According to the recall, “This recall only affects this one date code of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour five-pound bags. All other types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected by this recall.”

As of today, General Mills has not received any direct consumer reports of confirmed illnesses related to this product. If consumers or others have flour on hand that is no longer in its original packaging, and it is not known for sure that it is not the implicated flour, they should throw it out.

“Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product,” the state department advised.

To determine whether they have any of the implicated flour on hand, consumers should look for the following packing information:

• 5 lb. Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour
• Package UPC Number – 016000 196100
• Better If Used By Date – 06SEP2020KC

Government officials warn consumers to refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour; “E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour.”

Advice for consumers
FDA offers these tips for safe food handling of flour:

• Do not eat any raw cookie dough, cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
• Closely supervise children handling flour for baking and craft projects to make sure they don’t touch their faces and that they properly wash their hands after handling raw flour.
• Follow package directions for cooking products containing flour at proper temperatures and for specified times.
• Wash hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour and raw dough products.
• Keep raw foods separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any contamination that may be present from spreading. Be aware that flour may spread easily due to its powdery nature.
• Follow label directions to chill products containing raw dough promptly after purchase until baked.

About E. coli infections
The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. If there is fever, it is usually not lower than 101 degrees F (38.5 degrees C). Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or even life-threatening symptoms and complications.

About 5 percent to 10 percent of those who are diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or die. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. People with HUS should be hospitalized because it can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage and neurologic problems.

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Businesses have 15 days to respond in writing to the FDA after receiving a warning letter. If they don’t correct the violations, the FDA can take action up to and including shutting down operations.

Peggy Lawton Kitchens, Inc. — East Walpole, MA

Inspectors found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (CGMP & PC rule); “Based on FDA’s inspectional findings, we determined that your RTE food products manufactured in your facility are adulterated in that they were prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.”

The FDA sent a warning letter dated Aug. 29, 2019, to the bakery owner Mr. William H. Wolf, informing him of multiple violations after inspecting the facility May 28 through June 12, 2019, where the facility manufactures Ready-to-Eat (RTE) bakery products, including cookies and brownies. Additionally, the FDA noted a response form they received from the firm on June 21, 2019, including a summary of corrective actions taken and planned by the firm.

“The adequacy of each of your firm’s promised corrective actions is discussed below and implementation of those actions will be assessed during our next inspection,” the FDA said.

The violations noted by the FDA include:

• Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (Subpart C)
  • “The CGMP & PC rule requires that you must conduct a hazard analysis to identify and evaluate known or reasonably foreseeable hazards for each type of food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at your facility to determine whether there are any hazards requiring a preventive control.”;
  • During the FDA’s inspection, it was determined that the firm did not prepare, or have prepared, and did not implement a food safety plan for the food manufactured in their ready-to-eat (RTE) cookie and brownie processing facility; and
  • The firm’s response outlines the corrective actions they have taken or plan to take, which includes modification of their recall plan; “Your response does not include a hazard analysis or food safety plan. We do not have enough information to fully assess your promised corrective actions regarding your violations of the requirements in subpart C. We will verify the adequacy of your corrective actions during a future inspection.”
• Current Good Manufacturing Practice (Subpart B):
  • “Your plant equipment and utensils used in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food are not designed and of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable, and are not maintained adequately to protect against allergen cross-contact and contamination.”;
  • For example, multiple layers of electrical tape were observed wrapped around a cookie die. The cookie dough is pressed out of the die to make the dough in the shape of cookies;
  • “Specifically, on May 29, 2019, an employee was observed removing sheet pans of cooked brownies and placing them on a rack immediately beneath sheets pans of uncooked brownies. Additionally, your firm uses the same oven racks for holding sheet pans of uncooked brownies prior to placing the sheet pans in the oven and for holding pans of cooked brownies after they are baked.”; and
  • “On May 29, 2019, the equipment used to manufacture brownie batter was cleaned with water only; the cleaning did not include the use of detergent, physical scrubbing, and a sanitizer.”
• Additionally, the firm did not have records documenting training in the principles of food hygiene and food safety for employees who manufacture, process, pack, or hold brownies;
• “On May 29, 2019, and May 30, 2019, employees packaging ready-to-eat brownies were observed to not wash and sanitize their hands prior to handling brownies with their bare hands after touching unsanitary objects including dishwasher buttons with brown residue and conveyor belt switches that were observed to be encrusted with apparent brownie residue. The same employees were observed to not wash and sanitize their bare hands (or sanitize their gloved hands) after returning from break and continuing to work with the ready-to-eat brownies.”; and
• The firm did not adequately maintain buildings, fixtures, and other physical facilities in a clean and sanitary condition and in repair adequate to prevent food from becoming adulterated.
• Consumers can view a complete list of violations in the FDA warning letter.

Donggang Hongxing Food Co., Ltd. — Liaoning Sheng, China

In a warning letter dated Aug. 15, 2019, the FDA informed owner Quan Shijie that Donggang Hongxing Food Co.’s fish or fishery products were under serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation. The FDA acknowledged receipt of the firm’s response sent via email on June 6, 2019 including a revised HACCP plan entitled “Frozen Boiled Short Necked Clam (Vacuum Packed)” and a spreadsheet outlining their corrections, however, FDA evaluation of the response revealed it was not adequate, as further described in the warning letter.

The firm’s frozen boiled short-necked clams (vacuum packed) are adulterated, in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

The FDA noted the following significant deviations:

• The firm’s HACCP plan must, at minimum, list the critical limits that must be met, to comply with 21 CFR 123.6(c)(3). “A critical limit is defined in 21 CFR 123.3(c) as ‘the maximum or minimum value to which a physical, biological, or chemical parameter must be controlled at a critical control point, to prevent, eliminate, or reduce to an acceptable level the occurrence of the identified food safety hazard.'” However, the firm’s revised HACCP plan entitled “Frozen Boiled Short Necked Clam (Vacuum Packed),” dated June 1, 2019, lists critical limits that are not adequate to control pathogens because there is no corresponding critical limit for time.;
• The firm listed a critical control point that is not adequate to control Clostridium botulinum because it does not list that handling instruction is included on each label to state that the product is to be thawed under refrigeration. “FDA recommends each product label include the statement ‘Keep Frozen, Thaw under refrigeration immediately before use.'”; and
• The firm’s revised HACCP plan lists a critical control point and a monitoring frequency that is not appropriate to control natural toxins; “FDA recommends you visually check incoming tags of every container.”

