The FDA has issued a warning letter to Austrofood about lead and chromium in the cinnamon used to make apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches that were recalled in 2023. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture conducted lab analysis of multiple lots of those pouches and found extremely high levels of lead. In addition, after an inspection in the company's facility in Ecuador, FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practices, Hazard Analysis, and Risk Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. A hazard analysis was not conducted before the recall. Considering that food … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Azay Restaurant in Little Tokyo, LA in CA
A hepatitis A exposure at Azay restaurant in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in California may have exposed patrons to the virus, according to the Los Angeles County of Public Health. That restaurant is located at 226 East First Street in Los Angeles. No additional cases have been identified at this time. The person worked while contagious between July 26 and July 30, 2024. Anyone who ate there July 29 and July 30, 2024 should get a hepatitis A vaccine, which is most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. Contact your doctor with any questions. Local pharmacies usually offer this vaccine. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease that is caused by a virus. It can cause a mild illness, or a severe illness depending on the health of the patient. It is spread through … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Queen Subs in Cortland, New York
A hepatitis A exposure at Queen Subs at 43 Port Watson Street in Cortland, New York may have affected patrons. A worker was diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Cortland County Health Department. The risk of contracting the virus is low, but the Health Department is offering hepatitis A vaccinations to those who may have been exposed. The vaccine is effective if given within two weeks of exposure. If you purchased food or drink at Queen Subs after July 4, 2024 there is no currently identified risk. The days of possible exposure are June 28, 2024, July 2, 2024, and July 3, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day to get the vaccine for those who may have been exposed on July 2, 2024, and Wednesday is the last day for those who may have been exposed on July 3, 2024. For anyone who … [Read more...]
Court Enjoins Freshy Foods, LLC From Distributing Food
A court in Louisiana has enjoined Freshy Foods, LLC from distributing adulterated food, according to the Justice Department. In a civil complaint filed on June 10, 2024, the United States alleged that Freshy Foods, LLC, Team Fresh & Go, LLC and its owners, Floyd D. James and Ida M. James, violated the FDCA at their food processing facility in Elmwood, Louisiana by manufacturing and distributing adulterated food products. The company manufactured ready to eat food products, including fruit cups and sandwiches. The complaint alleged that environmental tests in 2023 found Listeria monocytogenes, the pathogen that can cause listeriosis, in the defendants’ facility. The complaint also alleged that a 2023 FDA inspection identified insanitary conditions at the facility. According to … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Parents About Benzocaine and Lidocaine
The FDA is warning parents about the dangers of benzocaine and lidocaine in products used for treating teething pain in children. These topical medications offer little to no benefit and are associated with serious risks. The products include creams, gels, and homeopathic teething tablets. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that temporarily numbs. It is the active ingredient in several nonprescription oral health care products, including Anbesol, Cepacol, Chloraseptic, HurriCaine, Orabase, Orajel, and Topex. These products should not be used for teething pain in children because they can be dangerous. Using benzocaine products can lead to a serious, and sometimes fatal, condition called methemoglobinemia, in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells is greatly … [Read more...]
FDA Revokes Regulation Allowing Brominated Vegetable Oil
The FDA has revoked the regulation allowing brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. This oil is modified with bromine. He agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe. A series of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse human health effects from the use of brominated vegetable oil. The FDA announced plans to ban this product last year. And the state of California banned BVO along with other compounds before the FDA announced their decision. Brominated vegetable oil was removed from the Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) list in 1970. It was used in small amounts to keep the citrus flavoring from floating to the top in some beverages. Few beverages in the United States contain … [Read more...]
Fourth of July Food Safety Tips From the USDA
The USDA is offering Fourth of July food safety tips so you can have a great celebration and offer safe food for your family and friends to enjoy. It's easy: just follow the four steps of clean, separate, cook, and chill. When you are serving guests of varying ages and health concerns, it's very important to make sure that the food at your party or gathering is wholesome and safe. That means you need to follow certain steps in the kitchen to the letter. They are: CLEAN. Wash your hands and surfaces such as countertops often. Hands should be washed for 20 seconds with clean water and soap. (Sing Happy Birthday to You twice for accurate timing.) If no running water is available, use hand sanitizer or moist towelettes that contain at least 60 percent alcohol. SEPARATE. Separate … [Read more...]
Dollar Tree Sold WanaBana Cinnamon Apple Products After Recall
Dollar Tree sold WanaBana Cinnamon Apple products after they were recalled for "extremely high concentrations of lead," according to an FDA warning letter. The investigation into the lead levels in those products started in October 2023. A recall was issued on October4 29, 2023. The recall was "ineffective" at Dollar Tree stores through December 19, 2023, the FDA states. The warning letter states, "Subsequent recall audit checks of your Dollar Tree and Family Dollar/Dollar Tree combination stores (collectively referred to as your “Dollar Tree stores”) revealed that you continued to offer the recalled WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches on store shelves well after the recall was initiated, despite FDA’s numerous attempts to bring this serious issue to your attention." The … [Read more...]
Alert: Wow Bao Bao Thai-Style Curried Chicken Has Soy, Sesame
The USDA has issued a public health alert that Wow Bao Bao Thai-Style Curried Chicken contains soy and sesame, two of the nine major food allergens, that are not declared on the package label as required. The product may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao, which is made with soy and sesame. Anyone who is allergic to soy and/or sesame could have a serious reaction if they eat this product. No confirmed reports of adverse reactions have been received by the company to date. The recalling firm is Wow Bao. The fully cooked, frozen bao curry chicken product was packaged on March 20, 2024. The recalled item is 10 ounce boxes that contain four "Wow Bao Bao Thai-Style Curry Chicken" pouches. The best if used by date that is printed on the side of the box is 4/12/25. The product has … [Read more...]
Do Not Eat Certain Shellfish From OR and WA Because of PSP
The FDA says consumers should not eat certain shellfish harvested from Oregon and Washington waters because they may be contaminated with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). Restaurants and retailers should not sell these products. Retailers and restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington may have purchased oysters and bay clams from growing areas in Netarts Bay and Tillamook bay, Oregon harvested on or after May 28, 2024. All shellfish from growing areas in Willapa Bay, Washington Stony Point, harvested between May 26, 2024 and May 30, 2024;5/26/24; from Bay Center, harvested between May 29, 2024 and May 30, 2024; and Bruceport, harvested between May 29, 2024 and May 30, 2024 are included. Consumers in Arizona, California, … [Read more...]
