FDA releases new tool to help prevent intentional food contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a new tool to help bolster the food industry’s defense measures against an act of intentional food contamination. The Food Defense Plan Builder is a comprehensive, easy-to-use software program designed to help owners and operators of food facilities—ranging from primary production and manufacturing to retail and transportation—develop customized plans to minimize the risk of intentional contamination at their individual food facilities.

Additional Lots Added: Voluntary Nationwide Recall of 21 Lots of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP 40.5 Grams Due to Possibility of Precipitation / Crystallization in IV Bag or IV Line Upon Reconstitution

May 10, 2013 – Weston, Florida: Apotex Corp. announced today that it is conducting, on behalf of the manufacturer Hospira, Inc., a voluntary nationwide recall of 21 lots of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP 40.5 grams, NDC number 60505-0773-00 to the hospital / healthcare provider /user level. The impacted lots of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP 40.5 grams may show precipitation / crystallization in IV bag or IV line after reconstitution.

Beamonstar Products Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of SexVoltz, Velextra, & Amerect Marketed as a Dietary Supplement, Due to Undeclared Active Ingredients- Expanded to Include SexVoltz 12 Capsules Bottle, SKU 626570615316.

Queen Creek, AZ, BeaMonstar Products is voluntarily recalling all of SexVoltz brand SKU’s 626570609490, 827912089028, 626570617877, 626570615316, 626570615316 Velextra brand SKU’s 626570613855, 626570619055, 626570617860, 626570617563 Amerect SKU’s 626570619031, 626570619628 capsules to the consumer level. Laboratory analysis conducted by the FDA on SexVoltz and Velextra has determined these products contain undeclared tadalafil. Amerect is voluntarily recalled because it has the potential to contain undeclared tadalafil. Tadalafil are FDA-Approved drugs used to treat male erectile dysfunction (ED), making the products unapproved new drugs.

Smart & Final Expands Recall to Include Additional Production Dates; Allergy Alert – Undeclared Wheat, Milk and Eggs in La Romanella Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini

Smart & Final of Los Angeles, Calif., which previously announced a recall of certain production dates of 2.5 lb – La Romanella Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini, is expanding its recall to include additional production dates due to undeclared wheat, eggs and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, eggs and/or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

In Cooperation with FDA, The Compounding Shop, LLC Declares a Voluntary Recall of All Lots of Sterile Compounded Products Due to a Lack of Sterility Assurance Distributed Within its Local Market Area

The Compounding Shop, LLC is conducting a voluntary recall of all lots of sterile products compounded by the pharmacy that are not expired. The recall is being initiated due to concerns associated with quality control procedures that present a potential risk to sterility assurance that were observed during a recent FDA inspection.

Krinos Foods, LLC. is Expanding its April 28, 2013 Recall to Include Additional Expiration Dates Jan 01-2014 to Jun 01-2014 of Tahini Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Krinos Foods, LLC. of Long Island City, New York is voluntarily recalling its TAHINI sesame paste, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

FDA warns consumers about potential health risk with Juices Incorporated juice products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to consume any juice products or other beverages from Juices Incorporated (aka Juices International and Juices Enterprises) of Brooklyn, N.Y. The company’s carrot and beet juice products have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Consumers are warned not to consume these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled.

FDA approves Breo Ellipta to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder) for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It is also approved to reduce exacerbations of COPD in patients with a history of exacerbations.

Dairy Fresh Conducts Voluntary Recall of IGA Brand “Vanilla & Chocolate” 1.75 Quart Ice Cream Because Package May Contain Undeclared Allergens (Almonds, Coconut, Soy)

Dairy Fresh is voluntarily recalling a specific batch of IGA Brand “Vanilla & Chocolate” Ice Cream (1.75 quart, 1.66L) with the plant code “3783” and a SELL BY date of 08-13-13 because it incorrectly contains Heavenly Hash ice cream, which contains almonds, coconut, and soy, which are allergens not declared on the carton. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds, coconut, or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.