FDA Provides Investigation Update into Illnesses Related to French Lentil & Leek Crumbles, Exact Cause Not Yet Identified

Close to two months have passed since Daily Harvest French Lentil & Leek Crumbles were linked to complaints of gastrointestinal illness and abnormal liver function. At this point, there have been an estimated 369 cases with 125 resulting in hospitalizations.

One ingredient, Tara Flour, had been indented as the source, but how it caused the illness has not yet been detailed.


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

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled French Lentil & Leek Crumbles from Daily Harvest. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Adverse Illness Events: 369*
Hospitalizations: 125*
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: August 9, 2022*
States with Adverse Illness Events: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, 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

Tamales Recalled for Undeclared Milk Allergen in Corn Starch Ingredient

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for poultry and meat products containing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated corn starch that has been recalled due to an undeclared allergen, specifically milk. While this public health alert focuses on chicken and pork tamale products, FSIS believes it is likely that additional meat and poultry products will be affected by the FDA-regulated corn starch.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-poultry-and-meat-products-containing-fda-regulated
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Poultry and Meat Products Containing FDA-Regulated Corn Starch That Has Been Recalled Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, August 24, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for poultry and meat products containing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated corn starch that has been recalled due to an undeclared allergen, specifically milk. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. This situation is currently evolving, which means additional products may be added. Please continue to check back for possible updates.

Packs of Walnuts Containing Pecans Recalled

South Georgia Pecan Co. is recalling Great Value Walnut Chopped 4oz. Pouches Lot #29329 Best If Used By April 29, 2023 due to pouches containing pecan pieces instead of walnuts. This recall has been initiated due to mislabeling issue where a packaging run of pecans was labeled as Chopped Walnuts. 

On 8/16/2022 the firm was notified by retailer that Great Value 4oz. Walnut Chopped Pouches contained pecan pieces. The product was distributed between August 8, 2022 – August 16, 2022. This product was packaged in resealable pouches and shipped to select Walmart retail stores located in the States of: Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

South Georgia Pecan Co. Recalls Great Value 4oz. Walnut Chopped Pouches Due to Pouch Containing Pecan Pieces
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 23, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 23, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Mislabeling
Company Name:  South Georgia Pecan Co.
Brand Name:  Great Value
Product Description:  Walnut Chopped Pouches

Organic Tahini Recalled After State Lab Informs Company of Positive Salmonella Sample

Rushdi Food Industries, an Israeli based manufacturer, is voluntarily recalling their Mighty Sesame 10.9 Oz Organic Tahini (Squeezable) with the specific expiration date of 3/28/23 due to potential Salmonella contamination.    This recall was initiated when the company received a notification by the FDA and the West Virginia Department of Health of the potential presence of Salmonella in this specific lot. The company has received no reports of illness or injury to date.

According to the report, the company reviewed cleaning procedures, Environmental Monitoring Program Results, Process Flow and possible Root of Contamination without any positive findings.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rushdi-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-their-mighty-sesame-organic-tahini-109-oz-squeeze
Rushdi Foods Issues a Voluntary Recall on One Lot of their Mighty Sesame Organic Tahini 10.9 oz Squeeze Bottle
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 23, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 23, 2022
Product Type:   Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Rushdi Food Industries
Brand Name:  Mighty Sesame
Product Description:  Organic Tahini (Squeezable)

USDA Issues Health Alert for Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders After Complaint for Plastic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for Perdue’s frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast tenders “gluten free” that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically small pieces of clear plastic and blue dye. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when the establishment reported to FSIS that it received a complaint from a consumer reporting a chicken tender had a small piece of clear plastic and blue dye inside it.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-perdue-frozen-ready-eat-chicken-tender-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Perdue Frozen Ready-To-Eat Chicken Tender Products Due to Foreign Material Contamination

PERDUE FOODS LLC

WASHINGTON, August 23, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for Perdue’s frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast tenders “gluten free” that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically small pieces of clear plastic and blue dye. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

350,000 Pounds of Almonds Recalled After Positive Salmonella Test

Sacramento-based Blue Diamond Growers is recalling 347,650 pounds of Whole Brown Almonds (bulk) after the company's internal sampling found a positive salmonella result on the implicated lots of products.

https://abc7news.com/fda-almond-recall-blue-diamond-growers-almonds-salmonella/12147671/
Blue Diamond recalling nearly 350,000 pounds of almonds after testing for salmonella, FDA says
Saturday, August 20, 2022 8:29PM

SACRAMENTO (KGO) -- Thousands of pounds of almonds are being recalled after a recent test found salmonella, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Sacramento-based Blue Diamond Growers is recalling 347,650 pounds of Whole Brown Almonds (bulk) due to potential salmonella contamination.

E. coli Outbreak Investigation Leads to Precautionary Action by Wendy's Restaurants

CDC is investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in four states, with 37 people infected and 10 hospitalized.  Wendy's restaurants have been associated with this outbreak and the company has taken actions to remove the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in this region.  Cases include Ohio (19 cases), Michigan (15) Pennsylvania (2) and Indiana (1).

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/20/health/wendys-e-coli-outbreak/index.html
Wendy's restaurants associated with E. coli outbreak that sickened 37 people in four states, CDC says
By John Bonifield, CNN
Updated 9:23 AM ET, Sat August 20, 2022

(CNN)Wendy's restaurants have been associated with an E. coli outbreak reported in four states, with 37 people infected and 10 hospitalized, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

No deaths have been reported.

Retailer Recalls Finishing Butter After Supplier's Supplier Has Positive Listeria Finding

Epicurean Butter LLC of Thornton, CO, is recalling its 3.5-ounce tubs of " Wegmans Lemon Dill Finishing Butter" food due to a recall from our frozen dill supplier, SupHerb Farms, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Epicurean Butter LLC received notice from its herb supplier that certain lots of frozen dill could potentially be contaminated with listeria based upon a test from one of the supplier’s food manufacturing customers in Canada that used the ingredient in one of their finished products.

Here is another instance when a supplier's supplier has an issue that leads to a recall.  In evaluating a supplier's food safety program, it is important to assess how good their supplier control program is.  As part of Preventive Controls regulation, the supplier should have identifies hazards of incoming materials.  In this case, where a dill product is added to the butter as a post-process addition (in essence, a RTE ingredient), that dill supplier must have adequate controls in place.  The finishing butter processor establishing the verifications activities that they will perform to assure the safety of that dill.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/epicurean-butter-recalls-wegmans-lemon-dill-finishing-butter-because-possible-health-risk
Epicurean Butter Recalls “Wegmans Lemon Dill Finishing Butter” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 19, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 19, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Epicurean Butter LLC
Brand Name:  Wegmans
Product Description:  Lemon Dill Finishing Butter

Capri Sun Recalled After Complaints of Cleaning Solution Remaining in Processing System

Kraft Heinz is announcing a voluntary recall of approximately 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend beverages.  The voluntary recall comes after diluted cleaning solution, which is used on food processing equipment, was inadvertently introduced into a production line at one of our factories.  The issue was discovered after we received several consumer complaints about the taste of the affected product. The Company is actively working with retail partners and distributors to remove potentially impacted product from circulation.

Residual sanitizer / cleaner is often a point of discussion when conducting the hazard analysis.  Here is an example of where it became an issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kraft-heinz-announcing-voluntary-recall-capri-sun-wild-cherry-flavored-juice-drink-blend-beverages
Kraft Heinz is announcing a voluntary recall of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend Beverages Due to Potential for Chemical Contaminants
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 12, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  August 16, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Clean-In-Place (CIP) solution to have entered the product stream
Company Name:  Kraft Heinz
Brand Name:  Kraft Heinz
Product Description:  Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend beverages