Topsfield Town Government

Public Health Information

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION NEWS

9-26-08/9-30-08 Melamine In Milk Based Products from China

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is advising residents not to consume milk or products containing milk ingredients from China because of the possible presence of melamine. Laboratory testing is being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine whether the products are harmful.

The FDA is alerting consumers that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products manufactured in China are being recalled by the King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd. due to possible contamination with melamine. The products, manufactured by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

•  Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
•  Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
•  Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
•  Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
•  Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
•  Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)

•  Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

 

The FDA recommends that consumers not consume any of the above Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products. The FDA also recommends that retailers and foodservice operators remove the products from sale or service. DPH is conducting surveillance to determine whether the Mr. Brown products are being sold in Massachusetts.

Investigations in China have revealed the presence of melamine in dozens of milk and milk products. Many foods and beverages manufactured in China — such as instant coffee containing a creamer, tea with powdered milk, instant packaged breakfast cereal, candy, and other products — contain milk or milk products.

Tens of thousands of infants in China have become sick with kidney stones or kidney failure associated with the consumption of infant formula containing melamine. There have been at least four deaths, and thousands more have been hospitalized.

Countries including Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and New Zealand have initiated testing and recall of some milk or milk containing products suspected of containing melamine. The presence of melamine in candy (Creamy White Rabbit) has been confirmed in at least one of these countries.

Local, state and federal health officials are working to identify and test food products that may contain melamine. Test results are not expected to be available for several days.

Consumers with questions should contact the DPH Food Protection Program at (617) 983-6712.

 

Please click on the following links for additional information:

Product Photos

Boston Public Health Commission Advises Consumers to Avoid Milk and Milk Products from China

FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination

9-15-08 Recall - Dry Pet Food-Salmonella

Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotypeSchwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.  For additional information and a list of products produced at the Everson facility, please click on Dry Pet Food Recall or call 1-877-568-4463 or visit http://www.petcare.mars.com.

9-10-08 Recall Lucky Country Inc. All Natural Black Licorice Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- September 5, 2008 -- Lucky Country Inc. of Lincolnton, NC is recalling all of its natural black licorice products from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington State due to elevated levels of lead.

 

Recent tests performed by the California Department of Public Health and the Food and Drug Administration showed that Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Licorice Black (All Natural) in 1.5 lb bags contained a lead level exceeding the level permitted in candy. Because of this finding, Lucky Country is voluntarily recalling all of its Lucky Country Aussie Style Soft Gourmet Licorice Black (All Natural) from the market. In addition to the 1.5 lb bags, Lucky Country also manufactures this natural black licorice product in 6 oz and 3 lb bags, and in a 1 lb tub. Consumers are advised to check to see if they have this product in their possession and should either dispose of it or return it to their retail outlet for a full refund.

 

Lucky Country is cooperating with the California Department of Public Health and the Food and Drug Administration to conduct the recall. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customerservice@lucky-country.com, or 828 428-8313 during business hours

 

8-27-2008 Recall-Hot Pockets Pepperoni Pizza-foreign materials

Nestle Prepared Foods Company, a Mt. Sterling, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 215,660 pounds of frozen stuffed pepperoni pizza sandwich products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

54-ounce, 12-pack cartons of HOT POCKETS PEPPERONI PIZZA brand stuffed sandwiches. Printed on the side of each carton is 8157544614D, EST 7721A, and BEST BEFORE JAN2010. Each carton bears the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on June 5 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints. FSIS has not received any consumer complaints or reports of injury at this time. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of the products should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall should contact Company Marketing Communications Manager Roz OHearn at (440) 264-5170. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Nestle Consumer Services Center at (800) 350-5016.

8-25-08 MDPH Outdoor Activity Advisory


Please click on Outdoor Activity Advisory to view the MDPH Outdoor Activity Advisory, which contains additional guidance for preventing mosquito-borne disease. While the document contains useful information for schools and other entities that host outdoor recreational activities, the prevention messages extend to all individuals who partake in outdoor activities. 

8-11-2008  Recall-Stop&Shop Tuna Salad, pre-packaged-Listeria


The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company has announced a voluntary recall of Stop & Shop tuna salad sold in 12 ounce pre-packaged containers and tuna salad sold at the service deli because it has the potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. Upon being notified of the recall by the supplier, Stop & Shop immediately removed all 12 ounce pre-packaged containers of Stop & Shop tuna salad and affected product from the service deli case.

The following products are affected by this recall:

12 oz. Pre-packaged Stop & Shop Tuna Salad
UPC #0-688267-06663
Sell-by-date: August 19, 2008

Stop & Shop Tuna Salad (Service Deli)
UPC #20880380000
Sell-by-date(s): July 28, 2008 thru August 19, 2008

Stop & Shop has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

 

Please click on Tuna Salad for additional information.

8-6-2008 Recall-Prossive Chicken Sandwiches-Listeria


WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2008 DBC, Inc., doing business as World Class Canapes, Inc., a Wilmington, Mass., firm, is recalling approximately 285 pounds of ready to eat chicken products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following ready to eat chicken products are subject to recall:
80-ounce cases of Progressive Gourmet Buffalo Chicken Roller Sandwich, Each package bears the establishment number EST. P 31566 inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a SELL BY date of 8/2/08 and Case Code of 8500WRAS.
80-ounce cases of Progressive Gourmet Chicken Caesar Roller Sandwich. Each package bears the establishment number EST. P 31566 inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a SELL BY date of 8/2/08 and Case Code of 8500WRCA.
80 ounce cases of Progressive Gourmet Honey Turkey w/Baby Spinach Roller Sandwich. Each package bears the establishment number EST. P 31566 inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a SELL BY date of 8/2/08 and Case Code of 8500WRTU.

These ready to eat chicken products were produced on July 30, 2008, and distributed to retail establishments in Massachusetts. The products were repackaged individually for consumer purchase. Consumers that may have purchased these ready to eat chicken products at retail establishments between

July 31, 2008, and Aug. 2, 2008, are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard them if found.

The problem was discovered through microbiological sampling by FSIS. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone with signs of symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a medical professional.

Media with questions about the recall should contact company Director of Culinary Operations Mark Polito, at (978) 253 6436. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Plant Manager Jim Palmariello, at (978) 253 6482.

Please click on Chicken Sandwiches for addtional information.

8-6-2008 FDA Message to Retail & Foodservice Operations about Lobster Tomalley


We are asking for your assistance in the dissemination of the attached advisory against consumption of American lobster tomalley because of high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin. PSP is not associated with lobster meat, only with tomalley. Cooking will not eliminate the PSP toxin in the tomalley.

An on-going episode of red tide in northern New England and eastern Canada has caused high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in American or Maine lobster tomalleys, the soft green material in the body cavity of lobsters. State authorities in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire have issued advisories against eating tomalleys. Canadian authorities recommend limited consumption of lobster tomalley.

All operations that serve or sell whole lobsters or that use tomalley in recipes should be made aware of this advisory. If live lobsters are sold to consumers, we recommend that this information be provided to them.

If you have further questions, please contact your regulatory agency or an FDA Regional Retail Food Specialist. The advisory is also accessible via the web at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01866.html

 

8-5-08 Dealing with Bats

 

 

If you have questions or concerns regarding bats in your home or yard, please click on Bats and Rabies or visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Rabies Fact Sheet or the Frequently Asked Questions for Bats and Rabies For Health Care Providers.

 

TICK BORNE DISEASE

Please click on the links below for additional information from the official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, www.mass.gov.

MOSQUITO CONTROL AND REALTED HEALTH CONCERNS

 

Northeast MA Mosquito Control & Wetlands Management District

 

Press Release dated September 9, 2008

Click Press Release for a reminder of the seriousness of West Nile Virus in our area especially through September and until the first frost.

 

Press Release dated August 18, 2008

Click Press Release for recommendations to reduce your risk to exposure to mosquitoes and the viruses they can transmit.

 

Press Release dated July 15, 2008

Click Press Release for information on mosquito control and mosquito bite prevention from the Northeast MA Mosquito Control & Wetlands Management District.