HappyTot and HappyBaby pouch meals produced by Nurture, Inc. have been recalled due to a packaging defect. The affected packages may swell or leak, indicating possible contamination with bacteria. No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products.

The recall applies to HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 pouches with expiration dates from November, 2010 through January, 2011. They were sold in late December, 2009 and early January, 2010 at Target and Whole Foods stores. About 215 to 250 units were affected by the defect.

If you have one or more of the recalled pouches, or if you have a pouch that is swollen or leaking, do not feed the food to your child. You can return the item to the retailer for a full refund or contact Nurture for a full refund or exchange.

Nurture has conducted its own testing on some of the defective pouches and found no harmful bacteria. It did find food spoilage bacteria called Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis). This bacteria should not cause any health problems, but is not desirable in the food.

Of course, anytime you discover food packaging that is swollen or leaking, it can mean that the food is contaminated with bacteria. You should never consume or feed your child any food with a packaging defect.

If you believe that your child has become ill from consuming recalled food or any other product that was discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, serving clients nationwide.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a health alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats on January 14, 2010. Merrick voluntarily withdrew the treats from the market on January 11, but as of January 15 there were 20 cases of the affected dog treats still unaccounted for and possibly in people’s homes. The treats may be contaminated with Salmonella poses a health risk to pets who consume them as well as people who handle or come in contact with them.

Salmonella Detected in December, 2009

During routine testing, the FDA found Salmonella bacteria in Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats in December, 2009. A follow-up inspection on December 28, 2009 found deficiencies in the manufacturing and packages processes.

Treats Affected by the Health Alert

The defective dog treats are marked "9323 best by 111911". This is printed on the part of the bag that is discarded when the package is opened. The treats were packaged in 10oz, red, green, and tan, re-sealable, plastic bags.

If you have or suspect that you may have the potentially contaminated treats, do not feed them to your dog and do not handle them. Dispose of the treats in a sealed container. Wash your hands and thoroughly clean any containers, dishes, and surfaces that the treats may have come into contact with.

Salmonella poisoning can be fatal to you, your children, and your pets.

If you believe that you, your dog, or a loved one has become ill from eating or coming into contact with recalled dog treats or any other product that was discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, serving clients nationwide.

On January 15, 2010, Parkers Farm, Inc. expanded its existing recall to include a much wider range of food products. Products affected by the recall may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. One reason that the recall was expanded was to prevent confusion and possible consumption of affected products. The expanded recall affects all Parkers Farm products and all recall dates.

Parkers Farm products include many brands and many varieties of ready-to-eat foods, sold in about 15 different retail chains throughout the country. The full list of the recalled Parkers Food products can be found on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. Peanut butter, dips, spreads, cheese food, cheese balls, and salsa are among the products recalled.

Listeria Risk

Listeria can be serious or fatal to some people. It is not a big risk for healthy adults, but those with weakened immune systems are not only more likely to become infected if they consume food contaminated with listeria, they are more likely to suffer serious consequences or die if they become infected. Those at high risk for listeria infection include:

• Pregnant women
• Children
• The elderly
• People taking glucocorticosteroid medications
• People with certain medical conditions including AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease

If you have the recalled product you should not consume it. The products are being recalled due to possible contamination, and some of the finished product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes in sample by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

If you believe that you have become ill from eating recalled food that was contaminated with listeria, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, serving clients nationwide.

Limeno LLC. has announced a recall of white, hard cheese sold under the brand name Rico Queso. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) detected Salmonella in the product during routine testing, prompting the recall and temporary suspension of production of the cheese. So far, no illnesses have been reported. You can return the recalled cheese to the place of purchase for a full refund.

An Unusual Source of Salmonella
Although there have been some large recalls of various types of nuts and nut products associated with Salmonella contamination, we typically think of Salmonella poisoning as a problem caused by undercooked poultry and eggs.

Cheese can be contaminated with Salmonella, but it is most often found in soft cheese. Raw milk can be a source of Salmonella bacteria in both hard and soft cheese, but cheese made from pasteurized milk can become contaminated during processing, packaging, or handling.

In 2008, one person died and nearly 90 others became ill in Quebec from eating hard cheese that was contaminated with Salmonella. About 40% of the people who were infected had to spend at least one day in the hospital.

Salmonella Infection is Serious and Can Be Fatal
Most healthy adults fully recover after a very unpleasant bout with gastrointestinal symptoms caused by Salmonella poisoning. However, even in healthy adults there are rare complications that can be fatal. Salmonella can be very dangerous and even fatal to infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

If you believe that you have become ill from consuming recalled cheese or any other product that was later discovered to be contaminated with Salmonella, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton serving clients nationwide.

