FSIS Issues Health Alert for Chicken Product for Unlabeled Allergens Due to Mis-packaging

USDA FSIS issued a health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken (chicken product in a steamed bun) from Brett Anthony Foods of Elk Grove Village IL, due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as bao curry chicken may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao products, which contain soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that a box labeled bao Thai-style curry chicken contained pouches of the bao teriyaki chicken.

FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-ready-eat-bao-curry-chicken-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Bao Curry Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
BRETT ANTHONY FOODS

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as bao curry chicken may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao products, which contain soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

Meat Imported from Uruguay Recalled After Missing FSIS Reinspection

South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, an importer located in Commerce, Calif., is recalling approximately 20,111 pounds of various eligible frozen raw beef products that were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection upon entry into the United States.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products, and FSIS determined that the products were not presented for FSIS import reinspection.  Product was imported from Uruguay.   There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/south-american-meat-inc--recalls-frozen-raw-beef-products-imported-without-benefit
South American Meat Inc. Recalls Frozen Raw Beef Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2024 - South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, an importer located in Commerce, Calif., is recalling approximately 20,111 pounds of various eligible frozen raw beef products that were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection upon entry into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FL Produce Company Recall Baby Arugula After Positive Salmonella Test

Green Life Farms of Lake Worth, FL is voluntarily recalling one lot of its 4-ounce containers of Baby Arugula because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a single harvest of Baby Arugula. The company took immediate corrective action and additional harvests remain unaffected.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/green-life-farms-issues-voluntary-recall-baby-arugula-because-possible-health-risk
Green Life Farms Issues Voluntary Recall of Baby Arugula Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 07, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 08, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Green Life Farms
Brand Name:  Green Life Farms
Product Description:  Baby Arugula

Use of Almond Flour in Pie Instead of Wheat Flour Results in Allergic Reaction

New Seasons Market of Portland, Oregon is recalling Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart, because it contains undeclared almond. "After a staff member consumed the Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart and had a mild reaction but did not seek medical attention, the manufacturer of the product was notified of this potential allergic reaction. The manufacturer confirmed the product did contain almond flour, but almond was not listed in the product specification. New Seasons Market initiated this recall because the scale label does not declare almond."

So this appears to be a mis-formulation issue where almond flour was inadvertently used.  Also could be cross-contact where residual almond flour was not properly removed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-seasons-market-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-strawberry-rhubarb-bakewell-tart
New Seasons Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 04, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 04, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  New Seasons Market
Brand Name:  New Seasons Market
Product Description:  Strawberry Rhubarb Bakewell Tart

Recalled Infant Formula Also Found to be Contaminated with Cronobacter

Dairy Manufacturers of Prosper TX issued an health warning about its Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula product that was initially recalled on May 25th initially recalled on May 25th when the product was found to have not been produced under federal registration.  But now, this product has been found to have a health concern in that a sample of this product has tested positive for Cronobacter spp.  The product was produced by was manufactured at D.M. Mexicana Sa De Cv in Monterey, Mexico.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dairy-manufacturers-inc-notifying-consumers-about-safety-concern-crecelac-infant-0-12-infant-formula
Dairy Manufacturers Inc. Is Notifying Consumers About a Safety Concern With Crecelac Infant 0-12 Infant Formula (Lot # 24 039 1 CHE 352-1) That is Part of an Ongoing Recall – Expansion of Previous Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 04, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Infant Formula & Foods
Reason for Announcement:  Cronobacter spp. contamination
Company Name:  Dairy Manufacturers Inc.
Brand Name:   Crecelac
Product Description:  Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula

FDA Issues Health Warning on Apricot Powder Due to Amygdalin

Following receipt of a complaint and sample results from DSHS, the FDA notified Apricot Power of the results of amygdalin analysis and FDA's initial concerns. "On 5/8/24, the firm declined to recall the products. Upon additional assessment of the findings, the FDA held a follow up call with the firm to share the risks associated with these products. As of 5/24/24, the firm has continued to decline a voluntarily recall of these products. The FDA is issuing this safety alert to warn consumers."

The "analysis determined that the Apricot Power products identified with the lot numbers above contain high levels of amygdalin, which, when consumed, could lead to fatal cyanide toxicity. Mild-to-moderate symptoms of acute cyanide toxicity from the ingestion of kernels containing amygdalin include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes (cyanosis), weakness, and lightheadedness. Symptoms of severe acute toxicity include coma, seizures, stupor, dysrhythmias, cardiovascular collapse, and metabolic acidosis."

