Smucker recalls Ardent Mills flour in U.S. because of E. coli

An E. coli outbreak in Canada traced to flour produced by Colorado-based Ardent Mills Corp. spurred Smucker Foods to recall three brands of flour distributed across the United States.

Corporate attention has been so captivated by recall activities that officials have not had time to estimate how much flour has been recalled, a spokeswoman with Ardent Mills Corp. said Wednesday. The first recall — of Robin Hood brand flour distributed in Canada — was posted March 28 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

To view photos of the flour under recall in the United States, please click on the image.

“Given our focus on cooperating with the CFIA in its investigation, we have not taken time to estimate the amount of product that has been subject to the voluntary recalls,” the Ardent Mills spokeswoman said.

No illnesses have been confirmed in connection to the flour recalled in the United States, but it was produced with Canadian wheat that Ardent Mills used to produce flour that has been implicated in the E. Coli outbreak north of the border.

The initial recall in Canada cited one related illness. As of mid-May there were 30 people across Canada confirmed with the outbreak strain of E. coli O121. The same strain was found in a sample of flour collected from one of the victims’ homes, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Smucker sent the recalled Golden Temple, Swad and Maya brand flour to distributors across the United States and to two “small retailers,” according to the May 31 recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

“The impacted product was produced by Ardent Mills located in Saskatoon, SK Canada. Additional flour and flour products have been voluntarily recalled in Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as part of their ongoing E. Coli investigation,” according to the recall notice on the FDA website.

“If you have any of the products listed below, please dispose of them immediately. Recalled products should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and discarded.”

Anyone who has handled or consumed any of the recalled flour and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention.

“Food contaminated with E. coli O121 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms 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. In severe cases of illness, people may die,” according to the recall notice.

Similar to the response from General Mills when more than 60 people were sickened in an E. coli from December 2015 through September 2016 that was linked to flour, Ardent Mills contends its products are safe and that flour should not be consumed raw.

Both milling companies take the position that pathogens found in the natural environment in which wheat is grown make it impossible to avoid contamination. Ardent Mills doubled down on that stand with the recall of its flour in the U.S.

“(Canadian Food Inspection Agency) CFIA requested this expanded recall of flour and flour products which were made, in part, using 11 loads of Canadian wheat which were common to the prior recalled flour and flour products and may have contained trace amounts of E. coli O121,” the Ardent Mills spokeswoman said.

“Any raw grain milled into flour can contain bacteria and microbes from the outdoor environment in which it is grown. … our mills adhere to stringent and mandated food safety protocols to ensure pathogenic bacteria are not introduced during the milling process at any our operations. By thoroughly cooking, baking, boiling, microwaving, roasting or frying food items made with flour, microbes are rendered harmless.”

The specific products included in the Smucker recall of flour distributed in the United States can be identified by the following label information:

Product name & Size		UPC Code	Lot Codes	Best by Date
Maya Durum Wheat Atta Flour 20-pound bags		0 20843 10001 9	6 286 548 6 287 548	No date No date
Swad Durum Atta Flour Chappati Flour 20-pound bags		0 51179 16030 9	6 294 548 6 299 548 6 300 548 6 308 548	No date No date No date No date
Golden Temple #1 Fine Durum Atta Flour Blend 20-pound bags		0 59000 40540 7	6 286 548 6 299 548	Jan 2018 Jan 2018
Golden Temple Durum Atta Flour Blend 20-pound bags		0 59000 41556 7	6 287 548 6 288 548 6 294 548 6 295 548 6 300 548 6 301 548 6 306 548 6 307 548 6 308 548	Jan 2018 Jan 2018 Jan 2018 Jan 2018 Jan 2018 Jan 2018 Feb 2018 Feb 2018 Feb 2018

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Recall information takes days to reach Hong Kong from Canada

Despite instantaneous communication technology, word of a recall of flour linked to an E. coli outbreak in Canada did not reach Hong Kong until after all of the implicated exported flour had been sold at retail.

In a May 30 notice, officials with the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong urged the public not to consume Kundan brand Durum Atta flour from Canada. Denver-based Ardent Mills Corp. produced the flour from Canadian wheat.

Several brands of flour — as well as products made with it — are under recall in Canada where it has been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 30 people across six provinces. Another E. coli outbreak, limited to British Columbia, is also linked to flour. It has sickened at least six people. Public health officials are not sure if the two outbreaks are related, though both involve E. coli O121.

Ardent Mills began a series of flour recalls in Canada on March 28, with the most recent recall expansion coming May 26.

“The CFS received a notification from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that a manufacturer, Ardent Mills, is recalling the affected product as it may be contaminated with E. coli. According to information provided by the concerned Canadian authorities, a local importer New Delhi Store had imported the affected product into Hong Kong,” according to the May 30 notice posted by the department.

“All the product has been sold out with no remaining stock. The CFS is tracing the distribution of the affected product and has instructed the importer to initiate a recall.”

In Hong Kong, consumers can identify the recalled Kundan brand “Durum Atta” flour by looking for the UPC number 6 28622 41522 6 and a best-before date of  July 13, 2017. All of the recalled flour sent to Hong Kong was in 9-kilogram packages.

The Center for Food Safety in Hong Kong did not report any illnesses in connection to the recalled flour, but the agency’s notice did encourage consumers who have eaten or handled the flour to monitor themselves for symptoms of E. coli infection.

Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In serious cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or suffer permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Public Health Canada has not updated its outbreak information since May 18 when it reported 30 people had been confirmed with E. coli O121 infections that match E. coli O121 found in samples of flour produced by Ardent Mills.

Regarding the most recent recall expansion, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported there had not been any confirmed illnesses associated with the specific products named in the May 26 recall.

“Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. It is not safe to taste or eat raw dough or batter regardless of the type of flour used, as raw flour can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O121,” according to the May 26 recall expansion notice.

“Food contaminated with E. coli O121 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.”

In their own version of the May 26 recall expansion notice — which says it applies to flour and flour products from “11 loads of Canadian wheat which were common to the prior recalled flour and flour products and may have contained trace amounts of E. coli 0121” — Ardent Mills officials said contamination is expected with products such as flour.

“There has been no positive finding of contamination and no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these newly recalled products,” according to the Ardent Mills statement.

“Flour is a raw agricultural commodity made by simply grinding and sifting wheat. Any raw grain milled into flour can contain bacteria and microbes from the outdoor environment in which it is grown. The recalled products contain no greater or lesser risk, in this regard, than any other flour or flour products milled using such time-honored traditions.

“By thoroughly cooking, baking, boiling, roasting, frying or microwaving food items made with flour, any microbes are rendered harmless.”

Previously posted recalls involving the implicated flour are available on the CFIA website:

• 2017-05-11 – Various pie and tart shells recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-05-10 – Tart Shells sold by The New Food Box recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-04-28 – Mom’s Pantry / Jim & Leonie brand 3″ Unsweetened Tart Shells and 9″ Unbaked Pie Lids recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-04-25 – Various brands of pie and tart shells recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-04-16 – Various brands of flour and flour products recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-04-12 – Various brands of flour and flour products recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-04-04 – Robin Hood brand All Purpose Flour, Original recalled due to E. coli O121
• 2017-03-28 – Robin Hood brand All Purpose Flour, Original recalled due to E. coli O121

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23 tons of beef trimmings recalled for possible adulteration

Bryan, TX – based Readfield Meats, Inc., doing business as Ruffino Meats & Food Service, Saturday recalled  approximately 45,985 pounds of beef trimming products due to possible adulteration, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The product labels include “For Cooking Only,” indicating that they are intended for further processing to apply a full lethality at a federally inspected establishment. Because the products were distributed to non-federally inspected establishments where it cannot be verified that sufficient further processing occurred to remove foodborne pathogens that could have been present, these products must be removed from commerce.

The frozen raw beef trimmings items were produced from May 26, 2015 through May 26, 2017.  The recalled products are:

• 50-lb. boxes containing “BEEF TRIMMINGS FOR COOKING ONLY.”

The recalled product bear establishment number “EST. 13126” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail markets, state inspected plants, and individuals located in Texas.

The problem was discovered when an FSIS compliance officer found cases of raw beef trimmings labeled “For Cooking Only” at a retail location.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. 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.

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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Hampton Farms recalls organic cashews over Listeria concerns

Ava’s brand Organic Cashews Roasted & Salted 8 oz. tubs distributed in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut are being recalled by Hampton Farms after the brand  was  notified by its cashew supplier that the cashews used have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No  illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

Routine sampling of a different item from another company revealed positive Listeria monocytogenes results, and a subsequent investigation in their manufacturing environment revealed a contaminated piece of equipment that was also used to produce the ingredient we received. Although test results of our cashews were negative for Listeria, Hampton Farms  said it was  recalling the cashews ” out of an abundance of caution.”

All affected distributors and retail stores have been notified and the affected products are being removed from store shelves. Fewer than 225 units of this product were offered for retail sale.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Others may suffer 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.

The recalled product is described as:
Ava’s Brand 8 oz. Organic Roasted Salted Cashew
UPC 8-10111-01035-1
Best By 4/28/18, Lot 11817-L2

Consumers should not consume these products. Affected product may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

“We deeply regret this situation and have employed our established recall plan to immediately remove the product from distribution. Nothing is more important than providing safe and wholesome, quality products,” said Dallas Barnes, President of Hampton Farms.

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Cauldron Soups recalls 5,163 pounds of beef broth for lack of inspection

Cauldron Soups, LLC, doing business as Cauldron Broths in Bellingham, WA on Friday recalled  approximately 5,163 pounds of beef broth products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The beef bone broth items were produced and packaged between December 21, 2016 and May 22, 2017. The recalled products include:

• 24-fl. oz. individual plastic pouches containing “Vital Choice GRASS-FED BEEF BONE BROTH” with best by dates 1/15/2018, 1/18/2018 and 3/28/2018.
• 24-fl. oz. individual plastic pouches containing “CAULDRON BROTHS BEEF BONE BROTH” with best by dates 1/3/18 and 2/15/18.
• 24-fl. oz. individual plastic pouches containing “CAULDRON BROTHS ORGANIC CAULDRON’S CURE” with best by dates 12/21/18.
• 1-gal. individual plastic containers containing “CAULDRON BROTHS GLACE DE VIANDE” with best by date 1/30/18.
• 8-fl. oz. individual plastic containers containing “CAULDRON BROTHS GLACE DE VIANDE” with best by date 3/4/18.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 45953” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in the state of Washington and to a distributor who conducts internet sales direct to consumers nationwide.

FSIS personnel  discovered the beef broth was produced  without USDA inspection.

No incidents of adverse reactions or illness due to consumption of these products have been associated with the recall.  Anyone concerned about a reaction 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.

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.

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Instant coffee aphrodisiac recalled by Caverflo; death reported

An instant coffee marketed as a “natural herbal” aphrodisiac is under recall nationwide after the report of one death and a finding by the FDA that it contains prescription drugs for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Caverflo.com posted the recall of 25-gram packets of “Caverflo Natural Herbal Coffee” Thursday with the Food and Drug Administration.

“FDA laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of Sildenafil and Tadalafil which are the active ingredients in two FDA-approved prescription drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED),” according to the recall notice.

“Caverflo.com has received a report of an individual death after use of the coffee. Caverflo Natural Herbal Coffee may also contain undeclared milk.”

The product is a combination of instant coffee and natural aphrodisiacs, according to the Caverflo website, but the recall notice warned the product can interact with prescription medications. Also, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk could have an allergic reaction if they consume the instant coffee.

“These undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates,” according to the recall notice.

The company distributed the instant coffee direct to consumers nationwide via internet sales from August 2016 through February this year. Caverflo is notifying customers of the recall by email.

“Consumers that have Caverflo Natural Herbal Coffee which is being recalled should stop using (it), discard (it) and contact their doctor,” according to the recall notice.

Consumers can identify the recalled “Caverflo Natural Herbal Coffee,” which is packaged in 25-gram black foil packs, by looking for the UPC number 9555671709994 on the package. Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Caverflo.com at 214-803-4652.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax:

• Online: http://ift.tt/11XFj9N Complete and submit the report; or
• Regular mail or fax: Download form http://ift.tt/1412xto or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

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Golden Gourmet recalls frozen turkey patties with waffles

Georgia’s Golden Gourmet, located in Americus, GA,  Thursday recalled 5,200 pounds of frozen entree products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The frozen waffles with turkey sausage patty items were produced and packaged on Dec. 21, 28, 29 and 30, 2016. The recalled products are:

7.1 oz. trays with clear film in cardboard box packages containing “Waffles, Turkey Sausage Patty with Sliced Apple Seasoned w/Brown Sugar and Cinnamon” on the label, with lot codes of  “2016355,” “2016363,” “2016364” or “2016362,” and use-by dates of  06/21/18, 06/28/18, 06/29/18 and 06/30/18.

