FitSugar

Brace Yourself For a Bigger Pistachio Recall

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

It's amazing that tiny nuts could cause so much trouble. Last week Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc. recalled more than two million pounds of roasted pistachios shipped since last Fall, and now the recall has been expanded to include all raw nuts and all roasted nuts from the producer's 2008 crop.

It's seen as a proactive move because there have been no confirmed illnesses, but health officials don't want to take any chances this time around and the FDA has indicated it will issue more sweeping decisions like this going forward. Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the FDA commented, "We’re going to try to stop people from getting sick in the first place, as opposed to waiting until we have illness and death before we take action."

Check the FDA website for its list of products affected by the recall, and if you don't see a pistachio-containing product that's in your pantry, don't eat it for a few weeks until there's more news about specific items. So far the list contains items such as trail mix, ice cream, and candy. Food safety first!

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Food Recall: Lean Cuisine Chicken Meals

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Oops! Nestlé did it again. In July, Nestlé recalled some Lean Pockets for having plastic bits in them, and now the company has announced it is recalling 879,565 pounds of Lean Cuisine frozen chicken meals for the same reason. The presence of small pieces of hard plastic led some customers to complain and caused one injury. All of the affected products are chicken-based meals.

Check your freezer for the following products subject to recall, and call Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 227-6188 with any questions.

Lean Cuisine Pesto Chicken With Bow Tie Pasta: Production code "8280595912" with a "Best Before" date of "May 2010."
Lean Cuisine Chicken Mediterranean: Production code "8231595912" or "8241595912" with "Best Before" date of "Sept 2010"; production code "8263595912" "8269595911" or "8274595912" with a "Best Before" date of "Oct 2010"; or, production code “8291595912” or “8301595912,” with a “Best Before" date of "Nov 2010.”
Lean Cuisine Chicken Tuscan: Production code “8234595911” and “Best Before" date of "Sept 2009”; production code “8253595911” or “8269595912” with a “Best Before" date of "Oct 2009”; or, production code of “8292595911” or “8296595911” with a “Best Before" date of "Nov 2009.”

My pal Yum isn't pleased with this news either. If you're now inspired to cook your own food, she's has recipes galore for you to browse for inspiration.

Lean Pocket Recall

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I am not really a big fan of processed food, but I have been known to experiment with Whole Grain Lean Pockets. So the news that something went awry in the Lean Pockets processing plant and some pockets ended up with plastic bits in them, interested me. I like to keep track of these things.

After receiving two complaints from the USDA, Nestle has begun recalling nearly 200,000 pounds of frozen stuffed chicken sandwiches from stores nationwide. Only Spinach Artichoke Chicken Lean Pockets, sold with two sandwiches per box, are being recalled. Look for the "Best Before" date of "Nov 2009" followed by a package code beginning "8144 544616." Also printed on the side of the package is the establishment number "P7721A."

These Lean Pockets hit stores around May 23, so check your freezer too.

Yep, Another Beef Recall

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:30:00 -0800

The Rochester Meat Company of Minnesota has voluntarily recalled 188,000 pounds of ground-beef patties and other meat products because of an E. coli scare. Six illnesses were reported, one in California and five in Wisconsin. This dangerous strain of E. coli - O157:H7 - can be potentially deadly for the elderly, the very young, and those with weakened immune systems. It can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration.

The beef was produced from Oct. 30 through Nov. 6, and was shipped nationwide for use in restaurants. For a complete list of recalled products, check out the USDA's website. If you have any questions about the recall, you can call the company's quality assurance manager at 507-529-4759.

Fit's Tip: If you think you may have consumed bad meat, call your doctor immediately.

Dole Salad Mix RECALL

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I have not been reporting on each and every recall lately because, quite frankly, there are way too many. However, this one was just too mainstream to not let you guys know so here is the deal...

Packages of Dole salad mix have been recalled in at least nine U.S. states and in a number of Canadian provinces after a package in Canada tested positive for E. coli bacteria, the Associated Press reported.

The recall covers all packages of Dole's Hearts Delight salad mix with a "best if used by" date of Sept. 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B." They were sold in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces in Canada, and in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee starting around Sept. 8.

