USDA-FSIS Issues Health Alert for Imported Meat and Poultry Products From China

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for an undetermined amount of imported meat and poultry products from China. A recall was not requested because FSIS has been unable to identify and contact the importers. The total amount of ineligible product is undetermined because the investigation is ongoing.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ineligible-imported-meat-and-poultry-products-china
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Imported Meat and Poultry Products from China
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for an undetermined amount of imported meat and poultry products from China. A recall was not requested because FSIS has been unable to identify and contact the importers. The total amount of ineligible product is undetermined because the investigation is ongoing.

NY Seafood Processor Recalls Smoked Fish Due to Potential for Listeria Contamination

HAIFA SMOKED FISH of Jamaica, NY is expanding their recall of Turbot Cold Smoked 8 oz Packages to include 920 LB of Turbot from Lots 97, 223, 299, 321 due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The initial recall, posted on December 21, 2021, only included one lot.  The initial recall was the result of a routine sampling program by New York State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished product was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/haifa-smoked-fish-inc-expands-recall-turbot-cold-smoked-8-oz-package-lots-97-223-299-321-because
Haifa Smoked Fish Inc Expands Recall of Turbot Cold Smoked 8 oz Package Lots # 97, 223, 299, 321 Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  HAIFA SMOKED FISH
Brand Name:  HAIFA SMOKED FISH
Product Description:  TURBOT COLD SMOKED

NC Company Recalls Chocolate Covered Cream Puffs for Potential Metal Fragments

Poppies International, Inc. of Battleboro, NC is issuing a voluntary recall of selected products that were made during December 7-10, 2021, due to the possible presence of small metal fragments. The issue was discovered during production. No injuries or incidents have been reported in connection with the recalled items.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/poppies-international-inc-battleboro-north-carolina-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-lots-chocolate
Poppies International, Inc. Battleboro, North Carolina Issues Voluntary Recall on Certain Lots of Chocolate Enrobed and Cream Puff Products Due to Possible Presence of Metal
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Possible presence of small metal fragments.
Company Name:  Poppies International, Inc.
Brand Name:  Delizza
Product Description:  Cream Puffs

CA Company Recalls Tuna After Case of Scombroid Poisoning

Relish Foods, Inc of El Segundo, California voluntarily initiated the recall of Frozen Pacific Fusion Brand 10 oz Tuna Steaks. The recall was the result of a consumer complaint where after sampling by FDA revealed that the product has potential to contain elevated levels of histamines which can produce an allergic [like] reaction called scombroid fish poisoning.

Symptoms of scombroid poisoning including a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives and itchy skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, can appear within minutes to several hours after eating the affected fish.

Scombrotoxin Poisoning and Decomposition (FDA) Scombrotoxin Poisoning and Decomposition | FDA and Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance (fda.gov)

• "Fish most commonly involved are members of the Scombridae family (tunas and mackerels), and a few non-scombroid relatives (bluefish, dolphin or mahi-mahi, and amberjacks). can become problematic for Scombroid poisoning when the product is temperature abused."
• "The suspect toxin is an elevated level of histamine generated by bacterial degradation of substances in the muscle protein. This natural spoilage process is thought to release additional by-products which potentiate the toxic effect. The potential toxins are not destroyed by freezing, cooking, smoking, curing or canning."
• "These species should always receive special care in handling, washing, and proper icing, refrigeration or immediate freezing to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. Studies have demonstrated toxic histamine levels can be generated within less than 6 to 12 hours exposure without ice or refrigeration." 
• This protein degradation can occur anywhere along the supply chain where there is the opportunity for temperature abuse - the boat,  processing and storage, retail and foodservice, and the home.
• "Certain bacteria produce the enzyme histidine decarboxylase during growth. This enzyme reacts with histidine, a naturally occurring amino acid that is present in larger quantities in some fish than in others. The result is the formation of scombrotoxin (histamine)."
• "Histamine-forming bacteria are capable of growing and producing histamine over a wide temperature range. Growth of histamine is more rapid, however, at high-abuse temperatures (e.g., 70°F (21.1°C) or higher) than at moderate-abuse temperatures (e.g., 45°F (7.2°C)). Growth is particularly rapid at temperatures near 90°F (32.2°C). Histamine is more commonly the result of high temperature spoilage than of long-term, relatively low-temperature spoilage, which is commonly associated with organoleptically detectable decomposition"
• "Once the enzyme histidine decarboxylase is present in the fish, it can continue to produce histamine in the fish even if the bacteria are not active. The enzyme can be active at or near refrigeration temperatures. The enzyme remains stable while in the frozen state and may be reactivated very rapidly after thawing." 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/relish-foods-inc-recalls-frozen-tuna-steaks-because-possible-health-risk
Relish Foods, Inc Recalls Frozen Tuna Steaks Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Elevated levels of histamine
Company Name:  Relish Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Frozen Pacific Fusion Brand
Product Description:  Tuna steaks

