Outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 Infections Linked to Earth Grown Frozen Falafel

Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC of Lakewood, NJ, is recalling its Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.  This comes as FDA and CDC investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections with 20 cases with 5 of those resulting in hospitalizations, in 6 different states.  The product was distributed by Aldi in 36 states and DC.

The preparation instructions listed on the label fall for fully cooking to 165F.  So as normal procedure by the manufacturer, this product may, or may not have been, fully cooked prior to frying and freezing because the customer is being asked to cook it fully.  In this case, we can guess it was not fully cooked, but cooked enough to set the product, but leaving the inside raw.  Then the consumer undercooked it allowing the pathogen to survive.  Undercooking by the manufacturer wouldn't be viewed as a huge risk like a meat product, but with chickpeas, onion, dill, cilantro, garlic and spices, the incidence of enteric pathogens like E. coli should be low.  However, there are a number of ingredients here that could carry it in if basic controls like GAPs or GMPs are not tight.

From Wikipedia, "Falafel (/fəˈlɑːfəl/; Arabic: فلافل, [fæˈlæːfɪl] (listen)) is a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter in Middle Eastern cuisine (especially in Levantine and Egyptian cuisines) made from ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both. Nowadays, falafel is often served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, samoon, or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon; "falafel" also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way. The falafel balls may be topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze tray (assortment of appetizers)."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o121h19-frozen-falafel-october-2022
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H19 Frozen Falafel (October 2022)

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 20

Hospitalizations: 5

Deaths: 0

Last illness onset: September 13, 2022

States with Cases: FL (2), IA (1), KS (1), MI (11), OH (1), WI (4)

Product Distribution*: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI

*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

RTE Chili Cheese Wieners Recalled After State Lab Finds Listeria in Sample

USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert because Family Fare, a Chippewa Falls, Wisc. establishment, produced ready-to-eat chili cheese wieners that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer in commerce.  The ready-to-eat chili cheese wieners were produced on Sept. 21, 2022.  The problem was discovered when the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture reported to FSIS that some product was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes during routine testing.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-chili-cheese-wieners-due-possible-listeria
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Chili Cheese Wieners Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Swiss American Recalls Cheese That is Part of Old Europe Cheese Recall

Swiss American is recalling St Louis Brie products after being alerted by the manufacturer Old Europe Cheese, Inc. that the products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This is part of a voluntary broader recall by the manufacturer Old Europe.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/swiss-american-participates-manufacturer-old-europes-recall-brie-and-camembert
Swiss American Participates in Manufacturer Old Europe’s Recall of Brie and Camembert
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 04, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 04, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Old Europe Cheese, Inc
Brand Name:  Saint Louis
Product Description:  Brie wedges and variable weights

Whole Foods Market Recalls Zerto Fontal Cheese for Undeclared Egg

Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Zerto Fontal cheese from fifty-four stores in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York because the product contains egg lysozyme, an egg white protein, which is not declared on the product label. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/whole-foods-market-issues-allergy-alert-zerto-fontal-cheese-sold-connecticut-new-jersey-and-new-york
Whole Foods Market Issues Allergy Alert for Zerto Fontal Cheese Sold in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York
Company Announcement Date:September 30, 2022
FDA Publish Date:September 30, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product labeling fails to declare eggs
Company Name:  Whole Foods
Brand Name:  Zerto Fontal
Product Description:  “Zerto Fontal”, Cheese

Chicago Company Recalls Chocolate Frozen Bananas After Discovery of Undeclared Peanuts in the Form of Peanut Butter

Diana’s Bananas, LLC of Chicago is announcing an allergy alert and voluntary recall of its 10.5-ounce packages of Milk Chocolate Banana Babies dipped frozen bananas that may contain undeclared peanuts.  The voluntary recall comes after it was discovered that the product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanut butter.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dianas-bananas-issues-allergy-alert-undelcared-peanuts-milk-chocolate-banana-babies
Diana’s Bananas Issues Allergy Alert on Undelcared Peanuts in Milk Chocolate Banana Babies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 29, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 30, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Peanut
Company Name:  Diana’s Bananas, LLC
Brand Name:  Diana’s
Product Description:  
Milk Chocolate Banana Babies, 10.5 oz

Bottles of Chai Concentrate Mix Recalled for Under-processing Issue

The Chai Box announced a recall of 16 oz glass bottles Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 7 93611 81925 2 and 64 oz plastic bottles of Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 7 93611 81926 9 and 16 oz glass bottles Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 793611819252 and 64 oz plastic bottles of Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 793611819269 due to potential under-processing which may lead to Clostridium botulinum contamination. These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed. 

