Category Archives: National Government

Nutiva Expanded Voluntary Recall In All Lots of Organic Plant Based Protein Superfood 30 Shake

Posted on by

Nutiva, an Organic Superfoods company, has decided to expand its initial voluntary product recall of the Organic Plant Based Protein Superfood 30 Shake – Vanilla to include all lots of both Vanilla and Chocolate flavored products after identifying that this product may contain trace amounts peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. “We are choosing to voluntarily recall all of our Organic Plant Based Protein Superfood 30 Shakes as a precautionary measure to provide the safest products for our customers,” states John W. Roulac, Nutiva’s CEO.

The affected products include:

Product # Description Packaging Packet UPC/
Caddy UPC		 Master Case UPC Lot Code Expiration Date Range
PBP101 Organic Plant Based Protein
Superfood 30 Shake –Chocolate		 10 – 1.2 OZ (34g) Packets 6-92752-10713-9
6-92752-10714-6		 6-92752-10715-3 24MAY2016 – 11NOV2016 24 MAY 2018 – 11 NOV 2018
Product # Description Packaging Packet UPC/
Caddy UPC		 Master Case UPC Lot Code Expiration Date Range
PBP105 Organic Plant Based Protein
Superfood 30 Shake -Chocolate		 21.6 OZ
HDPE Jar		 6-92752-10709-2 6-92752-10710-8 03MAY2016 – 11JAN2017 03 MAY 2018 – 11 JAN 2019
Product # Description Packaging Packet UPC/
Caddy UPC		 Master Case UPC Lot Code Expiration Date Range
PBP201 Organic Plant Based Protein
Superfood 30 Shake -Vanilla		 10 – 1.2 OZ (34g) Packets 6-92752-10716-0
6-92752-10717-7		 6-92752-10718-4 06MAY2016– 10NOV2016 06 MAY 2018 – 10 NOV 2018
Product # Description Packaging Packet UPC/
Caddy UPC		 Master Case UPC Lot Code Expiration Date Range
PBP205 Organic Plant Based Protein
Superfood 30 Shake -Vanilla		 21.6 OZ
HDPE Jar		 6-92752-10711-5 6-92752-10712-2 03MAY2016 – 02MAR2017 03 MAY 2018 – 02 MAR 2019

These items were sold on the internet and through distributors in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Consumers who have purchased these items and have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts are urged to not eat the product, and to dispose of it or return it for refund to where it was originally purchased. Nutiva has taken these steps strictly as a precautionary measure to assure our customers of our commitment to quality. No other Nutiva items are impacted by this recall.

Customers with questions may contact (800) 993-4367 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, or email help@nutiva.com.

Wellpet Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Amount of One Recipe of Canned Topper For Dogs

Posted on by

WellPet has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited amount of one canned topper product due to potential elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.

Recalled Product Details:

Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs – 13.2 oz, Can UPC: 0 76344 89450 6
Best-By Dates of 02 FEB 19, 29 AUG 19 and 30 AUG 19, located on the bottom of the can

Three best-by date codes of one recipe have the potential to contain elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone. Elevated levels may affect a dog’s metabolism and can be associated with anxiousness, increased thirst, increased urinary output and weight loss. However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or difficulty breathing. Although multiple studies indicate that, for the vast majority of pets, symptoms are reversible once the pet stops eating product with elevated thyroid hormone, if your pet has consumed this product and has exhibited any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recipe is a mixer or topper and is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only; the likelihood of a dog being affected is remote. Even though the chance of a dog being affected is unlikely, WellPet is voluntarily recalling this recipe with these three best-by dates. No other Wellness products are affected. Affected products were distributed at pet specialty retailers throughout North America and online.

Although the WellPet Consumer Affairs team has received no reports of any health problems to date as a result of feeding this recipe, the FDA advised WellPet of three dogs that were affected. WellPet immediately initiated an investigation, and based on follow-up research, decided to recall the lots in question. The dogs are now fully recovered and doing well.

“Please know that safeguarding the health and wellbeing of pets is of the utmost importance to us,” said Camelle Kent, chief executive officer of WellPet, the maker of Wellness products. “We fully intend on maintaining the trust you have placed in us to keep your pets healthy and happy, and are removing this product as part of our ongoing commitment to quality and food safety.”

