USDA-FSIS Announces Stronger Measures for Listeria Verification in RTE Facilities

In the aftermath of the Listeria outbreak associated with deli meat from Boar's Head Virginia facility, UDSA-FSIS announced increased measures to help ensure that companies producing RTE meat and poultry items are controlling Listeria.

Testing for Listeria species for a broader look at Listeria control - Effective January 2025, FSIS will add broader Listeria species testing to all samples of ready-to-eat product, environmental and food contact surfaces. FSIS laboratories currently test these samples for Listeria monocytogenes, which is the specific type of Listeria species that causes illness. However, adding additional species testing to the agency’s regulatory framework will help provide more information about the effectiveness of a facility’s sanitation program and can signal to FSIS if follow up is needed (for example, a Food Safety Assessment, intensified sampling, or enforcement actions).

Improved instruction to inspectors - FSIS will update its instructions and training for food safety inspectors to better equip the workforce to recognize and highlight systemic problems in a standardized way. Agency inspectors will receive updated instructions and training, and FSIS field supervisors will routinely review these instructions with inspectors to ensure full understanding and appropriate application. Inspectors will also receive supplemental Listeria monocytogenes control training designed to help strengthen inspectors’ understanding of the regulatory requirements in FSIS’ Listeria Rule and how to verify establishments have designed and implemented food safety systems that comply with those requirements.

Full Inspections (FSAs) for RTE facilities - FSIS will conduct Food Safety Assessments (in-depth food safety reviews) at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities. In FY 2025, FSIS is prioritizing completion of Food Safety Assessments at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities that rely exclusively on sanitation measures to control for Listeria. These reviews will provide information about the plants individually and collectively and could inform future policy or process changes to target this microorganism.

Supervisor follow-up to these inspections (FSAs) - FSIS field supervisors will conduct in-person, follow-up visits when systemic issues are identified during a Food Safety Assessment. Follow-up visits by FSIS field supervisors will bolster oversight from more senior inspection staff to ensure a facility fully addresses issues identified during a Food Safety Assessment and could inform enforcement action by FSIS. Field supervisors will work with inspectors to ensure the facility stays in compliance.

Verifying risk factors for Listeria in facilities - FSIS inspectors will verify specific Listeria monocytogenes-related risk factors at ready-to-eat facilities weekly. These risk factors include changes in physical plant modifications, such as new construction; indicators of sanitation problems, such as condensation, roof leaks, damaged equipment, or cracked floors; and Listeria species or Listeria monocytogenes positive test results from company testing. FSIS district offices, agency field supervisors and inspectors will review, analyze and consider the weekly data from each facility to determine if there are systemic issues that warrant further action, such as a Food Safety Assessment, intensified sampling, or enforcement steps.

Work better with state inspected facilities - FSIS will clarify state and Federal requirements for consistent oversight of Talmadge-Aiken (TA) programs through updated cooperative agreements and instructions. 

Revise triggers that warrant action - FSIS will revise establishment-review alert triggers. One significant criterion used to guide a district office’s decision to conduct a Public Health Risk Evaluation (PHRE), which typically precedes a Food Safety Assessment, is a monthly list of facilities with higher rates of noncompliance related to public health that is generated using an algorithm

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/fsis-announces-stronger-measures-protect-public-listeria
FSIS Announces Stronger Measures to Protect the Public from Listeria monocytogenes

WASHINGTON, December 17, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced several new steps to strengthen the agency’s oversight of food processing facilities it regulates (meat, poultry and egg products) and ensure safe food. These steps reflect the agency’s continual effort to protect public health through science-based regulation, strong enforcement, and advancement of its prevention-first approach to eliminating foodborne illness.

Ohio Firm Recalls Salsa Product for Undeclared Yellow 5 and 6.

Jose Madrid Salsa of Zanesville, OH is announcing a voluntary recall of our Chipotle Con Queso Salsa. The salsa is being recalled because it contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which were not listed on the ingredient label. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to Yellow 5 or Yellow 6 run the risk of minor to serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.  

The problem was discovered during a routine inspection of the production facility by the Ohio Department of Agriculture acting on behalf of the FDA. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-jose-madrid-salsa-chipotle-con-queso
Recall of Jose Madrid Salsa Chipotle Con Queso
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 20, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  December 20, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Yellow 5 and Yellow 6
Company Name:  Jose Madrid Salsa
Brand Name:  Jose Madrid
Product Description:  Chipotle Con Queso Salsa

Retailer Recalls Imported Buttered Vegetables For Not Declaring Milk

 Lidl US is recalling all lots of their Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables 10.5 oz box UPC 4 056489 122876 due to undeclared milk allergen. The recall was issued due to undeclared milk in the products.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered by the FDA during an inspection that the labels did not list the allergen milk in the ingredient statement.  

