In the news

The FDA updated the status of its investigation of cinnamon apple sauce pouches as of December 5, 2023. The FDA has initiated an onsite inspection at the Austrofoods facility located in Ecuador. The Ecuadorian authorities report that Negasmart’s cinnamon had higher levels of lead than allowed by Ecuador and that Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofoods. As of December 5, 2023, the FDA has received 64 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products. States with Adverse Illness Events: AL (1), AR (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1), GA (2), IA (1), IL (3), KY (3), LA (4), MA (3), MD (6), MI (3), MO (1), NC (5), NE (2), NH (1), NM (1), NY (8), OH (3), PA (1), SC (2), TN (1), TX(3), VA(2), WA (3), WI (1). To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom an adverse event was submitted, are under 6 years of age. As of December 1, CDC has received reports of 18 confirmed cases, 30 probable cases, and 4 suspected cases from 13 different states through their reporting structure. 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

The CFIA recalled numerous brands of caffeinated energy drinks due to various non-compliances related to caffeine content and labeling requirements. The recalls are part of an ongoing investigation. Most recalled products were neither manufactured nor intended for sale in Canada and have been imported by third parties and sold in stores across Canada. Consumers may have also purchased the products online. In Canada, energy drinks must not contain over 180 mg of caffeine in a single serving. These products also require cautionary statements to protect vulnerable populations, including children, and to provide information on the safe number of daily servings. The CFIA warns against consuming various Caffeinated Energy Drinks from the Canadian marketplace due to reported failure to properly comply with Canada’s Caffeine content and labeling requirements, leading to possible ingestion of excess Caffeine levels with consequential risks of anxiety, sleeplessness, agitation, palpitations, diarrhea, and restlessness. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-caffeinated-energy-drinks-may-be-unsafe-due-caffeine-content-and

According to the CFIA, Frankly Fresh Salads Incorporated (Vancouver, British Columbia) has recalled Frankly Fresh Market and unbranded Fruit Salads and Cantaloupe Chunks from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Salmonella. The recall was initiated due to the ongoing recall of Malichita and Rudy branded Cantaloupe products and Fruit Salads containing Cantaloupe in Canada and the US. The products were marketed, distributed, and sold in the Canadian province of British Columbia. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/fresh-cut-cantaloupe-products-recalled-due-salmonella

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