Meat Alternatives Gaining Traction, But Will Crickets and Meat-ish Concoctions Be In Your Dinner Plans?

An piece from The Food Institute discusses alternative protein sources going mainstream. This was made more a thing this past week when Bill Gates stated that the rich nations like the US should shift entirely to synthetic beef. In the MIT Technology Review he stated,

I do think all rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef. You can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is they’re going to make it taste even better over time. Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the [behavior of] people or use regulation to totally shift the demand.

Is it beyond Bill Gates thinking to consider regulating consumption, it does not seem so. He certainly feels that the term 'meat' should be expanded and that government investment should be poured into this area. Gates is invested in many of the companies including Beyond Meats, Impossible Foods, and Memphis Meats.

According to The Food Institute, "the meat substitutes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2020 to reach $17.5 billion by 2027, providing ample room for further innovation fueled by venture capital piling into the space. The edible insect market, which surpassed $112 million in 2019, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 26.5% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $4.63 billion by 2027."

So are mealworms, crickets and lab grown meat in your meal plans?  I think the wealthy IT guy would like it to be. 

The Food Institute
You Want Flies with That? – New Alternative Proteins Set to Go Mainstream
February 26, 2021

NJ Cheese Company Expands Recall of Cheese Products Due to Listeria Contamination Issue

El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ expanded its recall of cheese products to include all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products, because there is the potential for Listeria contamination.  This initial recall was issued on February 19th after CDC and FDA linked the cheese to 7 illness.  The case count for reported illnesses is now stands at 10. "El Abuelito has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

We noted that this company was issued a Warning Letter in June of 2020.  The company did not have a Food Safety Plan, and during the investigation, a swab sampling found non-pathogenic strains of Listeria. (This an indicator that conditions were present that could support Listeria monocytogenes).  If the company had not implemented a Food Safety Plan with Preventive Controls for environmental contamination after the inspection, the coming litigation will be brutal.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/el-abuelito-expands-recall-include-queso-fresco-quesillo-and-requeson-products-because-possible
El Abuelito Expands Recall to Include Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  El Abuelito Cheese
Brand Name:  El Abuelito, El Viejito and more
Product Description:  Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson Products

MN Food Processor Recalls Taco Products After Positive Listeria Test on Food Contact Surface

J&J Distributing of St. Paul, MN, is recalling multiple products because they have 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 a utensil used to produce the products.  There have been no reported illness to date.

The facility is a dual jurisdiction facility, falling under both FDA and USDA, so recall notices were posted under FDA and USDA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jj-distributing-recalls-multiple-products-because-possible-health-risk
J&J Distributing Recalls Multiple Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 26, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  J&J Distributing
Brand Name: Haug, Fresh Tyme & more
Product Description:  Taco products

CA Beverage Company Recalls Nut-based Health Drinks Due to Allergen Mislabeling

Urban Remedy, a California-based producer and retailer of ultra-fresh, organic meals, is voluntarily recalling 462 beverages because it may contain undeclared almonds and cashews.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing almond and cashew was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the above-mentioned allergens. Almond Maca is labeled to contain Almonds but due to mislabeling contains Cashews Cacao Mocha is labeled to contain cashews but due to the mislabeling actually contains Almonds.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urban-remedy-voluntarily-recalls-beverages-undeclared-almond-cashew-allergens
Urban Remedy Voluntarily Recalls Beverages with Undeclared Almond & Cashew Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds and cashews
Company Name:  Urban Remedy
Brand Name:  Urban Remedy
Product Description:  Beverages

FDA - Don't Make Homemade Baby Formula for Infants

FDA issued notice about that people should not make their own infant formula.  Breast milk or commercially made infant formula has all of the proper nutrients needed by a child.  With commercially made infant formula, FDA regulates this product to ensure that companies are providing the nutrients needed.

With homemade formula, it can be difficult to meet the nutrient needs in the proper ratios.  As FDA stated, they have received reports of infants who were suffering from malnutrition due to homemade infant formula.

This also relates to a story published last week about the Congressional Subcommittee report on baby foods being harmful.   So sure, if you read these types of things, it scares people into thinking they can do it better/safer than these food companies.


FDA Advises Parents and Caregivers to Not Make or Feed Homemade Infant Formula to Infants | FDA
FDA Advises Parents and Caregivers to Not Make or Feed Homemade Infant Formula to Infants
February 24, 2021
Parents and other caregivers of infants who make their own homemade infant formula using a recipe.

Inherited Neandertal Gene Variants Can Increase or Decrease COVID Risk

Many of us carry some portion of Neandertal genome in our own genome.  This is normally accounts for less than 2%.    A study out of Germany has shown "that a major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neandertals. Now the same researchers show, in a study published in PNAS, that Neandertals also contributed a protective variant. Half of all people outside Africa carry a Neandertal gene variant that reduces the risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19 by 20 percent."

https://news.ki.se/neandertal-gene-variants-both-increase-and-decrease-the-risk-for-severe-covid-19
Neandertal gene variants both increase and decrease the risk for severe COVID-19

Australian Study Determine Impact of Too Much Coffee on Cardiovascular Health

Some Australian scientists determine that drinking too much coffee may increase one's risk for cardiovascular disease.  From the article, “High levels of blood lipids are a known risk factor for heart disease, and interestingly, as coffee beans contain a very potent cholesterol-elevating compound (cafestol),"   The good thing, “Cafestol is mainly present in unfiltered brews, such as French press, Turkish and Greek coffees, but it’s also in espressos, which is the base for most barista-made coffees, including lattes and cappuccinos."  Evidently, “There is no, or very little cafestol in filtered and instant coffee, so with respect to effects on lipids, those are good coffee choices."

