A recall has been issued for certain Zicam and Orajel cotton swab products sold across the US and Puerto Rico due to fungal contamination that could cause serious or life-threatening infections, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals. Consumers are advised to stop using these products immediately and seek refunds.
The maker of raw milk cheese, Johannes Vulto, and his company, Vulto Creamery, pleaded guilty to causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce in connection to a listeria outbreak from 2016 to 2017 that killed two people and hospitalized six others. Vulto was ordered to pay $100,000 and could face up to one year in prison, a fine of $250,000, and one year of supervised release. The outbreak was linked to cheese from the Vulto Creamery, prompting a recall of its products by the Food and Drug Administration.
Multiple brands of lubricant eye ointments, including Equate and CVS Health, are being recalled nationwide due to a risk of infection stemming from unsterile conditions at the Indian plant where they were manufactured. The recall, prompted by federal inspectors' findings, involves products with expiration dates from April 2024 to September 2025. Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled ointments and can return them to the place of purchase, while those with questions can contact the manufacturer. Last year, a deadly outbreak of eye infections linked to artificial tears from another Indian firm led to a recall, and in January, the FDA warned against copycat eye drops due to infection risk.
The FDA has identified a cinnamon processor in Ecuador, Carlos Aguilera, as the likely source of lead contamination in applesauce pouches that have been linked to over 400 cases of lead poisoning in the U.S. The investigation is ongoing, and the FDA has recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. The FDA suspects that the lead poisoning could be intentional and is looking into other theories for the contamination. The CDC warns that young children are especially vulnerable to the serious long-term harms caused by lead poisoning.
Almost 2,000 cases of Diet Coke, Sprite, and Fanta Orange are being recalled in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida due to the potential presence of foreign material in the cans. The affected products have specific lot numbers and best-by dates.
Nearly 2,000 cases of Coca-Cola products, including Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, and Sprite cans, have been recalled due to the risk of "potential foreign material." The recall, initiated by Alabama-based United Packers, LLC, affects three states in the South: Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. The affected cases had specific "best by" dates and have been removed from the market. Other Coca-Cola brands are not affected by the recall.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported an increase in the number of children sickened by apple puree pouches that were recently recalled due to dangerous lead contamination. The agency has received 52 reports of elevated lead levels among children who consumed the products, which were marketed under three brands and sold by national grocery chains and online retailers. The FDA is working with Dollar Tree to remove the recalled products from shelves and is investigating the source of the contamination. Lead exposure can lead to serious learning and behavior problems, and there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Life Raft Treats has issued a recall for their ice cream products, Not Fried Chicken And Life Is Peachy, due to potential listeria contamination. The recall affects products shipped to Pennsylvania and 39 other states since August 28. Consumers are advised not to consume the products and should return them for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported so far.
Novo Nordisk is limiting the supply of low doses of obesity medication Wegovy in the U.S. due to high demand. The company is still supplying limited quantities of the drug to wholesalers for distribution to retail pharmacies. Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2021 as a weight management treatment medication and belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. The drug has become popular in the weight loss industry, and endorsements by celebrities on social media have fueled shortages nationwide.
Health officials have warned of a hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen strawberries sold in stores across Los Angeles County. The strawberries were sold under a variety of labels including Kirkland Signature (Costco), Trader Joe’s, Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Made With, and PCC Community Markets. The FDA has recalled several brands of frozen strawberries imported by a common supplier from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico. Seven outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported so far from two states —California and Washington.
Meijer has recalled 12 varieties of premade salads due to possible Listeria contamination in the salads which can lead to illness among those who consume the product. The salads were sold in clear, plastic containers and feature a sticker that reads “Fresh From Meijer” on the package. Meijer says it is not aware of any illnesses caused by the salads. The recalled salads were distributed and sold in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
Salad kits sold in grocery stores across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have been recalled due to listeria concerns. The Fresh Express Incorporated salad kits were found to have listeria during a random sample test by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. No illnesses have been reported as of publication time. Customers can get a refund by contacting the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center or the store from which the kit was purchased. Listeria can cause severe symptoms and can be deadly in children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Fresh Express Incorporated salad kits sold in Publix stores across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have been recalled due to listeria concerns. The salad kits are no longer being sold and have already expired. No illnesses have been reported as of this article’s publishing date. Listeria can have severe symptoms and infections can be deadly in children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Customers can get a refund by calling the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center or the store from which they were purchased.