• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Reported Recalls Again

Another FSIS E. coli O157:H7 Meat Recall - 432 Tons Today

I need to hand it to the FSIS, I am beginning to loose track how often its recall notices go out on either a Friday night or on a holiday. They sure have learned to get bad news out when no one is watching. Kudos to press manipulation 101. I used to know the FSIS press officer, my guess is that she does not work at FSIS anymore. So, here is the latest:

According to an FSIS/Company Press Release that is still not yet posted on the FSIS website (got it from a secret source), Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The FSA led to the determination that a further investigation of establishment records was warranted. The investigation is ongoing and the following products are subject to recall.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef"
40 lb. boxes of " HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between January 5, 2010, and January 15, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

During a subsequent review of the establishment's records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

As a result, the following products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef"
40 lb. boxes of " HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between February 19, 2008, and May 15, 2008, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.

Posted on January 18, 2010 by E. coli Lawyer

AND This News from Canada

Salad mix recalled in Canada


Published on 01/18/2010 03:59pm By Dawn Withers

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, is advising the public to not eat Compliments-brand Italian blend salad mix due to possible listeria contamination.

The notice, issued Jan. 15, is for Compliments-brand Italian blend sold in 10-ounce packages with a UPC 68820 10093 and a best before date of Jan. 18, according to a news release.
No illnesses have been reported.

Garfield Balsom, a CFIA food safety and recall specialist, said the product was imported by retailer Sobeys Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, which is voluntarily recalling the product, and but the name of Sobeys' supplier is not being made public.

The contamination was discovered during a random screening by CFIA of imported produce, Balsom said, and any investigation into possible causes of contamination will be done in the importing country, the U.S.

The product was distributing to Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tags: Canada, food safety
 
i guess i am going crazy, i posted this yesterday on this thread and it is gone now ? so i will post it again ;


California Firm Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL FSIS-RC-004-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs (202) 720-9113 Adrian Gianforti

WASHINGTON, January 18, 2010 - Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The FSA led to the determination that a further investigation of establishment records was warranted. The investigation is ongoing and the following products are subject to recall.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef" 40 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING" 40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX" 10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY" 20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY" 10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

SAFE PREPARATION OF FRESH AND FROZEN GROUND BEEF

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov

Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F, whether prepared from fresh or frozen raw meat products.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between January 5, 2010, and January 15, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

During a subsequent review of the establishment's records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As a result, the following products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef" 40 lb. boxes of " HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING" 40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX" 10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY" 20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY" 10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between February 19, 2008, and May 15, 2008, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.

While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company owner, Robert Glenn, at (888) 894-8242.


http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_004_2010_Release/index.asp



>>>FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.<<<



THIS WILL NOT WORK ON THE TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY I.E. MAD COW DISEASES...TSS


cooking does NOT kill the PrP i.e. the TSE or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy aka mad cow type diseases, and there are many, with atypical TSE cases spreading. There are many here in the USA and all of North America. THE c-BSE, atypical h-BSE and l-BSE have all been documented in North America. The USDA have absolutely no idea how bad the mad cow type disease is here in the USA, and we been trading products from Canada live and dead that could very well be tainted with TSE, like two lovers swapping spit. but in my opinion, the argument of defense to the consumer by comparison, when you buy a car, you get some sort of warranty, unless it is a clunker program i.e. 'buy as is'. is that how you want your industry to be construed as i.e. clunker program. at least with a car, you can trace the owners, you can trace parts, but not with a product we are to consume each day and hope it does not kill us, and if it does, oh well, you cannot trace it ??? which brings me to the infamous USDA dead stock downer cow school lunch program, the top 'clunker program' of all ;

New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent: Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of replication

