Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Breaded Chicken Product Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Serenade Foods, a Milford, Ind. establishment, is recalling approximately 59,251 pounds of frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken products after being linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infection.   The frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken items were produced on February 24, 2021 and February 25, 2021.  The issue as we have seen before is that these types of product are often not cooked properly.  They are raw products, but because of the way they are prepared by the manufacturer (par-cooking to set the dough), they appear to be cooked.  With that, consumers may be likely to heat the product enough to get hot, often through heating in the microwave (even though the package says not to do that), but not to a point of fully cooking the product (reaching 165F).  Salmonella, if present on the raw product, will surivive the lower heat used and then be able to cause infection during consumption of the product.

"FSIS has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health partners to investigate a multistate outbreak of 28 Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses in 8 states, with onset dates ranging from February 21 through June 28, 2021. Unopened intact packages of raw, frozen, breaded chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese were collected from an ill person’s home and tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis."

"The products of concern may appear to be ready-to-eat but are in fact raw and need to be fully cooked according to the manufacturer cooking instructions on the package before consumption. The labels for these products identify cooking instructions for preparation in an oven. The products should not be prepared in the microwave or air fryer. FSIS advises all consumers that particular attention needs to be taken to safely prepare and cook these frozen, raw poultry products to a temperature of 165 F. The only way to confirm raw poultry products are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, as indicated in this chart. Additionally, FSIS advises all consumers to keep raw poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use one cutting board for raw poultry and a separate one for fresh produce and cooked foods."


USDA - FSIS Announcement
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/serenade-foods-recalls-frozen-raw-breaded-stuffed-chicken-products-due-possible
Serenade Foods Recalls Frozen Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2021 – Serenade Foods, a Milford, Ind. establishment, is recalling approximately 59,251 pounds of frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. FSIS issued a public health alert on June 2, 2021 related to these products.

Monday, August 9, 2021

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recalled After Complaints for Foreign Material - Pieces of Plastic Glove

Blount Fine Foods, a McKinney, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,384 pounds of Panera branded chicken tortilla soup products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of gray nitrile glove.  The problem was discovered after the company notified FSIS that they received several consumer complaints reporting pieces of gray nitrile glove in the product.

Do you think someone realized they dropped a glove?

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/blount-fine-foods-corp.-recalls-chicken-soup-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Blount Fine Foods Corp. Recalls Chicken Soup Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2021 – Blount Fine Foods, a McKinney, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,384 pounds of chicken tortilla soup products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of gray nitrile glove, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Imported Infant Formula, Sold Online, Recalled for Not Meeting FDA Requirements

Able Groupe recalling certain products used as infant formulas because they did not receive pre-approval from FDA and were below the required level for iron.  These products were imported from Europe and distributed to consumers in the U.S. via mail services through the 'little-bundle' website (tagline - "The formulas your baby deserves."  Really?)

The recalled products are infant formulas (i.e., products intended as a complete or partial substitute for human milk for children 12 months old and younger), but the required pre-market notifications for these new infant formulas have not been submitted to the FDA. In addition, the HiPP Comfort Milk Formula, HiPP Dutch Stage 1 Combiotic Infant Milk Formula, HiPP HA Germany Hypoallergenic Stage PRE Combiotic Infant Milk Formula, HiPP German Stage 1 Combiotic Infant Milk Formula, Holle Bio Stage 1 Organic Infant Milk Formula, Holle Bio Stage PRE Organic Infant Milk Formula, Lebenswert Anfangsmilch Stage 1 Organic Infant Milk Formula, and HiPP UK Stage 1 Combiotic First Infant Milk Formula products contain less than 1 milligram of iron per 100 Calories and may not provide adequate iron for some infants, particularly infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight, those who had low iron levels at birth, or those who are at risk for becoming iron deficient due to illness. Inadequate intake of iron during infancy may lead to iron deficiency anemia, which, if untreated, has irreversible cognitive and functional development outcomes. Infant formula products that contain less than 1 milligram of iron per 100 Calories are required to include a statement on the label indicating that additional iron may be necessary.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/able-groupe-recalling-products-labeled-infant-formula-formulas-have-insufficient-iron-levels
Able Groupe Recalling Products Labeled as Infant Formula Formulas Have Insufficient Iron Levels as Per Requirements for Infant Formula in The U.S., and Products Do Not Meet Other FDA Requirements

