Raw pet food producer hit with FDA Warning Letter

G & C Raw, LLC (G & C) needs to clean up its act according to a December 12, 2019 Warning Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

G & C is a manufacturer of raw pet food and is based in Versailles, Ohio.

FDA inspected the G & C manufacturing facility in April and May 2019, and found several instances of insanitary practices, potential for cross-contamination, inappropriate and uncontrolled thawing conditions for frozen ingredients, and inadequate preventative controls.

Some of the practices and deficiencies highlighted in the Warning Letter include:
1. Frozen beef hearts were set out at room temperature to thaw on April 22nd, and remained at room temperature until April 24th, when they were used in the manufacture of raw Beef Veggie and Fruit Dog Food. This extended exposure to room temperature would have allowed bacteria to proliferate in the raw beef hearts.
2. An employee wearing gloves lifted a barrelG that had been resting on the floor, grabbing the bottom of the barrel with one gloved hand. Without changing to a fresh pair of gloves, that employee then used both hands to handle the raw meat ingredients, potentially transfering contaminants from the floor to the ingredients
3. An employee was observed using a cell phone while weighing open containers of raw Beef Veggie and Fruit Dog Food. The employee continued to handle the raw dog food without changing to a fresh pair of gloves.
4. An employee used a hose connected to a processing area sink to wash down a van in the parking lot, then returned the hose to the processing area for inside use.
5. Two finished product samples collected during the inspection were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes, a human and animal pathogen. One environmental sample contained Listeria grayi and Listeria innocua, non-pathogenic species that are indicators of insanitary conditions.

In addition to the problems identified during the 2019 inspection, the Warning Letter also noted that G & C pet foods analyzed in 2018 by the Ohio Department of Agriculture were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes in one instance, and Salmonella in another.

While the contaminated products were recalled by the company, FDA considered this an indication of an ongoing problem.

The FoodBugLady weighs in

Some pet food bloggers, and many consumers, are inclined to give raw pet food manufacturers the benefit of the doubt whenever a product recall is announced or an enforcement action is undertaken against such a company by FDA.

“FDA is discriminating against raw pet food,” and “FDA is discriminating against small companies who can’t fight back,” are two rallying cries I have seen in recent years.

In my opinion and experience, this is nonsense.

Conditions such as those described in the Warning Letter issued to G & C would not be tolerated in the manufacture of human food, regardless of the size of the company. Equally, they should not be tolerated in the manufacture of pet food, regardless of whether the finished product is raw, canned, or kibble.

Insanitary practices are insanitary practices, no matter where they occur or by whom they are perpetrated. There is no excuse for sloppy handling, poor supervision of employees, or unsafe holding temperatures.

Anyone who undertakes to produce a commercial food for human or for animal use must bear full responsibility for the safety of the finished products.

Consumers should – and must – demand no less.

Recalls and Alerts: December 22 – 26, 2019

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.

United States

Food Safety Recall: Almark Foods expands its earlier product recall to include all hard-boiled eggs manufactured at the firm’s Gainesville, Georgia facility, including all retail, pillow pack, pouch pack, frozen diced, and protein kit products, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Recall: Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. recalls Trader Joe’s Egg Salad (6 oz; All Use By date codes up to and including 12/27/19; UPC 0066 6695) and Trader Joe’s Old Fashioned Potato Salad (20 oz; All Use By date codes up to and including 12/27/19; UPC 0032 1747) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Dierbergs Markets recalls various products containing hard-boiled eggs supplied by Almark Foods due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Reichel Foods Inc. recalls Pro2Snax To The Max Granny Apples /Hard Boiled Egg/Cheddar/Cashew & Craisin (UPC 649632001490) and Pro2Snax To The Max Gala Apples/Hard Boiled Egg/White Cheddar/Almond & Craisin (UPC 649632001483) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Great American Deli recalls GAD #114 Egg Salad Sandwich (4.8 oz; UPC 7-41431-00114-2) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Alert (Update): FDA warns that yellowfin tuna from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD with a production date in 2019 should not be consumed because it may have the potential to cause scombrotoxin fish poisoning. Tuna from this supplier could have been sold thawed or frozen; and could have been sold as ground tuna meat, poke cubes, steaks, or loins; this product could still be within its shelf life. Anyone who received tuna from this supplier should not sell, serve, or consume it and should discard it.

FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns G & C Raw, LLC, a producer of raw pet food, that an inspection of the company’s facilities revealed numerous instances of improper handling of raw ingredients and finished products as well as insanitary conditions during the production and packaging of the company’s raw pet food products. As of the date of the Warning Letter, the company has not responded adequately to FDA’s concerns.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Tosuta International Sales Ltd. recalls three varieties of Lander’s Australia Shortbread Cookies due to undeclared gluten, wheat and milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: D. Tyers Foods International Inc. recalls Casa Madaio brand Burrata cheese (250g; Lot #19337; Use by 12/20/2019) due to generic E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Cyril Chocolat recalls Cyril Chocolat brand Choco Black and White (250g; Best before 30/05/2020) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Jumbo Belgique recalls Jumbo Mini Burgers-Nuggets (140g; Lot #201494; Best before 16/01/2020) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Revi Food recalls Bouillon de Poisson “à l’Ostendaise” (700g; Expiry date 09/01/2020) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Industry recalls SoFine and ProTerra brands Chicken Sticks and Vegan Nuggets due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details on the recalled products.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Aldi recalls Cucina Green Pesto (190g; all lot codes) and Cucina Red Pesto (190g; all lot codes) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Wholemeal Bread Rolls (4-pack; Best before December 29, 2019, January 12, 2020, February 9, 2020, March 8, 2020) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Mini Burgers-Nuggets (140g; Lot #201494; Best before 16/01/2020) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (Austria): Broger Bregenzerwälder Fleischwaren GmbH & Co KG recalls Rosenspeck (all best before dates from 19.01.2020) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Fresh Concept recalls Saucisson au persil / parsley sausage (150g; various lot codes and Best Before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes.

Food Safety Recall (France): SAPRESTI TRAITEUR recalls SAPRESTI TRAITEUR brand Tourbillon de bloc de foie gras de canard et figues (135g; sold between 20/12/2019 and 23/12/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany) Märsch Importhandels-GmbH recalls Ja! Mandeln gehackt / chopped almonds (100g; Best before 25.06.20) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Singapore): Cold Storage Singapore (1983) Pte Ltd. recalls Waitrose Basil Pesto Green (190g) and Waitrose Pesto Tomato (190g) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert (Israel): Ruledin food importers Ltd. recalls chocolate flavored cream coated sweet waffle (40 x 18g; Expiry dates 21/8/20, 22/8/20, 23/8/20; Product of Turkey) due to undeclared milk.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Daly Potato Company recalls Daly Potato Company Bacon and Dijon Gourmet Potato Salad (Use By 08/01/2020) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Recalls and Alerts: October 22 – 25, 2018

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United States

Allergy Alert: New Seasons Market recalls New Seasons Market Hot & Sour Broth (24 oz; All Best Before dates; UPC 840600108672) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Shirley’s Cookie Company Inc. recalls Chocolate Whoopie Pie (16-oz clear, plastic pkg; Batch code 227256; Freezer sell by 9/1/19; UPC 4149710692) due to undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was supplied to Weis Markets.

Food Safety Recall: Sirob Imports, Inc. recalls Corrado, Orlando Imports, Nouri’s Syrian Bakery, Mediterranean Specialty Foods Brand and Butera Fruit Market Curry Powder because it contains elevated levels of lead. Please refer to the recall notice for additional information regarding the recalled products.

Pet Food Safety Recall: G & C Raw, LLC recalls all G & C Raw Dog Foods and G & C Raw Cat Foods due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed by G & C Raw, LLC through direct delivery in OH, MI, IN, PA, KY, NC, TN, SC, GA, and IL.

Canada

Allergy Alert: les aliments Snacktonik (Québec, QC) recalls various Croque la Vie brand snack bars due to undeclared peanuts, milk, nuts and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Boucherie Jacques Beaulieu inc. (Québec, QC) recalls various sausages due to undeclared sesame seeds, mustard seed, egg and sulfites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Original Foods Ltd. recalls Original Foods brand Marshmallow Brooms and MallowBats due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: AJ International Trading (2372761 Ontario Inc.) recalls various Qingchun brand and Wulama brand products due to undeclared sesame, wheat and gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: SK Food Group recalls Jenny Craig brand Chicken BBQ Wrap (128g; All Best Before dates from 2018 OC 31 up to and including 2019 OC 04; UPC 6 55447 10618 3) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: McCain Foods (Canada) recalls various McCain brand frozen products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): PepsiCo BeLux recalls Duyvis Crac a Nut Paprika (200 g; Best before 08/06/2019; Lot #08/06/19 248 NLZ08) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (France): E. Leclerc recalls Biovillage brand Salade Quinoa fruits sec (200g; Lot #829201; Best before 04/11/2018) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Iceland): Noah Síríus recalls Síríus brand Cream chocolate with salted crisp chips and sea salt (Lot #L1868; Best before 04 January, 2020) due to undeclared hazelnuts.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Four Seasons Sesame Paste Tahini (800g; Batch 114; Best before March 2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): PepsiCo recalls Duyvis Crac a Nut Paprika (200 g; Best before 08/06/2019; Lot #08/06/19 248 NLZ08) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): ASDA recalls ASDA Frozen Smooth Mashed Potato (900g; Lot #18151; Best before 31 May 2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): Waitrose recalls Waitrose Normandy Pork Casserole (700g; Use by 29 October 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): The Grocer Ltd recalls The Grocer Spinach and Broccoli Soup (400g; All dates up to and including 26 October 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (France): Natur’avenir recalls Natur’avenir brand Soupe lentilles corail cumin (640g; Lot #A260 1; Best before 03/2020) because of signs of microbial growth linked to inadequate sterilization.

Food Safety Recall (France): Candia recalls Candia Baby Croissance 4 (20-36mois) (24 x 25cL pkg; Lot #18206F; Expiry 21/01/19 F) due to contamination with an enterobacter that could trigger digestive upset.

Food Safety Recall (France): Tout va bien recalls Cora brand Pizza Chorizo et Poivrons (450g; Best before 20/09/18, 25/09/18, 01/10/18, 04/10/18) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls J. Barbé B.V. brand Moules de Hollande (various package sizes; Lot #L502113; Best before 21/10/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Martin Amberger Kartoffelverarbeitung Dolli-Werk GmbH & Co. KG recalls Feldmühle Röstiteig (Best before 16.10.2018 –06.11.2018) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Supervalu and Centra recall Supervalu Signature Tastes Irish Chicken and Wild Mushroom Pie and Inspired By Centra Irish Chicken and Wild Mushroom Pie due to foreign matter (small bones) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for additional product details.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): PEDON S.p.A. recalls MISTO 5 CEREALI C’E’ DI BUONO (500g; Expiry 31/07/20 – 01/08/20) due to Bacillus cereus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): PEDON S.p.A. recalls IN FORMA -CARREFOUR brand MIX 5 CEREALI PRECOTTI (500g; Expiry 29/02/20) due to Bacillus cereus contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Food safety authorities announce recall of Healthy Powerfood, Sprossenmanufaktur brand products containing alfalfa sprouts (All best before dates up to 29.10.2018; Product of Germany) due to Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Auchan recalls various Atelier Blini brand products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK): CSM Bakery Solutions recalls 18 Chocolate Cornflake Cluster Mini Bites (18 pieces/pkg; Lot #18 285; Best before 09 February 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Israel): ECO- Wire Investments Ltd. recalls GFREE brand frozen gluten-free dumplings with potato and onion filling (250g; Batch L- 31000394; Expiry 30.12.19; Manufactured by GLotenzro Finland Oy) due to undeclared gluten.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): World Brand Importers recalls Gourmet Shreds Cheddar (200g; Best Before 27/03/2019) and Gourmet Shreds Pizza (200g; Best Before 26/03/2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Jimmy’s Pies Ltd recalls Jimmy’s brand Mince Pie and Jimmy’s brand Mince and Cheese Pie (170g; All batches up to and including number 8250) due to undeclared monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Moana New Zealand recalls Hoki Smoke Ltd Tuna Steaks Smoked (All sizes; Use By 12/10/18) due to elevated histamine level.