France - Five People Treated for Botulism After Eating Pesto Sauce

In France, 5 people are receiving medical treatment after eating pesto contaminated with botulinum toxin.  "According to authorities in the Indre-et-Loire department in west-central France, a locally made brand of wild garlic pesto sauce may have been contaminated with a dangerous toxin that can attack the nerves."  "Authorities were trying to locate some 600 containers with the same "O P'tits Oignons" sauce before they are eaten, say officials."

The five people are currently on respirators - the toxin impairs nerve signals to the lungs.

Pesto is an oil based mixture of basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts and olive oil.  It is generally prepared fresh and kept refrigerated.  The pH would tend towards neutral because there are no acidulants.  Oil mixtures provide an anaerobic environment.  So the combination of a more neutral pH and an low oxygen environment are conditions that allow C. botulinum to grow if the temperature is right and other organisms don't outcompete it.   So where one would have problems is when this is temperature abused.

In the US Food Code, oil-based mixtures such as garlic in oil are considered TCS foods (Temperature Control for Safety).  For operations wanting to sell such products, there would need to something called a secondary barrier to prevent growth.  The first barrier is refrigeration.  But as with this case, there needs to be something there to prevent growth if the product is temperature abused.  This could be an antimicrobial compound or an acidulent to lower the pH.

BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1epwqln5e3o
Pesto linked to botulism cases in France
Michelle Roberts
Digital health editor, BBC News
Sept 11, 2024

How Much Cheese Does the Average American Eat Annually?

The average American eats 42 pounds of cheese per year. Initially that seems like a lot, but when you add it all together....pizza...cheese snacks...sliced cheese on every type of sandwich and burger, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano piled on everything...it makes sense.  And of course, there is the cheese tax.

The dairy industry is looking to increase capacity, so we need to continue to do our part.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-06/us-dairies-plan-4-billion-in-new-cheese-factories
The Average American Eats 42 Pounds of Cheese a Year, and That Number Could Go Up
Dairy processors are planning facilities across the US to meet surging demand.

By Ilena Peng

September 6, 2024 at 6:00 AM EDT

Is there such a thing as too much cheese? Producers across the US are betting billions of dollars that the answer is no. America’s per capita cheese consumption has more than doubled since the government began keeping track in 1975, to about 42 pounds a year—more than all the butter, ice cream and yogurt combined. Facilities for making cheese account for more than half of the $8 billion in US dairy-product projects slated to come online from 2023 to 2026, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

Rest of article - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-06/us-dairies-plan-4-billion-in-new-cheese-factories

Colorado Firm Recalls Dark Chocolate Product Containing Undeclared Milk

Hammond’s Candies of Denver, CO is recalling 4-ounce bags of Dark Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones because they may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after the firm received one consumer report of an allergic reaction experienced after consuming the product. As part of the firm’s ongoing investigation, the product was tested and found to contain more than trace amounts of milk proteins, which is not indicated on the packaging. The firm’s investigation into the cause is ongoing.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hammonds-candies-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-hammonds-dark-chocolate-filled-mini-waffle
Hammond’s Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Hammond’s Dark Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 05, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  September 06, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Hammond’s Candies
Brand Name:  Hammond’s
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones

AZ Firm Recalls Whole Cantaloupe After State Lab Finds Salmonella on Retail Sample

Eagle Produce LLC Scottsdale, AZ is initiating a recall of 224 cases of whole cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall is the result of routine sample testing conducted by the State of Michigan which revealed the presence of Salmonella in cantaloupe sold at retail.  There have been no reported illnesses.  The products were distributed between August 13th - 17th in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Virginia and sold in various retail supermarkets. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/eagle-produce-llc-recalls-whole-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk-0
Eagle Produce LLC Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 06, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  September 06, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fruit/Fruit Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Eagle Produce LLC
Brand Name:  Kandy
Product Description:  Whole Cantaloupe

CA Firm Recalls Shiso Katsuo Ninniku

Niitakaya USA Inc. of Montebello, CA, is recalling All Best By dates of its 5.2 ounce (147 gram) packages of #3700 Shiso Katsuo Ninniku /#3701 Miso Katsuo Ninniku because they may contain undeclared Allergen of Fish (Bonito).  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Fish (Bonito) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of “Containing allergen: Fish (Bonito)”.

Shiso Katsuo Ninniku is a pickled product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/niitakaya-usa-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-allergen-fish-bonito-3700-shiso-katsuo-ninniku3701
Niitakaya USA Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergen of Fish (Bonito) in #3700 Shiso Katsuo Ninniku/#3701 Miso Katsuo Ninniku

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 04, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  September 05, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Fish (Bonito)
Company Name:  Niitakaya USA Inc.
Brand Name:  Niitakaya
Product Description:  Shiso Katsuo Ninniku & Miso Katsuo Ninniku

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Wisconsin Egg Producer, Firm Recalls Eggs

A Salmonella outbreak has been linked to Milo's Poultry Farms.  CDC and FDA are investigating this outbreak of  Salmonella Enteritidis infections with 65 reported cases with 24 hospitalizations  covering 9 states.  FDA conducted an inspection at Milo’s Poultry Farms and collected samples. FDA’s analysis showed the outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in the packing facility and the hen egg laying house.

Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. of Bonduel, WI is recalling all “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” branded eggs because these eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. has ceased production and distribution at this time and will undergo appropriate testing and sanitization of farms and processing equipment.

CDC Food Safety Alert
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/eggs-09-24/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs

Fast Facts
Illnesses: 65
Hospitalizations: 24
Deaths: 0
States: 9
Investigation status: Active

Alabama Establishment Recalls Jerky Produced Without FSIS Inspection

Hickory Hollow Jerky, a Eufaula, Ala., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The beef jerky and bacon jerky products were produced on various dates between Jan. 19, 2024-Aug. 21, 2024. The products were produced without the benefit of inspection by two different owners of the establishment. Ownership changed hands on June 11, 2024.   The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities when it was determined that the establishment continued to produce these jerky products and label them with the USDA mark of inspection after requesting to voluntarily stop FSIS-inspection activities.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/hickory-hollow-jerky-recalls-ready-eat-jerky-products-produced-without-benefit
Hickory Hollow Jerky Recalls Ready-To-Eat Jerky Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 – Hickory Hollow Jerky, a Eufaula, Ala., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to CA Firm Selling Goat Milk as Infant Formula

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a CA company selling goat milk for toddlers.  According to the Warning Letter the product, Sammy’s Milk, is considered an infant formula under section 201(z) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(z)] because it is a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk.  However, the do not meet the standards for infant formula.


https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/graceleigh-inc-dba-sammys-milk-682538-08142024
Graceleigh, Inc. dba Sammy’s Milk
MARCS-CMS 682538 — August 14, 2024

Warning Letter Issued to Hawaii Water Processor

FDA inspected a bottled water manufacturing facility located in Hilo, HI and issued a Warning Letter to that firm.  For one, the treatment of product water was not done in a manner that was effective in accomplishing the intended purpose.   In fact, the firm started receiving consumer complaints regarding foreign material including but not limited to apparent “mold”, “white blob”, and “floaters” in 1-liter bottles of its  Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water.  A third-party laboratory found "heterotrophic plate count (HPC) at >5700 CFU/mL, Pseudomonas aruginosa at >2400 MPN/100mL, and mold at 15 CFU/mL."  Also, "the process controls did not include, as appropriate to the nature of the applicable control and its role in the facility's food safety system, parameters associated with the control of a hazard, as required by 21 CFR 117.135(c)(1)(i)"

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/waiakea-bottling-inc-681285-08132024
Waiakea Bottling Inc.
MARCS-CMS 681285 — August 13, 2024