FDA Delays the Compliance Date for the Traceability Rule by 30 Months

The FDA delayed the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months. Scheduled to take effect in January of 2026, FDA has pushed the date back. 

FDA stated, "the compliance date extension affords covered entities the additional time necessary to ensure complete coordination across the supply chain in order to fully implement the final rule’s requirements—ultimately providing FDA and consumers with greater transparency and food safety."

"The FDA intends to use the extended time period to continue the agency’s work with stakeholders, including by participating in cross-sector dialogue to identify solutions to implementation challenges and by continuing to provide technical assistance, tools, and other resources to assist industry with implementation."

This was one can that surely needed to be kicked down the road.  My guess is there are many out there who are happy that they don't need to walk this dog anytime soon.

https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-intends-extend-compliance-date-food-traceability-rule
FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Date for Food Traceability Rule
Constituent Update
March 20, 2025

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (the “final rule”) by 30 months. The FDA intends to extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register.

Many Do Not Cook Frozen Vegetables - Implications for the Food Safety Plan

Results of a recent research survey published in the Journal of Food Protection show that about 9% of people do not cook frozen vegetables, although cooking instructions are stated on the product package.  This is an example of 'unintended use' by consumers that needs to be accounted for by the processing facility when developing a food safety plan.

Many frozen foods facilities were built decades ago when there was no perceived risk due to organisms like Listeria monocytogenes.  For one, people tended to cook frozen vegetables.  They were not making vegetable smoothies where uncooked frozen vegetables are blended with fruits or yogurt.  Secondly, when these plants were built, Listeria was not a recognized foodborne pathogen. This recognition did not occur until the 1980's.  So the level of sanitary design needed for Listeria control was not incorporated when the plants were built.   Couple that with these plants now having aged fifty-plus years, with the cracks and crevices that occur with time, Listeria control as a post-blanch contaminate is a chore.

Facilities generally blanch vegetables, which eliminates the low level of organisms present on the incoming product (if properly controlled), but the concern comes due to post-process contamination from environmental pathogens, especially Listeria.  A facility's Food Safety Plan needs to recognize this potential environmental contaminate as a significant hazard and then implement Sanitation Preventive Controls to eliminate the risk of this hazard. 

Journal of Food Protection
Volume 88, Issue 2, 3 February 2025, 100440
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X24002242

Preparation Methods and Perceived Risk of Foodborne Illness Among Consumers of Prepackaged Frozen Vegetables – United States, September 2022

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a serious infection with a high mortality rate for persons at higher risk for listeriosis. The first Listeria outbreak linked to frozen vegetables occurred in 2016 and resulted in three deaths. Many frozen vegetables are intended to be consumed after cooking. However, data on consumer behavior are sparse. We characterized consumers’ perceptions of contamination of prepackaged frozen vegetables, and preparation methods of prepackaged frozen vegetables to help inform prevention strategies. During September 1–24, 2022, Porter Novelli Public Services conducted the FallStyles survey using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Data were weighted to be representative of the U.S. population. Point estimates and 95% CIs were calculated, and differences between respondents were determined using Wald chi square tests. Among 3,008 respondents reporting a preparation and consumption method for frozen vegetables, 8.7% (95% CI = 7.4–10.0%) reported ever consuming the product raw. Respondents who reported having children < 18 years old were more likely to report ever consuming frozen vegetables raw compared with respondents who did not (12.5% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.01). The most reported raw preparation method was adding them directly to a blender for smoothie or juice (5.6%; 95% CI = 4.6–6.7%). Among respondents who reported eating frozen vegetables, 59.6% (95% CI = 57.6–61.6%) reported following package instructions. A third (34.1% [95% CI = 32.2–35.9%]) of respondents agreed that frozen vegetables can be contaminated with germs (like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria), with a greater proportion of people with cancer disagreeing compared to those without cancer (32.5% vs 23.4%, p = 0.041). These findings show that some consumers may not be cooking frozen vegetables before eating them. Second, consumers might not be reading instructions on packaging. Both findings highlight the critical importance of preventive controls in the production of frozen vegetables prior to reaching the consumer.

CA Firm Recalls Raw Cat Food After Cats Impacted by Avian Influenza (HPIA or Bird Flu)

Savage Pet of El Cajon, CA is recalling 66 Large Chicken Boxes 84 oz. and 74 Small Chicken Boxes 21 oz. with the lot code/best by date of 11152026 because it has the potential to contain H5N1, also known as bird flu.  Savage Cat Food Large Chicken Boxes and Small Chicken Boxes were distributed to retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington

In February, Savage Pet was made aware of one cat in Colorado who contracted H5N1, got sick and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1. The PCR test results were “non-negative”. The product with “non-negative” PCR results was sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for virus isolation testing.

On 03/06/25 the NVSL virus isolation testing results confirmed the virus to be negative.

On 3/13/2025 Savage Pet was made aware of an additional case in New York of a kitten that was feeding lot 11152026 who contracted avian flu. Further testing is ongoing.

