Listeria Control - What Will the FDA Guidance Look Like

Jennifer McEntire and Clay Detlefsen have written a nice article on Listeria monocytogenes control in food operations, comparing FSIS and FDA approaches to this point in time and suggesting what is to come with FDA guidance.

As we have seen with a number of recent recalls where product is recalled after test results come back positive, these facilities do not have good controls in place.  One can bet that FDA might be playing a heavier hand with facilities in light of these recall issues.

  

Quality Assurance and Food Safety

 http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/the-perplexing-challenge-of-lm-control/

The Perplexing Challenge of Lm Control

GMA Update - GMA Update

 

Are we heading toward a unified approach?

Starting a Food Business Begins with Understanding Food Safety

Nice article in QA&FS on starting a food business and the need to understand food safety parameters.  The information presented mirrors what we have found - when people understand the food safety elements, they are better able to design their process and product. 

Too many new processors develop their process and then have to redo their concept after discovering that they have created opportunities for spoilage or pathogen contamination.  Understanding HACCP principles, which is really a risk analysis, helps the new processor evaluate the process and identify the needed controls.  They learn about proper process flow to prevent cross contamination, processing parameters to eliminate pathogens, and sanitation to remove hazards such as allergens.

Supplier control is another important concept for the entrepreneur, especially if that person is considering having another group co-pack the product.  While it is the co-packer who will be tasked with control, it helps if the entrepreneur has an understanding of what the co-packer should be doing.  Ultimately, it is the entrepreneurs label that goes on the product.

For more resources on Starting a Food Business, visit this Penn State website:
http://extension.psu.edu/food/entrepreneurs/starting-a-business

Quality Assurance and Food Safety
http://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/small-business-success/
Small Business Success
Features - Plant Management
Overcoming the Challenges of Limited Funds and Resources
April 8, 2016
Lisa Lupo

Salad Items Recalled after Supplier Notification of Listeria Positive Ingredient

Reser's Fine Foods of Oregon is recalling refrigerated salad items (egg salad, potato salad, macaroni salad) of various sizes (3.5oz to 8lb tubs) and various brands (Sysco, Safeway, Walmart, and Resser's) after their supplier that the onions supplied to Resser's tested positive for Listeria.
This is one of those cases where the supplier must be shipping product before they have results back, or perhaps where another customer tested the incoming onions and found that they were positive.  Regardless, the work now falls on the manufacturer to recall the product.

Unfortunately, there have been too many issues with Listeria in produce operations.  Supplier control, especially when those items are used in RTE applications, must focus on how the supplier is controlling Listeria in their processing environment.  Is the environment cleanable to the microbiological level?  Are they monitoring the environment for Listeria?

Reser's Recall Notice
https://www.resers.com/images/uploads/news/Press_Release_FINAL.pdf
 RESER’S FINE FOODS, INC. RECALLS REFRIGERATED SALADS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK DUE TO ONION SUPPLIER RECALL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 10, 2016 

MEDIA CONTACT: LINDA RIEDMAN 503-267-8373 

Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is recalling nineteen refrigerated salad items due to notification from one of our ingredient suppliers that Listeria monocytogenes may be present in one lot of onions that was used in the manufacture of these salads. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy people 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 woman.

Sliced Apples Recalled in Texas Due to Listeria Positive Samples

A Texas food company, Fresh From Texas, is recalling products containing sliced apples after its own testing found two Listeria monocytogenes-positive samples.  The product was sold through the food retailer HEB.  The product was sold in bags and trays, also as part of multiple fruit trays.
No illnesses have been reported.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm494345.htm
Fresh From Texas Recalls Apple Product Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2016

Lab Error Blamed for 2012 Case of Chocolate Recalled for Salmonella

In 2012, chocolate bars from Belgium were rejected for import into the US after a Belgium laboratory reported the product as Salmonella positive.  The product was destroyed.   After an investigation, the Salmonella strain identified was the same strain found by the laboratory in fish meal.  Cross contamination in the laboratory?  That is what is believed.  Unfortunately, a few years back, there were not the whole genomic sequencing tools readily available as we do today.

This puts a light on laboratories and the impact of poor practices can have on a company's product.  Tight controls need to be in place to prevent cross contamination.  Companies need to question results that seem unlikely.  Today, further investigation can be completed using whole genome sequencing to rule out laboratory error, including excluding the laboratory's positive control sample.

BioMed Centralhttp://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-016-1969-7
Case report of Salmonella cross-contamination in a food laboratory

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.

CDC Updates Salmonella Outbreak Info on Raw Meal Organic Shake Product

CDC provided an update on an ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to Garden of Life Raw Meal Organic Shake and Meal Products.  there are now 27 cases in 20 states.

The company issued a recall on January 29, 2016 and then expanded the recall on February 12.  The issue was stated to be a ingredient contamination issue, namely organic Moringa Leaf powder (moringa oleifera, is a plant that is native to northern India and is used for health benefits).

 

CDC Outbreak News

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/virchow-02-16/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Virchow Infections Linked to Garden of Life RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal Products

 

Baby Food Pouches Recalled Due to Packaging Defect

Gerber is recalling 2 lots of baby food in pouches due to the potential for leakage because of a defect in the packaging.  The leakage could result in product spoilage.  It appears that the packaging defect was noticed by the company and they then went and issued the recall.

The good thing is that this is a low pH (high acid) product.  While it has some vegetable products in there, there is the addition of acid fruits and citric acid.  Otherwise, if it were high pH (low acid), it could be a bigger risk..particularly from organisms like Clostridium botulinum.

 

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm492260.htm
Gerber is Voluntarily Recalling Two Batches of GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® Pouches Due to a Packaging Defect That May Result in Product Spoilage

Chipotle Hires Food Safety Expert, Back on Some Food Safety Initiatives

Chipotle's food safety issues make for a great case study.  The company has finally hired a food safety expert (should have learned this from the Jack-in-the-Box E. coli Outbreak).  Additionally, they are  backing off on some of the corrective actions they stated they were going to implement.   Some were probably not really needed or may have had too much impact on the quality of the product.  But that is what happens when poop-hits-the-fan and a whole host of consultants are brought in to fix the situation.


Market Watch
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-taps-ksu-professor-for-food-safety-post-2016-03-15-164853242
Chipotle taps KSU professor for food-safety post
 By Jesse Newman
Published: Mar 15, 2016 4:32 p.m. ET

Impact of Food Safety Issues on Chipotle Bigger than Expected

The impact of food safety issues on Chipotle have been much more than expected.  They estimate that 7% of customers may never return.  Then there are the "costs to address food safety, increased staffing needed to serve free food and the volume of fresh produce wasted due to lower traffic and testing were all higher than expected."  Chipotle shares are still off 28% from last year.

Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2016/03/17/chipotle-food-safety-problems-may-cost-it-up-to-7-of-customers-cfo/
Chipotle Food-Safety Problems May Cost It Up To 7% of Customers: CFO
1:13 pm ET
Mar 17, 2016 
By Maxwell Murphy    

Canned tuna recalled due to under-processing issue

Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea 5oz canned tuna are both being recalled due to improper processing. The specific lot codes for each brand were produced in the same facility in Georgia.  The situation may have resulted in under-processing thus leading to spoilage or pathogen growth, namely Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism.  The issue was discovered during routine inspection.





FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm491206.htm
Tri-Union Seafoods LLC Issues Precautionary, Voluntary Recall on Select 5 oz. Canned Chunk Light Tuna in Oil and 5 oz. Canned Chuck Light Tuna in Water
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2016

Dietary Tea Product Recalled After Ingredient Tested Positive for Salmonella

An Arizona company is recalling its dietary powdered tea product after notification was received from their ingredient supplier of organic spinach powder had tested positive for Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported.

So why is there spinach powder in tea? 


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm490472.htm
Awareness Voluntary Recalls Boost Tea Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2016

Contact
Consumers - Awareness Corp.  (480) 615-3530 X556

Awareness Corp. of Mesa, AZ, is recalling its 7.4 ounce container of Boost Tea because it may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream area and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

FSMA Food Safety Requirements for Transportation Coming Soon

The final rule for food safety requirements for transportation are coming on March 31st with implementation due in 2017.

While the transportation industry is probably doing much of what will be required, the requirements for documentation will be the biggest change.

The main focuses will be on:

• Written procedures
• Temperature control and its documentation, including pre-cooling of truck for refrigerated loads.
• Training - the final rule will state what will be required to meet the training requirement.
• Truck cleanliness
• Record transfer and maintenance

Fleet Owner
http://fleetowner.com/fleet-management/new-food-safety-rules-pose-impact-refrigerated-carriers
New food safety rules pose impact for refrigerated carriers
Final rule due March 31, with enforcement to begin in 2017.
Mar 14, 2016Sean Kilcarr | Fleet Owner

Refrigerated carriers face a bevy of new mandates governing not only the condition and operation of equipment used transport foodstuffs but the capture and preservation of shipment temperatures, along with driver training requirements, due to go into effect March 31.

