USDA Issues Alert for Cooked Diced Chicken Potentially Contaminated with Listeria After Company's Failure to Reprocess

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for approximately 130,860 pounds of frozen fully cooked, diced chicken products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  "The problem was discovered during routine FSIS inspection activities when inspection personnel observed products requiring recooking due to possible Lm contamination had been repackaged without being recooked. A subsequent FSIS investigation determined other affected product had been further distributed in commerce."

This serious case shows how a Corrective Action was not followed.  The product found to have potential Listeria contamination was supposed to be recooked according to the Corrective Action in order to eliminate any potential Listeria contamination. However, this product was  getting repacked without that process.  Further, as noted below, that product was going to local food banks, and with that, people considered high risk.

"The products bear establishment numbers "P-18237" or "P-45638" inside the USDA mark of inspection and were distributed by Big Daddy Foods, Inc., a Houston, Texas firm. These items were further distributed to consumers at local food banks in Florida through the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program in individual food boxes."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-cooked-diced-poultry-products-due-possible
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Cooked Diced Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
FSIS Announcement

May 24, 2021

NY Meat Processor Recalls Sausage Product After Using Trim Meat from Uninspected Retail Operation

Milan Provisions Co. Inc., a Corona, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,000 pounds of heat-treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable chorizo sausage products made using a pork ingredient produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The problem was discovered when FSIS determined that the firm received pork trim product from a retail butcher facility that is not federally inspected and used it in production of the chorizo product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/milan-provisions-co.-inc.-recalls-jalapeno-chorizo-sausage-products-formulated-pork

Milan Provisions Co. Inc. Recalls Jalapeno Chorizo Sausage Products Formulated With Pork Ingredients Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection
May 21, 2021

Backyard Poultry Continues to be an Issue for Salmonella Infections

CDC issued a report regarding their investigation into multiple outbreaks of Salmonella infection associated with backyard chickens.

Fast Facts

Illnesses: 163

Hospitalizations: 34

Deaths: 0

States: 43

Recall: No

Investigation status: Active

Of the 163 cases, 1/3 of them have been children under the age of 5.

Keeping children away from the chicks is one important control, but additional practices are needed:

• Don't track bird poop on one's shoes (or dog's paws) into the house where a child may be crawling on the floor.
• Washing hands after handling birds or after touching surfaces where the birds have been.
• Safe handling of raw eggs.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0520-salmonella-infections-backyard-poultry.html
CDC Investigating New Outbreaks of Salmonella Infections Linked to Backyard Poultry
A CDC investigation notice regarding multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-21/index.html

Minestrone Soup Labeled as Vegetable Beef and Barley Soup Results in Undeclared Egg and Milk Allergens

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 13,504 pounds of a frozen foodservice soup product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the product contains milk and eggs, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered after the firm received foodservice customer complaints that the product labeled as vegetable beef and barley condensed soup contained minestrone condensed soup.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kraft-heinz-foods-company-recalls-chef-francisco-soup-product-due-misbranding-and
Kraft Heinz Foods Company Recalls Chef Francisco Soup Product Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
KRAFT HEINZ FOODS COMPANY
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2021 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 13,504 pounds of a frozen foodservice soup product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains milk and eggs, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.

Ohio Canner Recalls All Canned Beans Due to Long-Running Manufacturing Deviation

Randall Foods, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio is recalling 'all' its Randall-brand beans because of manufacturing deviations that may have resulted in under processing.  This is approximately 1.6 million cases of affected products distributed between March 1, 2019 and May 15, 2021. [That is a lot of beans].

"The manufacturing deviations included a nonfunctioning temperature indicating device raising the possibility that the product was not effectively processed. Processing at temperatures below a required temperature could create a condition that could lead to premature spoilage or food borne illness; however, there have been no illnesses reported. The company is issuing this voluntary recall as a precaution."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/randall-foods-inc-initiates-voluntary-recall-all-randall-beans
Randall Foods Inc. Initiates Voluntary Recall of all Randall Beans
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 19, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 20, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for underprocessing which could result in Clostridium botulinum contamination
Company Name:  Randall Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  Randall
Product Description:  Randall Beans

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recalled After Packaging Filled with Cookies from a Formulation Containing Eggs

Primary Colors Design Corp of Ashland, OH is recalling Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box with UPC 84512050159 because it may contain undeclared egg allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookie Gables were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by inadvertently filling the box with another chocolate chip cookie, potentially exposing consumers to an undeclared allergen: egg.

As part of the companies Allergen Preventive Control, there must be a preventive control component that matches the exact formulation and the label.  When a company had different formulations of a similar product, in this case, 2 different chocolate chip cookies, it is too easy to make a mistake, and a single control will not be enough to ensure the safety of that labeled product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primary-colors-design-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-peppa-pig-chocolate-chip-cookies
Primary Colors Design Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg on Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 20, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg
Company Name:  Primary Colors Design Corp.
Brand Name:  Peppa Pig
Product Description:  Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Interstate Food Products of Lakewood Colorado, is recalling its 14 ounce containers of Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 14 ounce packages of Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese.

It will not be surprising to see the recall expanded beyond the one lot of production.  Often times, the source of Listeria contamination is some harborage site in the production process.  If this is the case, other lots of product are likely to have become contaminated as well.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/interstate-food-products-recalls-little-hatches-jalapeno-cream-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Interstate Food Products Recalls Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 18, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 20, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Interstate Food Products
Brand Name:  Little Hatches
Product Description:  Jalapeno Cream Cheese

One Date Code of Cat Food Recalled After State Testing Finds Salmonella

Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. of San Diego, CA, is recalling the  specific lots of cat food products after Salmonella was discovered from a routine state surveillance sample by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Often times, these types of recalls are not limited to one day of production.  If it is not limited to some one-time issue during that specific production, but rather a in-line point source contamination on that production line, then additional lots could be affected.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natural-balance-pet-foods-inc-voluntarily-recalls-lid-green-pea-chicken-dry-cat-formula-possible
Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Dry Cat Formula for Possible Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 20, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.
 Brand Name: Natural Balance
Product Description:  L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Dry Cat Formula

Organic Dark Chocolate Blueberries Recalled for Potential Undeclared Almonds

Torn Ranch, LLC. is voluntarily recalling one lot code of Torn Ranch Organic Dark Chocolate Blueberries 18 oz. resealable bags sold only at Costco stores in WA, OR, ID, AK .  This recall is due to possible undeclared allergen, almonds (tree nuts) present in Torn Ranch Organic Dark Chocolate Blueberries 18oz bags sold in Costco stores located in WA, OR, ID, AK.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/torn-ranch-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-organic-dark-chocolate-blueberries
Torn Ranch, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Organic Dark Chocolate Blueberries
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 19, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 19, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  Torn Ranch, LLC
Brand Name:  Torn Ranch
Product Description:  Organic Dark Chocolate Blueberries