Additional violations can be found in the FDA’s warning letter.

Pavlos Trifonidis S.A — Kavala, Greece

Pavlos Trifonidis S.A in Kava la, Greece is on notice from the FDA because of significant deviations from the Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). The firm processes fish products, which must have a HACCP plan that complies with the Act.

FDA acknowledged receipt of an email response sent from the firm via email on April 5 and June 10, 2019; “Your responses included revised HACCP plans along with corresponding HACCP documents. However, our evaluation of your response revealed it was not adequate, as further described in this letter.”

Staff from the Food and Drug Administration inspected the firm’s facility on March 14 and 15, 2019, and rendered the firm’s tuna “Lakerda (Thunnus alalunga)” packed in oil and canned salted anchovies products adulterated, in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

The FDA noted several significant deviations:

“The maximum or minimum value to which a physical, biological, or chemical parameter must be controlled at a critical control point to prevent, eliminate, or reduce to an acceptable level the occurrence of the identified food safety hazard.” However, the firm’s revised HACCP plan provided with their June 10th response for critical limit for a core temperature of the fish is not appropriate to control scombrotoxin (histamine) formation.

“FDA recommends a critical limit that ensures the product is held at a continuous cooler temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or below, or ensure the product is completely and continuously surrounded by ice throughout the storage time.”

Additional critical limits submitted by the firm were not adequate by themselves to control scombrotoxin (histamine) formation when receiving fresh fish from the harvest vessel; In addition to taking the internal temperature of incoming scombroid species fish, FDA recommends conducting a sensory examination of a representative number of incoming fish for decomposition.

“Lastly, when processors rely on the adequacy of ice during transit from the harvest vessel to the plant, FDA recommends a critical limit that lists fish are to be completely surrounded by ice during transit and at the time of delivery.”

At the end of the warning letter, the FDA warned that if the firm does not respond, or if the FDA finds their response inadequate, further action may be taken; “For instance, we may take further action to refuse admission of your imported fish or fishery products.”

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“Seventy-six salads and wraps are still unaccounted for. No juices or any other products are being recalled,” the recall notice said.

According to the FDA, spinach from a supplier tested positive for a small amount of E. coli bacteria. Urban Remedy CEO Paul Coletta Coletta said that Urban Remedy will no longer buy spinach from the supplier.

The recalled products were sold in Urban Remedy’s retail stores, at Whole Foods Markets, online, and at other California retailers. All remaining affected products have been removed from store shelves and the Urban Remedy website.

There have been no illnesses reported to date in connection to the recalled salads and wraps.

According to the recall, all of the potentially affected products have a “use-by date” of September 15. Consumers who purchased any of the following products are advised to throw them out or return them to the store of purchase for a full refund:

Symptoms of E. coli infection can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. The infection and complications are sometimes fatal.

High-risk groups for severe illness and complications include young children, older and/or frail adults, pregnant women and people with suppressed immune systems such as diabetics, HIV patients, transplant recipients, and cancer patients.

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 855-875-8423.

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In an initial recall notice posted on Aug. 31, the CFIA warned consumers not consume various The Deli-Shop brand Pâtés because of possible Listeria contamination found by CFIA test results.

On Sept. 12, the CFIA announced that Les Spécialités Prodal (1975) Ltée is recalling various brands of pâtés, mousses, terrines, and rillettes from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The CFIA said consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers, and foodservice establishments should not sell or use the implicated products.

There is yet to be any reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Consumers can find a full list of implicated product labels here.

“This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation,” the recall notice said.

Anyone who thinks they have become sick from consuming a recalled product should call their doctor, the CFIA warned. The CFIA is also concerned the recalled product may currently be stored in consumers’ homes. Any recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are, particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die. Who is affected

The updated recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

“For people who have a wheat allergy, celiac disease or gluten and wheat sensitivity, consuming gluten or wheat may have adverse health effects or serious allergic reactions. If you feel ill or are at all concerned about illness, please contact your physician,” the FDA warned.

The affected cases of impacted “Martha White Gluten Free Sweet Cornbread Muffin Mix” were distributed nationwide through two retailers. Consumers can identify the recalled product by the following case item codes, UPC codes, lot codes, and Best-If-Used-By dates:

“No other Martha White or Hometown Food Company products are impacted by this limited, voluntary recall,” the recall notice said. “All products with other Best-If-Used-By Dates and Lot Codes are not affected by this recall.” Consumers can find the “Best-If-Used-By” dates on the back of the pouch.

To date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

If consumers have the affected product in a home or business where someone suffers from a wheat allergy, celiac disease or gluten and wheat sensitivity, do not consume it. The affected product should be thrown out immediately or returned to the retail location where it was purchased for a refund. This voluntary recall is being made with the full knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“At Hometown Food Company, nothing is more important than the safety and integrity of our products,” Hometown Food Company said. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this recall may cause and are offering replacement coupons for your product.”

Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-219-9333.

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Businesses have 15 days to respond in writing to the FDA after receiving a warning letter. If they don’t correct the violations, the FDA can take action up to and including shutting down operations.

Commercial Mares de Chiloe — Los Lagos, Chile

In a warning letter dated Aug. 19, 2019, the FDA informed Director Rodrigo Becerra that Commercial Mares de Chiloe’s HACCP plan, entitled “Quality Assurance Manual Based on HACCP” for their salmon and trout products, which are intended to be consumed raw or cooked, shipped refrigerated or frozen, and maybe vacuum packaged, demonstrates serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation. Accordingly, the firm’s salmon and trout products are adulterated in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

Pathogen growth is reasonably likely to occur in fish and fishery products that are exposed to unrefrigerated temperatures (e.g. temperatures above 4.4°C (40°F) for unsafe periods of time. FDA inspectors suggested that the firm’s HACCP plan include appropriate controls to ensure that each product is appropriately labeled with handling instructions (e.g., “Important, keep frozen until used, thaw under refrigeration immediately before use”), so it is not conducive to C. botulinum growth and toxin formation. Additionally, the FDA recommended that the firm’s HACCP plan include controls for parasites in their ready-to-eat refrigerated salmon products.

