Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Fresh Fish Affects 102 People, Colorado Company Issues Recall

FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Thompson infections linked to seafood manufactured or processed by Northeast Seafood Products, Inc. of Denver, CO. To this point, there have been 102 total cases with 19 hospitalizations.   According to CDC, the majority of sick people are either Colorado residents or reported traveling to Colorado during the week they got sick. Only two people did not report traveling to Colorado during the week they got sick.

Northeast Seafood Products, Denver, CO, is voluntarily recalling certain types of seafood that were processed at our facility because they have the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella,  The items being recalled are: Haddock, Monkfish, Bone-in Trout, Grouper, Red Snapper, Red Rock Cod, Ocean Perch, Pacific Cod, Halibut, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon Portions, Lane Snapper, Tilapia, All Natural Salmon Fillet, Pacific Sole, and Farm Raised Striped Bass.

One would expect that there must be a high level of Salmonella present in order for that many people to become infected.  And while undercooking could be an cause, a bigger issue may be handling of the raw fish in the kitchen.  I wonder to what degree people handle raw fish as a raw protein product, akin to poultry, pork or beef?

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-thompson-seafood-october-2021

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Thompson – Seafood (October 2021)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled seafood sold in Colorado
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 102
Hospitalizations: 19
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 7, 2021
States with Cases: AZ (1), CO (82), CT (1), IA (1), MN (2), MO (1), NE (2), NJ (2), PA (1), TX (2), VA (2), WA (2), WI (2), WY (2)
Product Distribution*: CO
*States with confirmed distribution; product could have been distributed further

Cookie Start-up Recalls Many Products After Recognizing that Allergen Labeling is Required

Chocolate and the Chip of Los Angeles, CA is recalling various flavors (see list below) including chocolate chip cookies, cookie bundt cakes and rice crispy treats because they may contain undeclared wheat, milk, soy, and tree nuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to specific type of allergens run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Basically, any of the products made with allergens.  Why?  Because I guess the owner missed the memo - distributed food products require allergen labeling.

"The recall was initiated after it was discovered that baked good products containing the allergens of wheat, milk, soy, and tree nuts were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of said allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a mistake made on the owners behalf and not having the proper protocol for distributing and labeling baked goods under the proper regulations."

After reading about this start-up, easy to see how it happens.  Company starts selling online where it is easier to go along without notice.  However, once local distribution begins, product on store shelves is much more noticeable.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chocolate-and-chip-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-allergens-bakery-products

Chocolate and the Chip LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens in Bakery Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 06, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergens (wheat, milk, soy, tree nuts)
Company Name:  Chocolate and the Chip
Brand Name:  Chocolate and the Chip
Product Description:  Bakery Products

USDA Revises Food Kit Product Labeling Guideline

 USDA issued a revision of its food Kit Product Labeling Guideline.  Food kits (an assembly of ingredients sold together as a unit with the idea that the customer will prepare the specific food themselves) are becoming more popular. 

In the guidance, the agency announces

• FSIS no longer will provide  mandatory inspection services for the assembly of kits as described in this guideline and that such kits are eligible for FSIS voluntary inspection.  Historically, the Agency has required kit products purporting to be meat or poultry products to be assembled under FSIS inspection. After further evaluation, the Agency has determined that the act of assembling a kit product whose label makes reference to meat or poultry in its name does not need to be done under FSIS inspection, as long as certain conditions are met:

1. The meat/poultry component is prepared and separately packaged under FSIS inspection and labeled with all required features, including:

Product name

,Handling statement (e.g., Keep Refrigerated), if product is perishable,

USDA legend and establishment number of the official establishment that packaged and labeled the meat/poultry component, 

Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor,

Ingredients statement (if composed of more than one ingredient), and

Safe handling instructions if the meat or poultry component is not ready-to-eat

2. The outer label for the kit product identifies all the individual components in the kit; and

3 .The outer kit label clearly identifies the product as a single unit or “kit,” such as “Chicken Barbecue Dinner Kit” or “Beef Lasagna Meal.” Although the word “kit” is not required on the label, all labeling must clearly indicate that the product consists of individual components.

• Clarify that it does not apply to products produced under the retail exemption; 
• Clarify that kits labeled as a standardized product must meet the regulatory standard;

Although FSIS will no longer conduct mandatory inspection of the assembly of the kit product, the meat or poultry component of the kit remains under FSIS’ jurisdiction and, as such, is required to meet all applicable FSIS labeling requirements, including product standards described in 9 CFR 319 and 381 Subpart P. Labels for such kit products assembled without FSIS inspection are not required to be submitted to FSIS for approval.

• Clarify that uninspected kits placed into shipping containers must not bear the USDA legend on the shipping container.

FSIS Guideline on Kit Product Labeling (usda.gov)
FSIS Guideline on Kit Product Labeling
GUIDELINE ID
FSIS-GD-2021-0011
ISSUE DATE
September 2021

Maine Seafood Company Recalls Lobster Meat After Internal Testing Finds Listeria

Greenhead Lobster Products of Bucksport, Maine is recalling 5,749 lbs. of frozen cooked lobster meat because of a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after a routine sampling program by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. 

