ERS Publishes Report on Recall Trends from 2004 to 2014

The USDA Economic Resource Service published their report, Trends in Food Recalls 2004-13,that summarizes the reasons for recalls from 2004 to 2013.

A few of the conclusions:

The number of food recalls has increased each year.  While the risk of food has [most probably] NOT increased, the number of recalls has increased, according to the report, due to:

• An increasingly complex food supply system
• Technology improvements in health risk detection,
• Increased regulatory oversight and enforcement, and the passing of two major food policy laws (FALCPA and FSMA)

       But these also need to be considered as primary drivers for increased recalls:

• Increased testing by companies 
• Increased testing by state laboratories (this may be considered part of increased regulatory oversight]
• A lower tolerance for issues by consumers  - primarily foreign materials
• The increased willingness of companies to recall food if an ingredient was recalled, even though that company's process would have eliminated the hazard

"The second major insight from the analysis is the significant increase in the number of recalls due to undeclared allergens. From 2004 through 2013, undeclared allergens were a leading cause of food recalls, accounting for 27.4 percent of all recall events."

There is a lot of information in the report, but I find that summaries are not as useful as the more detailed information for the particular industries.  These tables showing total number for the decade may be misleading because so much has changed during that time, and continues to change after that time. 

Meth in a Mango Shipment - Was That Listed in the Hazard Analysis?

US Customs confiscated 270 of meth from a tractor trailer loaded with mangoes that were crossing into the US.  Hopefully don't get to a point when we need to consider illicit chemicals such as meth in our incoming produce shipment,  but it does make you wonder about the impact of some of that substance leaking out onto the produce.

The Produce News

http://theproducenews.com/the-produce-news-today-s-headlines/23973-800k-of-meth-in-mango-shipment

$800K of meth in mango shipment 

April 27, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week ending 4/27/18

Incorrect Formula Results in Egg Missing from Label - A Houston, TX, nutrition company is recalling specific lots of its "LeanPro8" Protein Powder because they may contain undeclared egg protein. The recall was initiated after it was discovered during a state inspection that the egg-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an incorrect version of the formula being used during production. [Processing error - mismatch between formula and label]

State Laboratory Finds Peanut Allergen in Product - Ethnic Foods Inc. of 76 South Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050, is recalling its 19 ounce package of Bhavnagri Mix snack mix because they may contain undeclared peanuts. "The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food laboratory personnel revealed that the peanut-containing product was distributed in packages that did not reveal the presence of peanuts."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605564.htm
Labrada Nutrition Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in "Leanpro8" Protein Powder
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2018

Packaged Microgreens Recalled After Positive Listeria Sample Detected

A Canadian firm, Greenbelt Greenhouse LTD of British Columbia, is recalling various clamshell packs of microgreens after the State of Washington Department of Agriculture tested and found Listeria in product.  "Due to the potential risk of contamination the company has ceased the production and distribution of all product as Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

Listeria contamination is likely from the packing environment where product is washed, mixed and packed.  These types of processes occur in a moist environment which can be conducive to Listeria.  In the growing area, spray systems and condensation are also a possibility as is harvest collection bins.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605702.htm
Greenbelt Greenhouse Ltd Recalls Greenbelt Microgreens Brand Microgreens Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2018

CDC: 4/25 Update on E. coli Outbreak Associated with Romaine Lettuce

There are now 84 cases of E. coli infection with 42 hospitalizations related to the romaine lettuce from Yuma AZ.  Cases have occurred in 19 different states.   CDC recommends against eating any form of romaine lettuce unless you can verify that it is from an area other than Yuma.

How hard is it to determine where your romaine is from?  Probably not easy. 
Unfortunately, this will be a big impact on all those who farm or process romaine.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce

Canada - E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Pork Products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced a recall for pork products from an Alberta processor after being linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak with 34 illnesses, 11 hospitalizations, and 1 death.

Pork is rarely associated with E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks.  This is the second major E. coli outbreak associated with pork originating out of Alberta Canada.  In 2014, an outbreak of 119 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with exposure to contaminated pork products originating in Alberta.

Meatingplace
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/79278?loginSuccess
E. coli prompts recall of Canadian pork products
By Julie Larson Bricher on 4/25/2018

Freeze Pops Recalled After Environmental Tests Positive for Listeria

A Wheeling, WV firm is recalling approximately 3,000 cases of Budget $aver Cherry Pineapple Monster Pops and Sugar Free Twin Pops from the company's Denver facility after state inspectors found environmental tests positive for Listeria monocytogenes.    "The voluntary recall was the result of a routine state inspection of the company’s Denver production facility which found Listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples collected by the inspector. The Ziegenfelder Company has ceased the production and distribution at the plant as the state of Colorado and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605437.htm
Ziegenfelder Company Recalls Certain Ice Pops For Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2018

RTE Refrigerated Salmon Spread Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

A Kentwood, Michigan firm is voluntarily recalling a specific lot (produced March 26, 2018) of Smoked Salmon Spreads (487 lbs.) due to potential for Listeria monocytogenes.  The product is a RTE refrigerated product.  While no reason is provided, it may be a post-process contamination issue, and if that is the case, we may not be surprised to see additional lots eventually included in the recall.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605105.htm
Superior Foods Company Voluntarily Recalls 487 lbs. of Smoked Salmon Spreads
For Immediate Release
April 18, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending April 21, 2018

Undeclared Peanuts in Canned Spinach - McCall Farms, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of cases of Happy Harvest Spinach in 13.5 oz cans as a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of peanuts resulting from product mislabeling. [Operations Error - mislabeling]

Undeclared Walnuts in Artichoke Dip - Eataly USA of New York City, New York is recalling Eataly Artichoke Spread, because it may contain undeclared walnuts.  The problem was found by a costumer who is allergic to nuts. He did not encounter any illness, but had a light allergic reaction. The customer declined to fill out the Eataly incident form and just wanted to bring the seriousness of what happened to our attention. Subsequent investigation indicates that the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the packaging process. [Operations Error - Improper clean out?]


Voluntary Recall Notice of Happy Harvest Canned Spinach Due to Potential Undeclared Peanut Allergen from Product Mislabeling
For Immediate Release
April 21, 2018