The recalled products  bear establishment number “P-51269” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to institutions in Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The Listeria contamination  was discovered on May 19 when Golden Gourmet received a letter of notification from its supplier, US Foods, about products that had been recalled. Golden Gourmet notified FSIS on May 23 about the inclusion of recalled US Foods product in Golden Gourmet products. No confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the recalled products are known.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, people outside these risk groups are also affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. People in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food. It can take up to 70 days for symptoms to develop.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ 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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website.

 

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Kroger recalls Simple Truth macadamia nuts for Listeria risk

The Kroger Co. is recalling Simple Truth brand macadamia nuts from various retailers in three states because they may contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall notice posted on Kroger’s website had few details. It does not name the nut grower or packer and does not indicate how the potential contamination was discovered.

The product has a long shelf life and there is concern consumers may have the recalled macadamia nuts in their homes. Consumers can identify the recalled macadamia nuts by looking for the following information on the labels:

• Simple Truth brand;
• 12 ounces;
• UPC number 11110-02478; and
• Sell By: MAY 02 18.

The Kroger Co. distributed the Simple Truth dry roasted macadamia nuts to its branded stores in the greater Cincinnati area — including Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio plus South Eastern Indiana — and to Dillon’s, Baker’s and Gerbe’s stores.

Consumers may contact the Kroger Co. at 800-576-4377.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled Simple Truth dry roasted macadamia nuts and developed symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen so the proper diagnostic tests can be performed.

Also, anyone who has eaten the recalled nuts recently should monitor themselves for two months for symptoms of listeriosis, which can take up to 70 days after exposure to develop.

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In some cases, an invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

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Danone Ventures invests in AccelFoods

According to Bloomberg, Danone Ventures, has invested in AccelFoods, a fund run by two women that looks for upstart natural and organic brands that are stealing shelf space and sales from established food companies.

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Doctors say no fruit juice before age one

Fruit juice offers no nutritional benefit to children under age 1 and should not be included in their diet, according to a new policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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L.A. Lucky is recalling basil seed because of possible Salmonella risk

L.A. Lucky Import & Export is voluntarily recalling L.A. Lucky brand Basil Seeds 2.1 oz due to presence of Salmonella in the packet.

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NYC moves forward with menu labeling rules

According to Politico, New York City began enforcing its new menu labeling rules on May 22.

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President Trump proposes 20%+ cut to USDA 2018 budget

On May 23, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the proposed 2018 budget for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), an almost 21% reduction and the third-largest percentage cut proposed for any agency, behind the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.

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Using fermentation to remove cadmium contamination in rice

A study published in the Journal of Food Science examines how to remove cadmium in rice by fermentation, the removal mechanisms, and the quality of fermented rice in order to utilize cadmium-contaminated rice.

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Canada takes action on antimicrobial resistance

Health Canada announced new rules for veterinary drugs to better protect Canadians against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

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Model predicts algal toxin levels in shellfish due to warmer ocean waters

Hazardous levels of domoic acid, a natural toxin that accumulates in shellfish, have been linked to warmer ocean conditions in waters off Oregon and Washington for the first time by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)-supported research team, led by Oregon State University scientists.

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Nestlé USA releases 2016 Creating Shared Value Report

Nestlé USA has released its 2016 Creating Shared Value Report, which highlights the company’s efforts and achievements in nutrition, health, and wellness; environmental sustainability; rural development and responsible sourcing; water; and social impact.

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Ready Pac Foods promotes Feinreich to chief marketing officer

Ready Pac Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bonduelle, has promoted Nestlé USA veteran, Galit Feinreich, to chief marketing officer (CMO).

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Correctional Industries recalls more food because of bad water

An unknown quantity of a wide variety of processed foods ranging from vegan PB&J sandwiches to Halal bologna tray lunches that were distributed to unnamed “external customers” is being recalled by the Washington State Department of Corrections because it was made with contaminated water.

The recall, posted May 24 on the Food and Drug Administration’s website but dated May 18. It was made public four days after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service posted a recall for almost 160 tons of meat and poultry products from the same facility that is named in the notice on the FDA site — Airway Heights (WA) Corrections Center’s Correctional Industries’ food production facility near the Fairchild Air Force Base.

The FSIS recall notice specified that the meat and poultry foods and meals were shipped to “institutions in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.” The Correctional Industries’ website states the facility’s food products go to senior citizen nutrition programs in addition to jails.

“The department has ceased distributing potentially affected food products produced and distributed from Airway Heights Corrections Center to other correctional facilities and external customers,” according to the recall notice on the FDA website, which does not include any other distribution details.

“This voluntary recall of food items produced at the Airway Heights Corrections Center is based on a finding of elevated levels of fluorinated organic chemicals (PFOS and PFOA) in the City of Airway Heights drinking water supply. The City of Airway Heights advised its water customers to not drink city water or use city water for cooking. This advisory will be in effect until further notice.

The Correctional Industries’ Airway Heights food production facility operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, according to the corrections department website. Fourteen civilians and 300 inmates work at the “food factory.”

“The food factory produces baked goods, packages frozen vegetables, and assembles frozen meals, tray lunches and breakfast sandwiches which are sold to the Department of Corrections, senior nutrition programs, and city and county jails,” according to the corrections department.

“They average 18,500 cases of bakery items per month such as loaves of bread, rolls, cookies, English muffins and biscuits, and hamburger and hot dog buns. The factory ships approximately 35,000 cases total product a month.”

Both the FDA and FSIS recall notices state the health risks from the consumption of food made with the contaminated water are minimal.

“The levels found in the drinking water exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifetime health advisory level. The advisory level is based on lifetime exposure from water ingestion, not from skin contact or breathing water vapor, which are not considered to be unsafe,” according to the FDA recall notice.

“While the levels found in the City of Airway Heights drinking water are above what is considered safe to drink, the amount of PFOA/PFOS in food processed with the water is likely to be much lower. The health risk from eating food processed with the water is expected to be very small.”

Local officials notified the corrections department on May 16 that water sampling on May 8 had shown several wells supplying the municipal water system were contaminated.

Foods covered by the recall posted on the FDA’s website are:

Item No.	Product
10312	WHITE WHOLE GRAIN DINNER ROLLS
10000	WHITE WHOLE GRAIN FRENCH BREAD
10310	WHITE WHOLE GRAIN HAMBURGER BUNS
10315	WHITE WHOLE GRAIN LOAF BREAD
10191	WHITE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD ENDS
10309	WHITE WHOLE WHEAT HOT DOG BUNS
10075	WHITE WHOLE GRAIN BREAD SLICES, I/W>200 CT/CS
10008	VEGAN WHEAT BREAD SLICES,I/W>200 CT/CS
10437	W/G APPLE CHUNK MUFFINS, I/W
10430	W/G BUTTER BRICKLE MUFFINS, I/W
10446	W/G PUMPKIN BREAD MUFFINS, I/W
10448	W/G BANANA MUFFINS, I/W
10447	W/G CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS, I/W
10025	BROWNIES, CHOCOLATE, I/W
10132	COOKIES, CHOCOLATE CHIP, 2 EA/PK, I/W
10120	COOKIES, GINGER SNAP , 2 EA/PK, I/W
10360	COOKIES, LEMON SUGAR, 2-EA/PK, I/W
10173	COOKIES, OATMEAL, 2 EA/PK, I/W
10241	CUPCAKES, CHOCOLATE, NO ICING, I/W
10240	CUPCAKES, YELLOW, NO ICING, I/W
12788	BEAN & CHEESE BURRITO W/RICE AND CORN
12704	CHEESE SAUCE WITH MACARONI AND GREEN BEANS
12730	CHEESY EGG OMELET WITH SWEET RICE AND O’BRIEN POTATOES
11956	PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY “A”
11952	TURKEY HAM
11953	TURKEY SALAMI
11948	TURKEY, SLICED
11822	TURKEY HAM W/PB&J
11823	TURKEY SALAMI W/PB&J
11832	TURKEY W/M W/PB&J
10232	YELLOW (PB&J) SNACKS – (2 PACK BREAD)
10554	EGG & CHEESE BREAKFAST MUFFINS WTURKEY HAM, I/W (50EA)
10556	EGG & CHEESE MUFFIN I/W (50EA)
10532	BANANA BREAKFAST BARS,I/W> 100 CT.  2.9-OZ/CS
10573	BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST BARS, I/W> 100 CT. 2.9-OZ/CS
10536	CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAKFAST BARS, I/W> 100 CT.  2.9-OZ/CS
10534	STRAWBERRY BREAKFAST BARS, I/W> 100 CT. 2.9-OZ/CS
12735	BREAKFAST BURRITO WITH RANCHERO SAUCE AND SWEET RICE
12777	BREADED FISH PATTY W/RICE AND PEAS
12704	CHEESE SAUCE WITH MACARONI AND GREEN BEANS
12726	CREAMY TUNA CASSEROLE WITH ROTINI AND VEGETABLES
11991	BREAKFAST TRAY C
10880	HALAL BOLOGNA TRAY LUNCH
10911	HALAL CHICKEN BREAST LUNCH>36-EA/CS
11956	PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY TRAY LUNCH
12738	APPLE PIE BURRITO, SCRAMBLED EGGS AND POTATOES
14618	VEGAN NAVY BEAN HASH AND SWEET RICE WITH RAISINS
14610	VEGAN RICE & BEAN BURRITO, CHUNK ROAST POTATOES & CORN
14616	VEGAN ZUCCHINI SCRAMBLE AND CAJUN STYLE BLACK BEANS
14612	VEGAN CAJUN STYLE BLACK BEANS, RICE AND CORN
14600	VEGAN CHILI WITH RICE AND VEGETABLES
14602	VEGAN CHILI WITH MACARONI AND  GREEN BEANS
14785	VEGAN CURRIED LENTIL STEW AND RICE BLEND
14608	VEGAN NAVY BEANS W/MUSTARD SAUCE, RICE BLEND AND PEAS
14604	VEGAN SLOPPY JOE, TATOR PUFFS AND VEGETABLES
14606	VEGAN SPAGHETTI, AND COOKED LENTILS
14620	VEGAN VEGETABLE STEW AND CAJUN STYLE BLACK BEANS
14622	VEGAN SPICY BEAN BURRITO W/RED CHILI SAUCE, RICE & VEGETABLES
11930	VEGAN BREAKFAST TRAY H
11924	VEGAN BREAKFAST TRAY G
11922	VEGAN CHEESE LUNCH
11920	VEGAN PBJ LUNCH

 

For more information, please see “Almost 160 tons of institutional meals recalled for bad water“

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Eckrich recalls 90,000 pounds of sausage because of metal bits

Nine days after receiving notice that pieces of metal were embedded in a sausage product, Armour Eckrich Meats LLC posted a recall for more than 90,000 pounds of ready-to-eat breakfast sausage distributed to foodservice operations.

Distribution centers in Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas received the fully-cooked pork, turkey and beef breakfast sausage items, according to the May 24 recall notice on the USDA’s Food Service and Inspection Service website.

“The problem was discovered on May 15 when Armour Eckrich Meats Inc. was notified by another FSIS-regulated establishment that pieces of metal were embedded in a fully cooked sausage product produced by Armour Eckrich Meats Inc.,” the recall notice states

“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.”

Although the recall notice references consumer purchases, the product label states the sausage is not for retail sale.

Distributors and foodservice operators can identify the 8,769 recalled cases of fully-cooked pork, turkey and beef breakfast sausage items by looking for the following label information on vacuum-sealed packages:

• NET WT.16.6 oz.
• Case code/UPC number “27815 17984”
• Use By date “08/17/17”
• “EST. 3JC” inside the USDA mark of inspection
• “ECKRICH SMOK-Y CHEDDAR Breakfast Sausage, Naturally Hardwood Smoked”

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

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Egg rolls sold by Costco in Quebec recalled for Listeria

Deliwok Quebec Inc. recalled an undisclosed volume of chicken egg rolls sold by Costco Wholesale stores in Quebec after tests by Canadian officials showed Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The Deliwok Suprême brand “Chicken Egg Rolls” have a best-before date of June 14, so there is concern consumers may have unused portions of the recalled product in their homes.

“Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned in the recall notice posted Tuesday afternoon.

“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.”

Consumers can identify the recalled chicken egg rolls by looking for the following information on the product labels:

Deliwok Suprême
Chicken Egg Rolls
20 x 60g
Best Before 17JN14
6 21563 13579 6

“This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products,” according to the recall notice.

Anyone who has eaten the recalled chicken egg rolls and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should immediately seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure so proper diagnostic tests can be performed.

Also, people who have recently eaten the recalled egg rolls should monitor themselves for listeriosis symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop.

“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,” according to the CFIA recall notice.

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Basil seeds from Vietnam recalled because of Salmonella risk

Basil seeds imported from Vietnam and sold by retailers nationwide since October of 2015 are under recall by L.A. Lucky Import & Export Inc., which found Salmonella contamination during routine testing.

The importer did not disclose the volume of basil seed implicated in the recall, which includes packets sold from October 2015 through May 15 this year. Very little traceability information is available because the only coding on the 2.1-ounce plastic packets is a UPC number of 820678201697.

“There are no other codes on the product. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem,” according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.

“L.A. Lucky has detained this item. Customers who purchased these recalled products should dispose of the product. To receive a full refund or replacement product of their choice customers may email the company at sales@lalucky.com or call 323-224-0211.”

Anyone who has consumed the recalled basil seed and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure so appropriate diagnostic tests can be performed.

“Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis,” according to the recall notice.

In young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune system Salmonella infections can be fatal.

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Supreme Court will not review DeCoster sentences in egg cases

Austin “Jack” DeCoster, 83, and his 53-year old son Peter DeCoster are not going to get their day in the Supreme Court after all, but instead are likely to spend their summer and fall taking turns doing 3-month prison sentences at the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, SD.

The DeCosters had petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review their sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett and upheld in a 2-to-1 vote by an 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel. However, the U.S. Supreme Court Friday denied the petition, ending appeal prospects for the DeCosters.

Austin “Jack” DeCoster, 83, left, and his 53-year old son Peter DeCoster will not be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Bennett sentenced the two men just a little over two years ago in 2015 after they’d reached plea deals with the government over the 2010 Salmonella outbreak that required DeCoster family owned companies to recall a record 550 million table eggs. Under the agreement, the two officers of Quality Egg LLC each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count, paid $100,000 in fines and agreed the family corporation would pay a $6.8 million fine.

Quality Egg LLC also pleaded guilty to three counts. including the felony of bribing a USDA egg inspector.

“Jack” Decoster, once thought to be the nation’s largest egg producer and Quality Egg’s chief executive officer, and his chief operating officer, Peter DeCoster, however, did not consent to jail time, which prosectors left up to Bennett. The Sioux City judge said unless Congress or the Sentencing Guidelines Commission told him differently, he was sentencing the egg men to jail.

At sentencing, Bennett recommended the Bureau of Prisons send the DeCosters to “FPC Yankton,” a former college campus that Forbes Magazine in 2009 called one of “America’s 10 Cushiest Prisons.” The stand alone minimum security facility is also known as a place where one can still pick up a course or two in accounting or business administration.

Bennett said he’d also be okay with the men doing their 3 months in an Iowa county jail that was acceptable to Bureau of Prisons. He also said the father and son could serve one after another to minimize disruption of their business activities.

The DeCoster appeal, which had gained some broad support from the business community, sought to limit when a “responsible corporate officer” could be imprisoned for “strict supervisory liability.” In such instances, although an employee commits the offense,  the “responsible corporate official” can also go to jail for it. For example, there was no evidence presented to the District Court to indicate that either of the DeCosters had any advance knowledge of the bribery of the egg inspector.

Winning Supreme Court review is always a rare event just because more than 7,000 writs of certiorari are filed with the court for each session and only 100 to 150 are chosen. The 8th Circuit issued a stay on the DeCoster jail sentences Oct. 11, 2016. That will likely be lifted shortly and the case will be sent back to Bennett to carry out the sentences.

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Feds expand E. coli warning about Dutch veal imported to U.S.

A federal warning about potentially contaminated veal imported from the Netherlands has been expanded to include additional products distributed to restaurants and grocery stores in four states.

The warning from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) now covers more than 1,600 pounds of Dutch veal that may be contaminated with Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103. The initial warning issued May 16 was for about 400 pounds of veal.

The implicated veal was shipped to a distributor, and then further distributed to restaurants and grocery stores in Michigan, California, Florida and Massachusetts.

“The problem was discovered when an FSIS sample of the imported raw intact veal products, specifically veal stew meat, tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O103. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products,” according to the expanded Public Health Alert.

“The raw boneless veal products were produced at Establishment 9EG, EKRO B.V., Netherlands.”

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. Products imported to the United States that are included in this recall are:

• Boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal Cap” with case code of “Londbos05597422.”
• Boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal BHS” with case code of “Londbos05597426.”
• Boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal Inside” with case code of “Londbos05597439.”
• Boxes of chilled “Boned-In Veal Rack Chop” with case code of “SELEDEL05593535.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-In Veal Rack Chop Ready 6 Bone 4×4” with shipping marks “ONEBUE 05584158.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-Less veal Striploin Eye s/on 0x0” with shipping marks “ONEBUE 05584159.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-In Veal Hindshank Center Cut” with shipping marks “ONEBUE 05584160.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-In Veal Rack Chop Ready 6 Bone 4×4” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632969.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-In Veal Chuck” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632970.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-Less Veal Rumpheart” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632971.”
• Boxes of chilled of “Bone-Less Veal Inside” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632972.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-Less Veal Inside Cap-Off” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632976.”
• Boxes of chilled “Bone-Less Veal Striploin Eye s/on 0x0” with shipping marks “WOLVDET 05632977.”

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreaks are rare, according to the public warning, but tend to primarily be due to contaminated food and person-to-person transmission.

“Like E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism,” according to the FSIS warning

“While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.”

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USDA championed new policies in 2016 to reduce food waste

Editor’s note: This essay is a 2017 runner up for the “Publisher’s Award” and was written as part of a food safety litigation class at the University of Arkansas Law School taught by Bill Marler and Denis Stearns of the Seattle law firm MarlerClark LLP.

Food waste is sickening. The amount of safe and nutritious food that is wasted each year in the United States is astonishing: An estimated 40 percent of the U.S. food supply is never consumed. Yet, approximately 49 million Americans are suffering from hunger. Instead of using this excess food to feed the hungry, most of this food waste ends up in the trash. This sight is nauseating — billions of pounds of food rotting in U.S. landfills while approximately one in seven Americans are food insecure.
Food safety concerns are some of the many factors that contribute to the large amount of food waste in the U.S. There is a widespread misconception that some food products cannot or should not be recovered due to food safety concerns. This has resulted in businesses throwing out food that is still perfectly good and safe to eat. For example, a large number of food products are thrown into landfills that are mislabeled, even though they are still safe for human consumption. Some of this food could be diverted from the landfill by simply relabeling the product to declare an ingredient originally omitted. Other product labels may create a false sense of concern that the product is no longer safe. A new, clearer label could prevent food from going to waste.

To address these concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced two new policies in 2016 to help businesses and consumers reduce food waste. The first policy action was the issuance of FSIS Directive 7020.1, which created a new and simpler relabeling process for businesses that want to donate food products that have minor labeling errors. The other step taken by FSIS was the issuance of a new guidance document that suggests manufacturers use standard and consistent language for date labels to reduce consumer confusion and food waste that is a result of this confusion. These new policies apply to all meat, poultry, and some egg products in the U.S.

