What to Know About Food Products Labeled as Containing Wild Mushrooms

Research out of Utah found that products claiming to contain 'wild mushrooms' often contain cultivated mushrooms.

Researchers used "DNA barcoding techniques to test what mushroom species made up 16 food products that listed “wild mushrooms” on their labels." "They found 28 species of mushrooms across all 16 food products. Almost all products that claimed to have wild mushrooms consisted of cultivated species, including oyster, shiitake, or portabella mushrooms. Only five products had contents that were accurately described on the label, and some included species that likely have yet to be described in academic literature."

"One packet of dried wild mushrooms from the online retailer contained a species from a group of fungi that includes the “Death Cap,” a notoriously poisonous mushroom known to cause renal failure in humans..... The authors contacted the online retailer to inform them of the potential dangers of the product. As of the paper’s publication, the dried mushrooms are still for sale. " Question - why didn't the researchers contact the FDA????

Regulating the practice of harvesting wild mushrooms is not easy. Much depends on the harvester being able to identify safe edible mushrooms from those that are dangerous, and even deadly.  In the end, much is left to the regulatory authority to determine.

From the US Food Code (2017)
3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms.
(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, mushroom species picked in the wild shall not be offered for sale or service by a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT unless the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT has been APPROVED to do so.
(B) This section does not apply to: 
(1) Cultivated wild mushroom species that are grown, harvested, and processed in an operation that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the operation; or
(2) Wild mushroom species if they are in packaged form and are the product of a FOOD PROCESSING PLANT that is regulated by the FOOD regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the plant.

Chicken Salad and Dip Products Recalled After A Complaint of Foreign Piece of Hard White Plastic

Willow Tree Poultry Farm, an Attleboro, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 52,022 pounds of various chicken salads and dip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard white plastic.  The problem was discovered after the company received a consumer complaint and notified FSIS

That is a lot of product to recall, 26 tons, for a complaint of hard white plastic.  To me, this may be a little over the top, unless the company recognized that there was a bigger issue underlying the complaint.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/willow-tree-poultry-farm-recalls-chicken-salad-and-dip-products-due-possible-foreign
Willow Tree Poultry Farm Recalls Chicken Salad and Dip Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2021 – Willow Tree Poultry Farm, an Attleboro, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 52,022 pounds of various chicken salads and dip products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard white plastic the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

25 Years of HACCP Regulation for Meat and Poultry Operations

USDA issued the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) in 1995,  25 years ago this summer.  While HACCP systems were in use by larger companies, a large foodborne illness outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 associated with Jack-in-the-Box restaurants served as the impetus for USDA to issue regulations requiring mandatory HACCP for all meat and poultry operations.

At that time, I was the microbiology manager for one of the more notable food laboratories / consulting companies that supported a large number of meat processors.  In this role, we supported companies as they transitioned to HACCP based systems.   What struck me at the time was the number of companies that were more bent on fighting the regulation rather than adopting this risk-based tool that provided a systematic way of identifying and controlling hazards.  Sure there was documentation requirements, but those requirements were never as burdensome as some believed them to be...at least not if they were smart about how it was all managed.  The costs of implementing these systems were often recovered through savings in having better control systems.  But as we see know, the biggest advantage was a drop in foodborne illness cases.  And we probably don't know the real reduction since our capability of seeing all the cases of illness at that time is nowhere near what it is today.

Still we have room for improvement, no doubt, but the industry has done a tremendous job in reducing foodborne illness levels.   We need to recognize those that work hard each day carrying out their tasks to support their HACCP requirements...including sanitation, processing, quality, and laboratory.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/reflecting-25-years-haccp
Reflecting on 25 Years of HACCP

JACK CONNOLLY, DIGITAL AND EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

This year marks 25 years since FSIS issued its landmark final rule, “Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP),” issued in the summer of 1996.

“Food safety is an ever-evolving process,” said FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker, who began his Agency career as an inspector in a food processing establishment. “HACCP marked a dramatic change in food safety and how FSIS approached its mission of keeping food safe and role of inspecting processing establishments,” said Kiecker.

FDA Issues Warning Letter To Pet Food Company Associated with Over 100 Pet Deaths

FDA issued a corporate-wide Warning Letter for numerous issues identified during inspection.  The "manufacturing plants revealed evidence of violations, which were shared across multiple plants and were associated with the illness or death of hundreds of pets who had eaten the company’s dry dog food. Samples of dog food were found to contain high levels of aflatoxin"

• Samples of SPORTMiX were later found to contain levels of aflatoxin as high as 558 parts per billion (ppb). The FDA considers pet food to be adulterated if it contains more than 20 ppb of aflatoxin.
• In March, Midwestern recalled several brands of pet food manufactured at its Monmouth, Illinois plant after samples tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA found that Midwestern’s food safety program appears inadequate to significantly minimize or prevent Salmonella in its pet food. 
• After inspecting Midwestern’s Chickasha plant, the FDA also inspected the company’s three other manufacturing plants. These inspections revealed evidence of significant violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals regulation

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-brief-fda-issues-corporate-wide-warning-letter-company-associated-contaminated-pet-food-hundreds

FDA In Brief: FDA Issues a Corporate-Wide Warning Letter to Company Associated with Contaminated Pet Food, Hundreds of Adverse Events

For Immediate Release:

August 17, 2021

The following quote is attributed to Steven M. Solomon, M.P.H., D.V.M., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine

Buns Recalled After Co-Packer Has Posiive Environmental Samples

Hostess Brands, LLC (“Hostess Brands”) is voluntarily recalling certain Hostess® Soft White Hamburger Buns and Soft White Hot Dog Buns due to the potential for the products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. Hostess Brands is recalling the impacted products out of an abundance of caution after becoming aware of this issue from its co-manufacturer, Best Harvest Bakeries, through Best Harvest Bakeries’ environmental monitoring program.

