FDA Releases Results of Pathogen Testing in Romaine Lettuce from Yuma AZ, Conducted1st Quarter of 2021

The FDA released their findings of a sampling project where FDA collected and tested romaine lettuce from commercial coolers in Yuma County, Arizona during February and March 2021. The agency tested the lettuce for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), specifically enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), and Salmonella spp. 

"The FDA collected 504 romaine samples for EHECs and Salmonella spp., with the testing performed by an independent laboratory on contract, as part of a pilot project. Each sample consisted of 10 subsamples, and each subsample was made up of at least 300 grams of romaine lettuce (whole heads, hearts or individual leaves)."

"During the assignment the FDA detected E. coli O130:H11 in one sample. The isolate was found to be moderate to high risk and could be capable of causing severe illness in humans, though it was not linked to any known human illnesses, and no product ever reached consumers. The owner of the product did not harvest the remaining crop from the field where it was grown."

"In response to the finding, FDA conducted an investigation at the farm to identify possible sources and routes of contamination. The FDA was able to collect romaine lettuce from the field, multiple samples of soil, water, sediment, and animal fecal material. FDA also assessed farm equipment and other surfaces. Only one of the total 24 samples yielded STEC (specifically, E. coli O116:H-[which is different than the what was found in the initial sample]). This sample came from the outer leaves of romaine lettuce. The strain was further characterized as low risk to human health, and FDA’s analysis indicated the strain was not linked with any past known foodborne illness outbreaks."

This demonstrates the low level of pathogenic E. coli can be present and the difficulty in being able to find through sampling.

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-releases-report-findings-sampling-romaine-lettuce-yuma-az
FDA Releases Report on Findings from Sampling of Romaine Lettuce in Yuma, AZ
Constituent Update
October 7, 2021

TN Meat Processor Recalls Smoked Pork Products After FSIS Inspection Finds Potential Listeria Issue

Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q, a Nashville, Tenn., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,140 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked pork barbecue products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The frozen RTE hickory smoked pork barbecue products were produced on September 7, 2021 and September 8, 2021 and packaged on September 8, 2021.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during an assessment of the establishment’s production records.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

One would guess that the company did not take appropriate Corrective Action to sampling results from a month earlier.  During an USDA FSIS Inspection, this would have been seen by the inspectors.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/nicks-famous-bar-b-q-recalls-ready-eat-pork-products-due-possible-listeria
Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2021 – Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q, a Nashville, Tenn., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,140 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked pork barbecue products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

GA Company Recalled Canned Beef with Gravy Products After State Lab Finds Unsafe Levels of Lead in Spice Mix

Crider Foods, a Stillmore, Ga., establishment, is recalling approximately 525,717 pounds of canned beef with gravy products that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead, due to a spice mix used from an outside supplier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner. In-plant verification activities conducted by Crider Foods in conjunction with FSIS found that a spice mix used from an outside source contained unsafe levels of lead.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

The specific spice is not listed, however spices originate from all over the world, including areas with lead issues in the soil.  From a 2018 CDC Report:

Lead can contaminate spices during many points in the global supply chain. Spices are often grown in countries polluted by leaded gasoline, smelters, battery manufacturing plants, and mines. Lead is deposited in soil and water from airborne pollutants and fertilizer application. Lead dust from grinding machinery can also contaminate spices (3). Spices might also be adulterated deliberately with lead to enhance color or increase weight.† Because >95% of spices consumed in the United States are imported,§ recommendations to purchase only locally grown spices are impractical. According to the World Health Organization Codex Standard 193–1995, the permissible limit of lead for infant formula is 0.02 mg/kg lead and for salt is 2 mg/kg. No U.S. permissible limit for lead in spices exists; however, the FDA limit for lead in natural-source food color additives (e.g., paprika, saffron, and turmeric) is 10 mg/kg. The FDA action levels (i.e., the levels at which an investigation is undertaken, or a recall is issued, depending upon the circumstances and findings) for products intended for consumption by children are 0.1 mg/kg for candy and 0.5 mg/kg for other foods¶; however, spices are not considered food intended for consumption by children. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates of consumption from the What We Eat in America survey are low for many of the spices in question (e.g., 0.09 g/day of cumin, 0.03 g/day of turmeric) (4); however, spice consumption might differ for children whose parents emigrated from Southeast Asia (e.g., estimated consumption: 1.22 ± 1.14 g per portion of cumin in dishes prepared daily; 0.60 ± 0.46 g per portion of turmeric in dishes prepared daily), where spices are used in cooking, home remedies, and ceremonial activities (5). Use of spices, herbal remedies, and alternative medicines also are increasingly popular among other U.S. residents; spice imports into the United States have increased by approximately 50% since 1998 (6). However, their regulation is complicated by Internet sales, international travel, and importation by relatives and friends (7).

