Dough Sheet Products Fail to State Wheat on the Label Resulting In Allergen Related Recall

Local Fixe LLC of Roseburg, Oregon is recalling Classic Lasagna Sheets, Soup Noodles, Dinner Rolls, Pie Dough, Squid Ink - Fettucine, and Fresh Flour Tortillas because it may contain undeclared wheat.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that products containing undeclared wheat or gluten were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat or gluten. 

The ingredient statement for the Classic Lasagna Sheets states:

Ingredients: Flour, Semolina, Egg, Water

The other labels are similar in that none of them state Wheat.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/local-fixe-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-classic-lasagna-sheets-soup-noodles-dinner
Local Fixe LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Classic Lasagna Sheets, Soup Noodles, Dinner Rolls, Pie Dough, Squid Ink – Fettucine, and Fresh Flour Tortillas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  December 22, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat
Company Name:  Local Fixe LLC
Brand Name:  Local Fixe LLC

FDA Warning Letter - Small Family-run Tortilla Company Still Does Not Have Food Safety Plan

What happens when the FDA gives you a chance to write your food safety plan and you don't do it - they issue you a Warning Letter.  Sarita's Tortilla Factory, Inc, a small company located in Eagle Pass TX had an inspection in July of 2019, during which, the company stated that they would write a Food Safety Plan.   During reinspection in July of 2021, there was no plan.   So FDA issued a Warning Letter to the company for not having a Food Safety Plan as required by regulation.

In addition, a number of GMPs were listed on the Warning Letter.  These include:

• Water was dripping from a ceiling with peeling paint onto a pallet of (b)(4)-(b)(4) bags of flour.
• Filth was present on metal air vents and fans located directly above RTE soft flour and corn tortillas.
• There were no procedures to ensure cleaning compounds and sanitizing agents are safe and adequate
• A live frog was inside the raw ingredients room, under a pallet of wheat flour. The frog was observed to enter the facility through a gap in the loading bay door.
• An unscreened door was open at the north side of the facility during the production of soft flour and corn tortillas.
• There were gaps along two screened doors located in your facility’s loading areas on the northeast side and west side of the building.
• An employee inserted an approximately 12-inch piece of splinted wood into corn tortilla dough 
• Used non-food-grade grease on tortilla production equipment.

From the company's Facebook page, it seems to be a very nice, small family run company that has been in business for at least four years.  But as we have seen with other small companies that move beyond retail sales into further distribution, they now fall under the Federal regulations. While GMPs must be adheere to for all food operations, the step up to writing and implementing a Food Safety Plan can be a challenge, but one that can be overcome, and needs to be overcome.  Or in this case, the company may file as a Qualified Facility, depending on the amount of sales. 

Sarita's Tortilla Factory, Inc - 617384 - 11/22/2021 | FDA
Sarita's Tortilla Factory, Inc

Crackers Recalled After Packaging Error Of Cheddar Crackers Packed into Wrong Boxes Results in Undeclared Dairy

Simple Mills, based in Chicago Illinois, is initiating a voluntary recall because a select number of Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Cracker boxes were erroneously packed with bags of Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible allergen (milk). 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/simple-mills-issues-voluntary-recall-select-number-lots-fine-ground-sea-salt-almond-flour-crackers
Simple Mills Issues Voluntary Recall on a Select Number of Lots of Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers Due to the Presence of Undeclared Milk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 06, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Simple Mills
Brand Name:  Simple Mills
Product Description:  Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers

Allergen Free Tiger Nut Flour Gains Popularity as Wheat Flour Alternative

Tiger nut flour is gaining popularity as an gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. Actually, it is not a nut either, so it is allergen free. So what is tiger nut flour?

Tiger nut or chufa is a tuber from the plant Cyperus esculentus. This tuber is ground and sifted to produce a flour said to have favorable characteristics. Chufa is an ancient food source originating in the Eastern Hemisphere, primarily Africa. In the Western Hemisphere, it has been considered an invasive weed in certain areas.

