Dried Apricots Recalled for Undeclared Sulfites

Bokhary Foods Inc. (d.b.a EKTA Foods) of Lawrence, MA is recalling GODAVARI brand dried apricots, because they may contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling at retail by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets revealed the presence of sulfites in the 14oz packages of GODAVARI brand dried apricots, which were not declared on the la

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bokhary-foods-inc-dba-ekta-foods-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-godavari-dried-apricots
Bokhary Foods Inc. (d.b.a EKTA Foods) Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Godavari Dried Apricots
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 10, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 10, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites
Company Name:  Bokhary Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  GODAVARI
Product Description:  Dried Apricots

FDA Warning Letter - VA Hummus Manufacturing Facility

FDA conducted an inspection of Sabra's ready-to-eat (RTE) hummus manufacturing facility located at in South Chesterfield, Virginia. The inspection was initiated after "FDA Investigators collected a sample of Sabra Classic Hummus from retail and subsequent testing revealed the sample contained Salmonella enterica serovar Havana Group G (hereinafter Salmonella Havana). "  A recall of the product was initiated after being notified by FDA in March 26, 2021.

The Hazard Analysis was not properly completed -  FDA stated, the company did "not clearly indicate whether you determined that a hazard you have identified and evaluated requires a preventive control (except at limited steps where you have identified a CCP). You include an evaluation of identified potential hazards to assess “likelihood/severity” and their specific “risk” (e.g., “low risk,” “high risk”), but your forms do not specifically indicate whether you have determined that a hazard requires a preventive control. Your hazard analysis worksheets, under the column header “Specific control measure to eliminate or acceptably reduce the hazard,” list measures that you call “Pre-Requisite Programs.”....some of the prerequisite programs listed are verification activities rather than preventive control measures for specific hazards (e.g., COA verification, test ingredient). "

The HA "did not clearly indicate whether you determined that pathogens such as Salmonella in your tahini ingredient are a hazard requiring a preventive control. Your facility manufactures various RTE hummus products using ingredients such as tahini that are considered RTE and do not undergo further processing in your facility to significantly minimize pathogens prior to inclusion into your finished product."  "Tahini has a known history of contamination with Salmonella, and you should have identified it as a hazard that requires a preventive control, i.e., a supply-chain control, as required by 21 CFR 117.405(a)(1) for a hazard that is controlled by a supplier. It is not clear whether your evaluation of the hazards at the tahini receiving step determined the need for required preventive controls."

The company "did not identify and evaluate whether environmental pathogens are a hazard requiring a preventive control, in accordance with 21 CFR 117.130(c)(ii). You manufacture RTE food products (multiple varieties of hummus) that are exposed to the environment at filling where the food could be contaminated with environmental pathogens, such as L. monocytogenes or Salmonella, and the food does not receive a treatment or otherwise include a control measure (such as a formulation lethal to the pathogen) that would significantly minimize the pathogen."

Other issues included issues with verification and verification actions associated with the environmental monitoring program and some GMP items.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/sabra-dipping-company-llc-615938-12012021
Sabra Dipping Company, LLC
MARCS-CMS 615938 — DECEMBER 01, 2021

England - Chef Responsible for Death of Elderly Woman Due to Improperly Handled Meat in Shepperd's Pie

In England, a Chef was charged in the death of one elderly woman and sickness in 31 others due to his shoddy handling of meat used in a shepperd's pie.  “Croucher was the chef that night. The mince was not cooked properly and was placed into a pan with iced water. Croucher needed to leave, so put the mince in cling film and put it in the fridge overnight. Having left it, he cooked it again and added warm mashed potato. He did not take the temperature when it was served.”

The pathogenic organism was Clostridium perfringens.  Generally, cases involving this organism occur when product like meat are temperature abused, allowing the organism to grow in the food product.  "In most instances, the actual cause of poisoning by this organism is temperature abuse of cooked

foods. Small numbers of the organism often are present after the food is cooked, due to

germination of its spores, which can survive high heat and can multiply rapidly as a result of a

fast doubling time (<10 minutes for vegetative cells), depending on temperature and food matrix.

Therefore, during cool-down (109-113°F) and storage of prepared foods, this organism can reach

levels that cause food poisoning much more quickly than can other bacteria." Disease results from ingestion of large numbers of C. perfringens  (FDA).

