The FDA is warning the public, restaurants, and retailers about oysters from British Columbia, Canada growing areas BC 14-8 because they may be contaminated with norovirus. These oysters were exported to California. They are Fanny Bay, Sunseeker, and Cloudy Bay oysters that were originally harvested from British Columbia (BC), Canada growing area BC 14-8 Landfile (LF) # 0278741 on 11/27/2024 and 12/03/2024 and from growing area BC 14-8 LF # 0335309 on 12/03/2024 and 12/05/2024. The oysters were shipped to distributors and retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, Canada and in California, and may have been distributed to other states as well. The photo is an example of a shellfish tag that would be attached to containers of oysters. Taylor Shellfish Canada has issued … [Read more...]
Raw Pet Food May Be Contaminated With the Bird Flu Virus
The County of Los Angeles Public Health is warning the public to not feed their cats and dogs raw pet food because it may be contaminated with the bird flu virus. Northwest Naturals raw frozen pet food is contaminated with the H5N1 virus and is being recalled. The product has been recalled. It is Northwest Naturals Brand Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food that is packaged 2-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. Pet owners are urged to immediately dispose of the product. If your pet ate this product and is showing signs of illness, see your veterinarian immediately. Public Health recently confirmed H5 bird flu in four house cats that consumed recalled Raw Farm raw milk and became sick and died. Cats infected with H5 bird … [Read more...]
Two Cats Die of Bird Flu After Drinking Raw Farm Raw Milk
Two cats have died of possible bird flu infections after drinking Raw Farm raw milk that has been recalled. That farm is located in California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. The indoor cats consumed the raw milk before they got sick. Symptoms included lack of appetite, fever, and neurological signs. The cats died, and testing was positive for influenza A, a rare result in cats. The nationwide Influenza A-H5N1 bird flu outbreak has seen other cats infected with the virus after consuming infected raw milk. People who had direct contact with the cats have been offered antiviral prophylaxis. There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to these cats. The investigation is ongoing. Although human cases of bird flu are rare, … [Read more...]
FDA Warns About Lead in Imported Rashko Baba Cookware
The FDA is warning about lead in imported Rashko Baba cookware. These products are made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, and have the potential to leach lead into food. This cookware should not be distributed or sold in the U.S. market. There have been high lead levels found in resettled refugee populations in Washington state. There is no level of safe exposure to lead. This heavy metal can cause serious health problems. Short term exposure to very low levels of lead may not cause any symptoms. The effects of lead consumption can vary based on the amount consumed, the length of exposure, and the patient’s age and body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for weeks or months, permanent damage to the central nervous … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Buffalo Wild Wings in Monterey Park, CA
A hepatitis A exposure at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Monterey Park, California may have exposed patrons to the virus, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. That restaurant is located at 4000 Market Place in Monterey Park. An employee worked there while infectious with th virus. No other cases have been identified at this time. Public health officials are investigating this issue. Public health is recommending that anyone who consumed food or drank beverages at that restaurant between November 13, 2024 and November 22, 204 receive a hepatitis A vaccine. Anyone who ate there before November 15, 2024 may not be eligible to receive the vaccine because it is most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. Talk to your doctor about your … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Turkey Safety Tips From the USDA
Get Thanksgiving turkey safety tips from the USDA, including how to thaw and cook the bird, for a safe holiday. The biggest meal of the year comes with special food safety issues, especially regarding the turkey. The first step is thawing the turkey, if you purchased a frozen bird. Never ever thaw turkey or any meats at room temperature. Turkey can be thawed in the fridge; allow 24 hours for every four pounds of turkey. That means if you bought a 16 pound turkey, you need to allow four full days for thawing. After the turkey is thawed using this method, it can be kept, uncooked, in the fridge for two days. You can also thaw the turkey in cold water. Allow 30 minutes of thawing per pound, and submerge the turkey in its original wrapping. Change the water eery 30 minutes until the … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Final Compliance for Preventing Scombrotoxin in Fish
The FDA has issued a final compliance policy guide (CPG) for preventing Scombrotoxin in fish. The adulteration of fish and fishery products with histamines can cause Scombrotoxin poisoning in humans. Histamine production can occur in fish as the flesh begins to decompose after death. The CPG will help the FDA address adulteration during surveillance sampling and testing and will increase consumer protection by lowering the levels of histamine in fish. In some species of fish, such as tuna and mahi-mahi, the muscle tissue can cause histamines to form because of the activity of enzymes produced by spoilage bacteria. Unless fish are quickly and properly chilled after the catch, histamines can accumulate. Once they are formed, these histamines cannot be removed by washing, freezing, … [Read more...]
Halloween Food Safety Tips From the FDA
It's almost Halloween! Get these Halloween food safety tips from the FDA to keep your kids safe. Once the costumes are ready there are some things for you to think about. First of all, make sure your kids eat a healthy snack or meal before they head out trick or treating. Tell them they should not eat any of the candy or treats they receive until they get home and you can look them over. Children should be told not to accept or eat any homemade treats. Only accept commercially wrapped, inspected treats. And when they get home, look over the candy carefully for any signs of tampering, including unusual appearance, discoloration, pinholes, tears, or rips in the wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious. If your child has a food allergy, check the label to make sure the … [Read more...]
Flood Waters Contain Chemicals, Pollutants, Bacteria, and Viruses
With Hurricane Milton poised to hit Florida tomorrow, and people still cleaning up from Helene, there are some things you need to know about flood water. Drowning and building damage are not the only risks from floods. And this water is not just dirty. Flood waters contain chemicals, pollutants, bacteria, toxins, and viruses that can make you sick. And eating food or drinking water contaminated with these waters can be very dangerous. Even containers that you think are sealed are not impervious to flood water. Charlotte County issued a bulletin about these dangers. First, if you are under a boil water notice, use commercially boiled water for mixing baby food formula. Wash your hands with soap and either disinfected or boiled and cooled water, especially before preparing or … [Read more...]
FDA Finds More Supplements That Contain Yellow Oleander
The FDA has found more supplements that contain yellow oleander, a toxic plant that can cause serious illness and death. Yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular adverse health effects that can be severe or fatal. These three new products should not be consumed. If you have purchased them, take them back to the place of purchase or discard them according to your community's methods of getting rid of toxic substances. You can see pictures of these items at the FDA web site. The products include Creative Interiors, LLC/Privit Wellness, LLC Primor Health Optimus Weight. It was sold through Amazon. The firm has not yet committed to a recall. The second product is Innovacion Natural LLC SdB Elite Salud de Belleza that was also sold on Amazon. The FDA … [Read more...]