FSIS Directive 7020.1 makes the relabeling process easier for businesses who want to donate recalled products. Prior to this new policy, food products regulated by FSIS had to follow a re-approval labeling process before the product could be donated. In addition, that product had to be plainly marked “Not for Sale.” Businesses were discovering approval could take anywhere from 60-90 days, resulting in a lengthy process, which took up a large amount of storage space.  The re-labeling application process required time and labor. It was also costly for businesses to pay their employees to re-label and stamp “Not for Sale” on each product. Overall, the costs of donating the products were not feasible for businesses.

Now, under FSIS Directive 7020.1, businesses can donate certain mislabeled products without worrying about the costs associated with the re-labeling process. Under the directive, economically adulterated or misbranded meat and poultry products can be donated “as is” without applying for temporary label approval and without adding the “Not for Sale” statement on each package. The only requirement is that there is a bill of lading that describes the quantity and description of the donated item, the reason the product was recalled, and a statement that the product is not for sale, which accompanies the donated product. However, the temporary label approval and “Not for Sale” package statement are still both required if the product is misbranded because it did not include an ingredient of public health concern: Wheat, fish and shellfish, eggs, peanuts, dairy, tree nuts, or soybeans or “[i]ngredients that may cause food intolerance, such as sulfur-based preservatives (sulfites), lactose, Yellow 5 (tartrazine), gluten, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).”  Also, the donated product is still required to be inspected by officials before it is shipped to the nonprofit organization.

FSIS “Food Product Dating” guidance document will also assist with the fight against food waste. Federal law does not regulate or require date labels on food products, with the exception of baby formula. Instead, there are a plethora of state laws that regulate date labels, some of which outlaw the donation of food that is past its date. The lack of uniform regulation causes confusion around whether or not the date on the food pertains to the product’s safety. The date labels on most products do not relate to food safety. Yet, according to a national consumer survey, 84 percent of consumers toss out food that is past its date because of safety concerns. FSIS’s guidance document addresses date labels’ contribution to food waste in the U.S.

Now, FSIS encourages date labels to only use “Best if Used By” language. Manufacturers and retailers should try and refrain from using any other date label phrases. The guidance document also states that unspoiled, wholesome, safe food can “be sold, purchased, donated, and consumed beyond” its “Best if Used By” date. FSIS also confirmed that besides infant formula, dates on food products are not a way to determine the safety of a product.

These new policies may have a significant impact on reducing food waste across the U.S. One survey found that 20 percent of food waste at the consumer level is from date label confusion. If manufacturers and retailers follow FSIS’s Food Product Dating guidance, consumers will only be required to know the meaning of one phrase. In fact, according to a survey by the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, the National Consumers League, and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, most consumers relate “Best if Used By” to the quality of a product, not safety. Thus, the guidance document will help clear up consumers’ confusion around date labels and food safety.

The new FSIS directive will also ensure that businesses are not throwing out safe food. A large number of products are recalled due to labeling issues — 60% of all FDA recalls, for example. These products were not always relabeled and redistributed, and businesses moved forward with the cheaper alternative — tossing the products into the landfill. Now, FSIS’s removal of the approval process for certain products will allow businesses to re-label products for donation in a more efficient manner. These policies show FSIS and USDA’s dedication to reducing food waste.

Even so, there are some flaws that prevent FSIS from having a larger influence on consumers, businesses, and the amount of food waste in the U.S. For one, FSIS regulates a small portion of U.S. food products, around 10 percent to 20 percent, whereas, the Food and Drug Administration has regulatory authority over a majority of the food in the U.S. Thus, the FDA would probably have a larger impact than the USDA if it initiated these policies, but the FDA has not implemented similar guidelines.

Moreover, FSIS’s policy statements are not new legal requirements like administrative rules. These statements are not federal law, but are simply how the agency will interpret a law. The guidance document and directive are easier to repeal than an administrative rule. When a new president is elected, the new administration may change or remove these policy statements. Thus, FSIS’s policies to combat food waste are not permanent. Businesses may be wary to follow these new policies until it is clear that the new administration will not repeal or change them.

FSIS’s guidance document on date labels also will not completely clear up consumer’s confusion about date labels. The document does not mandate manufacturers and retailers to only use the “Best if Used By” language. It only suggests they follow this recommendation. The document also does not preempt state laws that prohibit donating food past its date or state laws that require certain products to contain a wide range of confusing phrases.

To read a report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Food Allergy Research and Resource Program about the number of FDA and USDA recalls related to undeclared allergens, please click on the image.

FSIS Directive 7020.1 still does not address the significant problems with re-labeling products recalled due to ingredients of public health concern. For these products, the approval process for the temporary label can still take up to 90 days.  The longer a product must be stored at a business, the stronger the likelihood that they will need the space for inventory, and that this safe, edible recalled product will be tossed into the trash. This includes a large amount of recalled products — over 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products were recalled in 2015 due to an undeclared allergen. Yet, these products are still edible — there is no risk in donating a product that has been properly relabeled with the correct ingredients and allergens.

Even so, the USDA and FSIS should receive significant praise for their efforts to reduce food waste in 2016. These two new policies should help to reduce the amount of food that is wasted due to misinformed food safety fears. However, more can be done to ensure that food safety and food waste reduction work hand in hand. Caution is and should continue to be used when it comes to proper food safety, and there should always be a strong regulatory process in place to protect the general public from food borne illness. However, “[e]xcessive caution has consequences . … Just as there are ramifications to eating food that’s [unsafe], so are there repercussion for all of our waste.”

To learn more about the USDA’s food waste reduction efforts visit the U.S. Food Loss and Waste Challenge website.

About the author: Kelly Nuckolls is an LL.M. in Food and Agriculture Law candidate at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Nuckolls graduated from Drake Law School with a certificate in Food and Agriculture Law in 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Hays State University in 2013.

Editor’s note: Bill Marler is publisher of Food Safety News.

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Almost 160 tons of institutional meals recalled for bad water

Correctional Industries, which supplies the Washington state Department of Corrections and senior citizen nutrition programs, is recalling almost 320,000 pounds of frozen meat and poultry products because they were made with contaminated water.

The Olympia, WA-based food production operation reported the problem to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Tuesday, according to the recall notice posted on the agency’s website.

to view images of labels for all of the products included in this recall, please click on the image.

Well water used to produce the frozen foods has been found to be contaminated with perfluorinated chemicals, known by the acronyms PFOS and PFOA, according to city and county health officials. The public in the Airway Heights, WA, area has been warned not to use the water for cooking or drinking. Restaurants and other foodservice operators are under orders to not use tap water in the area.

The contamination is thought to have come from runoff from nearby Fairchild Air Force Base, according to reports in The Spokesman-Review newspaper. The chemicals found in the well water are believed to be from fire-extinguishing foam the Air Force used from 1970 until last year on a fire-training site as well as two locations where aircraft have crashed.

Unidentified “institutions” in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington received the frozen meat and poultry products, which were produced and packed on various dates from April 1 through May 15 at the Correctional Industries location in Airway Heights, WA.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 40238” or “EST. P-40238” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products can also be identified by the following label information:

• 31-lb. boxes containing “BROWN GRAVY W/BEEF, MASHED POTATOES, PEAS & CARROTS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 36-lb. boxes containing “CHICKEN ENCHILADA W/ENCHILADA SAUCE, RICE, AND BLACK BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 25-lb. boxes containing “CHICKEN PATTY WITH RANCHERO SAUCE, RICE AND GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 31-lb. boxes containing “CHICKEN PATTY WITH RICE, BBQ SAUCE, AND BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 27.75-lb. boxes containing “CHILI SAUCE WITH MEAT, RICE AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 30-lb. boxes containing “COUNTRY FRIED CHKN & BEEF PATTY W/GRAVY, MASHED POTATOES & CARROTS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 22.75-lb. boxes containing “CREAMED GRAVY W/GROUND BEEF ON BISCUIT & O’BRIAN POTATOES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 26-lb. boxes containing “CREAMY CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH ROTINI AND CORN” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 24-lb. boxes containing “CREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH ROTINI AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 29.25-lb. boxes containing “LASAGNA WITH GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 28.75-lb. boxes containing “MEAT LOAF PATTY W/MASHED POTATOES, GRAVY & GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 29-lb. boxes containing “ORANGE SAUCE W/CHICKEN, RICE, AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 29.25-lb. boxes containing “SALISBURY STEAK W/GRAVY, MASHED POTATOES & VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 27.5-lb. boxes containing “SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN WITH RICE AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 27.75-lb. boxes containing “TERIYAKI SAUCE WITH CHICKEN, RICE AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 28.75-lb. boxes containing “TURKEY CHILI WITH RICE AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 27.25-lb. boxes containing “VEGETABLE STEW WITH BEEF, RICE AND PEAS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 27.5-lb. boxes containing “WHITE TURKEY ALA KING W/RICE & PEAS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 23.5-lb. boxes containing “HALAL CREAMED GRAVY W/GROUND BEEF ON BISCUIT, & POTATOES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 25-lb. boxes containing “HALAL BEEF GRAVY WITH RICE BLEND, AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 25.5-lb. boxes containing “HALAL BEEF W/MACARONI & CHEESE SAUCE, & GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 26.5-lb boxes containing “HALAL GROUND BEEF & VEGETABLES W/RICE, & GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 26.25-lb. boxes containing “HALAL CREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE W/SEASONED NOODLES & VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 22-lb. boxes containing “HALAL CHICKEN PATTY W/RICE & RED BEANS, & VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 25-lb. boxes containing “HALAL CHILI SAUCE FLAVORED W/MEAT, MACARONI, & GREEN BEANS” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 25-lb. boxes containing “HALAL MEAT SAUCE WITH SPAGHETTI, AND CORN” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.
• 24-lb. boxes containing “HALAL SLOPPY JOE BBQ SAUCE WITH BEEF, POTATOES AND VEGETABLES” and “Mfg Date” April 1, 2017 through May 15, 2017.

Although the recall notice states the products were shipped to “institutions,” it warns consumers to not eat the recalled products.

“There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products,” 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. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Michael Cline, industries manager, at 509-244-4232.”

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100 tons of Nathan’s and Curtis franks recalled nationwide

More than 100 tons of Nathan’s brand and Curtis brand beef hotdogs are being recalled by John Morrell & Co. because of complaints of contamination with extraneous bits of metal.

The Cincinnati-based company notified the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) about the complaints on Friday, according to the recall notice posted on the FSIS website. The recall of more than 210,000 pounds of beef franks includes:

• 14-ounce sealed film packages containing “Nathan’s Skinless 8 Beef Franks,” with a Use By date of Aug. 19, 2017; and
• 16-ounce sealed film packages containing “Curtis Beef Master Beef Franks,” with a Use By date of June 15, 2017.

All of the recalled hotdogs were produced on Jan. 26 and have the establishment number “EST. 296” on the side of the packages. The recalled beef hotdogs were shipped to retailers nationwide.

“The problem was discovered after the (company) received three complaints of metal objects in the beef frank product packages. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injury due to consumption of these products,” 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. Consumers with questions about the recall can call 877-933-4625.”

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Rogers flour sold by Costco in Canada linked to new outbreak

Another E. coli O121 outbreak traced to flour, this time Rogers brand, has sickened at least six people in British Columbia where public health officials are urging consumers to check their homes for the implicated flour.

As of Friday evening neither the company, Rogers Foods Ltd. of Armstrong, British Columbia, nor the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had posted a recall of the flour. The six people became sick from February through April.

“A sample of flour from one of the ill people was tested by the (British Columbia Center for Disease Control) BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. The flour was positive for the same strain of E. coli O121 as seen in all the illnesses,” according to the public warning from the BCCDC.

“While it is unknown at this time whether the other ill people consumed the same flour, the BCCDC recommends consumers dispose of Rogers all-purpose flour in a 10 kg bag with the lot number MFD 17 Jan 19 C.  This flour was available to Costco customers in BC beginning in January 2017.”

Although this outbreak is occurring at the same time as a national outbreak in Canada involving a different strain of E. coli O121 that has been linked to Robin Hood and other brands of flours and flour products, it is unclear whether there is a link between the two outbreaks.

As of Thursday, the previously announced outbreak had sickened at least 30 people across Canada, according to an update from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The PHAC is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on the outbreak investigation, which has implicated various flour and flour products produced by Ardent Mills.

The CFIA has issued food recall warnings advising Canadians of various flours and flour products under various brand names. These food recall warnings were triggered by CFIA findings during its investigation.

“The outbreak serves as a reminder that it is not safe to taste or eat raw dough, batter or foods containing raw or undercooked flour — e.g. raw frozen pastries or doughs — regardless of the type of flour used, and that surfaces that come into contact with raw flour should be thoroughly washed as flour can be contaminated with harmful bacteria,” according to the public warning from the British Columbia health officials.

“Anyone who becomes ill with vomiting and diarrhea after consuming raw dough, batter or flour products is advised to consult their physician, or call the nurse line at 811.”

