In the news

The USDA / FSIS announced that Pelleh Poultry Corp. (Swan Lake, NY) recalled approximately 708 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The RTE beef and poultry products were packaged from October 25, 2023, through November 20, 2023. The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. P44121” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail and institutional locations in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that its laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/pelleh-poultry-corp–recalls-ready-eat-beef-and-poultry-products-due-possible

The ripple effect from Salmonella in cantaloupes continues. The FD reported that Bix Produce (Little Canada, MN.) recalled Grab N’ Go containers of cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit cups due to the potential for Salmonella contamination in the products. The cantaloupes were derived from cantaloupes that are involved in the recent Malachita cantaloupe recall. The affected cantaloupe products were distributed from October 19th through October 20th, 2023, and were sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin at convenience stores, delis, and business cafes. These products are beyond their usable shelf-life and are no longer expected to be in commerce. No illnesses have been reported related to products distributed by Bix Produce. The recall was initiated after a supplier notified Bix Produce that they had delivered recalled Malachita cantaloupes to Bix Produce and that those had been processed and distributed by Bix Produce. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bix-produce-issues-safety-alert-cut-cantaloupe-products-due-potential-salmonella-contamination?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Cut Fruit Express Inc. (Inver Grove Heights, MN) recalled Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz, and Cut Fruit Express Brand of 6.5oz, 15oz, 16oz, 32oz packages of Fruit Mix that contains Cantaloupes and Foodservice packages of 5lb tray, 10lb bag, 25lb Pail because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Caribou Coffee Fruit Mix CHPG 6.5oz was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USE BY DATE was 11/4/23. The remainder of the recalled “Fresh Cut Fruit Mix containing Cantaloupes” under Cut Fruit Express and food service packaging was distributed in MN, WI, and IL via retail and food service delivery. The USE BY DATES were 11/4/23, 11/5/23 and 11/6/23. No illnesses have been reported to date. Cut Fruit Express learned that their supplier is issuing a recall on Cantaloupes for potential contamination of Salmonella. Cut Fruit Express is initiating a recall on the affected product that contains the recalled Cantaloupe. The affected products were shipped between October 24th through October 26th, 2023. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-fresh-cut-fruit-mix-containing-cantaloupe-because-possible-health-risk

The FDA reported that on November 30, 2023, Austrofood, along with Wanabana USA, the distributor of WanaBana products in the US, released a statement that reports that Wanabana has conducted a root cause investigation.  Based on this investigation, the firm’s leading hypothesis is that the cinnamon is the source of the elevated lead levels in the recalled products. The statement released by Wanabana USA and Austrofood states that the cinnamon used to manufacture the recalled products was supplied by Negocios Asociados Mayoristas S.A., operating as Negasmart, a third-party distribution company located in Ecuador. The FDA is working with Ecuadorian authorities to investigate if the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products or distributed as a raw ingredient to other countries. FDA has confirmed that Negasmart does not import cinnamon directly into the US. As of November 30, 2023, there have been 57 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products submitted to the FDA. To date, confirmed complainants are less than 1 to 5 years of age. FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery