A specific type of Oreo cookie is being recalled after someone had an allergic reaction to milk, and milk was not declared on the label. It was however, listed in the precautionary statement - "Manufactured on equipment that processes milk.."
The precautionary label is not part of any official allergen labeling rule, so it doesn't provide protection. Basically you hope someone with a given allergy such as milk would see that and then avoid eating it. Didn't happen.
From FARRP - "FDA specifies that such [precautionary] labeling cannot be used as a substitute for good manufacturing practices such as allergen identification and control, cleaning of shared equipment, and segregation during processing. Some consumers believe manufacturers use precautionary labels as a way to protect themselves from legal action in case a food causes a reaction. This is not typically the case since this type of label should only be used by food manufacturers when there actually is a possibility (however small) that the food may contain an allergen which is not an ingredient but may be present as a result of the manufacturing process."
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm527207.htm
Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts Nationwide Voluntary - Recall of Oreo Fudge Cremes Product Sold in the U.S. Recall Due to Milk Allergen Not Listed in Ingredient LineOctober 28, 2016
Thursday, November 3, 2016
FDA Guidance - Small Company Version of Preventive Controls for Human Foods
FDA released their guidance titled: Guidance for Industry: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food; Small Entity Compliance Guide. LINK
This guide was developed to help small companies comply with the FSMA Preventive Controls Rule.
The guide does not introduce anything new. It is basically a simplified version of the original rule. Being simplified, the document does make the regulation more approachable. One particular area is On-Farm Packing and Holding of Food (pg 22). The guidance discusses those activities not subject to the requirements for Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls when conducted on farms.
It also reviews the Qualified facility - a facility that does not need to comply with the Preventive Controls component of the rule (21 CFR 117). It has been our opinion however, for companies who fit into that definition to consider taking the step and completing the Preventive Controls component. Why? If the company grows, looks to gain sales from a customer requiring a HACCP type plan, or just wants to improve the safety of their product, they really need to consider taking this step.
This guide was developed to help small companies comply with the FSMA Preventive Controls Rule.
The guide does not introduce anything new. It is basically a simplified version of the original rule. Being simplified, the document does make the regulation more approachable. One particular area is On-Farm Packing and Holding of Food (pg 22). The guidance discusses those activities not subject to the requirements for Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls when conducted on farms.
It also reviews the Qualified facility - a facility that does not need to comply with the Preventive Controls component of the rule (21 CFR 117). It has been our opinion however, for companies who fit into that definition to consider taking the step and completing the Preventive Controls component. Why? If the company grows, looks to gain sales from a customer requiring a HACCP type plan, or just wants to improve the safety of their product, they really need to consider taking this step.
Friday, October 28, 2016
FSMA Draft Guidance for Notifying Customers of Hazards That Need to be Controlled
FDA issued a draft guidance that applies to food containing a hazard that must be controlled by a customer that is a further processor (not a consumer). This applies to the FSMA rules for Human Food, Animal Feed, Produce, and FSVP. The guidance titled "Describing a Hazard That Needs Control in Documents Accompanying the Food, as Required by Four Rules Implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Guidance for Industry " (Link) details how to make a disclosure in documents accompanying food that certain hazards have not been controlled by that entity.
For example, if Company A is selling pepper to Company B, and that pepper had not been treated to eliminate Salmonella (which Company A has identified as a potential hazard), Company A would need to disclose on paperwork / documentation that "the pepper was not processed to adequately reduce the presence of microbial pathogens".
So what are the documents of the trade? It has to be something the manager in charge of food safety is likely to read: "documents accompanying the food, in accordance with the practice of the trade." See 21 CFR 117.136(a)(2)(i), (a)(3)(i), and (a)(4)(i). This allows for the disclosure statement to be provided using a wide variety of types of documents that accompany the food, such as labels, labeling, bill of lading, shipment-specific certificates of analysis, and other documents or papers associated with the shipment that a food safety manager for the customer is likely to read." " It is permissible, for the purposes of the requirements of the part 117 disclosure statement, to use labeling that includes a disclosure statement such as "not processed to control microbial pathogens" and then directs the recipient to a website for additional information about those microbial pathogens."
