Infant Formula Recalled After Cronobacter-Postive Sample Detected at Copacker

ByHeart, a next-generation baby nutrition company, is voluntarily recalling five batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula due to the potential for cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii.  No distributed ByHeart product has tested positive for the bacteria.

"ByHeart owns its entire manufacturing supply chain with the exception of final canning, which is conducted by a reputable third-party packager. ByHeart is taking this precautionary measure because one test sample collected from the third-party packaging facility tested positive for Cronobacter sakazakii. All product packaged that day, and the first production on the next day, was isolated for destruction and not distributed. Out of an abundance of caution, we are now recalling all product produced during the entire production run."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/byheart-issues-voluntary-recall-five-batches-its-infant-formula-because-possible-health-risk
ByHeart Issues Voluntary Recall of Five Batches of Its Infant Formula Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 11, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  December 11, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii
Company Name:  ByHeart
Brand Name:  ByHeart
Product Description:  Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 0-12months

Rat Sightings Have Been Rising in Large Cities

New York City recently listed a job posting for Director of Rat Mitigation, with a six figure salary to get NYC increase rat problem under control.   But NYC is not alone, nor is at the top of cities having rat problems.  An article in Axios Boston states that Boston state that Boston has the highest level of rat sightings with 21.6% of homes with a rodent sighting...followed by Philadelphia (19.5%), and then New York City (15.3%).

Why the increasing problem?  An article in the Washington Post provided this: "Rats are a fixture of urban life, but early in the pandemic, their populations in urban cores shrank as restaurants, parks and offices shut down — and their access to trash did too.  But many adapted, desperate to survive. They ate off the bottom of restaurant doors in search of food, alpha male rats ate weaker ones, and a large number, to residents’ frustration, migrated."   Basically, rats had to move where prospects for food were greater, and that unfortunately is where people live, store their food and place their trash.

NYC War on Rats: Can 4 New Rodent Laws Fix the Crisis?
NYC believes four rodent-related bills may be the solution to the city's longstanding rat problem. Here are some of the changes you can expect in your community

By Erica Byfield • Published November 18, 2022 • Updated on November 18, 2022 Four new bills were signed into law on Friday, each designed to target one of New York City's longest and strongest enemy: the rat.

CDC Report - Appliances Used to Cook Frozen Stuffed Chicken Products

Frozen breaded stuffed chicken products are viewed as a Salmonella risk due to multiple Salmonella outbreaks over the past decade.  

"These products are partially cooked to set the breading, often making them appear cooked (2). Despite their appearance, these products need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure that they are safe to eat. Producers began implementing labeling changes in 2006 to more clearly identify these products as raw; many warn against using microwave ovens (microwaves) to prepare them and provide validated cooking instructions solely for conventional ovens (ovens) (3,4). However, outbreaks continued to occur after implementation of these labeling changes (4)"

A study was conducted to see how people normally cook this product.  "Although ovens were the most commonly reported appliance used to cook frozen stuffed chicken products, more than one half of respondents (54.0%) reported using other appliances instead of or in addition to ovens, including microwaves (29.0%), a circumstance that historically has been reported frequently by ill persons in outbreaks associated with frozen stuffed chicken products (1). Respondents with lower incomes and who live in mobile types of homes reported lower oven use and higher microwave use. Persons within these groups might be at increased risk for illness related to both challenges in preparing these foods and access to appliances."

 "Studies indicate that microwaves, air fryers, and toaster ovens inconsistently heat frozen stuffed chicken or frozen raw breaded chicken (4,6,7). Therefore, cooking instructions often do not include information about cooking the product in air fryers or toaster ovens and might warn against using microwaves. However, previous studies have found that some consumers infrequently read package instructions (8,9), including one report that found some consumers discarded packaging when the products were brought home and never saw cooking instructions (9). In this survey, 30% of respondents reported using an air fryer, 29% a microwave, and 14% a toaster oven. These findings suggest that relying on labeling and cooking instructions might not be sufficient to prevent illness. Further, even when cooking these products in an oven, verifying the temperature of the finished product is important (7). However, food thermometer usage can be low; one study found that even among persons who owned a food thermometer, only 38% typically used them to check doneness of frozen chicken products (2)."


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7148a2.htm?s_cid=mm7148a2_w#contribAff
Appliances Used by Consumers to Prepare Frozen Stuffed Chicken Products — United States, May–July 2022
Weekly / December 2, 2022 / 71(48);1511–1516

Katherine E. Marshall, MPH1,*; Michelle Canning, MPH1,2,*; Michael Ablan, MPH1; Tamara N. Crawford, DBH1; Misha Robyn, DVM1 (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?
Frozen stuffed chicken products remain a source of Salmonella outbreaks despite changes to packaging instructing consumers to cook these products in ovens and to avoid using microwaves.

What is added by this report?
More than one half of respondents to an Internet panel survey reported using an appliance other than an oven to cook frozen stuffed chicken products; 29% used a microwave. Respondents with lower incomes and who live in mobile types of homes reported lower oven use and higher microwave use.

