Reusable Takeout Food Containers?

An article in Fast Company discusses the use of reusable packaging for takeout food by the NY delivery service DeliverZero.  Basically the food comes in a reusable polypropylene containers that are returned through the delivery service.  The customer can hold the container for up to 6 weeks to return or they are charged $3.25.

From a food safety and quality perspective, there can be many concerns...containers not adequately cleaned, containers used to store things that are not food grade with the potential to leach into the plastic, the plastic absorbing odors, the plastic being marred by acid foods like tomato products during reheating, etc.  Then one has to wonder about the costs going into recycling containers...gas for vehicles used in collecting the containers, costs of cleaning, costs for culling out bad containers, and at the end, you still have plastic.  I guess I would prefer a compostable container.

It was pointed out to me that another challenge is getting the customers to understand what they are to do with the reusable containers - that it needs to be returned, how returns occur, preparation steps such as washing or rinsing, etc.

Fast Company
https://www.fastcompany.com/90591190/this-new-delivery-service-cuts-down-on-takeout-waste-by-sending-your-food-in-reusable-packaging
01-07-21WORLD CHANGING IDEAS
This new delivery service cuts down on takeout waste by sending your food in reusable packaging
Just give your old ones to the driver when your next order arrives.

Beef Jerky Recalled Due to Missing Allergen on Label

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen in that the product contains anchovies, an fish allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  "The product labeled as “CHARLIE BROWN FARMS PREMIUM BEEF JERKY Original Prime Rib” contains Worcestershire, which is not listed as an ingredient, but was utilized in the product formulation."


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2021/pha-01152021-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef Jerky Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

Hot Pockets Recalled After Complaints of Foreign Material

Nestlé Prepared Foods, a Mt. Sterling, Ky. establishment, is recalling approximately 762,615 pounds of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) pepperoni hot pockets product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of glass and hard plastic.  The product covers production from Nov. 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020.  The problem was discovered when the firm received four consumer complaints of extraneous material in the pepperoni hot pocket product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2021/recall-002-2021-release
Nestlé Prepared Foods Recalls Not-Ready-to-Eat Pepperoni Hot Pockets Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall

002-2021
Health Risk: High

Jan 15, 2021

Oklahoma Dairy Facility Recalls Containers of Milk Due to Presence of Residual Sanitizer

"Hiland Dairy is announcing a recall of the one-half pint (236 mL) 1% low fat chocolate milk that was produced at its Norman, Oklahoma facility only. Some of the products may contain food-grade sanitizers, which could cause illness if consumed....  Hiland Dairy initially learned of a potential issue and then confirmed after internal quality-control testing at the Norman, Oklahoma facility. "

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hiland-dairy-announces-recall-hiland-dairy-half-pint-1-low-fat-chocolate-milk-cartons
Hiland Dairy Announces Recall of Hiland Dairy Half-Pint 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Cartons
Protocols were not followed at the Norman, Oklahoma facility resulting in a small amount of one product being incorrectly filled
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 17, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 17, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Milk/Milk Product
Reason for Announcement:  May contain food-grade sanitizers
Company Name:  Hiland Dairy
Brand Name:  Hiland Dairy
Product Description:  1% low fat chocolate milk

Chocolate Products Recalled After Customer Complaint for Foreign Object - Brittle Plastic

Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC) is issuing a public alert and a voluntary recall on select LCC milk chocolate products after a consumer reported finding brittle plastic pieces in a finished product.  This company's products are normally packed as part of the variety within gift packages, boxes and baskets  There is a set range of products which can be determined through best-by date range (but being in a variety pack may make this difficult.)  There was no reason listed as to where the plastic may have originated.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/potential-foreign-object-recall-lake-champlain-chocolates-issues-voluntary-recall-selected-milk
Potential Foreign Object Recall Lake Champlain Chocolates Issues Voluntary Recall on Selected Milk Chocolate Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 16, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 16, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Chocolate/Cocoa Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foreign Objects - Brittle Plastic Pieces
Company Name:  Champlain Chocolate Company
Brand Name:  Champlain Chocolate Company
Product Description:  Select LLC Milk Chocolate Products

Pet Food Company Expanding Aflatoxin-related Recall, FDA Issues Alert Stating Over 70 Reported Pet Deaths

FDA issued an Alert regarding pet food from Midwestern Pet Foods after more than 70 reported dog deaths and 80 cases of pet illness.   Midwestern Pet Foods is expanding its initial recall (Dec 30) to now "include all dog and cat pet food products made with corn products because those products may contain aflatoxin levels which 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."

The product was produced in their Oklahoma processing facility.


https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin
FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin
Updated January 11, 2021

Plant-based Yogurt Recalled After Testing Indicates Mold Issue

EVR Foods, INC, parent company to Lavva, is recalling one lot of its Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurt (expiration date 2/21/21) after testing indicated potential mold contamination. . 

This is a plant-based yogurt made from a pili nut (also known as also known as Pacific almonds or kenari nuts) which is high in fat, both saturated and monounsaturated.  Most similar to macadamia nuts.  The nuts are from the south Pacific (Australia, Papa New Guinea and South East Asia).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lavva-voluntarily-recalls-single-lot-blueberry-plant-based-yogurt
Lavva Voluntarily Recalls a Single Lot of Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurt.
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 11, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 11, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Mold
Company Name:  EVR Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  LAVVA
Product Description:  Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurt.

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