Ton of chicken tenders recalled after consumer complaint

After a consumer complaint, Schreiber Processing Corp. in Maspeth, NY, has recalled  2,330 pounds of chicken tender products that may be contaminated with plastic and misbranded, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The breaded chicken breast tenders were produced on Dec. 8, 2016, and packaged on Dec. 9, 2016. The following product is subject to recall:

• 10-pound boxes containing “Meal Mart BATTERED & BREADED CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS” with the item code 03-CTB and the production code 0246

The recalled products have the establishment number “P-787” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to institutional and retail locations in New Jersey, New York and Washington including these restaurants: Affordable Kosher, Seattle; Meal Mart, Flushing, NY; Mountain Fresh, Brooklyn; Riverdale Kosher, Riverdale, NY; and Kosher World, Far Rockway, NY.

There are not yet any  confirmed reports of injury or illness 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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Twinkies recalled because of powdered milk Salmonella issue

This week a seasonal version of the iconic American snack cake — Hostess Twinkies — joined dozens of other foods as a victim of a secondary recall because of Salmonella contamination at a powdered milk plant.

Hostess Brands LLC of Kansas City, MO, initiated a nationwide recall of its “Holiday White Peppermint Twinkies” late Monday because of a recall by Blommer Chocolate Co. of the confectionary coating used on the Twinkies, according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

“The confectionary coating contains milk powder ingredients recalled by Valley Milk Products LLC due to a concern of Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date, and none of the confectionary coating sampled has tested positive for Salmonella. However, Hostess is initiating this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution,” the company said in the recall notice.

Although the peppermint Twinkies are a seasonal holiday item, their long shelf life has raised concerns that consumers may have the recalled snack cakes in their homes.

Consumers can identify the recalled peppermint Twinkies sold in nine-packs with the UPC number 888109111571. Hostess distributed the recalled peppermint Twinkies to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.

“Consumers who have purchased the affected product are urged to discontinue consumption and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund,” according to the recall notice. “Consumers with questions may contact 800-483-7253 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.”

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 pathogen.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Related recalls
At the request of the FDA, armed U.S. Marshals raided the Valley Milk plant in Strasburg, VA, on Nov. 30 and seized 4 million pounds of powdered milk and powdered buttermilk valued at almost $4 million.

On Dec. 9 Valley Milk Products recalled 3.1 million pounds of powdered milk products produced and sold in the period from Dec. 5, 2015, through July 10, 2016.

While the FDA has access to company records showing who bought the recalled powdered milk, and when, it cannot publish those details because of a federal law protecting “confidential corporate information.”

In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia the FDA reported environmental swabs collected at the production facility returned positive results for Salmonella.

Inspectors also found internal records at Valley Milk that showed the company itself had found Salmonella in the facility and in finished products.

Close to 20 other companies’ have similarly named potentially contaminated powdered milk from Valley Milk Products LLC of Strasburg, VA, as the reason for their recalls of products as varied as pudding mix, potato chips, frozen cream puffs and macaroni and cheese.

For additional details on other recalls related to the Valley Milk Products problems with Salmonella, please see:

• Armed federal agents seize milk products from major cooperative
• Publix recalls mixes; cites powdered milk Salmonella problem
• Stonewall Kitchen recalls mixes for tainted powdered milk
• Great Value, other mac & cheese brands recalled for Salmonella
• Monkey bread mix recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk
• Chips recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk seasoning
• Mac & cheese sold at Aldi, Dollar Tree recalled for Salmonella
• New Hope Mills recalls crepe mix because of powdered milk
• Frozen desserts recalled for Salmonella risk in powdered milk
• Powdered milk Salmonella risk hits Roundy’s, Old Dutch chips
• Powdered milk forces Albertsons, HEB, Safeway bakery recalls
• Williams-Sonoma recalls mix for problem with powdered milk
• Houdini recalls gift baskets from Costco, Sam’s Club, others
• Snyder chips recalled for powdered milk Salmonella risk
• Dieffenbach’s recalls chips for Salmonella threat in seasoning
• Biscuit, cornbread mix recalled; powdered milk pathogen risk
• Route 11 recalls chips for powdered milk Salmonella risk
• Mikesell’s chips recalled for Salmonella risk in seasoning
• Publix, Wal-Mart, Palmer brand snacks recalled for Salmonella

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Chicken breasts recalled for misbranding and allergens

Houston’s Perfect Fit Meals LLC Tuesday recalled 3,546 pounds of chicken breast products because of misbranding and undeclared allergens, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The product may contain milk and wheat, known allergens which are not declared on the product label.

The ready-to-eat chicken breast items were produced on Dec. 20 and 21, 2016. The following product is subject to recall:

• 10.5-ounce sealed tray package containing “From the Kitchen of Cooking Light Magazine: Lemon Pepper Chicken” with “Use or Freeze By” date of 01/21/17 and the lot code 2457744.2

The product subject to recall has establishment number “P-827” inside the USDA mark of inspection. This item was shipped to military commissaries and retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered when a distributor notified Perfect Fit Meals LLC that the chicken breast product had been incorrectly labeled. Although the product is labeled “Lemon Pepper Chicken” it contains a different product, “Blackened Chicken Breast,” which contains milk and wheat allergens.

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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Publix, Wal-Mart, Palmer brand snacks recalled for Salmonella

To see photos of all of the products included in this recall, click on the image.

Five weeks after the U.S. Marshals Service raided a powdered milk factory at the request of FDA, seizing more than 4 million pounds of product because of possible Salmonella contamination, down-stream food companies are still initiating recalls, the latest being the iconic Palmer Candy Co.

The 149-year-old, family-owned candy company based in Souix City, IA, posted the recall on its website Monday. The recall includes Palmer branded products as well as unbranded bulk products and specific products made under the Publix brand and Wal-Mart’s “The Bakery” brand.

Two Publix-branded products, almond bark (left) and peppermint bark (not shown) and Wal-Mart brand “The Bakery” variety bowl are among the products included in this recall. To view photos of all of the recalled products, click on the image.

“The voluntary recall, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes selected products produced between Oct. 20, 2016, and Dec. 9, 2016, and shipped by Palmer Candy Co. to grocery, convenience store and wholesale customers nationwide,” according to the recall notice.

“The recall is the result of a potentially contaminated milk powder ingredient recalled by Valley Milk Products LLC, a derivative of which was included as a small portion of the ingredients by another company in a confectionary coating supplied to Palmer Candy Co. Affected products include a variety of candy products sold to retailers under the Palmer Candy Co. brand, private label chocolates for retail distribution and bulk products provided to retailers for repackaging.”

Because of the long shelf life of some of the products, which extends to the end of August this year for some items, officials are concerned consumers may have the recalled products in their homes.

To view this chart in a larger format and to see photos of all of the products included in this recall, click on the image.

To determine if they have the recalled products in their homes, consumers should look for the UPC numbers for the products listed in the chart at right.

The numbers are usually on the back of bags or the bottom of rigid containers. Photos of all of the products recalled by Palmer are available with the recall notice. To view them, click here or on the chart.

“We are truly sorry for any distress this recall causes to our retail customers and to consumers. We remain committed to the highest standards in food quality and safety. We are taking this recall very seriously and truly appreciate the cooperation of our customers as we work to resolve this matter promptly,” Marty Palmer, president and chief executive officer of Palmer Candy Company said in the recall notice.

Consumers should throw out or return these products to the point of sale for a full refund, according to the recall notice. For more information, consumers may call 712-258-5543 to speak with a customer service representative at Palmer Candy Co.

No illnesses had been confirmed in connection with the recalled candy and snacks produced by Palmer as of Monday. However, 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 pathogen.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Related recalls
At the request of the FDA, armed U.S. Marshals raided the Valley Milk plant on Nov. 30 and seized 4 million pounds of powdered milk and powdered buttermilk valued at almost $4 million.

On Dec. 9 Valley Milk Products recalled 3.1 million pounds of powdered milk products produced and sold in the period from Dec. 5, 2015, through July 10, 2016.

While the FDA has access to company records showing who bought the recalled powdered milk, and when, it cannot publish those details because of a federal law protecting “confidential corporate information.”

In a document filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia the FDA reported environmental swabs collected at the production facility returned positive results for Salmonella.

Inspectors also found internal records at Valley Milk that showed the company itself had found Salmonella in the facility and in finished products.

Close to 20 other companies’ have similarly named potentially contaminated powdered milk from Valley Milk Products LLC of Strasburg, VA, as the reason for their recalls of products as varied as pudding mix, potato chips, frozen cream puffs and macaroni and cheese.

For additional details on other recalls related to the Valley Milk Products problems with Salmonella, please see:

• Armed federal agents seize milk products from major cooperative
• Publix recalls mixes; cites powdered milk Salmonella problem
• Stonewall Kitchen recalls mixes for tainted powdered milk
• Great Value, other mac & cheese brands recalled for Salmonella
• Monkey bread mix recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk
• Chips recalled for Salmonella in powdered milk seasoning
• Mac & cheese sold at Aldi, Dollar Tree recalled for Salmonella
• New Hope Mills recalls crepe mix because of powdered milk
• Frozen desserts recalled for Salmonella risk in powdered milk
• Powdered milk Salmonella risk hits Roundy’s, Old Dutch chips
• Powdered milk forces Albertsons, HEB, Safeway bakery recalls
• Williams-Sonoma recalls mix for problem with powdered milk
• Houdini recalls gift baskets from Costco, Sam’s Club, others
• Snyder chips recalled for powdered milk Salmonella risk
• Dieffenbach’s recalls chips for Salmonella threat in seasoning
• Biscuit, cornbread mix recalled; powdered milk pathogen risk
• Route 11 recalls chips for powdered milk Salmonella risk
• Mikesell’s chips recalled for Salmonella risk in seasoning

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Contaminated food contaminates consumers’ trust

A breach in food safety is enough to knock restaurants, grocers, retailers and everyone in the supply chain to their knees when contaminated food contaminates the trust consumers have in their products. Take Chipotle Mexican Grill for example, the most recent poster child for damaged customer relationships.

In July 2015, the first of six foodborne illness outbreaks hit the fast-casual restaurant chain. The initial bump in the road was an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Seattle, with five people on record as being infected. Then, in August, thanks to a sick employee in California, at least 234 people became infected with norovirus.

For the rest of 2015 the downward spiral continued. Thirteen states, seven months and more than 500 sick customers later, the burrito giant’s nightmare was deemed over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, from a business standpoint, it was just getting started.

A look through Chipotle’s stock prices tells the story. The publicly traded company hit its all-time closing high of $757.77 on Aug. 5, 2015. By Aug. 31, 2015, stocks were closing at $719.23, a downward trend which landed at a closing price of $479.85 on Dec. 28, 2015.

The Denver-based chain struggled to reverse the trend was not over in the New Year, and continued to trend down to a close just under $380 at the end of December 2016.

Even though Chipotle didn’t issues recalls in connection with any of the foodborne illness outbreaks linked to its restaurants in 2015, the cost to its reputation hit as hard as a recall, with many of the same expenses involved. Chipotle had to close several restaurants for deep cleaning and sanitizing, similar to measures necessary at businesses that produce, pack, re-pack, distribute foods and sell them at retail.

To read the white paper on technology solutions to meet the requirements of the sanitary transportation rule, click on the image.

Food recall surge
According to Stericycle Expert Solutions Recall Index, the Food and Drug Administration had a 34 percent uptick in recalls from the second quarter of 2016 to the third quarter, making Q3 the highest recall period since the first quarter of 2010.

Vegetables accounted for a whopping 86.5 percent of FDA’s recalls, with 89.1 percent of all recalled units having bacterial contamination.

United States Department of Agriculture recalls were also trending high, up 36 percent. Poultry was the highest contaminated animal product for USDA, at 50.9 percent of the total recalled pounds, while mixed protein products came in second at 39.2 percent.

This recall increase is a concern in the midst of this steadily growing trend of consumers demanding to know more about the food they purchase for their family’s table. They want to know where it comes from, how it got to their favorite local store and why they should believe it’s safe for their families.

In a white paper published in March 2016 by Kansas City-based ad agency Sullivan Higdon Sink, “Evolving Trust In The Food Industry,” 65 percent of consumers surveyed said they want to know how their food is produced. And, one out of three — 34 percent — somewhat disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “As a whole, food companies are transparent about how food is produced.”

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is geared toward preventing and reducing foodborne illnesses, with rules addressing every aspect of production, from irrigation water standards to intermodal containers used to ship food. Such attention is not expected to result in fewer recalls.

Editor’s note: Watch for Part 2 of this series, which includes information about high-tech solutions to help food companies meet FSMA requirements, scheduled to publish Jan. 16.

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No recall: Chicken served last month could still cause illnesses

Anyone who ate fajita or gyro dishes made with chicken strips in restaurants in the Cleveland, OH, area in December should monitor themselves for symptoms of Listeria infection in the coming weeks.

Ready-to-eat, fully cooked chicken breast strips produced by House of Raeford in Mocksville, NC, and shipped to restaurants in the Cleveland area may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a Saturday warning from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Photo illustration

The company, which produced the implicated chicken breast strips in September 2016, discovered the Listeria problem during routine testing, according to the FSIS notice. The notice did not indicate when the testing was conducted or when the results were reported.

“A recall was not requested because it is believed that all products have now been consumed,” according to the FSIS notice. “The ready to eat, fully cooked, chicken breast strips items were produced and packaged on Sept. 29, 2016, and served to consumers in December 2016.”

Although no illnesses had been reported in connection with the ready-to-eat chicken strips as of Jan. 7, it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop.

“Persons 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,” according to the government warning.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection sometimes 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 can occur in older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems.

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Salmonella outbreak traced to hazelnuts from Oregon farm

Oregon officials are warning consumers to check their homes for hazelnuts from the Schmidt Farm and Nursery farm stand and to immediately discard them because they have been named the cause of a Salmonella outbreak.

The warning Friday from the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division reported five people have been confirmed in the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium. They were all infected with the same strain of the pathogen, which was also found in hazelnuts from the Schmidt Farm and Nursery farm stand on highway southwest of McMinnville, OR.

Although the majority of the Schmidt Farm hazelnut crop goes to wholesalers, a spokesman from the Oregon Department of Agriculture said Friday afternoon that the department estimates the farm stand sold 32,000 to 48,000 pounds of hazelnuts direct to consumers.

Attempts to reach Schmidt Farm and Nursery owners were unsuccessful Friday. Their website and Facebook pages indicate the operation is closed for the season, with plans to reopen in the spring. The farm has about 80 acres of hazelnuts, according to information the owners provided to state officials.

Officials have few concerns about the portion of the Schmidt hazelnut crop that went to wholesalers.

“Wholesalers have steps in place that kill any Salmonella on the hazelnuts they handle before the nuts reach consumers,” said Stephanie Page, the agriculture department’s director of food safety and animal services, in the public warning.

“To date, we have no indication there were any issues with this part of the process. The concern in this case is with hazelnuts bought at the farm stand.”

That concern is based on hard science, according to the state’s public health officials. Lab tests from the five sick people were virtually identical to the Salmonella strain found in samples of hazelnuts purchased at the farm stand. Interviews with the victims further confirmed the connection.

“When interviewed by public health officials, three of the individuals recalled buying hazelnuts from the Schmidt Farm and Nursery stand in McMinnville,” according to the state health department. “The fourth ate hazelnuts from an unlabeled bag of partially shelled nuts. A fifth case was linked to the other four cases after having tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella.”

All five of the victims confirmed so far became ill between Oct. 15 and Dec. 13, 2016. None of them were hospitalization and all have recovered from their illnesses, the health department reported.

Because of the long shelf life of nuts, Oregon officials are concerned additional people may become ill. Anyone who has eaten hazelnuts from the Schmidt Farm and Nursery farm stand and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Most people who get salmonellosis — infection from Salmonella bacteria —  become sick in one to five days after exposure. Salmonellosis can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps that can last up to seven days. Most people recover without treatment, but in some cases the diarrhea is so severe that hospital care is needed.

Though rare, the most severe cases of Salmonella can lead to death if not treated. Pregnant women, the elderly, children and people with weakened immune systems are much more likely to develop severe symptoms than healthy adults.

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