FSMA Rule for Sanitary Transport of Food - Summary

FDA issued the final rule for the sanitary transport of food.  The final rule applies to shippers, receivers, loaders and carriers who transport food in the United States by motor or rail vehicle.
It is important that companies evaluate their own shipping, and if using third party shippers, that those trucking companies are in compliance.  This will apply to USDA product.

Key Provisions:

1. The design and maintenance of vehicles and transportation equipment to ensure that it does not cause the food that it transports to become unsafe.
2. Measures taken during transportation to ensure food safety -
   Including adequate
• temperature controls,
• preventing contamination of ready to eat food from touching raw food,
• protection of food from contamination by non-food items in the same load or previous load, and protection of food from cross-contact (including the unintentional incorporation of a food allergen.)
3. Training of carrier personnel in sanitary transportation practices and documentation of the training when the carrier is responsible for sanitary conditions during transport.  (FDA plans to have an on-line training program).
4. Maintenance of records of written procedures, agreements and training (required of carriers). The required retention time for these records not exceed 12 months (depending on the type of record.

Key Exemptions:

• Shippers, receivers, or carriers engaged in food transportation operations that have less than $500,000 in average annual revenue
• Transportation activities performed by a farm
•  Transportation of food that is completely enclosed by a container except a food that requires temperature control for safety
• Food shipped through the US but not consumed in US.

Compliance - one year, for small companies, two years.

   

 

FDA - FSMA

Fact Sheet

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm383763.htm

FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food

 

Complete Rule in PDF

 https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-07330.pdf

    

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food is now final, advancing FDA’s efforts to protect foods from farm to table by keeping them safe from contamination during transportation. The earliest compliance dates for some firms begin one year after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.

Roasted Red Peppers Recalled Due To Consumer Complaints on Glass Pieces

Cans of roasted red pepper strips are being recalled due to the possible presence of glass pieces.  The recall comes after the firm received complaints. There have been no injuries.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493852.htm
Roland Foods, LLC, Initiates A Voluntary Recall Of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips Due To The Possible Presence Of Glass In The Product
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016

Contact Consumers Consumer Hotline 800.221.4030 ext. 222

Announcement
View Product Photos


Roland Foods, LLC, of New York, NY, in cooperation with the manufacturer in Peru, is initiating a voluntary recall of specific lots of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips due to the possible presence of glass fragments in the product, therefore posing a potential health hazard.

Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips were distributed nationwide and to Canada to food distributors, food service customers, and super market chains for further distribution or use.

The following product is subject to the voluntary recall:
Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips, NET Wt. 5 LB. 8 OZ. can
Item #: 45628
Lot #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
UPC #: 10041224456287 (carton) and 041224456280 (can)
Pack Size: 6 x 5 LB. 8 OZ. cans per shipping carton
Production Codes (code is ink jet printed on the top of the can):
G1 MSS 1 P0929 and G1 MSS 2 P0929
Carton Markings:
ITEM 45628
LOT #s: 427, 428, 432, 437
Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips
Roland®
UPC 10041224456287

No other sizes of Roland® Fire Roasted Red Pepper Strips or products are affected by the voluntary recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after the firm received customer complaints of glass in the product. The recalling firm has notified the manufacturer of the findings in order to conduct an investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers can visit www.rolandfood.com, or contact its Consumer Hotline at 1-800.221.4030 ext. 222, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm EST, for further information about the voluntary recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product.

Cashew Products Recalled for Potential for Small Glass Pieces

Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is recalling for a limited amount of Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces product,  due to the possible presence of small glass pieces.  The glass pieces were believed to have come in on the incoming product. 

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493872.htm
Snyder's-Lance Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of Emerald® Cashew Roasted & Salted Halves & Pieces Due to Potential Presence of Glass
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016

Contact
Consumers Consumer Affairs  http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/  503-364-0399
Announcement
View Product Photos


Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall for a limited amount of Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces product, distributed nationwide, due to the possible presence of small glass pieces. This voluntary recall covers only specific production codes of the following product:

Emerald® 100 Calorie Pack Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 7 Packs / 0.62oz

No injuries have been reported to date. We are recalling these products because they may contain small pieces of glass that could potentially cause injury. Although our investigation is ongoing, we believe the source of the glass to be the raw cashews received from one of our suppliers under a specific lot code.

We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution after receiving a consumer complaint.

Consumers who may have purchased the product listed above should not consume it but should contact Consumer Affairs for a full refund online at http://www.emeraldnuts.com/contact-emerald/ or by calling 503-364-0399 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time, Monday – Friday.

The voluntary recall is limited to the production codes listed below. To locate the production code on the carton or inner package, consumers should look next to the nutrition facts panel. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of Emerald products are affected by this recall.

Information regarding Emerald product affected by this recall:

Product NameRetail Carton UPC CodeRetail Carton Best Before DateInner Package UPC CodeInner Package Production Code
Emerald 100 Calorie Packs Roasted & Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces 0 10300 33324 1 12 DEC 16
13 DEC 16
18 DEC 16
21 DEC 16 0 10300 33399 9 15346D346S
15347D346S
15352D346S
15355D346S


The quality and safety of our products are the top priority for our company. We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this recall. We are working and cooperating fully with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration on this voluntary recall.

Frozen Broccoli Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

 Alimentos Congelados, S.A. (Pinula) is recalling bagged frozen broccoli from 11 states after the Ohio Department of Agriculture tested and found positive a sample for Listeria monocytogenes. 
The Wylwood brand is an exclusive brand of Save-A-Lot, a discount grocery chain.  Alimentos Congelados is a Guatemalan company.

Frozen broccoli would be blanched prior to freezing, which should eliminate Listeria.  The Listeria in this case would be post-process contamination.  It is not know to us whether this product was packed overseas, never the less, it would be important for the processing facility to have an active Listeria control program.  This product would generally be cooked by the consumer, which if done sufficiently, would eliminate the Listeria.

If imported product, then this should put attention on supplier control and that supplier's ability to control Listeria in the post-blanching environment with attention on eliminating sources of cross-contamination, practicing proper sanitation, and conducting monitoring.


 


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493849.htm
Alimentos Congelados, S.A. Recalls Frozen Broccoli Cuts Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016

Contact
Consumers  Consumer Affairs 1-800-888-4646

Announcement
View Product Photos


Alimentos Congelados, S.A. (Pinula) is voluntarily recalling 1,800 cases of Frozen Broccoli Cuts because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Frozen Broccoli Cuts were distributed to stores in the following states: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The affected Frozen Broccoli Cuts were distributed in poly bags under the following label and code:
WYLWOOD Fresh Frozen Broccoli Cuts, NET WT. 16 OZ (1 LB), UPC 5193300110, with bag code: A25335P and A15335P

The company has not received any complaints in relation to this product and is not aware of any illnesses associated with the product to date.

The recall was the result of retail package of Frozen Broccoli Cuts being tested by the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Frozen Broccoli Cuts had tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes. The company has ceased distribution of Frozen Broccoli Cuts, and is fully cooperating with regulatory agencies.

Consumers who purchased the Frozen Broccoli Cuts are urged not to consume this product and throw it away. Consumers requiring refund or with questions can contact the company at 1-800-888-4646 and ask for Consumer Affairs Monday thru Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00 PM EST.

FDA Proposes Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Cereals

FDA has proposed a limit of 100 ppb of inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.  The cereals that had been tested (400) were all within this limit.

The FDA found that inorganic arsenic exposure in infants and pregnant women can result in a child’s decreased performance on certain developmental tests that measure learning, based on epidemiological evidence including dietary exposures. 

 
FDA Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm493740.htm
FDA proposes limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal
Agency releases new data and scientific assessment on arsenic in rice, provides advice for pregnant women and infants
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2016

Report on FDA Import Refusals

A report issued by USDA Economic Research Service on FDA import refusals shows that seafood, vegetables and fruits are the items that are most often rejected at port of entry.  FDA physically inspects about 1% of food, but uses a risk based approach to hopefully best utilize its limited resources to focus on real issues.

 

Regarding food safety issues, we look to those products that were rejected due to adulteration.  A few key points gleaned from the document:

• Violations for pathogen/toxin adulteration were highest for fishery and seafood products in both 1998-2004 and 2005-13. Spices, flavors, and salts had the second largest number of pathogen/toxin violations per year in 2005-13.
• The most frequent violation in 2005-13, by far, in the pathogen/toxin adulteration category was for the presence of Salmonella. The most Salmonella violations were in fishery and seafood products (42.0 percent of total), followed by spices, flavors, and salts (33.2 percent). 
• Listeria was the second-most common violation for pathogen/toxin adulteration in 2005-13.  Fishery and seafood products had 59.4 percent of Listeria violations.  Listeria violations in cheese and cheese products fell to 32.0 percent.
• Vegetables/vegetable products. Almost three-quarters of these chemical violations were for unsafe pesticide residues  Fruit/fruit products had the second-most violations per year for chemical adulteration in 2005-13.

