Ventura Foods recalled over 3,500 cases of salad dressings sold across the US and in Costa Rica due to the presence of black plastic material in the granulated onion ingredient, affecting various brands and sold at retailers like Costco and Publix. The recall, classified as Class II, was initiated in November and involves products with specific sell-by dates, with no consumer Hidden Valley Ranch products affected. Customers are advised to return the products for refunds.
A study released by the American Journal of Emergency Medicine reveals that approximately 4,000 individuals per year in the United States seek medical assistance to have foreign objects removed from their rear ends. Additionally, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that nearly 300,000 people visited the emergency room in 2021 due to foreign objects in their bodies, making it the ninth leading cause of unintentional injury hospitalizations. The report highlights various objects found in different orifices, including gummy worms, cheese, steak knives, flashlights, and even a plastic sword. Men are more likely than women to require removal services, with sex toys accounting for over half of the items retrieved. The average age of those needing assistance was 43, and hospital visits for such incidents have increased over the years.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foreign objects lodged in people's bodies were the ninth leading cause of unintentional injuries that led to emergency room visits in 2021, with over 278,000 U.S. adults seeking care. Some of the strange objects found included magnets, chargers, lollipops, orange peels, and even sex toys. The objects were found in various orifices such as ears, noses, mouths, and genitalia. A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine also revealed that nearly 4,000 people are hospitalized each year due to foreign objects stuck in their rectums.
Nearly 300,000 American adults visit the emergency room each year due to having foreign objects in their bodies, making it the ninth leading cause of unintentional injuries requiring hospitalization. The incidents include objects such as plastic swords, magnets, steak knives, and video-game controllers found in various body parts. Men with objects stuck in their penises and women seeking medical help for objects in their vaginas were also reported. Additionally, a study revealed that almost 4,000 people are hospitalized annually due to foreign objects in their rectums. The average cost of treating these incidents is $5,000. Accidental falls remain the leading cause of unintentional, non-fatal injuries, followed by involuntary poisoning.
Food recalls due to contamination with foreign objects, such as rocks, insects, and plastic, are a common occurrence in the US. These extraneous materials, including metal fragments and bits of bugs, can make their way into packaged goods during the production process. In 2022, there were nine recalls of over 477,000 pounds of food due to extraneous materials, surpassing the number of recalls related to E. coli contamination. While detection methods have improved, manufacturers may still miss some unwanted objects. Recalls are often voluntary, initiated by companies, but can be requested or mandated by regulatory agencies. Consumers are advised to notify manufacturers if they find foreign materials in their food, but it's important to recognize that zero risk is impossible to achieve in food consumption.
Food recalls in the US are often triggered by the presence of foreign objects, such as rocks, insects, plastic, and metal fragments, in packaged goods. These extraneous materials have become one of the top reasons for food recalls, surpassing recalls due to bacterial contamination. While some contamination may be expected and economically impractical to eliminate entirely, detection methods have improved in recent years. However, manufacturers may still miss some unwanted materials, leading to recalls. Companies are becoming more cautious and recalling products more frequently to avoid lawsuits and protect consumers. Recalled food is often discarded, and consumers are advised to notify manufacturers if they find foreign materials in their food.
Food recalls in the US have been on the rise due to contamination with foreign objects such as rocks, insects, and plastic. These extraneous materials, including metal fragments, rubber gaskets, and bugs, are one of the top reasons for food recalls. In 2022, there were nine recalls of over 477,000 pounds of food due to extraneous materials, triple the number of recalls for E. coli contamination. While detection methods have improved, manufacturers still occasionally miss unwanted objects. Recalls are often voluntary, but regulators can request or mandate them. Companies are becoming more cautious due to consumer preferences and the risk of lawsuits. Although actual contamination may be limited, entire batches of food are often recalled as a precaution, resulting in significant waste. Consumers are advised to notify manufacturers if they find foreign materials in their food, but the risk of contamination can never be completely eliminated.
