Imported Lamb Recalled After Inspectors Find Product Did Not Receive UDSA Reinspection

AFFCO USA, Importer of Record in Jacksonville, Fla., is recalling approximately 24,461 pounds of frozen raw lamb shoulder products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States.  The frozen raw lamb shoulder items were imported on July 12, 2021.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/affco-usa-recalls-frozen-raw-lamb-products-imported-without-benefit-import
Affco USA Recalls Frozen Raw Lamb Products Imported Without Benefit Of Import Inspection

CA Establishment Recalls Tamales for Undeclared Sesame

Demaiz Inc., doing business as Mex-tamale Foods, a San Jose, California establishment, is recalling approximately 20,759 pounds of pork and beef tamales due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, -  the product contains sesame seeds, an allergen, which is not declared on the final product label.  The problem was discovered when FSIS observed sesame seeds being added to the tamale sauce and determined that sesame seeds were not listed on the product labels.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

So the food allergen labeling law for sesame goes into affect in 2023?  The food allergen labeling law does not apply to products regulated by FDA, however USDA regulations require an accurate ingredient list and recommend a "Contains' statement.  With Congress declaring sesame an allergen, and this firm not having a correct statement, they are not in compliance.

USDA Recalls
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/demaiz-inc.-recalls-beef-and-pork-tamale-products-due-misbranding-and-undeclared
Demaiz Inc. Recalls Beef And Pork Tamale Products Due To Misbranding And Undeclared Allergen

FDA Warning - Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Raw Onions

The FDA, CDC and local agencies are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho as a source of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Investigators "identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate raw onions."  There have been 652 cases reported so far with 129 hospitalizations.  There are cases in 37 different states with TX and OK having the highest numbers.  The last case identified was on September 30, 2021.   But caution is still required because onions can be generally stored for 2 to 3 months.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-september-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (September 2021)
FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses linked to whole, fresh onions. Do not eat, sell, or serve certain onions from ProSource Inc.
October 20, 2021

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 652
Hospitalizations: 129
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 30, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Clam Chowder Recalled After Consumer Complaint for Foreign Material - Piece of Plastic

Ivar’s Soup and Sauce Company, Mukilteo, Washington is recalling 14,968 sleeves of refrigerated Kettle Classic Clam Chowder With Uncured Bacon, Costco Item #1270666, packaged in 2-24oz Sleeved Packs, because of the possibility that the product may contain hard, sharp opaque plastic pieces.  The problem was discovered on 10-17-21 when a consumer found a piece of plastic in the container they purchased and notified Ivar’s. No injuries were reported. The piece of plastic found by the consumer is in the shape of a half circle with some of the center missing, with edges that are sharp and pointed. The diameter of the circle is approximately 1 ½”. It is possible that the remainder of the circular plastic is a similarly intact piece or numerous smaller pieces.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ivars-soup-and-sauce-company-recalls-kettle-classic-clam-chowder-uncured-bacon-because-product-may
Ivar's Soup and Sauce Company Recalls Kettle Classic Clam Chowder with Uncured Bacon Because the Product may Contain Hard Plastic Pieces
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 19, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 19, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Soup
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for hard plastic opaque pieces
Company Name:  Ivar’s Soup and Sauce Company
Brand Name:  Ivar’s
Product Description:  Kettle Classic Clam Chowder with Uncured Bacon

Pork Products Recalled for Using Non-Inspected Imported Meat Ingredients

Evans Food Group Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,359 pounds of pork pellet products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States.  The pork pellet products were imported on September 15, 2021 and further processed into pork rind and chicharrones items.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/evans-food-group-recalls-pork-products-imported-without-benefit-inspection
Evans Food Group Recalls Pork Products Imported Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2021 - Evans Food Group Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,359 pounds of pork pellet products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ground Turkey Recalled After Complaints for Foreign Material - Blue Plastic

Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue plastic. The problem was discovered when FSIS and the establishment received consumer complaints reporting pieces of blue plastic embedded in raw ground turkey produced by Est. 7345.  There have been no confirmed reports of injuries due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/butterball-llc-recalls-ground-turkey-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Butterball, LLC Recalls Ground Turkey Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
BUTTERBALL, LLC
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2021 – Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Virginia, 30 Cases So Far

There have been 30 cases of Hepatitis A reported to the Virginia Department of Health.. And Health Department officials indicate that there may be more.  "Hepatitis A symptoms typically begin 28 days after exposure to the virus but can begin as early as 15 days and as late as 50 days. Hepatitis A is preventable with a vaccine."

One restaurant has been the focus with a lawsuit already filed.  "According to the lawsuit, Mindy Perdue ate a gravy biscuit combo on Aug. 21 at the Famous Anthony’s on Grandin Road in Roanoke. A few weeks later, she began experiencing migraines, fever, vomiting, jaundice and dark urine. She was ultimately hospitalized."

The gravy biscuit combo....mmmmm.

Roanoke Times
https://roanoke.com/news/local/lawsuit-filed-in-famous-anthonys-hepatitis-a-outbreak-30-cases-now-reported/article_aab71530-286a-11ec-b70b-bf1aedfbec09.html

Lawsuit filed in Famous Anthony's hepatitis A outbreak; 30 cases now reported

Alison Graham 

Oct 8, 2021 

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.