Proposed FASTER Legislation Looks to Add Sesame, and Potentially Other Allergens, to Allergen Labeling Requirements

The proposed FASTER legislation is an item focused on food allergens.  It had made progress towards getting passed in 2020, but ran out of time and has to be reintroduced.

This legislation would add sesame to the list of allergens requiring labeling, but also opens the door for other allergens to be added at the decision of the Secretary.  From the proposed legislation (below) "Any other food ingredient that the Secretary determines by regulation to be a major food allergen, based on the scientific criteria determined by the Secretary (including the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions to the food ingredient) that establish that such food ingredient is an allergen of public health concern.”.

Food Business News

https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/18218-allergens-in-the-crosshairs

Allergens in the crosshairs

03.23.2021By Jay Sjerven

WASHINGTON — Both Congress and federal regulators have accelerated efforts to defend populations whose sensitivity to major food allergens puts them at risk for illness or even death. In Congress, legislation requiring sesame be added to the existing list of eight major allergens subject to labeling requirements advanced with the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Food Allergy, Safety, Treatment, Education (FASTER) Act on March 3.

Pasta Company Must Recall Non-USDA FSIS Inspected Meat-containing Pasta Product

An Illinois pasta company must recall all of their meat-containing pasta product because they produced it without being a USDA inspected facility.   Oooops.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/avanza-pasta-llc-recalls-beef-and-poultry-products-produced-without-benefit
Avanza Pasta, LLC Recalls Beef and Poultry Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2021 – Avanza Pasta, LLC., an Evanston, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,237 pounds of meat and poultry pasta products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Company Expands Recall of Vending Machine Sandwiches....Missed Three Items In Initial Recall

MG Foods of Charlotte, NC is expanding its recall issued March 10, 2021 to include three Turkey Wraps due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.  These products have already expired, and hopefully no one is storing these vending machine sandwiches this long.  [Okay, perhaps someone froze their vending machine sandwich and it is still in their freezer.....I hope not, but you never know.]

Three Turkey Wrap Sandwiches Added to Mg Foods’ Previous Recall List Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination | FDA
Three Turkey Wrap Sandwiches Added to Mg Foods’ Previous Recall List Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 19, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 19, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  MG Foods dba Canteen Inc.
Brand Name:  Fresh to You  MG Foods
Product Description:  Turkey wrap sandwich wraps

Yogurt Raisins Recalled After Packages Found to Contain Peanuts

Western Mixers Produce & Nut Company of Los Angeles, California is recalling the following item:

Gelson’s Yogurt Raisins, 14 oz. because it may contain undeclared Peanuts. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Peanuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes.

Looks like someone need to implement a Allergen Preventive Control.  This is a huge error either where either the wrong product was packed, the wrong packaging was used, or the clean-out was not executed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/western-mixers-produce-nuts-inc-recalls-gelsons-yogurt-raisins-because-possible-allergen-heath-risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Gelson’s Yogurt Raisins Because of Possible Allergen Heath Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 18, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 18, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared Peanuts
Company Name:  Western Mixers Produce & Nut Company
Brand Name:  Gelson’s
Product Description:  Yogurt Raisins
Company Announcement
Western Mixers Produce & Nut Company of Los Angeles, California is recalling the following item:
Gelson’s Yogurt Raisins, 14 oz. because it may contain undeclared Peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Gelson’s Yogurt Raisins were distributed in: California; through Retail Stores, during the dates of: February 4, 2021 – March 11, 2021.

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