Additionally, FDA noted that on July 10, 2019, the FDA placed Commercial Mares de Chiloe on the red list of Import Alert 16-39 “Detention Without Physical Examination of Processed Seafood and Analogue Seafood (Surimi) Products for Listeria Monocytogenes” based on evidence which identified Listeria Monocytogenes in analyzed portions frozen raw salmon intended for raw consumption.

“Your response should outline the specific things you are doing to correct these violations, ” the FDA warned. “More specifically, your response should include documentation and information that would assist us in evaluating your corrections, such as documentation reflecting the changes you made, such as a copy of your revised HACCP plan, five (5) consecutive days of completed monitoring records (i.e., complete sets of monitoring records for the production of 5 production date codes of products) to demonstrate implementation of the plan, and any additional information that you wish to supply that provides assurance of your intent to fully comply now and in the future with the seafood HACCP regulation.”

Pavlos Trifonidis S.A. — Kava la, Greece

Pavlos Trifonidis S.A in Kava la, Greece is on notice from the FDA because of significant deviations from the Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). The firm processes fish products, which must have a HACCP plan that complies with the Act.

FDA acknowledged receipt of an email response sent from the firm via email on April 5 and June 10, 2019; “Your responses included revised HACCP plans along with corresponding HACCP documents. However, our evaluation of your response revealed it was not adequate, as further described in this letter.”

Staff from the Food and Drug Administration inspected the firm’s facility on March 14 and 15, 2019, and rendered the firm’s tuna “Lakerda (Thunnus alalunga)” packed in oil and canned salted anchovies products adulterated, in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

The FDA noted several significant deviations:

“The maximum or minimum value to which a physical, biological, or chemical parameter must be controlled at a critical control point to prevent, eliminate, or reduce to an acceptable level the occurrence of the identified food safety hazard.” However, the firm’s revised HACCP plan provided with their June 10th response for critical limit for a core temperature of the fish is not appropriate to control scombrotoxin (histamine) formation.

“FDA recommends a critical limit that ensures the product is held at a continuous cooler temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or below, or ensure the product is completely and continuously surrounded by ice throughout the storage time.”

Additional critical limits submitted by the firm were not adequate by themselves to control scombrotoxin (histamine) formation when receiving fresh fish from the harvest vessel; In addition to taking the internal temperature of incoming scombroid species fish, FDA recommends conducting a sensory examination of a representative number of incoming fish for decomposition.

“Lastly, when processors rely on the adequacy of ice during transit from the harvest vessel to the plant, FDA recommends a critical limit that lists fish are to be completely surrounded by ice during transit and at the time of delivery.”

At the end of the warning letter, the FDA warned that if the firm does not respond, or if the FDA finds their response inadequate, further action may be taken; “For instance, we may take further action to refuse admission of your imported fish or fishery products.”

Shree Datt Aquaculture Farms — Gujarat, India

In Aug. 22 warning letter to Managing Director Dattubhai Tandel, FDA investigators noted significant violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation after an inspection of Shree Datt Aquaculture Farms on May 15 through 16, 2019.

“At the conclusion of that inspection, the FDA investigator issued an FDA 483, lnspectional Observations, listing the observations made at your firm.  We acknowledge receipt of your responses sent via email on May 30, 2019, and July 20, 2019, to FDA 483 and to the FDA email dated July 2, 2019,” however, the firm’s July 20, 2019 revised HACCP plan, written corrective action report, cooking validation record, and completed monitoring records, revealed they were not adequate.

Accordingly, the firm’s cooked shrimp are adulterated, in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

The FDA noted that the firm revised HACCP plan entitled “Cooked and Peeled /PD PV/PND/PDTO/PDTO BFLY IQF” dated July 5, 2019 lists monitoring procedures and frequencies that are not adequate to control pathogenic bacteria survival through cooking.

As noted, FDA recommends that firms monitor the cooking temperature (steam temperature) using a continuous temperature-recording device (e.g., a recording thermometer) with continuous monitoring by the device itself with a visual check of the recorded data at least once per day. Investigators added that monitoring the belt speed with a stopwatch does not ensure conformance with the firm’s listed critical limit for the [undisclosed] time for the products to be held at a listed core temperature of 79 Degrees C; “Monitoring the belt speed with a stopwatch will only indicate how long the product was in the cooker.”

The firm’s response to the FDA should include documentation reflecting the changes made, such as a copy of their revised HACCP plan, five (5) consecutive days of completed monitoring records (i.e., records for the production of 5 production date codes of the products) to demonstrate implementation of the plan, and any additional information that the firm wishes to supply that provides assurance of their intent to fully comply now and in the future with the applicable laws and regulations.

“If you do not respond or if we find your response inadequate, we may take further action.  For instance, we may take further action to refuse admission of your imported fish or fishery products,” FDA officials warned.

Whitsons Food Service – Bronx, Corp. — Islandia, NY

In a warning letter dated Aug. 9, 2019, the FDA informed President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul J. Whitcomb, that FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food. Additionally, FDA collected environmental samples from various areas in the firm’s facility “including food contact surfaces and areas that are near food during processing operations,” and FDA laboratory analyses of the environmental samples (i.e., swabs) identified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a human pathogen.

According to emails the FDA received on November 4, 9, 12, 13, December 7, 9, 11, and 12 of 2018, the firm said they have hired consultants, performed an investigation of the processing facility and equipment including sampling for L. monocytogenes harborage sites, cleaned and sanitized their processing environment, conducted environmental sampling and finished product testing for L. monocytogenes, developed a maintenance schedule and planned improvement program, repaired equipment and floors, updated their procedures including their environmental sampling program, reassessed all food safety plans (including your “HARPC” and Seafood HACCP plans), and conducted training.

