ESS Food Recalls Pork Products Produced Without Benefit of Import Inspection

USDA-RECALL-1WASHINGTON – ESS Food, a Danish establishment, is recalling approximately 50,904 pounds of pork belly product produced in Poland that was not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Without the benefit of full inspection, a possibility of adverse health consequences exists.

The boneless pork belly was produced on various dates from March 3, 2014 to April 11, 2014. The following product is subject to recall:

Approximately 40-lb. boxes containing 4-5 pieces of “PINI POLONA PORK BELLY BONELESS”

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “10023802” inside the Polish mark of inspection. The products were shipped to a distributor in Texas and a processing facility in Iowa.

The problem was discovered during routine surveillance of storage facilities when an FSIS investigator observed that the products lacked USDA import inspection marks.

This is a Class I Recall which indicates a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers or Media with questions about the recall can contact Michael Stentebjerg, Area Manager, at (404) 254-8510.

Government wonders: What’s in your old emails?

r99U5.AuSt.91By Lindsay Wise
McClatchy Washington Bureau – February 11, 2015

WASHINGTON — If you’ve been remiss in cleaning out your email in-box, here’s some incentive: The federal government can read any emails that are more than six months old without a warrant.

Little known to most Americans, ambiguous language in a communications law passed in 1986 extends Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure only to electronic communications sent or received fewer than 180 days ago.

The language, known as the “180-day rule,” allows government officials to treat any emails, text messages or documents stored on remote servers – popularly known as the cloud – as “abandoned” and therefore accessible using administrative subpoena power, a tactic that critics say circumvents due process.

As you rush to purge your Gmail and Dropbox accounts, however, be forewarned that even deleted files still could be fair game as long as copies exist on a third-party server somewhere.

Read more at MC Clatchy DC

ISIS forces repelled by Iraqi forces

isis-assesAccording to a FOX news report, Iraqi Security Forces repelled an attack by ISIS on an air base in Anbar province. Reports were that more than 300 Marines training Iraqis might be surrounded.

It turns out that the reports were exaggerated. Apparently eight terrorists attempted to break into the facility.

According to FOX news annalist General Jack Keane, the attempt was simply to get headlines. It appears that the U.S. Marines were never in danger.

Detox Transforms Health and Nutrition Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Dietary Supplements

dextrol-recallDetox Transforms Health and Nutrition, Garner, NC announced it is conducting a voluntary recall of the following dietary supplements, to the consumer level, because they contain undeclared drug ingredients making them unapproved drugs.

Product Name Bottle Color Label # Capsules UPC Lot Expiration
EDGE Amplified Weight Release White Purple label 60 852175004174 ALL
iNDiGO White Dark blue label 60 852175004044 000034 4/10/2017
AMPD Gold Bee Pollen White Black label 60 852175004181 ALL
BtRim Max White Dark Red label 60 852175004068 00002 4/27/2017
iNSANE Bee Pollen White Bright Red label 60 852175004082 0000:02 6/20/2017

FDA analysis found iNDiGO and BtRim Max to contain undeclared phenolphthalein. The health risks of phenolphthalein could include potentially serious gastrointestinal disturbances, irregular heartbeat, and cancer with long-term use. FDA analysis found EDGE Amplified Weight Release and iNSANE Bee Pollen to contain undeclared phenolphthalein and fluoxetine. In addition to the potential adverse health consequences for phenolphthalein, the concomitant use of fluoxetine with other medications such as MAO-Inhibitors and serotonin precursors (such as tryptophans) is either contraindicated or is not recommended. Fluoxetine is an SSRI with potentially life-threatening side effects that is given to patients to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or bulimia. Even when taken as prescribed, fluoxetine has been associated with serious side effects including suicidal thinking, abnormal bleeding, and seizures. Thus, any adverse reaction that is possible with fluoxetine is possible with the fluoxetine-containing dietary supplement product. In patients on other medications for common conditions (aspirin, ibuprofen, or other drugs for depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, blood clots, chemotherapy, heart conditions, and psychosis), ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death can occur with concomitant use of fluoxetine. FDA analysis found AMPD Gold Bee Pollen to contain undeclared sildenafil which has the potential to interact with medications. Males taking nitrates are at risk for life threatening hypotensive events. Certain medications such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, and itraconazole as well as consuming substantial amounts of alcohol can increase the effects of sildenafil.

The products were distributed nationwide via the internet and retail stores. No illnesses have been reported to date with the use of these products.

Detox Transforms has ceased distribution of the products as the company is working in close cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully resolve this issue. Detox Transforms is notifying its distributors and customers by email, telephone, and mail and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Consumers/distributors/retailers that have these products which are being recalled should stop use and return to place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact Detox Transforms at 877-404-7873 or 919-341-9050 between the hours of 10am – 6pm (EST), Monday through Friday. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with these of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

See’s Candies, Inc. Issues alert on Red Heart with Assorted Chocolates

ucm433410SAN FRANCISCO — See’s Company of San Francisco is recalling all 8 oz Classic Red Hearts with Assorted Chocolates with bar code 737666091201 and stamped date L.A.N. 048/15 because it contains undeclared tree nuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts (e.g.: almonds, walnuts, pecans, coconut) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Product was distributed nationwide through See’s Candies Retail Stores and Mail Order (Web/Phone/Catalog). The product is sold packaged at the stores in 8oz Red Heart boxes. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product UPC is: 737666091201.ucm433411

The recall was initiated after a retail store discovered a red heart with the incorrectly labeled base mixed in with properly labeled bases.

Consumers who have purchased Sees’ Candies Classic Red Hearts with Assorted Chocolates with bar code 737666091201 and lot L.A.N.048/15 and are sensitive to tree nuts are urged to return the hearts to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-789-7337 (Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm PDT).

Tarrier Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts and Egg in Chopped Twix

twixColumbus, OH – Tarrier Foods of Columbus, OH is recalling 316 cases of Chopped Twix item 0807, because it may contain undeclared peanuts and eggs. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts and eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The Chopped Twix product was distributed to wholesale warehouses in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Florida where it was distributed to foodservices.

The product can be identified by the item number 0870 on the outside of the case. The inside contains two bags in white film marked “CHOPPED TWIX Lot 087034314.”

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing peanuts and eggs was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanuts and egg on the ingredient statement. Subsequent investigations are being performed to determine the temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes.”

Consumers who have purchased Chopped Twix lot code 080734314 are urged to return it to the distributor for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Tarrier Food’s Customer Service at (614) 876-8595.

DoD and DOL Partner to Better Serve Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service Members

Banner5-300x300The Warrior Care Blog for the DoD Office of Warrior Care Policy is reporting on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor. The brief article states:

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to foster and formalize collaboration between the two departments. Signed by Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Keith Kelly, Assistant Secretary for Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services, the MOU ensures that wounded, ill, and injured Service members and those enrolled in the Disability Evaluation System receive referrals to DOL American Job Centers and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists. This agreement marks a collaboration milestone and reaffirms both departments’ commitment to providing education and employment assistance to wounded, ill, and injured Service members.

The blog refers veterans to the Health.mil web site for more information on the Education and Employment Initiative.

Emails: Michigan county’s veterans services director sought cash, gifts from veterans

imageA county’s Veterans Affairs director in Michigan resigned Monday after emails were published in which he is shown to be demanding payment or other favors of veterans whom he had been helping with their health benefits.

In emails obtained by media outlets, former Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office Director Scott Losey asked for “a few dead presidents,” “Christmas presents” and other gifts from those seeking the department’s help.

In one of the emails, dated Oct. 20, 2011, Losey wrote about the hard work he’d done at his own home for one veteran.

“We will discuss a gentleman’s agreement to compensate for my personal time,” Losey wrote. “I have worked cases for veterans who reside outside Calhoun County over the past couple of years with the same kind of agreement. I will not gouge you like your Social Security lawyer. Perhaps 7 to 10 percent is typically the agreement. I have had veterans screw me over big time as well. Does this sound cool?”

Read more at Stars and Stripes

See Also: Report: Top officials briefed on Phoenix VA woes before scandal erupted

Kaibab National Forest Seasonal Fire Positions Announced

FREDONIA, Ariz. – The Forest Service is seeking individuals to fill the following fire positions on the North Kaibab Ranger District: fire lookouts, forestry technician/engines, and materials handler.

Apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/, and search by duty station location (Jacob Lake, Ariz.) to apply for these positions. Applications deadlines are Jan. 12, 2015.

For information about Forest Service employment, please visit http://go.usa.gov/taPk. For more information about the positions outlined above, please contact Dave Gesser at (928) 643-8151.

Fireworks in the Kaibab

rx-150106-05WILLIAMS – With the start of the New Year, the Kaibab National Forest service started prescribed burns once again. The fires were easily visible from the City of Williams. We have no information on their intentions or the length of the burns.
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