FDA Issues Guidance on FSVP That Now Requires Appropriate DUNS Number on Entry Filing

FDA provided updated guidance for the FSVP program.  Previously, the FDA allowed the filer of the entry to use a generic number for the unique facility identifier on the entry form.  FDA 2018 guidance "provided for the temporary use of the entity role code “UNK” (to represent “unknown”) in lieu of a DUNS number, to be provided in the Entity Number field for importer identification when filing entry with CBP for a food subject to FSVP."  Entry filers must now use an appropriate DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System number).

Guidance for Industry: Compliance with Providing an Acceptable Unique Facility Identifier for the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Food Importers Regulation | FDA

Guidance for Industry: Compliance with Providing an Acceptable Unique Facility Identifier for the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Food Importers Regulation
APRIL 2022
Docket Number:
FDA-2011-N-0143

First Human Case of Bird Flu Reported in US

The CDC is reporting the first case of bird flu to affect a human.  The infected person was handling chickens as part of a culling operation (culling = eliminating).   It is important to note that "while pathogenic avian influenza is a serious concern for our nation’s poultry industry", it is not an issue in the human population.

Meating Place
https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/104436
CDC reports first human infection of bird flu as USDA commits $263M to APHIS

By Susan Kelly on 4/29/2022

A man under the age of 40 who culled poultry on a Colorado farm tested positive this week for avian influenza A (H5) in the first bird flu case in a human in the current U.S. outbreak, state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday.

USDA Issues Alert for Trader Joe's Recalls Frozen Chicken Products Imported Without USDA Stamp

USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen chicken products that did not receive the benefit of import reinspection. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

This is clearly a rookie mistake....distributing products in the US that do not bear the USDA stamp  thus indicating it was not inspected.

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Frozen Chicken Products Imported Without the Benefit of Import Reinspection | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Frozen Chicken Products Imported Without the Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen chicken products that did not receive the benefit of import reinspection. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

Fish Sandwiches Recalled After Isolated Case of Large Fish Bones

Gorton’s Seafood is voluntarily recalling frozen seafood item, Gorton’s Fish Sandwich - 100% Whole Fillets, 18.3 oz, due to the isolated and unusual potential presence of large and/or sharp bone fragments. While there have been no reports of injury from the product to date, the company is taking this action to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our consumers. Consumption of this recalled product may pose a choking hazard or other physical injury.

As part of the hazard analysis, fish bones would be identified as a hazard in the filleting process. Is it a hazard likely to occur....from this recall, we would say yes.  Then what critical controls points would be utilized?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gortons-issues-voluntary-recall-small-quantity-fish-sandwich-fillets
Gorton's Issues Voluntary Recall for Small Quantity of Fish Sandwich Fillets
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 27, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 28, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Presence of bone fragments
Company Name:  Gorton’s Seafood
Brand Name:  Gorton’s
Product Description:  Fish Sandwich
Company Announcement  Gloucester, MA (April 27, 2022)

NJ Establishment Recalls Ground Beef After FSIS Testing of Imported Raw Materials Finds E. coli O103

Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 120,872 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing of imported products. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/lakeside-refrigerated-services-recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e-coli-o103
Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O103 Contamination

TN Company Selling Beef Jerky Online Recalls Product for Not Having USDA FSIS Inspection

Online food sales are often viewed as one of these grey areas with regard to regulations.  Companies that sell direct to the consumers often view themselves as retailers outside of federal regulation.  However, as seen in this case, a Tennessee company has to recall beef jerky product after being cited b USDA for not producing under FSIS inspection.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/tennessee-brown-bag-llc-recalls-beef-jerky-products-produced-without-benefit
Tennessee Brown Bag, LLC Recalls Beef Jerky Products Produced without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2022 - Tennessee Brown Bag, LLC, a Hixson, Tenn. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,590 pounds of beef jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal Recalled After Supplier Issues Recall for Listeria

Bakkavor USA of Charlotte, North Carolina announced a voluntary recall of Whole Foods Market Red Lentil Dal, which includes Pickled Curry Cauliflower, an ingredient produced by Doux South Specialties, LLC because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes  On April 19th, 2022, Bakkavor USA was informed by Doux South Specialties, LLC of their Pickled Curry Cauliflower recall. Bakkavor USA immediately ceased the production and distribution of the Whole Foods Market Red Lentil Dal containing the Pickled Curry Cauliflower. The FDA and Doux South Specialties, LLC are continuing their investigation as to what caused the problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bakkavor-usa-issues-voluntary-recall-whole-foods-market-red-lentil-dal-because-possible-health-risk
Bakkavor USA Issues Voluntary Recall of Whole Foods Market Red Lentil Dal Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 21, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 21, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Bakkavor USA
Brand Name:  Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Red Lentil Dal, which includes Pickled Curry Cauliflower

FL Produce Company Recalls Bagged Organic Green Beans After Their Testing Finds Listeria in Sample

Alpine Fresh, Inc. of Doral, Florida is voluntarily recalling its 1 pound packages of "Hippie Organics" French Beans from lot# 313-626, 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 1 pound packages of "Hippie Organics French Beans From lot # 313-626."  The problem has been found to be isolated to the identified lot and the company has taken corrective actions to prevent a recurrence.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/alpine-fresh-conducts-voluntary-recall-hippie-organics-french-beans-because-possible-health-risk
Alpine Fresh Conducts Voluntary Recall of “Hippie Organics French Beans” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 21, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 21, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Organic Food / Home Grown
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Alpine Fresh, Inc.
Brand Name:  Hippie Organics
Product Description:  French Beans

PA Dairy Recalls Small Amount of Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream Filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Turkey Hill Dairy of Conestoga, Pa., is recalling select 48 oz containers of its Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream because the product may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled products are limited to 385 containers of the following product and may have been purchased by consumers between 4/14/2022 and 4/19/2022:  The recall was initiated after it was discovered by a consumer who contacted Turkey Hill that select containers of Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream may have been inadvertently filled with Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream during production

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/turkey-hill-dairy-issues-voluntary-recall-and-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-select-chocolate
Turkey Hill Dairy Issues Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert for Undeclared Peanut in Select Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream Containers
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 21, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 21, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Ice Cream/Frozen Dairy
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Turkey Hill Dairy
Brand Name:  Turkey Hill
Product Description:  Chocolate Marshmallow Premium Ice Cream