The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/food-poisoning-death-crewe-arms-b1972384.html
Pub chef sentenced after under-cooked shepherd’s pie kills woman and leaves 31 ill

SD Firm Recalls Chicken Salad Croissants for Allergen Labeling Issue

Dakota Toms of Corsica, SD is recalling Chicken Salad Croissant, because it may contain undeclared EGG and MILK allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing egg and milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg and milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the production and packaging processes.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dakota-toms-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-and-milk-chicken-salad-croissant
Dakota Toms Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg and Milk in Chicken Salad Croissant
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg and milk
Company Name:  Dakota Toms
Brand Name:  Dakota Toms
Product Description:  Chicken Salad Croissant

Putting Fungi to Work - Creating Flavor Compounds

• Scientists have found a way to generate a potent wild strawberry scent by allowing one particular fungus to work on the pulp, seeds, and skin of black currants, a type of berry commonly grown in Europe.  
• Their motivation was to cheaply reuse agricultural waste, converting it into “natural flavors in a highly sustainable way,” says Helgor Zorn, a food scientist at the Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology at Justus Liebig University Giessen in Hesse, Germany, and one of the researchers.
• Sustainably creating a wild strawberry scent is useful, because although wild strawberries have an odor and flavor that’s more concentrated and more potent than their domesticated counterparts, an individual wild strawberry is small. It doesn’t contain many aromatic compounds. Real wild strawberries are also hard to find in their forest homes.

Popular Science
This fungus makes food waste smell like strawberries (popsci.com)
Get this: Fungus can make trash smell like strawberries

A fungus named Wolfiporia cocos fermented the leftovers from old berries to make a new, pleasant aroma.

BY RAHUL RAO | PUBLISHED NOV 18, 2021 8:00 AM

MI Establishment Recalls Fully Cooked Ham and Pepperoni Products After FSIS Sampling Reveals Listeria monocytogenes

Alexander & Hornung, a St. Clair Shores, Michigan establishment and business unit of Perdue Premium Meat Company, Inc., is recalling approximately 234,391 pounds of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when the company notified FSIS that product sampling reported positive Listeria monocytogenes results.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/alexander-hornung-recalls-fully-cooked-pork-products-due-possible-listeria
Alexander & Hornung Recalls Fully Cooked Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2021 – Alexander & Hornung, a St. Clair Shores, Michigan establishment and business unit of Perdue Premium Meat Company, Inc., is recalling approximately 234,391 pounds of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Chicken Bologna Product from Canada Recalled After FSIS Finds Product Not Reinspected by USDA

Erie Meat Products Ltd., the importer of record in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 1,224 pounds of fully cooked chicken bologna products that were imported and distributed into the United States without the benefit of FSIS import reinspection.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/erie-meat-products-ltd.-recalls-chicken-bologna-products-imported-without-benefit
Erie Meat Products Ltd. Recalls Chicken Bologna Products Imported Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2021 – Erie Meat Products Ltd., the importer of record in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 1,224 pounds of fully cooked chicken bologna products that were imported and distributed into the United States without the benefit of FSIS import reinspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Proposes Rule on Assessment of Agricultural Water Used on Crops Covered in Produce Safety Rule

FDA proposed updated rules on the agricultural waters used on covered produce (other than sprouts).  In the initial release as part of the Produce Safety Rule, there were requirements for pre-harvest microbial quality criteria and testing.  In the proposed rule, there are systems-based pre-harvest agricultural water assessments.  "These assessments would be used to identify conditions that are reasonably likely to introduce known or reasonably foreseeable hazards into or onto produce or food contact surfaces, and to determine whether corrective or mitigation measures are needed to minimize the risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water."

This assessment would take various factors into account including:

• The Agricultural water system - the location and nature of the water source, the type of water distribution system and the degree to which the system is protected from possible sources of contamination,
• Agricultural water practices - the type of application method (such as overhead sprinkler or spray; drip, furrow, flood, and seepage irrigation) and the time interval between the last direct application of agricultural water and harvest of the covered produce (other than sprouts)
• Crop characteristics - Susceptibility of the produce to surface adhesion or internalization of hazards
• Environmental conditions - Frequency of heavy rain or extreme weather events that may impact the agricultural water system, air temperatures and sun (UV) exposure
• Other factors

FSMA Proposed Rule on Agricultural Water | FDA
FSMA Proposed Rule on Agricultural Water

Tahini Recalled After State Testing Lab Finds Salmonella

International Golden Foods, Inc (IGF) of Bensenville, IL is voluntarily recalling certain lot codes of the Al kanater brand tahini because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  This problem was revealed as a result of a random sampling by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Although we have not received the final laboratory reports, IGF is recalling product with the lot codes listed above.  No illnesses have been reported to-date in connection with the Al Kanater Brand Tahini.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/international-golden-foods-inc-igf-recalls-tahini-because-possible-health-risk
International Golden Foods, Inc (IGF) Recalls Tahini Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 30, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 30, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  International Golden Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Al Kanater
Product Description:  Tahini