Food Safety Report – Tuesday May 1st, 2012

Food Safety

How the FDA’s Reportable Food Registry Helps Prevent Outbreaks

by James Andrews | Apr 30, 2012

Last May, shipments of Florida grape tomatoes carrying Salmonella were sent to retailers and processors in 10 states and Canada before the distributor finally learned its product was contaminated. If it didn’t act fast enough, the distributor, Six L’s Packing Co., could have a potentially serious outbreak on its hands.

Didn’t hear about that one? That’s probably because Six L’s was able to recall all of its shipments before any consumers got sick, thanks largely to the rapid recall fostered by a relatively young program within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration known as the Reportable Food Registry.

Enacted by Congress in 2007 and launched by the FDA in 2009, the Reportable Food Registry (RFR) is an online portal for food industry officials and government regulators to report foods in commerce that could cause probable harm to consumers.  Whether foods contain an unlabeled allergen or test positive for a pathogen, the registry has established an infrastructure in which harmful products are removed from the food system at a faster rate than previously possible.

Food recalls occurred before 2009, of course, but the RFR has streamlined the process, according to Kathy Gombas, Acting Director of the FDA’s Office of Food Defense, Communication and Emergency Response. The registry emphasizes fast coordination and communication between industry personnel and regulators.

Here’s how it works: When any facility that produces or provides food learns of a potentially harmful food in commerce, a party responsible for that facility are required to log in to the RFR’s Safety Reporting Portal and file an accurate report within 24 hours. The FDA calls this a “primary report.”

Read Full Article Here

New York Times Editorial Highlights FSMA Delay

by News Desk | Apr 30, 2012

The New York Times editorial on Sunday called on the Obama administration to move key Food Safety Modernization Act rules forward so that the rule making process can begin.

In an editorial titled, “Food Safety on Hold” the New York Times argued that while First Lady Michelle Obama champions healthy food as part of her platform, the administration “does not seem to have gotten the message” because there are a couple key food issues on hold.

“There are now three important food issues on hold,” read the editorial. “And health and nutrition advocates worry that they are stalled for the election season, or longer, because of push back from the food industry.”

Read Full Article Here

More Salmonella Paratyphi B Cases in Buncombe County, North Carolina

April 30, 2012 By Kathy Will

According to Gaylen Erlichman of the Buncombe County Department of Health, as of 1:00 pm April 30, 2012 there are 37 cases of Salmonella Paratyphi B in the current outbreak. The bacteria causes an illness called paratyphoid fever, similar to typhoid fever. All of the patients either live in Buncombe County or have visited there.

The outbreak began on February 28, 2012. Officials have not yet pinpointed a source. This bacterium is very contagious. It’s found in the intestinal tract of humans, and is spread when someone goes to the bathroom, doesn’t wash their hands properly, then touches food or other objects.

Read Full Article Here

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Recalls

Brucella Warning on Three Brands of French Reblochon Cheese

by News Desk | Apr 30, 2012

The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning people who may have bought any of three particular brands of reblochon cheese in France to discard them, saying that French authorities have issued an alert about potential contamination with the bacteria that causes brucellosis.

The cheeses, sold under the brand names of Le Campagnard, Gaston, and Pernet Mugnier Christian, are being recalled in France following the detection of the bacteria Brucella in the unpasteurized milk used to make them.

Read Full Article Here

Little B’s Bakery in Canada Recalls Haystacks

April 30, 2012 By Linda Larsen

Little B’s Bakery in Canada is recalling two types of Coconut Haystacks, because they contain an undeclared allergen: sulfites. The product is a macaroon.

Read Full Article Here

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Articles of Interest

23 Horses Die from Botulism Outbreak in Maine

by News Desk | Apr 30, 2012

A rare botulism outbreak has killed 23 horses at Whistlin’ Willow Farm in Gorham, Maine, Portland’s Press Herald reports.

No mistreatment has been reported. Some sickened horses recovered, while at least another 40 horses at the farm never became sick.

Read Full Article Here

Chilean Fish Farms and the Tragedy of the Commons

How learning some essential lessons restored a salmon industry

by Ross Anderson | Apr 30, 2012

Food Safety News writer Ross Anderson recently toured Chilean fish farms and processing plants as a guest of Salmon of the Americas, a Chilean trade organization. This is the first of two reports.

