FDA Updates Investigation of Illnesses Associated with Mushrooms in MT

FDA issued a report on illness that occurred in a Montana restaurant and may be associated with toxic mushrooms.  There have been a total of 50 cases with 3 hospitalizations and 2 deaths.  The last report was issued on May 3, 2023.

• "As of May 15, 2023, the investigation has identified 50 ill people who ate at the restaurant between March 28 and April 17, 2023, of whom 44 people reported eating morel mushrooms. There have been three hospitalizations and two deaths associated with this incident. A sample of leftover mushrooms were collected from the restaurant and laboratory analysis determined that the sampled mushrooms were true morels."
• "Currently, no pathogen, toxin, pesticide, or heavy metal has been identified; however, state and local partners have collected consumer samples from the restaurant and testing and analysis are ongoing. Although epidemiological evidence indicates that morel mushrooms consumed at the restaurant are likely the cause of illnesses, mushroom poisonings can be difficult to diagnose as the exact chemical nature of some toxins found in wild-type mushrooms are currently unknown."
• "Although the mushrooms sampled from the restaurant were found to be true morels, there are varieties of “false morels” that may be mistaken for a true morel due to a similar appearance. “False morels” are toxic and should not be consumed, cooked or uncooked. Gyromitrin is a toxin found in some varieties of false morel mushrooms and it has been linked to several cases of mushroom poisoning and can be fatal even in relatively small amounts. Gyromitrin poisoning can cause symptoms such as headache, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of coordination, and in severe cases, seizure, heart failure, liver and kidney damage and death. Gyromitrin toxin can be partially broken down by high temperature; however, even with cooking, toxins may remain and can lead to illness or toxicity."
• "Wild-type mushroom poisonings can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild illness to death. Symptoms of wild-type mushroom poisoning depend on the specific toxin, the amount ingested, and the individual. The presence and levels of toxins in any individual species of mushrooms can change over time and by geographic location of where the mushroom was harvested."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-morel-mushrooms-may-2023
Investigation of Illnesses: Morel Mushrooms (May 2023)
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 50
Hospitalizations: 3
Deaths: 2
Last Illness Onset: April 17, 2023
States with Cases: MT

Recall Notice Reissued for Infant Formula With Potential Cronobacter to Account for Additional Distribution

"On March 17, 2023, the Perrigo Company issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of Gerber® Good Start® SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula in the U.S., that were manufactured at the Company’s Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin manufacturing facility from January 02, 2023 to January 18, 2023. This product was recalled out of an abundance of caution due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii. Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is releasing this additional notice due to one of the recalled products being distributed to its Nashville Division retailers after the initial recall notice was published."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/associated-wholesale-grocers-inc-releasing-notice-due-recalled-infant-formula-being-distributed-its
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. is Releasing this Notice Due to Recalled Infant Formula Being Distributed to its Nashville Division Retailers after the Initial Recall Notice was Published.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 13, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 14, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Cronobacter sakazakii contamination
Company Name:  Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.
Brand Name:  Gerber Good Start
Product Description:  Powdered Infant Formula

Recall for Product from Indoor Farm Cancelled After State Laboratory Discovers It Made Error

A recall issued by lēf Farms on May 4th was cancelled after NH Dept of Health determined that they made a laboratory error.  "On May 5, a press release was issued regarding a potential contamination of Escherichia coli O157 bacteria of a specific lot of lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens. Upon being informed, lēf Farms voluntarily initiated a recall of the potentially affected products, prioritizing the health and safety of their customers. Subsequent whole genome sequencing was conducted, which determined that the control sample and the lēf Farms sample were nearly identical, indicating that the initial lab results were inaccurate due to a contamination error within the lab itself."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/correction-notice-new-hampshire-laboratory-error-incorrectly-resulted-recall-lef-farms-spice
CORRECTION NOTICE: New Hampshire Laboratory Error Incorrectly Resulted in Recall of lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens: Recall Canceled
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 11, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 12, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Recall Cancellation Due to False Positive
Company Name:  lēf Farms
Brand Name:  lēf Farms
Product Description:  “Spice” packaged salad greens

Canadian Firm Has Pork Recalled After Shipping to US Without Import Reinspection

Eastern Meat Solutions, Inc., the importer of record located in Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 40,763 pounds of raw, boneless pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.  The problem was discovered by FSIS inspection personnel who determined that the products were not presented for FSIS import reinspection.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/eastern-meat-solutions-inc--recalls-raw-boneless-pork-products-imported-without
Eastern Meat Solutions, Inc. Recalls Raw, Boneless Pork Products Imported without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2023 – Eastern Meat Solutions, Inc., the importer of record located in Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 40,763 pounds of raw, boneless pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

MI Establishment Recalls Pork Rind Product Due to Lack of Federal Inspection

Mitten Gourmet, LLC, a Freeland, Michigan establishment, is recalling approximately 1,137 pounds of ready-to-eat pork rind products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities when the ready-to-eat pork rind products were observed for sale without the USDA mark of inspection. FSIS determined that the producer is not an FSIS-inspected facility.

