NY Distributor is Recalling Cinnamon Powder After Testing Finds Elevated Lead Levels

ALB-USA Enterprises, Inc. of Bronx, NY is recalling ALB Flavor brand Cinnamon Powder, because it potentially contaminated with elevated levels of lead. The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead.

The company has ceased the importing and distribution of the product as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/alb-usa-enterprises-recalls-alb-flavor-ground-cinnamon-because-possible-health-risk
ALB-USA Enterprises Recalls ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 26, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  July 26, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name:  ALB-USA ENTERPRISES
Brand Name:  ALB Flavor
Product Description:  Ground Cinnamon Powder

Additional Recall Notices Issued Due to Purchasing of Recalled Produce with Potential Listeria

In light of the the Listeria-related recall associated with product from Ohio-based Weirs Farms, other food companies and distributors are issuing recalls.

• Supreme Service Solutions LLC. (dba Supreme Produce) is assisting in a Kroger Store recall for items purchased from Weirs Farm Inc. (purchased from Kroger Stores)
• ALDI Inc., (“ALDI”) is recalling Freshire Farms jalapenos, green peppers and green beans
• JFE Franchising, Inc. of Houston, TX, is recalling a limited number of products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Announcements for each are listed below.

Case Count Update on Recalled Mushroom-Infused Snack Items

FDA provided an update on the number of illnesses linked to the mushroom infused product. FDA and CDC issued the first health warning last month linked to these bioactive-mushroom-infused snack products.  A month later and there are 74 reported cases with 38 hospitalizations and potentially 2 linked deaths. 

The Diamond Shruumz-brand products have been recalled and should no longer be available for sale. These products were available online and in person at a variety of retail locations nationwide including smoke/vape shops, and at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 74

Hospitalizations: 38

Potentially associated deaths: 2 (under investigation)

Last illness onset: July 20, 2024

States with Cases: AL (4), AZ (6), CA (1), CO (1), FL (1), GA (7), IN (6), IA (5), KY (5), MD (1), MN (2), MO (1), MT (1), NV (1), NJ (2), NY (1), NC (3), ND (2), OH (2), OK (1), OR (1), PA (2), SC (5), SD (1), TN (4), TX (1), VA (4), WA (2), Unknown State (1)

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024
Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies (June 2024)

FDA Releases Report on Sampling of Fresh Herbs for Pathogens

The FDA released their report for the "Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY17-21 Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Basil & Parsley) Assignment". In this project, FDA completed its collection and testing in September 2021, having obtained 1,383 samples in all.  "The samples collected were tested for Cyclospora cayetanensis, Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The assignment aimed to estimate the prevalence of these pathogens in the three types of fresh herbs and to take follow-up actions in the case of pathogen findings, as warranted. The agency also sought to identify common factors, such as origin, among the pathogens’ findings."

 The results can be found here - https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/microbiological-surveillance-sampling-fy17-21-fresh-herbs-cilantro-basil-parsley-assignment

Cyclospora cayetanensis Findings

• C. cayetanensis in 11 of the 120 basil samples, 7 of the 553 cilantro samples, and none of the 139 parsley samples, an estimated prevalence of 9.2% for basil, 1.3% for cilantro, and 0% for parsley.
• The agency detected C. cayetanensis in 18 samples out of 812 domestic and imported samples collected and tested

Salmonella spp. Findings

• Salmonella spp. in 7 of the 248 basil samples, 8 of the 849 cilantro samples, and 2 of the 261 parsley samples, an estimated prevalence of 2.8% for basil, 0.9% for cilantro, and 0.8% for parsley.
• The FDA detected Salmonella spp. in 17 samples out of 1,358 domestic and imported samples collected and tested.

STEC Findings

• The FDA detected STEC in none of the 242 basil samples, 1 in 849 cilantro samples, and none of the 259 parsley samples, an estimated prevalence of 0% for basil, 0.1% for cilantro, 0% for parsley.
• The agency detected STEC in one (1) domestic sample out of 1,350 samples collected and tested.

Actions Taken

• As to the domestic samples that tested positive for a target pathogen, the agency worked with each firm that owned or distributed the adulterated herbs to effect four voluntary product recalls.
• With respect to the import samples that tested positive for a target pathogen, the FDA refused to admit 20 shipments associated with positive findings into the U.S. and placed the responsible firms and product on Import Alert 99-23 and/or Import Alert 99-35, thereby requiring additional controls for future entries.

