Friday, May 20, 2022

IA Establishment Recalls 185,000 Lbs of Bacon After Receiving Metal Complaint

Update - May 26, 2022: Additional products have been identified containing the bacon toppings. Please view the additional products within “view labels” below. Consumers should check back frequently as additional products could be added.  

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., a Sioux Center, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 185,610 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon topping products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials. The problem was discovered after the firm received a customer complaint reporting they found metal in the RTE bacon topping product. 

Wow, that is a lot of product for one complaint.  Makes one wonder if the metal detector was not operating properly?  And if not, probably over a series of days?

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/smithfield-packaged-meats-corp-recalls-ready-eat-bacon-topping-products-due-possible
Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. Recalls A Ready-To-Eat Bacon Topping Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2022 – Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., a Sioux Center, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 185,610 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon topping products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

IA Establishment Recalls Ham Product Due to Potential Underprocessing Issue

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) ham product because the product may not be fully cooked due to underprocessing.  The RTE, sliced Black Forest Ham item was produced by Plumrose USA, doing business as Swift Prepared Foods, a Council Bluffs, Iowa establishment, from April 28, 2022 through May 1, 2022.  The problem was discovered when the firm identified product that did not appear to be fully cooked, which prompted the establishment to perform an investigation and notify FSIS of their findings that the ham was underprocessed.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-ham-product-due-possible-processing
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Ham Product Due to Possible Processing Deviation

Small Business Recalls Lemonade Because It Was Produced Outside of Regulations

QueensMade Lemonade LLC Cincinnati is issuing a voluntary recall of all its juice-type products, including all lemonade flavors as well as its Ginger Turmeric shots. The products included in this recall are adulterated because they were produced without the benefit of inspection and the safety parameters were not able to be verified.

This appears to be one of those small ideas that progresses to distributed product, but there is no realization that there are rules that apply.  Rules not only protect the consumer, but also the small business.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/queensmade-lemonade-issues-voluntary-recall-due-products-being-adulterated
QueensMade Lemonade Issues a Voluntary Recall Due to Products Being Adulterated
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 19, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  May 19, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Improper Processing
Company Name:  QueensMade Lemonade LLC
Brand Name:  QueensMade Lemonade LLC
Product Description:  Lemon Juice Flavors and Ginger Turmeric Shots

Smoked Salmon Recalled After Mislabeling Results in Undeclared Soy and Wheat

White Cane Smoked Salmon LLC of Coeurd-Alene, ID is recalling Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon because it contains undeclared Wheat and Soy. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing wheat and soy in Teriyaki Sauce, but it was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat and soy.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/white-cane-sockeye-salmon-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-and-soy-wild-alaskan-cooked-and
White Cane Sockeye Salmon LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat and Soy in Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 19, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  May 19, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat and Soy
Company Name:  White Cane Sockeye Salmon LLC
Brand Name:  White Cane Sockeye Salmon LLC
Product Description:  Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon

St. Louis MO Grocery Chain Recall Mislabeled Salads That Have Undeclared Egg Allergen

Dierbergs Markets, a St. Louis MO based grocery chain, is recalling the Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad with an outdate of 5/31/22 in the 12oz & 2 lb self-service packages.  All implicated product was produced on Friday May 13, 2022 and sent to stores on Saturday May 14, 2022.  A Lead Assistant Deli / Seafood Manager at Lemay Dierbergs location discovered that the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad was mislabeled as Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad. The product labeled as Garden Spiral Pasta Salad carries an undeclared egg allergen not present on the label.

While good job to the Lead Assistant Deli / Seafood Manager for catching this, there should be better controls at the point of labeling.  For those who keep track of these types of things, this is another print and apply label issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dierbergs-markets-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-fresh-garden-spiral-pasta-salad-12-oz-2-lb
Dierbergs Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad in 12 Oz. & 2 Lb. Self-Service Packages
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 18, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  May 18, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  Dierbergs Markets
Brand Name: Dierbergs Markets
Product Description:  Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Missing Allergens on Store Labels Leads to Recall

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that Weis Markets’ ready-to-eat (RTE) General Tso Chicken meals may contain milk, a known allergen.  The problem was discovered when Weis Markets in Sunbury, Pa. reported that they had been using correctly labeled, USDA inspected and passed chicken products containing milk ingredients but did not update their in-store labels for General Tso Chicken meals to include milk as an ingredient.

