Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer - recall

Nation's Food Safety System Set for New Rules

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:09:05 GMT

Both the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration are taking steps to improve the safety of our food. The Department of Agriculture is set to conduct regular tests of "bench trim," the meat trimmings added to other meat to make ground beef, in order to prevent E. coli contamination of beef sold to consumers. The FDA is seeking more extensive "mandatory standards for growing, harvesting and processing fruits and vegetables." The House of Representatives already passed legislation strengthening the FDA's food safety oversight powers. Similar legislation is scheduled for Senate consideration in the fall.

Most meat used in ground beef has been tested for E. coli, but inspectors had not been testing the bench trim. Recently, there have been several outbreaks of a virulent strain of E. coli, leading to recalls of tainted ground beef. This particular E. coli strain, O157:H7, can cause fatal illness, and it may survive cooking. According to the American Meat Institute, the industry supports additional government testing of meat.

There have also been several cases of illnesses from tainted produce, primarily tomatoes, leafy greens and melons. The FDA recently issued voluntary guidelines to improve the safety of these crops. Eventually these guidelines will lead to mandatory regulations for handling produce. Enforceable standards and requirements should be complete in two years.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Concentrated Acetaminophen Drops Recalled

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:19:18 GMT

Recently, bulk Concentrated Acetaminophen Drops were recalled by Brookstone Pharmaceuticals, due to the potential for dosing errors. Nationally, 344 bottles of this acetaminophen formula have been distributed, and 5301 bottles have been donated to charities for international distribution. Acetaminophen over-dosages can lead to liver toxicity, kidney damage, and blood disorders. There have been several reports to the FDA of dosing errors resulting in life-threatening or fatal adverse events in children younger than 3 years old. The errors were caused by confusion over regular strength acetaminophen versus concentrated forumations. An FDA advisory panel recently recommended the removal of one strength of acetaminophen from the market because of overdosing concerns. Brookstone's customers have been notified of the company's recall. The company has stopped manufacturing and shipping its bulk containers of Concentrated Acetaminophen Drops. Wholesalers and hospitals should quarantine and hold any product that they have, to return to Brookstone for a full refund.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Homeopathic or "Natural" Remedies Carry Risks

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:21:56 GMT

Several recent recalls illustrate the dangers that can be posed by homeopathic or "natural" health remedies, which generally aren't required to go through the same kind of FDA-approval process as prescription drugs. Often, people mistakenly believe that products labeled homeopathic or "natural" are automatically safe.

In May 2009, Hydroxycut dietary products were recalled from the market after the products were linked to liver damage. Hydroxycut products are used for weight loss, as energy enhancers and fat burners. Iovate Health Sciences Inc. marketed Hydroxycut, and the products were widely distributed in grocery stores, health food stores and pharmacies. At the time of the recall, the FDA recommended that people immediately stop using Hydroxycut products.

In June 2009, consumers and doctors were notified by the FDA and Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals that Stamina Rx products were recalled. Stamina Rx was sold nationwide in health food stores and drug stores, and was marketed as a natural male enhancement product. The FDA determined that Stamina Rx contained an undeclared ingredient - the drug benzamidenafil, which is in the same class of drugs as some that are FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction. Benzamidenafil is not FDA-approved, and may interact dangerously with some other drugs and cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Consumers are urged to stop using Stamina Rx products immediately.

Another recent homeopathic remedy recall involved Zicam. Some Zicam nasal cold remedies were recalled by Matrixx Initiatives in June 2009, after the FDA warned that the products were unsafe. The FDA issued its warning about Zicam after hundres of reports that people lost their sense of smell after using Zicam. According to the FDA, Zicam products were also unlawfully marketed. Over the past several years, Matrixx, the maker of Zicam, has settled hundres of lawsuits regarding Zicam. Matrixx is also being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For over 25 years, Sheller P.C. has aggressively represented individuals and classes of individuals who have been injured by defective products, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. We also represent those who have suffered injuries due to other causes, such as inadequate medical treatment , improper business practices, or accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Recall of Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Products

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:14:50 GMT

Recently, Nestle USA voluntarily recalled its Toll House packaged raw cookie dough products, due to concerns about E. coli. E. coli can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and kidney failure. It can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control have found a "strong association" between the cookie dough and the E. coli sickness suffered by 65 people who have tested positive for the bacterium since March. The identified sick people live in 29 states, and while some of them have been hospitalized with their illness, none have died.

The FDA advised consumers to discard any Toll House cookie dough products that they have, and requested that restaurants, retailers and food service providers not sell any of the refrigerated cookie dough products. According to the FDA, consumers should not try to cook the Toll House cookie dough products, because even though the cooked cookies may be safe to eat, the E. coli could be spread by the consumer's hands. The recall affects about 300,000 cases of cookie dough, including refrigerated cookie bar dough, cookie dough tubes, and cookie dough tubs. However, Toll House ice cream containing raw cookie dough is not affected by the recall. Nestle USA has said that it is temporarily halting production of the cookie dough products, while its Ohio factory is investigated by the FDA.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Southern California Slaughterhouse Sued After 2008 Beef Recall

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:26:49 GMT

The nation's largest beef recall in 2008, involving 143 million pounds of beef, was sparked by activities at Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., based in Chino, California. A videotape shows workers at the slaughterhouse abusing cattle. The company claimed that all cattle at the plant were treated humanely, and that no meat from "downer" cows entered the food supply. "Downer" cows are cattle that are sick or injured and pose a greater risk of illnesses like mad cow disease. The Humane Society of the United States filed a lawsuit against Westland/Hallmark, alleging that its claims of humane treatment were fraudulent. In the videotape, workers are seen shocking sick cows with electric prods and dragging them with chains. The United States Department of Justice decided to intervene in the lawsuit, and seek to recover $150 million in taxpayer money that the company received during a five-year period. Westland/Hallmark used to be the second largest supplier of ground beef to the National School Lunch Program. According to a Justice Department lawyer, Westland/Hallmark's alleged fraud could have impacted many of the nation's children, which is a very serious concern.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Recall of Intra-aortic Balloons

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:21:48 GMT

Recently, the FDA issued a Class 1 recall of some intra-aortic balloons, manufactured by Arrow International. The recalled models include various 30 cc, 40 cc and 50 cc intra-aortic balloons manufactured from January 2008 through January 2009. Such pumps are a component of the Intra-Aortic Pump System which helps increase blood flow to the hearts of critically ill people. The recalled pumps have a faulty connector in their tubing assembly that may result in an incorrect volume setting. Users should return the the recalled products. Class 1 is the most serious type of FDA recall, which is used when there is a reasonable probability that a product will cause serious injury or death. Arrow International is based in Massachusetts.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

President of Peanut Corporation of America Refuses To Testify

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:40:58 GMT

A Congressional subcommittee recently held a hearing on its investigation into the salmonella outbreak linked to a U.S. peanut processing company. Salmonella found in peanut products that sickened over 500 people and caused the deaths of 8 people, was traced back to the Blakely, GA plant of the Peanut Corporation of America. The outbreak led to one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history. Stewart Parnell, president of Peanut Corporation of America, and Sammy Lightsey, manager of its Georgia plant, were subpoenaed to testify before Congress. However, at the hearing they both refused to testify, citing their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. According to Congressional investigators, Peanut Corporation of America shipped peanut products without waiting for salmonella test results to come back. There is also a federal investigation into whether the company deliberately shipped contaminated products. In addition to the Blakely, GA plant, Peanut Corporation of America recently closed its plant in Plainview, TX, after salmonella contamination was found there.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller