FDA Updates Investigation of Lead Contamination in Applesauce

FDA issued an update on lead contaminated applesauce.  FDA stated, "After additional analysis of the cinnamon collected from the manufacturer in Ecuador (Austrofoods), FDA has confirmed that the lead and chromium previously detected in the cinnamon are from lead chromate"

FDA goes on to state, "Historically, lead chromate has been illegally added to certain spices increase to their weight and enhance their color, which increases the monetary value of the adulterated spices. FDA’s leading hypothesis remains that this was likely an act of economically motivated adulteration."  This was an issue related to the supplier of the cinnamon, and not the facility that made the applesauce.

FDA reports 90 confirmed cases while CDC reports a total of 468 cases (Confirmed Cases: 111, Probable Cases: 320, Suspect Cases: 37)

The FDA reports follows a NY Times report that discusses this case as demonstrating a weak link in our food supply chain....the supply chain of foreign processors.


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023
Investigation of Elevated Lead & Chromium 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
February 29, 2024

Family Dollar Penalized $41.6 Million for Warehouse with Rat Issue

Family Dollar pleaded guilty to allowing FDA regulated products to become contaminated when they failed to rectify a rodent issue in their warehouse.  The financial penalties,"a sentence of a fine and forfeiture amount totaling $41.675 million'"  is said to be one of the largest ever.   

"Family Dollar Stores, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree Inc., pleaded guilty Monday to holding food, drugs, cosmetics and other items under “insanitary” conditions at a now-closed, rodent-infested distribution center in West Memphis, Arkansas, federal prosecutors said."

"Family Dollar faced one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions at the facility, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. The company entered into a plea deal that includes a sentence of a fine and forfeiture amount totaling $41.675 million, the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case, the department said."

As you may recall, FDA issued a Warning Letter in 2022 to the company and issued a health alert for products in a six state area after thousands of rats were found in the facility.

The nail, so to speak, was that the company received complaints from stores starting in 2020 indicating that there were rodent dropping on shipments, and later in 2020, reports that shipments contained the actual rodents.  Employees were aware of rodent issues in January of 2021, but the company continued to ship products until an FDA inspection in January of 2022.  At the time, fumigation of the facility resulted in the finding of 1270 rats.

Produce News

https://theproducenews.com/headlines/rodent-infested-retailer-fined-416m-food-safety-issues
Rodent-infested retailer fined $41.6M for food-safety issues

February 28, 2024

Family Dollar Stores LLC pleaded guilty to holding food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics under insanitary conditions, related to a rodent infestation at the company’s West Memphis, AR, distribution center, leading to the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food-safety case.

NY Establishment Recalls Raw Meat Products After Machine Oil Provider Ships Mislabeled NON-Food Grade Oil

MF Meats, a Falconer, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 93,277 pounds of raw meat products, which may have been contaminated with non-food grade mineral seal oil, which is not approved for use in meat processing.  The problem was discovered after the firm received four complaints from restaurants reporting a chemical taste in the meat products. After investigating, the firm determined that its mineral oil supplier sent them a drum containing non-food grade mineral seal oil labeled as food grade mineral oil. The non-food grade mineral seal oil was applied to food contact surfaces and not directly to the meat products.

Wow, this is new one.  Food grade oil is used on equipment where there is an interface with the food, because if that oil gets onto food, you don't want a situation like this.  As we know, many operations go to great lengths to ensure food grade oil is used in these potential food contact situations, but to have the supplier mislabel the oil, that is just awful.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/mf-meats-recalls-raw-meat-products-due-contamination-a-non-food-grade-substance
MF Meats Recalls Raw Meat Products Due to Contamination by a Non-Food Grade Substance

MF MEATS

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2024 – MF Meats, a Falconer, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 93,277 pounds of raw meat products, which may have been contaminated with non-food grade mineral seal oil, which is not approved for use in meat processing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

NY Firm Recalls Meat Samsa Products Due to Undeclared Sesame

M&P Production LTD, a Brooklyn, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 669 pounds of raw lamb and beef samsa products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the product contains sesame seeds, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during routine in-plant verification activities.

Samsa, similar to samosas, are baked  pastry dough products stuffed with meat and spices.  In this case, sesame may have been sprinkled on top of the pastry.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/mp-production-ltd-recalls-raw-lamb-and-beef-samsa-products-due-misbranding-and
M&P Production LTD Recalls Raw Lamb and Beef Samsa Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2024 – M&P Production LTD, a Brooklyn, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 669 pounds of raw lamb and beef samsa products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains sesame seeds, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

PA Firm Recalls Red Velvet Cake with Cream Frosting Due to Undeclared Milk

Electric City Sweets of Scranton, PA is recalling 1,644 Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Bars, due to undeclared milk in the ingredient statement and allergen statement.  The recall was initiated after a consumer reported the issue to the retailer where they had purchased the affected item. The milk-containing product was distributed in packaging identified with the allergen on the front panel display however it did not reveal the presence of milk in the ingredient list as required.

