In Memoriam - Dr. Steven Goodfellow

Dr. Steve Goodfellow passed away this past week at the age of 83. He was an incredible food microbiologist, having a huge impact on the industry. He was also a remarkable person with a huge presence.

His work in the area of applied microbiology has been truly impactful. His research achievements include the development of USDA Appendix A and B as well as contribution to the development of cooking temperatures established in the Food Code and the Nut Processing Guidelines.  His work was always on the leading edge such as exploring the increased heat resistance of Salmonella in low water activity products such as flour. I worked for Steve nearly 30 years ago, and his understanding at that time on topics such as Listeria survival and control in food processing plants or E. coli contamination of beef continues to be remarkably pertinent today.

As a highly valued consultant, most of his work is only known to those companies and employees who needed his help. Think Winston Wolf in Pulp Fiction....rolls in, lays out the plan to solve the problem, and then executes that plan. During my time with him, it was a continuous flow of company sponsored research projects, troubleshooting, and training. Whether it was identifying and eliminating the source of Listeria in various plants to prevent those plants from being shut down, conducting research on TPP carcass washes, or working with companies developing new products, he was the ultimate fixer.

As for his character Steve was one of a kind, truly a force of nature. I'd say a mixture of Johnny Cash, Humphrey Bogart (cool factor) and Jack Nicholson (edgy). He was outspoken, direct to the point, and never backed down, especially when he knew he was right which he usually was. He was a wonderful boss and mentor. I have continued to draw upon all that I learned from him.

 

(Early 1990s IFT Annual Conference, Steve and I with Bill Brown in the background)

North Carolina Raw Pet Food Company Issues Another Recall for Pathogens After Complaint of Animal Illness and Positive Confirmation Testing

Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 1,080 lbs. of their 2 lb logs of Kitten Mix Lot # N26 0114 and 1,380 lbs of their 2 lb logs of Puppy Mix Lot # N25 1230 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria.  Due to a customer complaint of animal illness, samples of the products were collected on 3/20/25 by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. On 04/01/25, the firm was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that the products tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria.

The products were distributed between January 3, 2025 to January 24, 2025. The product is packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the states of: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Wisconsin. 

Blue Ridge product was last recalled on February 3, 2025, but has a long history of recalled product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-blue-ridge-beef-puppy-mix-and-kitten-mix-due-salmonella
Blue Ridge Beef Issues Voluntary Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix Due to Salmonella & Listeria Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 11, 2025
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:   Salmonella & Listeria contamination.
Company Name:  Blue Ridge Beef
Brand Name:  Blue Ridge Beef
Product Description:  Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix

Various Soups and Bowl Products Recalled After Potential Wood Issue Identified in Cilantro Ingredient

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various soup and bowl products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, in an FDA-regulated ingredient, cilantro.   The problem was discovered when an FSIS establishment notified FSIS that an FDA-regulated ingredient was recalled for foreign material.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-various-soup-bowl-products-due-possible-extraneous
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Soup & Bowl Products Due to Possible Extraneous Material Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various soup and bowl products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, in an FDA-regulated ingredient, cilantro.

Vermont Firm Recalls Cheese with High Coliform Levels

Agri-Mark, Inc of Waitsfield, VT is recalling a single lot of Cabot Creamery 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted due to finished product testing revealing an elevated level of coliform bacteria. The FDA has classified this event as a Class III recall reserved for products that are not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

 Only a small amount —17 retail packages (8.5 lbs.) — was sold to consumers in Vermont.

Coliforms are a broad group of organisms that are used as indicators of unsanitary conditions.  Food operations set limits on how much can be there, if any, in a food product.  In this case, the level was higher indicating a potential issue in processing.

https://cabotcreamery.com/blogs/community/agri-mark-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-of-cabot-8oz-extra-creamy-premium-butter-sea-salted
Agri-Mark, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall - Premium Butter
April 9, 2025 – Waitsfield, Vt.

Based on our commitment to quality products and food safety, Agri-Mark conducted a voluntary recall of a single lot of Cabot Creamery 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted due to finished product testing revealing an elevated level of coliform bacteria. The FDA has classified this event as a Class III recall reserved for products that are not likely to cause adverse health consequences. There have been no reported complaints or illnesses related to this product.

California Firm Recalls Bags of Celery Sticks After State Testing Finds Listeria

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. of Oxnard, Calif. is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 4 in/1.6oz Marketside Celery Sticks with best if used by date 03/23/2025.   This advisory is being initiated due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The potential for contamination was discovered during random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture from a Georgia store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result.

This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later use.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/duda-farm-fresh-foods-inc-issues-advisory-1587-cases-4-in16-oz-bundle-marketside-celery-sticks
Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. Issues Advisory for 1,587 Cases of 4 in/1.6 oz Bundle Marketside Celery Sticks Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 10, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Marketside
Product Description:  Celery Sticks

Illinois Establishment Recalls Cheese Brats Due to Foreign Material - Hard Plastic

Johnsonville, LLC, a Momence, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 22,672 pounds of cheddar bratwurst product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received two consumer complaints reporting hard plastic material found in the bratwurst product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/johnsonville-llc-recalls-cheddar-bratwurst-product-due-possible-foreign-matter
Johnsonville, LLC, Recalls Cheddar Bratwurst Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Momence Real Estate

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2025 – Johnsonville, LLC, a Momence, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 22,672 pounds of cheddar bratwurst product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ohio Firm Recalls Peanut Product After Found to Contain Some Cashews

Trophy Nut Company of Tipp City, Ohio is recalling 143 cases of its Heinen’s 8.25 oz cans of Honey Roasted Peanuts due to possible presence of cashews.  One consumer complaint of an allergic reaction has been reported to date for this problem.  The recall was initiated after receiving a consumer complaint that product labeled as Honey Roasted Peanuts contained cashews. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes.

Hard to tell if this was peanuts with some cashews or the jars of cashews were labeled as peanuts.  So either a improper clean-out of the line or a mislabeling issue.  My guess is that it was an improper clean-out in that someone reported the issue as an allergic reaction.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trophy-nut-co-issues-allergy-alert-due-undeclared-cashews-heinens-honey-roasted-peanuts
Trophy Nut Co. Issues Allergy Alert Due to Undeclared Cashews in Heinen’s Honey Roasted Peanuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 09, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Nuts & Nut Products
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared cashew allergen
Company Name:  Trophy Nut Company
Brand Name:  Heinen’s
Product Description:  Honey Roasted Peanuts

CT Firm Recalls Seafood Burgers for Undeclared Egg

Caraluzzi’s Markets of Bethel, CT is recalling 8oz Caraluzzi’s Italian Style Seafood Burgers, because it contains undeclared egg.  One allergic reaction on has been reported to date.  The recall was initiated after an investigation following a consumer complaint. It was discovered that product containing egg was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. The mislabeled product has been removed from sale.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/caraluzzis-markets-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-caraluzzis-italian-style-seafood-burger-8-oz
Caraluzzi’s Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Caraluzzi’s Italian Style Seafood Burger, 8 oz
Summary 
Company Announcement Date: April 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 08, 2025
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg allergen
Company Name:  Caraluzzi Markets
Brand Name:  Caraluzzi’s
Product Description:  Italian Style Seafood Burgers

Hot Sauce Recalled for Undeclared Sulfites

T.W. Garner Food Company is recalling select lots and sizes (see below table) of Texas Pete® Habanero Buffalo Sauce because bottles may contain Sriracha Sauce. The Sriracha Sauce contains sulfites which are not declared on the label.  

The firm discovered during an internal quality testing of the products that bottles of Habanero Buffalo Sauce actually contained Sriracha Sauce. Upon review of the two labels, it was determined that the Habanero Buffalo Sauce may contain undeclared sulfites, since the Sriracha Sauce contains sodium bisulfite as a preservative. No illnesses have been reported to date.

A few things going on here that were missed. For one, the hazard analysis should have determined that there were sulfites in the Sirracha sauce, and then during formulation, it appears that the sriracha sauce made its way into the Habanero sauce. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tw-garner-food-company-issues-recall-texas-peter-habanero-buffalo-sauce-due-potential-presence
T.W. Garner Food Company Issues Recall on Texas Pete® Habanero Buffalo Sauce Due To Potential Presence of Undeclared Sulfites and Sweet CHAbanero Sweet Sriracha Habanero Sauce Due To Mislabeling
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 03, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 03, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen-Sulfites
Company Name:  T.W. Garner Food Company
Brand Name:  Texas Pete
Product Description:  Condiments