NY Firm Recalls Brain Tonic Due to Botulism Concern

Liquid Blenz Corp of Rockville Center, NY is recalling all codes of Good Brain Tonic because of Botulism potential.  The Botulism potential was discovered through analysis by the Cornell Food Venture Center and field testing by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors.

Comments:  In products such as this, pH is generally the critical factor for controlling C. botulinum growth.  If the pH was not sufficiently low,  it would result in a botulism concern.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/liquid-blenz-corp-recalls-product-due-possible-health-risk
Liquid Blenz Corp. Recalls Product Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: April 06, 2026
FDA Publish Date: April 14, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Carbonated Soft Drinks
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness -Botulism
Company Name:  Liquid Blenz Corp
Brand Name:  Good Brain Tonic
Product Description:  Good Brain Tonic 16 oz & 32 oz

USDA Issues Health Alert for Meat Products with Undeclared Sesame Allergen Associated with Sesame Oil

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for raw beef and pork products produced by Sky Ranch Meat LLC of Jessup, MD, due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The products may contain sesame, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.   The problem was discovered by FSIS personnel during a routine label review. FSIS personnel noticed the use of sesame oil in the products, but sesame was not declared as an ingredient on the label.

Comment - While highly refined oils such as soybean oil do not contain soy allergens, sesame oil can contain sesame allergen. From FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education):

"Studies show that most people with specific food protein allergies can safely eat highly refined oils made from those foods (examples include highly refined peanut and soybean oil). However, sesame oil is not highly refined and should be avoided by people who are allergic to sesame."

A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-beef-and-pork-products-due-misbranding-and
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-beef-and-pork-products-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef and Pork Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

FDA Publishes Investigation Report on 2025 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mangos

FDA listed a Salmonella outbreak linked to mangos on its Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Table (12/3/25) where 56 cases were reported. A recall was not issued. The investigation identified one importer / distributor, but because of the difficulty associated with the supply chain, investigators were not able to pinpoint the source. The investigation was closed.

There has been some pushback on FDA because the report was heavily redacted (see below), leaving out information on the the company that was involved.

https://www.fda.gov/media/191770/download
Salmonella Saintpaul/Mango/Nov 2025 - CARA ID 1353

USDA Retracts Health Alert for Lead in Chicken Nuggets After Additional Testing Finds Initial Testing Error

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is retracting the public health alert issued on April 1, 2026, for Walmart Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets with “Best If Used By” date “Feb 10 2027” produced by Dorada Foods after confirming that the product does not pose a public health concern.

The public health alert was originally issued based on routine surveillance sampling conducted by the New York State Department of Public Health that indicated elevated trace levels of lead.  Additional sampling was conducted by the New York State Department of Public Health and the producing establishment, Dorada Foods. As part of that process, the original lot of product was tested as well as additional lots.

All follow‑up testing, including testing of the original lot, found no elevated levels of lead in the product.  FSIS subsequently reviewed the underlying laboratory data in coordination with the New York State Department of Health and determined that the initial result was a false positive, caused by sporadic lead contamination at the laboratory during analysis, not contamination of the product itself. Follow up testing confirmed no elevated levels of lead were present in any of the products tested.

Comment - The initial alert was posted on April 1...April Fools Day.  Seriously, this had been a head-scratcher looking at the ingredients that were used and the levels.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-dinosaur-shaped-ready-eat-chicken-nuggets-due
FSIS Retracts Public Health Alert for Frozen, Ready-to-Eat Chicken Nuggets Due to Updated Laboratory Result

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is retracting the public health alert issued on April 1, 2026, for Walmart Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets with “Best If Used By” date “Feb 10 2027” produced by Dorada Foods after confirming that the product does not pose a public health concern.

PA Convenience Store Recalls Bottled Drinks Due to Potential Allergen Cross-Contact

Wawa, of Media PA, is recalling its 16 oz pints of Wawa Iced Tea Lemon, Wawa Iced Tea Diet Lemon, Wawa Diet Lemonade and Wawa Fruit Punch produced by the Wawa Beverage Company for sale in a limited number of Wawa stores located in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia because they may contain an undeclared milk allergen.   The recall was initiated after Wawa identified and corrected a temporary equipment issue that may have resulted in the presence of an undeclared milk allergen in these products.

Comment:  This would be categorized as potential allergen cross-contact.  Most allergen-related recalls are due to mislabeling.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Wawa’s primary concern is always for the health and safety of our customers and associates. In the public’s interest, we have removed this product from sales at all of the impacted stores and activated this recall.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wawa-issues-product-recall-16-oz-wawa-brand-iced-tea-lemon-iced-tea-diet-lemon-diet-lemonade-and
Wawa Issues Product Recall on 16-oz. Wawa Brand Iced Tea Lemon, Iced Tea Diet Lemon, Diet Lemonade and Fruit Punch Due to Possible Undeclared Milk Allergen
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 03, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 03, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Wawa
Brand Name:  Wawa
Product Description:  Iced Tea Lemon, Iced Tea Diet Lemon, Diet Lemonade and Fruit Punch

PA Firm Recalls Chocolates After Product Mix-up Leads to Undeclared Nut Allergens

Karns Foods, Mechanicsburg, PA, is voluntarily recalling its approximate 8-ounce packages of "Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups" because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the peanut-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts as an active ingredient. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

Comment:  This is a mispackaging issue where likely, some peanut containing chocolates were mixed in the with the dark chocolate raspberry cups.   Operations handling multiple chocolates have to have controls in place to properly identify and segregate different chocolates to prevent this type of product mix-up.

The recalled "Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups" were distributed to Karns Foods locations in Pennsylvania.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/karns-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-mini-dark-chocolate-raspberry-cups-due-undeclared-peanuts
Karns Foods Issues Voluntary Recall of Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups Due to Undeclared Peanuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 02, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 03, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared peanut allergen
Company Name:  Karns Foods
Brand Name: Karns Foods
Product Description:  Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups

CA Firm, Under Protest, Voluntarily Recalls Cheese Linked to E. coli Outbreak

Raw Farm, Fresno CA, has decided to voluntarily recall cheese product that FDA and CDC have linked to an E. coli outbreak.   CDC had initially posted this on February 16, 2026.  At that time, the report stated that there were 10 cases.  As of March 30, there agencies are stating that there are 9 cases that are linked to the cheese.   The company had declined to recall product stating their product was not involved, but on April 2, the company recalled the product under protest.

"Of the eight (8) people interviewed, seven (7) had brand information available. One (1) person drank raw milk but didn’t know the brand. Of the seven (7) people interviewed who knew a brand, seven (7) (100%) reported RAW FARM-brand dairy products. In 2026, five (5) people reported consuming or being served RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese. In 2025, two (2) sick people reported consuming RAW FARM-brand raw milk. Affected RAW FARM-brand raw milk from 2025 should no longer be for sale."

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 9 

Hospitalizations: 3

HUS: 1

Deaths: 0

Last Illness Onset: February 20, 2026

States with Cases: CA, FL, TX

Product Distribution: Nationwide

Comment:  FDA can recall product, but it is better for the company to voluntarily recall product where they can more control over that recall process.  In this case, the product may already be off the store shelf, however with many of the shelf life dates extending from May until September, some of this product may still be in people's refrigerators.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall
Voluntary Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 02, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 02, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – E. coli
Company Name:  Raw Farm
Brand Name:  RAW FARM
Product Description:  Raw milk cheddar cheese, shredded and block
Company Announcement

• No pathogens have been found in RAW FARM-brand cheese products.
• No pathogens have been found in FDA samples collected directly or samples collected by state Health Department officials.
• RAW FARM continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA.
• This Voluntary Recall is being performed under protest.
• This Voluntary Recall is performed as a path forward.

NY Firm Recalls Processed Garlic Cloves for C. botulinum Concern

Tops Friendly Markets of Williamsville, NY is recalling all codes of Christopher Ranch Peeled Garlic and Garland Peeled Garlic because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum due to the product being kept at insufficient temperatures.  This issue was discovered during a routine store inspection where it was observed that the recalled product was not held at sufficient temperatures to control the hazard. There are no known illnesses to date.

Comment:  Spores of Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism, can be associated with items from the soil such as garlic.  Once garlic is processed, it may create conditions for C. botulinum growth and toxin production, so there must be conditions that prohibit this such as refrigeration and/or preservatives.

Studies  and past history has shown that chopped garlic in oil can be problematic.

Outgrowth and Toxin Production by Clostridium botulinum in Bottled Chopped Garlic (1988)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X22089980

However, this occurred when stored in oil. 

Product was distributed through Tops Markets in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. 

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tops-issues-recall-christopher-ranch-peeled-garlic-garland-fresh-peeled-garlic-because-possible
Tops Issues Recall of Christopher Ranch Peeled Garlic & Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 01, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 01, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Clostridium Botulinum
Company Name:  Tops Friendly Markets
Brand Name:  Christopher Ranch, Garland
Product Description:  Peeled Garlic

FSPCA Releases Training Curriculum for the FDA Food Traceability Rule

FSPCA released the training curriculum (including manual) for understanding and complying with the Food Traceability Rule. The training was developed with input from FDA. "This curriculum was developed to support the food industry in understanding and meeting the requirements of the FDA’s Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods, or Food Traceability Rule (FTR)."

The manual is available online at no cost. It can be found here:
https://www.fspca.net/_files/ugd/38787b_aebc868b0c2a4ca39c60bb89ee19a41f.pdf

What I find useful in the training is the examples that are provided.  For manufacturing operations, much of the information required to be captured is already part of normal lot tracking protocols.  It can be more of a challenge at the farm level and for those who are distributing from that level.

USDA Issues Health Alert for Elevated Lead Levels in Frozen Breaded Dino Shaped Chicken Nuggets

Update - Alert Cancelled on April 6, 2026 - https://pennfsqa.blogspot.com/2026/04/usda-retracts-health-alert-for-lead-in.html

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead.   The product was produced by Dorada Foods, Ponca City, OK on Feb. 10, 2026 for the Great Value brand.  The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner.

Comment - There was nothing in the FSIS news release regarding the amount of lead present or which ingredient may be responsible.  

Ingredients listed: Chicken breast with rib meat, water, wheat flour, textured soy protein concentrate, contains 2% or less of: caramelized sugar, dried garlic, dried onion, extractives of paprika (color), food starch, maltodextrin, salt, sodium phosphates, spices, sugar, sunflower oil, yeast, yeast extract, yellow corn flower, breading set in vegetable oil.

In January of 2025, FDA released their action levels for lead in food intended for infants and young children: Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Lead in Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children (January 2025)

"The action levels for processed foods intended for babies and young children are as follows:

• 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain- and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats;
• 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables;  and
• 20 ppb for dry infant cereals."

A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.


USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-dinosaur-shaped-ready-eat-chicken-nuggets-due
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Frozen, Dinosaur-Shaped, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Nuggets Due To Traces Of Lead

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.