Category Archives: National

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. Recalls Poultry Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

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Class I recall is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

WASHINGTON — Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a Waco, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 40,780 pounds of fully cooked chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with extraneous plastic materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fully cooked chicken nugget products were produced on Oct. 5, 2015. The following products are subject to recall: [Label (PDF Only)]

20-lb. cardboard boxes containing two, 10-lb. clear plastic bags of fully cooked chicken nuggets labeled as “GOLD KIST FARMS Fully Cooked Whole Grain Popcorn Style Chicken Patty Fritters.”

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. P-20728” inside the USDA mark of inspection and include package codes 5278105021, 5278105022, 5278105023, 5278105000, and 5278105001. These items were shipped for institutional use to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints regarding plastic contamination of the chicken nuggets. The firm notified FSIS personnel of the issue on April 6, 2016.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Namias of Arizona Recalls Chicken Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

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Namias of Arizona, Inc., a Tucson, Ariz. establishment, is recalling approximately 19,200 pounds of chicken products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain hydrolyzed soy protein, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label.

The fully-cooked chicken items were produced on various dates between Sept. 2, 2015, and March 1, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

  • 20-pound cases containing 5-pound bags of “Carlotta’s Kitchen CHICKEN CHILE VERDE.”
  • 20-pound cases containing 5-pound bags of “Carlotta’s Kitchen SPORTS CHICKEN,” a chili-type entree.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-6006” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The chicken chile verde items were shipped to the company’s restaurant in Nevada. The sports chicken items were shipped to the company’s restaurants in Arizona.

The problem was discovered by FSIS personnel during a routine label review at the establishment. Hydrolyzed soy is a component of the chicken base used to manufacture the products.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Garret Boos, company operations manager, at (520) 903-1922.

Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest recognized for partnership on springs restoration work

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hopi-1WILLIAMS — The Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest were recently honored with a national-level Forest Service award for their partnership on important springs restoration work on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

The recipients of the 2015 “Rise to the Future” awards for excellence and leadership in fisheries, hydrology, soil science and air programs were announced this month and included recognition of the Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest for “Tribal Accomplishment” related to the Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project, which highlighted the ecological importance of natural springs as well as their cultural significance to tribes.

“I feel humbled and grateful that the partnership would be recognized for its merits and acknowledge that it is but a starting point for continued collaborative efforts in the future,” said Everett Gomez, Reed/Bamboo Clan, Paaqavi Village, and a case manager for the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program.

The Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project was the first tribal-Forest Service collaborative project to be implemented after the 2014 publication of the new Land and Resources Management Plan for the Kaibab National Forest. This was significant because the project put into action two important goals of the newly revised forest plan.

First, it implemented desired conditions for seeps and springs that had been developed collaboratively and identified in the plan. Second, it provided a setting for exchanging information between tribal elders and youth about land stewardship and offered an opportunity for the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge between the tribe and forest, which will contribute to future management actions on seeps and springs.

Over the course of a week in 2014, Hopi elders and cultural advisors [Hopi Cultural Resource Advisory Task Team] worked with 18 tribal youth from the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, Hopi cultural and natural resources staff, Kaibab National Forest leadership, and representatives from a variety of other organizations and programs to conduct key restoration actions at two natural springs sites on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Since then, additional phased restoration work has been accomplished, and annual projects are planned for the coming years.

Partners have removed graffiti at Castle Springs and eliminated a decaying corral, rusted barbed wire fence and trash in the area. They have also removed invasive vegetation encroaching in an adjacent meadow, constructed water catchments using traditional techniques for both wildlife and cattle, and built a fence to protect the spring. At Big Springs, a more visible path has been constructed in order to deter visitors from making their own paths, alleviating the spider web effect of footpaths that was damaging fragile soils. And, throughout the project area, Hopi ancestral sites have been restored and protected against potential impacts from recreation and public use.

“This work is important in many ways such as bringing our youth and elders together to promote teaching and understanding; cultural identity and survival; preserving our environment encompassing land, air and water; strong partnerships and sharing of resources between the entities involved; education and employment pathways for our youth; and, understanding better the importance of the spiritual value surrounding all these things,” Gomez said.

Prior to the implementation of the restoration treatments, technical specialists from the Kaibab National Forest, Hopi Tribe and Springs Stewardship Institute collected baseline data at both springs locations. They plan to conduct long-term monitoring at the sites to assess the potential ecological benefits of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and techniques into other restoration efforts on the forest.

“The Hopi Tribe and the Kaibab National Forest have been working together for over 20 years, but I feel the work that’s taking place through this partnership sets a new precedent for collaborative management of the forest,” said Mike Lyndon, tribal liaison for the Kaibab. “These projects are greatly increasing the exchange of technical and traditional knowledge between the forest and the tribe while accomplishing critical restoration projects in places that are culturally important to native people. This has been, and continues to be, a valuable learning process for all of us.”

Representatives of the Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest will be presented with their “Rise to the Future” award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.

View project photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaibabnationalforest/albums/72157648171820197. The Kaibab National Forest and Hopi Tribe worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Communications to collaboratively produce a short video about the project, which will soon be released.

McCain Foods USA, Inc. Recalls Pork Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

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McCain Foods USA, Inc., a Lisle, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 25,215 pounds of bacon fritters that may be contaminated with extraneous plastic materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The potato, egg, cheese, and bacon fritters were produced on Nov. 11, 2015. The following products are subject to recall:

1,681 cases bearing a batch code 1001487402 containing four 3.75-lb. plastic vacuum-packed packages containing “McCain EARLY RISERS Potato, Egg, Cheese & Bacon Fritters.”

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 18846” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service distributors in Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Utah.

The problem was discovered after the firm received a consumer complaint and subsequently notified an in-plant FSIS inspector.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Medical advisory on St. Jude Optisure dual coil defibrillation leads for implantable cardioverter defibrillators

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St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today announced that a previously communicated voluntary global field safety action related to the company’s Optisure™ Dual Coil Defibrillation Leads has now been classified as a Class 1 Advisory by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Class 1 Advisory relates to a limited and well-defined group of 447 Optisure leads, 278 of which were distributed in the U.S., which may have been damaged during a manufacturing step. The company has received no reports of lead malfunction or patient injury related to this issue and all physicians with patients impacted by this advisory have been notified.

Optisure dual coil defibrillation leads are used in conjunction with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which monitor the heartbeat of patients suffering from heart rhythm disorders. An ICD’s leads deliver electric current to the heart to help restore the heart to its normal rhythm when needed.

On November 3, 2015, St. Jude Medical began the global process of notifying physicians following patients who have been implanted with the 447 Optisure dual coil leads subject to this advisory. An investigation revealed a variation in the process to remove excess medical adhesive used in the assembly of the superior vena cava (SVC) shock coil in a limited and well-defined group of Optisure leads could result in cuts to the insulation of the lead. Depending on device programming and the depth of the inadvertent cut to the insulation, compromise of lead insulation can potentially lead to an electrical malfunction wherein the defibrillator cannot deliver appropriate high voltage therapy.

A St. Jude Medical internal investigation found the probability that a lead was damaged as a result of the manufacturing variation to an extent that it could result in the inability to deliver appropriate high voltage therapy is very low and that any associated risks can be prevented with device reprogramming. The patients’ leads can also be monitored from home using the Merlin.net™ remote care system. The company has not received any reports of compromised performance of the impacted Optisure leads. St. Jude Medical is in the process of providing an updated advisory notice to physicians to further ensure physicians are aware of recommendations for managing their patients who may have been implanted with the impacted leads.

The advisory notification involves the worldwide distribution of 447 Optisure dual coil defibrillation leads manufactured and distributed by St. Jude Medical. The advisory relates to units within the following models: LDA220, LDA220Q, LDA230Q, and LDP220Q.

