I want to thank Matt for sending me this info. Many contractors out there are eating MRE’s on the various FOB’s and outposts, and I don’t know if the word is getting out about this. Not to mention civilians that are eating these things back home, or even some military units that have old batches mixed up in their supply chain. Get the word out, and if you want more info, follow the link below. –Matt
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MRE Dairy Shake Recall
The U.S. Military has issued a “Do Not Consume” order/recall for Dairy Shake powder found in MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat), UGR-E (Unitized Group Rations – Express), and TOTMs (Tailored Operational Training Meals). This recall was issued after FDA inspectors determined the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative in Minnesota may have shipped nonfat dry milk, fruit stabilizers, whey protein, and gum products potentially adulterated with Salmonella to their commercial customers between June 2007 and June 2009. Plainview sells its products to distributors and manufacturers who may then use them in their own products, and not to the general public.
There have been no known instances of anyone getting sick from consuming the Dairy Shakes in question. The DSCP is working with the FDA and Dairy Shake manufacturers to determine the exact lot numbers of MREs and UGR-Es. Until then they recommend avoiding ALL Dairy Shakes in any MRE packed between 2002 and June 2009 – up to Date of Pack 9139 (May 19, 2009). All other components of the MRE are consumable and should not be discarded or destroyed.
July 16, 2009 Update: Trans-Packers has expanded their recall of Dairy Shakes by adding 300 more potentially affected packets to the list. These Dairy Shake packets were distributed through Emergency Essentials, Inc. (Utah), Saratoga Trading Company (Utah), and D&B Specialty Foods, Inc. (Tennessee). The particular blends and affected lot numbers are now:
* 6,000 packets of Strawberry/Banana Flavor Dairy Shake lot # 8324
* 300 packets of Chocolate Flavor Dairy Shake lot ## 8297 and 8318
* 200 packets of Vanilla Flavor Dairy Shake lot # 9132
* 100 packets of Strawberry Dairy Shake lot # 7225
July 14, 2009 Update: According to this FDA recall notice, Trans-Packers Services Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, who produces the Dairy Shakes for the military, is recalling 6,300 packets of Dairy Shakes. These Dairy Shakes were identified as containing the potentially contaminated instant non-fat dry milk. The actual flavors and lot numbers being recalled are:
* 6,000 packets of Strawberry/Banana Flavor Dairy Shake lot # 8324* 200 packets of Vanilla Flavor Dairy Shake lot # 9132* 100 packets of Strawberry Dairy Shake lot # 7225
It looks like the lots numbers can also be read as “date codes”. So 8324 would be read as the 324th day of 2008, 9132 would be the 132nd day of 2009, and 7225 would be the 225th day of 2007.
Affected MREs
The individual MREs from each year that contain Dairy Shakes are as follows:
2002 Menus
2003 Menus
2004 Menus
2 – Jamaican Pork Chop w/ Noodles
9 – Beef Stew
20 – Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
21 – Chicken Tetrazzini
1 – Beefsteak w/ Mushrooms
9 – Beef Stew
20 – Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
21 – Chicken Tetrazzini
1 – Beefsteak w/ Mushrooms
9 – Beef Stew
20 – Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
21 – Chicken Tetrazzini
2005 Menus
2006 Menus
2007 Menus
1 – Beefsteak w/ Mushrooms
9 – Beef Stew
21 – Chicken Tetrazzini
22 – Chicken w/Dumplings
1 – Chili w/Beans
9 – Beef Stew
21 – Tuna
22 – Jambalaya
1 – Chili w/Beans
9 – Beef Stew
10 – Tuna
22 – Chicken w/Dumplings
2008 Menus
2009 Menus
1 – Chili w/Beans
9 – Beef Stew
21 – Tuna
22 – Chicken w/Dumplings
1 – Chili w/Beans
9 – Beef Stew
21 – Tuna
Links
FDA Recall Notice
DSCP Recall Alert – ALFOODACT 131/09:Update to and Expansion of ALFOODACT 130-2009 Do Not Consume MRE and UGR-E Dairy Shake powder
DSCP Recall Alert – ALFOODACT 130/09:Do Not Consume MRE and UGR-E Dairy Shake powder, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D until further notice
Army Times News Article
Here’s the full text of the latest DSCP Recall Alert – ALFOODACT 131/09
Subject: ALFOODACT 131-2009 Update to and Expansion of ALFOODACT 130-2009 Do Not Consume MRE and UGR-E Dairy Shake powder.Date Issued: July 01, 2009
1. REFERENCES:
a. DLAR 4155.26/AR 40-660/NAVSUPINST 10110.8c/AFI 48-116/MCO 10110.38c, DOD Hazardous Food & Nonprescription Drug Recall System.b. Allied Communications Publication 121, US SUPP-1 (f).c. ALFOODACT 130-2009. Do Not Consume MRE and UGR-E Dairy Shake powder, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D until further notice. Date Issued: June 26, 2009.
