Update - Distributors Recall Onions Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Updated 10-22-21  FDA issued an update for the Salmonella outbreak linked to onions to indicate that two US distributors ProSource Produce and Keeler Family Farms have issued a recall of red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prosource-produce-llc-voluntarily-recalls-whole-raw-onions-shipped-chihuahua-mexico-between-july-1
Prosource Produce LLC Voluntarily Recalls Whole Raw Onions Shipped From Chihuahua, Mexico, Between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021, Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date: October 21, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages Produce
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: ProSource Produce LLC
Brand Name: Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Sierra Madre, Markon First Crop., Markon Essentials, Rio Blue, ProSource, Rio Valley, and Sysco Imperial
Product Description: Whole raw red, yellow, white onions

Fish Dip Recalled for Undeclared Allergens After Customer Finds Product Packed Into Wrong Container

Smilin’ Bob’s is recalling 461 cases of Smilin’ Bob’s Original Smoked Fish Dip was mistakenly packed in Smilin’ Bob’s Natural Smoked Fish Dip cups with a Original Smoked Fish Dip lid.  The issue was discovered when one of our retail customers brought attention that cups had a UPC code that did not match that for the “original” fish dip. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible egg allergen.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/smilin-bobs-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-smilin-bobs-smoked-fish-dip-products
Smilin’ Bob’s Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Egg In Smilin’ Bob’s Smoked Fish Dip Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 21, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg allergen
Company Name:  Smilin’ Bob’s
Brand Name:  Smilin’ Bob’s
Product Description:   Smoked Fish Dip

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