Another interesting quote:

As the total volume of imported food has risen, the number of shipments refused has declined relative to the volume of food imports. This relative decline may reflect improvements in compliance with U.S. laws among foreign producers and importers, or it may reflect FDA’s limited resources and capacity to inspect, detain, and refuse imported food.

 

  

USDA ERS

http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016-march/patterns-in-fda-food-import-refusals-highlight-

most-frequently-detected-problems.aspx#.Vv6a3032Z9B

Patterns in FDA Food Import Refusals Highlight Most Frequently Detected Problems

by John Bovay

March 28, 2016

 

How Clean is Your Deli's Meat Slicer?

A study published in MMWR shows that many deli operations may not be cleaning their slicer often enough and well enough.  In this study, about half of the food operations contacted did not fully clean the slicer as frequently as they should.   They noted that this is more the case at independent and smaller delis.  Fully clean includes disassembly of the slicer before cleaning

The issue with not cleaning the slicer is that the slicer can be a point of cross contamination for Listeria monocytogenes.   If Listeria contaminates the slicer, it can then contaminate all the meats that are sliced after that.  According to the US Food Code, food contact surfaces in constant use should be fully cleaned at least every 4 hours.  As the time between cleaning increases, the more opportunity Listeria has to grow.

Cleaning must include disassembly.  If a slicer is just wiped down, Listeria can be present in the areas that were not cleaned, such as under the guard or down around the motor (where there may be higher temperatures).   Never getting to spots on the slicer where foods particles build-up could mean that the slicer itself becomes a source for Listeria in that operation, not just a point of cross contact.  It is important for establishment personnel to evaluate slicers to make sure there are no niches for food build-up.

Even is a slice is cleaned successfully, it is important that operators recognize that the slicer is not the ultimate source, but still can be a point of cross contamination.  Important sources include:

• Deli cases - deli cases must be cleaned and properly maintained.
• Walk-in-coolers - also must be cleaned and properly maintained.
• Deli working environment - build-up of meat in the environment can result in high levels of Listeria in the operations, which increases the chance it can make its way to food contact surfaces including the slicer.
• Floor drains
• Sinks and wash areas

As a consumer, it is important to evaluate where you buy your deli products.  If a deli appears nasty, time to find a new deli.  Don't be afraid to ask about cleaning schedule.  If still concerned, buy your deli meat early in the day when the slicer is most likely to be the cleanest.
 

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6512a2.htm?s_cid=mm6512a2_e

Retail Deli Slicer Cleaning Frequency — Six Selected Sites, United States, 2012

Weekly / April 1, 2016 / 65(12);306–310

 

Food Bank Recalls Canned Oranges Due To Leakage



The Pittsburgh Area Food Bank is recalling canned oranges due to leakage.  While the product is within the stated shelf-life, it can be noted that the manufacturer has stated a three year shelf-life, which may be an error on the manufacturer's part.  Acid foods in cans do not last long, and normally, the shelf-life is two years.  The reason is that the acid will react with the can lining, and over time, it will get through to the steel base and rust through.  This is especially the case with tin-lined cans (additionally, if tin lined, tin concentrations will increase).  As cans begin to deteriorate, you  will initially see a hydrogen swell...hydrogen gas is released as the acid reacts with the can.  As the can swells, the ends will pop up.  But once the acid eats through the can leading to a pinhole, the pressure will be release and the can may look normal.

 

Food banks will normally distribute product past the state shelf-life.  For low acid canned foods, one to two years is normal.  In many cases, those types of foods will last even longer (although the product will break down over time...unlike fine wines, canned foods do not get better over the years).  But for acid foods, 6 months should be a limit past the life of the can.  And in the example here, the cans did not even make it that long. 

 

Other potential issues that could have resulted in leakage:  A bad seam - a double seam (the seam that holds the lid to the body) can be out of specification leading to too little of overlap and thus a weak seal.  Damage to the double seam - cuts into the double seam or dents to the double seam can also result in leakage.  Headspace evacuation - If the air in the headspace was not properly evacuated with steam, residual oxygen could hasten can deterioration.

 

 

 

 

 



FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm493605.htm
Food Bank Recalls Canned Mandarin Oranges Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2016

FDA Submitted Final Rule on Sanitary Transport of Food

The FDA has submitted the Final rule on the Sanitary Transport of Human and Animal Food.  The rule should be expected to be available for us to review next week or soon after.   Nothing more can really be said until it is made public.