The FDA addressed the firm’s responses below, nothing the following significant violations:

• The firm’s food safety plan for RTE Thai Noodle Salad and Macaroni and Cheese did not identify a preventive control for the food safety hazard of contamination of RTE products with an environmental pathogen, e.g., L. monocytogenes; “These RTE products are exposed to the production environment prior to packaging and the packaged food does not receive a treatment or otherwise include a control measure.”;
• The reoccurring presence of identical strains of L. monocytogenes in the firm’s finished products and manufacturing environment indicates that niche harborage sites are present in their facility; “Furthermore, these repeated findings of L. monocytogenes in your environment and RTE product should have resulted in a reanalysis of your food safety plan, and the identification of contamination of RTE products with environmental pathogens as a hazard requiring a preventive control”;
• The firm did not implement their  preventive controls for allergens; “Your preventive controls require that your labels contain an allergen declaration,” However, during the FDA’s inspection observing the manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of RTE Thai Noodle Salad (a pasta salad containing wheat and soy allergens), the label affixed to the product that was ready for distribution did not contain a list of ingredients or an appropriate allergen declaration;
• The firm’s plant was not kept in repair adequate to prevent food from becoming adulterated, as required under CGMP regulations; “During our inspection, on October 30, 2018, we observed two holes in the floor of the salad room where exposed RTE salads are processed. These holes were swabbed (swab # 122) and found positive for L. monocytogenes.”; and
• The firm’s critical limit, under Seafood HACCP, does not ensure that the refrigerated finished products (e.g., tuna salad sandwich and various vegetable salads containing tuna salad) have a pH of 5.0 or less to control non-proteolytic C. botulinum during distribution; “The critical limit only addresses the tuna salad pH and does not address the pH of the interface of the tuna salad with the other meal components which could increase the pH of the tuna above 5.0.”

FDA noted that the warning letter is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations at the firm’s facility or in connection with their products; “You are responsible for ensuring your facility operates in compliance with the Act, the CGMP, the PC rule, the seafood HACCP regulation, and other applicable laws.”

Lastly, FDA officials added that the firm should take prompt action to correct the violations noted in this letter, and that failure to do so may result in regulatory action without further notice, including without limitation, seizure, injunction, or administrative action for suspension of food facility registration if criteria and conditions warrant.

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The company says a dough scraper was inadvertently incorporated into the production process for a small amount of the product, according to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website. However, consumption of the plastic pieces may result in a choking hazard. Udi’s Classic Hamburger Buns are made on a dedicated production line, so no other Udi’s brand products are affected.

The recalled product is sold in clear plastic bags and the UPC is located on the back of the bag in the lower right corner. Consumers can find the bag closure code on the hard plastic closure for the bag.

The product being recalled was distributed for retail sale in the U.S. The specific product information is listed below:

The recalled product is sold in clear plastic bags and the UPC is located on the back of the bag in the lower right corner. The bag closure code can be found on the hard plastic closure for the bag.

There are no reports of injury to date.

All recalled products are being removed from store shelves. Consumers who have purchased the hamburger buns should not consume the product and can return the package to its place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions can contact the Conagra Brands Consumer Care team at 1-800-881-3989.

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According to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website this week, the product’s ingredient label fails to list an egg allergen due to a “mislabeling error by the manufacturer.”

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The various QQ Fish brand recalled products come in 200-gram packages and were sold in stores in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

Consumers can use the following label information to identify the recalled product:

No reports of illness from customer’s consuming this product have been reported to date. Customers who have purchased this product may return it for a full refund.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Great One Trading Inc at 718-788-6618.

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According to the recall notice, the affected baby food product was distributed to retail locations in British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

Consumers can identify the recalled baby food product be looking for the following information on the package labels:

No illnesses have been reported to date in association with the consumption of this product.

The recall is considered a “Class 3,” which means the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled product from the marketplace.

“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.”

Consumers with questions can contact Kraft Heinz Canada at 1-866-572-3809.

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Dog Goods USA LLC has recalled its Chef Toby Pig Ears Treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with the FDA and several state agencies on the outbreak investigation.

According to the recall notice, the affected product includes non-irradiated bulk and packaged pig ears branded Chef Toby Pig Ears, due to potential Salmonella contamination. The Product lot codes are:

428590, 278989, 087148, 224208, 1168723, 428590, 222999,
074599, 1124053, 226884, 578867, 224897, 1234750, 444525,
1106709, 215812, 230273, 224970, 585246, 327901, 052248,
210393, 217664, 331199, 225399, 867680, 050273, 881224,
424223, 225979, 431724, 226340, 880207, and 334498.

The recall notice said that Dog Goods bought the affected products from a single supplier in Brazil from September 2018 through August 2019, and distributed the products nationwide in retail stores. The recall was initiated after the FDA sampled pig ears manufactured by the firm’s supplier in Brazil and one sample tested positive for Salmonella.

According to the recall notice, “Dog Goods has also launched an internal investigation to determine if, when and where the Products may have been contaminated. To date, this internal investigation has not indicated any vulnerability in the company’s practices, including but not limited to the inspection, handling, and storage of the Products.”

No illnesses have been linked to the Products to date; “Nonetheless, Dog Goods will continue to investigate the matter, collaborate fully with the FDA and the CDC, and provide further information to its customers and the public as appropriate.”

Salmonella can affect animals eating the pig ears, and there is a further risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products. Any surfaces or utensils such as feeding bowls exposed to these products could be contaminated and should be cleaned and sanitized.

Individuals infected with Salmonella should monitor for some, or all, of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Anyone exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

About the investigation
To date, a total of 127 people from 33 states have been confirmed infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella; 26 of those people have been reported hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Consumers can read more about the progression of the multistate outbreak here, and follow updates from the CDC’s current investigation here.

Recalled pig ear treats should be thrown into a secure container, so pets and other animals do not eat them. Even if a dog ate some of the recalled pig ears did not get sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog. Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held the recalled pig ear dog treats with hot, soapy water.

A common supplier of pig ear treats in this outbreak has not been identified.

The pig-related outbreak shows animals can spread the bacteria to humans. Here’s what humans should know about Salmonella, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
• Children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

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AWERS Inc. of Bellevue, WA, says the Grained Salmon Caviar 95g was distributed in California, New York, Oregon, Washington and product may have further distributed to other states and Canada.