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-toxic-amygdalin-found-apricot-seeds
FDA Issues Warning About Toxic Amygdalin Found in Apricot Seeds
May 24, 2024

The FDA reviewed analytical packets from the Commonwealth of Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) from three samples collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), representing the products listed below, and found them all to contain the toxic compound amygdalin:

Apricot Power – Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-015 (California Select) -Net weight 8oz (227g)
Apricot Power – Seeds Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-016 (Organic Turkish Select) – Net weight 8oz (227g)
Apricot Power – Seeds Bitter Apricot Seeds – NGR FY24-017 (South African Select) – Net weight 16oz (454g)

Auto-Brewery Syndrome - Taking Home Brew to the Next Level

'A woman kept getting drunk despite not drinking. Fungi in her gut were brewing their own alcohol."

"Auto-brewery syndrome arises when such fungi — including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or brewer's yeast, and Candida albicans — grow in high enough concentrations and access enough carbs through a person's diet to intoxicate them. "  Her normal flora had been wiped out because of antibiotic usage.

Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/a-woman-kept-getting-drunk-despite-not-drinking-fungi-in-her-gut-were-brewing-their-own-alcohol

A woman kept getting drunk despite not drinking. Fungi in her gut were brewing their own alcohol.

A woman kept ending up in the emergency room with excessive sleepiness, slurred speech and the scent of alcohol on her breath, but she had not ingested a drop of liquor. It turns out that microbes in her gut were brewing their own booze — and making her drunk.

Friday, June 7th is World Food Safety Day! How Will You Celebrate?

 World Food Safety Day is here, and right now, you are thinking about how you will celebrate this awesome day.

Of course here at Penn Safety Food Safety, every day is food safety day.  We don't need some stinkin' calendar guy to come up with a special holiday for food safety.  I know our food safety news patrons wake up each day thinking about food safety, probably because they had some nightmare involving some food safety catastrophe.  Food safety paranoia is what sets us apart and it will be what eventually drives us mad. 

And why June 7th?  Was there some famous food safety person born on June 7th?  Well if there was some famous person, I could not find them in the 5 minutes I took to browse through some internet site for famous people born on June 7th.  But you know who was born on June 7th.  Liam Neeson.  Damn straight.  And what would Liam Neeson say in his food safety movie?

Leaning into the wait person, and speaking in a low, assertive voice, “I don't know who you are. I don't know who your chef is.  But what I do have are a very particular set of food safety skills, skills I have acquired over way too long of a career.  Food Safety skills that make me a nightmare for people like you and your establishment. If you cook my burger correctly, that'll be the end of it. I will eat it, I will not bother you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will have you recook it."

How many of you have sent your food back to have it properly cooked?  With a serious attitude like that, I think it is time to kick up our food safety skills and get serious.

How about a new food thermometer?  Not one of those stinkin' bimetallic cheapies with slow response time where you have to stick the darn thing up to the dimple point (and why is that dimple point so far back on the stem anyway?).   No, you will get some high tech, state of the art, remote digital piece that costs more than your grill.  Check this on out.

CHEF iQ Sense Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer with 2 Ultra-Thin Probes, Unlimited Range Bluetooth Meat Thermometer, Digital Food Thermometer for Remote Monitoring of BBQ Grill, Oven....$126 on Amazon.  

These look like missiles that you can launch into your prey and then leave them there to measure the temperature as you cook it.  And of course, it is all controlled by your cellphone.

Eating out?  Another way to celebrate is to order food that is normally served raw or rare, but have the chef cook it...way past well done.  Ahi tuna...canned.   A filet mignon...braised to 180F.  Oysters on the half-shell..boiled.   No better way to send the chef a message that today, you stand for food safety.

You can spend the day cleaning AND sanitizing every pot, pan, and utensil in your entire kitchen.  Put on some Bach on Pandora radio and then clean until your hands are shriveled like prunes.  Then sanitize everything with the fresh sanitizer solution.  Really kill it by using 400ppm to 500 ppm and then of course following it with a rinse.  No better smell than that of an indoor pool.

How will you celebrate?

Happy World Food Safety Day!

https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/world-food-safety-day
World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day is June 7. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization which sponsor World Food Safety Day have designated “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected” as the theme for 2024. The purpose of this year’s theme is to draw attention to sudden food safety incidents and underline the importance of being prepared for such incidents, no matter how severe they may be.

Michigan Firm Recall Ground Black Pepper After State Lab Finds Salmonella

UBC Food Distributors in Dearborn Michigan is recalling the Ground Black Pepper under the Baraka brand name in 7oz plastic containers 7oz * 10 With UPC code 8 22514 26626 6 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) notified us of the contamination based on a routine state surveillance sample collected by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets that tested positive for Salmonella the presence of Salmonella in some 7 ounce packages of Ground Black Pepper.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ubc-food-distributors-recalls-baraka-brand-ground-black-pepper-spice-because-possible-health-risk
UBC Food Distributors Recalls Baraka Brand Ground Black Pepper Spice Because of Possible Health Risk Announcement
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  June 03, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Contamination with Salmonella
Company Name:  UBC Food Distributors
Brand Name:  Baraka
Product Description:  Ground black pepper