USDA Issues Health Alert for WY Produced Ground Beef with Pathogenic E. coli

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that a specific ground beef product may be contaminated with E. coli O103. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.  The raw ground beef items were produced at FBS Hudson in WY on October 4, 2022  in 1-lb. plastic vacuum-packed packages containing “FRANK’S BUTCHER.  The problem was discovered when FBS Hudson alerted FSIS that its routine microbial testing results found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103 in a sample of the ground beef. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-due-possible-e--coli-o103-contamination
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Due to Possible E. Coli O103 Contamination

Abbott Recalls RTF (ready-to-feed) Liquid Products for Infants After Cap Sealing Issue

Abbott is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall of certain lots of 2 fluid ounce/59 milliliter bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid products for infants and children. The products included in the recall were manufactured at our Columbus, Ohio, manufacturing facility.  These products are being recalled because a small percentage of bottles (less than 1%) in the recalled lots have bottle caps that may not have sealed completely, which could result in spoilage. If spoiled product is consumed, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting may occur.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/abbott-voluntarily-recalls-certain-lots-2-fl-oz59-ml-bottles-ready-feed-liquid-products-recall-not

Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots of 2 Fl. Oz./59 mL Bottles of Ready-to-Feed Liquid Products; Recall Is Not Expected to Impact U.S. Infant Formula Supply
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 14, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 14, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages Infant Formula & Foods  

Reason for Announcement:  Potential for spoilage
Company Name:  Abbott
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Ready-to-feed liquid products for infants and children

MI Firm Recalls Pasta Due to Supplier's Supplier-related Issue of Undeclared Allergens

Craftology, LLC dba Dutch Treat Foods of Zeeland, MI, is recalling its 14 ounce containers of “Craftology This Is My Happy Place Pasta Salad” because they may contain undeclared cashews.
This recall is not arising out of a food safety hazard caused by Craftology, LLC dba Dutch Treat Foods (“Company”). Company sources sunflower seeds from Lipari Foods Operating Company (“Lipari”), [which conducted its own recall of products] which sources that ingredient from Shah Trading Company Limited (“Shah Trading”). On October 5, 2022, Lipari, a distributor of Shah Trading products, initiated a recall of sunflower seeds that Company uses in the above referenced product due to an undeclared allergen, Cashew, which was discovered in a case of the Sunflower Seeds Oil RS bulk product produced by Shah Trading. Accordingly, Company is issuing a voluntary recall of product that contain the affected lot of the Shah Trading sunflower seeds. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of Company’s product


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/craftology-llc-dba-dutch-treat-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-cashews-craftology-my-happy
Craftology, LLC DBA Dutch Treat Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Cashews in “Craftology This is My Happy Place Pasta Salad”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 11, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 12, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared cashews
Company Name:  Craftology, LLC dba Dutch Treat Foods
Brand Name:  Craftology
Product Description:  Pasta Salad

MI Firm Recalls Sesame Sticks Mix and Roasted and Salted Sunflower Meat Tub Products Due to Supplier-related Undeclared Cashews

 Lipari Foods of Warren, MI  has issued a voluntary recall of specific lots of sesame sticks mix and roasted and salted sunflower meat tub products packaged by sister company JLM due to an undeclared cashew (tree nut) allergen.  This was brought to our attention by our sister company, JLM after they discovered cashews (tree nuts) in the bulk Oil Roasted and Salted Sunflower Seeds product from their bulk supplier, Shah Trading Co. The bulk product was used to package the Sesame Sticks Mix and Roasted/Salted Sunflower Meat Tub products. Lipari Foods non-branded products are being recalled as they may contain an undeclared allergen. 

