Let's just dive straight into "The Dirty Truth"... Round 2
- A report came out this week regarding the condition of the Boar's Head facility that is under scrutiny regarding the current deli meat recall.
I thought I was shocked by the Abbott formula company reports...
Boar's Head is nearly the same...
ICYMI + Updates - Boar's Head Deli Meat Recall
Boar's Head deli meats have come under fire after a Listeria outbreak led to a big recall in late July. The recall involved several products, sparking concerns over food safety. A recent CBS News report uncovered shocking conditions at the processing facility, including leaks, mold, mildew, and bugs—disturbing findings for a place handling Ready-To-Eat meats.
Maybe even more shocking?.. Boar's Head has 69 instances of noncompliance and concern documented over the last year...
View the list of impacted products here:
"A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report detailing significant sanitation failures at a Boar’s Head meat processing facility in Jarratt, VA, has revealed significant sanitation issues. This revelation comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor the Listeria outbreak linked to the company’s deli meats. The inspection report, obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, documents 69 instances of noncompliance observed by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors between Aug. 1, 2023, and Aug. 2, 2024."
Boar's Head has recently released a statement on this which can be found in full here:
In the most recent update, Boar's Head acknowledges the pain they have caused in this debacle...
"Updated: August 29, 2024
To Our Valued Consumers:
"We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness. We are conducting an extensive investigation, working closely with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, as well as with the industry’s leading food safety experts, to determine how our liverwurst produced at our Jarratt, Virginia facility was adulterated and to prevent it from happening again. Production has been paused at our Jarratt, Virginia facility since we initiated the expanded recall in late July. We will not resume operations at this facility until we are confident that it meets USDA regulatory standards and Boar’s Head’s highest quality and safety standards."
When I first heard of this recall and the concerns, I never imagined hearing reports of such horrendous conditions. & while it seems the concern is genuine, WHY did it take this type of outbreak to change ways? To actually seem to care? 69 violations in 1 year is A LOT.... especially when you look at the type of violations we are seeing... These unsanitary conditions have been connected to an outbreak that has resulted in 57 hospitalizations across 18 states and nine deaths.
As my lovely friends at Food Safety News shared, some of the key findings from the inspection report included:
Below is a list of some of the violations found at the Boar’s Head Jarratt plant:
Aug. 3, 2023: Inspectors found heavy discolored meat buildup on a hydraulic pump and meat particles in injection needles. The area emitted a strong odor, and inspectors observed meat, wood pieces, and plastic debris on the floor.
Aug. 25, 2023: Beaded condensation was found along the doorframe of a cooler in the Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Packaging Department. This could lead to contamination of products stored in the cooler.
Sept. 22, 2023: Inspectors found meat residue on food contact surfaces within the Stitch Pump department, including in tank hoppers and on injector needles. A drain in a saddle tank was also clogged with meat, creating an unsanitary condition.
Nov. 7, 2023: An inspection revealed that five HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) documents had discrepancies in thermometer calibration, posing a risk to food safety.
Jan. 9, 2024: A black mold-like substance was found throughout the holding cooler between the smokehouses and stitch pump. The affected areas ranged in size from small spots to several feet in diameter.
Feb. 21, 2024: Multiple combos in the Raw Receiving cooler were found saturated with blood and heavily soiled, with a rancid odor permeating the area.
March 13, 2024: Inspectors observed significant buildup of meat protein and trash in the Inedible Room #2, along with improperly handled inedible products, including whole pork muscles left inside stainless-steel vats.
March 20, 2024: A product tree of Boar’s Head Brand Bologna in the RTE department’s Equalization Cooler #2 was missing proper ID tags or labeling, leading to concerns about product traceability.
May 20, 2024: The Frank Stuffing Department was found with white meat residue covering multiple areas of the floor, a backed-up drain causing overflow, and pieces of meat embedded in production lines.
June 7, 2024: Three metal product tree racks in the New Gourmet staging area were found with meat residue from prior production on their food contact surfaces.
ICYMI: Cucumber Recall + TikTok Trend
According to the FDA website, "The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup infections with 449 illnesses in 31 states and the District of Columbia." "Laboratory, epidemiological, and traceback data have determined that cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Thomas Produce Company, of Boca Raton, Florida, are likely sources of illnesses in this outbreak; however, these growers do not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak."
"Additional types of Salmonella were detected in both soil and water samples collected at both Bedner Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company. Multiple other strains of Salmonella, unrelated to this outbreak investigation, found at Bedner Growers, Inc. matched clinical isolates from illnesses in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database that occurred in previous years. CDC and FDA are working to determine whether other positive samples from Thomas Produce Company match historical clinical isolates."
One common thing I have seemed to notice.... many of these companies have had concerns documented in the past. Why didn't things change??
Cinnamon Updates!
Remember when the Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches were recalled due to elevated lead levels?....
I have previously mentioned this cinnamon recall and issue going on:
Cinnamon: ALB-USA Enterprises, Inc. of Bronx, NY is recalling ALB Flavor brand Cinnamon Powder, because it potentially contaminated with elevated levels of lead. ALB Flavor brand Ground Cinnamon was distributed to retailers located in New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Massachusetts, between 12/15/2022 and 05/13/2024. The product hasn’t been sold online. The product is branded under the ALB FLAVOR name and is packaged in a plastic bag with a net weight of 100 grams. It features a brown carton packaging with an image of cinnamon powder and two cinnamon sticks centered at the bottom. On the back, you'll find information about the product's origin, a description, a QR code for recipes, the UPC 5304000333362, the Best Before date of 30/08/2025, and the Lot number LA02.
Over the last weeks, these brands have been added to this recall as well:
Asli Fine Foods of Woodridge, IL is recalling Asli Cinnamon Powder 7 oz, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Lead, Product was distributed MN, IN, IL, MO & OH it reached consumers through retail stores. Product description: plastic bag 7oz Asli Cinnamon Powder LOT# DDDLUS UPC# 703440150723
Company Announcement
A previous press release was issued 08/19/2024. This updated press release includes information on the addition of Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon to the recall. Gutierrez Distributor of Passaic, NJ is recalling El Servidor Corp and Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. El Servidor Corp ground cinnamon was distributed to retail stores in New York starting on January 14, 2024. Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon was sold to cash and carry customers. The product comes in a 1.5-ounce clear plastic bag.
Previous Release:
Gutierrez Distributor of Passaic, NJ is recalling El Servidor Corp brand ground cinnamon because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. El Servidor Corp ground cinnamon was distributed to retail stores in New York starting on January 14, 2024.
The product comes in a 1.5-ounce clear plastic bag. The recall was the result of a sample analysis conducted by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The Company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.
El Chilar HF, LLC on 03/06/2024 issued a recall of Lots # D-300 EX1024 and F272 EX1026, contained in 127 boxes (12 bags/box) of El Chilar “Cinnamon Ground” (1.25 oz bag), because it may contain traces of lead. Further investigation indicates that the issue could be caused by a potentially adulterated raw material from the supplier. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) collected samples in February 2024 from Lot: E-054, EX 0225 and D-181, EX 0624 El Chilar Ground Cinnamon, which tested high in lead. These additional lots of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon have been added to the original recall.
The additional lots of El Chilar brand ground cinnamon, LOTS: E-054, EX 0225 and D-181, EX 0624 have been recalled from retail and wholesale outlets However, there is the possibility that consumers could have that product in stock at home. Consumers are urged to stop using it immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Parents, guardians, and caregivers of infants and young children who may have been exposed to lead should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. Consumers with questions may contact EL CHILAR HF, LLC at 407-880-6007, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST) The product was distributed by La Raza LLC, 8795 D'Arcy Rd, Forestville, MD 20747, which distributes to brick-and-mortar retail stores in the state of Maryland. To date, no illnesses have been reported.
Remember, when in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to food safety. Stay safe and stay informed!
Netflix released a documentary in 2023, titled,
"Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food"
This documentary is based on a book, Poisoned, The Deadly E.Coli Outbreak That Changed The Way Americans Eat. by Jeff Benedict https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16057390-poisoned
This film also recently received a nomination for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary for the 45th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards!
The documentary follows various foodborne illness outbreaks, primarily focusing on the last 30 years. It specifically starts by talking about a deadly and multi-state E.coli outbreak that occurred in 1992-1993. I was ~2 and 1/2 years old👶 & while you’ll learn that there were some “good things” gained from the horrible experience… (I won't *spoil* anything for those who haven't had a chance to tune in yet!)
We are FAR from “out of the woods” when it comes to food safety here in the USA..😞
That’s painful to admit.🥴
I now have a 3 year old son, myself.👩👦 As we can see from above, he has already lived through some major food recalls including the Similac / Abbott Nutrition infant formula Recall in 2022, the Hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen fruits. listeria linked to sliced meats, salmonella & listeria linked to a variety of vegetables.... These are foods consumed daily/weekly by my kids. And quite frankly, I am becoming scared…😞😫
- WHEN is it going to change?!
This documentary features outbreaks of (scroll to the bottom to learn a bit more about each of these, including signs & symptoms and common sources!)
E. coli 0157
Salmonella
Campylobacter (not a major focus, but is mentioned)
Cronobacter sakazakii (not mentioned during this documentary, but the foodborne illness 'germ' that changed my trajectory .. just as many of these individuals describe as well. I will always share about this one)
As we travel through the evolution and time of recent major foodborne illness outbreaks, we also meet some of my favorite players in the food safety arena. These are the folks who have been on the ground, pushing for better. Pushing for more.
These include (not a complete list of all who are featured in this documentary*):
Bill Marler - food safety attorney and advocate. He has been involved in every recall mentioned in this film, representing those who have been injured or impacted by foodborne illness. You'll get to know him in this film. His work is pretty incredible.
Rosa DeLauro - Congresswomen and U.S. Representative from Connecticut, & one who is truly out in front when it comes to representing food safety & policy!
Marion Nestle - molecular biologist and author (Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety, Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health), a wonderful advocate exposing the science and politics that often play roles.
Darin Detwiler - father turned food safety advocate and professor, following the loss of his own son to a foodborne illness. He now teaches our next generations about food safety, food policy, and nutrition in this type of manner!
Frank Yiannas - recently retiring from his role as FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food and Policy and Response, Mr. Yiannas has been in front of the Oversight Committee, discussing roles the FDA played in the infant formula recall and shortage specifically. While his responses were somewhat limited in this documentary, I was impressed when he walked into Hearing #1 with tangible, real life changes to make and concerns to address (so far, the "best" testimony in the Hearings in that sense)
The “world’s safest food supply” shouldn’t look like this.
Many of the secrets and covered up topics discussed, are exactly on par with what we have experienced during the infant formula recall and subsequent shortage. Learning these secrets during that experience has completely reshaped and refocused the trajectory of my career. and my life. Not unlike many of these key players mention in this film themselves.. It must change. We simply cannot wait another 30 years.. I refuse to have my son take my place in this fight. I refuse to hand this down to our children. We are not going away. We are not going to stop until the American food supply truly is the "world's safest food supply".
💔🍓🗣️🥬😞🍍👎🏼🥭😟🧀😩
Now, as Bill Marler says, “I think you just have to keep fighting the battles that are in front of you, and I still think there are things more to do... so I guess I got to get busy”
**special shoutout to all who contributed to this documentary! Thank you all so much!!
& @rosa_delauro - I think I want to be you when I grow up 👏🏼❤️🤩🍓
Here is another great deep dive on the documentary!
Alright, so before we end this one, let's leave you all with some information about these germs.. Learn more about these foodborne illnesses below:
| Symptoms | Onset | Common Foods/ Contamination Sources | Impact | Extra Facts |
E. Coli 0157 | Diarrhea (often severe, may be bloody), abdominal cramps, pain, fatigue, nausea ; Severe complication = Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure & death | Can release a toxin that damages lining of intestines' Typical symptom onset = 3-4 days, can be 1-14 days ; Symptoms often last ~2 weeks | Leafy Greens (Spinach, lettuce, sprouts, etc.), apple juice / cider, undercooked meats (cattle, deer, sheep), salami, unpasteurized milk, contaminated water ; person - to- person | ~70,000 cases of this particular type of E.Coli are reported each year. | Approx. 8% of E.Coli 0157 infections leads to HUS ; Can release a toxin (shiga toxin) that damages the lining of the intestines'. Can be killed in proper cooking methods / heat |
Salmonella | Abdominal cramps, pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chills, headache | Often ~8-72 hours following exposure (1-3 days) but can be 6 hours up to 6 days ; Symptoms often last ~4-10 days | Chicken, eggs, poultry, meat (especially raw/ undercooked), contaminated water | 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, 420 deaths per year | Some strains of Salmonella can result in Typhoid Fever, a deadly disease This is one illness that is getting some attention as discussed in the documentary - it's about time! |
Campylobacter | Diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, headache | Usually 2-5 days, anywhere from 1-10 days; Symptoms often last ~3-6 days | Usually 2-5 days, anywhere from 1-10 days; Symptoms often last ~3-6 days | Death is *relatively* rare unless in very high risk group -> is associated with higher risk of Guillian-Barre Syndrome, Sepsis, and additional, serious medical complications | Can be killed through heating and proper cooking methods; While death is reported to be "rare", infection in children under the age of 2 is fairly frequent and does have an increased risk of death/ complications |
Cronobacter sakazakii | Fatigue, poor feeding, fever, excessive crying, irritability, abnormal body movements/ jerking ; Can lead to serious complications such as Meningitis, Sepsis, and seizures | Likely to onset within hours on ingestion (~4-8 hours is typical) | Germ found naturally in the world, prefers dry places. Thrives in foods such as powdered formulas, powdered milk, herbal teas, starch based foods | A study in 2020 found that ~20% of infants who develop Meningitis or another blood-infection due to Cronobacter, died. This study also noted this to be 40% worldwide | Proper storage and preparation of these foods can aid in helping reduce transmission This foodborne illness will become a Reportable Illness (mandatory to report) in 2024! |
It should NOT be common practice for a simple food item, a basic need of ours... to turn into the very thing that is killing us. These germs are there. And we MUST demand more, demand better... for OUR SAFETY..
❤❤
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Jessica Enderle, R.D., L.D.
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