CA Company Recalls Curry Spice After State Lab Finds Undeclared Peanut

Trong Foods International of Santa Ana, CA, is recalling certain of its 4 ounce bottles, 16 ounce bottles, and 4 ounce bags of “Madras Curry Powder” (CA RI NI AN DO “KIM TU THAP”) because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recalled “Madras Curry Powder” was distributed within New York State in retail stores and through mail orders and possibly in Maryland, New Jersey, and California. 

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 the peanut-containing product was distributed in packages that did not reveal the presence of peanuts.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trong-foods-international-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-madras-curry-powder
Trong Foods International Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in “Madras Curry Powder”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Trong Foods International
Brand Name:  Trong Foods International
Product Description:  Madras Curry Powder (CA RI NI AN DO “KIM TU THAP”)

SD Company Recalls Pretzels for Undeclared Milk

Dakota Style Foods, Inc., of Clark SD, is recalling Hy-Vee Brand Honey Mustard Braided Pretzels, Hy-Vee Brand Dill Pickle Braided Pretzels, and Hy-Vee Brand Salt and Vinegar Braided Pretzels, because it may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered through a consumer complaint that product containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dakota-style-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-pretzels
Dakota Style Foods, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Pretzels
Summary
Company Announcement Date: April 18, 2023
FDA Publish Date: April 18, 2023
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Milk
Company Name: Dakota Style Foods, Inc.
Brand Name: Hy-Vee
Product Description: Pretzels

NC Processor Recalls Blue Crab Dip, Cocktail Sauce, Cole Slaw and Crabcake Due to Undeclared Allergen

Washington Crab, a NC processor, is recalling Blue Crab Dip 8 oz, Cocktail Sauce 8 oz, Cole Slaw 8 oz and 16 oz & Crabcake 2, 6 & 12 Count Packages Due to undeclared allergens.  Products were distributed between Oct 13, 2022 to April 13, 2023. The Blue Crab Dip, Cocktail Sauce and Cole Slaw were packaged in clear plastic cups and Crabcakes on plastic trays and sold primarily to distributors, restaurants and company retail outlet located in the states of North Carolina & South Carolina.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/washington-crab-recalls-blue-crab-dip-8-oz-cocktail-sauce-8-oz-cole-slaw-8-oz-and-16-oz-crabcake-2-6
Washington Crab Recalls Blue Crab Dip 8 oz, Cocktail Sauce 8 oz, Cole Slaw 8 oz and 16 oz & Crabcake 2, 6 & 12 Count Packages Due to Undeclared Milk, Egg, Wheat, Fish & Soy Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 17, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 18, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Seafood/Seafood Product
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg, fish, milk, soy and wheat
Company Name:  Washington Crab & Seafood Company
Brand Name:  Washington Crab & Seafood Company
Product Description:  Crab dip, cocktail sauce, coleslaw, crabcake

DE Company Expands Recall of Chocolate Crispy Bars for Undeclared Cashew

Wellness Natural USA Inc. of Wilmington, DE is expanding their recall (published Apr 3, 2023) of its SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar, which is sold in a 15-count variety pack that contains two other flavors, because it may contain undeclared cashews. The initial recall which included a single lot has been expanded to include all lots within expiration, the Best Before dates are indicated below.  The recall was voluntarily initiated due to a consumer complaint, which is the only reported reaction to date. It was determined the product may potentially contain undeclared cashew. The expansion comes following a decision by Wellness Natural USA Inc. to exercise an abundance of caution while the root cause of the contamination continues to be investigated.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wellness-natural-usa-inc-expands-allergy-alert-undeclared-cashews-simplyproteinr-peanut-butter
Wellness Natural USA Inc. Expands Allergy Alert on Undeclared Cashews in SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bars
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 11, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared tree nuts (cashew)
Company Name:  Wellness Natural USA Inc.
Brand Name: SimplyProtein
Product Description:  Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar

Imported Udon Noodles Recalled Due to Undeclared Fish Allergen

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling 19.04 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Ajhei Sanuki Udon Noodle for undeclared allergen of fish, specifically skipjack tuna.  The recall was initiated after we found out that the product contains undeclared allergen (skipjack tuna: fish). Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a human error during the label design making process.  The product was imported from Japan.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wismettac-asian-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-skipjack-tuna-udon-noodle
Wismettac Asian Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Fish (Skipjack Tuna) in Udon Noodle
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 12, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared fish
Company Name:  Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Shirakiku
Product Description:  Ajhei Sanuki Udon Noodle

Update on Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries - Additional Companies Issue Recalls

CDC and FDA updated the information on a the Hepatitis A outbreak associated with frozen organic strawberries from a supplier in Baja California, Mexico.  To date, there have been 7 reported cases from 2 states with 2 of those cases resulting in hospitalizations.

Product recalls began for one company, California Splendor, on March 16, 2023.  "In response to this investigation, Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon voluntarily recalled frozen organic strawberries, sold to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states."

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2023/hav-contaminated-food/index.htm
Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries
At a Glance
Reported cases: 7
States: 2
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0

Outbreak Information
As of April 7, 2023, there are:

• 7 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 2 states (California and Washington).
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to March 26, 2023.
• 2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.

