BrucePac, a Durant, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from June 19, 2024, to October 8, 2024. These products were shipped to other establishments and distributors nationwide then distributed to restaurants and institutions. The problem was discovered after FSIS performed routine product testing of finished product containing RTE poultry products produced by BrucePac and confirmed those products positive ..read more

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert for chicken salad products labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad may actually contain Classic Chicken Salad, which contains wheat that is not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that it received a customer complaint that packages labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad contained Classic Chicken Salad. https://ww ..read more

A 'presumed' outbreak of trichinellosis occurred in western North Carolina in November, 2023, resulting in 10 cases of parasitic infection. All cases were linked to a gathering where attendees consumed undercooked bear meat. "Because black bears are common hosts for Trichinella spp., communicating methods for properly cooking and preparing wild game meat is important. Cooking game meat to a safe internal temperature (≥165°F [≥74°C]) will kill Trichinella spp. and prevent infection, whereas freezing might not be sufficient." Very similar to an outbreak of Trichinella in 2022 that was lin ..read more

An article this week about Bimbo Bakeries holding off against FDA on an allergen labeling issue. Meeting allergen labeling requirements can be difficult for some operations that handle formulations with different allergens.  Sesame, a allergen recently added to the list of allergens requiring labeling, has been a challenge for some companies like Bimbo Bakeries.  To address this, Bimbo along with some other companies have started adding  small amounts of sesame to foods that didn't have it previously — and then listing it as an ingredient.  These companies said "they did t ..read more

Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc., Reedely, CA co-manufacturer for Happy Moose Juice, is voluntarily recalling Happy Moose Tropical Roots Juice (Lot# H240903-E BEST BY 12/02/2024) and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields (Lot# H240903-H, BEST BY 12/02/2024) because a portion of the production made did not complete the High Pressure Processing (HPP) treatment, which is used to prolong the product shelf-life, prevent spoilage, and significantly reduce the risk of pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and diarrheagenic E. coli. Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc. Recalls Happy Moose Juic ..read more

Lunds & Byerlys, of Edina, Minn., is voluntarily recalling approximately 500 containers of L&B Lone Star Dip because of potential mold growth contamination.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. This product concern was first noticed by store employees, and they notified the company’s Quality Assurance team. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lunds-byerlys-voluntarily-recalls-lb-lone-star-dip-due-potential-mold Lunds & Byerlys Voluntarily Recalls L&B Lone Star Dip Due to Potential Mold Summary ..read more

Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. of River Falls, WI is recalling its 5 ounce packages of Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The produce was sold in MN, WI and Iowa at grocery store and local Co-ops.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 5 ounce packages of Alfalfa sprouts.  The production of the product has been suspended while the company continues to investigate the source of the problem. https://www ..read more

Truly Good Foods, Charlotte, NC, is recalling its 3.25-ounce packages of Grabeez The Big Cheese Snack Mix cups with a Best Before 041625 because they contain undeclared almonds and cashews.  The recall was initiated on September 23, 2024 after a customer noticed an incorrect cup. The firm discovered that the tree nut-containing product was distributed in mislabeled packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds and cashews. The product inside the cup could be Healthy Trails Mix which contains raisins, sunflower seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and cashews. https://www.fda.gov/s ..read more

The FDA announced the reorganization creating the Human Foods Program, "a new model for field operations and other modernization efforts is now in effect."  According to the release, this "is is the single largest reorganization in the agency’s modern history, as it impacts more than 8,000 employees and touches almost every facet of the FDA." The goal is to better "zero in on those issues where intervention has the greatest opportunity for the prevention of disease and for the promotion of wellness."  FDA states that "An important part of this reorganization also includes restr ..read more

An article in Food Republic provides a short review of impact of serving temperature on soup.  While the article was not overly researched, it does provide something to ponder....what temperature do you like to have your soup?  And here, we are focusing on heated soups rather than cold soups. There are a few hard numbers. - For hot hold, the temperature has to be at 140F (135F professionals) for hot hold. - For safety, reaching a temperature of at least 165F instantaneous for meat containing soups, although we are more likely to bring them to a boil. -  The pain threshold of th ..read more