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More than a dozen companies have recalled millions of pounds of potentially contaminated food in recent days, posing a new challenge for food producers facing a tough scrutiny of the US food supply.
Food manufacturers across the country recall nearly 4 million pounds of food shipped to grocery stores and distributors nationwide, after a Canadian supplier recalled vegetables used as ingredients in their food. The US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration has announced the opening of an investigation as vegetables could be contaminated with salmonella and listeria.
Food companies face costly recalls and increased outbreaks of food-borne illnesses in several states this year, thanks in part to advances in the detection of pathogens. The new regulations also require that US farmers and food processors act more to prevent foodborne illness.
"We are trying to protect public health," said a spokeswoman for the USDA's food safety inspection service, which is investigating the latest cases of possible contamination by the FDA.
Bakkavor Foods USA Inc., a convenience foods company, recalled Sunday nearly 800,000 pounds of meat and poultry products because they contain an onion-based ingredient that could be contaminated. by pathogens. Products include a chicken pizza, a breakfast burrito and other items that have been shipped to retailers nationwide, according to the USDA.
Bakkavor's recall follows that of salad manufacturers sold at Whole Foods,
Walmart
Inc.
and Trader Joe's. The Texas-based Ruiz Food Products Inc. on Friday recalled nearly 2.5 million pounds of meat and poultry taquitos that had been shipped to distributors across the country due to concerns about onions, announced the USDA.
Ruiz Food Products has stated that it has found no evidence of bacterial contamination. She "remains committed to the quality of food, the health and safety of its consumers," said Rachel Cullen, Executive Director of the company.
Other food manufacturers have recalled food products, fearing that pathogens may have contaminated ingredients, including corn and other vegetables.
Corn, onions and other vegetables were produced by McCain Foods USA Inc., a division of the Canadian manufacturer McCain Foods. The company announced that it voluntarily recalled all products made in a California plant after discovering a potential health risk associated with its frozen, caramelized or fried frozen fruits and vegetables.
"We take our commitment to food safety very seriously and work tirelessly to maintain the highest standards of quality in our manufacturing processes," said a spokesperson for the company.
Last week, Hy-Vee Inc., a Midwest supermarket chain, recalled six meat and potato products in eight states due to possible contamination. Hy-Vee said it recalled baked potatoes, ground beef chips and other products made from caramelized mushrooms and fire-roasted tomatoes produced by McCain.
No disease has been linked to food, announced Friday the USDA. The agency warned consumers not to eat any of the recalled products. Some products pose an additional risk to consumers because they are "ready to eat", which means they do not require cooking, a step that can kill pathogens.
Listeria is a life-threatening bacterium that generally does not cause serious illness in healthy people, but poses a threat to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Salmonella causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most people recover without treatment, but the disease can be fatal in children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
Write to Jesse Newman at [email protected]
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