Print-and-apply labels continue to be an issue, especially when information is added into the system.  If not done correctly, especially with regard to allergen labeling, a recall situation will occur.  The task of adding the information into the system is often left to non-technical staff.



FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Weis Markets’ Ready-To-Eat General Tso Chicken Meals Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that Weis Markets’ ready-to-eat (RTE) General Tso Chicken meals may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the store’s finished product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to milk are aware that these products should not be consumed.

NY Establishment Recalls RTE Sausage Sticks After Complaint of Embedded Metal Piece in Product

America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co., Ltd., a Bay Shore, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,635 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage sticks and luncheon loaf products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal.  The problem was discovered after the firm received a consumer complaint reporting they found two metal pieces embedded in the sausage stick.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/america-new-york-ri-wang-food-group-co-ltd-recalls-ready-eat-pork-sausage-products
America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co., Ltd Recalls Ready to Eat Pork Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

AMERICA NEW YORK RI WANG FOOD GROUP CO., LTD.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2022 – America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co., Ltd., a Bay Shore, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,635 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage sticks and luncheon loaf products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Five Importers for Not Developing FSVP

FDA issued Warning Letters to five food imports for not developing, maintaining, and implementing an FSVP as required by section 805 of the FD&C Act and 21 CFR 1.502(a).   FSVP is required for food importers to ensure that their foreign producers are meeting same standards required in the US.

Lempira Distribution LLC of. Miami, FL did not develop FSVPs for the imported food products including, but not limited to:
Banana Soft Drink, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
Sweet Bread, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
Plantain Chips, imported from (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/lempira-distribution-llc-616514-11032021

LECS USA, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA did not develop an FSVP for any of their imported foods including Green Tea
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/lecs-usa-inc-623164-03282022

Fres Co, LLC of Bronx, NY did not develop an FSVP for any of the their imported foods including the following:
Fresh plantains from (b)(4)
Fresh mangoes from (b)(4)
Tomatoes from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/fres-co-llc-627216-04182022

El Dorado Imports Inc of Spring, Texas. did not develop an FSVP for any of their imported food products  including:
Coconut candy imported from (b)(4)
Sugar baked flour tortillas imported from (b)(4)
Sweet bread with pineapple imported from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/el-dorado-imports-inc-626870-04262022

Triple J Fresh, LLC of McAllen, Texas did not develop an FSVP for any of their imported foods including:
Fresh broccoli and fresh coriander imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4), and 
Fresh Persian limes imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triple-j-fresh-llc-627680-04252022





FDA Provides Conditions for Troubled Infant Formula Facility to Reopen

FDA has agreed to allow Abbott Laboratories to resume operations if Abbott meets conditions outlined on consent decree.  The plant could be operating within a few weeks although it will take a few months before product will be back on the retail shelves.  The loss of this facility's production has created a supply shortage in overall infant formula market.

Regulatory officials have not found a direct link of illnesses to the facility, different strains of the organism Cronobacter sakazakii were found in the facility.

Company Press Release
https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2022-05-16-Abbott-Enters-into-Consent-Decree-with-U-S-Food-and-Drug-Administration-for-its-Sturgis,-Mich-,-Plant-Agreement-Creates-Pathway-to-Reopen-Facility
ABBOTT ENTERS INTO CONSENT DECREE WITH U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS STURGIS, MICH., PLANT; AGREEMENT CREATES PATHWAY TO REOPEN FACILITY

  • After FDA approval, Abbott could restart the site within two weeks; from the time of restart it would take six to eight weeks before product is available on shelves
  • Abbott will continue to import formula from FDA-registered facility in Ireland to help alleviate near-term supply shortage
  • CDC concluded its investigation with no findings of a link between Abbott formulas and infant illnesses