Challenges on the High Seas

There are challenges on the high seas for on-board food service. Many are different than those we experience on land, however, there are many special at sea challenges. I just got off a four day consulting trip on-board a tanker from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa. Meeting the food safety and sanitation challenges on-board are similar as those on land based operations when dealing with limited storage, aging equipment, and staffing with little formal training. The differences are those challenges created by a moving kitchen. Limited vendor selections, and limited delivery days and times for products add additional on-board challenges.

RECALL...Elevated Levels of Lead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 2011 - Circle City Marketing and Distributing doing business as Candy Dynamics, Indianapolis, IN, is issuing a voluntary recall of all Toxic Waste® brand Nuclear Sludge® Chew Bars, all flavors, Net wt. 0.7 oz (20 g) package. The product is imported from Pakistan.

A recent test performed by the California Department of Public Health has indicated that a lot (#8288A) of the cherry flavor of the above-listed product contains elevated levels of lead (0.24 parts per million; the U.S. FDA tolerance is 0.1 ppm) that potentially could cause health problems, particularly for infants, small children, and pregnant women.

Out of an abundance of caution, the company has determined to recall all lots and all flavors of the product distributed from the product's inception in 2007 through January 2011.

The products are identified as: Toxic Waste® Nuclear Sludge® Cherry Chew Bar (UPC 0 89894 81430 6), Toxic Waste® Nuclear Sludge® Sour Apple Chew Bar (UPC 0 10684 81410 7), and Toxic Waste® Nuclear Sludge® Blue Raspberry Chew Bar (UPC 0 89894 81420 7). Each chew bar has a net wt. of 0.7 oz (20 g). The recalled Nuclear Sludge™ Chew Bars were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.

Here's my question to everyone. Why are we importing this type of consumer product from Pakistan when we have numerous manufacturers here in the USA? Weigh in on this puzzling issue. Post your thoughts.

Voluntary recall on Cilantro, Curly Parsley, and Italian Parsley

Well it looks like 2011 is starting off with many new voluntary and mandatory recalls. Are recalls happening more often or are we as a society of consumers demanding more and more reporting of potential issues with our food supply. Here is another voluntary recall that has a potential for a very serious health event.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 5, 2010 - Boncheff Greenhouses, Inc. of Toronto, Ontario is issuing a voluntary recall on Cilantro, Curly Parsley, and Italian Parsley, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

These herbs were distributed to various retailers in New York State and Pennsylvania. The items were sold between December 14th and December 28th, 2010.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

J&D Produce Announces Precautionary, Voluntary Recall Of Fresh Greens

Voluntary Recall Of Fresh Greens
December 28, 2010 - Including packaging details; states affected; and clarifying product only packed on two dates (Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2010) is covered by tbis recall - Following confirmation from regulators of a positive test for salmonella on curly parsley in Quebec and cilantro in Detroit, J&D Produce Inc. is initiating a precautionary, voluntary recall of these two items and other potentially affected products packed only Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2010. There have been no reported illnesses.

Where Distributed are listed below.

CURLY PARSLEY, PLU # 4899, Ontario, Washington. Massachusetts, Quebec, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Missouri, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, Ohio, Connecticut

CILANTRO, PLU #4889, Ontario, Massachusetts, Washington, Quebec, New York, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio

ARUGULA. PlU #4884, Ontario, Rhode Island, Texas

BEETS, PLU # 4539, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ontario, Wisconsin, Quebec, Texas, Illinois, Rhode Island

PRECAUTIONARY, VOLUNTARY RECALL

COLLARDS, PLU # 4614, Ontario, Texas, Wisconsin, Quebec, Michigan, Ohio

CURLY MUSTARD, PLU # 4616, Quebec, Texas

DIAKON, does not contain PLU or UPC, Ontario, New York, Texas, Quebec

DILL, PLU # 4891, Ontario, Massachusetts, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, New Jersey, Wisconsin

GOLDEN BEETS, PLU # 3273, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas

GREEN KOHLRABI, PLU # 4628, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Wisconsin

GREEN SWISS CHARD, PLU # 4586, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Rhode Island, Texas

KALE, PLU # 4627, Ontario, Quebec, Texas, Wisconsin, Montreal, Michigan, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York, Ohio, Toronto

LEEK, PLU # 4629 Texas

METHlLEAF, UPC # 664781 10500 4, Ontario, Texas

MINT, PLU # 4896, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan

PARSLEY, PLU # 4901, Ontario, Washington, Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut

RAINBOW CHARD, UPC # 66478140610 1, Illinois, Connecticut

RED SWISS CHARD, PLU # 4587, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Quebec, Rhode Island, Texas

TEXAS MUSTARD, PLU # 4618, Oklahoma, Texas

TURNIPS WITH TOPS, PLU #4810, Texas, Michigan

TURNIP TOPS, PLU # 4619, Texas

All commodities are packed in red, white, and blue waxed cartons under the Little Bear brand. The individual bunches are banded, except for Diakon, using a rubber band or a twist tie identified by a flag tag that shows a little bear with a cowboy hat, a red handkerchief and a Texas flag. See Exhibit 1 showing Little Bear flag tags and bands. All products were distributed through retail stores and wholesale terminal markets.

House Passes an Inportant Overhaul of Food Safety Laws

One of the most important pieces of legislature pertaining to the food industry has just passed the house of representatives. This is way overdue and it is my hopes that it is only the start to making the food supply in the US the safest in the world.

The House of Representatives gave final approval Tuesday to a long-awaited modernization of the nation’s food safety laws, voting 215-144 to grant the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over food production.

The bill, which President Barack Obama has indicated he will sign, is meant to change the mission of the FDA, focusing it on preventing food-borne illnesses rather than reacting after an outbreak occurs. The overhaul comes after several major outbreaks and food recalls in recent years involving salmonella in eggs and peanuts, and E. coli in spinach and other leafy greens.

Under the legislation, food manufacturers will be required to examine their processing systems to identify possible ways that food products can become contaminated and to develop detailed plans to keep that from happening. Companies must share those plans with the FDA and provide the agency with records, including product test results, showing how effectively they carry them out.

Voice your opinion on this historic bill and how it will affect you and your operation as a food service professional...or as a consumer.

An Alert On Uneviscerated Fish...Potential for Clostridium Botulinum Spores

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 17, 2010 - JFC INTERNATlONAL INC. at 40 VARICK AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11237 is recalling frozen CAPELIN discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors during a routine inspection and subsequent analysis of product by Food Laboratory personnel confirming that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.

This product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food borne illness. Symptoms of botulism include blurred vision, general weakness and poor reflexes, difficulty in swallowing and respiratory paralysis.

The sale of un-eviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Un-eviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.

The recalled FROZEN CAPELIN comes in a PLASTIC WRAPPED STYROFOAM TRAY with the following codes: FROZEN CAPELIN 7L8P, FROZEN CAPELIN 7L5P, FROZEN CAPELIN 6L10P, FROZEN CAPELIN 6L8P, FROZEN CAPELIN 6L5P, FROZEN CAPELIN 5L10P, FROZEN CAPELIN 5L8P and is a product of VIETNAM. This product was sold NATIONWIDE.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have FROZEN CAPELIN are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase. Consumer with questions may contact the company at Mr. Kiyoshi Tamai at (800) 633-1004.

Recall...2,541 Cases Undeclared Milk & Soybean

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 17, 2010 - YNot Foods, Inc. of Madison, WI is recalling 2,541 cases because it may contain undeclared milk and soybean. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk and/or soybean run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Product was distributed in AR, IL, KS, OH, OK, TX and Mexico through foodservice and retail channels.

Specific information on how the product can be identified are as follows:

Upsides™ Orzo Toscano, 6/2.5lb (distributed by J.R. Simplot Co. Boise, ID).

SKU 10071179011392

The first 12 digits of the production codes (lots) affected are listed below.

* 987SEP301001
* 987OCT071001
* 987OCT081001

No illnesses have been reported to date and no other codes (lots) are affected by this issue.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing milk and soybean was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk and soybean. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

Consumers who have purchased these code dates are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-608-222-2860.