2. BACKGROUND:
Reference C notified ALCON to NOT CONSUME operational ration Dairyshake Powder, all flavors, until further notice. DSCP has determined the production lot dates/codes of potentially adulterated dairyshakes and the production lot dates/codes of the MRE/UGR-E containing the potentially adulterated dairyshake is extensive. Due to the extensive nature of the potential product adulteration, worldwide distribution, and warfighters immediate need for operational rations DSCP in conjunction with the Services has determined:
a. It is not practical to list each affected lot in an ALFOODACT. It is reasonable and practical to set a cutoff date separating rations potentially containing the adulterated dairyshake from rations known to not contain adulterated dairyshakes.b. Placing the affected lots on medical hold could create a shortage of rations available to the warfighter.c. Conducting the scope of rework required on affected rations outside of DLA Depot control is impractical.d. DLA controlled MRE and UGR-E stocks will be reworked. Reworked MRE and UGR-E stocks will maintain the original DOP and will be labeled to identify the dairyshakes as consumable. The use of a single DOP to determine consume/do not consume for each ration is being used to simplify the review process in the field. Pending further investigation and rework of potentially affected lots DLA may release lots with an earlier DOP that are safe to consume. At a minimum, these lots will be marked at the pallet level and shipping documents will indicate “NOTICE: DSCP has certified the dairyshakes contained in this pallet assembled by (name of assembler) with a DOP of (XXXX) are safe to consume. This notice shall remain attached to these rations until exhausted.” In any situation where a Service member does not have or is not aware of this certification the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER remains in effect.e. It is practical to continue the Consumer/End User action of remove and destroy all flavors of dairyshake powder until the potentially adulterated stocks are exhausted.
This ALFOODACT adds two specific lots of Meal, Tailored, Operational Training (TOTM) to the list of affected rations.
3. Affected products:
MRE, UGR-E, and TOTM meals, as specified below, containing:Dairyshake Powder, Chocolate, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin DDairyshake Powder, Vanilla, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin DDairyshake Powder, Strawberry, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin DDairyshake Powder, Strawberry-Banana, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D
4. Ration/Ration Assembler/Contract Numbers Identifying Codes:
MEALS, READY-TO-EAT, INDIVIDUAL (MRE):
Ameriqual Packaging, Evansville, IN 47710.NSN 8970-00-149-1094.Meals, Ready-to-Eat, Individual.All Contract Numbers.
SOPAKO Packaging, Mullins, SC 29574-1047.NSN 8970-00-149-1094.Meals, Ready-to-Eat, Individual.All Contract Numbers.
The Wornick Company, Cincinnati, OH 45242.NSN 8970-00-149-1094.Meals, Ready-to-Eat, Individual.All Contract Numbers.
All MRE with dates of pack (DOP) prior to, and including, 9139 are subject to the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER. All other components of the MRE are consumable and should not be discarded/destroyed. Dates of pack (DOP) , and including, 9140 and newer do not contain the potentially adulterated dairyshake powders and are safe to consume.
The use of a single DOP to determine consume/do not consume for all MRE is being used to simplify the review process in the field. Pending further investigation and rework of potentially affected lots DLA may release lots with a DOP of 9139 or earlier that are safe to consume. At a minimum, these lots will be marked at the pallet level and shipping documents will indicate “NOTICE: DSCP has certified the dairyshakes contained in this pallet assembled by (name of assembler) with a DOP of (XXXX) are safe to consume. This notice shall remain attached to these rations until exhausted.” In any situation where a Service member does not have or is not aware of this certification the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER remains in effect.
DO NOT remove affected menus from MRE cases prior to issuing. Units WILL NOT receive credit for the return of these menus. The following DOP ranges and MRE menus known to include dairyshakes is provided for informational purposes only. MRE menus change regularly and the DOP are not exact as assemblers may delay change over due to stocks on hand. DO NOT remove affected menus from MRE cases prior to issuing. Units WILL NOT receive credit for the return of these menus.
— Jan 2008 — present (DOP 8001- current), menus 1, 9, 21, and 22– May 2006 — Dec 2007 (DOP 6121 – 7365), menus 1, 9, 10, and 22– May 2005 – Apr 2006 (DOP 5121 – 6120), menus 1, 9, 21, and 22– Oct 2002 – May 2005 (DOP 2274 – 5151), menus 1, 9, 20, and 22
UNITIZED GROUP RATION – EXPRESS (UGR-E):
DDJC-Tracey.
