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USDA Finalizes Policy on Declaring Salmonella in Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has made its final determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products when they exceed a specific threshold (1 colony forming unit per gram or higher) for Salmonella contamination.

This final determination is part of FSIS’ broader efforts to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with the raw poultry supply in the United States. FSIS intends to address Salmonella contamination in other raw poultry products later this year.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, USDA is taking significant steps toward keeping American consumers safe from foodborne illness,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This final determination marks the first time that Salmonella is being declared an adulterant in a class of raw poultry products. This policy change is important because it will allow us to stop the sale of these products when we find levels of Salmonella contamination that could make people sick.”

Under this determination, FSIS will consider to be adulterated any raw breaded stuffed chicken products that include a chicken component that tested positive for Salmonella at 1 CFU per gram or higher.

FSIS will carry out verification procedures, including sampling and testing of the raw incoming chicken component of these products prior to stuffing and breading, to ensure producing establishments control Salmonella in these products. If the chicken component in these products does not meet this standard, the product lot represented by the sampled component would not be permitted to be used to produce the final raw breaded stuffed chicken products. The determination, including FSIS’ sampling and verification testing, will be effective 12 months after its publication in the Federal Register.

In determining that Salmonella is an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products, FSIS considered the best available science and data using similar criteria as in its 1994, 1999, and 2011 E. coli policymaking. When FSIS declared seven Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains to be adulterants in select raw beef products, it relied on several factors, including the available information on serotypes linked to human illnesses, infectious dose, severity of illnesses and typical consumer preparation practices associated with a product. The breaded stuffed chicken products determination relied on the same factors.

FSIS and its public health partners have investigated 14 Salmonella outbreaks and approximately 200 illnesses associated with these products since 1998. The most recent outbreak was in 2021 and resulted in illnesses across 11 states. These products account for less than 0.15% of the total domestic chicken supply, but outbreaks linked to these products represented approximately 5% of all chicken-associated outbreaks in the U.S. during 1998-2020.

Raw breaded stuffed chicken products are pre-browned and may appear cooked, but the chicken is raw. The products are typically cooked by consumers from a frozen state, which increases the risk of the product not reaching the internal temperature needed to destroy Salmonella. Despite FSIS’ and industry’s efforts to improve labeling, these products continue to be associated with Salmonella illness outbreaks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Salmonella bacteria cause over 1 million human infections in the United States each year. Food is the leading source of Salmonella infections and poultry products are one of the leading sources of foodborne Salmonella illnesses.

FSIS will continue to evaluate and, if necessary, refine its policies and standards related to the oversight of raw breaded stuffed chicken products as advances in science and technology related to pathogen levels, serotypes, laboratory methods and infectious dose become available.

This final determination builds on USDA’s continued efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration to protect American consumers, whether to ensure food safety or prevent false and misleading label claims. Earlier this year, USDA published a final rule allowing the voluntary “Product of USA” claim to be applied only to those FSIS-regulated products that are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. USDA is currently re-evaluating the FSIS guideline for animal-raising claims to better ensure that they are adequately substantiated.

To view the final determination, visit the FSIS Federal Register Rules webpage.

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Nassau Candy’s AmuseMints Launches Election Collection

AmuseMints Election CollectionNassau Candy, leading manufacturer of specialty and private label confections has released an exclusive 2024 Election Collection under its 2024 Election Collection under its AmuseMints brand. The entire collection will be on display at the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo (Booth #11002).

Tapping into the excitement of the 2024 Presidential Election, AmuseMints’ Election Collection features an assortment of chocolate bars and mint tins featuring this year’s major candidates – Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

“The presidential election has everyone talking,” says Andrew Reitman, executive vice president, national brand confections for Nassau Candy. “Our AmuseMints’ 2024 Election Collection helps retailers get in on the conversation while standing out from the competition with bold, topical art that is made for adding excitement to point of sale and other impulse sale points.”

The art in AmuseMints’ election assortment has something for every taste and political candidate.

The Biden 2024, and MAGA 2024 1.75 oz Milk Chocolate Bars, and MAGA 2024 and Democrat & Proud 0.56 oz Slider Mint Tins,offer dynamic, to-the-point designs. Each have brilliant patriotic red, white, and blue themes both on the packaging and the countertop displays and proudly feature the candidates’ slogans.

To up the drama, there’s illustrated Trump Return to Greatness 3 oz Milk Chocolate Bar in Box and 0.56 oz Slider Mint Tin, and the Biden 2024 0.56 oz Slider Mint Tin. Each feature brilliantly-colored, instantly-recognizable illustrations of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

For a grand statement, there’s the Trump Vs. Biden 1.75 oz Milk Chocolate Bar. The Trump Vs. Biden Bar personifies the excitement of this year’s election with a colorful illustration of boxers duking it out with one side featuring Donald Trump’s campaign logo and Joe Biden’s on the other.

The AmuseMints’ 2024 Election Collection is in stock now and shipping.  To check out the entire line, visit www.nassaucandy.com/campaign-candy.

*Note: Nassau Candy is not affiliated with any candidate or political party.

Nassau Candy is a wholesale manufacturer, importer, and distributor of confectionery and gourmet food products. Along with distribution of thousands of sweets and snacks to retailers across the country, the company also specializes in manufacturing and importing private label confectionery, and manufactures, develops, and merchandises customized souvenir, food, apparel and promotional products.

From its six strategically located distribution centers in New York, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), and two manufacturing facilities, the company manufactures and distributes more than 10,000 products to thousands of customers ranging from the largest retailers in North America, to thousands of independent confectionery stores, corporate, foodservice, grocery, and alternative market customers.

AmuseMints an affiliate of Nassau Candy, is a leading manufacturer, importer and distributor of specialty confectionery, gourmet foods and customizable products. AmuseMints, along with its sister company, ACE USA, together provide industry-leading, thematic, art-driven merchandise collections to the leading experiential, travel and resort, and iconic destination retailers across North America. The company’s customizable products include apparel, drinkware, bags, confectionery, lip balm, candles and more.

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J&J Snack Foods Acquires Thinsters Cookies

J&J Snack Foods Corp., a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, has acquired Thinsters, a crunchy cookie made with real, simple ingredients. This strategic move strengthens J&J Snack Foods’ position as a leader in providing America’s favorite delicious and fun snacks.

Thinsters are thin, crunchy, bite-size cookies with simple ingredients and bursts of flavor. Oven-baked with real butter and real sugar, the deliciously crunchy cookies deliver big taste with less guilt. Thinsters is a popular and growing brand with best in category product quality.

“We are thrilled to add Thinsters to our growing portfolio of fun brands,” said Dan Fachner, president & CEO at J&J Snack Foods. “This acquisition is a natural fit for us, complementing our already vast offering of cookies and baked goods. Thinsters’ dedication to using high-quality, wholesome ingredients resonates perfectly with our growing customer base. We look forward to leveraging our strengths to expand distribution and introduce Thinsters cookies to a wider audience.”

Founded in 1971, J&J Snack Foods has completed over 30 value-building transactions throughout the Company’s history. The Company has a proven track record of successfully integrating and scaling niche brands into some of America’s most beloved snacks, including SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE, and most recently, DIPPIN’ DOTS, which the company acquired in June 2022.

“We look forward to bringing J&J Snack Foods’ sales, marketing, and innovation capabilities to the already popular Thinsters brand,” added Fachner. “This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our strategic vision to offer the widest variety of delicious and fun snacks under one roof.”

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