Public Perception of Gene Edited Foods

A recent study, Who Trusts in Gene-Edited Foods? (Front. Food. Sci. Technol., 01 June 2022) looks to see if people would buy or avoid.   In the end, it comes down to what a person's disposition is regarding the science, more than the benefits. The study demonstrates "that individuals’ willingness to eat, and purposeful avoidance of GEFs are primarily driven by their existing social values about food, science and technology, institutional trust, and awareness of GE foods."

Gene-edited foods - Gene editing makes targeted changes to the genome of a plant or animal to produce some desired trait. Gene editing is done using techniques like CRISPR and TALENs   that can copy, delete, or rearrange specific genes to improve the plant or animal such as to increase food nutrition, food shelf life, and resistance to disease and drought.  (Awareness and Understanding of Gene Edited Foods | SOC 3095 Iowa State)

G in nature.2

GEFs are distinct from the more familiar genetically modification organism (GMO) foods. GMOs involve the transfer of genes from one species into another species to create an organism not found in nature while GEFs make genetic changes within the same species, creating a new variety immediately

"At present, there is only one commercialized GEF, a soybean used to create an oil that has less saturated fat. Other GEFs in the development stage include high fiber wheat, high yield tomatoes, non-browning mushrooms and potatoes, drought tolerant wheat and corn, and disease resistant tomatoes, grapes, rice, and soybeans."

Front. Food. Sci. Technol., 01 June 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2022.858277
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frfst.2022.858277/full
Who Trusts in Gene-Edited Foods? Analysis of a Representative Survey Study Predicting Willingness to Eat- and Purposeful Avoidance of Gene Edited Foods in the United States.

FDA Issues Companies Warning Letters to Importers for Not Having FSVP for Imported Foods

FDA issued Warning Letters to the following Importers for not having FSVP for imported foods.

SDJJ Distributors of National City, CA did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of the food imported products including: Tamarind-Mango Flavored Soft Candy, Caramelo Mix and Jilote.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/sdjj-distributors-626282-06062022

Winfull Corporation of Houston, TX id not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of the company's imported foods including: AA Grade Grass Jelly Drink Beverage Base, Passion Fruit with Pulp Syrup from (b)(4), and Kidney Beans.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/winfull-corporation-629870-06092022

Fresh Imports International LLC, of Hidalgo, TX did not develop an FSVP for any of the company's imported foods including Fresh avocados, Fresh pineapples, and Fresh avocados
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/fresh-imports-international-llc-627330-05042022

Daxa Foods, Inc. dba India Grocers of Edison, NJ you did not develop an FSVP for any of the imported foods including Puffed Rice, Rice flour and Shredded Coconut.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/daxa-foods-inc-dba-india-grocers-631619-05312022

Parmesan Salami Sticks Recalled for Undeclared Egg, a Minor Ingredient in the Cheese

Creminelli Fine Meats, a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 4,207 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) parmesan salami sticks due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen.  The RTE salami stick with parmesan items were packaged on various dates from October 26, 2021 through April 26, 2022.  The problem was discovered by inspection personnel during a routine label verification review. Egg white lysozyme, a component of the parmesan cheese ingredient, is not declared on the final product label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/creminelli-fine-meats-recalls-mini-parmesan-salami-stick-products-due-misbranding
Creminelli Fine Meats Recalls Mini Parmesan Salami Stick Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
CREMINELLI FINE MEATS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2022 – Creminelli Fine Meats, a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 4,207 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) parmesan salami sticks due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains egg lysozyme, an egg white protein and known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

Vidalia Onions Recalled After Positive Listeria Environmental Sample on Pack Line

A&M Farms of Lyons, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling select whole Vidalia onions packed on one pack line between June 20 - June 23, 2022, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recalled Vidalia Onions are sold in bulk in the produce section of retail stores. The recalled Little Bear onions were available for sale to consumers on June 23 and 24 at Wegmans stores in the Rochester-area, Massachusetts, and at the Erie West and Erie Peach Street Wegmans stores in Pennsylvania. The onions were also available for sale June 22 – 24, 2022 at Publix stores in the state of Florida and in Publix stores in Georgia.

The recall comes after internal company testing detected Listeria on a single pack line. Although the company cleans and sanitizes its pack lines regularly, it is recalling onions packed on the implicated packing line before and after June 21 out of an abundance of caution. No other products grown, packed, or sold by A&M Farms are affected by this recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/am-farms-initiates-recall-specific-little-bear-brand-whole-vidalia-onions-sold-pound-retail-because
A&M Farms Initiates a Recall Of Specific Little Bear Brand Whole Vidalia Onions Sold By The Pound at Retail Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 30, 2022
FDA Publish Date: June 30, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  A&M Farms
Brand Name:  Little Bear
Product Description:  Whole Vidalia onions

Corn Chowder Recalled Due to Undeclared Wheat Allergen

Blount Fine Foods announced that it is voluntarily recalling a limited amount (a single lot—2,569 cases total) of 16 oz. Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder due to an undeclared wheat allergen. The recall is limited to 1 SKU of 16 oz. Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder cups produced with lot number 042122-2K and “Use By” date of 6/30/22.  This product was discovered at a grocery store during the restocking process

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blount-fine-foods-voluntarily-recalls-limited-amount-single-lot-southwest-corn-chowder-due
Blount Fine Foods Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Amount (a Single Lot) of Southwest Corn Chowder Due to Undeclared Wheat Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 24, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  June 24, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat allergen
Company Name:  Blount Fine Foods
Brand Name:  Panera at Home
Product Description:  Southwest Corn Chowder

A Vegetarian Meat Substitute, French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, Recalled After Causing Severe Gastrointestinal Illness and Liver Damage

Daily Harvest, Inc., New York, NY. Daily Harvest has voluntarily recalled all French Lentil + Leek Crumbles due to consumer reports of gastrointestinal illness and potential liver function issues. To date, the company has received approximately 470 reports of illness or adverse reactions. From April 28 to June 17, 2022, approximately 28,000 units of the recalled product were distributed to consumers in the continental United States through online sales and direct delivery, as well as through retail sales at the Daily Harvest store in Chicago, IL and a “pop-up” store in Los Angeles, CA. Samples were also provided to a small number of consumers.

From a NY Times article, "One customer described “debilitating” stomach pain that landed the person in the emergency room. Others said they’d experienced fever, jaundice and full-body itching."  The article goes on to state, 

• "The lentil product in question, the crumble, is part of the company’s new plant-based protein line, which was introduced at the end of April. It is meant to be a substitute for ground meat."
• "Higher levels of enzymes indicate that your liver is injured and can point to a wide range of issues, said Dr. Laura Kulik, a hepatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Up to 30 percent of tests showing elevated liver enzymes are related to dietary supplements, she said, including unregulated vitamins and herbal medications. Antibiotics can also cause liver enzymes to rise, as can excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis and viral infections." 
• "It’s rare that eating food would cause damage to the liver, Dr. Nestle said."
• "Daily Harvest was founded in 2015 and rose to popularity partly because of its celebrity endorsements — Gwyneth Paltrow and Serena Williams are among its investors — and its slick, health-conscious branding. The vegan meal delivery service touts its “organic, nourishing, clean” flatbreads, bowls and soups filled with “sustainably sourced fruits + veggies” and “no artificial anything.”"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/daily-harvest-issues-voluntary-recall-french-lentil-leek-crumbles-due-potential-health-risk

Daily Harvest Issues Voluntary Recall of French Lentil + Leek Crumbles Due to Potential Health Risk

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 23, 2022
FDA Publish Date: June 23, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Vegetable Protein Product
Reason for Announcement: Gastrointestinal illness and potential liver function issues
Company Name:  Daily Harvest
Brand Name:  Daily Harvest
Product Description:  French Lentil + Leek Crumbles

Another Recall of Product That Used Recalled Peanut Butter

Deskins Candies of Bluefield, WV is recalling the following 16 oz products: Deskins Candies Peanut Butter Fudge, Deskins Candies Peanut Butter No-Bake, Deskins Candies Peanut Butter Pinwheel, and Deskins Candies Chocolate No-Bake because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This recall is a result of the J.M. Smucker Co recall of the Jiff peanut butter brand, which is a product used in the production of Deskins Candies. The company has ceased and destroyed all products containing the Jiff peanut butter items under recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/deskins-candies-recalls-peanut-butter-fudge-peanut-butter-no-bake-chocolate-no-bake-and-peanut
Deskins Candies Recalls Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter No Bake, Chocolate No Bake, and Peanut Butter Pinwheel Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 21, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  June 21, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Peanut Butter
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  Deskins Candies
Brand Name:  Deskins Candies
Product Description:  Several Candies

Dog Food Recalled After Lot Designated for Destruction is Shipped

Freshpet Inc. is announcing a voluntary recall of a single lot of Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe (4.5 lb. bag), with sell by date of 10/29/22, due to potential contamination with Salmonella.  "Our Freshpet Team had designated this single lot for destruction, but a small portion of the lot was inadvertently shipped to retailers in limited geographic markets in the last two weeks. No other Freshpet products or lot codes are impacted by this recall."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/freshpet-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-freshpet-select-fresh-kitchen-home-cooked-chicken-recipe-45
Freshpet Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Freshpet Select Fresh from the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe 4.5-Pound Bags Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 17, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  June 18, 2022
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Freshpet Inc.
Brand Name:  Freshpet
Product Description:  Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe

Fish Balls and Cakes Recalled After Allergic Reaction to Egg

888 Food Company in S. El Monte, CA is recalling Fish Balls and Cakes because it may contain undeclared eggs.  A recall was initiated after receiving a consumer complaint of anaphylactic reaction. Through investigation it was determined that the formulation of an ingredient was changed to include eggs

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/888-food-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-various-ho-king-and-giai-phat-products
888 Food Company Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Egg In Various Ho King and Giai Phat Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 15, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  June 15, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  888 Food Company
Brand Name:  Ho King, Giai Phat
Product Description:  Fish and Shrimp Balls and Cakes