Hard to tell what exactly transpired with this copacker and their environmental sampling program.  Being that the recall was for both Salmonella and Listeria, one may think it was a rapid methodology that may give just a positive result?  This is where it is important to understand the suppliers environmental sampling program...is it accurate with ample verification.  Are third party audits digging deep enough into these testing programs?

Voluntary Recall of Hostess® Hamburger Buns & Hot Dog Buns Due to Possible Health Risks
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 13, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 16, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella
Company Name:  Hostess Brands, LLC
Brand Name:  Hostess
Product Description:  Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

Tuna Salad Recalled After Mislabeling Results in Undeclared Allergen for Tuna

RMH Foods, LLC in Morton IL is voluntarily recalling 583 cases of Gordon Choice® Deli Style Tuna and Chicken Salads packed in 4lb rigid tubs because of undeclared wheat and tuna allergens.   The recalled product contains tuna salad, but it has two labels. The bottom container states Deli Style Chicken Salad, while the top lid label states Deli Style Tuna Salad.  The chicken salad labeling does not declare the wheat and Tuna allergens that are in the tuna salad. The product is in a white plastic 4lb tub.
The recall was initiated after discovering the incorrect bottom container had been used with the product. This error was confined to one specific product, and one specific lot. Five hundred and eighty-three (583) cases of the product were made. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This is a pretty simple error to prevent.  An Allergen Preventive Control would include a regular check of both top and bottom labels.   583 cases at 4lbs per tub would certainly be a few hours to a whole shift of production where nobody was looking at these labels.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rmh-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-and-tuna-gordon-choicer-deli-style-tuna-and
RMH Foods, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat and Tuna in Gordon Choice® Deli Style Tuna and Chicken Salads
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 13, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 16, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared tuna and wheat
Company Name:  RMH Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Gordon Choice
Product Description:  Deli Style Tuna and Chicken Salads

Company Expands Recall of Shrimp Due to Salmonella, Further Processors Using Recalled Shirmp Issue Recalls

Avanti Frozen Foods is expanding its June 2021 recall of frozen shrimp  after discussions with CDC and FDA.  With the expansion of this recall, additional recalls were posted by a company where this shrimp was used as part of RTE foods (sushi and sushi rolls).

This is where following recalls is important, especially where one is using ingredient from a company that just issued a recall.  Until the situation is resolved, it may be in the purchasing company's interest to change suppliers.  In this case, the company making sushi could have switched suppliers until it was clear that the contamination event was identified, clearing other product the ingredient supplier sold.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avanti-frozen-foods-expands-recall-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
Avanti Frozen Foods Expands Recall of Frozen Cooked Shrimp Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: August 13, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 13, 2021
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Avanti Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd
Brand Name:  Various: Big River, 365, Seacove, Ahold, Censea, First Street, Meijer and others
Product Description:  Frozen cooked, peeled and deveined, tail on shrimp

Pet Food Company Recalls Product with Elevated Vitamin D Due to Supplier Misformulation

Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company of Monroe, Washington is recalling approximately 51,000 packages of Simply Nourish frozen dog food, due to it containing elevated levels of Vitamin D.  The recall was initiated after a routine nutrition test confirmed elevated Vitamin D levels on certain Simply Nourish frozen food products. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem arose as a result of the vitamin mix dosage being significantly reduced by the vitamin mix manufacturer, and this change was not detected or properly communicated. As a result, the dosage was not reduced. 

So it appears the supplier of the vitamin premix did not dilute the Vitamin D properly, so the level was too high.   For pet food manufacturers, a supply chain preventive control should be in place for vitamin premix with a focus on Vitamin D.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wet-noses-natural-dog-treat-companyr-voluntarily-recalls-simply-nourish-brand-frozen-dog-food-due
Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company® Voluntarily Recalls Simply Nourish Brand Frozen Dog Food Due to Elevated Levels of Vitamin D

Summary

Company Announcement Date:  August 13, 2021

FDA Publish Date: August 13, 2021

Product Type: Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages  Pet Food

Reason for Announcement:  Due to elevated levels of Vitamin D

Company Name: Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company

Brand Name:Simply Nourish

Product Description: Frozen dog food

NJ Company Recalls Cookie Cake For Undeclared Peanut After Mislabeling Issue

Jimmy’s Cookies LLC of Clifton NJ is recalling LOT# 1133 Marketside Chocolate Candy Cookie Cake from certain Walmart stores, because it may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jimmys-cookies-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-marketside-chocolate-candy-cookie-cake
Jimmy’s Cookies LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Marketside Chocolate Candy Cookie Cake Lot# 1133
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 12, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  August 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Jimmy’s Cookies LLC
Brand Name:  Marketside
Product Description:  Chocolate Candy Cookie Cake