Paul Brown*,dagger , Edward H. RauDagger , Bruce K. Johnson*, Alfred E. Bacote*, Clarence J. Gibbs Jr.*, and D. Carleton Gajdusek§ * Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dagger Environmental Protection Branch, Division of Safety, Office of Research Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and § Institut Alfred Fessard, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 91198 Gif sur Yvette, France Contributed by D. Carleton Gajdusek, December 22, 1999 Abstract One-gram samples from a pool of crude brain tissue from hamsters infected with the 263K strain of hamster-adapted scrapie agent were placed in covered quartz-glass crucibles and exposed for either 5 or 15 min to dry heat at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 1,000°C. Residual infectivity in the treated samples was assayed by the intracerebral inoculation of dilution series into healthy weanling hamsters, which were observed for 10 months; disease transmissions were verified by Western blot testing for proteinase-resistant protein in brains from clinically positive hamsters. Unheated control tissue contained 9.9 log10LD50/g tissue; after exposure to 150°C, titers equaled or exceeded 6 log10LD50/g, and after exposure to 300°C, titers equaled or exceeded 4 log10LD50/g. Exposure to 600°C completely ashed the brain samples, which, when reconstituted with saline to their original weights, transmitted disease to 5 of 35 inoculated hamsters. No transmissions occurred after exposure to 1,000°C. These results suggest that an inorganic molecular template with a decomposition point near 600°C is capable of nucleating the biological replication of the scrapie agent. transmissible spongiform encephalopathy | scrapie | prion | medical waste | incineration Introduction The infectious agents responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) are notoriously resistant to most physical and chemical methods used for inactivating pathogens, including heat. It has long been recognized, for example, that boiling is ineffective and that higher temperatures are most efficient when combined with steam under pressure (i.e., autoclaving). As a means of decontamination, dry heat is used only at the extremely high temperatures achieved during incineration, usually in excess of 600°C. It has been assumed, without proof, that incineration totally inactivates the agents of TSE, whether of human or animal origin. It also has been assumed that the replication of these agents is a strictly biological process (1), although the notion of a "virus" nucleant of an inorganic molecular cast of the infectious beta -pleated peptide also has been advanced (2). In this paper, we address these issues by means of dry heat inactivation studies. see full text: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/97/7/3418

PLoS ONE. 2008; 3(8): e2969. Published online 2008 August 13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002969. PMCID: PMC2493038

Copyright This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Public Domain declaration which stipulates that, once placed in the public domain, this work may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose.

Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel Production

Cathrin E. Bruederle,1* Robert M. Hnasko,1 Thomas Kraemer,2 Rafael A. Garcia,3 Michael J. Haas,3 William N. Marmer,3 and John Mark Carter1 1USDA-ARS WRRC, Foodborne Contaminants Research Unit, Albany, California, United States of America 2Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany

3USDA-ARS ERRC, Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, United States of America Neil Mabbott, Editor

University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom * E-mail: mhtml:%7B33B38F65-8D2E-434D-8F9B-8BDCD77D3066%7Dmid://00000089/!x-usc:mailto:cat

Conceived and designed the experiments: CEB RMH WNM JMC. Performed the experiments: CEB RMH TK. Analyzed the data: CEB TK JMC. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: CEB RMH TK RAG MJH JMC. Wrote the paper: CEB. Received April 21, 2008; Accepted July 24, 2008.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2493038


Sunday, January 17, 2010

BSE USA feed inspection violations 01/01/2009 to 01/17/2010 FDA BSE/Ruminant Feed Inspections Firms Inventory Report


http://madcowfeed.blogspot.com/2010/01/bse-usa-feed-inspection-violations.html



Sunday, January 17, 2010 CJD Following up: Patients never contracted brain disorder UW Hospital patients

http://creutzfeldt-jakob-disease.blogspot.com/2010/01/cjd-following-up-patients-never.html




Saturday, January 2, 2010

Human Prion Diseases in the United States January 1, 2010 ***FINAL***

http://prionunitusaupdate2008.blogspot.com/2010/01/human-prion-diseases-in-united-states.html



my comments to PLosone here ;

http://www.plosone.org/annotation/listThread.action?inReplyTo=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fannotation%2F04ce2b24-613d-46e6-9802-4131e2bfa6fd&root=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fannotation%2F04ce2b24-613d-46e6-9802-4131e2bfa6fd



TSS
 
Parkers recalls all products
Friday, January 2010


Parkers Farm, Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, has expanded the previously announced recall of products to include all date codes because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The original recall involved products with sell by dates of specific ranges. The expanded recall now includes all sell by dates of all products with the Parkers Farm or Parkers label and other products the company manufactures under other names.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the following retail stores: Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerlys, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, Nash Finch, Sams Club, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, Wal-Mart and Aldi.
The following recalled products are sold under the Parkers Farm or Parkers label:

12-ounce and 16-ounce peanut butter in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), regular and organic varieties are creamy, crunchy, honey creamy and honey crunchy with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

34-ounce peanut butter in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are creamy and crunchy with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

7-ounce bagel spreads in white plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are garden veggie, wild berry, strawberry, apple cinnamon and honey walnut with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.

12-ounce and 14-ounce dips and spreads in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are jalapeno nacho, pimento and salsa con queso with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010. MY Favorite !

8-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce cold pack cheese in round or square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, bacon, onion, smoked cheddar, Swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine, and Swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

16-ounce salsa in square plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are hot, mild, garlic, black bean and fire roasted with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.

32-ounce salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieties are hot, mild, garlic, and black bean with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.

128-ounce salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieties are hot, fire roasted, mild and garlic with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.

8-ounce, 9-ounce, 10-ounce balls & logs (in film overwrap), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, smoky bacon, ranch, garlic, jalapeno, pimento, spinach, jajik, beer and chorizo with sell by dates on or before 01/05/2011.

5#, 5.5#, 10#, 30# Parkers Farm cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, onion, bacon, smoked cheddar, Swiss almond, horseradish, garlic, port wine, and Swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

Other labels being recalled:

16-ounce Happy Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and Swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

8-ounce Kroger cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and Swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

8-ounce Central Markets cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

14-ounce Central Markets salsa con queso in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid) with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

16-ounce Central Markets salsa in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.

8-ounce Dutch Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish, and Swiss & cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

7-ounce Dutch Farms cream cheese spreads in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are strawberry, wild berry, honey walnut & apple cinnamon with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.

8-ounce Crystal Farms cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, bacon and jalapeno cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

8-ounce Heluva Good cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine and horseradish cheddar with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

8-ounce Amish Classic cold pack cheese in round plastic containers (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 12/31/2010.

10-ounce Amish Classic cheese balls & logs (in film overwrap), varieties are cheddar, port wine, ranch, smoky bacon, beef n onion with sell by dates on or before 01/05/2011.

128-ounce San Pablo salsa in plastic jugs (clear jug with screw cap), varieties are fire roasted and mild with sell by dates on or before 04/30/2010.

12-ounce Century Resources cold pack cheese food (tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, horseradish, bacon with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren't important, but the last digit must be a 9)

12-ounce Century Resources pimento spread (tub with snap on lid) with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren't important, but the last digit must be a 9.

8-ounce and 12/12 ounce Century Resources cheese ball & log (in film overwrap) sharp cheddar with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren't important, but the last digit must be a 9)

12-ounce Century Resources salsa con queso (tub with snap on lid) with a sell by date of xxx9 (the first 3 digits aren't important, but the last digit must be a 9)

4# and 5.5# Block & Barrel cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, Swiss almond, horseradish, port wine and pimiento spread with packed on dates on or before 12/30/2009.

30# Block & Barrel sharp cheddar cold pack cheese (white pail with snap on lid) with packed on dates on or before 12/30/2009.

5# Cobblestone cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, Swiss almond, horseradish with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.

30# Cobblestone sharp cheddar cold pack cheese (white pail with snap on lid) with sell by dates on or before 06/30/2010.

5# Biery Label cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar and port wine with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

5# Dierks Waukesha cold pack cheese (white tub with snap on lid), varieties are sharp cheddar, port wine, horseradish, Swiss almond with sell by dates on or before 09/30/2010.

The recall was a result of a sampling done by the state of Wisconsin and the state of Minnesota which revealed that some finished products contained the bacteria. The state of Minnesota, FDA, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-869-6685.
 
Food Recalls
Daniele Recall Spreads To Canada
by Dan Flynn | Jan 27, 2010
With some precision, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) warned the public north of the border not to eat certain Daniele Inc. brand salami products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

In the United States, Daniele has recalled 1.24 million pounds of salami products because they might be involved in an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo that has sickened 187 in 39 states.

From Ottawa, the CFIA's warning includes both a short list of Daniele brands known to be for sale in Canada and a list of retailers involved.

