Illinois Animal Feed Facility Recalls Multiple Lots of Feed After Equipment Failure Results in Misformulated Products

ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM, is recalling a multitude of animal feed products produced at manufacturing facility in Quincy, Illinois  due to that specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine

After receiving a customer complaint related to swine refusing to eat feed from a single lot of MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF DEN, ADM immediately investigated and discovered that the company’s animal feed manufacturing facility in Quincy, Illinois, experienced an equipment failure issue that impacted ingredient distribution in the plant. The company quickly initiated the recall once it was confirmed that these specific lots could contain harmful levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium sodium, and/or chloride.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-animal-nutrition-recalls-select-pen-palsr-chicken-feed-moormans-showtec-swine-feed-ampt-cattle
ADM Animal Nutrition Recalls Select Pen Pals® Chicken Feed, MoorMan’s ShowTec Swine Feed, AMPT Cattle Feed and Seniorglo Horse Feed Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 30, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 01, 2024
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Animal Feed
Reason for Announcement:  Specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine.
Company Name:  ADM Animal Nutrition
Brand Name:  Multiple Brand Names
Product Description:  Chicken Feed, Swine Feed, Cattle Feed, Horse Feed

California Nut Butter Producer Issued Warning Letter for Ineffective Food Safety Plan

The internet has opened the door to many food operations to sell products.  People often base their decision for  purchasing based upon that website.  Unfortunately, there is little more to go on than that.  But is that enough?  Recently, FDA inspected a Berkley California operation, Living Tree Community Foods, Inc. (https://www.livingtreecommunityfoods.com) and found that they were not producing foods to the required food safety standards.

Living Tree Community Foods, Inc, a Berkeley, CA processes organic seeds and tree nuts into ready to eat (RTE) organic seed and nut butters as well as repacks a variety of RTE and non RTE food products.  The company had a Food Safety Plan, but was basically there for show in that it did not really address the hazards associated with the process.  Company processes 25 different RTE nut & seed butters but "the  hazard analysis did not identify biological, chemical, and physical hazards associated with these products and with tree nuts/seeds as significant hazards which require a preventive control at receiving, storage, slicing nuts and seeds, holding in bin, mixing (b)(4)/cooling, and/or packaging steps." 

Biological hazards - the "presence of pathogenic bacteria” associated with the company's seeds and tree nut ingredients at the receiving step, but the company determined that the hazard was not significant. The company cited prerequisite programs including “Approved Supplier Program,” “Good Manufacturing Practices” and “Receiving and Storage Practices.  However, “Preventive Control #1 – Approved Supplier Program which includes Continuing Letters of Guarantee and Specifications” at the Receiving Step as the control that will be applied to ensure only approved materials are received. In the company response dated April 28, 2023, the company provided a revised “Approved Supplier Program Version 3.” but these responses did not indicate what requirements the supplier must meet to demonstrate control of the pathogen hazards.

Allergen hazards - the hazard analysis in your “Food Safety Plan for Nut and Seed Butters, Muesli, Bars, and oils Version 2” did not consider the hazard of allergen cross contact as a potential food safety hazard at the slicing, or mixing steps to evaluate whether it requires a preventive control. The firm considered “allergen cross contamination” at the packaging/filling processing step; however, it was determined that that the hazard was not significant.  Also did not identify and evaluate the hazard of undeclared allergens due to an incorrect label as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard to determine whether it requires a preventive control.

Mycotoxins - in the hazard analysis for mycotoxins associated with the seeds and tree nuts as a potential food safety hazard to evaluate whether it requires a preventive control; the firm determined that the hazard was not significant based on ingredient and supplier history. Tree nuts and seeds are known to be associated with aflatoxins.

GMP issues - equipment and utensils were not designed and were not of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable and were not adequately maintained to protect against contamination.  The firm did not take reasonable precautions and measures 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) after each absence from the workstation and at any other time when hands may have become soiled or contaminated.

Labeling claims made on the labels were cited as well.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/living-tree-community-foods-inc-656541-03042024
Living Tree Community Foods, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 656541 — MARCH 04, 2024

Imported Deluxe Macaroons Recalled for Undeclared Allergens Not Listed in English

Lidl US has announced a voluntary recall of Deluxe branded Macarons Party Edition due to undeclared allergens. The recall was issued due to undeclared wheat, soy, egg, milk, and tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and coconut) in the products as a result of non-English ingredient labeling.  The issue was internally discovered after delivery to the stores.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lidl-voluntarily-recalls-deluxe-branded-macarons-party-edition-due-undeclared-allergens
Lidl Voluntarily Recalls Deluxe Branded Macarons Party Edition Due to Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 01, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergens - wheat, soy, egg, milk, tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and coconut).
Company Name:  Lidl US
Brand Name:  Deluxe
Product Description:  Macarons Party Edition

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.