ANISSA REYES | The National News Desk

Updated Thu, December 26th 2024 at 11:20 AM

MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 17: A customer shops in the ready to eat meals aisle of a grocery store on October 17, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Products tested by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) came back positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria which initiated a recall of nearly 12 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and chicken product items sold at major stores nationwide, including Publix, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, 7-Eleven and Kroger. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(TNND) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued recalls on more than 10,000 pounds of pork products across four states. The recalls involve two companies for issues with inspection processes and labeling errors.

FILE – The logo of the United States Department of Agriculture is seen, Aug. 10, 2007, at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

Impero Foods & Meats recall

Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore-based company, is recalling roughly 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products after it was discovered they were produced without federal inspection, the USDA announced Friday. FSIS determined the products, including Old World Italian Sausage links and ropes, were manufactured at a facility operating under a suspended inspection grant.

The affected sausage, marked with the establishment number “EST. 10827,” was produced between Oct. 3 and Dec. 19, 2024, and distributed to restaurants and retail stores in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Although no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported, consumers who purchased Old World Sausage products during this time are strongly urged by the USDA to discard or return them. FSIS categorized this recall as Class I, signifying a high-risk situation where consumption could lead to severe health consequences or death.

Ralph’s Packing Company Recall

In a separate incident, Ralph’s Packing Company in Oklahoma is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and the presence of an undeclared allergen, USDA announced Friday.

The issue arose when product labels failed to list milk as an ingredient.

The recalled items, sold under the Ralph’s Circle R brand, include Garlic Bologna and Garlic Bologna with Jalapeños. These products, produced since Sept. 2022, may still be stored in freezers or refrigerators for some consumers.

They have the establishment number “EST. 51557” and the following lot codes:

• Ralph’s Circle R Garlic Bologna: 0093, 0654, 0804, 1074, 1153, 1224, 1374, 1774, 1924, 2572, 2974, 3132, 3483
• Ralph’s Circle R Garlic Bologna with Jalapeños: 0804, 1074, 1224, 1233, 1354, 2184, 3374

FSIS also warned that some of these products may have been sliced and sold at retail deli counters. While no adverse health effects have been reported, consumers are advised not to consume these items and to either throw them away or return them.

Consumers are encouraged to double-check their purchases, especially if they’ve recently bought pork sausage or bologna products, to avoid potential risks.

https://cbs12.com/news/nation-world/usda-recalls-10000-pounds-of-pork-in-four-states-due-to-inspection-and-labeling-issues-food-safety-and-inspection-impero-food-and-meats-ralphs-packaging-company-sausage-links-meat-recall-food-safety-concerns?_gl=1njwkl6_ga*WDhJeWRIMkx0Mk93VDJmTHFMVkNNcmJOdTlFVWpuaEtKSjNTQlh5YTF4LVVUbGo1aVhJNzNxMDVlWTVUdmdYWA

Why the FDA Recalled More Than 2 Million Cans of Coconut Water Across 29 States

www.foodandwine.com

Photo:

Food & Wine / Getty Images

By Stacey Leasca

If you’ve purchased any coconut water lately, then you may want to check your fridge. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated a recall for Jarritos Coconut Water 12-can cartons made by Tipp Distributors, Inc. It then re-upped the recall on Dec. 10 and noted it’s ongoing. According to the recall notice, “The hermetic seal on the lid of the cans may be compromised,” which can affect the integrity of the product, causing it to leak, or, worse, be contaminated with harmful bacteria that will lead to illness if ingested. 

The recalled product was distributed across 29 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

The recall includes 169,438 cases, totaling 2,033,256 cans. It includes all lot codes. 

As Food Safety News reported, the most dangerous potential outcome is botulism poisoning, which can “paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, resulting in sudden death.” It pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, which noted that symptoms of botulism poisoning typically set in within 18 to 36 hours after exposure, though symptoms can pop up 10 days later. “The spores usually do not cause people to become sick, even when they’re eaten,” the CDC explained. “But under certain conditions, these spores can grow and make one of the most lethal toxins known.” 

The CDC added that “improperly home-canned, preserved, or fermented foods can provide the right conditions for spores to grow and make botulinum toxin,” which means a can of coconut water that is also improperly sealed could also have the potential for the toxin to thrive as well. Again, the chances are slim, but it’s probably not worth the gamble. 

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, you should contact a medical professional immediately. And, if you’ve purchased the recalled coconut water you should not consume it and either discard it immediately or return it to the point of purchase for a full refund. If you have any additional questions about the recall, you can reach the company’s customer service hotline at 1-888-668-2639.

Coconut Water Recall

Product: Jarritos Coconut Water 12-can cartons
Number of cans recalled: 2,033,256
Product Codes: All lot codes are included in the recall
Recall reason: The hermetic seal on the can was compromised
States affected: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin

www.yahoo.com

Matthew Self

(KSNT) – Check your medicine cabinets: A brand of eye drops sold nationally has been recalled due to the presence of fungus, which may cause vision damage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that Alcon Laboratories, based out of Texas, is voluntarily recalling a single lot of “Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra SPF, Single Vials On-the-Go” as the products may be contaminated with fungus. The eye drops come in 25-count packages.

Alcon issued the recall after a consumer complained of a “foreign material” they found in a sealed vial of the eye drops. When the company investigated, they determined the material was fungal.

The recall follows a string of similar issues with tainted eye drops reported over the past two years. Dozens of products were recalled in 2023.

Fungal contamination in eye products are known to cause infections that can threaten a person’s ability to see. In rarer cases, these infections can become life-threatening for immunocompromised people.

In this case, the producer of the eye drops has yet to receive any reports of infection related to the recalled product.

People who purchased a Systane-brand eye drop package can check to see if it is being recalled by looking at the lot number, expiration date and other details on the packaging.