As noted in a CFIA report Aug. 15, and according to the most current recall notice posted by the FDA, the product was reviewed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and sent to a lab for testing.

“The analysis showed a lower than normal salt content, which can foster an anaerobic environment which is necessary to breed the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.” Although no Clostridium botulinum bacteria was detected in product, consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled,” according to the FDA.

No illnesses have been reported to date as of the posting of the Aug. 15 recall notice.

According to the recall notice, the recalled product is packed in a metal tin with Cyrillic lettering. The tin is green, with red and white writing with an easy open pull lid. The “BEST BEFORE OCT 07 2020” is printed on the bottom on the tin.

“This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms in adults can include paralysis of breathing muscles, facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking or including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.

Additionally, symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever.

In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as soon as six hours or as long as 10 days after exposure.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled Grained Salmon Caviar product and developed symptoms of botulism poisoning should immediately seek medical attention and inform their doctors about the possible exposure.

According to the recall notice, consumers must inform AWERS, Inc. if they possess any Grained Salmon Caviar 95g tins with “BEST BEORE OCT 07 2020”. Additionally, customers must ship remaining affected product back to the firm or destroy it with permission from AWERS, Inc. for a full refund.

Consumers can contact AWERS, Inc. at 425-747-7866.

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The recall was triggered as a result of sampling by The Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC). The OTSC collected 23 finished product samples at Texas Tripe Inc., 16 of which tested positive for Listeria and/or Salmonella.

According to the recall notice, the FDA followed up these findings with an inspection and collected and analyzed samples of unopened finished product, after the firm performed corrective actions, from additional lots of some of the same products tested by OTSC; “FDA testing showed some of the samples contained Salmonella and/or L. mono.”

FDA and OSTC shared their test results with Texas Tripe Inc., which led to the firm initiating a recall on July 3, 2019 by directly notifying some of its customers via email.

The FDA urges consumers who have any of the recalled product to stop feeding it to their pets and throw it away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it. Both bacteria can cause serious illnesses and sometimes death in people and pets.

The recalled Texas Tripe Inc. products are sold frozen, in 20-pound and 40-pound cases. These cases contain multiple plastic pouches. Lot codes to help identify recalled product are printed on the outside of the cases, however, the FDA said the lot codes are not printed on the individual sealed plastic pouches, also known as “chubs.” Therefore, if the case has been discarded, there are no unique identification numbers on the individual “chubs” that allow customers to determine that they possess the recalled products.

For consumers who have any of the product varieties listed below and cannot determine whether it is affected by the recall, FDA recommends that you exercise caution and throw the product away.

The recalled products were manufactured by Texas Tripe Inc. and were sold direct to consumers online and by phone, the recall notice said. According to the firm, recalled products have been sold directly to consumers in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

The chart below lists the recalled products and lot numbers provided by the firm to FDA on Aug. 6.

According to the recall notice, the following additional product lots sampled by the FDA tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria, and have not yet been recalled by the firm. The following products tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes:

• Texas Tripe Chicken Blend – Lot 19196-6
• Texas Tripe Pork Blend – Lot 19190-09
• Texas Tripe Beef Blend – Lot 19191-05

Symptoms in people and pets

Pets with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Even while apparently healthy, infected pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

People who handle pet foods that are contaminated with Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes can contract infections serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Also, utensils, pet bowls, storage containers, countertops, refrigerators and freezers can become cross contaminated with the bacteria. Both pathogens survive freezing temperatures.

Salmonella may produce a range of gastrointestinal symptoms in infected people, including, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild fever and stomach cramps.

Listeria monocytogenes also can produce gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults. It can take up to 70 days for symptoms to develop, so anyone who has been exposed to the recalled pet food should monitor themselves in the coming weeks for signs of infection.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune symptoms are at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms from Listeria infections. Pregnant women may miscarry, or pass their infection to their newborn babies either before or during delivery.

Consumers who experience any of the above symptoms should contact their healthcare providers.

Pet owners whose pets exhibit any of the indicated symptoms within a few days after being fed one of the recalled products should consult their veterinarians.

What consumers should do

• Do not feed any of the recalled products to your pet. Discard any recalled product in a secure location to keep it safe from children, pets, and wildlife

• If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes infection, contact your veterinarian.

• If you or a member of your household is experiencing symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes infection, contact your health care provider.

The information in this release reflects the FDA’s best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.

The firm received two complaints of extraneous materials from retailers on July 17, 2019, and July 18, 2019, leading to the recall.

The ready-to-eat polish sausage with beef items was packaged on June 17, 2019, and June 20, 2019. The recalled products include:

• 36-oz. packages containing three 12 oz. individually wrapped pieces of “TETON WATERS RANCH COOKED UNCURED POLISH SAUSAGE MADE WITH BEEF” with a “Use/Freeze By SEP 16 2019” or “Use/Freeze By SEP 19 2019” marked on the package.

The recalled products bear the establishment number “EST. 5694” inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package. These items were shipped to retail locations in California and Utah.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

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According to the recall notice posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website, the recall was triggered by findings from an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak.

“The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings,” the agency statement said.

The CFIA said it is verifying that industry is removing the recalled product from the marketplace.

Consumers can identify the recalled product by the following information:

According to the recall notice, Associated Grocers distributed the recalled products at the retail level in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

“Consumers should not consume and retailers, restaurants and institutions should not sell or use the recalled products described below,” Associated Grocers warned.

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Advice to consumers
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the bacteria.

Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection, but infants, children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are more fragile, according to the state health agency.

Most people who become ill from a Salmonella infection will recover fully after a few days. It is possible for some people to be infected with the bacteria and not get sick or show any symptoms, but still, be able to spread the infection to others.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, typically start 6 to 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria, but in some people, it takes two weeks for symptoms to develop. Symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually last for four to seven days.

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The CFIA warned consumers not to eat the recalled product. The Western Family smoked salmon nuggets can be identified by the following package information:

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Anyone ill from consuming the recalled Original Wild Sockeye Smoked Salmon Nuggets should call a doctor. Consumers should check to see if the recalled product is in their home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.

Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

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According to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website, people with a sensitivity to sulfites should not consume the recalled product described below:

The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

The recalled product can be returned to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 718-768-3400.

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The products contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

According to the recall notice, the ready-to-eat beef snack stick items are labeled as “Smoked & Uncured Maple Beef Snack Sticks” products, but contain “Smoked & Uncured Mild Beef Sticks with Cheddar Cheese” products.

The recalled beef products were produced on June 19, 2019 and can be identified by the following information:

• 6-oz. plastic vacuum packed packages of “MARKET SAUSAGES SMOKED & UNCURED MAPLE BEEF SNACK STICKS” with lot code 1712019 and Sell-By: 9/15/19.

The recalled products bear establishment number “EST. 45394” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota.

“The problem was discovered when FSIS inspection program personnel determined that the firm had received a consumer complaint reporting that the product was incorrectly labeled,” the recall notice said.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them; “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms are notifying their customers of the recall and that actions are being taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website.

According to the recall notice, the recalled Gaia Balancing Tea was sold in various sizes, and has no product code or UPC number on the product packaging. The recalled product was sold and distributed in British Columbia from June 12 through July 22, so there is concern consumers may still have the recalled product on hand.

Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below:

“Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer,” the recall notice said, “If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.”

Consumers are urged to see if they have any of the recalled products in their home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

“This recall was triggered by a recall in another country,” the recall notice said. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products; “If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.”

Consumers with questions can contact Gaia Garden Herbals Inc at 604-734-4372.

About Salmonella infections
Anyone who has consumed any of the implicated herbal tea and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about their possible exposure.

Symptoms usually include fever, diarrhea that is often bloody, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Infections from Salmonella bacteria can become very serious, and are sometimes fatal.

Those at highest risk of serious infection include young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems such as cancer patients or transplant recipients. In rare circumstances, infection from Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

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The Iceberg brand of 190 ml ice cream sandwiches are sold in boxes of eight, and the Originale Augustin brand of 190 ml ice cream sandwiches are sold in boxes of 30. According to the recall notice, the recalled products were distributed nationally; “This recall was triggered by the company.”

The Agropur Dairy Cooperative is Canada’s largest dairy cooperative in North America. To date, there have been no injuries reported due to this incident.

Consumers can look for the following information and code dates, which can be found on the back of the packaging:

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled product from the marketplace, according to the recall notice.

“The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.”

Customers who purchased the items should not eat the products. The recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Customers can contact Agropur Cooperative Customer Service Line for more information at 1-800-501-1150.

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Additionally, The Fresh Market announced that the recalled Thai Lobster Salad was sold by the pound in their self-serve seafood salad bar, as well as pre-packaged containers.

According to the company recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website, the recalled products were manufactured at Elevation Foods’ Knoxville, Tennessee facility on June 18. Elevation Foods distributed them to foodservice operators and retail warehouses throughout the United States; “Elevation Foods is working with distributors and retailers to quarantine and recover any impacted product remaining on store shelves.”

According to the recall notice, Elevation Foods identified the problem with the products after receiving positive test results for three containers of affected egg salad, which were sampled and tested by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Elevation Foods is continuing to investigate potential sources of the problem.

Consumers can view photos of the recalled product on the FDA’s website, and identify the recalled sandwiches and salads by looking for the following label information:

• 12-oz. a clear, square plastic container containing “Archer Farms-brand Egg Salad” with “Use By 12AUG2019” printed on the side of each container, and UPC 085239018682;
• 32-oz. a clear, square plastic container containing “Freskët-brand Egg Salad” with “Use By 12AUG2019A” printed on the side of each container, and Lot Number W1906042;
• 5-lb. a round, plastic container containing “Freskët-brand Tuna Salad” with “Use By 02AUG2019A” printed on the side of each container, and Lot Number W1906054;
• 5-lb. a white, round plastic container containing “Freskët-brand Thai Lobster Salad” with “Use By 02AUG2019A” printed on the side of each container, and Lot Number W1906041;
• “Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwich Half Sandwich with Bacon” with UPC 220505000002; and
• “Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwich on Multigrain” with UPC 498780203566.

This recall applies only to the products with the lot numbers and “use by” dates stated above. No illnesses or adverse health effects have been reported to date in connection with the recalled product.

“Product safety and consumer confidence are of utmost importance to Elevation Foods and its customers,” the recall said, “Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products listed above are urged to immediately return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 866-761-9566.

Advice to consumers
Although healthy adults may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Other high-risk groups for serious infections that are sometimes fatal include young children, older people and anyone with a suppressed immune system.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled sandwich wedges and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Also, because it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, people who have eaten the recalled sandwiches or salads should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks.

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Professor Barbara Chamberlin of New Mexico State University will open the conference with the Ivan Parkin Lecture on Sunday evening. Are presentation is entitled “The Power of Play: Using Media to Educate Our Stakeholders.” Monday’s agenda includes FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety U.S. Department of Agriculture Mindy Brashears.

On Wednesday, CDC’s Robert V. Tauxe, the director of the division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases will close the conference sessions with the John H. Silliker Lecture, which he has titled “From Outbreak Catastrophes to Clades of Concern, How Whole Genome Sequencing Can Change the Food Safety Landscape.”

For those interested in exhibitor space, the Exhibitor Registration Form can be found here, with additional information including the current exhibitor list and floor plan. Booth information such as selection and cancellation deadlines, as well as sponsorship and program book listing deadlines can be viewed here.

With a reputation for quality content, the IAFP Annual Meeting features more than 1,000 technical, poster and symposia presentations detailing current information on a variety of topics relating to food safety. Among the workshops, receptions, poster sessions, lectures, luncheons, technical and educational sessions, IAFP features special Student Activities. Additionally, attendees can also view a list of Committee & PDG Meetings.

The IAFP provides food safety professionals around the world with a forum to exchange information on protecting the food supply. Each year, the IAFP hosts the conference to provide information on current and emerging food safety issues, the latest science, innovative solutions to new and recurring problems, and the opportunity to network with thousands of food safety professionals from around the globe.

The event has grown to become the leading food safety conference worldwide, with attendance of more than 3,600 people from the industry, academia, and government from six continents. Exhibits include the latest in available technologies and leading experts will present information about a variety of topics.

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One of the authors said the porous structure of paper proved the ability to collect and accumulate bacterial contamination, which requires mechanical contact such as a hand, or splashed liquids. Investigators for the study, who specialize in monitoring cheese production, chose to target Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that commonly contaminates raw milk and other raw dairy products, including soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, and Feta. They used qPCR, a method of quantifying pathogen DNA samples to determine the numbers of these bacteria, as well as of Escherichia coli.

Food processing plant surfaces must be cleaned regularly, and unlike swabs, artificially contaminated stickers were able to provide a record of contamination that took place over at least two weeks, despite washing, flushing with water, or wiping with the alcohol-based disinfectant Mikrozid to simulate cleansing practices.

“Recovery [of DNA] from the stickers was rather variable, at around 30 percent, but did not distinctly decrease after 14 days of storage,” the study says. “This suggests the possibility of sampling over two weeks as well.”

The researchers placed stickers at multiple locations like light switches and door The “proof of concept experiment” showed both bacterial species were detected repeatedly from the stickers.

In contrast, the swabbing method is impractical on complex surfaces like door handles, light switches, and fomites, which are other objects likely to be contaminated with, and spread infectious organisms. Swabs do a poor job of taking up bacteria from dry surfaces, according to the report.

“In the food production facility, conventional swabbing as a standard method can only expose a momentary snapshot,” the investigators wrote. “For example, it is not possible to reconstruct information about yesterday’s status after cleansing has been performed. In addition, when moistened swabs or contact-plate sampling methods are used, they bring with them growth medium into a supposedly clean environment, making subsequent disinfection necessary.”

The investigators showed that plain paper stickers could not only trap bacterial pathogens and related DNA, but also dead, and viable but non-culturable pathogens, which also can pose a threat to public health.

As on author explained, a major advantage of stickers is in handling, as they are easy to distribute and to collect; Stickers can be directly placed into the DNA-extraction kit’s first protocol step, and investigators noted that they did not encounter any inhibition or loss of information during DNA-extraction, or qPCR.

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According to the recall notice, the recalled 69,590 pounds of Nautilus brand catfish was produced at a Vietnamese establishment that was not eligible to export Siluriformes to the United States. The frozen Siluriformes products, specifically yellow walking fish, were distributed to retail locations nationwide. The recall notice says the fish products were imported from Vietnam to the United States on various dates from August 2018 to January 2019.

The problem was discovered on May 22 during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers or refrigerators or both,” according to the recall notice. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

As of the posting of the recall, the FSIS reported there had been no confirmed adverse reactions in relation to eating the affected fish. The recall notice recommends that anyone who has eaten any of the fish contact a medical professional.

Consumers and retailers can view photos of the recalled product here, and use the following information to help determine whether they have any of the recalled catfish on hand:

• Varying weights of packages containing 2 pieces of “HEADLESS-CLEANED YELLOW WALKING FISH” “Clarias Macrocepphalus” “CA TRE VANG LAM SACH – CAT DAU” “FARM RAISED”; and
• Varying weights of packages containing 2 pieces of “WHOLE YELLOW WALKING FISH” “Clarias Macrocepphalus” “CA TRE VANG NGUYEN CON” “FARM RAISED”.

The FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Wayne Berman, Manager of J Deluca Fish Company Inc., at: 310-901-4596, according to the recall notice.

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Environmental samples collected at the facility during this year’s inspection returned positive results for the same strain of the potentially deadly pathogen inspectors found during an FDA inspection in 2018.

“During our inspection of your facility, FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation,” FDA’s East Division Director said in a warning letter to the ice cream manufacturer.

Based on the FDA’s inspectional findings, and the analytical results for the environmental samples, the FDA determined that the ice cream manufactured in the firm’s facility is adulterated, in that it was prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health.

The following were among Velvet Ice Cream Company Inc.’s violations of the regulations for Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls:

• Firm’s are required to identify and implement preventive controls to provide assurances that any hazards requiring a preventive control will be significantly minimized or prevented, and the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by their facility will not be adulterated or misbranded; “In your food safety plan, you identified environmental pathogens as a hazard requiring preventive controls and identified sanitation controls to address the hazard. However, as evidenced by environmental findings that indicate a resident strain of L. monocytogenes in your facility, you did not implement sanitation controls adequate to ensure that your facility is maintained in a sanitary condition to significantly minimize or prevent the hazard of the environmental pathogen L. monocytogenes.”
• Nine environmental swabs collected by FDA during the most recent inspection were positive for L. monocytogenes; “Furthermore, environmental swabs collected during our 2018 inspection revealed L. monocytogenes in nine swabs within your facility and environmental swabs collected during our 2017 inspection revealed L. monocytogenesin three swabs within your facility.”
• Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates detected in the FDA environmental samples identified twenty-one isolates representing six different strains of L. monocytogenes. The same strain of L. monocytogenes was identified in seven isolates from environmental samples collected during the 2019 inspection and eight isolates collected during the 2018 inspection.
• The FDA advised the firm of those WGS results via a conference call on February 27, 2019, and the presence of the same strain of L. monocytogenes over multiple years indicates that there has been a resident pathogen or harborage site in their facility since 2018.
• Additionally, “that strain of L. monocytogenes was genetically identical to one clinical isolate collected in 2018, which indicates this strain has the capability of causing human illness.”

These findings demonstrate that the firm’s sanitation procedures have been inadequate to significantly minimize or prevent L. monocytogenes in their facility. Once L. monocytogenes is established in a production area, personnel or equipment can facilitate the pathogen’s movement and contamination of food-contact surfaces and finished product; “It is essential to identify the areas of the food processing plant where this organism is able to survive and grow to take such corrective actions as necessary to eradicate the organism by rendering these areas unable to support the survival and growth of the organism and prevent the organism from being re-established in such sites.”