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/crider-foods-recalls-canned-beef-gravy-products-due-possible-unsafe-levels-lead
Crider Foods Recalls Canned Beef With Gravy Products Due to Possible Unsafe Levels of Lead From Outside Source

Trail Mix Product Recalled for Undeclared Peanuts After Two Complaints of Allergic Reactions

Nestlé Professional, Solon, OH is recalling four Nature’s Heart 1.5 ounce fruit and trail mix products because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after Nestlé Professional received two complaints from individuals with peanut allergies who ate the Nature’s Heart Superfoods Trail Mix and Mango Turmeric Cashew Glazed Mix and experienced mild reactions. No severe reactions or hospitalizations have been reported.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-professional-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-natures-heart-15-ounce-products
Nestlé Professional Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Nature’s Heart 1.5 Ounce Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Nestlé Professional
Brand Name:  Nature’s Heart
Product Description:  Fruit and trail mix products

MN Company Recalls Rice Baby Cereal After FDA Testing Finds Naturally Occurring Inorganic Arsenic Above Allowable Limit

Maple Island Inc. of St. Paul MN, has issued a voluntary recall of three lots of its Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal that it manufactures for Walmart. This recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the FDA which found that a sample from three production lots of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal tested above the guidance for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.

Maple Island Inc. conducted testing on both the raw material and finished product in question. While the test results were in compliance with the FDA’s guidelines, Maple Island Inc. is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution. FDA has recognized that trace elements such as these are widely present in the environment, including water, soil and food. The FDA also noted that research has shown reducing exposure to toxic elements is important to minimizing any potential long-term effects on the developing brains of infants and children.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maple-island-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-three-lots-parents-choice-rice-baby-cereal
Maple Island Inc. Issues a Voluntary Recall of Three Lots of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 08, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Tested above the guidance for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic.
Company Name:  Maple Island Inc.
Brand Name:  Parent’s Choice
Product Description:  Rice Baby Cereal

Crackers Recalled After Packaging Error Of Cheddar Crackers Packed into Wrong Boxes Results in Undeclared Dairy

Simple Mills, based in Chicago Illinois, is initiating a voluntary recall because a select number of Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Cracker boxes were erroneously packed with bags of Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible allergen (milk). 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/simple-mills-issues-voluntary-recall-select-number-lots-fine-ground-sea-salt-almond-flour-crackers
Simple Mills Issues Voluntary Recall on a Select Number of Lots of Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers Due to the Presence of Undeclared Milk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 06, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Simple Mills
Brand Name:  Simple Mills
Product Description:  Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers

Florida Company Recalls Bean and Soy Sprouts for Potential Listeria

Fullei Fresh, a Miami Florida urban hydroponic farm specializing in growing sprouts and shoots, is voluntarily recalling Bean Sprouts and Soy Sprouts as a precaution due to possible exposure to listeria monocytogenes. The product was harvested and shipped to distributors between September 14 and October 5, 2021.  There have been no known illnesses reported in connection with these products.  [Since no reason was posted for how the Listeria was detected, it is likely that it stems from a Listeria positive environmental sample.]

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urgent-bean-and-soy-sprout-voluntary-recall
Urgent Bean and Soy Sprout Voluntary Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Vegetable Products  Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Fullei Fresh
Brand Name:  Fullei Fresh
Product Description:  Bean Sprouts and Soy Sprouts

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