What are the implications for public health practice?
Economic and other factors might influence access to recommended cooking appliances. Companies could consider implementing interventions that rely less on labeling and consumer preparation practices to ensure safety.

Border Guards Find $3 Million of Meth in Shipment of Carrots

US Customs and Border Protection detained a shipment of carrots after finding close to 1,500 lbs (over $3 million in street value) of meth within the shipment.

Produce News
https://theproducenews.com/headlines/shortsighted-smuggler-busted-3m-carrot-and-meth-shipment
Shortsighted smuggler busted with $3M carrot and meth shipment

December 8, 2022

U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility in San Diego found over $3 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of carrots.

Packages of Jujube Recalled for Undeclared Sulfites

Northern Food I/E Inc. of Westbury, NY is recalling all lots and codes of its 8.3-ounce (235-gram) packages of “Lukai sweetened jujube” because they may contain undeclared sulfites.   The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed that the sulfite containing product was distributed in packages that did not reveal the presence of sulfites.

Jujube is a small fruit similar to a date.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/northern-food-ie-recalls-sweetened-jujube-due-undeclared-sulfites
Northern Food I/E Recalls “Sweetened Jujube” Due to Undeclared Sulfites
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  December 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fruit/Fruit Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites
Company Name:  Northern Food I/E Inc.
Brand Name:  Lukai
Product Description:  Sweetened Jujube

Advent Calendars with Chocolate w/ Creamy Filling Recalled After Testing Finds Salmonella

Lidl US has announced a voluntary recall for the 8.4 oz Favorina branded Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling) due to potential Salmonella contamination.  This issue was found during routine testing, which Lidl performs on an ongoing basis to help ensure safe and quality products for our customers. Lidl US has received no reports or complaints of illness related to this product to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lidl-voluntarily-recalls-84-oz-favorina-branded-advent-calendar-premium-chocolate-creamy-filling-due
LIDL Voluntarily Recalls 8.4 Oz Favorina Branded Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling) Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  December 06, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential presence of Salmonella
Company Name:  Lidl US
Brand Name:  Favorina
Product Description:  Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling)

Recall Issued After Meltaway Mixup - Peanut Butter Packaged Instead of Mint

Cranberry Sweets & More of Coos Bay, Oregon is voluntarily recalling its 4 and 8 ounce packages of "Mint Meltaways" candies because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Peanut Butter Meltaways product was mis-labeled as Heirloom Mint Meltaways and peanut was not declared on finished product label. The firm’s subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging process. The process has been corrected and the company has instituted additional safety checks and corrective actions.

Labeling verification as part of the Allergen Preventive Controls could entail continuous organoleptic testing.  Any volunteers?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cranberry-sweets-more-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-mint-meltaways
Cranberry Sweets & More Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Peanuts In “Mint Meltaways”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  December 06, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Chocolate/Cocoa Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen/Peanut
Company Name:  Cranberry Sweets & More
Brand Name:  Cranberry Sweets
Product Description:  Mint Meltaways

USDA Issues Health Alert for Ground Meat After Positive Pathogenic E. coli Test

USDA is issuing a public health alert for ground beef sold at La Michoacana Meat Market, in Greenville, Tex., after a sample of the product tested positive for the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. A recall was not requested because there is no product currently available for sale to consumers; however, the ground beef product may remain in consumers’ homes and could cause illness if eaten.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS product testing when a sample confirmed positive for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-tested-positive-e--coli-o157h7
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products That Tested Positive for E. Coli O157:H7

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef sold at La Michoacana Meat Market, in Greenville, Tex., after a sample of the product tested positive for the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. A recall was not requested because there is no product currently available for sale to consumers; however, the ground beef product may remain in consumers’ homes and could cause illness if eaten.

Ham and Cheese Loaf Products Recalled After Being Sliced on Equipment Exposed to Under-processed Product

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Kirksville, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat ham and cheese loaf products due to possible cross-contamination with under-processed products.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that the product was sliced on the same equipment as product that had been under processed, and the equipment was not cleaned between runs of the under-processed and fully cooked product. This has led to concerns of possible cross-contamination of the fully cooked ham and cheese loaf product.

This scenario is easy to imagine.  Product is produced that is under-processed and put on hold.  But the post-processing equipment, now exposed to under-processed meat potentially containing pathogens like Salmonella or Listeria, is not completely cleaned prior to running good product.

When under-processed product touches the equipment on the post-process side of the operation (what is considered the RTE side or clean side of the operation), then all that equipment must receive a complete sanitation.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kraft-heinz-foods-company-recalls-ready-eat-ham-and-cheese-loaf-products-due
Kraft Heinz Foods Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ham and Cheese Loaf Products Due to Possible Cross-Contamination From Under-Processed Products
KRAFT HEINZ FOODS COMPANY

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2022 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Kirksville, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat ham and cheese loaf products due to possible cross-contamination with under-processed products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.