When it comes to hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for oil and natural gas, who is making sure our water free of contamination? Who reduces the chance of spills, leaks, or other public health risks? And who holds those responsible for damage to our land and harm to our health?
With the rapid expansion in fracking comes an increased risk to our land, safety, and well-being, which must be addressed. Communities must know the answers to these questions in order to keep their health and security protected. That is why you need to tell your representative to vote NO on H.R. 2728, the “Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act”.
This deceivingly-named bill puts the security of communities throughout the country at jeopardy. If passed, the federal government would be prohibited from regulating fracking operations on federal land if a state has already issued regulations or even simply “guidance” on operations—regardless of the adequacy, effectiveness, and level of enforcement of the state regulations. H.R. 2728 will likely be up for a vote this week: Now is our chance to stop this dangerous bill from becoming law. Let’s make sure all levels of government work together to adequately consider and mitigate fracking-related risks to our health and safety.
Sincerely, Danielle Fox Outreach Coordinator Center for Science and Democracy
Flat Creek Farm and Dairy of Swainsboro, GA has recalled 200 pounds of Heavenly Blue cheese, because of potential contamination. As of November 27, 2013 at 11:00am, according to Flat Creek records, all of the purchasers have been notified and more than 90% of the product has been collected or destroyed.
ZIP INTERNATIONAL GROUP LLC, 160 Raritan Center Parkway #6, Edison, NJ 08837, is recalling herring fillet in oil (FOSFOREL, ATLANTIKA) 400 gram in plastic packaging due to Listeria contamination.
CLR Medicals International Inc., initiated a nationwide recall of Viscocel and Viscocel Plus, in response to FDA inspectional findings of deficiencies in the Quality System regulations for Medical Device Manufacturers, 21 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 820 and lack of Premarket Approval (PMA) for devices sold or distributed in domestic commerce. The Viscoelastic products, intended for human and animal use, have been determined to be a public health concern due to distribution in the US without FDA approval, which evaluates the safety and efficacy of the product, and violations of the QSR regulations related to sterility, and biocompatibility that may result in the release of contaminated products.
Jayone Foods, inc. of Paramount, CA is voluntarily recalling All date codes of Trader Joe’s Dried Seaweed Salad with Spicy Dressing (SKU 97677), because it may contain traces of peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
USPlabs LLC, Dallas, TX is voluntarily conducting a national recall of all lots and sizes of the OxyElite Pro dietary supplement products listed below. These products contain Aegeline, a synthesized version of a natural extract from the Bael tree.
Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, MA is recalling a single lot code of Wegman’s branded refrigerated New England Clam Chowder in 16 ounce retail cup pack size because of undeclared crab allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to crab run the risk of suffering serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.
FDA used new enforcement tools provided by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to act quickly in the face of a potential danger to public health.
Following FDA actions, USPLabs on Nov. 9, 2013 recalled certain OxyElite Pro dietary supplements linked to dozens of cases of acute liver failure and hepatitis, including one death and illnesses so severe that several patients required liver transplants. Additionally, FDA will oversee the destruction of warehouse stocks of the supplement, with a retail value of about $22 million.
While FDA’s investigation is still ongoing, the agency continues to warn consumers to avoid using OxyElite Pro and VERSA-1. Both products contain a new dietary ingredient for which the company did not provide evidence of safety.
La Boulange Cafe & Bakery voluntarily initiated a product recall of 75 Soft Caramel Jams in 8.4 oz. jars with lot number 822713 as a precautionary measure. This product was sold exclusively in 20 La Boulange Café & Bakery stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.
S&M Enterprise of Bayonne, NJ is recalling all lots of Fruit of Wolfberry in 12 oz plastic bag packages. People who have allergies to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Crunch Pak of Cashmere, Washington is voluntarily recalling 5,471 cases of Crunch Pak Apple Slices due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.
Bailey’s Choice LLC. in Waleska, GA is recalling its 5 oz. packages of chicken treats because they have 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. 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.
3 Fellers LLC is voluntarily initiating a product recall of 3 Fellers Chocolate Cream Pies with the UPC# 891796002732 as a precautionary measure. The recall was initiated after it was discovered by the company that the product may contain undeclared almonds.
Whole Foods Market’s Northern California region is recalling ready-to-eat Artichoke Wheatberry Salad and Southwest SooFoo®* Salad in response to a recall issued today by Glass Onion Catering. The salads are being recalled as a preventive measure because they have the potential to be contaminated with E. coli O157:h7, a bacteria that may cause illness.
Sequel Naturals Inc., dba “Vega,” announced today that it has taken the precautionary measure of voluntarily withdrawing a limited quantity of its Vega One Nutritional Shakes and Sports Performance Protein products due to finding trace amounts of chloramphenicol (CAP), a naturally occurring antibiotic. Chloramphenicol is a prescription drug commonly used to treat typhoid fever and eye infections around the world. It should only be used under medical supervision.
Athertone Foods, Inc. of Richmond, CA is voluntary recalling “Best Buy” dates 9-23-13 through 11-14-13 of ready to eat salads and wraps because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. coli O157:H7). E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools.
Palmer Candy Company of Sioux City, IA is recalling 102 cases of HyVee Chocolate Caramel Clusters and 90 cases HyVee Chocolate Covered Caramels because they may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Plum Organics is voluntarily recalling pouch products within its Baby Stage 2, Tots Mish Mash and Kids lines after discovering a manufacturing defect that may cause spoilage in some pouches. Recalled products can be identified by the “Best By” dates ranging from 08/05/14 to 12/08/14 and the letters “AT.”
11/05/2013 03:59 PM EST GOURMET EXPRESS, LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS 32 OUNCE PACKAGES OF “FUSIA CHICKEN LO MEIN” AND 21 OZ PACKAGES OF “BREMER 3 CHEESE CHICKEN” AND “BREMER GARLIC SHRIMP SKILLET MEALS DUE TO POSSIBLE UNDECLARED. People who have allergies to egg, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products
October 30, 2013 – Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating an expansion to our voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products included in the expanded recall were produced between the dates of September 5, 2013 through October 16, 2013.
GOURMET EXPRESS, LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS 32 OUNCE PACKAGES OF “FUSIA CHICKEN LO MEIN” AND 21 OZ PACKAGES OF “BREMER 3 CHEESE CHICKEN” AND “BREMER GARLIC SHRIMP SKILLET MEALS DUE TO POSSIBLE UNDECLARED. People who have allergies to egg, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
11/04/2013 11:00 AM EST Teens are particularly at risk for adverse effects associated with anabolic steroids—possible mood swings, aggressive behavior, heart and liver disease, shrinkage of the testes in males, and menstrual irregularities in women. Ali Mohamadi, M.D., a medical officer in the Food and Drug Administration’s Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products, warns teens and parents about the dangers of steroid use.
October 30, 2013 – Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating an expansion to our voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products included in the expanded recall were produced between the dates of September 5, 2013 through October 16, 2013.
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is voluntarily expanding its October 22, 2013 recall of refrigerated ready-to-eat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods of Vallejo, California is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Trader Giotto’s Caesar Salad (SKU 05161) with a “Use By 11/03” date, because it may not list wheat, soy and fish (anchovy) in the ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, soy and/or anchovy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Following the Reser’s Fine Foods (“Reser’s”) recall where select Reser’s products were recalled due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Dutch Treat Salads, LLC, of Zeeland, MI, is voluntarily recalling one product, Mexicali Dip, that contains one ingredient recalled by Reser’s.
The Perrigo Company (NYSE: PRGO; TASE) announced today that it has initiated a voluntary, nationwide product recall to the retail level of 18 batches of its acetaminophen infant suspension liquid, 160 mg/5 mL, sold in 2 oz. and 4 oz. bottles with syringes in a box under the store brand products listed below. The recall is being initiated because of the remote potential that a small number of packages might contain an oral dosing syringe without dose markings.
Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate recall in all Winn-Dixie stores of the Taylor Farms Broccoli Crunch Salad sold in the full-service case in the deli department. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the reason for the recall is the potential that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall is part of a larger recall issued by Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc. and Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc. as a result of a recall of Reser’s Fine Food Inc. products.
Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate recall of the Taylor Farms Spinach Antipasta Salad in all Winn-Dixie stores. This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall announced by Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc.
Between the government shutdown and the rollout of HealthCare.gov, you probably haven’t heard too much about sequestration lately. Unfortunately, these painful and damaging spending cuts are still here, still hurting people across the country, and are about to get a whole lot worse.
Early next year, another round of cuts kicks in on top of the cuts put in place this year. And many agencies won’t be able to use some of the tactics they did this year to blunt some of the impact of the current round of cuts.
The Supreme Court just decided to take up a case that could determine whether or not for-profit companies can deny their employees’ access to birth control. Republicans opposed to the Affordable Care Act are taking an extreme position and arguing that women’s bosses should have a say in their personal health decisions — which could undermine a core tenet of Obamacare and compromise women’s health.
That means it couldn’t be a more important time to speak out in favor of a woman’s right to make her own choices about her health. Let’s all stand together to show this is a decision that belongs to a woman, not her employer:
Imagine that complications from your pregnancy put your health at risk and when you arrive at the hospital you suddenly find out that they can refuse to help you.
This horrific reality has happened to many women, and it will happen again. If your local hospital is religiously affiliated — or if it employs doctors or nurses who have religious objections to providing needed medical care — it could even happen to you.
Within the next two years, more than 50 percent of hospital admissions in Washington may be to Catholic institutions that restrict patient access to medication and procedures. These religiously affiliated hospitals allow religious doctrine, rather than proven medical best practices, to dictate the kind of care and procedures pregnant women and patients can receive. In these hospitals, patient care and medical standards often run a distant second to religious doctrine. As a result, women’s health can suffer, and lives can be at risk and all the while women continue to seek care at these hospitals with no idea.
You can change this. The Washington Department of Health is asking for comments on proposed changes to hospital disclosure policies.
Many women seeking care at these hospitals may not realize that the hospitals deny care for women and patients in emergency situations, including:
Prohibiting prompt, medically indicated treatment of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, even if the woman’s life and health is at risk.
Refusing to inform a couple about their contraceptive options, including sterilization, even though a pregnancy could threaten the women’s health or life.
Requiring patients in persistent vegetative states to be kept on feeding tubes even when a patient has specifically indicated that a feeding tube is something he or she would never want.
Danielle Fox Outreach Coordinator Center for Science and Democracy
Be a Seed for Change 
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