FDA Issues Warning Letter to Airline Catering Operation

FDA Issued a Warning Letter to a Austrian based airline caterer with operations in the United States (New York and Detroit) citing significant sanitation issues and widespread concerns with Listeria findings in RTE finished products and on direct food-contact surfaces in several facilities.

This is a lengthy report that cites numerous GMP issues and the lack of Listeria control, but to note, FDA stated "In [the] New York facility, ten (10) FDA environmental swabs were positive for L. monocytogenes during the 2025 inspection in areas in close proximity to food contact surfaces and in high-traffic areas, including, legs of a processing area table, floor surfaces within processing areas, floor surfaces beneath cooling units, a tilt skillet leg, and the wheels of rolling racks."

Certainly makes you rethink eating food during flights.  Good thing for those of use stuck in the cheap seats, we only get packaged pretzels.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/doco-aktiengesellschaftdoco-inc-717773-03302026
DO&CO Aktiengesellschaft/DO&CO, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 717773 — March 30, 2026

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Importers for Issues with FSVP

FDA issued a Warning Letter to four food importers for FSVP failures. Importers of food must comply with FSVP requirements.

Great One Trading Inc., Brooklyn, NY
MARCS-CMS 728716 — April 24, 2026
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the foods imported, including each of the following foods:
Fresh Soy Chip imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4).
White Lotus Seed Paste w/Yolks Mooncake imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
Sesame Tapioca Cracker imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/great-one-trading-inc-728716-04242026

Sahara Enterprise Inc. Philadelphia, PA
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the foods imported, including each of the following foods:
1. DRY DOUGH MIX (phyllo dough) imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
2. CANDY (Turkish delight) imported from (b)(4), located in (b)(4).
3. BAKLAVA imported from (b)(4) located in (b)(4).
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/sahara-enterprise-inc-728927-04292026

Baja Fresko Distributors Inc.Norco, CA 92860
MARCS-CMS 725781 — March 27, 2026
Did not develop an FSVP for any of the foods Imported, including each of the following foods:
(b)(4) Squash, imported from, (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
Cucumbers, imported from, (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
Husk Tomatoes imported from, (b)(4), located in (b)(4)
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/baja-fresko-distributors-inc-725781-03272026

JMT Inter LLC Middletown, DE
MARCS-CMS 718661 — February 19, 2026

From the report:  "During our inspection, you indicated you choose to comply with the requirements for very small importers and may meet the definition of a “very small importer” under 21 CFR 1.500. If you choose to comply with the modified requirements in 21 CFR 1.512, you must document that you meet the definition of a very small importer as required per 21 CFR 1.512(b)(1)(i). You are also still required to comply with the requirements in sections 1.502, 1.503, and 1.509. However, you are not required to comply with the requirements in sections 1.504 through 1.508 or 1.510. In addition, for each food you import, you must obtain written assurance, before importing the food and at least every two years thereafter, that your foreign supplier is producing the food in compliance with processes and procedures that provide at least the same level of public health protection as those required under section 418 or 419 of the FD&C Act, if either is applicable, and the implementing regulations, and is producing the food in compliance with sections 402 and 403(w) (if applicable) of the FD&C Act (see 21 CFR 1.512(b)(3)(i))."
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/jmt-inter-llc-718661-02192026

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Oregon Farming Operation

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Naumes, Inc., a farming operation in Medford, OR.  The inspection resulted in FDA’s issuance of a Form FDA 4056 (FDA 4056), Produce Farm Inspectional Observations, listing the observations at the farm.

Main items identified:

• "Did not manage water used during harvesting, packing, or holding covered produce as necessary to maintain its safe and adequate sanitary quality, as required by 21 CFR 112.44(d)(1).  On September 15, 2025, our investigator observed wooden pear harvest bins being submerged in recirculated, municipal water in dump tanks. The investigator observed several harvest bins to have grass and vegetative debris stuck to the bottom causing the surface of each dump tank to have vegetative debris floating on top." 
• FDA" observed pear harvest bins placed directly on the ground during harvest at the Bragg Orchard. When full bins were picked up in the orchards, using pack forks, clumps of grass and vegetative debris were stuck to the bottom of some bins. The investigator observed grass and vegetative debris contacting pears on at least 4 bin stacks at Bragg Orchard."
• FDA "observed that the annual water risk assessment for EVO orchard documented the use of overhead irrigation where water makes direct contact with pears within three days before harvest. The assessment also determined that the rest of the orchards are irrigated using micro sprinklers that are not intended to contact covered produce; however, low-hanging fruit or foliage may be positioned within the spray pattern."

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/naumes-inc-719653-01212026
WARNING LETTER
Naumes, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 719653 — January 21, 2026

FDA Issues Warning Letter to CA Firm for Temperature Control Issues in Making Rice Product

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Minh Phung, Inc., Westminster, CA, a company that manufactures ready-to-eat (RTE) rice noodles and not RTE rice cakes.  FDA stated the product was prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.  Specifically, there were issues with time-temperature abuse.

FDA "observed multiple instances of time-temperature abuse at steps of the (b)(4) process. These observations, and an analysis of FDA samples collected during the inspection, demonstrate that the company did not have processes in place to monitor the (b)(4) of rice or (b)(4) of finished products after (b)(4) to prevent microbial pathogen growth and/or toxin formation (such as Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Clostridium botulinum) when  manufacturing refrigerated RTE Vietnamese rice noodles and refrigerated not RTE Vietnamese rice cakes, including reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) noodles and rice cakes"

FDA observed that the company did "not monitor, nor have controls in place for, the (b)(4) finished RTE rice noodle and not RTE rice cake products after (b)(4)."

