This Week in Recalls – Kimchi Soup, Beef Jerky, and Pork Products

By: Heather Williams

Undeclared Allergen

An undeclared allergen recall is issued when the contents of a food product do not match the ingredients listed on the packaging. This poses a serious issue for those with food allergies and sensitivities, as they rely on complete information to make informed food decisions.  Key allergens, such as tree nuts and dairy, should be indicated with a warning label.

JFC International Inc.: Kimchi Hot Pot Soup Base

JFC International Inc. of Los Angeles, California issued a recallon February 1, 2018 for their Kimchi Hot Pot Soup Base due to the declared allergen, crustacean shellfish (shrimp and crab). Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to crustacean shellfish risk serious and life threatening allergic reaction if product is consumed.

The affected products were distributed between October 1, 2016 and January 31, 2018 to retail stores and food service operators in: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The following product is included in the recall:

Product: Daisho Kimchi Hot Pot Soup Basse

Size: 1.60lb

Barcode: 49 04621 04221 9

Lot Code: All lots

The recall was initiated due to a reported incident of an allergic reaction by a consumer who consumed the product.

Whip City Jerky, LLC: Beef Jerky Products

Whip City Jerky, LLC of Westfield, Massachusetts issued a recall on February 1, 2018 for approximately 1,391 pounds of beef jerky products due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk serious or life threatening allergic reaction if the product is consumed.

The affected products were produce on various dates between December 18, 2017 and January 31, 2018.  The affected products, identified with USDA number “EST. 00948M” were shipped to retail stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts as well as online and includes the following products:

• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY BBQ BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY BLACK PEPPERED CURRY BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021218, 021918, 022618, 030518, 031218 and 031918.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY CAJUN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY HAWAIIAN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY HOT ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY JALEPENO BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY LEMON PEPPER BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018 and 031718.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY MAPLE BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818, 021518, 022218, 030118, 030818, 031518 and 032218.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY MESQUITE BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018, 031718 and 032418.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818 through 032418.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY PLAIN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818, 030118, 030818, 031518 and 032218.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY RAGIN BUFFALO BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY REDHOT RUDOLPH BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018 and 031718.

The recall was initiated after routine Food Safety and Inspection Service routine verification activities discovered misbranding. There have been no reports of illness associated with this recall.

Health Alert

A health alert recall is issued when a product is not safe to consume.  This could be due to mechanical contamination, where a non-food item makes its way into the product.  This could also be due to biological or chemical contamination, where the product may be dangerous to consume.

Olymel S.E.C./L.P.: Raw Intact Pork Products

Olymel S.E.C./L.P. of Alberta, Canada issued a recall on February 6, 2018 for approximately 4,618 pounds of raw intact pork products due to a potential health hazard in that the products were imported from Canada and not presented for import re-inspection upon entry into the United States.

These raw pork products were produced on various dates between January 22, 2018 to February 5, 2018 and shipped to retail and restaurant locations in Oregon and Washington as well as exported to a Department of Defense Commissary in Japan.  The following products are included in the recall:

• 50-lb. cases containing “OLYMEL FRESH PORK BELLY SKINLESS” with case code of 0627F, a best before date of 02-19-2018 and Canada 270A.
• 26-lb. cases containing “OLYMEL FRESH PORK BACK RIBS” with a case code of 2952F, a best before date of 02-21-2018 and 02-22-2018 and Canada 270A.
• 74-lb. cases containing “OLYMEL FRESH PORK LEG” with a case code of 0112F, a best before date of 02-20-2018 and 02-21-2018 and Canada 270A.
• 61-lb. cases containing “OLYMEL PORK SIRLOIN BONELESS” with a case code of 4328F, a best before date of 02-21-2018 and Canada 270A.
• 61-lb. cases containing “OLYMEL FRESH PORK BELLY SKINLESS” with a case code of 0521F, a best before date of 01-29-2018 and 01-31-2018 and Canada 270A.
• 30-lb. cases containing “WILLAMETTE VALLEY MEAT COMPANY PORK FEET WHOLE” with USDA EST. 21134 and pack date of 1/30/18.

The recall was initiated after an FSIS import inspector identified the products were not subjected to inspection.  There have been no reports of illness in connection to the product at this time.

Guymon Extracts Inc.: Cooked Pork Products

Guymon Extracts Inc of Guymon, Oklahoma issued a recall on February 6, 2018 for approximately 4,202 pounds of fully cooked pork products due to the potential health hazard Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens.  These bacteria produce symptoms that range from mild diarrheal illness to muscle paralysis and death.

The products included in the recall were packaged on January 3, 2018 with USDA Establishment number 32161.  The products were sent to distribution centers and further distributed to California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Washington.  The recalled products include:

• 2.2 lb. – 10 polybag pillows packed in paper cartons containing “Pork Soup with Rendered Pork Fat (from bone)” with lot code 010218-1, a product code of 61306 and a best before date of Dec. 22, 2019.

The recall was initiated after an Enforcement Investigator and Analysis Officer conducting a Food Safety Assessment discovered the spore-forming bacteria.

At this time no illness has been reported in connection with this recall.  Questions may be directed to Atsushi Fujimori, President, Guymon Extracts Inc. at 580-338-2624.