FDA Issue Warning Letter to PA Producer of Raw Pet Food

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Answers Pet Food of Elizabethville, PA after an investigation that was triggered by samples of pet food testing positive for Salmonella and Listeria.

"August 22, 2024, an FDA Investigator purchased samples of your Answers raw pet food from a retailer in Nevada in response to consumer complaints. Sample analysis revealed that all four sampled lots contained Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes, as described below. Therefore, your Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula, lot May 06 2026, Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula, lot Jan 31 2026, and your Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula, lots Jan 02 2026 and Mar 11 2026, are adulterate"

First, the fact that the pathogens were present, meant that identified preventive controls were not adequate.

"Your food safety plan identifies process, sanitation, and supply chain preventive controls as part of your “(b)(4) technology” to control pathogens. Yet, your preventive controls are not adequate as shown by the following samples of four products collected at retail and analyzed by FDA that contain Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, or both:"

The company identified sanitation preventive controls, but were not sufficient because Salmonella was present in the environment.

"Your hazard analysis identified Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) as a preventive control for biological hazards (which include pathogens) in your raw pet food at steps (b)(4) of your whey mixture containing lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Inspectional findings that indicate your sanitation preventive control is inadequate include:

i. FDA Investigators collected environmental samples on July 23, 2024, under sample 1263703, that revealed the presence of L. monocytogenes on seven surfaces in your facility, including Zone (b)(4) food-contact surfaces."

The company identified supply chain preventive controls, but did not have evidence for that control.

"you were unable to provide COAs for turkey and pork ingredients used to manufacture your raw pet food between July 22 and July 24, 2024"   "You did not provide documentation of annual onsite audits for your suppliers during the inspection, and you do not have a written justification for accepting LOGs and/or COAs from ingredient suppliers in lieu of an annual onsite audit at your suppliers."

GMP issues were also noted in this report.


FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/lystn-llc-dba-answers-pet-food-694680-06182025
Lystn LLC dba Answers Pet Food

Illinois Bakery Recalls Bread with Undeclared Hazelnut

Updated for addition of lots included in the recall  with FDA rerelease on 7/14/25

Hartford Bakery, Inc, Evansville, IL,  is recalling six lots of its “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” as this product may contain undeclared hazelnuts. The recall was initiated after discovering that approximately 883 loaves of bread from six production lots contained visible hazelnuts and were distributed in “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” packaging. While the packaging states “May Contain Tree Nuts,” it does not state that it “Contains Hazelnuts.” An investigation revealed an error in change of packaging for a hazelnut-containing bread to the implicated white bread product.

The interesting issue was that it was not caught during the production of 6 different lots of product, although appears to have been produced on the same day (same expiration date).

The recalled “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” products were distributed in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi retailers, including Kroger and Walmart. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hartford-bakery-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-hazelnuts-lewis-bake-shop-artisan-style-12-loaf
Hartford Bakery, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Hazelnuts in “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style ½ Loaf”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 10, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared hazelnuts
Company Name:  Hartford Bakery, Inc.
Brand Name:  Lewis Bake Shop
Product Description:  Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf

California Distributor Recalls Dried Black Fungus Slice Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Natureen International Inc. of Walnut, CA is recalling 244 bags of Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice (2.5oz / bag), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The California Department of Public Health notified FDA that the product was contaminated with pathogen of Salmonella.

The recalled Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice (2.5oz / bag) were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin through direct delivery to retail stores and supermarkets from Wei-Chuan Chicago Branch.

Chinese black fungus - according to this source, "Chinese black fungus, also known as “wood ear” or “cloud ear,” has been a staple in Chinese cuisine for centuries. This unique ingredient not only adds texture and flavor to dishes but also offers numerous health benefits."
_______________________________________________________________
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natureen-international-inc-recalls-wei-chuan-dried-black-fungus-slice-25oz-because-possible-health
Natureen International Inc. Recalls Wei-Chuan Dried Black Fungus Slice (2.5oz) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 09, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Natureen International Inc.
Brand Name:  Wei-Chuan
Product Description:  Dried Black Fungus Slice

News Outlets Continue to Post Confusing Information on Food Recalls

Have you ever noticed recent news articles that discuss a recall or a series of old recalls.  Well, you don't know its an old recall until you read through the entire article to find that FDA had issued the notice a month or more ago.  So many times I catch a headline, like the one recently released by Newsweek,  Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products.  Initially I think, 'wow, something new', only to find out that the article discusses a series of recalls occurring over the first half of the year, with many of the items discussed, already having been removed from commerce.

Why do news outlets, and these are primarily secondary news outlets, write these articles that are not upfront and factual on the recall issues being presented?  This can only create confusion for the customer.  A person may have bought an item recently and then reads this and questions whether it is part of this recall, or forgoes buying that item because they saw a picture of that item in a story about it being recalled.  As we know, most people do not read the entire article, or basically scan it where they are not picking up the fine details.

Further, posting the same recalls over and over for months gives people a sense that our food supply is less safe.  Along with this, other news outlets will then publish the same story days or weeks later.  This echo effect than adds to consumers feeling of concern.

