Following inspections and environmental sampling FDA takes steps to improve ice cream production facility safety

The FDA released a report on its results from inspections and environmental sampling for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella at 89 ice cream production facilities in 32 states from Sept. 12, 2016, to Aug. 30, 2017. The sampling began following 16 recalls of ice cream products due to pathogens, and an outbreak of listeriosis linked to ice cream, that occurred from 2013 to 2015. The sampling was intended to find the extent to which Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella may be in the manufacturing environment. In nearly ½ of the ice cream production facilities inspected no objectionable conditions were found. The FDA did detect Listeria monocytogenes in 19 of the facilities; however, only one of them was found to have the pathogen on a food-contact surface. The FDA also detected Salmonella in one facility. As a result of FDA inspections, three voluntary recalls were conducted in 2017 and 2018. These include two recalls of Working Cow Homemade Inc. ice creams due to Listeria monocytogenes, and a Nelson's Creamery LLC recall due to undeclared soy lecithin in one of their products. The FDA also suspended Working Cow Homemade Inc.’s food facility registration in 2018. The FDA lifted the suspension earlier this year after the firm changed its business model to cease making ice cream and only distribute product made by other manufacturers. Companies that follow the rule and employ robust environmental monitoring programs will likely occasionally detect environmental pathogens, but how an establishment responds to a pathogen finding is critical. @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm636563.htm?utm_campaign=042419_FIB_FDA%20takes%20steps%20to%20improve%20ice%20cream%20production%20facility%20safety&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua