EXTRANEOUS MATTER ANALYSIS
Market Survey: HOT DOG ROLLS & HAMBURGER BUNS |
With the 4th of July bringing on summer cookouts, the season for hot dogs is here 'til Labor Day. But how much attention are U.S. bakeries paying to sanitation? To find out, samples of hot dog rolls and hamburger buns were analyzed for filth (insect and rodent contamination). Companies include on-site supermarket bakery, a national convenience store brand, national private brands, national supermarkets.
Results on 225-gram sample using AOAC extraction procedures:
for 2001
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Hot Dog Rolls: |
32 insect fragments
4 rodent hairs (6, 1, .025, .025 mm)
1 whole insect - weevil larva
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Hot Dog Rolls: |
60 insect fragments
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Hot Dog Rolls: |
18 insect fragments
2 rodent hairs (1, 0.25 mm)
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Hot Dog Rolls:
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61 insect fragments
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Hot Dog Rolls: |
34 insect fragments
1 head capsule, adult - flat grain beetle
2 whole insects - mites
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Hamburger Buns: |
27 insect fragments
4 rodent hairs (5, 3, 1, .025 mm)
2 whole insects - mites
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Opinion:
What is going on in our nation's bakeries?
The FDA considers rodent hairs of 3mm or greater in length to be post-processing contamination. Two of the brands tested have this violation. In flour, one rodent hair is a violation of the FDA's published Defect Action Level. That means, the product is subject to immediate seizure. Three of the samples contain several rodent hairs. One brand shows evidence of Flat Grain Beetle infestation. Flat Grain Beetle is considered to be a stored product pest. It does not normally come from the farmer's field.
Conclusion: 66% of the samples tested show evidence of improper sanitation procedures.
2002 UPDATE (June, 2002 posting)
2003 UPDATE (Labor Day posting)
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For a complete list of the FDA's Defect Action Levels for food
products,
please visit FDA-CFSAN Defect Action Level Handbook.
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