Law InfoNet

December 2007 Patient Safety News - Video news show for healthcare professionals, covering safety alerts, recalls, product approvals, and important tips on protecting patients. [FDA MedWatch]

American Pie, LLC has recalled over 1,400 cases of frozen pies (Marie Callender Turtle Pies) that may be contaminated with bacteria that could cause food poisoning. The pies were sold in Kroger, Giant Eagle and Hy-Vee supermarkets in Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. The recall includes pies with UPC code of 12781 10280, and production code ending in 143.

August 20, 2007

Ford is recalling nearly 4 million vehicles because a defective cruise control switch. The defect could cause a short and lead to a vehicle fire. This is the same issue that prompted a 6-million vehicle recall in early 2005.

Fifteen different Ford models built between 1992 and 2004 are affected by this recall:
1998-2002 Ford Rangers
1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car
1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria
1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
1993-1995 Taurus SHO
1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Montaineer
2001 Ford Explorer Sport

August 9th, 2007

French-cut green beans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc. could be tainted with the toxin that causes botulism.

The affected Lakeside French-cut green beans are sold nationwide under the brands: Albertson's, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid.

Two children in West Texas have been diagnosed with Botulism poisoning as a result of eating Castleberry’s Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original for lunch on June 28. One is now hospitalized in critical condition. The day after eating the tainted Castleberry’s Chili Sauce the two started to show classic signs of Botulism poisoning, including paralysis on both sides of their bodies and eye troubles.

They were placed on breathing machines after confirmation of botulism poisoning. The infected cans were produced on May 7 in the Castleberry’s Georgiacanning plant.

Arthritis isn’t just 1 disease; it’s a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What is a hearing aid?

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. However, only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.

Hate the gym? Here are some ways to make it more exciting and enjoyable

I often wonder whether women give up their weight loss and fitness goals because they are sick of going to the gym all the time. Workouts can be pretty boring and if you do the same thing every time you are bound to get a little sick and tired of it all.

But the gym can be exciting and enjoyable for women's fitness.

The latest recall needs to be taken seriously. Botulism is an extremely potent nerve toxin that can cause paralysis and death, and the pathogen may be present in tens of million of cans of products on store and consumer shelves.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Easy-Bake Ovens

Units: About 1 million

Manufacturer: Easy-Bake, a division of Hasbro, Inc., of Pawtucket, R.I

Hazard: Young children can insert their hands into the oven’s front opening, and get their hands or fingers caught, posing entrapment and burn hazards.

Hot dog chili sauce has been linked to four cases of botulism poisoning in Texas and Indiana. The chili sauce was produced by the Castleberry’s Food Company in Augusta, Georgia. It was sold under the brand names Castleberry’s, Kroger and Austex’s and came in 10 ounce cans.

Gerber baby food manufacturers has voluntarily recalled thousands of boxes of Organic Whole Grain Rice and Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal cereals because they posed a choking hazard to children. Some clumps of cereal, when mixed with water or milk, do not fully mix and can cause a choking hazard. The FDA said that it was aware of Gerber’s actions, and agreed with the recall.

FDA advises consumers to stop using heating pads manufactured by HoMedics, Inc. because the products may cause burns or fires. Consumers should return the heating pads to the place of purchase immediately. See the FDA "Advice For Patients" page for a list of the product model numbers affected by the recall.

On March 19th, 2007 Recall classified by FDA as Class I.

The original recall began on February 3, 2007:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in

cooperation with GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Kentucky, today announced a voluntary recall of aproimately 2.5 million GE Dishwashers.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The hazard associated with the recall product is that liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser onto the dishwasher's internal wiring which can cause an electrical short and overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Robert's American Gourmet Food, Inc.of Sea Cliff, New York is recalling Veggie Booty Snack Food all lots and sizes, 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.

Patients with brain tumors may have been exposed to the wrong dose of radiation because of a malfunctioning radiation system called Novalis, made by BrainLAB, a German manufacturer. Two clinics in the United States have recently discontinued use of the Novalis system due to the malfunction: The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and The Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. These clinics have been using the BrainLAB equipment since 2004. Some 550 BrainLAB radiotherapy machines are used around the world, with the majority in the United States.

RC2 Corp. Recalls Various Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Various Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys

Units: About 1.5 million

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Small World Toys, of Culver City, California, announced a voluntary recall of IQ Preschool Take-Apart Townhouse.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The name of the product is IQ Preschool Take-Apart Townhouse.

The quantity of the recalled product is about 8,800.

The name of the Distributor is Small World Toys, of Culver City, California.

FDA informed healthcare professionals of changes to the ADVERSE REACTIONS and POST-MARKETING sections of the product's prescribing information. The ADVERSE REACTIONS section was updated to include six cases of Kawasaki disease that were observed during the Phase 3 clinical trial. There were five cases among the 36,150 infants who received RotaTeq and one case among the 35,536 infants who received placebo.

Patients with brain tumors may have been exposed to the wrong dose of radiation because of a malfunctioning radiation system called Novalis, made by BrainLAB, a German manufacturer. Two clinics in the United States have recently discontinued use of the Novalis system due to the malfunction: The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and The Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. These clinics have been using the BrainLAB equipment since 2004. Some 550 BrainLAB radiotherapy machines are used around the world, with the majority in the United States.

Tyson Fresh Meat, Inc. can be added to the list of food manufacturers who have had to recall E. Coli tainted products. On Friday, the company issued a recall of 40,000 pounds of beef in 12 states. The company decided to take this action after samples tested at its Texas plant revealed E. Coli contamination.