Macadamia Nut Company Recalls Product with Undeclared Almonds and Cashews; Highlights the Need for Verifying Co-Manufacturers Allergen Controls

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea’au, HI is voluntarily recalling Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias (0.6oz and 4oz bags), due to the possible presence of undeclared almonds and cashews.  The recall was initiated after Mauna Loa’s internal quality control process identified that the affected batch, manufactured by a third-party co-manufacturer, contained undeclared almonds and cashews. Immediate action was taken to contain the affected product, notify the third-party co-manufacturer, alert consumers and distributors, and report the issue to the FDA.  The recalled Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias are packaged in 0.6oz and 4oz bags and were distributed to multiple retail locations in AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, ME, MI, NJ, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and Guam.

It is important for companies that use co-packers to understand the potential allergen risk at these co-manufacturers and that these co-manufacturers have a solid allergen control program in place, including appropriate allergen preventive controls.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mauna-loa-macadamia-nut-company-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-and-cashews-mauna-loa
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds and Cashews in Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias (0.6OZ and 4OZ)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 26, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared cashew, almond
Company Name:  Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC
Brand Name:  Mauna Loa
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias

NH Snack Company Recalls Snack Mix After Discovery of Undeclared Almonds

New England Village Foods of Milford NH is recalling all lots of 5 -ounce and 10 -ounce containers of New England Village Snacks “19th Hole Snack Mix” because they may contain undeclared almonds.  The recall was initiated after a customer discovered that the almond-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds. Subsequent investigation indicates the issue was caused by a temporary breakdown in the companies packaging process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-england-village-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-19th-hole-snack-mix
New England Village Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in “19th Hole Snack Mix”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 24, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 24, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  New England Village Foods
Brand Name:  New England Village Snacks
Product Description:  19th Hole Snack Mix

NY Distributor Recalls Enoki Mushrooms after State Laboratory Finds Listeria in Sample

Harvest NYC Inc of Brooklyn, NY 11231 is recalling its 200g packages of Enoki Mushroom, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The contamination was discovered after samples were collected from a store in Buffalo, NY and subsequent analysis by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Laboratory revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some 200g packages of Enoki Mushroom.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/harvest-nyc-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-due-possible-health-risk
Harvest NYC Inc Recalls Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 16, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Produce
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Harvest NYC Inc
Brand Name:  Hofood99 Inc
Product Description:  Enoki Mushrooms

Reminder Notice of Recall of Baby Teething Chew Stick After Reports That Product Still Available for Sale

Gerber Products Company issued a second press release about their January 31st  recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children.  The company did this after recent reports of recalled product still available for sale on some retailer shelves and online.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-reminder-gerber-products-company-previously-recalled-and-discontinued-all-batches-gerberr
Recall Reminder: Gerber Products Company Previously Recalled and Discontinued All Batches of Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks Due To Potential Choking Hazard
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential choking hazard for babies and young children
Company Name:  Gerber Products Company
Brand Name:  Gerber
Product Description:  Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks

USDA Withdraws Proposed Rule on Heightened Salmonella Control Standards for Raw Poultry

The USDA is withdrawing a recently proposed policy that had the goal of reducing specific strains of Salmonella in raw poultry products.

(https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2024/07/usda-proposes-new-policy-for-raw.html)

The proposed policy was set to establish final product standards to prevent raw chicken carcasses, chicken parts, ground chicken, and ground turkey products that contain any type of Salmonella at or above 10 colony forming units (CFU) per gram/ml and any detectable level of at least one of the Salmonella serotypes of public health significance from entering commerce. Salmonella Enteritidis, Typhimurium in chicken and Hadar, Typhimurium, and Muenchen for for raw comminuted turkey.

The current standards are still in place.  And there will always be the need for consumers to practice safe handling and preparation procedures with raw poultry.

https://apnews.com/article/poultry-salmonella-food-poisoning-usda-081dafd3c8a75c3ef2203d260584a893
USDA withdraws a plan to limit salmonella levels in raw poultry
By JONEL ALECCIA

Updated 4:39 PM EDT, April 24, 2025

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The Agriculture Department will not require poultry companies to limit salmonella bacteria in their products, halting a Biden Administration effort to prevent food poisoning from contaminated meat.

NY Importer Recalls Imported Soybean Paste for Undeclared Wheat

May Flower International Inc of Maspeth, NY, is recalling its 8.82-ounce/250g packages of “Beijing Soybean Paste” food treats because they may contain undeclared wheat.   This recall was initiated after the United States Food and Drug Administration discovered during a routine inspection that the product declared flour as an ingredient, but wheat (an allergen) was undeclared.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/may-flower-international-inc-issue-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-beijing-soybean-paste
May Flower International Inc., Issue Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in “Beijing Soybean Paste”
Summary
Company Announcement Date: April 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  April 17, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat
Company Name:  May Flower Internation, Inc.
Brand Name:  May Flower International
Product Description:  Soybean Paste

MMWR - 2023 Cyclospora Outbreak with 47 Ill from Imported Cilantro Used at Restaurant

In this week's CDC MMWR, an article about a 2023 outbreak of cyclosporiasis.  "In June 2023, a total of 47 cases of cyclosporiasis were associated with consumption of food from a Mexican-style restaurant in Alabama. Analysis of case-control data identified cilantro as the likely food source. Collaboration among multiple states and their respective agencies enabled successful traceback of cilantro to a source in Mexico."

Interesting items from the article:

• "C. cayetanensis, the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, is resistant to routine chemical disinfection or sanitizing methods, limiting the ability for restaurant operators and food distributors to eliminate risk for contamination through effective sanitation practices (3). Because the restaurant’s environmental assessment report included no substantial findings, contamination likely occurred before arrival at the restaurant."
•  "Through this investigation, a domestic distributor without an identified manufacturing license who sourced produce from an international supplier was discovered, presenting an opportunity for regulatory intervention and education to prevent the future sale and distribution of potentially contaminated product through improper supply channels."

Cyclospora is a single cell parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.  Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting food or water that was contaminated with feces from an infected individual.  Humans are the only known host (unlike other parasites that have other animals hosts).  It is not unlikely, however, to be passed from person-to-person, because it needs time (days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement (pooped) to become infectious for another person.

It is seen mainly in tropical or subtropical regions of the world but makes its way into the United States, via contaminated food, primarily imported fresh produce, or from people who travel to these areas.  The symptoms take about a week to show up, and it is in the form of watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. (Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted.) Some people who are infected can be asymptomatic (no symptoms).

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7413a1.htm
Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Among Patrons of a Mexican-Style Restaurant — Limestone County, Alabama, May–June 2023
Weekly / April 17, 2025 / 74(13);217–221
Justine Goetzman, MPH1; Adyneshia Carter, MPH1; Ana Oliveira, DrPH1; L. Amanda Ingram, MPH1 

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