USDA Issues Health Alert for Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products Due to Salmonella

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert due to concerns about illnesses caused by Salmonella Enteritidis that may be associated with frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products. These items may be labeled "chicken cordon bleu", chicken with “broccoli and cheese”, or "chicken Kiev".

FSIS is investigating a Salmonella Enteritidis illness cluster with the CDC and state partners. FSIS suspects that there may be a link between the frozen, raw, breaded, and pre-browned stuffed chicken products and this illness cluster based on information gathered in conjunction with the CDC and state partners. Cases have been identified with illness onset dates ranging from February 21, 2021 to May 7, 2021.As part of the investigation, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected frozen, raw, breaded, stuffed chicken products from a retail store for testing. The raw product samples tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. At this time, the production lots tested in Minnesota are not known to have been purchased by any of the case patients. FSIS has not received any purchase documentation, shopper records, or other traceable information at this time. 

The products of concern may appear to be ready-to-eat but are in fact raw and need to be fully cooked before consumption. Many of these stuffed chicken products were labeled with instructions identifying that the product was uncooked (raw). The labels also identified cooking instructions for preparation in an oven. Some of the patients reported that they did not follow the cooking instructions and reported microwaving the product, cooking it in an air fryer or cooking it in the oven for less than the recommended time and without using a meat thermometer to confirm the recommended temperature was achieved. 

This is a similar issue faced by Canadian producers who manufactured similar products as well as in the US.

Penn State Food Safety Blog: Canada - Another Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Uncooked Breaded Chicken (2019)

https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2018/09/canada-warning-of-risk-associated-with.html

(2018)

Penn State Food Safety Blog: Barber Foods Expands Recall of Chicken Kiev After Additional Illnesses Reported (2015)

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-raw-breaded-stuffed-chicken-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

WA Company Recalls Meatballs and Pork Patties Due to Unlabeled Allergens

King's Command Foods, LLC., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,025 pounds of fully cooked, not shelf stable meat and poultry meatballs and pork patties due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains egg, milk, and/or wheat, known allergens, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the establishment determined that allergen-containing ingredients may have comingled with the recalled products that do not normally contain the identified allergens.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kings-command-foods-llc.-recalls-meat-and-poultry-meatballs-and-pork-pattie-products
King's Command Foods, LLC. Recalls Meat and Poultry Meatballs and Pork Pattie Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
KING'S COMMAND FOODS, LLC
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2021 - King's Command Foods, LLC., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,025 pounds of fully cooked, not shelf stable meat and poultry meatballs and pork patties due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains egg, milk, and/or wheat, known allergens, which is not declared on the product label.

CA Company Recalls Beef Jerky for Undeclared Sesame Oil

Legacy Food Company, Inc., a Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 67,895 pounds of beef jerky due to misbranding and an undeclared ingredient-  contains sesame oil, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS label verification activities when it was determined that the labels did not accurately list all sub-ingredients.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/legacy-food-company-inc.-recalls-beef-jerky-products-due-misbranding-and-undeclared
Legacy Food Company, Inc. Recalls Beef Jerky Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Ingredient
LEGACY FOOD COMPANY INC,
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 – Legacy Food Company, Inc., a Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 67,895 pounds of beef jerky due to misbranding and an undeclared ingredient, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains sesame oil, which is not declared on the product label.

Company Recalls Pet Food After State Testing Lab Finds Salmonella Positive Sample

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain dog food products because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by the distributor, Fleet Wholesale Supply Company, who was informed by Minnesota Department of Agriculture when a sample of 5 lbs. Sprout Sporting Dog Food product was collected and tested positive for Salmonella during routine surveillance.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sunshine-mills-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-dog-food-products-because-possible-salmonella
Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain Dog Food Products Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination.

Summary

Company Announcement Date:  June 02, 2021

FDA Publish Date:  June 03, 2021

Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Pet Food

Reason for Announcement: Salmonella contamination

Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.

