Organic Eggs Recalled - Salmonella - Minnesota Based Schultz Farm Oct 2011,

Salmonella Illnesses Linked To Organic Eggs
Consumers, Food Preparers Reminded To Cook Eggs Thoroughly

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 19, 2011 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are investigating illnesses in at least six people in Minnesota that are connected with a recall of organic shell eggs due to contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The contaminated eggs were traced back by the MDA to Larry Schultz Organic Farm of Owatonna, where environmental testing confirmed the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis.  Larry Schultz Organic Farm is cooperating with the MDA investigation and has issued a voluntary recall of the products.

Routine reportable disease monitoring by state health officials identified six cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infection with the same DNA fingerprint. The individuals became ill between August 12 and September 24. The illnesses occurred in both children and adults, and all are residents of the seven-county metropolitan area. Three of the cases were hospitalized but have since recovered. Five of the six cases have reported eating eggs from the Larry Schultz Organic Farm purchased at grocery stores or co-ops.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, food wholesalers and foodservice companies in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Eggs from Larry Schultz Organic Farm are packaged under the following brand names: Lunds & Byerly’s Organic, Kowalski’s Organic, and Larry Schultz Organic Farm. Eggs are packed in bulk and varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons). Full product descriptions and a list of grocery stores where these products were sold can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us. Cartons bearing Plant Number 0630 or a “Sell by” date are not included in this recall.

To prevent illness, it is important for consumers to cook eggs thoroughly before eating in order to destroy any Salmonella or other bacteria. Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in very young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with Salmonella should contact their health care provider.

Brands included in the recall are as follows:

1) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Extra large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton. (if the carton has a plant number or any additional numbers or letters it is not part of the recall) If the carton has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

2) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton. (if the carton has a plant number or any additional numbers or letters it is not part of the recall) If the carton has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

3) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Jumbo Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the carton.

4) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Medium Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the case. (if the case has a plant number on the label they are not part of the recall) If the case has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

5) Larry Schultz Organic Farm Label  Jumbo Bulk  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12" The " " is as it appears on the case. (if the case has a plant number on the label they are not part of the recall) If the case has a "Sell by" date it is NOT recalled.

6) Lunds & Byerly's  Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

7) Lunds & Byerly's  Extra Large Cartoned  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

8) Lunds & Byerly's  Large Cartoned – 6-packs  On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

9) Kowalski's Organic Egg Label On or Before Jullian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286  NOV12"

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 Photos

Determine if your eggs are part of the recall
Your eggs are NOT part of the recall if: 
Take a look at the photos below. If your carton is stamped with
Plant# 0360 or just the number 0360 and/or a “Sell By” date, IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. Any carton that has the words “Sell By” regardless of the date is not part of the recall.

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Your eggs HAVE BEEN RECALLED if:
Take a look at the photos below to interpret the numbers on the carton:

The egg cartons included in the recall have a pack date (in Julian date format) followed by an expiration date. The "pack date" (the day that the eggs were washed, graded, and placed in the carton) is a three-digit code that represents the consecutive day of the year starting with January 1 as 001 and ending with December 31 as 365.

These numbers will appear on the side of the carton or the bulk box in one of two ways. For example: “286 EXP NOV 12” or “286 NOV12”. The 286 is the Julian date (pack date) and NOV 12 is the expiration date.

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All dates NOV 12 and before are part of the recall.

• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Extra Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Jumbo carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Medium carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Larry Schultz Organic Farm – Jumbo Bulk
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Extra Large carton
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Lunds & Byerly's – Large carton – 6-packs
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"
• Label: Kowalski’s Organic Eggs
  On or Before Julian date "286 EXP NOV 12" or "286 NOV12"

 

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Consumer Alert - Sulfites In Dried Dates

Consumer Alert - Undeclared Sulfites In Dried Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 19, 2011 - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine today alerted consumers that Domega NY International Co. LTD, located at 47-57 Bridgewater St. in Brooklyn, NY, is recalling Dried Dates due to the presence of undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulfites may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled Dried Dates are packaged in a 12 oz. (340 gram), plastic bag. There is no apparent production code on the package but a UPC code of 6-868978-724670 can be found on the back of the package. The product was distributed nationwide and is a product of China.

Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the product contained high levels of sulfites which were not declared on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.