According to the Mitten Gourmet website "Mitten Gourmet is a family owned small business established in 2018. Our family loves the feeling of having fresh homemade products in our everyday lives. We want to provide the same feeling to you and your family.  The moral of our story is simple, our products we create are small batch and handcrafted, with the goal of providing you with tasteful products that are made fresh to order."

This company produces a number of snacks including popcorn, pretzels and cotton candy, and if one had to guess, decided to add pork rinds, a USDA regulated product,  but failed to get USDA inspection. 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/mitten-gourmet-llc-recalls-ready-eat-pork-rind-products-produced-without-benefit
Mitten Gourmet, LLC, Recalls Ready-to-Eat Pork Rind Products Produced without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2023 – Mitten Gourmet, LLC, a Freeland, Michigan establishment, is recalling approximately 1,137 pounds of ready-to-eat pork rind products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Peanut Butter Cookies Packaged as Oatmeal Cookies Recalled Due to Undeclared Peanut

Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled 18-count packages of Oatmeal Cookies that were sold at the Safeway grocery store at 14020 Main Street, Duvall, Wash. between April 5 to April 17, 2023. We have received a report that a package of cookies was labeled as Oatmeal Raisin but may have contained Peanut Butter Cookies. As a result, peanuts and soy were not listed within the ingredient statement.

Note...the label does have a precautionary statement that includes peanuts, but it does not prevent having to conduct a recall due to undeclared peanuts.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-oatmeal-raisin-cookies-sold-safeway-store-duvall-wash-due
Albertsons Companies Voluntarily Recalls Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Sold at a Safeway Store in Duvall, Wash. Due to an Undeclared Peanut and Soy Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 09, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 11, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Peanut and Soy
Company Name:  Albertsons Companies
Brand Name:  Safeway
Product Description:  Oatmeal Raison Cookies

Imported Black Fungus (Nam Meo) Recalled After Testing by State Lab Finds Three Strains of Salmonella

AH USA GROUP INC. is recalling its TW4115 Black Fungus (Nam Meo) product due to possible Salmonella contamination.  The "state of Pennsylvania collected a sample of the product and found traces of salmonella. According to the testers, three types of salmonella were detected, Salmonella Javiana, Salmonella Mgulani, and Salmonella Weltevreden." 
The recalled TW4115 Black Fungus (Nam Meo) product was distributed in the following states: California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, Arizona, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. through small grocery stores.  Product is imported from China.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-press-release-tw4115-black-fungus-nam-meo
Recall Press Release: TW4115 Black Fungus (Nam Meo)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 11, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 11, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  AH USA Group, Inc.
Brand Name:  Ah
Product Description:  Black Fungus (Nam Meo)

Pesto Packed into Hummus Dip Containers Recalled for Undeclared Milk and Walnuts

Bakkavor USA is issuing a voluntary recall of Trader Joe’s Genova Pesto (SKU# 15759) because the product may contain undeclared milk and walnuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered at a retail store that the Genova Pesto was mistakenly packaged into tubs marked "Hummus Dip”. These tubs do not contain an allergen declaration of milk or walnuts, which are both found in the Genova Pesto.

From the pictures, the top lid label stating pesto was correct, but the tubs pre-printed container label states hummus.  So someone put the wrong preprinted tubs into the filler.  An Allergen Preventive Control would include ensuring both the lid and container are in agreement with the product being packed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bakkavor-usa-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-walnuts-trader-joes-genova-pesto
Bakkavor USA Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Walnuts in Trader Joe’s Genova Pesto
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 04, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 09, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product may contain undeclared milk and walnuts
Company Name:  Bakkavor USA
Brand Name:  Trader Joe’s
Product Description:  Genova Pesto Packaged in Tubs Marked Hummus Dip

Yogurt Parfaits Recalled Due to Undeclared Soy

Sodexo is voluntarily recalling 8 .53oz packages of Simply To Go Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits and 9.24oz packages Simply To Go Blueberry Yogurt Parfaits because they may contain undeclared soy ingredients.
No illnesses or deaths have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sodexo-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-yogurt-parfaits
Sodexo Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Yogurt Parfaits
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 09, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 09, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy
Company Name:  Sodexo
Brand Name:  Simply To Go
Product Description:  Strawberry Yogurt & Blueberry Yogurt Parfaits