The FDA conducted a routine facility inspection of Topway Enterprises Inc. in February 2019. During the inspection, the FDA collected 53 environmental samples, 31 of which tested positive for Listeria species. The FDA issued a notice (483), about the serious unsanitary conditions. On July 11, 2019, the FDA advised that the company cease operations until additional corrective action is performed, and no contamination is detected at the facility. In June 2019, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) inspected a follow-up to FDA’s February facility inspection. During the inspection, four of the environmental samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes, and state inspectors observed continuing sanitation and seafood safety compliance issues. Topway Enterprises Inc. agreed to cease operations and recall products voluntarily. They also agreed to provide the FDA with any corrective action planned, before resuming operations. However, the FDA became aware that the company resumed production at its facility, without implementing adequate corrective actions to address the risks that were identified. Topway Enterprise Inc. and Kazy’s Gourmet RTE seafood products, including tuna and salmon for raw consumption, received from July 10 to July 13, 2019, may have been incorporated into sushi and distributed to restaurants in TX and LA from July 10 to July 13, 2019. These products are typically sold fresh and do not have a long shelf life, though they can be frozen to extend the shelf life. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-texas-and-louisiana-stop-selling-or-serving-topway-enterprises?utm_campaign=Topway%20Enterprises%20Inc.%207-18-2019%20Email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
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Restaurants and food retailers should stop selling and discard recent shipments of Topway Enterprise Inc. (also doing business as Kazy’s Gourmet) RTE seafood products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) contamination.
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The FDA, the CDC, state and local partners in the U.S., and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 and E. coli O103 illnesses likely linked to ground bison supplied by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. of Saint-Leonard, Québec, Canada. Traceback analysis and epidemiological information were used by the FDA and CDC to determine that ground bison supplied by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. was the likely cause of the illnesses. As of July 16, 2019, Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. recalled its ground bison, referred to as Bison Ground and its ground bison patties, referred to as Bison Burgers and/or Buffalo Burgers, produced between February 22, 2019, and April 30, 2019. The bison patties were sold to retailers in 4 x 4-ounce blue boxes under the Northfork Bison label with expiration dates up to October 8, 2020. FDA regulates bison meat because the authority is not assigned specifically to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-linked-ground-bison-northfork-bison-distributions-july-2019?utm_campaign=E.%20coli%20Linked%20to%20Ground%20Bison%207_16_19%20Email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
Consumers should avoid recalled Northfork Bison Distributions, Inc. ground bison and bison patties/burgers imported from Canada
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The FDA notified on its website that Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX recalled hummus products made between May 30, 2019, and June 25, 2019, due to Listeria monocytogenes. While not on the product, Listeria monocytogenes was identified at the manufacturing facility during an FDA inspection. The products have been distributed nationwide and to the United Arab Emirates. The products were sold under various brands such as Bucee’s, Fresh Thyme, Harris Teeter, Pita Pal, Reasor’s, Roundy’s, Schnucks, 7-Select, Lantana, and others. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pita-pal-foods-lp-recalls-various-hummus-and-dips-due-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Pita%20Pal%20Foods%2C%20LP%20Recalls%20Various%20Hummus%20and%20Dips&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, TX has issued a voluntary recall of certain hummus products made between May 30, 2019 and June 25, 2019, due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility (not in finished product) during an FDA inspection.
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The FDA announced on its site that Growers Express had expanded the list of select fresh vegetable products affected by the recall that was issued on July 1, 2019. After further testing of an additional product lot from the suspected source of the recall, a single retail sample was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. As a result, the company has expanded the list of recalled products to include certain specific fresh Brussels sprouts, fresh cauliflower florets, and fresh green beans products. The products originated from a Growers Express production facility in Biddeford, Maine and were distributed to the states of Massachusetts and Maine. Growers Express is no longer sourcing vegetables from the suspected cause of the contamination. There are no reported illnesses to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/growers-express-expands-voluntary-recall-select-fresh-vegetable-products-due-potential-contamination?utm_campaign=Growers%20Express%20Expands%20Voluntary%20Recall%20of%20Select%20Fresh%20Vegetable%20Products&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
Growers Express takes issues of food safety seriously and in an abundance of caution and in the interest of protecting consumers is expanding the list of select fresh vegetable products affected by a voluntary recall that was issued on July 1, 2019. After further testing of an additional product lot