Canada - Mushrooms Recalled Due to Clostridium botulinum

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall for Belle Grove whole white mushrooms 
 "because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum".   While the title state the 'presence' of Clostridium botulinum, the text states that the 'product presents the opportunity for growth'.  

The CFIA statement does not go into any detail on the issue.   In terms of risk, the mere presence is not an issue.   Clostridium botulinum spores may be present in this natural product, but the concern would be growth of the organism, during which, toxin can be formed.   C. botulinum requires an anaerobic environment for growth, that is, an environment that has low oxygen levels.  To prevent this in mushrooms, the containers are perforated to allow air to exchange into the container.  So while not exactly stated, one would guess that the mushrooms were packaged in plastic overwrap without that plastic being perforated (no holes).

Food Recall Warning - Belle Grove brand Whole White Mushrooms recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria
From: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Recall date:  January 9, 2021
Reason for recall:  Microbiological - Clostridium botulinum
Hazard classification:  Class 1
Company / Firm:  Monaghan Mushrooms Ltd.
Distribution:  Ontario
Extent of the distribution:  Consumer
Reference number:  14169

Ice Cream Product Recalled After Customer Finds Metal Filler Equipment Part

Weis Markets today said it has issued a recall for: 10,869 containers of Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (48 oz.), and 502 bulk containers of Klein’s Vanilla Dairy Ice Cream after "one report of a customer who discovered an intact piece of metal equipment in the Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (48 oz). There is concern of an additional piece of equipment present in the ice cream product(s) possibly presenting a choking hazard."  Product was distributed in 7 states - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and West Virginia.

Weis Markets Issues Recall for Possible Foreign Matter Contamination in Weis Ice Cream Products
Summary

Company Announcement Date:  January 08, 2021

FDA Publish Date:  January 10, 2021

Product Type:  Food & Beverages  

Reason for Announcement:  May be contaminated with extraneous material

Company Name:  Weis Markets

Brand Name:  Weis, Klein’s, Nelson’s

Product Description:  Ice cream products

Company Announcement

USDA Issues Alert on Mislabeled Chicken Enchiladas

USDA FSIS issued a Public Health Alert for Chicken Enchilada products after a retail employee found a labeling issue.  The product was sold through HyVee retail stores in eight midwestern states.  The product is a NRTE product and thus requires cooking, and past its stated shelf-life date.  Because of this, USDA FSIS issued an alert rather than a recall in the event someone had frozen the product.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2021/pha-01072021-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Not-Ready-to-Eat, Heat Treated, Not Fully Cooked Chicken Enchilada Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

Mislabeled Product - Salad Packed with the Wrong Dressing/Topping Pack

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Dole™ Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit because the wrong dressing and topping kit (masterpack) was unintentionally used during a portion of the production of the Sesame Asian Chopped Salad.  In short, the dressing/topping kit used had egg  which did not match the salad being produced.  As stated in the release, only a portion of the production run was affected, so someone grabbed the wrong packets and control checks did not catch the mix-up.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-limited-voluntary-recall-doletm-sesame-asian-chopped-salad-kit-due
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Limited Voluntary Recall of Dole™ Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared eggs  Allergens

Company Name:   Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole
Product Description:  Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit

Report on Persistent Listeria Contamination Issue in a Swiss Cheese Facility

An article published in Emerging Infectious Diseases titled Listeriosis Caused by Persistence of Listeria monocytogenes Serotype 4b Sequence Type 6 in Cheese Production Environment discusses an ongoing Listeria outbreak in Switzerland that occurred in two waves, 2018 and 2020.

"Of the 34 human isolates, 30 were from blood samples and 1 each from an abscess, ascites, maternal placenta tissue, or stool sample (Table). One case of perinatal transmission and 10 deaths (29%) were reported."

A Swiss cheese manufacturer had reported the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in the facility and this was matched to the outbreak strain using whole genome sequencing.  "These findings prompted extensive environmental sampling on the production site of the manufacturer. A total of 50 swab specimens from locations, such as vats, cheese harps, skimming devices, sink drains, brushes, scrub sponges, trays, door handles, ripening cellar floors, and walls were obtained....L. monocytogenes was identified in 11 (22%) of 50 environmental samples, and all 5 sequenced isolates matched the outbreak strain CT (Table; Figure 2). These results lead to a recall on May 5, 2020, of 26 items, including brie, sheep and goat cheese, and organic cheeses; production was stopped immediately. " 

In conclusion, the report states "This outbreak highlights the risk for recontamination of pasteurized cheese products during manufacturing and emphasizes the need for routine sampling of products, manufacturing equipment, and the production environment. Routine quality controls should include WGS typing of environmental L. monocytogenes isolates to enable early recognition of potential food contamination and to ultimately mitigate the risk for listeriosis."

