URGENT Nationwide Frozen Mamey Fruit Pulp Recall – Fruit Linked to Typhoid Fever Outbreak
Washington, DC: An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state partners showed an epidemiologic link between an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Typhi and frozen mamey fruit pulp sold under the La Nuestra brand by Montalvan Sales Inc. Ontario, CA, and under the Goya brand by Goya Foods Inc. Secaucus, New Jersey. More details here.
1 Million Pounds of Ground Beef Products Recalled
Washington, DC: Valley Meat Company is recalling approximately one million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products that may be contaminated with E.coli. Full story here.
$69M Settlement Approved in Volkswagen, Audi Case
A $69 million settlement has been approved by a US magistrate judge in Newark, this week, ending litigation brought by owners of Volkswagens and Audis whose interiors leaked during rainstorms.
It’s Not Just Teenagers Who Are Texting While Driving…
Here’s a scary thought; adults are just as likely as teenagers to text while driving. Check out the full story here.
Boston Steam Pipe Burst
Last Wednesday night a steam pipe burst on Harrison Avenue in Boston, spewing asbestos into the air and covering roads and parked cars. According to news reports, no one was hurt, which is not surprising. Asbestosis, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases caused by breathing airborne asbestos fibers typically take many years to develop.
FDA Warns of Liver Injury with Arava
The FDA is adding information on severe liver injury to the Boxed Warning of Arava (leflunomide) a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis – to highlight the risk of severe liver injury in patients using this drug and how this risk may be reduced. FDA previously required a Boxed Warning stating that leflunomide was contraindicated in pregnant women, or women of childbearing potential who were not using reliable contraception.
The decision to add information on severe liver injury to the Boxed Warning was based on FDA’s review of adverse event reports which identified 49 cases of severe liver injury, including 14 cases of fatal liver failure, between August 2002 and May 2009. In this review, the greatest risk for liver injury was seen in patients taking other drugs known to cause liver injury, and patients with pre-existing liver disease.
Zicam Lawsuit
The makers of Zicam got hit with a class action lawsuit this week, alleging injuries including loss of sense of smell and diminished sense of taste as a result of using Zicam Cold Remedy Gel. Check out the full story here.
Sony Recalls VAIO Laptops for Overheating
About 223,000 Sony Vaio Notebook computers are being recalled because the computers can overheat, posing a burn hazard to the consumer.
To date, Sony has received 30 reports of units overheating resulting in deformed keyboards and casings. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled products are VPCF11 Series and VPCCW2 Series notebook computers. The computers are available in many colors and have “VAIO” on the front outside panel. The model numbers can be found on the bottom of the computers. For a complete list of affected models see the link below.
The notebooks were sold at Best Buy, Costco, Frys, Amazon.com and Sony Style retail stores and sonystyle.com as well as other electronics retailers and business suppliers nationwide. The recalled computers were shipped to consumers and resellers between January 2010 and April 2010. They sold for between $800 and $1,500.
Scope Original Mint Mouthwash Recalled
Procter & Gamble is recalling about 35,000 bottles of Scope Original Mint Mouthwash, 1 Liter Size because the mouthwash contains ethyl alcohol and certain bottles have malfunctioning child-resistant caps and lack the statement, “This Package for Households Without Young children,” as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Ethyl alcohol is toxic and can cause serious injury or death if ingested by children.
The recalled bottles have the number 4 on the bottom of the bottle. The bottles with the 4 on the bottom may not be child-resistant. Consumers can also attempt to twist the cap open. If the cap can be twisted off without squeezing the tabs on the cap, the package is not child-resistant.
The mouthwash was sold at drug stores, grocery stores and other retailers between January 2010 and June 2010 for about $4.
Summer Pool Safety
It’s summer and that means it’s time to enjoy the pool. However, each year, thousands of children are injured in drownings and hundreds lose their lives. So enjoy your backyard or community pool this summer, but commit to protecting your children and family by reading this article.
