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...]
Flood Waters Contain Chemicals, Pollutants, Bacteria, and Viruses
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...]
FDA Has Started a Streamlined Food Complaints Program
Have you ever wanted to tell the FDA about a problem with food? The FDA has started a streamlined food complaints program to make the process easier. The complaints can be about an illness, an injury, an allergic reaction, concerns about a dietary supplement, or any concern about defects in the safety or quality of an FDA-regulated food. This is part of the Human Foods Program. Until this new program was initiated, consumer complaints were directed to Consumer Complaint Coordinators in the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. The phone numbers associated with those coordinators will no longer be active. Instead, consumers can call 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-800-723-3663). Then, officials with the Human Foods Program will receive, triage, and evaluate complaints, and the new Office of … [Read more...]
Worried About Lead in Cinnamon? Consumer Reports Can Help
Are you worried about lead in cinnamon? Consumer Reports can help with information on the brands that are the most and least contaminated with this heavy metal. The issue came to the forefront last fall when hundreds of children were sickened with lead poisoning after eating recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon pouches. Since then, the FDA has increased testing of cinnamon for lead contamination, and many recalls have been issued for unsafe products. The FDA warned consumers to avoid 17 products since their lead content, while still lower than that found in the apple puree pouches, were high enough to risk human health when consumed often. So which products are safer than others? Dr. James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, said in a … [Read more...]
DeLauro, Blumenthal Call For Boar’s Head Listeria Investigation
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are calling for a Boar's Head Listeria investigation in the wake of a deadly outbreak that has killed 10 people and sickened 59. The outbreak is linked to liverwurst deli meat produced by that company at their Jarratt, Virginia plant. The case count by state currently is: Arizona (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (1), Missouri (3), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (1), New York (17), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Virginia (4), and Wisconsin (1). The people who died lived in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico; two lived in South Carolina, and two lived in New … [Read more...]
Food Safety Emergency Preparedness Before a Storm
Get food safety emergency preparedness tips before a storm from the USDA. September is National Food Safety Education Month and emergency Preparedness Month. And with Hurricane Helene bearing down on the southeastern United States, it's time to get ready. For a chart about how to prepare, see Food Safety Before An Emergency. Knowing how to keep your food and water safe will minimize danger from spoiled food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. It's a good idea to always be ready, but when a storm watch or warning is issued, start to prepare. First, fill empty spaces in your freezer with frozen plastic jugs of water or bags of ice. They can serve as fresh water as needed. And freeze items you don't need right away. Fill jugs with fresh water and fill your bathtub as well. … [Read more...]
FDA Says Skip Antibacterial Soap in Favor of Plain Soap
The FDA is advising consumers to skip antibacterial soap in favor of plain soap and water because those soaps are not better at preventing illnesses and could cause more harm than good. Many people believe the antibacterial soaps will do a better job at keeping their family safe and healthy. Antibacterial soaps will generally have the word "antibacterial" on the label. But the FDA states that there is no evidence that shows that over the counter antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than plain soap and water. Dr. Theresa M. Michele of the FDA said in a statement, "Following simple handwashing practices is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness at home, at school and elsewhere. We can’t advise this enough. It’s … [Read more...]
CFIA Informs Public About Safety of Imported Enoki Mushrooms
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is informing the public about the safety of imported enoki mushrooms and how to handle them to avoid illness. Several recalls of this type of mushroom have been issued in the past few years for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Most recipes call for cooking these mushrooms, but some use them raw. Enoki mushrooms are a common commodity in Asian and their market has extended into Canada in recent years. Most of the raw enoki mushrooms for sale in Canada are imported from Asia. When you choose to use enoki mushrooms, make sure they are in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Never buy these types of mushrooms if they are not refrigerated. Then as soon as you get home, refrigerate them. Store them at 4°C (40°C) or … [Read more...]
FDA: Do Not Feed Some Lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Food
The FDA is warning consumers to not feed some lots of Darwin's Natural Pet Food to their pets because of possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The FDA issued a similar warning about Darwin's Naturals for possible Salmonella contamination last August, and in October 2023, August 2022, and March 2019. This food is raw pet food. FDA samples of five Darwin's Natural Pet Products raw cat and dog food made by Arrow Reliance tested positive for Salmonella contamination. And a sixth FDA sample tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This food is sold online through a subscription service. These products are sold in frozen 2 pound packages. They are lots of Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and … [Read more...]
Increase in Illegal Sale of Raw Milk in Clark County, Nevada
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is alerting people to the heath risks of drinking raw milk after an increase in the illegal sale of raw milk products in Clark County. The sale of raw milk and its products is illegal in Clark County becasue of serious health concerns. Raw milk can be contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious health problems or even death. Children under the age of five, pregnant people, those over the age of 65, and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and compromised immune systems are most susceptible to serious heath complications from these products. When public health officials find that raw milk was being sold, the milk is confiscated and discarded. … [Read more...]
