Chocolate Covered Cherries Recalled After Product Inadvertently Mixed with Almond Containing Product

Torn & Glasser of Pomona, CA is recalling 231 cases (2,772 units) of Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries due to an undeclared allergen. The Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries may also contain Dark Chocolate Almonds which are Tree Nuts (Almond) allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries was mixed with Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds in the bag. Subsequent investigation indicates that some Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds were used for Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries by Production personnel.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urgent-torn-glasser-recalls-sprouts-farmer-market-dark-chocolate-covered-cherries-12-oz-because
Urgent: Torn & Glasser Recalls Sprouts Farmer Market Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries 12 Oz. Because of Undeclared Almond Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 04, 2022
FDA Publish Date:   March 04, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  Torn & Glasser
Brand Name:  Sprouts Farmers Market
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries

Bakery Items Recalled After Label Printer Misses The Allergen Statement

The Third Synthesis Inc DBA Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery is issuing a voluntary recall for fresh baked Coffee Cakes (Various Flavors) and fresh baked Paczkis (Various Flavors) produced between February 21st, 2022 to February 23rd, 2022 because the label does not declare Egg, Milk, and Wheat.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the allergen statement was not correctly printing on labels due to a computer error. The label was being cut off before the allergen statement could print. Products produced after these dates have been corrected.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/third-synthesis-inc-issues-allergy-aert-undeclared-egg-milk-and-wheat-allergen-statement
The Third Synthesis Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Milk, and Wheat Allergen Statement
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 28, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  March 03, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg, wheat, milk allergen
Company Name:  Chicago Sweet Connection Baker
Brand Name:  Chicago Sweet Connection Bakery
Product Description:   Coffee cake and paczkis varieties

USDA Issues Warning for Product that Contains Unlabeled Allergen Due to Supplier Error

USDA - FSIS is issuing a public health alert for various ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products containing a FDA regulated seasoning mix that has been recalled by the producer, PS Seasoning of Iron Ridge, Wis., due to concerns that the seasoning mix may contain undeclared wheat.   The problem was discovered when the FSIS inspected establishments received notification from their seasoning supplier that the seasoning mix, which is regulated by FDA, may contain undeclared wheat. The establishments then notified FSIS of the issue. FSIS and FDA are coordinating on this issue.

This is a supplier issue with mislabeling that affects downstream producers.  This supplier should have had an Allergen Preventive Control in place to ensure proper labeling.  But as the purchaser of that product, a company should understand the need for that supplier to have such controls in place.  How would they know that there is such a need?  If a spice supplier is packing various products with different allergen groupings, they would need such controls.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-meat-products-containing-fda-regulated
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Meat Products Containing FDA-Regulated Seasoning Mix That Has Been Recalled Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

FDA Issues Warning Letter After Recall Due to Undeclared Allergen Due to Mislabeling Error

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods Inc. after a October 2021 recall where the company's Organic Mediterranean Hommus was labeled with the ingredient declaration for its Organic Everything Hommus in that the finished product label did not declare a major food allergen--tree nuts (i.e., Pine Nut).

The company provided FDA the reason for mistake - "stated that the root cause of the problem was that an employee failed to follow the label change over procedure and performed an unauthorized label change. The email also stated that you retrained all employees that perform labeling, took disciplinary action against the employee that performed the unauthorized change, and that you will develop a label reconciliation program."   In response FDA stated "it appears that you did not implement adequate allergen preventive controls."

The responsibility should not be on one employee, but a Preventive Control that incorporates monitoring and verification by additional employees.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/cedars-mediterranean-foods-inc-623473-02112022
Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods Inc.
MARCS-CMS 623473 — FEBRUARY 11, 2022

First Possible Case of COVID-19 Transmission from Deer to Human

Researchers may have identified one of the first cases of transmission of COVID-19 from white tailed deer to a person.  We have known that white tailed deer can carry the COVID-19 virus.   (Plus they are notorious non-maskers.)   A specific strain of COVID that was common among the deer crowd popped up in a human.  And that human was said to be associating with the white tail deer.  (We do not now the extent of this association, but one could guess that the human probably entered into this 'association' unmasked.

Researchers to not want to get anyone alarmed.  No reason for having to wear a mask while hiking in the woods or forcing the deer into wearing a mask through passing mandated mask-for-deer legislation.

Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/deer-to-human-covid-19-transmission
1st possible case of deer-to-human COVID-19 transmission reported
By Rachael Rettner 3/1/22
So far, it seems to be an isolated COVID-19 case.

More Dried Plums Recalled

Alli & Rose LLC is recalling dried plums due to the potential presence of lead.  The product was sold at Costco Wholesale in four states: Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

Dried Plums Recall Information
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 15, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  February 24, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  potential to be contaminated with lead
Company Name:  Alli and Rose LLC
Brand Name:  Snak Yard
Product Description:  Dried Plums/ saladitos

Imported Apple Pulp Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Cases

Vadilal Industries (USA) Inc. of Newark, NJ is voluntarily recalling two batches of frozen Custard Apple Pulp because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall was initiated after FDA received a single complaint reporting 5 illnesses and FDA sampling revealed the presence of Salmonella in the product.  The product is imported from India.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vadilal-industries-usa-recalls-custard-apple-pulp-because-possible-health-risk
Vadilal Industries (USA) Recalls "Custard Apple Pulp" Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 22, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  February 22, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Vadilal Industries Inc.
Brand Name:  Vadilal
Product Description:  frozen custard apple pulp

NJ Importer Issued Warning Letter for Not Having FSVP

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Patidar Trade, Inc. of North Brunswick, NJ because they were in violoation fo teh Foreign Supplier Verification Program Regulation (FSVP) which requires companies to conduct a hazard analysis and enact verification procedures for items that are imported.  The comany did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP as required by section 805 of the FD&C Act and 21 CFR 1.502(a). Specifically, the company did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of the imported foods including each of the following food products:

Wheat flour imported from (b)(4)

Rice flour imported from (b)(4)

Phool makhana imported from (b)(4)

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/patidar-trade-inc-619282-01062022
Patidar Trade, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 619282 — JANUARY 06, 2022

Inaccurate Web Posting on Recalls - Creating Confusion and Increasing Apathy

This past week, a number of outlets posted news stories stating that Giant Eagle was recalling frozen green peppers due to Listeria. The problem is, the recall occurred months ago.  These news geniuses posted it as it was current.   And then criticized the company for not having the recall on their website, and the FDA as well.

The first sighting was the lawyer-sponsored websites:

• https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/02/giant-eagle-recalls-frozen-bags-of-diced-green-peppers-after-testing-finds-listeria/
• https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2022/giant-eagle-diced-green-peppers-recalled-for-possible-listeria/

And other web-based news outlets such as MSN

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/urgent-frozen-food-recall-check-your-freezer-for-these-contaminated-veggies/ar-AAU5Ywe?ocid=uxbndlbing

All one would have to have done was to read the notice, or call the company.

Enforcement Report (fda.gov)

Event Details

Event ID:  89147

Voluntary / Mandated:  Voluntary: Firm initiated

Product Type:  Food

Initial Firm Notification of Consignee or Public:  

All products were distributed to only Giant Supermarket's in the following States: MD, PA, WV, OH and IN

Recalling Firm: 

Giant Eagle, Inc.

101 Kappa Dr

Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2809

United States

Recall Initiation Date:  11/29/2021

So now the store has to handle calls from confused consumers.  Over the long haul, people will play less attention if the information being provided is shoddy. 

The problem is that too many do not go back to the original source.  Because a lawyer-sponsored website posts something, that does not make it fact.  Rarely if ever, do they post their references.  In the end, reporters need to research this better before posting.