Nationwide Recall of Nantucket Blend Trail Mix

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- MADISON, WI (March 25, 2009)

Back to Nature Foods Company announced today a voluntary recall in the United States of its Nantucket Blend trail mix containing pistachio nuts that may have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella organism. This possible contamination is not connected with the recent outbreak associated with peanuts or peanut butter.

The following products are being recalled and consumers should not eat them:

**Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix, 28 oz. bag, UPC code 59283-00020 and a “best by” date between 08 20 09 and 12 12 09.

**Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix, 10 oz. bag, UPC code 59283-31039 and a “best by” date between 11 04 09 and 12 12 09.

Consumers can find the “best by” date on the back of the package and should discard any product they have. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-538-8280 with any questions.

There have been no cases of Salmonellosis reported to date in connection with these products and the company is issuing this recall as a precaution. These products were distributed to retail stores nationwide.

Salmonella 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. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

FDA Alerts Consumers to Pistachio Recall

For Immediate Release by the FDA:

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links.

FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

FDA will provide a searchable database of affected products at http://www.fda.gov/ and will continue to update the public.

FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.

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The original version of this press release can be found here.

Statement on GI Illnesses at Babson College

By: Tom Lyons, MA Department of Public Health

Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are assisting the Town of Wellesley Health Department, and officials from Babson College with a large outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on that campus. Since Wednesday, March 25, about 100 students and staff have experienced nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. We believe that these illnesses are likely caused by noroviruses -- a group of particularly strong viruses that can cause such signs and symptoms.
Because noroviruses are so easily spread person-to-person, congregate living facilities like college campuses are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.

Babson College is taking all necessary steps to control this outbreak, including thorough environmental cleaning and providing prevention information to the campus community. Last month DPH issued a health advisory about a rise in gastrointestinal illnesses across the state.

Everyone can reduce their chances of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these simple tips:

Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.

Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.

Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using bleach-based household cleaner.

Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).

Flush any vomit or stool down the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.

For a fact sheet on norovirus and how to prevent infection click here.

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This blog post was originally posted on the MA DPH blog, Commonwealth Conversations, and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the MA DPH.

Including Public Health in National Health Care Reform

By: Commissioner John Auerbach, Department of Public Health

In the last two weeks I had the opportunity to interact with members of the Obama Administration and Congress - as both branches of government engage in preparations for a national plan for health reform.

Given the extraordinary success of Massachusetts in expanding health insurance coverage to almost 98% of the population, it is not surprising that there is a good deal of interest in how it was done here. The focus of my discussions was on a particular aspect of health reform - the role of public health.

Under Governor Patrick and Secretary Bigby, and with the strong support of the Legislature, public health has been an integral part of health reform and in a way that has been of particular interest to the federal officials. In this blog entry I will mention just one of the ways it is related.

The first and most obvious is the importance of prevention or, as it is sometimes characterized, the promotion of wellness. This is equally important to those who are healthy and those who have been diagnosed with a disease, such as diabetes. We know that most health care costs are focused on the treatment of chronic disease. Health care reform should be all about improving the health status of our residents. And for it to be sustainable, we have to pay attention to controlling costs. A significant percentage of all health care expenditures are a result of diabetes. And, we know that certain behaviors - namely eating poorly and not exercising - contribute significantly to the likelihood someone will develop diabetes or another chronic disease.

So in Massachusetts we are developing new approaches to creating conditions that decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes or exacerbating the symptoms if already diagnosed in order the complement the care given with the expanded insurance coverage. Our focus is mainly outside of the doctor's office - on improving meals in the schools, helping employers develop workplace wellness programs, supporting local elected officials in their efforts to encourage walking and biking and access to fresh fruits and vegetables in their cities and towns - just to name a few of the actions steps associated with Mass In Motion.

We also see the importance of linking with physicians and other health care providers who are relaying important messages to the patients. That is why we are working with the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Academy of Pediatricians and a range of health care organizations and providers on our HealthyMass Diabetes Task Force.

These may all seem like obvious things to do. But the national officials have indicated to us that they need to see how public health complements health care reform in real and concrete ways - or public health's role may be overlooked as the focus intensifies on the doctor-patient interaction and the insurance card. So, I have been delighted to have the chance to make the statement that health care reform must I include a robust and active public health component, not just a focus on access to insurance. Such an approach is key to its ultimate success of improving health while controlling costs.

Let me know what you think. How can we make sure that public health’s role in health care reform is front and center during this historic and important moment?

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This blog post originally published on the MA Department of Public Health Blog, Commonwealth Conversations and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the MA DPH.

CDC Recommends Shingles Vaccine

People age 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles, or herpes zoster, a condition often marked by debilitating chronic pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended today.

CDC recommends a single dose of the zoster vaccine, Zostavax, for adults 60 years of age and older even if they have had a prior episode of shingles. The new full recommendation replaces a provisional recommendation that the CDC made in 2006, after the vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee of immunization experts who advise CDC on immunization policy.

The recommendation was published in an early release electronic edition of CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports. The ACIP recommendation becomes CDC policy once it is published in the MMWR.

Researchers found that, overall, in those ages 60 and above the vaccine reduced the occurrence of shingles by about 50 percent. For individuals ages 60-69 it reduced occurrence by 64 percent. The most common side effects in people who received Zostavax were redness, pain and tenderness, swelling at the site of injection, itching and headache.

