Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Chicken Alfredo Product Recalled After Linked to Listeria Outbreak Impacting 17 People

FSIS, FDA and public health partners are investigating an outbreak of Lm that are being linked to a chicken fettuccine alfredo product from  FreshRealm.   There are currently includes 17 ill people in 13 states. As of June 17, 2025, there have been three reported deaths and one fetal loss associated with this outbreak.  FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

The outbreak strain of Lm was isolated from ill people on dates ranging from August 2024 – May 2025. The same outbreak strain was isolated from a routine chicken fettuccine alfredo sample collected by FSIS in a FreshRealm establishment in March 2025. The lot of chicken fettuccine alfredo represented by this sample was held during sampling, destroyed, and never entered commerce. The subsequent investigations at the establishment that produced this product, and into the product ingredients, have not identified the source of contamination. FSIS also used purchase records from two ill people to trace purchased chicken fettuccine alfredo products to FreshRealm establishments. An additional two ill people verbally described chicken fettuccine alfredo products they purchased. FSIS identified products produced by FreshRealm that matched the descriptions during follow-up at the retail stores where they shopped. 

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 17
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 3
Last Illness Onset: May 10, 2025
States with Cases: FL, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, VA
Product Distribution: Nationwide


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/freshrealm-recalls-chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-products-due-possible-listeria
FreshRealm Recalls Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2025 – FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is voluntarily recalling all products produced prior to June 17, 2025, that are available in commerce under the following brand names.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Firm in Puerto Rico Recalls Tallow Produced Without Inspection

King Tallow LLC, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, is recalling approximately 353 pounds of beef tallow that was processed, packaged, and labeled without the benefit of federal inspection.  FSIS discovered the problem after FSIS received an anonymous consumer complaint about beef tallow products void of the federal mark of inspection being sold in a retail location in Carolina, Puerto Rico. FSIS determined that King Tallow LLC purchased beef fat from an FSIS-regulated facility and further processed into tallow, portioned into jars, and relabeled the product without the benefit of FSIS inspection. The beef tallow products contain a nutrition facts label, leading people to believe that the product is safe for human consumption. King Tallow LLC does not possess a federal grant of inspection and is not authorized to produce products intended for human consumption.



This item was shipped to retail locations in Puerto Rico and do not bear the USDA mark of inspection.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/king-tallow-llc-recalls-beef-tallow-products-produced-without-benefit-inspection
King Tallow LLC Recalls Beef Tallow Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025 – King Tallow LLC, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, is recalling approximately 353 pounds of beef tallow that was processed, packaged, and labeled without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Imported Pistachio Cream

FDA and CDC are investigating a Salmonella outbreak liked to Emek-brand Pistachio Cream. The product has a use-by date of October 19, 2026 (TETT: 19/10/26 (DD/MM/YY)) and production code PNO: 241019. It is manufactured by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti in Turkey and imported into the United States.

"FDA was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health about a cluster of Salmonella illnesses and two Salmonella positive samples of Emek-brand Pistachio Cream product that matched clinical cases by whole genome sequencing (WGS) in this outbreak. As of June 13, 2025, a total of four cases infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from two states."

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 4
Hospitalizations: 1
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: May 19, 2025
States with Cases: MN, NJ


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-pistachio-cream-june-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Pistachio Cream (June 2025)
FDA recommends that you do not eat, sell, or serve Emek-brand Pistachio Cream. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Texas Farm Recalls Cucumbers After Internal Testing Program Finds Salmonella

Fuentes Farms of McAllen, Texas is recalling 71 Boxes of Fresh Cucumbers, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the company which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Product was distributed in Texas by local vendors at the Flea Markets in the McAllen and Alamo Areas.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall and the recall is not part of any current food outbreaks; However, out of an abundance of caution, Fuentes Farms LLC is notifying all customers and urging anyone who may have purchased the item at the flea market or sold cucumbers from Lot # 357 (the implicated lot).

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fuentes-farms-llc-recalls-product-because-possible-health-risk
Fuentes Farms, LLC Recalls Product Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 13, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 16, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Salmonella
Company Name:  Fuentes Farms Inc.
Brand Name:  Fuentes Farms Inc
Product Description:  Cucumbers in bushel boxes

Retailer Recalls Chocolate Covered Almonds After Customer Finds Chocolate Covered Cashews

Meijer is announcing a recall of certain packages of Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds because they may also contain dark chocolate-covered cashews, which are not declared on the label. 
This recall was initiated after Meijer was informed of the issue by a customer who received the product.

