Distribution Company Recalls Canned Meat Product After A Tip to UDSA Officials on Import Violation

Milky Way International Trading Corp., doing business as MW Polar, a Norwalk, Calif., firm, is recalling approximately 297,715 pounds of ready-to-eat canned corned beef products that were imported and distributed in the United States without the benefit of FSIS import re-inspection,
Product was manufactured in Australia and imported over a half year period, June 2020 to January, 2021.

"The problem was discovered after FSIS received a tip from an industry representative indicating that corned beef product received from Milky Way did not undergo FSIS import reinspection."  Nothing like having industry players keeping you honest.  This type of reporting...competitors as informants, happens more often than you think....whether it be improper label claims, pack weight issues, or quality or identity misstatements.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2021/recall-008-2021-release
Milky Way International Trading Corp. Recalls Canned Corned Beef Products Imported Without Benefit of Inspection
Class I Recall

008-2021
Health Risk: High

Mar 1, 2021

Research - New Food Allergy Guidelines for Infants Leads to 16% Decrease in Peanut Allergies

A recent study has concluded that the food allergy guidelines for introducing peanut into a babies' diets have led to a 16 percent decrease in peanut allergies in infants.  "The research found the peanut allergy prevalence in 2018-2019 was 2.6 per cent compared to 3.1 per cent in 2007-2011, which amounted to a 16 per cent decrease after accounting for migration and population changes." 

According to the article,  "In the 1990s some guidelines recommended avoiding allergenic foods until age 1-3 years and avoidance of these foods in infancy became widespread"   This thinking was reversed starting in 2008.   Now, "Peanut consumption by 12 months [of age] increased from 28 per cent to 89 per cent in the 10 years to 2019, which may have halted the rise in peanut allergy, the study found."

https://www.mcri.edu.au/news/decrease-peanut-allergy-among-infants-after-guideline-changes
Decrease in peanut allergy among infants after guideline changes
Institute News

Meat Alternatives Gaining Traction, But Will Crickets and Meat-ish Concoctions Be In Your Dinner Plans?

An piece from The Food Institute discusses alternative protein sources going mainstream. This was made more a thing this past week when Bill Gates stated that the rich nations like the US should shift entirely to synthetic beef. In the MIT Technology Review he stated,

I do think all rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef. You can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is they’re going to make it taste even better over time. Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the [behavior of] people or use regulation to totally shift the demand.

Is it beyond Bill Gates thinking to consider regulating consumption, it does not seem so. He certainly feels that the term 'meat' should be expanded and that government investment should be poured into this area. Gates is invested in many of the companies including Beyond Meats, Impossible Foods, and Memphis Meats.

According to The Food Institute, "the meat substitutes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2020 to reach $17.5 billion by 2027, providing ample room for further innovation fueled by venture capital piling into the space. The edible insect market, which surpassed $112 million in 2019, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 26.5% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $4.63 billion by 2027."

So are mealworms, crickets and lab grown meat in your meal plans?  I think the wealthy IT guy would like it to be. 

The Food Institute
You Want Flies with That? – New Alternative Proteins Set to Go Mainstream
February 26, 2021

NJ Cheese Company Expands Recall of Cheese Products Due to Listeria Contamination Issue

El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ expanded its recall of cheese products to include all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products, because there is the potential for Listeria contamination.  This initial recall was issued on February 19th after CDC and FDA linked the cheese to 7 illness.  The case count for reported illnesses is now stands at 10. "El Abuelito has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

We noted that this company was issued a Warning Letter in June of 2020.  The company did not have a Food Safety Plan, and during the investigation, a swab sampling found non-pathogenic strains of Listeria. (This an indicator that conditions were present that could support Listeria monocytogenes).  If the company had not implemented a Food Safety Plan with Preventive Controls for environmental contamination after the inspection, the coming litigation will be brutal.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/el-abuelito-expands-recall-include-queso-fresco-quesillo-and-requeson-products-because-possible
El Abuelito Expands Recall to Include Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  El Abuelito Cheese
Brand Name:  El Abuelito, El Viejito and more
Product Description:  Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson Products

MN Food Processor Recalls Taco Products After Positive Listeria Test on Food Contact Surface

J&J Distributing of St. Paul, MN, is recalling multiple products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a utensil used to produce the products.  There have been no reported illness to date.

