FDA Issues Warning Letters for Improper Implementation of FSVP

FDA issued Warning Letters to two importers for failure to properly implement FSVP.  The Turkana Foods case below is a great example of failure to complete corrective action once a foodborne illness outbreak occurs from a given supplier.

V & L Produce, Inc. ,Vernon, CA did not develop an FSVP for any of the foods imported, including each of the following foods:

• Jalapeno Pepper, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
• Green Onions, imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
• Husk Tomatoes (Tomatillos), imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4)

The imported fresh produce that may be considered “covered produce” as defined in 21 CFR 112.3. If after review of the fresh produce that is imported, one determines that they importer covered produce, one must have an FSVP that demonstrates that the supplier is producing the food in compliance with processes and procedures that provide at least the same level of public health protection as those required under section 419 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 350h) (regarding standards for produce safety) and the implementing regulations in the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (21 CFR part 112).

Turkana Food Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, was not in compliance with the requirements of 21 CFR part 1, subpart L for the following imported foods: Tahini, Halva with Vanilla, Halva with Cocoa and Halva with Pistachio from (b)(4), Tahini from (b)(4), and Crushed Hot Red Pepper Spice
Corrective Actions in Response to a Salmonella Outbreak -  The firm failed to properly respond to product that was involved in a salmonella outbreak.  

• The firm recalled Tahini manufactured by (b)(4) in (b)(4) that was found to contain Salmonella in February 2025, but  did not provide any documentation to show that it took corrective actions as a result of the Salmonella finding. Under 21 CFR 1.508(a), the appropriate corrective actions will depend on the circumstances but could include discontinuing use of the foreign supplier until the cause or causes of noncompliance, adulteration, or misbranding have been adequately addressed.
• Did not provide any documentation of your investigation to determine if the FSVP is adequate after Tahini manufactured by (b)(4) in (b)(4) was recalled in February 2025.
• After Tahini from (b)(4) was recalled in February 2025, the company continued to import product including Halva with Pistachio, Halva with Vanilla, and Halva with Cocoa which all contain Tahini on April 8, 2025, from the same foreign supplier. 
• There were additional elements of corrective action that were also not taken.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/v-l-produce-inc-717804-10092025
V & L Produce, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 717804 — October 09, 2025

NY Firm Recalls Dried Uneviscerated Fish

New Hoque & Sons Inc. of Maspeth, NY, is recalling its packages of “Dry Ghoinnya Fish” because the product was found to be uneviscerated.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory staff revealed the product was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.  The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-hoque-sons-inc-issues-alert-uneviscerated-dry-ghoinnya-fish
New Hoque & Sons Inc Issues Alert on Uneviscerated “Dry Ghoinnya Fish”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 29, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 29, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product was found to be uneviscerated. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
Company Name:  New Hoque & Sons Inc.
Brand Name:  Hoque
Product Description:  Dry Ghoinnya Fish

Company Announcement

New Hoque & Sons Inc. of Maspeth, NY, is recalling its packages of “Dry Ghoinnya Fish” because the product was found to be uneviscerated.

The recalled “Dry Ghoinnya Fish” were distributed nationwide in retail stores. The product comes in a 10-12 pound, clear plastic package marked with an expiration date of 5/19/25 stamped on the bottom. The product UPC code is 908172635412.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory staff revealed the product was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.

The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning. Symptoms of botulism include dizziness, blurred or double vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Consumers who have purchased the “Dry Ghoinnya Fish” are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 391-0992.

Massachusetts Firm Misses Allergen on Print-on-Demand Label

Hampton Farms, Springfield, Mass.,  is recalling Mixed Nuts Roasted Unsalted 8 oz. lot 23025  and Mixed Nuts Roasted and Salted 8oz. lot 23825 due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen.  On September 15, 2025, the firm discovered through routine paperwork review that the label failed to include the allergen (hazelnuts) in the allergen warning statement.

Here is another case related to print-on-demand labels where there is an allergen mistake.  The information input on these labels needs a sufficient amount of review / verification instead of relying on one person.

The products were distributed between September 2, 2025 and September 9, 2025 of this year. These products were packaged in clear plastic tubs and sold in Stop&Shop stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hampton-farms-recalls-mixed-nuts-roasted-unsalted-8-oz-and-mixed-nuts-roasted-and-salted-8-oz
Hampton Farms Recalls Mixed Nuts Roasted Unsalted 8 oz and Mixed Nuts Roasted and Salted 8 oz Packages Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:   September 26, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared hazelnut allergen
Company Name:  Hampton Farms
Brand Name:  Hampton Farms
Product Description:  Mixed Nuts

TX Firm Recalls Taco Kits After Supplier Mislabels Cocoa Packets As Seasoning Packet

Teasdale Foods, Inc., Carrollton, TX, is recalling certain Taco Dinner Kits, because they may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after the company received consumer complaints the Taco Dinner Kits contained cocoa mix packets containing milk instead of taco seasoning packets and were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by mislabeling of the taco seasoning packets by the third party that provides the seasoning.

In this case, the supplier of the taco seasoning packets mislabeled cocoa packets as taco seasoning.  Here is a great example of the need to ensure suppliers have tight allergen control programs in place.  Clearly this supplier is handling a wide variety of foods containing different allergens.

Product was distributed to Giant, Martin’s, and Aldi retail stores located in Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/teasdale-latin-foods-issues-allergy-alert-potential-undeclared-milk-certain-taco-dinner-kits
Teasdale Latin Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Potential Undeclared Milk in Certain Taco Dinner Kits
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared milk.
Company Name:  Teasdale Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Martin’s and Giant/Casa Mamita
Product Description:  Taco Dinner Kits

CA Distributor Recalls Parsley After Sample Tests Positive for Salmonella

Pacific International Marketing (“Pacific”), a Salinas, California distributor, is recalling 474 cases of bulk Italian Parsley because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.  The company was recently notified that a sample taken on October 6 tested positive. This product should no longer be available directly to the consumer, only if the product is frozen.

