Cookie Start-up Recalls Many Products After Recognizing that Allergen Labeling is Required

Chocolate and the Chip of Los Angeles, CA is recalling various flavors (see list below) including chocolate chip cookies, cookie bundt cakes and rice crispy treats because they may contain undeclared wheat, milk, soy, and tree nuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to specific type of allergens run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Basically, any of the products made with allergens.  Why?  Because I guess the owner missed the memo - distributed food products require allergen labeling.

"The recall was initiated after it was discovered that baked good products containing the allergens of wheat, milk, soy, and tree nuts were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of said allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a mistake made on the owners behalf and not having the proper protocol for distributing and labeling baked goods under the proper regulations."

After reading about this start-up, easy to see how it happens.  Company starts selling online where it is easier to go along without notice.  However, once local distribution begins, product on store shelves is much more noticeable.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chocolate-and-chip-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-allergens-bakery-products

Chocolate and the Chip LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens in Bakery Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 06, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared allergens (wheat, milk, soy, tree nuts)
Company Name:  Chocolate and the Chip
Brand Name:  Chocolate and the Chip
Product Description:  Bakery Products

Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Recalled for Allergens After Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Packaged in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Containers

Lynnfield, MA, is recalling 4,481 cases of Planet Oat Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Planet Oat Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert with a Best By date of 12/17/22, because it may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that some Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl product, which contains peanuts, was packaged in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough container, which does not contain the peanut allergen statement. The issue was discovered by a retail customer, which contacted Hood.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hp-hood-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-planet-oat-non-dairy-frozen-dessert-updated
HP Hood LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Planet Oat Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (Updated: Additional Locations)
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 12, 2022
FDA Publish Date: May 12, 2022
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared peanuts
Company Name: HP Hood LLC
Brand Name: Planet Oat
Product Description: Planet Oat Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Plant Oat Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl frozen dessert

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recalled After Packaging Filled with Cookies from a Formulation Containing Eggs

Primary Colors Design Corp of Ashland, OH is recalling Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box with UPC 84512050159 because it may contain undeclared egg allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookie Gables were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by inadvertently filling the box with another chocolate chip cookie, potentially exposing consumers to an undeclared allergen: egg.

As part of the companies Allergen Preventive Control, there must be a preventive control component that matches the exact formulation and the label.  When a company had different formulations of a similar product, in this case, 2 different chocolate chip cookies, it is too easy to make a mistake, and a single control will not be enough to ensure the safety of that labeled product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primary-colors-design-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-peppa-pig-chocolate-chip-cookies
Primary Colors Design Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg on Peppa Pig Chocolate Chip Cookies Gable Box
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 20, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg
Company Name:  Primary Colors Design Corp.
Brand Name:  Peppa Pig
Product Description:  Chocolate Chip Cookies

Flour Recalled As Investigators Try to Link to E. coli Outbreak

General Mills is recalling 10 million pounds of raw flour as federal and state agencies are investing 38 occurrences of E.coli infections across 20 states between December 21, 2015, and May 3, 2016.  The specific type of E. coli is E. coli O121, a non-O157 STEC, that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in more susceptible people, it can cause kidney damage.   In 2013, this organism was responsible for an outbreak linked to frozen chicken quesadilla, a product that required cooking.

The outbreak investigation showed that roughly half of the 38 people infected used flour, some of them stated using Gold Medal brand.  So far, the flour has not tested positive for the organism.

So how does E. coli get into flour?  Probably from the raw material.  One study looking at a large number of samples, found that 12.8% of flour samples found E. coli (not strain specific) in raw flour. 

Of course, if the products made from the flour are properly cooked, that cooking will destroy the organism. However, people do eat raw dough products, including cookie dough. Nestle raw cookie dough was involved in an E. coli outbreak in 2009 where people were probably eating raw cookie dough.   In a report of that incident, investigators were not able to find the actual source of the E. coli. And like that case, it is not likely that they will be able to find this strain of E. coli.From that report:

Despite extensive traceback and environmental investigations and testing by regulatory agencies and company A, the source and route of product contamination remains undetermined. Possible means of contamination include introduction of a contaminated ingredient during processing, a lapse in plant biosecurity measures, intentional contamination, or cross contamination with another food processed in the plant. Although the manufacturing plant is located in a rural area in the mid-Atlantic United States, investigators did not observe any obvious breach in biosecurity that would facilitate introduction of E. coli O157 into the facility from the outside. No significant food handling or safety violations were identified at the plant that could result in cross-contamination within the plant.

In the end, don't eat raw dough, including cookie dough.  Clean up as you go, washing up any spilt flour.




 FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm504235.htm
Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra, and Signature Kitchens Flour Recalled Due to Possible E. coli O121 Contamination

This Week in Allergen Related Recalls for Week Ending October 12, 2019

Mislabeled Shrimp Product - Fisherman’s Pride Processors Inc. of Vernon, CA is recalling 100 bags of Schwan’s Brand “Garlic Herb Shrimp” with date code 4A924608xx-B1 due to undeclared milk and soy.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Schwan’s Garlic Herb Shrimp #567 was found in cases labeled Schwan’s Shrimp Scampi #530. Subsequent investigation found packaging of Schwan’s Garlic Herb Shrimp #567 was used to package Schwan’s Shrimp Scampi #530.

Labeling Misses Nuts - California New Foods has expanded its voluntary recall of frozen cookie dough products due to a lack of labeling that addresses the potential for the products to contain peanut and walnut allergens.

Missing Milk and Egg on Label - Four Whole Foods Market stores in the Midwest region are voluntarily recalling White Parkerhouse Rolls because they may contain undeclared milk and egg

Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kits Recalled After Allergen 'Contains Statement' Misses Milk Although Listed in Ingredients

Wilton Industries, Inc. of Naperville, Illinois is initiating a voluntary recall of Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit due to a milk allergen missing from the “Contains” statement. The ingredient list on the package lists “Skim Milk Powder” as an ingredient, however the “Contains” statement did not include “Milk” as required. This labeling oversight was brought to the company's attention as a result of a consumer inquiry. Following our own internal review, we confirmed “Skim Milk Powder” was included in the ingredient list, but was not listed in the “Contains” statement.

So this is a label design issue.  While the ingredient statement lists the milk powder, someone forgot to add it in the allergen 'Contains' statement.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wilton-industries-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-ready-build-chocolate-cookie-bunny-hutch

Wilton Industries, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 25, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  March 28, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Wilton Industries, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wilton
Product Description:  Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Hutch Kit

Warning Letter Issued to Manufacturer of RTE Cookie Dough Contaminated with Listeria

FDA issued a warning letter to Aspen Hills, the manufacturer of ready-to-eat (RTE) cookie dough that was used in ice cream. Aspen Hills conducted a recall of the product after the FDA audit, and along with that, a number of manufacturers who used their product as an ingredient, also issued recalls, including Blue Bell.

FDA found 4 positive Listeria monocytogenes (LM) samples. They appear to be zone 2 and 3 samples. Interesting is that we see that the zone 3 samples - wheels and ladders - are typical types of samples that scream Listeria is on the move in the facility. From the report ((b)(4) redacted text):

• On the second stair/rung of the ladder well leading to the elevated control room. This ladder is adjacent to the (b)(4) used on the cookie dough (b)(4).
• On the wheels of the pallet jack used to move food products within the production room. The pallet jack was located in the (b)(4) of the production room adjacent to the (b)(4) at the time of sampling.
• On the basket located in the (b)(4), which is adjacent to the (b)(4) where the exposed cookie dough receives (b)(4).
• In the (b)(4), which is adjacent to the (b)(4) where the exposed cookie dough receives (b)(4).

FDA saw that the firm was seeing Listeria put was not aggressive in cleaning it up. The firm found 10 positive environmental LM samples and one positive product samples

"indicates that your firm is not taking aggressive action to identify harborage sites for L. monocytogenes, to deep clean your facility effectively, and to prevent finished product contamination."

The isolates from the facility were stated as all being genetically the same. This indicates an organism that has become well adapted to that facility.

• As far as GMP issues which would contribute to cross contamination:
• Spraying of the floor with hoses while product was not covered (1a)
• Residue on the floor with pallet jacks and forklifts running through it. (1b)
• Poor employee practices with regard to protecting clothing and boots from cross contamination. (1c)
• Sparying floor and drain with overspray hitting equipment (1d)
• Inadequate cleaning of a scale used to weigh pasteurized egg (2a)
• Rust and missing bolts on processing equipment (3)

Preventing these issues is the goal of FDA's new draft guidance for Listeria control in facilities that manufacture RTE products. It comes down to putting good practices in place, monitoring the environment and thus how well those practices are working, and then having a seek-and-destroy mentality with regard to Listeria.