The facility is a dual jurisdiction facility, falling under both FDA and USDA, so recall notices were posted under FDA and USDA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jj-distributing-recalls-multiple-products-because-possible-health-risk
J&J Distributing Recalls Multiple Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 26, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  J&J Distributing
Brand Name: Haug, Fresh Tyme & more
Product Description:  Taco products

CA Beverage Company Recalls Nut-based Health Drinks Due to Allergen Mislabeling

Urban Remedy, a California-based producer and retailer of ultra-fresh, organic meals, is voluntarily recalling 462 beverages because it may contain undeclared almonds and cashews.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing almond and cashew was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the above-mentioned allergens. Almond Maca is labeled to contain Almonds but due to mislabeling contains Cashews Cacao Mocha is labeled to contain cashews but due to the mislabeling actually contains Almonds.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urban-remedy-voluntarily-recalls-beverages-undeclared-almond-cashew-allergens
Urban Remedy Voluntarily Recalls Beverages with Undeclared Almond & Cashew Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds and cashews
Company Name:  Urban Remedy
Brand Name:  Urban Remedy
Product Description:  Beverages

FDA - Don't Make Homemade Baby Formula for Infants

FDA issued notice about that people should not make their own infant formula.  Breast milk or commercially made infant formula has all of the proper nutrients needed by a child.  With commercially made infant formula, FDA regulates this product to ensure that companies are providing the nutrients needed.

With homemade formula, it can be difficult to meet the nutrient needs in the proper ratios.  As FDA stated, they have received reports of infants who were suffering from malnutrition due to homemade infant formula.

This also relates to a story published last week about the Congressional Subcommittee report on baby foods being harmful.   So sure, if you read these types of things, it scares people into thinking they can do it better/safer than these food companies.


FDA Advises Parents and Caregivers to Not Make or Feed Homemade Infant Formula to Infants | FDA
FDA Advises Parents and Caregivers to Not Make or Feed Homemade Infant Formula to Infants
February 24, 2021
Parents and other caregivers of infants who make their own homemade infant formula using a recipe.

Inherited Neandertal Gene Variants Can Increase or Decrease COVID Risk

Many of us carry some portion of Neandertal genome in our own genome.  This is normally accounts for less than 2%.    A study out of Germany has shown "that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. Now the same researchers show, in a study published in PNAS, that Neandertals also contributed a protective variant. Half of all people outside Africa carry a Neandertal gene variant that reduces the risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19 by 20 percent."

https://news.ki.se/neandertal-gene-variants-both-increase-and-decrease-the-risk-for-severe-covid-19
Neandertal gene variants both increase and decrease the risk for severe COVID-19

Australian Study Determine Impact of Too Much Coffee on Cardiovascular Health

Some Australian scientists determine that drinking too much coffee may increase one's risk for cardiovascular disease.  From the article, “High levels of blood lipids are a known risk factor for heart disease, and interestingly, as coffee beans contain a very potent cholesterol-elevating compound (cafestol),"   The good thing, “Cafestol is mainly present in unfiltered brews, such as French press, Turkish and Greek coffees, but it’s also in espressos, which is the base for most barista-made coffees, including lattes and cappuccinos."  Evidently, “There is no, or very little cafestol in filtered and instant coffee, so with respect to effects on lipids, those are good coffee choices."

So how much coffee is too much coffee? Six or more cups a day of the unfiltered type.  So Rick Kralj can continue to pound those coffees from Sheetz and Wawa.

https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2021/deja-brew-another-shot-for-lovers-of-coffee/
Déjà brew? Another shot for lovers of coffee.