Cereal Producer Pleads Guilty in 2018 Salmonella Outbreak for Failing to Correct Contamination Issue

 From an article in Food Safety News, the producer of Honey Smacks cereal, Kerry Inc, pleaded guilty to operating a food facility in unsanitary conditions that lead to product becoming contaminated with Salmonella.  The plea agreement will include a $19.2 million payout.

In this outbreak, at least 135 people reported being ill with 34 people hospitalized.

"Documents unsealed today revealed that Salmonella had been found on an ongoing basis at the Kerry manufacturing plant in Gridley, IL. During the time period June 2016 to June 2018, routine environmental tests detected Salmonella in the plant 81 times, including at least one positive Salmonella sample each month.  According to the plea agreement with the company, employees at the Gridley facility routinely failed to implement corrective and preventative actions to address positive Salmonella tests."

"In a related case, Ravi K. Chermala, Kerry’s Director of Quality Assurance until September 2018, previously pleaded guilty to three federal misdemeanor counts of causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce. Chermala oversaw the sanitation programs at various Kerry manufacturing plants, including the Gridley facility.  “In pleading guilty, Chermala admitted that between June 2016 and June 2018, he directed subordinates not to report certain information to Kellogg’s about conditions at the Gridley facility,” according to the Justice Department.  “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. Chermala is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 16.”"

Source - https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/02/largest-food-safety-settlement-entered-in-federal-case-against-honey-smacks/

NC Establishment Recalls RTE Stuffed Chicken Product Due to Potential Undercooking

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) stuffed chicken product because the product may not be fully cooked due to underprocessing. The RTE broccoli stuffed chicken breast product was produced by Vanguard Culinary Group, LTD, a Fayetteville, N.C. establishment, on December 3, 2022 and was distributed through ALDI. The problem was discovered when consumers reported to FSIS that the product labeled as fully cooked appeared to be raw. 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.

This product is sold as a fully cooked item, so with heat-and-serve instructions, there may not be sufficient heat to kill any pathogens present on the undercooked chicken.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-stuffed-chicken-product-may-be-undercooked

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Stuffed Chicken Product that May Be Undercooked Due to A Processing Deviation

VANGUARD CULINARY GROUP, LTD.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, February 3, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) stuffed chicken product because the product may not be fully cooked due to underprocessing. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.

CA Company Posts Another Recall for Missing Allergens on Packaging

Daiso California LLC of La Mirada, CA is recalling the below listed snacks due of undeclared allergen ingredients.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that packaging did not adequately disclose the presence of all allergens. Sale of the products have been suspended, and Daiso California has pulled the products from store shelves.

See company's recall notice posted on 1/30/23.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/daiso-issues-alergy-alert-prepackaged-snacks
Daiso Issues Alergy Alert for Prepackaged Snacks
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 03, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  February 03, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Daiso California LLC
Brand Name:  Daiso California LLC
Product Description:  Powdered apple tea, crackers, cookies & candy

MD Firm Recalled Prepackaged Sandwich and Snack Items After Finding Listeria Positive Environmental Samples

Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC of Baltimore, MD is recalling products sold from January 24, 2023 through January 30, 2023 because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.    The recall was initiated after the company’s environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The products include sandwiches, salads, snacks, yogurt, wraps and related product and were distributed in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Recalled Products were sold in retail locations, vending machines, and during travel with transportation providers.  Brands include Bistro to Go, Quick and Fresh, Westin, Fresh Creative Cusine, InReach, Orchard Bistro, Naval Academy, Deitz & Watson, and Shaw's.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-ideation-food-group-llc-recalls-sandwiches-and-other-products-because-possible-health-risk
Fresh Ideation Food Group LLC Recalls Sandwiches and Other Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 03, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  February 03, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria Monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Fresh Ideation Food Group
Brand Name:  Multiple brands
Product Description:  Ready to Eat Sandwiches, Salads, Yogurt, Wraps and related products

Frozen Chicken Meal Product Recalled After Customer Finds Different Product in Labeled Package

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for frozen chicken products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product contains cashews, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.   The frozen products are labeled as Chicken Korma with Basmati Turmeric Rice but may contain Vegetable Tikka Masala with Turmeric Rice.   The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that they received consumer complaints reporting that product labeled as chicken korma actually contained vegetable tikka masala. The vegetable tikka masala contains cashews not declared on the chicken korma product label.