They forgot to include the cream frosting in the ingredient statement.

Scranton PA is nicknamed Electric City in that it was the first city to have electric street cars (1886) and one of the first to have electric street lights (1880).  Well before places like Johnstown, PA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/electric-city-sweets-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-electric-city-sweet-175oz-red-velvet-milk
Electric City Sweets Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk in Electric City Sweet 1.75oz Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Bars
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 28, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 29, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Electric City Sweets
Brand Name:  Electric City Sweets
Product Description:  Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Bars

NY Firm Recalls Imported Tahini After State Lab Testing Finds Salmonella

Roland Foods, LLC (“Roland Foods”) of New York, New York is recalling a specific production code of Roland® Tahini (100% Ground Sesame Seeds) 16 oz. because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which revealed that the product tested positive for Salmonella. The company has ceased distribution of the product and has initiated an investigation in partnership with the manufacturer as to the root cause of the problem

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/roland-foods-llc-recalls-rolandr-tahini-100-ground-sesame-seeds-16-oz-because-possible-health-risk
Roland Foods, LLC Recalls Roland® Tahini (100% Ground Sesame Seeds) 16 Oz. Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 27, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 28, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name:  Roland Foods, LLC.
Brand Name:  Roland
Product Description:  Tahini

Imported Cake Products Recalled for Undeclared Egg

LQNN Inc., of Garden Grove, California, is voluntarily recalling Banh Ba Xa and varieties of Banh Pia because they may contain undeclared egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the affected products may have been mistakenly had an egg wash applied. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem may have been caused by a mistake in the manufacturer’s production and packaging process.

According to Wikipedia, Banh Ba Xa is a "sweetheart cake or wife cake or marriage pie is a traditional Chinese cake with a thin crust of flaky pastry, made with a filling of winter melon, almond paste, and sesame, and spiced with five spice powder.[1] "Wife cake" is the translation of 老婆饼 from Chinese, and although the meaning is "wife", the literal translation is "old lady cake", paralleling the colloquial usage of "old lady" for "wife" in English. In Hong Kong, it is known as a specialty of the Yuen Long District.[2]"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lqnn-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-banh-ba-xa-and-banh-pia-products
LQNN, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Banh Ba Xa and Banh Pia Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 23, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 23, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg
Company Name:  LQNN, Inc.
Brand Name:  Saigon Gourmet
Product Description:  Banh Ba Xa and Banh Pia

Imported Dietary Supplements Recalled for Containing Yellow Oleander, a Poisonous Plant

 San Luis, AZ, G.A. Mart dba H&Natural, is voluntarily recalling 2 lots of H&NATURAL TejoRoot, 10g pills and 2 lots of H&NATURAL Brazil Seed, .167g Seeds to the consumer level. The products have been found via random FDA testing to contain yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.

Another recall, Backstage Center, issued a recall of approximately 280 Bottles of Alipotec Raiz de Tejocote, dietary supplements, that are labeled with the "Alipotec King" sticker. This recall is being initiated because FDA analysis found that the product contains toxic yellow oleander.

Risk Statement: Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse health effects that may be severe, or even fatal. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia and more.

The company, H&Natural, has received one report of gastrointestinal illness, including painful symptoms in conjunction with internal bleeding in connection with H&NATURAL TejoRoot and has not received any reports of adverse events in connection with H&NATURAL Brazil Seed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ga-mart-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-hnatural-tejoroot-and-hnatural-brazil-seed-dietary
G.A. Mart Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of H&NATURAL TejoRoot and H&NATURAL Brazil Seed Dietary Supplements Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana), a Poisonous Plant Native to Mexico and Central America
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 23, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 23, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product contains yellow oleander, a poisonous plant
Company Name:  G.A. Mart dba H&Natural
Brand Name:  H&Natural
Product Description:  Brazil Seed Pure Natural Semilla de Brasil & Tejo Root, Raiz de Tejocte

FSIS Issues Health Alert for Prepared Meals Sold Online Due to Undeclared Egg Allergens

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for Nurture Life’s Chicken Parm with Super Veggie Spaghetti meal products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product’s spaghetti component contains egg white, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert rather than a recall because the the product is no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that the firm discovered that egg was not declared on the label during an internal audit.

The chicken meal packaging does not have a USDA mark of inspection. These items were sold online and shipped directly to consumers nationwide.  Nurture Life is a meal delivery service focused on providing prepared as ready-to-heat meals for children aged 10 months and older.  The company is Chicago based, but information on where the product is processed.

From a quick search, there seems that this company is given a pass because how the company positions itself as healthy.  However, and perhaps this is me, but what about the risk of shipping prepared meals for children through the mail where temperature control is not guaranteed?

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-nurture-life-ready-eat-chicken-meal-product-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Nurture Life Ready-To-Eat Chicken Meal Product Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for Nurture Life’s Chicken Parm with Super Veggie Spaghetti meal products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product’s spaghetti component contains egg white, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to egg are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.