Brand Name: Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator, FRM Gold Select

Product Description: Dog Food Products

NY Food Company Recalls All Smoked Fish Products After FDA Inspection Determines Unsanitary Conditions

Banner Smoked Fish, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is voluntarily expending recalling its SMOKED FISH, SALADS, PICKLED FISH PRODUCTS, and CREAM SAUCE PRODUCTS (product names and photos of labels are listed below) of all products within expiry, in all package sizes, all package types and all lots.   There are 85 different products included in the final recall which was initially issued on June 2nd, expanded on June 3rd and then expanded again.  According to the report, "The products were found to be processed under unsanitary condition. The problem was discovered through FDA routine inspection. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/banner-smoked-fish-expends-recalls-smoked-fish-products-salads-pickled-fish-products-and-cream-sauce
Banner Smoked Fish Expends Recalls Smoked Fish Products, Salads, Pickled Fish Products, And Cream Sauce Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 04, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  June 04, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Banner Smoked Fish, Inc.
Brand Name:  Banner and multiple other brands
Product Description:  Smoked Fish Products (Salmon, Lox, Trout, and more)

Five Companies Issue Recalls for Imported Mushrooms Due to Listeria

Three food companies/distributors are recalling mushroom product after testing determined the presence of Listeria.

• California Terra Garden Inc. of Commerce, CA is recalling all cases of its 150g/5.3-ounce packages of Seafood Mushroom (Product of China)
• CONCORD FARMS of Vernon, CA is recalling enoki mushrooms grown in Korea
• Sun Hong, Inc 1105 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640 is recalling All Cases of Seafood Mushroom (Product of China) Net Wt 5.3 oz./150g
• Marquis Worldwide Specialty Inc of City of Industry, CA is recalling All of the Organic Enoki Mushroom 200g,
• Rainfield Marketing Group, Inc. of Vernon, CA is recalling all cases of its 150g packages of Enoki Mushrooms (Product of Korea)

There has been a large number of recalls for imported mushrooms due to Listeria.  It will not be surprising to see a larger action from FDA regarding these products.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/california-terra-garden-inc-recalls-seafood-mushroom-because-possible-health-risk
California Terra Garden Inc. Recalls Seafood Mushroom Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date: May 29, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name: California Terra Garden Inc.
Brand Name: Guan’s
Product Description: Seafood mushrooms

Colorado Food Company Expands Recall of Cheese Product Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Interstate Food Products of Lakewood Colorado, is recalling Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Queso,and Spicy Queso, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  This is an expansion of the initial recall (as predicted).  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 13.5-ounce packages of Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Queso and Spicy Queso.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/interstate-food-products-recalls-little-hatches-jalapeno-cream-cheese-sell-date-521-and-queso-spicy
Interstate Food Products Recalls Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Sell by Date Is 5/21 and Queso, Spicy Queso, Sell by Date of 5/28 Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 28, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Interstate Food Products
Brand Name:  Little Hatches
Product Description:  Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Queso and Spicy Queso Dip

Flour Recalled for Salmonella After An Issue Identified by Company in Europe

Tiger Nuts Inc of Newburgh, New York is recalling 200 Kilo’s (440 lbs) of its Tiger Nuts Flour which was sold in 1 Kilo Boxes (2.2 lbs) at 1 retail store in Bend and Corvallis Oregon, 1 retail store in Liberty Missouri, and 3 online bakers, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella,  Tiger Nuts Inc was notified by their Spanish growers Tiger Nuts S.L. in Valencia Spain that a customer in Germany had reported Salmonella content in their Tiger Nuts extra fine flour. The supplier Tiger Nuts S.L. and the German customer are continuing to investigate the occurrence and are keeping us updated. The specific we received in November 2020 was completely sold through by January 2021. And at this time there have been zero illnesses reported to date, as of 5/27/2021.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tiger-nuts-inc-recalls-tiger-nuts-flour-kilos-22-lbs-because-possible-health-risk
Tiger Nuts Inc. Recalls Tiger Nuts Flour in Kilo’s (2.2 Lbs) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Tiger Nuts Inc.
Brand Name:  Tiger Nuts
Product Description:  Tiger Nuts Flour

Microwave Popcorn Recalled Due to Undeclared Milk

Gilster-Mary Lee, 8366 North Highway 51, McBride, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Full Circle Organic Microwave Popcorn Salted, because it may contain undeclared milk.  Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. became aware of the mispackaging after receiving an email from a customer warehouse. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this popcorn.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gilster-mary-lee-corp-issues-recall-undeclared-milk-allergen-full-circle-organic-microwave-popcorn
Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. Issues a Recall for Undeclared Milk Allergen in Full Circle Organic Microwave Popcorn Salted
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 25, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 26, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Gilster-Mary Lee
Brand Name:  Full Circle
Product Description:  Organic Microwave Popcorn Salted