Import Distributor Recalls Dried Apricots After NY State Lab Finds Undeclared Sulfites

ILG International Trading, Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 500 g (17 oz) packages of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots because they contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 500 g (17 oz) packages of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots, which were not declared on the label.   Analysis of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots revealed they contained 23.49 milligrams per serving.  (The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites).  The recalled “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots, product of Uzbekistan, were distributed nationwide in retail stores. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ilg-international-trading-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-natural-delight-collection-natural?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
ILG International Trading Inc. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites
Company Name:  ILG International Trading, Inc.
Brand Name:  Natural Delight Collection
Product Description:  Dried Apricots

Ariz. Establishment Recalls Ground Beef Patties After Complaint from Foodservice Regarding White Plastic Pieces

Shamrock Foods Company, doing business as Gold Canyon Meat Company, a Phoenix, Ariz., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,876 pounds of raw ground beef patties because they may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of hard, white plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm received complaints from restaurant staff reporting they found hard, white plastic in the beef patty products during preparation.

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.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/shamrock-foods-company-dba-gold-canyon-meat-company-recalls-raw-ground-beef-products
Shamrock Foods Company DBA Gold Canyon Meat Company Recalls Raw Ground Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
SHAMROCK FOODS COMPANY
FSIS Announcement

FDA Releases Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud) Webpage

FDA released their Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud) webpage.  It is hard to estimate the degree to which food fraud occurs.  Food fraud is more than an economic issue in that it can impact food safety and nutrition.

https://www.fda.gov/food/compliance-enforcement-food/economically-motivated-adulteration-food-fraud
Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud)

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) occurs when someone intentionally leaves out, takes out, or substitutes a valuable ingredient or part of a food. EMA also occurs when someone adds a substance to a food to make it appear better or of greater value. For example, when manufacturers add a cheaper vegetable oil to an expensive olive oil but sell the product as 100% olive oil, they are cheating their customers. We refer to this type of EMA as food fraud.

Food Banks Expanding Capacities in Light of COVID, But Face Supply Chain Issues

Food banks proved vital during the COVID pandemic, serving a greater number of people than they ever had before.  With that, many have undertaken expansion projects to build capacity to serve, whether that be in the expansion of refrigerated storage or moving into the preparation of food.   At the same time, the same supply chain issues that have driven up costs for the entire food sector are also now impacting food banks in cost, both food and transportation, and availability.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-atlanta-utah-beb8c68cfad61e8bf8dc11e315169864
Food banks embark on expansions with lessons from COVID
By SUDHIN THANAWALA
November 4, 2021

ATLANTA (AP) — Food banks across the country are pursuing major expansion projects driven in part by their experiences during the pandemic, when they faced an explosion of need.

WA Establishment Recalls Ground Chicken Burgers After Complaints for Bone Material

Innovative Solutions, Inc., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 97,887 pounds of raw ground chicken patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of bone.  The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints reporting findings of bone in the chicken burger product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/innovative-solutions-inc.-recalls-chicken-patty-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Innovative Solutions, Inc. Recalls Chicken Patty Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, INC
FSIS Announcement

Salmonella Outbreak in Salame Update - PA Establishment Recalls Salame Sticks After October Public Health Alert

CDC reports that there are now 31 cases of salmonella infections, with 6 hospitalized, linked to Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks.

Euro Foods, a Freeland, Penn. establishment, is recalling approximately 119,091 pounds of salame stick products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Although a public health alert was issued for the salame stick products on October 29, 2021 with FSIS believing that the product was no longer in commerce, further follow-up by FSIS found product available at one retail location and two Citterio salame stick samples previously collected by the California Department of Public Health have tested positive for Salmonella.

Euro Foods Dba Citterio USA Corp. Recalls Salame Stick Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)

Euro Foods Dba Citterio USA Corp. Recalls Salame Stick Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Oregon Processor Recalls Salmon Lox After WA State Testing Finds Listeria

Oregon Lox Company of Eugene, Oregon is issuing a voluntary recall of various brands of Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon Lox, specific lot number 22821, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes  (the notice actually states rnonocytogenes...I guess the rn looks like m, and this is not a new species).  The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/oregon-lox-company-recalls-wild-cold-smoked-keta-salmon-lox-because-possible-health-risk
Oregon Lox Company Recalls Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon Lox Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 11, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Oregon Lox Company
Brand Name:  Aqua Nova, North Coast, Tony’s
Product Description:  Salmon Lox

Mango Yogurt Recalled After Discovery That Containers Filled With Egg-containing Pumpkin Yogurt

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt of Federal Way, WA is recalling Mango Greek Yogurt 16 oz. cups because it may contain undeclared egg.   The recall was initiated when a few 16oz cups containing dark brown puree instead of bright yellow Mango puree were discovered. After a full internal investigation, it was determined that Mango yogurt cups were inadvertently used and packed with pumpkin yogurt product. The Mango yogurt cup label does not declare egg.  No illnesses or deaths have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ellenos-real-greek-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-mango-greek-yogurt-16-oz-cup
Ellenos Real Greek Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Mango Greek Yogurt 16 oz. Cup
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 10, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 11, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Yogurt/Yogurt Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt
Brand Name:  Ellenos
Product Description:  Mango Greek Yogurt

Frozen Cooked Shrimp Recalled for Listeria

Southeastern Grocers (SEG), the parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarkets and Winn-Dixie stores, is recalling its Fisherman’s Wharf brand Jumbo Cooked Shrimp, Frozen 16-20 count. The recall is due to the detection of possible listeria on the product.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing revealed the presence of Listeria in 16-20 count 16 oz. bags of Fisherman’s Wharf brand frozen Jumbo Cooked Shrimp. Sale of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

It will be interesting to see if additional product is recalled, because as we have seen with Listeria, if not being controlled well, there will be other lots involved.

Secondly, when possible, cook your own shrimp.

Southeastern Grocers Recalls Fisherman’s Wharf Brand Jumbo Cooked Shrimp, Frozen 16-20 Count, Due to Possible Health Risk | FDA
Southeastern Grocers Recalls Fisherman’s Wharf Brand Jumbo Cooked Shrimp, Frozen 16-20 Count, Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 03, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Possible Listeria
Company Name:  Southeastern Grocers
Brand Name:  Fisherman’s Wharf
Product Description:  Jumbo Cooked Shrimp, Frozen