Cross Contamination in the Kitchen - Remember to Clean the Spice Containers

A study published in Journal of Food Protection tackles the question, can spice containers be the source of cross contamination. Yep, as you probably could have guessed, the spice containers can be the source of cross contamination.  The study looked at a number of surfaces, and these surfaces all could be the source of cross contamination, but the spice containers where found to be more likely a source.  A good reminder to clean as you prepare meals, including washing hands after handling raw product and before touching items like spice containers, and then to sanitize surfaces of spice containers.

https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/doi/10.4315/JFP-22-060/486035/Cross-Contamination-to-Surfaces-in-Consumer?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Cross-Contamination to Surfaces in Consumer Kitchens Using MS2 as a Tracer Organism in Ground Turkey Patties
Margaret Kirchner; Rebecca Goulter; Savana Everhart; Lindsey Doring; Caitlin Smits; Jeremy Faircloth; Minh Duong; Lydia Goodson; Lisa Shelley; Ellen Thomas Shumaker; Sheryl Cates; Christopher Bernstein; Aaron Lavallee; Lee-Ann Jaykus; Benjamin Chapman; Don Schaffner
J Food Prot (2022)
https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-22-060

CO Candy Company Recalls Salted Caramel Cookie Product After Incorrect Packaging of Peanut Containing Cookies

Hammond’s Candies of Denver, CO is recalling 5-ounce boxes of Hammond’s Salted Caramel Cookies, because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The recall was initiated after a routine product check revealed that peanut-containing product had been packed and distributed in incorrect packaging, which did not declare the presence of peanuts. Further investigation has determined the root cause to be a temporary failure of the manufacturer’s packing and product release process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hammonds-candies-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-salted-caramel-cookies
Hammond’s Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut in Salted Caramel Cookies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 17, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 17, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Peanuts
Company Name:  Hammond’s Candies
Brand Name:  Hammond’s
 Product Description:  Salted Caramel Cookies

Nestle Recalls Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough After Complaints Involving Small White Plastic

Nestlé USA is initiating a voluntary recall of ready-to-bake refrigerated NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® STUFFED Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Fudge Filling products due to the potential presence of white plastic pieces.  The company took the recall action out of an abundance of caution after a small number of consumers contacted Nestlé USA about this issue.  This voluntary recall is isolated to NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® STUFFED Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Fudge Filling products that were produced between June and September 2022. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-usa-announces-voluntary-recall-nestler-toll-houser-stuffed-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-fudge
Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® STUFFED Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Fudge Filling Products Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 13, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  October 17, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Foreign Object
Company Name:  Nestle USA
Brand Name:  NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®
Product Description:  STUFFED Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Fudge Filling

FDA Warning Letters Issued to Food Importers for Lack of FSVP - Oct 2022

DF Global, Inc. of Commerce, CA not in compliance with the requirements of 21 CFR part 1, subpart L for the following imported foods: Honey Hallabong Tea, Agave Ginger Lemon Tea, and Walnut Almond Adlay Tea
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/df-global-inc-633242-08012022

C. Liberatore LLC, of Hartford, CT did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of the imported foods ; Peppers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4), Peppers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) and Tomato on the Vine imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/c-liberatore-llc-634519-09122022

Vero USA Corporation located at 90 Dayton Ave Ste 14, Passaic, NJ did not develop an FSVP for any of thier imported foods:  Paprika Chips from (b)(4), located in (b)(4). Snacks (Corn Puffs) from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) and Pasteurized White Cheese- Feta from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/vero-usa-corporation-639180-09262022

Mena Produce LLC, of McAllen, TX did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP for any of their imported  foods including each of the following: Anaheim peppers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) ; Tomatillos imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4); and Poblano peppers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/mena-produce-llc-637641-09202022

El Salvador Products Inc. of Sugarland, TX  did not develop an FSVP for any foods their imported foods:  Salsa & Queso Chips and Sweet Bread imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4), and Pineapple Pastry imported from foreign supplier (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/el-salvador-products-inc-640532-09022022

OK Establishment Recalls Pork Fritter Product After Receiving Complaints for Hard Plastic

AdvancePierre Foods Inc., an Enid, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,137 pounds of pork loin steak fritter product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard pieces of plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received two complaints from restaurant staff reporting they found hard pieces of plastic in the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/advancepierre-foods-inc--recalls-pork-fritter-product-due-possible-foreign-matter
AdvancePierre Foods Inc. Recalls Pork Fritter Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
ADVANCEPIERRE FOODS, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2022 – AdvancePierre Foods Inc., an Enid, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,137 pounds of pork loin steak fritter product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

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