Coffee Toffee Chocolate Bar Misses Milk Allergen on Label

MINDO CHOCOLATE MAKERS OF Dexter, Michigan, is recalling its Coffee Toffee Chocolate Bar (75 grams/2.65oz) because of the undeclared presence of milk, a major allergen, in the butter used to make the toffee in the bar.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the mislabeled product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

[The label states butter, but it must state milk for the allergen declaration].






https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mindo-chocolate-makers-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-coffee-toffee-chocolate-bar
Mindo Chocolate Makers Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in “Coffee Toffee Chocolate Bar"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 18, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 18, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared milk
Company Name:  Mindo Chocolate Makers
Brand Name:  Mindo Chocolate Makers
Product Description:  Coffee Toffee Chocolate Bar
Company Announcement

Raw Pet Food Company Expands Recall After FDA Sampling Reveals Potential for Cross-Contamination

Bravo Packing, Inc. of Carneys Point, NJ is expanding the previously announced voluntary recall of two pet food products to now include all pet food and bones in all package sizes. During an FDA inspection, samples collected tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes and resulted in a recall due to the potential health risks to humans and pets. Bravo Packing, Inc. is expanding the recall due to potential cross contamination.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bravo-packing-inc-expands-previously-announced-voluntary-recall-pet-food-products-due-potential
Bravo Packing, Inc. Expands Previously Announced Voluntary Recall of Pet Food Products Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes Health Risks to Humans and Animals
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 16, 2021
FDA Publish Date: March 16, 2021
Product Type: Animal & Veterinary Food & Beverages Pet Food
Reason for Announcement: Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.
Brand Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.
Product Description: Pet food: Performance Dog, beef, green tripe, and bone

FDA Issues Survey Report on Consumer Food Safety and Nutrition Awareness

FDA released their 2019 survey report for consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding and self-reported behaviors relating to food safety and nutrition.

Food Safety

• Consumers think people are more likely to get a foodborne illness from food prepared at a restaurant than food prepared at home 
• Consumers are more concerned about raw chicken and raw beef than raw vegetables or fruit being contaminated 
• Consumer awareness of germs varies greatly depending on the type of germ – Awareness is high for Salmonella (97%) and E. coli (88%) but comparatively low for Campylobacter (7%) and Vibrio (4%).
• Hand washing practices vary depending on the occasion – Consumers are more likely to wash hands with soap after touching raw meat (76%) than before preparing food (68%) or after cracking raw eggs (39%).
• The majority of consumers own a food thermometer, but usage varies depending on what is being cooked – Sixty-two (62%) of respondents reported owning a food thermometer. Usage among those who own food thermometers and cook the food ranges from 85% for whole chickens and 79% for beef, lamb or pork roasts, to 40% for chicken parts, 36% for burgers, 23% for egg dishes, and 20% for frozen meals.

Nutrition

• Most consumers are familiar with the Nutrition Facts label – 87% of respondents have looked at the NFL on food packages. The top four items that consumers look for on the label are Calories, Total Sugar, Sodium, and Serving Size. Consumers report using the label most frequently for seeing “how high or low the food is in things like calories, salt, vitamins, or fat,” “for getting a general idea of the nutritional content of the food,” and “to compare different food items with each other.”
• Consumers are familiar with food package claims – Over 80% of respondents have seen claims such as “No added sugar,” “Whole grain,” “Organic,” “Gluten-free,” “Low fat,” “No artificial ingredients,” “Low sugar,” and “No artificial colors.”
• Most consumers have seen menu labeling at restaurants – Most respondents (70%) reported that they have seen calorie information on menus and menu boards. Of those who have seen such information, 53% reported using the calorie information, and most often indicated using it to avoid ordering high-calorie menu items.

Warning Issued for Gluten Free Chicken Soup Containing Wheat

The USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert due to misbranding for chicken soup product that declares to be 'Gluten Free' on the label but contains and declares wheat as an ingredient.  The problem was discovered when one of the firm’s retail stores notified them of the issue.   Some marketing guy didn't know there is gluten protein in wheat?

A recall was not requested because the affected products were produced and distributed among retail locations within the same corporate entity and sold directly to consumers. It is believed that these products are no longer available to be purchased by consumers.







https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-chicken-soup-product-due-misbranding
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Chicken Soup Product Due to Misbranding
The Vons Companies, Inc.  

Establishment Number  M46381+P46381  Telephone  (951) 947-4010
Establishment Title/Name  The Vons Companies, Inc.  
Grant Date Dec 31, 1969  

Address   14950 Meridian Pkwy.  March Air Reserve Base, CA 92518
Activities  Meat Processing, Poultry Processing

Cranberry Biscotti Recalled After Complaint for Unlabeled Tree Nuts

Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Cranberry Biscotti purchased from six stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The product is being recalled because it may contain undeclared Tree Nuts (Pistachio) that was not listed on the product label due to mislabeling.  The issue was identified as a result of a customer complaint and one illness has been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-undeclared-tree-nuts-mislabeled-cranberry-biscotti-six-whole-foods-market
Allergy Alert Issued for Undeclared Tree Nuts in Mislabeled Cranberry Biscotti at Six Whole Foods Market Stores
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 11, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared tree nuts (pistachio)
Company Name:  Whole Foods Market
Brand Name:  Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Cranberry Biscotti

CDC Report - How Many Accidental Mushroom Poisonings Occur Each Year....More Than You Might Think

A study reported in CDC MMWR "found that 1,328 accidental poisonous mushroom ingestions were treated in emergency departments during 2016, and during 2016–2018 serious adverse outcomes occurred in 8.6% (48 of 556) of patients who sought care for accidental poisonous mushroom ingestions"  where consumption of the foraged mushrooms for were for food or hallucinogenic purposes. 

"Adverse outcomes from poisonous mushroom ingestions might occur because amateur mushroom foragers might not distinguish poisonous from nonpoisonous species (2). Recent immigrants are also at risk for mushroom poisonings because they might mistake poisonous mushrooms for nontoxic varieties found in other countries (4). Accidental mushroom poisoning diagnoses were more common in the summer and most frequently occurred in the western United States; this might reflect regional differences in the popularity of recreational mushroom foraging or the fact that Amanita smithiana, a potentially deadly and easily misidentified mushroom species that causes gastrointestinal symptoms followed by acute renal failure, is more common in this region"

"This analysis demonstrates the potential for serious adverse outcomes in young children, although they occurred less frequently than in older persons. Young children might take small, exploratory bites of mushrooms during outdoor play. " Adults often consumed larger quantities, either as food or for hallucinogenic effect.

We normally do not see many of these cases in the press, so at least for me, this number is a lot larger than I would have expected.


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7010a1.htm
Health Care Utilization and Outcomes Associated with Accidental Poisonous Mushroom Ingestions — United States, 2016–2018
Weekly / March 12, 2021 / 70(10);337–341
Jeremy A.W. Gold, MD1,2; Emily Kiernan, DO3,4; Michael Yeh, MD3,4; Brendan R. Jackson, MD2; Kaitlin Benedict, MPH2 

Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Poisonous mushroom ingestions can result in serious illness and death. The national prevalence of health care use associated with accidental poisonous mushroom ingestion is unknown.

Vending Machine Sandwiches Recalled After Positive Listeria Environmental Test in the Processing Facility

MG Foods of Charlotte, NC is recalling various Turkey Sandwiches due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

On March 2, 2021 during routine environmental testing the company detected the presence of Listeria on surface areas where the recalled products were produced.  The products were distributed between March 3, 2021 and March 5, 2021.  From looking at the use-by-date, the product only has a 4 day shelf-life, which had already passed when this recall was issued.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mg-foods-recalls-various-turkey-sandwiches-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination
MG Foods Recalls Various Turkey Sandwiches Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 10, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 10, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  MG Foods
Brand Name:  MG Foods and Fresh to You
Product Description:  Sandwiches
Company Announcement

Sesame Oil Recalled After Testing Finds Salmonella

Mediterranean Food Inc. of Warren, MI, is recalling its 2Lb plastic jar of "Alqosh Sesame Oil" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) at one of the retailers sold the product to which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some of the 2 Lb plastic jars of "Sesame Oil."  The product appears to be imported from Iraq.

Salmonella can survive in oil, a low Aw ingredient, for long periods of time.  A study demonstrated that Salmonella could survive for months in peanut oil.  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mediterranean-food-inc-recalls-alqosh-sesame-oil-because-possible-health-risk
Mediterranean Food Inc. Recalls “Alqosh Sesame Oil” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date: March 08, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Salmonella
Company Name: Mediterranean Food Inc.
Brand Name: Alqosh
Product Description: Sesame oil “Tahin”

Chocolate Product Recalled After Customer Finds Undeclared Almonds

Hu Products announced today a nationwide voluntary recall in the United States of a single production lot of the Hu Chocolate Covered Hunks - Sour Goldenberries Product (4 oz. bag) because some packages may contain undeclared almonds that were inadvertently added to the product during manufacturing. The company became aware of this issue as a result of a consumer contact. No reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of this product have been reported to the Company to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hu-products-conducts-nationwide-voluntary-recall-single-lot-4-oz-chocolate-covered-hunks-sour
Hu Products Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Single Lot of 4 oz. Chocolate Covered Hunks - Sour Goldenberries Product Due to Undeclared Almonds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:March 06, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain Undeclared Almonds
Company Name:  Hu Products
Brand Name:  Hu
Product Description:  Chocolate Covered Hunks-Sour Goldenberries
Company Announcement