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 593593 — December 23, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending January 11, 2020

Rookie Error - Missing the Anchovies in the Worcestershire Sauce - Carso’s Pasta Company, a Lynnwood, Wash. establishment, sold 636 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) Swedish meatball products that were misbranded. The products contain anchovies (fish), which are not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase. The problem was discovered by FSIS during routine label verification activities.

Supplier Cross Contact Issue Results in Undeclared Dairy - Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has initiated a voluntary recall of three batches of Cold Brew with Coconut Cream Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints because they may contain an undeclared milk allergen. The recall was initiated following receipt of a single customer complaint of an allergic reaction. From the Recall Notice..."We have isolated the issue to the sorbet swirl in the flavor. Our investigation is ongoing, but we strongly suspect that a dry ingredient, used only in this flavor, came into contact with dairy powder as the dry ingredient was being produced for us in a partner’s facility.”

Wrong Package Results in Missed Walnut Allergen - Purely Elizabeth is initiating a voluntary recall of their Chocolate Sea Salt Probiotic granola due to a mislabeling error that has resulted in an undeclared allergen (walnuts) being present. This recall has been initiated because it has come to their attention that briefly during production, pouches of Chocolate Sea Salt Probiotic Granola were used to package Maple Walnut Probiotic Granola. All mislabeled pouches of granola were packed into master cases labeled as 8oz Maple Walnut Probiotic Granola.

Wrong Label on Hearing in Cream Sauce - Ducktrap River of Maine of Belfast, Maine is announcing a voluntary recall of Herring Center Cuts in Wine Sauce identified with sell by date Jul 29, 2020 because these products contain undeclared milk due to an incorrect label. While the product in the containers is Herring Center Cuts in Cream Sauce, which contains milk, the containers were mistakenly labeled with the Herring Center Cuts in Wine Sauce labels. Ducktrap initiated the recall after discovering the labeling mistake. Subsequent investigation indicates that the issue is limited only to the specific lot identified above.

Consumer Finds Noodles In a Product with No Noodles - Kettle Cuisine Midco, LLC, a Lynn, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 200 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) lentil and beef soup 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 egg and wheat. The problem was discovered when the company received a complaint from a consumer who reported finding noodles in their lentil and beef soup.

Wrong Package with Malted Balls Packed in Chocolate Covered Cashews Container - Cargill is voluntarily recalling 39 one-pound bags of product incorrectly packaged as Wilbur Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews. Sold locally through the Wilbur Chocolate Store in Lititz, Penn., the bags are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because of a wheat allergen presence. Wilbur Dark Chocolate Malted Milk Balls were incorrectly labeled and packaged as Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews. The Malted Milk Balls contain wheat, which is not listed on the incorrect ingredient label. The Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews labels do, however, bear a “may contain wheat” statement.

Tennessee Company Recalls Protein Snack Trays and Mixes that Used Recalled Hard Boiled Eggs Due to Listeria

Fresh Location, of Lenoir City, Tennessee is recalling Protein Snack Tray and Protein Trail Mix which both used hard boiled eggs recalled by Almark Foods for Listeria monocytogenes.  Almark issued their recall on December 23, 2019.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-location-announces-product-recall-due-possible-listeria-contamination

Fresh Location Announces Product Recall Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 07, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 08, 2020
Product Type:Food & Beverages Snack Food Item
Foodborne Illness Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:Fresh Location
Brand Name: Fresh Location
Product Description: Protein snack tray and protein trail mix

Deli Sandwiches Recalled After Environmental Sample Positive for Listeria

Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall of various Premo and Fresh Grab wedge sandwiches due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. This was brought to our attention by JLM Manufacturing after environmental sampling returned a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes. 

The product looks to have at least 3 weeks shelf-life, plenty of time for Listeria to grow at refrigeration temperatures.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lipari-foods-issues-recall-various-wedge-deli-sandwiches-due-potential-contamination-listeria
Lipari Foods Issues Recall of Various Wedge Deli Sandwiches Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 06, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 06, 2020
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Lipari Foods, LLC
Brand Name: Premo, Fresh Grab
Product Description: Wedge Sandwiches

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending January 4, 2020

Incorrect Packaging - Dianne's Fine Desserts of Newburyport, MA 01950 is recalling twenty six cases of product Sienna Turtle Brownie 8495241115 lot code 19198 , because it may contain undeclared peanuts. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

 Pine Nuts Missed on Label - J&J Distributing, a St. Paul, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 136 pounds of ready-to-eat salad products that contain meat due to misbranding and undeclared allergens,the products contain pine nuts (tree nut), a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered during routine FSIS inspection activities.

Missed Allergens Result in Reactions - Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cremes and 365 Everyday Value Dark Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Sandwich Cremes because the products may contain undeclared milk or tree nuts (coconut),  Two reactions have been reported to date.

Imported String Cheese Recalled After Listeria Positive Test Result

A Palm Springs, FL. company, Limena, LLC, is recalling its 1 lb. (16 ounce) blocks of Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese) semi-soft cheese after routine testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one sample of 1 lb. (16 ounce) blocks of Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese). The recalled "Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese)" was distributed to retail stores and through mail orders.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/limena-llc-recalls-salvadorean-string-cheese-quesillo-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Limena, LLC Recalls "Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese)" Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 02, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 02, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Limena, LLC
Brand Name: Limena, LLC
Product Description: Salvadorean String Cheese (Quesillo Cheese) semi-soft cheese