Cafe Spice is the responsible co-packing operation located in New Windsor NY.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-chicken-korma-basmati-turmeric-rice-products
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Chicken Korma with Basmati Turmeric Rice Products Due to Misbranding and An Undeclared Allergen

CAFE SPICE LLC

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen chicken products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product contains cashews, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to cashews are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase.

Health Alert Issued for Meat Snack Board for Undeclared Peanut Allergen In Chocolate Wafers

USDA - FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) meat snack products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated chocolate wafers that have been recalled due to an undeclared allergen, specifically peanut residue.  The problem was discovered when the producing establishment was notified by their wafer supplier that the chocolate wafers are being recalled because they may contain peanut residue, a known allergen, which is not declared on the label. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified FSIS that the recalled wafers were used in products distributed to the United States.  The chocolate wafers were used as part of a snack board's food items.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-meat-snack-products-containing-fda
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Meat Snack Products Containing FDA-Regulated Wafers that Have Been Recalled Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) meat snack products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated chocolate wafers that have been recalled due to an undeclared allergen, specifically peanut residue. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed.

Fudge Cookies Recalled Due to Undeclared Peanut Allergen Due to Supplier Issue

B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling three cases (18 individual boxes) of a single date code of 6.4 oz. Back to Nature Fudge Mint Cookies, with a “best by” date of OCT 02 2023, after being notified that an ingredient supplied by a third-party ingredient supplier was contaminated with peanut, an allergen not declared on the cookie box label. 

Another supplier-related issue...perhaps the same supplier involved in the recent hot chocolate recalls?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bg-foods-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-three-cases-back-naturer-fudge-mint
B&G Foods Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert for Undeclared Peanut in Three Cases of Back to Nature® Fudge Mint Cookies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 01, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  February 01, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  B & G Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Back to Nature
Product Description:  Fudge Mint Cookies
Company Announcement  

Another Recall for Undeclared Peanut Allergens in Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Two Rivers Coffee of South Plainfield, NJ is voluntarily recalling its peanut butter single serve hot chocolate pods distributed as "Brooklyn Bean Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa", "Pingo Peanut Butter Cookie Hot Chocolate" and “Cold Stone Peanut Butter Cup Perfection” in 12 count, 40count, and 100 count boxes produced from January 2021 to November 2022, due to an undeclared peanut allergen in an ingredient from Two Rivers Coffee’s raw material supplier that was not disclosed to Two Rivers Coffee or its licensors.

This may be the same supplier that had peanut allergen issues that resulted in a similar recall last month.  (Jan 2023).  

It is always a good idea to track recalls and to investigate issues in your own facility when there are recalls related to what you do.

Two Rivers Coffee Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut Allergen in Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 30, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  January 31, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Two Rivers Coffee
Brand Name:  Brooklyn Bean
Product Description:  3 Flavors of Peanut Butter and/or Hot Cocoa Pods

Imported Biscuits Recalled for Allergen Missing on Label - A Company's Fourth Recall for the Same Issues

Daiso California LLC of La Mirada, CA is recalling the below Matsunaga Mini Shiruko Sand Biscuits (sku 4902773016966) due of undeclared soy ingredients.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was distributed in packaging that did not correctly warn for the presence of a soy allergen. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

This is the fourth allergen-related recall for this company (Oct 2022, Jan 2023, Jan 2023-2).  All are pretty much the same - importing product with missing allergen labeling.  They better be working on establishing a more robust label review process.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/daiso-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-matsunga-mini-shiruko-sand-biscuits
Daiso Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Matsunga Mini Shiruko Sand Biscuits
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 30, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  January 30, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy
Company Name:  Daiso California LLC
Brand Name:  Matsunaga
Product Description:  Matsunaga Mini Shiruko Sand Biscuits