Butter is listed on the label, but milk is not declared.  Product is imported from Germany.  This falls on the FSVP importer, in this case probably the retailer, to ensure that the product meets US regulatory standards.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lidl-recalls-taste-deutschland-buttered-vegetables-due-undeclared-milk-allergens
Lidl Recalls Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 20, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  December 20, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Vegetable Products  Allergens
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Lidl US
Brand Name:  Taste of Deutschland
Product Description:  Frozen Buttered Vegetables, Carrots, Peas, Cauliflower, & Corn

California Company Recalls Protein Powder After Allergic Reaction to Peanut

Orgain of Irvine, California is voluntarily recalling a single batch of its 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb because it may contain undeclared peanut residue.  The recall is limited to a single batch of 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb and was distributed nationwide both in retail stores and online.  Orgain has conducted a complete review of the production process for this batch and found no discrepancies. This voluntary recall was initiated out of an abundance of caution following a report of an allergic reaction from one consumer. No other illnesses have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/orgain-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-possible-undeclared-peanut-residue-single-batch-30g-protein
Orgain Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue in a Single Batch of 30G Protein Organic Plant Based Powder – Chocolate 2.01lb
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product may contain undeclared peanut
Company Name: Orgain
Brand Name:  Orgain
Product Description:  30g Plant Protein Complete Protein Powder – Chocolate

Potato Chip Product Recalled After Consumer Report

Frito-Lay today issued a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips that may contain undeclared milk, after being alerted through a consumer contact.  Since no illness / allergic reactions occurred, this must be a case where the wrong product was in the bag.  Frito-Lay has had numerous issues for allergens due to incorrect packaging. The company was issued a Warning Letter in 2020.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-limited-recall-undeclared-milk-lays-classic-potato-chips-distributed-oregon-and
Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall on Undeclared Milk in Lay’s Classic Potato Chips Distributed in Oregon and Washington
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 16, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  December 18, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item 
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Milk
Company Name:  Frito-Lay
Brand Name:  Lay’s
Product Description:  Potato Chip

Oklahoma Establishment Recalls RTE Meat Products Due to Undeclared Milk

Ralph's Packing Company, a Perkins, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen - product may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that the labels applied to the product did not include milk on the label

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/ralphs-packing-company-recalls-ready-eat-pork-and-beef-bologna-products-due
Ralph's Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Beef Bologna Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 – Ralph's Packing Company, a Perkins, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

Maryland Establishment Recalls Raw Pork Products Produced While Under Suspension

Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was performing surveillance activities at a retailer after notification that items may have been produced at a facility that had a suspended grant of inspection. After further investigation, it was determined that the items were produced without the benefit of FSIS inspection.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/impero-foods-meats-inc--recalls-raw-pork-sausage-products-produced-without-benefit
Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 – Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage 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.

Two Die From Fungal Infection After Handling Bat Poop to Be Used for Cannabis Fertilizer

Two men from Rochester, New York, who grew their own cannabis died from pneumonia after being exposed to a harmful fungus in bat poop they'd used as fertilizer for growing cannabis.  There are many articles online that call "bat guano a "natural superfood" for cannabis plants due to its high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus"

Both men were around 60 years old and had pre-existing conditions that may have made them more prone to infection.  "Histoplasmosis is a type of pneumonia caused by breathing in spores of H. capsulatum, a fungus found in soil and bird and bat droppings. In the lungs, H. capsulatum spores transform into mature yeast that can spread to other regions of the body via the bloodstream. However, the disease cannot spread between people or between people and their pets."


https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/bat-poop-used-to-grow-cannabis-kills-2-in-new-york-in-unusual-cases
Bat poop used to grow cannabis kills 2 in New York in unusual cases

News
By Emily Cooke 

12/16/24

CA Firm Recalls Various Snacks Due to Lack of Allergen Declarations on Labels

Cal Yee Farm LLC of Suisun Valley, California is recalling snack products including chocolate and yogurt covered products (Dark Chocolate Walnuts, Dark Chocolate Raisins, Dark Chocolate Almonds, Yogurt Coated Almonds and Dark Chocolate Apricots [sold under Cal Yee’s or Cal Yee Farm brands]), Tropical Trail Mix, Butter Toffee due to undeclared allergens.  The recall was initiated after an FDA inspection of our facility where it was discovered that products containing milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6 and almonds.

(photo credit - Tripadvisor Link)


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cal-yee-farm-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-soy-wheat-sesame-fdc-6-and-almonds-snack
Cal Yee Farm LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk, Soy, Wheat, Sesame, FD&C #6 and Almonds in Snack Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 12, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  December 14, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – almond, milk, soy, wheat, sesame, and FD&C #6
Company Name:  Cal Yee Farm LLC
Brand Name:  Cal Yee's, Cal Yee Farm, Boa Vista Orchards
Product Description:  Nut and snack products