CA Firm Recalls Frozen Ice Cream Bars After Salmonella Positive Test

Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of “MO Best By 10/11/2025”, because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Finished product testing on the mango bars revealed that the finished product may contain Salmonella. The company has ceased distribution of the affected product. The company is conducting an investigation as to what caused the problem and will take effective action to prevent any future issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tropicale-foods-recalls-helados-mexico-mini-cream-variety-pack-because-possible-health-risk
Tropicale Foods Recalls Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  March 30, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Tropicale Foods
Brand Name:  Helados Mexico
Product Description:  mango bars in the variety pack

CT Supermarket Recalls Sushi with Undeclared Allergens After Failure to Implement Corrective Action Addressing Allergen Labeling

Geisslers Supermarket Inc. of East Windsor CT has issued a recall of all Sushi products produced by EZnoble Sushi for Geisslers Supermarket Inc. produced or purchased on 3/26/2024, and 3/27/2024, with a sell by date of 3/27/2024, and 3/28/2024. They may contain undeclared egg, wheat and milk.  A follow up investigation of a recall in 2022 of EZ Noble Sushi for undeclared allergens revealed labeling issues were not corrected.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/geisslers-supermarket-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-wheat-and-milk-sushi-product
Geisslers Supermarket Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Wheat, and Milk in Sushi Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 28, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk, wheat and eggs
Company Name:  Geisslers Supermarket Inc.
Brand Name:  Geissler’s Supermarket Inc.
Product Description:  Sushi products

Oklahoma Flour Mill Recalls 5lb Bags of Flour Due to Undeclared Milk and Egg

Shawnee Milling Company of Shawnee, Oklahoma is recalling 5 lb.Food Club brand All Purpose Flour with Best if Used by date 03/07/2025, because it may contain undeclared milk and egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered by the firm that an equipment breakdown during production could have allowed allergen cross-contact.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/shawnee-milling-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-egg-5lb-food-club-all-purpose-flour
Shawnee Milling Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Egg in “5lb. Food Club All Purpose Flour”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 28, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk and eggs
Company Name:  Shawnee Milling Company
Brand Name:  Food Club
Product Description:  All Purpose Flour

Food News - Snakes and Bugs - March 29, 2024 Edition

Snake Meat Next on the Menu?

An article in Scientific American discusses how python meat may be a good alternative for meat eaters due to the efficiency of protein conversion.    

"The researchers fed the pythons a variety of diets, including thawed frozen chicken, wild-caught rodents, fishmeal, chicken pellets and waste products from pork production.  Roughly a quarter of the food ingested by the snakes was converted to meat, regardless of which diet they were fed, and 82% of the snakes' body mass was edible meat by the end of the experiment. For comparison, the meat harvested from cattle generally amounts to about 63% of a cow's weight."

Lots of issues with this concept though.  For one, being a snake farmer ain't no easy task.  "Jim, have you seen Friskers the barn cat?  Jim....Jim...where are you, I thought I left you in the snake barn?"

Discerning Insect Eaters - The Flavors of Different Ant Species
Evidently, different species of ants have different flavors.  For example, "Weaver ants were characterized as having a nutty, sweet and caramel-like aroma caused by the presence of various pyrazines and pyrroles, but the researchers also detected hay and urine-like off-flavors likely due to high concentrations of amines."  

What wine do you pair to complement that urine-life off-flavor?


Scientific Amerian
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/snake-steak-could-be-a-climate-friendly-source-of-protein
Snake Steak Could Be a Climate-Friendly Source of Protein

Pythons turn their food into meat pretty efficiently, a study finds, making them an intriguing alternative to climate-unfriendly cows

MARCH 14, 2024

CDC Announces Salmonella Outbreak Linked to NJ Charcuterie Product Is Over

CDC announced that the Salmonella outbreak linked to charcuterie meats is over.  The product, manufactured by Fratelli Beretta in Mount Olive NJ was recalled in January.  CDC now states there have been 104 cases in 33 States with 27 hospitalizations.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/charcuterie-meats-01-24/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats
Posted March 28, 2024

This outbreak investigation is over. The recalled meats have a long shelf life, so double check your refrigerators for recalled food. Learn what else you can do to protect yourself from getting sick from Salmonella.

