France - Gourmet Christmas Party Source for 700 Cases of Norovirus Infection

Many of us do not get the opportunity to attend those fancy company Holiday parties where gourmet food is served.  Well, here is one party you should be happy you were left off the invite list.  In France, Airbus held a Christmas party for its employees where 700 of them came down with Norovirus infection

"Jean-Claude Iribarren, the secretary of the Airbus Atlantic works committee, told the paper the food had been prepared by the company’s canteen. “As we do every year, we organised a Christmas dinner for 2,600 people with a lot of local suppliers,” he said."

Unfortunately, for 700 of them, they became sick with vomiting and diarrhea. "The affected workers showed “clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhoea” after the seasonal dinner on 14 December. Most fell ill within 24 to 48 hours after the meal.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/23/airbus-atlantic-staff-christmas-dinner-gastroenteritis-outbreak
‘Worse than giving birth’: 700 fall sick after Airbus staff Christmas dinner

French health authorities investigating mass gastroenteritis outbreak after company restaurant served foie gras and lobster

Potato Chip Manufacturer Recalls Mis-bagged Chips Resulting in Allergen Recall

Utz Quality Foods, LLC., is issuing a voluntary recall for 88 cases of Utz® 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall was initiated after Utz learned that approximately 1200 single-serve bags contained Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips flavored with seasoning instead of plain Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips.  The items subject to this voluntary recall were distributed to retail outlets only in New York State and primarily within New York City

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/utz-quality-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-utzr-wavy-original-potato-chips-metro-new
Utz Quality Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips in Metro New York Area
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 25, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 26, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name:  UTZ Quality Foods
Brand Name:  UTZ
Product Description:  Utz 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips

Company Announcement

HANOVER, PA. (BUSINESS WIRE) – Utz Quality Foods, LLC., is issuing a voluntary recall for 88 cases of Utz® 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall was initiated after Utz learned that approximately 1200 single-serve bags contained Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips flavored with seasoning instead of plain Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may run the risk of an allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Oregon Firm Recalls Yogurt Yogurt Product for Undeclared Allergens

Al Amir Fresh Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon is recalling Al Amir brand hummus dip products due to undeclared sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt due to undeclared milk.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Al Amir hummus labels declare tahini but do not declare sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt label declares sour cream & yogurt but does not declare milk. 

I guess the company never got the memo that allergen labeling was required on food products.

htps://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/al-amir-fresh-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-hummus-dip-products-and-undeclared-milk
Al Amir Fresh Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Hummus Dip Products and Undeclared Milk in Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 20, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sesame & Milk
Company Name:  Al Amir Fresh Foods
Brand Name:  Al Amir Fresh Foods
Product Description:  Hummus Dip & Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt

NY Distributor Recalls Dried Plum Products due to Undeclared Sulfites

Rong Shing Trading NY Inc., 47-57 Bridgewater Street, Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 4.7oz (135g) packages of “Lian Sheng Dried Tangerine Plum”  and 5.8oz (165g) packages of “Lian Sheng Dried Plum” because they contain undeclared sulfites. (2 separate recalls)  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 products.  The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. Analysis of the Dried Tangerine Plum revealed they contained 21.91

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rong-shing-trading-ny-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-lian-sheng-dried-plum
Rong Shing Trading NY Inc. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in “Lian Sheng Dried Plum”
Summary
Company Announcement Date: December 14, 2023
FDA Publish Date: January 19, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Allergen-Undeclare Sulfites
Company Name: RONG SHING
Brand Name: Lian Sheng
Product Description: Dried Plum

USDA FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for NY Establishment's Raw Pork Dumpling Product Produced Without Federal Inspection

USDA-FSIS issued a Public Health Alert for raw frozen dumpling product "because Dim Sum Factory Inc., a Flushing, N.Y., establishment, produced and distributed raw, frozen pork dumpling products without the benefit of federal inspection."  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities. FSIS determined that the location where the pork wonton products were being produced were not on the official premises of the establishment and, therefore, were not inspected.

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/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-frozen-pork-dumpling-products-produced-without
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Frozen Pork Dumpling Products Produced without Benefit of Inspection

DIM SUM FACTORY, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert because Dim Sum Factory Inc., a Flushing, N.Y., establishment, produced and distributed raw, frozen pork dumpling products without the benefit of federal inspection. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

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