Florida Man Suffers Cardiac Arrest After Consuming Highly Caffeinated Beverages

A 46 year old Florida man suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after drinking three Charged Lemonades from a local Panera this October.  Panera's Charged Lemonade is advertised as “Plant-based and Clean with as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee.” with 390 milligrams of caffeine.  The Food and Drug Administration says healthy adults can safely consume 400 milligrams of caffeine a day.

The man had an unspecified chromosomal deficiency disorder, a developmental delay and a mild intellectual disability as well as suffered from hypertensive disease.  The family filed a lawsuit against the company.

A UPenn student also died after drinking the beverage. She had an underlying condition, "a heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1 and avoided energy drinks based on her doctors’ recommendation"

NBC News
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panera-breads-charged-lemonade-blamed-second-death-lawsuit-alleges-rcna128036?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter
Panera Bread’s Charged Lemonade blamed for a second death, lawsuit alleges

Dennis Brown, 46, drank three of the highly caffeinated beverages before suffering a cardiac arrest in October, according to the suit.

Dec. 4, 2023, 11:21 PM EST

By Elizabeth Chuck

Panera Bread’s highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade is now blamed for a second death, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

TX Establishment Recalls RTE Chicken Fried Rice After Positive Listeria Test

Garland Ventures, a Garland, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 13,842 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken fried rice products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during review of testing results, which showed the product tested positive for L. monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/garland-ventures-recalls-ready-eat-chicken-fried-rice-products-due-possible-listeria
Garland Ventures Recalls Ready-to-Eat Chicken Fried Rice Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dec. 6, 2023 - Details of this recall were updated to reflect the correct lot code for the product implicated in the recall.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2023 – Garland Ventures, a Garland, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 13,842 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken fried rice products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

CA Company Recalls Noodle Product for Undeclared Peanuts

New India Bazar, Milpitas, CA is recalling 2,400 packets of Maggi 2 Minute Noodles 280g and 1,200 packets Maggi 2 Minute Noodles 560g, because it may contain undeclared Peanut allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Maggie 2-minute noodle 280 grams and 560 grams Packaging contains peanuts, which was distributed in such packaging, and the packaging didn’t reveal the presence of peanuts.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-maggi-2-minute-noodles
Allergy Alert for Undeclared Peanut in Maggi 2 Minute Noodles
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 01, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Undeclared peanuts
Brand Name:  Maggi
Product Description:  2 Minute Noodles

Iowa Firm Recalls Cake Products Due to Undeclared Allergens

Lara’s Bakery 3 LLC of Marshalltown, IA is recalling Pan de Racho, Panque, and Pan Surtido (Concha, Cema, Polvoron, Flan, Chocoflan, Tres Leches, Tostado de Guatemala, Pan de Guatemala, Canasta, Garibaldi, Marianas, Muffin, Pan Fino, Pastel de Glass, Pan de Trigo, Puerco, Bolillo, Telera), because it contains undeclared sesame seed, coconut, soy, wheat, milk, and egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing sesame, coconut, soy, wheat, milk, and eggs were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of these allergens. The product had already been distributed to retail stores in the state of Iowa and Wisconsin


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/laras-bakery-3-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-seed-coconut-soy-wheat-milk-and-eggs-pan
Lara’s Bakery 3 LLC, Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared (Sesame Seed, Coconut, Soy, Wheat, Milk and Eggs) in Pan de Racho, Panque, Tres Leches, Chocoflan and Pan Surtido
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sesame seed, coconut, soy, wheat, milk, and egg
Company Name:  Lara’s Bakery 3, LLC.
Brand Name:  Lara’s Bakery 3
Product Description:  Pan de Racho, Panque, Tres Leches, Chocoflan, and Pan Surtido

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