USDA Issues Health Alert After Additional Cases of Salmonella Infection Reported from Recalled Charcuterie Meat Products

USDA issued a Health Alert for charcuterie meats, Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler and Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta manufactured by Fratelli Beretta in Mount Olive NJ as CDC issued an update that shows there were additional new cases of Salmonella infection The recall was initially posted on January 5, 2024, but there are now 23 new cases, now totaling 47 cases in 22 different states.

The reason for ongoing cases is that many people still have the product.  Although the retailers pulled it from the shelf, many probably had it stowed away in their refrigerator or freezer.  





https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/charcuterie-meats-01-24/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats
Posted January 18, 2024

Fast Facts
Illnesses: 47 (23 new)
Hospitalizations: 10 (5 new)
Deaths: 0 (0 new)
States: 22 (8 new)
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active (first posted on January 5, 2024).

MA Retailer Recalls Salad After Mislabeling Issue Results in Undeclared Allergens

Hans Kissle of Haverhill, MA, is recalling its 7-ounce packages of MEXICAN STYLE QUINOA SALAD, deli salad, because the product contains undeclared egg and soy.  The recalled MEXICAN STYLE QUINOA SALAD was distributed to Hannaford’s Supermarkets in the following states MA, NH, NY, ME, and VT.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was mislabeled and distributed in packaging that did not declare the presence of egg or soy.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hans-kissle-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-egg-hans-kissle-mexican-style-quinoa-salad
Hans Kissle Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy & Egg in "Hans Kissle Mexican Style Quinoa Salad"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 18, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 18, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergens – Egg, Soy
Company Name:  Hans Kissle
Brand Name:  No Brand
Product Description:  Mexican Style Quinoa Salad

Virginia Company Recalls Nut Mix Containing Party Mix Resulting in Undeclared Allergens

Whitley’s Peanut Factory of Hayes, Virginia is recalling 12oz Deluxe Nut Mix with specific code dates because they may contain undeclared peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame.  The recall of this product was initiated after the Quality Assurance Department became aware of a limited number of 10.5oz Whit’s Party Mix tins labeled with 12oz Deluxe Nut Mix labels. The depth of the recall has been expanded to include the previous production date through the time in which the company became aware of the issue. While both products contain almonds, Whit’s Party Mix also includes peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame which are not listed in the “Contains” statement of the Deluxe Nut Mix label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/whitleys-peanut-factory-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-milk-soy-wheat-and-sesame-limited
Whitley’s Peanut Factory Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts, Milk, Soy, Wheat, and Sesame for Limited Units of Deluxe Nut Mix 12oz (340g)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 18, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 18, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergens - Peanuts, Milk, Soy, Wheat, and Sesame
Company Name:  Whitley’s Peanut Factory
Brand Name:  Whitley’s Peanut Factory
Product Description:  Deluxe Nut Mix

Tianeptine (aka Drug Store Heroin) and the Supplement Industry

An article in Natural Products Insider discusses tianeptine, aka drug store heroin, and the connection being made to the supplement industry.  Tianeptine, an antidepressent, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, "It enhances a person’s mood by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors — just like heroin, morphine and other narcotics. Experts quickly discovered that it was highly addictive, as patients began doctor-shopping for more and were developing withdrawals after abruptly stopping it.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved tianeptine to treat depression or any other condition. Tianeptine also never earned a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) designation, a label the FDA puts on some chemicals and food additives.  But some companies found a legal loophole that allowed them to put tianeptine in products labeled as “dietary supplements.” That’s why you can still find it on store shelves today. Tianeptine appears in various so-called supplements, often those sold at convenience stores and gas stations. ""

Further, "The FDA doesn’t strictly regulate dietary supplements or approve them before they’re sold. But they have tracked down and sent warning letters to companies that sell tianeptine products. And some states have banned tianeptine, including: Alabama. Georgia. Indiana. Kentucky. Michigan. Mississippi. Ohio. Tennessee.

So the article discusses the impact on the supplement industry, which is far less regulated than the medical industry and even the food industry.  I don't agree in that this does not further damage the supplement industry, but provides another indicator of how unregulated the industry is.


Natural Products Insider
https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/supplement-regulations/tianeptine-sales-besmirch-supplement-industry-s-reputation-but-who-is-really-at-fault-?
Tianeptine sales besmirch supplement industry’s reputation, but who is really at fault?
A shadowy network supplies products featuring illegal drugs that are sold in convenience and liquor stores and smoke shops. Is that the fault of the dietary supplement industry?
Hank Schultz
January 12, 2024

NJ CEA Farm Recalls Spinach After State Lab Finds Listeria

BrightFarms has issued a voluntary recall of spinach grown by its supplier Element Farms in their Pompton Plains, New Jersey farm and distributed under the BrightFarms brand because the spinach has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Due to potential cross-contamination, BrightFarms is also issuing a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of four salad kit products (shown below) from its Selinsgrove, PA facility.  The recall of spinach was initiated after routine sampling conducted by Element Farms yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes. Due to potential cross-contamination at BrightFarms’s Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facility, BrightFarms is also recalling a limited quantity of four select salad kit products. No positive test results or reported illness have been received on those products, to date.  As a result of today’s recall, the company has temporarily suspended distribution of Element Farms grown spinach.

