Individually Wrapped Sliced Cheese Product Recalled After Packaging Machine Error Leaves Potential for Plastic Hazard

Kraft Heinz is announcing a voluntary recall of approximately 83,800 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices for the potential for film to remain adhered to the cheese slice after the wrapper has been removed.  The issue occurred on one of the wrapping machines, where it became possible for a thin strip of the individual film to remain on the slice after the wrapper has been removed. If the film sticks to the slice and is not removed, it could be unpleasant and potentially cause a gagging or choking hazard.  The issue was discovered after we received several consumer complaints about finding the plastic stuck to a slice, including six complaints of consumers saying they choked or gagged in connection with the issue. No injuries or serious health issues have been reported.

This is not the first time for this company to have this issue.  A similar issue occurred in 2015.  In this 2015 recall, 335,000 cases of product were recalled.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kraft-heinz-issues-voluntary-recall-select-kraft-singles-american-processed-cheese-slices
Kraft Heinz Issues Voluntary Recall of Select Kraft Singles American Processed Cheese Slices
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 20, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Packaging defect causes potential for film to remain adhered to the cheese slice after the wrapper has been removed.
Company Name:  Kraft Heinz
Brand Name:  Kraft
Product Description:  American Processed Cheese Slices

Cake Product Recalled for Undeclared Peanut After Incorrect Sticker Label Applied

David’s Cookies is recalling 960 units of “Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake” lot # BS23212 that has been sold in Walmart retail stores across the country after the company mislabeled the Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake  as “Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake” a name that does not depict peanut as a key ingredient and does not declare the peanut allergen warning on the label.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the labeling & packaging stage.

An Allergen Preventive Control for labeling, which would include labeling monitoring and verification, if properly implemented, would have prevented this issue.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergen-alert-undeclared-peanuts-cake
Allergen Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in "Cake"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  David’s Cookies
Brand Name:  Marketside
Product Description:  Chocolate Cake

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.