USDA FSIS Releases Updated Best Practice Guidance for Listeria Control in Retail Delicatessens

USDA FSIS released an updated guidance document for controlling Listeria in retail delicatessens.

In the document, they point to four Listeria outbreaks that were linked to deli items.

• A 2022 outbreak in which the majority of ill people reported eating products sliced at the deli counter. The outbreak strain was identified in environmental samples  collected at a retail deli and several open packages of meats sliced at the deli. 
• A 2020 outbreak where epidemiologic evidence showed that Italian-style deli  meats was the likely source. The majority of ill people reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters. Shopper records were used to help confirm these deli meats as the suspect vehicle; 
• A 2019 outbreak in which the majority of ill people reported eating products sliced  at the deli counter. The outbreak strain was identified in environmental samples  collected at multiple retail deli locations and in meat sliced at the deli; and 
• A 2018 outbreak associated with RTE ham products. Ham products were recalled by the manufacturer because of potential contamination with Lm. The  products were identified as being sold at retail delis and as the source of Lm illness that led to a recall.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/FSIS-GD-2023-0004.pdf
FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens
June 2023
FSIS-GD-2023-0004

This guidance document provides information for retail firms. The guidance covers:

• Actions retailers can take in the delicatessen (deli) area to decrease the potential for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) growth and cross-contamination;
• Steps retailers can take to help ensure that deli products are maintained under sanitary conditions that do not allow Lm  adulteration of the product; 
• Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Code, scientific literature, other guidance documents, and lessons learned from meat and poultry establishments that retailers can use to control Lm; and
• Helpful tools that retail firms can use to identify potential gaps in current best practice procedures

Salsa Dip Product Recalled After Incorrect Back Label Applied Resulting in Undeclared Allergen

Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of select 15 oz. Tostitos Avocado Salsa Jar Dips that may contain an undeclared milk allergen.   While the front of the affected jar is correctly labeled as Tostitos Avocado Salsa, the back of the jar is mislabeled with another product’s nutrition information and declarations. As a result, the allergen milk is not declared on the label.  The product covered by this recall was distributed nationwide at retail stores and via e-commerce channels. Consumers would have been able to purchase the jars as early as April 5, 2023.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-mislabeled-tostitos-avocado-salsa-jar-dip
Frito-Lay Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Mislabeled Tostitos Avocado Salsa Jar Dip
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  June 16, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Frito-Lay
Brand Name:  Tostitos
Product Description:  Tostitos Avocado Salsa Dip

Imported Mini Fruit Jelly Cups Recalled After Considered a Choking Hazard

RICHIN TRADING INC. OF ALHAMBRA, CA is voluntarily recalling its MINI FRUIT JELLY CUP (35.27oz. and 52.90 oz.) due to the products being a potential choking hazard based off the product size. Small jelly cups have previously been implicated in choking deaths of children.  The potential choking hazard was confirmed after discussion with a representative from the Food and Drug Administration.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/richin-trading-inc-voluntarily-recalls-sunwave-brand-mini-fruit-jelly-cup-3527oz5290oz-because

Richin Trading Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Sunwave Brand Mini Fruit Jelly Cup (35.27oz./52.90oz) Because of Potential Choking Hazard June 16, 2023
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  June 16, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Choking Hazard
Company Name:  Richin Trading Inc.
Brand Name:  Sun Wave
Product Description:  Mini Fruit Jelly Cup, multiple flavors

FDA Issues Warning of Oysters Imported from Korea Due to Potential Norovirus Contamination

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, as well as restaurants along with food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of Dai One Food Co., Ltd., frozen raw half shell, IQF, and block form oysters with harvest dates between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and between 4/06/2022 and 4/21/2022 due to the potential for Norovirus contamination.  Product was imported from Korea.
The comes after the Hawaii Department of Health notified the FDA of five illnesses from individuals who consumed raw oyster shooters at a restaurant in Hawaii on 5/10/23. Traceback information revealed the source for the implicated raw oysters was from a shipment by Dai One Food Co., Ltd.

