FDA Issued a Warning Letter to a Oregon Farm Packing House Under the Produce Safety Regulations

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a farm packing house under the Produce Safety regulations.

The issues involve lack of pest control (birds and bird poop in the onion packing area), inadequate cleaning and the lack of a employee who has taken Produce Safety training.

1. "FDA investigators observed bird feces, too numerous to count, throughout your onion packing shed, including on the wooden rafters directly above the packing line and on (b)(4) box fans mounted in the walls on the (b)(4) side of the onion packing shed. These box fans lacked protective coverings, allowing for pest (e.g., bird) entry when the fans are not operating."
2. "FDA investigators observed accumulated bird feces on (1) grating on the in-line top-tailer machine, directly above where onions were being topped and de-rooted; (2) a light fixture directly over two packing lines where onions were being sorted; and (3) a hand rail on the (b)(4) wall used by employees walking on stairs and elevated platforms along the packing line.
3. FDA investigators observed numerous bird feces on food contact surfaces, including two conveyor belts on your onion pallet line and the (b)(4) onion bagging line elevator conveyor. Onions were observed contacting these areas while being packed."
4. "FDA investigators observed soiled carpeting being used on your (b)(4) onion bagging line and making direct contact with onions as they moved through the line. Additionally, FDA investigators observed onions making contact with (1) fraying duct tape on a pole at the end of the palleting line, and  2) frayed, knotted bundles of braided rope on your (b)(4) packing line."
5. The company "did not employ at least one supervisor or responsible party that has successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by FDA, as required by 21 CFR 112.22(c)."
6. "The company "confirmed records have not been established and maintained to document the cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces for equipment used in the harvesting and packing of ready-to-eat onions, including your onion packing line, “(b)(4) Machine,” onion harvester machine, 3 dump trailer trucks used for onion transport, and your “(b)(4) Equipment” used to transfer onions from the dump trailers to wooden bins for storage."

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/schlechter-farms-inc-722153-03182026
Schlechter Farms Inc.
MARCS-CMS 722153 — March 18, 2026

FDA Issues a Warning Letter to a Maryland Nut Processor

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Barcelona Nut Company Inc, .Baltimore, MD, a ready-to-eat (RTE) foods manufacturing and repacking facility for nuts, seeds, candies and trail mixes.  FDA issued the Warning Letter after receiving the company's response to items listed on the investigation report.  This included issues with allergen control with roasting oil, insufficient critical limit for roasting nuts, issues with pest control, poor cleanout when conducting product changeovers, potential cross contamination potential associated with a very old facility, and 

1) Issues with roaster oil used for different nuts with insufficient controls for allergens.

• The "facility operates a (b)(4) oil roaster, which is used to roast products with different allergen profiles, including cashews, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower kernels in the same oil."
• The "written response shows your revised hazard analysis now includes allergen cross-contact as a hazard with the control measure, “(b)(4)” and a revised roasting log with the instruction to “(b)(4).” However, filtration using a (b)(4) inch ((b)(4) μm) pore-size wire cloth would not sufficiently remove peanut or tree nut proteins that may be present in the roasting oil. Roasting even small quantities of peanuts or cashews in oil can result in significant protein transfer to the oil, and the amount of protein transferred increases with the number of batches processed. Given that your facility processes up to (b)(4) lbs. of product in the same oil before replacement, substantial amounts of allergen proteins could accumulate in the oil over multiple production runs. Therefore, your proposed corrective action would not significantly reduce the risk of allergen cross-contact. More effective control measures, such as oil replacement between different allergen products or the use of filtration treatments that have been demonstrated to remove allergen proteins1 would be necessary to adequately address this hazard."

2) The critical limit for roasting nuts was not sufficient.

• The "CCP Monitoring and Frequency revised March 13, 2019, for the roasting of peanuts shows the critical limits “(b)(4)” with “(b)(4)”, which is not sufficient for the reduction of Salmonella on peanuts. Your July 3, 2025, written response shows that your revised CCP Monitoring and Frequency dated July 3, 2025, included roasting times of a minimum of (b)(4) minutes and a maximum of (b)(4) minutes, and temperatures of “(b)(4)” Fahrenheit; however, these parameters still do not ensure an adequate lethality treatment for the reduction of Salmonella. You did not provide any validation data for your roasting process or scientific justification demonstrating that your process parameters are adequate to ensure a safe product."

3) Issues with pest control.

• The company "did not take effective measures to exclude pests from your facility to protect against contamination of food, as required by 21 CFR 117.35(c). Specifically, FDA Investigators observed a dead rodent, insects, and apparent rodent excreta pellets (REPs) too numerous to count (TNTC) on food-contact surfaces, equipment, and food production areas."

4) Poor cleanout of the lines when changing products.

• The company "package products with different allergen profiles on the same packaging machine and after cleaning was confirmed as completed on the Tron packaging line prior to changing from cashews to chocolate products on June 18, 2025, cashew residues remained in the hopper and on the flexible tube that delivers product to the packaging film."

5) Issues with old facility that could lead to cross contamination.

• "FDA investigators observed food containers being opened with in-process product outside the area protected by overhead canopy shields, prior to filling the hopper. Additionally, floors were not constructed in a manner that they are adequately cleanable and kept in good repair, as required by 21 CFR 117.20(b)(4). On the second floor, the wooden floors were observed to have holes and to be heavily splintered, preventing adequate cleaning and creating potential sources of contamination."

