Nebraska Establishment Recalls Ground Beef Products After Inadvertently Using Product on Hold for E. coli

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products produced by Greater Omaha Packing Co that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.

The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024.  The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.”  FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7-0
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
GREATER OMAHA PACKING CO., INC.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

CA Firm Recalls Goat Milk Toddler Formula Due To Concerns for Infant Use

Sammy's Milk, Newport Beach, California, has been asked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a warning against the use of its Goat Milk Toddler Formula as an infant formula because the FDA is concerned that the formula may not meet all FDA requirements for infant formula and may be unsafe and not provide sufficient nutrition when used as an infant formula. These concerns were provided to Sammy’s Milk in a meeting with FDA this week that identified representations on the Sammy’s Milk website and social media platforms that could be interpreted to indicate the product is safe for infants to consume.

While Sammy’s Milk is specifically formulated for children between the ages of 12 and 36 months. it does not recommend the use of Goat Milk Toddler Formula for infants under 12 months of age.  However, the concern is that people may use it as a formula for this younger age group.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sammys-milk-providing-warning-against-use-goat-milk-toddler-formula-infant-formula
Sammy’s Milk Providing a Warning Against the Use of Goat Milk Toddler Formula as Infant Formula
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 18, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 18, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Infant Formula & Foods
Reason for Announcement:  Product does not provide sufficient nutrition when used as an infant formula
Company Name:  Sammy’s Milk
Brand Name:  Sammy’s Milk
Product Description:  Goat Milk Toddler Formula

Imported Fresh Basil Linked to Salmonella Outbreak, Importer Recalling Product

An outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to fresh organic basil sole through Trader Joe's and Fruit Center Marketplace.  There have been 12 cases so far reported with one hospitalization occurring in 7 states, although the product had been shipped to close to 30 states.  The product was imported by Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, from Columbia, and the company is now recalling the 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-organic-basil-april-2024
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Organic Basil (April 2024)
Do not eat recalled organic basil sold at certain retail stores in 29 states and D.C. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Current Update
April 19, 2024

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella linked to recalled organic basil.

Imported Honey Still a Concern for Economically Motivated Adulteration

US FDA released results of economic adulteration of imported honey.   Between April 2022 and July 2023, FDA collected 107 samples of imported honey and found 3 samples (3%) to be violative. In 2021-2022, the agency collected and tested 144 imported honey samples, and found 10% of those samples to be violative. The two assignments were not designed for statistical comparison of violation rates.  The countries with violative samples - Dominican Republic (1), Mexico (1), and Yemen (1).

"“Honey” commonly refers to the thick, sweet, syrupy substance that bees make from the nectar of plants or their secretions and store in honeycombs (see FDA’s Proper Labeling of Honey and Honey Products: Guidance for Industry). Economically motivated adulteration occurs when products labeled as “honey” contains undeclared sweeteners that are less expensive than honey, such as syrups derived from cane, corn, rice, or sugar beets."

"The FDA used Stable Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis (SCIRA) to analyze the organic composition of each honey sample. When the agency found a subsample to have carbon isotope values atypical to those of authentic honey, the agency classified the associated sample as violative/noncompliant."

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-releases-report-economically-motivated-adulteration-honey
FDA Releases Report on Economically Motivated Adulteration in Honey
Constituent Update
April 8, 2024

Banning Food Ingredients - The Problem with State-by-State Approach

A commentary in Food Technology Magazine addresses the ongoing issue of various States issuing ingredient bans.   They address the current four chemicals in the crosshairs of health activists and state that these actions "stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the science of toxicology, the linchpin of food additive safety, and the meticulous regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."  Basically, this approach to eliminating chemicals from the food supply goes around having scientific consensus at the national level.  Rather, it lays responsivity in the hands of  State legislatures who act with more sentiment than science.

As this approach continues to win, what other food ingredients will be next? And what impact will it have on our ability to produce foods?

FOOD TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | DIALOGUE
https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2024/april/columns/dialogue-what-food-additive-bans-overlook
What Food Additive Bans Overlook
Two toxicologists reflect on the impact of California’s ban of four food additives.
By James R. Coughlin, Craig Llewellyn

Illinois Facility to be Closed Following December 2023 Recall

In December of 2023, Quaker Oats began recalling various granola products due to potential Salmonella contamination.  This month, the company has decided to permanently close this facility citing extensive facility modernization that would be needed.  “After a detailed review, we determined that meeting our future manufacturing needs would require an extended closure for enhancements and modernization,” Chicago-based Quaker Oats said. “In order to continue the timely delivery of Quaker products trusted by consumers since 1877, we determined production would need to permanently shift to other facilities."

The facility had been in operation for 55 years employing over 500 people.

Baking Business
https://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/61258-quaker-closing-illinois-facility-after-recall
Quaker closing Illinois facility after recall
04.09.2024By Jeff Gelski

CHICAGO — The Quaker Oats Co., a business of PepsiCo, Inc., is permanently closing its facility in Danville, Ill., following a recall in December 2023 that led Quaker to cease production at the facility.

Chicken Feed Recalled for Misformulation That Left Out Vitamin D

Cargill’s animal nutrition business is conducting a voluntary recall of Nutrena® Country Feeds® Meat bird 22% Crumble (RV) due to non-inclusion of Vitamin D. Lack of Vitamin D in meat bird diets can lead to mineral deficiencies and bone issues, including rickets in growing birds. Symptoms include lameness and rubbery bones.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cargill-conducts-voluntary-recall-nutrenar-country-feedsr-meatbird-22-crumble-due-non-inclusion
Cargill Conducts Voluntary Recall of Nutrena® Country Feeds® Meatbird 22% Crumble Due to Non-inclusion of Vitamin D
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 13, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 13, 2024
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Animal Feed
Reason for Announcement:  Non-inclusion of Vitamin D
Company Name:  Cargill
Brand Name:  Nutrena Country Feeds
Product Description:  Meat bird 22% Crumble (RV)

CT Firm Recalls Breaded Broccoli Product For Undeclared Allergens

Gracie’s Kitchens of New Haven, CT, is recalling its 20-ounce packages of "King Kullen Broccoli Cutlets with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan" because they may contain undeclared sesame and wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a product containing sesame and wheat didn’t include the full ingredient breakdown on the ingredient panel.  The ingredient panel lists Bread Crumbs, but does not break down that into ingredients such as wheat, and thus those are not listed on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gracies-kitchen-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-and-wheat-allergens-broccoli-cutlets
Gracie’s Kitchen Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame and Wheat Allergens in “Broccoli Cutlets”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 12, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  

Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sesame & Wheat
Company Name:  Gracie’s Kitchens Inc.
Brand Name:  King Kullen
Product Description:  Broccoli Cutlets

CT Firm Recalls Bread Due to Undeclared Egg Inadvertently Applied as Egg Wash

Roly Poly Bakery of New Britain, CT is recalling its 20 ounce loafs of Roly Poly multigrain bread because the product contains undeclared egg product.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an audit that a production employee used an egg wash instead of water to apply sunflower or oat ingredients on external product’s surface.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/roly-poly-bakery-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-ingredient-multigrain-bread
Roly Poly Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Ingredient in Multigrain Bread
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 12, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  Roly Poly Bakery
Brand Name:  Roly Poly Bakery
Product Description:  Multigrain Bread