So how much coffee is too much coffee? Six or more cups a day of the unfiltered type.  So Rick Kralj can continue to pound those coffees from Sheetz and Wawa.

https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2021/deja-brew-another-shot-for-lovers-of-coffee/
Déjà brew? Another shot for lovers of coffee.

Congressional Subcommittee Issues Controversial Report on Baby Food; FDA Issues Response

In a report issued by the Congressional Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy earlier this February titled Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury, the committee’s primary finding was

"1. According to internal company documents and test results obtained by the Subcommittee, commercial baby foods are tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Exposure to toxic heavy metals causes permanent decreases in IQ, diminished future economic productivity, and increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior in children. Toxic heavy metals endanger infant neurological development and long-term brain function."

The report goes on to discuss the various heavy metals and the concentrations found.  Some baby food manufacturers participated in the hearings, but for those that did not, they were admonished in the report.

We know those people involved in making baby food understand the importance of what they do.  Would they knowingly do something harmful just to make product?  I just can’t think that.  We have worked with many of these companies and their employees over the years.  These people are far from evil.

I am not a toxicologist.  But when I read through this , I question how valid the presented results and conclusions are, what are the actual risks to consumers, especially in comparison to other alternatives such as parents making their own baby food, and what can we do as parents and food processors to remedy this.

In the past, we have looked to the scientific community to provide answers to these questions.  The FDA issued a response that basically said that they take these issues seriously and are working on it.

"The FDA takes exposure to toxic elements in the food supply extremely seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the health and safety of the youngest and most vulnerable in the population. Toxic elements, such as arsenic and lead, are present in the environment and may enter the food supply through soil, water or air. Because these elements occur in the environment, currently they cannot be completely avoided in the fruits, vegetables, or grains that are the basis for baby foods, juices, and infant cereals made by companies or by consumers who make their own foods. They also cannot be completely avoided by using organic farming practices. Our goal is to reduce exposure to toxic elements in foods to the greatest extent feasible and to further advance progress in this area through more research and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders."

But what other statements have been issued by the scientific community?  Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)?  Consumer Brands Association?  There is a Baby Food Council which is partnership of baby food companies with Cornell University and the Environmental Defense Fund....yeah, not sure we'll see anything from that group.

An article in Food Navigator (which is copyrighted and cannot be copied and added here) did provide the responses by food companies such as Hain Celestial and Happy Family Organics which stated the report was “inaccurately characterized” and there were “many inaccuracies, select date usage and tone bias in the report”.  Surprising?  Perhaps not in the politized culture.

Václav Havel, the famous Czech writer and author of the Power and Powerless, an anti-communist manifesto that urged living in truth, stated this "There can be no doubt that distrust of words is less harmful than unwarranted trust in them. Besides, to distrust words, and indict them for the horrors that might slumber unobtrusively within them --isn't this, after all, the true vocation of the intellectual.”

Three NJ Importers Issued Warning Letters for Not Having FSVP For Imported Food Items

 FDA issued Warning Letters to the following companies for not have a FSVP, or Foreign Supplier Verification Program.  This program is required for imported products to ensure that those products were produced to meet US regulatory standards.  It is the responsibility of the US-based importer or other US company designated as the FSVP importer to have this program in place.

JR & Son World Trading LLC of Iselin, NJ did not have a FSVP for imported products in including Guava Paste, Coconut Water with Pulp and Frozen Yellow Pepper Dices.

My Habitat Brands, LLC of Dayton, NJ did not have a FSVP for imported chocolate bar and chocolate dairy mix and botanas puffed snack.

Vibrant Enterprise, LLC, of North Brunswick, New Jersey did not have a FSVP for imported Tamarind Paste, Chatpata Chaat Makhana Pops (Roasted Foxnuts) and Kesar Mango Pulp.  Some of the products 
were canned items which would require verification that the items were packed in accordance with the low acid canned foods regulation (21CFRPart113).

From the Warning letter, "During our inspection you told our investigator that you did not maintain records of any food you import, only requested documents as needed from your foreign suppliers, and did not review the documents. You provided records you received to the investigator on July 23, 2020, including three food safety plans from (b)(4). In so much as you intend to use a foreign supplier’s food safety plans to meet your obligations under the FSVP regulation, you did not provide FDA any evidence you reviewed these records and you told our investigator that you did not review the food safety plans. " Also found that they were not necessarily focusing efforts on the manufacturer, but the company who was buying from other manufacturers and merely labeling the product.