Proposal to Remove Standard of Identity for Frozen Cherry Pie

 A few weeks back, we discussed the push to remove the Standard of Identity for French Dressing.  There is also a proposal to remove the Standard of Identity for frozen cherry pie.  Posted in the Federal Register, the proposal looks to revoke the standards for cherry pie by a citizens petition from the ABA - the American Baking Association.  The reasoning is that  "frozen cherry pie is the only fruit pie, either frozen or non-frozen, that is subject to standards of identity and quality" and that it limits what a baker can do with this pie, but not with other pies, including non-frozen cherry pies.  And since we have not had issues with other pies regarding a standard over time, then removing this should not result in a cascade of deception involving frozen cherry pies in the market.

There is probably a history of why this specific standard was written in the first place.  Perhaps devious bakers were making low quality cherry pies and offering these at a lower price compared to the price for higher quality frozen cherry pies and the quality bakers complained.  Perhaps a baker was producing pies at a lower price by using bruised cherries.   Or perhaps there was a consumer complaint from people who felt duped because they bought a frozen cherry pie with little or no cherries.  Can this issue still arise?  Sure, but as consumers, we would be unlikely to buy a lower quality pie at an unreasonable price.  We may not really care if the cherries have bruises.  Consumers will have the choice of the frozen pie brand they purchase based upon price and the quality they expect.

FDA Warning Letter Issued to Texas Importer of Frozen Sliced Strawberries for Lack of FVSP

A Texas based importer was issued a Warning Letter by FDA for not being in compliance with the  FSVP requirements for Frozen Sliced Strawberries   The company had not identified or evaluated biological, chemical or physical hazards potentially present before your suppliers load the products.  There were no established  and written procedures to ensure that  import foods only come from foreign suppliers previously approved based on evaluation conducted to determine a foreign supplier’s performance and the risk posed by the food,  The company did not establish and follow written procedures for ensuring that appropriate foreign supplier verification activities are conducted with respect to the imported foods.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/campimex-inc-610730-12112020
Campimex, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 610730 — December 11, 2020 

Pet Food Recalled for Elevated Levels of Aflatoxin.

Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc., of Evansville, IN is issuing a voluntary recall of the below listed dog and cat food products due to tests indicating levels of Aflatoxin that exceed acceptable limits.  Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in pets.  There have been reports of illnesses and deaths in dogs associated with the below listed lots of Sportmix High Energy.  There are reports of at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses.

With dry pet foods, corn is often the source of aflatoxin.  This occurs when the corn used in processing the pet food had mold growth prior to harvest.  Processors normally do extensive testing of incoming corn.   Suppliers of the corn will do their own testing as well plus will track crop conditions that can lead to mold growth.  There are tolerances for low levels of alfatoxin - 20ppb for corn to be used for pet food.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/midwestern-pet-foods-voluntarily-recalls-pet-food-recall-aflatoxin-health-risk
Midwestern Pet Foods Voluntarily Recalls Pet Food Recall for Aflatoxin Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 30, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  December 30, 2020
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Elevated levels of aflatoxin
Company Name:  Sportmix
Brand Name:  Sportmix
Product Description:  Dog and Cat Food

Imported Herring Product Recalled Due to Listeria

B&I Overseas Trading Inc from Van Nuys, CA is recalling frozen “Veladis herring in oil with Italian spices” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,  The product was imported from Ukraine.  There was no information on how the Listeria was determined to potentially be in the product.

Listeria would have contaminated the product during handling.  Although frozen which would prevent growth during frozen storage, the directions of  "Defrost before use and keep refrigerated for up to 30 days", would have provided opportunity for growth.  This product would then be consumed as a ready-to-eat product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bi-overseas-trading-recalls-product-due-potential-contamination-listeria-monocytogenes
B&I Overseas Trading Recalls Product Due to Potential Contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 23, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  December 24, 2020
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria Monocytogenes
Company Name:  B&I Overseas Trading, Inc
Brand Name:  Veladis
Product Description:  Herring in oil