USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Mushroom Risotto Products After Incorrect Packaging of Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry Results in Undeclared Allergen

USDA-FSIS issued a Public Health Alert for frozen mushroom risotto products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product labeled as porcini mushroom risotto bites may actually contain hot dogs in puff pastry, which contain sesame, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered after the firm, the Fillo Factory of  Northvale, NJ, notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it had received a consumer complaint reporting that the hot dogs in puff pastry product had been found in a package labeled as mushroom risotto bites. FDA then notified FSIS about the issue. 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-mushroom-risotto-products-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Frozen Mushroom Risotto Products Due To Misbranding And Undeclared Allergens
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen mushroom risotto products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product labeled as porcini mushroom risotto bites may actually contain hot dogs in puff pastry, which contain sesame, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to sesame are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to RTE Charcuterie Meats from NJ Establishment

CDC is reporting a Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to RTE charcuterie meat products produced by a NJ establishment.   As of January 3, 2024, 24 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 14 states. Of 20 people with information available, 5 have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.

Eleven people were interviewed and 6 reported eating RTE charcuterie meats. "One person from Minnesota reported becoming ill in December after eating one 9-oz. tray of the 18-oz. package of “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Sopressata, and Dry Coppa.” On December 27, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected and tested a sample of the unopened 9-oz. tray sample from that ill person’s home. Testing identified Salmonella I 4:I:- in that sample, and WGS is being conducted to determine if the Salmonella in these recalled charcuterie samplers is the same as the outbreak strain."

Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc., a Mount Olive, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 11,097 pounds of Busseto Foods brand ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products that may be contaminated with Salmonella.   The ready-to-eat (RTE) charcuterie sampler product was produced on October 30, 2023.

Unfortunately, this establishment was responsible for another Salmonella outbreak in August, 2021.  In that event, there were 36 reported cases linked to prepackaged uncured antipasto trays.  The company recalled  approximately 862,000 pounds of uncured antipasto products.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/charcuterie-meats-01-24/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats
Posted January 5, 2024
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 24
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 0
States: 14
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active (first posted on January 5, 2024)

CA Firm Recalls BBQ Sauce for Undeclared Fish Due to Mislabeling

Ventura Foods of Brea, Calif.  is recalling Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce sold exclusively at Publix Super Markets, Inc., because it contains Traditional Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce that may contain a fish (anchovy) allergen that is not declared on the label. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ventura-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovy-allergen-publix-deli-carolina-style
Ventura Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Fish (Anchovy) Allergen in Publix Deli Carolina- Style Mustard BBQ Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 08, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 09, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to Undeclared Fish
Company Name:  Ventura Foods
Brand Name:  Publix Deli
Product Description:  Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce

NY Firm Recalls Dried Longan Fruit Due to Undeclared Sulfites

HY Success Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 5 ounce packages of Fat Choy Kee Dried Longan because they contained undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 5 ounce packages of Dried Longan which were not declared on the label. Analysis of the Dried Longan revealed they contained 22.21 milligrams per serving.

Longan fruit (Dimocarpus Longan) is a small and white-fleshed tropical fruit.  This fruit is from the soapberry family, which also includes fruits such as lychee and rambutan. (soruce).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hy-success-inc-alert-undeclared-sulfites-fat-choy-kee-dried-longan
HY Success Inc. Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Fat Choy Kee Dried Longan
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 09, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 09, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sulfites
Company Name:  HY Success, Inc.
Brand Name:  Fat Choy Kee
Product Description:  Dried Longan

NC Firm Recalls Spice Mixes Due to Undeclared Wheat

Vesta Fiery Gourmet Foods, Inc., of Raleigh, NC - JANUARY 8, 2024, is voluntarily recalling various  spice mixes because these products contain undeclared wheat. On 1/4/24 the firm was notified by the North Carolina Depart of Agriculture and Consumer Services that the label does not state the flour used is a wheat flour.  These products were packaged in glass jars and sold primarily online, in retail stores & deli cases located throughout the United States. Images of the products are below.

This would be a label design failure.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vesta-fiery-gourmet-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-15oz-glass-jars-benny-ts-vesta-dry
Vesta Fiery Gourmet Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in 1.5oz Glass Jars of Benny T’s Vesta Dry Hot Sauces
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 08, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 09, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Due to Undeclared Wheat
Company Name:  Vesta Fiery Gourmet Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Benny T’s
Product Description:  Benny T’s Vesta Dry Hot Sauces

Colorado Firm Recalls Parrot Food After FDA Testing Finds Salmonella

D&D Commodities Ltd., Greeley, CO, is voluntarily recalling one lot of 3-D® Pet Products Premium Parrot Food, 4 lb. jar, UPC 719195135045, Lot Number 102525G, due to potential Salmonella contamination.  The recall notification is being issued based on a single manufacturing batch wherein a sample with the Lot Number 102525G and UPC 719195135045 had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 30, 2023. The 3-D® Pet Product Premium Parrot Food was originally manufactured on October 25, 2023.

It will be interesting to see if additional lots are recalled.  This may be hard to limit this recall to one lot without good reason.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urgent-voluntary-recall-dd-commodities-ltd-3-d-pet-products-premium-parrot-food-due-potential
Urgent Voluntary Recall of D&D Commodities Ltd. 3-D Pet Products Premium Parrot Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 04, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 05, 2024
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  D&D Commodities, Ltd.
Brand Name:  3-D Pet Products
Product Description:  Parrot Food

Florida Firm Recalls Snack Bars With Undeclared Allergens Due to Improper Label Design

ToYou Snacks, of Winter Garden, Florida is recalling TOYOU branded snack bars in flavors Coconut Mocha, Chocolate Mango, Salted caramel dark chocolate, Mint Dark chocolate, Banana foster, Mango Yogurt because they contain undeclared soy.  "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the wrappers were missing the soy allergen declaration in the flavors listed above. This issue was caused by mass printing wraps and not having anyone in the team previous to myself [the owner?] and my team with any knowledge on quality and control the company."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/toyou-snacks-issues-allergy-alert-toyou-snacks-snack-bars-due-undeclared-soy
TOYOU SNACKS Issues Allergy Alert On ToYou Snacks Snack Bars Due to Undeclared Soy
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 05, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 05, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to Undeclared Soy
Company Name:  ToYou Snacks
Brand Name:  ToYou
Product Description:  Snack Bars in a variety of flavors

NJ Firm Recalls Dried Plums Due to Undeclared Sulfites

Win Luck Trading Inc. of Bayonne, NJ, is recalling its "Plum Queen" Dried Plums because they may contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets found sulfites in the product which was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sulfites. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.  The recalled "Plum Queen" Dried Plums were distributed in New York and New Jersey in retail stores.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/win-luck-trading-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sulfites-dried-plums
Win Luck Trading Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Dried Plums
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 04, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared sulfites
Company Name:  Win Luck Trading, Inc.
Brand Name:  Tasty Snacks
Product Description:  Dried Plums

NC Firm Recalls Additional Lots of Kitten and Puppy Food Due to Salmonella

Blue Ridge Beef is expanding their recall of kitten and puppy foods with potential Salmonella to include additional lot numbers .   The initial was issued on December 21, 2023.  The food is a raw pet food packed in tubes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/expanded-affected-states-blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-blue-ridge-beef-kitten-grind-blue
Expanded Affected States: Blue Ridge Beef Issues Voluntary Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Grind, Blue Ridge Kitten Mix and Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix Due to Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 22, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  January 03, 2024
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Blue Ridge Beef
Brand Name:  Blue Ridge Beef
Product Description:  Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix, and Puppy Mix