FDA Warning Letters Issued to Importers for Non-compliance to FSVP

FDA issued Warning Letters to four importers for not have Foreign Supplier Verification Programs in place for the food items these companies were importing. FSVP regulation requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that human and/or animal food they import into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards.


Martinez Mexican Produce, LLC, at 1704 N. International Blvd., Hidalgo, TX 78557.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/martinez-mexican-produce-llc-607645-06162020

Fides New York Inc. located at 4725 208th Street, Bayside, NY 11361-3214
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/fides-ny-inc-608989-07292020

Gourmet and More, Inc. located at 2976 Alvarado St., Ste D, San Leandro, CA 94577.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/gourmet-more-608887-07312020

Grupo RM USA, Inc., located at 7991 NW 82nd Ave. Miami, FL 33166.
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/grupo-rm-usa-inc-609291-08062020

FDA Issues Warning Letter to South Carolina RTE Sandwich Company for Failure to Control Listeria

FDA Issued a Warning Letter to Grand Strand Sandwich Shop after investigators found Listeria in the processing environment.  This strain was the same strain that was found in previous inspections.

"Environmental swabs collected during each of the past three FDA inspections revealed L. monocytogenes in your facility as follows:

- 2020: four (4) swabs collected from locations adjacent to food contact surfaces.

- 2018: seventeen (17) swabs primarily collected from food contact surfaces and locations adjacent to food contact surfaces.

- 2017: five (5) swabs within your facility primarily collected from locations adjacent to food contact surfaces.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted on the above referenced L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from the FDA environmental samples. The current WGS analysis determined that the isolates derived from the samples collected at your facility during our 2020, 2018, and 2017 inspections represent a single strain of L. monocytogenes0".

FDA indicated that the company's corrective action when finding Listeria was not adequate in that FDA found Listeria in the same locations that the company had found Listeria.

"Your firm implemented corrective actions, which included cleaning and sanitizing, followed by conducting environmental swabbing on that location to determine these were effective. On February 24, 2020, FDA’s environmental swabbing isolated L. monocytogenes from a (b)(4) in your (b)(4), which appears to be the same location of your January 6, 2020 finding."

The company also failed to recognize a hazard for an ingredient they purchased...more specifically L. monocytogens in the purchased RTE ingredients used in making sandwiches.

There were additional issues associated with verification and allergen control.

FDA Warning Letter

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/grand-strand-sandwich-company-inc-607559-08042020
Grand Strand Sandwich Company, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 607559 — August 04, 2020

FDA Update on Peaches Recalled for Salmonella - International and National Distribution

In FDA's update on peaches recalled for Salmonella,  Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand have issued recalls of Prima Wawona peaches. FDA indicates that recalled Wawona peaches were shipped to foreign consignees in Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Within the US, retailers across the nation have received the Wawona peaches.

Consumers who purchased Wawona peaches or if they cannot identify the brand or remember the date of purchase, should throw the product away. Consumers who may have frozen peaches supplied by Prima Wawona should throw them away.

There is no further information on the source of the Salmonella. Within the US, 78 have been infected with 23 hospitalizations.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-enteritidis-peaches-august-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Peaches (August 2020)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled loose or bagged peaches packed or supplied by Prima Wawona

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 78
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset Date: August 3, 2020
States with Cases: CT, IA, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI
Product Distribution*: Nationwide

Hostess Expands Recall of Zingers Due to the Potential for Mold

Hostess Brands, LLC (“Hostess Brands”) is expanding its voluntary recall of certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® because the product may develop mold prior to the best by date.  The initial recall was issued on July 21, 2020.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hostess-brands-llc-expands-voluntary-recall-certain-hostessr-raspberry-zingersr-due-potential-mold
Hostess Brands, LLC Expands Voluntary Recall of Certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® Due to the Potential for Mold
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 25, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  August 25, 2020
 Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to contain mold
Company Name:  Hostess Brands LLC
Brand Name:  Hostess
Product Description:  Raspberry Zingers

Gift Baskets Packed with Peach Salsa Recalled Due to Usage of Potentially Salmonella-tainted Peaches

Russ Davis Wholesale (RDW) is recalling Peach Salsa under the Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy brands in an abundance of caution due to possible contamination with Salmonella.  This recall is in response to Wawona Packaging initiating a recall of peaches early in the day August 22, 2020 as an ingredient provider to Russ Davis Wholesale.

