Alerts and Recalls

Health Alerts and Recalls

This page provides information on recent health alerts and food and product recalls that may be important to Go Ask Alice! readers.  Alerts and other information on this page will be updated as information becomes available, but please remember that Go Ask Alice! is not a news site or an emergency service. For rapid and timely access to emergent health information, please visit the CDC's Health Alert Network (HAC).

Health Alerts

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) regularly issues warnings and updates about emerging health concerns in the United States.  Many of these warnings are particularly important for people who plan to travel abroad, have recently traveled abroad, or who did not receive the recommended set of childhood vaccinations.  The CDC is currently reporting:

• An outbreak of measles cases has been reported in Indiana; some cases have been linked to Super Bowl Village in Indianapolis on February 3rd. For more information, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health's website. If you think you may have been exposed and have not had a measles vaccine, contact your health care provider. 
• The United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases.
• There is a multi state outbreak of Salmonella, linked to Restaurant Chain A.

Food Recalls

Food borne illness affects nearly 48 million Americans each year, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. It is important to watch for news of recalls or outbreaks to avoid getting sick.  The following items have been recalled, as they pose a potential risk for food borne illness:

• 02/09/2012: ZIP International Group LLC is expanding its recall of sliced herring filet due to Listeria contamination.
• 02/06/2012: Listeria contamination of hard-cooked eggs has led to recalls of prepared salads, sandwiches, and other products in 34 states. The contamination is linked to eggs manufactured by Michael Foods Inc. For specific product information, check out the links below.
• 02/06/2012: Grand Strand Sandwich Company of Longs, SC is recalling its 4.5oz and 5 oz Chicken Salad Sandwiches, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
• 02/03/2012: GH Foods CA, LLC, is recalling sandwiches, associated with affected hard-boiled eggs, due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.
• 02/03/2012: Greencore, USA is recalling approximately 550 pounds of egg salad sandwiches due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
• 02/03/2012: Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens is recalling several products containing hard cooked eggs due to the potential for contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.
• 02/02/2012: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling hard-cooked eggs, as well as prepared foods that contain hard-cooked eggs, sold between January 23 and February 1, 2012, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. 
• 02/01/2012: W & International Import Inc. is recalling “Rely” Sardine Anchovies because the product was found to be un-eviscerated.

Product Recalls

• 2/27/2012: Another birth control recall: Seven lots of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets could leave women without adequate contraception and at risk for unintended pregnancy.
• 2/22/2012: The US Food and Drug Administration is taking a look at AeroShot, a product that delivers caffeine through an inhaler, after several health concerns have been raised.
• 02/10/2012: Regeneca, Inc. is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of RegenArouse, Lot Number 130100, because FDA lab analysis has confirmed the presence of Tadalafil making these products unapproved new drugs.
• 02/03/2012: Healthy People Co. is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of the company’s dietary supplements because FDA lab analysis has confirmed the presence of Sibutramine and Tadalafil, making these products unapproved new drugs.
• 02/01/2012: Pfizer announces voluntary nationwide recall of Lo/Ovral®-28 and Norgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets due to possibility of inexact tablet counts or out of sequence tablets.
• 01/30/2012: Vitaflo USA has announced a voluntary recall of Renastart 14.11 oz (400g) cans, Batch Number 12832 due to incorrect labeling. 
• 01/19/2011: Perfect Image Solutions, LLC is voluntarily recalling several hair re-growth products because the products are deemed “unapproved new drugs” and may present potential health hazards.

Helpful Links and Other Resources:

• You can always stay on top of food and drug recalls by visiting the FDA Food and Product Recall list.
• For general information on food safety and safe handling, visit FoodSafety.Gov, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• For global health news, visit the World Health Organization.