Never a major player in the FDA heirarchy, the CVM has been formally excluded from the Human Foods Program, with only a dotted line connecting it to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.
Although the CVM will report directly to the Office of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, its relatively small budget and political profile will leave this essential element of food safety and nutrition with little voice or influence at the table.
Why does this matter?
The CVM is responsible for oversight of animal feed, pet foods and veterinary medicines.
If animal feeds are not properly regulated and supervised, animal nutrition–and ultimately human nutrition–suffers.
If veterinary medicines are not properly regulated and supervised, the health of livestock and the safety of the human diet suffers.
If pet foods are not properly regulated and supervised, the health of companion animals suffers.
Pet health matters
Pets play an important role in the mental and physical health of their human companions.
Those of us who have lost a dog, cat, or other pet to illness, accidents, or simply old age, understand the grief that this loss entails.
In addition, if an animal develops a gastrointestinal illness such as salmonellosis as a result of contaminated pet food, this illness can be passed along to people in the same household.
This is not speculation.
Kibble, raw pet foods, and pet treats contaminated with Salmonella have caused several outbreaks of human illness large enough to attract the attention of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Without a strong voice at the budget table, the CVM will not have the resources to oversee the pet food industry.
We have seen what has happened in the past when a pet food manufacturer has been allowed to operate on a “voluntary compliance” basis. More often than is healthy, the emphasis is on voluntary, and compliance falls by the wayside.
Can this be fixed?
I realize that the CVM has elements both of food and of pharmaceuticals in its regulatory portfolio.
Nevertheless, every component of the CVM’s mandate–animal feed, animal medications, pet food–indirectly supports the safety and nutriton of human or animal food.
I would propose that the scope of the proposed new directorate be expanded to include the CVM, and that the word “Human” be dropped from the title of the new Deputy Commissioner.
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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
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Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Listen to an excerpt of the audiobook edition right here
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION:CDC is investigating more than 200 cases of Norovirus illnesses associated with eating raw oysters from Texas. Outbreak illnesses have been reported in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Raw oysters implicated in the outbreak were harvested in area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas, and distributed to restaurants and retailers in several states.
Allergy Alert: Power Life Nutrition recalls High Impact Plant Protein (50-oz jar; Lot #0914922) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: Mountain View Packaging, LLC recalls INNOVASIAN Crispy Chicken with Almonds ENTREE (18.5 oz; Lot #22321-1; Best by 05/24/2023; UPC 695119120499) due to undeclared shrimp.
Food Safety Recall:Something South African LLC recalls Peppercorn Collection Gift Set (Batch #494951-T; Best before end JUN/2024) due to mold and Ochratoxin A contamination in the Malaysian Long Pepper.
Pet Food Safety Recall: TFP Nutrition recalls HEB Texas Pets Indoor Complete Dry Cat Food (16-lb bag; MFG 13 NOV 22) due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was only distributed in the State of Texas and sold in HEB retail stores. No cat or human illness has been reported with respect to the recalled cat food to date.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Jiva Manufacturing & Distribution Inc. recalls Everland brand Organic Coconut Chocolate Bark (113g; All codes where milk is not declared on the label; UPC 0 59443 25382 5) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: Scotian Isle Baked Goods Inc. recalls Scotian Isle Baked Goods brand Chicken Pot Pie, 5in. (1 count; All codes where egg is not declared on the label; UPC 6 28504 06705 5) due to undeclared egg.
Allergy Alert: Miso Brothers, Inc. dba Alpha Foods recalls Alpha brand Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwich – Meatless Sausage (156g; Lot #020722MSS; Expiration date 02/07/2024; UPC 8 10070 35037 6) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall: Marché Yves Tondreau & Fils inc. (Montréal, QC) recalls SAUMON FUMÉ À FROID TONDREAU / Cold smoked salmon and SAUMON FUMÉ SUR PLACE / Salmon smoked on site (Sold up to 14 December 2022) due to lack of expiration date information on the packaging.
Food Safety Recall: Boucherie Marchigiani (Montréal, QC) recalls SAUCE TOMATE VIANDE / Tomato & meat sauce and SAUCE TOMATE / Tomato sauce (1 L; Sold up to 9 December 2022) due to lack of mandatory storage temperature labeling.
Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Denmark): The Statens Serum Instituthas confirmed 11 cases of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses since mid-August 2022 linked to consumption of fish cakes. The implicated fish cakes were recalled in November.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (UK): The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have now identified 15 cases of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in an outbreak that stretches back to 2020, with cases in England, Scotland and Wales. Eight of the outbreak cases have been identified since January 2022. The FSA is warning consumers to avoid warning consumers specific ready-to-eat smoked fish products from Lidl linked to the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes. Please refer to Lidl GB recall notice, below.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Delino recalls Delino brand sauce tzigane / Gypsy sauce (300g (330 ml); Lot #2206191; Best before 15/03/2023) due to undeclared celery and soy.
Allergy Alert (UK): Baked In recalls Baked In Chocolate Orange Cookie Mix (390g; Batch code 222992209; Best before 16 November 2023) due to undeclared soy.
Allergy Alert (UK): Ella’s Kitchen recalls Ella’s Kitchen Banana Multigrain Baby Rice (125g; Batch code 27922; Best before 06 October 2023) due to undeclared oats (gluten).
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Mondelēz International recalls Milka Sensations, biscuit fourré au chocolat / Biscuits filled with chocolate (52g; Lots OPM0624673 & OPM0624711; Use by 22/08/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (small pieces of metal).
Food Safety Recall (France): Charcuterie anselme recalls Père Anselme brand Jambonneau cuit désossé à la Gouge / Deboned cooked ham (Lot 33648; Use by 06/01/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):Charcuterie anselme recalls Père Anselme brand Jambon persillé de Bourgogne / Burgundy style ham with parsley (~2.2-2.5 kg; Lot #33348; Use by 13/01/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): BIOCOOP recalls BIOCOOP brand Emmental râpé 29% MG / Grated Emmental cheese, 29% fat (200g; Lot #GD003GD1 DLC 12/02/2023; Use by 16/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):METRO FRANCErecalls METRO CHEF brand Jambon supérieur cuit découenné, dégraissé / Superior cooked ham, skinned and defatted (720g; Lots 1127955, 1128085 & 1128259; Use by 31/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):La Charolaise recalls Rillettes de Saumon / Salmon rillettes (Use by 20/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):Laiterie de la vallée de Munster – Fromagerierecalls LAITERIE DE LA VALLEE DE MUNSTER brand Petit Munster, Grand Munster, Petit Munster Cumin, and Grand Munster Cumin cheeses (Lot 307; Use by dates between 23/12/2022 and 07/01/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): C. F. Rolle GmbH Mühle recalls Sachsenmehl Weizenauszugsmehl Type 550 / Wheat flour (1 kg; Lot #24276; Best before 07.08.2024) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): dm-drogerie markt recalls dmBio Pfeffer schwarz, ganze Körner / Whole black peppercorns (70g; Best before 09/2025 and 11/2025) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Albert Heijnrecalls AH Speciaal Bakkersbrood Stevig Spelt / Robust spelt bakery bread, whole and half (Sold December 13-16, 2022) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls Lidl Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch Trout (100g; All use-by dates between and including 20 December 2022 and 06 January 2023) and Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings (120g; All use-by dates between and including 20 December 2022 and 06 January 2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Australia and New Zealand
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Australia): Australian food authorities confirm 37 cases of illness reported nationally among people who consumed large amounts of poppy seeds, after a batch of poppy seeds not intended for food use and containing high levels of thebaine entered the supply chain.
Food Safety Recall (Australia): Riviera Fresh Pty Ltd recalls Riviera Farms Baby Spinach (350g & 1kg; All Use By dates from 16 Dec 22 up to and including 28 Dec 22) due to potential contamination with unsafe plant material.
Food Safety Recall (Australia): ALDI recalls Fresh Salad Co Fresh and Fast Stir Fry (Use by 24 DEC) due to potential contamination with unsafe plant material.
Food Safety Recall (Australia): Woolworths Group recalls Woolworths Chicken Cobb Salad (270g; Use by 20/DEC) and Woolworths Chickpea Falafel Salad (290g; Use by 20/DEC and 22/DEC) due to potential contamination with unsafe plant material.
TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Listen to an excerpt of the audiobook edition right here
Food Safety Recall:Utopia Foods Inc recalls Utopia brand Enoki Mushrooms (200g; Bar code 8928918610017; Imported from China; All packages within their expiration date) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Distribution of the products has been suspended pending completion of an FDA investigation into the source of the problem.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Les aliments pâtes du roi inc. (Lévis, QC) recalls Poulet frit / Fried chicken (36 pieces; Sold up to 13 December 2022) and Pilons poulet – Cajun / Cajun-style chicken drumsticks (6 kg; Sold up to 13 December 2022) due to undeclared eggs, milk, soy and wheat.
Food Safety Recall: Ile des Gourmands (Montréal, QC) recalls Saumon fumé / Smoked salmon (Sold up to 13 December 2022) due to the possibility of a food safety hazard.
Food Safety Recall: Ô poids vert (Montréal, QC) recalls three products that might be unsafe to consume due to lack of safe storage temperature information on the product labels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Europe
Allergy Alert (UK): COOK Kitchen recalls COOK Kitchen Beef Bourguignon (Batch codes 000019 (270g), 000020 (270g), and 000741 (540g); Best before 17 August 2023) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).
Allergy Alert (UK): Father Farm Foods recalls Real Taste Golden Raisins (600g; Batch code 22117/662; Best before May 2023) and Real Taste Mixed Nuts (600g; Batch codes 2277/MX6 & 22150/MX6; Best before May 2023) due to undeclared sulphites.
Food Safety Recall (Austria):dm drogerie markt GmbH recalls dmBio Pfeffer schwarz, ganze Körner / Black peppercorns (70g; Best before 09/2025 and 11/2025) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Delhaize recalls Delhaize brand Bio mix germes doux / Organic sweet mixed sprouts (60g; Use by 16/12/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls AH Biologische Alfalfa / Organic alfalfa sprouts (40g; Best before 16/12/2022 and 17/12/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):LAITERIE DE LA VALLEE DE MUNSTER recalls LAITERIE DE LA VALLEE DE MUNSTER brand Petits Munster AOP et Grand Munster AOP / Small and large Munster raw-milk cheeses (Lot 293; Use by dates between 08/12/2022 and 31/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):LES SALAISONS REGIONALES recalls LES SALAISONS REGIONALES brand SAUCISSON A L’AIL FUME DROIT FRANCILIN / Straight smoked garlic sausage (1.3 kg x 6; Lot 22344; Use by 07/12/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France):SAS COCAGNE recalls Pain surprise campagne tranché / Sliced “surprise” country bread – 32 sandwiches (475g; Lot 210480.2319; Use by 15/05/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Farmland GmbH recalls Alpenland Crème zum Kochen 7% Fett / Cooking cream, 7% fat (250 ml; Best before 06.01.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Rinder- und Pferdehof Köber recalls Hausmarke italienischer Kräuterschnittkäse, Rohmilchkäse / Semi-hard raw milk cheese with Italian herbs (Best before 03.03.2023) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Rocca Toscana formaggi S.r.l. recalls Deluxe brand Pecorino stagionato al tartufo / Pecorino cheese with truffles (~180g; Lot TA222744; Use by 19/03/23) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH Biologische Alfalfa / Organic alfalfa sprouts (40g; Best before 16/12/2022 and 17/12/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Sweden): ICA recalls ICA brand I Love Eco Grönkål / Kale (150g; Best before 2022-12-17, 2022-12-18 and 2022-12-19) due to Listeria contamination.
Food Safety Recall (UK): Osem UK recalls Yarden Tahina, Salad of Sesame Paste with Garlic and Parsley (250g; Batch code 2306196504; Best before 01 January 2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Pet Food Safety Recall (Italy): ECOCLAVIS NV recalls WOLF’S MENU ESSENTIAL WM001 Raw pet food (800g; Lot 20221014004; Best before 14-04-2024) as the product did not comply with microbiological standards.
Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Countdown recalls Countdown brand Bone-in New Zealand Free Farmed Half Leg Ham (Various weights; Use by 27.02.23; Sold on 8 December until 12 December 2022) due to possible Listeria contamination.
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