FDA egg inspection report

After the infamous August 2010 500-million egg recall, and the ensuing implementation of a new federal rule aimed at preventing Salmonella in shell eggs, the FDA issued its first egg inspection report on February 1, 2011.

There are about 600 farms with over 50,000 laying hens subject to the new egg safety rule. 35 of those 600 shell egg farms were inspected in six states during this round.  Those included farms in Ohio, Maine, Pennsylvania, Washington, South Carolina, and Utah. Each farm inspected had either been associated with a salmonella outbreak, or had a poor history of compliance.

12 of the farms inspected were required to make changes as a result of the inspections. 11 of the 12 received a final inspection classification as "No Action Indicated." The remaining 12 farms are still awaiting disposition. Most of the violations were related to poor record keeping. Additional violations concerned inadequate rodent and stray animal control.

Of 1,796 environmental swabs collected at the farms, 4 percent (76 total) tested positive for Salmonella Entertidis. Each of the positive swabs was obtained from one specific unnamed egg producer.

"The remaining farms will receive a targeted inspection focused on compliance with the major provisions of the Rule," according to FDA. "An evidentiary threshold based on initial inspectional observations is being established for these sites, which will trigger comprehensive inspections that will include environmental sampling, if indicated. FDA and its state partners will be in communication throughout the course of this assignment to share the results of inspections."

Are YOU a victim of recall fatigue?

Seems like every time I turn the television on lately... there is a new recall. 2010 started with the big Toyota and Tylenol recalls ... and then within the past month, McDonald's asked customers to return 12 million Shrek glasses... Campbell Soup asked that we return 15 million pounds of Spaghetti-Os... 2 million cribs were recalled by 7 crib manufacturers... and Kellogg's warned us about 28 million boxes of Froot Loops and other cereals. Doctor's offices were even dinged for handing out trinkets with Cadmium as a treat for good little boys and girls. Frighteningly... those products we heard about are just a fraction of the items that were recalled in the United States just over the last month.

Most of us never even find out if a product we own, use or are planning to consume has been recalled. Even though the government maintains a massive recall site at www.recalls.gov... and a SmartPhone app makes it possible to check for recalls as you shop. Seems like overload to me! If you paid attention to every recall notice that comes out, it would be more than a full time job.

So it's obvious that the national recall system that we have simply doesn't work. The easy part is getting the items pulled from the shelves. The hard part is dealing with those items that are already in our homes. It's been noted that the best way to deal with this is for the manufacturers to notify the consumers directly... so they are aware that a particular recall applies to them. Well... that's one thing to have a car manufacturer use registration information provided at the time of purchase to notify me when my brakes are defective... but I really don't want to complete a registration card for each can of SpaghettiOs or box of Froot Loops I buy... do you?

Notification concerns were behind a new federal law that took effect this week that requires manufacturers of durable baby and toddler items (such as bathtubs, cribs and high chairs) to include registration cards with those products. But what guarantee is there that they will be completed and returned? Brings to mind the registration card I just pitched for the new entertainment center in my den!

Another alternative is that all stores be responsible to maintain customer information and track purchases, similar to Costco, so that notification is easy in the event of a recall. However, do you want your health insurance provider to have easy access to each bag of potato chips you purchased so they can refuse your high cholesterol treatment? Thought so... :) A blog post for another day ;)

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Tylenol Recall Expanded to Include 21 Additional Lots

Additional Tylenol brand products were recalled on July 8, 2010. This most recent recall includes 21 lots of children and adult Tylenol, as well as Motrin and Benadryl allergy tablets. These lots listed were produced prior to the Jan 15 Tylenol recall.

The July 8 recall was announced after an internal company review determined that package materials used in these lots had been shipped and stored on the same type of wooden pallet used in the previously recalled lots. McNeil has since stopped using that type of pallet. According to information released by the manufacturer, chances of becoming ill from this recall are slim, however, if you are in possession of any of the following 21 lots of recalled Tylenol, Benadryl or Motrin medication, do not use it. Contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare at (888) 222-6036 for instructions on getting a refund or replacement.

