FDA Proposes an Action Plan to Determine Action Levels for Toxic Elements in Baby Food

FDA issued a Statement regarding toxic elements, (primarily lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury) in baby foods  FDA's goal is "reducing exposure to toxic elements in foods commonly eaten by babies and young children to the lowest possible levels."  This comes after a Congressional Subcommittee issued a report on toxic levels of chemicals in baby food (link).

•  Although the FDA’s testing shows that children are not at an immediate health risk from exposure to toxic elements at the levels found in foods, we are starting the plan’s work immediately, with both short- and long-term goals for achieving continued improvements in reducing levels of toxic elements in these foods over time.
• FDA is "sensitive to the fact that requiring levels that are not currently feasible could result in significant reductions in the availability of nutritious, affordable foods that many families rely on for their children. "
• FDA will 1) Evaluate the scientific basis for action levels, 2) Propose Action Levels, 3) Consult with Stakeholder about these propsed action levels, and 4) Finalize the Action Levels.
• It’s important to note that the FDA’s testing shows that children are not at an immediate health risk from exposure to toxic elements at the levels found in foods.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-releases-action-plan-reducing-exposure-toxic-elements-foods-babies-young-children
FDA Releases Action Plan for Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements from Foods for Babies, Young Children
For Immediate Release:
April 08, 2021

New York Importer Receives Warning Letter from FDA for FSVP Noncompliance

FDA issued a Warning Letter to IMAD International, LLC Bronx, New York after a remote Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) inspection as well as an inspection on April 18, 2019.  FDA found that this firm was not in compliance with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) regulations by not having a program for the suppliers in which product was purchased.


FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/imad-international-llc-613268-03292021
IMAD International, LLC
MARCS-CMS 613268 — MARCH 29, 2021

USDA Issues Health Alert on Ground Turkey Which Might Be Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for approximately 211,406 pounds of raw ground turkey products, produced by Plainville Brands, LLC, a Pennsylvania establishment, due to concerns the products may have caused Salmonella Hadar illness. This come as as CDC investigates a multistate outbreak of 28 Salmonella Hadar illnesses in 12 states with onset dates ranging from December 28, 2020 through March 4, 2021. "The traceback investigation for one case patient identified the patient consumed ground turkey produced by Plainville Brands, LLC. An intact, unopened package of Plainville Brands’ ground turkey collected from this case-patient’s home tested positive for Salmonella Hadar and was closely related genetically to the sample from the patient. Evidence collected to date does not link all illnesses to this establishment."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-ground-turkey-products-linked-salmonella-hadar
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Ground Turkey Products Linked to Salmonella Hadar Illness

WASHINGTON, APRIL 10, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for approximately 211,406 pounds of raw ground turkey products, produced by Plainville Brands, LLC, a Pennsylvania establishment, due to concerns the products may have caused Salmonella Hadar illness. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase.

Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies Recalled After Traces of Milk in Cocoa Ingredient Discovered

Glutenull Bakery of Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada is recalling Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies 11oz/320g, because it may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that vegan chocolate used in the product Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies had traces of milk proteins which occurred due to cross contamination at the chocolate supplier’s facility. The Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies were distributed in packaging that did not include “may contain milk” statement.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/glutenull-bakery-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-goji-berries-and-chocolate-cookies
Glutenull Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  April 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product may contain undeclared milk
Company Name:  Glutenull Bakery
Brand Name:  Glutenull
Product Description:  Goji Berries and Chocolate Cookies

The Bean Song....

 For your enjoyment... an ode to beans......

Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Leads to Wild Songbirds

CDC issued a report of an ongoing investigation into Salmonella associated with wild birds...not eating them of course, but handling feeders or even sick or dead birds.  So far there have been 19 Salmonella infections in 8 states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA) with eight of those people hospitalized.  The surprising thing here is that these states are on both sides of the nation, and generally birds do not cross the nation from east to west, although the bird at the center of the investigation, the Pine Siskin is a bit more sporadic in movement than other birds, something termed 'irruptive'.  They are similar to a goldfinch, especially a late season gold finch that no longer has the bright yellow colors.

Wild birds can carry various strains of Salmonella and some of those strains can make the birds sick.  More importantly, many of those strains can affect us.  Washing hands after handling feeders and keeping feeder clean is important.   CDC recommends a 9:1 mix of household bleach, which is a bit strong, so a really good rinse afterwards to remove any residual chlorine is important.  Personally, I feel this is a bit strong...the CDC uses this concentration for disinfecting surfaces for Ebola and such, but this is technically a food contact surface.   Plus, this concentration will be hard on your bird equipment.  If thoroughly clean, I would follow what Clorox recommends for your pets, which is a much weaker concentration.  https://www.clorox.com/how-to/disinfecting-sanitizing/disinfecting-with-bleach/pet-resource-tips/




Here is a picture of Pine Siskins mobbing my sunflowers.

7
CDC Investigation Notice: CDC investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to wild songbirds
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 1, 2021

Small Amount of Raw Ground Chorizo Sausage Recalled Due to Extraneous Materials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for approximately 39 pounds of raw ground chorizo sausage products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard pieces of crystalline material.  The fresh and frozen raw ground chorizo sausage items were produced on March 8, 2021 by Century Oak Packing Company, an establishment in Mt. Angel, Ore.  The problem was discovered when the firm received three consumer complaints reporting findings of hard pieces of crystalline material in the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-ground-chorizo-sausage-products-due-possible
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Ground Chorizo Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
FSIS Announcement

Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls Recalled Due to an Undeclared Wheat Allergen

b.a. Sweetie Candy Co in Cleveland, Ohio is voluntarily recalling its Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls due to an undeclared wheat allergen. This recall has been initiated due to the ingredient label not stating a wheat allergen. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There have been no reports of illness involving products addressed in this recall; however, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ba-sweeties-candy-co-issues-voluntary-recall-its-chocolate-malt-chocolate-malted-milk-ballsb.a. Sweeties Candy Co. Issues Voluntary Recall of its Chocolate Malt & Chocolate Malted Milk Balls

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 31, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared wheat
Company Name:  b.a. Sweetie Candy Co
Brand Name:  Dave’s Supermarket
Product Description:  Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls

Hummus Recalled After FDA Sampling Positive for Salmonella

Sabra Dipping Company, LLC announced that, in partnership with the FDA, it is recalling approximately 2,100 cases of 10 oz Classic Hummus because it was potentially contaminated with Salmonella, that was discovered by a routine screen of a single tub by the FDA.

It will be interesting to see if anything more comes of this.  No doubt there will be a lot more testing of product samples and the environment.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sabra-dipping-company-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-single-sku-classic-hummus
Sabra Dipping Company Issues Limited Voluntary Recall of a Single SKU of Classic Hummus
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  Sabra Dipping Company LLC
Brand Name:  Sabra
Product Description:  Classic Hummus