Frozen Dinners and Pizza Products Recalled for Potential Contamination with Glass Pieces

Nestle is recalling frozen dinners and pizza products that spinach because that spinach may have had glass pieces.  The products are under the DiGiorno®, Lean Cuisine®, and Stouffer’s® brands.

 

This appears to be a supplier related issue.  Unfortunately, so many national brands were affected.  This is a great example of how a single supplier source of a somewhat minor ingredient can a huge impact. 

   

FDA News Release

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm490200.htm

Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of DiGiorno® Pizzas, Lean Cuisine® and Stouffer’s® Products Due to the Potential Presence of Foreign Material

 

Chicken Nuggets Recalled for Small Clear Plastic Pieces

 Purdue Foods is recalling 4500 lbs of chicken nuggets after receiving complaints of  "small, solid, clear plastic inside the Applegate Naturals Chicken Nuggets".  There have not been any reports of adverse effects.

USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-023-2016-release
Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Chicken Nugget Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Class I Recall 023-2016
Health Risk: High Mar 5, 2016

Congressional and Public Affairs  Kristen Booze   (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov  

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2016 – Perdue Foods LLC, a Gainesville, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,530 pounds of chicken nugget products (produced for Applegate Farms) that may be contaminated with extraneous plastic materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Apple Sauce Pouches Recalled due to Goop in the Processing Pumps

Materne North America is recalling their GoGo squeeZ applesauce pouches after our friends at MDARD (Michigan State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)  discovered  product residue  (also known as 'goop*') in two product pumps, and this may have contaminated product.  This goop can occur if  the system is not adequately cleaned.  While goop can be comprised by many things, it is often rotting product matter with mold, yeast, and/or bacteria as part of the micro flora responsible for the breakdown of that product.

A big concerns is that this product is targeted at children.

*Goop, in this case, is the classic definition - sloppy or sticky semifluid matter, typically something unpleasant.  It is not the commercial product used for skin care.

 


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm489314.htm
Voluntary Recall of Non Organic Gogo Squeez Applesauce Pouches
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2016

Starbucks Supplier Recalls Pre-Packaged Breakfast Sandwiches After Listeria Positive Food Contact Surface

A supplier for Starbucks is recalling pre-packaged breakfast sandwiches after that supplier had  positive sample result on a food contact surface.  While product did not test positive, a positive contact surface indicates the possibility that product could have been cross contaminated.

In assessing the risk, there are a few things to note.  For one, the sandwich is shipped and stored frozen.  While this will prevent growth during shipment,  if the product is thawed and held for a period of days before use, there can be time for the organism to grow.  As the number of organisms increases, this not only increases the chances of organisms surviving a heat treatment, but it also increases the risk of cross-contamination to other foods and food contact surfaces within the store environment as that product is handled.

These sandwich products would be heated by the store before serving, potentially lowering the chance of contamination.  However, with heat-and-serve product,  the heating process may not be controlled well enough or be hot enough to ensure complete destruction of the organism.

The next question will be on how good the facility's Listeria Control Program is.  If the program is good and this happens to be an outlier, than this recall may be it.  But if FDA finds little testing results to indicate a solid program, or they find a series of positive results with insufficient corrective action, they believe there is a higher risk and then push for additional recalls.


NBC News.com
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/sandwiches-recalled-starbucks-stores-over-listeria-concerns-n533356
Sandwiches Recalled from Starbucks Stores Over Listeria Concerns
Mar 7 2016, 2:03 pm ET
by Lucy Bayly

A food supplier has recalled pre-packaged sausage, egg, and cheddar cheese on English muffin breakfast sandwiches from Starbucks stores in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma over concerns that the products may contain traces of listeria.

Orangegate - Packaging of Pre-Peeled Oranges

Whole Foods took some criticism for selling pre-peeled oranges in plastic packaging.  A person's tweet went viral stating “If only nature would find a way to cover these oranges so we didn’t need to waste so much plastic on them.”  Whole Foods quickly discontinued sale.

Not only does it create waste, but removing one of the best food safety packages around, the orange peel, the product becomes more susceptible to contamination.

Moldy Sippy Cup Lids..What About Drinking Bottles?



News reports of moldy sippy cup lids have parents concerned.  And rightly so.  High levels of mold can lead to allergic responses in children.   The issue is that liquid seeps into the areas that are hard or impossible to clean.  This can be a big issue with juices or milk that have the nutrients to be able to support mold or bacterial growth.  Additionally, juices can be sticky, making cleaning more difficult.