July 8 Recall Lots:

BENADRYL® ALLERGY ULTRATAB™ TABLETS 100 count Lot ABA567
BENADRYL® ALLERGY ULTRATAB™ TABLETS 100 count Lot ABA574
CHILDREN’S TYLENOL® MELTAWAYS BUBBLEGUM 30 count Lot ABA544
MOTRIN® IB CAPLET 24 count Lot ACA003
MOTRIN® IB CAPLET bonus pack 50+25 count Lot ACA002
MOTRIN® IB TABLET 100 count Lot AFA060
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength EZ TABLET 225 count Lot ASA206
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength EZ TABLET 50 count Lot ABA005
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength COOL CAPLET 24 count Lot ABA566
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET bonus 24+12 count Lot ACA025
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count Lot AFA018
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count Lot ABA168
TYLENOL®, Day & Night Value Pack 50 count Lot ABA168
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 24 count Lot ACA024
TYLENOL®, Extra Strength RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 225 count Lot AJA119
TYLENOL® PM CAPLET 24 count Lot ACA005
TYLENOL® PM CAPLET 24 count Lot ADA259
TYLENOL® PM GELTAB 50 count Lot AFA100
TYLENOL® PM RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 20 count Lot ACA004

High Levels of Cadmium Prompt Recall of Children’s Trinkets

Approximately 70,000 trinkets distributed by doctors and dentists as a reward for good boys and girls have been recalled by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission due to high levels of Cadmium. Cadmium, a naturally occurring toxin, is a known carcinogen and can weaken kidneys and bones. Particularly dangerous when ingested, regulators are concerned that children may bite, chew, suck on or swallow the cadmium-jewelry. Included in the recall are ""Happy Charm Bracelets" with colorful beads on an elastic band and a metal charm depicting either a butterly, sun or moon attached to the bracelet. Rings with a metal football-shaped charm appended to an adjustable band are also part of the recall.

The trinkets were imported by the Toy Network, of Indianola, Iowa and Fun Express Oriental Trading Company, of Omaha, Nebraska. They were made available free of charge in doctor and dentist offices nationwide from June 2005 through March 2010. Consumers are urged to dispose of the jewelry immediately. Contact SmileMakers, Inc, a Staples subsidiary and the distributor of the items, toll-free at (877) 390-5470 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for more information concerning the recall.

There are currently no federal requirements for testing cadmium in children's jewelry. However, some companies began testing for it when it was learned that some Chinese manufacturers began substituting cadmium after lead was banned from children's jewelry in 2008. As a result of the testing, federal regulators have recalled Disney-branded jewelry sold at Walmart; "Best Friends" charm bracelets sold at the international jewelry and accessories chain Claire's; and 12 million "Shrek" movie-themed drinking glasses being given away at McDonald's with cadmium pigment in their decoration.

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Consumer Group Takes Aim Against Happy Meal Toys

You might say "they're hatin' it," in marked contrast to McDonald's long-running slogan: "I'm Lovin' It." The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has issued a notice of intent to file a lawsuit against McDonald's, claiming Happy Meals toys lure kids into unhealthy eating habits and break state consumer-protection laws in multiple states. "McDonald's is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children," states the news release announcing the impending lawsuit. CSPI claims they will continue with the Happy Meal lawsuit if McDonald's does not stop offering toys with Happy Meals within the next 30 days.

McDonald's of course, strongly objects to the CSPI claims, stating: "We couldn’t disagree more with the misrepresentation of our food and marketing practices made by CSPI." The McDonald's statement notes that McDonald's participates in the Better Business Bureau's voluntary initiative to address children's well-being. It defends Happy Meals and notes that since 2008, U.S. customers have purchased 100 million of the meals with Apple Dippers. According to the statement, McDonald's served 31 million gallons of milk, which is three times the amount of milk served in 2004. In addition, the statement points out that the recent ads featuring the lovable ogre Shrek offer Apple Dippers and 1% milk instead of french fries and sugary soft drinks.

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Magic Power Coffee Recall due to Viagra-Like Ingredient

Federal regulators are warning consumers away from Magic Power Coffee, coffee seemingly designed for men who want to stay awake and have more sex. Marketed as an all natural nutritional supplement, the Magic Power brand of instant coffee contains a substance similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in prescription ED medicine Viagra. Sildenafil can interact with nitrate-type medications commonly prescribed to patients for the treatment of hypertension, causing dangerous drops in blood pressure.

Most supplements are thought to be harmless and pose no health risk, however Magic Power Coffee can cause serious side effects. And, the addition of ingredients reserved for use in prescription drugs into
over the counter products is a violation of the law. Magic Power Coffee is just one of the male enhancement products flagged by federal regulators this year.

The coffee supplement is currently being sold online as part of a multi-level marketing program. FDA officials advise that the product be discarded. Adverse effects can be reported to the FDA by calling
800-332-1088

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Uh-Oh SpaghettiOs!

According to the USDA, Campbell's Soup recalled 15 million pounds (35,000 cases) of SpaghettiOs with meatballs due to a cooker malfunction at the Paris Texas plant that left beef and noodles underprocessed. Underprocessing means that the product was not sufficiently heated until it reached commercial levels of sterility, which ensures shelf stability. Without shelf stability, the cans can not be sure to be free of microorganisms, like bacteria, and spoilage can occur. Since the company could not be sure exactly when the cooker malfunction occurred, they opted to err on the side of caution and issue the SpaghettiOs recall for all products manufactured at the affected plant between December 2008 and June 2010.

The specific products in question are:

* 14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" with Meatballs with product code "U5" on the bottom of the can
* 14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" A to Z with Meatballs with product code "4N" on the bottom of the can
* 14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars) with product code "KS" on the bottom of the can

They can also be identified with an establishment number "EST 4K" on the can and a "Use By" date between June 2010 and December 2011.

Were spoilage to have occurred, cans would appear bloated, or there would be a foul odor upon opening. If the product was consumed, nausea or vomiting are likely to occur. To date, there have been no reports of illness related to the SpaghettiOs recall.

Consumers in possession of products with identifying product codes KS, 4N or U5 should return those products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any related questions may be directed to Campbell's
Hotline at (866) 495-3774.

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Eight Cases of Salmonella Linked to Marie Callender's Recall

Eight cases of salmonellosis have been linked to the nationwide recall of Marie Callender’s brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals, according to state health and agriculture officials. The recall was initiated when the CDC informed ConAgra, the company that produces Marie Callender products, that of the 30 people diagnosed with a rare form of Salmonella, Salmonella Chester, 8 reported eating the product prior to becoming ill. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture was able to isolate Salmonella Chester from an intact package of Marie Callender's from one of those infected with the rare strain of salmonella. The Marie Callender's recall specifically includes 13-ounce packages of Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken & Rice White Meat Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Topped with Rich Cheddar Sauce.

More information is available from the USDAs' FSIS division. All packages of Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice with P45 inside the USDA inspection mark should be discarded and not consumed. Further consumer questions about the recall may be addressed by calling ConAgra Foods at
1-866-484-9610.

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Tylenol Still Feeling the Pain

Five months ago (in January 2010), McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson and Johnson, recalled millions of Tylenol and Motrin products stemming from complaints of an "unusual moldy, musty or mildew-like odor. Four times over the last seven months, McNeil has had to recall products. A variety of McNeil products have been included in the recalls: Tylenol, Zyrtec, Motrin, Benadryl as well as its children's line of non-prescription drugs.

On June 5, 2010, McNeil announced it was expanding the original January recall because some products were "inadvertently ommitted from the initial recall." UNBELIEVABLE! The drugmaker has now added four additional lots of Benadryl allergy ultratab tablets (100 count), and one product lot of extra strength Tylenol rapid release gels (50 count) to the recall.

McNeil's string of recalls has garnered a great deal of attention from the FDA. According to the FDA compliance office, the FDA has "serious concerns about the company's control over the quality of its drugs and the company's failure to aggressively investigate and correct quality problems." The case has been referred to the crime division, and criminal prosecution is a possibility.

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Nationwide Lobster Recall: Listeria Contamination

The FDA announced that a nationwide US lobster meat recall was issued after tests determined it could be contaminated with Listeria. The recall affects the Portland Shellfish Company, Inc., Claw island, Craig's All Natural, and Inland Ocean products thaqt shipped between May 12 and June 8, 2010. The lobster meat was sold via cooked, fresh or frozen packages in both wholesale and retail stores. Check the FDA website for a complete listing of lot numbers and package types before eating any lobster purchased from the aforementioned companies. Specific questions may be addressed by contacting Portland Shellfish at 207-699-5505 during standard business hours. Return recalled lobster to the place of purchase for a refund. As of June 17, no illnesses had been reported due to ingestion of any affected lobster.

Listeria may cause a variety of digestive tract problems as well as headaches, stiffness and fever in otherwise healthy people. Listeria may be potentially fatal in young children, the frail, and the elderly.

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Baby Einstein Recall Deadline Approaching

The The Baby Einstein recall expiration date is fast approaching. As a result of an alleged settlement between the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and The Walt Disney Company, Disney is
offering $15.99 refunds for up to four Baby Einstein DVDs per household for any DVDs purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009.

If you are not satisfied with a Baby Einstein DVD you purchased during the above-mentioned time-period, it may be exchanged for one of the following:

* Baby Einstein Book of your choice
* Baby Einstein music CD of your choice
* 25% off the purchase coupon of one Little Einsteins™ product from DisneyStore.com
* Refund of the current retail value of the DVD ($15.99)

DVDs must be returned to The Walt Disney Company. These submissions must be postmarked by March 4, 2010 to receive compensation. Return forms and full details are available here.

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Safety First Crib Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for approximately 635,000 Safety First/Dorel-brand infant cribs that were sold in Kmart, Sears, and Wal-Mart stores betwen January 2005 and December 2009. The dropside of the crib detaches, creating a gap where the child can become trapped.

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