Butter Toffee Peanuts and Yogurt Covered Peanuts are being recalled by Nutty Guys after live insects and larvae were found in some of the products. Thousands of peanut products and products containing peanuts, including human and pet foods, have been recalled in recent months sue to possible Salmonella contamination. The Nutty Guys recall is not linked to those recalls and this problem is not thought to pose a serious health risk.

Recalled Nutty Guys Peanut Products
The Recalled Butter Toffee Peanuts and Yogurt Covered Peanuts have sell by dates of March 15, 2010 and earlier. They are packaged in one pound, plastic see-through bags. Affected Butter Toffee Peanuts have the UPC code 8 31852 00261 0. Affected Yogurt Peanuts have the UPC code 8 31852 00279 5. About 2,000lbs of the recalled peanut products were sold.

The recalled Nutty Guys peanut products were distributed to the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

If you have either of these recalled peanut products you should contact Nutty Guys for instructions on how to obtain a refund.

Controlling Pests in Nuts
Live bugs are a common problem in nuts and some other foods. While there are some methods used to control and get rid of pests in nuts, many people find food treated with those methods even more undesirable than the bugs themselves. For instance, ionizing radiation can be used to sterilize or kill pests by damaging their DNA, but it is not always effective and the safety of irradiation technology is questionable at best.

If you have taken a product that was later discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective product attorneys of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton serving clients nationwide.

In cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MuscleMaster.com, Inc announced a recall of 17 dietary supplements, on January 15, 2010. The FDA says the supplements contain ingredients that are or should be classified as steroids. MuscleMaster.com says that it cannot independently confirm the FDA's claims and that the recall should not be construed as an admission of selling illegal products, but is a precautionary measure.

Undeclared Anabolic Steroids in Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements marketed to bodybuilders sometimes contain undeclared anabolic steroids because they are effective in helping build muscle mass. Anabolic steroids are Schedule III controlled substances and including them in over-the-counter supplements is illegal. However, the process of classifying specific ingredients as anabolic steroids is a complicated process and the FDA does not have the authority to do so. That is the responsibility of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Of the five suspect ingredients that are or may be contained in the recalled dietary supplements, only two, androstenedione and Turinabol are technically classified as anabolic steroids. The other three, Superdrol, Madol, and Tren are substances that the FDA believes should be classified as steroids.

Why Undeclared Steroids Are Dangerous
Anabolic steroids can have dangerous and even fatal side effects. People who take them knowingly and willingly at least have the opportunity to be informed of the risks and look out for signs of the side effects. Those who take products with undeclared steroids do not have that advantage and can incur serious harm before discovering the source of the problem.

Acute liver damage is among the many potential side effects of steroid use.

If you have taken a dietary supplement or any other product that was later discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective drug attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton serving clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Pine nuts are usually sold raw for use in many tasty dishes. They are one of the main ingredients in most pesto sauce recipes. Adding to the list of nuts and nut products recently recalled for possible Salmonella contamination, Hines Nut Company is recalling its Harris Teeter Farmers Market pine nuts.

The recalled pine nuts were sold between December 30, 2009 and January 14, 2010, and only in Harris Teeter Markets in North Carolina. 270 packages have been recalled. The recalled nuts were packaged in 8oz, cellophane wrapped, foam trays. They are labeled with the UPC code 0 72036 88121 0.

The possible contamination was discovered by Red River Foods, in California, during routine sampling. Red River sold the nuts to Hines Nut Company of Dallas, Texas. Hines Nut Company then distributed the nuts to Harris Teeter Markets in North Carolina.

Do Not Consume the Recalled Pine Nuts
If you have the recalled pine nuts in your possession you can contact Hines Nut Company to find out how to return them for a full refund.

Although some people do snack on raw pine nuts, they are more often used as an ingredient in foods and sauces. Cooking to a high enough temperature will kill Salmonella, but it is not recommended that you eat the recalled nuts, even if you use them in a cooked dish.

Contaminated nuts can also lead to cross-contamination of other foods. If you have used the nuts, be sure to thoroughly clean any containers, surfaces, and utensils that may have come into contact with the nuts.