Fast Facts
Illnesses: 104
Hospitalizations: 27
Deaths: 0
States: 33
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Closed

Massachusetts Seafood Facility Gets Warning Letter Painting A Different Picture Than Their Web Presence

FDA issued a Warning Letter to F1 Foods Inc, of Bridgewater, MA, a processor of ready-to-eat (RTE) prepared foods, including the processing of seafood and acidified food products.  It seems this facility was operating as if not regulations exist.  However, if you look at their website, you would think this place was outstanding.  They even do consulting on HACCP??https://www.flavorfirstfoods.com/contact-us

• Failed to provide the FDA information on the scheduled processes from a qualified person for  Marinara Sauce
• Failed to have operators of processing and packaging systems under the operating supervision of a person who has attended and satisfactorily completed a school approved by the FDA for pH controls and critical factors in acidification, as required by 21 CFR 114.10. Specifically, no one in your facility has attended a Better Process Controls course or any other approved FDA training in the manufacturing of acidified foods.
• Did not implement the monitoring procedures at the following critical control points listed in your HACCP plan for refrigerated, ready-to-eat, heat treated, clam chowder in reduced oxygen packaging:
• Did not follow the monitoring procedure of continuous monitoring of the product temperature to ensure minimum internal temperature of (b)(4) at the Hot Fill CCP with a (b)(4) inspection of the continuous time and temperature recording chart before starting each batch. Employees were observed using a stem thermometer to monitor the temperature of the clam chowder before filling. FDA recommends continuous temperature monitoring at the hot fill step to ensure the cooked soup is hot filled at or above the proper temperature.
• Did not follow the monitoring procedure of “maintain temp at (b)(4)” at the Cooking CCP to control pathogenic bacteria survival through cooking. On July 26, 2023, you were observed taking only a single temperature during the cooking step for a batch of clam chowder which was observed to be (b)(4); however, you did not continue to measure the temperature for a period of (b)(4) to ensure that the clam chowder stayed at (b)(4) to ensure pathogen reduction as required by your HACCP plan. Furthermore, the first several bags of finished clam chowder that were used to prime the bagging system were reintroduced back into the kettle and never reverified time/temperature requirement of a (b)(4) as required by your HACCP plan. 
• Did not follow your monitoring procedure of monitoring the water bath for residual chlorine using a (b)(4) before the use of the water bath at the Cooling After Cooking CCP to control the hazard of post-production contamination. You did not implement this monitoring procedure. Additionally, during the inspection on July 26, 2023, finished sealed bags of clam chowder were observed being cooled in water which was recovered water from your ice machine condensate drainpipe that was untreated.
• Did not take reasonable measures and precautions to ensure that all persons working in direct contact with food wash hands thoroughly (and sanitize if necessary to protect against contamination with undesirable microorganisms) in an adequate hand-washing facility before starting work, after each absence from the work station, and at any time when the hands may have become soiled or contaminated,
• Did not maintain buildings, fixtures, and other physical facilities of your plant in a clean and sanitary condition and in repair adequate to prevent food from becoming adulterated 1) rusted metal plates with black debris and a white substance were observed directly above exposed glass jars of marinara sauce, 2)clutter was observed along the walls and floor wall junctures of the dry storage area 3) the stem thermometer used to measure the temperature of your clam chowder was observed stored in a PVC There was condensate dripping directly inside the pipe  4) firm does not have a bathroom inside their facility. Employees must access the adjacent firm to use a bathroom. On July 26, 2023, this bathroom was noted with cobwebs, black dirt and the toilet fixtures and wash sinks were soiled and not clean. The floor of the bathroom had clutter and black dirt. The entrance to the bathroom was cluttered with old equipment, trash, and debris on the floor.pe that was soiled with a brown substance. 
• Did not take effective measures to exclude pests from the manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding areas to protect against the contamination of food on the premises by pests
• Did not clean non-food-contact surfaces of equipment in a manner and as frequently as necessary to protect against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, and food-packaging materials

FDA Warning Letter

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/f1-foods-inc-dba-flavor-first-foods-inc-668515-03142024
F1 Foods Inc. D/B/A Flavor First Foods Inc.

FSIS Issues Health Alert for Frozen Siluriformes From China

USDA - FSIS is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen Siluriformes products that were illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China and are ineligible for entry into the United States. The products were not certified for export to the U.S. by the government of China as being produced under equivalent inspection, they do not identify a certified establishment number on their packaging, and they were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection as required. 

Description & Characteristics (from http://www.cport.net/product/view/striped-pangasius)

"Striped Pangasius are farm raised, primarily in the Mekong Basin of southern Vietnam.  Striped Pangasius is a scale-less, freshwater fish that like Tilapia, has gained a lot of commercial popularity in the US within the last 10 years.  Originally imported and marketed as Basa or Catfish, the fish now is only accepted by FDA to be marketed and sold as Striped Pangasius, Swai or Tra.  The changes and variety in acceptable market names have caused some confusion -  the safest way to know what you are buying is to refer to the scientific name:  Pangasius hypophthalmus.  Because of its fast growth rate (6-9 months) there is steady supply, and availability is year-round.  Striped Pangasius is a white fish, with mild flavor and a firm texture - allowing for versatile cooking applications.  Our brand Sea Port Panga® comes in a bright colorful case, available in both bulk and IVP (ready for retail) packaging."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ineligible-frozen-siluriformes-products-imported
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Products Imported from the People’s Republic of China

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March. 21, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen Siluriformes products that were illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China and are ineligible for entry into the United States. The products were not certified for export to the U.S. by the government of China as being produced under equivalent inspection, they do not identify a certified establishment number on their packaging, and they were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection as required. These factors make the products ineligible to import into the U.S. and unfit for human consumption. FSIS is working with other agencies to investigate how these products entered the country.

FDA and CDC Announce E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese is Over

FDA and CDC provided an update on the pathogenic E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese. There have been 11 cases with 5 hospitalizations reported.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 11

Hospitalizations: 5

Deaths: 0

Last Sample Collection Dates: February 5, 2024

States with Cases: CA, CO, NJ, TX, UT

Product Distribution: Nationwide

 

The health alert was first issued in early February (https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2024/02/pathogenic-e-coli-outbreak-with-ten.html)
The last illness date was February 5, 2024.  FDA stated, "While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-raw-cheddar-cheese-february-2024

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (February 2024)

FDA’s Outbreak Investigation is closed. CDC declares outbreak over.

March 26, 2024

Trader Joe's Recalls Imported Cashews After FDA Testing Finds Salmonella

Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts – 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews – (SKU Number – 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The issue was identified through routine testing by FDA during import, which indicated that at least one of the recalled lots tested positive for the presence of Salmonella.

As part of the importers FSVP, the hazard analysis would identify pathogens as a significant hazard.   The company would need verification activities that would include a facility audit.  Along with that, product testing and records verification should be considered.  From the label, it looks as though the importer is buying from a few different countries, thus a few different suppliers.  

In these situations, it may be better to import the raw nut and have them roasted by a domestic processor where you have better control of the roasting process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wenders-llc-recalls-trader-joes-nuts-50-less-sodium-roasted-salted-whole-cashews-because-possible
Wenders LLC Recalls Trader Joes Nuts – 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:   March 17, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  March 18, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name:  Wenders LLC
Brand Name:  Trader Joe’s
Product Description:  50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews