TX Firm Recalls Edible Cookie Dough Product After Packaging Issue Results in Undeclared Peanut

Cookies-N-Milk, of McKinney, TX is recalling their 6oz cups of "Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough" because it may contain undeclared peanuts.  After receiving a notification from a distributor, the investigation indicates the problem occurred at the packaging stage.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cookies-n-milk-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-chocolate-chip-edible-cookie-dough
Cookies-N-Milk Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 04, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Peanuts
Company Name:  Cookies-N-Milk
Brand Name:  Cookies-N-Milk
Product Description:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

CA Manufacturer of Protein Powder Recalls Product After Co-Packer Inadvertently Adds Sesame

Orgain LLC of Irvine, CA is voluntarily recalling a limited production run of its Organic Protein Powder + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor, because it may contain an undeclared sesame allergen.  A co-manufacturer inadvertently used sesame in a limited production of Orgain's Organic Protein + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor. The co-manufacturer informed Orgain that the product was distributed with an undeclared sesame allergen and Orgain initiated the recall.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/orgain-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-organic-plant-protein-superfoods-powder-creamy
Orgain Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Organic Plant Protein + Superfoods Powder, Creamy Chocolate Fudge Sold in Costco Warehouse Stores
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 04, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sesame
Company Name:  Orgain LLC
Brand Name:  Orgain
Product Description:  Chocolate Flavored Protein Powder

The Need for Food Operations to Have a Photography Policy

Someone taking pictures or videos is an ongoing concern for food operations, especially in light of the high use of cellphones.  Then there is  the question of whether an inspector can take photos.  An article in Food Safety Magazine discusses the need to develop a policy regarding taking photos and video in food operations.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/8916-establishing-and-implementing-a-facility-photography-policy?oly_enc_id=5289D4251556E4J
Establishing and Implementing a Facility Photography Policy
By Richard Stier

WI Spice Company Recalls Sesame Inadvertently Added to Jars Resulting in An Undeclared Sesame Allergen

Penzeys Spices of Wauwatosa, WI, is voluntarily recalling some of its 2.2-ounce Jars of Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle (SKU/Item Number 20756) because they may contain undeclared sesame seeds.  The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that a small sample of a similar item containing sesame seeds was unintentionally added to the “Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle” during bottling. An investigation identified that the problem was caused by an error in the company's production/packaging processes and corrective action has been taken.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/penzeys-spices-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-seeds-brady-street-cheese-sprinkle
Penzeys Spices Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame Seeds in "Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 28, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 28, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sesame seeds
Company Name:  Penzeys Spices
Brand Name:  Brady Street
Product Description:  Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle, 2.2 oz jar

CA Firm Recalls Ginger Snap Chocolate After Peanut Butter Product Discovered in Package

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate of Eureka, California is recalling “Ginger Snap Milk Chocolate” batch 23194 because they were mis-packaged and are Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate bars in Ginger Snap wrappers and contain undeclared peanuts.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the peanut-containing product was sold to two customers in our factory store who returned it saying it tasted like peanut butter.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dick-taylor-craft-chocolate-issues-recall-allergy-allert-undeclared-peanuts-ginger-snap-milk
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Issues Recall for Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in “Ginger Snap Milk Chocolate”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 28, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 28, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate
Brand Name:  Dick Taylor
Product Description:  Ginger Snap Milk Chocolate Bar, 2 oz.

Pork Chicharrones Imported from USDA-Ineligible Country of Honduras Recalled

Del Valle Import and Export, LLC, a distributor and importer located in Kenner, La., is recalling approximately 1,271 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork chicharrones product (fried pork rind) that was imported from Honduras, a country ineligible to export pork products to the United States.  The problem was discovered during a routine FSIS surveillance activity at a retail store where the agency found the pork chicharrones product from Honduras. Honduras is not eligible to export pork products to the U.S.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/del-valle-import-and-export-llc-recalls-ineligible-pork-chicharrones-product
Del Valle Import and Export, LLC, Recalls Ineligible Pork Chicharrones Product Imported From Honduras

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2023 – Del Valle Import and Export, LLC, a distributor and importer located in Kenner, La., is recalling approximately 1,271 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pork chicharrones product that was imported from Honduras, a country ineligible to export pork products to the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

AZ Distributor Recalls Whole Cantaloupes After FDA Testing Finds Salmonella

Eagle Produce LLC Scottsdale, AZ is initiating a voluntary recall of 6,456 cases of whole cantaloupe with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella following a test conducted on cantaloupe in a distribution center by the FDA.  The products were distributed between September 5th -16th in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington D.C. and sold in various retail supermarkets.  There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items as of September 27th, 2023


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/eagle-produce-llc-recalls-whole-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk
Eagle Produce LLC Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 27, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 28, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness
Company Name:  Eagle Produce, LLC
Brand Name:  Kandy
Product Description:  Whole Cantaloupe

Diced Butternut Squash Recalled After Testing Finds E. coli O45

Safeway Fresh Foods of Vineland, NJ, is recalling its 32-oz. Diced Organic Butternut Squash product as it has the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O45.  The 32-oz. diced Butternut was distributed only to Costco in the following states, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company detected the presence of E. coli O45.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/safeway-fresh-foods-recalls-sunnyside-farms-organic-butternut-squash-because-possible-health-risk
Safeway Fresh Foods Recalls Sunnyside Farms Organic Butternut Squash Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 25, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  September 25, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Escherichia coli O45 contamination
Company Name:  Safeway Fresh Foods
Brand Name:  Sunnyside Farms
Product Description:  Diced Organic Butternut Squash

The Brain-infecting Rat Lungworm Identified in Georgia Rats

The CDC is reporting  (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/10/23-0706_article) that the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, aka, Ratlung worm, has been identified in dead rats at the Atlanta Zoo. Originating in Asia, this parasite cycles between rats and snails and may have made its way here through rats or snails.  People can become infected with the parasite if they come in contact with it, in which case, it can cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, an infection of the brain.

Researchers are concerned that the parasite may be established in the SE US.  It has already been found in other SE locations including TX, FL, and LA.

CDC recommendation - "Prevention of A. cantonensis infections involves educating persons residing in or traveling to areas where the parasite is found about not ingesting raw or undercooked snails and slugs, freshwater shrimp, land crabs, frogs, and monitor lizards, or potentially contaminated vegetables, or vegetable juice. Removing snails, slugs, and rats found near houses and gardens should also help reduce risk. Thoroughly washing hands and utensils after preparing raw snails or slugs is also recommended. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed if eaten raw."  

Also, do not drink out of a garden house where a snail may have crawled in.

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/09/27/parasitic-brain-worm-found-rats-zoo-atlanta-cdc-study-says/
Parasitic brain worm found in rats at Zoo Atlanta, CDC study says
By Hope Dean
Published: Sep. 27, 2023 at 3:52 PM EDT|Updated: 13 hours ago