The USDA and FDA have issued a report on food recall trends from 2004 to 2013. In it, they find that recalls increased significantly in that time period. The report, titled "Trends in Food Recalls: 2004-2013" was published in April 2018. Between 2004 and 2008, food recalls in the United States averaged 304 a year. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual average increased to 676 recalls. The volume of food sold in the United States during the latter time period partially explains the statistically significant increase, but other factors are involved too. During the 2009 to 2013 time frame, pathogen and risk detection technology improved substantially. In addition, regulatory oversight and enforcement increased. Finally, Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Food … [Read more...]
Trends in Food Recalls Finds Recalls Increased Significantly Between 2004 and 2013
Multiple Grocery Stores Update Secondary Listeria Monocytogenes Recalls for Produce
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration reports that several grocery stores that issued secondary recalls of produce products last week have either updated or revised their lists of the items subject to recall. These recalls were prompted by the large-scale recall by Salinas, CA-based Mann’s Packing of thousands of pounds of minimally processed vegetables they distributed across the United States and Canada. This original recall was announced after the Canadian Inspection Service revealed it had found a single positive result of Listeria monocytogenes contamination during a random sampling of Mann Packing’s Produce. Listeria is a very serious variety of food poisoning that is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children – it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or … [Read more...]
Secondary Listeria Monocytogenes Recalls for Produce, Salads, and Herbs
Mann's Packing recalled minimally processed vegetable products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination on October 19, 2017. A single positive result was found during random sampling in Canada. There is zero tolerance for the presence of this bacteria in the United States on ready-to-eat foods. Since then, there have been a slew of secondary recalls for products made with those vegetables. We are keeping an ongoing list of recalls so you can see them all in one place. These products should not be eaten, even if you intend to cook them. Listeria bacteria that may be on this produce can contaminate work surfaces and utensils in the kitchen, possibly cross-contaminating them and causing illness. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these recalls, but … [Read more...]
Undeclared Nuts Prompt Recalls of Aunt Beth’s Cookies and Wegmans’ Bulk Nut Crunch
In two separate recalls, the possible presence of undeclared nuts in food products have prompted their removal from store shelves. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reports that both Aunt Beth’s Cookies (located in Mishawaka, Indiana) and First Source (headquartered in Tonawanda, New York) have issued these voluntary recalls. Aunt Beth’s Cookies recalled nine (9) varieties of cookies after it was ascertained the cookies might have been contaminated by peanuts or tree nuts during the manufacturing process; the potential presence of the nut allergens was not listed on the product labeling. These cookies were distributed through wholesalers in the states of Indiana and Illinois. Sold between January 1, 2017 and September 28, 2017, the varieties of cookies affected by the recall … [Read more...]
Reser’s Macaroni Salad Recalled for Undeclared Allergens
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted consumers that Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, has issued a voluntary recall for 529 cases of its 16-ounce “Reser’s Macaroni Salad.” These products contain two allergens, milk and soy, which are not listed on the packages’ labelling. For those who are allergic to these allergens, consuming this macaroni salad may result in serious illness or a potentially fatal allergic reaction. The 16-ounce plastic containers of the affected product are stamped with a “Use By” Date of April 24, 2017 on the edge of the lid. The UPC number, located on the side panel of the package, is: 71117.19007. The cases of macaroni salad were sent to grocery retailers and distributors in the states of Alabama, Colorado, … [Read more...]
Cookie Dough Maker Gets Listeria Warning Letter
The FDA has sent the owners of Aspen Hills, Inc., makers of ready to eat cookie dough, a warning letter on January 10, 2017 about environmental samples from their facility that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. There is zero tolerance for that pathogenic bacteria in ready to eat products. That means that the cookie dough pucks, pellets, and pails are adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Four positive environmental swabs were collected in the manufacturing areas. And between September 18 and 26, 2016, the firm's environmental program found Listeria monocytogenes in ten environmental swabs and in one finished product lot of cookie dough, which was not distributed into commerce. These findings indicate that the "firm is not taking … [Read more...]
Top 10 Largest Multistate Outbreaks in 2016: Number 10
Every year we gather information about the largest food poisoning outbreaks of the last 12 months. There were many outbreaks this year; some sickened hundreds of people. The largest outbreaks were confined to one state. The outbreaks in this list crossed state lines. The tenth largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2016 was a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to frozen vegetables. At least 9 people in 4 states were sickened in this particular outbreak. All of those sickened were hospitalized, and three people died, although the listeriosis illness was considered a factor in only one of those deaths. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence found that frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington and sold under different brand names were the likely … [Read more...]
Senator Schumer: FDA Needs to Fix Recall Process
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is calling on the federal government to improve the FDA's ability to recall contaminated foods. He uses the recall of millions of pounds of General Mills flour for potential E. coli contamination as an example. The E. coli O121 and O26 outbreak linked to that flour began in December 2015, but the flour itself was not recalled until May 2016. Meanwhile, more American consumers got sick. The Senator called for major changes, to make sure the FDA is doing everything it can to prevent future foodborne illness. The Senator is responding to a recently released report by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which suggested that the FDA is taking far too long to initiate food recalls, putting consumers at … [Read more...]
FDA Too Slow To Issue Recalls, HHS Audit Says
The FDA is too slow to get food companies to recall contamianted products, according to an audit by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In some cases, firms waited for months before they recalled their products that caused many illnesses. The HHS Office released a report that states "we found that the FDA did not have an efficient and effective food recall initiation process that helps ensure the safety of the Nation's food supply. Specifically, FDA did not have policies and procedures to ensure that firms or responsible parties initiated voluntary food recalls promptly. This issue is a significant matter and requires FDA's immediate attention." FDA relies on firms to recall food that can be harmful to the public health. The government did not have the authority to … [Read more...]
Food Recall Roundup For June 26, 2016
Here are all of the recalls for the week ending June 26, 2016. Since there have been so many recalls over the past weeks for serious issues, including Listeria monocytogenes and undeclared peanuts, we are gathering the recalls in one place for easy referral. The peanut recalls are secondary, triggered by the discovery at GrainCraft that their flour contained peanut residue. The Listeria recalls are also secondary, triggered by SunOpta sunflower seeds that were recalled, and CRF Frozen Foods frozen vegetables recalled because they may be contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria. Please check your home to see if you have any of these recalled products. If you do, discard them or return them to the store where you bought them for a full refund. The recalls are listed in reverse … [Read more...]
