In the news

On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. recalled lots of Sportmix pet food products after FDA was alerted about reports of at least 28 dogs that died and eight that were ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food. On January 11, 2021, the FDA alerted the public that they are aware of more than 70 pets who have died and more than 80 pets sick after eating Sportmix pet food. 

Multiple product samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxins. As a result, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. expanded the recall to include all pet foods containing corn and manufactured in the company’s Oklahoma plant and having an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022. More than 1000 lot codes are affected. @ https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

EVR Foods, the parent company of Lavva has issued a recall of lot No. 022121 (expiration date 02/21/21) of its plant-based yogurts because it could be contaminated with mold. The yogurt comes in 5.3-ounce containers. The product cleared strict quality assurance protocols, recent testing indicates potential mold contamination. This plant-based yogurt was produced at a manufacturing facility in Norwich, NY, and has only been linked to the single lot. There have been no confirmed illnesses to date. The recalled Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurts were distributed to retail stores nationwide.  @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lavva-voluntarily-recalls-single-lot-blueberry-plant-based-yogurt?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A study by researchers from Guelph Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, published in Food Research International (volume 140, February 2021), investigated the inactivation of E. coli by Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light and its impact of continuous UV-C on the product quality.  UV-C light is a non-thermal method for inactivating bacteria and improving the shelf-life of cold-pressed juices with minimal impact on quality and nutrition. Pure kale juice is a common juice ingredient and represents the worst-case scenario for low UVT green juices. The study showed a 5.8-log reduction of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli due to an average absorbed fluence of 108.3 mJ cm−2. At a fluence comparable to that reported for commercial juice processing (74.0 mJ cm−2), kale juice exhibited a decreased absorption coefficient. The treatment caused the sedimentation, supernatant browning, and pectin methylesterase activity to increase with no effect on the chlorophyll content, color, viscosity, or antioxidant content.  @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996920311108?dgcid=author

More traceability is catching up not only in the US but also in Australia. The New South Wales government has announced a new program for fresh melons, using FreshChain traceability technology. The program will use QR codes to connect consumers with fruit growers, help prevent bacteria outbreaks and enhance the traceability systems by providing information on origin, freshness, and safety. Melons were chosen for the pilot program because there was a national listeriosis outbreak in Australia two years ago. The state government partnered with FreshChain, an Australian-owned and operated technology company, to deliver the pilot program. The government asked for farmers, especially melons, berries, and leafy vegetables, to participate in the study. The program places producers at the forefront of the rapidly evolving digital traceability opportunities worldwide. Solutions like this support the National Traceability Framework and strengthen Australian exports’ competitiveness. @ http://www.fruitnet.com/produceplus/article/183881/nsw-tightens-melon-traceability