USDA Issues Health Alert for Chicken Product Due to Undeclared Allergens After Back Label Error

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that the raw, ready-to-cook chicken entrée products may contain egg, a known allergen, which is not declared on the finished product label. "The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that they received notification from their customer that an incorrect label was on the back of the plastic wrapped metal container. The label on the back of the product contains information related to a chicken cordon bleu product, which does not contain egg. The bacon cheddar chicken product contains egg."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-chicken-entree-products-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Chicken Entree Products Due To Misbranding And An Undeclared Allergen
TAMPA BAY FISHERIES

Expanded Recall for Family Dollar and Their Distribution System - Storing Product Outside of Temperature Requirements

Family Dollar expanded a July 21, 2022 recall for certain FDA regulated products that were stored outside of the required temperature. "This notice covers the recall of Over-the-Counter Medical Devices. An earlier notice issued July 21, 2022 covered a related recall of Over-the-Counter Pharmaceutical Products."

As you may recall, In February of this year, Family Dollar also had a massive recall of products handled by their Arkansas distribution center that had a heavy rat infestation.

Voluntary Recall of Certain Over-the-Counter Products Sold at Family Dollar Stores Because They Were Stored Outside of Temperature Requirements
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 05, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 16, 2022
Product Type:  Medical Devices
Reason for Announcement:  Product was stored outside of labeled temperature requirements.
Company Name:  Family Dollar
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Various OTC medical products

Employees Provide Statements on Facility that Produced Frozen Pizza That Was Linked to E. coli Outbreak

This is an interesting read involving an E.coli outbreak in France related to frozen pizza.  The outbreak occurred earlier this year where more than 70 people came down with infections from pathogenic E.coli.  In the article below, employees provided testimonials to how the facility was run.   One could see that food safety was not the primary driver for operating decisions.   

While the cause of the outbreak was not found, the investigation revealed deficiencies in the management of the plant.  This included the "presence of mold, rust and peeling paints was then discovered in the factory, as well as food moths on the production line of Fraîch'Up pizzas."

What employees stated:

"In 2012, Nestlé introduced a new way of managing the site. This is called the Lean method, explains Maryse Tréton of the CGT federation of agri-food. The goal is to minimize all times that are not dedicated to production. We reduce cleaning times and preventive maintenance times to make production as possible."

"Three years later, in 2015, this reduction in cleaning time will be included in a so-called "competitiveness" plan. "Until 2015, the plant operated with 16 hours of production and 8 hours of cleaning per day," say Patrick and Pierre. After 2015, we almost double the production time to 27 hours a day (in three 9-hour shifts) and we almost halve the cleaning time from 8 hours to 4 hours 45.""

"According to them, the consequences of this reorganization are not long in coming: "For us, it meant going faster on cleaning. So, the priority was to clean the production line and the machines. But not what was around, such as the walls and ceilings. It was no longer possible to do everything." Asked about this, the management of Nestlé France confirms that the cleaning time is now less than 5 hours. But it specifies that it has "systematic microbiological samples carried out in different strategic areas of the site"."

"This reduction in cleaning time would have had other consequences. According to the employees whom Radio France's Investigation Unit met, some areas of the factory that were cleaned at least once a year before 2015 would no longer be cleaned. "Before," explains one of them, "we closed the factory for three weeks in August. Meanwhile, the cleaning company that had a contract with the factory could do bottom cleaning. Since then, Nestlé only wants to stop the factory for one week in the summer. So the general condition has deteriorated.""

Some of the outcomes:

• The air conditioning (filtering) system was not cleaned at necessary frequency.
• Flour silos not cleaned for seven years.
• Presence of rodents
• Change of flour to untreated flour where facility had been using pasteurized flour.

What is difficult to tell is to what degree the plant culture, being in France, resisted to more of a US based way of manufacturing.  That is, you can run a lean system provided the necessary procedures are still completed.  Clearly, important activities were not completed and employees had not bought into the lean manufacturing approach.

ICI - France
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/affaire-buitoni-de-nouveaux-temoignages-accablent-la-direction-1662724306
Buitoni case: new testimonies overwhelm management

Saturday September 10th, 2022 at 6:07 AM - Par Laetitia Cherel, France Bleu, France Bleu Nord

The testimonies of several employees of the Buitoni factory in Caudry shed light on the health deficiencies observed in their factory. They denounce a reduction in cleaning time imposed in 2015 and a change of flour in 2021. Investigation by Laetitia Cherel, investigation unit of Radio France.

Golden Raisins Recalled for Undeclared Sulfites

ANKUR” Muktanand Foods Inc. 483 Thomas Dr. Bensenville, IL 60106 is recalling its 14 Oz (400 gm) packages of “Golden Raisin” because they may contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated immediately after it was discovered that product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Sulfite.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/muktanand-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-ankur-brand-golden-raisin-14-oz-400-gm
Muktanand Foods Inc. Issues an Allergy Alert on Ankur Brand Golden Raisin 14 Oz (400 GM)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 08, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 09, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites
Company Name:  Muktanand Foods Inc.
Brand Name:  ANKUR
Product Description:  Golden Raisin

USDA Issues Alert on Mail Order Meal Kits That Have Been Linked to E. coli Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that ground beef products in HelloFresh meal kits may be associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 illness. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.  (The meal kits containing ground beef for this public health alert were shipped to consumers from July 2-21, 2022).  

This comes as part of an investigation of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 and raw ground beef is the probable source of the reported illnesses. Traceback information identified that multiple case-patients received ground beef produced at establishment M46841 and distributed by HelloFresh in meal kits from July 2-21, 2022. Traceback of materials used to produce the ground beef is ongoing and FSIS continues to work with suppliers and public health partners on the investigation.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-specific-ground-beef-hellofresh-meal-kits-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Specific Ground Beef In HelloFresh Meal Kits Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that ground beef products in HelloFresh meal kits may be associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 illness. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

GA Establishment Recalls Sausage Products After Receiving Complaint for Extraneous Material in the Form of Blue Plastic

Sunset Farm Foods Inc., a Valdosta, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,480 pounds of chicken and pork smoked sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment reported to FSIS that it received consumer complaints reporting thin blue plastic embedded inside the pork and chicken sausage product.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/sunset-farm-foods-inc--recalls-sausage-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Sunset Farm Foods Inc., Recalls Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
SUNSET FARM FOODS, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2022 – Sunset Farm Foods Inc., a Valdosta, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,480 pounds of chicken and pork smoked sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

TN Establishment Recalls Beef Jerky After 3rd Party Lab Detects Listeria

Magnolia Provision Company, Inc., a Knoxville, Tenn. establishment, is recalling approximately 497 pounds of beef jerky products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when the establishment reported to FSIS that it received confirmation from their third-party lab that a product contact surface sample returned as positive for Listeria monocytogenes.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/magnolia-provision-company-inc--recalls-beef-jerky-products-due-possible-listeria
Magnolia Provision Company, Inc., Recalls Beef Jerky Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
MAGNOLIA PROVISION COMPANY INC.

OR Grain Processor Recalls Amaranth Grain Due to Potential for Salmonella

Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc. of   Milwaukie, OR is recalling Organic Amaranth Grain Gluten Free, Organic Amaranth Grain because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

FDA Enforcement Report

Enforcement Report (fda.gov)
Product Description:
Organic Amaranth Grain Gluten Free, Bob's Red Mill brand, packaged in Standup Pouch (24oz). Each case consists of 4/24 oz. pouches. RETAIL Pouch UPC 0 39978 02910 2. RETAIL Case UPC 10039978029109. Organic Amaranth Grain Gluten Free, Organic Amaranth Grain, packaged in Kraft paper bulk bags (25 lbs). BULK bag UPC 0 39978 10910 1. 

Italian Egg Products Recalled After USDA Finds Eggs Not Eligible for Import

Valrhona Inc., a Brooklyn, New York establishment, is recalling approximately 66 pounds of dried albumin egg products

The products were produced in Italy, a country ineligible to export egg products to the United States.  The problem was discovered when FSIS investigated and determined that the egg products were produced in Italy, a country ineligible to export egg products to the United States.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/valrhona-inc--recalls-ineligible-egg-products-produced-italy
Valrhona Inc. Recalls Ineligible Egg Products Produced In Italy

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2022 – Valrhona Inc., a Brooklyn, New York establishment, is recalling approximately 66 pounds of dried albumin egg products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products were produced in Italy, a country ineligible to export egg products to the United States.