Consumers Are Creatively Utilizing Food Waste to Reduce Food Costs

An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on how people are maximizing the utilization of leftovers and food scraps.

One example was the bone bag -  a bag for collecting "vegetable scraps and leftover meat bones in plastic bags and freezing to then utilize the contents by cooking in an Instant Pot with water and apple-cider vinegar and then adding rice and quinoa for a soup base.
Or leftover pizza , chopping it up, crisping and then mixing into scrambled eggs.

A quoted survey looked at "consumers’ leftover habits for 15 years, said 49% of respondents in October reported eating more leftovers than six months ago, a record since the survey began."

This is worth applauding as there is a push to reduce food waste.  But for consumers, this is more for reducing their food bill.

From a safety perspective, freezing leftovers prior to spoilage is key if those leftovers cannot be used within a few days.


Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/americans-are-testing-the-limits-of-leftovers-06dd49ff
Thrifty Americans Are Testing the Limits of Leftovers
Rising food prices prompt kitchen alchemy: ‘fridge foraging’ and collecting bones. ‘I never really dreaded the end of the week until I started eating leftovers.’
By Jesse Newman and Dean Seal
Nov. 28, 2025 5:30 am ET

Enforcement Delayed on Sampling and Testing of Salmonella in Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products

USDA is delaying verification sampling and testing associated with the 2024 rule for the control of Salmonella in raw, breaded and stuffed chicken products.  From an article in Food Safety Magazine, "FSIS is again delaying verification activities without setting a new implementation date. According to the agency, this delay is due to limitations in available test methods, including concerns about accuracy and unacceptably high false positives, and FSIS will continue to evaluate the validity of available testing methods."


Food Safety Magazine
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10909-usda-indefinitely-delays-enforcement-of-salmonella-as-adulterant-in-raw-breaded-stuffed-chicken
USDA Indefinitely Delays Enforcement of Salmonella as Adulterant in Raw Breaded, Stuffed Chicken
By Bailee Henderson

Illinois Firm Recalls Confectionary Product for Undeclared Pecans Due to Mis-packaging

Silvestri Sweets Inc. of Geneva, IL is voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce bags of Choceur branded Holiday Barks because they may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark had been packaged in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark packages resulting in undeclared pecan, and that the Cookie Butter Holiday Bark has been packaged in Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark packages resulting in undeclared wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem may have been caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

The recalled items were distributed nationwide through Aldi grocery stores.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/silvestri-sweets-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-pecan-and-wheat-cookie-butter-holiday
Silvestri Sweets Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecan and Wheat in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark and Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 26, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared pecans and wheat
Company Name:  Silvestri Sweet, Inc.
Brand Name:  Choceur
Product Description:  Bark candy with nuts and fruit

Oregon Firm Recalls BBQ Sauce Due to Undeclared (Fish) Anchovy

Anthony's BBQ Sauce of Brookings, Oregon is recalling Anthony's Barbecue & Dip-It Sauce 15oz. glass bottles because it may contain undeclared Anchovy (fish).  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during the inspection that the product containing Anchovy (fish) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Anchovy.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/anthonys-bbq-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovy-anthonys-barbecue-dip-it-sauce
Anthony’s BBQ Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared (Fish) Anchovy in Anthony’s Barbecue & Dip-It Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 22, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared Anchovy (fish).
Company Name:  Anthony’s BBQ Sauce
Brand Name:  Anthony’s
Product Description:  Barbecue Sauce

FDA and CDC Issue Update on Infant Botulism Cases Linked to Infant Formula (11/26/25)

FDA and CDC released an update on the ongoing botulism outbreak in infants.  "As of November 26, 2025, a total of 37 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism and confirmed exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula (various lots) have been reported from 17 states.  All 37 infants were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date. For 35 infants with age and sex information available, they range in age from 16 to 264 days and 15 (43%) are female."

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 37 (6 New)
Hospitalizations: 37 (6 New)
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: November 19, 2025
States with Cases: AZ, CA, ID, IL, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, OR, PA, RI, TX, WA, WI
Product Distribution: Online and nationwide (including Guam and Puerto Rico), and internationally

"FDA’s investigation, including onsite inspections, is ongoing to determine the point of contamination. FDA is releasing the FDA Establishment Inspection Reports (EIRs) and FDA Form 483s, Inspectional Observations from completed inspections previously conducted between 2022 and March 2025 at ByHeart facilities. ByHeart, Inc. is the parent company of three Blendhouse manufacturing facilities in Allerton, Iowa; Portland, Oregon; and Reading, Pennsylvania."

1. Blendhouse Allerton: the facility was last inspected in February 2025 and classified Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI), which cited GMP deficiencies - https://www.fda.gov/media/189825/download
2. Blendhouse Portland: the facility was last inspected in March 2025 and classified No Action Indicated (NAI) - https://www.fda.gov/media/189824/download
3. Blendhouse Reading: the facility was last inspected in January 2024 and classified Official Action Indicated (OAI). This facility has not been in operation since September 2023. - https://www.fda.gov/media/189831/download

In Food Safety Magazine (Nov 25, 2025) points out an important items - that the California Department of Health has noticed a broader spike of infant botulism cases.

"A spike in infant botulism cases was first noticed by CDPH’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), which operates the only global source of infant botulism treatment worldwide. According to CDPH, this spike has grown from the originally reported 84 cases to now include 107 cases of infant botulism, occurring between August 1, 2025 and November 19, 2025. Not all infants treated for infant botulism during this spike have confirmed exposure to ByHeart infant formula.  Typically, less than 200 cases of infant botulism are reported in the U.S. each year."

