WHO Updated Coronavirus Information Indicates Increase in Case Numbers

WHO provided an update that indicates a 10 fold increase in the number of cases from last week.  CDC is monitoring the situation, and as of 1/31/20, there have been 6 confirmed cases in the US.

This is not really a food related issue in that it is transferred via infected people to other people, but China has put a ban on the wildlife trade  (which is not a bad thing anyway).

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200130-sitrep-10-ncov.pdf?sfvrsn=d0b2e480_2
Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV) Situation Report - 10
SITUATION IN NUMBERS 
Globally  7818 confirmed 
 China   7736 confirmed
              12167 suspected 
              1370 severe   
              170 deaths       
Outside of China       82 confirmed      18 countries
US 5 confirmed  (now 6)
Canada 3 confirmed
Ukraine 0 confirmed (the baushkas will have none of that going on)

FDA Issues Warning Letter to AZ Candy Company

An Arizona candy company was issued a Warning Letter by FDA.
The main issues were:
1) In the hazard analysis, they did not evaluate all of the ingredients used in the product.  The hazard analysis must evaluate every ingredient in the process.
2) There was an issue with the environmental monitoring.  I have a little issue here with the FDA's statements.  Environmental monitoring is specific for the facility.  There should not be a need for testing for Listeria in a candy facility.  Not to say environmental monitoring is not needed, however, I would like to see some additional support for the comments FDA is stating in this item.
3) The firm was buying raw nuts and roasting them, but the firm claimed that Salmonella was not a hazard because there was Supplier Control.  But clearly, the firm would have a Process Preventive Control in terms of Roasting.
4) The firm did not have a good pest control program.

From the report, Item 1.
Your hazard analysis for your RTE peppermint snow mints, chocolate pretzel clusters, and cinnamon honey peanut butter did not include an evaluation of all ingredients used to manufacture these products.
Specifically,
a. The hazard analysis for "[Chocolate] Molding," which applies to its use in peppermint snow mints, did not identify or evaluate potential hazards for the ingredient crushed peppermint/candy cane, such as recontamination with environmental pathogens and unapproved colors/additives.
b. The hazard analysis for "[Chocolate] Molding," which applies to its use in chocolate pretzel clusters, did not identify or evaluate potential hazards with the ingredient pretzels, such as recontamination with environmental pathogens.
c. The hazard analysis for (b)(4), which applies to the performance of this activity to make cinnamon honey peanut butter, did not identify or evaluate potential hazards for the ingredient ground cinnamon, such as Salmonella spp. and heavy metals, and for the ingredient honey, hazards such as drug residues and pesticides.

Chicago Establishment Recalls Ground Beef After 2 Complaints of Clear Plastic in Product

Amity Packing Company Inc., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,020 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically clear, thin pliable plastic.  The problem was discovered after Pre Brands LLC. received two consumer complaints reporting findings of clear, thin pliable plastic in raw ground beef.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2020/recall-003-2020-release
Amity Packing Company Inc. Recalls Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class II Recall
003-2020
Health Risk: Low
Jan 24, 2020

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Manufacturer of RTE Ingredient

FDA issued a Warning Letter to an Ohio firm that manufacturers RTE ingredients.  The problem was that the firm had a Listeria issue (discovered by their customer who tested the product and probably reported via the Reportable Food Registry).  Upon inspection by the FDA, the firm did not have good cleaning procedures and was not responding to Listeria positive samples.  The firm did not not implement effective corrective action procedures to include that root cause analysis, specifically - "did not perform an investigation to locate a potential source of contamination or make any changes to your sanitation practices."  The firm also had some poor practices including the use of high pressure hoses as well as improper cleaning of transfer pipes.

From the Letter

• "Specifically, your food safety plan identified environmental pathogens as a hazard requiring preventive controls and identified sanitation controls to address the hazard, but you did not fully implement your “Sanitation Standard Operating procedure (SSOP), We also gathered documentation that one of your customers tested and found your aji amarillo paste to be positive for L. monocytogenes." 
• "In addition, a review of records of your weekly environmental monitoring program for Listeria spp. shows that (b)(4).  (b)(4) collected by FDA during our most recent inspection were positive for L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, your finished aji amarillo paste product was found to be positive for L. monocytogenes (b)(4)."
• "Whole genome sequencing analysis showed the L. monocytogenes isolates from the environmental swabs collected by FDA were the same strain as that in the finished product aji amarillo paste tested by your customer. Your environmental testing results and these findings demonstrate that your sanitation procedures have been inadequate to significantly minimize or prevent the hazard of L. monocytogenes in your facility"
•  "You did not implement your written corrective action procedures to address the presence of an environmental pathogen or appropriate indicator organism detected through your environmental monitoring, as required by 21 CFR 117.150(a)(1)(ii). Specifically, in your food safety plan, you identified (b)(4). (Environmental monitoring is a verification activity for preventive controls as reflected in 21 CFR 117.165(a)(3).) Your environmental monitoring program lists the following corrective actions after a presumptive positive for Listeria spp.: (b)(4). Your weekly environmental monitoring program for Listeria spp. (b)(4). Each time, your corrective actions were limited to (b)(4). You did not perform an investigation to locate a potential source of contamination or make any changes to your sanitation practices."
• "You did not clean and sanitize utensils and equipment in a manner that protects against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials, as required by 21 CFR 117.35(a). On March 28, 2019, our investigator observed an employee using a high-pressure hose to spray the mezzanine floor with water while performing sanitation operations. Water overspray created a mist surrounding the open medium ribbon blender used to manufacture aji amarillo paste. On April 2, 2019, our investigator observed water overspray around the blue (b)(4) pallets on which employees were cleaning product transfer hoses, (b)(4) blades, a (b)(4), (b)(4) hopper, and (b)(4) fixtures used in the manufacture of the aji amarillo paste. Our investigator also observed an employee cleaning a product transfer pipe without cleaning the full interior of the pipe."

FDA Warning letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/yost-foods-inc-581473-09102019
Yost Foods, Inc 
MARCS-CMS 581473 — September 10, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending February 1, 2020

Chicken Soup Packed in Wrong Package, Allergen Missing  - Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 840 units of Harris Teeter’s Fresh Food Market Mushroom Barley Soup, 16 oz with “SELL BY” date codes 03/09/20 because it may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Chicken Wild Rice Soup containing Milk was distributed in Mushroom Barley Soup packaging that did not reveal the presence of Milk. The problem was discovered when a Harris Teeter employee was stocking store shelves and noticed the discrepancy.

Non-Dairy Creamers Can Contain Caseinate, a Dairy Protein And Must Be Declared as Milk - Beepa’s of Beloit, WI is recalling Goulash, because it may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Milk in the sub ingredients of the non dairy creamer.

Pizza Packed in Wrong Package, Allergen Missing - Astrochef LLC., a Rockwall, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 7,363 pounds of pepperoni stuffed pizza sandwich products because the product is mislabeled and contains undeclared soy, - the products are labeled as pepperoni stuffed pizza sandwich products but may contain meatball stuffed pizza sandwich products inside the package.  The problem was discovered when the firm received consumer complaints about products labeled as Mega Sandwich Pepperoni Stuffed Pizza that contained a meatball stuffed pizza sandwich product.

EU and US Agricultural Trade Talks - Removing the Barriers Not Easy

Currently, the EU has a trade surplus for agricultural goods.   The US would like to improve on this by getting more US food into the EU, but trade barriers, both tariffs by the EU on imported goods and regulatory barriers hamper this.

In a report published in the EU,  RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EU AGRI-FOOD SECTOR IN A POSSIBLE EU-US TRADE AGREEMENT, many of these issues are laid out.  A few items that pop out is the impact from US meat production, as a low cost provider, the use of surface wash treatments used in US to meet requirements of the Pathogen Reduction Act, and the use of GMO materials.

NY Cheese Company Recalls Cotija Cheese (Queso Cotija) After State Lab Tests Show E. coli (STEC)

Quesos La Ricura LTD. of Hicksville, NY, is recalling 12 oz. packages of Cotija Cheese (Queso Cotija) after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services discovered that a sample of the product was contaminated with Shiga toxin producing E. coli.  No injuries have been reported.  Product was distributed through retail stores in NY, NC, PA, GA, FL.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quesos-la-ricura-ltd-recalls-cotija-cheese-queso-cotija-because-possible-health-risk
Quesos La Ricura LTD. Recalls Cotija Cheese (Queso Cotija) Because Of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 24, 2020
FDA Publish Date: January 24, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement: May be contaminated with Shiga toxin producing E. coli
Company Name: Quesos La Ricura
Brand Name: Quesos La Ricura
Product Description: Cheese

Novel Coronavirus Attracting Attention, Risk Considered Low

A lot of news coverage on the new, or novel, Coronavirus that originated in China.  Coronaviruses are a large family of virus that cause respiratory illness including the common cold with symptoms that are typically mild to moderate.

Novel forms of this virus can originate from time to time, strains evolving from animals and adapting to humans(this one may have originated in snakes),  Because the virus is new, it can take longer for the body to get it under control, and with that, it becomes more of a health issue.  But along with that, another factor is how quickly it spreads..how easily is it transmitted from person to person.

There is limited information on this current virus so far.  There have been approximately 830 cases reported so far, with 26 deaths.  Is it a huge risk...according to CDC, transmission has not been overly efficient, so the risk of a world wide pandemic is low....despite how much the main stream new media makes it seem.

My rendition of the corona virus.  The symptoms are dose dependent.

Oh, it's coronavirus, not corona virus.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0124-second-travel-coronavirus.html
Second Travel-related Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Detected in United States
Press Release
For Immediate Release: Friday, January 24, 2020
Contact: Media Relations
 (404) 639-3286

Two Importers Issued Warning Letters for Not Having FSVP

Two importers were issued Warning Letters by FDA for not having FSVP programs.  FDA is focusing more enforcement attention on food importers with the requirement for having a foreign supplier verification program (FSVP) as required as part of the FSMA regulation, specifically  21 CFR part 1 subpart.

Swagath Home Foods LLC of WA did not have FSVPs for for Black Pepper Powder imported from Subhash Masala Co. Pvt. Ltd., Spiced Chutney Powder imported from MTR Foods Pvt. Ltd., and Potato Chips imported from Pepsico India Holding Pvt.

Dinamix Distribution, LLC, was TX was not in compliance with the requirements of 21 CFR part 1 subpart L - did not have FSVPs for the following imported products: mayonnaise; tomatoes-spice flavored drink; and punch flavored soft drinks imported from (b)(4).

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/swagath-home-foods-llc-594166-01072020
Swagath Home Foods LLC 
MARCS-CMS 594166 — January 07, 2020