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/minh-phung-inc-723409-04222026
Minh Phung, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 723409 — April 22, 2026

Pancake Mix Recalled Due to Undeclared Egg Allergen

Hometown Food Company, in cooperation with Element Food Solutions, today initiated a limited, voluntary recall of a single lot code of its Birch Benders 12oz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix because it may contain undeclared egg.

Comment:  While not stated, this seems to be an issue of misformulation where an egg ingredient was used in making the product.

Product was distributed nationwide and sold through grocery, natural food retailers and online channels across the U.S.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hometown-food-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-birch-benders-12oz-sweet-potato-pancake
Hometown Food Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Birch Benders 12oz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 20, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 21, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared egg.
Company Name:  Hometown Food Company
Brand Name:  Birch Benders
Product Description:  Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix

MA Firm Recalls Soup Product for Stray Mislabeled Product Containing Undeclared Shrimp

Kettle Cuisine of Lynn, MA is recalling 24oz cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup which may contain undeclared shrimp.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered in-store that a single cup of soup was found to contain the incorrect product and that the soup in the cup contained Shrimp.

Comment:  A single cup of product would indicate that a container of soup got 'lost' and ended up in getting labeled in a run of the Minestrone Soup.  For facilities running thousands of containers, having one getting away from the line only to be mislabeled is defeating.  It is so important to keep tight controls on labels as well as product on the production floor.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kettle-cuisine-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-shrimp-whole-foods-market-kitchen-minestrone-soup
Kettle Cuisine Issues Allergy Alert For Undeclared Shrimp In Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup
Summary 
Company Announcement Date:  May 21, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 21, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May Contain Undeclared Shrimp
Company Name:  Kettle Cuisine
Brand Name:  Whole Foods Market
Product Description:  Minestrone Soup

NC Firm Recalls Tahina Product After State Lab Detects Salmonella

Nassar Investments, Raleigh, NC, is recalling Malazi Tahina, 1Kg bottle EXP: 30/12/2026 UPC 6 224011 088244 due to a contamination of Salmonella. On April 29, 2026 the firm was notified by North Carolina Department of Agriculture that the product test positive for Salmonella.

The products were distributed between March 1, 2025 – June 9, 2025. These products were packaged in plastic bottles and sold in retail stores located in the States of: MI & NC.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nassar-investments-recalls-malazi-tahina-due-salmonella-contamination
Nassar Investments Recalls Malazi Tahina Due to Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 18, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 18, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to contamination of Salmonella
Company Name:  Nassar Investment Co., LLC.
Brand Name:  Malazi
Product Description:  Tahina

CA Firm Recalls Croutons Due to Potential for Salmonella, Another Recall Linked to Suspect Dry Milk Ingredient Recall

Sugar Foods, Westlake Village, CA, LLC is recalling certain lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons, 5oz pouches, UPC 0 11110 81353 4 due to the potential for Salmonella contamination associated with milk powder used as an ingredient in the product.  The affected milk powder was supplied by California Dairies, Inc. to our seasoning supplier, Solina USA, and incorporated into the seasoning blend that Sugar Foods purchases from Solina USA and applies to the croutons. The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use.

The products were distributed between March 7, 2026 to April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores located in the following states: AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI & WV.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sugar-foods-issues-recall-specific-lots-kroger-homestyle-cheese-garlic-croutons-due-possible-health
Sugar Foods Issues Recall of Specific Lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 15, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 18, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to potential for Salmonella contamination.
Company Name:  Sugar Foods, LLC.
Brand Name:  Kroger
Product Description:  Cheese and Garlic Croutons

CA Creamery Recalls Ice Cream Due to Potential for Metal Foreign Material

Straus Family Creamery, Petaluma, CA, is voluntarily recalling a small number of production runs of select flavors and sizes of its Organic Ice Cream due to the potential presence of metal foreign material. Only the production runs (noted by the “best by” date on package) specified later in this release are impacted. 

These lots were distributed to retailers in seventeen states (AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MD, NJ, OR, PA, SC, TX, WA, WI) and on shelves beginning May 4.No injuries have been reported.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/straus-family-creamery-voluntarily-recalls-select-flavors-organic-ice-cream-due-potential-presence
Straus Family Creamery Voluntarily Recalls Select Flavors of Organic Ice Cream Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 14, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 15, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Presence of metal fragments
Company Name:  Straus Family Creamery
Brand Name:  Straus Family Creamery
Product Description: Various Ice Cream Products, pint and quart sizes

Utah Firm Recalls Seasoning Mix Due to Potential Salmonella, Another Recall Linked to Suspect Dry Milk Ingredient Recall

Blackstone Products of Providence, Utah is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Blackstone’s action is based on a California Dairies, Inc. recall of dry milk powder due to potential Salmonella contamination. The affected milk powder ingredient was supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used in the seasoning product. 

Comment:  This comes more than a week after many other companies conducted recalls for using the same recalled milk powder ingredient.  This demonstrates the reason why it is important to track recalls and investigate whether your own product is involved.

No illnesses have been reported to date.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blackstone-products-recalls-parmesan-ranch-seasoning-because-possible-salmonella-health-risk
Blackstone Products Recalls Parmesan Ranch Seasoning Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 15, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  May 15, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Salmonella
Company Name:  Blackstone Products
Brand Name:  Blackstone
Product Description:  Parmesan Ranch seasoning