FDA Warning Letter

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2017/ucm536757.htm

Aspen Hills, Inc. 1/10/17

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending December 17, 2020

Online Sales of Improperly Packaged Snack Sticks - The U.S. USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) pork snack stick products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product may contain milk which is not declared on the product label.   The RTE product labeled as “Country Meats HOT BBQ Flavor Smoked Pork Snack Sticks” may actually contain Chili Cheese flavor pork snack sticks and was produced on November 6, 2020. These items were sold online to individual customers who further sold the product as a fundraiser item. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment received consumer complaints reporting cheese in the Hot BBQ flavored snack sticks. 

Pecans in Cookies but Not on Label - George DeLallo Co., Inc. of Mt. Pleasant, PA is recalling Publix Bakery 20 OZ Holiday Cookie Platters because they may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the pecan-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

NY Company Recalls Gluten Free Cookies for Containing Gluten Due to Ingredient

Sweet Loren’s of New York, NY is voluntarily recalling a single lot code of Sweet Loren’s Sugar Cookie Dough 12oz, because it may contain traces of gluten in product labeled as gluten free.   This issue was identified through testing of the product in-house. The oat flour used was determined to have traces of gluten despite having documentation (COA) declaring it to be gluten free.

Can you rely just on a COA (certificate of analysis)?  Too often, receiving an acceptable COA is the extent of a company's supplier control program.  Clearly, this ingredient needs to be addressed with a Supplier Preventive Control.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sweet-lorens-inc-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-gluten-product
Sweet Loren’s, Inc Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert On Undeclared Gluten in Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 16, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  July 18, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Bakery Product/Mix  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared gluten
Company Name:  Sweet Loren’s
Brand Name:  Sweet Loren’s
Product Description:  Sugar cookie dough

Ohio Firm Recalls Cookie Bites for Undeclared Allergens

Eban’s Bakehouse is recalling all of its Sweet Indulgences cookie bites, packaged in 12-count, 11.85 oz boxes, due to undeclared milk and soy allergens. The labeling issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There have been no reports of illness involving the products addressed in this recall.

The issue is that ingredients were not investigated and associated allergens identified.  For example, butter is listed, but the allergen milk was not identified.  The soy coming with the soy lecithin used in chocolate.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ebans-bakehouse-issues-voluntary-recall-due-undeclared-milk-and-soy-allergens
Eban’s Bakehouse Issues a Voluntary Recall Due to Undeclared Milk and Soy Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 16, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk and soy
Company Name:  Eban’s Bakehouse
Brand Name:  Eban’s Bakehouse
Product Description:  Cookie Bites

Unfortunate Disconnect Between Supplier and Retailer Leads to Death Due to Undeclared Peanuts

Tragic stories bring home the importance of preventing simple errors such as getting proper labels on packages.  In a most recent case, a 25 year old world-class dancer "tragically lost her life due to anaphylactic shock resulting from a severe allergic reaction to a cookie manufactured by Cookies United and sold by the supermarket chain Stew Leonard's. The FDA and Stew Leonard's issued a recall of the Vanilla Florentine Cookies that were sold at Stew Leonard's in Danbury and Newington, CT from November 6 – December 31, 2023.  The cookie contained peanuts which were not listed as part of the ingredients."

Unfortunately for Steward Leonards, they were made aware of the inclusion of peanuts earlier in the year, but failed to update their label.  From Cookies United Press Release "Stew Leonard’s claimed in an earlier press release that “The cookies contain peanuts, which was an ingredient not disclosed to Stew Leonard’s by the manufacturer.” [bold is ours]  Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonard’s was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly.  This product is sold under the Stew Leonard’s brand and repackaged at their facilities.  The incorrect label was created by, and applied to, their product by Stew Leonard’s."

A very unfortunate disconnect between the supplier and the retailer.

FDA Warning Letter to Another Firm Experiencing Two Allergen Related Recalls

FDA issued a Warning Letter to George DeLallo company after the company experienced two allergen related recalls in a short period of time.   Here are two different operations, but experiencing a similar issue of placing the wrong labels on the machine.

Recalled "Holiday Cookie Platter product after notification from a customer that it was mislabeled. [The] recalled Holiday Cookie Platter product contains pecans that were not declared on the label. In documentation provided to the Office of Human and Animal Food Operations Division 2 East Recall Coordinator on December 5, 2020, [the firm] indicated that a supervisor placed the wrong roll of labels on the labeling machine and that the incorrect bottom label with the ingredients statement was used."

On November 24, 2020, [the firm] recalled Provolini Antipasti product labeled as Garlic Mushrooms after notification by a customer that it was mislabeled. [the] recalled Provolini Antipasti contains milk, but the label for Garlic Mushrooms that was applied to the bag does not declare milk. In documentation provided to the Division Recall Coordinator on December 1, 2020, [the firm]indicated that a line worker placed the wrong label on one side of the labeling machine.

Here is another example of FDA taking enhanced action against a firm experiencing two allergen-related recalls.

George DeLallo Company, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 612553 — MARCH 30, 2021

Cookie Dough Company Shuts Down in Light of Listeria Contamination Issue

Aspen Hills, the cookie dough manufacturer with a Listeria contamination issue has decided to shut its operations.  In October, Aspen Hills product was found to contain Listeria by Blue Bell.  The company announced a recall which caused a number of customer companies to announce recalls. At which time FDA conducted an investigation and later issued a Warning Letter.

The Des Moines Register
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2017/02/02/iowa-cookie-dough-supplier-shuts-down-after-listeria-outbreak/97401586/
Iowa cookie dough supplier shuts down after listeria outbreak
Associated Press 12:09 p.m. CT Feb. 2, 2017

FDA Warning Letter - Another Bakery Unaware of the Need to Comply with Preventive Controls Regulation

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a bakery / central kitchen in Alabama.  The bakery had no Preventive Control Plan, and with that, had no controls for hazards one would expect in that type of operation.  Additionally, they had GMP issues, primarily filth insects, facility issues, and sanitation issues.  Finally, there were labeling issues including not properly identifying allergens.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/pollmans-bake-shops-inc-586422-10092019
WARNING LETTER
Pollman's Bake Shops, Inc. 
MARCS-CMS 586422 — October 09, 2019

This Week in Allergen Related Recalls for Week Ending September 21, 2019

Chicken Meal With Soy Ingredient Labeled as Beef Meal Astrochef LLC., a Rockwall, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 11,475 pounds of frozen chicken pub style entrees labeled as beef pub style entrees due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when Conagra Brands received consumer complaints reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled.

Cake Item with Egg Mislabeled as Lemon Dessert Bars with No Egg - .Schwartz Brothers Bakery of Seattle, WA is recalling 24 units of Lemon Dessert Bars, sell by date 09/21/19, because it may contain undeclared Egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that some of the Lemon Pound Cake, which contain Egg, was mislabeled as Lemon Dessert Bars. The Lemon Dessert Bars label does not declare Egg.

Wrong Product Labeled as Gluten Free Product - Perdue Foods, LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 495 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The frozen ready-to-eat chicken products are labeled as gluten free chicken breast tenders but contain chicken nugget products. The problem was discovered when the company notified FSIS that they received two consumer complaints regarding the mislabeled product.

Peanut Butter Cookies Do Contain Peanut - Southeastern Grocers (SEG), the parent company of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarkets and Winn-Dixie stores, is issuing a voluntary recall for two 18-count cookie products sold in the bakery due to the inclusion of an undeclared allergen in the products.  The 18-count Variety Pack containing Peanut Butter Cookies and the 18-count Peanut Butter Cookie did not include peanut ingredients on the label.

Another Recall for Undeclared Peanut Allergens in Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Two Rivers Coffee of South Plainfield, NJ is voluntarily recalling its peanut butter single serve hot chocolate pods distributed as "Brooklyn Bean Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa", "Pingo Peanut Butter Cookie Hot Chocolate" and “Cold Stone Peanut Butter Cup Perfection” in 12 count, 40count, and 100 count boxes produced from January 2021 to November 2022, due to an undeclared peanut allergen in an ingredient from Two Rivers Coffee’s raw material supplier that was not disclosed to Two Rivers Coffee or its licensors.

This may be the same supplier that had peanut allergen issues that resulted in a similar recall last month.  (Jan 2023).  

It is always a good idea to track recalls and to investigate issues in your own facility when there are recalls related to what you do.

Two Rivers Coffee Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut Allergen in Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 30, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  January 31, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Two Rivers Coffee
Brand Name:  Brooklyn Bean
Product Description:  3 Flavors of Peanut Butter and/or Hot Cocoa Pods

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week ending September 22, 2018

No Allergen Declaration on Label - Purus Labs, Inc of Plano, Texas is recalling MyoWhey Chocolate Cookie Crunch,because it may contain undeclared milk and soy.  The recall was initiated after a routine inspection by the Texas Department of State Health Services determined that the product had been distributed without proper allergen labeling for milk and soy.

Wheat on Ingredient List but not Allergen Declaration - Lidl US has voluntarily recalled all Bellona brand “Milk Chocolate Flavored Coated Wafer with Hazelnut Crème Filling and White Chocolate Flavor” confections as a precautionary measure because the allergen statement does not include wheat.  Wheat flour is correctly listed as the second ingredient on the package, but the allergen statement does not include wheat alongside the properly declared allergens listed.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm621293.htm
Purus Labs Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Soy in MyoWhey
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2018

CDC lists Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks for 2011

CDC has updated their Multistate Foodborne Outbreak listing for 2011 (http://www.cdc.gov/outbreaknet/outbreaks.html). This is a nice reference page for reviewing major food outbreaks that have occurred over the past 6 years. (An outbreak, as defined by CDC is “When two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink”)

 A few things to note:

• This does not include recalled products – products recalled due to only the presence of pathogens (pathogens were detected in the product, but there were no illnesses reported). There have been many recalls that have occurred due to positive analysis for a pathogen, especially now with the Reportable Registry (http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/foodsafetyprograms/rfr/default.htm). And so it follows, it does not include recalls for allergens – the major cause for companies to conduct recalls.
• This list does not include single state outbreaks – so this list is manly large companies that produce products. This does not mean that smaller establishments do not have issues.
• A few items were actually not food, but rather pets (frogs and chicks/ducklings in 2011, and water frogs and frozen rodents, which are used to feed slithering pets, in 2010). One item was dog food, which we will count as food – you dog food eaters know who you are.
• There appears to be an increase in the number of entries each year on this listing. I don’t suspect things are getting worse, but rather detection and reporting are getting better.
• Of the 41 entries over the 6 year period where a cause can be found (dropping the pet related entries and the laboratory entry), fresh ground meat had 6 entries, alfalfa sprouts had 5, leafy greens had 5, and cantaloupe had 3.
• Salmonella related outbreaks accounted for roughly 2/3 of the entries. This is due to the wide prevalence of Salmonella in the enviornment.
• FDA regulated product entries accounted for 25 entries, USDA for 11, and I suspect that two of the outbreaks were from facilities that had both USDA and FDA oversight.
• Roughly 27 are what one would consider ready to eat (no required consumer cooking step). 14 entries were products would be considered products that required cooking, that if done sufficiently by the consumer, would have prevented illness (reasons why vary - cookie dough traditionally eaten raw, pot pies – poor cooking instructions, raw meat – no thermometer use).
• As a consumer, I avoid alfalfa sprouts, use a thermometer to cook my ground meat, really wash my cantaloupes, pray my chopped lettuce was not harvested from a farm located next to a cow barn, cook my cookie dough to have crunchy cookies, and refuse to buy my kids turtles, frogs, and snakes (that have to fed frozen rodents.) I have also ceased from eating dog food.

 Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks

 http://www.cdc.gov/outbreaknet/outbreaks.html

When two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is called a foodborne outbreak. Public health officials investigate outbreaks to control them, so more people do not get sick in the outbreak, and to learn how to prevent similar outbreaks from happening in the future.

CDC and partners ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to multistate foodborne outbreaks.

