Wednesday, April 17, 2013

What Are You Eating? Latest Food Recalls (Update)

What's in your pantry? refrigerator? cupboard? Every now and then there is a report in the media regarding a major food recall. However, there are times when the recalls are not equally reported. Although some are due to mislabeling, others are due to contamination and both are equally serious. My go to spot is the Food and Drug Administration website.

Most recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the statement that a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination. According to the agriculture department - the products were recalled because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. As of this post, no illnesses have been reported.

The Manda Packing Company recall includes 468,000 pounds of roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks, hog headcheese, corned beef, and pastrami, the recalled meats were produced at Manda's Baker facility between Feb. 27 and April 9.. These products were shipped to retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

On Friday April 12th, Winn-Dixie made an immediate voluntary recall of 64 FL OZ Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice. According to the the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the product is being recalled as a precaution due to the possibility that it could have levels of “patulin” that exceeds FDA limits. Winn-Dixie has received no reports of any issues associated with Winn-Dixie Organic 100% Apple Juice consumption.

Patulin is a mycotoxin, a by-product of some molds that can grow in fruits and vegetables. The possibility of adverse health consequences resulting from this product is very remote. However, the FDA has determined that products made from concentrate with a patulin level of over 50 parts per billion are subject to a voluntary recall.

The recall is companywide for Winn-Dixie stores in the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.


Wild Blue Yonder Foods of Lynn, MA is voluntarily recalling 834 cases of Chappaqua Crunch GF (Gluten Free) Simply Granola with Flax & Fruit because they contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds and other tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The product was distributed to distributors in MA, CT, NJ, PA, NC, SC, FL, MI and TX; they work beyond these states. The Best By Date Code is located on a white label on the back of the pouch.


Cedarlane Natural Foods, Inc., is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of O Organics Black Bean Enchiladas because they contain undeclared milk. People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. Symptoms may include itching, hives, wheezing, vomiting, anaphylaxis and digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The Class 1 recall only affects O Organics Black Bean Enchiladas 9 oz. bearing the Best Before date of Oct 26 2013 packaged in printed boxes and sold in Safeway, Carrs, Dominicks, Genuardi's Pak'N'Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons. The Best Before Date are printed on the left side of the printed box.

The products were distributed across the United States. No other lots or products are affected.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the wrong product was packed in to the O Organics Black Bean Enchilada box and the presence of milk was not declared.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Cedarlane Natural Foods, Inc at 800 826 3322.


Wegmans Food Markets is recalling approximately 1,100 affected units of Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Roasted Red Pepper Dip, 8 oz. tub, with a best-by date of 5/17/13, because some of the tubs may have an incorrect ingredient label that does not list milk and eggs. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The affected units were distributed to Wegman stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

The product is produced for Wegmans by Summer Fresh Salads, Inc. of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, and sold in 8 oz. plastic tubs bearing UPC 77890 23286 with a best-by date of 5/17/13.

There have been no reported illnesses to date.

The recall was initiated after a customer contacted Wegmans’ consumer affairs department and made them aware of the label discrepancy.

Concerned customers should return the product to their local Wegmans service desk for a full refund. Wegmans customers with questions or concerns should contact the consumer affairs department at 1-855-WEGFOODS (934-3663), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

For more information on the latest food, drugs and various product recalls - FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Parents - Overweight Children and Heart Disease

Thank Goodness it's April 2nd. I would not want anyone to brush this off as an April Fools joke. After reading another published report on the health or lack of good healthy habits in children and the consequences which is far from a joke, it prompted me to blog about this major health concern. This is a problem that exists in higher proportions right here in the United States. There is a problem and it begins at home (I've said it before). The other problem is the blame that is passed on to the fast food restaurants and companies that make the snacks, candies, etc.

The biggest concern should be the effects that are now making it's impact on the children at younger ages. A study was conducted by Christina Shay, an epidemiologist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The study included 673 teens between the ages of 12 to 19 years old. The participants were followed through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for five years between 2005-2010. The survey indicates that less than half of U.S. adolescents are lacking exercise and have poor diets. The major concern is that it's highly likely that we are creating a new generation of heart-disease patients. The concerns of higher levels of impaired glucose tolerance, elevated levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes must not be taken lightly.

The heart may take years of wear and tear before it fails, needs repair or shuts down completely. However, an early start to creating these problems only makes it worse for the teenager who will have to deal with complicated health issues at a time when their lives have only just begun.

Parents, what changes will you make? Today is a great day too start.