Michigan Firm Recalls Sandwiches For Undeclared Sesame on Buns

Gaws Gourmet Foods of Marysville, MI, is recalling three varieties of 8” deli subs, and two varieties of breakfast bagel sandwiches because they may contain undeclared sesame.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the sesame-containing products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a breakdown in the company's labeling process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gaws-gourmet-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-sandwiches
Gaws Gourmet Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Sandwiches
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 30, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  November 30, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sesame
Company Name:  Gaws Gourmet Foods
Brand Name:  Gaws
Product Description:  Deli sub and breakfast bagel sandwiches

NJ Firm Recalls Dark Chocolate Coin Candy for Undeclared Milk Allergen Due to Mislabeling

Manischewitz, of Bayonne, NJ, is recalling Manischewitz Dark Chocolate Coins because it may contain undeclared milk.  This recall was initiated after the company was notified by their Quantity Control Department that a limited number of bags labeled as “Dark Chocolate Coins” contained Milk Chocolate Coins, which contains milk allergen that is not declared on the label. All dairy Milk Chocolate Coins are wrapped in Gold Foil within a Blue Netting and all non-dairy Dark Chocolate Coins are wrapped in Silver Foil within a Red Netting.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/manischewitz-issues-product-mislabeling-advisory-and-voluntary-recall-some-very-limited-units-their
Manischewitz Issues a Product Mislabeling Advisory and Voluntary Recall on Some Very Limited Units of their Dark Chocolate Coins
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 01, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 01, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk.
Company Name:  Manischewitz
Brand Name:  Manischewitz
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Coins

NY Establishment Recalls Various RTE Poultry Products After Positive Listeria Test

Pelleh Poultry Corp., a Swan Lake, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 708 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The RTE beef and poultry products were packaged on various dates from October 25, 2023, through November 20, 2023.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that its laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/pelleh-poultry-corp--recalls-ready-eat-beef-and-poultry-products-due-possible
Pelleh Poultry Corp. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2023 – Pelleh Poultry Corp., a Swan Lake, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 708 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Provides Updated Support Documents for Traceability Rule

FDA provided some updated materials to help companies comply to the Food Traceability Final Rule, that goes into effect on January 20, 2026.  The article in Food Safety Magazine has identified the updated material, but the exact updates are not obvious on the FDA webpage.

This only applies to certain foods that have been judged as having certain risks - Cheeses, shell eggs, nut butters, fresh cucumbers, fresh herbs, fresh and fresh cut leafy greens, fresh melons, fresh peppers, fresh spouts, fresh tomatoes, fresh tropical tree fruits, fresh cut fruits, specific fresh and raw frozen finfish, smoked finfish, fresh and frozen crustaceans and mollusks, RTE deli salads,

One useful addition is the Traceability Plan Example for Restaurants (although it is half example, half explanation, so not really a great example) - https://www.fda.gov/media/174058/download?attachment

https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9065-fda-releases-new-resources-for-food-traceability-final-rule-compliance

FDA Releases New Resources for Food Traceability Final Rule Compliance
By Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

November 30, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently rolled out additional tools and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) to inform stakeholders about Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), also known as the Food Traceability Final Rule, and help aid entities with compliance.

Additional Recalls for Fruit Products Using Recalled Cantaloupes, CDC Provides Case Update

Updated 12/6/23

A number of food processor / distributors are recalling fruit / cantaloupe products that were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the recent Malachita cantaloupe recall.  In an updated CDC report, there are now 117 cases with 61 hospitalizations and 2 deaths.

• TGD Cuts, LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of the specific fresh-cut fruit cup, clamshell and tray products
• Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC is initiating a voluntary recall of 4,872 cases of Malichita brand whole cantaloupe
• Cut Fruit Express Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, MN, is recalling Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of Fruit Mix contains Cantaloupes and Food service packages of 5lb tray, 10lb bag, 25lb Pail,
• Bix Produce of Little Canada, MN., is issuing a voluntary recall of Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups 
• GHGA, LLC is voluntarily recalling select fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupe subject to a previously announced product recall initiated by Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh

FDA Provides Update on Lead Contamination Issue in Apple Cinnamon Sauce Product

In the most recent update on the lead poisoning associated with cinnamon apple pouches, FDA states that there as of Nov 30, there are 57 reported cases (there were 34 reported on Nov 16). To date, confirmed complainants are aged less than 1 to 5 years of age. FDA also identified the supplier of the cinnamon, thought to be the source of the lead in the finished product. The product was produced in Ecuador by Austrofood and was distributed by Wanabana USA, the distributor of WanaBana products.  "The cinnamon used to manufacture the recalled products was supplied by Negocios Asociados Mayoristas S.A., operating as Negasmart, a third-party distribution company located in Ecuador."

"The FDA is continuing to work with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate the source of the contamination and to determine if the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products or distributed as a raw ingredient to other countries. FDA has confirmed that Negasmart does not import cinnamon directly into the U.S."

Adverse Event Overview
Total FDA Adverse Events: 57*
Report Date Ranges: October 17, 2023 – November 28, 2023
States with Adverse Illness Events: AL (1), AR (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1), GA (2) IA (1), IL (2), KY (3), LA (4), MA (3), MD (4), MI (3), MO (1), NC (5), NE (1), NH (1), NM (1), NY (8), OH (2), PA (1), SC (2), TN (1), TX (3) VA (1), WA (3)
Product Distribution: Nationwide
*Estimate based on Consumer Complaint and CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) reports received by the FDA.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023
Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)
Do not eat, sell, or serve multiple brands of recalled apple cinnamon fruit pouches. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Current Update
November 30, 2023

FL Company Recalls Protein Bars for Foreign Material - Items from the Trash Can?

Doctors Scientific Organica, of Rivera Beach FL, is recalling their Burn Boot Camp Afterburn Grass-Fed Whey Protein Bars (60 grams) Triple Chocolate Almond flavor products due to the potential presence of foreign material, including disposable hairnet, shrink wrap and parchment paper. Foodborne foreign objects that are flexible and not sharp may cause minor injuries such as transient choking or gastrointestinal system injury.

Did someone mistake an ingredient box for a garbage can?  Perhaps.  If so, this is why it is so important to use food containers for only food.  Non-food items must never to into food containers.  It is too easy to use containers for food, whether that be ingredient boxes or pails, for utilitarian purposes in the food plant.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/doctors-scientific-organica-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-quantity-burn-boot-camp-afterburn
Doctors Scientific Organica Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Quantity of Burn Boot Camp Afterburn Grass-Fed Whey Protein Bars (60 grams) Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:November 28, 2023FDA Publish Date:November 29, 2023Product Type:Food & BeveragesReason for Announcement:
Potential presence of foreign materialCompany Name:Doctors Scientific OrganicaBrand Name:
Burn Boot CampProduct Description:
Triple Chocolate Almond Flavored Whey Protein Bars

PA Ag Issues Food Safety Warning for Small Processor's Cheese Potentially Contaminated with Listeria

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns that consumers should discard "Hilltop Meadow Farm" brand '60 Day Aged Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese' with sell by dates of 9/21/2023 or earlier. Testing of this cheese confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/agriculture-department-warns-consumers-discard-hilltop-meadow-farm-brand-contaminated-60-day-aged
Agriculture Department Warns Consumers To Discard “Hilltop Meadow Farm” Brand Contaminated ‘60 Day Aged Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese’
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 22, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  November 28, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Hilltop Meadow Farm
Brand Name:  Hilltop Meadow Farm
Product Description:  Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese

Convenience Store Chain Recalls Fruit Cups Linked to Recalled Cantaloupe With Salmonella Potential

Kwik Trip, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of three varieties of fresh-cut fruit cup and tray products listed below because they contain cantaloupe from TruFresh which has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Products were distributed to Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Stop-N-Go, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, and Tobacco Outlet Plus convenience stores in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and South Dakota.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kwik-trip-inc-recalls-specific-fruit-cups-and-trays-due-potential-salmonella-contamination
Kwik Trip, Inc. Recalls Specific Fruit Cups and Trays Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 27, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  November 28, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name:  Kwik Trip, Inc.
Brand Name:  Kwik Trip
Product Description:  Fruit cups and trays containing cantaloupe.