MA Company Recalls Brownies for Pecan Allergens After Product Packed in Wrong Containers

Dianne's Fine Desserts of Newburyport, MA  is recalling 1,480 trays of Sienna® Chocolate Decadent Brownies due to a mis-pack, resulting in an undeclared tree nut (pecan).Trays of GFS Item #541850 Sienna® Chocolate Turtle Brownies, which contains pecans, may be labeled as GFS Item #226240 GFS Sienna® Chocolate Decadent Brownies, which do not contain pecans, thus resulting in an undeclared allergen.  The recall was initiated after a customer complaint with a product containing pecans was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the labeling process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/diannes-fine-desserts-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-pecan-allergen-siennar-chocolate-decadent
Dianne's Fine Desserts Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecan Allergen in Sienna® Chocolate Decadent Brownie
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 28, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Tree Nut (Pecan)
Company Name:  Dianne's Fine Desserts
Brand Name:  Sienna
Product Description:  Chocolate Decadent Brownies

NY Company Recalls Vegetarian Pasta After Packaging Error

SEVIROLI FOODSA INC., of Garden City, NY is recalling Aplenty Rotini with Plant Based Bolognese Meal Kit due to an undeclared allergen – milk in the product.  The issue was discovered on December 22, 2021. The recall was initiated after discovering that Seviroli Foods products containing milk were inadvertently packaged in Aplenty-Rotini with Plant Based Bolognese Meal Kit packaging, which does not include milk in the ingredient statement. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seviroli-foods-inc-garden-city-recalling-aplenty-rotini-plant-based-bolognese-meal-kit-due
Seviroli Foods Inc., of Garden City is Recalling Aplenty Rotini with Plant Based Bolognese Meal Kit Due to an Undeclared Allergen – Milk in the Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  SEVIROLI FOODS, INC.
Brand Name:  Aplenty
Product Description:  Rotini with Plant based Bolognese Meal Kit

MN Firm Recalls Raw Pet Food Salmonella After Complaint

Woody’s Pet Food Deli of Minneapolis, MN is recalling Raw Cornish Hen pet food “With Supplements” sticker due to a Salmonella health risk.  The recall is a result of FDA sampling due to a consumer complaint on another product, which testing revealed a sample of this product contains Salmonella.  The company continues their investigation as to the source of the problem and will resume production when the problem is resolved. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/woodys-pet-food-deli-recalls-raw-cornish-hen-pet-food-salmonella-health-risk
Woody’s Pet Food Deli Recalls Raw Cornish Hen Pet Food for Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 23, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 23, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella
Company Name:  Woody’s Pet Food Deli
Brand Name:  Woody's Pet Food Deli
Product Description:  Raw Cornish Hen pet food “With Supplements”

Dough Sheet Products Fail to State Wheat on the Label Resulting In Allergen Related Recall

Local Fixe LLC of Roseburg, Oregon is recalling Classic Lasagna Sheets, Soup Noodles, Dinner Rolls, Pie Dough, Squid Ink - Fettucine, and Fresh Flour Tortillas because it may contain undeclared wheat.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing undeclared wheat or gluten were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat or gluten. 

The ingredient statement for the Classic Lasagna Sheets states:

Ingredients: Flour, Semolina, Egg, Water

The other labels are similar in that none of them state Wheat.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/local-fixe-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-classic-lasagna-sheets-soup-noodles-dinner
Local Fixe LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Classic Lasagna Sheets, Soup Noodles, Dinner Rolls, Pie Dough, Squid Ink – Fettucine, and Fresh Flour Tortillas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat
Company Name:  Local Fixe LLC
Brand Name:  Local Fixe LLC

Company Recalls Drink Mix After It Discovers Too Late that All Worcestershire Sauce is Not the Same

Joy’s International Foods of Melbourne, Florida is recalling the Joy’s Gourmet Bloody Mary Mix with best by date 08/18/2023, because it contains undeclared Soy & Fish.  The recall was initiated after FDA discovered that product containing Soy & Fish and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by receiving a substitute to the Worcestershire sauce previously used due to supply chain failure.

Some brands of Worcestershire Sauce are made using soy sauce and anchovies, while some brands are not.  In this case, someone purchased a different brand than what was used to develop the label.  When doing the hazard analysis, these allergens must be identified regardless, and if a brand is normally used without these allergens, then not only should the Hazard Analysis still identify these hazards requiring control  (such as incoming product label review), but the product specification must also clearly state the brands to be purchased must not contain these allergens.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/joys-international-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-fish-joys-gourmet-bloody-mary-mix
Joy’s International Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy & Fish in Joy’s Gourmet Bloody Mary Mix
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains Undeclared Soy & Fish.
Company Name:  Joy’s International Foods
Brand Name:  Joy’s Gourmet
Product Description:  Bloody Mary Mix