If believe that you or a loved one has become ill from consuming contaminated pine nuts or if you have taken a product that was later discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective products attorneys of Bogard & serving clients nationwide.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and e3 Endovascular, Inc. have announced a Class I Recall of the Trailblazer Support Catheter. So far, no deaths have been linked to the defective catheters, but this is the most serious classification of recalls, and was issued in connect with reported adverse events. So far, no deaths have been linked to the recalled, defective catheters. A class I recall means that the product carries a reasonable possibility of causing a serious adverse health event or death.

Recalled Catheters
The recalled catheters were used in endovascular applications. That means that they were inserted in veins or arteries, rather than being used in other types of applications such as for bladder evacuation.

The recalled Trailblazer Support Catheters may crack near the radioplaque marker band resulting in serious complications including:

• Insufficient oxygen supply to tissues
• Damage to blood vessels
• Heart attack
• Limb amputation
• Unplanned surgery
• Death

No deaths have been reported in connection with the recalled medical devices, but adverse health events have occurred. According to the press release, all of the recalled devices have been returned to ev3, Inc.

If You Have Been Injured By a Defective Medical Device
Injury by a defective medical device can have severe health consequences and can be fatal. If you have been injured by a defective medical device or a defective drug, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and more.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been injured by a medical device that was discovered to be defective or dangerous in any way, please contact the experienced defective drug attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton serving clients nationwide.

Thermoflect blankets and other Thermoflect products are used to treat and prevent hypothermia. Preventing hypothermia reduces the risk of surgical site infections and other medical problems and complications. The Thermoflect products are being recalled for re-labeling after a report of an injury to a patient who was using a Thermoflect blanket during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

At this point the recall and relabeling is a precaution and it is not known for sure if the Thermoflect product caused the injury. However, Encompass Group the company that sells Thermoflect products, is relabeling the products and has sent letters to hospital, doctors, and other customers asking them not to use Thermoflect products in the MR environment until the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) establishes a standard for testing the safety of the products in that environment.

Thermoflect blankets and other Thermoflect products are still considered to be safe and effective for prevention and treatment of hypothermia outside of the MR environment.

How Thermoflect Works
Thermoflect products include blankets, pants, vests, transport cocoons, caps, and other products. They prevent heat loss due to airflow in the same way that other blankets and clothing items would, but they also reflect the heat radiating off of a patient's body back to them, helping to maintain core body temperature. The science behind Thermoflect products was pioneered by NASA as an alternative to electric heat as a way to maintain body temperature.

If you have been injured by a defective medical device or defective drug, please contact the experienced defective drug attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton serving clients nationwide.

Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA, is a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula. According to the FDA, trace amounts of BPA can be found in some foods packaged in these containers.

In 2008, the FDA judged food-related materials containing BPA on the market to be safe, however, recent studies showing health effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals have lead the FDA to express some concern about the safety of BPA. Because of this, the Department of Health and Human Services is investing in new studies for both animals and humans to determine and evaluate the potential health effects of BPA exposure.

In the meantime, the FDA is recommending the following step in reducing exposure to BPA, especially to parents:

Plastic containers that contain BPA are usually marked with the number 3 or 7 on the bottom.

Discard scratched containers, especially baby bottles and infant feeding cups because the chemical can seep through any scratches.

Do not put boiling or very hot water or other liquids in a BPA-container. Traces of BPA are transferred when hot or boiling liquids or food comes in contact with a BPA-container.

Use only containers marked “dishwasher safe” or “microwave safe”.

For general information regarding BPA go to www.fda.gov. For information on ways to prevent BPA exposure to children, go to www.hhs.gov.

Labels: bisphenol A, BPA, plastic

La Espiga de Oro, Inc. is recalling its Fiesta brand Flour Burrito Tortillas. This product is packaged in 12 count bags with a UPC code of 51022 00060 and the packages bear dates of 30, 2009 through December 20, 2009. The recalled products fail to list whey as an ingredient, which is a milk product that can be an allergen to certain people.

Milk allergies are a common food allergy triggered by one or more of the proteins found in milk. Some of the systems affected by reaction to milk allergens include:

• Gastrointestinal – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache
• Dermatological – hives, rashes, and itching skin
• Respiratory – wheezing, shortness of breath, and respiratory arrest

The primary defense of people suffering from any food allergy is avoidance. They rely on accurate ingredient labels to know what foods to avoid. When food labels do not properly list allergenic ingredients, these people may inadvertently consume something dangerous.

The recall of the flour tortillas was initiated by the discovery that the labels did not indicate the presence of whey. Apparently, the production and packaging department of La Espiga De Oro, Inc. made this critical mistake, resulting in this voluntary recall of this potentially dangerous product. So far, no illnesses are reported. Consumers may call the company at 713-861-4200 to find out more information.

If you or a loved one suffered an allergic reaction to this product, you may be eligible to seek monetary damages from the responsible party. To find out more about the legal options available to injured persons, please contact the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP.

Five Crowns Marketing is issuing a voluntary recall of cantaloupes distributed under the Majesty Label due to confirmed salmonella contamination discovered on November 4, 2009. As a cautionary measure, all cantaloupes in the same lot are included in the recall. The lot numbers included in the recall are 198 1 and 198 3. The cantaloupe lots in question were distributed to the following states:

• California
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee

The cantaloupes may be individually marked with the Majesty Label, but all containers are marked. IConsumers who want to find out if their fruit is included in the recall are asked to contact the company at 760-344-1930.

Salmonella is a enterobacteria that causes salmonellosis in individuals who are infected. Some of the symptoms of salmonellosis include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps

Many people who suffer from the above symptoms may become severely dehydrated and need intravenous fluids. In severe cases, salmonellosis may spread into the bloodstream and may even prove to be fatal. Children, elderly, and immune compromised individuals are most susceptible to severe cases of salmonella infection. Tainted fruits and vegetables are among the leading agents of infection.

If you or a loved one suffered any of the above symptoms due to consumption of the listed products, you may be able to seek damages. To find out more about your legal options, please contact the knowledgeable product liability attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP.

On January 5, 2010, The FDA issued a MedWatch safety and information report including information about a Class 1 recall of the Trailblazer Support Catheter device.

The recalled catheter is a medical device used to help with the delivery of solutions in the veins or arteries for the treatment of patients.

Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Specifically, this device may crack near the radiopaque marker band which may result in serious patient injury, including insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues, damage to blood vessels, heart attack, limb amputation, unplanned surgery, and/or death.

Ev3 Endovascular, Inc., has sent a letter to all of its consumers summarizing the problem with the device and requesting the product be returned to their company.

Model Numbers recalled include: SC-014-135, SC-018-090, SC-035-065, SC-035-135, SC-014-150, SC-018-150, SC-035-090, SC-035-150.

Labels: Class 1 recall, FDA, MedWatch

The maker of Shedd's Country Crock chilled side-dish products is recalling two of its side dishes because they contain undeclared sulfites in the ingredients. The recall was initiated after a report of four family members who suffered adverse effects associated with the side-dish products. The products in question include:

• Deluxe Cheddar Broccoli Rice, best by dates 11/29/09 through 1/16/10, upc code 027400218316.
• Deluxe Four Cheese Pasta, best by dates 12/05/09 through 1/16/10, upc code 027400230875.

No other Shedd's Country Crock side dishes are affected by the recall.

Sulfites are frequently used as food preservatives, but are also allergens for many susceptible people. People with sulfite allergies may suffer the following symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Swelling of the throat
• Hives
• Death

People who suffer from sulfite allergies rely on proper labeling of food products to avoid suffering adverse reactions. When food products are mislabeled allergy suffers may experience needlessly.

If you or a loved one suffered a reaction as a result of consuming one of these products, you may have legal recourse to collect damages. To find out more about your legal options, please contact the product liability litigators at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare has voluntarily recalled all available product lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles. In November 2009, five lots of this product were recalled due to consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that was associated with nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The odor is caused by the presence of a chemical believed to be the breakdown of a chemical used to treat wooden pallets that transport and store packaging materials.
But consumers beware: this phenomenon is not unusual. Packaging not only acts as a barrier against contamination but it is also a source of contamination. In most cases, it is not a question of whether packaging components will leach into a product, it’s a question of how much. And pharmaceutical products are not immune to leaching. As a result, regulatory agencies collect information in order to document the safety margins of these food and drug “leachables”. Still, there is no set guideline among the governmental agencies. For instance, last year, the Canadian government banned the use of BPA in baby bottles as a precautionary measure against the risk that its presence could cause endocrine disruption in children--the FDA and other foreign agencies dispute the Canadian’s safety margins.
Still, scientists are trying to come up with a packaging material that prevents leaching of products. While a fool proof solution is yet to be found, the most successful anti-leaching products are available, at a price--the containers sometime cost several times the price of the components they replace.
In the meantime, pharmaceutical companies like McNeil Consumer Healthcare will continue to voluntarily recall their contaminated products. For all contaminated products, the consumer should stop using the product and contact the manufacturer for instructions on a refund or replacement.

Labels: drugs, FDA, products, recall