Food Safety News has been following a steady stream of recall press releases from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), which regulates 80 percent of the food supply, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS), which regulates meat, poultry, and processed egg products.

Both CFSAN and FSIS announced several recalls since our previous recall recap, several of the USDA recalls have made recent Food Safety News headlines, here we round up recent FDA recalls:

This recall recap begins with the Texas Department of State Health Services’ warning that consumers not consume certain types of imported dried plums due to elevated levels of lead. According to the FDA, “Most of the products are typically sold as salted or candied treats in Asian and Hispanic markets, but are also available in other retail outlets.”

Lead can accumulate in the body over time and can cause serious health problems such as delayed development and learning deficiencies. Pregnant women, infants, and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning.

See the FDA website for a complete list of all manufacturers and distributors affected.

The FDA released information regarding two sandwich makers in early October. First, the agency announced enforcement action against Rel’s Foods Inc., of Oakland, CA for making ready-to-eat-sandwiches in insanitary conditions.

Following the enforcement action, the agency released a recall notice from Fisher/Rex Sandwiches of Raleigh, NC. The firm recalled some of their sandwiches for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogens, an organism that can cause vulnerable populations, and is especially dangerous for pregnant women.

According to the FDA, the recalled sandwiches were distributed to convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail establishments in North Caroline, South Carolina, and Virginia. North Carolina public health officials initiated the recall after a routine inspection.

Next up, came an announcement from TGF Production LLC, of Brooklyn, NY, that it was issuing a recall because some of its Herring Salted because it was found to be uneviscerated.

The recall came after a routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector. Lab results showed that the Herring Salted had not been properly eviscerated prior to processing.

“The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under the New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning,” states the release.

Friday the FDA announced Hannaford Supermarkets was removing Taste of Inspirations Vegetable Spring Rolls from its stores because the product may contain undeclared shrimp. The action was a precautionary measure and the FDA is currently investigating.