Update on Liquid Nitrogen Leak Incident in GA Food Facility

Here is an update on the terrible tragedy that occurred in a Georgia poultry plant when a liquid nitrogen leak resulted in six fatalities and 12 hospitalizations. In this case, the liquid nitrogen leaking into the room, replaces the oxygen. It does this because nitrogen gas is heavier and the oxygen is forced up.

It appears that the line in question was experiencing some difficulties and that maintenance was dispatched to the area.  This was unplanned maintenance work and was probably in response to a low level indicator on the control panel. 

We often look at liquid nitrogen as a inert gas, but it can create an oxygen depleted environment, and as a liquid at -320F can instantly freeze skin and and underlying tissue.  This incident is a reminder for facilities to implement safety procedures for maintenance as well as operations.

CSB News Release
https://www.csb.gov/third-csb-update-on-poultry-plant-incident/
Third CSB Update on Poultry Plant Incident

February 7, 2021

CDC Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak - Unknown Source

CDC, USDA, and FDA are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has infected 16 people in 5 states (NY, VA, OK, AR, and WA).  There were 9 hospitalizations with 3 cases of HUS.  One death has been reported.  Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 23, 2020, to January 7, 2021

CDC Outbreak Investigation
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2021/o157h7-02-21/details.html
Investigation Details
Posted February 2, 2021

CDC Investigation Notice - Listeria Outbreak Associated with Deli Meat is Over, No Specific Source Found

CDC is announcing that a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats is over.  CDC had posted the initial notice in October, 2020, that stated "As of October 22, 2020, a total of 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from three states", Florida, Massachusetts, and New York, with those cases occurring from August thru October. Deli meat were reported as both pre-packaged and deli-sliced."

In the CDC's most recent notice, they announced that the outbreak was over.  In the final tally, there were 12 cases in 4 states and there was one associated death.  "In interviews with 11 ill people, all reported eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. They reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations."  

"A specific type of deli meat or a common supplier was not identified."

CDC Investigation Notice
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeat-10-20/index.html

Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Deli Meats
Posted January 28, 2021 at 4:00 PM ET

Company Recalls Salads with Meat After Producing Without UDSA FSIS Inspection

Food Evolution, an Illinois establishment, must recall approximately 6,806 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) dip and salads products containing meat that were produced without the benefit of USDA FSIS inspection,   The issue occurred over a period, from Nov. 9, 2020, through Jan. 29, 2021 when the company "produced amenable product at an off-site facility without the benefit of federal inspection, then repackaged and labeled the products with the USDA mark of inspection at the federal establishment."

This is not the first occurrence where a company, especially a dual jurisdiction (under both FDA and USDA rules) gets caught packing product without having arranged for USDA FSIS inspection of production outside of their normal operations.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2021/recall-004-2021-release
Food Evolution Recalls Ready-to-Eat Dip and Salad Products Containing Meat Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
Class I Recall

004-2021
Health Risk: High

Feb 5, 2021

IFT Video - Tips for Bagging Groceries and the Need to Bag Raw Meat Separately

IFT produced a nice video on bagging groceries.  While the video is aimed at the customer who self-bags, it can also be useful for those who work in the grocery store at the check out station.  The specific element that I have experienced numerous times is the bagging of raw meats with other food items.  Am I alone in seeing this?  Have you also had to correct the person bagging your groceries?  This should be taught to everyone working in a grocery store, and it should not even be put to the customer as a question..."Do you want your raw meat bagged separately?"  It just gets bagged separately, regardless of whether the customer thinks it doesn't need to be.

https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science/food-facts/food-facts-food-safety-and-defense/bagging-groceries.

Salad Kit Recalled After Wrong Topping Kit (with Different Allergens) Was Added

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a single lot code of Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit.  This recall is due to possible undeclared allergens (fish and egg) in Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit. The dressing and topping kit (masterpack) designed for a different Dole product was unintentionally used during a portion of the production of the salad.

It seems we have seen a good many recalls of these kits where the wrong topping pack was inserted.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-limited-voluntary-recall-doletm-endless-summer-salad-kit-due
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Limited Voluntary Recall of Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible undeclared allergens (fish and egg)
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole™
Product Description:  Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit

Banana Muffin Recalled for Undeclared Milk After Analysis by State Laboratory

Hong Thai Foods Corp. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 220 grams/7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana 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 220 grams/7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hong-thai-foods-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-allergens-golden-boy-custard-muffin-banana
Hong Thai Foods Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Allergens in Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Dairy
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared milk 
Company Name:  Hong Thai Foods Corp.
Brand Name:  Golden Boy
Product Description:  Custard Muffin Banana

Oatmeal Recalled After Consumers Finds Almond in Product Where Almonds Not on Label.

think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc., of Woodland, California, a supplier of certain think! brand oatmeal products, have issued a voluntary recall on specific lots of think! Protein + Fiber Oatmeal, Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble products which may inadvertently contain undeclared tree nuts, including almonds and pecans. The recall was initiated following a report from a consumer of finding a piece of almond while consuming the product, and it was discovered that products manufactured in the same lot may contain undeclared almonds or pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an inadvertent error in the production process.

This appears to be a line clean-out issue.  The company needs to 'think' about how to verify proper clean-out is accomplished between runs of product, especially when non-allergen product is produced after product containing nuts.  (Actually, they need to do more than 'think' about it, but implement procedures.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/think-and-interpac-technologies-inc-issue-voluntary-recall-and-allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nuts
Think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc., Issue Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Think! Protein + Fiber Oatmeal, Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 28, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared almonds and pecans
Company Name:  think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc.
Brand Name:  think!
Product Description:  Protein fiber oatmeal farmer’s market berry crumble

Yellow Peas Recalled For Soy Allergen Which Resulted After Mix-up with Soybeans

Maine Grains, Inc. of Skowhegan, Maine is recalling 2,000 pounds of Organic Yellow Peas sold between 10.17.2019 and 11.1.2020 because it may contain undeclared soybeans.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that organic soybeans of very similar size, shape and color to organic yellow peas were mistakenly shipped by a farmer supplier to Maine Grains, Inc. and were used to fulfill orders of organic yellow peas.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maine-grains-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-organic-yellow-peas
Maine Grains, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Organic Yellow Peas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date: January 27, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared soy
Company Name: Main Grains, Inc.
Brand Name: Maine Grains, GrowNYC
Product Description: Organic yellow peas