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:

• 02/19/2013: New SARS-like virus could show up in the U.S.  A newly discovered coronavirus that has infected people in Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia and with a new case presenting in the United Kingdom, CDC officials warn that the virus could spread to the U.S. next.
• 12/03/12: The CDC warns that this flu season could be worse than those in recent years. Flu season had an early start this year, with higher than normal reports in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

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:

• 3/28/13: Rich Products Corporation in Buffalo, NY is recalling frozen chicken quesadilla and other heat treated products due to possible E.coli contamination.
• 02/14/2013: JS Pelmini OK, Inc. issues recall for milk and soy allergy alert in potato dumplings and potato and mushroom dumplings. The Potato Dumplings and Potato and Mushroom Dumplings were distributed to retailers in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois.

Product Recalls

• 11/17/12: Nationwide recall of Cocoa Latte Hot Drink Makers sold at various retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, and various e-retailers such as Amazon.com,  due to possible lead risk.
• 10/19/12: Energizer Holdings Inc. issues a voluntary nationwide market recall of several Banana Boat Sun Care Products. This recall is based on 4 cases in the US and one in Canada of severe burns related to proximity to ignition source prior to product drying completely on skin.

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.