NJ Cheese Company Recalls All Fresh and Soft Cheese Due to Listeria Outbreak

FDA announced that there is a link between the Listeria outbreak posted last week and El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. of Paterson, NJ.  To date, there have been 7 cases of Listeria infection reported with all of those cases resulting in hospitalization.

"As part of this outbreak investigation, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected product samples of El Abuelito-brand Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses from a store where a sick person bought cheeses. Sample analysis showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco sold in 10 oz packages, marked as Lot A027 with an expiration date of 02/26/2021. On 2/19/2021, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis conducted by the Connecticut State Laboratory determined that the Listeria monocytogenes found in the samples is a match to the outbreak strain."

The company has issued a recall for is recalling all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese) products.

El Abuelito Cheese Inc. was founded in 1997 and is now based in Paterson, NJ.  A pic of location provided by Google.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-hispanic-style-fresh-and-soft-cheeses-february-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes – Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses (February 2021)
El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. recalls all Queso Fresco products within expiration. Queso Fresco samples collected from Connecticut match outbreak strain

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 7
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Date: 1/22/2021
States with Cases: MD (4), CT (1), NY (1), and VA (1)

Smoked Seafood Products Recalled for Producing Without Food Establishment License or Inspection

Aaron’s Gourmet Smoked Fish is issuing a voluntary recall of all smoked fish products due to the lack of licensure and regulatory oversight by the state agency. The products are packaged in both glass jars and vacuum-packed plastic bags.

I guess someone didn't know that FDA regulates this product?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/aarons-gourmet-smoked-fish-recalls-smoked-fish-products-produced-without-licensure-and-regulatory
Aaron’s Gourmet Smoked Fish Recalls Smoked Fish Products Produced Without Licensure and Regulatory Oversight
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 18, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Lack of licensure and regulatory oversight by the state agency
Company Name:  Aaron’s Gourmet Smoked Fish
Brand Name:  Aaron’s Gourmet Smoked Fish
Product Description:  Smoked fish products

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Caesar Dressing and Dip Recalled for Missing Anchovies in Blue Cheese Dressing

Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Kowalski’s brand Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Kowalski’s Steakhouse Blue Dressing because the Blue Cheese Dressing contains undeclared fish (anchovies). Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Kowalski’s brand Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Kowalski’s Steakhouse Blue Dressing because the Blue Cheese Dressing contains undeclared fish (anchovies).

In a similar, and but potentially recall, Litehouse Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of its Brite Harbor Caesar Dressing & Dip 1.5 oz pillows because it may contain undeclared anchovies. The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that product labeling stated Caesar [which was correct] on the Front label and Blue Cheese on the back [which would not have any anchovies on it]. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a packaging error.

So these could be related if Russ Wholesale bought the Litehouse Blue cheese dressing to use in their product, but in reality received the mislabeled Caesar (and then nobody saw the label disparity). If this were the case, then the procedures for the facility producing the Cauliflower bites would have to be include a closer evaluation of the ingredients. Interesting to consider.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/russ-davis-wholesale-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovies-kowalskis-buffalo-cauliflower
Russ Davis Wholesale Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Fish (Anchovies) in Kowalski’s Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date: February 15, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Fish (Anchovies)
Company Name: Russ Davis Wholesale
Brand Name: Kowalski’s Markets
Product Description: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Investigation Begins into Listeria Outbreak Associated with Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses that has caused 7 illnesses so far.  "No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed as the source of illness. CDC reported that seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Six of the seven ill people are Hispanic. Of the four people interviewed, three reported eating at least one type of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, and all three reported eating queso fresco."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-hispanic-style-fresh-and-soft-cheeses-february-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes – Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses (February 2021)
FDA begins investigation; early CDC data indicates link to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 7
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Date: 1/22/2021
States with Cases: MD (4), CT (1), NY (1), and VA (1)

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

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling two lot codes of Dole™ Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit.  This recall is due to possible undeclared allergens (wheat and tree nuts) in Dole™ Sunflower Crunch Chopped 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. Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

Dole issued a recall less than two weeks ago for the same error.  Darn those masterpacks.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-inc-voluntarily-recalling-two-lot-codes-doletm-sunflower-crunch-chopped-salad
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Is Voluntarily Recalling Two Lot Codes of Dole™ Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 09, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 10, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:   Undeclared wheat and tree nuts
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables
Brand Name:  Dole
Product Description:  Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit

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