Deibel Newsletter- December 2023
Elevated Lead Levels Lead to Investigation of Cinnamon Used in Applesauce Pouches
A recall and FDA public health alert has been issued for apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches after reports of acute lead exposure in children led to an investigation and finding of extremely high concentrations of lead in multiple product lots tested by health officials in North Carolina.?An FDA investigation into how such high levels of lead contaminated the product is ongoing.?However, since only products containing cinnamon had elevated levels of lead, FDA’s leading hypothesis is that cinnamon used in these recalled pouches is the likely source of contamination.?FDA is currently trying to collect and test samples of the cinnamon sourced from Ecuador that was used in the recalled products as well as screen incoming shipments of cinnamon from multiple countries for lead contamination.?
Know Your Suppliers to Protect Your Products
A supply chain Control Program assures that the ingredients, raw materials, and non-food chemicals you receive are safe and suitable for use.?Supplier control is an essential element of a preventive food safety system.?The program is built on ingredient specifications that are defined following a hazard analysis, criteria for supplier selection, a process for approving suppliers, development of supplier agreements, and verification activities to assure that the program is in place and effective.?
Salmonella Contaminated Dry Pet Food Causes Outbreak and Nationwide Recall
An outbreak caused by Salmonella Kiambu has been linked to dry pet food products distributed nationally.?Seven cases of illness affecting mainly children aged one year or less have been reported from multiple states since January 2023.?Retail product collected for routine testing by the South Carolina State Department of Agriculture was found positive for Salmonella and determined to be closely related?to the outbreak strain utilizing whole genome sequencing.?This finding led to a nationwide recall of several?brands of dry kibble produced at the manufacturing facility with a best by date before 10/31/2024.?While outbreaks associated with dry kibble products are infrequent, this new outbreak highlights the challenges associated with dry pet food production and the persistence of Salmonella in low-moisture products.
Salmonella?Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupe Products
A new outbreak involving imported whole cantaloupe and downstream sliced/cubed cantaloupe containing products contaminated with Salmonella was posted by CDC and FDA officials on November 17, 2023.?Currently, 99 individuals in the U.S. and 63 in Canada have reported illness.?Initially, whole genome sequencing showed that Salmonella Sundsvall was closely related genetically to the bacteria collected from those reporting illness.?Salmonella Soahanina and Oranienburg are now also identified as outbreak strains detected in imported products by Canadian officials.?Numerous whole and sliced/cubed cantaloupe-containing products have been recalled from major retailers across the U.S. and Canada.
Food Safety Training
New 2024 Course Dates!
Assure safe food production and compliance with FSMA regulations by providing the necessary training to your Food Safety staff. For pricing, registration, and more information on Food Safety Courses offered by Deibel Laboratories, including company-specific on-site and virtual courses, please contact [email protected] (785-320-7302) or visit www.DeibelLabs.com.
FSPCA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Training
Learn How to Become an FSVP Qualified Individual
January 16-18, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
April 16-18, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
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HACCP for the Food Industry
This course is accredited by the International HACCP Alliance
January 23-25, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
March 19-21, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
May 14-16, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
Micro 101?- Fundamentals of Microbiology for Food Industry Professionals
Learn the basics of food safety microbiology in?an innovative Lab/Lecture format, with interactive discussions as well as “virtual lab” demonstrations of standard FDA BAM detection assays.
February 6, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
April 3, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
Industrial Food Safety: Sanitation Operator Training
Instruction follows a standardized training program developed by the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI)
February 20-22, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
April 30 - May 2, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
Labeling Requirements for Foods and Beverages Marketed in the U.S.
Regulatory and Policy Essentials for Food Sector Professionals
March 5-7, 2024 - Live Virtual Course Offering
FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human?Food Training
Learn How to Become a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual
Food Ingredient Hazard Assessments - Published by Deibel Labs
A Hazard Analysis is the foundation of your food safety plan and considers food safety risks associated with ingredients as well as other areas of product production. Ingredient risk assessments identify hazards requiring a supply-chain applied control.
This essential guidance is written for any food processor requiring a Food Safety Plan in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Generally recognized hazards and suggestions for Preventive Controls by ingredient category are provided for use in developing a Food Safety Plan for your manufacturing facility.