The vast majority of patients implanted with the Optisure leads compromised by the advisory have devices equipped with the St. Jude Medical DynamicTx™ feature that provides additional protection to help ensure delivery of appropriate high voltage therapy even in the case of a compromised lead. For these patients, physicians are advised to enroll patients in the Merlin.net patient care network, ensure the DynamicTx feature is programmed “on” and then monitor patients as per normal follow-up protocols.

Physicians following the 9 patients in the U.S. with compromised leads not connected to a device with the DynamicTx feature have been advised to enroll these patients in the Merlin.net patient care network and, where appropriate, consider turning off the SVC coil. If a dual coil shocking configuration is desired, physicians should consider performing a high voltage test when clinically appropriate to determine whether the lead has been compromised. As of this letter all physicians following the 9 patients have been contacted and provided information about this event.

Patient safety is St. Jude Medical’s highest priority, and the company will continue to work closely with customers and global regulatory agencies to ensure effective communication to our physician partners. The company has alerted all physician customers impacted by the advisory by letter, and all leads subject to this advisory have been accounted for and none remain in any field distribution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies have been notified. For more information, patients or their physicians can visit www.sjm.com/optisureadvisorydisclaimer icon or call the St. Jude Medical customer service team 24 hours a day at (800) 328-9634.

Whole Foods Recalls Frozen Pizza Products Due to Misbranding

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Whole Foods/North Atlantic Kitchens, an Everett, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 73,898 pounds of pepperoni pizza products due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product is labeled as containing uncured beef pepperoni. However, the pizzas contain uncured pork pepperoni, which is not declared on the product label. Some individuals have a sensitivity or intolerance to pork.

The fresh pizza items were produced Jan. 5, 2015, through Jan. 22, 2016.
pizza

  • 10-oz. vacuum-sealed packages of “WHOLE FOODS MARKETS, PIZZA, PEPPERONI, 8”.
  • 19-oz. vacuum-sealed packages of “WHOLE FOODS MARKETS, PIZZA, PEPPERONI, 12”.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 20234” inside the USDA mark of inspection and Sell-by dates of Jan. 12, 2015 through Jan. 30, 2016 printed on the packaging. These items were shipped for wholesale and retail sale in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a label review at the establishment and occurred as a result of a change in ingredient suppliers.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Berks Packing Co. Recalls Beef Products Due to Misbranding

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Berks Packing Co., a Reading, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,320 pounds of beef products that may be misbranded, and may contain pork and erythorbate, an additive, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The beef knockwurst links were produced on Nov. 12, 2015.
Berks-2

Berks-1
>> 1-lb. (plastic shrink wrapped) packages containing links of “BERKS Heat & Serve Knockwurst.” The packages have a sell by date of March 11, 2016 printed on the package.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 8782” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, and Delaware.

The problem was discovered by company personnel who learned of the incorrect labels being applied to the product and notified FSIS inspectors.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Mars Chocolate recalls DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes

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Dove-3Mars Chocolate North America Issues Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall on Undeclared Peanuts, Wheat and Egg Ingredient for DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. Bag, Sold Only at One Major Retailer with Stores Across the U.S.

Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary recall of its DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. bag – this is a seasonal item only sold at one major retailer with stores across the U.S.

Item# 10139802 – UPC# 400050521
LOT CODE: 537CG4PA30, 537DG4PA30, 538AG4PA30, 538AM4PA30, 541AG4PA20, 542EM4PA20

This item is a purple 24 oz. bag clearly marked with DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes branding on the front of packaging. The code dates and UPC code are located on the back of the packaging on the lower right side.

Approximately 6,700 cases of this item may contain some SNICKERS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX® pieces that contain peanuts, wheat and/or eggs, but these ingredients are not listed on the outer package ingredient label. People who have allergies to peanuts, wheat and/or eggs have the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. No adverse reactions have been reported to date.

This item was shipped and distributed to only one retailer and sold at retail food stores starting September 19, 2015 through December 1, 2015 to the following locations: AZ, GA, MA, MS, OH, VA, CA, IA, MD, NH, OK, VT, CO, IL, ME, NJ, OR, WA, CT, IN, MI, NM, PA, WI, DE, KS, MN, NV, RI, WY, FL, KY, MO, NY and TX.

The issue was identified after a consumer notified Mars Chocolate North America of finding a SNICKERS® piece in this Dove Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. bag.

Mars Chocolate is working with the impacted retailer to ensure that the recalled product is removed from sale. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased this item and have allergy concerns, they should return this product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns may call our toll-free number at 1-800-551-0907.

SmartLipo365 Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Smart Lipo

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Dallas, TX, SmartLipo365 is voluntarily recalling 122 lots of Smart Lipo (800, 900, 950 mg) capsules, to the consumer level. FDA received samples of 800 and 900mg capsules of Smart Lipo and the lab results found the Smart Lipo products to contain undeclared sibutramine, desmethylsibutramine, and phenolphthalein.

Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant that was withdrawn from the U.S. market in October 2010. Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. Phenolphthalein is an ingredient previously used in over-the-counter laxatives, but because of concerns of carcinogenicity, it is not currently approved for marketing in the United States. Health risks associated with phenolphthalein could include potentially serious gastrointestinal disturbances, irregular heartbeat, and cancer with long-term use. These undeclared ingredients make these products unapproved new drugs for which safety and efficacy have not been established. These products may also interact in life-threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Smart Lipo is marketed as a dietary supplement and is packaged in bottles of 30 capsules, with 22 bottles of 800mg, 77 bottles of 900mg, and 23 bottles of 950mg.The affected Smart Lipo products include the following expiration dates: 800mg capsules – 9/15/2017, 900mg capsules – 7/30/2017, 950mg capsules – 7/30/2017 & 7/30/2018. Smart Lipo was sold in stores, Centro Naturista in Richardson, TX, SmartLipo365 in Arlington, TX, as well as distributed nationwide via the Internet, SmartLipo365.com.

SmartLipo365 is notifying its distributors and customers by e-mail and letter and will not continue the distribution of Smart Lipo. Consumers, distributors, retailers that have Smart Lipo which is being recalled should stop using the recalled product and asked to please dispose it.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact SmartLipo365 by 1-(800)-547-6365 or info@smartlipo365.com on Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. (Central time). Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

ARRL sponsors Rookie Roundup

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ARRL-Flag-waving-Large_54The American Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) is sponsoring a six-hour CW (Morse code) contest on December 20 for specifically aimed at those who have had a license less than three years. (So you were proud of yourself for getting your Amateur Extra only to learn you are a rookie for three years.)

ARRL sponsors Rookie contests three times a year in April, August and December. In these contests rookies can contact anyone, but old-timers can only contact rookies. Various contests are held by ARRL and other organizations throughout the year. These for rookies are particularly useful to learn how to use the frequencies for the new license levels they attain. It is a great opportunity to test new equipment. Additionally they can obtain awards and certificates for all of these contests.

ARRL also sponsors specific events in addition to contesting where amateur operators can collect special cards, called QSL cards. QSL cards confirm a contact between specific stations or stations to events. ARRL, for example, is sponsoring a year-long event called National Parks on the Air where Ham operators can contact operators stationed at various national parks throughout the country.

For the upcoming CW rookie contest, the ARRL web site states:

Mission: To encourage newly-licensed operators (“Rookies”) in North America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators (“Non-Rookies”) are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.

Objective: Rookies exchange information with as many other stations as possible on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter HF bands. Rookie entrants are encouraged to read “HF Contesting – Good Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions.” (Also available as PDF)

Electronic certificates will be emailed to the top five scoring Rookies in each US call area, Canadian province, Mexican call area and DX. No national winners will be recognized. A commemorative participation certificate will be available for download to every Rookie operator submitting a score.

For more information and to sign up, visit the ARRL web site .