The Italian Parsley was shipped to wholesalers in AZ, CA, FL, MN, MI, GA, OH and NV between September 22 and September 25, 2025. 


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pacific-international-marketing-recalls-fresh-italian-parsley-because-possible-health-risk
Pacific International Marketing Recalls Fresh Italian Parsley Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 28, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Pacific International Marketing
Brand Name:  Pacific
Product Description:  Italian Parsley

WA State Company Recalls Cinnamon Powder After FDA Finds Lead Contamination

Homeneeds Inc. of Bellevue, WA is recalling 140/100gram packets of Devi brand Cinnamon Powder (Dalchini Powder), batch #2502315, because it has the potential to be contaminated with lead.  The recall was initiated after the FDA collected product samples and detected elevated levels of lead. The firm’s investigation into the problem is ongoing.

The affected Devi brand Cinnamon Powder (Dalchini Powder) packages were distributed by Homeneeds Inc. of Bellevue, WA and was sold at Apna Bazar in WA from 05/15/2025 to 10/21/2025


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/homeneeds-inc-recalls-devi-brand-ground-cinnamon-dalchini-powder-because-possible-health-risk
Homeneeds Inc. Recalls Devi Brand Ground Cinnamon (Dalchini Powder) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 27, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name:  Homeneeds Inc.
Brand Name:  DEVI
Product Description:  Ground Cinnamon

MN Establishment Recalls Pulled Pork Product After Plastic from Ingredient Bottles Found in Product

E.A. Sween Company, an Eden Prairie, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 127,887 pounds of a pulled pork sandwich product that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic.  The problem was discovered after the establishment received multiple complaints from consumers finding pieces of plastic in the barbecue pulled pork sandwich product. E.A. Sween Company determined that the plastic originated from the gallon plastic barbecue bottles used in production.

This recall demonstrates the need to control ingredient containers during production.  It is easy for people to get careless when pouring liquid into the process in that they do not control have full containment of items including the caps.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/e-a--sween-company-recalls-pulled-pork-sandwich-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
E.A. Sween Company Recalls Pulled Pork Sandwich Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2025 – E.A. Sween Company, an Eden Prairie, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 127,887 pounds of a pulled pork sandwich product that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Source of Cesium-137 in Shipments of Indonesian Frozen Shrimp Determined

An article in Food Safety News state the the source of the Cesium-137 that was detected in a shipment of frozen shrimp that led to tightened controls for Indonesian products over the past few months.  According to this article, the "contamination was allegedly caused by steel manufacturer Peter Metal Technology, which uses imported scrap metal as its primary raw material. It is likely that the cesium was incorporated into the firm’s waste stream and then processed, releasing Cs-137 particles into the air, which may have spread to nearby shrimp packaging facility PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods), located approximately two kilometers away."

"The American Nuclear Society explained that the Cs-137 contamination likely began as cesium chloride, which, once smelted, would rise above its boiling point and enter the atmosphere in gaseous form, exposing BMS Foods' facility to the radioactive isotope."

"Additionally, the Indonesian government discovered 14 containers of scraps from the Philippines, which are contaminated by Cs-137, in Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta. This finding suggests that the radioactive contamination may also originate to containers used in export, as well as from the Cikande environment."

This explanation does not apply to the shipment of cloves that were also found to have Cesium-137 contamination.

Food Safety Magazine
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10757-indonesian-officials-find-cause-of-cs-137-contamination-behind-radioactive-shrimp
Indonesian Officials Find Cause of Cs-137 Contamination Behind Radioactive Shrimp

October 6, 2025

Since August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted the public to detections of radioactive isotope Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in shipments of shrimp sold at Walmart and other major retailers, and clove spices that did not enter commerce, imported from Indonesia. These detections led FDA to exercise for the first time a Congressional authorized power to require import certification for those commodities from certain regions of the country.

Raw Milk Cheese from Washington State Recalled After Linked to Three Cases of E. coli (STEC) Infection

A Washington cheese maker is recalling various cheese products made from raw and unpasteurized milk and aged at least 60 days, after the product was linked to illness from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), specifically Escherichia coli O103.

Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington is voluntarily recalling Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn and Mustard Seed cheese products, which were made from raw and unpasteurized milk and aged at least 60 days, because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Escherichia coli O103

There have been three reports of STEC infections caused by E. coli O103 in OR and WA to date. The case in Oregon consumed the Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese prior to becoming ill.  The recall was initiated after Twin Sisters Creamery was notified that the Farmhouse cheese sample analyzed by a third-party lab confirmed presence of E. coli O103 and E. Coli STEC was detected in Whatcom Blue samples analyzed by WSDA and FDA.

Peterson Company of Auburn, WA is voluntarily recalling Twin Sisters Creamery brand item# 28855 Whatcom Blue and item# 29608 Farmhouse Cheese products which were made by Twin Sisters.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/twin-sisters-creamery-recalls-whatcom-blue-farmhouse-peppercorn-and-mustard-seed-cheese-products

Twin Sisters Creamery Recalls Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed Cheese Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary

Company Announcement Date:  October 25, 2025

FDA Publish Date:  October 27, 2025

Product Type:  Food & Beverages

Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Escherichia coli O103

Company Name:  Twin Sisters Creamery, Inc.

Brand Name:  Twin Sisters Creamery

Product Description: Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn and Mustard Seed cheese products