Puerto Montt, Chile — Five years ago, while much of the world teetered toward an epic economic collapse, this bustling fishing port in southern Chile plunged into a crisis of its own. But, instead of a castrophic failure of banking and real estate, Chileans found themselves dealing with an invisible virus that had travelled literally from the opposite end of the earth.

In just two short decades, enterprising Chileans had built a thriving, $3 billion-a-year aquaculture industry, growing salmon in floating pens, processing them in and around Puerto Montt, then shipping their prized fillets off to the US, Japan, Europe and beyond. But in 2007, those pens were infested with a lethal microbe that wiped out millions of fish and threatened to kill the industry.

Now those salmon farms are back; Chile expects a new production record this year – a staggering 700,000 metric tons of Atlantic and Pacific salmon. Along the way, enterprising fish farmers learned some essential lessons about the risks surrounding microbiology and the recurring “tragedy of the commons.”

For most of the 20th century, Puerto Montt was a small, ramshackle seaport perched on a verdant ledge between an inland Patagonian fjord and the dramatic volcanoes of the southern Andes. It’s a lush, rain-soaked region resembling the northwest coast, sparsely populated with the descendants of the native Mapuche natives and German immigrants who arrived in the first half of the 19th century.

Then, in the mid ’80s, Chile learned that their plankton-rich, inland waters were ideal habitat for salmon aquaculture – even though there were no native salmon runs in Patagonia or anywhere else in the southern hemisphere. Using eggs and technology imported from the U.S. and Norway, they hatched and grew juvenile fish in local freshwater lakes, then transferred them to floating netpens, many of them along the shores of rural Chilhoe Island, south of the port city.

Fueled initially by Japanese investment, dozens of huge fish farms sprouted along Patagonian shores. The industry grew at a phenomenal rate averaging 25 percent per year. In 1990, Chilean farms exported nearly $100 million worth of salmon to Japan, the US and Europe. By 2000, it was $1 billion. Six years later, it was $2 billion.

U.S. buyers included Walmart and Costco, both of which sold Chilean salmon by the truckload.

Puerto Montt became a boomtown, employing some 35,000 people at the farms, processing plants, and fish food factories that converted fish waste and other raw materials into pellets. Construction boomed as well, with processing plants, thousands of homes for newly arrived workers, and a modern office building with a two-story underground shopping mall.

“The growth was much faster than the government could keep up with,” says Carlos Odebret of Salmon Chile, a trade group for the industry. “The challenge was to bring people in from other parts of the country.”

As the profits mounted, the companies kept building more and more fish farms – steel grids, comprised of 10 or more pens per complex, adding up to floating farms that cover an area the size of three football fields.

But aquaculture experts and environmentalists worried that they were growing too fast, taking too many shortcuts with the complex science of fish farming. There were too many farms, packed with too many fish, and not enough biological precautions.

“Salmon farming is starting to transform the ecology and environment of southern Chile, with tens of millions of salmon living in vast ocean corrals,” wrote environmental writer Charles Fishman. “Who could have predicted that the mass forced farming of an exotic fish to please the Wal-Mart low-price palate would result in a horrific virus-borne plague?”

Read Full Article Here

Obama Administration Appealing WTO COOL Ruling

April 29, 2012 By Linda Larsen

Last year, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the United State’s country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law in the 2008 Farm Bill is a barrier to free trade that violates agreements the U.S. has with several other countries.

Country-of-origin labeling is simply identifying for the consumer where a product originated. WTO said that COOL is a “technical barrier to trade.” The Obama Administration is appealing this ruling, and this week WHO is opening the appeal process to the public in an unprecedented move.

Read Full Article Here

Humane Society Complaint Filed Over Pork Council’s Ads

April 29, 2012 By Kathy Will

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a legal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last week, alleging that the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) ads are deceptive. The ads in question are titled: “We Care Initiative” and “Pork Quality Assurance Plus” programs.

The issue centers around breeding sows raised in gestation crates. About 70% of these animals are confined in the crates, which are so small the animals cannot move freely. The trade group claims in its ads that the animals “receive humane care and handling.”

The NPPC stated that they will “analyze the complaint” and “vigorously defend against the absolutely false claims made by HSUS.”

An American Farm Bureau poll conducted in 2007 found that 95% of Americans think farm animals should be well cared for, and 89% agree with the statement that “food companies that require farers to treat their animals better are doing the right thing.”

Food Poisoning Bulletin asked the Humane Society about this conflict, and if gestation crates raise the risk of bacterial contamination in the animals.

Dr. Michael Gregor, Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture for HSUS, said, “As reviewed in our white paper, crated sows suffer elevated rates of a variety of health problems, including urinary trace infections (a leading cause of sow mortality), and respiratory disease. Preliminary research out of Iowa State University suggests respiratory diseases may have food safety implications.”

The white paper mentions that the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production concluded that the use of gestation crates should be ended, since they “prevent the animal from a normal range of movement and constitute inhumane treatment.”

Read Full Article Here

Related  Articles: 

Making Sense of Animal Product Labels

Burger King to Use Only Cage-Free Eggs, Crate-Free Pork by 2017

*****Also features  the  face  of  free range farming and  gestation  cages.  The  inhumane  life  these poor animals suffer  through  and the  average  consumer  has  absolutely  no idea.  I  saw this article  and  I  cannot   eat meat  now just thinking  of  the  suffering  they  endure for  our  meal.  There  has to be a better  way. 

The lies  must  stop.  If  they  say  the  animals  are  treated humanely then prove it .  This is  just   wrong.   To make  commercials claiming  that  the  animals are  treated   well.  Just take a  look  at   the  gestation  cages  they  use.  No one in their  right  mind  can  call these things humane. They look  more like the  medieval  instruments  used  for  torture.  Just  take a look for  yourself.

I  for  one  will not  by  another   dollars  worth of  any  kind of  meat  until something is  done.  I  can no longer  look at the   food on my  plate the  same  way.    It  is one thing  to say that the animal died  to  feed us.  But to  know and  to understand the  suffering that  poor  animal  endured.  Knowing that  death was  bliss  compared  to  the life  they endured is too much  for me.  I am no longer unaware and  so  I  use  the only  avenue  left  to me.  I vote with my  dollar , as  should we all. 

All I  ask  is  that  you  make  yourself  aware,  call these companies and  these farms to  task.  They  want  to make  money  , then  they  must do  what is  right.  We are the only ones  who can  make a  difference.  Corporate America  and  Big  Agra  only  care   about  their  bottom line!   Knowledge is  power.  These  animals  need  our  help!  There  are  so many of them and these  laws  must  be  changed no matter how much  push  back  the  government  receives.  Only  we  can make that  happen!

Burger King hypes up ‘cage-free’ pork – but what does it really mean?

By Ethan A. Huff, April 28 2012
(NaturalNews) The latest fast food chain to alter its image in an attempt to appeal to the health-conscious crowd is Burger King, which announced recently that it will begin using only “cage-free” chicken eggs and pork products at its restaurants. One major problem with this, though, is that the term “cage-free” is very loosely defined legally, especially as it pertains to pork products. According to grist.com, the Washington Post, and others, Burger King has already begun working with the Humane…

Read Full Article Here

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[In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit, for research and/or educational purposes. This constitutes ‘FAIR USE’ of any such copyrighted material.]

Food Safety Report – Saturday April 14th, 2012

Food Safety

 

HSUS Reports ‘Deplorable’ Conditions at Large PA Egg Farm

 

The group urges Congress to act on industry-backed egg standards legislation

by Helena Bottemiller

The animal agriculture industry is facing another round of unflattering headlines. The Humane Society of the United States on Thursday released video and photographs of alleged abuse and insanitary conditions at a large egg farm that supplies the mid-Atlantic region.

HSUS, an animal rights group loathed by the livestock sector, last year struck a historic deal with the egg industry to seek federal legislation for alternative housing for egg-laying hens, and now the group says the latest undercover investigation at Kreider Farms in Pennsylvania should propel Congress to act on the bill.

“The egg industry in the United States now supports legislation to provide legal protection for hundreds of millions of egg laying hens. Kreider Farms is one producer that disagrees,” said Paul Shapiro in the HSUS’ investigation video. “In fact, its standards are even less than the voluntary standards that the industry has right now.”

HSUS is alleging that Kreider Farms not only treats its 7 million birds inhumanely — the released video shows chickens packed in cages (which is how the vast majority of egg laying hens in the United States are kept) and dead birds stuck in caging — but keeps them in filthy conditions, which helps bacteria like Salmonella spread. The investigation found some manure and eggs testes positive for Salmonella.

