Moldy applesauce reprocessed by Washington plant
The summer of 2011 was bad for applesauce. In the summer of 2011, Snokist had to recall many hundred thousands of pounds of applesauce. The plant that processes this applesauce is now under FDA investigation. The operation of "re-processing" bad applesauce is technically legal. Article resource: FDA investigating Snokist facility for repackaging moldy applesauce
The first recall
There were 106-ounce food service cans recalled voluntarily on June 27, 2011 of unsweetened applesauce by Snokist. The product would have been spoiled with bacteria because of a seam problem which caused the recall. There were 3,310 cases with 6 cans per case affected with the Snokist recall. All the applesauce affected by the recall was dispersed to schools and institutions. The recall came after many schools reported students to be sick. This was after they ate some of the applesauce.
Putting moldy applesauce back in the system
On Oct 20, the FDA sent a warning letter to the Snokist Business, informing them that the business was being looked into for re-packaging bad applesauce.
“Your firm reprocesses moldy applesauce product … using a method that is not effective against all toxic metabolites … Several food-borne molds may be hazardous to human health.”
One reason why the investigation is happening is because Snokist didn’t listen to the FDA. It had concerns that were listed in the inspection done in June. The company had paperwork saying that bad applesauce was re-packaged for selling. This occurred at least 13 times before.
More than just sanitizing needed
There are some news agencies that talked to Snokist. A few questions have been answered. Moldy foods are re-worked into future foods, the business admits.
“If rework occurs, our thermal process is more than adequate to render the product commercially sterile,” Tina Moss, a company spokeswoman said to MSNBC.
A microbe found in rotting fruit is what the company is testing for. There are several various toxins that can happen in applesauce, and the FDA isn't confident that the microbes can be destroyed by the heat treatment. By the time food is distributed again, it has to be totally sterile while it can be “reconditioned” in FDA rules.
Information from
MSNBC: Vitals - FDA: Moldy applesauce repackaged by school lunch supplier
Total Recall Info: http://www.totalrecallinfo.com/freerecalls.php?id=24971
Yakima Herald: Thousands of Snokist applesauce cases recalled | Yakima Herald-Republic