Outbreaks by Year

 2011

 · Ground Beef - Salmonella Typhimurium

 · Romaine Lettuce - Escherichia coli O157:H7

 · Kosher Broiled Chicken Livers - Salmonella Heidelberg

 · Turkish Pine Nuts - Salmonella Enteritidis

 · Jensen Farms Cantaloupes - Listeria monocytogenes

 · Ground Turkey - Salmonella Heidelberg

 · Whole, Fresh Imported Papayas - Salmonella Agona

 · African Dwarf Frogs - Salmonella Typhimurium

 · Alfalfa and Spicy Sprouts – Salmonella Enteritidis

 · Travel to Germany - Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O104

 · Chicks and Ducklings - Salmonella Altona and Salmonella Johannesburg

 · Microbiology Laboratories - Salmonella Typhimurium

 · Turkey Burgers - Salmonella Hadar

 · Lebanon Bologna - Escherichia coli O157:H7

 · Del Monte Cantaloupe - Salmonella Panama

 · Hazelnuts - Escherichia coli O157:H7

Edible Marijuana Being Tied to Suicide

A young man shot himself and the family is blaming legal edible marijuana.  This case, as well as two other deaths, come after the individual ate more than the recommended dose.

Hard not to see that there will be issues here when you put marijuana in the form of cookies or candy.  'One is tasty, and two are even tastier'....before you know it, you have exceeded what you should have eaten.  It is hard to regulate how much someone will eat unless you control the dosage in the food so that you would have to eat your fill before you achieve a maximum dosage.  Clearly, that may be an issue here.  I guess I just don't understand why you would want to put it in a form that is easy to over indulge.  Even more so, would be form that children may consume if left in a accessible location.

One misconception is that it is not the overdose killing the person (toxic affecting physical function) but the fact that when one overdoses, they act in a manner that may be harmful...that is, it affects mental function.  And each person may be different in how it affects them.



USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/26/marijuana-edibles-suicide/70503914/
Family thinks death of man was tied to edible pot
Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY 6:01 p.m. EDT March 26, 2015

KEYSTONE, Colo. — An Oklahoma man shot himself while on a ski vacation with his family, which blames his death on an overdose of marijuana-infused candy.

Luke Gregory Goodman, 22, of Tulsa, Okla., died Tuesday after two days on life support, officials said. Goodman ate the marijuana candies Saturday afternoon then shot himself about 10 p.m. MT, officials said.

An autopsy has not yet been completed, but the Summit County Coroner's Office said his death was "consistent with a suicide."

Toxicology reports are pending in Goodman's death. Goodman's family said he bought the legal edibles at a nearby marijuana store in this town about 60 miles west of Denver and ate five pieces, the equivalent of five doses.

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Ending June 2, 2018

Wrong Product Added to Packing Line - Sanders announced today that it is recalling its 3.75oz Milk Chocolate Covered Fudge Mini Bites because they may contain undeclared almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Almond-containing product was inadvertently added to a production line which was packaging product that did not contain Almonds. [Operational error]

Imported Product with Undeclared Milk - Brooklyn, NY importer is recalling its 16.5 oz packages of Cheese Biscuits because they may contain undeclared milk allergen.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the 16.5 oz packages of Cheese Biscuits which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

Consumer Allergic to Walnuts Triggers Recall - A CA company is recalling 20 cases of cookies because they may contain undeclared tree nuts. "To date there has been one reported case of an allergic reaction to the walnuts.The consumer who suffered the allergic reaction reported the incident to the FDA when it was discovered that the walnuts were not supposed to be in that product as they are not listed on the label as an ingredient or allergen. The reason behind the undeclared tree nut is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing, however, a breakdown in the companies mixing procedures or incorrect labeling is suspected."

Undeclared Sulfites on Dried Apricot - Global Commodities, Inc. of Hicksville, NY is recalling 1lb and 0.5lb packages of WATAN DRY FRUITS Brand Natural Dried Apricot with Pitt, because it contains undeclared sulfites.  The undeclared sulfites were found as a result of routine product testing conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Subsequently, investigation indicated the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. Production of the product has been suspended until the company is certain that the problem has been corrected.

Ingredient Testing Discovers Undeclared Milk Allergen - Divvies announced today a voluntary recall of its Benjamint Crunch Chocolate bars due to possible undeclared milk in the peppermint used in the bars. This issue was discovered through routine testing of ingredients.  [Supplier Error]


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm609628.htm
Sanders Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Fudge Mini Bites
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2018