No illnesses have been reported to date to this Department in connection with this product. Consumers who have purchased Dried Dates should contact Jing Hua Chen, Domega NY International Co. LTD at 646-388-3032

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Photo: Product Labels

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Bagged Spinach Recalled - Oct 2011

Church Brothers, LLC Announces Voluntary
Recall of Bagged Spinach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 20, 2011 – Church Brothers, LLC is voluntarily recalling 560 bags of clipped spinach as a precautionary measure after one bag tested positive for Salmonella during a random USDA Microbiological Data Program sampling. The recalled product was processed on October 6, 2011 and shipped in 2.5 pound bags to Super King Markets in Los Angeles, California. The bagged spinach affected by this recall was available for sale beginning October 7, 2011 and has a “best if used by” date of 10/23/11.

No illnesses related to this product have been reported and no other Church Brothers, LLC products are affected by this recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The recalled 2.5 pound bags of clipped spinach were in clear packaging and marked as follows:

Best By Date	Manufacturer Code
10/23/2011	A279 47166

“We are cooperating closely with the US Food and Drug Administration and California Department of Public Health to ensure prompt removal of product associated with the recall,” said Steve Church, Church Brothers, and LLC.  “While we are not aware of any illnesses associated with this product, it is important that we act quickly based on the random sample results in order to reduce any risk to public health.”

Anyone who has in their possession any of the recalled bagged spinach as described above should not consume it, and should destroy it or return it to Church Brothers, LLC.

Consumers with questions or who need information may call 1-800-799-9475, media questions should be directed to Lisa Watson at 202-384-1844.

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Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant Recalled - Oct 2011

Insight Pharmaceuticals Issues A Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of "Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant" Due To Bacterial Contamination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 19, 2011 - Insight Pharmaceuticals, LLC of Langhorne, Pa., is recalling one lot (34,092 bottles) of Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant nasal spray to the consumer level, because it may contain the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia.

Burkholderia cepacia may cause serious infection in individuals with a compromised immune system or chronic lung condition (i.e. cystic fibrosis).  However, the possibility of infection is remote in healthy individuals.

Nostrilla Nasal Decongestant, lot #11G075, UPC Code 6373673005, was distributed nationwide through normal retail outlets and pharmacies. The product comes in a 1/2 ounce, plastic bottle marked with lot #11G075 on the label and with an expiration date of 05/2014 stamped on the side. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated following internal investigations which determined the potential presence of a microbial contaminant that exceeds the product specifications and may consequently result in a subpar product. This contaminant has been found sporadically throughout only the respective manufacturing lot, #11G075.

Consumers who have purchased "Nostrilla Decongestant, lot #11G075" are urged to return the product and contact the company at 1-877-546-9059 Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm EST time zone.  Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Online:www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm¹
• Regular Mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm². Mail to address on the pre-addressed form.
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    “It is our commitment to our customers to provide them with products they can rely on as safe and effective for their FDA-approved uses,” says Gary R. Downing, CEO of Insight Pharmaceuticals, LLC. “Through our standard testing procedures and protocols, we discovered the potential presence of a bacterial contaminant in one lot of Nostrilla, and reported it to the FDA. Consumer safety is our #1 priority, and we'll take all necessary action to ensure Nostrilla, as well as all of our products, comply with FDA regulations and requirements.

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Fiber One Bars Recall Due to Label Errors

General Mills Issues Voluntary Class One Recall of One Day’s Production of
Chocolate Flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 20, 2011 - General Mills is voluntarily recalling a single day’s production of Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars because of a labeling issue.  Product produced on this date may have been packaged incorrectly, and may contain sensitive ingredients not listed on the box’s ingredient label, including the potential allergen peanuts.

A production error resulted in a limited number of properly labeled, individually wrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bar packages being inserted into 5-count boxes labeled as Chocolate Flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars.

There have been no reports of allergic reactions or illnesses associated with this product, however, the possibility of an unlabeled allergen makes this a Class One recall.

This voluntary recall includes only 5-count boxes of Chocolate Flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars with the following “Better if Used By” date printed on the top of the box:

19MAY2012BV

Individually labeled foil packages of Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars are visibly different from the Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars product depicted on the incorrect box.  Rather than containing Chocolate flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars, the box could contain Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor Fiber One 90-Calorie Chewy Bars.

Consumers allergic to peanuts, or who are unsure of whether they are allergic to peanuts, should not consume Fiber One 90-Calorie products from 5-count boxes bearing the Better if Used By date 19MAY2012BV on the top of the box, and should contact General Mills for replacement or a full refund.

