Iowa Retailer Recalls Cream Cheese Spread and Cookies and Cream Mix for Salmonella After Co-manufacturers Issue Notification

Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling two varieties of its Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread  and bulk-packaged Cookies & Cream Mix out of an abundance of caution due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella.  These products are manufactured at different third-party facilities around the Midwest and are sold under HyVee’s private label and bulk packaging programs. The manufacturers of these products notified Hy-Vee of the potential issue.

No illnesses have been reported.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall_supplier-recalls-impact-two-hy-vee-products-third-party-manufacturers-alert-retailer
Recall_Supplier Recalls Impact Two Hy-Vee Products Third-Party Manufacturers Alert Retailer of Potential for Contamination; No Illnesses Reported
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 06, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  May 06, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Hy-Vee Inc
Brand Name:  HyVee
Product Description:  Plain Whipped Cream Cheese, Plain Cream Cheese, and Cookies & Cream Mix

Whoa....PSU Food Safety Ranked as One of Best Food Safety Blogs for 2024

Very excited to see our blog ranked in the Best Food Safety Blogs for 2024, coming in at #11.

Thanks to all for your readership!

https://food.feedspot.com/food_safety_blog/
45 Best Food Safety Blogs and Websites
Here are 45 Best Food Safety Blogs you should follow in 2024

11. Penn State Food Safety Blog

Penn State Food Safety Blog....Providing news and commentary on important food safety issues. Penn State Food Safety is a work group in the College of Agricultural Sciences with members from the Department of Food Science, Department of Animal Science, and Cooperative Extension.

White Chocolate Candy Product Recalled After Notification by Supplier of Potential Salmonella Contamination in Ingredient

Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City, Iowa, is recalling its “White Coated Confectionary Items” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with salmonella from an ingredient that was potentially contaminated from one of their suppliers.
The recalled confectionary items were distributed nationwide 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/palmer-candy-company-recalls-white-confectionary-products-because-possible-health-risk
Palmer Candy Company Recalls White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 05, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  May 06, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Palmer Candy Company
Brand Name:  Freshness Guaranteed, Palmer, Sweet Smiles, Snackin’ With The Crew, Casey’s, Sconza Chocolates, Favorite Day Bakery, Sunny Select, Urge!, Kwik Trip Inc.
Product Description:  Various Confectionary Products

Peanuts Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of two PLANTERS® products that were produced at one of its facilities in April because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The products were shipped to Publix distribution warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and to Dollar Tree distribution warehouses in South Carolina and Georgia.

While no reason was stated for the recall, one could guess that testing of product or food contact surfaces may be the reason.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hormel-foods-sales-llc-recalls-limited-number-plantersr-honey-roasted-peanuts-4-oz-and-plantersr
Hormel Foods Sales, LLC Recalls a Limited Number of Planters® Honey Roasted Peanuts 4 Oz. and Planters® Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts 8.75 Oz. Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  May 03, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Nuts & Nut Products
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Hormel Foods Sales, LLC
Brand Name:  Planters
Product Description:  Honey Roasted Peanuts and Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips Recalled Due to Inadvertent Addition of Hazelnuts

Chuao Chocolatier, a Carlsburg, CA firm, is voluntarily recalling a single production of Potato Chip mini bar .39oz/11 gram LOT 4022 because some packages may contain undeclared hazelnut.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered hazelnuts were inadvertently added to the product during manufacturing and the lot produced was distributed in packaging that does not reveal the presence of hazelnuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by cross contamination on a piece of share equipment.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chuao-chocolatier-recalls-its-39-oz-11-gram-potato-chip-mini-bar-lot-4022-due-undeclared-hazelnuts
Chuao Chocolatier Recalls Its: .39 oz /11 Gram Potato Chip Mini Bar Lot 4022 Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts

Onion Rings Recalled for Potential Staphylococcus Aureus

In the FDA Enforcement Reports, a recall of fried onion rings due to the potential growth of Staphylococcus aureus.  While the information on the Enforcement Reports is limited, one would guess that the issue was related to temperature control of the batter during manufacturing.  If this is the case, teh concern would be that Staphylococcus aureus may have grown, produced toxin, and now that toxin would be heat stable.  Another possibility was that there could have been a high staph count on the finished product, and if the consumer temperature abused the product, Staphylococcus would grow.

FDA Enforcement Report

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm
Product Details
Product Description:
FRENCH S CRISPY FRIED ONIONS ORIG 240/26.5 OZ PDM
Reason for Recall:  Potential growth of Staphylococcus aureus
Product Quantity:  26.5 ounce - 720 Pouches
Recall Number:  F-1214-2024
Code Information:  UPC: 041500959030

Classification:  Class II
Event Details
Event ID:  94282
Voluntary / Mandated:  Voluntary: Firm initiated
Product Type:  Food
Initial Firm Notification of Consignee or Public:  Two or more of the following: Email, Fax, Letter, Press Release, Telephone, Visit
Status:  Ongoing
Distribution Pattern:  The product was distributed to the following States: AZ, IL
Recalling Firm:  McCormick & Company, Inc.- Consumer Product Division
11100 Mccormick Rd
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-1107
United States

Press Release URL(s):
Recall Initiation Date:  3/18/2024
Center Classification Date:   5/2/2024

FDA Publishes Final Rule for Use of Agricultural Water on FSMA Covered Produce

FDA released their final rule on agricultural water for produce. "Farms are required to conduct assessments of their pre-harvest agricultural water annually, and whenever a significant change occurs, to identify any conditions likely to introduce known or reasonably foreseeable hazards into or onto covered produce or food contact surfaces."   The rule provides the various factors that go into the evaluation.  

 "The final rule replaces certain pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce (other than sprouts) in the 2015 produce safety rule with requirements for systems-based agricultural water assessments to determine and guide appropriate measures to minimize potential risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water."  It "establishes requirements for agricultural water assessments that evaluate a variety of factors that are key determinants of contamination risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water. This includes an evaluation of the water system, water use practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, potential impacts on water from adjacent and nearby land, and other relevant factors."


https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-publishes-landmark-final-rule-enhance-safety-agricultural-water?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA Publishes Landmark Final Rule to Enhance the Safety of Agricultural Water
Constituent Update
May 2, 2024

Public Health Alert for Chorizo After Consumer Complaints Filed for Hard Plastic and Metal in Product

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products that may be contaminated with a foreign material, specifically hard plastic and metal.  The product was produced by San Antonio Packing Company of San Antonio, TX.   The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received a consumer complaint reporting that pieces of hard plastic and metal were found in the raw pork chorizo product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-pork-chorizo-products-due-possible-foreign
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Pork Chorizo Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, May. 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products that may be contaminated with a foreign material, specifically hard plastic and metal. FSIS is issuing a public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

Raw Ground Beef Recalled for E. coli O157:H7 After Segregated Product Mistakenly Used

Cargill Meat Solutions, a Hazleton, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The establishment reported the issue to FSIS after they identified that previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef.  These items were shipped to Walmart retail locations nationwide.

Ouch.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/cargill-meat-solutions-recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7
Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2024 - Cargill Meat Solutions, a Hazleton, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.