Read Full Article Here

FDA Warning Letters: April 10, 2012 Update

by News Desk

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning letters posted since our April 3, 2012 update:

Lucky Taco, Inc. of Hustisford, WI was warned by the FDA that a December 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed significant violations, including that its Java Mint flavored Lucky Cruncher Cookie contained a coffee liquer flavor with color additives not declared on the label and that its Lucky Taco Mexican Fortune Cookie containued milk, an allergen not declared on the label. The FDA also challenged the company’s “low calorie” claims for some of its products.

Read Full Article Here

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Recalls

 

Heineken Recalls Certain Beers Due to Bottle Defect

 

by News Desk

Heineken USA is recalling certain Mexican beers because the bottles may be defective, so there is a potential for small particles of glass to separate from the inside lip of the bottle and fall into the beer. The pieces may vary in size and some may not be easily visible, the company said in its recall announcement.

The problem affects certain 12-ounce brown bottles of Carta Blanca and Dos Equis Ambar, as well as “Beers of Mexico” and “Best of Mexico” pack varieties. Indio 12-ounce bottles, which are only in the “Best of Mexico” pack (available only in Texas), are also affected and being recalled.

Dos Equis Lager green bottles and draught; Dos Equis Ambar draught; Tecate; and Carta Blanca 32-ounce bottles are not impacted nor are any other Heineken USA brands.

According to the company’s news release, the number of defective bottles is less than one percent, and the recall is a precautionary measure.

“There have not been any reports of consumer injuries, and while the likelihood of a possible injury to a consumer is very low, the presence of small particles of glass in the bottle could pose a health risk,” the company stated in its recall announcement.

Read Full Article Here

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Allergen Alert

 

Allergen Alert: Peanuts in Caramel Cob

 

by Julia Thomas

Kathy Kaye Foods is recalling certain Classic Caramel Cob Junior because it may contain peanuts, an allergen not included on the label.

No adverse reactions have been reported.

Routine sampling and analysis by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets revealed the presence of peanut allergen at 34 parts per million in packages of Classic Caramel Cob Junior with a best-by date of Dec. 23, 2011….

Read Full Article Here

Allergen Alert: Nuts with Soy, Milk

by Julia Thomas

John B. Sanfilippo and Son are recalling Fisher Vanilla Bean Almonds and Fisher Cocoa Mocha Almonds because they contain soy ingredients not declared on the label, and a snack nut blend because it contains soy and milk ingredients not listed on the label.

There have been no reports of adverse reactions.

Read Full Article Here

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Articles of Interest

The Rise to Fame of ‘Pink Slime’

In the news since 2008, why no LFTB backlash until now?

by James Andrews

Last week, Iowa’s Gov. Terry Branstad and U.S. Rep. Steve King called for a congressional hearing on the media coverage that fueled a public backlash against ‘pink slime,’ Beef Products Inc.’ s Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB). Among other things, King accused journalists and activists of perpetrating a “smear campaign” against BPI and suggested they should go under oath to explain why they “could not base their allegations on facts.”

Coming from top-tier lawmakers, the demands for a hearing were a testament to the significant influence of media and social networking on the national perception of LFTB. Since the backlash ignited last month, concerned parents and grossed-out burger lovers have spoken out in droves, demanding it be labeled or altogether removed from store shelves and school lunches.

But LFTB isn’t new. It’s been marketed since 2001, when the Food and Drug Administration OK’d the ammonia treatment process, and it had been in McDonald’s hamburgers and on school lunch trays since at least 2004. The Washington Post wrote about it in 2008, the documentary Food, Inc. showed BPI’s process on camera, and a 2009 story discussing BPI’s product earned journalist Michael Moss and the New York Times a Pulitzer Prize. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver railed against it on primetime television in 2011.

So, after roughly four years in the popular media, what sparked the sudden, forceful public rejection of LFTB?…

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Canada’s Food Inspectors Nervous About Federal Budget

by Dan Flynn

Since the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper has been in power in Ottawa, the Canadian Food Safety Inspection Agency (CFIA) has seen annual increases in its inspector ranks.

Also there is a yearly scare about food safety jobs that gets pushed along by government unions with speculation about cuts that might occur as Canada goes through its budget process.

This year, Canadians are being told 100 food inspector positions might be cut from the federal government’s budget. Might the scare tactics this year be for real?  Maybe.

To understand Canada’s budget ritual as it affects food safety, it’s important to know the numbers to begin with.  As of March 2011, CFIA employed a total of 7,544.  Its ranks have increased in every year since 1999…..

Read Full Article Here

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[In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit, for research and/or educational purposes. This constitutes ‘FAIR USE’ of any such copyrighted material.]