Here is a case where there is probably improper line cleanout resulting in some cashew product getting mixed with almond product.  Since they are different nut allergens, a recall is needed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/meijer-issues-recall-frederiks-dark-chocolate-almonds-due-presence-undeclared-cashews
Meijer Issues Recall on Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds Due to Presence of Undeclared Cashews
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 13, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 16, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared cashews
Company Name:   Meijer
Brand Name:  Frederick’s by Meijer
Product Description:  Dark Chocolate Almonds

Vitamin Gummies Recalled After Retail Customer's Allergy Testing Finds Undeclared Peanut

Company Announcement: June 12, 2025, Vita Warehouse Corp. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Welby® brand Vitamin B12 Energy Support gummy product 1000 mcg 140 gummies, Berkely Jensen® Vitamin B12 1000 mcg 250 Gummies, and VitaGlobe™ Vitamin B12 Extra Strength 60 Gummies due to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts.

"This voluntary recall was initiated after the retailer, ALDI, conducted routine testing as part of their standard protocol to verify the accuracy of allergen-related claims made on their product labeling, specifically a “does not contain peanuts” statement. One test result indicated a potential presence of a peanut allergen. Although internal testing conducted by Vita Warehouse Corp. has verified the absence of peanuts in the product, the recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution to ensure consumer safety and trust."

This is one of those cases where you wish you had more information.  Did the gummy manufacturer handle peanuts in their facility?  If not, how certain could one be regarding the testing protocol?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vita-warehouse-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-allergen-aldi-welbyr-berkley-jensenr-and
Vita-Warehouse Corp. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut Allergen in ALDI Welby®, Berkley Jensen®, and VitaGlobe™ Vitamin B12 Gummy Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 12, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 13, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergen - peanut
Company Name:  Vita Warehouse Corp.
Brand Name:  Welby, Berkely Jensen and VitaGlobe
Product Description:  Gummy products

NJ Firm Recalls Dried Apricots Due to Undeclared Sulfites

Turkana Food Inc. Kenilworth, NJ is recalling 352 cases of Floria Dried Apricots because the product contains UNDECLARED SULFITES on the package label.  The recall was the result of a routine sampling performed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and markets which revealed that the finished products contained Sulfites that were not listed on the product labelling. The company has ceased production and distribution of the products as FDA and the company continue their investigation to correct the issue with the manufacturer.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/turkana-food-inc-recall-flora-dried-apricots-undeclared-sulfites-product-labeling-because-possible
Turkana Food Inc. Recall Flora Dried Apricots with Undeclared Sulfites on Product Labeling Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 12, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen - Sulfites
Company Name:  Turkana Food Inc.
Brand Name:  Floria
Product Description:  Dried Apricots

NY Distributor Recalls Enoki Mushrooms, Just Another Recall of Enoki Mushrooms Due to Listeria

Hofood99 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 Michigan and subsequent analysis by Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) Laboratory Division revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled Enoki Mushrooms were distributed nationwide in retail stores.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hofood99-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-due-possible-health-risk
Hofood99 Inc Recalls Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 11, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Hofood99 Inc.
Brand Name:  No Brand
Product Description:  Enoki Mushrooms

NY Distributor Recalls Salted, Smoked Herring Due to Improper Processing

P. East Trading Corp. of Bronx, NY is recalling Salted Smoked Split Herring because the product was found to be over 5" in length and uneviscerated, as such having potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.  The sale of uneviscerated fish over 5" in length may contain Clostridium botulinum spores as they are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish.  The "Salted Smoked Split Herring" was sampled by a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector and subsequent analysis of the product by New York State Food Laboratory personnel confirmed the herring was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.

The recalled "Salted Smoked Split Herring" was distributed to retail locations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in 18 lbs. wooden boxes with container code Lot 1 PRC5073. The "Salted Smoked Split Herring" is a product of Canada manufactured by Sea Star Seafood Ltd.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/p-east-trading-corp-distributors-issues-alert-uneviscerated-salted-smoked-split-herring-due
P. East Trading Corp Distributors Issues Alert on Uneviscerated 'Salted Smoked Split Herring’ Due to Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 10, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages 
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Clostridium Botulinum
Company Name:  P. East Trading Corp Distributors
Brand Name:  No Brand
Product Description:  Uneviscerated Salted Smoked Split Herring