6 Employee hygiene issues.

• "Employees working in direct contact with food, food-contact surfaces, and food-packaging materials did not conform to hygienic practices while on duty to the extent necessary to protect against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of food. Specifically, the following employee practices were observed:
• On June 18, 2025, an employee with a beard was observed not wearing a beard net while filling hoppers with in-shell peanuts.
• On June 11, 2025, two employees were observed wearing necklace in the production area while your facility was packaging unsalted cashews."

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/barcelona-nut-company-inc-721619-03032026

WARNING LETTER
Barcelona Nut Company Inc.
MARCS-CMS 721619 — March 03, 2026

North Carolina Firm Recalls Chocolates Products Due to Error in Tasting Notes

French Broad Chocolates PBC, Asheville, NC, is recalling Bette’s Bake Sale Bonbon Collection in 6pc, 12pc, and 24pc boxes with batch numbers 260414 and 260417 due to the potential to contain undeclared walnuts.   On April 20, 2026, the firm was notified by a French Broad Chocolates team member that there was a labeling error on our tasting notes insert that failed to name a tree nut allergen (walnuts).  The Walnut Fudge bonbon, which contains walnuts, is incorrectly identified in the printed tasting notes included with the product. The Walnut Fudge and Peach Cobbler bonbons are switched in the guide, which means a consumer relying on the printed materials could mistakenly consume a nut-containing piece.

Comment - The issue is that the tasting notes (the map for helping you determine which chocolate to eat first and avoid the less tasty ones*) was designed incorrectly, so the product containing walnuts could be mistaken for one not containing walnuts, the peach cobbler.   My guess is that someone with nut allergens is not buying a box of mixed chocolates anyway since it is likely that some small amount of allergen may be on the others.

*I would have been upset to get the peach cobbler instead of the walnut.   Many of you probably play chocolate roulette where you and others take turns choosing without the guide, seeing who gets the best chocolate.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/french-broad-chocolates-pbc-recalls-bettes-bake-sale-bonbons-due-undeclared-walnuts
French Broad Chocolates PBC Recalls Bette’s Bake Sale Bonbons Due to Undeclared Walnuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 23, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 24, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Tree Nuts
Company Name:  French Broad Chocolate Factory
Brand Name:  French Broad Chocolate
Product Description:  Bette's Bake Sale Bonbon Collection in 6pc (2.5oz), 12pc (5oz), and 24pc (10oz) boxes

Michigan Firm Recalls Trail Mix for Undeclared Allergens Due to Packing Error

Ferris Coffee & Nut Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan is recalling a single lot of Frederik’s by Meijer Vanilla Bourbon Trail Mix 9 oz. because it may contain undeclared wheat and soy.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the wheat and soy-containing chocolate-covered pretzel balls were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat or soy, instead of the listed bourbon-flavored caramels. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the production and packaging processes at Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.

Comment:  This appears to be a mispacking issue where pretzel balls were packed/labeled with a different product.  This type of situation can be a problem for confectioners who are handling many different products with different allergen profiles.  An Allergen Preventive Control should be developed that has a higher level of verification for ensuring the product and the package are correct.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ferris-coffee-nut-co-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-and-soy-frederiks-meijer-vanilla-bourbon
Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat and Soy in Frederik’s By Meijer Vanilla Bourbon Trail Mix
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 23, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 23, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Wheat & Soy
Company Name:  Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.
Brand Name:  Frederik’s by Meijer
Product Description:  Vanilla Bourbon Trail Mix

IA Firm Recalls Canine Milk Replacement Due to Inconsistent Vitamin D Levels

Revival Animal Health of Orange City, IA is recalling Breeder’s Edge® Foster Care® Canine and Shelter’s Choice® Canine Milk Replacers due to variable levels of Vitamin D resulting in both low and elevated levels in some of the canine milk replacers.  The recall was initiated after an investigation determined that the product had variable levels of Vitamin D, resulting in both low and elevated levels in some of the canine milk replacer.  Two complaints of rickets have been reported to date.

Comment - There continues to be a number of dog food items recalled because of issues related to Vitamin D addition.  This addition needs to be managed as a Process Preventive Control.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/revival-animal-health-llc-voluntarily-recalls-canine-milk-replacers-due-elevated-levels-vitamin-d
Revival Animal Health, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Canine Milk Replacers Due to Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 17, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 17, 2026
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Variable levels of Vitamin D
Company Name:  Revival Animal Health
Brand Name:  Breeder’s Edge, Shelter’s Choice
Product Description:  Canine milk replacer

CA Ice Cream Company Recalls Retail Packages Due to Absence of Allergen Labels

Silver Moon, LP dba Loard’s Ice Cream of San Leandro, CA is voluntarily recalling all products sold in retail-sized packaging because they were distributed without ingredient labeling and therefore they contain undeclared allergens, sulfites, and added colors.  The recall was initiated after it was determined during FDA inspection that the product’s retail packaging did not include the required ingredient statement and allergen declarations.

Comment - This company has been in ice cream business since the 50's, so hard to imagine how they missed allergen labeling or ingredient listing on their retail cartons.  The company had approximately 40 different items, all with no allergen declarations.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/silver-moon-lp-dba-loards-ice-cream-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-eggs-tree-nuts-peanuts-soy
Silver Moon LP DBA Loard’s Ice Cream Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soy, Wheat, Sulfites, and Food Color Additives in Ice Cream Products
Summary

Company Announcement Date:  April 16, 2026

FDA Publish Date:  April 16, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages Ice Cream/Frozen Dairy
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Soy, Sulfites, and Colors
Company Name:  Silver Moon LP dba Loard’s Ice Cream
Brand Name:  Loard’s
Product Description:  Ice Cream

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.