Reducing Food Waste Through Thoughtful Utilization

In the Washington Post, an opinion piece discusses food waste from a position we have long taken...better utilization. From the time food is processed/prepared, it starts down a path of fading quality to the point where it is no longer edible. Depending on whether it is from a restaurant where that path is short, to retail food items where there is a longer time until it is no longer usable, food too often reaches that point where there it must be thrown out.

Certainly using it when it still has the quality we desire is best. So basically, using it well before the stated shelf-life is best. Best utilization also includes making food that will be eaten in a reasonable amount of time, or ordering only what we can eat in one setting .

But once the food quality changes, perhaps to the point where it is less than what we would want, the author opines that there are still avenues where this food can be utilized. He looks at this transition in the nature of the given food as just an opportunity to make something different that is not only edible, but perhaps desirable.

"By focusing on using food beyond the confines of our first imaginings, we’re granted access to a world of flavor — in soup that has tightened and melded overnight into a delicious sauce, or a dressing whose dregs improve a lunchtime sandwich. We also attain invaluable culinary intelligence, learning how flavor migrates from one ingredient to another, what happens to liquid and fat overnight, how acid and salt can soften what has hardened, how clever knife work can crisp what has sagged."

So okay for a chef to say, but what can we do?  Could groups like Extension, food banks, food pantries promote alternative uses?  This could be development and dissemination of  recipes that utilize items food pantries often have difficulty in moving.....or items that no longer have the same quality but still have nutrient value.  Could milk be made into kefir or yogurt?  What about brown bananas?  What can we utilize in making easy-to-make soups?

Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/13/food-waste-problem/
We’re thinking about food ‘waste’ all wrong
By Tamar Adler
March 13, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT
Tamar Adler, a former professional cook, is the author of “An Everlasting Meal: Cooking With Economy and Grace,” “Something Old, Something New: Classic Recipes Revised” and, most recently, “The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A-Z.”

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Chicken with Undeclared Cashews

USDA - FSIS is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that fully cooked, ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad product may contain cashews a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  (A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.)  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that cashews were found in the chicken salad product.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-trader-joes-chicken-salad-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

TAYLOR FARMS NORTHWEST LLC

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that fully cooked, ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad product may contain cashews a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

Company Expands Recall of Prescription Pet Foods with Elevated Vitamin D Levels

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is expanding its voluntary recall of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food due to a supplier error resulting in potentially elevated levels of vitamin D in two additional product lots, which precede the production dates of the previously recalled lots (posted on February 8, 2023).  The expansion comes following an investigation prompted by Purina that uncovered new information about a production error from a U.S. supplier that was made only to this specific formula and resulted in potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.  The Purina product is only sold through veterinarians.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs; however, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure. Vitamin D toxicity may include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, and excessive drooling to renal (kidney) dysfunction.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-purina-petcare-company-expands-voluntary-recall-purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets-el-elemental
Nestlé Purina Petcare Company Expands Voluntary Recall of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets El Elemental Dry Dog Food in the U.S. Due to Potentially Elevated Vitamin D
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 10, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 10, 2023
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Elevated Ingredient Level
Company Name:  Nestle Purina PetCare Company
Brand Name:  Purina
Product Description:  Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food

Pet Food Supplement Recalled for Elevated Levels of Vitamin A

Stratford Care USA, Inc of Odessa, Florida is recalling multiple brands of Omega-3 Supplements for cats and dogs due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for dogs; however, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to health issues depending on the level of Vitamin A and the length of exposure. Vitamin A toxicity may include general malaise, anorexia, nausea, peeling skin, weakness, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and death.  Stratford Care USA, Inc is taking this action after receiving a single Serious Adverse Event from a sole consumer regarding their dogs’ exhibiting signs of Vitamin A toxicity after consuming the supplement. This is the only Adverse Event to date. Currently Stratford Care USA, Inc is taking all necessary steps in collaboration with the FDA to remove all products with these lot numbers from the market.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stratford-care-usa-inc-recalls-omega-3-supplements-cats-and-dogs-because-possible-elevated-levels
Stratford Care USA, Inc Recalls Omega-3 Supplements for Cats and Dogs Because of Possible Elevated Levels of Vitamin A
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 09, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 10, 2023
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement:  Potential elevated levels of Vitamin A
Company Name:  Stratford Care USA, Inc
Brand Name:  Multiple brands
Product Description:  Omega-3 Supplements for cats and dogs

NJ Importer Recalls 100K Lbs of Goat Meat Due to No USDA Mark of Inspection

Dahlia Imports, LLC, a Newark, N.J. firm, is recalling approximately 96,624 pounds of raw bone-in goat products imported into the United States from Australia that were not presented for import reinspection and thus had no USDA mark of inspection.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products at retail stores.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/dahlia-imports-llc-recalls-raw-bone-goat-products-imported-without-benefit-import
Dahlia Imports, LLC Recalls Raw Bone-in Goat Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2023 – Dahlia Imports, LLC, a Newark, N.J. firm, is recalling approximately 96,624 pounds of raw bone-in goat products imported into the United States from Australia that were not presented for import reinspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today..

PSU News - Rising Incidence of Eating Disorders

An article in Penn State News on the increasing number of people suffering from eating disorders.  The article states, "The causes of eating disorders are “like pieces of a puzzle,” Ethridge said. Among the pieces is the constant drumbeat of ads and TV shows idealizing unattainable body types. Get fit. Lose weight. Sequester everyone with their TVs and cell phones, let anxiety and depression rise and mingle with other factors like heredity ― it’s little wonder eating disorders started to spread like wildfire."

And can we throw into this mix the constant messaging about the safety of food or the lack of safety...whether that be the widespread news coverage about foodborne illness cases.  Does an outbreak affecting people in Seattle affect someone in PA?  Or this title - Processed foods are making us sick: It’s time for the FDA and USDA to Step In ( March 6, 2023).  And then we have plastics, and heavy metals, PSAS in packaging,  acrylamide form cooking, etc.  No doubt that these issues have to be dealt with, but it could drive someone mad, or to stop eating, if you think too much about it.  Too much focus on what is wrong and not enough on real risks and what a person can do.

https://www.psu.edu/news/hershey/story/medical-minute-eating-disorders-rise/
Penn State News
The Medical Minute: Eating disorders on the rise

MARCH 9, 2023

HERSHEY, Pa. — Mental health issues clung to COVID-19 like remoras to a shark during the height of the pandemic. And among the most serious were eating disorders.

During 2020, eating disorders spiked among teenage girls, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Worldwide, the numbers had already been increasing steadily. Today, about 30 million people suffer from these particularly cruel conditions that can lead to death if left untreated.

USDA Proposes Rule for Meat Products Labeled 'Made in the USA'

USDA is proposing a new rule if a USDA regulated company wants to state "Product of USA" or "Made in the USA" on the label.   While this would be a voluntary label, it does require documentation to show that indeed, the product is sourced and processed in the US....outside of spices and flavorings.


Food Business News
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/23358-usda-proposes-new-rule-for-product-of-usa-label
USDA proposes new rule for ‘Product of USA’ label

03.07.2023By Rachael Oatman

WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a new rule for “Product of USA” label claims on March 6. The rule would require that animals be born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States in order for meat, poultry and egg products to bear the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Cat Food Company for Salmonella Contamination and Unsupported Use of PAA

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Arrow Reliance of Tukwila, WA, a manufacturer of cat food including Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Turkey Recipe for Cats.

The inspection was " in response to a consumer complaint received about your products causing illness in the customer’s kittens. FDA laboratory analysis revealed these products to be contaminated with Salmonella. Further, during a follow-up inspection of [the] manufacturing facility, located at 350 Treck Drive, Tukwila, Washington, from August 23, 2022, through September 30, 2022, FDA collected an additional sample of your Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats. FDA laboratory analysis revealed this product was also contaminated with Salmonella."

The company tried to argue that Salmonella is not an issue in animal feed, but FDA responded, "The association between human illness or outbreaks of salmonellosis and Salmonella-contaminated pet foods is well established.6 Association with pet illness has also been shown.7 Thus, FDA considers a pet food to be adulterated if it is contaminated with Salmonella, regardless of the quantity or Salmonella serotype; however, Salmonella typhimurium is one of the most common serotypes that causes human infection."

The company was also spraying product with PAA (peroxyacetic acid) as a control, but this is not an approved application for this sanitizer. "FDA Investigators noted you continue to use PAA as a pathogen mitigation step and you have increased your PAA concentration from (b)(4) ppm to (b)(4) ppm on the advice of your PAA supplier and a third-party laboratory. There is no food additive regulation in 21 CFR Part 573 for the use of PAA in animal food, and PAA is not listed in 21 CFR Part 582 or 584 as a substance that is GRAS for the intended use. Furthermore, FDA is not aware of any data demonstrating that PAA is GRAS for any use in animal food."

The company was also not registered with FDA. They stated that they ship direct to consumers thorogh the use of third party warehouses...of course, this is distribution and not retail sales. The "Director of Quality informed FDA’s Investigators that the majority of your product (approximately (b)(4) percent) is shipped directly to consumers from third-party warehouses rather than from your facility. Thus, your manufacturing facility is not a retail food establishment as defined in 21 CFR 1.227."

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/arrow-reliance-inc-644947-02162023

Arrow Reliance Inc.
MARCS-CMS 644947 — FEBRUARY 16, 2023

OR Establishment Recalls Package Salad After Placing Incorrect Bottom Label On Package

GH Foods NW, LLC, of Clackamas Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 106 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens,  he ready-to-eat lemon chicken & arugula salad products were produced February 28, 2023. The products are labeled with the correct top label but an incorrect bottom label. The incorrect bottom label contains the ingredient statement for a Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat product, which does not contain wheat.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/gh-foods-nw-llc-recalls-ready-eat-salad-chicken-products-due-misbranding-and
GH Foods NW, LLC Recalls Ready-to-Eat Salad with Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2023 – GH Foods NW, LLC, a Clackamas, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 106 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.