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-releases-summary-report-fresh-herbs-sampling-assignment
FDA Releases Summary Report on Fresh Herbs Sampling Assignment
Constituent Update
July 26, 2024

FDA Release Webpage on Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods

There has been increasing news on microplastics and nanoplastics in our food supply.  FDA published a webpage to share their current thinking on the topic. 

Here are some of the items of note:

• Plastics "originate when then break down from weathering in the environment over time into small particles called microplastics and nanoplastics."
• Environment a more important source than migration from food packaging - "Microplastics and nanoplastics may be present in food, primarily from environmental contamination where foods are grown or raised. There is not sufficient scientific evidence to show that microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic food packaging migrate into foods and beverages."
• No demonstrated impact on health  - "While many studies have reported the presence of microplastics in several foods, including salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, and tea, current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health".
• More research is needed - "While there are many studies on microplastics in food, the current state of science is limited in its ability to inform regulatory risk assessment. This is due to several factors, including a continued lack of standardized definitions, reference materials, sample collection and preparation procedures, and appropriate quality controls, to name a few. There have been fewer studies on nanoplastics because available scientific measurement methods are not very reliable at detecting polymer particles with such small sizes."

https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/microplastics-and-nanoplastics-foods
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods

Key Points:

• Some evidence suggests that microplastics and nanoplastics are entering the food supply, primarily through the environment.
• Current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.
• The FDA continues to monitor the research on microplastics and nanoplastics in foods and is taking steps to advance the science and ensure our food remains safe.

Virginia Establishment Recalls Deli Meat After Found Positive for Listeria

Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company is also recalling additional deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be adulterated with L. monocytogenes. The company is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of products.

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenes. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of L. monocytogenes infections. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product sample is related to the outbreak.

This is part of a investigation into a multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 25, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co--recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products
Boar's Head Provisions Co. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst And Other Deli Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2024 – Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company is also recalling additional deli meat products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst and, therefore, may be adulterated with L. monocytogenes. The company is recalling approximately 207,528 pounds of products.

KY Cheese Processor Recalls Cheese After State Testing Finds Listeria in One Lot

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese of Austin, Ky is recalling St. Jerome cheese, batch 231129, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Kentucky Department of Public Health revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a package of St. Jerome batch 231129.   No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recalled lot.

In cases such as this, we can expect that an investigation will be conducted to determine the source of contamination and the level of control within the facility.  In many cases, these recalls are expanded beyond the one lot initially recalled when  it is determined that sufficient controls were not in place.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kennys-farmhouse-cheese-recalls-st-jerome-cheese-lot-231129-because-possible-health-risk
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese Recalls St. Jerome Cheese Lot: 231129 Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 24, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  July 24, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese
Brand Name:  Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese
Product Description:  St. Jerome cheese

Ohio Distributor Expands Recall of Produce Items for Listeria

Wiers Farm Inc. of Willard, OH, is expanding its July 12, 2024, recall to include additional produce because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wiers Farm Inc., in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), began its investigation in response to original findings reported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD). This expansion is in response to that investigation. Products involved in this expanded recall were packed between July 5-12 (2024).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wiers-farm-inc-expands-voluntary-recall-whole-and-salad-cucumbers-due-possible-contamination
Wiers Farm, Inc Expands Voluntary Recall on Whole and Salad Cucumbers Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 22, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  July 23, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Vegetable Products
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Wiers Farm, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wiers Farm, Freshire Farms
Product Description:  Vegetables and Bagged Salads
Company Announcement  

CA Company Recalls Walnuts After Testing Finds Listeria

Stutz Packing Company of Indio, CA is voluntarily recalling it’s 1-pound packages of Shelled Walnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was the result of routine sampling which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria.

These Walnuts were distributed to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona which further distribute to other distribution centers that can go to consumers, or smaller foods banks, school lunch programs, shelters, or prison food systems.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stutz-packing-co-recalls-walnut-product-because-possible-health-risk
Stutz Packing Co. Recalls Walnut Product Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  July 22, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Tree Nuts  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Stutz Packing Company
Brand Name:  Stutz Packing Company
Product Description:  Shelled Walnuts