Salad Kits Recalled For Unlabeled Allergens After Wrong Dressing Packet Used

Fifth Season announced today that it is issuing a voluntary recall for a limited amount of its branded Crunchy Sesame Salad Kits due to the possible inclusion of an ingredient not listed on the product label. The Salad kit may contain a dressing packet that contains milk and egg, which is not declared on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fifth-season-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-dairy-and-eggs-crunchy-sesame-salad-kit
Fifth Season Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Dairy and Eggs in Crunchy Sesame Salad Kit
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 14, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 14, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared eggs and milk
Company Name:  Fifth Season

Brand Name:  Fifth Season
Product Description:  Crunchy sesame salad kit

Sushi Recalled Due to Unlabeled Allergens

Sushi sold at Geissler’s Supermarkets in Connecticut  is being recalled for not listing the appropriate allergens.   From the store's website, it  appears that these packages utilize print-and-apply labels, so this would mean that the label was improperly loaded into the label printing system.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/consumer-protection-issues-food-safety-warning-ez-noble-sushi-ez-noble-sushi-voluntarily-recalling
Consumer Protection Issues Food Safety Warning for EZ Noble Sushi EZ Noble Sushi is voluntarily recalling the products, which contained unlabeled allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 11, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 12, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Unlabeled eggs, milk and wheat
Company Name:  EZ Noble Sushi
Brand Name:  EZ Noble Sushi
Product Description:  Sushi products

CA Firm Expands Recall of Nutritional and Beverage Products That May Contain Hazardous Microbes

Lyons Magnus LLC (“Lyons Magnus” or the “Company”)  is expanding its July 28, 2022 recall.  A potential for microbial contamination, including from the organisms Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum, after it was determined the product did not meet specification for commercial sterility.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lyons-magnus-expands-voluntary-recall-include-additional-nutritional-and-beverage-products-due
Lyons Magnus Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Additional Nutritional and Beverage Products Due to the Potential for Microbial Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 10, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 10, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Meal Replacements
Reason for Announcement:  Due to the potential for microbial contamination, including Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum
Company Name:  Lyons Magnus LLC
Brand Name:  Lyons, Barista, Ready Care, various
Product Description:  Nutritional and beverage products

Virtual Audits - Understanding the Issue of Video Capture

 At the IAFP Annual Meeting this past week, an interesting session was held on remote or virtual audits.  While there is agreement that virtual audits are here to stay, at least for certain aspects of an audit, the presenters discussed the limitations of such an audit.  One of the most important was that an auditor will not have true view of the situation within a facility.  But for the company being audited, one important issue is video capture, or taking a video of an operation and sending it to the auditor.  This is what they term video capture.

The issue with video capture is that once it is sent out, the processor loses control of that video and that it can exist forever on someone else's file.   One downside of this is that the audit may never end.  That is, some can review a video again and again, studying it to a much higher degree than possible during an in-person audit.

Before a virtual audit, it is important to review best practice for audits. (Food Safety Magazine, May 21)  One of these is to insist on only using live video with no recording.  Along with this, all shared documents should state 'confidential commercial information'.

Milk in Dark Chocolate? CA Firm Recalls Dark Chocolate Truffles Due to Residual Milk Protein

That’s it Nutrition, LLC of Los Angeles, Calif., is issuing a voluntary recall of its 3.5, 5.0, 16.0 ounce and 12-count packages of Dark Chocolate Truffles because they may contain trace amounts of milk proteins.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product contained trace amounts of milk proteins and was distributed in packaging that did not disclose the potential presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by cross contamination on shared lines with milk chocolate by the chocolate supplier. All That’s it. Dark Chocolate Truffle product produced as of August 1, 2022 has been lab verified and validated by the manufacturer and an independent third-party as being free from all milk proteins.

This is evidently a big issue, dark chocolate product containing residual milk.  Some manufacturers declare milk as an allergen on their dark chocolate product to avoid this type of issue.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/thats-it-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-proteins-dark-chocolate-truffles-various-flavors
That’s It Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Proteins in Dark Chocolate Truffles (Various Flavors)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 05, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 05, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Chocolate/Cocoa Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  That’s it Nutrition, LLC
Brand Name:  That’s it
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Truffles

Colorado Dairy Recalls Chocolate Milk After Egg Allergen Cross Contact In Filling Operation

Royal Crest Dairy, of Longmont Colorado, is voluntarily recalling Farmer’s 2% Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk Pints with the code date of AUG-22 because it has the potential to be contaminated with an undeclared egg.  The company stated that the "allergen control procedures were not followed after an egg containing product was run through the filler. Once this mistake was discovered, a recall was initiated and customers who had already received the product were contacted. Preventative actions have been taken including better labeling of the product tanks to prevent human error and additional employee allergen training."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/royal-crest-dairy-voluntarily-recalls-2-chocolate-milk-due-undeclared-egg
Royal Crest Dairy Voluntarily Recalls 2% Chocolate Milk Due to Undeclared Egg
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 05, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 05, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product has the potential to be contaminated with undeclared egg.
Company Name:  Royal Crest Dairy
Brand Name:  Farmer’s
Product Description:  2% Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk

Outbreak Case Counts Increase for Daily Harvest's Lentil and Leek Crumbles, Tara Flour Identified as Cause

As last reported by FDA on 7/28/22 on a disease outbreak associated with Daily Harvest's Lentil and Leeks Crumble, there have been 329 illness events with 113 hospitalized.  The cause of the outbreak has been identified as the Tara Flour, but there is little more information than that.

Case Counts
Total Adverse Illness Events: 329*
Hospitalizations: 113*
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: July 16, 2022*
States with Adverse Illness Events: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, MD, MA, MN, MS, MI, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI
Product Distribution: Nationwide
*Estimate based on Consumer Complaint and CAERs reports received by the FDA


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-adverse-event-reports-french-lentil-leek-crumbles-june-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#contact
Investigation of Adverse Event Reports: French Lentil & Leek Crumbles (June 2022)

FDA Issues Warning Letters to a Host of Food Importers for Not Having FSVP in Place for Imported Foods

Over the past few weeks, FDA issued warning letters to a good number of importers for not having FSVP programs. 

Transworld International Trading Corp of .New York, NY did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for some of the imported foods including each the following food products: chocolate imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4) and chocolate imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).  Where a program was in place, the company did not meet requirements for verification as part of the company's FSVP plan for puffed snacks botanas (tortilla chips) in that the program was not functional.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/transworld-international-trading-corp-629674-07052022

Bolive, Inc. of Upland, CA did not develop an FSVP for the foods imported from the foreign suppliers indicated in the attached list and for: Halva and Tahini imported from foreign supplier (b)(4) in (b)(4) and Black Olives imported from foreign supplier (b)(4) in (b)(4)
Bolive, Inc. - 634004 - 07/05/2022 | FDA

Everyday Import & Export, Inc. dba Everyday Group LLC, of  Brooklyn, NY  did not develop an FSVP for any of the imported food products , including each of the following foods: (b)(4) imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4), (b)(4) imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4). and (b)(4) Chocolate Strawberry Flavor imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/everyday-import-export-inc-dba-everyday-group-llc-628633-05262022


Greenfield Produce Imports, of St., Los Angeles, CA did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of their imported foods including: Perishable and frozen cassava imported from (b)(4);
Fresh young coconut without green husk imported from (b)(4); and Fresh turmeric imported from (b)(4).
"During our inspection you provided documents you obtained from your foreign suppliers, including audit reports (which are not in English), a HACCP certificate, and a food safety certificate. However, the documents that are relevant to an FSVP are incomplete, and you did not provide a record of your review of the relevant documents or explain how they would apply to your FSVP program. Thus, these documents do not constitute an FSVP as required"
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/greenfield-produce-imports-629152-05102022

Dara Food LLC of Fairfield, NJ 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, you did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any imported foods including: Confections (chocolate candy bar) imported from (b)(4)
Sheep’s milk cheese imported from (b)(4)  and Baklava imported from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/dara-food-llc-631229-05312022

Flores Produce, Inc. of Chula Vista, CA did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for your papayas imported from (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/flores-produce-inc-632024-06242022

North30 LLC,of Bellevue, WAdid not develop an FSVP for any of the imported foods including each of the following food products: Passion Fruit Sauce, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
Taro, imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4)  Mesona Extract, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/north30-llc-633737-06242022

Jap Inc. dba Intercontinental Foods of Bellingham, WA did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of the foods that you import, including: Brooke Bond Taj Mahal 450G imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) Brooke Bond Red Label Tea 1800G imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
Lipton Yellow Label Tea 450G imported form (b)(4), located in (b)(4) Chilli Powder imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) 
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/jap-inc-dba-intercontinental-foods-630247-05242022

Regino Produce, LLC of, Houston, TXdid not develop an FSVP for 85 of the 88 foods the company  imported, including: Fried Read-to-Eat Corn Chips imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
Fresh Raw Serrano Peppers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) Fresh Raw Lettuce imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) 
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/regino-produce-llc-632384-06272022

USDA Plans to Declare Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products - Big Deal or Not a Big Deal

USDA released a statement that they will declare Salmonella an adulterant in breaded raw chicken products.  The reason is that these types of products have been involved in many Salmonella outbreaks where people tend to undercook them.  This occurs because they are partially cooked, or par-cooked, in order to set the breaded coating on the outside, and this leads consumers to think that they are fully cooked.  

From the USDA, "Since 1998, breaded and stuffed raw chicken products have been associated with up to 14 outbreaks and approximately 200 illnesses. Products in this category are found in the freezer section and include some chicken cordon bleu or chicken Kiev products. These products appear cooked, but they are heat-treated only to set the batter or breading and the product contains raw poultry. Continual efforts to improve the product labeling have not been effective at reducing consumer illnesses."

There has been a pushback against the declaration of Salmonella in raw poultry products.  Salmonella has been part of a chicken's natural microflora for a few hundred thousand years, so to completely eliminate Salmonella is not easy, certainly without changing a fresh chicken into some overly processed 'fresh-like' chicken.  But with breaded chicken products, they have already started the process of cooking, so going a bit further in terms of cooking to eliminate Salmonella may not be a big deal (although quality can be an issue in that the consumer will now recook a fully cooked item versus a partially cooked one potentially resulting in a drier, chewier product).  But the big deal is that once we start down this road, there will be a greater push to declare Salmonella an adulterant in all raw poultry products.


USDA Announces Action to Declare Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products | USDA
USDA Announces Action to Declare Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products

WASHINGTON, August 1, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will be declaring Salmonella an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products.