NSN 8970-01-539-4581, Lunch/Dinner Menu 1NSN 8970-01-539-4592, Lunch/Dinner Menu 3NSN 8970-01-539-4594, Lunch/Dinner Menu 4NSN 8970-01-539-4603, Lunch/Dinner Menu 6NSN 8970-01-539-4572, Breakfast Menu 1NSN 8970-01-539-4575, Breakfast Menu 2
All UGR-E menus listed above with dates of pack (DOP) prior to and including 9181 are subject to the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER. Remove the dairyshake nine packs and destroy each individual dairyshake pouch in a manner to ensure it will not be accidentally consumed. A simple destruction method is to open the dairyshake pouch and pour contents into the trash. All other components of the UGR-E are consumable and should not be discarded/destroyed. All UGR-E menus with dates of pack (DOP) of and including 9182 and newer do not contain the potentially adulterated dairyshake powders and are safe to consume. The use of a single DOP to determine consume/do not consume for all UGR-E is being used to simplify the review process in the field. Pending further investigation and rework of potentially affected lots DLA may release lots with a DOP of 9181 or earlier that are safe to consume. At a minimum, these lots will be marked at the pallet level and shipping documents will indicate “NOTICE: DSCP has certified the dairyshakes contained in this pallet assembled by DDJC-Tracy with a DOP of (XXX) are safe to consume. This notice shall remain attached to these rations until exhausted.” In any situation where a Service member does not have or is not aware of this certification the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER remains in effect.
MEAL, TAILORED, OPERATIONAL TRAINING (TOTM):
The Wornick Company, Cincinnati, OH 45242.LSN 8970-01-E10-0239.Meal, Tailored, Operational Training.Dates of pack (DOP)/lot numbers: 7138 and 8305.No other assembler or DOP/lot codes are affected.
5. DISTRIBUTION: DoD wide.
6. REASON FOR ACTION: Potentially adulterated with Salmonella sp..
7. INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MESSAGE RECIPIENTS:
a. DO NOT CONSUME operational ration Dairyshake Powder, all flavors, found in the affected rations as listed in paragraph 4, above.b. This is a CONSUMER/END USER LEVEL action. Consumers/end users should remove and destroy the Dairyshake Powder in a manner to ensure it will not be accidentally consumed. A simple destruction method is to open the dairyshake pouch and pour contents into the trash. The remainder of the MRE/UGR-E/TOTM menu is consumable and should not be discarded/destroyed.c. Do not, repeat DO NOT, place affected rations on medical hold.d. Do, repeat DO, disseminate this message as widely as possible through command channels to all levels. DSCP recommends the following actions:
— Issuing activities notify ration recipients of this ALFOODACT.
— Units post this ALFOODACT on official bulletin boards.
— Dining Facilities post this ALFOODACT on official bulletin boards.
e. DSCP contracting officers will provide instructions, under separate cover, to DLA Depots concerning rework of stocks on hand. Affected stocks that are reworked shall be clearly marked to readily identify them as having been reworked and no longer subject to this recall. The use of a single DOP to determine consume/do not consume for each ration is being used to simplify the review process in the field. Pending further investigation and rework of potentially affected lots DLA may release lots with an earlier DOP that are safe to consume. At a minimum, these lots will be marked at the pallet level and shipping documents will indicate “NOTICE: DSCP has certified the dairyshakes contained in this pallet assembled by (name of assembler) with a DOP of (XXXX) are safe to consume. This notice shall remain attached to these rations until exhausted.” In any situation where a Service member does not have or is not aware of this certification the DO NOT CONSUME ORDER remains in effect.
f. Service components should contact their DSCP Customer Account Specialist to discuss potential warranty actions.
g. This ALFOODACT will remain in effect until all existing stocks of the affected rations are exhausted.
h. DeCA recipients immediately inventory MRE stocks to identify the above items and secure in a “Medical Hold” status to ensure of no further issue/sale/use. DeCA will issue disposition instructions to their facilities though DeCA channels. This is a DeCA action only—no other facility should place rations in a medical hold status.
i. POSITIVE and NEGATIVE RESPONSES directly to DSCP Consumer Safety Officer (CSO) are NOT required.
j. When corresponding with DSCP concerning this message please include this message’s subject in your subject line.
8. The Point of Contact for this ALFOODACT message is: COL John C. Smith, Food Safety Officer, at DSCP-FTW. VOICE, DSN: 444-8461, Commercial (215) 737-8461, or by FAX, DSN: 444-7361, or Commercial, (215) 737-7361.
Any individual or office that would like to receive recall messages electronically may forward their email address to dscpconssafofc@dla.mil
Previous recalls and frequently asked questions are available on the DSCP web site at:
C. Dwayne Overby, DVMMAJ, VCCommand Liaison OfficerDefense Supply Center PhiladelphiaATTN: DSCP-FTW700 Robbins AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19111Office: 215-737-2934DSN: 312-444-2934FAX: 215-737-7194Email: chesley.overby@dla.mil
Link to story here.