http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/ This Iowa State University Extension news feed collects food safety news from across the world to provide the latest information on food safety. This feed is sponsored by the Food Safety Consortium. en-us Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:04:17 CST Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:04:17 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/images/rss/FS_news_small.gif 26 142 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/ Food Safety News mheerema@iastate.edu (Matt Heerema) dhenroid@iastate.edu (Dan Henroid) http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/downloads/rss/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Fairfield, Calif. – November 4, 2009 --- Jelly Belly Candy Company is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinder-style packages of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans because the package is incorrectly labeled. The mislabeled packages failed to list peanut butter and peanut flour in the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients. The Jelly Belly 49 Flavors cylinder packages were shipped to approximately 200 independent stores nationwide from September 29 to October 30, 2009. Product was packaged in a clear 7.5-ounce acetate cylinder with white label on the bottom of the package with lot codes 090925, 090928, 090929 or 091001. UPC code 071567989398 The recall was initiated after the company’s quality control efforts identified the incorrect ingredient statement. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other candies or packaged candies from Jelly Belly are a part of this recall, and there is no health risk for consumers who are not allergic to peanuts. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm189402.htm Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:03:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33946 As if evidence of chicken wings' popularity was not already abundant enough, now there's yet another example: an iPhone application that allows users to locate and review wing joints across the country. The Kluckr iPhone app also promises to help users plan a wing-centric night out with their friends, in addition to rewarding them with points towards gifts and free wings for reviewing wing joints and telling others about the app, according to a news release about the product. For the complete news item, please visit http://www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=14314 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33945 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif. The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets. The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel. The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel. All sizes and all lots of these products made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert. During September 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of pig ears made by Pet Carousel. The test results detected a positive reading for Salmonella. This prompted an FDA inspection of Pet Carousel’s manufacturing facilities. During the inspection, the agency collected additional pet treat samples. Further analysis found Salmonella present in beef hooves, pig ears and in the manufacturing environment. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm189400.htm Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:57:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33944 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing human and animal food products and ingredients that are causing illness outbreaks or presenting other risks to the health of consumers or animals. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain public input in identifying elements of effective food product tracing systems; specifying gaps in the current food product tracing methods; and finding specific mechanisms for improvement. This information will help FDA and FSIS determine appropriate steps to enhance the current tracing system for food products. FSIS has statutory authority over meat, meat food products, poultry, poultry products, and egg products. FDA has authority over all human foods not under FSIS' jurisdiction, and animal foods. Both agencies investigate food-borne illness outbreaks and other food-borne risks associated with the products they regulate. These investigations, conducted in close cooperation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health departments, often involve tracing backward or forward in the supply chain the distribution of food products and ingredients associated with risk to consumer or animal health. Experience in conducting food-borne disease outbreak investigations clearly shows that improved product tracing abilities can help identify products associated with disease more quickly, get risky products off the market faster, and lower the risks to public health by reducing the numbers of sicknesses associated with food-borne illness outbreaks. Both agencies believe that this meeting is an important step in achieving those improvements. For the complete news item, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm188878.htm Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:53:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33943 Almost two months into its new initiative to routinely test bench trim for E. coli O157:H7, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has detected one positive sample among 46 total samples taken as of Oct. 27, spokesman Caleb Weaver told Meatingplace. FSIS began routine sampling of bench trim at non-slaughter facilities on Sept. 8, about a month after announcing the initiative and issuing notices explaining the related rules. (See FSIS outlines beef bench trim rules, Meatingplace, Nov. 4, 2009.) Weaver said product associated with the one positive sample was held at the plant and didn't enter commerce. For the complete news item, please go to http://www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=14301 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33941 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Phoenix, AZ, Nov 4, 2009 - PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) is voluntarily recalling two Dentley's Beef Hoof products for potential salmonella contamination. The products were manufactured by Pet Carousel, Inc. in Sanger, Calif. The recalled products include only the following types of Dentley's Beef Hooves purchased between Oct. 2, 2009 and Nov. 3, 2009: Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323 Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055 No other products are included in this recall. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm189296.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33942 SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to January 4, 2010, the comment period for the draft guidance entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Tomatoes' that appeared in the Federal Register of August 3, 2009 (74 FR 38438), as corrected on August 21, 2009 (74 FR 42311). In the notice of availability, FDA requested comments by November 2, 2009. The agency is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments. For the complete docket item, please go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-26636.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:31:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33938 SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to January 4, 2010, the comment period for the draft guidance entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Melons' that appeared in the Federal Register of August 3, 2009 (74 FR 38437), as corrected on August 21, 2009 (74 FR 42311). In the notice of availability, FDA requested comments by November 2, 2009. The agency is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments. For the complete docket item, please go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-26638.