"We were notified of the problem during a process review by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The products were shipped nationwide to consumers, retailers and wholesalers. Some product was also shipped to two consumers in Canada. Product is available online and via retail and wholesale facilities."


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chai-box-announces-voluntary-recall-chai-concentrate-mix-and-chai-concentrate-unsweetened-mix-due
The Chai Box Announces Voluntary Recall of Chai Concentrate Mix and Chai Concentrate Unsweetened Mix Due to Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 29, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 29, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential under-processing which may lead to Clostridium botulinum contamination.
Company Name:  The Chai Box
Brand Name:  The Chai Box
Product Description:  CHAI CONCENTRATE MIX AND CHAI CONCENTRATE UNSWEETENED MIX

Old Europe Cheese Expands Recall of Its Brie Cheeses Due Listeria

Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, MI is expanding its voluntary recall of Brie cheeses announced on September 30, 2022, because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, to include additional products, specifically baked brie cheeses

This action was triggered after a full environmental audit of 120 samples, both of products and of the company’s facilities. None of the products showed contamination, but one of the facility’s samples tested positive. The strain from that positive case has been linked to 6 cases of Listeriosis dating from 2017 to 2022. These cases were not previously linked to this company’s products, but Old Europe Cheese decided to issue this voluntary recall in order to avoid any risk to their customers

The Company has decided to voluntarily initiate the product recall based on these results and with a focus on their consumers’ health. The source of potential contamination has been identified and Old Europe Cheese is taking active measures to eliminate it. Production of these products has been stopped and will not restart until the Company has full confidence in the effectiveness of the applied measures


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/old-europe-cheese-inc-expands-voluntary-recall-its-brie-cheeses-due-possible-health-risk
Old Europe Cheese, Inc. Expands Voluntary Recall of Its Brie Cheeses Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 05, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 05, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Old Europe Cheese, Inc.
Brand Name:  Multiple
Product Description:  Brie and Camembert Cheeses

OR Company Recalls Dark Chocolate Product After Determining Product Contains Milk

Momyer Distribution Inc of Salem, Oregon is recalling Dark Chocolate Almonds because they may contain undeclared milk.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/momyer-distribution-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-dark-chocolate-almonds
Momyer Distribution Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Dark Chocolate Almonds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 28, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 28, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Momyer Distribution Inc
Brand Name:  PRODUCE, Holly Hill
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Almonds, 9.5 oz container

MI Cheese Company Recalls Brie and Camembert Cheese After Linked to Listeria Outbreak

FDA is investigating a Listeria outbreak that has been linked to Brie and Camembert soft cheese products manufactured by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, MI, and sold at various retailers under multiple labels and brands, including Reny Picot.  According to CDC, there have been 6 cases so far, with 5 of those people being hospitalized.

The processor, Old Europe Cheese, Inc has recalled all Old Europe Cheese Brie and Camembert products with best by dates through 12/14/2022 . There are over 20 brand named products that were distributed from August 01, 2022 through September 28, 2022 and were available at supermarkets, wholesale and retail stores nationwide and Mexico; retailers include Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer, Harding’s, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Raley’s, Save Mart, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop, Fresh Thyme, Lidl, Sprouts, Athenian Foods, Whole Foods." 


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-brie-and-camembert-soft-cheese-products-september-2022
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products (September 2022)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Brie and Camembert soft cheese products from Old Europe Cheese, Inc. FDA’s outbreak investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 6
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: August 5, 2022
States with Cases: CA, GA, MA, MI, NJ, TX
Product Distribution: Nationwide