Chang Farm Mung Bean Sprouts are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this item. The recalling firm is Chang Farm, Nature's Wonder, of Whatley, Massachusetts. The recalled product is Chang Farm Mung Bean Sprouts. The sprouts are packaged in 10 pound bags that may not have sell by dates, and 12 ounce retail bags. They were packaged on April 23, 2023 and distributed on April 24, 2023. The sell by date, if marked, is May 7, 2023. The 12 ounce bag has the words "Nature's Wonder" on the front. The packages are labeled Chang Farm Brand as Premium Bean Sprouts. The sprouts were distributed to retail stores and wholesalers throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New … [Read more...]
Fifteen Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning
Whenever there is a good poisoning outbreak, odds are that the outbreak notice will include some information about how consumers can protect themselves against contaminated food. While it is illegal for companies to sell food contaminated with enough pathogens to make someone ill, it happens all the time. These 15 tips to avoid food poisoning may help. Despite efforts from the federal government, industry, food processors, and farmers, the number of food poisoning cases in America isn't going down. There are still about 48,000,000 cases of food poisoning every year in this country, with about 126,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. But there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family. In fact, there are (at least) 15 tips to avoid food poisoning. Fifteen Tips … [Read more...]
New Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 20; No Food Identified
A new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been identified on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table. No food has been named, no advisory has been issued, and there are no recalls. So far, traceback has been initiated, on-site inspections have begun, and sample collection and analysis are initiated. That may mean that the FDA has an idea what food has caused these illnesses. But we don't know where the sick people live, their illness onset dates, the age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks are usually fairly small. The people who get sickest from this infection are typically the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, and those with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing treatment. Pregnant women are also quite … [Read more...]
Fullei Fresh Bean Sprouts and Soy Sprouts Recalled For Possible Listeria
Fullei Fresh Bean Sprouts and Soy Sprouts are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This company had a similar recall in 2019. Both conventionally grown and organic sprouts are included in this recall. No other products are affected as they are grown and packed in segregated departments. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this problem. The recalling company is Fullei Fresh. The recalled items are Fullei Fresh Bean Sprouts and Fullei Fresh Soy Sprouts. The conventional bean sprouts are sold in 5 pound bulk packages, 10 pound bulk packages, and 8 ounce retail packs. Organic beans sprouts are sold in 5 pound bulk and 4 ounce retail packs. Soy sprouts are sold in 5 pound bulk and 10 pound bulk packages. The lot numbers … [Read more...]
FDA Proposes New Traceability Rule For Food Manufacturers
The FDA is proposing a new traceability rule for food manufacturers, as well as those who process, pack or hold foods on the Food Traceability List to help identify recipients of those foods quickly to help mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks. In the past few years, the government has blamed their inability to find the sources of foods that have caused outbreaks on traceability issues. This rule would be part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). The proposed rule is called Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods. It is a key component of the FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint. The comments periods for the proposed rule and information collection provisions have been extended until February 22, 2021. The rule would be a … [Read more...]
FDA Issues the First Injunction Under the Produce Safety Rule
The FDA has issued its first injunction under the Produce Safety Rule against a company that makes sprouts and soy products. That Rule, which was part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 and was finalized on January 26, 2016, gives the FDA power to issue consent decrees of permanent injunction against corporations for violating safety standards. The Produce Safety Rules mandates that sprout operations take measures "to prevent the introduction of dangerous microbes into seeds or beans used for sprouting; test spent sprout irrigation water (or, in some cases, in-process sprouts) for the presence of certain pathogens; test the growing, harvesting, packing and holding environment for the presence of the Listeria species or Listeria monocytogenes; and take corrective actions … [Read more...]
Chicago Indoor Garden Red Clover Sprouts Recalled For E. coli O103
Chicago Indoor Garden red clover sprouts are being recalled for possible E. coli O103 contamination. The FDA found the pathogen in the sprouts during its investigation of an E. coli O103 outbreak linked to raw sprouts. The outbreak strain was found on the sprouts, but neither the FDA or Chicago Indoor Garden has said whether any illnesses have been linked to this product. All products that contain Red Clover sprouts are recalled. That includes Chicago Indoor Garden Red Clover sprouts in a 4 ounce clamshell, Red clover in 2 pound boxes, Sprouts salad in a 6 ounce clamshell container, Mixed Greens in a 4 ounce clamshell container, and Spring Salad in a 6 ounce clamshell container. These products containing these sprouts purchased with "Best By" dates from 12/1/19 through 3/12/20 … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Against Chicago Indoor Garden Sprouts in E. coli Update
The FDA has released an update on the E. coli O103 outbreak likely linked to clover sprouts, but this time is warning consumers not to eat Chicago Indoor Garden red clover sprouts and other products. FDA analysis found E. coli O103 in some of these products, which all contain sprouts. Whole genome sequencing tests found that the DNA in the bacteria on the sprouts matches the outbreak strain. The products are Chicago Indoor Garden red clover (with and without non-GMO labels), sprout salad, mixed greens, and spring salad with best by dates between December 1, 2019 and March 12, 2020. You can see more pictures of product photos at the FDA web site. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating an outbreak of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in … [Read more...]
Safer Food Choices For People At Risk For Food Poisoning Complications
People who are at risk for serious compilations from food poisoning need to be careful about the food they buy and how it is prepared, as well as staying vigilant about food recalls and food outbreak notices. But there are other ways to protect yourself if you fall into a high risk category for food poisoning. There are safer food choices to make at the grocery store. For instance, at the deli, avoid purchasing cold smoked fish or products that contain cold smoked fish. In addition, do not choose sashimi, sushi, or ceviche, since those products use raw or undercooked fish or shellfish. Instead, choose canned fish or seafood, and seafood that has been cooked to a minimum final internal temperature of 145°F. Do not buy unpasteurized (raw) milk, unpasteurized fruit juices, or raw … [Read more...]
Lawyer Explains That a Salmonella Clover Sprouts Outbreak May Be Announced
There isn't much information available, but another Salmonella outbreak may be associated with recalled clover sprouts, according to one sentence in an FDA recall notice. NOW Real Food Zesty Sprouting Mix in 16 ounce packages is being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. Lawyer and food safety expert Fred Pritzker explains that a Salmonella clover sprouts outbreak may be announced soon. The recall notice contains an interesting sentence. It reads, "Evidence of potential contamination was implicated in ongoing FDA and CDC investigations into multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections, of which the clover seed supplier was notified." No information about this potential Salmonella clover sprouts outbreak or outbreaks has been posted on the FDA or CDC … [Read more...]