This recall comes one year after an outbreak of E. coli linked to bagged baby spinach sold under the Dole brand killed three people and sickened hundreds in the United States. For more information, consumers can call the Dole Consumer Center toll-free at 800-356-3111.

Veggie Booty Recalled!

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

The popular snack Veggie Booty is being recalled nationwide due to possible contamination with salmonella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported.

Consumers are urged to throw any packages of the product away. This recall needs immediate attention as Veggie Booty is often eaten by children, and parents are urged to watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness in any youngster who has already eaten the product. The FDA has had 52 reports of illness in 17 states, beginning in March. Almost all of the victims have been children under age 10, mostly toddlers. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include bloody diarrhea abdominal cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within four days of exposure. People with weaker immune systems, including the young and elderly, are especially prone to salmonella poisoning.

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Enough With the Pet Food Recalls Already!!

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I really can't take much more of this. The recent pet food recall from Menu Foods was so sad, with all those poor cats and dogs getting sick and passing away. It looks like bad wheat gluten wasn't the only problem. The FDA announced that ANOTHER ingredient - rice protein concentrate - was also contaminated. This time the industrial chemical melamine is the culprit.

A different brand is affected this time, so listen up: a variety of Natural Balance Pet Foods products for both dogs and cats is being recalled.

If you use Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice canned or bagged dog food, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats, or Venison and Green Pea dry cat food - STOP USING THEM IMMEDIATELY!!

Fit's Tips: Here's a list of all the brands that have been recalled. If you are unsure about what to feed your hungry pet, talk to your veterinarian.

The Craziest Recall of 2007: Pet Food

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

I don't know what happened exactly in 2007 but we saw an explosion (literally in some cases) of botulism and e.coli being found in foods. This along with lead being found in toys, we were all left to wonder if anything was safe.

Turns out, nothing was safe from a recall in 2007. From baby food, to beef, to contact solution, to millions and millions of toys, recalls were all the rage this year. Nothing, however, compared to the pet food recalls that took the lives of our favorite furry friends, our pets. This is why you all voted the pet food recall as the craziest recall of 2007 and I have to say, I totally agree. My thoughts go out to anyone who lost a pet due to the tainted pet food and let's hope no one has to go through something like that ever again.

Here's to hoping the recall frenzy calms down in 2008.

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BABY FOOD RECALL!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Baby food maker Gerber has issued a national recall for two of its popular 8 ounce boxes cereals, ORGANIC Rice and Gerber ORGANIC Oatmeal because of a possible chocking hazard.

The company says the problem may be that some of the cereal remains lumpy and won't dissolve in milk or other liquids. The products with all UPC codes, 15000 12504 for Gerber ORGANIC Rice UPC Code, and 15000 12502 for Gerber ORGANIC Oatmeal are subject to the recall. Call 1 (800)443-7237 to return the product and get a full refund.

Yet Another Recall? Beef From Whole Foods

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Sorry to spread the bad news, but we have yet another recall to deal with. Whole Foods voluntarily recalled more than 1.2 million pounds of ground beef that has come from Coleman Natural Beef's Nebraska Beef processing plant. It pains me to say it but E. coli strikes again. Over 31 illnesses in 12 US states and Canada have been linked to this contaminated meat, but officials have yet to name the states (not sure what's up with that). Apparently this recall comes after the same company recalled 5.3 million pounds of meat a month ago, that was linked to at least 49 cases of E. coli. Geez.

The beef in the 24 Whole Foods locations in Northern California are not involved, since their meat comes from Country Natural Beef in Oregon, a supplier not listed in the beef recall. Another chain, Fred Meyers, is also pulling meat from their shelves. The ground beef in question was sold between July 2 and Aug. 6. If you're concerned about the beef at your local Whole Foods or natural grocery store, it's best to contact the store directly.

The USDA is still investigating, so I'm sure more info will be coming. It's just so upsetting that these recalls continue to plague our food system. Does this latest recall inspire you to start eating veggie burgers?

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