Recall Alert on Cakes & Cookies Sold at Whole Foods

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 6, 2020

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling select bundt cakes and chocolate dipped cookies from stores in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Washington D.C. because they contain undeclared milk.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The affected products were sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Washington D.C. The bundt cakes and cookies were available in the bakery department and sold in clear plastic packaging with Whole Foods Market scale labels. The cookies were also available on self-serve cookie displays and sold by the pound. The affected products can be identified by the following information.

All affected product has been removed from store shelves. No allergic reactions have been reported to date.

Chocolate Fudge Mini Bundt Cake

Product Code (begins with) 221287
Best by Dates Through Feb 08 2020

Marble Bundt Cake

Product Code (begins with)245162
Best by Dates Through Feb 08 2020

Dark Chocolate Dipped Almond Horn Cookie

Product Code (begins with)233579
Best by Dates Through Feb 17 2020

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroon Cookie
Product Code (begins with) 233579
Best by Dates Through Feb 08 2020

Customers who purchased these products at Whole Foods Market can bring a valid receipt into stores for a full refund. Consumers with additional questions can call 1-844-936-8255 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, or 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: freestocks.org on Unsplash

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The FDA Just Approved a New Peanut Allergy Treatment for Kids

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 5, 2020

While it’s not a cure, parents of children with peanut allergies may be able to gain a little piece of mind thanks to a new drug aimed to help reduce severity of allergic reactions.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Palforzia, which can be used by children ages 4 through 17 to help increase their tolerance to small quantities of peanuts and decrease the risk of a reaction in case of accidental exposure.

Allergy sufferers will still need to avoid all peanut products, but this new drug marks a positive step towards preventing severe and even fatal symptoms.

“Peanut allergy affects approximately 1 million children in the U.S. and only 1 out of 5 of these children will outgrow their allergy. Because there is no cure, allergic individuals must strictly avoid exposure to prevent severe and potentially life-threatening reactions,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a press release.

The drug comes in powder form which can be mixed into foods such as applesauce or pudding for easier dosing.

“Even with strict avoidance, inadvertent exposures can and do occur. When used in conjunction with peanut avoidance, Palforzia provides an FDA-approved treatment option to help reduce the risk of these allergic reactions in children with peanut allergy,” said Marks.

Even trace amounts of peanuts can cause allergic reactions including hives, digestive problems, and constricted airways.

The FDA noted that Palforzia is not to be used for emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo courtesy of Vladislav Nikonav via Unsplash.

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FDA Expands Hard-Boiled Egg Recall Due to Listeria Contamination

by Erica LoopDecember 19, 2019

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a Food Safety Alert for ready-made hard-boiled eggs due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Following the initial alert, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an expansion of the recall to include additional products manufactured by Almark Foods at the company’s Gainesville, Georgia facility.

According to the CDC stats, the outbreak initially caused seven cases of Listeria in five states. According to the FDA’s website, “A more recent FDA sample from the facility also matched the outbreak strain, suggesting the possibility that the strain may have remained present in the facility.”

OUTBREAK ALERT: 7 Listeria infections linked to hard-boiled eggs used in stores and restaurants. CDC has important advice to protect people in high risk groups. If you are pregnant, age 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, read our advice: https://t.co/GgibpOdxuD pic.twitter.com/h1medczjmJ

— CDC (@CDCgov) December 18, 2019

The eggs, produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia were packaged in plastic pails for use by food service operators. The eggs were sold to retailers, and not directly to consumers. This means consumers may not know if the eggs in products they’ve purchased are contaminated. Given the new information from the FDA, Almark voluntarily expanded the recall to include all hard-boiled egg products packaged for retail made by the Gainesville plant.

Almark Foods Recalls Hard Cooked Egg Products in Pails Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination https://t.co/8D3WJHbhyV pic.twitter.com/WgeeLbPQKY

— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) December 23, 2019

The current recall includes all eggs with “Best If Used By” dates through Mar. 2, 2020. The product used by dates have a “G” prefix, indicating that the eggs were packaged in the Gainesville, Georgia facility. For a full list of recalled products, visit the FDA’s website here. The FDA has also issued additional recall alerts for retailers, such as Trader Joe’s, for products that may contain the affected eggs.

Listeria can cause fever and flu-like symptoms in pregnant women. The bacteria can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a potentially life-threatening infection in newborns. It can also cause headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, muscle aches or confusion in otherwise healthy children and adults. Symptoms often appear within one to four weeks after eating the contaminated food. This infection is treatable with antibiotics—making it important to contact your medical provider immediately.

Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Trader Joe’s Egg Salad and Potato Salad Because of Possible Health Risks https://t.co/vbmwKjJcSP pic.twitter.com/bWvWwo2Ak6

— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) December 24, 2019

The CDC had advised retailers and food service operators to stop using the peeled, hard-boiled eggs and wash/sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with the eggs. If you have concerns about where a product’s hard-boiled eggs came from, ask the retailer to verify they were not produced by Almark Foods. If the retailer doesn’t know, skip the egg-containing product entirely.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Mona Sabha Cabrera via Pexels

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Recall Alert: Salads, Sushi & Spring Rolls Sold at Trader Joe’s, Food Lion & Other Retailers

by Erica LoopDecember 3, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the voluntary recall of Fuji Food Products, Inc. ready to eat salads, sushi and spring rolls sold in Trader Joe’s and other retailers in the Upper Midwest and East Coast states due to a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination concern.

Fuji Food Products CEO Farrell Hirsch, said, in an FDA press release, “As responsible processors of safe, fresh food for nearly 30 years, we are addressing this problem vigorously and we apologize to those who are affected by it.” Hirsch continued, “We will restart operation only after we have eliminated the cause and the FDA certifies that our facility is once again free of possible contamination.”

photo: Tookapic via Pexels

Recalled Product Description: Ready to Eat Salads, Sushi and Spring Rolls

The current recall include Fuji Foods Products ready to eat salads, sushi and spring rolls packed in plastic trays with clear lids sold in the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

These products were sold in 7 Eleven, Walgreens, Food Lion, Hannaford, Trader Joe’s, Giant Eagle Supermarkets, Porkys, Bozzutos, Supreme Lobster and Superior Foods stores under the Okami and Trader Joe’s brand names. For a full list of products, UPC codes and sell-by dates, visit the FDA’s website here.

Why the Fuji Food Products Items Were Recalled

A voluntary recall was issued after a routine FDA inspection revealed a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the Fuji Food Products’ Brockton, Massachusetts facility. As of now, there are no reported illnesses due to the recalled products.

How to Tell If Your Salad, Sushi or Spring Rolls Were Recalled

If you purchased these products, under the Okami or Trader Joe’s brand names, in 7 Eleven, Walgreens, Food Lion, Hannaford, Trader Joe’s, Giant Eagle Supermarkets, Porkys, Bozzutos, Supreme Lobster and Superior Foods stores in the Midwest or East Coast states of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia or Wisconsin you may have a recalled product. Visit the FDA’s website for a full list of recalled products.

What Consumers Can Do

Do not eat the recalled products. Throw the products away and contact Fuji Food products at 1-888-667-1504 with questions.

—Erica Loop

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Recall Alert: Hodgson Mill All-Purpose Flour

by Shahrzad WarkentinNovember 27, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just announced a voluntary recall of Hodgson Mill Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour over concerns of the potential presence of E. coli. There are currently no confirmed reports of illness.

If you have this product at home, read on for important information.

Recalled Product Description: Hodgson Mill Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour

The current recall includes bags of Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour (5 lb.) with the UPC code 0-71518-05009-2, Best By Dates of 10-01-2020 and 10-02-2020 and lot codes listed Lot# 001042 & 005517.

Why the Flour Was Recalled

The flour is being recalled due to the potential presence of E. coli which was discovered through a random sampling of raw, uncooked flour.

How To Tell If Your Flour Was Recalled

Check your flour packages for the UPC codes, best by dates and lot codes included in the recall. The Use By and Lot Code information can be found on the bottom back panel of the bag.

What Consumers Can Do

Consumers are urged to stop using the affected product immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. You can contact the company’s customer service line Mon. through Fri. 9am to 3pm at 1-888-417-9343 x 1.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: FDA

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Treating Ear Infections Just Got Easier with These New FDA-Approved Ear Tubes

by Erica LoopNovember 27, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the approval of a breakthrough in ear tube technology. The new system allows doctors to insert the tubes under local anesthesia in the office.

Forget about general anesthesia and a trip to the hospital’s OR. The Rubes Under Local Anesthesia, a.k.a. Tula system, may make this all-too-common procedure easier on everyone.

photo: Burst via Pexels

Jeff Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health said, in a press release, “Today’s approval offers patients an option for the treatment of recurrent ear infections that does not require general anesthesia. As millions of children suffer from ear infections every year, it is important to have safe and effective treatments available to this susceptible patient population.”

Shuren continued, “This approval has the potential to expand patient access to a treatment that can be administered in a physician’s office with local anesthesia and minimal discomfort.”

The system, which is approved for children over the age of six months was tested on 222 pediatric patients. Researchers found the tubes have an 86 percent success rate in children under age five and an 89 percent success rate in the five to 12-year age group.

—Erica Loop

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The CDC & FDA Issue Recall Alert for Romaine Lettuce from Salinas, California

by Erica LoopNovember 25, 2019

If romaine is on your Thanksgiving menu, you may need to pick a substitute, pronto. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a food safety alert for romaine lettuce after 40 reported cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections across 16 states.

The lettuce, harvested from the Salinas, California growing region, has caused 28 hospitalizations so far.

CDC’s warning not to eat romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region includes ALL types of romaine (whole head, hearts of romaine, salad mixes, organic, etc.). Throw them away. Read more about the investigation: https://t.co/sZvP3yMmqV pic.twitter.com/8AjFzROkXm

— CDC (@CDCgov) November 22, 2019

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website, “At this time, romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Salinas region has not been implicated in this outbreak investigation. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine, which is voluntarily labeled as “indoor grown,” from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak.”

How can you tell if your romaine is unsafe to eat? The CDC recommends that consumers look at the label for the harvest location. All types of romaine, including hearts of romaine, whole heads, packages of pre-cut lettuce and salad mixes, could contain the affected lettuce. The recalled romaine products have “use by” dates between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1, 2019 and the establishment number EST. 18502B inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Do not consume lettuce labeled Salinas or those with no marked growing region. Throw the lettuce away and thoroughly wash and sanitize all surfaces the lettuce came in contact with.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Liz Muir via Flickr

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These Contact Lenses May Help Slow Down Nearsightedness in Children

by Erica LoopNovember 24, 2019

Does your child have myopia? If they’re nearsighted, CooperVision may have a solution to slow down the progression of this all-too-common eye issue.

The vision company recently announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its MiSight 1 day contact lens. Unlike other lenses, this daily wear, single-use contact product is shown to slow the development of myopia when prescribed for children ages 8 through 12.

photo: Pexen Designs via Pexels

In a press statement, Daniel G. McBride, President of CooperVision, said, “We can’t overstate the importance and potential impact of this landmark decision on children’s vision, especially considering the rise in myopia’s severity and prevalence in the U.S. and worldwide.” McBride continued, “Eye care professionals who embrace this breakthrough approach will improve the quality of life and eye health for so many children.”

Michele Andrews, OD, Senior Director of North America Professional and Academic Affairs for CooperVision, added, “While there is growing acknowledgment and interest in stemming myopia’s progression, there needs to be more urgency to act earlier. We believe that MiSight 1 day will be a catalyst that helps ECPs move faster and gives rise to better ECP-parent conversations about the issue. It’s a privilege to be at the forefront of myopia management.”

The recent FDA approval follows a multi-year study of children ages 8 through 12 from Singapore, Canada, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The results, which were published in the journal Optometry and Vision Sciences, showed that the lenses slowed the progression by over 50 percent.

The contact lenses, which are already prescribed in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain, will launch in the United States in March of 2020.

—Erica Loop

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Recall Alert: Missa Bay Lettuce Products Sold At Target, ALDI and More

by Shahrzad WarkentinNovember 23, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just announced that Missa Bay, LLC is recalling approximately 75,233 pounds of salad products that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce ingredient may be contaminated with E. coli.

If you have this product at home, read on for important information.

photo: USDA

Recalled Product Description: Salad Products

The current recall includes products marked with the establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to distribution locations in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin. The recall includes salads labeled Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Caesar, Target Bowl Chicken Caesar and Aldi Bistro Santa Fe. You can find the full list of items here.

Why the Salad Products Were Recalled

During an investigation for a foodborne illness outbreak, the Maryland Department of Health tested an unopened package of Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics Caesar Salad with FSIS EST number 18502B on the label. The lettuce tested positive for E. coli so the company has issued a recall on all products from the same lot of lettuce.

How To Tell If Your Salad Product Was Recalled

If you purchased lettuce in any of the affected states check your packaging for the establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection and a “best buy” date ranging from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

What Consumers Can Do

While the items recalled have long since expired, check your refrigerator and throw away any items that may be part of the recall.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Recall Alert: Cheese Nips Recalled Due to Contamination Concern

by Erica LoopNovember 21, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Cheese Nips in 11-ounce boxes following a potential plastic contamination concern. According to Mondelez Global LLC, the makers of Cheese Nips, there are currently no reported injuries or illnesses from the recalled product.

If you have this product at home, read on for important information.

photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Recalled Product Description: Cheese Nips

The current recall includes 11-ounce boxes of Cheese Nips with the retail UPC code 0 44000 03453 5 and best when used by dates of “18MAY20,” “19MAY20,” and “20MAY20.”

Why the Cheese Nips Were Recalled

Mondelez Global issued the recall after small food-grade yellow plastic pieces of a dough scraper were found in a small amount of the product. As of now, there are no reports of injuries, illnesses or adverse reactions due to the recalled product.

How To Tell If Your Cheese Nips Were Recalled

The only products included in this recall are 11-ounce boxes of Cheese Nips with the UPC code 0 44000 03453 5. This product was sold in retailers nationwide.

What Consumers Can Do

If you have the recalled product, don’t eat it. Throw the Cheese Nips away and contact the production company at 1-844-366-1171 for more information.

—Erica Loop

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