Bagged Garden Salad Recalled After State Laboratory Finds Listeria in a Sample

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of garden salad due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.   The product being recalled is now past its expiration date.   This precautionary Recall notification is being issued due to a single sample of garden salad which yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Georgia.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-garden-classic-salads-possible
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Garden Classic Salads for Possible Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages Produce  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole & others
Product Description:  garden salad

Canada - Mushrooms Recalled for Listeria After CFIA Testing

Canada - Carleton Mushroom is recalling Sliced White Mushrooms prepared for Metro Brands from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results.  There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
https://inspection.canada.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2021-10-25/eng/1635207961753/1635207968501
Food Recall Warning - Sliced White Mushrooms prepared for Metro Brands recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes
Recall date:  October 25, 2021
Reason for recall:  Microbiological - Listeria
Hazard classification:  Class 1
Company / Firm:  Carleton Mushroom
Distribution:  Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec
Extent of the distribution: Consumer 

Company Experiences Another Recall Due to Allergens After Wrong Packaging Used

Bobo’s of Boulder, Colorado is issuing a voluntary recall of Bobo’s 4-Pack Almond Butter Protein Bars because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The company became aware of the issue after "a consumer notification about an allergic reaction, the recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts on the ingredient deck. This has been the only consumer notification to date."

You may recall that Bobo's issued a recall in March of 2021 when they essentially had the same issue -"The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing peanuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts on the ingredient deck."  Yep....Bobo's had two booboos.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bobos-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-almond-butter-bars
Bobo’s Issues a Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Almond Butter Bars
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 27, 2021
 Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contain undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Bobo’s
Brand Name:  Bobo’s
Product Description:  Almond butter bars

Hummus Product Recalled for Allergen Issue After Wrong Side Label Applied

Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, of Ward Hill, MA is voluntarily recalling Cedar’s Organic Mediterranean Hummus 10 oz. because it may contain an incorrect back label and undeclared allergen (Pine Nut).  Cedar’s initiated the recall when it was discovered that a mislabeled container failed to scan at the point of sale.

This has been a common issue leading to allergen recalls - mismatched labels on the product.  One label is correct, but the label with the ingredient statement is incorrect.  In this case the side label does not broadly state the product name as the top label does, making this a harder error to catch through simple visual examination.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cedars-mediterranean-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-pine-nut-10-oz-organic-mediterranean
Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pine Nut in 10 Oz. Organic Mediterranean Hommus
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 25, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 25, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared pine nut
Company Name:  Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods
Brand Name:  Cedar’s
Product Description:  Organic Mediterranean Hommus

Update on Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Onions - Additional Cases and Additional Companies Issue Recalls for Onions

There are now 808 cases of Salmonella with 157 hospitalizations linked to onions. Additional companies that sold those onions or used them in products issued recalls.  Canadian companies also issued recalls for onions.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 808
Hospitalizations: 157
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: October 13, 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, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

In addition to Prosource and Keeler Family Farms

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is voluntarily recalling Green Giant Fresh whole yellow onions in 2 lb. bags, 3 lb. bags, and 5 lb. bags; whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and whole red onions in 2 lb. bags delivered directly to three UNFI retail distribution centers (DCs) in Fargo, North Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota and Hopkins, Minnesota between July 9 and Aug 6, 2021. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

HelloFresh has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021.

EveryPlate has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021. We recommend disposing of onions received during the specified time period. Please note that onions received after September 8, 2021 are not affected by this recall. For further information on whether you have been impacted, please check the product codes, located on the bottom square of your box shipping label. Please see the photo provided below as reference for locating the product code.

Canada

Gwillimdale Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella
Goodfood brand Onions recalled due to Salmonella

Dorsey brand, MVP brand, Pier-C brand, and Riga Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-october-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (October 2021)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions from ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Produce, LLC (also known as ProSource Inc.) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

CDC Issues Food Safety Alert for Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Salame Sticks

CDC and FSIS issued a Food Safety Alert for Citterio brand Salame Sticks after that product was linked to 21 cases of salmonella infection, with 6 hospitalizations, across 8 states. Product was sold at Trader Joe's, Wegmans, and potentially other food retailers. Outbreak dates range from 9/19/21 to 10/3/21.  Euro Foods, a Freeland, Penn. establishment, produced the ready-to-eat (RTE) Italian-style salame stick products .