"Tiger nut flour is rich in calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc, vitamins C and E and folic acid, as well as unsaturated fats and proteins. It is low in carbohydrates, which makes it ideal for Paleo and Ketogenic diets, and is high in fiber and antioxidants."

"Tiger nut flour is ideal for gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, vegan, keto and paleo diets and can be cooked, baked or fried. While the moist, chewy texture is ideal for a number of applications and recipes, the milky sugary taste is perfect for baked goods as well as sweet breads and tart shells and can be used to add ‘bulk’ to no-bake treats."

And you can even make beer from Chufa.

Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2021/08/31/five-reasons-why-tiger-nut-flour-is-the-trendiest-alternative-flour/
Five Reasons Why Tiger Nut Flour Is The Trendiest Alternative Flour

Tiger nut (or chufa nut) flour, which is ground from tubers that grow on the yellow nutsedge plant, is gaining popularity globally as the perfect substitute for wheat flour, given its gluten-free properties, its status as a super food and its natural sweet taste. The flour, which is made by grinding tiger nut tubers and sieving the powder through a fine screen, acts like almond flour, adding moisture and chewiness but with a sweeter taste.

CDC Investigate E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix

The CDC is investigating an outbreak of pathogenic E. coli, strain O121, that has been linked to cake mix. To this point, there have been 16 illness with 7 of those being hospitalized.  Sick people range in age from 2 to 73 years, with a median age of 13, and 100% are female. 

The key here....do not eat raw cookie dough.  Cookie dough must be cooked per directions.   Along with that, carefully clean up surfaces and equipment after use.  Remember that the raw flour on surfaces can be potentially contaminated.

E. coli infection is nothing to mess with.  It can lead to bloody diarrhea, high fever, and worse, can produce a toxin that is detrimental to the kidney.

CDC Investigation Notice
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix | CDC
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Cake Mix
Posted July 28, 2021
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 16
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 0
States: 12
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active

Investigation Details
July 28, 2021
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to cake mix.

Baby Food Manufacturer Recalls Rice Cereal, Decides to Discontinue Product Line

"Beech-Nut Nutrition today has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal. This recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the State of Alaska which found that samples from that production lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal tested above the guidance level for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic set by the FDA in August 2020, though the rice flour used had been tested and confirmed as being below the FDA guidance level for inorganic arsenic."

"FDA has recognized that trace elements such as these are widely present in the environment, including water, soil and food; and has also stated that exposure to elevated levels of naturally occurring inorganic arsenic can pose a health hazard to young children."

"In addition to issuing the voluntary recall, Beech-Nut has also decided to exit the market for Beech-Nut branded Single Grain Rice Cereal. Beech-Nut is concerned about the ability to consistently obtain rice flour well-below the FDA guidance level and Beech-Nut specifications for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/beech-nut-nutrition-company-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-beech-nut-single-grain-rice-cereal-and
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company Issues a Voluntary Recall of One Lot of Beech-Nut Single Grain Rice Cereal and Also Decides to Exit the Rice Cereal Segment
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  June 08, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Presence of Inorganic Arsenic above Guidance Levels
Company Name:  Beech-Nut
Brand Name:  Beech-Nut
Product Description:  Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal

Flour Recalled for Salmonella After An Issue Identified by Company in Europe

Tiger Nuts Inc of Newburgh, New York is recalling 200 Kilo’s (440 lbs) of its Tiger Nuts Flour which was sold in 1 Kilo Boxes (2.2 lbs) at 1 retail store in Bend and Corvallis Oregon, 1 retail store in Liberty Missouri, and 3 online bakers, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella,  Tiger Nuts Inc was notified by their Spanish growers Tiger Nuts S.L. in Valencia Spain that a customer in Germany had reported Salmonella content in their Tiger Nuts extra fine flour. The supplier Tiger Nuts S.L. and the German customer are continuing to investigate the occurrence and are keeping us updated. The specific we received in November 2020 was completely sold through by January 2021. And at this time there have been zero illnesses reported to date, as of 5/27/2021.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tiger-nuts-inc-recalls-tiger-nuts-flour-kilos-22-lbs-because-possible-health-risk
Tiger Nuts Inc. Recalls Tiger Nuts Flour in Kilo’s (2.2 Lbs) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Tiger Nuts Inc.
Brand Name:  Tiger Nuts
Product Description:  Tiger Nuts Flour

Cicadas Posed to Return This Year in Northeast, Are You Ready to Make Them Into a Snack?

Many of the northeastern states will experience the reemergence of Brood X of Cicadas  this year after 17 years underground.  In those areas with high number of insects, the sound can be deafening.  However, some suggest that we look beyond their high pitched sound, their creepy red eyes, and their erratic flying (as they crash into your windshield), and consider them as a food.  You can fry them, grind them into flour, or put them on pizza.  Think of them if you will as flying shrimp.   While one chef describes them as having an asparagus flavor, another person said they have a "buttery texture, a delicious, nutty flavor" and suggest pairing with merlot.

So how about some volunteers prepare up some dishes and report back to us!  With pictures of course.

What is a cicada?  https://youtu.be/EWr8fzUz-Yw

https://apnews.com/article/eating-brood-x-cicadas-bfd249381c3947b3881a8f0bd19e6ead
Freaked by cicada swarms? You could just stick a fork in ’em
By MARK KENNEDY
May 19, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — Cicadas are poised to infest whole swaths of American backyards this summer. Maybe it’s time they invaded your kitchen.

Swarms of the red-eyed bugs, who are reemerging after 17 years below ground, offer a chance for home cooks to turn the tables and make them into snacks.

CDC MMWR - 2019 Multistate Outbreak of Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Raw Flour

CDC released a report in MMWR on the 2019 E. coil O26 outbreak linked to raw flour.

"Twenty-one cases were reported from nine states. The median age of patients was 24 years (range = 7–86 years); 71% were female. Three patients were hospitalized, and none died. Among 13 patients asked about flour exposures, six reported eating, licking, or tasting raw homemade dough or batter during the week before illness onset. Three patients reported eating raw dough or batter made with the same grocery store brand of all-purpose flour, including a patient who reported eating raw dough at a bakery in Rhode Island. Overall, of 18 patients with store information, 11 reported shopping at this same grocery store chain."

"Flour is increasingly recognized as a cause of STEC outbreaks (1–5). Raw flour is not a ready-to-eat product, and this outbreak highlights the continuing risk for illness associated with consumption of flour and raw dough or batter."

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7016a4.htm
Notes from the Field: Multistate Outbreak of Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Raw Flour — United States, 2019
Weekly / April 23, 2021 / 70(16);600–601
Michael Vasser, MPH1,2; Jonathan Barkley, MPH3,4; Adam Miller, MS3,5; Ellen Gee6; Katherine Purcell7; Morgan N. Schroeder, MPH1; Colin Basler, DVM1; Karen P. Neil, MD1 (View author affiliations)

Ohio Nut Company Recalls Crunchy Roasted Cheddar and Jalapeno Flavored Nuts for Undeclared Milk

Wolfies Roasted Nut Co. in Findlay, Ohio is voluntarily recalling its Crunchy Cheddar & Jalapeno Nuts due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall has been initiated due to the ingredient label not stating a milk allergen. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

On the Wolfies company website, it looks as though milk is listed in the ingredient statement

Crunchy Roasted Cheddar & Jalapeno

NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Ingredients: Peanuts, water, flour, sugar, soy sauce, cayenne pepper, jalapeno pepper, salt,
onion, garlic. Cheddar Cheese (milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), whey, partially hydrogentated
soybean oil, maltodextrin, reduced lactose whey, disodium phosphate, Blue Cheese (milk, salt,
cheese cultures, enyzmes), nonfat dry milk, citric acid, artificial color (yellow #5, yellow #6). No preservatives