If you have any of the 13.2 oz recipe with these three best-by dates, please email WellPet at wecare@wellpet.com or call 1-877-227-9587. For more information, please visit WellPet’s website for a letter from the CEO.

Blue Buffalo Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of BLUE Wilderness® Rocky Mountain Recipe Wet Food

Posted on by

Blue Buffalo Company is voluntarily recalling one production lot of BLUE Wilderness® Rocky Mountain RecipeTM Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs, as the product has the potential to contain elevated levels of naturally- occurring beef thyroid hormones.

Dogs ingesting high levels of beef thyroid hormones may exhibit symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness. These symptoms may resolve when the use of the impacted food is discontinued. However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or difficulty breathing. Should these symptoms occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Although the Blue Buffalo Customer Care Resource Team has not received any reports of dogs exhibiting these symptoms from consuming this product, the FDA advised Blue Buffalo of a single consumer who reported symptoms in one dog, who has now fully recovered. Blue Buffalo immediately began an investigation, however, and after working with the FDA, Blue Buffalo decided it would be prudent to recall the one production lot in question.

The voluntary recall is limited to one production lot of the following product:

Product Name UPC Code Best Buy Date
BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain
Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet
Food for Adult Dogs 12.5 oz can		 840243101153 June 7, 2019 (found
on the bottom of the can)

Affected products were distributed nationally through pet specialty and on-line retailers.

No other Blue Buffalo products are impacted by this issue.

If your pet has consumed the product listed above and has exhibited any of these symptoms, please discontinue feeding and contact your veterinarian.  Consumers who have purchased the product subject to this recall should dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Blue Buffalo at 866-201-9072 from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday, or by email at  CustomerCare@bluebuffalo.com for more information.

EuroCan Manufacturing Voluntarily Recalling Barnsdale Farms® Pig Ears

Posted on by

EuroCan Manufacturing is voluntarily recalling Lot Number 84 consisting of it’s individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags of Barnsdale Farms®, HoundsTooth® and Mac’s Choice® Pig Ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The pig ears were distributed throughout the United States and Canada. The pig ears were packaged as individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags in the Barnsdale Farms®, Barnsdale Farms®-Select, Houndstooth® and Mac’s Choice® brands. The lot number being recalled is 84. No illnesses of any kind have been reported to date.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in the product. The company has suspended distribution of the product while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem. Consumers who have purchased any of the above-described Barnsdale Farms® pig ears should return product to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumer with questions may contact the company Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time at (888) 290-7606.

Kaibab to conduct Outfitter-Guide Needs Assessment, Capacity Study

Posted on by

FREDONIA – Due to increasing demand and visitor use on the Rainbow Rim Trail continuing to trend upward, recreation planners on the North Kaibab Ranger District will immediately conduct an outfitter-guide needs assessment followed by a capacity analysis to determine use within the vicinity of this increasingly popular recreation site on the Kaibab National Forest.

On Feb. 1, the North Kaibab Ranger District determined the imminent need to place a hold on all “new” special-use permits for all commercial uses on the Rainbow Rim. Under the current Land and Resource Management Plan for the Kaibab National Forest, special-use permits are characterized as a partnership between the Forest Service and private businesses, academia, non-governmental organizations, or individuals in order to provide specific services to the public on forest lands. Authorization of these special-use permits supports the Forest Service mission, helps meet demonstrated public needs, and is consistent with the desired conditions for the use area.

“Our intent is to provide better service to our special-use permit holders and quality experiences for the public,” said North Kaibab Natural Resources Specialist Dan Gunn.

Under the direction of the Recreation Special Uses Handbook, Forest Service policy requires that a needs assessment be conducted to determine the public or agency need for authorized outfitting and guiding activities. The process is anticipated to take up to one year to complete. In the interim, district staff will not process any “new” outfitter-guide applications for use on the Rainbow Rim.

This will not impact operations for outfitters and guides with “existing” permit-use on the Rainbow Rim or any special-use permit holders for activities outside the Rainbow Rim vicinity, and applications for areas outside the Rainbow Rim vicinity will continue to be accepted.

“With a large increase in demand for outfitter and guide requests, we want to exercise our due diligence by re-assessing and identifying visitor needs, determining if current use for the area aligns with desired conditions and adjusting our business model accordingly,” said Gunn. “Upon completion of the capacity study, we will have the most recent data and analysis available, which will help identify a reasonable level of “use” specific to the Rainbow Rim, ensure that “use” aligns with desired conditions of the forest plan, and ensure our recreation partner’s and visitor’s needs are appropriately met while continuing to improve the overall visitor experience.”

Upon completion of the needs assessment and capacity analysis, the data collected will aid recreation planners in drafting a Rainbow Rim management plan intended to tailor a manageable pool of outfitter and guide permit holders specifically tied to the Rainbow Rim, improve management practices and public services local to the area and increase overall quality of the user experience.

For further information, please contact Dan Gunn at degunn@fs.fed.us.

Kaibab National Forest plans pile burn near Jacob Lake

Posted on by

FREDONIA – North Zone fire managers plan to resume pile burning in the vicinity of the Arizona Department of Transportation Maintenance facility near Jacob Lake starting as early as Monday.

Pile burning is one piece of the ongoing hazardous fuels reduction efforts of the Plateau Facilities Fire Protection Project on approximately 5,000 acres surrounding 33 structures across the Kaibab Plateau. Fire managers plan to initially target 25 acres of piles and continue throughout the week as conditions allow.

As a reminder, all prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather and fuel conditions, including winds, temperature, humidity, vegetation moisture and ventilation conditions for dispersal of smoke. All prescribed fires are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division and to view prescribed burn authorizations for any given day, visit http://www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/smoke-management.

In the interest of safety, visitors are reminded to always use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed fires, as firefighters, fire-related traffic and smoke may all be present. Although no significant smoke impacts are expected, visitors should always be cautious when driving in the vicinity of emergency vehicles operating in the area.

As the prescribed burn season continues through the spring, notifications of upcoming prescribed fires will be provided regularly through the following sources:

· Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
· Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Services for H.B. “Doc” Smith this Saturday

Posted on by

H.B. “Doc” Smith

WILLIAMS – H.B. “Doc” Smith passed away on February 25, 2017 in Chandler, AZ.

“Doc” was born in Mississippi and grew up in southern New Mexico and west Texas. He graduated from high school in El Paso, Texas and then went in the Navy where he served during the tag end of the Korean War.

After service in the military, he went to Colorado and worked in mines for a year, before enrolling at Colorado A & M at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources in Fort Collins, CO. While in college he worked summers on the Coeur d’Alene National Forest in northern Idaho in 1958, and then in 1959, he was a smoke jumper out of Missoula, MT. After receiving his BS in Forestry in 1961 he started out on the San Juan National Forest at Dolores, Colorado as a timber sales forester.

While at Dolores he was very active in fire and became qualified as a sector boss, division boss, and trained as a line boss. After leaving Delores, he moved to Minturn, Colorado on the Holy Cross District of the White River Forest. From there he became district ranger at Lander on Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming for seven years and continued his involvement in fire, becoming fire boss qualified.

He moved on in 1975 to become a district ranger in Utah on the Wasatch National Forest; and then later on the Toiyabe National Forest in the Sierras. From there, “Doc” and his wife Kathy moved to Arizona on the Kaibab National Forest, where he was fire staff officer. He became an area commander on the fire side and served on at least seven national incidents across the West.

He retired from the Forest Service then in 1994 and enrolled at Northern Arizona University to work on an advanced degree. In addition to receiving his Master in Forestry, he also became part of the Ecological Restoration Institute where he worked until he finally retired for good. “Doc” and Kathy moved to Phoenix to be closer to their family.

“Doc” was very proud of his Forest Service career and remained involved with National Smokejumpers Association, National Museum of Forest Service History, National Association of Forest Service Retires, Rocky Mountaineers, Amigos, Society of American Foresters, and all the Forest Service Reunions

He is survived by his wife, Kathy and daughter, Kelli, and son, Ken, and their families all in the Phoenix area.

The service for Doc will be on Saturday, March 4th, from 13:00 until 16:00.  It will be held at the Flagstaff Elks Lodge, which is located at 2201 N. San Francisco St., in Flagstaff.

Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff hosts Black History Month presentation Thursday

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – On Thursday, February 23, the National Park Service, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum and Flagstaff Arts Council are hosting presentations on the history of northern Arizona’s black community titled, Hidden and Revealed: Revisiting the African American Experience in Northern Arizona. Come learn the history of northern Arizona’s black pioneers and their settlement in the Flagstaff, Williams and Grand Canyon area.

Local scholars Margaret Hangan, Kaibab National Forest Heritage Program Manager, Public Lands Historian, Ben Carver, Ph. D and Historian, Jack Reid, Ph. D will present on the early history of African Americans in the southwestern United States, including migration and settlement in Flagstaff and Williams and working on public lands in northern Arizona.

This program is part of the Flagstaff Pioneer Museum, Night at the Museum production, Hidden and Revealed and includes a public reception with appetizers and drinks at 5:30 at the Pioneer Museum (2340 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff), followed at 6:30 by presentations at the Coconino Center for the Arts (2300 N Fort Valley Rd – directly behind Pioneer Museum). This event is free and all ages are welcome.

March Archaeology Month schedule at Kaibab National Forest

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – Here is our calendar of archaeology month programs beginning in March, with Thursday evening programs starting at 6:30 PM at the Williams Visitor Center. Please have folks call in advance at 928-635-5600 to give us an idea on how many will attend each event.Every Saturday in March, we will also lead interpretive hikes to Keyhole Sink Petroglyphs, meeting at the Oak Hill Snow Play area at 2 PM. The hike is 0.6 miles each way, and last about 2 hours. Participants should dress warmly and prepare to get wet and muddy, especially if the waterfall is running!

Thursday March 2: South Kaibab Heritage Accomplishment Report
South Kaibab Zone archaeologist Neil Weintraub will highlight how volunteers, contractors, and other partners helped Kaibab archaeologists document, protect, and preserve archaeological sites during Fiscal Year 2016.

Thursday March 9th: History of Williams Mountain Men
Alan Messimer, Volunteer for the Williams Historic Photo Project, will present a history of the Williams Mountain Men.

Thursday March 16th: History of Williams Baptist Church
Alan Messimer, Volunteer for the Williams Historic Photo Project, will present a history of the Williams Baptist Church.

Thursday March 23rd: 1928 Bunion Run across Northern Arizona
South Kaibab Zone Archaeologist will discuss the history of the First Transcontinental foot race as it went across Northern Arizona in 1928. Weintraub will discuss newspaper accounts and historic photos in the weeks and days surrounding the event in the Williams area.

Thursday March 30th: African Americans of Williams or other project (Hangan)
Forest Archaeologist Margaret Hangan will present her research on African Americans of the Williams area.

Kaibab National Forest seeks public input on proposed water pipeline extension project

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest is seeking public input on a proposed project to construct an extension to an existing livestock water pipeline within the Ebert Allotment on the Williams Ranger District in order to improve livestock distribution in the area.

Specifically, a pipeline extension is being proposed that would extend north from the existing Miller Pasture Pipeline, which runs from east to west, and continue for one and a half miles. The proposed pipeline extension would be buried 30 to 36 inches below the ground to prevent freezing during cold periods and consist of a 1.5-inch diameter HDPE Polyethylene pipe.

The Ebert Allotment grazing permittee would provide all the labor and supplies for the proposed improvement and would assume the responsibility for maintenance of the pipeline extension upon completion.

The Ebert Allotment is located in the far northern portion of the Williams Ranger District southeast of Valle and is managed under a 10-year term grazing permit for 100 cow/calf and four horses from Nov. 1 to April 30. Ebert is made up of four pastures, Miller, Daves, White Hills and Fix, with livestock managed through a rest rotation system in order to meet desired conditions for the allotment.

Currently, cattle are not using the Miller pasture to its ability, which limits grazing management options on the allotment as a whole. The purpose of installing the livestock water pipeline extension is to allow for more drinkers to be available throughout the pasture, which would improve overall livestock distribution. Kaibab National Forest managers believe this greater water dispersal would allow control of grazing activities within a specific pasture while benefiting area wildlife species.

The Miller Pasture Livestock Water Pipeline Extension Proposed Action is available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50864. Members of the public are invited to provide their comments on the proposed project between Feb. 14 and Feb. 28. To submit e-comments, please email comments-southwestern-kaibab-williams@fs.fed.us. For hard copy mailed or hand delivered comments, please deliver them to the Williams Ranger District office at 742 S. Clover Road, Williams, AZ 86046 during office hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on the project, please contact Cherie Owens, range management specialist, at (928) 635-5621.