Caramel Apples and Listeria - Controlling Safety in Light of a New Development

After a 2014 Listeria outbreak linked to caramel apples that caused 5 deaths and 21 hospitalizations, there was a recognition, based on research, that caramel apples need to be refrigerated.  Since that time, product developers came up with a bioprotective treatment specific to caramel that utilizes a treatment employing four species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB).  This treatment allows the caramel apples to be safety stored at room temperature.  

This is great, but how does one know whether the caramel apples have received this treatment or not?  Does the produce manager in your average supermarket know they need to refrigerate caramel apples, and then there are some that don't require refrigeration?  Perhaps it is stated on the outer case. What about the consumer?





https://www.producebusiness.com/tastee-apple-inc/
CARAMEL APPLES — New Technology Keeps Safe Without the Need for Refrigeration

There’s nothing like the nostalgic ooey-gooey goodness of biting into a caramel apple in the fall. First invented in the 1950s, crunchy fresh harvested apples covered with sweet soft caramel and skewered on a stick for easy eating are staples in produce departments nationwide from late August through the end of October. Now, Tastee Apple, Inc., a Newcomerstown, OH-headquartered company that has been making these seasonal staples since the early 1970s, has employed trendsetting bioprotective technology to assure this long-time treat is as safe to eat as it is scrumptious.

Eleven People Ill After Eating Poisonous Mushrooms in Lancaster County, PA

Eleven people were hospitalized after eating wild and apparently toxic mushrooms.  The victims were members of an Amish family who said they found the mushrooms in the woods and ate them, making them ill, fire officials told local media.   A report stated that, "Once people started getting sick, one family member had to walk a half mile to call 911 from a telephone booth, since the family did not have a phone due to their beliefs.  When first responders got to the scene, they only found 10 people who were ill. The 11th was the person who walked to call 911, WHP reported.  In all, 11 people — a man, a woman and nine children — were taken to an area hospital to confirm what type of mushroom they ate. They ranged from the age of 1 to 39, officials said."

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/11-hospitalized-pennsylvania-eating-wild-mushrooms-rcna175230
11 hospitalized in Pennsylvania after eating wild mushrooms
Story by Dennis Romero

Seasoned Seaweed Product Recalled Because Wrong Outer Package Does Not List Sesame Allergen

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling 3.52 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Korean Seasoned Seaweed. The product contains the undeclared allergen of sesame. The product is packaged in a 3.52 oz, illustrated plastic bag, containing 5 inner packages. Each inner packages has the correct allergen information, but he outer package has an incorrect allergen declaration due to the unintentional use of incorrect packing material, which also displays the wrong UPC: 074410495534.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wismettac-asian-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-seasoned-seaweed
Wismettac Asian Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Seasoned Seaweed
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 10, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Sesame
Company Name:  Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Shirakiku
Product Description:  Korean Seasoned Seaweed

US Grown Enoki Mushrooms Recalled for Listeria

Enoki King Mushroom Farm of Ventura, CA is recalling lot 4877 of its 5.3-ounce (150g) packages of Enoki Mushroom (Product of USA) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by Maryland State Department of Health revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 5.3 oz package of Enoki.  The distribution of the product has been suspended.

There has been a long string of Listeria related recalls over the past several years involving imported enoki.  In this case, it is domestic product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/enoki-king-mushroom-farm-recalls-enoki-because-possible-health-risk
Enoki King Mushroom Farm Recalls Enoki Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 11, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:   Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Enoki King Mushroom Farm
Brand Name:  Enoki King
Product Description:  Enoki Mushroom 5.3 oz

Florida Distributor Recalls Corn Pancakes for Undeclared Wheat

TIPICAL LATIN FOOD CORP of Miami, FL is recalling Cachapa de Maiz sweet corn pancakes labeled under Los Andes Foods, because it may contain undeclared wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a labeling issue during the company's labeling process. 

On the label, flour is listed (in addition to corn flour).  The label should have identified this as wheat flour. The label was improperly designed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tipical-latin-food-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-cachapa-de-maiz
Tipical Latin Food, Corp. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Cachapa de Maiz
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 11, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Wheat
Company Name:  Tipical Latin Food Corp.
Brand Name:  Los Andes Foods
Product Description:  Cachapa de Maiz sweet corn pancakes

Oregon Firm Recalls Meal Kits Made with Recalled Chicken Ingredient with Listeria

Reser’s Fine Foods is recalling a limited number of meal kits due to the inclusion of recalled chicken from their ingredient supplier (BrucePac) which had issued a recall of its RTE chicken product due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  Reser’s Fine Foods is no longer using any ingredients from the ingredient supplier’s (BrucePac) impacted facility.

This is interesting from a supplier control perspective.  To what degree did they rely on USDA inspection?  

Reser’s Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of Meal Kits Due to Recalled Chicken from Ingredient Supplier (BrucePac)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 10, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 11, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Reser’s Fine Foods
Brand Name:  Bistro 28, Don Pancho
Product Description:  Meal kits containing chicken

Oklahoma Establishment Recalls RTE Meat and Poultry Products For Listeria

Update October 11 - 

Editor's Note: Oct. 11, 2024 - FSIS wants to make sure consumers are aware that some of the recalled products could bear a different establishment number on the label due to further distribution and processing by other establishments. Consumers are urged to carefully review the information, including the product and label information, included in the BrucePac Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Recall Press Release.

Editor's Note: Oct. 10, 2024 - The list has been updated with additional products that used the recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Please check back frequently as additional products could be added. 

BrucePac, a Durant, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from June 19, 2024, to October 8, 2024. These products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide then distributed to restaurants and institutions.

The problem was discovered after FSIS performed routine product testing of finished product containing RTE poultry products produced by BrucePac and confirmed those products positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequent FSIS investigation identified BrucePac RTE chicken as the source of the Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/brucepac-recalls-ready-eat-meat-and-poultry-products-due-possible-listeria
BrucePac Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

Editor's Note: Oct. 9, 2024 - Details of this recall were updated to include the product list of items with a best by date from 6/19/25-10/8/25.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2024 – BrucePac, a Durant, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

USDA Issues Health Alert for Undeclared Allergen in Already Expired Salad

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert for chicken salad products labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad may actually contain Classic Chicken Salad, which contains wheat that is not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that it received a customer complaint that packages labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad contained Classic Chicken Salad.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-cranberry-chicken-salad-products-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Cranberry Chicken Salad Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Hans Kissle Company, LLC
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for chicken salad products labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad may actually contain Classic Chicken Salad, which contains wheat, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to wheat are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase..

CDC Report - 2023 Trichinellosis Outbreak in NC Linked to Bear Meat

A 'presumed' outbreak of trichinellosis occurred in western North Carolina in November, 2023, resulting in 10 cases of parasitic infection. All cases were linked to a gathering where attendees consumed undercooked bear meat.

"Because black bears are common hosts for Trichinella spp., communicating methods for properly cooking and preparing wild game meat is important. Cooking game meat to a safe internal temperature (≥165°F [≥74°C]) will kill Trichinella spp. and prevent infection, whereas freezing might not be sufficient."

Very similar to an outbreak of Trichinella in 2022 that was linked to undercooked raw bear meat.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a4.htm
Notes from the Field: Suspected Outbreak of Trichinellosis Associated with Undercooked Bear Meat — North Carolina, November 2023
Weekly / October 10, 2024 / 73(40);906–907