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BrightFarms recalls leafy greens, herbs because of metal pieces

To see all of the labels for all products included in this recall, please click on the image.

Urban greenhouse grower BrightFarms Inc. of New York City is recalling an undisclosed volume of packaged salad greens and herbs because they may be contaminated with pieces of metal “as a result of construction.”

The recall covers only leafy greens and herbs grown at BrightFarms’ greenhouse farm in Elkwood, VA, according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. Several grocery retailers in the Northeast and Washington D.C. and the Capital Area Food Bank may have received the recalled produce.

“The affected BrightFarms branded products are sold at the Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Peapod and Martin’s Food Markets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia,” according to the recall notice.

“The recall includes the below salad products packaged in clear, plastic clamshells with best-by dates on the package of: 5/22/17, 5/23/17, 5/24/17, 5/25/17, 5/26/17. Best-by dates are located on the label of the package.”

• BrightFarms Baby Spinach (4 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Spring Mix (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Spinach Blend (4 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Baby Kale (3 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Arugula (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Mixed Greens (4 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Baby Romaine (4 oz. and 8 oz. package)

The recall also includes the below basil, packaged in clear plastic clamshells with best-by dates: 5/18/17, 5/19/17, 5/20/17, 5/21/17, 5/22/17, 5/23/17. Best-by dates are on the label of the package.

• BrightFarms Basil (.75 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Thai Basil (.75 oz. package)
• BrightFarms Lemon Basil (.75 oz. package)

To see labels for all of the products included in this recall, please click on the image.

“BrightFarms chose to take this action out of an abundance of caution after discovering that certain produce may have been compromised. Affected retailers have been instructed to remove all affected products from store shelves,” according to the recall notice.

“Consumers who have purchased the affected products should discard (them) or return the product to its place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions are encouraged to call 646-480-5262 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or email info@brightfarms.com with the subject line: Recall.”

Founder and CEO Paul Lightfoot states on the BrightFarms website that the company’s goal is to provide local produce to urban markets.

“BrightFarms finances, designs, builds and operates greenhouse farms at or near supermarkets, cutting time, distance, and cost from the produce supply chain,” according to the company website.

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Beef, pork broth recalled for lack of federal inspections

The Osso Good Co. of San Rafael, CA, has recalled 1,200 pounds of beef and pork bone broth products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The beef bone broth and spicy pork bone broth products were produced and packaged between May 5, 2016, and May 5, 2017. The following products are subject to recall:

• 20-fl. oz. individual plastic pouch containing “The Osso Good Co, Beef Bone Broth, Grass Fed, Pasture Raised, Non Gmo, Hormone Free.”
• 20-fl. oz. individual plastic pouch containing “The Osso Good Co, Spicy Pork Bone Broth Pastured pork bone broth with a touch of heat.”
• 20-fl. oz. individual plastic pouch containing “The Osso Good Co, Simply Beef Broth, Aip Compliant Bone Broth, Grass Fed, Pasture Raised, Non Gmo, Hormone Free.”

The recalled products do not have the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, New York and Washington.

The lack of inspection was discovered when an FSIS Office of Investigations, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) officer initiated an inquiry in response to a consumer complaint regarding The Osso Good Co. bone broth products.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction 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.

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.

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Pasteurization equipment failure spurs Wisconsin cheese recall

Henning’s Cheese, a fourth-generation, family-owned operation in Wisconsin has recalled about 1,000 pounds of its colby jack cheese because of a temporary pasteurizer malfunction.

No illnesses had been reported as of Tuesday when the Kiel, WI, company posted its recall notice with the Food and Drug Administration. However, because of the equipment malfunction, the company could not verify that the cheese was properly pasteurized, which kills pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli and Salmonella.

“About 1,000 pounds of product were distributed statewide,” according to the recall notice. “Consumers should only be concerned with Colby Jack cheese sold on or after April 10, 2017, in one- and two-pound blocks. The product will contain a date code of 1007 on a small label on the bottom of the cheese block.

“Consumers who have purchased Henning’s Colby Jack cheese from retail stores are urged to return it to the place of purchase or to Henning’s Cheese store for a full refund.”

No other Henning’s Cheese products are affected by this recall.

Consumers with questions may contact Henning’s Cheese at 920-894-3032.

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Cheese from Nicaragua recalled for Listeria concerns

Another Miami-based company is recalling imported cheese because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Global Garlic Inc. recalled “Queso Fresco/ Whole Milk Cheese” from Nicaragua but did not report how the possible bacterial contamination was discovered. Global Garlic distributed the De Mi Pais brand cheese to retailers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fl, and in Fairdale, KY.

There is concern that people may have unused packages of the cheese in their homes because of the long shelf life of the cheese. The recalled cheese is packaged in 16-ounce plastic bags with the De Mi Pais brand logo and an expiration date of Sept. 19. No other traceability codes were included in the recall notice.

“Consumers who have purchased ‘De Mi Pais Queso Fresco/Whole Milk Cheese’ are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund,” according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. “Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-545-6305.”

Global Garlic Inc. recalled “227 units” of the cheese, but the recall notice did not indicate the weight of the units. Photos of labels posted with the recall notice show the cheese is a product of Nicaragua and was shipped in 30.80-pound cases.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the bacteria so the proper diagnostic tests can be performed.

Also, people who have eaten the cheese recently but have not become ill are urged to monitor themselves for the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days for listeriosis symptoms to develop.

Symptoms can include fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are also at high risk.

The Global Garlic Inc. recall is dated May 15. Three days earlier, on May 12, another Miami company recalled imported cheese because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. La Nica Products Inc. recalled three tons of Queso Duro Blando/Hard White Cheese, also referred to as Morolique, from El Salvador.

La Nica Products distributed the Quesos De la Costa brand cheese to supermarkets and other retailers in California. The recall resulted from sampling by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product.

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Miami cheese maker recalls product from California for Listeria

Three tons of cheese produced by Miami’s La Nica Products Inc. was recalled Tuesday for possible Listeria contamination.

No illnesses are yet associated with the recall, but Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. While 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.

The recalled Queso Duro Blando/Hard White Cheese (Morolique) was distributed only in the state of California through supermarkets and other retail stores.

The cheese being recalled comes in 1-pound opaque plastic bags labeling that says:

Quesos De La Costa
Queso Duro Blando
Hard Soft Cheese

The name is surrounded by an orange border and there is a small cow on the label. It is a white cheese. The cheese has an expiration date of Aug. 31 and a UPC code of 8 52304 74023 2. The lot number of this cheese is 254.

The recall resulted from sampling by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product. This recall is being done with the knowledge of the federal Food and Drug Administration.

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