Hard to tell if the peach salsa was processed using a heat treatment of just simply a fresh mix.  Being that the label on the peach salsa product required that the product be refrigerated, one could guess that at the most, it was a mild heat treatment.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/russ-davis-wholesale-recalls-peaches-and-peach-salsa-because-possible-health-risk
Russ Davis Wholesale Recalls Peaches and Peach Salsa Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 25, 2020
FDA Publish Date: August 25, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Russ Davis Wholesale
Brand Name:  Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy an Unbranded and Bountiful Fresh gift baskets
Product Description:  Peach Salsa and Gift Baskets

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending 8-29-20

Granola Bars Labeled Incorrectly - TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS) is voluntarily recalling certain Chewy Granola Bars sold under the brand name Signature Select because the outer carton indicates that the product is Chocolate Chip variety, while some of the individually-wrapped product contained in the carton may be Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip variety.  TreeHouse discovered the issue after receiving three consumer complaints. At this time, TreeHouse has received one report of an allergic reaction associated with this product.

Worcestershire Contains Soy and Anchovies (Fish) -  Sauce of Iron River, Michigan is recalling two flavors of barbeque sauces, because the products contain undeclared Soy and Anchovies. This announcement was initiated after the omission on the label was discovered August 20 of this year during a routine operations inspection. This inspection revealed that two ingredients, soy and anchovies (fish), were used in the brand of Worcestershire sauce 

Egg Noodles Labeled as Other Noodles - Riviana Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling 19,931 cases of certain coded Ronzoni Smart Taste Extra-Wide Noodle cellophane packages that contain an egg noodle product. The affected Ronzoni Smart Taste Extra-Wide Noodle packages do not declare the allergen “egg”, which is an ingredient in the noodle product. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing egg was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in Riviana’s packaging review processes.

Wrong Bag For Chips - Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of select 1 oz., 1 1/2 oz., 2 5/8 oz., 7 3/4 oz., 12 1/2 oz., 15 1/2 oz. bags of Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that bags of Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with another flavor of potato chips, potentially exposing consumers to undeclared milk.

Dry Dog Food Recalled After Sample Tests Positive for Salmonella

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 

"The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture when a sample of a single 3-pound bag of the product was collected and tested positive for Salmonella. The firm conducted testing of multiple samples of the same lot which all tested negative for Salmonella. Salmonella may not be evenly distributed throughout a lot which is why it could have been found on one sample and not on multiple other samples of the same lot. However, out of an abundance of caution, Sunshine Mills, Inc. has chosen to issue a voluntary recall of the above-referenced lots of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail in furtherance of its commitment to the safety and quality of its products."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sunshine-mills-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-natures-menur-super-premium-dog-food-blend-real-chicken
Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 24, 2020  

FDA Publish Date: August 24, 2020
Product Type: Animal & Veterinary  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Brand Name: Nature’s Menu
Product Description: Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail

England - Farmer Convicted of Contaminating Baby Food With Metal Shards

In England, a farmer was convicted of contaminating baby food with metal shards in an attempt to extort money in exchange for revealing where the jars were placed.  He will serve between 8 and 17 years in prison.

https://news.sky.com/story/sheep-farmer-guilty-of-contaminating-baby-food-with-metal-and-blackmailing-tesco-staff-12053014

Sheep farmer guilty of contaminating baby food with metal and blackmailing Tesco staff

Nigel Wright, 45, tried to extort £1.4m in bitcoin from the supermarket, the Old Bailey heard

Thursday 20 August 2020

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending 8-21-2020

Ingredient Missed on Label - Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Vegan Vanilla Cake from 21 stores across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and one store in Tallahassee, Florida, due to an undeclared soy (soy milk) allergen.  This is a print-and-apply label.....seems like somebody needs a better process for inputting and verifying ingredient information on this print-on-demand labels.  

Brazil Nuts in Mixed Nuts, but Don't Belong There - Superior Nut Company of Cambridge, MA is recalling Southern Grove Mixed Nuts Less than 50% Peanuts, because it may contain undeclared Brazil Nuts. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Brazil Nuts was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Brazil Nuts.

Wrong Potato Chips in the Bag - Frito-Lay announced a limited voluntary recall of a very small number of $1.29 1 1/2 oz. bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk ingredients.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a small number of bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with another flavor of potato chips, potentially exposing consumers to undeclared milk.

Soup with Pasta and Meatballs Labeled as Chicken Noodle - Faribault Foods Inc., a Faribault, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 15,134 pounds of canned soup product due to misbranding and undeclared allergen- the product contains milk and soy, known allergens, as well as beef and pork, which are not declared on the product label.  The cans labeled as chicken noodle soup actually contain a meatball and pasta product.  The problem was discovered when the firm’s distributor notified FSIS of consumer complaints that the soup contained meatballs and pasta instead of chicken and noodles.