N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc., a Brooklyn, N.Y., establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various meat and poultry products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The items were part of a public health alert issued on Oct. 30, 2010. After a continued investigation by FSIS, the products are now being recalled by the firm. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

The products subject to recall include containers of “Lemon Grilled Chicken,” “Meatballs,” “Meatballs and Sauce,” “Swedish Meatballs,” “Sausage and Peppers,” “Chicken Salad,” “Grilled Chicken,” “Grilled Chicken, Plain,” “Breaded Chicken,” “Stuffed Cabbage,” “Teriyaki Grilled Chicken” and “Chopped Chicken Liver.”

The implicated products were produced between March 11, 2010, and Oct. 29, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments in New York. The products subject to this recall may or may not bear the N.Y. Gourmet Salads Inc. label with the establishment number "P-34440" or "Est. 34440" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Source: FSIS

JBS USA to use video auditing at beef plants

The Beef Division of JBS USA Holdings Inc., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of JBS S.A., announced it will implement Arrowsight’s third party 24/7/365 Remote Video Auditing (RVA) program at its eight US beef plants. The RVA program will enhance the Company’s existing efforts in food safety, quality, and animal handling activities conducted by plant employees.

“Within weeks of installing the RVA system, we were able to improve the accuracy of our auditing,” said Dr. John Ruby, Head, Technical Services, JBS USA Beef Division. “By measuring the performance of our workers and providing them with immediate feedback while they work, JBS will be able to continually measure and improve our food safety systems. We are excited to partner with Arrowsight to utilize the latest technology to enhance the safety and quality of our products.”

Source: JBS USA

Cooking Channel, Sausage Council talk hot dogs

National Hot Dog and Sausage Council President Janet Riley appeared this week in an episode of the Cooking Channel’s new series, “United Tastes of America.” From the streets of Chicago, to the boardwalk of Coney Island, the episode delved into the history, process and pop-culture that have transformed one of America's favorite foods – the hot dog.

Riley and host Jeffery Saad, runner-up on Season 5 of the “The Next Food Network Star,” chatted on the boardwalk in Coney Island about New York style hot dogs, the origin of the hot dog in the United States and just how the term “hot dog” came about.

“They [hot dogs] came from Frankfurt, Germany, which is why we call them Frankfurters and the Germans also loved dachshund dogs,” Riley noted. “They started to make a joke that their dogs were the raw ingredients in their sausages. It was a joke, of course, but eventually they began to call their wagons ‘dog wagons’ and the name ‘hot dog’ evolved and took off.”

For the episode, Saad ventured around the country to examine some unique spins on this American icon. In addition to Coney Island, Saad travelled to Chicago to visit a local boutique hot dog restaurant, “Hot Dog University” and the Vienna Hot Dog Factory; to Los Angeles where he interviewed the owners of a hot dog food truck and an out-of-the-way hot dog stand in Reseda; and finally to an eccentric café in New York City’s Little Italy that boasts a $69, three foot long hot dog that's covered in truffle oil and topped with foie gras.

The hot dog episode will re-air throughout December and January. Check local listings for the Cooking Channel.

Source: AMI

Arby's names new COO

Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc., a subsidiary of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc. announced that Diana Petrovich-Tao, 51, has been named chief operating officer. Petrovich-Tao brings years of restaurant operations and franchise support experience to her new position with Arby’s, including service with Burger King Corporation, Mrs. Fields Brands and other well-known brands.

“This appointment is a key component of our turnaround plan, as we work to grow sales and profits by enhancing the Arby’s customer experience through exceptional service in our restaurants,” said Arby’s President Hala Moddelmog. “Diana has an impressive track record developing strong, effective teams; building a positive, motivating culture; and executing innovative sales and business development programs.”

Petrovich-Tao worked at Burger King Corp. from 2003 until earlier this year – as Division Vice President, Mountain States, and, most recently, Vice President, Global Training and Development with responsibility for operational training initiatives in the U.S. and 70 countries.

Prior to her tenure with Burger King, Petrovich-Tao held several senior leadership positions with Mrs. Fields Brands from 2001-03, including responsibility for 3,800 franchise units across seven brands. While serving as a Vice President at Kinkos Inc. from 1998-2001, Petrovich-Tao led the turnaround of 150 underperforming stores in five Midwestern states.

Petrovich-Tao’s career also includes service with Taco Bell Corp., Packaging Corporation of America, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Castle & Cooke Foods.

Source: Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc.