Gamesa® Arcoiris marshmallow cookies recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella

Products Recalled:

Gamesa® Arcoiris marshmallow cookies have been recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella, which can cause health issues in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Gamesa® Arcoiris marshmallow cookies were produced by Comercializadora PepsiCo S. De R.L. de C.V. 

Problem:

• The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ordered an immediate recall on November 7, 2022. The company conducted a routine sampling program which revealed that Salmonella might be present in the final product, leading to the initiation of the product recall.  
• Salmonella can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening infections in susceptible individuals like children, the elderly, or people whose immune systems are compromised. It can infect healthy people, leading to symptoms such as fever, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In addition, the microorganism, in some instances, can get into the bloodstream and cause more severe illnesses like arthritis, arterial infections and endocarditis, infecting the heart.  
• The firm has issued a point-of-sale notice to its consumers that explains the cause of the recall and the steps to be taken if the product has already been purchased [1]. 

Scientific Evidence:  

• People who consume food contaminated with salmonella experience headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea and bloody stools within 12- 72 hrs. The symptoms can last from 4 to 7 days [2].  
• However, people with severe diarrhoea may need to be hospitalized or take antibiotics. Although about 40,000 cases are reported each year, it is estimated that 2-4 million cases occur annually. HACCP plans for processed foods should include controls to destroy and eliminate this microorganism and prevent recontamination [3]. 

Product Image:

What Regulations Clarifies: 

The following measures help in controlling Salmonella contamination that can lead to outbreaks-  

• Developing a keen understanding of potential sources and routes of contamination, including the raw materials and inputs used and possible sources of contamination throughout the operation. 
• Implementing effective sanitation procedures and sampling plans 
• Growing operations should be evaluated to implement the proper science- and risk-based preventive measures. 
• Implementing procedures that are effective in rapidly cooling and cold–holding harvested leafy greens after harvest and verifying the effectiveness of the cooling and cold–holding procedures 
• Seeking to identify and inform sampling plans, limits of detection and mitigation measures if food and water are tested. They help control potential sources and routes of bacterial contamination in the growing and harvesting environment.  
• Ensuring that all growing pond water is safe and fit for consumption. 
• Performing a root cause analysis when a pathogen is identified in the growing environment 
• Assessing and mitigating risks associated with adjacent and nearby land uses that may impact CEA operations in rural and more urbanized settings [4].