The product produced by Savage Pet is considered raw product.  It is not high pressure processed (HPP) and is sold in the frozen state to achieve suitable shelf-life.  As for the product testing, like any pathogen, it may be present at low levels, where testing may not be able to detect contamination that is present in a small amount of product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savage-pet-recalls-savage-cat-food-chicken-large-and-small-boxes-because-possible-bird-flu-health
Savage Pet Recalls Savage Cat Food Chicken – Large and Small Boxes Because of Possible Bird Flu Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 15, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 15, 2025
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Reason for Announcement:  Possible Bird Flu Health Risk
Company Name:  Savage Pet
Brand Name:  Savage Pet
Product Description:  Cat Food Chicken

Washington Firm Recalls Seafood Chowder Products After Faulty Pouch Seal Discovered

SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder), after it was discovered the containers had a faulty seal that has potential to become contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.  SeaBear initiated a voluntary recall after they became aware of a pouch seal issue from a customer complaint. Upon further investigation, they identified a mechanical issue with equipment, which caused seals to not fully bond and made some pouches leak.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seabear-company-recalls-smoked-salmon-chowder-and-alehouse-clam-chowder-because-possible-health-risk
Seabear Company Recalls Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 15, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 15, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum
Company Name:  Seabear Company
Brand Name:  Seabear
Product Description:  Alehouse Clam Chowder and Smoked Salmon Chowder

Texas Firm Recalls Mac And Cheese Product After Mislabeling Issue Results in Undeclared Egg and Meat

C.H. Guenther & Son LLC of San Antonio, TX, is recalling its 365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese because it may contain undeclared eggs and meat ingredients.  The recall was initiated after receiving a consumer complaint that the product contained meat and was not a macaroni and cheese bite. This issue has been corrected and no other manufacturing dates or lots are impacted.

This appears to be the be a labeling application issue with the wrong box being used.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ch-guenther-son-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-365-whole-foods-market-small-bites-macaroni

C.H. Guenther & Son LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in “365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 14, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 14, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared eggs
Company Name:  C.H. Guenther & Son LLC
Brand Name:  365 Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese

New York Firm Recalls Noodle Product for Undeclared Egg

HAR Maspeth Corp, Maspeth NY, is recalling its 8 ounce and 12 ounce packages of "JINGA GLASS NOODLES W/ VEGETABLES (Japche)" because they contain undeclared eggs.  The recall was initiated after being notified by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors during a retail inspection and the presence of eggs in the 8 and 12 ounce packages of "JINGA GLASS NOODLES W/ VEGETABLES (Japche)" which did not declare an egg ingredient on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/har-maspeth-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-eggs-jinga-glass-noodles-w-vegetables-japche
Har Maspeth Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in “Jinga Glass Noodles w/ Vegetables (Japche)”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 14, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 14, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared eggs
Company Name:  HAR Maspeth Corp
Brand Name:  Jinga
Product Description:  Glass noodles with vegetables

Another Enoki Mushroom Recall for Listeria

New Age International Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling all lots of Daily Veggies brand Enoki Mushroom, 200g, Product of Korea, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  

The contamination was discovered after samples were collected from a store in West Virginia on 1/14/2025 and subsequent analysis by West Virginia Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in some 200g packages of Daily Veggies Enoki Mushroom from Korea.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-age-international-recalls-daily-veggies-brand-enoki-mushroom-due-possible-health-risk
New Age International Recalls Daily Veggies Brand Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  New Age International Inc.
Brand Name:  Daily Veggies
Product Description:  Enoki Mushroom

California Company Recalls Hot Sauce Product Missing Allergens on Label

On March 11, 2025, Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it may contain undeclared peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat.  The recall was initiated after the manufacturer discovered that the products containing peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanut, soy, sesame and wheat.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/liaoning-cheng-da-usa-inc-san-gabriel-california-recalling-hot-pot-sauce-because-it-may-contain
Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is Recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it May Contain Undeclared Peanut, Soy, Sesame, and Wheat
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 11, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergen - peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat
Company Name:  Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc.
Brand Name:  Wangzhihe
Product Description:  Hot Pot Sauce

Animal Nutritional Company Recalls Feed for Potentially High Levels of Copper, Low Levels of Zinc

ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM (NYSE: ADM), is recalling specific pelleted animal feed products because they may contain elevated levels of copper or have levels of zinc below the represented amounts which could be harmful to cattle.  ADM discovered this issue during routine production. The company immediately began investigating and initiated the recall upon receiving confirmation that the pelleted feed had varying levels of copper and zinc that can impact animals. 

Possible impacts of chronic copper toxicity include: gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, signs of abdominal pain, depression, lethargy, diarrhea, and dehydration. Possible impacts of zinc deficiency include: decreases in feed intake, feed efficiency, and growth.  No illnesses or deficiency impacts have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-recalls-select-pelleted-cattle-nutrition-feed-products
ADM Recalls Select Pelleted Cattle Nutrition Feed Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 05, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  March 05, 2025
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Livestock Feed
Reason for Announcement:  Elevated levels or deficient levels of nutrients which may be harmful to cattle
Company Name:  ADM Animal Nutrition
Brand Name:  ADM Animal Nutrition
Product Description:  Cattle Feed