CDC Food Safety Alert
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/i45-10-21/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Salami Sticks
Posted October 28, 2021
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 21 (1 new)
Hospitalizations: 6 (3 new)
Deaths: 0
States: 8
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active
Contaminated Food
Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks

Who Knew....Cake Decorating Could Be Dangerous to Your Health....If You Use Non-edible Luster Dust

"During 2018–2019, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) investigated cases of metal poisonings associated with commercially and home-prepared cakes decorated with products referred to as luster dust. Several types of glitters and dusts, broadly known as luster dust,* for use on prepared foods can be purchased online and in craft and bakery supply stores (1)"

• "Some luster dusts are specifically produced with edible ingredients that can be safely consumed. Companies that make edible luster dust are required by law to include a list of ingredients on the label (2). Luster dusts that are safe for consumption are typically marked “edible” on the label." 
• "Some luster dusts used as cake decorations are not edible or food grade; labeled as “nontoxic” or “for decorative purposes only,” these luster dusts are intended to be removed before consumption." 
• "Cases in Rhode Island were associated with copper ingestion, and the case in Missouri was associated with a child’s elevated blood lead level. In Rhode Island, luster dust products that had been used in cake frosting were found to contain high levels of multiple metals.§"
• "Explicit labeling indicating that nonedible products are not safe for human consumption is needed to prevent illness from inappropriate use of inedible products on foods."

CDC MMWR
Cake Decorating Luster Dust Associated with Toxic Metal Poisonings — Rhode Island and Missouri, 2018–2019 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
Cake Decorating Luster Dust Associated with Toxic Metal Poisonings — Rhode Island and Missouri, 2018–2019
Weekly / October 29, 2021 / 70(43);1501–1504
Brendalee Viveiros, PhD1; Genevieve Caron, MPH1; Jonathan Barkley, MPH1; Evan Philo2; Sharon Odom3; Jeff Wenzel3; Mark Buxton, MA3; Elizabeth Semkiw, PhD3; Alan Schaffer4; Laura Brown, PhD5; Adrienne S. Ettinger, ScD5,6 (View author affiliations)

Canadian Study Detects non SARS-COV-2 on Food Retail Surfaces

A Canadian study sampled grocery stores for SARS-CoV-2.  957 samples were taken and all samples were negative for the virus.    "The stores chosen were not isolated, were in population-dense areas, which generated high traffic, and were located in a COVID-19 “hot zone.” The stores selected 

were in 4 different municipalities/towns within a single province. Hence, the provincial and federal COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines were the same for all."

The authors state "These results suggest that the risk of exposure from  contaminated high-touch surfaces within a food retailer store is low if preventive measures and recommended  sanitizing routines are maintained."  I am not sure they can go this far in suggesting this.  For one, there was no evidence suggested that any shopper was ill with the COVID virus, so it is hard to discuss survival.  Two, there was no comparison on the degree of of application of preventive measures, so any conclusion should state that "it may have had an impact."


Current Research in Food Science
file:///C:/Users/mwb124/Downloads/1_s2.0_S2665927121000629_main__1_%20(1).pdf
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in food retailers in Ontario
Singh etal. (2021)

FSPCA Annual Conference - Preventive Controls for Human Foods and other Updates

The Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, or FSPCA, is the FDA funded alliance charged with the development of training programs to support companies achieve FSMA compliance though the development of their Food Safety Plans (PCHF or PCAF), Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and Plan to prevent intentional adulteration (IA rule).  The FSPCA had their annual conference this week where discussions were held on programmatic issues as well as compliance to the regulations as determined by FDA

What were my takeaways from this conference?

• FDA inspections have slowed during COVID, but they look to pick back up as soon as they can.  Companies must continue to achieve compliance and not be lulled into inaction because there has not been many inspections.
• A large percentage of FSVP audits have found that importers do not have plans at all.  Many of the audits had been conducted virtually, and the plan is to continue to reach more importers.  Being virtual, FSVP audits are not impacted by COVID as much.
• FDA will continue to conduct facility audits for Food Safety Plans with a focus on mission critical inspections (for cause).  GMP inspections will also be continue to be conducted and comprise a high percentage of the number of audits conducted by FDA for food facilities.
• Portions of the audits may be conducted virtually/remotely. 
• For IA (Food Defense), there have not been any audits, but FDA is looking to ramp up evaluation, and this will probably be done as part of other audits.  The key here is to make sure that companies continue to develop their programs.
• Finally, the PCHF curriculum is undergoing an update. Look for this (hopefully) in 2022.