FDA Closes the Book on the Listeria Outbreak Linked to Salad - December 2021

FDA said the the December 2021 Listeria outbreak linked to Dole vegetable salad products is officially over.  In this outbreak, there were a "total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states".  

The "investigation conducted by Dole detected the presence of Listeria on a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ, facility. FDA conducted WGS analysis of an isolate shared by Dole, and the results confirmed that this isolate of Listeria matched the strain causing illness in this outbreak and also matched the strain of Listeria found in a positive product sample collected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported on December 23, 2021. Dole decommissioned and later dismantled this piece of equipment."

Additionally, as "reported on February 1, 2022, following the initial voluntary recall issued by Dole on December 22, 2021, Dole detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on equipment used in the harvesting of the iceberg lettuce that was also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. This finding prompted a subsequent voluntary recall on January 7, 2022"

"FDA analyzed the positive samples collected by Dole from the harvesting equipment. Results from FDA’s Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that the strain of Listeria found on the harvesting equipment matched the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak. Dole decommissioned the harvester and it was later dismantled. Product on hold that was included in the December 2021 recall was later tested by Dole and tested positive for the strain of Listeria monocytogenes that caused illnesses in this outbreak."


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-dole-packaged-salad-december-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Dole Packaged Salad (December 2021)

FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over.

CT Dairy Recalls Milk After Sanitizer-tainted Milk Sickens School Children

A Connecticut dairy issued a recall for cartons of milk after 45 students and one staff member  from a NJ school were sent to hospitals for evaluation after consuming sanitizer-tainted milk.
"The investigation started Wednesday after an early childhood development center in Camden County, NJ called 911 to report that 25 children had ingested milk that had an "antiseptic-like odor," according to county officials. A similar report was made by another early childhood development center in New Jersey."

Cases like this are good reminders of the importance of evaluating processes as part of the Hazard Analysis for residual sanitizers, especially where CIP systems are used and where there are opportunities for residual to remain in piping/tank systems.  These cases are also useful in training sanitation staff and line operators.

https://patch.com/connecticut/across-ct/guidas-dairy-investigated-over-contaminated-milk-incident

Guida's Dairy Investigated Over Contaminated Milk Incident

Connecticut-based Guida's Dairy is being investigated after children in New Jersey ingested milk that contained diluted sanitizer.

Rich Scinto,

Patch Staff

|

Updated Thu, Mar 31, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET

USDA FSIS Issues Health Alert for Chicken Meal Kits With Wrong Spice Blend

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due for salad kits produced by Taylor Farms New England.  The alert was issued to concerns that the chicken breast component of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast meal kits may contain wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product labels.  The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that they observed different seasonings than usual on the product labeled as grilled chicken breast while preparing the chicken meal kits.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-chicken-meal-kits-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Chicken Meal Kits Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
TAYLOR FARMS NEW ENGLAND INC

USDA FSIS Issue Warning for Salad items For Undeclared Allergens Due to Incorrect Salad Dressing Packets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for salad items produced by an Alaska company.  This was due to concerns that the salad dressing component of ready-to-eat (RTE) salad products containing meat and poultry may contain egg, milk, peanut or wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product labels.  The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that incorrect salad dressing was included in the salad packaging.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-salad-containing-meat-and-poultry-products
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Salad Containing Meat and Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Cheese Crackers Recalled After Co-packer Mistakenly Fills the Boxes with Animal Crackers

B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling 1,855 cases of a single date code of 6 oz. Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers, with a “best by” date of SEP 05 2022, after learning that a limited number of the cracker boxes were inadvertently filled with foil wrapped pouches of animal shaped crackers, which contain egg and milk, allergens that are not declared on the box label.  B&G Foods discovered this issue when it received a consumer complaint that a foil pouch within a single box of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers contained animal shaped crackers. The third-party co-packer that produces the product inadvertently filled a limited number of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers product boxes with another food company’s animal shaped crackers.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bg-foods-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-and-milk-limited-number-boxes-back-naturer
B&G Foods Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg and Milk in a Limited Number of Boxes of Back to Nature® Cheddalicious® Cheese Flavored Crackers Mistakenly Containing Animal Shaped Crackers
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 02, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 02, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk and Egg
Company Name:  B&G Foods
Brand Name:  Back to Nature
Product Description:  Cheese Flavored Crackers

Store Recalls Happy Face Cookies for Undeclared Allergen After Audit Finds Wrong Ingredient Used

Giant Eagle, Inc. has issued a voluntarily recall of “Happy Face Cookies” sold in bakery departments at two Ohio Giant Eagle supermarkets in Geneva and Ashtabula due to the possibility the product may contain an undeclared milk allergen.  Giant Eagle was made aware of the issue during a routine audit of store-made product recipes and discovered the wrong ingredient was being used.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/two-giant-eagle-stores-recall-cookies-due-undeclared-milk-allergen
Two Giant Eagle Stores Recall Cookies Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 31, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 01, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Giant Eagle, Inc.
Brand Name:  Happy Face Cookies
Product Description:  Cookies

Peanut Butter Recalled After Potential Metal Contamination Issue Discovered by Facility

Skippy Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling 9,353 cases, or 161,692 total pounds, of a limited number of code dates of SKIPPY® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, SKIPPY® Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread and SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter Blended With Plant Protein due to the possibility that a limited number of jars may contain a small fragment of stainless steel from a piece of manufacturing equipment.  There have been no consumer complaints associated with this recall to date, and all retailers that received the affected product have been properly notified.  The manufacturing facility’s internal detection systems identified the concern.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-class-ii-recall-announced-limited-number-jars-skippyr-reduced-fat-creamy-peanut-butter
Voluntary Class II Recall Announced for a Limited Number of Jars of Skippy® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, Skippy® Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter Blended with Plant Protein
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 30, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  March 30, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain a small fragments (stainless steel)
Company Name:  Skippy Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Skippy
Product Description:  Reduced Fat Creamy and Chunky Peanut Butter

KS Firm Recalls Fruit Trays Containing Cantaloupe After FDA Testing Finds Salmonella

Liberty Fruit Company, Inc. is recalling certain packages containing cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after a routine collection sample and analysis by the FDA resulted in a positive test for Salmonella.  To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/liberty-fruit-company-inc-recalls-processed-cantaloupe-possible-health-risk
Liberty Fruit Company, Inc. Recalls Processed Cantaloupe For Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 28, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fruit/Fruit Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Salmonella
Company Name:  Liberty Fruit Company, Inc.
Brand Name:  Carol's Cuts
Product Description:  Fruit Trays Containing Cantaloupe

Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kits Recalled After Allergen 'Contains Statement' Misses Milk Although Listed in Ingredients

Wilton Industries, Inc. of Naperville, Illinois is initiating a voluntary recall of Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit due to a milk allergen missing from the “Contains” statement. The ingredient list on the package lists “Skim Milk Powder” as an ingredient, however the “Contains” statement did not include “Milk” as required. This labeling oversight was brought to the company's attention as a result of a consumer inquiry. Following our own internal review, we confirmed “Skim Milk Powder” was included in the ingredient list, but was not listed in the “Contains” statement.

So this is a label design issue.  While the ingredient statement lists the milk powder, someone forgot to add it in the allergen 'Contains' statement.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wilton-industries-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-ready-build-chocolate-cookie-bunny-hutch

Wilton Industries, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 25, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  March 28, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Wilton Industries, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wilton
Product Description:  Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit