Monthly Archives: February 2015

California Firm Recalls Beef Products Produced Without Benefit of Import Inspection

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chicken-1WASHINGTON – ATM International USA, Inc., a Torrance, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,999 pounds of boneless beef products that were not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists.

The boneless beef products were imported from Japan on various dates between Oct. 9, 2014 – Jan. 15, 2015, and labeled in Japanese only.

  • Various weights and cuts of vacuum packed chilled boneless beef.

The vacuum packaging bears the Japanese translation for the following cuts:

  • Tender loin
  • Strip loin
  • Ribeye
  • Chuck Roll
  • Top Sirloin Butt
  • Chuck Ribs
  • Bottom Round
  • Top Round
  • Clod
  • Brisket
  • Short Plate
  • Short Rib
  • Knuckle

The above products would have been shipped either inside of a cardboard box with the Japanese establishment number “M2” and a box marking of “MZA-TN41”, “MZA-TN28” or “MZA-TN1” or inside of a Styrofoam box bearing the establishment number “EST. 27510” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were shipped to distributors and retail locations in Arizona, California, and Washington.

The problem was discovered during routine review of product tracking records.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

UNCONFIRMED reports of ISIS surrounding 320 Marines in Iraq

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705921An unconfirmed report from ISIS claims they have taken an air base and claim to have 320 Marines surrounded who were training Iraqis. These are UNCONFIRMED reports by web site alternative news sources.

Marine Lt. General Lewis Berwell “Chesty” Puller found himself surrounded by ten divisions of Chinese troops during the Korean war. If this report is true, they will no doubt find that the tactic used by General Puller then will be the same tactic used today.

“Those poor bastards,” he said. “They’ve got us right where we want them. We can fire in any direction now!”

obama-beheading

Babbitt-Polson Warehouse Stage move

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Northern Arizona Citizen photo.

WILLIAMS – You have probably seen the Babbitt-Polson Warehouse Stage in the visitor center parking lot. Some may remember its construction in 2011. A few may remember when the warehouse was moved into its present location around October of 1997. You may have never seen this one if not for the efforts of Laura Cole and the Historic Committee at the time.

Photo by Opal Means.

Photo by Opal Means.

The example in Williams is not the only one that was built. According to Vice-Mayor Don Dent—councilman when the warehouse was moved—these warehouses were built all along the road. This is one of the last examples in existence.

He credits Laura Cole for saving this historic piece. It was her efforts that led to obtaining the grant to move it to its present location.

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Photo by Opal Means.

The Babbitt-Polson warehouse was not the only warehouse. There were a few in the area where the Skate Park is located now. They were used by Tru-Value Hardware when they were located in what is now the Recreation Center.

In October of 1997, they were moved out of the area to make room for the Skate Park. The Babbitt-Polson Warehouse was moved into its present location by Dale Perkins. Williams resident Opal Means said that she acquired one of the warehouses for her own property.

The Williams Historical Society originally hoped to turn it into a museum. It eventually morphed into its original use as a warehouse by the City of Williams. Mr. Dent stated that this was not intentional. He explained that after the $35,000 grant to move the building was used up, it left little money to do any repairs or set up.

Northern Arizona Citizen photo.

Northern Arizona Citizen photo.

He said that the cost of making the warehouse safe for a museum in addition to hiring a full-time curator turned out to be prohibitive at the time. He did say that using the building as a warehouse is not necessarily the final use. If the city receives a proposal for a better use for the structure they will consider it.

In July of 2011 the community stage addition was approved and completed by the end of the year.

The interesting thing about the warehouse is the inside.
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Kaibab National Forest plans prescribed burn near Tusayan

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Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to conduct a prescribed burn this week just northwest of Tusayan in order to remove accumulated pine needles and light, scattered slash that was generated during recent thinning projects.

Implementation of the 242-acre Flying J prescribed burn could begin as early as Wednesday and continue through Saturday, if weather conditions are appropriate. Fire managers are looking for northeast winds that will carry low-intensity fire through the area and push smoke to the southwest and away from Tusayan and the Grand Canyon National Park.

The purpose of the Flying J project, which is strategically located around the town of Tusayan, is to reduce hazardous fuels, provide community protection and restore forest health. Typically, fire managers focus on burning slash piles during the winter because of snowy conditions. However, recent dry weather is creating conditions appropriate for larger-scale, broadcast burning across the landscape.

Tuffy’s Pet Foods, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall Nutrisca Dry Dog Food

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ucm434026PERHAM, MN – Tuffy’s Pet Foods, Inc. of Perham, MN is voluntarily recalling specific lots of 4 lb. bags of Nutrisca Chicken and Chick Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Tuffy’s manufactured the product for Nutrisca.

The recalled product was distributed in the 4 lb. bags nationwide to distributors, brokers, retail stores, and internet retailers. The recalled product is limited to Nutrisca Chicken and Chick Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food in 4 lb. bag sizes, bearing UPC Code “8 84244 12495 7” (found on lower back of the bag). Products included in the recall are identified by the below first 5 digits of the Lot Code (found on upper back of the bag) and “Best by Dates” (found on upper back of the bag). No other bag sizes or other Nutrisca dog food, cat food, biscuits/treats, supplements or other products, are affected by this announcement.

First five digits of Lot Codes:
4G29P, 4G31P, 4H01P, 4H04P, 4H05P, 4H06P

Best By Dates:
Jul 28 16, Jul 30 16, Jul 31 16, Aug 03 16, Aug 04 16, Aug 05 16

The recall was initiated after a routine sampling program by the Ohio Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella in one 4 lb. bag of product. The company is coordinating this voluntary recall with the FDA, and is issuing the recall action out of an abundance of caution.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. No Salmonella-related illnesses in people or animals have been reported to date in association with these products.

Consumers who purchased the 4 lb. bags of the dry dog food product subject to the voluntary recall (as identified above) should stop using the product, discard it in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle), and contact Nutrisca at the number below for further information.

For consumer information or questions regarding this voluntary recall, please contact Nutrisca at 1-888-559-8833.

Roundabout construction begins on SR 89 at Road 4 North in Chino Valley this week

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800-150128-052PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin construction this week of a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 89 and Road 4 North in Chino Valley.

For the next three weeks, crews will begin building a temporary detour on the east side of SR 89 at Road 4 North and drivers should be aware of shoulder work and increased truck traffic through the work zone, weather dependent.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

This $2.1 million project consists of a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Road 4 North between mileposts 330.48 and 330.78. Additional work includes removal and replacement of existing pavement, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and lighting.

This project is expected to be complete by August 2015.

Pet International Inc. Recalls 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat

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ucm433999Pet International of Miami, Florida is recalling 1500 units of 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals (i.e. dogs) eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Dogs with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets (i.e. dogs) will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your dog has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat was distributed to retail stores in the following Cities: Conifer, and Lakewood in Colorado.

If you have this product, use gloves and put in a double bag and throw it away as soon as possible. Do not touch the product in any way, and if you do, it’s recommended you must wash your hands immediately with an antibacterial soap.

The potentially affected product will pertain to a particular lot number, and are specific to a particular size of the pouch it’s sold in. Anyone having these products should verify the following:

Brand: Buster’s Natural Pet Supply,
Lot Code: 8501450,
Size: 6” Beef Trachea/ 12 Pack Plastic Pouch,
UPC Code: 8501450

No illnesses have been reported to date. We are still warning consumers that if any of the above information is on the package you have, do not feed it to any animals at all. It may be hazardous and should be disposed of immediately.

The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and analyzed by FDA, obtained from Buster’s Natural Pet Supply in Conifer, CO. and found to be positive for Salmonella. The product sampled had a Buster’s Label on it, but was manufactured by Pet International. Buster’s Natural Pet Supply recalled the entire product from the two stores that the distributor sells it. The Pet International Inc. continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 6” Beef Trachea with Buster’s Natural Pet Supply Label on it and are wishing to be refunded because of the recall, can take the product back to where bought it from, with receipt. A special form will be provided to be filled out as well. Both the form and the receipt are needed for the refund.