No other varieties or production dates of Fiber One products are affected by this recall.
Consumers requesting refunds or calling with further questions should contact General Mills Consumer Services at 1-800-231-0308.
Photo: Product Labels

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Contact Lenses Recall - Avaira™ Toric Lenses - Oct 2011

CooperVision Continues the Voluntary Recall of Avaira™ Toric Contact Lenses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 13, 2011 - In full cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration, CooperVision, Inc. is continuing to work with the FDA, distributors, customers, eye care practitioners and lens wearers to complete the worldwide recall initiated on August 19, 2011 on certain lots of Avaira™ Toric contact lenses.

“Our first priority is always the health and safety of all CooperVision lens wearers and as such we responded quickly to complaints from our customers by initiating a voluntary recall” said Christine Moench, vice president, Global Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. “We want to ensure that all consumers are aware of this action and know where to go for more information.”

If you wear Avaira Toric contact lenses and experience any symptoms, CooperVision recommends that you stop wearing the lenses immediately.  Contact your eye care practitioner for advice.
If you wear Avaira Toric contact lenses and are not experiencing symptoms, CooperVision recommends that you:

• Go to the CooperVision recall web page at www.coopervision.com/recall, and enter the lot number of your package to determine whether your lenses have been recalled.
• Alternatively, you may contact us on our toll-free consumer hotline (1-855-526-6737)
• If your lenses have been recalled, immediately remove your existing lenses, discontinue lens wear; and return your lenses to your eye care practitioner or point of purchase. 

The recall was initiated because of the unintended presence of a residue on certain lots of Avaira Toric lenses, which may cause hazy vision, discomfort, or eye injuries requiring medical treatment. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Since the initiation of the recall, the company has received some additional complaints of severe eye pain. Avaira Toric contact lens wearers that experience any symptoms should stop wearing the lenses immediately and speak with their eye care practitioner.

We have ongoing relationships with practitioners to continue to identify all the affected lots in the market. To date, the recall has impacted approximately 600,000 Avaira Toric contact lenses in the U.S. 

As part of the recall, CooperVision notified its customers and requested eye care practitioners contact their patients regarding this recall. Because CooperVision lenses are sold through distributors and eye care practitioners, communication efforts have been focused through these channels in order to most effectively reach lens wearers. Within the first two weeks of the initiation of the recall on August 19, 2011, CooperVision completed the following actions:

• Sent worldwide recall notifications to more than 9,000 Avaira Toric CooperVision customers.
• Contacted more than 7,000 U.S. eye care practitioners who have received or sampled Avaira Toric contact lenses.
• Issued a press release via GlobeNewswire from CooperVision’s parent, The Cooper Companies, regarding the voluntary recall of limited lots of CooperVision Avaira Toric lenses.
• Included information on the CooperVision website for lens wearers to easily and quickly check if their lenses are impacted (www.coopervision.com/recall), established a toll-free consumer hotline (1-855-526-6737), and included an informational notice on www.coopervision.com.
• Instructed authorized distributors to send back all Avaira Toric products – not just specific lot numbers – so that CooperVision could ensure that affected lenses were removed.
• Provided retailers and distributors access to patient communications materials – including post cards and e-mail messages – to send to Avaira Toric lens wearers impacted by the recall.
• Worked with eye care practitioners to specifically remove affected lots of Avaira Toric products, by providing them with more than 3,500 customized reports detailing affected lots specific to their location.
• Deployed customer care resources to answer questions from patients, and a specialized team of customer care representatives were made available to contact patients on behalf of eye care practitioners.

The efficient and effective implementation of this recall remains a priority for CooperVision.

About CooperVision
CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges; such as astigmatism, presbyopia and ocular dryness; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, thereby creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

Contact lenses are medical devices and can only be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed eye care professional.

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Photo: Product Labels
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA's Flickr Photostream.

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Review - Pulse - Hemp Blueberry - Hemp Raspberry - Hemp Cherry

There are lots of ways to get protein in your diet, even you're a vegetarian or flexitarian like me, because I do eat meat sometimes.  I just feel better when I eat a mostly vegetable diet. I love dairy foods with yogurt and cultured dairy being on the top of the list.  I still wanted to find more of a raw and maybe vegan source of protein, so I read up on hemp.

The protein in hemp is why I decided to try the Pulse from Versativa. The protein in hemp seed is about 65%  edestin and can be found only in hemp seed protein. The other one third of hemp seed protein is Albumin, another high quality globulin protein similar to that found in egg whites. Hemp protein contains all 20 known amino acids including the 8 essential and 2 semi-essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce. I learned that hemp seeds are perfect for me to get the protein without using powder drinks, eating meat or using soy or other animal products.



Pulse has lots of great ingredients, all raw whole foods.  I've listed them below.  Let me get to the "review" ... I love the taste of Pulse and eat it everyday.  I do love raw foods and this fits my on the go life.  It comes loose and moist in a one pound bag. I was expecting a dry crunchy granola mix that would almost break a tooth :)  It was NOT dry or crunchy.  I grab a handful, drop in a snack bag and go.  When I get hungry I grab a piece. Sometimes I'll eat just the Pulse in the morning and feel full till lunchtime.  It's very filling and did I say I love the taste???

I'm losing inches in my stomach since eating Pulse everyday. It fills me up for several hours so I don't want to snack. My cravings for sweets are gone. When I feel hungry before meals I eat a little Pulse and I'm good till it's time to sit down and eat.

Pulse is made using 26 organic raw foods. Pulse comes in 3 flavors (Hemp Blueberry, Hemp Raspberry, and Hemp Cherry) and they make it fresh daily. Pulse uses Hemp with sprouting technologies. It's a signature food from head to toe.


Hemp Cherry Hemp
Ingredients: Dates, Raisins, Oats, Whole Cherries, Hemp Seeds, 11 Grain Mix (Barley Flour, Buckwheat Flour, Millet, Rice Flour, Teff, Flax Seeds, Amaranth, Quinoa, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds) Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, (Filberts), Prunes, Figs, Cherry Granules, Cherry Powder, Beetroot Powder, Coconut Oil, Honey, Grapefruit Concentrate. With sprouted seeds and nuts.
Hemp Blueberry
Ingredients: Dates, Raisins, Oats, Whole Blueberries, Hemp Seeds, 11 Grain Mix (Barley Flour, Buckwheat Flour, Millet, Rice Flour, Teff, Flax Seeds, Amaranth, Quinoa, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds) Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, (Filberts), Prunes, Figs, Blueberry Powder, Beetroot Powder, Coconut Oil, Honey, Grapefruit Concentrate. With sprouted seeds and nuts.
Hemp Raspberry
Ingredients: Dates, Raisins, Oats, Whole Raspberries, Hemp Seeds, 11 Grain Mix (Barley Flour, Buckwheat Flour, Millet, Rice Flour, Teff, Flax Seeds, Amaranth, Quinoa, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds) Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, (Filberts), Prunes, Figs, Raspberry Granules, Whole Cranberries, Raspberry Powder, Beetroot Powder, Coconut Oil, Honey, Grapefruit Concentrate. With sprouted seeds and nuts.

Order Pulse - Only avail in Canada and USA for now.

Read more from www.hempandmore.org.
Let me know if I can help with questions or orders.  robin (at) hempandmore (dot) org

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Kraft Recalls Velveeta Shells & Cheese - Oct 2011 - Possible Wire in Product

Kraft Foods Voluntarily Recalls Three Varieties of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Microwaveable Cups
With Limited “Best When Used By” Dates

Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-308-1841

Media:
847-646-4538

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Northfield, IL., September 30 2011 - Kraft Foods Global, Inc. is voluntarily recalling three varieties of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Single Serve Microwaveable Cups with limited “best when used by” dates as a precaution due to the possible presence of small, thin wire bristle pieces.

The following products are being recalled:
 

Name of Product	Size	Best When Used By Dates	UPC
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Microwaveable Cups Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Four Pack Microwaveable Cups	2.39 oz. cup 4 x 2.39 oz. cup	16 MAY 2012 24 APR 2012 to 16 MAY 2012	2100002322 2100002339
Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Microwaveable Cups Velveeta Shells & Cheese Made with 2% Milk Four Pack Microwaveable Cups	2.19 oz cup 4 x 2.19 oz cup	25 MAR 2012 to 30 MAR 2012 29 MAR 2012 to 12 APR 2012	2100002323 2100002946
Velveeta Rotini & Cheese Broccoli Microwaveable Cups	2.44 oz cup	29 APR 2012 to 14 MAY 2012	2100002318

Consumers can find the “best when used by” date on the bottom of the package.

No other “best when used by” dates of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Single Serve Microwaveable Cups or any other Kraft Foods products are being recalled.

There have been no reports of consumer injuries or complaints. Kraft Foods is issuing this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

Approximately 137,000 cases of the affected products were shipped to customers across the United States. The affected products were not distributed in Canada.

Consumers who purchased affected “best when used by” dates of these products should not eat them. They should return them to the store of purchase for an exchange or full refund. Consumers also can contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations Monday through Friday at 1-800-308-1841.

The affected products were manufactured in Champaign, IL and Lakeville, MN.

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Beyond Organic Healthy Food