The FDA Enforcement Report for the week of March 26, 2014 lists Class I recalls that are not reported individually to the public. These are recalls of foods that could cause serious illness if consumed. Purely Pomegranate, Inc. is recalling GOKNUR Organic Frozen/IQF Pomegranate Arils (seeds) because they may be contaminated with the Hepatitis A virus. The lot code is 21-15-13-2-1-O, with production date 17.10.2012, crop year 2012 and carton number 8721. Gretchen's Shoebox Express is recalling Starbuck's brand Greek Yogurt Raspberry & Lemon Parfait in 6.1 ounce single serve plastic cups for undeclared egg. The use by date is "Enjoy by 03/05", which represents March 5, 2014. The UPC number is 6211198649. And All American Seasonings is recalling White cheddar jalapeño seasoning … [Read more...]
FDA Class I Recalls for Week of 3/17/14
These are the FDA Class I recalls for the weke of March 17, 2014. These are recalls that could cause serious health problems, but that were not reported individually by the FDA. Pecan Shed recalled several items, for the presence of soy, milk, and pecans, three of the major food allergens, that were not declared on the label. The products have no lot codes or expiration dates. The fudge expires in two weeks unless it's frozen. If it's frozen, it expires in 2 years. The recalled items include Chocolate Pecan Fudge, Plain Chocolate Fudge, Butter Pecan Fudge, Pecan Shed Special Turtle Fudge, Maple Nut with Pecans Fudge, Dark Chocolate with Pecans Fudge, Tiger Fudge, Chocolate Mint Fudge, Pumpkin Pie Fudge, Pumpkin Pie with Pecans Fudge, Divinity with Pecans Fudge, Sucrose Free Chocolate … [Read more...]
FDA Class I Recalls for March 12, 2014
We are going to start reporting on the FDA Enforcement Reports that are issued every week. These are several Class I recalls that are not individually reported. Class I recalls are "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the agency. Dark Meat Fajita School Lunch #3 is being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. The product is by Pepper Source Limited. An ingredient used to manufacture the product tested positive for Salmonella. The lot numbers include 020401, 020402, 020403, 020404, 020405, 020406, 020407, 020408, 020409, 020410, 020411, 020412 (611 bags, manufactured on 1/20/14), and lot numbers 022401, 022402, 022403 (152 bags, … [Read more...]
Questions About USDA’s Import Inspection Program
Food and Water Watch is questioning the USDA's import inspection program after lapses allowed problematic food into the country. Wenonah Hauter, executive director of the agency, sent a letter to USDA SEcretary Tom Vilsack, "pointing to six specific incidents where imported product was ether recalled or entered into U.S. without proper inspection. In some of these cases, the problem was not discovered until U.S. consumers had already consumed most of the product." The problems are apparently in the new inspection information technology system called the Public Health Information System (PHIS). Food safety experts say that there are problems with PHIS for both domestic and imported food inspections. PHIS went into operation on May 29, 2012. The incidents include recalls on February … [Read more...]
Increase in Recalled Food Units in Fourth Quarter 2013
According to Stericycle ExpertRecall, the number of food units recalled in the fourth quarter 2013 in the U.S. increased by 52%. More than 10.6 million units of food were recalled in the last three months of 2013, in comparison with 6.9 million units in the third quarter. The report was issued February 29, 2014. At the same time, the 134 food recalls in that time frame were down 47% from the third quarter. That means each recall was for a much larger amount of food, which most likely affected more people. Three recalls in the fourth quarter involved more than 1 million food units. In addition, there was a large increase in complex, nationwide recalls. In the third quarter, just 12% were nationwide recalls, but in the fourth quarter that number jumped to 27%. In the fourth quarter, … [Read more...]
Auditor General Critical of Canada’s Food Recall Procedures
Canada's Auditor General is critical of that country's food recall procedures. In the 2013 Fall Report, several areas that need improvement were listed. While the first three steps in the recall process, which includes identifying the issue, conducting an investigation, and making decisions worked well, follow-up activities were criticized. Chapter 4 of the report details the investigation of Canada's Food Recall System. The CFIA didn't have documentation it must collect to make sure that firms properly dispose of recall products or take action to identify and correct the underlying cause of the recall issue. In addition, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's emergency procedures were not finalized or regularly tested. When the emergency response pan is activated, changes in governance … [Read more...]
Third Annual FDA Reportable Food Registry Released
The FDA has released its third annual Reportable Food Registry, which identifies patterns of adulteration and targets inspection resources. It also provides early warning on problems and public health risks from reportable foods from September 2011 to September 2012. A reportable food is "an article of food/feed for which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, such article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals." There are four data elements that are an important part of the report: the reasons the food has been determined to be reportable, such as pathogenic bacteria; a description of the root cause of the reportable food to identify how the problem occurred; a brief description of corrective actions taken to … [Read more...]
ExpertRECALL Quarterly Index Released
ExpertRECALL has released its quarterly index about food and product recalls in this country. They found that 73.4% of food recalls documented by the FDA were from companies who already had two or more recalls. One hundred thirty-three companies had recalls in this time period, affecting 9.7 million units of products. Many times, the multiple recalls occur because of an ingredient that is used in more than one product. Mike Rozembaigier, Vice President of Stericycle ExpertRECALL said, "the ongoing trend of multiple product recalls can complicate the logistics of a recall, making it harder for companies to communicate to consumers and maintain trust in their brand." The Index includes data from the USDA for the first time. That agency issues recalls of meat, poultry, and egg products. … [Read more...]
Reed and Barton Recall Baby Utensils for Choking Hazard
Reed and Barton is recalling about 4,000 baby forks and spoons because the pink coloring on the bunny's ears can come off. This poses choking and ingestion hazards. No injuries have been reported to date, although one consumer reported that the pink coloring came off the flatware. The flatware is from the Gingham Bunny Flatware Collection. It is sold as the infant feeding spoon, in a fork and spoon set, and in a three piece set which is comprised of the feeding spoon with a bib and bowl. The flatware is nickel-plated silver with a bunny on the end of the handle. The utensils were sold at Reed and Barton factory stores and gift shops throughout the United States and online from September 2012 through January 2013. If you purchased these items, do not use them. Call Reed and Barton at … [Read more...]
Fourth Quarter 2012 FDA Recalls Highest Number in Two Years
Stericycle ExpertRECALL has just issued its report for the level of recall activity in the fourth quarter of 2012. According to the Index, the 552 food recalls issued in the last three months of 2012 works out to an average of six per day. The recalls affected 18.4 million products, more than double the amount affected in the third quarter. Mike Rozembajgier, vice president of recalls at Stericycle, said, "right before FDA's announcement of two major requirements proposed under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the agency documented 552 food recalls, representing a 33 percent increase over the previous quarter and reaching the highest level of recall activity in more than two years. As the agency continues to shift its focus toward prevention rather than simply reacting to foodborne … [Read more...]