Consumers with any questions about the recall product may contact the company at by phone at (305) 591-3338 Monday through Friday 9:00am too 5:00pm EST or via e-mail at sergioh@petint.com.

Hospira Issues a Voluntary Global Recall of Multiple Lots of Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection

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Hospira_logoLAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira, Inc., (NYSE: HSP) has announced a voluntary recall of ketorolac tromethamine injection, USP in the United States and Singapore due to potential particulate. The presence of particulate has been confirmed through a customer report of visible, floating particulate identified in glass fliptop vials. The particulate was identified as calcium-ketorolac crystals. Multiple lots are impacted by this recall; refer to the addendum for product list and lot information.

If particulates are not observed prior to administration, intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) administration theoretically could result in localized inflammation, allergic reaction, granuloma formation or microembolic effects (IV only). However, there is no evidence indicating that IM or IV injection of inert particles results in harm to patients when only a small amount over a limited period of time is administered as is the case with ketorolac. Delay of therapy may occur due to particulates blocking the infusion of solution or due to observation of particulates at the point of care. However, this delay is likely to be of negligible clinical significance as this medication is administered by a health care provider and remediation is readily available.

The lots were distributed from February 2013 to December 2014 in the United States and from January 2014 to July 2014 in Singapore. Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for these lots to date. Hospira has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions.

Anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lots should stop use and distribution, and quarantine the product immediately. This recall is being carried out to the medical facility/retail level. Customers who have further distributed the recalled product should notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received the recalled product and instruct them if they have redistributed the product to notify their accounts, locations or facilities to the medical facility/retail level. Hospira has notified its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle in the United States. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-888-345-4680 between the hours of 8am to 5pm ET, Monday through Friday. Customers outside the United States should work with their local Hospira offices to return the product per the local recall notification.

For clinical inquiries, please contact Hospira using the information provided below.

Hospira Contact Contact Information Areas of Support
Hospira Global Complaint Management 1-800-441-4100 (8am-5pm CT, M-F) (ProductComplaintsPP@hospira.com) To report adverse events
or product complaints
Hospira Medical Communications 1-800-615-0187 or medcom@hospira.com (Available 24 hours a day/7 days per week) Medical inquiries

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.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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State Route 89A reopened in Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks

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PHOENIX — State Route 89A in the Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks (mileposts 387-390) was fully reopened yesterday after crews repaired a sinkhole that had been discovered in the northbound lane on Saturday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The southbound lane was reopened at 10:30 a.m. today. There are no restrictions to either south- or northbound travel through the SR 89A switchbacks from Sedona to Flagstaff now that the repairs have been completed.

ADOT started the repairs after geotechnical engineers completed an inspection Monday that determined the repairs could start immediately. Crews used heavy equipment to excavate a six-foot deep, eight-foot-wide section of the roadway to remove loose material underneath the pavement near milepost 388.

Today, ADOT repaved the northbound lane after filling the void with a liquid concrete-cement mix that needed to harden overnight before work could begin.

“ADOT staff responded quickly to this unplanned closure by removing the loose material that was causing the pavement to settle, filling the hole, and repaving this section of damaged highway after a field inspection Monday morning determined we could start the sinkhole repairs immediately on State Route 89A,” said ADOT Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “While this was certainly unexpected, I’m glad we were able to limit the traffic impact as much as possible to motorists who rely on this critical roadway to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff.”

Parade route for Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg requires closure of US 60 on Saturday

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GRlogo2012-300x300Due to this weekend’s 67th annual Gold Rush Days celebration, US 60 in downtown Wickenburg (mileposts 107-110) will be closed in both directions on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should expect delays or adjust travel plans accordingly. Traffic will be rerouted through a clearly marked detour.

Eastbound traffic on US 60 will be detoured to Vulture Mine Road to US 93 and US 93 southbound to reconnect to US 60.

Schedule of events (PDF)