QA Director Pleads Guilty to Concealing Conditions That Lead to Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cereal

A QA Director has pleaded guilty for concealing food facility conditions that led to a Salmonella outbreak where 130 people were infected. "Ravi Chermala overlooked unsanitary conditions that led to the Salmonella outbreak linked to Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal in 2018.

From the Justice report, "Ravi Kumar Chermala, 47, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce. Chermala, Kerry’s Director of Quality Assurance until September 2018, oversaw the sanitation programs at various Kerry manufacturing plants, including a facility in Gridley, Illinois, that manufactured Kellogg’s Honey Smacks breakfast cereal for Kerry’s customer, the Kellogg Company. In pleading guilty, Chermala admitted that between June 2016 and June 2018, he directed subordinates to not report certain information to Kellogg’s about conditions at the Gridley facility. In addition, Chermala admitted that he directed subordinates at the Gridley facility to alter the plant’s program for monitoring for the presence of pathogens in the plant, limiting the facility’s ability to accurately detect insanitary conditions."

Don't be this guy.


https://www.foodprocessing.com/food-safety/news/21438121/former-kerry-qa-director-pleads-guilty-in-2018-salmonella-outbreak-from-kelloggs-honey-smacks-cereal
Former Kerry QA Director Pleads Guilty in 2018 Salmonella Outbreak
Nov. 20, 2022

Ravi Chermala overlooked unsanitary conditions that led to Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal recall and 130 illnesses.

Just Another Recall for Enoki Mushrooms After MI Lab Detects Listeria

Green Day Produce, Inc. of Vernon, CA is recalling its 200g/ 7.05oz packages of ENOKI MUSHROOM (Product of Korea) sold from September 2022 - October 2022 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was discovered after a retail sample was collected and analyzed by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 200g/7.05 oz. package of Enoki mushroom.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/green-day-produce-inc-recalls-enoki-mushrooms-because-possible-health-risk
Green Day Produce, Inc. Recalls Enoki Mushrooms Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 17, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  November 17, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes
Company Name:  Green Day Produce
Brand Name:  Green Day Produce
Product Description:  Enoki Mushrooms

Wheat-free Power Pancakes Recalled for Containing 1% Wheat

Phil’s Power Pancake of Costa Mesa, CA is recalling its 5 oz. packages of individually wrapped Power Pancakes in all 5 varieties (Mango, Raspberry, Cranberry, Dates, and Chocolate Chip Hempseed) because they may contain undeclared wheat.  All 5 varieties of pancakes contain rye flour that contains 1% wheat. Labels on the product distributed state “wheat free” and new labels will read “99% wheat free”.

1) That 1% present does not allow one to say 'free' from that.

2) Power pancakes are a thing.....just have to douse them with plenty of maple syrup I guess to get them to slide on down.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/phils-power-pancake-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-phils-power-pancake
Phil’s Power Pancake Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Phil’s Power Pancake
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 17, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  November 18, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat
Company Name:  Phil’s Power Pancake
Brand Name:  Phil’s Power Pancake
Product Description:  Pancakes in 5 varieties (mango, raspberry, cranberry, dates, chocolate chip hempseed

Australia - Poppy Seed Mix-up Results in Illness as People Consume Poppy Seed Tea Containing Seeds Grown for Medicine

In Australia, 19 people suffered toxic contamination after drinking poppy seed tea.  The poppy seeds in the product contained non-food-grade seeds that were grown for their medical attributes, namely they contain high amounts of the controlled drug thebaine.

As you may know, poppy seeds come from the poppy flower, which is the source of the narcotic drug opium which is used to produce painkillers like morphine and codeine.  "Australia is one of the largest global producers of poppy seeds, with Tasmania at one point estimated to have supplied half of global stocks.  The crop is tightly controlled, because the plant's capsules can be deadly if ingested. Overdoses from drinking poppy have been fatal."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-16/poppy-seed-warning-recalled-thebaine-toxic-tea-opiates/101659048
There is a nationwide recall of toxic poppy seeds. What is thebaine? And how do you get sick from poppy seeds?
Posted Tue 15 Nov 2022 at 9:24pmTuesday 15 Nov 2022 at 9:24pm, updated Wed 16 Nov 2022 at 6:04pm

Tyson Recalls 50 Tons of Ground Meat After Complaints of Mirror-like Foreign Material

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., an Amarillo, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 93,697 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically reflective mirror-like material.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that they received consumer complaints reporting findings of “mirror-like” material in ground beef products purchased from grocery stores.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/tyson-fresh-meats-inc--recalls-raw-ground-beef-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
TYSON FRESH MEATS, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2022 – Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., an Amarillo, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 93,697 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically reflective mirror-like material, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

NY Firm Recalls Fudge After Packaging Mix-up Results in Undeclared Walnuts

Fudgeamentals of Melville, New York has voluntarily recalled one lot of Chocolate Fudge Bites packaged in 8 oz. plastic containers. The Chocolate Fudge Bites products may contain Chocolate Walnut Fudge Bites products instead, resulting in the presence of undeclared tree nut (walnut) ingredient.  The issue was discovered after one of the store employees discovered Chocolate Walnut Fudge Bites were incorrectly labeled as Chocolate Fudge Bites.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fudgeamentals-recalls-chocolate-fudge-bites-because-undeclared-walnuts
Fudgeamentals Recalls Chocolate Fudge Bites Because of Undeclared Walnuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 17, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  November 17, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Chocolate/Cocoa Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared walnuts
Company Name:  Fudgeamentals
Brand Name:  Fudgeamentals
Product Description:  Chocolate fudge bites

Closure of Local Pizza Shop Gains Media Attention

Canyon Pizza has been a State College staple for late night pizza since 2001. Not necessary an award winning pizza, but with its large pies and cheap price, it have endured the ever changing restaurant scene in this college town. After an inspection by the local health authority this week, however, it received a lot of press, although not the good kind.