All codes of the following Daniele brand products are affected by the recall in Canada:

400 gram, Gourmet Italian Selection, with UPC of 7 36436 53013 1, and sold in Super C stores in Quebec.

500 gram, Italian Brand Gourmet Pack, with UPC of 7 36436 70737 3, and sold at Costco stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

600 gram, Gourmet Italian Deli with UPC of 7 36436 72005 1, and also sold in the same Costco stores.

Items from the much longer Daniele recall for the U.S. might have been imported into Canada, according to CFIA. It advises Canadians to check the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS's) online recall site.

One thing that is not found on that site is a list of U.S. retailers selling Daniele-made salami. Some American retailers have announced they are participating in the recall, but as yet FSIS has not produced an official list.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products in Canada.

Health experts stress that food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled.

Consumption of food contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness.

In young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Other News;
It is possible that more than one food product may be causing illnesses. The investigation is ongoing," the latest CDC report adds.

Meanwhile, FSIS, which has jurisdiction for meat products, issued a list of retailers that carried the Daniele brand ready-to-eat meats. Costco, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart stores throughout the nation top the list.

Others who sold the recalled meat brands include: Fred Meyer (AK, ID, OR, & WA); Fry's Food and Drug (AZ); Haggen (OR & WA); Hilander (IL); Kroger (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, & WV); and Market Basket (MA & NH).

Also retailing the brands were: Quality Food Center-Fresh Fare (OR & WA); Ralph's-Ralph's Fresh Fare (CA); Scott's (IN); Smith's-Smith's Marketplace (AZ, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, & WV); Stop and Shop (NJ & NY); Top Foods (WA); Waldbaums (NY) and Weis (MD, NJ, NY, & PA).

Other country's are involved like Hong Kong etc.
 
What is it with so many kinds of food and feed being contaminatied ? I'am pertty sure I raise clean products and do BQA's
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/01/grocers-are-pulling-hash-browns/#comments
 
Missouri Firm Recalls Fresh Boneless Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-008-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Peggy Riek

WASHINGTON, February 2, 2010 - West Missouri Beef, LLC, a Rockville, Mo., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef identified as "75 1-M," produced on October 26, 2009.
One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef identified as "90 3-D," produced on November 25, 2009.
One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef identified as "90 5-D," produced on November 27, 2009.
Combo bins containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef identified as "90 2-P," "90 2-R" or "90 2-V," produced on December 8, 2009.
One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef identified as "90 3-E," produced on January 13, 2010.

Each container is marked with the establishment number "EST. 5821" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The fresh boneless beef products were distributed to wholesalers in the Chicago, Ill., area.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a verification review performed at the establishment.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to General Manager Byron Mott at (660) 598-2045.
 
RECALL GETS BIGGER

Rhode Island Firm Recalls Italian Sausage Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination (Update)
With some precision, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) warned the public north of the border not to eat certain Daniele Inc. brand salami products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella again.

As part of the continuing investigation, this recall release is being updated on February 4, 2010, to include two additional products, adding approximately 23,754 pounds to the January 23 recall. It should be noted that these additional products are separate from those listed on the January 31 expansion.

The two additional products are:

3-ounce packages of "DANIELE NATURALE SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER."
Approximately 6-pound packages of "DANIELE SALAME GRANDE COATED WITH PORK FAT & PEPPER."

Meanwhile, FSIS, which has jurisdiction for meat products, issued a list of retailers that carried the Daniele brand ready-to-eat meats. Costco, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart stores throughout the nation top the list.

Others who sold the recalled meat brands include: Fred Meyer (AK, ID, OR, & WA); Fry's Food and Drug (AZ); Haggen (OR & WA); Hilander (IL); Kroger (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, & WV); and Market Basket (MA & NH).

Also retailing the brands were: Quality Food Center-Fresh Fare (OR & WA); Ralph's-Ralph's Fresh Fare (CA); Scott's (IN); Smith's-Smith's Marketplace (AZ, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, & WV); Stop and Shop (NJ & NY); Top Foods (WA); Waldbaums (NY) and Weis (MD, NJ, NY, & PA).

Other country's are involved like Hong Kong , Canada, etc.
 
Trader Joe's chocolate chip chewy coated granola bars recalled due to Salmonella concern

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Bill Marler



Trader Joe's is recalling select lot codes of 7.4-ounce boxes of a certain type of granola bar because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The Monrovia-based grocery chain warns that boxes of "Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars" with use by dates of 16JUL10H2 and 17JUL10HI may be affected, Trader Joe's officials said in a written statement.

"As a precaution," the statement said, "all of the product has been removed from sale and has been destroyed. To date, we have received no reports of illness related to these Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars."

The recalled bars were manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings Inc.
 
With these kinds and sizes of recalls, the meat eaters of North America are losing confidence of healthy purchases of products.

Huntington Meat Packing Inc., Expands Recall by 4,900,000 Pounds of Beef Products due to Possible Adulteration - Criminal Investigation Pending
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-004-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Editor's Note: This recall release is being reissued to expand the January 18 recall to include approximately 4.9 million additional pounds of beef and veal products, and to correct net weights from 40 lbs. to 50 lbs. in five instances in the earlier release.

Calif. co. expands meat recall due to E. coli fear
MONTEBELLO, Calif. (AP) _ A Southern California meatpacking firm has significantly expanded its recall of ground beef and veal that might be contaminated with E. coli. The recall includes approximately 4.9 million additional pounds of products by Huntington Meat Packing Inc. under the Huntington, Imperial Meat Co. and El Rancho brands, the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Friday.


Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif., establishment, is expanding its recall of January 18 to include approximately 4.9 million additional pounds of beef and veal products that were not produced in accordance with the company's food safety plan. The products are adulterated because the company made the products under insanitary conditions failing to take the steps it had determined were necessary to produce safe products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

The recall was expanded based on evidence collected in an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with assistance from FSIS. This evidence shows that the products subject to this recall expansion were produced in a manner that did not follow the establishment's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan. A HACCP plan describes the process controls an establishment must take to prevent food safety hazards and create a safe and wholesome product. The investigation has uncovered evidence to show that the food safety records of the establishment cannot be relied upon to document compliance with the requirements. Therefore, FSIS must consider the products to be adulterated and has acted to remove the products from commerce.

The following beef and veal products, produced by the plant from January 22, 2009, to January 4, 2010, are subject to recall:

10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
50 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEATS GROUND BEEF"
50 lb. boxes of " HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
50 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
50 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. DICED BEEF"
50 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. SLICED BEEF"
10 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meat VEAL PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "Imperial Meat VEAL PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho VEAL PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meat VEAL PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "Imperial Meat VEAL PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "El Rancho VEAL PATTY"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between January 22, 2009, and January 4, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Bill Marler
 
Just like every recall .They all Get Bigger.

As Daniele Inc recall expands, questions do too
Posted on February 17, 2010 by Drew Falkenstein
Email This

Print

Comments
Trackbacks
Share Link
Yesterday evening, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Daniele Inc is expanding its January 23 2010 recall of salami products to include another 115,000 pounds of potentially contaminated salami. See list of recalled products. The expansion is yet another twist in an outbreak that has continued to evolve, and with sometimes only limited information passed to the public by investigating health officials and the companies involved.

But the recent expansion is more significant for the many questions that it creates. It is based upon the presence of salmonella in salami packages that did not contain any black pepper, which has long been thought to have been the source of contamination in the outbreak. Now, health authorities believe that crushed red pepper included in some of the Daniele Inc product may have been contaminated as well.

Here is a quick list of questions that need to be answered:

1. Who is the supplier of red pepper?

Why it matters: if tests have indicated the presence of salmonella on the crushed red pepper that Daniele Inc used, the same contaminated pepper may have been distributed to other food producers or retailers, so more foods may be, or might become, contaminated. Pepper has a long shelf life, so if this product is, indeed, elsewhere in the consumer chain of distribution, it represents an ongoing threat to human health.

2. How many strains of Salmonella are implicated in this outbreak, and what are they?

The FSIS press release about the recall expansion tells us that crushed red pepper may now be contaminated, but says nothing about the strain of salmonella that was isolated. We know Montevideo, and we know Senftenberg, It would seem unlikely, unless the supplier of the black and red pepper was the same, that both would be contaminated with the same strains of Salmonella. Maybe the red pepper was contaminated with one, and the black with the other; or maybe the black with both known strains, and the red with a totally new strain. Whatever the case, the public should have the benefit of this knowledge.

