FDA Survey of PFAS Chemicals in Seafood - Is There a Bigger Concern?

FDA conducted a limited survey of seafood for PFAS.  FDA tested 81 samples of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tuna, and tilapia (most of which were imported to the United States).   The goal was to determine if a wider survey is needed.

The FDA determined that samples of canned clams, which were from China, had sufficent level so that "the estimated exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of PFAS,[would be] a likely a health concern. For these canned clam samples with the two highest levels of PFOA, there would be a potential health concern for consumers who eat more than approximately 10 ounces (oz) of these clams per month, except for young children, who should limit consumption to 2 oz per month."  This product was recalled.

"The FDA initiated this seafood survey based on our prior testing of foods from the general food supply obtained from the FDA’s Total Diet Study (TDS), which found relatively low levels of PFAS in a few seafood samples. The percentage of seafood samples with detectable PFAS, the types of PFAS detected, and the levels detected in multiple samples are higher in this survey than we have found in the overall TDS samples. This is not unexpected, as seafood may be at increased risk for PFAS contamination from the environment. Therefore, we tested more samples of specific types of seafood, and in this survey our researchers tested for certain types of PFAS that have been identified in the literature as being more prevalent in seafood. Additionally, other studies in the scientific literature on clams from China and Europe have reported a range of levels of PFOA, including elevated levels."


https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-shares-results-pfas-testing-seafood
FDA Shares Results on PFAS Testing in Seafood

Constituent Update
July 6, 2022

Cans of Smoked Clams Recalled After FDA Testing Finds Detectable Levels of PFAS Chemicals

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC has issued a voluntary recall on a specific SKU of smoked clams after FDA testing found detectable levels of PFAS chemicals in samplings of the product. The recall only applies to a 3.75 can of Bumble Bee Smoked Clams with the UPC Label 8660075234 which came from a third-party manufacturer in China.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of human-made chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. PFAS do not easily breakdown and some types have been shown to accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. Available studies suggest associations between PFAS exposure and several health outcomes including but not limited to increased cholesterol levels, increases in high-blood pressure and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, developmental effects, decreases in immune response, change in liver function, and increases in certain types of cancer.

 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bumble-bee-foods-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-375-oz-smoked-clams-due-presence-detectable-levels-pfas

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall on 3.75 Oz Smoked Clams Due to the Presence of Detectable Levels of PFAS Chemicals
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  July 06, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Shellfish  
Reason for Announcement: Contains Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Company Name:  Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
Product Description:  Smoked Clams

Raw Frozen Beef Patties for Dogs Recalled After FDA Testing Finds Listeria

Primal Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling a single lot (#W10068709) of Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula (6-pound), with best by date of 05/22/23, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  This voluntary recall is a result of routine sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which revealed a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in one sample from one lot of Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula.

The company states: " The company uses a “test and hold” protocol to ensure that all products test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale. Primal Pet Foods confirmed that all testing results on this single lot of recalled product were negative for Listeria monocytogenes – both raw materials and finished product – before it left its production facility."

Primal Pet Foods Voluntary Recalls a Single Lot of Raw Frozen Patties Beef Formula Due to Potential Contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes | FDA
Primal Pet Foods Voluntary Recalls a Single Lot of Raw Frozen Patties Beef Formula Due to Potential Contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  July 06, 2022
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product Description:  Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula

Packages of Shortbread Cookies Recalled After Customer Discovers Chocolate Chip Cookies Inside

J&M Foods of Little Rock, Arkansas,  is initiating a voluntary recall because a select number of the Lavender Shortbread Cookies were erroneously packed with Chocolate Chip Cookies. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible allergen (soy or eggs).  The company  was made aware of this issue via a consumer contact. To date, there have been no illnesses reported.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jm-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-select-lot-number-lavender-shortbread-cookies-due-packages-contain
J&M Foods Issues a Voluntary Recall on a Select Lot Number of Lavender Shortbread Cookies Due to the Packages Contain Chocolate Chip Cookies That Do Not Disclose the Correct Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 30, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  July 05, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Undeclared Soy or Eggs
Company Name:  J&M Foods
Brand Name:  Favorite Day
Product Description:  Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Vegan Protein Powder Recalled for Undeclared Milk After Wrong Flavor Ingredient Used

Natreve is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its Vegan Protein Powder French Vanilla Wafer Sundae flavor, because it contains trace amounts of undeclared milk due to an external manufacturing production error.  The issue was identified as a result of one illness having been reported to date. An investigation was conducted by the contract manufacturer indicating the problem was caused by a production process error for these two impacted lots. A whey-derived flavoring ingredient was inadvertently used in the blend for Natreve Vegan Protein Powder French Vanilla Wafer Sundae flavor, leading to trace amounts of whey being found in the above batches. Whey is derived from milk and may trigger an allergy, posing a potential risk to people with milk allergies.

No Canadian products nor other products or lots within the U.S. Natreve product offering are impacted by this voluntary recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natreve-issues-voluntary-recall-limited-us-batches-natreve-vegan-protein-powder-french-vanilla-wafer
Natreve Issues Voluntary Recall on Limited U.S. Batches of Natreve Vegan Protein Powder French Vanilla Wafer Sundae Flavor Due to Undeclared Milk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 03, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  July 03, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Natreve
Brand Name:  Natreve
Product Description:  Vegan Protein Powder French Vanilla Wafer Sundae flavor

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