Documenting timely recalls across the Food & Beverage Industry
Seasoned beef used in various Taco Bell products shipped to restaurants nationwide has been recalled after FSIS received three customer complaints. An undetermined amount of products have been said to possibly contain metal shavings and other materials. Cases with use by dates of 11/4/19 and 11/18/19 are subject to recall.
Tip Top Poultry is a popular producer of chicken for various brands sold across the country and today it was announced Listeria had infected products ranging from Chicken salad to frozen chicken pot pie. The US department of Agriculture classified this event as a Class 1 recall, meaning consuming these products may cause serious health effects or in some cases, death. The items affected were produced from January 21 through September 24, 2019, so far there have not been reports of illness resulting from these products.
Ryding-Regency Meat Packers was the initial recall, claiming a variety of beef burgers were contaminated with E. Coli and distributed across Canada resulting in a license suspension. In addition, Metro Ontario recalled a range of beef and veal products for a similar E. Coli contamination. Metro Ontario also released a statement stating its diced chicken had been infected with Listeria. Finally, three recalls were issued later that week, removing chicken sandwiches from shelves for Listeria contamination. In total, more than 150 different products have been contaminated. The recalls were initiated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency who was conducting inspection activities on the various companies. It is advised to check any products and discard them immediately.
For the second time this year Gold Medal Flour has been pulled from shelves due to potential E Coli presence marking the sixth flour recall in 2019. This recall affects approximately 300 tons of flour. The manufacturer of Gold Medal Flour, General Mills, identified E Coli as a part of a routine inspection which prompted the company to voluntarily recall their product. Only bags marked for September 6, 2020 are affected by the contamination and should immediately be discarded.
Reported illnesses associated with a batch of baby formula available only by prescription has resulted in a voluntary recall in Canada. The Calcilo XD powder distributed across the Providences has sparked a food safety investigation which could lead to additional products being recalled.
Approximately 25,000 pounds of beef distributed in California and Oregon have been deemed “unfit for human consumption” and have been recalled. A carcass pending laboratory results that had not been released was mistakenly released for processing. Included in the recall are boneless beef, ribeye and tenderloin packages. No confirmed reports have been made at this time, however there is concern that contaminated meat may be frozen for later use by consumers.
Tyson Foods is the source of another recall following a 190,000 pound instance this past June, now recalling 39,100 pounds of Weaver brand frozen cooked chicken patties. The recall was initiated after a customer complaint of finding foreign matter in the chicken product. Patties sold in 26-ounce bags have a sell by date of January 31, 2020.
342 pounds of breaded chicken is being recalled due to a processing defect resulting in a Class I level recall, which is the highest possible health risk. Grocery stores in six states received products from Chicago-based Taylor Farms that were potentially under cooked. Three specific products have been identified as part of this recall.
Canned beef and pasta products have been recalled in a minimum of four states due to a processing defect. Inspections of products unveiled a potential process that could allow bacterial pathogens to survive. The 32,400 pounds of potentially affected beef and pasta has a shelf life of approximately two years.
Sandwiches and salads including egg, tuna and Thai lobster salad are among items recalled by retail giant Target. Positive testing for Listeria in sampled and tested lots by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has prompted this recall of the Archer Farms branded items. While no illnesses or adverse health effects have been reported to date, Listeria can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop.