The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., is recalling a small quantity of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch cereal after routine sampling program by the company revealed the finished product may contain bacteria. Salmonella. "While the potentially affected product only reached five specific Target stores and is limited to 21 boxes of one variety with two Best Before Dates, Quaker is initiating the voluntary recall to protect public health. The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed the finished product may contain [Salmonella]".
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626142.htm
The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of a Small Quantity of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch Cereal Distributed to Five Target Stores Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
Michigan Company Recalls Ackawi Cheese After State Inspection Discovers Listeria Issue
Green Cedar Dairy of Michigan is recalling Ackawi cheese after a Listeria issue was discovered on November 9, 2018 during a routine inspection by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Food & Dairy Division (MDARD) and by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
From www.cheese.com, Ackawi cheese is "a Middle Eastern cheese named after the Aker region of Palestine, where it first originated. In Arabic, akkawi means "from akka". It is soft unripened brine cheese with a chewy, smooth consistency and a very mild, slightly salty flavour. The cheese is widely popular across most of the Levant where it is used as a table cheese, eaten as it or paired with a fruit."
Further, "The cheese is commonly made using pasteurized cow's milk, but can be made with goat or sheep's milk as well. It is produced on a large scale in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Cyprus where people typically eat it with a soft flatbread at lunch and dinner. Its texture can be compared to that of a Mozzarella, Feta or a Mizithra, as it does not melt down very well. The resistance to melting makes it an excellent frying cheese, because it holds its shape very well. The cheese can be stored for up to a year."
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626134.htm
Recall of Green Cedar Dairy Ackawi Cheese Bearing a Sell by Date of March 26, 2019 or Later
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018
From www.cheese.com, Ackawi cheese is "a Middle Eastern cheese named after the Aker region of Palestine, where it first originated. In Arabic, akkawi means "from akka". It is soft unripened brine cheese with a chewy, smooth consistency and a very mild, slightly salty flavour. The cheese is widely popular across most of the Levant where it is used as a table cheese, eaten as it or paired with a fruit."
Further, "The cheese is commonly made using pasteurized cow's milk, but can be made with goat or sheep's milk as well. It is produced on a large scale in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Cyprus where people typically eat it with a soft flatbread at lunch and dinner. Its texture can be compared to that of a Mozzarella, Feta or a Mizithra, as it does not melt down very well. The resistance to melting makes it an excellent frying cheese, because it holds its shape very well. The cheese can be stored for up to a year."
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626134.htm
Recall of Green Cedar Dairy Ackawi Cheese Bearing a Sell by Date of March 26, 2019 or Later
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018
Two Utah Establishments Recall Ground Beef Products After USDA Testing Finds E. coli O157:H7
Swift Beef Co's Hyrum, Utah establishment is recalling approximately 99,260 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This product was shipped to retail distributors for further processing and food service distributors for institutional use in locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. "The problem was discovered on November 15, 2018, when FSIS visited Swift Beef Company in response to a FSIS ground beef sample that was collected at a further processing establishment and was confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7."
Majestic Meat Company of Salt Lake City, Utah is also recalling approximately 532 pounds of ground beef products (bulk ground beef, ground beef patties, and meatballs) after "FSIS identified that product associated with a sample that confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 had been shipped. The establishment held 2 of the 3 boxes of source material associated with the sampled product, however, the third box of source material was further processed and shipped."
Three have been no reported cases of illness in either case.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-114-2018-release
Swift Beef Company Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
Majestic Meat Company of Salt Lake City, Utah is also recalling approximately 532 pounds of ground beef products (bulk ground beef, ground beef patties, and meatballs) after "FSIS identified that product associated with a sample that confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 had been shipped. The establishment held 2 of the 3 boxes of source material associated with the sampled product, however, the third box of source material was further processed and shipped."
Three have been no reported cases of illness in either case.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-114-2018-release
Swift Beef Company Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
114-2018
Health Risk: High
Health Risk: High
Nov 17, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Chicken Salad Product Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
A Houston, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,912 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. The problem was discovered on November 13, 2018 during routine record review by FSIS inspection program personnel.
No exact reason was listed in the announcement. It could be a Listeria positive test result on an environmental food contact surface sample or something similar.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-111-2018-release
Ron's Home Style Foods Recalls Ready to Eat Chicken Salad Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
111-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 14, 2018
No exact reason was listed in the announcement. It could be a Listeria positive test result on an environmental food contact surface sample or something similar.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-111-2018-release
Ron's Home Style Foods Recalls Ready to Eat Chicken Salad Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
111-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 14, 2018
Recall Issued After Supplier Ships Frozen Asparagus with Listeria Issue
The Pictsweet Company has recalled 1,872 cases of Pictsweet Farms 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears after it was notified by the manufacturer that product suspected of containing Listeria monocytogenes was inadvertently shipped to The Pictsweet Company.
