MI Cheese Company Recalls Brie and Camembert Cheese After Linked to Listeria Outbreak

FDA is investigating a Listeria outbreak that has been linked to Brie and Camembert soft cheese products manufactured by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, MI, and sold at various retailers under multiple labels and brands, including Reny Picot.  According to CDC, there have been 6 cases so far, with 5 of those people being hospitalized.

The processor, Old Europe Cheese, Inc has recalled all Old Europe Cheese Brie and Camembert products with best by dates through 12/14/2022 . There are over 20 brand named products that were distributed from August 01, 2022 through September 28, 2022 and were available at supermarkets, wholesale and retail stores nationwide and Mexico; retailers include Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer, Harding’s, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Raley’s, Save Mart, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop, Fresh Thyme, Lidl, Sprouts, Athenian Foods, Whole Foods." 


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-brie-and-camembert-soft-cheese-products-september-2022
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products (September 2022)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Brie and Camembert soft cheese products from Old Europe Cheese, Inc. FDA’s outbreak investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 6
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: August 5, 2022
States with Cases: CA, GA, MA, MI, NJ, TX
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Parasite - Incidence of Anisakis in Japan

 An interesting report in this month's Emerging Infectous Disease involves Anisakis, a parasite commonly linked with raw or undercooked seafood, and its incidence in Japan, a country that consumes a large amount of raw seafood in the form of sushi and sashimi.  Researchers estimated that the annual incidence is close to 20,000 cases per year.  I think that many people assume that sushi and sushimi represents zero risk, especially when we think of Japan.  This is not the case.

"In Japan, A. simplex s.s. nematodes are responsible for the highest incidence of anisakiasis, whereas the species A. pegreffii is the leading cause of anisakiasis in Europe and South Korea (2). A. simplex s.s. nematodes penetrate the muscles of various fish species at a higher rate than A. pegreffii (11), which could partly explain the smaller proportion of A. pegreffii anisakiasis cases in Japan because A. pegreffii nematodes are often removed with fish viscera during the preparation of sushi and sashimi. Furthermore, fish habitat can corroborate the difference in predominant anisakid nematode species between South Korea and Japan; A. simplex s.s.–carrying fish are predominant in the Pacific side of Japan, whereas A. pegreffii–carrying fish are more common in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, located between South Korea and Japan (11)"

"As preventive measures, the government of Japan has repeatedly instructed local establishments (e.g., restaurants, fish mongers, and grocery stores) and consumers to freeze seafood at −20°C for at least 24 hours before consuming it raw or to remove anisakid nematodes during cooking."   In the US, there is no regulated standard for 'sushi grade seafood' but this term generally means that that the seller has determined that the fish is acceptable for eating raw based on several factors, including if that the fish has been frozen according to a validated freezing schedule for parasite reduction.

Anisakiasis, the disease caused by infection of this worm.  According to the CDC, "when certain infected marine mammals (such as whales or sea lions) defecate into the sea, eggs are released and become infective larvae while in the water. These larvae are ingested by crustaceans, which are then eaten by fish or squid. When humans eat raw or undercooked infected fish or squid, they ingest nematode larvae. Once inside the human body, the larvae can invade the gastrointestinal tract. Eventually, the parasite dies and produces an inflamed mass in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine."

"Some people experience a tingling sensation after or while eating raw or undercooked fish or squid. This is actually the worm moving in the mouth or throat. These people can often extract the worm manually from their mouth or cough up the worm and prevent infection. Also, some people experience vomiting as a symptom and this can often expel the worm from the body."

Anisakiasis Annual Incidence and Causative Species, Japan, 2018–2019 - Volume 28, Number 10—October 2022 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC
ISSN: 1080-6059
Emerging and Infectious Disease Journal
Volume 28
Number 10—October 2022
Anisakiasis Annual Incidence and Causative Species, Japan, 2018–2019
Hiromu SugiyamaComments to Author , Mitsuko Shiroyama, Ikuyo Yamamoto, Takashi Ishikawa, and Yasuyuki Morishima

Author affiliations: National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan (H. Sugiyama, I. Yamamoto, Y. Morishima); Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan (M. Shiroyama); BML, Inc., Saitama, Japan (T. Ishikawa)

Abstract

Using data from 2018–2019 health insurance claims, we estimated the average annual incidence of anisakiasis in Japan to be 19,737 cases. Molecular identification of larvae revealed that most (88.4%) patients were infected with the species Anisakis simplex sensu stricto. Further insights into the pathogenesis of various anisakiasis forms are needed.

Ill. Establishment Recalls 2 Months of Production After USDA Testing Finds Listeria

Behrmann Meat and Processing Inc., an Albers, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 87,382 pounds of various ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The various RTE meat items were produced from July 7, 2022, to Sept. 9, 2022.  The problem was discovered through product and environmental testing performed by FSIS and the establishment, which identified Listeria monocytogenes in the processing environment and in products produced by the establishment.

With a wide time frame of recalled products and the fact that FSIS testing "identified Listeria monocytogenes in the processing environment and in products produced by the establishment", one could guess that this is not just an incidental contamination issue.  The company website indicates the establishment operates a retail store as well as producing product for wholesale.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/behrmann-meat-and-processing-inc--recalls-various-ready-eat-meat-products-due
Behrmann Meat and Processing Inc. Recalls Various Ready-to-Eat Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

BEHRMANN MEAT & PROCESSING, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2022 – Behrmann Meat and Processing Inc., an Albers, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 87,382 pounds of various ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. FSIS expects there to be additional product labels added in the near future and urges consumers to check back frequently to view updated labels.