It also stated that some of the cases that have been linked to the suspect product came earlier, between November 2024 and June, 2025).  Linking all of these cases may be difficult.  "It will be more difficult to definitively link cases that happened before August 1 to the current outbreak, due to the amount of time that has passed and it being unlikely that parents would have recorded product lot numbers or kept empty cans of formula."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (November 2025)
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
Product:
All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have been recalled. This includes all unexpired lots of formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks.

Milk Recalled from Iowa Processing Facility for Potential to Contain Cleaning Agents

Prairie Farms is announcing a recall of select Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk produced at its Dubuque, Iowa facility and distributed to Woodman’s stores in Illinois and Wisconsin. Some of the product may contain food-grade cleaning agents, which may cause illness if consumed. Only a specific segment of the DEC08 production run was impacted. The affected product was processed between 17:51 and 21:23, representing a portion of that day’s production.

"On November 24, Prairie Farms was made aware of a potential quality issue. An investigation was immediately initiated, and based on that investigation, affected product was removed from stores and a recall was initiated. Approximately 320 gallons were sold before the issue was discovered."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prairie-farms-announces-recall-prairie-farms-gallon-fat-free-milk
Prairie Farms Announces Recall of Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages 
Reason for Announcement:  May contain food-grade cleaning agents
Company Name:  Prairie Farms
Brand Name:  Prairie Farms
Product Description:  Fat Free Milk

Romano Cheese Recalled After Supplier Identifies Listeria Concern

The Ambriola Company is recalling select cheese products after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Ambriola has suspended production and distribution of affected products as the Company conducts a thorough review of all sanitation and food safety procedures

An earlier recall from Supreme Service Solutions for Boar's Head branded cheese from this supplier had already been posted.

Wegmans Food Markets is recalling this product, Locatelli Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese with Wegmans’ scale labels due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. This product was sold at Wegmans stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

between November 14 and November 24, 2025.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ambriola-company-issues-recall-cheese-products-because-listeria-health-risk
The Ambriola Company Issues Recall of Cheese Products Because of Listeria Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  The Ambriola Company
Brand Name:  Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, and Boar’s Head
Product Description:  Cheese
Company Announcement

CDC MMWR Report - 2024 E. coli STEC Outbreak Linked to Walnuts

In CDC's MMWR, an article discussing the 2024 E. coli STEC outbreak linked to walnuts where 13 cases were reported.  It is interesting in that this is the first reported case of walnuts being the source of an E. coli STEC outbreak.   

"All walnuts eaten by patients were specified during an interview or documented in purchase records at food co-ops or natural food stores as being “organic.” Ten patients purchased walnuts from bulk or self-service bins. Leftover walnuts from four patient homes (two each in California and Washington) were tested; one sample was positive for the gene encoding Shiga toxin by real-time polymerase chain reaction testing."

"On April 27, 2024, the walnut processor recalled the two lots of walnut halves and pieces identified by the traceback investigation. On April 30, CDC and FDA advised the public to avoid consuming the recalled walnuts and provided a complete list of store names and locations that had received affected walnuts. The investigation was closed on June 25, 2024, when no additional illnesses meeting the case definition had been identified for several weeks, the environmental assessment had concluded, and the investigation team was confident that the contaminated walnuts were no longer available for purchase after the recall. Rapid detection, investigation, and product recall likely prevented additional illnesses from a product with a long shelf life. This outbreak demonstrates that walnuts can be contaminated with STEC and cause illness although the route of STEC contamination was not identified in this investigation. Producers of tree nuts should take steps to minimize the risk for bacterial contamination from the environment via multiple potential sources (e.g., water, soil, adjacent land use, and production environment) throughout growing, ground harvesting, hulling, shelling, and packing (4,5)"

However, the report does not provide much information on how the walnuts may have become contaminated.   Walnut processing is an interesting, highly mechanized process, so I guess you can see how contamination may have been carried through the process in a broken shell?  To what degree does the product being organic factor into this...not sure if sanitizers used in wash water of the nuts are any less effective?

As stated in the report, companies should consider E. coli STEC as a contaminant along with pathogens like Salmonella.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7438a2.htm?s_cid=OS_mm7438a2_w
Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Organic Walnuts — Washington and California, 2024
Weekly / November 27, 2025 / 74(38);597–598
Angelica L. Barrall, PhD1,2; Laurie Stewart, MS3; Jeffrey Higa, MPH4; Erin Jenkins, MPH5; Brooke Whitney, PhD5; Brandon Adcock4; Anna Pickett3; Bethan Swift, DPhil1,6; Peiman Aminabadi, DVM7; Kenneth Zamora4; Susan Shelton3; Karen P. Neil, MD2; Laura Gieraltowski, PhD2 (View author affiliations)

NJ Firm Recalls Uneviscerated Fish Due to C. botulinum Risk

Mamtakim Inc, located of Elizabeth, NJ 07201, is recalling Item # LL0320 DRIED WHOLE SMELTS SALTED (KORUSHKA), 5.29 oz (150 g) / 20 – 1 box, because this product consists of dried, un eviscerated fish longer than 5 inches, which is a risk for Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation.  The recall was initiated after an FDA inspection and analysis determined that the fish had not been properly eviscerated, which can allow Clostridium botulinum to grow.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mamtakim-inc-recalls-dried-whole-smelts-salted-korushka-because-possible-health-risk
MAMTAKIM Inc Recalls Dried Whole Smelts Salted (KORUSHKA) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  November 25, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.
Company Name:  Mamtakim, Inc.
Brand Name:  Belevini
Product Description:  Dried Whole Salted Smelt, Mullet, Goby