It is hard to know exactly how this happened. Perhaps a test-and-hold program that didn't hold too well? Or a sample was taken for testing and that lot of product was not held? The next question is whether this supplier has a larger Listeria issue extending beyond this lot.
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625788.htm
The Pictsweet Company Recalls 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears due to Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2018
It is hard to know exactly how this happened. Perhaps a test-and-hold program that didn't hold too well? Or a sample was taken for testing and that lot of product was not held? The next question is whether this supplier has a larger Listeria issue extending beyond this lot.
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625788.htm
The Pictsweet Company Recalls 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears due to Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2018
Raw Ground Turkey Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Jennie-O Turkey, a Barron, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products after being linked to a Salmonella outbreak with 164 cases in 35 different states. According to the USDA report, "The patient tested positive for Salmonella Reading and the sample from the ground turkey matches the outbreak strain."
The good news is that the recall does not involve whole turkeys at this point, so it should not impact Thanksgiving turkey purchases. However, the investigation is ongoing and it seems that some people who became ill handled live turkeys. So it is important to use proper procedures for handling and preparing whole turkey products, especially during our Thanksgiving holiday. From the USDA report, "Patients have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different stores, handling raw turkey pet food and/or raw turkey, or working with live turkeys or living with someone who handled live turkeys."
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-112-2018-release
Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC Recalls Raw Ground Turkey Products due to Possible Salmonella Reading Contamination
Class I Recall
112-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 15, 2018
The good news is that the recall does not involve whole turkeys at this point, so it should not impact Thanksgiving turkey purchases. However, the investigation is ongoing and it seems that some people who became ill handled live turkeys. So it is important to use proper procedures for handling and preparing whole turkey products, especially during our Thanksgiving holiday. From the USDA report, "Patients have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different stores, handling raw turkey pet food and/or raw turkey, or working with live turkeys or living with someone who handled live turkeys."
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-112-2018-release
Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC Recalls Raw Ground Turkey Products due to Possible Salmonella Reading Contamination
Class I Recall
112-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 15, 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
CDC Investigating Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Raw Turkey.....Just in Time for Thanksgiving
CDC is investigating an ongoing Salmonella outbreak involving raw turkey. There have been 135 cases in 35 different states with 63 hospitalizations and one death. CDC has not been able to pinpoint an exact source except that it is related to raw turkey. The strain, Salmonella Reading, is sufficiently virulent to be causing this ongoing and serious issue.
So with Thanksgiving upon us, it is especially important this year to follow proper practices.
- Wash your hands after touching raw turkey or drippings.
- Wash all surfaces after contacting raw turkey or drippings (cutting boards, refrigerator shelves, knives, etc)
- Cook your turkey to the right temperature. Use a thermometer to verify at least 165F. But this year, go a few degrees more than you normally do just to be safe.
A few other important things.....
- Don't wash your turkey in the sink spraying that turkey stuff all over.
- Cook the stuffing separate from the bird. Sure, you may like it better, but it ain't worth sitting on the pot for a week.
- Don't eat raw or undercooked turkey. If your Aunt Mabel serves it undercooked, it is time to set her straight.
- Don't feed your dog raw turkey dog food.
CDC Investigation Notice
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-07-18/index.html
Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infections Linked to Raw Turkey Products
Posted November 8, 2018 at 11:45 AM EDT
At A Glance
Reported Cases: 164
States: 35
Hospitalizations: 63
Deaths: 1
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-07-18/index.html
Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infections Linked to Raw Turkey Products
Posted November 8, 2018 at 11:45 AM EDT
At A Glance
Reported Cases: 164
States: 35
Hospitalizations: 63
Deaths: 1
FDA Releases Report on Sources of Foodborne Illnesses on Four Primary Pathogens
The IFSAC, a federal interagency group focused on food safety released a report on sources of foodborne illness from four pathogens - Salmonella, E. Coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobcacter. The report year was 2016.
The full report titled "Foodborne illness source attribution estimates for 1998 to 2016 for Salmonella,
From that report, here are the key takeaways. There is nothing surprising.
Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter using multi-year outbreak surveillance data, United States" can be found HERE.
From that report, here are the key takeaways. There is nothing surprising.
"Salmonella illnesses came from a wide variety of foods.
"E.coli O157 illnesses were most often linked to Vegetable Row Crops (such as leafy greens) and Beef.
Nearly 75% of illnesses were linked to these two categories."
"Listeria monocytogenes illnesses were most often linked to Dairy products and Fruits.
More than 75% of illnesses were attributed to these two categories, but the rarity of Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks makes these estimates less reliable than those for other pathogens."
"Non-Dairy Campylobacter illnesses were most often linked to Chicken.