Florida Foodservice Establishment Recalls Empanada Products When Discovered Not USDA Inspected

Empanadas Valrico Inc., a Sarasota, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,247 pounds of beef and chicken empanada products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The products subject to recall do not bear the USDA mark of inspection because Empanadas Valrico Inc. is not a federally inspected establishment. These items were shipped to retail locations in Florida.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Florida Department of Agriculture that the frozen empanada products did not have the USDA mark of inspection and were produced in an establishment that was not inspected by USDA.

Another example of a small restaurant / catering operation that starts to distribute products without realizing that federal regulations apply.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/empanadas-valrico-inc--recalls-beef-and-chicken-empanada-products-produced-without
Empanadas Valrico Inc. Recalls Beef and Chicken Empanada Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2022 – Empanadas Valrico Inc., a Sarasota, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,247 pounds of beef and chicken empanada 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.

Salad Dressing Recalled After Mislabeling Issue Results in Undeclared Allergens

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS) is voluntarily recalling one lot of Restaurant Style Italian Dressing sold under the brand name Tuscan Garden.  This recall is being conducted because the product is labeled as Restaurant Style Italian Dressing, while some of the bottles may contain Asian Sesame Dressing. The Restaurant Style Italian Dressing label indicates the allergens egg and dairy are in the product while the Asian Sesame Dressing product contains the allergens soy and wheat.  TreeHouse Foods discovered the issue after receiving two complaints from the store level. At this time, TreeHouse has not received any reports of an allergic reaction associated with this product.

With recalled product limited to one lot code date, this would appear to be a mistake made at the point of label application...perhaps the wrong labels were mixed in with the others, or the wrong pack of labels were added to the spool.  An Allergen Preventive Control at this point would include a verification procedure to ensure that correct labels were being run.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/treehouse-foods-announces-voluntary-recall-certain-tuscan-garden-restaurant-style-italian-dressing
TreeHouse Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Tuscan Garden Restaurant Style Italian Dressing Due to Undeclared Wheat and Soy
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 24, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 24, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen/Wheat and Soy
Company Name:  TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Tuscan Garden
Product Description:  Restaurant Style Italian Dressing

Recall of Salad Dressing Due to Undeclared Allergen Recall Expanded

VanLaw Food Products Inc. is expanding its recall (in late August) of Whole Foods Market 365 Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing because it contains undeclared Soy and Wheat allergens. The recall is being expanded to include Whole Foods Market 365 Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing with a BEST IF USED BY DATE of SEP 21 22 through JUN 06 23 and incorrect UPC Code 99482-49027.  The recalls were initiated when it was discovered the products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Soy and Wheat allergen. The problem was caused when the back label from another product was mistakenly put on the products being recalled.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/van-law-food-products-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-and-wheat-product-expanded
Van Law Food Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Product Expanded
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 23, 2022FDA 

Publish Date:September 23, 2022

Product Type:Food & Beverages

Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy & Wheat

Company Name:VanLaw Food Products Inc.

Brand Name:  Whole Foods Market 365Product 

Description:  Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing

MA Company Recalls Candy Corn for Undeclared Egg

Arcade Snacks of Auburn, MA is recalling its 15 ounce packages of Candy Corn because they may contain undeclared egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the egg-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg.

So is there an candy corn formulation that contains egg or was this a completely different product that was mislabeled?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/arcade-snacks-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-candy-corn
Arcade Snacks Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Candy Corn
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 23, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 23, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  Arcade Snacks
Brand Name:  Arcade Snacks
Product Description:  Candy Corn

CA Produce Processor Recalling Potato Product Because of Undeclared Egg

World Variety Produce, Inc. of Verona CA is recalling specific lots of Melissa’s Brand Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce due to an undeclared allergen egg.  It appears that the wrong sauce packet was placed in the master package.

World Variety Produce, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Select Lots of Melissa’s Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce Because it Contains Undeclared Egg Allergens | FDA
World Variety Produce, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Select Lots of Melissa’s Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce Because it Contains Undeclared Egg Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date: September 21, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 21, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Egg
Company Name:  World Variety Produce Inc.
Brand Name:  Melissa’s
Product Description:  Dutch Red Potatoes with Dijon Mustard Sauce

GA Company Recalls Various Fresh Salad Items After Positive Listeria Test

GHGA is recalling various products (see chart below) due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On 9/16/22 the firm was notified by their laboratory that a single sample of a product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

These products were packaged in clear plastic containers and sold primarily in Kroger stores on 9/11/22 in the produce or deli sections in the states of: Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. The Sell-by Date has expired, and products were previously removed from store shelves and are no longer for sale. However, products could still be in possession of consumers.

Renaissance Food Group, which operates under the name GH Foods, is located in Conley, Georgia. This organization primarily processes fresh refrigerated salads.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ghga-recalls-various-ready-eat-vegetable-products-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination
GHGA Recalls Various Ready-To-Eat Vegetable Products Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 20, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  September 20, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  GHGA
Brand Name:  GHGA
Product Description:  Ready-To-Eat Vegetable Products