3. Have all potentially contaminated products been recalled?

Surely, the companies involved would say yes, but yesterday's announcement is, after all, effectively the third announced recall by Daniele, each one including more and different products. So, has Daniele Inc taken a conservative approach to recall? Or has it acted as broadly in scope as the ongoing risk to public health would seem to dictate.

But at least Daniele has acted. One thing causing great concern, here at least, is that there has been no recall of pepper, either the black or the red, despite tests that have confirmed the presence of salmonella in pepper from two, and maybe even three different companies. Maybe Daniele was Overseas Spice and Wholesome Spice's only customer, and those companies have accurately determined that there is no ongoing risk because Daniele's recalls encompass all the potentially contaminated product. We can only speculate at this point, but that doesn't sound like a sustainable business model.

4. Is the model currently in place for telling the public crucial information about outbreaks and recalls really the most efficient method we can think of?

The flow of information to the public about this major outbreak has been slow. Recall that the CDC announced this outbreak in January by stating that the implicated product was "a widely distributed contaminated food product." At the time of the CDC's announcement, it was certainly known by US Government that Daniele Inc's salami was the "widely distributed contaminated food product." But instead of the CDC just saying that, it fell to Bill Marler, a private citizen way out in the northwest corner of the country, to announce what the product really was.

On her blog, Obamafoodorama.com, Eddie Gehman Kohan asked "How is it possible that a blogger notifies the public of a new Class I (you could die) recall of 1,240,000 pounds of meat before USDA does?": She continued, "It's a grim situation when a private citizen is more on the ball than the federal agency that's supposed to be managing national food safety concerns (CDC's own e mail heads-up about the outbreak included no information, except that a product sold nationally was contaminated with Salmonella Montevideo)."

So back to the original question, is a system that is so reliant on the private sector--instead of first responders like the government, CDC, FDA, FSIS--to pass information about food outbreaks really an efficient model? There are 230 recognized illnesses in this outbreak, many of which fell ill long before the pieces to the puzzle had fallen into place, but certainly some of whom fell ill after government and certain industry members knew the most essential details. Clearly, this is not efficient from a public health standpoint, and some would certainly argue that it's not very efficient from a business standpoint either. After all, the losses generated by the publicity surrounding these outbreaks in the form of reduced sales and lawsuits certainly compound the longer the outbreak remains in the public spotlight. And one sure way of accomplishing that is to deliver information piecemeal and untimely.

Many questions yet to be answered as this outbreak continues to unfold.
 
Kroger Recalls Beef Products for E. coli
by Zach Mallove | Mar 03, 2010

Between February 18 and 24, 2010, Kroger, the country's largest grocery store chain, recalled five separate beef products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The recall information is listed on the company's Website, but in very limited detail.


According to the Kroger Website, burritos and tamales containing beef potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 were distributed under the Little Juan, Tina's, Don Miguel, XLNT, and Deli names. Retailers distributing these brands are Smith's Food and Drug, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, QFC, and Fry's. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), however, does not have these corresponding products or brands listed on their current recall list, which FSIS policy mandates.


In January 2000, FSIS changed its policy regarding issuance of recall press releases. FSIS now issues a press release for all classifications of meat and poultry recalls, whereas press releases used to be issued primarily for Class I recalls.


According to FSIS, Class I recalls are defined as situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Class II recalls are defined as situations where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. Class III recalls are defined as situations where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.


The current recalls listed on the Kroger site would fall under the Class I category.


Food Safety News spoke briefly to a Kroger spokesperson, who confirmed the recalls but failed to provide more information. A call to FSIS was unreturned.
 
A Whopper Recall Coming !!!!

Salmonella prompts processed-food recall

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/



By Lyndsey Layton
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 5, 2010

Thousands of types of processed foods -- including many varieties of soups, chips, frozen dinners, hot dogs and salad dressings -- may pose a health threat because they contain a flavor enhancer that is contaminated with salmonella, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

Officials believe the public health risk is low, and no one is known to have fallen ill as a result of the contamination. But manufacturers voluntarily recalled 56 products Thursday, and that number is expected to balloon in the coming weeks into what could be one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history.

