USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Canned Meat Which May Have Not Been Properly Processed

USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for canned meat product due to under processing.  The product, SPAM Classic, is produced by Hormel.  The problem was discovered when the firm reported that they inadvertently shipped product that may not have been adequately processed to reach commercial sterility.  

So it appears that product inadvertently shipped would indicate that the product had been recognized as suspect, or deviated, and was, or should have been, on Hold status.  As part of a facility's Corrective Action procedures, it is imperative to capture suspect product. 

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  A recall was not requested because it is believed that the product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-canned-meat-product-due-possible-under-processing
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Canned Meat Product Due to Possible Under Processing
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for canned meat product due to under processing. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.

WI Establishment Recalls Ground Beef After Testing Positive or E. coli (STEC) O103

American Foods Group, LLC, doing business as Green Bay Dressed Beef, LCC, a Green Bay, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 58,281 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103.  The raw, ground beef items were produced on Aug. 14, 2023.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by a state public health partner tested positive for the presence of E. coli O103. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.


American Foods Group, LLC Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O103 Contamination
GREEN BAY DRESSED BEEF, LLC
FSIS Announcement


WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2023 - American Foods Group, LLC, doing business as Green Bay Dressed Beef, LCC, a Green Bay, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 58,281 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

MI Firm Recalls Hamburger Buns for Undeclared Milk

Knickerbocker 365, Inc. of Madison Heights, MI, is recalling its 16-ounce packages of "Homestyle Hamburger Buns" because they contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the milk-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.  The problem was corrected immediately.  

A complaint of illness was reported to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/knickerbocker-365-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-homestyle-hamburger-buns
Knickerbocker 365 Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in “Homestyle Hamburger Buns”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 14, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 14, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen/Milk
Company Name:  Knickerbocker 365, Inc.
Brand Name:  Knickerbocker
Product Description:  Homestyle Hamburger Buns

France - Botulism Outbreak Linked to Homemade Preserved Sardines

Homemade sardine preserves served at a wine bar in the southwestern city of Bordeaux are being linked a botulism outbreak that has affected a dozen people and causing the death of one woman.  According to the NY Times article, "One woman who lives in the Paris region died after returning home and checking into a hospital, doctors said on Wednesday. Her partner was also hospitalized. Eight of the other victims are still at a hospital in Bordeaux. Most of them are in intensive care and receiving respiratory assistance."  Botulism pensioning is caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum as it grows in improperly processed food products.  When consumed, the toxin shuts down the autonomic nervous system, paralyzing muscles including those muscles needed for breathing.

"The restaurant owner acknowledged that some of the preserves had a “bad smell” when he opened them, but he said the ones he served to his customers appeared safe, according to local officials."

NY Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/world/europe/france-botulism-sardines.html
One Dead in Botulism Outbreak Traced to Sardines at Bar in France
At least a dozen people became ill after eating at a popular organic wine bar in Bordeaux. Health officials blamed contaminated homemade preserves.

USDA Issues Health Alert for Gluten-Free Soup After Gluten Detected

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for a ready-to-eat (RTE) Kirkland Signature chicken tortilla soup product due to misbranding. The label declares the product as gluten-free, but gluten was detected in the product, thus a false negative claim.   A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that laboratory testing found gluten in the chicken tortilla soup, which is labeled as gluten-free.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-kirkland-signature-chicken-tortilla-soup-product-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Kirkland Signature Chicken Tortilla Soup Product Due to Misbranding

KETTLE CUISINE MIDCO, LLC

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for a ready-to-eat (RTE) Kirkland Signature chicken tortilla soup product due to misbranding. The label declares the product as gluten-free, a false negative claim. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with reactions to gluten are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.

Youth Death Potentially Linked to Consumption of Hot Pepper Product, Part of Social Media Challenge

Paqui, an Austin, Texas-based chip company is pulling its One Chip Challenge from the store shelves after the death of a 14-year old Massachusetts boy which may be related to eating the chip. The company's product has promoted its "One Chip Challenge" on social media.  According to the challenge, a person would see how long they can wait before having something to drink after eating a chip.

The chip is seasoned "with Carolina Reaper Peppers roughly 1.7 million Scoville Units and the Naga Viper Pepper at roughly 1.4 million Scoville Units, a unit used to measure the heat of peppers. A jalapeño registers between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Units, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology."

.The product is said to be made for adults, but of course children are going to eat this.  According to one expert, "....if saliva-laden capsaicin gets into the lungs, it can cause pneumonitis — an inflammation that can be serious, especially for people with preexisting conditions". (Yahoo)

CA Firm Recalls Mooncakes Due to Undeclared Egg Allergen

Sheng Kee of California, Inc. is voluntarily recalling varieties of Mooncake Gift Boxes for customers that have any issues because they may contain undeclared egg wash.  The recalled Mooncakes were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders. We are working with our wholesalers and retailers to relabel and refit the current boxes.  The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that the egg-containing products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sheng-kee-california-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-following-traditional-mooncake-products
Sheng Kee of California, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in the Following Traditional Mooncake Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 11, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 11, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item 
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg.
Company Name:  Sheng Kee of California, Inc.
Brand Name:  Sheng Kee of California
Product Description:  Assortment of flavored mooncakes in gift boxes.

SC Firm Recalls Ice Cream Product After State Lab Detects Listeria

Life Raft Treats is recalling their Not Fried Chicken 64 oz bucket, Not Fried Chicken 2.5 oz bar UPC 8 60006 18210 6 and Life Is Peachy 6 count box ice cream products, all with BEST BY DATES up to and including AUG 8212024 due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.   On September 5, 2023 the firm was notified by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) that their Not Fried Chicken ice cream treat test positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The firm also decided to recall their Life Is Peachy Ice Cream treats because both products were manufactured in the same room.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/life-raft-treats-recalls-ice-cream-products-not-fried-chicken-and-life-peachy-due-possible-listeria
Life Raft Treats Recalls Ice Cream Products, Not Fried Chicken And Life Is Peachy, Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 06, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 06, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness
Company Name:  Life Raft Treats
Brand Name:  Life Raft Treats
Product Description:  Ice Cream Products

Colorado Establishment Recalls Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Product for Undeclared Allergen Due to Mislabeling

 Custom Made Meals, LLC, a Denver, Col. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,345 pounds of bacon wrapped jalapeno product due to misbranding and undeclared allergen - the product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that a retail store informed them the product had the incorrect label affixed to the packaging.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/custom-made-meals-llc-recalls-bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-product-due-misbranding-and
Custom Made Meals, LLC Recalls Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Product Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

CUSTOM MADE MEALS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sep. 09, 2023 – Custom Made Meals, LLC, a Denver, Col. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,345 pounds of bacon wrapped jalapeno product due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.