Monday, November 2, 2015

Nebraska Establishment Recalls 167,000 lbs of Ground Beef After E. coli Positive Test Result

A Nebraska meat establishment is recalling approximately 167,000 lbs of ground meat after USDA found a positive sample in their 'in-commerce' testing.  There have been no reported illnesses.

USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-135-2015-release
All American Meats, Inc. Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall 135-2015
Health Risk: High Nov 1, 2015

Congressional and Public Affairs   Kristen Felicione  (202) 720-9113 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 01, 2015 – All American Meats, Inc., an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,427 pounds of ground beef products that may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Chipotle Shuts West Coast Locations After Linked to E. coli Outbreak

UPATE - 12-21-15 - CDC reports that a total of 53 people have become infected in 9 different states.  From the CDC report - "The number of ill people reported from each state is as follows: California (3), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (13), Pennsylvania (2), and Washington (27)."

Update - 11/4/15 - Reports have the total number of cases at 35 (as of Tuesday, 11/3) for those infected by E. coli O26.   


11/2/15
Chipolte restaurants closed 43 west coast restaurants because of a potential link to E. coli outbreak.  As of the Oct 31st, there were 22 reported illnesses.  The ingredient source of E. coli has not yet been identified.

This is the third major outbreak associated with the chain. In September, a California location was involved in a Norovirus outbreak where 80 individuals become ill.  In the same month, 22 locations were linked to 64 cases of Salmonella infection.  In this case, tomatoes were pinned as the source.

This has had a impact on the business as the stock price has dropped to a 4 month low.


Reuters Business News
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/us-chipotle-ecoli-idUSKCN0SQ2CE20151102
Chipotle shuts Seattle, Portland stores after E. coli outbreak

Sun Nov 1, 2015 10:59pm EST
Related: Health, Mexico
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES | By Ransdell Pierson and Lisa Baertlein
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc said on Sunday it had closed all its restaurants in two West Coast markets due to a reported outbreak of E. coli bacteria that is being investigated by the company and health authorities.

Juice Processor Ordered to Cease Operations for Lack of Compliance

An Idaho juice processor was ordered to cease production after not complying  with FDA regulations.  The juice processor was not heat pasteurizing, and according to juice regulations, there must be validated reduction steps in place.  Normally, juice processors use heat pasteurization to accomplish this.  It is unclear what, if anything, this processor was doing.

FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm470328.htm
FDA orders juice manufacturer to cease operations
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2015
Release

Friday, October 30, 2015

Apples Recalled Due to Positive Screen for One of Three Pathogens

A MN firm is recalling apples because a test indicates the presence of Listeria or Salmonella or E.coli.  So basically, they don't know which because who ever did the test ran a screen which looks for indicator genes for each of the three.

The recall was probably based upon a positive reaction of the test without the isolation of the actually pathogenic organism.  This is the problem with a screen - not sure which organism or it is just a false positive result.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470317.htm
Northstar Produce Inc. Recalls Granny Smith Size 175 Apples Because of Possible Health Risk

For Immediate Release  October 26, 2015

Contact Consumers Mike Abernathy 763-286-0110
Firm Press Release

Northstar Produce Inc.of St. Louis Park, MN the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. is recalling 33 cases of Granny Smith Size 175ct apples, because a test performed on a sample of the apples indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli.

Bagged Edamame Recalled Due to Allergen Labeling Deficiency...Contains Soy

Giant Foods is recalling frozen edamame because the allergen statement is not there...Contains Soy.   Of course edamame is soy, just the immature version still in the pods.  But some may not recognize this, and by regulation, the common name must be stated.

From the FDA Guidance Q&A document
Packaged foods that are made using soybeans as an ingredient or as a component of a multi-component ingredient (e.g., soy sauce or tofu) should continue to use the word "soybeans" as the appropriate common or usual name for this ingredient to identify properly the ingredient (e.g., "soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)").

 Centre Daily Times
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/10/30/4992035/giant-announces-edamame-recall.html
Giant announces edamame recall
By From CDT staff reports
October 30, 2015

Caution: soybeans contain soy.

A warning like this was left off some edamame, causing a Pennsylvania food chain to pull the product from shelves.

Giant Food Stores, LLC and Martin’s Food Markets announced Friday that it was removing Nature’s Promise Organic Edamame products because they contain soy, but it is not listed on the labels as containing the ingredient, which can cause problems for people with a specific allergy.

Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Sales Scam - Industrial Bleach as a Miracle Drink

A Washington man was sentenced to 51 months in prison for selling an industrial chemical as  Medical Miracle Solution, MMS.  The solution, as detailed by the authorities, was sodium chlorite.  According to reports, the directions had the consumer add citric acid to this which creates chlorine dioxide, a very strong oxidizing solution.  This type of mixture is used in a number of industrial applications including use as a sanitizing solution for food contact surfaces.  But not for direct consumption.  A number of people had reported becoming ill.

Peanut Butter Recalled Due to Potential Metal Pieces

Hormel is recalling 153 cases of 16.3 oz jars of Skippy Peanut Butter due to a potential for metal.  Metal pieces were found on an in-line magnet, which probably raised concern that some could have made its way to the jars. 

The interesting thing to note is that product was already shipped given that sufficient metal was found to raise concern.  Also 153 cases, about 3 pallets of product, would probably represent less than an hour of production.  These types of issues can arise for a number of reasons...just in time shipping where product is being shipped as it is made.   Another reason can be inadvertent shipping of product placed on hold because of fact there was an equipment malfunction where that product was placed 'on hold' because the malfunction resulted in metal pieces being generated as indicated by the in-line magnet. An indicator that this may have been the case is the production code / Best if Used By date...if this product had just been made, the code would probably be further out than next December.


FDA Recall Notice
Recall: Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470175.htm
Hormel Foods Sales LLC Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Number of Jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Metal Pieces
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2015