"We don't know precisely how large this recall will get," said Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection at the FDA. "The potential amount of products . . . is very large."

Salmonella was detected early last month in one lot of the flavor enhancer -- hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP -- made by Basic Food Flavors, as well as inside the company's Nevada manufacturing facility, the FDA said. The company, one of only a handful that make HVP, has an extensive customer list. The additive, which comes as a powder or a paste and is mixed into foods to give them a meaty or savory flavor, is similar to monosodium glutamate, or MSG.

The contamination is believed to date to September 2009, meaning millions of pounds of potentially tainted HPV -- all of which the company has recalled -- was shipped in bulk to foodmakers over five months. Many of those companies then sold their products to other clients, complicating the chain and making it hard for federal officials to gauge the scope of the problem.

"This can potentially be in over 10,000 products," said Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumers Union.


The FDA has posted on its Web site a searchable list of products being recalled by manufacturers. It can be found at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/ .

Federal officials said the public health threat is low because most products containing HVP are cooked during processing or carry cooking instructions for consumers, so any salmonella would be destroyed before the food was eaten. Ready-to-eat products, such as chips and other snack foods, would carry greater risks.

In recent days, FDA officials have told foodmakers that their products do not need to be recalled if they can document that foods containing HVP were heated to appropriate temperatures.

Because of the number of products involved and the uncertainty of the risk, officials have been struggling to find the balance between protection and alarm.

"They're trying to come to some reasonable decision about how to protect the public health but not be so cautious as to be ridiculous and throw out tons and tons of product that may be fine," said Don Schaffner, a professor of microbiology professor and food-safety expert at Rutgers University, who has been advising several foodmakers that bought HVP from Basic Food Flavors.

FDA officials declined to say Thursday when they or state health officials last inspected the Nevada plant, or whether the company had a history of sanitation problems. The FDA was still attempting to determine what caused the contamination.

The company did not return calls seeking comment.

The salmonella bacterium is usually found in animal or human feces. Most healthy people infected with salmonella recover without treatment but experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Salmonella infections can cause serious problems and even death in the young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

The agency learned about the problem after a foodmaker found the bacterium in a shipment of HVP and reported it under a new law that requires companies to notify the federal government if they detect contamination in a product or ingredient. Before September, the food industry was not required to alert the government to contamination.
 
This didn't seem to originate in Mexico . . . it's a biggie, reaching all over North America.

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/777099--salmonella-recall-grows-for-snacks-soup-mixes?bn=1
 
Texas Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Product due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:47:19 -0600


Ruiz Foods, Inc., a Denison, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 115,700 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) beef product that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of beef product contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

You are right Burnt !!
 
Prosciutto Cotto Recalled for Listeria
by Dan Flynn | Mar 13, 2010
For the second time in four months, Canada is warning consumers not to eat a Siena Foods Ltd. product because of possible Listeria contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says Siena brand Prosciutto Cotto Cooked Ham may contain the pathogen. Last December, Siena brand mild Cacciatore Salami was recalled in Canada for Listeria.

This time, the affected product, Siena brand Prosciutto Cotto Cooked Ham, was sold to delicatessens, grocery and specialty food stores in large wholesale packages for further slicing bearing Best Before dates of March 8 and March 22, 2010.

The December recall resulted in certain Siena Foods Ltd. products being held, tested and only released if they were free from Listeria monocytogenes as part of sampling activities conducted in January and February 2010.

In a statement, CFIA said the current recall will also be carefully followed up with a test and hold protocol and the agency will work with the company to assess any issues that may have contributed to the positive results.

The affected product would have been sold to consumers after January 11, 2010. However, the original brand and/or best before dates may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages. Persons who may have purchased cooked ham after January 11, 2010 and do not know original brand and code are advised to check with their retailer or supplier to determine if they have the affected product.

The recalled cooked ham was sold in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec.

This recall is based on positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes in product samples and CFIA's investigation of these findings.

CFIA's statement said the federal food safety agency was aware of a reported listeriosis in Ontario and is collaborating with the Province of Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada to investigate these illnesses.

At this time, no confirmed linkage has been made between the subject recalled products and the reported illnesses.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness.

Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The manufacturer, Siena Foods Ltd., Toronto, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
 
Yep, even Pringles is being Recalled !

A new Pringles recall affects two Pringles flavors: Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger and Family Faves Taco Night.

The FDA believes these products may have been contaminated by salmonella. If the products contain a "Best by" 2011 stamp, they may be at risk.

The Pringles recall is related to other HVP recent recalls involving salmonella, which involve Basic Food Flavors, Inc. An onion soup recall took place last week.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard the product and call Procter & Gamble at 1-877-876-7881 for a replacement coupon or refund.

The FDA has identified 94 products in all that use HVP seasoning from Basic Food Flavors and more recalls could be on the way
 
TRACEBACK HEARING – FSIS – WDC 3-10-10

JOHN MUNSELL COMMENTS

John Munsell, Manager. Foundation for Accountability in Regulatory Enforcement (FARE).

(Initially, I gave a spontaneous comment that the agency's willingness to hold this public hearing constituted a remarkable improvement in FSIS attitude towards tracebacks to the source)

My formal comments were as follows:

I've found it ironic the last two years that FDA, in spite of having inspectors in plants as infrequently as once every 5 – 6 years, has successfully traced outbreaks back to spinach farms, pepper farms, melamine in China, peanut butter, etc.

In stark contrast, although FSIS has inspectors in every plant every day, the agency typically fails to trace enteric pathogens back to the slaughterhouse of origin.

It's not that FSIS cannot accomplish tracebacks. It doesn't WANT to.

Odd, because FSIS can trace animals with residue violations back to one solitary farm, and aggressively posts all evidence on the agency website.

I recently created a PowerPoint which describes the OVERWHELMING differences between the true HACCP program authored by Pillsbury, compared to the allegedly "science based" program authored by FSIS. After I presented it to the Stock Show in Rapid City, a livestock producer stood during the Q & A and stated that the PowerPoint would make vegetarians out of meat eaters. I responded that all these Ongoing Outbreaks and Recurring Recalls are reducing consumer confidence in meat……….not my PowerPoint.

I also told the rancher that until FSIS develops the courage to perform Tracebacks to the slaughterhouse of origin, we are virtually guaranteed multiple recurring future outbreaks and recalls. Since the Stock Show, we have had more recalls.

One reason Tracebacks aren't accomplished is because of artificial restrictions mandated by the agency. One example:

When inspectors collect ground beef samples for analysis at USDA labs, inspectors do NOT document the slaughterhouse of origin where the meat ORIGINATED until AFTER the USDA lab concludes that the sample has been confirmed as positive for E.coli 0157:H7 several days later. This grossly unscientific delay in evidence gathering has numerous drawbacks:

(1) It intentionally obfuscates the evidence.

(2) Prevents expedited tracebacks to the origin of contamination

(3) Insulates the SOURCE from accountability

(4) Sends all pathogen liability downstream to the further processing plants, along with the previously-contaminated meat

(5) And last, but not least………this cover-up imperils consumers.

I'd like to show you one easy corrective action to prevent recurrences of this public health debacle: I have in my hands an agency email dated July 26, 2002, sent from the agency's Office of Field Operations national staff to managers of all of the agency's District Offices. The email says in part, and I quote: "At the time the sample is taken, the IIC will obtain from the establishment, the name, point of contact, and phone number for the establishments supplying the source materials for the lot of ground beef being sampled". End quote.

This was a simple procedural change, accomplished by an email, without the need for extensive public hearings or a rulemaking process.

Unfortunately, the procedure was rescinded two months later. An agency official stated at a public meeting that the agency rescinded it "FOR LEGAL REASONS". I can assure you these litigation threats against the agency did not emanate from small and very small plants.

This example is but one of many common sense solutions, which if implemented, would enable FSIS to perform Tracebacks to the SOURCE of contamination, enabling the agency to "FORCE THE SOURCE" to implement meaningful corrective actions to prevent recurrences.

If FSIS is indeed sincere in its sudden desire to Traceback to the SOURCE of contamination, I respectfully suggest that the agency must include owners of small and very small plants on its team to develop MEANINGFUL Traceback Policies.
Click to expand...
 
Link to a Supermarket chain recall PAGE !
http://www.kroger.com/services/Pages/recall_information.aspx

Makes you wonder who ships this stuff !
 

Latest posts

Back
Top