In the news

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that top poultry processors, such as Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride, Sanderson Farms, and Perdue Farms, conspired to keep prices artificially high. The investigation started after federal attorneys considered intervening in a lawsuit in which customers accused chicken processors, of illegally cooperating. The accusation is being denied by the processors. Allegations of price-fixing and collusion in the U.S. chicken industry surfaced in 2016 when chicken buyers filed a lawsuit alleging that poultry processors had worked together to curb meat supplies. @ https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-investigates-chicken-industry-11561495088

Food Protection (https://www.foodprotection.org/files/food-protection-trends/jul-aug-19-charlebois.pdf) published a study examining the consumer perspective of the Canadian food recall system. An online survey was used to determine if recall fatigue is a problem among consumers. Recall fatigue happens when consumers are inundated with such an excess of information on food recalls that it causes apathy toward food safety. Optimistic bias, the belief that others are at risk, but not one’s self, also contributes to recall fatigue, which can lead to public health risks. Results indicate that although consumers generally have some knowledge of food recalls, they do not retain or subsequently internalize information about all food recalls. Results also indicate that Canadians have confidence in the current recall system. However, Canadians across all demographics place the responsibility for food safety on others, namely the federal government. Despite the fact that foodborne illnesses can originate at home, the majority of Canadians believe they are more likely to occur as a result of actions taken before food reaches their home. The article concludes that the combination of apparent information overload, optimistic bias and inaccurate risk assessment regarding food recalls puts Canadians at risk of recall fatigue.

FDA posted on its site that due to the pathogenic E. coli contamination of flour supplied by ADM Milling Co., Brand Castle, LLC of Bedford Heights, Ohio is a recalling of 25 oz and 32 oz glass jars of cookie and brownie mix. The products being recalled are Brand Castle Arctic Chill Chocolate Mint Cookie Mix, Brand Castle Hot Cocoa Cookie Mix, Sisters Gourmet Million Dollar Cookie Mix, Sisters Gourmet Billion Dollar Brownie Mix, In the Mix Chocolate Mint Chip Cookie Mix, and Brand Castle The Grinch Sugar Cookie Mix with Sprinkles. the flour used in these products due to E. coli contamination found in a single lot code of H&R Flour at their Buffalo production plant. To date, no illnesses have been reported with these products, and no further product have been shipped from the facility. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/recall-glass-jars-mix-brand-castle-and-sisters-gourmet-baking-mixes-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Recall%20of%20Glass%20Jars%20of%20in%20the%20Mix%2C%20Brand%20Castle%20and%20Sisters%E2%80%99%20Gourmet%20Baking%20Mixes&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA posted on its web site that Alma Pak of Alma, Georgia recalled product containing frozen blackberries due to potential contamination with Norovirus. The FDA testing of the frozen blackberries tested positive for Norovirus. The products were distributed in Walmart in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. And is Save A Lot in Florida, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The frozen berries were sold under the store brands of Walmart and Save A Lot. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Impacted retailers have removed these products from store shelves. Since June 7, there have been seven frozen produce recalls, two of which were for Norovirus. Last week, WinCo Foods, a supermarket chain in the western United States, recalled frozen Red Raspberries produced for it by Rader Farms due to Norovirus. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/alma-pak-voluntarily-recalls-frozen-blackberries-due-possible-health-risk-norovirus?utm_campaign=Alma%20Pak%20Voluntarily%20Recalls%20Frozen%20Blackberries%20Due%20to%20Possible%20Health%20Risk%20of%20Norovirus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua