Candies Containing Konjac Gum Recalled Due to Potential Choking Hazard

Tiffany Food Corp of Brooklyn, NY is recalling all codes and flavors of Mini Fruit Jelly Cups, because they may pose a choking hazard. Small jelly cups containing konjac powder have previously been implicated in choking deaths of children. Konjac and its consequent texture and consistency could pose a choking hazard to small children as well as adults with functional and/or anatomic abnormalities predisposing them to dysphagia. The potential choking hazard was confirmed after discussion with a representative from the Food and Drug Administration.

Food Additives Council
https://www.foodingredientfacts.org/facts-on-food-ingredients/sources-of-food-ingredients/konjac-gum/

• Konjac gum, or konjac flour, is a hydrocolloid (water soluble) dietary fiber derived from the Amorphophallus konjac plant (also known as devil’s tongue) that is used to provide texture, thicken, stabilize, emulsify, and suspend ingredients in foods and beverages. Konjac gum is primarily used as a source of glucomannan, which is a recognized source of dietary fiber.
• Konjac gum is safe for children in moderation and often used in medicines. However, certain forms of konjac gum have been recalled in certain countries because of the risk of suffocation from consuming large amounts due to its thickening properties. The gum runs a risk of expanding in your throat if you consume too much of it at once. This is why manufacturers adhere to regulations on the amount allowed in foods to ensure product safety.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tiffany-food-corp-recalls-mini-fruit-jelly-cups-because-possible-choking-hazard
Tiffany Food Corp Recalls Mini Fruit Jelly Cups Because of Possible Choking Hazard
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date: October 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May pose a choking hazard
Company Name:  Tiffany Food Corp.
Brand Name:  Tiffany Food Corp.

Product Description: Mini Fruit Jelly Cups in lychee, mango and assorted flavors

NJ Establishment Recalls RTE Chicken Pot Pie Soup Due to Unintended Added Soy Allergen

Aunt Kitty's Foods Inc., a Vineland, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 15,728 pounds of canned ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken pot pie soup products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that they conducted an inventory review and realized they used chicken with soy, which was not declared on the label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/aunt-kittys-foods-inc--recalls-canned-ready-eat-chicken-pot-pie-soup-products-due
Aunt Kitty's Foods Inc. Recalls Canned Ready-to-Eat Chicken Pot Pie Soup Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2023 – Aunt Kitty's Foods Inc., a Vineland, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 15,728 pounds of canned ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken pot pie soup products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

CA Firm Recall RTE Meatball Product After FSIS Testing Finds Listeria

Phu Huong Food Company, a Rosemead, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 602 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef and chicken meatball products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered when FSIS performed routine product testing and the results identified Listeria monocytogenes in the product.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/phu-huong-food-company-recalls-ready-eat-beef-and-poultry-meatball-products-due
Phu Huong Food Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef and Poultry Meatball Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
PHU HUONG FOOD COMPANY, INC.
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2023 – Phu Huong Food Company, a Rosemead, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 602 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef and chicken meatball products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FL Company Recalls Meat Pasta After Without USDA Inspection

Mrs. Pasta, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,544 pounds of frozen meat products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The problem was discovered when FSIS followed up on a referral from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and observed meat pasta products labeled with the USDA mark of inspection but with an establishment number for another facility. FSIS determined that the firm produced the meat pasta products without the benefit of federal inspection.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/mrs--pasta-recalls-frozen-meat-pasta-products-produced-without-benefit-inspection
Mrs. Pasta Recalls Frozen Meat Pasta Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2023 – Mrs. Pasta, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,544 pounds of frozen meat products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

CA Produce Packer Recalls Chopped Salad Kits After Adding Incorrect Condiment Packet

Braga Fresh of Soledad, Calif. is voluntarily recalling a single production run of Wegmans Organic Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit 8oz bag from Wegmans stores.  The product is being recalled because it contains incorrect condiment ingredients resulting in undeclared egg that was not listed on the product label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/braga-fresh-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-salad-kits
Braga Fresh Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Salad Kits
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 18, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 18, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg.
Company Name:  Braga Fresh
Brand Name:  Wegmans Organic
Product Description:  Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit

Egg White Protein Powder Recalled for Hard Plastic Material

Select Custom Solutions is recalling because Jay Robb Vanilla Flavored Egg White Protein 24 oz, lot 23080-2C2 with a time stamp of 09:00 to 12:00 may contain hard plastic foreign material which could pose a choking hazard. This product was sold nationwide through online order retail sale outlets.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/select-custom-solutions-voluntarily-recalls-jay-robb-vanilla-flavored-egg-white-protein-24oz

Select Custom Solutions Voluntarily Recalls Jay Robb Vanilla Flavored Egg White Protein 24oz
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 13, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 16, 2023
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain hard plastic foreign material
Company Name:  Select Custom Solutions
Brand Name:  Jay Robb
Product Description:  Vanilla Flavored Egg White Protein

Pancake Mix Recalled After Determination of Undeclared Soy

PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of select packages of 15.97 oz cartons of Quaker Pancake with Whole Grain Oats Mix because they contain undeclared soy. After conducting a thorough revision, monitoring and tracing, PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc. discovered that the soy-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of soy. The error was caused by mislabeling the product for not declaring soy content. No allergic reactions related to this matter have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pepsico-caribbean-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-quaker-pancake-whole-grain-oats-mix
PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Quaker Pancake with Whole Grain Oats Mix distributed in Puerto Rico
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 12, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 13, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy - Allergen
Company Name:  PepsiCo Caribbean, Inc.
Brand Name:  Quaker
Product Description:  Pancake with Whole Grain Oats Mix

FDA Warning Letters Issued to Food Importers Lacking FSVP for Foods Imported

For most recently released FDA Warning Letters (as of 10/10/23), five importers were cited for lacking FSVP programs for food products those companies import.

Kari-Fresh LLC  - Donna, TX
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the imported foods, including the following foods:
Fresh Cilantro imported from (b)(4), Fresh Persian Limes imported from (b)(4) and Fresh Green Onions imported from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/kari-fresh-llc-663158-09292023

Shantaba LLC - Austin, TX,
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the imported foods , including the following foods:
2-Minute Noodles imported from (b)(4)., Kesar Mango Pulp imported from (b)(4)., and Soya Wadi-Soya Chunks imported from (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/shantaba-llc-664239-09082023

Tijuana’s Produce Inc., -  Vernon, CA 
Did not develop an FSVP for the foods from the foreign suppliers indicated in the attached list, including each of the following foods: Fresh Seedless Watermelon imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4) and Fresh Cucumbers imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tijuanas-produce-inc-661522-08242023

Ikal, Llc., of San Diego CA
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the imported foods, including each of the following:
Fresh avocados imported from (b)(4), Fresh avocados imported from (b)(4) and Fresh avocados imported from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/ikal-llc-660717-08072023

MKK Imports - Torrance, CA
Did not develop an FSVP for any foods that are imported, including:
Orange Fruit Jelly imported from (b)(4), Fried Potato Chips imported from (b)(4), and Baked Wheat Cracker imported from (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/mkk-imports-660814-08282023

Updated Preventive Controls Training Highlights HACCP-link and Added Benefits Of Additional Controls

An article in the month's Food Safety Magazine titled FSPCA Preventive Controls Updated Curriculum Highlights—Advantages for Food Safety Management discusses the updated version of FSPCA's training curriculum. Version 2.0 marks a few noticeable changes in addition to updating content to address FDA guidance releases. One of those changes is a rearrangement of material to have additional emphasis placed on Process Preventive Controls or CCPs. This aligns better with traditional HACCP training. Another change was the use of additional examples to demonstrate when aspects of programs for Allergens, Supplier Control, and Sanitation become Preventive Controls.

The article also discusses the advantage of the Preventive Controls approach over HACCP. Using a more intensive control approach to aspects of sanitation, allergen control, and supplier control can go a long way in reducing some of the primary causes of recalls currently being issued by companies. This is certainly the case for allergens, where allergen related recalls due to lack of adequate control are too common of an occurrence.

The updated curriculum is expected in early 2024. If you have taken training using version 1.2 and still have questions regarding the development or implementation of you plan, you may want to consider attending this updated training. To make this more feasible, Penn State will offer the updated course to those who had previously taken the course through Penn State at a discounted price. More information to come on that.


FSPCA Preventive Controls Updated Curriculum Highlights—Advantages for Food Safety Management
The issuance of FDA guidance documents and feedback from FSPCA stakeholders prompted FSPCA to update and issue a new version of its training curriculum
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/8937-fspca-preventive-controls-updated-curriculum-highlightsadvantages-for-food-safety-management