FSIS Issues Health Alert for Salad Items After Supplier Recalls Lettuce for Listeria

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh salad products with chicken and ham that contain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated lettuce that has been recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) contamination.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that they used FDA-recalled lettuce to produce the fresh salad with chicken and ham products.  Recalled items, produced by Russ's Commissary of Holland MI,  were shipped to retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

While not directly stated, the lettuce was likely produced by Revolution Farms, an indoor farm in MI, that just had issued a recall.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-fresh-salads-chicken-and-ham-containing-lettuce
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Fresh Salads With Chicken and Ham Containing Lettuce Recalled by FDA for Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
RUSS' COMMISSARY
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 7, 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) fresh salad products with chicken and ham that contain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated lettuce that has been recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) contamination.

Salad Produced in GA Facility Recalled After Testing of Product Finds Listeria

Fresh Express Incorporated is recalling a limited quantity of three varieties of already-expired branded and private label salad kit products produced at the company’s Morrow, Georgia facility out of an abundance of caution due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was initiated when it was learned a random sample test of a single salad kit with a Use-By Date of March 31, 2023 collected by the Georgia Department of Agriculture yielded a positive result for the Listeria pathogen.

Product was distributed through retailers in the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-incorporated-announces-precautionary-recall-expired-fresh-salad-kits-due-potential
Fresh Express Incorporated Announces Precautionary Recall of Expired Fresh Salad Kits Due to Potential Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 07, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 07, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Fresh Express Incorporated
Brand Name:  Fresh Express & Publix
Product Description:  Salad Kits

MI Indoor Farm Recalls Products Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Recall Expanded (FDA April 7, 2023) to include additional products.

Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was initiated when the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Revolution Farms Green Sweet Crisp – 5oz Retail with Best By date of April 2, 2023.  To date, there have been no illnesses.

The recalled products were sold to the following retailers and food service distributors in the states of MI, OH, IN, IL, KY, and WI

Revolution Farms is indoor farm, falling in the realm of CEA, or Controlled Environment Agriculture.

"The term controlled environment agriculture (CEA) encompasses a variety of systems that take a technology-based approach to farming. CEA can range from simple shade structures and hoop houses through greenhouses to full indoor or vertical farms. The most advanced systems are fully automated, closed loop systems with controlled lighting, water and ventilation. CEA also encompasses common practices such as plastic film over field-grown crops, nets or shade structures and aquaponics systems that integrate fish or aquaculture with plant production."

"CEA systems are designed to provide optimal growing conditions for crops and prevent disease and pest damage. In indoor systems with artificial lighting, crops may be grown hydroponically, in which roots are bathed in nutrient-dense water, or aeroponically where roots are regularly misted with water and nutrients". (Source UC Davis)

Closed farming systems may pose more Listeria risk than conventional farms.  These environments are not much different than a wet processing facility.  As an example, in 2021, Old Soul's Farms had a Listeria-related recall that linked to Listeria build-up in the rainwater-capture holding tanks.  

Other facilities have had issues with different pathogens including Salmonella and pathogenic E.coli.  Because of these issues, CEAs must address pathogen hazards through risk assessment and enacting preventive controls where needed and verifying GMP type controls, especially if these facilities contain a transition to 'processing' within the scope of their operations.

Interesting note that today, an article appeared in Food Safety Magazine (Apr-May, 2023), "Is CEA a Safer Way to Grow and Process RTE Vegetables? "  The article is not overly insightful in terms of providing a broad perspective of risk, but it does provide these quotes by the author that are interesting... 

• "Unfortunately, my experience with CEA practitioners is not encouraging with regard to risk mitigation efforts. In my view, CEA growers assume that because they do not have dirt and are enclosed, they are safe. This attitude seems similar to the prevailing attitudes in 2006."
• "Most, if not all, traditional RTE operations are cold, wet environments. Listeria monocytogenes is of particular concern. Salmonella is generally of greater concern in drier operations. Given that CEA operations can have both wet and dry areas, it is reasonable to consider the development of tailored environmental monitoring programs that address both hazards."
• "Control of the wash system in a traditional RTE processing facility is an important focus of the food safety program. Washing value-added product has reduced illnesses. CEA, however, has largely bypassed the washing step. Some CEA operations are grappling with the decision to wash or not wash. A handful of operations are washing as a point of differentiation. Since 2006, the science and technology behind washing RTE product have advanced tremendously. Each CEA operation must consider how the safety of its system compares to the current standards of the RTE industry as a whole to support its claims of safety."
• "CEA farming presents some unique food safety challenges that traditional operations do not face. The recycling of nutrition solutions as part of irrigation has the potential to contaminate an entire production facility. Given the tendency toward continuous production, there are no discrete lots or clean breaks when a problem occurs."
• "Food safety needs to be designed into operations. The current designs of CEA operations are tailored for optimum operational performance. These designs will evolve in the same way that traditional process plants evolved. Traditional operations are no longer packing sheds. This evolution has taken time. However, given the achieved safety in traditional operations, CEA operations will need to evolve faster and make fewer mistakes."

And finally this regarding the ability to do a good risk assessment:

• "Unfortunately, the ability to execute a complete risk assessment is still evolving. The standards for risk assessments in the traditional RTE sector are soft. Third-party audits are very prescriptive and often focus on minor details without addressing the fundamentals that must be improved to advance food safety. Given the developmental stage of CEA, it will be difficult to execute a complete risk assessment of CEA operations at present. I expect someone will attempt a risk assessment of a farm in an RTE plant in the near future. It will probably be denounced and attacked; however, it will provide a starting point for a much-needed effort."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/revolution-farms-announces-voluntary-recall-lettuce-because-possible-health-risk
Revolution Farms Announces the Voluntary Recall of Lettuce Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 05, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Revolution Farms
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Lettuce & Salad Kits