CA Company Recalls Chocolate Malt Balls After Customer Discovers Peanut Butter Balls

DSD Merchandisers, Inc. of Livermore, CA is recalling 252 individual 9 oz. Deli tubs of Dark Chocolate Malt Balls because it may contain undeclared Peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Peanuts (peanut Butter) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Peanut. The problem was discovered when one customer reported purchasing Dark Chocolate Malt Balls found Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Malt Balls inside. Investigation is ongoing as to how the incident occurred.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dsd-merchandisers-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-dark-chocolate-malt-balls-9oz-tub
DSD Merchandisers, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Dark Chocolate Malt Balls 9oz Tub
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 04, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 04, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  DSD Merchandisers, Inc.
Brand Name:  DSD Merchandisers
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Malt Balls

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Meal Replacement Shake Recalled Due to Undeclared Milk

Nature’s Sunshine of Lehi, Utah is announcing that it initiated a voluntarily recall of certain lots of its Love & Peas product in April 2021 after being notified by an ingredient supplier that an ingredient used in the manufacturing of the affected product lots may contain milk. 

Nature’s Sunshine Issued Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in its "Love & Peas" Meal Replacement Shake | FDA
Nature’s Sunshine Issued Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in its "Love & Peas" Meal Replacement Shake
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 30, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 02, 2021
 Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Nature's Sunshine
Brand Name:  Nature's Sunshine
Product Description:  Love & Peas Protein Rich Meal Replacement

Bags of Dried Apricots Recalled Due to Undeclared Sulfites

Golden Natural Products, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling bags of dried apricot product because they contain undeclared sulfites.   "The recall was initiated after FDA sampling revealed that product containing sulfites was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sulfites."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/golden-natural-products-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sulfites-two-dried-apricot-products
Golden Natural Products Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Two Dried Apricot Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 02, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 02, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sulfites
Company Name: Golden Natural Product Inc.
Brand Name:  Golden Natural Product Inc.
Product Description:  Dried Apricot

Monday, August 2, 2021

CDC Investigate E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix

The CDC is investigating an outbreak of pathogenic E. coli, strain O121, that has been linked to cake mix. To this point, there have been 16 illness with 7 of those being hospitalized.  Sick people range in age from 2 to 73 years, with a median age of 13, and 100% are female. 

The key here....do not eat raw cookie dough.  Cookie dough must be cooked per directions.   Along with that, carefully clean up surfaces and equipment after use.  Remember that the raw flour on surfaces can be potentially contaminated.

E. coli infection is nothing to mess with.  It can lead to bloody diarrhea, high fever, and worse, can produce a toxin that is detrimental to the kidney.

CDC Investigation Notice
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix | CDC
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix
Posted July 28, 2021
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 16
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 0
States: 12
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active

Investigation Details
July 28, 2021
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to cake mix.

Friday, July 30, 2021

Nebraska Establishment Recalls 147 Tons of Beef After FSIS Testing Finds Pathogenic E. coli

Greater Omaha Packing, an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 295,236 pounds of raw beef products intended for non-intact use that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The problem was discovered when FSIS collected a routine product sample that confirmed positive for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

There has long been a recognition that ruminants shed E. coli at a much higher rate in the summer months.  This means that there is going to be additional risk for prevelence in meat products especially ground meat.  With that, extra precaution is needed when cooking hamburgers on the grill to ensure proper cooking temperatures are met.

Greater Omaha Packing Recalls Raw Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)
Greater Omaha Packing Recalls Raw Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
GREATER OMAHA PACKING CO., INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2021 – Greater Omaha Packing, an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 295,236 pounds of raw beef products intended for non-intact use that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Dry Pet Food Recalled for Aflatoxin Concerns

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain products due to potentially elevated levels of Aflatoxin above the acceptable limit. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Sunshine Mills, Inc. pet food products are affected by this announcement.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sunshine-mills-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-products-due-potentially-elevated-levels
Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain Products Due to Potentially Elevated Levels of Aflatoxin
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  July 29, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Elevated Levels of Aflatoxin
Company Name:  Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Brand Name:  Triumph, Evolve, Nature Farms, Elm and others
Product Description:  Dog Food