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wolfies-roasted-nut-co-issues-voluntary-recall-its-crunchy-cheddar-jalapeno-nuts
Wolfies Roasted Nut Co. Issues Voluntary Recall of its Crunchy Cheddar & Jalapeno Nuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date: April 23, 2021
FDA Publish Date: April 23, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name: Wolfies Roasted Nut Co.
Brand Name: Wolfies Roasted Nut Co.
Product Description: Crunchy Cheddar & Jalapeno Nuts

Rice Crisps Recalled Due to Undeclared Soy

The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., today issued a voluntary recall for 3.03 oz. bags of Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor because they may contain undeclared soy ingredients.

While no reason for the issue was listed, these issues can often be related to a mis-formulation by the company or by an ingredient by the supplier.

The ingredient statement from the company's website states

Ingredients: Whole grain brown rice flour, degerminated milled corn, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, dry whey, brown sugar, onion powder, molasses, buttermilk powder, yeast extract, spices, tomato (dried), garlic powder, citric acid, natural flavor, tocopherols (preservative), paprika (color), gum arabic.
CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-oats-company-issues-voluntary-recall-quaker-rice-crisps-sweet-barbecue-flavor-due-undeclared

The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor Due to Undeclared Soy Issue
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 01, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  May Contain Undeclared Soy Ingredients
Company Name:  The Quaker Oats Company
Brand Name:  Quaker
Product Description:  Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Whole Foods for Ongoing Series of Allergen Recalls

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Whole Foods after a long series of recalls. FDA cited 32 recalls over the past year. (Certainly, it is about time.)

"These recalls demonstrate that your corporation engaged in a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products. For the time period of October 2019 to November 2020, your firm recalled 32 food products due to undeclared allergen(s). We noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls for undeclared allergens in previous years as well."

Here is a sampling of the reasons why allergen labeling errors occurred.

• F‐0925‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your internal labeling system for the repackaging of food products was not updated to reflect the current ingredient listing for the product.
• F‐0408‐2020 - contract manufacturer packaged a Butter Cookies & Sweet Cream Italian Gelato product with the incorrect Raspberry Cheesecake Italian Gelato label thereby causing the product to have the incorrect ingredient declaration and undeclared egg.
• F‐0131‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your retail employees applied a label which did not reflect the ingredient listing on the manufacturer’s label. This caused the product to have undeclared milk and eggs.
• F‐1048‐202 -  mislabeling occurred because the ingredient statement, which included almond flour, on the master carton was not fully transferred to the scale label used for the individual containers.
• F‐1354‐2020 to F‐1362‐2020 -  mislabeling occurred because not all of your regions had updated their scale ingredient statement to include the egg allergen. This caused the product to have undeclared eggs.

It comes down to this.....the mass retailer buys and sells a lot of specialty products.  Information must be passed from the manufacturer down through to the distribution centers and stores (wherever the items are labeled,  often use print-on-demand label printers).  If communication and technology input procedures are not tight, there is a lot of room for error.  But not impossible, as many other retailers do the same thing with far fewer issues.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/whole-foods-market-610862-12162020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Whole Foods Market
MARCS-CMS 610862 — December 16, 2020 

China - Nine People Dead After Consuming Noodles Made From Fermented Corn Flour Contaminated with Toxin from Burkholderia gladiol

In China, nine people died after eating noodles made from contaminated corn flour. The flour was found to contain the toxin bongkrekic acid which is produced by bacterium Burkholderia gladioli.

Bongkrekic acid, or BA, is a highly toxic compound that inhibits the enzyme ADP/ATP translocase, the enzyme that exchanges ATP and ADP across the mitochondrial membrane. The toxin is preformed in the food. It is said to be an issue in fermented coconut fiber and corn flour. "Bongkrekic acid production depends on two distinct and sequential environmental conditions: those that support bacterial growth and proliferation, followed by those that favor BA production .Bongkrekic acid is produced in warm environments (22–30 °C) with a neutral pH, the same conditions under which tempe is made. Production is also dependent on the presence of fatty acids, particularly those found in coconut and corn"

A similar foodborne illness outbreak occurred in 2015 in Mozambique when after consuming pombe, a traditional alcoholic beverage product, during a funeral event, 230 became sick and 75 died, In this case, the provider of the pombe used corn flour that had previously gotten wet.

Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/family-members-die-homemade-noodles-1541320?amp=1
9 Family Members Die After Eating Year-Old Homemade Noodles

Pillsbury Releases Raw Cookie and Brownie Dough Products that Can Safely Be Eaten Raw

General Mills and their Pillsbury division announced they their refrigerated raw cookie dough and brownie dough are now safe to eat raw (on those packages marked as such). This comes due to the "move to use heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs, creating a unique product that families can enjoy baked or straight from the package."

Cookie and brownie dough traditionally contain flour and eggs, two raw materials that can contain microbial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. These pathogens have led to cases of foodborne illness when that product was eaten raw. But by using pretreated eggs and flour, the product is designed to be safe when eaten raw, that is, before cooking by the consumer.

One of the difficulties has been creating a product where the pretreatment does not affect the functionality of the ingredients so that the product comes out the same as it did with the untreated ingredients.

General Mills
https://www.generalmills.com/en/News/NewsReleases/Library/2020/July/Pillsbury-brings-childhood-dreams-to-life
News Releases
Jul 27, 2020
Pillsbury brings childhood dreams to life: Cookie and brownie dough now ‘safe to eat raw’

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending July 31, 2020

Whole Foods issued two allergen-related recalls this week, both with print-on-demand labels going onto product in plastic clamshell packaging.

• Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Kouign-amann pastries in 35 stores across Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and Utah due to undeclared eggs. 
• Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Chantilly Key Lime Tartlets from stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island due to an undeclared tree nut (almond) allergen.

While no reason was listed, one would guess that the ingredient statement had not been properly added into the database from which the label machine pulls the data.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-kouign-amann-pastries-issued-select-whole-foods-market-stores-seven
Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg In Kouign-Amann Pastries Issued By Select Whole Foods Market Stores In Seven States
Summary

FDA Guidance to Allow Minor Label Modifications During Pandemic

The FDA issued a guidance document to provide additional temporary flexibility in food labeling requirements to manufacturers and vending machine operators.  Manufacturers can make minor formulation changes in certain circumstances without making conforming label changes, such as making a change to product ingredients, without updating the ingredient list on the packaged food when such a minor change is made.  The goal is to help move into the retail sector that was geared to go to the foodservice or other sector.
The change or modification cannot have an impact on the following:

• Safety: the change cannot affect safety, so allergens still must be correct  - "the ingredient being substituted for the labeled ingredient does not cause any adverse health effect (including food allergens, gluten, sulfites, or other foods known to cause sensitivities in some people, for example, glutamates);" 
• Quantity: The same amount must be there - "generally present at 2 percent or less by weight of the finished food;"
• Prominence: The product must still be the same - one can't label pepperoni pizza as sausage pizza - "the ingredient being omitted or substituted for the labeled ingredient is not a major ingredient in the product;"
• Characterizing Ingredient: one can't leave the pepperoni off the pepperoni pizza - the ingredient being omitted or substituted for the labeled ingredient is not a characterizing ingredient; for example, omitting raisins, a characterizing ingredient in raisin bread;"
• Claims: an omission or substitution of the ingredient does not affect any voluntary nutrient content or health claims on the label;  
• Nutrition/Function: an omission or substitution of the labeled ingredient does not have a significant impact on the finished product, including nutritional differences or functionality. 

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-temporary-flexibility-policy-regarding-certain-labeling-requirements-foods-humans
FDA Announces Temporary Flexibility Policy Regarding Certain Labeling Requirements for Foods for Humans During COVID-19 Pandemic
Constituent Update
May 22, 2020

FDA Warning Letter - A RTE Bakery in Puerto Rico

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a ready-to-Eat (RTE) bakery products manufacturing facility located in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

The facility did not conduct a hazard analysis for any products to identify and evaluate known or reasonably foreseeable hazards for each type of food manufactured or processed.  And with that, they did not have a implemented a food safety plan or any preventive controls.

There were a host of GMP observations including:

• Pest issues
• Did not have good allergen control for equipment and utensils during use, with cleaning and in storage.  
• Handwashing issues
• Plant cleanliness
• Water-related issues

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/sweet-ann-cake-inc-590155-10292019
Sweet Ann Cake, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 590155 — October 29, 2019

MSG Added to Popular Chicken Sandwiches

The fast food chains are battling it out on the chicken sandwich front, and with news that McDonald is testing a new chicken sandwich, it was revealed that the top chicken sandwiches (Chick-fil-a and Popeyes) are using MSG - monosodium glutamate - as a flavor enhancer. Over the past years, MSG has garnered a bad reputation for causing headaches in people who are sensitive. It is also said to trigger migraines, those intense throbbing headaches that can last a day or so.

Many companies have removed MSG from their product labels years ago (although replaced by natural substitutes actually containing MSG), so it is surprising to find MSG in these popular chicken sandwiches.

MSG is naturally present in many foods and as an ingredient, it adds savory flavor or 'umami'. "Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of the common amino acid glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is naturally present in our bodies, and in many foods and food additives"

FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies with such individuals given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not been able to consistently trigger reactions."

"FDA requires that foods containing added MSG list it in the ingredient panel on the packaging as monosodium glutamate. However, MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate, as well as in tomatoes and cheeses. While FDA requires that these products be listed on the ingredient panel, the agency does not require the label to also specify that they naturally contain MSG. However, foods with any ingredient that naturally contains MSG cannot claim “No MSG” or “No added MSG” on their packaging. MSG also cannot be listed as “spices and flavoring.”

Meatingplace

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/89734
Industry News - PM
Chicken sandwich wars may heat up as McDonald’s tests MSG
By Chris Scott on 1/14/2020

The ongoing tests of fried-chicken sandwiches by McDonald’s Corp. reportedly are being conducted with a flavor enhancer the fast-food giant does not use in its other food items: monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG.

More Flour Recalled Due to Potential E. coli Contamination

Two companies, UNFI and Hodgson Mills, recalled 5lb bags of flower due to potential E. coli contamination.  The Hodgsen products is linked to the ADM recall - "This lot of flour was milled at an ADM Milling Facility in St Louis, MO and repacked at Hodgson Mill, Inc. facility in Effingham, IL and was distributed by Hodgson Mill through retailers and distribution nationwide and sold through our website www.hodgsonmill.com"

No illnesses have been reported.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unfi-voluntarily-recalls-wild-harvestr-organic-all-purpose-flour-unbleached
UNFI Voluntarily Recalls Wild Harvest® Organic All-Purpose Flour, Unbleached
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 27, 2019
FDA Publish Date:November 27, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential E.coli Contamination
Company Name:UNFI
Brand Name: Wild Harvest
Product Description: Organic All-Purpose Flour

King Arthur Adds Additional Lots to Flour to E. coli Recall from Early October

King Arthur is forced to expand it recall of flour again as it supplier, ADM Milling, notified the company that three additional product lot codes of 5lb bags of unbleached all-purpose flour were omitted on the original date provided.  This comes after a month from the expanded recall date of October 3, 2019.  The earlier recall was due to positive E. coli O26 testing in a sample.  There have been no illnesses.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/king-arthur-flour-updates-three-lot-codes-voluntarily-recalled-unbleached-all-purpose-flour-5-lb
King Arthur Flour Updates Three Lot Codes of Voluntarily Recalled Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb.)
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 01, 2019 

FDA Publish Date: November 01, 2019

Product Type: Food & Beverages 

Reason for Announcement: E. coli O26
Company Name:King Arthur Flour, Inc.

Brand Name: King Arthur Flour
Product Description:  Unbleached All-Purpose Flour