So why do news outlets do this?  Lazy reporting?  Clickbait?  Or is it more sinister in trying to damage a company's brand?  Whatever the reason, this type of reporting is becoming more common.  Very unfortunate for consumers and businesses alike.

Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/aldi-food-recalls-list-2025-2096171
Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products
Published Jul 08, 2025 at 12:43 PM EDT
Updated Jul 09, 2025 at 1:09 AM EDT
By Daniel Orton
Editor, Live News
Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

Major food recalls recently announced by Aldi have impacted shoppers across 37 states, following safety alerts for undeclared allergens and contamination risks.

Popular Cracker Product Recalled When Peanut Butter Filled Labeled as Cheese Crackers

Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall of four carton sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches (8-pack, 20-pack, and 40pack cartons of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, as well as the 20-pack RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich Variety Pack carton) manufactured in the United States and sold nationwide. The affected cartons include individually wrapped packs that may be incorrectly labeled as Cheese variety even though the product may be a Peanut Butter variety.

The recall was initiated after Mondelēz Global LLC discovered that film packaging rolls used to package individually wrapped products containing peanut butter may contain defects due to a supplier error. Corrective actions are being taken to help ensure this issue does not recur.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mondelez-global-llc-conducts-us-voluntary-recall-four-carton-sizes-ritz-peanut-butter-cracker

Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts U.S. Voluntary Recall of Four Carton Sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Due to Labeling Error
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 08, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen – Peanut
Company Name:  Mondelez Global LLC
Brand Name:  Ritz
Product Description:  Peanut butter cracker sandwiches

CDC MMWR - CA Botulism Outbreak Linked to Improperly Processed Home Canned Prickly Pear Cactus

CDC's MMWR reports a June 2024 botulism outbreak affecting 8 people after consuming home canned prickly pear cactus pads (nopales) that was used in salad.   Six patients were admitted to an intensive care unit, and two required invasive mechanical ventilation; all survived.  

The first victim reported persistent dizziness, blurry vision, a drooping eyelid, and difficulty swallowing. She was admitted and received mechanical ventilation within 6 hours of arrival because of impending respiratory failure; botulism was suspected because of progressive descending paralysis, a primary clinical characteristic of botulism.

"Among 31 persons who attended one or both gatherings, 10 patients sought evaluation at one of two hospitals in Fresno County (five patients at each hospital) during June 23–June 27, with illness onsets ranging from June 23 to June 27, and an interval of 1–5 days from symptom onset until evaluation (Figure 1). Eight of the 10 patients (patients A–F, H, and I) received a clinical diagnosis of botulism; the most common clinical findings included diplopia (eight patients), hoarseness (seven), dizziness (six) and difficulty swallowing (six) (Table). All patients were Hispanic or Latino, the median age was 44 years (range = 24–59 years), and five were women."

Epidemiologic investigation identified home-preserved prickly pear cactus pads (nopales) included in a homemade salad and served at both events as a food item of interest; laboratory testing confirmed the nopales salad as the source of BoNT/A."

"Patient D reported that she had prepared the nopales salad using fresh onions, fresh tomatoes, and home-preserved nopales stored in glass jars. She had prepared the empty jars by immersing them in boiling water, and then added chopped, uncooked nopales mixed with a small amount of salt. She closed the jars with new metal lids and stored them for 6 weeks in an outdoor shed behind her home. The nopales salad she had prepared was not shared outside of these gatherings. She had been home preserving foods for years using this technique, which was taught to her by friends and relatives, and said she was unaware of the risk for botulism associated with this practice."

"Foods that are not properly processed, fermented, preserved, stored, or refrigerated can facilitate C. botulinum growth and toxin production, particularly if the food is in a low-acid, unrefrigerated, and anaerobic environment (7). Home canning or fermentation of vegetables are common practices used to preserve various foods by persons from diverse backgrounds and are the most common causes of foodborne botulism in the continental United States (8–10)."


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7424a1.htm
Foodborne Botulism Outbreak After Consumption of Home-Canned Cactus (Nopales) — Fresno County, California, June 2024

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Idaho Establishment's Beef Jerky Product Due to Potential Plastic Foreign Material

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic. Product was produced by Top Notch Jerky  of Sugar City, ID.   FSIS did not request a recall because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received consumer complaints reporting transparent pieces of plastic in the beef stick products.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-beef-jerky-stick-products-due-possible
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-eat Beef Jerky Stick Products Due to Possible Extraneous Material Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 02, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic. FSIS did not request a recall because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.

South Carolina Establishment Recalls Turkey Bacon Products After Positive Listeria Test

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked Oscar Mayer brand turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).  The problem was discovered after the establishment's laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Lm.

These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kraft-heinz-foods-company-recalls-turkey-bacon-products-due-possible-listeria
Kraft Heinz Foods Company Recalls Turkey Bacon Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ohio Firm Recalls Chocolate Product for Undeclared Milk

Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. of Warren, OH is recalling Wegmans Semi – Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils, because they contain undeclared milk allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils contained a milk allergen and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. This Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the suppliers’ manufacturing process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mellace-family-brands-california-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-allergen-wegmans-semi
Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. Issues An Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk Allergen In Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 30, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name:  Mellace Family Brands California, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wegmans
Product Description:  Semi-sweet Chocolate