Thursday, June 27, 2019

Pet (Fish) Food Recalled After Lab Misreads Salmonella Results

A Wisconsin firm is recalling fish food, Aqueon Betta Food, after Salmonella test results were reversed and called positive.  It appears the firm shipped the product on getting negative Salmonella results and then had to conduct a recall after two negatives were confirmed as positive.  "Central Aquatics has appropriate testing protocols and followed all such internal testing protocols. However, the outside independent laboratory contracted to conduct and read Salmonella testing mistakenly indicated the two lots of the recalled product were negative for Salmonella, when in fact it was found to be positive for Salmonella. Central Aquatics immediately initiated steps to recall the subject product upon notification of the error by the independent laboratory."

As indicated in the report, there is little information on the impact of Salmonella on fish, however, the concern would be that people handling the fish food, often dosed to the fish by pouring some in the fish feeders hand,  could be transmitted to that person or others.

The important point in this is the impact of the laboratory and the results they furnish regarding the product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/central-aquatics-recalls-aqueon-betta-food-95-oz-jar-because-possible-salmonella-health-risk
Central Aquatics Recalls Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz Jar) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 26, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 26, 2019

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

NC Establishment Recalls Sausage Due to Complaint of Metal Piece

An Elon, N.C. establishment, San Giuseppe Salami Co, is recalling approximately 832 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE), frozen andouille sausage products after they received a report that a consumer found a piece of a metal ring in the product, thus indicating that the product may be contaminated with metal extraneous materials.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-071-2019-release
San Giuseppe Salami Co. by Giacomo Recalls Ready-To-Eat, Frozen Andouille Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall
071-2019 
Health Risk: High 
Jun 24, 2019

Monday, June 24, 2019

FDA Provides Update on E. coli Outbreak Linked to Flour, More Product Added to Recall

FDA released an update on the outbreak investigation into the illnesses cased by E. coli linked to flour.  There have been 17 cases so far, with the last one occurring mid-April.

Another company was added to those issued a flour related recall due to this.  Brand Castle is recalling cookie and brownie mixes.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o26-linked-adm-milling-co-flour-may-2019
Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O26 Linked to ADM Milling Co. Flour, May 2019

Additional recall linked to ADM Milling Co. flour; Brand Castle, LLC announces recall of several cookie and brownie mixes due to potentially contaminated flour

Case Counts
  • Total Illnesses: 17
  •  Hospitalizations: 3
  •  Deaths: 0
  •  Last illness onset: April 18, 2019

Infant Formula Powder Recalled for Potential Foreign Material

Perrigo Company plc is issuing a voluntary nationwide recall a single lot of 35-ounce, 992-gram containers of Parent's Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron. because of the potential presence of metal foreign matter,   This product is sold exclusively at Walmart.
"No adverse events have been reported to date, and the recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution stemming from a consumer report"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/perrigo-issues-voluntary-recall-parents-choice-advantage-infant-formula-milk-based-powder-iron
Perrigo Issues Voluntary Recall For Parent's Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder With Iron
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 21, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  June 21, 2019

Bottled Water from Mexico Recalled after Tests Reveal Arsenic Above Regulatory Limits

Keurig Dr Pepper today announced it will voluntarily withdraw Peñafiel unflavored mineral spring water products, imported from Mexico, due to the presence of violative levels of arsenic. Water quality tests of Peñafiel samples conducted by an independent laboratory on behalf of Keurig Dr Pepper detected arsenic at levels that exceeded the FDA’s bottled water standards for mineral water of 10 ppb.

From the published notice, "Arsenic is found in nature, including in aquifers that are the source of mineral water and where levels can vary over time. Keurig Dr Pepper has recently installed enhanced filtration systems at its facilities that produce Peñafiel, and the product now being produced is well within regulatory guidelines."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/keurig-dr-pepper-announces-voluntary-withdrawal-unflavored-penafiel-mineral-spring-water-does-not
Keurig Dr Pepper Announces Voluntary Withdrawal of Unflavored Peñafiel Mineral Spring Water that Does Not Meet FDA Bottled Water Quality Standards
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 21, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  June 21, 2019

Friday, June 21, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending June 22, 2019

Egg Missing on Tempura Product Label - Mai Cuisine Inc., of Philadelphia, PA is voluntarily recalling 31 packs of Spicy Shrimp Tempura Roll and 32 packs of Spicy Shrimp Tempura Crunch Roll because it may contain undeclared egg.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing egg was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Although these products have shelf life of 1 day, the firm is initiating this recall to ensure customer safety.

Wrong Potato Chip Bag - Chips Packed in Wrong Bag, Milk Not Listed - Frito-Lay today issued a limited voluntary recall of 7 3/4 oz. bags of Lay’s Lightly Salted Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that bags of Lay’s Lightly Salted Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with another flavor of potato chips, potentially exposing consumers to undeclared milk.

High Sulfite Level on Dried Dates - Shivam Distributors of Longwood, FL is recalling its 14 ounce packages of “Dry Dates” because they contain high sulfite content.  The recall was the result of a random testing done on May 21 2019 by FL agriculture department which notified our company on June 5, 2019 that revealed high sulfite level in the 14 ounce packages of “Dry Dates” with batch # 127/BHBI.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mai-cuisine-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-allergen-spicy-shrimp-tempura-sushi-rolls
Mai Cuisine Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Allergen in Spicy Shrimp Tempura Sushi Rolls
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 17, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 17, 2019

Ready-to-Eat Food Items Recalled Due to Temperature Abuse During Transport to Retail Location

 C&S Wholesale Grocers, located in Westfield, Mass. is recalling an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to temperature abuse during transport,The ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products were sold on June 17, 2019, at two Target retail stores in New York. The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that the product was held at an incorrect temperature and then inadvertently shipped into commerce.  All remaining inventory of the recalled items have been removed from the store and destroyed.

In the FDA recall notice for the same two shipments, the reasoning was mechanical failure during transportation.  One may guess an improperly operating, or non-operating refrigeration unit.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-070-2019-release
C&S Wholesale Grocers Recalls Meat and Poultry Products due to Possible Temperature Abuse During Transport at Two Stores in New York 
Class I Recall
070-2019
Health Risk: High
Jun 20, 2019

Frozen Berries Recalled for Norovirus After FDA Testing Reveals Presence

Alma Pak of Alma, Georgia is recalling specific lots of product containing frozen blackberries (noted below) due to the potential of being contaminated with Norovirus. FDA testing of frozen blackberries was reported to have tested positive for Norovirus.

It appears that the recalls associated with viral contamination, in this case Norovirus, are triggered by FDA testing.  Hopefully, there is an investigation into how this contamination got there and with that, the types of controls that can be instituted.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/alma-pak-voluntarily-recalls-frozen-blackberries-due-possible-health-risk-norovirus
Alma Pak Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Blackberries Due to Possible Health Risk of Norovirus
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 20, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 20, 2019

Frozen Grilled Red Peppers Recalled After Sample Tests Positive for Listeria

UNFI is voluntarily recalling its 10 ounce packages of Woodstock frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers after routine testing by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Currently, one lot of product is being recalled, but the company has suspended production of the product while RIDOH and UNFI continue to investigate.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unfi-recalls-its-woodstock-frozen-organic-grilled-red-peppers-because-possible-health-risk
UNFI Recalls its Woodstock Frozen Organic Grilled Red Peppers Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 19, 2019
FDA Publish Date: June 19, 2019