The FDA acknowledged that the firm has committed to performing corrective actions in written responses which we received by the FDA on February 7, February 27, March 16, and April 24, 2019; “In your written responses, you indicate that you have conducted a root cause analysis to identify the source of our findings, cleaned and sanitized your production environment, conducted environmental swabbing to verify the effectiveness of your cleaning, and completed other activities to address the problems.” The FDA noted that the firm’s effectiveness of their corrective actions will be “verified” during the FDA’s next inspection.

The FDA also noted the following cGMP violations:

• The firm did not clean their non-food contact surfaces in a manner, and as frequently as necessary, to protect against contamination; “Specifically, on January 30, 2019, our investigators observed an employee using a high-pressure hose to spray the floor with water while performing sanitation operations. They observed overspray from the floor onto equipment reported as having been cleaned and from the floor onto unopened buckets of ingredients that were going to be used to produce ice cream the next day.”
• The firm’s corrective action indicates that they will lower the water pressure and retrain their employees on the use of water and clean up procedures; “We will verify the adequacy of this corrective action during our next inspection.”
• The plant was not constructed and designed to facilitate maintenance and sanitary operations; “Specifically, the design of the production floor does not allow for the proper drainage of water. Water used in the cleaning of equipment pools in various locations throughout the production area of your facility, which can provide harborage areas for pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria.”

The firm’s corrective actions indicate that they have re-sloped their floor to address the observations of pooling water. The FDA noted that they will verify the adequacy of this corrective action during their next inspection.

The recall notice does not provide any distribution details. It does not include any information about how many individual packages, or the overall weight of products, subject to this recall.

“As we are tracking the packages, we would appreciate it if you can please photograph the front and back, send us a photo by email and dispose of the product. We will replace your product with a new bag of granola not impacted by the recall, according to the company’s recall notice on the FDA website.

“We are implementing this recall, because we learned that cashews provided by our supplier during a brief time this spring may contain foreign objects. We have taken corrective action and replaced this cashew supplier with a new one.”

The recall includes several flavors of Purely Elizabeth grain-free granola in 8- and 16-ounce packages with best-by dates ranging from Oct. 17 through Dec. 12 this year.

Consumers can use the following chart to determine whether they have any of the recalled products in their possession:

• 

  16-oz. plastic bags containing “Coconut Cashew Grain-Free Granola” with Best-By Dates “11/20/19; 12/3/l19; 12/5/19; 12/4/19”, and UPC code “8 55140 00294 6”

• 8-oz. plastic bags containing “Coconut Cashew Grain-Free Granola” with Best-By Date “10/19/19”, and UPC code “8 55140 00270 0”
• 8-oz. plastic bags containing “Banana Nut Butter Grain-Free Granola” with Best-By Dates “10/17/19; 12/12/19”, and UPC code “8 55140 00272 4” and
• 8-oz. plastic bags containing “Pumpkin Spice + Ashwagandha Grain-Free Granola” with Best-By Date “12/7/19”, and UPC code “8 10589 03015 8”

Any products with best-buy dates that do not match this list, and all other Purely Elizabeth products, are not included in this recall.

There hadn’t been any confirmed reports of adverse reactions related to consumption of these products as of the posting of the recall notice. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

“We are offering free replacement products. If you have one of these packages, please do not consume the contents,” according to the company’s recall notice posted by the FDA.

The company wants consumers to help trace the recalled products.

“As we are tracking the packages, we would appreciate it if you can please photograph the front and back, send us a photo by email and dispose of the product. We will replace your product with a new bag of granola not impacted by the recall.”

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Aurora Packing Company Inc. is recalling more than 62,000 pounds of raw beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the USDA. This recall comes after a March 27 recall, in which the company pulled back more than 2 tons of beef, also because of an E. coli risk.

For the second time in three months, this problem was discovered during traceback activities in response to sample testing by FSIS. According to the new recall notice, the meat company shipped the implicated beef nationwide for further distribution and processing.

“There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products”, according to the recall notice posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in institutional facility freezers. Institutions who have purchased these products are urged not to use them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

The recalled raw beef was produced and packaged on April 19. They have the establishment number “EST. 788” printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The recall notice included a spreadsheet of the products subject to the recall, as well as a PDF with recalled raw beef product Labels.

Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157: H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Symptoms can begin in 48 ours, but may take more than a week to develop. While most people recover within a week, some develop life-threatening infections and complications, including a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition is most common in children younger than 5 years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume meat that has been cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees F. The only way to confirm that beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures the internal temperature.

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The company did not provide any other identifying product codes or labeling information in the recall notice, however, some packages may show the plant number “36-8445,” which indicates that the product was produced at a Bridgehampton, NY, farm, and the code “L2148,” which indicates when the cheese was made.

As of the posting on the recall notice, no confirmed illnesses had been reported in relation to the cheese. However, it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop.

People who have purchased the cheese are urged not to consume it. The recalled Mecox Sunrise cheese should be returned to the place of purchase, according to a recall notice posted for the company by the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the recall notice, “The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by New York State Agriculture and Markets Division of Milk Control revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Mecox Sunrise cheese.”

The recalled cheese was distributed and sold at seven retail locations and one restaurant on Eastern Long Island, NY, and served at one restaurant in Chicago, IL; “The company reports distributing the recalled cheese to retail locations East Dearborn and Dearborn Heights MI.” Consumers can identify the product, which comes in a clear plastic package, by the “Mecox Sunrise” cheese label. According to the recall notice, all affected Mecox Sunrise has been removed from all stores and restaurants at this time.

“The production of the product has been suspended while FDA, New York State Agriculture and Markets, and Mecox Bay Dairy continue to investigate the source of the problem.”

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Arthur Ludlow, Owner at Mecox Bay Dairy, at 631-537-0335.

Information on Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

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“If you have an allergy to sesame or wheat or have celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders, do not consume the recalled product as it may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction,” the CFIA warned.

The recalled Elman’s brand Dressing comes in 454-gram plastic packaging. People with an allergy to sesame, wheat, or gluten should not consume the recalled product described below:

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.

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The agency warned consumers not to eat the recalled product. The “Dom Reserve” Atlantic Salmon Strips can be identified by the following package information:

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Anyone ill from consuming the recalled Atlantic Salmon Strips should call a doctor. Consumers should check to see if the recalled product is in their home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.

Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

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