This product is grown as under CEA, or Controlled Environmental Agriculture.  From the Element Farms website, the company "is a sustainable farm based in Lafayette, NJ." They  grow the " greens hydroponically  and without pesticides in a controlled-agriculture environment".  The "greens start out in a sterile soil/peat moss and then are moved to large ponds of ultra-filtered water to grow hydroponically".

Interesting is this from the website:
Do I need to wash your greens?

No. Our greens are grown indoors without pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and away from the outdoor contaminants that plague field farmers. We personally don’t wash our greens before eating--that’s another benefit to growing them in an ultra-pure environment--but you’re always welcome to. We don’t pre-wash our greens so they stay as fresh as can be in your clamshell.
A note on other brands’ triple-washed greens: triple-washed greens are most often washed in a chlorine solution and should be washed again at home before eating."

The question here is how did Listeria get into the production system.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/brightfarms-recalls-spinach-and-salad-kits-because-possible-health-risk-result-supplier-element
Brightfarms Recalls Spinach and Salad Kits Because of Possible Health Risk as a Result of Supplier Element Farms Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 17, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 17, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness-Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  BrightFarms
Brand Name:  BrightFarms
Product Description:  Spinach and Salad Kits

Imported Indian Ingredient Recalls for Undeclared Wheat Even Though Stated on Precautionary Label

Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd. Maharashtra, India is recalling its 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm & 500 gm, 1 Kg packages of "Asafoetida” Vandevi Yellow powder because they may contain undeclared traces wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was being manufactured at a plant which also processed wheat products and therefore, there may be a possibility that the product may contain undeclared traces of wheat and the packaging did not mention the presence of traces of wheat as per the declaration required under labelling requirements of FSMA. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused due to misunderstanding of the precautionary labelling done on the product however not as per the labelling requirement of FSMA.

So basically, the foreign company producing the product thought it was acceptable to have trace amounts in the product (a function of inadequate cleaning / product protection) if they had the precautionary label on the product.  As we know, the Precautionary Label does not allow one to process without adequate allergen controls.

What is Asafoetida?  From bon appetit, "It is essentially a gum resin extracted from ferula, an herb in the celery family. It is usually available as a coarse yellow powder and smells like boiled eggs because of its sulfur compounds—which explains one of its other nicknames, devil’s dung. But don’t be put off by the pungency. When used properly, a pinch of hing supercharges every other spice in the pan, like salt but in a funkier way (and without any sodium)."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kinjin-food-pvt-ltd-maharashtra-india-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-traces-vandevi
Kinjin Food Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra, India Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat Traces in "Vandevi Asafoeitida Yellow Powder"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 10, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 17, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared wheat traces.
Company Name:  Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd.
Brand Name:  Vandevi
Product Description:  Asafoetida Yellow Powder in 50 gram, 100 gram, 200 gram, 500 gram, and 1 kilogram packages.

Hawaii Retailer Recalls Mislabeled Nut Brownies With Undeclared Peanuts

Big Island Candies of Hilo, Hawaii is voluntarily recalling 120 boxes of their Makana Brownie Assortment Box (batch 60) purchased from its Ala Moana Store because the product contains undeclared peanuts.  A portion of the box may contain Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Brownies instead of Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownies. The label does not depict peanut as a key ingredient.  This recall was initiated as a result of information received by a consumer who had an adverse reaction. To date, no other incidents have been reported. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the packing and labeling stage and was limited to batch 60 of this item.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/big-island-candies-issues-allergen-alert-undeclared-peanuts-makana-brownie-assortment
Big Island Candies Issues Allergen Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in “Makana Brownie Assortment”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 16, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 17, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Big Island Candies
Brand Name:  Big Island Candies
Product Description:  Brownie Assortment

CA Company Recalls Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese After State Lab Finds Listeria

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. of Modesto, CA is recalling 344 cases of Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was a result of a routine sampling program by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch on Wednesday, January 3rd which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria.

To date, no confirmed illnesses related to this product have been reported.

Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) was distributed nationwide through distributors.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-recalls-aged-cotija-mexican-grating-cheese-8oz-because-possible-health-risk
Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. Recalls Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 11, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Company Name:  Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Rio Bros California Creamery
Product Description:  Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese

CA Company Recalls Jelly Bars Due to Potential Choking Hazard

U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is recalling Dragonfly jelly bars because it contains konjac powder and may present a choking hazard.  The recall was initiated after New York State Agriculture Department of Agriculture and Markets collected a sample of the jelly containing Konjac. Based upon the products containing the ingredient konjac and the dimensions, FDA has determined that the products present a choking hazard.

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.  The recalled Jelly bars were distributed to retailers Nationwide.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/us-trading-company-hayward-ca-recalling-dragonfly-jelly-bars-because-it-contains-konjac-powder-and
U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is Recalling Dragonfly Jelly Bars Because it Contains Konjac Powder and May Present a Choking Hazard
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 11, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product contains konjac powder and may present a choking hazard.
Company Name:  U.S. Trading Company
Brand Name:  Dragonfly
Product Description:  Jelly Handbag and Jelly Backpack containing Jelly Bars