Over 95 percent of people are infected by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), during their lifetime. The virus causes the common childhood disease chickenpox and then becomes dormant within the nerves. If it reactivates later in life, the result can be shingles. Shingles is characterized by clusters of blisters, which develop on one side of the body in a band-like pattern and can cause severe pain that may last for weeks, months or years. About one in three persons will develop shingles during their lifetimes, resulting in about one million cases of shingles per year.

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults. Children who have never had chickenpox should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine starting at 12 months of age. The risk of contracting shingles increases with age starting at around 50, and is highest in the elderly. Half of people living to age 85 have had or will get shingles. The risk of experiencing chronic pain also increases with age.

Shingles Facts

• Anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles. That means 95 percent of adults are at risk.
• Approximately one-third of the U.S. population will get shingles.
• More than half of older adults do not understand the seriousness of shingles and its complications.
• Among those who get shingles, more than one-third will develop serious complications. The risk of complications rises after 60 years of age.
• Appropriate and immediate treatment of herpes zoster can control acute symptoms and reduce the risk of longer term complications. Starting anti-viral medication within 72 hours of the onset of shingles can reduce the pain and the length of time the outbreak lasts.

For more information about the shingles vaccine, please visit our Website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/default.htm

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This press release was originally published by the CDC in May of 2008.

Amherst Health Department Rabies Clinic

All Dogs, Cats and Ferrets living in Massachusetts are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies.

The Rabies Clinic will take place:

DATE: SATURDAY: APRIL 11, 2009
TIME: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
PLACE: HAMPSHIRE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
260 SNELL STREET, AMHERST
COST: $20.00 per Pet

Carol Hepburn, Amherst Animal Welfare officer, will be available for dog licensing. The fee for licensing is payable by check or money order to the Town of Amherst.

For further information and/or questions call:
AMHERST HEALTH DEPARTMENT
259-3077

FDA Uncovers Additional Tainted Weight Loss Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding, for the second time, its nationwide alert to consumers about tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The FDA has identified additional weight loss products (Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten) and new undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide, and cetilistat). The current list now includes the following 72 products:

2 Day DietFatloss SlimmingSlim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
2 Day Diet Slim AdvanceGMPSlim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
2x Powerful SlimmingHerbal XenicolSlim Burn
3 Day DietImelda Fat ReducerSlim Express 4 in 1
3 Days FitImelda Perfect SlimSlim Express 360
3x Slimming PowerJM Fat ReducerSlim Fast*
5x Imelda Perfect SlimmingLida DaiDaihuaSlim Tech
7 Day Herbal SlimMeiliSlim Up
7 Days DietMeizitangSlim Waist Formula
7 DietMiaozi MeiMaoQianZiJiaoNangSlim Waistline
7 Diet Day/Night FormulaMiaozi Slim CapsulesSlimbionic
8 Factor DietNatural ModelSliminate
Eight Factor DietPerfect SlimSlimming Formula
21 Double SlimPerfect Slim 5xSomotrim
24 Hours DietPerfect Slim UpStarcaps
999 Fitness EssencePhyto ShapeSuper Fat Burner
BioEmagrecimPowerful SlimSuperslim
Body CreatorProSlim PlusSuper Slimming
Body ShapingReduce WeihgtTrim 2 Plus
Body SlimmingRoyal Slimming FormulaTriple Slim
Cosmo SlimSana PlusVenom Hyperdrive 3.0
Extrim PlusSlim 3 in 1Waist Strength Formula
Extrim Plus 24 Hour ReburnSlim 3 in 1 Extra Slim FormulaXsvelten
Fasting DietSlim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist FormulaZhen de Shou

* This product should not be confused with the line of meal replacement and related products that are marketed as conventional foods under the brand name “Slim-Fast®”. The manufacturer of Slim-Fast®, Unilever United States, Inc., maintains that the Slim Fast product which appears on this list is not in any way associated with, sponsored or approved by, or otherwise related in any way to the Slim-Fast® brand of meal replacement and related products.

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health.”

On Dec. 22, 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or consume 28 different products marketed for weight loss. On Jan. 8, 2009, the FDA expanded the list of tainted weight loss products to include 41 additional tainted products. The FDA will continue to update this list as warranted.

The products listed above, some of which are marketed as dietary supplements, are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores and beauty salons. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain only “herbal” ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the products' labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal, and include the following undeclared
active pharmaceutical ingredients:

fenproporex – a controlled substance not approved for marketing in the United States;
fluoxetine – an antidepressant available by prescription only;
bumetanide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
furosemide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
rimonabant – a drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
cetilistat – an experimental obesity drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
phenytoin – an anti-seizure medication available by prescription only; and
phenolphthalein – a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the United States.

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any products containing these ingredients to stop taking them and consult their health care professional immediately. The FDA also encourages consumers to seek guidance from a health care professional before purchasing weight loss products.

The health risks posed by these products can be very serious and include high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations, heart attack, and stroke. Sibutramine, a controlled substance, was found in many of these products at levels much higher than the maximum daily dosage for Meridia, the only FDA-approved drug product containing sibutramine. These higher levels of sibutramine can increase the incidence and severity of these health risks. Fenproporex, another controlled substance, can cause arrhythmia and possible
sudden death.

Health care professionals and consumers should report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
Fax: 800- FDA-0178
Phone: 800- FDA-1088

Information on these products for consumers and health care professionals can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm

To learn more about the FDA’s initiative against unapproved drugs see the FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/Guidance/6911fnl.htm.