The inspection noted 13 violations.  None by itself that would store-closing, but in total, it paints the picture of a dirty operation, one that is definite need of a good scrubbing and repair.  How did it get to this point?  Didn't management look closely and think that things are not as they should be?  Why do some have to wait until an inspection in order to do the necessary work?  And now, to have the brand damaged for all to see.

PDA website for results of restaurant inspections
https://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx

4 - 301.14 Explain Code Submit
Inspector Comments
--Hood system is not adequate to remove heat and/or grease, as evidenced by condensate and/or grease collecting on the walls, ceilings, and fixtures. Hood is in need of a professional cleaning as required by the Centre Region Property Maintenance Code.

Ending the Thanksgiving Meal Controversies

Thanksgiving.   A time to gather with family and friends.  A time to feast.   A time to time to argue….umm….converse about important stuff ...like stuffing. Indeed, there are some age-old controversies surrounding the Thanksgiving meal.  Questions such as.....Is it stuffing or is it dressing? ......White meat vs dark meat? ......What is the best temperature for cooking the turkey?

To help foster a harmonious atmosphere during your holiday gathering, we will provide you with some next-level input for resolving these questions. We have assembled a Blue Ribbon Panel….Yes, I know what you are thinking….really, a Blue Ribbon Panel? Yes, a Blue Ribbon Panel indeed and that means this s**t is about to get serious. The make-up of this esteemed panel includes the tri-country turkey basting champion from Rebersburg PA, a state inspector from the top turkey-growing state of Minnesota (I too thought it was North Carolina…I guess the frigid weather saves on freezing costs), a decorated Blue Ribbon Panelist from Shickshinny, PA who has served on over 30 Blue Ribbon Panels, a faculty member who did not want to share NIL information (name, image, likeness) without proper compensation, a bearded guy named Jeb, and a few others who were loitering in the hall. 

They are ready, so let’s get on to it.

Stuffing vs Dressing? Some call it stuffing. Some call it dressing. Some people say it depends on whether it is in the bird, stuffing, or cooked as a casserole, dressing. However, it is the same stuff, regardless.  What you call it depend on where you are from….a regional thing. So to settle this, we go to a source that knows no boundary….Walmart. We took a look at the bags of product sold at Walmart (including Martin’s Stuffing Cubes and Pepperidge Farms Stuffing Mix) and what do you notice….these bags are labeled stuffing. And the listed directions do not have different names for how it is made….that is, whether making it inside the bird or doing it straight up in the casserole dish, they call it stuffing. 

Blue Ribbon Panel – Stuffing.

FDA Rolls Out Traceability Rule as Part of FSMA Regulations

FDA released (11/15/22) their latest rule, Food Traceability as a means to allow for faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and/or deaths.  (https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods)

Basically, if the food item is on the FTL, the Food Traceability List, there are traceability requirements.

The items that are currently on the list (below) require a Food Traceability Plan (except for those where there is an exemption)

1. A description of the procedures you use to maintain the records you are required to keep under this subpart, including the format and location of these records. 
2. A description of the procedures you use to identify foods on the Food Traceability List that you manufacture, process, pack, or hold; 
3. A description of how you assign traceability lot codes to foods on the Food Traceability List in accordance with § 1.1320, if applicable; 
4. A statement identifying a point of contact for questions regarding your traceability plan and records; and 
5. If you grow or raise a food on the Food Traceability List (other than eggs), a farm map showing the areas in which you grow or raise such foods. 
• Except as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, the farm map must show the location and name of each field (or other growing area) in which you grow a food on the Food Traceability List, including geographic coordinates and any other information needed to identify the location of each field or growing area.
• For aquaculture farms, the farm map must show the location and name of each container (e.g., pond, pool, tank, cage) in which you raise seafood on the Food Traceability List, including geographic coordinates and any other information needed to identify the location of each container

You must update your traceability plan as needed to ensure that the information provided reflects your current practices and to ensure that you are in compliance with the requirements of this subpart. You must retain your previous traceability plan for 2 years after you update the plan.

Specific records (KDE) must be kept for each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) -  harvesting, cooling, initial packing, shipping, receiving, and transforming the product.

There is more information summarized on the FDA website for what needs to be recorded for each of the steps (below)  However, one can expect that most processors will already have the required tracking systems in place including lot coding.  So the KDEs for the CTL of Transformation (processing).

Transformation KDEs  (Key Data Elements)

FTL food(s) used as ingredient(s)

KDEs must be linked to the new traceability lot for the food

• Traceability lot code for the food

• Product description for the food to which the traceability lot code applies

• For each traceability lot used, the quantity and unit of measure of the food used from that lot

Transformation KDEs for New food produced

KDEs must be linked to the new traceability lot for the food

• New traceability lot code for the food

• Location description for where you transformed the food (i.e., the traceability lot code source), and (if applicable) 

the traceability lot code source reference

• Date transformation was completed

• Product description for the food

• Quantity and unit of measure of the food

• Reference document type and reference document number

So for the the items on the FTL, you will need KDEs for each of the CTLs  (oh brother).

So what items are on the FTL for now. (And items can be added to this list over time by FDA)