Canadian Establishment Recalls RTE Ham Products After FSIS Sampling Finds Salmonella

Olymel S.E.C./L.P., a Quebec, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 6,804 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) ham products that may be contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis. The problem was discovered when FSIS collected a routine product import sample that confirmed positive for the presence of Salmonella enteritidis­­­. The product subject to recall was determined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to be associated with the FSIS positive sample result.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/olymel-s.e.c.l.p.-recalls-ready-eat-ham-products-due-possible-salmonella-enteritidis
Olymel S.E.C./L.P. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Ham Products Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination

WASHINGTON, APRIL 15, 2021 – Olymel S.E.C./L.P., a Quebec, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 6,804 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) ham products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Dry Cat Food Recall Due to Potential Presence of Salmonella

The J. M. Smucker Co. today announced a limited, voluntary recall of two lots of Meow Mix® Original Choice Dry Cat Food (30LB bag) due to potential salmonella contamination. The Company has received no reports of pet illness or adverse reaction and has issued this recall out of an abundance of caution. The impacted products were sold at select Walmart stores in IL, MO, NE, NM, OK, UT, WI and WY.

No reason was stated for the recall, so it could be through product testing either by the company or by another entity.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/j-m-smucker-co-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-two-lots-meow-mixr-original-choice-dry-cat-food
The J. M. Smucker Co. Issues Limited, Voluntary Recall of Two Lots of Meow Mix® Original Choice Dry Cat Food for Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 09, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Pet Food  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  J. M. Smucker Co.
Brand Name:  Meow Mix®
Product Description:  Meow Mix® Original Choice Dry Cat Food

SnoBalls In Wrong Packaging Leads to Recall for Coconut

OH NO....SnoBalls in Chocolate CupCake packaging means that there is undeclared coconut.    

"Hostess Brands, LLC (”Hostess Brands“) has become aware that certain Hostess® SnoBalls® were inadvertently manufactured in the packaging for Hostess® Chocolate CupCakes and the packaging does not list ”coconut“, an ingredient in SnoBalls®, as an allergen. Hostess Brands is voluntarily recalling the following SnoBalls® manufactured on March 13, 2021."

Hopefully one would recognize the coconut through the clear packaging, but of course we can't count on that.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-hostessr-snoballsr-due-undeclared-allergen
Voluntary Recall of Hostess® SnoBalls® Due to Undeclared Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 10, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  April 10, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared coconut
Company Name:  Hostess Brands LLC
Brand Name:  Hostess
Product Description:  SnoBalls

FDA Releases Investigation Report of 2020 E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to California Leafy Greens

Here are the bullet points from that report.  In a nutshell, cattle in close proximity are the issue and it will take more than the FDA to fix the issue.

• FDA has found that in this and past foodborne illness outbreak investigations "suggest that a likely contributing factor for contamination of leafy greens has been the proximity of cattle." 
• FDA "recommends that all growers be aware of and consider adjacent land use practices, especially as it relates to the presence of livestock, and the interface between farmland, rangeland and other agricultural areas, and conduct appropriate risk assessments and implement risk mitigation strategies, where appropriate."
• "The 2020 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with leafy greens represents the latest in a repeated series of outbreaks associated with leafy greens that originated in the Central Coast of California (encompassing Salinas Valley and Santa Maria) growing region."
• FDA "recommends that growers of leafy greens in the California Central Coast Growing Region consider this reoccurring E. coli strain a reasonably foreseeable hazard, and specifically of concern in the South Monterey County area of the Salinas Valley."
• FDA "also recommends that the agricultural community in the California Central Coast growing region work to identify where this reoccurring strain of pathogenic E. coli is persisting and the likely routes of leafy green contamination with STEC."
• FDA "alone cannot fix this issue. Industry leadership and collaboration among growers, processors, retailers, state partners and the broader agricultural community is critical to reducing foodborne illnesses. "

Associated Documents

FDA Investigation Report: Factors Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Leafy Greens Implicated in the Fall 2020 Outbreak of E. coli  O157:H7
FDA Leafy Greens STEC Action Plan

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-releases-investigation-report-following-fall-2020-outbreak-e-coli-o157h7-illnesses-linked-leafy
FDA Releases Investigation Report Following Fall 2020 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Illnesses Linked to Leafy Greens
Agency affirms need for new collaborative actions to build on accomplishments in its Leafy Greens Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) Action Plan

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......