Interesting point - This operation uses HPP (high pressure processing) to remove the meat from the shell.  The high pressure causes a contraction (more or less) of the meat but not the shell, allowing the meat to be pulled out of the shell.  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/greenhead-lobster-products-recalls-frozen-cooked-lobster-products-because-possible-health-risk
Greenhead Lobster Products Recalls Frozen Cooked Lobster Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 02, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 02, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Greenhead Lobster Products
Brand Name:  Greenhead
Product Description:  Frozen cooked wild caught lobster meat

Federal Officials Seize Food Products from A Nasty Florida Warehouse

FDA issued a news release that US Marshalls conducted a mass seizure of spices and food additive product from a Miami warehouse after FDA inspectors determined that the site was unsanitary, and with that, the products were deemed to be adulterated  .  "The food products seized at the property include more than 25,000 boxes/bags of bulk ready-to-eat spices and food additives, such as monosodium glutamate, crushed red chili and sesame seeds."

"The complaint alleges that an inspection of Lyden Spice Corporation that the FDA conducted between June 8 and June 28, 2021, revealed insanitary conditions, including rodent feces too numerous to count on and around pallets with containers of food, evidence of rodent gnawing and urine on food containers, and rodent nesting material between food pallets. The FDA investigators also observed live and dead insects on food packaging, as well as apparent bird droppings in the food storage area."


Federal officials seize spices and food additive products held under insanitary conditions from a Florida warehouse | FDA
Federal officials seize spices and food additive products held under insanitary conditions from a Florida warehouse
For Immediate Release:
October 01, 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that, on behalf of the agency, the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a mass seizure of FDA-regulated spices and food additive products held for sale under insanitary conditions. Specifically, these food products were exposed to widespread rodent infestation as well as other pests, such as live and dead insects.

UK - Teenager Death from Allergic Response to Sesame Impetus for New Allergen Labeling Law

The United Kingdom passed a new allergen labeling law after a teenage died from eating a baguette with undeclared sesame.   "Natasha's Law" will require full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale.

She succumbed from anaphylaxis after she ate sesame in a baguette.  The sesame was baked into the dough, of an artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette bought from a Pret shop at about 07:00 BST in Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport on 17 July 2016.  After eating the item, "she began to feel ill during a British Airways flight, and suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite her father administering two EpiPen injections, she died later the same day."

The Food Standards Agency (UK) lists 14 allergens that require identification in food - celery, cereals containing gluten (such as barley and oats), crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters), eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs (such as mussels and oysters), mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (at a concentration of more than ten parts per million) and tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts).  This new law "applies to any business that is preparing, packing and selling food from the same premises, or food that is packed and then sold from a mobile stall or vehicle. This includes: cafes and coffee shops, takeaway and fish & chip restaurants, sandwich shops, farm shops, as well as work, school and hospital canteens."

In the US, sesame was recently added to the list of allergens that require labeling.  Mandatory labeling goes into effect in January of 2023.  

This case demonstrates that there are people who can have serious symptoms form sesame.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58756597
Pret allergy death: Parents welcome Natasha's allergy law
By Alex Therrien
BBC News
10/1/21

Firm Recalls Frozen RTE Hot Dog Product After UDSA Finds Firm Had Received Report Indicating Listeria-Positive Food Contact Surface

Espi’s Sausage and Tocino Co., a Seattle, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,048 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken and pork hot dog products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during an assessment of the establishment’s sampling records that indicated the firm received confirmation from their third-party lab that a product contact surface had returned positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

While it is difficult to know specifically what occurred in this case, it seems as though there was little to no corrective action taken in response to a food contact surface that tested positive for Listeria.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/espis-sausage-and-tocino-co.-recalls-ready-eat-chicken-and-pork-hot-dog-products-due
Espi’s Sausage and Tocino Co. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Chicken and Pork Hot Dog Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2021 – Espi’s Sausage and Tocino Co., a Seattle, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,048 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken and pork hot dog products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Taco Seasoning Blend Recalled Due To Undeclared Wheat After Mislabeling Error

B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling 3,867 cases of 23 oz. Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend, with “best by” dates of SEPT 03 24 and SEPT 06 24, due to the presence of undeclared wheat.  A portion of the individual containers within those cases were mistakenly labeled on the back with the back labels for Tone’s Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend, which does not list wheat as an allergen.

"It was determined that 3,867 cases of Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend, which contain wheat, may contain some individual containers which are mistakenly labeled on the back as Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend, which does not declare wheat. The product name appears on the top of the front and back label. Containers labeled as Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend on both the front and back of the container correctly declare the presence of wheat. Containers labeled as Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend on the front and Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend on the back do not list wheat as an allergen. Therefore, B&G Foods is issuing this recall for Tone’s Taco Seasoning Blend with the particular UPC and “best by” dates listed above."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bg-foods-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-limited-number-cases-tonesr-taco-seasoning
B&G Foods Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in a Limited Number of Cases of Tone’s® Taco Seasoning Blend
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 30, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat
Company Name:  B&G Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  Tone’s
Product Description:  Taco Seasoning Blend

NJ Firm Recalls Crabcakes Due to Undeclared Egg Allergen

Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC of 180 Lehigh Avenue, Lakewood, NJ, is recalling its 8.5-ounce, 6-piece packages of “Vemondo Vegan Crabless Mini Crabcakes” by Lidl because they contain undeclared egg yolks.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the egg yolk-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg yolks.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cuisine-innovations-unlimited-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-yolks-vemondo-vegan-crabless
Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Yolks in “Vemondo Vegan Crabless Mini Crabcakes” by Lidl
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  September 28, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Seafood/Seafood Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg yolks
Company Name:  Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC
Brand Name:  Vemondo by Lidl
Product Description:   Vegan Crabless Mini Crabcakes