NY Firm Recalls Coriander Chutney After FDA Inspection Finds Undeclared Sulfites, Coconut, and Yellow #5

Joy Gourmet Foods Inc. of Maspeth, NY is recalling its Joy Brand.  Coriander chutney because it contains undeclared sulfites. coconut. FD&C YELLOW#5 .  The recall was initiated after a routine inspection by a United States of America Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Inspector, which revealed that the product contained sulfites, coconut, and FD&C yellow#5 and were distributed in packages that did not declare their presence.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/joy-gourmet-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sulfites-coconut-and-fdc-yellow5
Joy Gourmet Foods LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites, Coconut and FD&C Yellow#5
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 18, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 18, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites, Coconut, FD&C Yellow #5
Company Name:  Joy Gourmet Foods Inc.
 Brand Name:  Joy
Product Description:  Coriander Chutney

CDC Article - Novel Outbreak-Associated Food Vehicles, United States

An article in the October 2021 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, titled Novel Outbreak-Associated Food Vehicles, United States, discusses foods that were responsible for foodborne outbreak, where the food had not been implicated in outbreaks in the past. Of course, we know poultry or leafy greens as vehicles, but from time to time, there are 'novel' foods found be involved.

The article lists several ways in which outbreaks from novel foods differ from outbreaks associated with others.  The study covers the years 2007-2016.

Outbreaks associated with novel food vehicles differed from other outbreaks (i.e., those not associated with a novel food vehicle) in several ways (Table 2). First, 61.1% of outbreaks associated with a novel food vehicle involved exposure in multiple states, compared with 5.7% of other outbreaks (p<0.001). Second, 48.6% of outbreaks associated with a novel food vehicle resulted in a food recall, compared with 5.2% of other outbreaks (p<0.001). Third, the mean numbers of reported primary cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were greater among outbreaks linked to novel food vehicles than among other outbreaks (p = 0.04, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Fourth, the percentage of cases that resulted in hospitalization and the percentage of cases that resulted in death were significantly greater among outbreaks linked to novel food vehicles than among other outbreaks. Last, outbreaks associated with a novel food vehicle were more likely than other outbreaks to be caused by Salmonella contamination (p<0.001). Two potential confounding effects were a disproportionate number of Salmonella outbreaks linked to novel foods and potential effects of contamination from ill food workers (sensitivity analyses in Table 2).

While these foods may be novel, none are surprising.  For those that are a type of meat or fish (Bison, Carp, frog, lionfish, swai), they have the same issues associated with similar protein types.  Most of the other items are items grown in nature and eaten with minimal to no processing.  Thus Salmonella tends to be a leading cause of illness associated with these products, as well as other hazards often associated wtih field contamination (STEC, Cyclopora), or basic handling (Listeria, Hepatitis A).

The importance of this is that when conducting the Hazard Analysis, one can't simply see if a food had been involved in past outbreaks.  One must consider where the product comes from and how it had been handled in relation to how it will be further processed (if any) and then consumed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/10/20-4080_article

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal
Volume 27, Number 10—October 2021
Synopsis
Novel Outbreak-Associated Food Vehicles, United States

Bagged Kale Recalled After Testing Finds Listeria

Baker Farms is recalling their Baker Farms, Kroger & SEG Grocers brand names of Kale, 1 lb plastic bags with BEST BY 09-18-2021 107020-21832 due to contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.  The Kroger Co. followed suite and recalled 16-ounce Kroger bagged kale product, produced by Baker Farms.  On 9-15-2021 Baker Farms was notified by a customer that the product test positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  (The reports do not tell who actually conducted the testing).

There have been no reported illnesses.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/baker-farms-recalls-various-brand-name-kale-due-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination
Baker Farms Recalls Various Brand Name of Kale Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 16, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 17, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential of Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Baker Farms
Brand Name: Baker Farms, Kroger & SEG Grocers
Product Description: Bagged Kale

Poppy Seed Dressing Recalled as pH Issues Raise Concern for Clostridium botulinum Growth

Drew’s Organics, LLC of Chester, VT is voluntarily recalling one lot code of Aldi Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing due to a processing issue that could allow for microbial growth.  The recall was initiated after Drew’s Organics, LLC observed a color difference in the Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing after manufacturing. Investigation revealed out of spec pH with the potential for microbial growth, including Clostridium botulinum, rendering it unsafe for consumption.

As we know, the pH of these types of products has a limit of 4.6 to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/drews-organics-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-aldi-simply-nature-organic-poppy-seed-dressing-potential
Drew’s Organics, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Aldi Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing for Potential Clostridium botulinum Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 16, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 16, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for microbial growth
Company Name:  Drew’s Organics, LLC
Brand Name:  Simply Nature
Product Description:  Organic Poppy Seed Dressing

Fresh Parsley Recalled After State Testing Finds STEC (Pathogenic E. coli)

Buurma Farms Inc. of Willard, OH, is voluntarily recalling 320 boxes of its Plain Parsley after testing showed possible contamination with Shiga-toxin producing E.coli.  The product being recalled is Buurma Plain (flat leaf) Parsley with a harvest date of August 30, 2021 from their Gregory, Michigan location. A random, routine regulatory sample collected on 9/7/21 at a customer’s distribution center by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) tested positive for non-O157 STEC (Shiga-toxin producing E. Coli) and reported 9/13/21.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/buurma-farms-inc-recalls-plain-flat-parsley-due-possible-health-risks
Buurma Farms Inc. Recalls Plain (Flat) Parsley Due to Possible Health Risks
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 14, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 15, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain Shiga-toxin producing E.coli
Company Name:  Buurma Farms Inc.
Brand Name:  Buurma
Product Description:  Plain (Flat Leaf) Parsley

Raspberry Fudge Cordial Ice Cream Recalled Due to Undeclared Peanuts Traced to Third Party Manufacturer

Velvet Ice Cream has issued a voluntary recall of its 56oz Raspberry Fudge Cordial Ice Cream because it may contain undeclared peanuts.  Velvet was notified of the issue by a single customer and has since learned that the cause of the error has been traced to a third-party manufacturer packaging error. One carton has been affected at the time of this release.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/velvet-ice-cream-voluntarily-recalls-raspberry-fudge-cordial-ice-cream-due-undeclared-peanuts
Velvet Ice Cream Voluntarily Recalls Raspberry Fudge Cordial Ice Cream Due to Undeclared Peanuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 13, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 14, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Velvet Ice Cream
Brand Name:  Velvet
Product Description:  Raspberry Fudge Cordial Ice Cream

Stuffed Shells Recalled After Complaints of Foreign Material in the Form of Metal

Seviroli Foods of Bellmawr, NJ is recalling H-E-B Jumbo Stuffed Shells - 22 oz due to potential presence of foreign material in product (Metal).  The issue was discovered on September 09, 2021, after H-E-B was notified of four customer complaints. All product related to this recall has been removed from H-E-B store shelves.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seviroli-foods-voluntarily-issues-recall-h-e-b-jumbo-stuffed-shells-22-oz-due-potential-presence
Seviroli Foods Voluntarily Issues a Recall of H-E-B Jumbo Stuffed Shells - 22 Oz Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 14, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 14, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:   Presence of foreign material (metal)
Company Name:  SEVIROLI FOODS, INC.
Brand Name:  H-E-B
Product Description:  Jumbo Stuffed Shells

RTE Breadsticks Recalled for Undeclared Sesame After Comingling Issue Identified

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) breadsticks, meat and cheese products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated breadsticks that have been recalled by the producer, Jag Specialty Foods, due to concerns that the products may have comingled with sesame breadsticks and sesame seeds. Sesame is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when Daniele International observed that breadsticks received from Jag Specialty Foods that do not contain sesame were comingled with sesame breadsticks and sesame seeds and notified their supplier and FSIS.

As we know, sesame was added to the list of allergens that must be declared on labels.  This law does no go into place until 2023.

FSIS Announcement
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-meat-snack-products-containing-fda-regulated
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Meat Snack Products Containing FDA-Regulated Breadstick Products That Have Been Recalled Due To Misbranding And An Undeclared Ingredient

Illinois Establishment Recalls Uninspected Meat Products After Anonymous Tip

AS Foods Enterprises Inc., an Elk Grove Village, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,768 pounds of beef and chicken empanada products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and bearing a label with a false USDA mark of inspection.   The problem was discovered after FSIS received an anonymous tip and initiated an investigation.

If the inspectors don't catch you initially, you can always count on your competitors turning you in.  Not saying that is what happened in this case, but that would be my bet.


FSIS Announcement
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/sas-foods-enterprises-inc.-recalls-frozen-fully-cooked-beef-and-chicken-empanada
SAS Foods Enterprises INC. Recalls Frozen, Fully Cooked Beef and Chicken Empanada Products Packaged without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2021 – SAS Foods Enterprises Inc., an Elk Grove Village, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,768 pounds of beef and chicken empanada products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and bearing a label with a false USDA mark of inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.