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33937 SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending to January 4, 2010, the comment period for the draft guidance entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Leafy Greens' that appeared in the Federal Register of August 3, 2009 (74 FR 38439), as corrected on August 21, 2009 (74 FR 42311). In the notice of availability, FDA requested comments by November 2, 2009. The agency is taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments. For the complete docket item, please go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-26637.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:29:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33936 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 3, 2009 – Charleston Cookie Company of Charleston, SC is recalling packages of Almond Cookies which were sold as a component of the Dean and Deluca "Americana" cookie tin because the cookies contain undeclared butter (milk). People who have allergies to milk products run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The recalled Almond Cookies were distributed to Dean & Deluca for resale as part of their "Americana Cookie" collection. The product comes in a 6 ounce, clear plastic package sold with 5 other flavors of cookies in a 36 oz. silver tin. The product bears no code or UPC but was distributed to Dean & Deluca in August 2009 for sale in their catalog and online. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm188971.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:21:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33935 WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009 - Bay Valley Foods, LLC, a Pittsburgh, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,286 pounds of canned cream of mushroom soup because it was inadvertently mislabeled and may contain an undeclared allergen, egg, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. Egg is a known potential allergen, which is not declared on the label. The following product is subject to recall: [View Label] Cases containing 24 10.5-ounce cans of incorrectly labeled "Meijer Cream of Mushroom Reduced Sodium Condensed Soup." The product is marked with "BEST BY 08 07 11" that can be found on the bottom of the can and "51 P" inkjetted on the top. The soups may contain "Meijer Chicken Noodle Reduced Sodium Soup." The soup products were produced on August 7, 2009, and were distributed to retail stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_060_2009_Release/index.asp Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:08:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33940 WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009 - Curly's Food, Inc., a Sioux City, Iowa, establishment, is recalling approximately 12,181 pounds of roast beef deli products because they were inadvertently mislabeled and contain an undeclared allergen, soy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Soy is a known potential allergen, which is not declared on the label. The following product is subject to recall: [View Label] Cases containing two (2) various size weight deli-faced pieces of "Healthy Ones, Medium Cooked Roast Beef, 97% Fat Free, No Fillers, No Artificial Flavors, Lower Sodium" in vacuum packaged bags. Each package bears a use by date of "01/03/2010" or "01/10/2010," a case code of "30900-17856" as well as the establishment number "EST. 15878" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The roast beef deli products were produced on October 5 and 12, 2009, and were distributed to retail-type delicatessens and Department of Defense Commissaries in California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_061_2009_Release/index.asp Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:06:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33939 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 3, 2009 - Dunedin, Fl – Pelican Bay Ltd. of Dunedin, Florida is recalling all their Caramel Chocolate Truffle Hot Chocolate Mix because it may contain undeclared tree nuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Caramel Chocolate Truffle Hot Chocolate Mix was distributed domestically through direct delivery, mail order and through retail stores. This product is also shipped to Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and the Netherlands. Product distributed between January 2007 and November 2, 2009 is subject to this recall. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm188912.htm Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:13:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33934 Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, David Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and Henry Gutierrez, Postal Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announce that late yesterday afternoon, a federal jury convicted defendant Frank Sarcona, a/k/a Frank Sarcone, a/k/a Dave Johnson, 57, of Boca Raton, FL, of conspiracy to commit mail, wire fraud, and criminal contempt of court; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and multiple counts of substantive mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, misbranding of a food, and criminal contempt of court. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 15, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth A. Marra. In 1999, in FTC v. SlimAmerica, Frank Sarcona et. al., U.S. District Court Judge Wilkie Ferguson issued a final injunction order against Frank Sarcona in connection with Sarcona’s sale of a dietary supplement. The injunction prohibited Sarcona, among other things, from engaging in deceptive marketing practices. The injunction also required him to post a $5 million performance bond before engaging directly or indirectly in any other business relating to weight loss services or products. Almost immediately after the issuance of the injuction, defendant Sarcona nonetheless conspired to fraudulently market and sell a dietary supplement containing chitosan. In addition, defendant Sarcona failed to post the performance bond required by the Court order. For the complete statement, please go to http://www.justice.gov/usao/fls/PressReleases/091030-04.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:17:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33933 Imagine a ton of freshly ground beef. The company in charge of processing this meat finds out during a routine test that it is contaminated with E. coli. They record the test results, which are read by a government inspector, who acknowledges that the meat is indeed tainted. You might think that this beef would be headed straight for the garbage bin. But in many cases, this meat is instead cooked, prepared and packaged as a pre-cooked hamburger patty that you pick up from the grocery store. And it's all completely legal. The issue of cooking and reselling formerly tainted beef comes to light as another E. coli scare has now spread to 11 states, although the meat in this new case was fresh ground beef, not pre-cooked meat that had been repackaged. For the complete news item, please go to http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/coli-concern-tainted-beef-makes-consumers/story?id=8987973 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:01:00 CST http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=33931