Over 80% of non-Dairy foodborne illnesses were attributed to Chicken, Other Seafood (such as shellfish), Turkey, Other Meat/Poultry (such as lamb or duck), and Vegetable Row Crops, with Campylobacter illnesses most often linked to Chicken. An attribution percentage for Dairy is not included because, among other reasons, most foodborne Campylobacter outbreaks were associated with unpasteurized milk, which is not widely consumed, and we think these over-represent Dairy as a source of illness caused by Campylobacter. Removing Dairy illnesses from the calculations highlights important sources of illness from widely consumed foods, such as Chicken."
FDA Constituent Updates
Salmonella illnesses were broadly attributed across multiple food categories. More than 75% of Salmonella illnesses were attributed to seven food categories: Seeded Vegetables (such as tomatoes), Chicken, Pork, Fruits, Other Produce (such as nuts), Eggs, and Beef."
[Salmonella is carried by so many animals and with that, comes in on raw ingredients such as meats, grains, produce, etc. Also can survive in the processing environment for long periods of time. Simple errors such as under-cooking, cross contamination, inadequate sanitation provides opportunity for this organism to contaminate food.]
"E.coli O157 illnesses were most often linked to Vegetable Row Crops (such as leafy greens) and Beef.
Nearly 75% of illnesses were linked to these two categories."
[This organism is associated with animal (ruminants) poop. It gets to people either via beef, primarily ground beef, and then people don't properly cook (no thermometer) or the organism gets onto produce via contaminated water or when ruminants poop around the produce]
"Listeria monocytogenes illnesses were most often linked to Dairy products and Fruits.
More than 75% of illnesses were attributed to these two categories, but the rarity of Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks makes these estimates less reliable than those for other pathogens."
[This contamination is primarily a processing environmental contaminate. In facilities where equipment sanitation is not as good as it should be, the organism establishes itself and then the food. The meat industry has it pretty much figured out...there are no silver bullets, just solid procedures and constant vigilance]
"Non-Dairy Campylobacter illnesses were most often linked to Chicken.
Over 80% of non-Dairy foodborne illnesses were attributed to Chicken, Other Seafood (such as shellfish), Turkey, Other Meat/Poultry (such as lamb or duck), and Vegetable Row Crops, with Campylobacter illnesses most often linked to Chicken. An attribution percentage for Dairy is not included because, among other reasons, most foodborne Campylobacter outbreaks were associated with unpasteurized milk, which is not widely consumed, and we think these over-represent Dairy as a source of illness caused by Campylobacter. Removing Dairy illnesses from the calculations highlights important sources of illness from widely consumed foods, such as Chicken."
[The food with the highest incidence rate is raw milk, but since most people don't consume raw milk, the number is not as high as it would be if we all started to drink it. Outside of that, it is poultry. With Thanksgiving coming up, that is something to keep in mind.]
FDA Constituent Updates
https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm625291.htm
Release of a New Report on the Sources of Foodborne Illnesses for 2016 from the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration
November 9, 2018
Release of a New Report on the Sources of Foodborne Illnesses for 2016 from the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration
November 9, 2018
This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending November 10, 2018
Mislabeled Burrito - NuVue Foods, a Hamtramck, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 268 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken burrito products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, -the products contain egg which was not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered on November 9, 2018 after the firm received a consumer complaint. The establishment produced “18th Street Deli Farmers Burritos,” containing eggs, which were mistakenly labeled as “18th Street Deli Chicken Burrito”.
FDA Sampling Finds Milk in Chocolate - Recchiuti Confections (San Francisco, CA) discovered two batches of their Bittersweet Chocolate Bar and two batches of their Feve Chocolate Bar contain high levels of milk protein after FDA sampling.
Supplied Ingredient Has Allergen Not on Labeled - Wegmans has initiated a voluntary recall of the pumpkin loaf and coffee cake because they may contain milk not declared on the label. The recall was initiated when it was learned that one of the ingredients (a streusel topping supplied by Bake'n Joy Foods of Andover, MA) contained milk that had not been declared on the finished product label.
NuVue Foods Recalls Burrito Products due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
Class I Recall 110-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2018
FDA Sampling Finds Milk in Chocolate - Recchiuti Confections (San Francisco, CA) discovered two batches of their Bittersweet Chocolate Bar and two batches of their Feve Chocolate Bar contain high levels of milk protein after FDA sampling.
Supplied Ingredient Has Allergen Not on Labeled - Wegmans has initiated a voluntary recall of the pumpkin loaf and coffee cake because they may contain milk not declared on the label. The recall was initiated when it was learned that one of the ingredients (a streusel topping supplied by Bake'n Joy Foods of Andover, MA) contained milk that had not been declared on the finished product label.
NuVue Foods Recalls Burrito Products due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
Class I Recall 110-2018
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2018
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