Monday, December 22, 2025

Additional Recall Posted for Frozen Shrimp from Indonesia Due to Cesium-137

Direct Source Seafood LLC, Bellevue, WA, is recalling approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp, imported from Indonesia, sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137).

This recall is linked to the ongoing shrimp recalls for product from Indonesia where cesium 137 was identified as potential contaminant.  While this recall comes months after the last recall related to this cesium issue, there was no reason stated.  In the notice, it states, "The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cs-137 contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products manufactured in Indonesia by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods). As noted in the FDA statement issued on 10/7/25: “At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. marketplace.”"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/direct-source-seafood-llc-recalling-frozen-raw-shrimp-because-product-may-have-become-contaminated
Direct Source Seafood LLC is Recalling Frozen Raw Shrimp Because Product May Have Become Contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Shellfish
Reason for Announcement:  Product may have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions whereby they may have become exposed to very low levels of cesium-137 (Cs-137)
Company Name:  Direct Source Seafood LLC
Brand Name:  Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro
Product Description:  Frozen Raw Shrimp

Michigan Firm Recalls Cheddar Cheese Product After Finding Listeria in Product.

Boss Dairy Farms, Charlevoix, MI, is voluntarily recalling one retail lot of Charlevoix Cheese Company 8oz Mild Cheddar Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in an 8oz block of mild cheddar.

It is important to note that this cheeses is made from pasteurized milk so the contamination would be more likely to be from post-process contamination from an environmental source (rather than from the raw milk ingredient).

Another issue is that the company is only recalling one lot of cheese.  As we have seen in many cases, an environmental contamination issue will often impact multiple lots....unless there is good reason why only one lot was impacted.

Product was distributed in Michigan only through retail stores.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/boss-dairy-farms-voluntarily-recalls-retail-mild-cheddar-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Boss Dairy Farms Voluntarily Recalls Retail Mild Cheddar Cheese Because Of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 17, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Boss Dairy Farms
Brand Name:  Charlevoix Cheese Company
Product Description:  Milk Cheddar Cheese

PA Firm Recalls Rice Bowl Product with Incorrect Bottom Label Missing Allergens

A.S.K. Foods, LLC of Palmyra, PA is recalling select 32 oz. containers of Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas because it contains undeclared soy.   The recalled Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas was packaged in a plastic tray where the top label indicates Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas, Net Wt. 32 OZ (2 LB) 907, the bottom label has CAVATAPPI PASTA as the first ingredient and has a code on the lid of “5387-4”, “5387-5” or “5387-6”.

In this case, the bottom label was incorrect.  The top label, Rice and Pigeon Peas is correct.  The bottom label was for a pasta product.  While unsure whether the pic of the bottom label provided by FDA is the full bottom label, I can see there it would be difficult for the line operator to easily see if it is correct.  Regardless, an Allergen Preventive Controls in the form of procedures for ensuring proper labels is needed.











https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ask-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-publix-rice-pigeon-peas
A.S.K. Foods, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains undeclared soy
Company Name:  A.S.K. Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas

Another Widely Publicized Recall of Salad Dressing Misses Mark for Relevance to Consumers

Another recall news story that was published by all the news outlets, but no reporter looked into the facts.  Over the past 6 days or so (December 17, 2025 and after), news outlets have been reporting a giant recall of salad dressing from a California company due to foreign material in the form of plastic.   The news articles show pictures of retail store sized bottles and makes it seem as though this is the same item consumers buy.   Two problems - the recall was issued one month ago (11/6/25), and bigger yet, it was foodservice sized containers (gallon sized or bigger).  Therefore, this recall as published is not relevant for the consumer, especially at this time.

Costco did issue a recall related to this item, however it was for salad items made with that salad dressing on November 7, 2025.  (file:///C:/Users/mwb124/Downloads/PLEASEPOST11-7-25MemberLetter-CaesarDressingRecall-ServiceDeliItems.pdf)

We are seeing an increasing number of these poorly informed recall news stories.  Reporters are using the Enforcement Reports (this one is below) instead of the FDA recall notices that are publicly released and then they fail to read the information on the Enforcement Notice.  There is a reason why FDA does not issue a Public Recall Notice for this and reporters need to ask why

Why does this story get reported now?  It seems when FDA finally classifies the recall, it makes it seem recent.

Why is this not good?  We are bombarded with news stories on recalls.  People may become weary of all the recalls published and are likely not to take action.  Others may become hypervigilant, throwing away good food due to concern.  Overall, it makes it seem that our food is less safe than it really is.


CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salad-dressing-recall-foreign-objects-fda-ventura-foods/
Salad dressings recalled in 27 U.S. states because they could contain "foreign objects"
By Megan Cerullo
December 17, 2025 / 6:11 PM EST / CBS News
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Ventura Foods is recalling thousands of cases of salad dressings sold at retailers including Costco and Publix because the condiments could contain "foreign objects," according to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

CA Processor Recalls Tamales for inadequate Heat Processing Step

Primavera Nueva Inc.,  Sonoma, CA, is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The products were made with a frozen ingredient labeled “Not Ready to Eat. Must Be Thoroughly Cooked Before Eating.” During an FDA inspection on October 10, 2025, the agency determined that earlier production records did not consistently verify internal cooking temperatures needed to control potential biological hazards, including Listeria monocytogenes.  Primavera Nueva has fully corrected the issue—enhanced cooking-temperature monitoring and verification have been in place since October 11, 2025.

This product has heating instructions, but not validated cooking instructions, so the processor is responsible for ensuring the safety of the product to control biological hazards.  If an ingredient is used where there is the potential to have a biological hazard, then a process control in the form of cooking is needed.  From this notice, it appears that the processor did not have a sufficiently validated heating step in place.

Product was distributed by Primavera Nueva Inc. in California and Nevada to retail stores



https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primavera-nueva-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-select-4-count-tamales-because-possible-health-risk
Primavera Nueva Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Select 4-Count Tamales Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 17, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 17, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Foodborne Illness  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Primavera Nueva Inc.
Brand Name:  No Brand
Product Description:  Tamales

Retailer Recalls Mislabeled Coffee Cake Due to Undeclared Walnuts

The James Skinner LLC is conducting a voluntary recall of a single lot of Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake as the wrong ingredient label was applied to the packaging on certain units. Product was packaged in cases with Maple Walnut Coffee Cake labels but then inadvertently individually labeled as Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake.  This resulted in undeclared walnuts.

Observable through the clear lid, the product has visible walnuts on top of the cake and brown maple topping, whereas Raspberry Coffee Cake has no walnuts on top and red topping. The issue was discovered by a retail store employee who observed the visible walnuts on top of the product and noticed that the product had a Raspberry Coffee Cake label instead of a Maple Walnut Coffee Cake label.

Unfortunately, a quality check did not catch the issue when it was produced.  Clearly, an Allergen Preventive Control for ensuring the proper label is applied is needed in this baking operation, where one could guess that there are a number of different products labeled.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/james-skinner-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-publix-maple-walnut-coffee-cake-due-incorrect-labeling
The James Skinner LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake Due to Incorrect Labeling
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 10, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 16, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Allergens
Reason for Announcement:  Label does not declare walnuts in the ingredient list.
Company Name:  The James Skinner LLC
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Frozen Dessert Products Recalled for Foreign Materials in the Cluster Component

Danone U.S. is voluntarily recalling its So Delicious Dairy Free® Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints with multiple best-by expiration dates before 08 Aug 2027 at retail stores nationwide due to the potential presence of foreign materials, such as small stones and other hard objects, within the cashew inclusions.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/so-delicious-dairy-freer-salted-caramel-cluster-frozen-dessert-pints-voluntarily-recalled-danone-us
So Delicious Dairy Free® Salted Caramel Cluster Frozen Dessert Pints Voluntarily Recalled by Danone U.S. Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 15, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 15, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential presence of foreign materials such as stones and other hard objects.
Company Name:  Danone U.S.
Brand Name:  So Delicious
Product Description:  Non-dairy frozen dessert

Virginia Firm Recalls Cakes Where Undeclared Soy Is Used to Solve Sticking Issue

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, LLC, Richmond, VA announced today that it is recalling four of its Decorated Pound Cakes due to an undeclared soy allergen.  A cake releasing agent containing soy was used to prevent sticking for the cakes listed below only.

So this is probably a case where the anti-sticking / pan release agent contained soy lecithin.  The scenario probably goes like this....the facility has a sticking issue on one day of production, and someone sprays on the pan release agent to solve the issue unaware it just created a recallable situation with an undeclared allergen.

This is where employee training on allergens is so important. Also, restrictions on changing process without a thorough review.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ukrops-homestyle-foods-announces-recall-due-undeclared-allergen
Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Announces Recall Due to Undeclared Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 15, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy
Company Name:  Ukrop;s Homestyle Foods, LLC
Brand Name: Ukrop’s
Product Description:  Decorated pound cakes

FDA Issues Warning Letter to RTE Seafood Processor After Inspection and Poor Environmental Monitoring Results

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Harbor Marine Product Inc., Vernon, CA, a  processor of raw, ready-to-eat (RTE) fish.  FDA analysis found Listeria species (non-pathogenic strains) in the facility as well as identified many product handling issues that could lead to contamination of the RTE product.  

One takeaway from this is that Listeria is an food facility environmental hazard in sushi-grade RTE seafood.  This is one reason why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant woman avoid all raw or undercooked fish.

FDA laboratory analysis found that (b)(4) of the (b)(4) environmental swabs were positive for non-pathogenic Listeria spp., including Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri, and Listeria grayi. Of the (b)(4) positive swabs, (b)(4)% ((b)(4) swabs) were collected from food contact surfaces in areas where raw, RTE salmon and tuna are processed. The positive food contact surfaces included:
• cutting board surface on fillet tables where raw, RTE salmon was touching;
• surfaces of tools, including pliers and knives, used to directly cut and manipulate raw, RTE salmon;
• table dividers, edges, and corners where raw, RTE tuna and salmon contacts;
• blade and handle of knife in ice bed used to cut raw, RTE tuna;
• water drain hole at the end of table where raw, RTE salmon is handled;
• cutting board surface of corner fillet table (where condensate was observed dripping from the air conditioning unit) where raw, RTE tuna and salmon contacts.

This demonstrates the facility's sanitation procedures have been inadequate to effectively control microbiological contamination in the facility. 

There were "numerous serious insanitary conditions and practices were observed in [the] facility during [the] FDA inspection."  Many of these issues would facilitate contamination of the RTE product with Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/harbor-marine-product-inc-710589-11282025
Harbor Marine Product Inc.
MARCS-CMS 710589 — November 28, 2025
Warning Letters