So basically, this company is repacking bulk nut mixes and the supplier of those mixed nuts did not have good controls to prevent incorrect mixing and/or poor line cleanout.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lipari-foods-issues-voluntary-product-recall-specific-sesame-sticks-mix-and-roastedsalted-sunflower
Lipari Foods Issues Voluntary Product Recall of Specific Sesame Sticks Mix and Roasted/Salted Sunflower Meat Tubs Due to Undeclared Cashew Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 07, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 11, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared cashews
Company Name:  Lipari Foods
Brand Name:  JLM TUB
Product Description:  sesame sticks mix and roasted and salted sunflower meat tub products

USDA Proposes Changes to Poultry Processing Industry to Reduce Salmonella

USDA proposed changes to the poultry processing industry to reduce the level of Salmonella in birds, with a focus on 3 specific serotypes.  The proposed actions include:

• First "testing incoming flocks of chickens and turkeys for the bacterial disease that commonly affects the intestinal tract and affects 1.3 million people annually with symptoms that may include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting which could last for several days. Officials hope testing chickens and turkeys before they enter the slaughterhouse will encourage farmers to adopt practices that reduce the bacterial infection on the bird before they reach the point of meat processing."
• "A second measure would require enhanced monitoring for salmonella during processing by adopting sampling for the bacteria at multiple stages inside the processing facility."
• "The third major change would be to establish a maximum level of bacterial contamination allowed and possibly limiting the three specific types of salmonella that can make people sick. Meat that would exceed the limits or that would contain the types of salmonella prohibited could be withheld from the market."

This is not an easy get.  It will add costs to the system beyond that involved with testing.  First, it will need to push back control to the farmer where there will be costs of testing and potentially culling of birds or diversion of flocks to less attractive processing alternatives.  It may lead to supply chain issues  associated with the tight planning systems used in many farm-to-processor arrangements.

To this point, this appears to be primarily driven by consumer advocates.  It will take a cooperative effort with industry to make it work.

USDA’s FSIS wants to curtail salmonella cases by starting with the farmers that raise the birds
PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 16, 2022
DAVID PITT Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday proposed sweeping changes in the way chicken and turkey meat is processed that are intended to reduce illnesses from food contamination but could require meat companies to make extensive changes to their operations.

Mislabeled Tomato Basil Soup Results in Undeclared Milk Allergen

Bakkavor USA of Jessup, Pennsylvania, is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall of the 32-ounce Meal Simple Tomato Basil Soup as it has been mislabeled and may contain undeclared dairy.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the front label was mislabeled for the 32-ounce Meal Simple Tomato Basil Soup, produced on 9/15/2022 with best by date of 12/2/2022 and does not contain an allergen declaration of milk, which is found in the product. The root cause investigation is ongoing and there have been no known reports of adverse reactions.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bakkavor-usa-issues-allergy-alert-32-ounce-meal-simple-tomato-basil-soup-mislabeling-and-undeclared
Bakkavor USA Issues Allergy Alert for 32 Ounce Meal Simple Tomato Basil Soup for Mislabeling and Undeclared Dairy
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date: October 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Soup
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk Allergen
Company Name: Bakkavor USA
Brand Name: H-E-B Meal Simple
Product Description: Tomato Basil Soup

Glazed Snack Pies Recalled for Undeclared Soy

Flowers Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Tastykake® and Mrs. Freshley’s® glazed pies due to undeclared soy.   The recall was initiated after discovering that certain pies were made with an ingredient containing soy, which is not listed on the product label. No related illnesses or incidents have been reported to date.

Flowers Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Certain TastyKake and Mrs. Freshley’s Glazed Pies | FDA
Flowers Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Certain TastyKake and Mrs. Freshley’s Glazed Pies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 07, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy Allergen
Company Name:   Flowers Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Tastykake, Mrs. Freshleys
Product Description:  Glazed Pies

Fruit and Cheese Plates Recalled After Using Recalled Cheese

Cut Fruit Express of Inver Grove Heights, MN is recalling Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate 6.2oz after their cheese supplier issued a recall due to potential Listeria contamination.  So this is linked to the Old Europe cheese recall.


Cut Fruit Express Recalls Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA
Cut Fruit Express Recalls Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 07, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food   
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Cut Fruit Express
Brand Name:  Caribou Coffee
Product Description:  Fruit and Cheese plate 6.2 oz

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