In the news

Banner Smoked Fish, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) recalled SMOKED FISH of all products within expiry, in all package sizes, all package types and all lots. The recall is because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled smoked fish were distributed through retails and distributions, also online purchasing in NY, NJ, IL, PA, CA, FL, NE, AZ, MA, MD, VA, NV, OR, WI, NC, SC, and GA area. There are over 40 different products such as Barbeque Spiced Smoked Nova Salmon, Brook Trout, Smoked Nova Salmon, Lox Trimmings, Mackerel, Nova Atlantic Salmon, Nova Homarus, Presliced Pastrami Style Salmon, Smoked Trout, Somga and Whitefish. The product comes in various sizes in both air pack and vacuum packages. The products were found to be processed under unsanitary condition. The problem was discovered through FDA routine inspection. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/banner-smoked-fish-recalls-smoked-fish-products-because-possible-health-risk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns about illnesses caused by Salmonella Enteritidis that may be associated with frozen, raw, breaded, and pre-browned, stuffed chicken products. The products are labeled “chicken cordon bleu,” chicken with “broccoli and cheese,” or “chicken Kiev.” Cases have been identified with illness onset dates ranging from February 21, 2021, to May 7, 2021. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected frozen, raw, breaded, stuffed chicken products from a retail store, and the raw product samples tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis.  FSIS did not request a recall because they could not connect the positive lot to the patients. The CDC investigation showed that as of June 2, 2021, 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis had been reported from 6 states (Arizona, Minnesota, Indiana, Indiana, Michigan, and New York). Eight patients have been hospitalized. The outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in 2 samples of Kirkwood’s Chicken Cordon Bleu.

The FDA announced that Real Water Inc., a Nevada-based bottled water manufacturer, agreed to cease operations until they comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and other requirements listed in a consent decree. On June 1, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey entered a consent decree of permanent injunction between Real Water and its principles. The consent decree requires defendants to cease operations until they complete corrective actions.  “We are committed to preventing harmful products from entering the nation’s food supply, and we will take enforcement action when a company fails to follow the law,” said FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D. “The FDA, together with our federal counterparts at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), aggressively pursued this injunction, and we will continue to take swift action to protect consumers.”The complaint by DOJ accuses the company of failing to meet CGMP requirements and producing products under unsanitary conditions. The product caused 16 cases of acute non-viral hepatitis in adults, including one death of a woman with underlying medical conditions. Under the consent decree, defendants may not resume operations until they establish and implement procedures that are adequate to ensure continuing compliance with CGMP and preventive controls requirements and receive authorization from the FDA.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/nevada-based-bottled-water-manufacturer-agrees-stop-production-failure-comply-manufacturing?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Interstate Food Products (Lakewood, Colorado) recalled additional products (Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Queso, and Spicy Queso) because they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recalled items were distributed in Whole Foods Rocky Mountain Region and the Denver metro area for Natural Grocers. The product comes in a 13.5 -ounce, clear plastic package.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. After routine testing by the FDA, the potential for contamination revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 13.5-ounce packages of Little Hatches Jalapeno Cream Cheese, Queso, and Spicy Queso. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/interstate-food-products-recalls-little-hatches-jalapeno-cream-cheese-sell-date-521-and-queso-spicy?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery