Yogurt Covered Cranberries Recalled Due to Undeclared Almonds

Hickory Harvest Foods of Akron, OH is recalling Vanilla Flavored Yogurt Covered Cranberries manufactured under the brand of Sprouts Farmers Market because they may contain undeclared Almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Almonds may have been distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Almonds.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hickory-harvest-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-sprouts-vanilla-flavored-yogurt
Hickory Harvest Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Sprouts Vanilla Flavored Yogurt Covered Cranberries
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 09, 2021
FDA Publish Date: February 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Almonds
Company Name:  Hickory Harvest Foods
Brand Name:  Sprouts
Product Description:   Vanilla Yogurt Covered Cranberries

Sauce Products Recalled for Missing Shrimp Ingredient

Delicae Gourmet LLC of Tarpon Springs, FL is recalling Thai Peanut Sauce, Panang Curry Sauce, and Spicy Red Curry Sauce, because it contains undeclared shrimp allergen. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing shrimp was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the shrimp. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

While the pictures of the product posted on the FDA website clearly state 'shrimp', one could guess that a different version of the packaging was used where the shrimp was not listed?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/delicae-gourmet-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-shrimp-allergen-thai-peanut-sauce-panang-curry
Delicae Gourmet LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shrimp Allergen in Thai Peanut Sauce, Panang Curry Sauce, and Spicy Red Curry Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Shrimp
Company Name: Delicae Gourmet LLC
Brand Name: Delicae
Product Description: Thai Peanut Sauce, Spicy Red Curry Sauce

Basil Imported from Columbia Recalled Due to Cyclospora

Shenandoah Growers, Inc (Harrisonburg, VA) out of an abundance of caution, has issued a limited, voluntary recall of approximately 3240 units of branded fresh cut, packaged organic basil clamshells packed at its Indianapolis, Indiana location due to a possible health risk from Cyclospora.  This recall notification is being issued due to a single instance in which a sample of bulk product was pulled at the port of entry in Miami and tested by the FDA as part of routine surveillance and indicated the potential presence of Cyclospora.  The affected product has a country of origin of Colombia and was harvested entirely from Puerto Vallarta Herbs SAS (Farm) and imported by Vallarta Organics LLC dba Organic Destiny (Importer).

This past November, this same company also recalled basil imported from Columbia for Cyclopora.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/shenandoah-growers-inc-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-specific-imported-organic-basil-because
Shenandoah Growers, Inc Issues a Limited, Voluntary Recall of Specific Imported Organic Basil Because of Potential Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date: February 08, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Cyclospora contamination
Company Name: Shenandoah Growers, Inc
Brand Name: Simple Truth, That’s Tasty, Shenandoah Growers
Product Description: Basil

Packaging Operator Blamed for Mislabeling Error That Resulted in Allergen Recall

Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC of Seattle, WA is recalling 8450 packages of Publix brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets, net wt.12oz, frozen, UPC 41415 30245 7, because it may contain undeclared soy due to mis-packaging.   The problem was discovered when a consumer reported that the Teriyaki sauced salmon was found inside the retail box labeled as Parmesan-crusted salmon. Further investigation by the co-packer UniSea Cold Storage of Redmond, WA revealed that the that the loading box machine operator must have inadvertently grabbed the Parmesan-crusted salmon retail box instead of the correct boxes. We estimate only 300 units of 8450 Teriyaki sauced salmon packages were mis-packaged as Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets.

So what controls can be put in place to prevent such a simple error?  There needs to be more than just throwing it all on the packaging operator.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ocean-beauty-seafood-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-publix-brand-parmesan-crusted-wild
Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Publix Brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets 12 Oz. Package
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 08, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy
Company Name:  Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets

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.