California Recall of Asian Chopped Salad Due to Undeclared Allergens Packed With Wrong Condiment Pack

In California, Braga Fresh is recalling a single production run of 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Asian Inspired Chopped Salad Kit 12oz bag purchased from Whole Foods Markets stores.  The product is being recalled because it contains incorrect condiment ingredients resulting in undeclared milk and egg that was not listed on the product label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/braga-fresh-issues-precautionary-recall-365-whole-foods-market-brand-organic-asian-inspired-chopped
Braga Fresh Issues Precautionary Recall of 365 By Whole Foods Market Brand Organic Asian Inspired Chopped Salad Kit 12oz Bag Due to Potential Presence of Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 11, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 12, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk and egg allergens
Company Name:  Braga Fresh
Brand Name:  365 By Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen - milk and egg

Thinking of Taking a Cruise - Norovirus Cases from 1st Half of 2023 On Course for Most Cases in over a Decade

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) requires cruise ships to log and report the number of passengers and crew who say they have symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. Learn more about illnesses and outbreaks reported to VSP and find information about outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships.

In the first half of 2023, there were 13 reports of ships with Norovirus cases where roughly 3 to 5% of passengers and 1 to 2% of staff became infected.  In 2022, there were 4 cases and in 2021, there was only one case.  We would have to go back to 2012 where there were more cases for the entire year (16) to be more than seen in the first half of this year.

OR Food Establishment's Use of Outdated Packaging Leads to Unlabeled Sesame Issue

Betty Lou’s Inc., McMinnville, OR is recalling 1.5oz (42g) packages of Betty Lou’s Brand Paleo Java Nuts About Energy Balls with Cacao, Coffee & Pumpkin Seeds, BB 08MAY24 1283, due to undeclared sesame allergen. The recall was initiated after it was discovered by a regular Betty Lou’s Inc. internal review, an old version roll of packaging was used during production, and product containing sesame was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/betty-lous-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-paleo-java-nuts-about-energy-balls-cacao
Betty Lou’s Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared (Sesame) in Paleo Java Nuts About Energy Balls With Cacao, Coffee & Pumpkin Seeds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 10, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 11, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sesame allergen
Company Name:  Betty Lou’s Inc.
Brand Name:  Betty Lou’s
Product Description:  Paleo Java Nuts About Energy Balls with Cacao, Coffee & Pumpkin Seeds

FDA Releases List of Chemicals Not Allowed in Foods and Chemicals Under Review

The FDA released a public inventory of certain food ingredients that the agency has determined to have unsafe uses in food because they are unapproved food additives and lists of select chemicals currently under the agency’s review.
 

This week, FDA issued Warning Letters to a number of companies that were selling products with Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC), an isomer of Delta-9 THC, the intoxicating component found in marijuana. many of these products look like snacks or candies and can be an issue for children mistakenly eating. 

This is a good reference for chemicals in question.

Post-market Determinations that the Use of a Substance is Not GRAS

• 4-androstenedione
• Arimistane
• Betel nut (Areca catechu)
• Caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs)
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol  (THC)
• 1,3-dimethylamylamine  (1,3-DMAA)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Kava
• Melatonin
• Picamilon

List of Select Food Ingredients and Food Contact Substances Currently Under FDA Review

• Authorized PFAS: Certain Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Food Contact Substance
• Authorized PFAS: Uses of other Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in food contact applications Food Contact Substance
• Brominated-Vegetable-Oil (BVO)  - Food Additive
• Irgafos 168 - Food Contact
• Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO) - food additive
• Phthalates - Food contact
• Red Dye No. 3 - Color Additive
• Titanium Dioxide - Color Additive

List of Select Contaminants Currently Under FDA Review

• Arsenic - Environmental Contaminant
• Cadmium - Environmental Contaminant
• Lead - Environmental Contaminant
• 4-MEI Methylimidazole CAS Number 822-36-6 - Process contaminant in some caramel colors and flavors, and in some foods and beverages during the normal cooking process
• Mercury - Environmental Contaminant
• 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (MCPD) esters and Glycidyl Esters (GE)  - Process contaminants that can occur in refined edible oils, such as vegetable oils, and foods made with these oils, including infant formula
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) - Environmental Contaminant
• Thallium - Environmental Contaminant

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-update-post-market-assessment-certain-food-ingredients
FDA Update on Post-market Assessment of Certain Food Ingredients

Constituent Update

July 12, 2023

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public inventory of certain food ingredients that the agency has determined to have unsafe uses in food because they are unapproved food additives and lists of select chemicals currently under the agency’s review. The FDA also released a Conversations with experts about the agency’s work to enhance the assessment of ingredients in foods on the market. These resources are intended to provide more insight on the FDA’s post-market assessments.

The New Food Safety Concern for Summer - Cyclospora

Cases of Cyclosporiasis (infection from the parasite Cyclospora) have been increasing in the US, and we have seen an increase coming from domestically grown produce, while imported produce has been historically the primary issue.  Last month, CDC reported a large outbreak of Cyclospora where imported broccoli may have been the source.

Currently, there is an ongoing outbreak in the Houston, TX area.  A source has not yet been identified, although one would expect it to be related to the consumption of fresh produce, especially those items that cannot be vigorously washed....items such as .fresh cilantro, pre-packaged salad mix, raspberries, basil, snow peas, and mesclun lettuce.

In CDC MMWR article released this week, an Florida outbreak of Cyclospora linked to bagged salad is covered with a discussion how cases have been increasing over the past year.

The symptoms They usually begin about 1 week after exposure. If the infection is not treated, symptoms can last for several weeks to a month or more. Symptoms may include the following:

• Frequent bouts of watery diarrhea (the most 
• common symptom)
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Cramping, bloating, and/or increased gas
• Nausea (vomiting is less common)
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever

https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Portals/27/Documents/News/Cyclosporiasis_SM.pdf
Harris County Public Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2023
Cyclospora Cases on the Rise in Harris County
HCPH urges residents to take protective measures to prevent gastrointestinal illness
HOUSTON — Harris County Public Health (HCPH), the Houston Health Department and Fort Bend
County Health & Human Services, have received reports of an increased number of Cyclospora
infections within their jurisdictions and urge people to use caution this summer while cooking and
spending time outdoors.

Imported Soup Base Recalled for Undeclared Milk

Ziyad Brothers Importing of Cicero, IL, is recalling its 35.2 fluid ounce packages of Ziyad Brand Jameed Soup Starter because it does not declare milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during a routine internal company review that the product was distributed in packaging that disclosed the presence of “lactic casein powder” in the ingredient list but it did not further clarify that this ingredient is derived from “milk.”

The product itself is made with a sheep yogurt base, which is not dairy.  However the lactic casein powder was derived from milk.  Product was imported from Jordan.  The importer in this case, needs to conduct a hazard analysis as part of the FSVP - Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and should have determined this ingredient as an allergen as part of that analysis.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ziyad-brothers-importing-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-jameed-soup-starter
Ziyad Brothers Importing Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Jameed Soup Starter
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 07, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 07, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Soup
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Ziyad Brothers Importing
Brand Name:  Ziyad
Product Description:  Jameed Soup Starter

NY Firm Recalls Mispackaged Blintzes Resulting in Undeclared Milk

MilMar Food Group LLC, of Goshen, NY is recalling 1200 units of Spring Valley Potato Blintzes, because it may contain undeclared milk.  A voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered through a consumer complaint that product containing milk was potentially packed into packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation revealed that the potential problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s packing processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/milmar-food-group-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-spring-valley-potato-blintzes?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Milmar Food Group LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Spring Valley Potato Blintzes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 06, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 06, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  MilMar Food Group LLC
Brand Name:  Spring Valley
Product Description:  Potato Blintzes

Imported Sheep Milk Cheese Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Estancia Holdings of Cumming, GA is recalling one Lot of Tome Corse Sheep Ottavi due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Estancia Holdings was notified by the French supplier that a wheel they received may be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes.

Tomme Corse Ottavi is is a raw sheep's milk with a natural, taupe-colored rind that takes on a light white or orange-colored bloom from natural bacteria which flourish in the aging caves, where the cheese matures from 6 to 8 months. Product is from Ghisonaccia, a coastal region of Eastern Corsica.
Adapted from Source - https://chefshop.com/Tomme-Corse-Ottavi-Cheese-P7154.aspx

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/estancia-holdings-recalls-tome-corse-sheep-ottavi-due-potential-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination
Estancia Holdings Recalls Tome Corse Sheep Ottavi Due to Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:July 05, 2023

FDA Publish Date:July 05, 2023

Product Type:Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne illness

Company Name: Estancia Holdings

Brand Name:  Fromager Affineur

Product Description:  Tome De Brebis Sheep Milk Cheese

Gluten Free Waffles Recalled After Mislabeling Issue with Gluten Containing Product

Van’s International Foods (“Van’s” or “the Company”) is voluntarily recalling certain packages of Van’s Gluten Free Original Waffles, because they may contain undeclared wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that wheat-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates that the problem was caused by the inclusion of a limited number of cartons for Van’s Gluten Free Original Waffles with a pallet of cartons intended for wheat containing products. Immediate steps were taken to prevent recurrence.

As part of  being in compliance with the Preventive Controls regulations, the company would have an allergen preventive control for labeling.  A difficulty here is that someone improperly stored pre-labeled cartons on the wrong pallet, perhaps these cartons were from a previous production run, and at the end of that production run, the remaining unused cartons were returned back to the label storage area and improperly placed on the pallet of gluten-containing cartons.  It is easy to see how a box or two of cartons on the pallet could have been missed, even if there were some checks in place at the point of labeling.  The allergen preventive control at the point of labeling needs to address this type of situation.  This could include an entire pallet check, a control component for the return of unused labels, and/or an inline bar code reader.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urgent-food-recall-vans-gluten-free-original-waffles-due-potential-presence-undeclared-wheat
Urgent Food Recall of Van’s Gluten Free Original Waffles Due to Potential Presence of Undeclared Wheat Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 03, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 03, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat
Company Name:  Van’s International Foods
Brand Name:  Van’s
Product Description:  Gluten Free Original Waffles