Texas Company Recalls Stuffed Shells After Testing Finds Listeria monocytogenes

Garland Ventures Ltd of Garland, Texas is voluntary recalling 1095 cases of Five Cheese Stuffed Shells trays because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, The potential for contamination was noted after samples tested through certified laboratory revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in “Five Cheese Stuffed Shells”. Garland Ventures Ltd ceased the further production and distribution of product immediately.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/garland-ventures-ltd-voluntary-recalls-five-cheese-stuffed-shells-because-possible-health-risk
Garland Ventures LTD Voluntary Recalls Five Cheese Stuffed Shells Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 30, 2020
FDA Publish Date: June 30, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Garland Ventures Ltd.
Brand Name: Garland Ventures Ltd.
Product Description: Five Cheese Stuffed Shells

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending June 20, 2020

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Fresh Express 11.5-ounce Southwest Chopped Kit with production codes G163B10A and G163B10B, UPC code 0 71279 30602 5 and use-by date of June 29 due to the presence of undeclared wheat, soy, cashews, and coconut.  The recall was necessitated when Fresh Express learned that, during a single production run, incorrect condiment packets were placed into Southwest Chopped Kit bags and, as a result, the allergens wheat, soy, cashews, and coconut are not properly declared.

H-E-B is voluntarily issuing a recall for gallon-sizes of Hill Country Fare Pink Lemonade, Citrus Punch, Fruit Drink and Grape Drink for the potential presence of a milk allergen

Rusty’s Seafood Market of Lorida, Florida, is recalling all five of its Captain Rusty’s Seafood Dips due to the presence of undeclared allergens. People who have allergies to fish (mahi, salmon, whiting, pollock, threadfin bream), crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp), wheat, eggs, soy or milk  The recall was initiated after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) determined, during routine inspection, that the product containing allergens was distributed in packaging that did not identify the presence of fish (mahi, salmon, whiting, pollock, threadfin bream), crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp), wheat, eggs, soy or milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a breakdown in the company’s labeling process.

CDC and FDA Update on Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Bagged Salad

FDA and CDC released an update on the Cyclospora outbreak associated with bagged salad sold which is linked to a facility in Illinois.  As of June 29, 2020, there have been 206 reported cases of Cyclospora infection.  The previous update was on June 19, 2020.

"The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States. The investigation includes Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. Investigators continue to look into whether other retail brands may be impacted."

"Currently, the epidemiologic and traceback information collected by federal and state investigators indicates that a likely cause of this outbreak is product made at the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois."

FDA

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Fresh Express recalls products made in its Streamwood, Illinois production facility with either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots
06/29/2020

FDA Issues Warning Letter to NJ Cheese Processor - No Preventive Control Plan and No Listeria Control Program

FDA issued a Warning Letter to El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. of Patterson NJ for not having a Preventive Control Plan in place for each type of food processed.  They also did not have a Listeria control program in place.  While investigators found Listeria in the processing facility, the strains they found were not pathogenic.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/el-abuelito-cheese-inc-605472-06042020
WARNING LETTER
El Abuelito Cheese, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 605472 — June 04, 2020

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Three Firms for Non-compliance for FSVP for Imported Goods

FDA issued Warning Letters to three firms for not being in compliance with the FSVP regulations.  These firms did not have FSVP in place for products they imported.

Global Commodities Corp., of  Hayward, CA 94545 was not in compliance with the FSVP  for Buenas Kaong Red Sugar Palm Fruit in Syrup and Macapuno String in Syrup preserves imported from (b)(4), Philippines; and Boy Bawang Mixed Nuts Snacks – Garlic imported from KSK Food Products, Philippines. The firm did not have FSVPs for these products.

H & C Food Inc., located at 1300 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY was found not to be in compliance with the FSVP requirements for  Enoki Mushroom imported from Green Co., Ltd, South Korea and Teriyaki Kimnori Roasted seaweed Snack (b)(4). The firm did not have FSVPs for these products. 

Diamond Rock Food Imports, Inc.of Copiague, NY was not in compliance with the requirements of FSVP regulations for Tomato Sauce and Refried Red Beans products imported from (b)(4) and the Grape Soft Drink product imported from your (b)(4). The firm did not have an FSVP for these products or any other products imported by your firm.

Lawsuit Filed Against Meat Processor for COVID-19 Deaths

A lawsuit against Tyson Foods was filed by the families of 3 workers who died from COVID-19 alleging that "Tyson concealed information about the extent of illness among the workforce at its pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa, and that it failed to institute adequate safety measures."

Food Processing Magazine
https://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2020/suit-blames-3-covid-deaths-on-tyson-foods
Lawsuit Blames 3 COVID Deaths on Tyson Foods
By Pan Demetrakakes, Senior Editor
Jun 26, 2020

Tyson Foods is being sued by families of three workers at one of its Iowa plants who died after contracting COVID-19.

Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Salads in Midwest US, 76 Cases to Date

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery store brand “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots.  As of June 19th, there have been 76 cases with 16 hospitalizations, with onset date ranging from May 11th through June 14th.

"FDA and CDC are recommending that consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve all ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, all Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad sold in Illinois."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Don’t eat ALDI, Hy-Vee, or Jewel-Osco store brand bagged salads labeled as ‘garden salads’ and sold in six mid-western states.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 76
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 - 6/14/2020
States with Cases: IA (28), IL (23), KS (1), MN (10), MO (7), NE (7)

NJ Company Recalls 43,000 Pounds of Ground Meat for Potential E. coli Contamination

Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2020/recall-012-2020-release
Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Beef Products due to Possible E.coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
012-2020
Health Risk: High
Jun 13, 2020

Raw Macadamia Nuts Recalled After Lot Tests Positive for Salmonella

An Illinois company, NOW Health Group, Inc. (NOW), is recalling its NOW Real Food® Raw Macadamia Nuts because this lot has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. NOW became aware of the potential contamination after routine sampling in a later lot of finished product (which contained the same lot of raw material as used in the recalled lot) found the bacteria. This later finished product lot was not released and remains in a quarantined state.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/now-health-group-inc-voluntarily-recalls-now-real-food-rraw-macadamia-nuts-because-possible-health
NOW Health Group Inc. Voluntarily Recalls NOW Real Food ®Raw Macadamia Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 12, 2020
FDA Publish Date: June 12, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Nuts & Nut Products
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name: NOW Health Group, Inc.
Brand Name: Now Real Food
Product Description: Raw Macadamia Nuts