• Lot 10101.
• UPC 300651432060.
• NDC 0065-1432-06.
• Expiration date – September 2025.

1. (Photo Courtesy/FDA)
2. (Photo Courtesy/FDA)
3. (Photo Courtesy/FDA)

The FDA said the eye drops were distributed nationwide through retail stores and internet sellers. People who have been negatively impacted by the recalled eye drops after using them can contact the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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www.wgal.com

Pet food recall issued after Oregon house cat dies from eating product that tested positive for bird flu

Ashley R. Williams, CNN

7 – 8 minutes

Pet food recall issued after Oregon house cat dies from eating product that tested positive for bird flu

A Portland-based pet food company issued a nationwide voluntary recall after a house cat in Oregon died from eating one of its products, which tested positive for bird flu.Northwest Naturals, owned by Morasch Meats, announced the recall Tuesday for one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the product tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, also known as H5N1 bird flu, according to a news release.The batch with the virus was sold across the United States through distributors in Washington, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia, Maryland and several other states, according to the release. The products were also distributed in Canada’s British Columbia.The company is cooperating with the Oregon Department of Agriculture on the voluntary recall, which the we Food and Drug Administration did not issue.Laboratory testing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University confirmed the cat died after consuming raw frozen pet food that tested positive for H5N1 in Washington County, Oregon, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.Testing confirmed a genetic match between the infected animal and the virus found in the raw frozen pet food, the department said. The test results prompted the voluntary recall, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a statement on Facebook.“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Ryan Scholz, a state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said in a release.“This cat was strictly an indoor cat,” Scholz said. “It was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”The recall applies to products with “best if used by” dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, according to Northwest Naturals.Northwest Naturals advises people who purchased the recalled product to throw it away immediately and contact the store where they bought it for a full refund.The Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring people who lived with the infected cat for bird flu symptoms, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said.No human cases of the bird flu have yet been linked to the incident, the department added.Cats and dogs can catch bird flu from eating undercooked or raw meat, sick or dead infected birds or drinking unpasteurized milk, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.Humans can become infected if exposed to infected animals, but this is rare, the association said.Last week, a person exposed to sick and dead birds in Louisiana became hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1, marking the first human case of severe illness linked to the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mild symptoms in humans include mild fever, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and muscle or body aches, according to the CDC. More moderate to severe symptoms include high fever, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness.Sixty-five bird flu cases have been reported in the U.S. since April 2024, the CDC said.

A Portland-based pet food company issued a nationwide voluntary recall after a house cat in Oregon died from eating one of its products, which tested positive for bird flu.

Northwest Naturals, owned by Morasch Meats, announced the recall Tuesday for one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the product tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, also known as H5N1 bird flu, according to a news release.

The batch with the virus was sold across the United States through distributors in Washington, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia, Maryland and several other states, according to the release. The products were also distributed in Canada’s British Columbia.

The company is cooperating with the Oregon Department of Agriculture on the voluntary recall, which the we Food and Drug Administration did not issue.

Laboratory testing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University confirmed the cat died after consuming raw frozen pet food that tested positive for H5N1 in Washington County, Oregon, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Testing confirmed a genetic match between the infected animal and the virus found in the raw frozen pet food, the department said. The test results prompted the voluntary recall, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a statement on Facebook.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Ryan Scholz, a state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said in a release.

“This cat was strictly an indoor cat,” Scholz said. “It was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

The recall applies to products with “best if used by” dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, according to Northwest Naturals.

Northwest Naturals advises people who purchased the recalled product to throw it away immediately and contact the store where they bought it for a full refund.

The Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring people who lived with the infected cat for bird flu symptoms, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said.

No human cases of the bird flu have yet been linked to the incident, the department added.

Cats and dogs can catch bird flu from eating undercooked or raw meat, sick or dead infected birds or drinking unpasteurized milk, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Humans can become infected if exposed to infected animals, but this is rare, the association said.

Last week, a person exposed to sick and dead birds in Louisiana became hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1, marking the first human case of severe illness linked to the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mild symptoms in humans include mild fever, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and muscle or body aches, according to the CDC. More moderate to severe symptoms include high fever, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness.

Sixty-five bird flu cases have been reported in the U.S. since April 2024, the CDC said.

www.fda.gov

Handsome Brook Farms Issues Recall of Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

5 – 7 minutes

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Read Announcement View Product Photos

Summary

Company Announcement Date: November 27, 2024 FDA Publish Date: November 27, 2024 Product Type: Food & Beverages
Egg/Egg Product
Foodborne Illness Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description

Potential Foodborne Illness/Salmonella Company Name: Handsome Brook Farms Brand Name: Product Description:

Company Announcement

New York, New York (November 27, 2024) Handsome Brook Farms is voluntarily recalling 10,800 retail units of the Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs sold under the Kirkland Signature brand name because these eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

These units of the Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs were distributed into 25 Costco stores in the States of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee beginning November 22, 2024.

The Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs with UPC 9661910680 are packaged in plastic egg cartons labeled with Kirkland Signature on the top. The recall only applies to units with the Julian code 327 and a Use By Date of Jan 5, 2025, which can be found printed on the side of the plastic egg carton. No other products are impacted by this recall.

The recall was initiated after the company determined that eggs not intended for retail distribution were instead packaged and distributed in retail packaging. Additional supply chain controls and retraining are being put in place to prevent recurrence.

To date there are no illness complaints. This recall is being done in cooperation with the FDA.

Impacted consumers should stop consuming the product and should return the identified units to their local Costco store for a full refund or should dispose of the products. For those who have additional questions, please contact Handsome Brook Farms via phone at 646-733-4532, ext. 1, Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM EST or contact us at any time at recall@hbfeggs.com.

Company Contact Information

Product Photos