How does it need to state the hazards? "For biological hazards, we will consider a manufacturing/processing facility that describes the "identified hazard" using a general term (e.g., "microbial pathogens," "microorganisms of public health significance") rather than a specific biological hazard (e.g., Salmonella or Listeria"
For a chemical or physical hazard, the statement must be more specific. "For chemical and physical hazards, a manufacturing/processing facility that chooses to not control chemical and physical hazards and to rely on its customers to do so, would be subject to the requirements of the part 117 disclosure statement. We expect such a facility to describe the identified chemical or physical hazard using a specific term (e.g., "mycotoxins," "aflatoxin," "stones") that adequately communicates the key safety information regarding the chemical or physical hazard that needs to be controlled."
Again, this is only needed when the supplier identifies a hazard and is relying on their customer (non-consumer) to control that hazard.
For example, if Company A is selling pepper to Company B, and that pepper had not been treated to eliminate Salmonella (which Company A has identified as a potential hazard), Company A would need to disclose on paperwork / documentation that "the pepper was not processed to adequately reduce the presence of microbial pathogens".
So what are the documents of the trade? It has to be something the manager in charge of food safety is likely to read: "documents accompanying the food, in accordance with the practice of the trade." See 21 CFR 117.136(a)(2)(i), (a)(3)(i), and (a)(4)(i). This allows for the disclosure statement to be provided using a wide variety of types of documents that accompany the food, such as labels, labeling, bill of lading, shipment-specific certificates of analysis, and other documents or papers associated with the shipment that a food safety manager for the customer is likely to read." " It is permissible, for the purposes of the requirements of the part 117 disclosure statement, to use labeling that includes a disclosure statement such as "not processed to control microbial pathogens" and then directs the recipient to a website for additional information about those microbial pathogens."
How does it need to state the hazards? "For biological hazards, we will consider a manufacturing/processing facility that describes the "identified hazard" using a general term (e.g., "microbial pathogens," "microorganisms of public health significance") rather than a specific biological hazard (e.g., Salmonella or Listeria"
For a chemical or physical hazard, the statement must be more specific. "For chemical and physical hazards, a manufacturing/processing facility that chooses to not control chemical and physical hazards and to rely on its customers to do so, would be subject to the requirements of the part 117 disclosure statement. We expect such a facility to describe the identified chemical or physical hazard using a specific term (e.g., "mycotoxins," "aflatoxin," "stones") that adequately communicates the key safety information regarding the chemical or physical hazard that needs to be controlled."
Again, this is only needed when the supplier identifies a hazard and is relying on their customer (non-consumer) to control that hazard.
Are Cookbooks a Food Safety Biohazard in the Kitchen?
Okay, because someone asked....are cookbooks a biohazard in kitchen? Some food safety guy in the UK, who works for a firm that recovers costs if you get sick on vacation, stated that cookbooks are a food safety biohazard in the kitchen. I was not able to find any scientific support to back this claim, but I guess, if your hands are nasty as you finger through the cookbook, you can potentially transfer pathogens to your cook book. But is it a high risk...probably not. Just clean your hands after handling raw meats before you go rifling through your cookbook. And don't put your cookbook in a an area where it can get raw meat droplets on it.
In general, bigger risks occur through cross contamination from contaminated food contact surfaces to prepared foods or from undercooking. Hopefully, people follow directions in the cookbook, and those directions presented in that cookbook are based upon sound scientific principles.
The Sun (UK)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2053079/cook-books-should-be-banned-from-the-kitchen-for-carrying-food-poisoning-bacteria/
THE HIDDEN DANGER IN YOUR KITCHEN
Cook books ‘should be BANNED from the kitchen for carrying food-poisoning bacteria
Bacteria clinging to the pages of cookbooks could cause crippling bouts of sickness, leading food scientists have warned
Exclusive
By BRITTANY VONOW
26th October 2016, 1:56 pm
In general, bigger risks occur through cross contamination from contaminated food contact surfaces to prepared foods or from undercooking. Hopefully, people follow directions in the cookbook, and those directions presented in that cookbook are based upon sound scientific principles.
The Sun (UK)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2053079/cook-books-should-be-banned-from-the-kitchen-for-carrying-food-poisoning-bacteria/
THE HIDDEN DANGER IN YOUR KITCHEN
Cook books ‘should be BANNED from the kitchen for carrying food-poisoning bacteria
Bacteria clinging to the pages of cookbooks could cause crippling bouts of sickness, leading food scientists have warned
Exclusive
By BRITTANY VONOW
26th October 2016, 1:56 pm
Frozen Strawberries from Egypt Linked to 134 Hepatitis A Cases
In early September, an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to frozen strawberries was identified. As of October 20th, there are 134 cases identified all linked to frozen strawberries served in smoothie drinks (fresh blended fruit and vegetable drinks) served at Tropical Smoothie Cafes.
The frozen strawberries were sourced from Egypt. FDA issued an import alert for detention without physical inspection of frozen strawberries from Egypt, even though the Egypt Ministry of Climate Change and Environment "claimed Frozen Egyptian strawberries are free from Hepatitis A..".
The frozen strawberries were sourced from Egypt. FDA issued an import alert for detention without physical inspection of frozen strawberries from Egypt, even though the Egypt Ministry of Climate Change and Environment "claimed Frozen Egyptian strawberries are free from Hepatitis A..".
FDA Release
FDA Investigates Outbreak of Hepatitis A Illnesses Linked to Frozen Strawberries
October 20, 2016
Rancidity of Tortilla Chips Leads to Outbreak of Gastrointestinal Distress
Approximately 77 people became ill in a correctional facility in Wyoming after eating rancid tortilla chips. Rancidity is the breakdown of oils and fats that occurs when fats and oils were extensively heated. Debris and moisture in the oil facilitates that breakdown. This oil breakdown impacts flavor and quality, and as seen here, can lead to gastrointestinal distress. In this case, the tortilla chips were probably fried in oil that had been used too long.
Generally indicators of rancidity are measured to detect the level of rancidity, in this case, hexanal and peroxide. By measuring these indicators, firms know when oil is beginning to go bad and then replace the oil. For smaller firms without the capability of conducting measurements, they replace oil after a certain time or amount of usage. Others replace oil when the oil in the fryer begins to darken, smoke or smell 'off'. Continuing to use oil after it goes rancid leads to off-flavors in the food, and more importantly, illness.
As noted in the MMRW article, this is one of the first documented cases of illnesses related to rancid oil. But a good guess would be that this happens more frequently than reported. How many times have you gone to a fair or a greasy spoon burger joint and ate fried food that had an off-flavor? Then a hour or two later your stomach starts to roll. Too often, purveyors try to use oil longer than it should be used. In some cases, the consumer notices the flavor and throws the food out, but in other cases, when really hungry, they choke it back.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6542a4.htm?s_cid=mm6542a4_w
Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with Rancid Tortilla Chips at a Correctional Facility — Wyoming, 2015
Weekly / October 28, 2016 / 65(42);1170–1173
Tiffany Lupcho, MPH1; Alexia Harrist, MD, PhD1,2; Clay Van Houten, MS1
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Although consumption of rancid food can cause gastrointestinal illness, few outbreaks have been documented.
Generally indicators of rancidity are measured to detect the level of rancidity, in this case, hexanal and peroxide. By measuring these indicators, firms know when oil is beginning to go bad and then replace the oil. For smaller firms without the capability of conducting measurements, they replace oil after a certain time or amount of usage. Others replace oil when the oil in the fryer begins to darken, smoke or smell 'off'. Continuing to use oil after it goes rancid leads to off-flavors in the food, and more importantly, illness.
As noted in the MMRW article, this is one of the first documented cases of illnesses related to rancid oil. But a good guess would be that this happens more frequently than reported. How many times have you gone to a fair or a greasy spoon burger joint and ate fried food that had an off-flavor? Then a hour or two later your stomach starts to roll. Too often, purveyors try to use oil longer than it should be used. In some cases, the consumer notices the flavor and throws the food out, but in other cases, when really hungry, they choke it back.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6542a4.htm?s_cid=mm6542a4_w
Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with Rancid Tortilla Chips at a Correctional Facility — Wyoming, 2015
Weekly / October 28, 2016 / 65(42);1170–1173
Tiffany Lupcho, MPH1; Alexia Harrist, MD, PhD1,2; Clay Van Houten, MS1
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Although consumption of rancid food can cause gastrointestinal illness, few outbreaks have been documented.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Free Range Chickens and Bald Eagles - High Cost of Organic Farming
An interesting read in Audubon Magazine about the impact of bald eagles on a free range chicken farm in Georgia. Each year, this farm has an increasing number of bald eagles overwintering around the farm and feasting on high priced organic chicken. There are now approximately 75 eagles, eating 3 or 4 chickens per day and costing the farm about $1000/day. (Don't worry too much for the farm, the taxpayers pick up a good portion of that bill...and many of them don't even eat organic / free range chicken).
In addition to the loss by the eagles, free range farming has higher mortality rates...usually about 18% compared to 4% for conventional chicken farming. "Even discounting the three or four chickens each eagle takes every day throughout the winter, Coady thinks the farm’s chicken-mortality rate is too high. It’s roughly 15 percent throughout the year, though some weeks it’s higher and some weeks it’s lower. He’d like it to be somewhere around 10 percent—far below the estimated 18 percent mortality rate the USDA expects for free-range chickens (for comparison, it’s 4 percent for confined chickens)."
The farmer's solution - "Harris has his own ideal solution, and it has nothing to do with noise-makers or reimbursement programs or tourism. If everyone farmed in the nature-first way he does, he says, eagles wouldn’t concentrate on his farm. Flocks of chickens scattered across the Georgia countryside would naturally cause eagles to disperse into smaller, healthier populations." I guess I am missing something here...so yes the eagle population would spread out..for now, but what would limit eagle population growth if farms all over became raptor dinner tables? And with an unchecked eagle population explosion, what else will be on that dinner table....little Sparky and Mr. Tibbs?
Audubon Magazine
http://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2016/an-organic-chicken-farm-georgia-has-become-endless
An Organic Chicken Farm in Georgia Has Become an Endless Buffet for Bald Eagles
By Susan MatthewsFall 2016
In addition to the loss by the eagles, free range farming has higher mortality rates...usually about 18% compared to 4% for conventional chicken farming. "Even discounting the three or four chickens each eagle takes every day throughout the winter, Coady thinks the farm’s chicken-mortality rate is too high. It’s roughly 15 percent throughout the year, though some weeks it’s higher and some weeks it’s lower. He’d like it to be somewhere around 10 percent—far below the estimated 18 percent mortality rate the USDA expects for free-range chickens (for comparison, it’s 4 percent for confined chickens)."
The farmer's solution - "Harris has his own ideal solution, and it has nothing to do with noise-makers or reimbursement programs or tourism. If everyone farmed in the nature-first way he does, he says, eagles wouldn’t concentrate on his farm. Flocks of chickens scattered across the Georgia countryside would naturally cause eagles to disperse into smaller, healthier populations." I guess I am missing something here...so yes the eagle population would spread out..for now, but what would limit eagle population growth if farms all over became raptor dinner tables? And with an unchecked eagle population explosion, what else will be on that dinner table....little Sparky and Mr. Tibbs?
Audubon Magazine
http://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2016/an-organic-chicken-farm-georgia-has-become-endless
An Organic Chicken Farm in Georgia Has Become an Endless Buffet for Bald Eagles
By Susan MatthewsFall 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Bacillus cereus in Refried Beans Responsible for Mighty Taco Outbreak
A NY taco chain has been connected to over 160 people becoming ill with Bacillus cereus toxin. Cases have occurred in two counties and it appears that a 'handful' of the Mighty Taco locations have been involved. The symptoms are nausea and vomiting.
The source of the illness was refried beans. Bacillus cereus is a sporeforming organism and these spores can survive the cooking process. If that food is then temperature abused, the organism will sporulate and grow in the food if that food is at elevated temperatures. As the organism grows to high numbers, it produces a toxin. So we would expect that the beans would have been temperature abused somewhere along the supply chain, including distribution down through store level. (This is where the FSMA Sanitary Transport rule becomes important).
Cooked rice is another product often associated with Bacillus cereus related illness. In a similar fashion, the cooked rice is left at room temperature for an extended period, allowing growth of the organism which produces toxin.
WGRZ Channel 2 News
http://www.wgrz.com/news/toxic-bacteria-identified-as-likely-source-of-mighty-taco-outbreak/337094922
Toxic Bacteria Identified As Likely Source Of Mighty Taco Outbreak
Steve Brown, WGRZ 8:33 AM. EDT October 19, 2016
The source of the illness was refried beans. Bacillus cereus is a sporeforming organism and these spores can survive the cooking process. If that food is then temperature abused, the organism will sporulate and grow in the food if that food is at elevated temperatures. As the organism grows to high numbers, it produces a toxin. So we would expect that the beans would have been temperature abused somewhere along the supply chain, including distribution down through store level. (This is where the FSMA Sanitary Transport rule becomes important).
Cooked rice is another product often associated with Bacillus cereus related illness. In a similar fashion, the cooked rice is left at room temperature for an extended period, allowing growth of the organism which produces toxin.
WGRZ Channel 2 News
http://www.wgrz.com/news/toxic-bacteria-identified-as-likely-source-of-mighty-taco-outbreak/337094922
Toxic Bacteria Identified As Likely Source Of Mighty Taco Outbreak
Steve Brown, WGRZ 8:33 AM. EDT October 19, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
Pulsenet - Tracking of Foodborne Disease
The US surveillance system for tracking foodborne illnesses, or PulseNet, is 20 years old. Through time, the technology has improved and its reach is now global.
In the US, the system is comprised by a network of 83 laboratories linked to the CDC in Atlanta. Using genetic identification technology, including Whole Genome Sequencing or WGS, it can identify outbreak clusters through matching bacterial isolates involved in cases. This information is then used to help identify the source of the outbreak.
This article in EMBO is a nice summary of Pulsenet and how it has impacted food safety.
EMBO Reports
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.15252/embr.201643128/full
Future challenges for tracking foodborne diseases
PulseNet, a 20-year-old US surveillance system for foodborne diseases, is expanding both globally and technologically
Authors - Efrain M Ribot and Kelly B Hise
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
First published: 19 September 2016Full publication history
In the US, the system is comprised by a network of 83 laboratories linked to the CDC in Atlanta. Using genetic identification technology, including Whole Genome Sequencing or WGS, it can identify outbreak clusters through matching bacterial isolates involved in cases. This information is then used to help identify the source of the outbreak.
This article in EMBO is a nice summary of Pulsenet and how it has impacted food safety.
EMBO Reports
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.15252/embr.201643128/full
Future challenges for tracking foodborne diseases
PulseNet, a 20-year-old US surveillance system for foodborne diseases, is expanding both globally and technologically
Authors - Efrain M Ribot and Kelly B Hise
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
First published: 19 September 2016Full publication history
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