Sippy cups are not the only types of cups that have multi-component lids.  Many of the fancy water bottles used by adults and children have these multicomponent lids.  It would be interesting to see if anyone has torn apart these lids.
 

Maytag Cheese Recall Expanded to 35 Production Lots

 Maytag Dairy is expanding their cheese recall to a new total of 35 lots. 
Their first recall on February 14th was for 1 lot after testing found a Listeria was found during routine testing.  Then a recall announcement on February 19th, expanded the recall to 5 lots.  Then on the February 26nd, the recall was expanded to 35 lots.

 
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm488124.htm
Maytag Dairy Farms Expands Voluntary Recall Of Blue Cheese Products Due To Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2016

Update - Listeria Outbreak in Packaged Salads

In January,  CDC provided an update on a Listeria outbreak associated with Dole Packaged Salad made in their Ohio facility.  A update of that case was published where there are now a total of 18 people who have been infected with one death covering 9 states.  There are also a reported 11 cases in Canada with 3 deaths.

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Packaged Salads Produced at Springfield, Ohio Dole Processing Facility

Posted February 25, 2016 2:00 PM ET

What's New?

Three more ill people have been reported from Missouri (1) and Ohio (2), bringing the total to 18.
The most recent illness was diagnosed on January 31, 2016.

CDC MMWR - 2014 Botulism Outbreak Associated with Farm Stand Pesto

CDC MMWR has a report on the 2014 botulism outbreak associated with pesto purchased from a farm stand.  Two individual contracted the disease when sharing dinner of chicken with the tainted pesto.

In the report they found "Environmental assessment of company A identified improper acidification and pressurization practices and lack of licensure to sell canned products commercially, including products in hermetically-sealed jars......Health officials in California collected and analyzed an unopened jar of the pesto from this family member’s house. It was found to have a pH of 5.3 and water activity* of 0.965 (parameters insufficient to prevent growth of C. botulinum)."

The report goes on to state that "As the demand for locally made, ready-to-eat food increases, consumers and public health officials should be aware of the risk for botulism from improperly canned foods such as pesto sold in jars. Producers of canned foods for commercial use should ensure that they adhere to food safety regulations."

(More information on this outbreak in our 2014 report.)
CDC MMWR
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6507a2.htm?s_cid=mm6507a2_e
Outbreak of Foodborne Botulism Associated with Improperly Jarred Pesto — Ohio and California, 2014

FDA Reports on the Contamination of Imported Spices, but not Retail Spics...Yet

FDA published a Q and A on the safety of spices looking at the contamination rates of incoming spices.   In a nutshell, the US imports spices from 79 countries, and of these, salmonella contamination was found in spices from 37 countries.  The also found that "Spice shipments offered for entry into the U.S. had an overall prevalence for Salmonella of approximately 6.6 percent during the 2007 to 2009 fiscal years, about twice the average prevalence of all other imported, FDA-regulated foods"

But this is not really a thing because spices are generally treated once they arrive in the US and these were not yet treated.  According to the website, "However, we noted in the study an important data gap in that we were missing key information about the level of contamination of spices at retail in the U.S. When we began conducting the risk profile, we asked the public for any data but did not receive information about contamination rates at retail. Because many imported spices are treated after entry to the U.S. to reduce contamination before they are sold to consumers, we knew that the 6.6 percent contamination rate found at the import level did not reflect what was actually reaching consumers."

Did they collect retail samples? Yes, but that data was not ready to release.

 FDA Website
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/RiskSafetyAssessment/ucm487954.htm
Questions & Answers on Improving the Safety of Spices

NY Firm Recalls Chicken Salad Products Due to Listeria Positive Sample

A NY firm is recalling ready-to-eat chicken salad after they product tested positive for Listeria.  The unit size is 4 lbs which would be considered foodservice size.


FSIS Recall Notice
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-021-2016-release
Sally Sherman Foods Firm Recalls Chicken Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 021-2016
Health Risk: High Feb 25, 2016

Outbreak of E. coli in MN and WI Associated with Spouts

There is a second outbreak occurring with sprouts announced within the week, but this MN / WI based outbreak is associated with E. coli STEC.

The other spout related outbreak, which is based in Kansas, is due to Salmonella.


NPR - The Salt
Eating And Health
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/02/25/468032778/should-sprouts-come-with-a-warning-label
Should Sprouts Come With A Warning Label?