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-raw-oysters?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Certain Raw Oysters from Dai One Food Co., Ltd., and Central Fisheries Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea, Potentially Contaminated with Norovirus

Frozen Shepherd's Pie Dinners Recalled After Complaints Received for Foreign Material - Clear Plastic

Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,717 pounds of frozen beef shepherd’s pie products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically clear, flexible plastic. The problem was discovered when the firm received consumer complaints reporting pieces of clear, flexible plastic in the product, and notified FSIS of the situation.

These items were shipped to retail customer distribution centers in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah, and further distributed nationwide.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/conagra-brands-inc--recalls-frozen-beef-shepherds-pie-products-due-possible-foreign
Conagra Brands, Inc., Recalls Frozen Beef Shepherd’s Pie Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2023 – Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,717 pounds of frozen beef shepherd’s pie products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically clear, flexible plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

WI Establishment Recalls Smoked Sausage Meat Products Due to Foreign Material - Black Plastic Fibers

Johnsonville, LLC, a Sheboygan Falls, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,062 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) “Beddar with Cheddar” pork sausage links that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically very thin strands of black plastic fibers.  The problem was discovered after the firm received one consumer complaint about the product containing very thin strands of black plastic fibers.

So what is a beddar?  I have no clue.  As far as I can tell, it is a made up word.  Perhaps to allow the company to add whatever they want into the product...(no standard of identity).  However, if someone knows otherwise, please let me know.

(But you can see it...some marketing type looking for a word that has not formal definition..in English....that can be used for some new concoction.)

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/johnsonville-llc-recalls-beddar-cheddar-ready-eat-pork-sausage-links-due-possible

Johnsonville, LLC, Recalls Beddar With Cheddar Ready-to-Eat Pork Sausage Links Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2023 – Johnsonville, LLC, a Sheboygan Falls, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,062 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) “Beddar with Cheddar” pork sausage links that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically very thin strands of black plastic fibers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

MA Cheese Company Expands Cheese Recall Again, This Time for Potentially Underprocessed Feta Cheese

Cricket Creek Farm of Williamstown, MA is expanding their recall of Sophelise and Tobasi cheeses due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes to include one lot of Berkshire Bloom and one lot of Feta cheese because pasteurization records did not illustrate the heating element reached required temperature.  So what is next?
Previous recalls
June 12 - https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2023/06/ma-cheese-company-expands-recall-to.html
May 30 - https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2023/05/ma-dairy-recalls-soft-cheese-product.html

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cricket-creek-farm-expands-recall-cheeses-because-potential-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination-and-0
Cricket Creek Farm Expands Recall of Cheeses Because of Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination and Inadequate Pasteurization
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 15, 2023
FDA Publish Date: June 15, 2023
Product Type: Food & Beverages Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Cricket Creek Farm, LLC
Brand Name: Cricket Creek Farm
Product Description: Sophelise, Tobasi, and Berkshire Bloom Cheeses

Research Article on Meat Plant Survival and The Need for Providing Support

This is an interesting article on factors that affect survival of small meat establishments.  Nothing really new, but certainly validates what we have probably recognized.  But as governmental funding has become available for small establishments, it provides some direction for how monies should be spent.

"An effective way to increase industry resilience among smaller processors might be encouraging diversification and vertical integration. The success of smaller retail meat markets is likely contingent on local demand, however.7 Retail meat markets may not be successful in areas where demand for niche products is weak, or where incomes are not high enough to support sales of high-value-added products."

Not claiming to be an expert on this topic, but the work I have seen done by our group here at Penn State, in conjunction with the meat associations AMP and PAMP,  have done a tremendous job in helping facilities become better at what they do - specifically diversifying products.  Attending the PAMP Meat Judging contest over the past decade, I have seen a proliferation of different meat products, thanks in large part to the support these processors receive.  So if I am the government giving money to support this industry, this is a good place to start.

Another factor touched upon is local demand, and creating local demand.  How many of us frequent a local meat market?  Personally, I love meat markets.  But they are like hidden gems that most people are not aware.

But starting a meat establishments has many challenges - environmental, supply, and labor to name a few.  But what we can do is to make sure we support the ones we have.

Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaa2.55
Meat processing plant survival: The role of plant and regional characteristics
Catherine Isley, Sarah A. Low

First published: 26 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/jaa2.55

Abstract

Federal and state governments are making major investments in expanded meat processor capacity and improved industry resilience. To improve decision-making, this research identifies characteristics related to the probability of meat processing plant survival using hazard analysis and establishment-level data on US meat processors (including beef, pork, goat, lamb and mutton, and large game processors) 1997–2020. We find plant survival is associated with both plant characteristics and local context, though specific factors related to survival vary with plant size and rurality. Smaller plants are less likely to survive than larger plants, and for smaller plants survival is most strongly related to business diversification. For larger plants, local context, including workforce variables, has the strongest relationship with survival. Our analysis shows little relationship between meat processing industry concentration and plant survival, though we find weak evidence of a positive relationship between industry concentration and large nonmetro plant survival.

FDA Reports on Sampling Project for Pathogens in RTE Dips and Spreads

FDA released a report on their sampling of RTE dips and spreads for Listeria and Salmonella. The concern is that these products will have post-lethality (after pasteurization) exposure during additional  processing such as mixing before packaging where they can be subject to recontamination.  (Ingredient contamination can also be an issue of course)  Once packaged, the product is held under refrigeration conditions, generally having a long shelf-life, and then consumed, as is, by the consumer...often served with chips or veggies as a vehicle to scoop the product and deliver it by hand to the mouth   (I think you know the process.)  FDA points out the issue with these products.

"Over the past few years, there have been a few outbreaks and many recalls of dips and spreads. In FY2019, there were two outbreaks of Salmonella linked to Tahini (12 confirmed cases, 1 hospitalizations). In FY2017, there were two outbreaks of L. monocytogenes linked tohummus (31 confirmed cases, 26 hospitalizations, 3 fetal losses); one of the outbreaks may have contributed to 3 deaths. These past outbreaks and recalls are what prompted FDA to initiate this surveillance sampling assignment to survey the industry, perform follow-up inspections to positive samples to identify potential routes and sources of contamination, when possible, and ensure potentially contaminated product was removed from the retail market to protect public health."

The top items sampled included hummus (336), cheese spread (82) cheese and vegetable spread (65), dairy [sour cream type?] (63), cheese and pepper (54), dairy and vegetable [sour cream and oinion?], and salsa (37).

Out of the 747 samples tested in this assignment, four were detected to have a human pathogen

Salmonella - The agency detected Salmonella spp. in one hummus sample collected from a retail establishment in Kingsburg, CA. The FDA detected the serovar Salmonella Havana in one of the two composites. Upon detecting Salmonella spp., the FDA performed Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on the organism and determined that it did not match any known human illnesses and was not linked to any other product or environmental samples.

Listeria - The FDA detected Listeria monocytogenes in three dips and spreads samples – two cheese samples, one cheese and pepper sample – collected from a retail establishment in Colorado Springs, CO. All three of the samples contaminated with L. monocytogenes were produced by the same manufacturer. After detecting L. monocytogenes, the agency conducted WGS analysis on the organisms and determined they did not match any known human illnesses and were not linked to any other product or environmental samples.

The agency’s finding of three positive product samples and over 23 positive environmental samples all from one firm indicates that the controls that firm established were not effective at significantly minimizing or preventing L. monocytogenes from contaminating their RTE finished products. The large number of positive environmental samples found in the follow-up inspection indicates the firm had not implemented effective sanitation controls.