Author: Phyllis Entis

CooperVision’s Avaira Lenses – Only 40% Of The Problem?

Less than 40% of the adverse reports FDA has received on contact lenses involve Avaira® Toric lenses, eFoodAlert learned today.

The FDA’s Office of Surveillance and Biometrics has received a total of 42 adverse reports, according to FDA spokeswoman Morgan Liscinsky, and only 15 of those were associated with Avaira® Toric lenses. Ms. Liscinsky, who was responding by email to an earlier inquiry, did not identify which other brands (or manufacturers) have been named in adverse reports.

CooperVision recalled some lots of Avaira® Toric contact lenses on August 19, 2011 and reiterated its recall notice on October 12th, but has not acknowledged any problems with its other contact lens brands.

Based on reports that eFoodAlert has received from our readers, these other brands may include Frequency55, Proclear and UltraFlex contact lenses. Earlier today, I provided a consolidated list of these adverse reports both to FDA and to CooperVision.

As of yesterday, FDA was still evaluating CooperVision’s latest notification. The agency “…will advise Coopervision of any concerns that [the notification] raises,” Liscinsky explained in an email message. “Failing resolution of those concerns,” she added, “the FDA may issue separate public communication.”

Personal injury attorneys, though, aren’t waiting for FDA to act. At least one firm of ambulance-chasers already is soliciting clients.

It’s past time for FDA to focus public attention on this problem by issuing a broad Consumer Alert.

Recalls and Alerts: October 13, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: NOW Foods recalls Brewer’s Yeast Tablets, 10 grain, 650 mg, 200 tablets/bottle (Product code 2410; Lot #1334119, 1354098, and 1362375), and 500 tablets/bottle (Product code 2412; Lot #1347607, 1334773, and 1358774), due to the presence of undeclared milk allergen. The recalled Brewer’s Yeast Tablets were distributed throughout the USA and exported to other countries.
  • Food Safety Recall: Giant Eagle recalls several Giant Eagle Deli Sandwich Rings (Large Italian, Mini Italian, Large New York, Mini New York, Large All American, Mini All American; All outstanding lots), because the lettuce used in the sandwich rings may be contaminated with Listeria.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Marché de La Rousselière inc (dba Metro Plus, Montreal, QC) recalls Banana Cake, Maple & Nut Cake and 4-Quart Cake, because the cakes may contain undeclared milk, nuts and/or sulfites.
  • Allergy Alert: Global Trading Network Ltd. recalls numerous kimchi products due to the presence of undeclared allergens, including fish, crustacean/shellfish and sesame seeds. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba.
  • Allergy Alert: Mr. Croquette recalls Pre-fried Nasi-Hapjes (Rice Patties), Pre-fried Bami-Hapjes (Noodle Patties), Regular Nasi-Hapjes, and Regular Bami-Hapjes (4 or bulk count; All codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk, soy and wheat. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario.
  • Food Safety Recall: Hygaard Fine Foods (Est 318; Sherwood Park, Alberta) recalls Hygaard Mini Sub Sandwiches (130g pkgs; Best before OCT 21), because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sandwiches were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut and Yukon Territories.

Europe

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (South Korea): The Food and Drug Administration recalls Homeplus and Private Brand Red Pepper, because Clostridium perfringens was detected in the product.
  • Outbreak Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a fatal case of Vibrio vulnificus infection involving a 59-year old may with chronic illnesses.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Public Health Alert (Australia): South Australia Health issued a public health alert after being notified that a food handler at the Yakatori Takumi restaurant on Melbourne Street in North Adelaide has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Patrons who ate at the restaurant between September 21st and October 4th may have been exposed to possible Hepatitis A virus infection.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Cosmetic Product Safety Alert (Mexico & Colombia): Mexico’s Federal Health Authority has seized raw material and suspended the manufacture of Aguamary Face and Eye Cream by Aguaruto Cosmetics, after detecting high levels of mercury in the cosmetic cream.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Recalls and Alerts: October 12, 2011

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

  • Allergy Alert: Chef’s Requested Foods, Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK) recalls Chef’s Requested CENTER CUT STEAK Hand Trimmed, Bacon Wrapped Beef Steaks, enhanced with up to 20% of a lightly seasoned solution (10-oz plastic double cup pkg; Use or Freeze by 11/12/11; Produced Oct 6, 2011), because the product contains undeclared wheat. The recalled product was shipped to retail establishments in Arizona, California, Maryland, Ohio and Texas.
  • Allergy Alert: The Kroger Co. recalls Private Selection Extreme Moose Track Ice Cream (16-oz pints; Sell by June 18, 2012), because the product may contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled ice cream was sold in Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, portions of eastern Missouri, Ohio and northern Kentucky, South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee, and in Jay C, Food 4 Less (Chicago area), Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.
  • Food Safety Recall: CFE International, Canadian Fish Exporters, Inc. (Auburndale, MA) recalls Salted, Smoked Split Herring (Lot #1171; Plant Code 2406; Produced by Leslie Leger & Sons, Ltd., Cap Pele, NB, Canada), because the uneviscerated product is at risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum. The  recalled herring was distributed in 18-lb wooden boxes through distributors in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Puerto Rico.
  • Food Safety Recall: Price Chopper recalls Price Chopper 80% Lean Ground Beef (sold in Queensbury store only, on Friday October 7 and Sunday, October 9), due to the possible presence of plastic packaging in the meat.
  • Food Safety Recall: Giant Eagle recalls R.M. Shredded Lettuce (UPC #3003430195; no lot codes or expiry dates), due to possible Listeria contamination.

Canada

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s recalls Sainsbury’s Lentilles Vertes, 500g (all Best Before dates between October 2012 and February 2013), because some packs of the product contain undeclared wheat or gluten.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Recall (Thailand and Guam): Paton’s Macadamia Plantations Pty Ltd. (Australia) recalls Pacific Islands Club (110g), Paton’s Guam (110g), Paton’s Saipan (110g), Taste of Paradise – Shell & Sand (130g), Crazy Koala Macadamia Nuts (Australian Flag) (130g), and Crazy Koala Macadamia Nuts (Koala) – (130g), because the products (Best before BB 2012/10/15 and BB 2012/10/22) may be contaminated with Salmonella.
  • Traditional Medicine Safety Alert (Singapore): The Health Sciences Authority warns the public not to use four adulterated health products – ATHRI-Eze, SEAR HEANG TIENCHI TU CHUNG WAN, CAP WIJAYA KUSUMA, AND WIKU JAHE KENCUR – which are sold as traditional Chinese and Malay medicines, because unauthorized Western medicines were detected in the products.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Paton’s Macadamia Plantations Pty Ltd. recalls Crazy Koala Macadamia Nuts Cairns, Crazy Koala Macadamia Nuts Sydney, Crazy Koala Macadamia Nuts Gold Coast, Melbourne – World’s finest macadamia nut, and Australia – World’s finest macadamia nut (130g; Best before BB 2012/10/15 and BB 2012/10/22; Produced on PD 2011/09/15 and PD 2011/09/22), because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled confectionery was sold in tourist souvenir gift shops in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.